but oh what a year

[patrols]

Comments

[blackstarred]

Basically. And it's not just the strength and speed. It's also memories of past Slayers and the things they've been through and prophetic dreams and ...

[Her voice trails off as her eyes meet Connor's briefly before dragging back to JR again. This is weird enough, she's not bringing that into it too.]

... and it was a lot. And I didn't know what was going on, so I bailed. And then I met someone named Faith, also a Slayer, and she filled me in.

[upskill]

Faith found you. Meeting her wasn't a coincidence. And it's a good thing she did, or you might still be on your sabbatical.

( "JR," Connor stays her with his hand.

She fights the roll of her eyes she can already feel. )

I'm just - it's a lot. It's one thing - uncle Barry's one thing - but now there are slayers.

( "Are you jealous Mia's life blew wide open and not--" )

Mine? I know where I come from and where I'm going. I'm not jealous that it's... all up in the air now. And I am sorry. You're all right, I can't imagine what you're going through. I only wished it were more scandalous and not less of this world.

[overprivileged]

I think -

[Quentin puts a mixed mocktail in everyone's hand as he moves through the room.]

- that the world has always been wild and wacky, and so long as Mia isn't planning on dying and activating the next Slayer in the line anytime soon, there are worse ways she could have handled it.

[He lifts his own glass in a toast motion.]

In my opinion, saying no to JJ is not the worst thing she could have done.

[Mia does soften some, because she knows that Quentin is trying to make peace, and she looks over at JR. "I'm sorry I didn't call or tell you guys what was going on. I just ... didn't really know how to talk about it. I still don't."]

[upskill]

( Yeah, Q, what everyone needs in this room is now a mixed cocktail. Connor sniffs his. No alcohol. He sips. It tastes good, too.

He realized there's a toast to be made, swallows what he sips and holds his glass up. He, too, for reasons he can't name, is happy she said no to his brother. As happy as they were, they always seemed so perfect. The two people who would find one another. He always saw Mia's edges. Feels like no one acknowledged them, besides her dad. )

Well, we're here. Even when you think you can't explain it.

[blackstarred]

I know.

[And she does. One thing she always knew is that the Merlyns wouldn't abandon her, no matter what. They may be pissed at her, but they're still Team Mia. Their parents wouldn't produce a child who could do anything else.

Tommy and Laurel were always the rocks. They were always the ones who stayed.

Behind them, there's a knock on the door as the last member of their party lets herself in. "I know, I'm late." Zoe sighs as she sheds her coat. "But the assholes at City Hall just would not let me go."]

[upskill]

( Having finished her wine, she sets the empty glass down on the table. Zoe's arrival has her springing to her feet. Whereas Mia always had that edge, Zoe shows the edge. She has a grit she doesn't hide, probably because of her father's origin story and JR likes that. Very naturally, her best friend slots shifted and she found herself gravitating more toward Zoe. Things will even out again. )

Everyone at City Hall is a complete asshole, she's right.

( She air-kisses her friend. )

Q, someone needs one of your signature cocktails. Taste.

[overprivileged]

Mocktail.

[But he will fix one for Zoe, and pass it over to her with a smile.

"I'll take it," Zoe smiles, before leaning in to give him a kiss one the cheek. "Merry Christmas."]

Merry Christmas. And, now that you're here, we can show William what he's missing.

[He pulls out his phone and crouches down in front of his sister and Mia, before pulling up selfie mode.]

C'mon. Everyone get in here.

[Zoe tucks her arm through Connor and pulls him in closer, getting into place so Quentin can snap the shot.]

[upskill]

( everyone shuffles closer, JR and her heels crouching from the back so that everyone is in it. the picture snaps and everyone straightens up again. )

Would you ever consider ditching City Hall for Parliament? I think you could do wonders whipping for the Labour party.

[canarying]

[Zoe shakes her head.]

Much as I would love seeing you more often while you're at school, I feel like I'd make a lot more headway here, even with the assholes.

["Besides, your dad would be lost without you, even with Dinah keeping him in line," Mia teases and Zoe shakes her head.]

Don't even get me started. He found out that a mayor in New York had made me a loose job offer and he threw a fit.

[Everyone's phone dings with the new entry to the group chat.]

[upskill]

( She knows it's a shallow, selfish ask. She always has to try.

JR turns, eyeing what's being cooked and then taps on their group chat. )

Always a master of the angle, brother.

( Connor gets his own hug in with Zoe.

"Zoe, did you do Christmas with Dinah and your dad?" )

[canarying]

["If it's going to be shared, best to get everyone's good side."

Zoe nods.]

We do Christmas Eve, though. Always have.

[A holdover from their Latino roots. They may not do midnight mass, but staying up late to open their presents is a Ramirez family right of passage.]

He and Dinah are drove out to see Curtis and his husband for dinner.

[infiltratingly]

( "Not always possible, but you did it," she says, giving her brother props.

Curtis is energy and loves entertaining, so Connor can see why Zoe chose the cool kids over Curtis and his husband. )

Whatever Q's making is almost ready. Smells good, though.

( Which is all they can ask for.

"Whatevers. Plural. He planned courses," his sister says. )

Hope you brought your appetite.

[canarying]

Always.

[Mia leans over the counter to try and get a better look at what's coming. "If you're going to break into my apartment the least you can do is feed me."

Zoe shakes her head.]

We didn't break in. Jay Michael knows we're here.

["Yeah, you plotting with my roommate behind my back is a conversation we're going to have later."]

[upskill]

Can we talk about the roommate for a second? First of all, hot. Second of all, Mia Queen with a roommate. Where did you even find him?

( She's not even giving her a hard time, now. She's just curious. )

[blackstarred]

It's not that hot. And he's gay.

[So he's certainly not hot for her.]

We met in London. He's a friend of Coop's.

["Coop being the mysterious boyfriend William is hiding from us."

Mia rolls her eyes.]

He's not hiding him from you.

[upskill]

He's gay and hot.

( Hot it still hot. But, fine, to her point. )

That's right. Zoe and Connor have met him. It's just timing. Small world with William and Cooper and then you shacking up with his friend. Even better, I don't think anybody involved is British.

( "They aren't," Connor confirms. )

[blackstarred]

Okay, Jay Michael and I are living together because he needed to get out of my dad's house and I had an extra bedroom. Also why are you making this sound like it's some kind of conspiracy?

[Because it's not. It really is just timing.]

[upskill]

It's not a conspiracy. I wouldn't spend more time with uncle Oliver than I needed to, either, even though I love the Queen estate.

( She does love aunt Laurel. She's always one to encourage her audaciousness, something her mother doesn't always love. She is partial toto their parents, but that's a childhood home for you. )

We're done with the third degree. Besides, something smells good.

[blackstarred]

Yes, please. Let's eat.

[And they will settle in for food and chatting, that eventually devolves to laughter and stories from Oxford from the twins, and as they're getting ready to clear some of the dishes, the front door opens to reveal Jay Michael and his boyfriend returning home from family Christmas.

Wes raises his eyebrows. "Did you know Mia was having a party?"]

Mia didn't know Mia was having a party.

[pumping]

We were going to be out and her friends insisted it was good for her.

( He should sound guiltier than he is, but they did enter to laughter and merriment, did they not? )

It had Zoe's stamp of approval.

( "Which goes a long way," Connor contributes. )

[blackstarred]

A head's up might have been nice.

[She's just saying. She's trying to be less cranky though because she does love her friends. It's just been a weird couple days.

"Advanced notice was not part of our friendship agreement," Quentin smirks. "Sorry, Queenie."]

[pumping]

And they asked for... none.

( He consults with his boyfriend. How bad did he do, really?

"And he obliged, which we appreciated. One step closer to being a part of the cook kids," JR says, giving him a wink. And then, back to Wes, again. )

I don't know if I want to be a part of the cool kids.

[mojitos]

I work for their father. I'm not allowed to comment either way.

["Smart boy, Wes," Quentin grins, before holding up a plate of the remaining h'orderves. "Mini-quiche?"

Wes shrugs, before moving closer to take one.

Mia sighs, before shaking her head. "I'm going to patrol. I'll be back in a couple hours."]

[pumping]

I'm sure you could say whatever you wanted.

( But, oh, mini-quiche.

"Disagreeing won't matter," Connor says, also stepping up for a mini-quiche.

"You just think we won't be here in a few hours," JR calls out to her. )

[blackstarred]

One can hope.

[Mia glances back at them as she grabs her jacket.]

We don't have a guest room and I've slept in your bed at home. It's a much better option for you.