but oh what a year

[patrols]

Comments

[lengthened]

I am a fan of progress.

( She steps out the door, though, grabbing a fur from her coat rack, and locks it behind her.

Once Dolls helps her into it. It's heavy and very Liza. )

Sounds like you're already on your way. Shall we, Xavier?

[cosmiccon]

Let's go.

[They step out on the street, heading from their hotel to the penthouse where the Earps have been staying. As they fall into quiet on the streets, Dolls can't help but ask.]

So what have you and Waverly been working on?

[lengthened]

( She draws the fur closer around herself, like she's trying to defend against the inevitable. Some stray bullet aimed at her missing son.

She glances at him, not making it easy, but he knows the broad strokes. )

I know his name now. Russell DeBrande.

[cosmiccon]

[It takes him a second to realize what she's saying, before he turns to face her more, taking her by the arm to slow her down and see her face as he asks.]

You found him?

[lengthened]

Donna found him. Waverly facilitated and did extensive research. He's died several lifetimes over. Some curse. Apparently, that business is finished and now he's in hiding. Again.

( It's madness, but Waverly has kept her grounded. )

[cosmiccon]

[So close yet so far.]

You have a name now. Names are a step in the right direction. Do you have a picture?

[Sometimes having a face is really all you need, especially in today's surveillance state.]

[lengthened]

I do. Waverly is doing what she can.

( And if anyone can, maybe Black Badge can. But, really, she trusts Waverly most. )

[cosmiccon]

Well, if Waverly's on it, then it'll be solved in no time.

[She's like a dog with a bone.]

She's never met a problem she didn't know how to solve.

[lengthened]

I believe that, the more time I spend with her. She brightens every room she's in.

( She brightens Adal's world. )

Not unlike Wynonna but in an alternative way.

[cosmiccon]

Wynonna is a little more of a wild card.

[And he means that in a very fond way.]

But you're not wrong, on either count.

[Wynonna certainly brightens his world, though he can't help but feel that whatever opportunity they may have had is in the past. Wynonna probably won't forgive him enough to give him that kind of trust.

Or at least he assumes. He and Wynonna haven't actually had a conversation about it.]

[lengthened]

I know there's history there. Any of it recent enough?

( Feelings? Excavations are sometimes necessary, especially to move forward. )

[cosmiccon]

It's ...

[He swallows as he slides his hands into his pockets, trying to consider how best to phrase it.]

It's a lot of what could have been. And I'm pretty sure I missed my shot almost twenty years ago.

[lengthened]

And yet, here you are, invited to the family holiday. From what I've gathered, ( read: listened closely to everything Waverly says ) Wynonna's happily ever after didn't last. And she hasn't been with anyone since. Though, it did sound complicated between the three of you.

[cosmiccon]

There wasn't much complicated about it. He got her pregnant.

[At least from Dolls perspective. He was cut out before he even had the chance to try.]

And technically I was responsible for her. She was my CI.

[lengthened]

For Black Badge.

( But, fine. By the book soldiers stay by the book. )

Now, she has a daughter in college and a happily remarried ex, that anachronistic cowboy.

[cosmiccon]

[Dolls nods, but also shakes his head.]

Still. Pushing things with Wynonna is a for sure way for them to never happen.

[You have to let her come to you. Though he can't say that if they were caught under the mistletoe, he wouldn't be tempted.]

[lengthened]

Did I say anything about pushing?

( She holds the door open to their building and nods to the door man who knows her now, taking a liking to her coat. In the elevator, he leans against him, just shoulder to shoulder, she is there if he needs her.

Leading the way to the door, she knocks. )

[eredite]

[Despite the expensive sound proofing Elijah no doubt pays for to contend with his and Bela's vampire hearing, Adal and Dolls both can in fact hear:]

I GOT IT.

[And then the door flies open and Alice is there in her Christmas onesie, looking over both of them. Dolls almost feels as though the air has been knocked out of him looking at her, knowing her for who she is in an instant. The last time he'd seen her, she had been a baby. Now she was a whole person.

It only drives home how much time he's missed.

Alice moves to the side to let Adal in, before raising an eyebrow at Dolls.]

Wimp.

[He manages to pull himself out of his thoughts and snorts. "This is as festive as I get, kid."

Alice shakes her head.]

I stand by what I said.

[She then completely moves out of the way as she turns back into the apartment.]

Dolls and Adal are here.

[lengthened]

Hello, again, Alice.

( She and her fur coat make their way inside. Familiar with her surroundings, already, she takes off her gloves next, looking back at what's sure to be an awkward exchange - like he needs an invitation. )

Let him through. He's my plus-one.

( Wynonna's plus-something. )

Cut him some slack, okay?

( But don't cut Adal some slack, because she came prepared and she is in a beautiful, velour, Christmas onesie. )

[eredite]

[The look on her face says she is very much not going to cut him slack. But she will sigh, and step to the side to let him in.]

Aunt Waverly says the dress code isn't mandatory.

["Thank you." He steps inside, before glancing back to her. "Nice to finally meet you, Alice."

That catches her a little off-guard.]

Yeah. Nice to meet you too.

[lengthened]

Well, shall we awkwardly move from the foyer to the main salon?

( Because, this is painful. She makes a note to pull Alice away at some point. Feelings must be unpacked. )

[stupetballs]

Yes, you should.

[Waverly appears in the main room in her holiday-appropriate onesie, gesturing for them both to come further inside. Dolls follows and once they can both see the room, Waverly gestures to indicate.]

Merry Christmas! Food and drink is in the kitchen, any presents should be deposited by the tree, and I will take any coats.

[She holds her hands out, and Dolls obediently passes it over. "Thanks, Waves."]

[lengthened]

( She hands over her fur as she takes in the festive scene. )

Your family outdoes the Underground.

[stupetballs]

We are big on Christmas cheer here.

[She tucks the coat over her arm and collects Dolls' as she heads towards the closet.]

And Wynonna did the decorating so there is probably mistletoe about. But we're also expecting Doc and his wife and son so we should have a good number.

[lengthened]

That's a very nice number.

( She lets Dolls head further into the living room and joins Waverly by the closet. )

That won't be strange, John Henry. Wynonna, his new wife, Alice?

( "Babygirl," Wynonna calls out, but, to Alice. "Help momma with the tampon angel!" )