Kickin' Back with a Cold One

Posted on Mon Nov 27th, 2023 @ 5:34pm by Connor Bruin & Bobby Drake & Iris Walker & Tammy Thompson & Bliss Hawkins & Ethan Hale & Aurora Summers

3,360 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: Episode 3: X-Tra Ecclesiam
Location: Swimming Pool | X-Mansion
Timeline: August 19th, 1990 - Evening

While the cats were away, the mice would play. The Professor left on his trip. Scott had filled Bobby on the gist of it before disappearing down the hallway. Bobby was left to his own devices. He'd gotten to know Jade on Muir Island and they'd shared a nice chat on the flight home. Decent chick. He could see why Cameron was into her. The age difference between Cameron and Bobby was only one year greater than him and Scott, but that was enough for Bobby not to have really formed any kind of friendship with the other man. Loners. Psh. Bobby had better things to do anyway.

"Pool party!" Bobby had announced inside the main hall. For any who'd missed it, he ran through the ground floor of the Mansion repeating himself. "Pool party! Pool party!"

Announcements were the first step. Setup was next.

Bobby glided on his ice bridge to the assorted supply sheds and other hidey holes which were kept more or less how'd they always been. His hyperactive charisma as much as his ice gliding helped him set up a party in short order.

There were snacks by the pool. There were lit tiki torches surrounding the pool. There were floating miniature icebergs in the pool loaded with wine coolers that Bobby had produced from somewhere. And, as the centerpiece to the festivities, was a 10ft/3m tall ice sculpture of the Iceman flexing his arms with exaggerated biceps. A lattice of crystalized ice hung over the statue on frozen pillars with elaborate scrollwork lettering that spelled out the words "WELCOME HOME, BOBBY!"

All in all, it was a great party. Bobby grinned up at his work of art with pride.

Aurora wanted to join in the festivities, she hadn’t known Bobby long but she was glad he was well again. They’d shared captivity for a brief time before Scott had arrived. Thinking of Scott she wished he was here to party, but she knew he was freaked out right now. Plus they were still under a secrecy pact for now, at least until they got married anyway. She smiled as she walked over to Bobby. “Nice work Bobby, it looks good.”

"It ain't the only thing." Bobby gave Aurora a teasing wink.

Before he could make any more idle flirting, though, there was a hooting ruckus coming from the angled roof that could only have been Connor. All eyes looked up at him pull off his shirt and beat his chest like King Kong.

"Caveman's got the right idea!" Bobby called out. "You're a genius, dude. Lemme hook you up!" With his hands outstretched Bobby raised a giant ice corkscrew that would lead from where Connor stood on the roof down to the pool. "Waterslide, dude! Rip it!"

His original plan when he'd scampered up the side of the Mansion was to do a big cannonball like he had during the last pool party, but the swirling waterslide was too much to resist. Connor dove onto it headfirst and went barreling down into the pool. After splashing into the water, Connor jumped up with his hands raised like a champion boxer. "WOOOO!!!"

Iris arrived, still dressed in jeans and T-shirt with a pair of sneakers, just in time to see Connor slide down the ice slide. But, she wasn’t ready to reveal herself, yet. Instead, she wandered around and observed, as was her usual wont.

“Nice one Connor!” Aurora grinned as she looked in Connor’s direction. “Rather you than me though.” She was aiming to be cautious in just about everything for now, preferring to air on the side of caution whilst pregnant.

Ethan had been studying in his room, trying to concentrate despite the noise. Swimming held no interest for him, he would have likely drowned if he'd gotten in the pool. But temptation got the best of him. It was after all calculus, math was his least favorite class. He might as well go check things out. Besides, Ellias might be there.

He changed into a pair of blue and white paisley swim trunks and walked down stairs.

Tammy had hanged into a bikini and materialized at pool side. "Yeah pool party! So what kind of entertainment is going on? Let's have some fun!"

The sight of Tammy in a bikini made Bobby's eyes pop and his jaw go slack. "Ay caramaba, mamma mia!" He put the slightest frozen sheen on the ground so he could slide up next to her without missing a beat.

"Hey, babe, so glad you asked!" Bobby slid a smooth arm around Tammy's shoulder despite being ever so slightly shorter and proffered a chilled wine cooler he'd grabbed with his other hand from an icy rail that extended clear from the pool. It dissolved into mist as soon as he'd taken the bottle. "First you get one of these, dip. Second, we trade names and get more acquainted. I'm Bobby. You may know me from the X-Men and, you know." He pointed at his giant statue. "And your name is?"

Iris rolled her eyes at Bobby. Could anybody say desperate?

"Tammy Thompson aka Surge!" with a finger she manipulated the sounds of his voice so he sounded like a chipmunk on helium! Yeah, that sort of behavior didn't fly with her. She took a wine cooler opened it and took a sip!

"Excuse me..." Bobby said, his voice near a whistle register. "Got something in my throat..." He turned to ice form, cleared his throat, and spat an ice cube clear to the distant bushes. "That's better," he said, back in both his normal form and pitch. That's a gnarly trick you got there, Surge. I've got some of my own." He waggled his eyebrows at her. "What say we sneak off later and make Christmas come early?"

Iris had to clamp her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing right out loud and revealing herself, but somehow, she managed it.

"Down boy or I'll do a lot worse! I control the entire EM spectrum so I can really mess you up. Ice conducts electricity real well y'know!" a spark flew from her fingertip.

"Whoa, Sparky! Just trying to get to know you better!" In the biblical sense, of course. Bobby backed up with his hands in the air but a devilish smirk on his face all the same. "Brains and beauty...you got the total package." His eyes briefly identified a package south of her face, but good taste had him reengage eye contact. "You need anything, babe, just whistle and I'll come lickity-split."

"Yeah wish it were that easy! You can't get me what or rather who I want but thanks anyway. Say what about food? anything to snack on around here?" Tammy said.

That perked Bobby right up. Tammy was still talking to him, so he kept at it. "Oh, we've got snacks over on the other side of the pool, but if you want some a little heavier, we got pizza, Chinese, and tacos coming.... eventually." Now that he'd mentioned it, no one was watching the front door. "I'll be right back!" He jumped into the air and glided on his ice bridge that bobbed and weaved to increase moment as he went around the side of the mansion to the front door. It wouldn't do if the food showed up and no one was there to answer.

Aurora was still wearing her daytime clothes, but now everyone was appearing in their swimwear she was starting to feel pretty overdressed. Leaving the festivities for a few short minutes she soon reappeared in a bikini with a matching robe. She liked to swim but wasn’t sure if she’d take the plunge just yet.

When she came back to the pool area, Connor treaded softly but quickly behind her.

~Oh, Aurora!~ Devious thoughts of throwing her into the pool danced across Connor's mind.

Aurora gave Connor a wry grin as she picked up on what he was thinking. “Don’t you dare, Connor!”

A shameless cackle came out of his mouth as Connor grabbed Aurora and hoisted her over his head and turned toward the pool.

“CONNOR! PUT ME DOWN!!” Aurora could only hope Connor had a good grip as he carried her, she didn’t want to be thrown in the pool, but it looked like she was going to be.

Bliss appeared from the house wearing a white school t-shirt and a brief pair of cutoff jeans. She was casually walking, quietly observing the chaos around her as she headed for a lounge chair by the pool. She saw Connor about to drown Aurora.

"Connor, please be nice."

At the sound of her voice, Connor set Aurora down at the water's edge. He gave Bliss the mischievous look he so often effected around her before he charged at her next. Snatching her up from the lounge chair, he enveloped her in a tight bear hug and backflipped them both into the pool together.

Tammy was disappointed. She wanted to see him dunk Aurora. OH well, maybe she would get dunked later.

Bliss shrieked with laughter as they plunged into the pool. She held onto Connor as they reemerged from to he warm water.

"Stinker!”

She decided this was as good a time as she needed to find out if he had any tickle spots.

As it turned out, Connor did. A plethora of them. He hooted and hollered as she tickled him relentlessly like he was fighting off a swarm of bees. His only recourse was diving back under the water where he swam like a fish to safety.

Intrigued by their behavior, Iris wondered if there was something between Bliss and Connor. They certainly acted familiar with one another. She would have to ask Connor sometime.

Aurora grinned as she watched Connor and Bliss having fun, truth be known her version of swimming was dabbling her feet in or staying in the shallow end, mainly because she couldn’t swim. Hence why she was glad Connor hadn’t thrown her in. Making her way round to a seat at the side of the pool she couldn’t help but pick up on stray thoughts, Iris’ fascination with Connor & Bliss for one, although she couldn’t see Iris anywhere in view.

Aurora looked around. “You might as well come out of hiding...I can sense you.”

Nearby, Iris blinked. She had forgotten that empathy and telepaths could hear her thoughts. “I’m right here,” she said as she took a couple of steps closer.

“Sorry, Iris, I didn’t mean to call you out like that” Aurora offered an apologetic smile. “My senses are playing me up somewhat, I’m picking up people more easily again.”

“It’s okay,” answered Iris. “I don’t actually mind it. It gives me a reason to socialize!”

"Dinner is served!" Bobby came running around the side of the house with pizza boxes, taco boxes, and a spread of Chinese takeout stacked on a long ice slab that he was precariously sliding. It came to rest near the assorted snacks on the patio tables. "Let's move it over before it gets cold!"

“Now you’re talking!” Aurora smiled. “Coming, Iris?” Heading across to the food she chose her share. She was feeling famished yet again, not surprising given her body’s needs now.

“Absolutely!” agreed Iris, following after Aurora. She was always up for food.

"Yo, Warren!" Bobby caught a glimpse of Ethan from the corner of his eye and spoke without thinking. Then his brain engaged fully and his jaw went slack. "Whoa! Warren?!" Recognition settled in, though, when he realized his mistake. "Oh, uh, sorry," he said more quietly, even though Ethan was not right in front of him. "I, uh, thought you were, eh, someone else..."

Ethan had been trying to decide between getting something to eat, or sitting on the edge of the pool and at least getting up, cut his eyes to Bobby, giving him a friendly smile. "No worries. You're not the only one. It's the wings. When I'm in my new uniform, I look a lot more like him. I actually look human. Well, you know a human with wings."

"You must be the famous Iceman. Everyone has heard of you. I'm Ethan Hale. They also call me Gryphon."

He held out his hand.

"Ethan Hale Gryphon," repeated Bobby while shaking Ethan's hand. "I see Professor Xavier hasn't lost his love for mythological references." Feeling like that remark was too geeky, Bobby slid his palm further into Ethan's hand and wrapped their thumbs for a manlier grip. Then he released in order to bop Ethan's fist from top and bottom with his own. "Come on, Gryphon, don't leave a brother hangin'!" Bobby said with his fist hovering in front of Ethan's hand for a closing bump.

With a lop-sided grin, Ethan returned the fist bump. "Not that I'm complaining, especially since you brought food, but what brings you back?"

"You, uh, must be new around here," Bobby said, his good cheer faltering. "Things didn't go my way for awhile. But now they are." He forced out a happy holler. "Now let's get this party started!" Popping another wine cooler open, Bobby started chugging.

Connor pulled himself out of the water and attacked the food like an army of one.

Bliss emerged from the pool soaking wet. She pulled her wet hair so it trailed down her back. Of course, the white school t-shirt she had been wearing when she was submerged in the depths of the pool by Connor was practically transparent.
Depending on your perspective, fortunately, she had on her bikini top underneath the shirt.

"Connor, slow down so you can actually taste the food, ok?"
She grabbed a plate and began to pile different kinds of Chinese food onto it. There was shrimp lo mein, hot pepper chicken, broccoli beef, a couple of egg rolls, and two crab rangoons."

Her eyes flashed when she saw there were wine coolers so she grabbed one on the way by to a table. She looked at the attendees with a slightly confused expression.

"Has anybody seen Iris? I don't want her to miss out on the party. "

“Mmm...Don’t worry...” Aurora nodded as she paused eating. “Iris isn’t far away.”

"She usually isn't. We just don't notice her. Mmm, pizza! Let me at it!" Tammy took a couple of slices of Pizza. Yum! I love Pizza!" she said as she munched on a piece of Supreme.

“I’m here!” announced Iris to the group at large, already chewing a crunchy taco.

Bobby watched Tammy devour her pizza with far too much enjoyment on his face. "Yeah, baby, eat up. Gotta' get fed."

"YOU ARE GROSS," Connor said to Bobby through his device.

"Caveman, old pal..." Bobby said, still grinning in lustful awe at Tammy. "You just gotta' learn to appreciate the finer things in life." He gave Tammy a flirty nudge. "Need something cold to wash that down?"

"No, thank you. Got my wine cooled to wash down the pizza, thanks!" From what she had heard, Bobby wasn't a bad guy, even if he was acting like a creep. Still maybe if he didn't try so hard. She wished Scott were here. She was still hoping to get him to change his mind.

Bobby changed gears. His grin faltered while his big blue eyes drew big and sad. "Oh. Okay. I get it. Sorry to be a bother. I was, uh, just trying, uh, to just be friendly and all. Guess I'll leave you alone..." He turned away ever so slowly, even hesitating before taking the final step that would commit him to walking away from Tammy. "Bye."

"Up to you! All I said was that I already have a drink. I mean it's your party and I'm not saying you have to go away or anything!" Tammy said.

"Perfect!" Bobby slid back up to Tammy's side as—literally, in an ice-assisted slide—and put an arm back around her shoulder. "So how's about a welcome home kiss for the returning hero?"

"Bobby, don't ok? You're a nice guy but I'm kinda hung up on someone else and it's complicated so trying to figure out things. I'm not real sure about a lot of things right now," Tammy said. She liked him but right now, with her being hung up on Scott, it was kinda' crazy and felt like things were going round and round and she was having trouble sorting it all out.

"Any guy who doesn't jump at the chance to be with you is an idiot." Bobby stole a kiss against her cheek and slid away. "Tag! You're it!"

Tammy had to smile. That was a very nice of him to say that. Although playing tag with someone who could move at he speed of light, not the best idea. Kinda took the fun out of it. She grabbed another piece of pizza. This was good.

Aurora sat enjoying her food, yet she couldn’t help but wonder why Scott hadn’t come to join in. Maybe he was just busy, or maybe there was more to it. Once she was finished she was going to find him. It didn’t take long for her to have her fill of food, taking a few moments she waited for attention to be focused elsewhere before she snuck away from the party, and headed to find Scott.

Ethan had never been drunk before and really didn't consider himself a big drinker. But others were helping themselves, and he saw no reason he shouldn't. But to balance things out, he swiped a whole container of Mongolian Beef and dug in.

While everyone was eating their snacks, Connor turned back up with a boombox and set it up between snack bar and the pool.

The music began with soft chimes, but soon synthetic harmonies and percussion built up into a loud chorus.

"Domo arigato misuta Robotto
Domo arigato misuta Robotto
Mata au hi made
Domo arigato misuta Robotto
Himitsu wo shiritai"

Connor did a quick hop and then fell into a rigid Robot dance number.

“Hey, that’s really good, Connor!” Iris encouraged her friend. And in truth, it was a very good robot dance. She wasn’t much of a dancer herself- band kinds rarely were but she enjoyed watching other people dance.

Ethan set his food. Like Iris, he wasn't about to start dancing, but he did start singing along and he was mostly in tune.

The Styx song came to an abrupt end. Connor lurched his head at the boom box and let out a grunt of protest..

"Hold up, Caveman," said Bobby as he popped out Connor's cassette tape and jammed his inside. "Get ready for this."

A fresh beat started thumping through the speakers.

"This speech is my recital, I think it's very vital
To rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky is the title, here we go...
It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky... it's Tricky, Tricky!"

Bobby started doing a Running Man dance on a solid sheet of ice under his feet. "Bring it, Caveman! Whatchu' got?"

At first Connor felt angry at the unwanted change to the music, but he looked at Bliss and felt inspired. He thumped his chest twice and hopped next to Bobby.

The Running Man was easy enough to do, so Connor dropped to his hands and started spinning his feet around in a breakdance.

"Whoa! Look at him go!" Bobby shouted. Not about to be outdone, he dropped into the Worm.

Connor was spinning on his shoulders next to Bobby's undulating body in an impromptu dance-off.

"And in the city, it's a pity 'cause we just can't hide
Tinted windows don't mean nothin', they know who's inside..."

For one evening, at least, the new team helped Bobby forget the terrors that had come back with the rest of his memories.

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