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Location: D&D Dorm Night of the Carnival
Skills: N/A[/center]
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It had been over half an hour since April had left to go and see her sister. Danni and Dorian knew better than to try and intervene, but even they didn’t think it would take this long. Worry had begun to well up inside them wondering where their princess had gone. So the pair did the only logical thing they could think of…scour the grounds until they found a hint of their best friend somewhere. It didn’t take long until they saw the familiar scene of water rushing out of the girls restroom that had now begun to flood the hallway. When the pair called out to her and heard no response, they both decided to rush in and see for themselves what was going on. What they found was their best friend face down in a pool of toilet water that reflected back the fluorescent lights from the ceiling. Above her was a patch of chipped paint with a spattering of dust swirling around April and leading towards the drain in the center of the restroom. The story was clear, AA’s plumbing system was once again thoroughly fucked. They picked up April, and after a trip to the nurses office, Danni and Dorian had managed to take her back towards their dorm to keep an eye on her.

The dorm room was split in half, Danni’s section towards the left side while Dorian's was off to the right. The porcelain shards of Nemo’s cup still gathered in a pile behind the door right next to the door stop. In between the two’s sections sat almost all their appliances. The vintage blue mini fridge sat dead center, a chrome display suspended above it with a wide array of coffee and espresso beans in sealed wooden containers to help keep the freshness of every bean. To the right sat half of their coffee preparation methods, the left holding the other half, each side hosting a hot plate the pair had managed to sneak in to ensure they could make their own meals when they wanted to inside their dorms. LED lights ran across the right half of the room leading towards Dorian's gaming desk that was angled against the corner of the wall, two large white speakers hanging off the wall with a hidden receiver tucked behind a poster that cut the corner. His VR equipment was displayed on a stand in between his PC and bed for easy access regardless of where he wanted to game. 

Dorian had grabbed one of his plushies off his bed as he sat on the floor, criss cross, staring at the unconscious body of April. His green eyes lay unblinking as he stared at her now neon colored face, making sure she was still breathing while simultaneously waiting for any sign that she might just wake up soon. His arms gripped the plush figure tightly as his knees bounced up and down in anxious anticipation. The only distraction being the scent of food wafting through the air as Danni cooked over on his side of the room. It was a comforting smell, one that helped to calm Dorian down a bit in these trying times, but he couldn’t help but feel as if he was holding his breath. He didn’t turn to look at Danni, keeping his gaze affixed to April while he spoke. [color=CC99FF]”Shouldn’t she ‘ave woken up by now? Your cooking smells so good it could wake t’e dead! Appa said so…so why ‘asn’t she gotten up yet?”[/color] he whined with his lower lip pouted out. 

Danni, meanwhile, had pulled out his pots, pans, and the electric stove he smuggled in under the teacher's noses. Don't get him wrong, the school food wasn't atrocious but Danni liked cooking and like hell he was letting his best friend have generic slop on his birthday. However, he'd learned from his first two years - Danni grabbed a Tupperware container, some double-sided tape, and, stretching out on his tiptoes, used his bed as a ladder to reach the smoke detector and fit the Tupperware firmly around it. Princess had enough water related issues today - now there was no chance more could happen!

Hopefully, he didn't actually catch anything on fire or they'd be fucked!

He popped down off the bed and soon had sausage browning and the pot heating. It wasn't perfect; he was forced to prep everything before hand and put them in little containers but it was better than frozen shit he would have had to buy same day. He perked up as Dee addressed him, looking down at April, and put his spatula down to come over and poke at Princess' cheek. [color=E948FC] "I dunno. T'ey said she just needed t'e rest, right? Idk what 'appened but she musta been pretty upset. Maybe she's depresso nappin'. You 'ad a breakdown, I 'ad a breakdown, guess it was Princess's turn."[/color] Danni shrugged. It had been a rough day all around. If anyone deserved the sleep, it was Princess. He wrinkled his nose however at the undercurrent of public bathroom. [color=E948FC] "T'ough, maybe t'e toilet water smell ain't 'elpin'? Wanna take 'er key and grab some clean clothes for 'er while I make dinner?"[/color]

April’s eyes began to flutter ever so slightly, before she lurched forward and started to cough. Her throat felt gross, but she had no idea why. There was something wet and damp clinging to her, and her head was pounding. Her eyes fluttered open again, her contacts doing their jobs as things slowly slid into focus. It might have been a new year, but April recognized the set-up - she was in Danni and Dori’s room. 

[color=42A9FF]”Uh… Did you two kidnap me? Why am I wet? And why does my throat taste so so so bad? Like it feels like I swallowed armpit juice…”[/color] April asked. Her sense of smell then hit her all of the sudden. [color=42A9FF]”Oh that smells so good… Oh shit, I didn’t miss it, did I? It’s still your birthday, right? Oh my gods, if I missed your birthday, I am so so so so sorry. I was…. I was going after Zelda! And then… Wait, my phone! Where’s my phone?”[/color] April’s eyes were wide. Things were a little foggy - she had no idea really what had happened - but she hadn’t seen her phone. And as a teenager, the phone was basically a symbolization of her life force. 

Dorian hadn't turned to look at Danni as he spoke, though he began to fidget where he sat, scooting slightly closer. He wanted to rest his head on the mattress but thought better of it as his sheets slowly soaked with toilet water from April's wet clothing. He frowned, both at the smell and  the suggestion that he should leave April alone to gather clothes when she needed them most. [Color=CC99FF]"I can't just leave 'er… t'en again…a change if clo'hes would be nice for 'er."[/color] He began to scoot backwards, about to sit up when he noticed April's eyes fluttering. 

[Color=CC99FF]"Awe 'er eyes are flutterin' you t'ink she's dreamin' about chasin' girls?"[/color] Dorian joked just before April had woken up.  Her voice cut through the sounds of sizzling andouille sausage over the hot plate, bringing a smile towards his face. Dorians arms went wide as he was about to hug her, stopping just briefly as he got closer and the wall of bathroom stench hit him once more before he backed a bit away. [Color=CC99FF]"On second t'ought maybe you should change and shower before any 'ugs. We found you laying in toilet water…girls bat'rooms out of comish for a moment while t'ey fix it all up."[/color] Dorian offered as he answered a bulk of her questions. The latter two being left on the wayside for a moment as he let some silence cling in the air.

[Color=CC99FF]"Birt'days still well on its way no worries bout t'at chère. As for your phone…well…"[/color] He pointed towards a ziplock bag that sat at the foot of the bed. There was no phone in sight, only white rice filling the bag to the brim. [Color=CC99FF]"Don't t'ink it's gonna make it but we tried!"[/color] He said offering her up his patented don't worry smile.

[color=E948FC] "Aye! The Princess awakens!" [/color] Danni cheered loudly. [color=E948FC] "We did, in fact try, and t'at means we're t'e best! But t'at means you're gunna 'afta spill t'e beans, babes. Beanie noticed somet'in' was up earlier and t'en we found ya like t'at, face down in a sewer slick. Why don't ya get changed real quick and we can chit-chat 'fore dinner. Can't be comfy in t'ose clot'es but,"[/color] Danni brandished his spatula at her pointedly. [color=E948FC] "Ya try to disappear on us and we're gunna 'afta 'unt you down, ya hear?"[/color]

Her heart sank to her stomach, seeing the sad remnants of her poor phone. Simultaneously though, her cheeks burned with embarrassment at the idea that she had been found IN THE TOILETS! Gods, if anyone but Danni or Dori had found her… That would’ve been it. She would’ve written notes to her loved ones and died. There would have been no chance for social recovery from that. Her life would’ve been over had that happened - no shot at a girlfriend or prom or student council president or Contest of Champions or any of it. 

[color=42A9FF]”No one else saw me down there, right? Right? You both pinky swear?”[/color] April asked, her eyes wide and intense. Luckily for her at the moment, her brain was focusing on NOT spilling the beans. Those memories, as much as they were trying to surface, April was doing her best to shove down. Her gut told her they were nothing good. [color=42A9FF]”I’ll be - I’ll be right back, just going to change real real quick, and if anyone asks the bathroom was NOT me!”[/color] She knew they’d keep her secret, but she had to stress it just to be sure. 

April hesitated, before darting out of the room. Dorian and Danni would be able to hear the jingling of her keys as she unlocked her own nearby dorm room, followed by the quick slam of the door. 

Dorian laughed, brushing off any threat that anyone else may have seen April in the bathroom with a literal potty mouth. Truth was they only found her after the incident and even more so half an hour after she'd left. He didn't know how long she'd been there or how long she'd been out, so anyone could've waltzed in and seen her and just promptly left.  Then again, chances were that everyone was out in the Carnival, so there were less eyes to have seen here in that state. [Color=CC99FF]"No one saw you but Danni and yours truly. So your secrets safe wit' me"[/color] He wanted to add some form of toilette related nickname like Potty Mouth, Sewer Queen, or Porcelain Princess, but he didn't want to upset her more.

As soon as April left, Dorian deflated, looking worriedly towards Danni. [Color=CC99FF]"She's fine right? She'd tell us if she wasn't…right?"[/color]

Danni gave Dee a pointed look, looked through the wall in the general direction of the Toilet Armageddon, and then back at Dee. [color=E948FC]"Dee, really? People t'at are fine don't do t'at. Beanie pegged somet'in' about 'er earlier today, was all askin' about 'ow she was and shit, and Beanie is a bona-fide empath ya know? Like, not t'e mind fuckery part, t'e whole readin' people part like a non-mind reader does. So yeah, somet'in's wrong but we're gunna be a safe, 'appy spot for 'er to vent so we can remind 'er 'ow much we love 'er and care for 'er and fuck everyone outside t'e group at t'e end of t'e day!"[/color] Danni explained as he flipped the sausages. He turned around, hands on his hip, and brandished his spatula at Dee.

[color=E948FC]"And you are goin' to stop bein' t'e worriest of warts. Relax birt'day boy. It's your birt'day!"[/color] Danni tossed confetti he had in his pocket at Dee. [color=E948FC] "Be 'appy! Turn dem frowns upside downs!"[/color]

To her credit, April returned relatively quickly. She had changed into a pair of flip flops, blue denim shorts, and a heather grey S.H.I.E.L.D. tank top. It wasn’t a glamorous look, but it was comfortable. Her hair was tucked up and underneath a baseball cap for the moment, as she didn’t want to waste more of Dorian’s birthday… and she wasn’t sure if the showers would even be working right now after what she had done to the plumbing. 

[color=42A9FF]”Aww, did I miss the confetti?”[/color] April asked, pouting slightly as she saw some of the confetti on the ground around Dorian. She was doing her best to try to re-focus her attention on the moment. To that end, she hadn’t come back empty handed. She had a bag in her hand, with tissue paper sticking out of it. It was a cute pastel purple, and April had a huge smile on her face as she held the bag out to Dorian. [color=42A9FF]”Open it open it open it!! Or it’ll explode. I mean it won’t explode. But maybe it will. You never know.”[/color]

Dorian didn't want to face the facts, but Danni was right. If there's one thing French people did well it was judge others and Sabine read April like a book. He tried his best to stop worrying about it all, about to force a smile when suddenly he was pelted by confetti. Unable to help but laugh, he brushed a bit off his nose as he gathered a handful in each hand and tossed some towards Danni. [Color=CC99FF]"Fine fine. C'est bien."[/color] 

April came back with greater speed than he'd thought possible for a girl who just downed a gallon of toilette water. But she seemed just as cheery as ever, holding a bag and new outfit fit for a sleep over. [Color=CC99FF]"Pour moi? You shouldn't 'ave!"[/color] He took the package, about to peek in before he began to pretend as if it was shaking on its own accord. [Color=CC99FF]"Uh April…I t'ink it's gonna-"[/color] Dorian tossed the other handful of confetti towards April, making sure to get as much of it on her as he could while laughing. [Color=CC99FF]"Guess it was about to explode."[/color] He said before sticking his tongue out at her as he began to open the present. 

Danni cackled as Dee covered April in confetti. [color=E948FC] “Da birt’day boy needed some more color in his outfit. Couldn’t resist!”[/color] Danni laughed, and then pouted. [color=E948FC] “You’re givin’ presents already? I t’ought we were doin’ it [i]after[/i] food ‘cause I can’t give ‘im mine while I got stuff on t’e stove! I’ll get distracted!”[/color] Danni whined half heartedly, transferring ingredients into the pot, along with the roux, and started stirring. [color=E948FC] “Gimme t’e play-by play. I gotta skim and stir or I might as well set t’e whole t’in’ on fire.”[/color]FF]

April giggled, picking bits of confetti off of her. [color=42A9FF]”Well I had to give it now or it would explode!”[/color] April insisted. She hid the slight bit of guilt that had washed over her. She had completely forgotten they were going to wait until after the food. Hopefully Danni wasn’t too pissed at her. Inside the bag, Dorian would find two tickets to his favorite K-Pop group’s concert in LA that spring - as well as a crocheted little purple ghost. [color=42A9FF]”Do you like it?”[/color] April asked hopefully. 

Dorian grinned from ear to ear as he saw what was inside. [Color=CC99FF]"Like it? I love it!"[/color] He dive bombed April with a big hug, tackling them both to the ground as he squeezed her. He let go and immediately placed the tickets on his desk where they couldn't be harmed before snagging the crocheted ghost and running towards Danni with it as if it was a flying airplane. [Color=CC99FF]"Lookit t'is cute little guy!!!"[/color]

Danni looked over his shoulder as the pair tumbled to the ground, smiling at the sight of his two best friends in the whole wide world tumbling over each other like puppies, even if he did have a twinge of jealousy that they were doing it without him. He gets it - a birthday is an exciting thing but like, it could be even more exciting with more Danni but he supposed he deserved it after setting someone on fire. It was fine, everything was fine, they weren't leaving him out, he was just cooking. He couldn't be involved 'cause it wasn't safe. Yeah, that makes sense…

Still, he turned and cooed at Dee's present. [color=E948FC]"Aw, it's so cute! A little hauntling for our little hauntling!"[/color] He teased, making grabby hands at it. [Color=E948FC]"Did ya make it, Princess?"[/color]

April had screamed as Dorian tackled her down to the ground. Her skin smarted slightly from the sunburn Danni gave her earlier that day, but she didn’t mind it. She was just so happy to see her friends happy. And honestly, she was feeling loads better than she had when she first woke up. Her mood could be like that sometimes - horrified, moody, and depressed at one moment, and then bursting with positive energy at the next. She never thought too hard about it - she just sort of assumed that everyone’s feelings worked that way. 

 [color=42A9FF]”Yeah! My mom’s been showing me how to crochet - I started learning this summer when we went up to visit my grandparents some,”[/color] April explained. She hadn’t gotten good enough to make gifts until after Danni’s birthday in July, but she was already thinking on what she could make for his birthday next year. Her current idea was to try and crochet the fire emoji - but she wasn’t very good at figuring out how to make a pattern. Her mom actually had been the one to outline the pattern for her of Danni’s little ghost.  [color=42A9FF]”And don’t worry, I’m already thinking on one to make for you for next summer - either coming in a package in the mail or if my dad finaaaaally realizes that you’re all gay and I’m a lesbian, I can come visit in person? Maaybe?”[/color] April said, crossing her fingers. [color=42A9FF]”Do you need any help with the cooking, by the way?”[/color]

Dorian narrowed his eyes at Danni as he uttered that cursed name again. Sticking his tongue out at him before pulling the plushy back and holding it close. [Color=CC99FF]" 'is names Inky. [I]Not[/i] Little 'auntling."[/color] Dorian protested as he named the crocheted ghost after his favorite Pac-Man ghost. He took a peek inside the pot that Danni was cooking in, taking in a deep smell as he melted at the scent. [Color=CC99FF]"Anytime I ever tried to 'elp 'im 'e just smacked my 'and with a wooden spoon! Oh and if your fat'er says no we can just kidnap you. Doubt 'e can make it to Europe within t'e same day like we can."[/color] 

[color=E948FC]"No, Princess. My food is an art- oye!"[/color] Danni protested as Dee stuck his face over the pot. To make his point, Danni bapped his cheek with the closest utensil at hand. [color=E948FC] "And I'll do it again! As I was [i]sayin'[/i], my cookin' is an art and t'ere is a met'od so while I adore you more t'an my entire closet wort' of clot'es, no one can touch t'is until it's ready. But we need to start t'inking of ways to make it clear we love each ot'er but we don't wanna roll in t'e 'ay and all t'at."[/color] Danni wrinkled his nose at the thought. Why would anyone want to roll in hay? It always sounded so messy.

[Color=E948FC]"And impromptu trip would be 'ella fun but look, I'm not 'avin' a repeat of a few summers ago. You remember, Maxie took us on a trip to t'e 'imalayas to go glamping because let's be real, none of us are interested in bugs, and we didn't 'ave cell reception and Maxie forgot to tell anyone?"[/color] Danni shivered at the memory. He loved his Pops and he was pretty easy to get upsetti, but there came a point where it was just, cold fury and that's when you knew you fucked up. It was all fine after - turned into a few more days of vacation and fun (even if Maxie and Papa [i]cheated[/i] at games), but it made Danni very nervous not to leave a note for parents. [color=E948FC] "Maybe we can vibe wit' your dad, play some games, do a photo shoot, a mani-pedi maybe? We'll be all good after that!"[/color] Speaking of which… Danni messed with his table, cleaned a few things up, and snapped a few pictures before posting it to his socials. 

April’s eyes sparkled at the idea of going camping with Danni and Dori. Sure, she wasn’t a glamper - she loved being outside, bugs and all. She’d been going camping most summers with her family since she could remember. And that was amazing. But the idea of going camping with her two favorite people on the planet? That would be incredible. She could even get used to the idea of glamping. Maybe when they were of legal age, they could do a spa inspired glamping trip, and sip cocktails while in fluffy white robes. 

[color=42A9FF]”Okay, we def have to go camping, all three of us. I think my dad would be into playing games, maaaaybe not the photo shoot, and I don’t think anything besides a bar of Dove Soap has touched his feet in his life… so I doubt he’d do a pedi. But maybe a mani? Maybe after we get a few beers in him… Oh, if you let him grill for you, that’d also work. He’s so stupid obsessed with this grill my mom got him for his birthday a few years back, it’s adorable.”[/color] 

Dorian flinched as his cheek was met with a cooking utensil. Rubbing the spot where it touched him as he slowly backed away from the pot, recalling the time that Danni was talking about. It was one of the few times they had actually thought a Daddy's Home incident had occurred until they realized just what had happened. [Color=CC99FF]"Yeah…maybe kidnappin' t'e child of a former S.H.I.E.L.D agent isn't t'e best idea."[/color] he said, talking more so the the crocheted ghost than the pair before him. He thought for a moment before a light bulb clicked inside his mind.

[Color=CC99FF]"Wait! What if we vibed wit' 'im [i]by[/i] campin'? Your dad could brin' 'is grill and we can all camp like t'ree big 'appy families! T'at way 'e gets to know all of us while still bein' able to see you as we 'ang!"[/color]

Danni popped the lid on the pot and turned the heat down a smidge.[color=E948FC] "Okay! We let t'at vibe for a 'ot minute and it'll be ready ta eat! But t'at's such a good idea! T'en, 'e can supervise while we chill and I can work my charms, get him ta like us, and t'e rest is 'istory!"[/color] Danni slung an arm over April's shoulders. [color=E948FC] "T'o, when we're 18, your old man can't stop us from chillin' so at least worst comes ta worst, we 'ave a 'ard limit ta 'is shenanigans!"[/color] He rested his head against April's for a moment, basking in the contact after being left out of the cuddle pile.

[color=E948FC]"Now it's my turn for presents! Lemme just…"[/color] Danni dug through the stuff he had yet to unpack, grumbling as he made his way through everything. Everytime he had to go through his shit, he always promised to organize better and then… well, it was always future Danni's problem. He finally found the package and dragged it out, holding it up triumphantly. Wrapped in vibrant pinks, yellows, and oranges, he full on chucked the heavy package at Dorian. [color=E948FC]"T'ink fast!"[/color] Danni cackled as a package the size of a small briefcase went hurtling at his face.

Even though the present was being thrown at Dorian and not her, April couldn’t help but scream from the sudden projectile. For a split second, she was worried that maybe it was fragile. But then again, Danni would know. And April didn’t think that Danni would chuck a fragile statue at Dorian. [color=42A9FF]”Ooo, you should shake it and guess what’s in there!”[/color] April suggested. If the present was good for throwing, then it’d be good for shaking as well. She had no idea what Danni had gotten Dorian - if he had told her, she had already forgotten. There was a reason she had a full size planner in her backpack - things tended to go in one ear and out the other. 

Dorian yelped as he instinctively tossed Inky towards April so it would be safe from harm as the large gift came barreling towards him. He'd managed to catch it with both hands as the gift hit him square in the chest knocking some wind out of him. [Color=CC99FF]"'ory 'osts of 'oggoth t'is t'in weighs a ton! What's in t'is t'in?"[/color] He couldn't possibly think of what could be inside of it that weighed so much. Most tech Dori dealt with didn't even weigh this much, and yet it felt as though Danni threw a dumbbell at him. He shook the gift gently, recalling an old adage of "if it's heavy that means it's expensive" and decided he didn't want to risk breaking it in front of Danni. 

He sat down on the floor, carefully unwrapping the present before him. When it was all said and done he was faced with a box, opening it to find an old reel-to-reel tube tape recorder. The thing practically screamed Cryptid and made Dorian immediately feel as if he was in some old monster movie about to record his findings of the latest sighting. He noticed there was a tape already placed inside. He quickly went to work, looping the ribbon through the slots and towards the other reel before playing with the knobs until he finally hit play.

[Center][i]CLICK

Test…Test…Test…1,2,3…Right.

CLICK

My name is Jonathan Sims. I work for the Magnus Institute, London, an organization dedicated to academic research into the esoteric and the paranormal.[/i][/center]

[Color=CC99FF]"Oh. My. Gods. What?!"[/color]

Dorian paused the tape, placing it down on the floor next to him before tackling Danni and April both, squeezing them so hard it made his arms hurt. [Color=CC99FF]"You two ate t'e best friends anyone could ask for!!!"[/color]

Danni braced himself for the tackle, laughing as he squeezed back. [color=E948FC]"See? We got you presents, we're makin' you food, and t'en we're all gonna be on t'e same team for t'e Contest of Champions because we're [i]obviously[/i] t'e perfect trio!"[/color] Danni sighed happily. [color=E948FC] "T'is'll be t'e best year yet!"[/color]

Fortunately, April caught Inky before he hit the ground - she was [i]fairly[/i] confident in her crocheting skills, but moderately worried that if Inky got tossed around too much, he might start to fall apart. She had some spare yarn in her room though for any repairs that might need to be made. And Inky didn’t have too many components - he was mostly a single piece, just with little arms sewed on and safety eyes placed inside. 

Now April - potentially like a person with an Addams family sounding username in her mid 20’s - did [i]not[/i] catch the reference. [color=42A9FF]”Woah, that’s so cool! This place is from London? D’you think they work with Captain Britain? Or butt heads with MI13? Ooo, what about S.T.R.I.KE.? Apparently Psylocke used to be a member, they’re a bunch of cool swanky British spies with psychic powers! So… Dorian, you would totally qualify! And me and Danni, we could be your epic and cool bodyguards,”[/color] April babbled, only before quickly being tackled by Dorian, along with Danni. 

She was pretty used to these cuddle piles, but she held Inky out of the pile with her hand, just in case he might get crushed. She squeezed back with her free arm. [color=42A9FF]”If we don’t end up on the same team, then what’s the point? I would NEVER compete against my besties - not to be cliche but, like, you two are the only brothers I’m ever gonna have. Not even brothers-in-law. My future wife is gonna be an only child named Antoinette, and she’ll be a funky geologist with a sword and magic powers.”[/color]

Dorian laid there thinking about what she'd said. He also missed the pop culture reference (it was over a decade old after all) and gods know Danni probably had too. As far as Dorian was concerned, these were actual archival tapes of what was more than likely a flat-scan encountering the "paranormal" back before the world was introduced to the idea of Mutants and Sorcery. Though the idea of a human intelligence agency attempting to figure out the secret world of mutants while the mutants agency attempted to cover it all up seemed both interesting and hilarious. But by the tone of the first few seconds, Dorian could tell this would be a gripping dark audio story.

[Color=CC99FF]" 'ow could we not end up toget'er? We're t'e perfect team! T'e Terrific Trio! T'e Titular Triumvirate! Just wait, in two days time we'll be t'e next best t'ing since t'e Young Avengers hit t'e scene."[/color]

[hr]

The night was winding down, April and Danni were in a pile on the bed, sleeping as the black and white film played in the background. All in all it was a terrific birthday, one he wouldn't trade for the world. Dorian grabbed the remote and turned off the TV, looking towards the pair as he cleaned up a bit. He could hear sounds coming from Teddy's room, surprised they were still awake. A single serving of Danni’s famous gumbo was left, warm on the stove inside the pot. As much as Dorian would've loved to save it for tomorrow, his favorite part about New Orleans food was that it was meant to be shared.

He made a bowl, grabbed a spoon, and went out the door of his dorm as quietly as he could so as not to wake April and Danni. Making his way over towards Teddy's dorm and knocking on it, secretly hoping Percy would be alone. His knock was gentle enough not to wake anyone around or disturb the other rooms, but loud enough so that whoever was inside could hear. Dorian stood there, hands on the bowl, waiting nervously for the door to be opened.

The air briefly shimmered in front of him, before Percy Novikov appeared. He was wearing a nicely fitted set of plaid pajamas, shades of purple bleeding into shades of red. There were dark circles under his eyes, and a book in his hands - [i]Circe[/i] by Madeleine Miller. [color=ed1c24]”If this is about the noise, Gray, he’s sick - and as much as I’ve contemplated smothering him with a pillow to end everyone’s suffering, he’s not the one I’m planning to murder.”[/color] His eyes then darted to the food in Dorian’s hands. It smelled amazing. Was Dorian here to… make Percy watch him eat? Or maybe Gray was friends with Teddy - maybe this food was some sort of traditional cure for whatever disease was currently taking the bear out. 

[Color=CC99FF]"Oh…"[/color] was all Dorian could muster at first. He didn't know Teddy was sick, now part of him wished he'd had another bowl to offer but he wasn't sure how well gumbo and whatever Teddy had would mix. Dorian eyed the book, then the pajamas, before finally meeting Percy's gaze. [Color=CC99FF]"I…was actually 'ere about t'at. I mean murder. I mean-"[/color] He let out a harsh sigh as he wondered why he couldn't get his words together in front of him. [Color=CC99FF]"I wanted to offer t'is bowl of gumbo as an apology for earlier."[/color] he said, ramming the words together as quickly as possible so his mind didn't have a chance to fuck them up.

Percy’s eyes widened with surprise, before realizing he and Gray were talking about different things. Dorian didn’t know what his plan was for the auditions. No one knew. [color=ed1c24]”I’m not going to [i]murder[/i] you,”[/color] Percy scoffed. He shifted his weight slightly. Part of him wished he wasn’t in pajamas right now. He didn’t like having Dorian’s wandering eyes on him. Agatha’s stupid prophecy was echoing in his mind as well. [i]He[/i] was madly in love with [i]him?[/i] Percy could barely stand being in the same hallway as him right now, he… 

[color=ed1c24]”Did you make that?”[/color] 

[Color=CC99FF]"Oh…no. It was part of my birt'day gift today. It's my favorite meal."[/color] Dorian watched as Percy shifted his weight, wondering now if this was all a bad idea. Was he making Percy nervous? Did he think he was going to prank him or possess him again? It was hard to say and Percy was a hard read.

[color=ed1c24]”Oh. Well, happy birthday, then,”[/color] Percy said. He didn’t say it with warmth or joy, the way a friend would - but there also wasn’t venom in his voice. He said it the way he would to a stranger, and that was probably the best Dorian Gray could expect from him right now.

Dorian cracked a half smile, just a ghostly tinge creeping at the corner of his lips. [Color=CC99FF]"T'anks. T'e beginning was far from 'appy. But…it got better. Anyways, if we're goin' to be neighbors…I'd rat'er not be at each ot'ers t'roats ya know? So…sorry for yellin' at you earlier I was just…in a bad spot."[/color] He handed the bowl towards Percy, holding the spoon in place with his thumb so it wouldn't fall in.

Percy’s thumb brushed Dorian’s, as he accepted the bowl. [color=ed1c24]”Fine. If you possess me again, then we won’t be fine,”[/color] Percy promised. [color=ed1c24]”Goodnight, Gray. Good luck tomorrow on your audition.”[/color] He then turned around and unlocked his door, and went inside, closing it behind him. 

[color=CC99FF]”Yeah…night Percy…”[/color] Dorian said silently to himself as he watched the door to Percy’s dorm. He gave a small sigh as he began to wonder what he was doing, before heading back into his room for the night.