That Flotsam and Friends RP

He was quiet for two reasons.

The first, and the least important, was that he was thinking about his mother. She always wanted to visit Paris. One of the fashion capitals of the world and all that. He had this idea as a kid that he would take her - always the Mama’s boy. They’d go to the pretentious fashion houses and criticize all the expensive garments for their ugly stitching, and demean their life’s work.

But she was gone. Probably some afterlife with the douche she chose at the end.

The more pressing thoughts - Delta’s.

The way that she had been thinking about how small and awkward she must be.

He turned away from the window to look at her when she asked her question. “Wings or not,” He said, not answering it right away. ”-You’re the biggest person in any room.”

It wasn’t spoken as a compliment, or as flattery. He stated it the same way that someone might say the time, or directions to a well-known place. Like it was the hard truth.

And then he considered her question, and shared her opinion.

“Want to go back down to the maze?”

Because he would be more than content to just spend the rest of their time down there, up until they decided on their flight. Feral could wait. It’s monsters were mostly here anyhow.

–

Even if the kids had acted up, the Savanne family had to know that no one would be mad about it. It would be another interesting story to share at family get-togethers. As it were, everything went great. Before the wedding was over, Maddy would dance with each of the girls, and then invite Chip in for one, proving further that there was absolutely no bad blood there. They were all family, and welcome to use Maddy’s credit card on the room for as long as they wanted.

–

Clopin and Kuzco were going to go Paris the night away, visiting their old haunts - Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower. No broken bones, no fires this time around. They’d make another honeymoon out of it - not that they needed the excuse.

–

GoGo was going to stay. Hell yeah she would stay. Being in Paris with her two favorite people, on other people’s dime? She wasn’t known for being stupid. So she was sticking around, enjoying the hijinks, while also doing her own thing - like after they would do the tourist things, she’d make a whole blueprint on how to make the elevator at the Eiffel Tower go faster using magnetic technology, and complaining that it was ‘way too fucking slow, she finished all her snacks before they even got to the top.’

—

Thomas wrapped his arms around Valerie from behind. He had a bit to drink at the wedding, yes, and she looked so damn beautiful, he couldn’t keep his hands off of her. “That’s fair,” He hummed, breathing in the smell of her hair. “Pretty sure we could hop a train to Spain from here if you wanted to go back. Just say the word.”

And then he groaned, hard on slotting between her legs.

“I miss you in red.”

–

Figaro decided not to stay for too long. The French had the reputation of being pretentious, and oh boy, their animals were too. Figaro had never been blatently ignored by foxes before and - it was genuinely upsetting. Their eyeballs would sweat about it, and then they’d put on their boots and announce they were ready to get back to Funkytown.

–

“I could see the Laveau and Trouillefou influence in those two,” Elsa had to agree. Once they were in the hotel, she started shedding herself of the jewellery, making herself more comfortable. “Monet’s house sounds nice. I enjoy his paintings.”

She turned towards him then, after putting her earrings and necklace into their respective boxes. Because of course she kept the jewelry boxes that they came in. She still held onto these things, preferring neat and tidy over loose and free.

“You haven’t failed. Let’s -” She paused, as if she couldn’t believe that she was going to say this. “Let’s just see how this trip goes. Or - let’s see what the kids are up to.”

–

Then he broke the quiet with a statement she wasn't expecting.

She didn't say anything back. He knew her too well, all she'd been feeling, her thoughts ever public to the only audience she'd never shut the curtains on. She moved in front of him and looked up towards his face. She linked her fingers into his front beltloops and gave them a little tug connecting herself to the second head of the infamous two headed monster they were known to be. The face she made proved he always knew just what to say.

She took a moment to just breathe and exist in not only his words, but the climate he brought to the room.

He broke the silence again by finally answering her initial question. "Yeah, we could do that." She liked the maze in the ossuary. "Part of me still wants to yell out, 'you remind me of the babe' in a labyrinth like that." Hugo and the wedding distracted her from those sorts of funny intrusive thoughts.

She took another moment before asking really quiet, "You sure you don't want to walk around for the Hell of it?" She shook her head. "For her?"

If anyone knew what it was like to keep bitterness and affection for family at the same time it was her. She wouldn't judge him for leaning towards the latter sometimes.

---

When Thomas moved behind Valerie she felt right at home. It didn't matter how far away from their home they were. She always felt just right when he was near.

She could tell by his mannerisms he was tipsy and getting frisky. She had a little champagne after all that toasting herself. Combined it was making her smile.

Then he said the magic word.

Spain. Just say the word? It felt like he was asking her to run away with him which was a turn on for her. She loved it every time he managed to take her away from whatever she didn't want to deal with. This time it happened to be Paris.

"The word! Yes. A hundred times yes."

Oh, she loved red. It was why she wore a red dress on the night he changed her during the full blood moon. It started to symbolize everything she believed in.

She pushed back against him and tilted her head sideways to graze her teeth against his jawline.

"I don't know that I've ever ridden on a proper train."

She hadn't known a person in the US who did besides rail hopping railway riders stowing away.

She turned towards him suddenly extra excited, giddy, ready to drown him in kisses, looking forward to riding out for a run-away holiday in Spain, and the ride she was clearly about to get that night before bed.

---

Dale and Scout would be jazzed GoGo was staying. They had a feeling an invite was all it would take. She had a tendency to go along with whatever adventure they felt like going on.

---

Koda was glad she chose something because he didn't get an excited vibe off any of the titles on the pamphlets. As a matter of fact, most of it sounded boring. Koda loved art, but he had to admit he didn't know much about Monet. He was no expert on impressionism or anything else for that matter. He just made his own art.

"Okay. We'll do that then. I feel like that's probably something I'd know more about if I'd have actually finished college. Guess I'll learn a little something tomorrow then."

He watched her with fascination as she boxed up all her jewelry. She always did everything just so. He wasn't exactly a messy person, but he was hardly that organized. Everything about Elsa felt intricate and different. Those differences had a way of keeping his attention.

"I don't know how you even make putting jewelry away look so beautiful, like art."

Instantly he thought that sounded like a stupid thing to say, but it was true.

The kids?

Koda had to actually double think that one. "Oh, right. They did say they were staying. Yeah, maybe we can kick it with them. And just for the record, I know zero French. Maybe they know some being around Clopin or Maddy."

But kids were more interesting. They were like a breath of fresh air. Even the half-zombie ones.

So Frank sat his ass down and didn’t move his head as the bikes went over his, smoking his cigarette, taking in all that was happening outside. Like the girl and the boy too interested in the dead marine life, like the playboy spending time with children rather than flirting with girls, and like the slight tension that could still be felt as there was hardly any trust between everyone. Oogie’s side didn’t trust Flotsam’s side, Flotsam’s side didn’t trust Oogie’s, the Bellerose/Renault drama, even Bastien struggling against Jetsam.

It was like a soap opera and he didn’t mind not participating, but just watching.

–

Maddy looked at Jetsam, and nearly sighed. She knew, of course she knew, that Jetsam was uncontrollable. He was like a force of nature. Once he was out and about in Bastien’s body, the only thing that could be done was to wait out the rest of the storm and hope that the damage wasn’t too bad. Maybe even enjoy it a little - the thunder and lightning could be frightening but there was a billion dollar industry out there thriving on those kinds of thrills. It was like getting one for free - as long as she knew that she would be back in her bed when the sunshine came out, with her actual husband.

It was probably become evident to anyone who was around to hear, that knew Bastien, that it wasn’t Bastien in there. But Valentin didn’t know. Valentin was all aboard the Crazy train.

“That is what Nicolai does too!” Valentin said, excited, sipping on his drink. “His thing is mushrooms. Not just shrooms but - you know that … that show with that little potato girl? About the fungus zombies. He can do that! We did it with a deer once. Very fun.”

Maddy sipped her drink at that, feeling like she needed it.

Wanted to get some - she almost choked on her drink, and then forced a smile, tucking some hair behind her ear. “It was more than that, quite romantic actually, he’s just showing off,” She said, nudging Jetsam in her husband’s body. “He helped choose my name too. That really - that really cemented in it for me. Knowing it was going to be on his body for the rest of time-” She realized she was becoming quite sentimental and chuckled at herself, her arm going around Jetsam’s shoulders for a moment. Even as he started to get all kissy, she merely scrunched her nose and laughed lightly.

The distraction seemed to be working.

Valentin was looking at the scar with interest.

“Better than wedding rings, hmm?” He asked with eyebrows raised. “I like your style. Let’s see, devochka.”

Maddy stood up and carefully lifted the top and tugged down the bottoms just enough to show off the letters that were still surprisingly neat. In the healing, they haven’t gone too off-kilter. Proud lines, paler than the rest of her skin, more pink than olive toned. And as a man, Valentin noticed the thin black line of a gstring poking out of those black trousers.

“Feels like that movie with no-lips Bateman - American Psycho? It’s nice. Let’s see everyone’s scars and compare,” Valentin grinned. “I do not have many, other than where Nico and I hit each other with sticks when bored. There is man around here with lots of scars, yes? Tall man?”

“Frank,” Maddy nodded, letting her shirt dangle back down, and then sat back down, crossing her legs. “You want stories - he’s got plenty. But he doesn’t just hand them out.”

–

“Captain Dork, maybe,” Ellie said, then jumped onto Babyface’s back, wrapping her arms around him so he was forced into a piggyback. It was nice to be acting like a regular person again. Not thinking about kidnapping people. Not even thinking about the nightmare scenerio Oogie had given her before. Just - being with her friends and her boyfriend, off the damn island. “Let’s get more drinks!”

–

“Nah, I’m all dark meat,” Pierre joked over to the little cannibal kid. Leave it to fuckin’ Chip to have little kids like that, he thought as he grinned. And leave it to him to refer to himself like the chicken that he knew he was deep down.

He’d sit with the kids a couple more minutes, making sure that they weren’t going to go die in any ditches - though whether Chip’s lil zombie-werewolf brood could actually die was a question that he hadn’t thought of until that point - and then excused himself back inside to get a drink, and to see what Seven was up to.

–

Oogie wasn’t caught up on politics. Especially not politics in countries that she only breezed through on tour every once in a while. If she wanted a vacation, she wasn’t off to Peru or to Italy. She was in Death Valley, throwing her own burning man.

So these references went right over that bleached blonde head.

“All natural,” She said, much more offended by the idea of having fake breasts than anything. Okay, so maybe the rest of her was fake buuuut- “I get it, little Emperor, you’re jealous of the female form, I would be too if I was so stout, but that’s not what I’m here to talk to you about-“

“No,” Clopin shook his head. “Don’t do that. Rhyming is my thing. You can’t have it, Miss Throaty-Sing.”

Oogie managed to ignore that for the time being.

“Lock wants to talk to you. And I’m ensuring it’s happening.”

–

Thomas also looked around and had to agree - things were going on surprisingly well. Sure, Oogie had made her way to the Trouillefous but Clopin and Kuzco could handle themselves. And Jetsam and Maddy was a weird thing to think about but he didn’t underestimate that girl either - she could throw up shields and trap Jetsam in a bubble if she thought that he was going too far.

All in all, it was getting pretty rock’n’roll with the constant stream of people, and kiddos, going up to sing.

“Could be a good time, he seems in a good mood,” Thomas had to agree. “But I’m with you, you know that. After -” He closed his mouth, then shook his head, like he had promised himself to let by-gones be by-gones. “Not comfortable with letting you two be alone.”

Jetsam was so drawn in to this guy. Valentin. His brother Nic too for that matter even if they'd only had a wave. By Jetsam's standards they sounded like real up and up guys.

Jet hardly noticed that Maddy nearly choked on his words. He listened to her version and what details she was adding in. He nodded along.

"Yup yup yup. My momma's name." Then Jetsam realized something Bastien never did. "I mean if didn't work out at least it'd still make sense, so it wasn't that big of a risk. Sucka!"

Then he turned to Maddy with his arm around her and kept her nice and close. Jetsam noticed the black undies too. "Just kidding. Just kidding. BUT it did. It did work out. I totally scored. Way better than wedding rings. But yeah, Frank's a fucking legend. So, anyway about those tattoos."

Then right when he was testing his luck on letting his thumb run down the outer edge of her breast just by her rib he suddenly jumped up and yelled, "Oh shit! Oh shit!"

He stared out into the distance the same way Bastien would when any sort of hallucinations would overwhelm him. Whatever he was seeing made him jump clean out of his skin. He put his hands up as if to block something that wasn't there.

Then he slowly started grinning like he'd figured something out, but with a very accusatory tone. "Who slipped me acid?"

Chess shook her head. "Like I'd tell you if I did. What's the fun in that?"

She didn't, but it certainly left the feeling that she was the type to do such a thing. She was. Then Chess stood up to show off her scars too. "I got tattoos over most of mine. But you can feel them." She stood right up, kicked off her shoes, and shoved her pants down which left her in a pair of Sailor Moon boy shorts. Then she hiked her slender-tattoo-covered leg up on the table to point out the uneven parts where there were scars that speckled up and down both her legs. "I got them by being buried alive. That was fun or maybe I was buried dead. I don't remember. It's the same thing really."

---

Babyface liked being normal again too. He was ready to overindulge. He yelled, "Hell yeah!" And then took the long route to the drink table by spinning Ellie around and making fast zig zags around the room so she'd get a wild ride on his shoulders. Then he'd attempt to keep balance as he tried to reach for different bottles to see what all they had there.

---

When Seven saw Pierre coming, he started to make his exit from Lock saying he'd catch up with him later. He wasn't ready for anything too weird to be spoken about just yet and wasn't sure where Lock might take the conversation. Still Lock gave Pierre a wave and said, "Hey" as he approached, totally knowing where they'd all once been, at least the other Pierre had been dead too. Seven would say, "Pipes is singing. Should we go check her out?" He was trying to flee the scene.

---

Kuzco looked skeptical when she said she was all natural still wobbling his hands and still insinuating her boobs were lopsided. Then he put his hands up as if to concede and say, if you say so. He did not look convinced and was slightly amused.

"Uh huh."

The line "I love the Way You Lie" started to play from his groove power over and over. His amusement had no self-control. He couldn't have stopped it if he tried. His face didn't even try to cover it up as she tried to jab more at him. After that he got bored. Trying to say he was jealous went in one ear and out the other. So, his uh huh began to encompass everything she threw at him in those two condescending syllables because he was tuning her out. His mind had a tendency to wonder when he wasn't interested. He wanted to have fun at this party and she wasn't it.

He was zoned out enough to turn away from her and speak to the invisible audience he often consults with. "Did anyone else notice her breath? If you were standing as close as I am, you would have. Space. I'm going to have to decontaminate after this." As bratty as it seemed he wasn't even trying to be. They were his real thoughts, truly believing he was chatting someone up.

He turned back to Clopin still not listening, as Kuzco does, and missed her demand completely.

He didn't even hear the name Lock. His mind had already moved on to the way the fabric of Clopin's clothes hung against him. This was far more interesting. He really needed to give their tailor a raise. His smirk evolved into a lustful grin and took steps towards his husband slash caregiver. It probably made him appear rather ditzy being so nonresponsive and then giving ga ga eyes in Clopin's direction. Kuzco wasn't used to anyone demanding his attention anymore. It simply didn't happen. It didn't compute and he certainly never paid such a thing any mind. So, his brain clicked off and ignored her completely. He was so used to doing whatever he wanted when he wanted, he simply turned into Clopin, took his arm, and attempted to walk away as if she had zero relevance at all.

---

Lock definitely didn't mind Seven wanting to go off with Pierre. He kept his distance, but he sure was trying to see what his mother was doing.

---

Then there was Flotsam. He was still taking more swigs trying to mentally prepare for talking to his brother. He wasn't going to do it if Thomas had any objections, but he seemed to agree. It was time. He only had one caveat. Thomas didn't like the idea of the pair being alone together. There was a time in Flotsam's life he'd have balked for the sheer concept of feeling controlled somehow even if he didn't want to be alone with him. He could be contrary like that, never liking being told what to do, but he'd grown. Thomas's feelings always mattered. He took what Thomas said to heart and shook his head. "I understand. Probably don't need to be anyway. It's Three Amigos or bust... or something like that."

So, he took one last bigger gulp and made his way over to the area the rest of his band was hanging out with Maddy and Valentin. He was really starting to feel the alcohol in his face too.

He happened over about the time Chess was showing off her leg scars and Jetsam had just jumped up like something just bit him in the butt. Flotsam's eyes widened and looked to Maddy trying to make sure everything was okay.

"Woah bad trip relax. Relax Juh-Bastien." He damn near messed up his name. They were surrounded by so many friends it was easy to forget Jet was supposed to be keeping his alias. The rule was mostly set for audience and fan sake, and Bastien's sake, but it still felt like it should apply at a party where they didn't know everyone.

"Why don't you come with me for a minute? I got a special drink that'll help even you out." He played up to the acid trip concept honestly unsure if that moment was a Bastien thing or Chess and her mushrooms thing. Either way he wanted to get his brother away from the bulk of the group.

"Yeah, yeah okay. Sounds good." Jetsam was propelled like a magnet when his twin offered to spend any time with him. This is something that simply didn't happen anymore. He wanted it. Flotsam motioned his head at Maddy unbothered if she followed or not. Flotsam put his arm around him and started to lure him away and joked to the rest at the table, "I'll bring him back unharmed and if you're lucky, I'll show you my scars."

Once away and around the corner in Marrassa's bedroom, the only place that seemed empty he kept up the jovial nature and slapped him on the back. "Hey bro. We had a kick ass set up there. Tonight was awesome. Thanks for real bro. The band sounds better than ever."

Then he looked out at Thomas, "Can you get him a drink?" He had promised him something but had nothing up his sleeve to pretend he had some perfect evening out drink to pair with his acid.

"Yeah, fuck yeah. I felt alive again. This was good shit. Can't wait for a full ass tour. Electric Voodoo's back."

Tour? It had crossed Flotsam's mind but wasn't sure he was ready to commit.

"Chess and Koda are ready to sign the fuck up, Flotty."

Of course they were.

Small talk like this ensued for a few minutes more, when Flotsam finally got up to what he really wanted to say.

He held Bastien's face, which felt a little weird, but it was the most natural thing to do to his brother. "Listen. I need to talk to you. For real. So, you gotta focus. I know we've been trying to work shit out. Act like shit's normal when you and I both know it's not and I just want to say, it's okay. I think I'm okay is what I mean. I mean, my life's good. Everything worked out. Nobody's mad anymore. I'm done being mad. I just mean, I forgive you, miss you, and everything's okay, okay?"

Jet pulled his Bastien shaped face back and looked like the words shocked him nearly as much as the hallucination had.

"You mean it?"

"I mean it."

"Alright. No take backs. I can't wait to tell Savvy."

Straight to Savvy. Of course he would.

Then Jet slammed a big ol' hug on his brother to where Flotsam's arms were stuck straight out like he was flying it came on so quick. He was unprepared for how hard and tight it was going to be. Once again, the Bastien shape felt foreign, but knowing it was Jet had him eventually wrap his arms around him too.

When Jet did let go, he acted so nonchalant. "Normal? Heck, everything is normal for me, babe. I mean fucking Hell. This aint the first body I was ever stuck in. I'm glad this one's a boy. Don't feel like me without a dick. A dude needs a set of balls, Flot. I hated being stuck in Ariel. That was torture. Not quite as bad as the torture I was in when you first rose me up and I was like a living beef jerky stick. You look way better in a dress by the way."

Flotsam closed his eyes trying to shut out a few memories that Jet was bringing to the surface.

"Right. I guess I didn't think of it that way."

Jet had a relationship with being dead like no other.

"That's because you always twist everything out of shape and make a big deal out of shit. Well, I'm used to dying and coming back in different ways. I don't know any other life. Aint used to you holding a grudge for so long. I knew you'd come around. You're my Flotty. You'll always be my Flotty."

There was definite possession in his voice, but Flo was too used to that. Flotsam kept on a soft smile, but part of him was regretting it already, while another part was enjoying hearing the way he spoke. It was so familiar. It made it feel like he never left. He wasn't looking into his own mirror image anymore though and it kept Flotsam very sober to the fact Jetsam was actually still dead, and he knew he wouldn't be around all the time. Somehow that made what cautions he had felt safer. No one was turning back the hands of time here.

With all Jet was saying it made Flo ask, "So, you're not mad at me either?" He truly thought Jet would hold his own grudge.

"Me? Nah. You didn't kill me."

Yikes. Flotsam wanted to steer clear of where that might take them.

"I mean, you and Savvy are good with Chip, right?"

With Savvy being involved with Chip Flotsam simply had always assumed everything was fine.

Jet shrugged. "I mean, yeah I guess so. That's my kid."

Flotsam felt suspicious of the indirection answer but tried to take it at face value.

"Okay. Cool. Soooo, we're good?"

"Yeah, I'm good."

And just like that Flotsam could feel he'd opened up the floodgates. He had needed to release what was inside him though, come what may. But the hatchet was buried. Flotsam had no intentions of punishing Jetsam with his silence anymore.

"Well fuck let's party up. Where's your fuck-buddy with that drink? You got any coke?" Jet turned to look for Thomas. He was looking for his drink and his welcome home.

It shouldn't have surprised Flotsam that Jetsam was still referring to Thomas, his husband of many years now his fuck-buddy, but it did actually catch him a little off guard.

"Husband." Flotsam corrected.

"But you do fuck him."

"Well... yeah."

Jet just smirked. "Coke?" He asked again pushing for drugs. Flotsam once upon a time always had something around. Hell, he basically ran his own cartel. It didn't mean he had any on him.

"I don't know. Maybe ask Dale."

And if all else failed - they could always laugh together. That’s something that they clearly had.

Maddy was focused solely on her husband, even as everyone else came to the dance floor. Well, once she made sure that Frankie was in sight. Motherly instinct slightly overtook romanticism. But seeing that Frankie was with Willem let her give all of her attention to her husband, hand on his cheek, leaning in for a quick kiss before their first song was over.

Frank was in a little over his head with Laverne. Something that didn’t happen that often. Usually, even before Delta, when he would be with the scribbles every once in a while, people were too intimidated to actually flirt, or get sentimental. The few that knew that he was a mama’s boy would still see the cold expression that he often wore on his face - resting bitch face, some might say - and not get too close.

Laverne, as in Bastien, didn’t feel that way, which was evident.

“A pebble?” Frank asked, the corner of his mouth going up in slight amusement. “Doubt you were ever a pebble there, Laverne.”

Clopin and Kuzco cut a rug on the dance-floor, so to speak. The prosthetic leg never held the jester back, not for a second. It actually gave him even more drama because he could bust it out like a Real House Wives moment. Which he completely did, by the way. More than once. In public.

Figaro did have that ability, like Funkytown, to bring the strange out of people. Even those that were already strange. No judgment, because Figaro was self-aware that they probably had weirder thoughts than everyone here. Diablo was weird - but Fig loved their own brand of weird. Diablo wasn’t just Delta’s pet. Diablo was Figaro’s pal.

Frankie seemed to inherit Kuzco’s groove somehow, dancing without any form of self-consciousness in the way that only kids really seem to be able to. The world was still all fun and wonder to her, and she brought that to her moves, trusting implicitly that if she got dizzy, Willem would be there to catch her.

Elsa would agree to the dance with Koda - because that was part of the reason that she was here. To be among this strange group of people that all seemed to accept each other despite inner-working drama, old relationships, new relationships, cutting people out, letting them back in. Plus she was still trying to think of a favor to ask of Bastien.

She had an idea of that already.

But wasn’t selfish enough to interrupt the wedding for it.

As it were, the thought of favours managed to escape from her usually airtight mind when lips came into play. Like Koda was the only one who really knew how to take her out of her own brain, at least for a little while. Her fingers - painted, for the occasion - went up to the nape of his neck, delicately playing at the hair that was there. The moment was intimate. It felt like it was for them. Even if this night wasn’t.

Thomas saw the interaction once Valerie did and nearly let out a laugh, putting his face into Valerie’s shoulder. “Who would have thought, huh?” He mused outloud, kissing her shoulder now that he was already there. Always the opportunist.

GoGo was hanging around with a glass of wine and the joint, switching between the two, watching everyone dance. There wasn’t jealousy from her end either. She kept glancing over to Thomas and Valerie and grinning at how cute they looked, as if they were her own mom and dad. The affection of the Laveaus was a sight to behold, and an experience to treasure.

She just missed Dale by a hair, Scout taking up her vision entirely.

“As long as you don’t mind that I’ll have even less rhythm than usual,” She laughed, setting down the half-empty glass, and stubbed out the joint carefully, putting the rest in her bag for later before joining Scout in a sort of bouncing dance, trying her best but also not taking it too seriously.

Elsa would smile softly when she saw Dale and would nod towards Koda, giving her permission as well. “I’ll never give up a chance to dance with you,” She said, the wine slightly in her head, the quick hit she took helping her feel a touch looser than usual.

“You clean up nice,” Elsa commented. Of the remaining Laveau children, she was now closest to Dale, though she still had a relationship with Chip and with Scout. It wasn’t quite the same as it had been like with River, Dale was already grown when she came into his life, but regardless. She looked at the curly-haired man with nothing but fondness.

Hugo who was dancing with Delta watched the other pair over her shoulder every time he bounced just high enough to see over. He was probably the only one in the room just shorter than Delta. All Delta kept thinking besides how erratic Hugo danced (the bouncing was the most annoying part, but it still made her laugh) was this must be close to how Frank feels dancing with her, minus the bouncing. It started to mortify her more than she'd ever contemplated her own stature before. In fact, it never was on her radar to think about before... until now.

When the song finally came to an end and Delta managed to pull herself away (which was a challenge in of itself) she made a natural bee line back to Frank in a need to recalibrate. She was grinning and though she wasn't quite like Frank who rarely smiled for the masses, but this grin was actually pink and flushed like she'd either just done a workout or was actually showing outward embarrassment mixed in with the silliness she felt after. She gave Laverne a nod who was just walking away. She watched the stone gargoyle wave, throw her man an air kiss, as she said, "See you on the dance floor at the next big event." Then off she toddled back to her stone crew adjusting her big church hat.

Delta couldn't help but think she reminded her of an old church lady or auntie who goes up pinching the cheeks of over aged teens who don't want to be touched at family gatherings they hadn't seen in forever. So, as soon as she left Delta's smile opened up into a big laugh where she slung her head down and shook it making her hair bounce extra swoopy when it looked back up.

"Okay. Maybe that made having to walk down that aisle all worth it."

Then the next song was on, and Delta nearly reached forward like they might in their own home. Never in her life in the privacy of her own home or otherwise did her height ever once enter her mind. It did this time just as she reached for him. She went up on her toes for a second and then back down realizing that was a stupid move. Then she expanded and stretched her wings straight up instead of out. She stretched until they ALMOST reached the height of his head... almost.

Dale felt relieved when he had Elsa in his dance square. It helped shake off the awkwardness that swept through his body when he got jumped in front of by his sister with GoGo. He wasn't used to that feeling. Dale was no Pierre, but he never had much of a problem with girls. Piper would disagree because she sees the lack of non-real-girlfriends as a problem because it's how she sees herself despite being able to get practically any date she could want. So, she viewed him through the lens she sees herself through. She eventually decided it was her own choice. But deep down she knew the truth, so she figured Dale did too.

Dancing with Elsa let the pressure off of who and whys he was dancing with anyone. His smile relaxed.

"Thanks, and I promise no Cheetoh fingers to ruin your dress. Which in fact is gorg. You clean up pretty nice yourself. But I always knew that. I remember when we first you, me and Chip. We'd call you the hot aunt. It used to drive Dad nuts so we did it more." He laughed. What kid didn't like to annoy their parents? Though truth was he wasn't sure if it was because of the term hot or aunt. It took Flotsam awhile to latch on to how vital a part of the family she would always be in his bitterness. Times sure had changed.

"And you know what? I bought this suit myself. It's not a rental and Dad didn't pay for it." Dale stepped back so Elsa could get a little look before squeezing back in for the dance. He was proud of earning his own money. The Laveau kids had always been spoiled and doted on. They didn't know the humble life Flotsam did growing up, but being able to say he was doing it for himself now was the thing that gave him any sense of self anymore.

Silvain and Willem ended up surrounded by most the kids of the party who wanted to take turns dancing with them both. Frankie, Chip's kids, and the Laveau triplets turned into a crowd of getting down silliness as each song kept changing. Slow songs wore the tops of their shoes out from little feet standing on them. Faster songs looked like a little kid dance party or mosh pit skipping in circles with a mothman and a pixie pirate leading the way.

Valerie agreed. She was used to seeing Koda and Elsa around each other by now, but that was the whole thing. It wasn't just about seeing them together anymore that made it strike so strange. It was how long it had been going on. "Yeah, I thought it was funny when it first started. I just never imagined it going on so long." She chuckled thinking it would have fizzled out by now. She guessed she didn't give Koda enough credit or was judging Elsa based on the old Elsa they knew as a teenager. Whatever it was it was finally dawning on them they may have had something real after all.

Scout was having fun with what she now would call her absolute best friend in the whole world. Every now and then she got little crush-tastic thoughts. It was hard not to when they were so close. It was a moment like this Scout thought she was cutest thing ever. She never had intentions of acting on such a thought not to spoil their best friend vibe, but that didn't mean she didn't daydream about it every once in a blue moon. It was why she'd keep eye contact grinning just a little too long as they danced. It was that modest attempt at holding back flirtation she might usually let loose on someone else. Brief and subtle glimpses that dissipated back into all fun and dancing in a matter of seconds.

Bastien and Maddy were deciding their wedding was one of the best parties ever as they both looked around at their crowd of friends.

Friends.

Bastien knew all too well how fragile the rotating door of friendship could be. It didn't even have to be something like bad blood between people. It was just that time had a way of changing things. Oh, how his life had changed so many times over the years. It made his mind race from his circus days to the streets, to Esme's house, to more street days, to his days with Maddy, and everything in-between. There were so many people here he couldn't imagine losing now. It made him smile at not only quantity but the quality.

"I kinda love today. I'm so glad we did this."

It was a vow renewal and not something they had to do, but a decision they made together. Everyone in the crowd looked so happy too. He wanted to remember everyone this way. So, he took one last look at his reception party to save it in his mind.

It was time to head out and do their own thing. Heck, everyone could do their own thing in Paris now.

Paris!

He'd made it through his crypt ceremony without any weird flub ups. He felt like a million dollars in his periwinkle suit. He had the best friends and the hottest most amazing reaper wife along with the best kid a father could ever hope for. Magical kid. His magic and so far, she seemed so smart and normal. Normal in a good way. He remembered feeling like Forest Gump when he found out he had a kid and wanted to know if he was smart or like him. That scene really struck him hard in the heart and Frankie was so perfect in his eyes. Life was damn good. He couldn't imagine feeling any other way.

"I don't know what everyone else's plans are, but let's go enjoy our second honeymoon."

And that is how they left. They were headed elsewhere. Paris for once wasn't the final destination.

As for everyone else some would head back home right away. Others had plans of vacationing in Paris while they were there.

Caim, Silvain, Jules, and Death would all eventually head back to their own lives. Only Jules stayed a little longer to scope out the newest Paris fashions in person. Caim took Silvain back to the home he kept him in before departing for his own realm, and Death went back to his usual everywhere at all once existence.

Kuzco and Clopin intended to hang around awhile and do some nostalgic exploration of their usual favorite spots. They weren't about to leave without a visit to Notre Dame and the tower. Two of their favorites, plus they'd visit the more special places of Clopin's world as if it were the very first time.

Most of Chip's family would head back to New Zealand. Everyone except Pippin, Ray, and Jenna. They went out to explore the world together and have some of their first big times away from home. Ziya, the kids, and Raya with Chip went on home where it was easiest to care for those who didn't do well in public long. They were already thanking goodness nothing too weird went wrong with the kids at the ceremony or the reception. They would have hated to take attention away from the main couple. It was the sort of thing their family always held their breath about. They were all going to be happy seeing the others' pictures and hearing their stories when they got back. Plus, Chip always felt like Paris was more of Clopin and Kuzco's romantic notion. It was Bastien and Maddy's now too. Chip liked to write his own story. He just didn't need the experience.

Dale and Scout stuck around for a weekend whirlwind of brother/sister time checking out all the places Clopin, Kuzco, and Piper were always going on about. To them nothing would beat out Bastien and Maddy's crypt though. No matter where else they visited, nothing could top the coolness of that place. Scout took a billion pictures at the ceremony of the venue alone, not just the event itself. She was so impressed. They'd invite GoGo if she wanted to stick around with them too.

Diablo would end up back in bird form by the end of the night sensing Delta was ready to go. He'd land on her shoulder as she and Frank went back to their own hotel. They hadn't quite made plans one way or the other what they were going to do. She had been so focused on the fact she was maid of honor that she didn't think beyond that at all. That's why when the night was over and they were back in their room she'd ask Frank, "What do you want to do now?" She didn't mean whether to go to bed or not. "Are we going back home after this?" She never had any romanticized notions of Paris as so many people did. It wasn't her type of romance. Much like Scout, and apparently Bastien and Maddy, the catacombs was the best place there. But they were here. She was trying to search her mind and think about what they might do if they stayed. "Any ideas?"

Zero and Dr. Frankenstein did what Scout and Dale did. They stayed for a few days. It wasn't a long stay, but it was enough to play tourist and get all the good sights in. It would end up a long overdue event because despite living together it was rare Victor wasn't working and his mind obsessed with whatever was on the slab, and Zero, for once, had Victor all to himself, and visa versa. Victor didn't feel any competition with the outside world and all his friends. There were no medical emergencies that called them away either. They sorted through a lot of their own feelings while having a great Paris vacation at the same time.

Chess went back to Wonderland and Jagan went back to the Philippines to touch base with his family before embarking on the next big phase of his and Koda's business adventure. Piper went back to Peru to show face for many of her international and diplomatic responsibilities that Kuzco could never keep up with. He was so thankful he never ended up in her position after all. To him it looked like way too much work. At this point it wasn't in his nature at all, and he was never going to change. He didn't mind showing up to wave at people in parades or ribbon cuttings though. That was always a fun perk to his daughter being some sort of dignitary.

Then there was Valerie and Thomas who managed their way back to their hotel. They had actually planned on staying in Paris for a while, but once they got back from the reception Val wasn't so sure anymore. She'd be standing in front of the hotel mirror and taking her earrings off as she said, "Is it just me or do you feel like we've heard so much about France from Clopin's ever so vivid stories over and over again that it nearly feels like we've done this already?"

Lastly there was Koda and Elsa. Koda had had every intention of another holiday with Elsa. After the couple of trips they'd gone on together, hotel life was starting to feel like their norm. When they got back to theirs, he'd sit on the bed and say, "Can't say I'm disappointed in how that party went down. The skulls were cool. Bones everywhere. I didn't realize it was Bastien and Maddy's style. I picture them so differently. I think... I'm...impressed." He laughed. Then he looked at a pile of tourist pamphlets he'd grabbed in the lobby when they first came in. "The Louve, Tours of the Beaches of Normandy, Monet's House and Garden Tour, Happy Hour Cruise on the Sienne River, Osay Museum, um Moulin Rouge Cabaret? Does any of this spark any interest at all? I admit I didn't actually make any plans. I might have failed in pulling this one off. The last couple times we went somewhere I always had an end goal. Help me out?" Paris wasn't exactly Koda's dream vacation, but if they were there, he figured why not make the most of it?

That’s something Oogie would do, and he had to be better than that.

Regardless, he’d hold that in his backpocket in case they tried to use him as a jungle gym.

He pulled out a cigarette and gave it a puff, exhaling the smoke, then licked his lips, much like a lizard, with that split tongue.

“Go on,” He encouraged with a wave of his hand. “See if you can get as high as me.”

–

Oogie held in the sigh that threatened to escape through her lips at the clumsiness of the woman in front of her. But she wouldn’t ever want her to change, either. “Of course you can, Medusa. You’re practically a gorgon yourself.”

She lifted her own drink at that.

She and Cruella had a lot of things in common, and she missed the woman. They were both of the opinion that marriage took more good women away than any sort of war ever could. The women lost in NOLA’s zombie-ending was just a speck.

“Might have to skin a few dogs, to make up for her absence,” She said, half-joking.

–

Nicolai just nodded in response to Annabel and found the bar, going through and swiping a bottle of Smirnoff. “Only appropriate,” He said with a smirk, claiming the bottle for his own. He heard his name being mentioned by Valentin, and turned in his direction, holding up the bottle as a cheers to his partner in crime.

–

“Enjoy it, they do not last too long,” Valentin sighed, as if the restraints of his magic were a great tragedy. “A day at most. Nothing can compare to originals.”

Valentin’s eyes grew large and a big grin crossed his face. He hadn’t known what to expect when he had been invited to this exclusive party - but it hadn’t been to find his people. Bastien right now was seeming very much his people.

“Yes,” He said, immediately. “I wanna. We wanna.”

That’s when Nicolai lifted his drink and Valentin did in return, the two in complete sync as they drank from their drinks.

“Nic is very into the body farms, he gardens. I call him Mary, like that English rhyme. Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?” He laughed, delighted. “Not flowers. But still lots of growth.”

“Hmm - how about you have some time to think about it?” Maddy said, her dark eyes meeting the blue of her husband’s. She was having a good time tonight, even if it was Jetsam in her husband’s body. It was one thing watching him be a rock star, and drinking. But it was another to change Bastien’s body in any way without his permission.

“But I might,” She nodded. She was feeling good. She was feeling a bit more carefree - at least with herself. Mama wasn’t mama for the night. She was Maddy. Maddy fuckin’ Bellerose. “You like scars, Nicolai? That’s more of our thing. You should see my husband’s arm. It’s my favorite thing.”

“Everyone has scars,” Valentin shrugged, appearing a touch bored at the concept. “Is only as interesting as the story.”

–

Figaro joined in with the howling without a moment’s hesitation. They were joined by Thomas, because what werewolf couldn’t resist a howl when he heard one. He’d chuckle and give Will a pat on the back.

“Sounds better than some of the ones I’ve done, good job,” He nodded towards the pirate boy.

“Big praise, Papa Wolf,” Figaro said, grinning towards Thomas. “You’re the professional. Hey, you ever think of recording them howls for me? I want to know what your wolf side says.”

“Probably something like, hungry,” Thomas was amused. “Or ‘where the fuck are my pups?’”

“Potentially,” Figaro nodded. “But - what if it’s the Pokemon theme song? Or you’re asking for hugs from the spirit of Bea Arthur? Inquiring minds want to know, Thomas Laveau!”

The older man let out a bark of laughter, and shook his head. He still never knew what to expect from Figaro’s mouth. It’s one of the things that was most endearing about them. That made being around them not hard despite memories.

“Alright, I’ll see what I can do.”

He gave a quick look over to where Dale and GoGo were talking, gave a knowing chuckle, shook his head, then moved on through the crowd.

–

“He’s always had that effect,” Ellie said, pleased to see how touched Babyface and BeBop were by the interaction in the end. “But don’t think that I’m going to forget how caveman you just got,” She nudged her boyfriend.

–

What surprised Frank, taking in the scene, wasn’t that Pierre was being a good guy in helping the kids avoid injuries. He was still Maddy’s brother - and that’s exactly the sort of thing be expected from the Do-Good-Renaults. What did surprise him was the fact that the mane-haired boy was not advertising it.

He wasn’t even thinking about heading inside to go and talk about what he had done. To show what a good guy he was. To use this good deed as a way to try to worm back into his sister’s life.

What went through Pierre’s head was a quick thought of heading back inside - hearing Piper’s karaoke voice carry through the doors and out towards the woods. A show he didn’t want to miss.

But he sat down instead - not the easiest thing to do in these pants, and leaned forward.

“Aunt Maddy, huh?” Pierre asked with a grin towards the kid. He was slightly comforted by that. That even if he wasn’t her family right now, she had a big one out here. “If we’re having this conversation, you’re good, not going to wipe out. Wanna show me what you can do?”

All the people at the party, and he, like Frank, found himself out here with the kids.

Who woulda thought.

He’d wolf-whistle at the trick. He’d applaud as if he were watching motocross. And he didn’t have to step in to change anything else. The main crisis was averted. He was in the moment instead of reliving it.

–

Oogie caught her son’s eye at that moment and had witnessed the snub. She gave a little huff - that wasn’t going to stand. No one ignored her boy. “You two catch up for a moment, will you? And save me a dance, Seven, I’m sure you learned some moves in Hell that I just have to see.”

She slithered through the crowd - despite how heavy the heels on her boots were. She hadn’t changed after the performance. She was still the full she-bang, Oogie Boogie, here in the flesh, stepping towards the dark haired man and his golden-eyed bodyguard.

“Get thee back, Satan,” Clopin said, sipping on a glass of red wine that he had just been swirling like a professional sommelier.

“You already know devils, fool, and you know that I can easily match them,” Oogie said, coolly.

“Aww, she called me fool,” Clopin bragged, tossing his hair over his shoulder. “She’s heard of me!”

“Oh, I remember you well,” Oogie said. “The both of you, my largest competition for ego that New Orleans has ever seen.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere - we’re not into chicks, but I thank you for your consideration,” The jester bowed - because of course he was putting on a show. This whole conversation felt theatrical.

“Do you always let the mouthpiece do your talking for you, Little Emperor?” Oogie asked, turning her eyes back to Kuzco. “I see you have lips of your own. Are they useless?”

“Oh, they have their uses,” Clopin gulped down his wine.

–

“Just for one night,” Elsa said with a small smile, leaning further into Koda. She almost felt ten years younger, just being around him. Perhaps even more than that. Almost like a teenage girl that had snuck out to go to a party with a boy, and was trying a joint for the first time.

It was like the first time she got on the back of Flotsam’s motorcycle all those years ago. That’s the only experience she had that was even close to this.

But this felt - safer. There wasn’t the risk that Flotsam always came with. The boy had been danger incarnate, a magnet for trouble. Oh, how they’ve all grown.

“Ahh, that makes sense,” The blonde nodded. “I was planning on being kind regardless, do you think so little of me?”

This came out in a joking tone, and she actually smiled toward Flotsam, not the stiff person she usually was. The years being back in his life had softened her. Family life had softened her.

Thomas had wandered away from Will and Figaro, still chuckling to himself over that conversation, and was pleased to see his husband come back to him.

“So far,” He said, putting on his best spooky voice. “The night is still young.”

She watched out the back doorway as the kids tried to pop their wheelies over Frank's head. She smirked as they weren't able to come close. They might have been extra strong kids due to the lycanthropy, but they were still too little to pull off a feat like that. She turned away figuring Frank could gloat they failed. She would have anyhow. Those kids sure were having fun trying though.

--

Jetsam in a Bastien body and going by Bastien's name for the night didn't expect to be interested in anybody here either. He usually only got up in people's grills to push them out of their comfort zones. Who knew someone could actually be interesting for other legit reasons?

"Then we're doing it. It's fuckin' hap'nen."

Somewhere deep inside the real Bastien was straining to gain control and exhausting himself. What could sometimes be like missing time was now turning into time ticking slower than he ever remembered experiencing. He felt like he was under water. The weird part was besides wanting control again everything in him wanted to brag about his hoards. He didn't consider it trash, but he rummaged in plenty of dumpsters in his time too. He wanted in on this conversation so bad. It used to be for food or something worthy of a pawn shop, but he figured it still counted.

"Body farms. Holy shit dog!" He wanted so bad to start telling of his body collections in the underground tunnels Flotsam dug him and couldn't stand not being able to be completely open. He came up with a half-truth unable to keep his mouth shut. "I kept a body pile underground before. It was cool because the damp darkness made all sorts of shit grow. I'd put it in a blender and try to get kids to drink it back in the day. Like on dares." He was chuckling so much at old memories. It was also layering a new life on top of Bastien's own stories he'd have to contend with if ever asked when Jetsam wasn't using his body as a vessel.

Jetsam was giggling about Valentin's teasing of his brother. It reminded him of how he and Flotsam used to mess with each other. He missed it more than he cared to admit. He almost messed up and started to say an example back of he and Flotty but quit remembering Bastien didn't have any siblings to speak of. He ended up with, "I fucking love messin' with people. That's a good one."

The deal with being in the band again was he had to play Bastien to the outside world. On stage it was easy. He was wondering if it should really count to people, they were friends with. He was starting to realize the challenge of such a promise. He was never good with rules. They were already being an annoyance.

Maddy was trying to convince him to wait on the tattoo idea. "You got your equipment nearby?"

He asked instead of acknowledging her. "Because I'm so down."

Then she tried to change the subject on them. Scars. Oh yeah. Jetsam knew all about the scars on Bastien's body. He'd spent plenty of time inspecting every inch of it and going through his head to figure things out. So, he pulled up his arm to reveal his wife's name scarred in deep into his skin. Jetsam would get flashes of Bastien's memories from the inside and would have his own opinions and think reflex thoughts like "What a pussy" knowing how rejected Bastien felt at the time of doing it. It was Jetsam's nature to instantly poke a stick at any weakness he saw. Bastien didn't see it that way. He saw it as standing his ground or making a statement of dedication.

The funny thing was a long time ago there was a time Jetsam skinned his entire face, and it would have left him completely disfigured if it wasn't for magical intervention. That said he claimed he did it because he didn't feel worthy of Flotsam's face after betraying him. It was practically the same sort of feelings, that the only way to feel and show his love was to make it physical and skin deep. Bastien couldn't always access Jetsam's memories and feelings so easily, so all he heard was the put down and the judgement.

Normally, Bastien could block out judgement. Living how he had before Maddy and just in general as a disfigured hunchback he'd learned to have thick skin. But, from the inside Jetsam's thoughts could get muddled and sometimes he confused them with his own. So, the Bastien inside was starting to stress more than usual the longer Jetsam stayed inside him. That stress was triggering to his neurological symptoms. Jetsam started to see odd things in his peripherals. He'd shake his head and blink his eyes several times as if trying to clear his vision.

Still since Valentin wanted a story about the scar Jetsam figured he better make it a semi-grand one as he held his arm out to be viewed.

"Well, this story's simple. I really needed to get some pussy, and I figured hey, if I do this, I might just lock in this hottie full time. Fucking worked too. This is your Romeo's gonna fucking Romeo type scar. I did it nice and slow so I could feel it." He knew that part was true as vulgar as Jet set the story up. This was Jet trying his best. Then in an off comment said more to himself, "That part was kinda badass." He liked the idea of Bastien wanting the pain. "I presented it to her all bloody as fuck too. That's how I knew she was a keeper for sure, and I didn't do it for nothing. Chick doesn't run from blood is like number the one thing I need in a partner. Fucking keeper. Hell, yeah baby." He said finally leaning all the way in and kissed Maddy on the cheek and nibbled down her jaw being playful and playing the part of husband.

"She got one too. Show him babe." He'd say proud as can be. "I like to chomp down on that shit and lick it up. Feel those bumps. Gets me so off."

--

Willem wanted what Figaro wanted. "If it's the Pokémon themesong I'll be so happy."

It was such a great idea.

--

Babyface jutted his chin at the idea of being called caveman. "That's Captain Caveman to you."

--

The little lycan child on a mini-motorcross bike nodded, yes like Aunt Maddy. They trusted their sniffer and knew that smell. All they knew then was they got a new audience out of it. Kids loved being watched. That's usually when they'd get proud praises. They were ready to show off.

Sam went zooming off with the vroom-vroom noise as he went for another round on the small track of hills the kids had carved in the yard. Since Bandit, Sam's twin had just come up, he also noticed the smell. He however looked disappointed when he took his helmet off and revealed his extra pale face. His world was slowing down as his zombie-ish mind would. "Darn. You're the smell I'm not allowed to eat." He crossed his arms and talked slow. "Or I'll get in trouble." He sniffed the air near Pierre a little more. "I still fink you'd taste good though."

The Savanne family was really working on those zombie-hybrid kids and their public manners. At first, they didn't take them anywhere. Then they started to make sure to expose them to family and friends as much as possible so they could learn. Exposure was the only way. There'd been some almost issues and some oopsies happen, but they'd come a long way.

All the kids, Praline, Bandit and Sam, Valerie, Rhiannan, and Stark all had motorbikes, and all participated, but some were more into it than others. Not all had the go-go-go mentality Chip or Flotsam had as a kid. Their personalities were finally starting to form. It was why Praline was inside singing with Piper. She had a bike, but she wasn't as much of adrenaline junkie as some of them.

They were inside singing Wanna be by the Spice Girls and giggling and grinning through the whole thing. When that was over, they kept with theme of the actual party and went into a karaoke version of Mr. Crowley. They'd just keep playing rock star up there until anyone else wanted to take over.

Flotsam couldn't stop himself from lifting his phone and getting a couple pics and videos he'd end up sharing in the group family chat later on. A few he'd save just for himself and to show Thomas of course being the proud grandparent that he was.

--

Lock and Seven gave Oogie a nod and let her go on her way. They made their own conversation after she left. Lock couldn't help but notice which way she went and did keep an eye open in that direction out of curiosity.

It was Kuzco's eye that counted more here. Clopin stood right in the path and did what Clopin does best. Say it like it is no holds barred and always standing up for Kuzco.

Did he just hear little emperor? Who did she think she was?

"Don't I know you? Yzma! I remember I told you you should get some work done, and I see you got the boob job, yikes-" He moved his hands at his own chest like he was cupping and insinuating lop-sided breasts and juggled the air up and down, "Babe give her a number to a good lawyer. She's gonna need it. But I was hoping for a better wig than that. I think they missed a spot on your face." He moved his eyebrows inward and held his hand up to where crow's feet would be around her eyes. "So no. You can't have your job back. Stop begging." He put his hand up and got louder. "Just stop begging. It's unbecoming for an ex-palace worker. Your displacement stands. Nice seeing you again."

Then he looked at Clopin. "Let's go put these lips to good use now. Shall we?" Then he bent an elbow for him to latch onto.

--

Koda enjoyed his time with Elsa. Trouble indeed. Koda too. Somehow, she'd missed that era of his youth. They'd all grown up so differently than one might expect.

--

When Thomas came up to Flotsam and said the night was still young, he wasn't wrong.

"True. True."

Then he took a step back and looked around at the crowd. Each group from Kuzpin and Oogie mingling, to Lock and Seven, to Scout dancing with GoGo, to the table full of people like Bastien and Maddy, Chess and Valentin among others. Then he took a peek out the door and noticed some people mingling with the kids who didn't seem as interested in hanging out in the adult house party. Even with the drinking and headbanging around it all did seem rather wholesome to him. That's when he noticed Jetsam getting snuggly and kissy with Maddy and Flotsam couldn't help but smirk.

"That's... new." He shook his head thinking it was funny. He was waiting to see her reaction.

"Ya know being on stage with him is one thing. I really did all this for Koda and Chess. They were drowning without him and there was a way, who was I to forbid it, but I haven't really hung out with my brother since we were the Three Amigos." His smile lessoned and he took a big drink. Their history was rather complex, but no one could deny there had been caring there from everyone. He finally showed up for Scout the last Halloween. Flotsam had a way of keeping his distance from his spirit. Maybe it was time to forgive? After a second big drink he said, "Maybe I should go really bury the hatchet? What do you think?" He knew if he did it could open who knows into their lives.

maddybellerose - Found a new friend 💞

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