That Flotsam and Friends RP

Even after living together for years now, things were still all good, all fun, and Fig had not even a thought of telling Willem to move on. Tummy toasty bageys for bagel Friday every week, horror movie marathons, random Gonzo cosplay, Diana’s eyes popping out and falling down the stairs, Jacko and Mr Punch combining forces against the Diddy Kongs, Hansel broaching out from the walls more and more - this was forever.

esbrow

“Fuckin Americans,” GoGo whispered, nudging Dale playfully.

GoGo was getting used to the different people in the Laveau circle. It was a little hard to believe sometimes that she, just a borin’ old human, was a part of them, when they had people like Clopin, standing up there with DEATH like they were best friends, and Kuzco, the musical lil emperor who just popped out of nowhere and joined conversations. Kuzco’s intrusion wasn’t surprising - or unwelcome at all.

“Yeah? He has the Kuzco seal of approval?” GoGo asked. “Guess I should get back into those books.”

It was Victor’s laugh that brought on some more laughs, even from the bride, because it was a sound that wasn’t heard very often. The doctor was neurotic, but he wasn’t typically the happiest, so that was a good sign. Even though Frank would never admit it, the validation made him stand even a little taller.

Frank patted the pocket where the thick book was, as he took a toke of his joint. ‘May have stolen a few words from the wordsmith’, he thought over to Delta. ‘Not like anyone here would notice.’

The only one who might have noticed would have been Thomas, but hme hadn’t read much Clive Barker - he was more into the classics - so he hadn’t picked up on a single thing, except for watching his friend Victor laugh, which in turn made him laugh too.

It was kind of crazy that they were all here, if one took a moment to stop and think about it, the way that GoGo did. But not just about her, about everyone. Still being close to the Laveaus despite Agnes and Chip’s failed relationship, Maddy only being here at all because Flotsam and Clopin went to the Underworld to rescue her mother before she was even born - there was so much history in this room, between everyone, that love being celebrated was the least-crazy thing of all.

Even with the scars that were still underneath the henna and her fantastic dress, Maddy had no thought of Declan. Like her shields were keeping all thoughts of him out of this room, out of this occasion. She didn’t know what happened to the container that Chip had put him in - whether it was reclaimed by the swamps after the Laveau house burned down, or if he had brought it with him to New Zealand - but she didn’t care. It was gone. He was gone.

She smiled and then giggled, her nose slightly wrinkling, dimples showing. The real kinda smile that wasn’t always pretty, wasn’t picture-perfect, maybe showed too much teeth. But it also showed the happiness the bride was feeling.

“If I ever say no, that’s when we know there’s a problem,” She hummed happily, kissed the tip of his nose, and let him twirl her out onto the dance floor.

Delta’s first thought was also Frank’s first thought - how absolutely ridiculous was he going to look? But then again - it might give him more reason for people not to ask him to dance tonight. He was already intimidating to most of the people here. If he was insane too?

He caught eyes with Delta and saw that Hugo was asking her, and nearly snorted at the sight of the horny little gargoyle propositioning Delta. Anyone real doing that - he would have stepped in.

As it were -

He gave a curt nod, and held his hand out low - having to bend down to do so - to the feminine gargoyle to give her a bit of a spin, much like Bastien had done to his wife.

Dale finally got his shoes back untied so he could stand normally again as he kept chuckling about the Waldo situation. They were so American, his whole family, southern American. The ya'lls were healthily sprinkled throughout their conversations. He had a healthy sense of humor about themselves.

GoGo was definitely part of the ever growing but tight nit circle. She might have been human, but they all considered her brainpower superhuman. She had her own special spark, and Dale was very thankful their time up in the trees of the old Ewok Village didn't dim it. It could have easily turned awkward, but they seemed good, natural, maybe a little bit tighter, but nothing negative seemed to follow it thus far.

Kuzco put two thumbs up and winked at GoGo. Seal of approval was officially official.

It was pretty crazy everyone was all here. Valerie had internally stepped back and had the same sorts of thoughts. It wasn't just a wedding. It was like a family reunion and community grill out all at once. The entire friends and family circle from far and wide showed up to celebrate the Belleroses. The togetherness after such passage of time for everyone was something to be celebrated too. It was the thought she had as Thomas took her hand to dance.

The floor flooded with pairs after the bride and groom took their place in the spotlight. There was hardly a pair that didn't give Frank and Delta a double or even triple glance. Dr. Frankenstein half wondered if there were ghosts around he was unable to see. It wouldn't be the first time with all of Zero's ghost dog in and out journeys to the other side.

Laverne would feel his forearms and say to Frank, "Oh my, I haven't danced with a real man cut like this since I was just pebble on a riverbank."

Hugo was dancing so haphazardly it was pulling Delta every which way making her dance look so sporadic and choppy. He was stronger than expected and was leading her around to the point of exhaustion. "I'm an excellent dancer. Lucky girl. Prepare to be impressed."

"You're a something alright." She barely managed to say as her voice cracked when she was whipped quickly in another direction. She was thinking she was going to end up with whiplash if this kept up.

Kuzco accepted Clopin's brow waggle offer for a spin. Diablo was delighted to learn he had a dance partner. He'd been in bird form on Delta's shoulder when she walked down the aisle. He quickly turned human, adult human this time changing up their routine. When he met Figaro's eyes he couldn't help but grin, so used to being stoic in that form for Delta, it was challenging to bust out of.

Which made him laugh all the more, for he was still Diablo through and through no matter his form. Figaro had a way of bringing out his personality and dance he did.

He wasn't the only one doing a little jig. Willem picked Frankie up as "requested" and spun her around letting her feet dangle so she would feel like she was flying. He kept her on his hip for half the dance until she wore heavy on him. Then he let her slide down and stand each foot on top of his pirate dress boots. Her excitement had her blipping in and out of sight, but she stayed dancing atop his feet. This gave him the same look as if dancing with no one for a few seconds and then she'd show up again. Uncle Wild Will had it going on. He even pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and rolled it up so he could tie it around her head. He pulled a side down over one of her eyes and got her saying, "Arr! Arr!" He turned her into a little pirate princess with her pretty dress on.

Koda would ask Elsa for a round on the dance floor. They weren't usually the pda sort of couple, but he was feeling spry and went for a kiss as the music inspired him.

Valerie caught a glimpse of that over Thomas's shoulder and giggled as she motioned her head to get Thomas to see. In all the time Koda and Elsa were becoming some sort of thing it was all a fairy tale in Valerie's head, as if it wasn't real. But seeing it in reality solidified it as real for them. Go Koda.

Chip's wives spread out being social and Pippin danced with Jagan. Ziya danced with Caim. Jenna danced with Jules. Raya danced with Silvan. Something about him made him feel like he was more her pace. The mothman was known to enjoy children and ended up dancing with little Praline too. Chip danced with Ray. Zero with the Doc. Everyone was participating. Piper danced with Death himself.

Dale couldn't help but notice. What a sight that was. Jealous wasn't the feeling, but there was an irritancy Dale couldn't quite put a name on. He was still holding a silent grudge despite smoothing things over with her about Pierre. Just because he agreed to let it go didn't mean some sort of hurt feeling didn't still linger. It was hard to get the sight out of his head when, even when he didn't look because Valerie kept looking at Piper and Death all googoo over the visual of Piper looking like Arwen with Aragorn dancing with the king. The shared sight was going to be his mental doom. It was the first moment Dale understood the moment Flotsam forked out his eye. He wanted the image out of his head. Dale tried so hard to not notice that particular window so he could focus on the rest of the reception.

He went over to get a refill on his drink and took it down fast before asking the tender for yet another fill up. He looked around the room and saw GoGo. Ah there we go, he thought to himself. Someone that doesn't piss him off. He was about to go up to her and see if he could distract himself by seeing if they could keep up their tradition of dances.

But right when he was about to open his mouth Scout opened hers first. Well shit. He backed up a step not intending to ruin his little sister's good fun.

"Wanna dance, friend?"

She looked exuberantly happy feeling her toast tipsiness and her little black dress.

Dale would back out and tap Koda on the shoulder before asking Elsa, "Could I cut in?" Koda would bow out as long as Elsa said yes.

While all this was happening Bastien was enjoying his wife. Eventually, he looked around. His daddy senses had a way of glancing over to make sure his young daughter was okay as any good parent might. He stood side by side with Maddy and couldn't help but notice everyone having such a good time.

He laughed a stoner's laugh when he saw Frankie being a pirate with Will. He laughed even more as he watched Hugo and Laverne dancing with Frank and Delta of all people. Even Diablo with Figaro. He was family too. All of Delta Castle were getting their groove on.

Frank would decide to go see how Treebeard was doing - it made him feel close to home.

Oogie rolled her eyes as Flotsam decided to make the gift public. “He’s had so much going on,” She would drawl on to anyone who was close enough to listen. ”That I thought I’d indulge in a little charity myself. Halloweentown knows he doesn’t have the collection he used to - after the fire and all.”

A fire that, surprisingly, she had no part in, not like the Renault house. She was still very bitter over not getting the Cornerstone, and seeing the children of the family out of the corner of her eye only reminded her of this.

“We’ll check the schedule and get back to you,” Oogie said, loftily. But she did look pleased about the idea. She was an addict when it came to gambling, and she was damn good at it too. Roll a dice, snake eyes every time. Play a hand of poker, royal flush more often than not.

Take some of the Laveau money? Even after their mended bridge tonight? Why not.

An even better challenge if he - or she since it would be Valerie - was as good as Madam Medusa said.

“Medusa, long time no see,” Oogie said, because of course everyone knew of the neurotic Medusa. Hell, it was like all of the neurotic women knew each other in New Orleans before it became Feral. Whether they liked each other or not was a whole different story, but they did know of one another.

Maddy’s ears perked up as she heard Flotsam’s toast, and her cheeks turned slightly pink in a way that couldn’t be blamed on the alcohol. “To Valerie!” She called back, vodka cran in the air.

Figaro cheered to that one. “Oh, we’re gonna make him Tubthump before the night is out, Willem DaFriend. “We need whisky, vodka, lager, cider, stat!”

This felt good to Maddy. This felt good to Figaro. Everyone being all together like this - the unexpected, like Oogie, like Cap’n Hook at a house party. So far, so peaceful.

“Oh no,” Maddy said, giggling as the gun came out. “Looks like I might have to shield us from stray bullets - can’t say I’m surprised.”

–

Nicolai let out a small laugh when he saw that, indeed, there was a plaque. “I wonder if they do tours?” He asked, dipping his fingers into the water. The rotting whale - it would make a good host for -

But Annabel was able to snap him out of his usual mushroom-filled haze, snapping his scientific brain to another direction.

“We’d need a lot of alcohol, I’m sure,” He said. “Body weight, alcohol level - we’d need several bottles of straight up rubbing alcohol.” He wiped his damp fingers on his pants. “We could snoop in the bathrooms - after we get ourselves some drinks.”

–

Ellie was no longer little-sister coded. She grew the fuck up. Basically from the moment that her parents became zombies, when she had to strap herself to her skateboard and weave through dead bodies - some of which she recognized - and make her way to Halloweentown, she wasn’t a little girl any further.

She was a certified, grown-up badass who knew it. Who owned it. Who was walking the same path as women like Piper, like Valerie, like Maddy, who came into themselves and rocked it.

Ellie caught Piper’s eye when Babyface got all possessive, and held back a snort, putting an arm around his waist, as if he needed some kind of reassurance. But also, because his reaction was amusing, she decided to talk to Pierre a little longer.

“I guess I don’t have to ask if you’re still as slutty as the Pierre I remember?” Ellie joked.

“Not quite,” Pierre said, deciding that there was enough bad feelings about what had happened between Pierre and Maddy before he came back. Maybe they could be a bit lighter about it. “But close.”

“Never change, Pierre,” Ellie laughed. “We’ll have to hang out.”

–

GoGo was accepting - because Scout said Pierre was family, so she would consider him just another member of that family. And sure, he was handsome. Good skin. Trimmed facial hair. A nice smile.

But he gave ‘doofus’.

And she wasn’t into that.

But because it was a party - she’d have a bit of fun. She had not the slightest intention of actually doing anything with this French boy, but -

“I hear I have competition,” She said, holding her drink to her chest. “That you’re as fast with people as I am on the streets.”

Pierre nearly choked on his drink, and then let out a hearty laugh at that. “Oh, I know how to take things slow when it counts.”

–

It was strange, sometimes. It looked like Bastien. It smelled like Bastien. It felt like Bastien. But it didn’t sound like Bastien. And it made Maddy wonder if this is what her husband went through - where things feel one way but they’re actually the other. His hallucinations.

Regardless, she sat next to her husband’s body and smiled towards Koda and Chess.

“Well, yeah,” She nodded. “You were all badass - I had to record it to show to Frankie when we get home. She likes headbanging,” She chuckled.

She felt comfortable around Koda, so she was relaxed, sipping her drink, leaning against Flotsam like she really was wifey, but hoping that Bastien inside could feel it. That she was there.

“If you wanna take on an army, Koda, I know Madam Medusa has a gun and might be a bit foolhardy with it once she gets the safety off.”

And then new people came up. Maddy was good with people. Even if they were Halloweentowners. After all, she had been one of them for a short time.

“Hey, I’m Maddy,” She introduced once Valentin looked her over. There was something interesting about her, to the vulture. Like there was something dead lingering inside. His senses picked it up, even without knowing a thing about her past.

Tree was always welcome at a Laveau party. While Frank hung around him, he went out to check on the little sapling he'd left for Flotsam and Thomas and was pleased with its growth. Since he was outside, he'd see the Laveau and Savanne kids on the loose. It was a party, so they were allowed up. Stark and Dove were on their kiddie dirt bikes popping wheelies and running their itty-bitty foul mouths.

Flotsam and Chip both perked an ear when Oogie found it necessary to rub in what they'd lost, but as annoying as it was to be reminded, she wasn't wrong. Chip stood with one of his more stoic expressions while Flotsam was more welcoming about it. "And what a great way to start off a new collection. Thanks again, Oogs."

As per the poker games, "Just let me know." Valerie didn't intend to hold her breath, Flotsam either, but they still thought it might be fun. It would take a lot to get Flotsam down on a day like this.

Medusa was one of the ladies who indulged in Oogie's conversation. "Long time no see. I've been stuck here in a whole new country. Big bad Pirate man says for my safety. I'd love to know when he thought I couldn't take care of myself. Blundering buffoon." Medusa missed Nola and her easy access to the Nevers. She missed her old pawn shop.

Some of Chip's wives were around nodding along too. Again, Oogie just wasn't wrong so it was hard to find a place to complain about the way she was narrating it.

Mim would remind the group, "Cruella's seat is empty." Oogie probably didn't want to give Valerie too much hope, but it was true none the less.

Delta heard Cruella's name and smirked. Frank pulling the lever to her doom turned an annoyance into a fun day.

--

Annabel walked with Nicolai to get their first drinks of the evening, and she also kept her eye out for the bathrooms in case they actually followed up on their alcohol for the shark idea. She stood there as drinks were poured and noticed his brother.

"Valentin makes friends quickly." He was already in a group of people and looking lively. "Usually takes me forever." She admitted. "You might be an exception."

---

At the table where Valentin was, CJ was finally introducing Chess to him along. At that point Chess introduced everyone else, from Koda, to Elsa, to Jetsam though she called him Bastien, as the band always would for the public eye. "And this is his wife, Maddy." Chess would finish naming everyone gathered at the table even though Maddy already introduced herself. Call it a weird Cheshire thing. She chuckled at his greeting and would counter with, "Multiples? Hm. Good. We can always do with more than one of you. Just in case. People seem to die so quickly here."

Then they added, "You know, sometimes I'm here. Sometimes I'm not here. Sometimes I am here but not really here. In any case you should have my number as one of the places I may or may not be found." Then she reached her hand out for his phone to put hers in for him. "Any friend of CJ's is an acquaintance of mine. You want a tour of the place? I practically live here except for when I don't."

This all made Bastien laugh knowing he was dead. Die quickly here indeed. He didn't know if any of these people could sense it, but most people in the world could not. With his arm around Maddy he pulled her in a bit. He leaned in and kissed her shoulder and slowly breathed his way up the side of her face nosing her hair, getting a good whiff of her shampoo. He smirked about Frankie liking headbanging. "So do Chip's kids. A kiddie mosh pit is inevitable."

At that very moment Piper was rallying in Praline at the karaoke machine who was doing her own version of some old punk song. It was so off key, but the girl was jamming. ((Pralines's not blonde but you get the idea))

Then he looked towards the newcomer. "Tell me and my ol' lady about yourself, Valentin. What's your idea of fun?"

He didn't talk like Bastien at all, but he did keep seeing odd things in his peripheral vision like Bastien. Was that eyes? He shook his head. One would think he'd get used to it after using this vessel so many times, but it continued to be difficult for him. His gaze would dart here and there not used to seeing through Bastien's eyes.

---

Flotsam got a kick out of Maddy adding in a toast for Valerie. It was amazing really how bonded she had begun to feel with the girl. Time has a way of changing everything.

Wild Will decided the moment Smalls demanded more alcohol that it was going to be a wilding kind of night. He felt like following in his dear old dad's footsteps with this one. He went to the liquor table and not only got his father some, but got more for him and Figaro.

"Selfie us now dear before I black out. Plus, you are looking so good, with a capitol G. I have a feeling I'm going to want to remember this night." Yes, he called Smalls dear. It caught a few people's ears, but his person they would always be, even if they couldn't be-be. If Diana came, he'd plan on many dances with his dancing girl too.

Bebop listened in on the first time he'd ever heard Babyface sound possessive about a girl. It was dawning on him how long the pair had been googly eyed for each other. He still remembered the cookie girl drawing in his brother's closet.

The grin on his face was all consuming. He could tell his kid brother saw Pierre as competition, and he might not admit it, but it might have been the cutest thing he'd ever seen.

Babyface did lean into Ellie when she slipped that arm around him, however the turn of term slut caused his mind to go elsewhere. The whole interaction made him have that jutted jawline he gets when he's trying to put on some type of hard ass face. Still, he whispered to her, "All this talk of sluts makes me miss Bouncer."

Bebop overheard. "Don't bring me down, bruh. Drink more. Now. Drink it out of your system." It was how Bebop got through all those months with his family tied up as zombie pets on the island. He figured it should work for Babyface too. Who needed therapy when they had booze? After that getting plastered was the only option.

Since Pierre was sort of in the conversation Bebop explained, "Our brother was a porn star." Not an ounce of shame in his voice, actually quite proud.

Then there was Abraxas who had been eavesdropping on GoGo since he heard the word tech. He got bored quickly as the convo stayed on flirtation with Pierre. Pierre who gave "doofus." That was the way most people in this circle saw him. Looks were quickly overlooked by most due to his personality. It was why most people didn't get Piper's big move to bring him back. They also just didn't care. It was all in good fun to most here.

Then there was Seven and Zero who didn't see him as a doofus. They saw him as a refuge they didn't have to think too seriously. It was nice to have an escape from the trials of life and death for that matter.

Speaking of, Seven was still near Oogie and had been listening to her talk about Flotsam's losses. He'd approach her and say, "I think I'm ready to take you up on that offer to come visit. Name a time and I'll be there."

He'd been thinking of her offer since last Halloween.

Lock saw them talking from across the room and smirked. Maybe this was going to be easier than he thought. He wasn't sure at all how this was going to play out when it all started.

--

Koda rubbed Elsa's back when she started coughing. Then the best thing ever happened in Koda's perspective. Denahi showed up.

"When did you get here?" He asked.

Denahi laughed, "Team Savanne sent a pilot with special flight instructions just for me. I wouldn't miss your re-debut for the world, kid. Nice laying eyes back on you too miss." He tipped his hat at Elsa. Pipping got the how to fly a vampire instruction manual from Flotsam to give this gift to Koda. He deserved to have family around too.

He wasn't the only vampire at the party. Parrish, Willem's now long-time loyal customer was meeting him here and then going back to Feral with him after for the visit, he'd planned back around the time Will and Smalls went and found Lil' Noi. He wasn't as much of a go getter and social as Denahi though. He sat in a corner in a rocking chair and people watched.

Iain's door was still coming in handy as this was how he transported Noi to New Zealand to reunite her with Madam Medusa. He was waiting for just the right time to reveal the big surprise.

Koda was trying to give Denahi a hug when Medusa's gun was mentioned. Chip pushed off their back to run over there and try to intervene before she killed Mim, OR WORSE, blew a hole in one of Flotsam's precious works of art.

Then BOOM!

Shit.

Too late.

Glass rained down from the skylight. Chip ran and tussled back and forth with her until he managed to wrestle the firearm from her.

"I'll just take that for safe keeping, Momma Medusa."

Chip was close to her after all her gemstone power lessons and had his own nicknames for her. She taught him everything about his gifts his bio-mom never could.

"Oh fine. But then you better keep that hussy off my man. I'll bury her alive I will."

Hook and Flotsam were still head banging around with a small group when the gunshot suddenly made them all look up.

"Have you lost your sanity woman?" Hook hollered when he saw who did it.

Well, daunting.

River, Dale and Chip had already been practically grown up when he had come into their lives. Scout was a different story.

But there was also pride. Pride that she was becoming her own woman, was growing independent. It’s everything that a parent hoped for and dreaded all in one.

And Valerie was taking it pretty well.

“Not a bad choice,” He ventured his opinion. “We know she’s brilliant - but it won’t hurt for her to learn more. She’s too smart to fall for the brainwashing bullshit that most schools are known for - she’ll always go her own way.”

“She’s definitely got that steak of you in her,” He said with a light chuckle. “If she doesn’t like the school - well, let’s hope they have insurance, and their cameras suck.”

"Yeah, no. I know you're right. She's smart. She can handle herself... most of the time." She recalled having to step in a couple times like during a dance or how that family of some girl she was dating treated her like a second-class citizen. Valerie was still Flotsam, the guy who grew up thinking the world hated him and had huge defensive walls built not only for himself, but all his family too. Scout was no exception. It was simply comfortable having her at home. This was a stepping out of their comfort zone moment.

She took a deep breath.

Then he did manage a chuckle out of her when he mentioned the cameras.

"Yeah. You're right on that too. Logically, I know it all to be true. My heart just doesn't want her to go." She had to admit that to Thomas if she was going to admit it to anyone.

"Yeah, we will. Good idea." She laughed half-heartedly knowing full well colleges treated their students like adults and didn't answer to their parents anymore.

kuzcotopia - infinity these stones

Figaro - well, they were thinking about what it must be like to love someone enough to promise to stay with them their entire lives. Not even in a romantic setting either. Just in general. Made them miss Gep who had been like that for them - choosing Figaro, raising Figaro, loving Figaro. Despite being aromantic and asexual, they had plenty of love in their life and it felt good.

Frank, though he was focusing still on letting Maddy see the gargoyles that were by their feet, he still caught on to some of Delta’s thoughts. This whole wedding thing - it wasn’t his scene. That much was obvious. So it was interesting that Delta was thinking about it, even while covering it up. He liked the blood much better. Very - the Shining.

“Ohhhh,” Go-Go said, looking at the picture that Dale was pointing up. “Wally. You really call him Waldo?” She let out a small laugh, even as she clapped along with everyone else for the bride and groom. “Waldo sounds … stupid.”

“And rejoined,” Maddy agreed with Valerie, her face all smiles to the point where she knew her cheeks were going to hurt later. But that’s what weddings were for. Be friends with the pain, like she had said in her vows. She wasn’t going to shy away from it.

It wouldn’t be a Bellerose event without weed, or without wine, so there was plenty of both to go around, whichever people had a preference for. Even Frankie would be allowed the tiniest sip of wine - they were in France, after all - which she wrinkled her nose at, and stuck to grape juice in her sippy cup.

Elsa would slip the weed given to her into Dale’s pocket, knowing he would probably appreciate it. But she would take a quick puff from Koda, just for the occasion’s sake. And then turn quickly as she coughed because she was not used to smoking in the slightest. Then pull herself together and hand it back, all dignified like.

Ellie saved hers for later, to share what little there was with Maz and Jax on the island. If anyone needed to relax, it was those two.

Frank wrinkled his nose as he remembered that he had to say something. Again. He gave a dramatic sigh, like he was just asked to take over Atlas’s job of carrying the world on his shoulders. “Right. Public speaking,” He grumbled. “Never did love that part.”

He caught onto Delta’s near mistake and let out a small snigger, not trying to cover it with anything. But the bride didn’t notice, too caught up in her happiness of the occasion. Of being close with her husband and daughter. Delta probably could have said Maddy Mouse and it wouldn’t have dulled the mood.

“Well said,” Thomas said, lifting up his joint in the toast.

“Thanks, Delta,” Maddy said, genuinely touched by the few words. There didn’t need to be a lot for them to be impactful.

Frank stood up, cracked his knuckles, then his neck, then spoke. His voice was just loud enough for people to hear, but quiet enough that they couldn’t make any other noise. It created almost a vacuum of sound, everyone focused on his voice.

“These two were opposites,” He said. “Completely. In thought, in lifestyle, in ambition. But something stitched them into the same being. And I know something about stitches.”

Holy fuck, did Frank just make a joke?

“These two, our Hunch and his mouse-” He’d say what Delta couldn’t. Maddy raised her eyebrows but didn’t comment on that. In fact, she was almost pleased. She had her own nickname! ”-Managed to combine both worlds into something that made extraordinary the norm. They made their fantasy true, because for one of them - reality never was. To the couple.”

The gargoyles were whistling and whooping and hollering their congratulations when it was all said and done. Victor burst into tears, Laverne was ready to get tipsy, and Hugo was shaking up the champagne.

All of Bastien's emotions were on display at once. Meanwhile he stood there grinning like a newlywed fool.

Dale was still laughing about Waldo. "That's what I thought too when I heard he was called Wally. Too weird."

That's when Kuzco held up his mustache tattooed finger over his upper lip and said, "Dude is ninja. Even with his names. No one really knows. He's so off the grid guys." Kuzco was clearly impressed with Waldo's skills. He still remembers when Bastien and Maddy dressed up like them for Halloween or costume party, something, but he recalled it. That was saying something for the lil' llama.

Elsa was slick and Dale didn't even notice when she slipped her goody bag in his pocket. But low and behold, whenever he did find it, he'd be one happy camper.

Delta smirked when she saw Frank realize he should speak. She nearly forgot until she saw the champagne glasses. His toast was perfect.

"Stitches."

"Oh, you're good." He deserved a compliment after that one.

Victor Frankenstein's laugh slash scoff was heard above all others. He usually managed to keep it all in, but that was too good.

Zero had a hard time not admiring his cute smile. He loved Victor in his own way.

Bastien loved both toasts and knew they both picked the perfect people for best man and maid of honor. The rest of the party looked so slick and fancy too. Never in a million years when he first met Esme on the streets and she took him in did he ever believe his life could have ended up like this. Despite how things ended, following her was something he'd never regret. His life changed for the better even if it wasn't how she would have envisioned changing it and it all started from that moment. Even now in his mind, he gave credit where credit was due. It didn't even dawn on Bastien to give any credit to the recently released Declan. He still thought he was dead and gone. If he knew Declan at all he should have known he wanted the credit. He wasn't even an afterthought.

He wanted his dance with his wife. Rejoined wife. He grabbed her by the hand and lifted it up in an attempt to twirl her around.

"You ready for a second first dance?"

Then for the time in all the times Frank had tuned into the gargoyles of Bastien's world inside his mind, Laverne walked up to Frank and asked to dance.

"May I?"

She appeared like a lounge singer atop a grand piano with Victor leading a haunted melody. Oh boy oh boy, while Laverne seemed to have Frank occupied now was his chance to dance with Delta. Hugo jumped at the chance.

Then Hugo stood in front of Delta and waggled his brows as he extended a hand as his invitation to dance with him.

Ozzy would have been proud.

Thomas certainly was.

Oogie was a bit miffed at the money being donated without her being consulted about it. But she understood how good it was for public image and smiled along at the cameras with a nod, already thinking about what she could potentially take from the infamous Laveau New Zealand estate to recoup some of her losses in this. She didn’t like losing. And not getting the money felt like a loss.

Thomas put his arm around Flotsam - both of them sweaty from their individual work - Thomas, lifting people (mostly Figaro and Clopin with his heavy damn fake leg) up and onto people, or bringing them back down, and Flotsam doing his rock star thing. “It was a good call, love.”

Frank wouldn’t give Oogie the satisfaction of watching her performance, but the party was a go. Regardless, he wasn’t one for drama, abhorred it most of the time, kept out of it by being moody, and glaring, and figuring out what to say to get out of a situation by reading minds. He’d stick with Delta. He’d drink. He’d give Flotsam a nod, a “that was good” and a handshake.

Valentin and Nicolai both knew that they were brought to shake things up a bit. To even the playing field. Though they rocked out to Flotsam and Electric Voodoo sometimes, they knew where their loyalties lie, and it was in the woman that brought them over from their Slavic country to learn magic in the greatest place at all - Halloweentown, which had no country, which had no laws, which had no right and wrong.

Nicolai and Valentin usually stuck together but they gave each other a nod and separated so they could explore the place on their own. Split up and cover more ground. But there was more to see than either of them had expected - like the giant, undead whale that was just casually swimming in the backyard the way that some rich people had a koi pond.

Nicolai swore in Russian and got on his hands and knees right there, looking down into the water at what was probably an unsafe distance. “Now this is interesting,” He agreed with Annabel. “I wonder how it came here.”

Valentin duplicated the prop easily enough so they could keep the door wedged open from two sides, double the staying power. After all, what would a party be without some chaotic energy? He knew better than to ask CJ to invite his father along, fun as he was, and settled with the hope that something crazy would come through.

“Ahh - the pretty one,” He brightened up. “Let’s find her, I want to meet more of your kind.”

He took Brax’s hand, not as a gesture of friendship, but to make sure that he would come along. But just to make the cable boy a bit more uncomfortable, Valentin gave him a suggestive wink.

Pierre would have begged if Piper would let him. He needed a party. After everything went well with the Papas, and then with the Laveaus, he was craving more and more to get back into the swing of things. To have fun with life again. Yes, he was aware that his sister and Bastien were going to be there, and if that meant that he stuck to his own little circle to make them feel more comfortable, he would do it.

He was stunned into near-silence when he saw Ellie. Near-silence because nothing could keep him down for long.

“Holy shit, you’re - pretty,” He said, looking the redhead over. Ellie blinked at him with a blank expression, not expecting that sort of compliment from him, especially not out of the blue.

“What?” She asked blankly.

“No, no, like - of course you are. But where I came from - you were a bit more…” He tapped at his chin. “How do I say this? Home depot, carabiner wearing, ukelele playing butch lesbian.”

Ellie was only able to keep a straight face for another second before she burst out laughing, having to put a hand on Babyface to keep her upright. “Really? That’s - that’s amazing. What was my hair like? Still ginger?”

“Ginger in every world, I’m afraid,” Pierre said, grinning at her, dark eyes sparkling. “But you had more of an Elvis swoop. Very flattering.”

“I think I’ll stick with this, thanks,” Ellie said, and then gave Pierre a nudge. “Good to have you back, bro.”

And that brought out a very, VERY pleased smile in him. Validation he hadn’t thought he needed.

But then, of course, they jumped on the makeshift stage and rocked out, Ellie headbanging. She didn’t have much musical talent, especially not compared to Piper and Pierre. But did she give a fuck about that? Nope. She was here to have fun, to bounce around, and she would, trying to pull Maz and Babyface up into it too.

Go-Go had taken the day of the party, and the day after, off of work so that she could enjoy herself. Give up a chance for a Laveau party? Hell no. Give up a chance for a ROCKSTAR Laveau party? Hellllll no. She showed up, she was feeling herself - and her brain was only half-distracted by thinking about the mechanical project she was working on at home. Those gears were always a-turning. The other half was now looking at the newcomers and wondering what magical powers they possessed, occasionally making a guess towards Scout.

And then she was face to face with a surprised but pleased Pierre, who wrapped an arm around Scout, pulling her in closer like a kid sister who he hadn’t seen in forever, and looked Go-Go from head to toe. He couldn’t help it. Put a pretty lady in front of him, and his eyes always nearly came out of his head.

“Well, bonsoir,” He said, eyebrows raised.

“French?” Go-Go asked, cocking an eyebrow. She was remaining cool, but wasn’t being unwelcoming. She rolled her eyes playfully. “Guess that’s better than the fuckboys coming up to me like ‘konnichiwa.’ Nice to meet you - and the infamous mane.”

Oogie was not-so subtly looking at - well, everything. The house was more quaint than she had thought that it would be. Lavish in - ugh, love, as people might say. Not so much things. What she did find was a deck of cards in a drawer, left over from some game night, and shuffled them absent-mindedly in her hands.

Her eyes settled on those of Seven, and a cat-like grin came to her face. Finally. Someone entertaining.

“Oh, you should have reached out, I would have gotten you backstage passes,” Oogie purred to her grandson. “I see you and your little hairy friend escaped the clutches of the netherworld, congratulations, not an easy task to do.”

Maddy had been hanging out with Figaro and Willem for now. She wasn’t actively trying to avoid her twin, but was managing to do so naturally, like they were two magnets repelled from one another. She’d had time to think about exactly what she wanted to say to him, but she wasn’t approaching that without her husband by her side.

And by that she meant Bastien, not Jetsam inhabiting Bastien. But there was plenty of time for that later. As long as the impulsive Laveau didn’t do much to harm the vessel, she was alright with the whole situation.

Eventually though, she caught the blue eyes of Bastien, though they didn’t hold the normal warmth or spaciness behind them as they often did. It was like seeing someone that was wearing contacts. Regardless, she excused herself from her friends, vodka-cran in hand, and walked toward Jetsam.

“Having a good time?” She asked, smiling over to Koda and Chess in greeting.

He also gave Frank the acknowledgment nod back and said, "Thanks for coming." He was under no delusion of the situation he put the couple in and was honestly thankful for their appearance. It wasn't just a polite thing to say.

Delta wouldn't chime in no biggie or no problem because frankly it was a big deal to her. Still, she wanted to support Flotsam after how he supported her long ago.

Flo liked even more he got a little good guy praise from Thomas for the charity move. He never claimed to be a good guy, but there was always a special sparkle he noticed in Thomas's blues when he did a good thing. So, he was going to soak that one for all it was worth and slung an arm around his man and popped him a kiss on the side of cheek as he continued to feel all proud of himself.

Oogie seemed to take it well. She didn't throw a fuss anyhow, not that she would have let it show live. He half wondered if she might have one upped him and already told the Osbourne's she was donating before Flotsam ever thought it up. It certainly wouldn't have surprised him if Oogie kept in contact with Sharon. They were both big names on the scene after all. Something told Flotsam if she hadn't, she might hold a grudge if she felt up against a wall unable to keep her own portion because it might make her look bad in comparison. Either way it was her own choice what to do with her share. Flotsam wasn't about to take the heat personally for her decision there.

"What can I say? Even the bad boy can be a good guy sometimes."

Then he started to brag about his signed record to anyone and everyone in earshot. "Looky here. Check this out. Oogie gave it to me for Christmas."

Delta happened to be one in earshot and gave him a nod as she glanced towards the wall. That actually weirded her out that Oogie made a move like that. Due to her own feelings of the woman all she could think was wow because either Oogie had the ability to be nice sometimes or she was setting Flotsam up to let his guard down. To Delta it was more likely the latter. Maybe it was just random, but that was harder to believe. It was hard for her to believe Oogie wanted to mend bridges.

Flotsam was feeling pretty good about everything. He decided to press his luck with Oogie a little more. "You know, I heard you play a mean hand of cards. Rumors get around with the ladies. Valerie would love to join in sometime if you're up to it?"

The lady he referred to was the Queen of Hearts. Flotsam ran into her every once in a blue moon when roaming Wonderland with Cheshire.

Flotsam really just tried to invite himself as Val to Oogie's infamous poker table and Madam Medusa over heard. She pushed through the doorway tipsy as ever, first on the scene to overdo it, but that was how she always was.

"Don't remind me. This one's tricky. Took me out of house and home on a bluff."

Flotsam started laughing. "Get over it already ol' bird. That houseboat is long gone by now. Don't make me remind you that me and Captain Hook built you a new place here."

"Hear hear!" Captain Hook lifted his cup when he overheard Flotsam praising his name.

Of course, mentioning it only reminded Medusa by saying not to make him. She scoffed it off and put a glass of gin to her lips to tune him out.

It also happened to be close to Mother's Day when this event was taking place, so Flotsam decided to lift his beer bottle up and distract by toasting to all the mothers in the room. "To Sharon, to Oogie, to Maddy, to the Savanne's, to all the mothers soon to celebrate." Then he turned up some Danzig overhead, "Come on mammas. Do you wanna bang heads with me?" He couldn't help but laugh and start a mini-head banging circle to an old classic with a few random people nearby.

Captain Hook actually lifted his cup again and motioned at Medusa. She was mother enough all things considering and then joined in Flotsam's circle. He certainly had the hair for it. Willem however had never seen his father do such a thing and couldn't stop smiling from the other side of the room.

"Hey Smalls, get ready. The Cap'n's taking a page from Madam Medusa's book and getting sauced early, I think. You never know where that's gonna go. Woah Maddy, check him out." Captain Hook's curly locks were flinging up and down like a mosh pit pro.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, the ode to mothers by Flotsam made Willem not only lift his glass but think silently of Livvy and Iain. Lost parents. He missed that guy. Oddly, he even thought of himself and Figaro. Neither wanted kids of their own, but with everything in perspective with Funkytown, they already were caregivers to more little people than most everyone else here. He felt like he and they deserved some respect for that too. So, that was in his head, even if it wasn't voiced.

Captain Hook was getting attention from more than Medusa or Willem.

Mim showed up out of nowhere and was trying to flirt with the pirate. Willem never understood how his father was such a hot commodity with the ladies, but he certainly was.

Medusa noticed and it was getting her riled up.

Guns were about to blaze if she could ever figure out how to turn the safety off.

--

Back outside Annabel Lee and Nicolai were still admiring the Lazarus shark outside.

"I don't know, but its name is Balrog. Look there's a little plaque like at the zoo."

The concept made her laugh. "Of course, New Zealand folk would name their pets after Lord of the Rings. It all makes sense now."

She stood back up and said, "Let's find some drinks." Then she couldn't help but wonder, "Do you think sharks can get drunk if there's liquor in the water?" She couldn't imagine it would kill it. It was kind of already dead.

--

Ellie was looking like a cover of a guitar magazine, hot as she's ever been and Pierre had noticed. Babyface noticed he noticed.

"Fuck yeah she's hot. Good eye, buddy. Keep it at eyes only and we're good. Hands off."

Babyface had never felt so possessive before. Maybe it was a bad look, but it just popped out of his mouth before thinking as was how words usually came out of him. Suddenly, he felt like he had to hurry and get them a trailer to live out her dream/nightmare before someone else smoothed their way in. He wasn't used to the idea of competition with the way they'd lived their lives thus far. Maybe it was time to get back in the game of hustling now that he had a few Beagles to create some scams with, especially with the island more secure, or possibly look up Circe again. She always knew how to make some fast cash. All he knew when he saw Pierre's expression was, he needed to up his game.

The other thing on his mind was Oogie. He wasn't hiding from her. He was still even dressed in the inflection of the effect going to school in Halloweentown had on him. It stuck. Oogie had left her mark on nearly everyone in one way or another. He still felt akin to the place.

---

Babyface wasn't the only one to feel a tad threatened by Pierre. Dale overheard his sister introducing them. He wasn't sure he'd call it jealousy exactly. It was more like there goes another girl he'll probably have to share. Not that he was jumping the gun. She didn't react like a giddy schoolgirl or anything, but GoGo never did. Dale was so used to staying an arm's length away from every girl he was ever with, even Piper anymore, that it almost felt natural to assume they had a moment in time and that might be all it ever was. It was his way and pattern of life after all. He didn't interrupt like Babyface. He hardly had a claim on her, but it didn't stop him from listening rather intently to keep up with the situation.

Scout was ever playful during the interaction and reached up to run her hands through that infamous mane as GoGo called her out. She couldn't help but mention it. It was luxurious after all.

"Yes, he's French too. He checks all the oolala boxes." Scout held pride in her friend's attributes.

---

Jetsam watched with the eyes of a predator as Maddy came closer.

Then he turned up a charming smile as she sat down, pleased she wasn't going to avoid him.

"Well, hey wifey." He teased. "Did you enjoy the show? I noticed your cam up practically the whole time." He put his arm around her like it belonged there, smooth and casual.

Cheshire answered Maddy's intro questions first.

"I know I am. I haven't been on stage for anything but DJing since the band went to Hell. I'm still stoked we're back. I hope it's not a dream. I do that a lot, never sure which reality is real. I think both are and if it is I hope I don't wake up. I like it here."

Koda was just as jazzed.

"After that crowd I feel like I could take on a whole army. No wonder I was so head strong back in coven." He threw a couple air punches to emphasize how high he was feeling, and it wasn't even the weed. It was pure adrenaline still pumping through his veins. It wasn't often he spoke on his time in Maleficent's coven, so the fact he brought it up so casually showed how far he'd come and how comfortable he was around this particular group of people. He felt no shame around Elsa, and Chess and Jetsam were his best buddies since forever. All was well here. No regrets.

This is when CJ spotted Chess. "There she is. Over there. Come on."

Then he put his hand in the air, "Cousin! Oh cousin!"

Chess knew that voice. "You're over there."

He replied, "And you're over there." As he led his friends their way. Abraxas stayed back still eavesdropping on GoGo's conversation.

"I have friends. Meet Valentin."

"Amazing accomplishment. Congratulations." She looked at Valentin with her big eyes and noticed he was a singular person even though CJ clearly said friends, plural. "I'm many people too. You can meet more of me later." She was giggling as if that made complete sense and no sense at all.

There wasn’t the faintest trace of awkwardness either. Chip, his wives, Maddy, Bastien - they were all close. There was no bad blood. And that felt damn good. He fact that there were seats for them all, like of course there was, every wife was invited, they were welcomed just as much as everyone.

Clopin had to put on a little show, of course he did. It wasn’t his wedding but that kiss he gave to Kuzco sure reminded him of his.

Even swiped his thumb against his bottom lip to get the residue of the kiss off of it as he proudly made his way up the aisle to hang out with Death, a Reapress, and the firebug.

Everyone had loved Bastien’s vows. Even the a-romantic Figaro sniffled a little bit. And then came Maddy’s, which were just as good, perhaps a little less than because she didn’t stumble over her words in emotion. Though she was feeling the pride, the happiness, the luck, rising within her chest, her voice remained steady.

Frank remained stoic through the whole thing, partly distracted by the gargolyes who were forever entertaining - but he did hear himself being mentioned. Damn right he did say that. But leave it to these two to make it mushy.

Clopin started the round of applause as the bride and groom kissed, as Maddy wrapped her decorated arms around her husband, holding him close, eyes fluttering closed, soft lips against soft lips. The others joined in, Thomas clapping Bastien on the back.

“By the power vested in us, the reaper and death - we declare you married until your very last breath!” Clopin said, voice echoing out over the applause.

Ellie was wolf-whistling, fingers in her mouth. Elsa was clapping politely. Figaro was celebrating like someone in the back of a J-COP beatboxing video. Go-Go clapped while leaning in to Dale to whisper, “Who’s Waldo?” Since in NZ, it was Wally.

Frankie, wanting to be included, beat her little hands against her daddy’s legs until she was lifted up to be kissed on both cheeks by her parents at the same time.

Willem noticed Figaro's moist eyes during the vows. Moments like that choked him up more than the ceremony itself. They had a reputation of being little more than silly all the time, but Willem knew better. He had a soft spot for those moments when it showed.

Mushy, mushy, they did make it mushy. Delta couldn't help but let her mind wander. The mush was sometimes too much for her even though she was a sentimental girl. Still, watching yet another ceremony like this did have her wondering what her own ceremony would be like if she was ever to have something semi-traditional, even after claiming never in the bride's room. It was hard to reach how that would go because traditional in any way she was not. Blood kept flooding over the urge to try. The vision of blood waves soothed away the concept. She thought in anime style visions like a demon slayer or vampire hunter wielding large swords and sliced so big through her imagination it would cut through every traditional thought and then would spray with red. So, the most she could come up with was there would be less mush, more blood.

While everyone was wolf whistling and applauding the kiss Dale googled an image of Waldo for GoGo. He laughed because it was one of the weirdest things he could remember learning when he moved to New Zealand. He wouldn't have learned it either if hadn't been such a screen junkie for useless facts. "Here. This is Waldo. You know the guy. Striped shirt. Always like a fugitive on the hiding out, being stealth. Apparently, many aliases too."

When the kiss was pulled back from, Valerie leaned in towards the couple. "Do you feel renewed?"

"Hell yeah." Bastien answered. "Marriage reborn." He said with a superhero inflection.

"Right hon? We're all refreshed for the days ahead. We are second honeymoon bound."

Then when the periwinkle rolling papers got around everyone was looking for something to fill them with, not just keep as a souvenir. Bastien did not disappoint. The periwinkle was Maddy's idea. Bastien bounced off that and put a dime bag, also a periwinkle hue in the plastic for every gift baggie. Someone from every group started to roll up.

Babyface was right on it with his.

Koda was too. Koda offered to share with Elsa while puff, puff, pass became a theme around most of their honored guests.

Death slapped Clopin on the back with a nod of approval when it was all said and done. Then he'd be seen maneuvering his way back to Caim. The crowd would be witness to an archangel lighting up with an earl of Hell. What a world.

During the reception Delta sat down next to Frank and supposed it was her job to give a toast for the bride, same as it was Frank's again as best man.

"Well, we did that. Let's get this public speaking part over with." She'd say on their secret mind connection.

She'd stand right back up after intent on getting hers done first. She tapped a slightly extended talon on a glass to gain everyone's attention. However, it was her periwinkle wrapped joint she'd lift for the toast.

"As maid of honor it's my duty to say a word or two about Maddy M- Maddy Bellerose."

She almost said mouse and glanced over at Frank with an oops in her eyes.

"So, what can I say? She keeps the hunch there happy, content, and gives him reason to keep going. I can tell. Symbiosis is something I know about and they have it. May they both find pride in that union forever."

For the first set, when the ghost of Lock was up on the stage, Clopin merely rolled his eyes. He never liked that false-ginger. But as long as his spectral ass stayed on the stage, he didn’t go all ‘this is my man motherfucker’.

Though Oogie was the big name draw here, there were definitely people there just for Electric Voodoo. The inner circle was all there. Maddy was pressed tight against the barrier, creating her own little square around her so that no one would get too close, no one would jostle her, as she watched the show.

At Hog-Fest, she had been on Bastien’s shoulders. He had showed off his strength then. He wasn’t the skinny little runt that he had appeared to be. No, he had lifted her up - she remembered that well. The giggles of being up high. Now he was on the stage - well, his body was, anyway.

Despite fully knowing that it was Jetsam up there, she’d certainly never seen Bastien play with the strings like that, she couldn’t take her eyes off of him. The makeup reminded her of that fateful Halloween party Laverne had gone missing. She was energetic, she was jumping up and down, even if she was on her own, a loner isolated from the rest of the show with her invisible barriers, cheering them on.

Elsa wasn’t much of a rock and roller. But of course she was going to go.

She decided to use her second ticket to invite Jagen, as he and Koda had become friends, and she would have someone to sit beside in the back of the venue. Thomas had invited her to come and stand by him, be ‘security’ so that she could be close to ‘her man’ but she had declined, preferring to be towards the back, not too close to all of the noise.

Oogie rocked it. There might not be many ‘good’ things that could be said about the blonde songstress, but when she had a job to do - she did it. Whether it was running the school, holding the ladies poker’ nights, or being up on stage, wailing her heart out - she put in a hundred percent.

One might almost think that Oogie and Flotsam were friends from how well they worked together on the stage.

She sang her heart out - well, if she had a heart, she would have. Some people still weren’t entirely convinced.

But the crowd loved it, regardless. Chants of Oogies name, chants of Ozzie, even chants of Flotsam and requests for encores went on, even after the talent had left the building.

And then it was on to New Zealand for the afterparty, where things were really going to get wild.

As said, there were signs up around the property. ‘No admittance except on party business.’ ‘No murder on site.’ ‘Torture at your own risk!’

Oogie had invited some of her more prized students - or rather, the ones who were left around. The Vulture Cousins - because free shrooms, and Valentin had a party vibe. Nicolai invited Annabel, and Valentin worked on CJ to try to get him to come.

Elsa came - because someone had to attempt to be responsible at this shindig, to keep the New Zealand house from being destroyed. This was also done to give Flotsam and Thomas a break to relax, to enjoy their own party. She could play the killjoy if things got intense.

Ellie, Babyface and Maz were there - ready to have fun. Ellie was not going to be scared off from a family party - because if it was at the Laveaus, it was a goddamn family party, no matter who was there - but she was still a little on guard, ready to shoot flames at Oogs if she even looked at her funny.

If Delta wanted to go, Frank would of course be there. He was bringing his own bottle of absinthe. Being sober and the potential of listening to Oogie’s thoughts was not on the table.

Figaro and Wild Will - obviously. Party on Dudes.

GoGo helped with set-up so was there when everyone got back.

Maddy was obviously there, intending to actually relax despite the company. Though, of course, she loved Frankie, they didn’t get many nights off from parenting, and coming to New Zealand was always a treat. The stick was fully surgically removed from her ass.

Thomas was still going to be keeping an eye on things. He couldn’t help it. This house was too precious to him to let go of his guard entirely. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t catch onto the scents of Oogie and her guests so he would know immediately if she went anywhere that she wasn’t supposed to go. But he’d relax too, he was among family. It was always a party if Chess and Clopin were in the same place, anyway, and impossible not to have fun.

Then back at the homestead the after party would be slowly starting. News coverage of the concert was on the big screen. He would tell Oogie, "Don't mean to put you on the spot for your money, but I'm doing a thing." Flotsam would then go live on his socials.

"Hello out there who just stayed for our banging show. I'm letting you out there know I'm putting everything the show earned and donating it to Parkinson's research. Same with my royalties off the single." He put up his devil horns and stuck his tongue out. "Electric Voodoo is back. Flotsam out!"

It was such an afterthought because everything was put together so fast. He was going to live without the money and the fact they even did all this was going to up his popularity as the band went on. It was still a win-win. Plus, he didn't want the Osbourne's thinking they were just money grabbing off his death. He respected them all too much.

When he got off live he looked over at Thomas, "Look at me doing nice things."

Delta would want to go even though part of her didn't. She, however, was not going to let that woman be the reason she did or did not go to her own friend's party. She refused to give her that much power. Delta would go. If she didn't know Flotsam as well as she did she might be obliged to hold a grudge, but she did know him. God damn mother fucking Flotsam wouldn't have done anything with the intention of harming/hurting her and Frank. She knew his love for Oz and the knowledge of the music bizz was all that was in his tiny stupid head when he did it. Part of her was considering poking him a little too hard in the adam's apple while she was there though.

Annabel Lee and CJ would show with the vulture boys and even bring the Cable Boy to boot. The most Abraxas could remember from their last interaction was being held captive and a whole lot of shroom induced weird stuff. Somehow, he came out of the adventure with CJ calling him his friend, he did not know. Then again, he also didn't know CJ called everyone his friend. So, there was that.

Annabel was ignorant of any old tensions that could have come to play with this mix up. The first thing she noticed when coming onto their land was the damn shark in the mini moat.

"Nicolai. Woah. Check this out." She knelt down in her father's tattered coat again, covering whatever party attire she had on under it, and looked up at him. It was obvious the shark was once dead by how decayed the thing looked. No regular living shark could have been that beat up and chewed up and still been swimming around.

"No way."

Maybe this would be a decent party after all.

As for CJ, he found his cousin's short cut and put a prop in the doorway in the tree. This left the short cut open for anyone to use whether it was Wonderlanders to come in or party goers to go to Wonderland. He smirked at Valentin as he rigged the tree open. Little mome raths peeked through the hole. The tiny, odd creatures were proof whatever was in there was a whole other world.

"This means my cousin is here." He informed. "I'll have to introduce you if she's findable."

"That was her in the Electric Voodoo band. The chick one."

Piper 100% was bringing Pierre. He might have begged, but he would have been invited either way. It was more showing excitement for the event as the way she saw it. She was going to kick off one corner of the house with electric fiddle playing along with some karaoke. Her mind went back to one of the first parties she went to where they were both there. She remembered Ellie and Babyface being so young. Was she young too? She supposed she was. Everyone had been so split doing their own thing for so long it felt damn good to everyone back together again. So, this was exciting to Piper.

"Hey Ellie! I think Babyface owes us another round at the mic." As if that first party was connected and ran right into this one, a conversation that was still going.

"Don't think you're getting out of getting up here either, Pierre."

Then she herself busted into a round of The Gang's All Here by Skid Row. She would scream into the mic like the groove had taken over her soul.

When Babyface heard his name, his mind went back to Bebop smacking his head in front of Ellie when he barely knew her and was trying to impress her, trying a little too hard he supposed. His jaw dropped at the idea of being center stage again. He'd been ducking and diving and staying in the shadows so long on the street the idea almost felt foreign. It showed on his face. It was the face most people wore when pointed at to sing when they didn't want to or at the very least needed way more drinks in them first.

Speaking of Bebop, he was out there roaming around, filling in the crowd too. Dale made sure his old buddy came. He'd lost too many Beagle Boys to not make sure he held tight to the ones he found out that were left.

Scout was with GoGo, starting off somewhere safe and familiar as the house started to get crowded. She spotted Nebby, the girl she met at the dance. Part of her wanted to go over there, but was playing it cool. With another eye she spotted Annabel Lee. She didn't know who she was, but she was pretty, so it was hard not to look. She was all grins as she noted the song Piper was singing while also noticing everyone really was all here. Even Pierre. Thank goodness. "Come on GoGo. There he is. The one I told you about. You have to meet him. He needs to feel welcome." So in a usual Scout move she ran up and hugged him from behind.

"Heyyyyy Pierre." Then she popped a kiss on his cheek. "This is my bestie, GoGo. We played football together and a total tech genius." She had no idea if there was a GoGo in his life on the other timeline, so an introduction felt like the right way to go.

Abraxas overheard tech genius and started to eavesdrop in their direction in case anything interesting happened.

Then there was Seven and Zero hanging out and Seven's eyes caught Oogie's. He waved with no hesitation. "Well, if it isn't my favorite Principle. You were fire on stage tonight. I watched it on pay per view. I would have gotten tickets, but they were all sold out by the time I got here." It would have probably been the first time she'd realize he was alive again if Lock hadn't filled her in. That was the part that Seven didn't know. He held a little nervousness he usually didn't if only because he now realized they were family. He didn't think she knew though, but he should have leapt to it once he saw Lock. He was still a little overwhelmed by the situation. He didn't get what he was seeing on tv.

While Seven was trying to be welcoming and like nothing unusual was happening Lock was on a completely separate side of the home and had run into Kuzco. To him he'd always see him as an old buddy, so he smiled and tried to greet him. Kuzco stared blankly towards him as if he had no idea who he was. Did he know? For once, yeah, he did. This time it was an act. "I'd like another whiskey neat please." He'd say as if Lock was part of the help. Then he turned away from Lock and back to Clopin as if that was all the interaction was going to be. Snubbed. Completely snubbed.

Hardly last since there were so many people there, and certainly not least there was Jetsam inside Bastien. He wasn't quite ready to give up the vessel just yet. Bastien was dying to get free though. From his perception so much time was passing. Jetsam was on the after stage high and having a blast with his buddies, Koda and Chess, and shooting the shit.

When he suddenly caught Maddy's eye.

He decided to wave her over, his psuedo-wifey. Maybe he'd play the part?