Multi-Pup Post

[necessary_child]

Sam, post-party, is lounging on a sofa by the fire. He'd been vaguely smart for the party - no tie of course, but a nice red shirt - but there are one or two buttons missing from the bottom now and he looks entirely relaxed.

He's mildly tipsy - he drank a lot of rum, plus one or two Atlanteans - but functionally so, and is currently amusing

Comments

[cutting_edgex23]

"Hello," X says.

Maybe she was drawn by the unfamiliar scent of butterbeer. Or--other unfamiliar scents.

She was careful, at least, not to approach Minerva from behind.

Someone here is learning.

[gryffindortabby]

The other girl looks up at her over small square glasses.

"Hello."

She puts the book aside, because Minerva was brought up to be courteous and well-mannered.

"I'm Minerva."

[cutting_edgex23]

"I am X-23," is the prompt response.

And then--

"You can call me Laura."

[gryffindortabby]

Minerva head-tilts a little.

"X-23 is an odd title," she observes.

[cutting_edgex23]

"It is my designation."

X tilts her own head, just slightly.

"I am a clone."

[gryffindortabby]

Curiously, "A clone?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"Yes."

Beat.

"A genetically engineered duplicate of Weapon X."

[gryffindortabby]

"What's a Weapon X?"

Pause.

"If you don't mind me asking, of course."

Sometimes politeness beats curiosity, but in Milliways it's very rarely one of those times.

[cutting_edgex23]

X falls silent.

This part is harder to explain.

Eventually--

"A weapon that is also a mutant. And a person."

[gryffindortabby]

Minerva thinks about this for a moment or two.

Eventually, "I think Laura is a much nicer name."

[cutting_edgex23]

"It makes people more comfortable."

Beat.

"Doctor Kinney gave it to me."

[gryffindortabby]

"I'd imagine it does, yes," Minerva says thoughtfully. "Much less impersonal. But which do you prefer?"

[cutting_edgex23]

She considers this.

Then--

"X is okay, too."

[gryffindortabby]

"Which do you want me to call you?" she asks.

[cutting_edgex23]

X blinks.

"It is not relevant."

Some questions X does not like to answer.

[gryffindortabby]

Minerva frowns.

"Why not?"