Serena had never been so exhausted in her entire life. She was physically healed, thanks to William and the others, but that didn't keep all of her aching, inside and out, from the strain of using more magic in an hour than she ever had before. Plus Hercules. Who was here, loud and cheerful, and she had to admit she was glad to see it. She could still barely believe she had been in an actual goddamn battle.

>>"To the responsible use of magic!"

"Way to take the fun out of it, Bubble Butt" Serena noted, but she smirked at her co-Hercules-wrangler anyway as she took the shot. She was sitting on a bar stool, resting her leg on another, watching the mystics and mutants celebrate and start on their way to getting wasted. She was a few seats away from Hercules and the others, just staring out of her face for a while. It was... a lot to process.

”A fleet?” the shifter set his shot glass down and he rolled his eyes to Praxi. ”Yer making me sound like a ride service.” the words failed to describe how it felt seeing a bunch of himself flying about. The shifter only felt that once before, the first time he went into Zek world but those clones of himself always seemed... off.

”Parade. It was a Parade of Carrick’s” he corrected Praxi then smiled back to the princess when she said she could use more of him. He wasn’t sure why she would have needed more of him but his tail perked up behind him. ”Awww. Knew ya liked me.”

”Pfffttt admirable. Can’t describe a warrior that way!” Carrick disagreed to the word again not that she wasn’t but it didn’t catch the attention the way it should have, ”Fierce! She was fierce!” he smirked to Praxi and winked, ”She took on that giant beasty all by herself, part of her training though init? She’s an X-person after all!”

”Shame ‘bout the mansion though. Might be sleeping on a lot of couches.” Carrick looked over to Zek who was handing out snacks. He could set up his hammock again in Zek world that worked well before.

”Ladies, if Zeky offers ya a snack say no...” he looked back to the princess, ”Especially you.” he didn’t elaborate. He was sure the princess knew enough about the man from all of his stories. The man rarely cleaned out his snack pockets.

”The bigot deserved it,” she assured Agnes, knowing she was not typically prone to acting in violence. Some hate deserved it. ”That sounds cathartic as heck. I’m kinda jealous.”

It was a small thing, but when the musclehead (who in all reality was a sweetheart of a person, it seemed,) used Nessa’s full name, she made a mental note. Her girlfriend was using her middle name. Interesting. As an expert on chosen names, she would tuck that one away for a later conversation.

A man with curly hair and admittedly impeccable fashion sense suggested he ordered wings and Nessa palmed her face. ”Right, I was going to pick food up but I got too excited.” And nervous, but mostly excited to see Agnes safe.

Agnes, the apparent protector. According to August, she played a role in saving the others in the end, when the cameras were more concerned with the giant kaiju spewing magic everywhere. ”Oh did she?” she asked jokingly, wrapping an arm around Agnes’ waist and giving her a squeeze.

Hercules painted the picture she expected of the battle, sparking up a reminder of the nerves she dealt with all night, but he also validated her feelings. Nessa was wary of men at times, but she could get behind affable, empathetic, and big enough to have Agnes’ back in a fight. Not that she expected more fighting, but maybe she should? ”Do I have to worry about you running off to be an X-Man now? Or… actually, do magicians have an X-Menish group? I apparently have experience dating an X-Man, but I forgot it, so I may be rusty.” She was going to have to learn more about the microculture her girlfriend was potentially adopting now.

A shot was slid over to Nessa that she gladly accepted it, and by the time it was drained, Baklava had appeared? Whether that was a mutation or magic, she wasn’t complaining.

Particularly not when Agnes left a little taste on her lips. Was it PDA? Sure. But Agnes could have died, the world was apparently saved, and they were in a witchy strip club. She happily leaned in for a kiss, taking Agnes’ bottom lip between her own and licking away the sweetness. ”There’s my Honey.”

”I don’t think anyone was going to complain about you coming to help,” she admitted, sipping her own drink. ”They accepted my help, and I’m pretty far from a fighter.”

Madison made sure to replay the way Amelia asked for her name, just to be absolutely sure she wasn’t walking into a fey trap. One never knew, after all. ”It’s funny, I’m not used to telling people my name in the club. I’m always Bubbles here. But I guess saving the world together is worth dropping the stage name. I’m Madison.”

A familiar face from the fight saddled up on a stool close to her with a characteristic quip. ”Miss Serena,” she greeted, grabbing a bottle of scotch; the business types and ice queens usually loved it, and Serena certainly radiated Type-A. Madison let the teasing name slide off her back because she was used to hearing it. With a stage name like bubbles, you usually had to have a bubbly personality and a nice ass. ”I’m not saying no troublemaking. I would never suggest that. But I think mischief is, like, way more responsible than genocide and world domination.”

She passed the exhausted woman her drink, neat. ”Though I guess I don’t know if you’ve ruled out world domination yet.”

The Princess had come along way from the girl Praxi met early in her time at the Mansion. Sure, she could still be a b***h, but mostly in a snarky way. And the way she acted with Carrick now that he was back safe was nice to see. It was the kind of affection that made her bubble a little.

The fight was evidently being recorded, with Amethyst watching somewhere safe. She saw Carrick flying and divebombing like the showoff he was. She apparently saw Praxi, too, as she stuck bad guys and threw her electro-charged body at the big monster.

Amethyst’s comments were too close to genuine praise and respect, and Praxi didn’t know what to do with that, besides get swirly. And then Carrick had to bluster in with all his charm and bravado and hype her up even more! Bubbling and swirling and she was one drink in; it was going to be a night.

That didn’t stop her from accepting another drink. ”I mean, I don’t know about warrior… I’m just an X-Man. It felt like I should do what I can, even as a trainee.” Actually, that brought up a good point! ”Do you think fighting a world-ending titan warrants graduation?”

There would probably be a time to talk with people like Sam and Shin and Maya about that. Unfortunately, Carrick was right; with the state of the Mansion, a lot was up in the air. ”Yeah, I hadn’t really let myself think about that yet. Besides, you know, Atlantean streets, I’ve never really lived somewhere besides the Mansion. Hopefully they set us up with something safe.”

Accepting another drink from the nice bartender with a figure Praxi was dead-set on emulating once she was back to full size, she raised the glass. Looking to the people who had lived at the Mansion during her time there. ”To Xavier’s.”

Their were things Aura was going to miss about being larger then most building in the area but overall she had been glad to be back to normal. Aura had been in a strip club but a few times in her life and as she tried to intricate herself more into normal behavior. It had been a learning process over the last few years that had really only picked up do to the syndicate. Still she had come both to share the moment of celebration at a very hard fought victory. She quickly sent a text to Alex to let them know she was alive and ok. She knew Alex would worrey. They had had even more so since Alison had left.

Aura looked down at her hand and as she sat at the bar. Malachi's blood stained her hands now to, but he had been a warrior and as close to equal as she had encountered it a long time. It had felt amazing to fight him and had the Katana wielding women not appeared, Aura had been considering more desperate ploys. She took down a shot for the fallen warrior, letting the cinnamon liqueur burn its way down her throat.

She stood out coated in a thin layer of her translucent pink aura. Trusting other peoples came hard for Aura and most of her encountered with magic had gone very poorly. It was hard not to see the Mystics in the light the people who had made her would have wished but she was learning. Not all Mystics were bad, some had helped them win against the monster and she knew they had needed every drop of magic help.

Aura took another shot and shook her head to clear it a bit as she downed it as well. She looked around spotting some faces she had seen before and some she had not. "To Xaviers, may it be rebuilt quickly" she called back to Eupraxia's toast behind her downing a third shot. "I have fought on countless battlefield and the one we fought it was likely the worst. " she added looking behind her at the group behind her.

>>"Pfffttt admirable. Can’t describe a warrior that way! Fierce! She was fierce! She took on that giant beasty all by herself, part of her training though init? She’s an X-person after all!”

Amethyst chuckled at Carrick's excitement. He was right, warriors deserved to be celebrated. She was familiar with that. Praxi, on her part, looked as close to blushing as someone with her... body ever would get.

>>”I mean, I don’t know about warrior… I’m just an X-Man. It felt like I should do what I can, even as a trainee. Do you think fighting a world-ending titan warrants graduation?”

"I don't think graduation has anything do with it?" she ventured. "You fought a battle. You're a warrior." That was all there was to it.

>>”Shame ‘bout the mansion though. Might be sleeping on a lot of couches.”

>>”Yeah, I hadn’t really let myself think about that yet. Besides, you know, Atlantean streets, I’ve never really lived somewhere besides the Mansion. Hopefully they set us up with something safe.”

Praxi raised a toast to the school, and people echoed the words; Amethyst raised a glass too. She didn't live there anymore, but it had been her home for a long time. And she knew good people lost their home with it. She arched an eyebrow at Carrick, though.

"What do you mean, couches? You're not coming home?..." That was strange, Carrick and her had been living together in her apartment a few streets away from the school. She turned, giving Praxi a hesitant look. The comment about the streets of Atlantis struck a chord. "You can stay at our place if you want. There is space..."

>>”Miss Serena,”

Serena waved a hand at the bubbly bartender, and smirked as she got a drink without asking. Bubbles was good at the guessing game, she served exactly what Serena wanted to drink. Ever since she'd started working spells on cocktails, neat drinks became her preferred poison. She raised her glass with the others and drank deeply. She was not ruling out getting wasted for this one night.

>>”I’m not saying no troublemaking. I would never suggest that. But I think mischief is, like, way more responsible than genocide and world domination... Though I guess I don’t know if you’ve ruled out world domination yet.”

"Well, I'm all genocided out for one day" she snorted, setting the empty glass down. "Honestly, world domination sounds like a pain in the ass. Who wants to manage that many people? Most of them are morons." She chuckled. "Present company... mostly excluded. And if I ever did decide to go for world domination, it'd involve a lot fewer tentacles."

The shifter wasn’t really worried about where he would end up sleeping. If anything he could just shift and the Gryphon would make nest. Those weren’t the worst places to wake up. Minus the bones. Reaching over to the bar top he grabbed another pair of shot glasses and raised them echoing the cheers.

Carrick gave Kimberly a small nod even though her back was turned. Part of him was glad she wasn’t a giant anymore. The building wouldn’t have housed her. ”Or the best? Only lost a building right?” he asked out loud trying not his recent homelessness harsh the party.

”Wait... what?” Carrick finished his drink looked from the Praxi to the Princess confused by her question. Had he moved in with Amythest? His guitars were there, a change of clothes and a toothbrush. He had. His face turned red.

Clearing his throat and trying to play it off, ”Nah, just messing with ya. Course I’m coming home. Home is anywhere you are, darlin’” he bumped his hip into the princess a little minimizing the space between them.

The Irishman chuckled, ”Whoa....” his smirk was from ear to ear as trying not to give the princess too hard of a time for her offer. Considering how far she had come Carrick was impressed. ”Looks like Praxi’s moving in with us.” he said wondering what the rent situation was like.

Looking back to Praxi, ”It’s settled! Streets are no place fer a warrior. You’ll be staying with us! I’m sure there will be plenty of room, look how tiny she is! Carrick said raising his hand from where his friend used to stand to where she was now.

August

He smiled and nodded at the question, “oh did she.” Yep, she had. Then, he looked to Hercules and his descriptions. He certainly could paint a picture.

He sipped at his alcohol, and just let people talk. At times, he could be a bit of a spotlight hog, and his hog reserves were running low. He figured he could take a backseat until the wings arrived.

And suddenly, Baklava. Oh boy. The girlfriend warned against it, and August stayed clear.

Someone shouted “to Xavier’s.” He raised a glass and mirrored people’s reactions. Then, finally, why wings arrived.

“Praise be,” he announced. “Hot wings. Ladies.”

Oh, were they kissing? Well, whenever they tore they selves away from that meal, they could have this. He had ordered plenty.

“Want a wing, Hercules? I’ve more than enough for everyone. You worked up an appetite too. I caught some of your work. Flying around with that club. Nice.”

His mystic-radar was going off. And something Honey’s girlfriend had commented had made him think. “If we do start some sort of mystic butt kicking club, you’re free to join.” He was not sure he would be up for fights, but actual mingling? Sure.

”Well you did a excellent job for your first one!” Hercules said truthfully. They all did even Elizabeth’s ex who constantly irritated the prince of power with his attitude and snarky comments. But Hercules didn’t focus on Carrick, no he focused on the people around him who fought with him in battle. While they lost the mansion they all walked away from the fight.

The sight of the two sharing a pastry caused Hercules to give another audible, ”Awwww! Adorable!” turning to August to let Agnes Belladonna Honey and no longer panicked girlfriend a moment.

His tattoo’s shifted around on his body as he leaned in closer to August. ”These wings you ordered... how many?” it was customary to feast after a battle, and Hercules hungered.

Looking to the newcomer who had offered the pastry to Agnes and panicked girlfriend, ”A third one?” the god roared with laughter and placed a hand on Zek’s shoulder, ”I love the tenacity! Ha! What a glorious day! It has been centuries since I have fought a battle such as this! With fine warriors such as you all.”

Knocking back the shot glass again Hercules roared, ”Another.... please!” he had to remind himself this was Madison’s place of work and the bartenders were friends of his, a celebration was no reason to be impolite.

The wings arrived and one was offered. ”I have!” Hercules graciously accepted and chuckled. ”Ha ha! I cannot fly! I throw the club and hold on!” he said modestly finishing the wing in two bites. ”It’s all thanks to my masters! For without them I am powerless!” Hercules waved over to Serena and then Madison. ”They are truly wonderful people!”

Amelia

Bubbles, huh? And they were in a club? She made a mental note of that, alongside the real name. Madison.

Amelia nodded. “Pleasure to meet you.” Some smiled, and drank. It was good.

As her mind compartmentalized various details of the day, a familiar face drew up and sat nearby. The comment about “bubble butt” suddenly made a whole lot of sense. Stage names. Jokes. Fun. Were these two something, with the teasing?

Hm.

Scotch was always a good choice. Another note.

And world domination, huh? All this domination talk. Yeah. If they weren’t an item, yet, the key word there just might be ‘yet.’

Amelia’s eyes drifted over to Aura, in her new face and her bloodstained camouflage hoodie, coated in a thin pink aura. Like battle zone Hello Kitty. It was a look, for certain. And oh hey, she could see colors again? Yeah? She hadn’t really noticed that in the background until that moment. The curse had faded.

She nodded to Aura. Raised her glass. Then her hearing snapped to something. Serena had made a comment about tentacles, and yes. Amelia could not help herself.

She mumbled something about “Yeah. Tentacles are a whole different type of domination.” She realized herself, and added. “Um. Yeah. So anyways.” Coughed after a hasty sip of her drink, blushed. Looked at the two of them, embarrassed. “Sorry. Been a long day. I’m Amelia,” she nodded to Serena, suddenly very self-aware. “Not sure if I introduced myself when you saved my sight earlier. Thanks for that. All better now.” She tapped her head. “If I looked in the mirror right now, I am sure I would see, ohhh, so much red.”

Agnes didn’t know why but the approval from Hercules was actually kind of night. She’d never met this man before but she was hoping they could be friends, especially considering that they both fought together in the fight for the mansion. She guessed that was something she would have to find out about in time.

Meanwhile, she turned back to Nessa and merely shrugged her shoulders. ”I was never X-Men material. My powers were too…unpredictable and, at the time, were not very useful. Though…strange how many fights I ended up in despite that…” She considered this for a minute and then smirked, shaking her head. ”Anyways, I don’t know about this magic thing. There doesn’t seem to be much organization but…after tonight…maybe there should be.”

She turns and begins to survey the rest of the group. A lot of the mystics who were involved in the fight were here. The dancer who saved her, the hard-edged business-looking woman, August, she doesn’t see the priest of Charmz here, but despite all that, she felt a strange connection to them. Maybe this was indeed the start of something new.

That was when she felt the kiss on her lips. The offered baklava was bypassed for the remains that were on her lips – and she wasn’t complaining. With a smile she kissed Nessa back, only breaking it so things didn’t get too heated. She was grateful to be alive after all and that led to quite the rush of adrenaline and endorphins.

Still smiling as she looked directly in Nessa’s eyes until the call for a toast was made. Looking across the room, she grinned, nodded her head as she took her second drink in hand and lifted it up with the others.

”To the mansion! May it rise better than ever!”

It was entertaining watching the unique ways Carrick and Amethyst acted together. Notably, Amethyst was good at taking control and even throwing Carrick off his rhythm. It was nice to know the guy could be flustered, even for a brief second. He was so oblivious and unfazed, so it was obvious to Praxi that he had accidentally moved himself into the Princess' place over time. At least he covered himself halfway decently.

Carrick had a place to stay because he already had a home, whether or not he noticed. Praxi was ready to work with Haven to find safe shelter, but Amethyst dropped a big surprising offer on her. She opened her home to Praxi while she needed a place to stay.

It was... incredibly generous. She didn't have to do that; she had a cozy home with her boyfriend and Praxi was used to a self-sufficient life. She was ready to graciously turned down the offer, but Carrick jumped in with enthusiastic agreement. In fact, he all but accepted the offer for Praxi. This was a lot to process, but the act of kindness was comforting. She wondered how much of the offer came from pity, but Carrick was just excited to share his home with her. That was... validating.

And then he made a joke about her reduced stature. Typical Carrick. "I'm growing back," she glowered, drinking more like a human, lifting the glass to her mouth-area. "But... that's really nice of you. Both of you. It'll be nice having somewhere safe to stay with friends." Calling Amethyst a friend used to be a stretch, but this was a friendly offer, and Praxi chose to believe Amethyst was a better person than she used to believe.

There was that swirling again. Maybe life was better when she was a jerk.

Zek feigned a very demure expression. "Oh please, it was nothing!" he said as the woman said he was her lifesaver. Apparently they'd met before and he'd saved her life twice? Who knew? Zek didn't keep track of those things. It was probably something boring like a mugging or whatever so he hadn't bothered storing the event in his head.

But it was still good to have people feel at least somewhat indebted to you because that could always be turned to his advantage at some point. All for the price of baklava.

A hand on his shoulder nearly smashed Zek to the table. "Ack!" he said as The Jolly Inked Giant laughed. "You need to get out more, dude," he said, stuffing more baklava in his mouth. "This was maybe the sixth most eventful thing I've been to this week. Whadja do all those centuries, sit around and watch the news?" Some people just didn't know how to have a good time. It was heartbreaking.

Zek snagged a hot wing off the plate and chased down the baklava. "Mmm, good stuff!" he said, holding up sauce-stained fingers. "Also, I call dibs on a mystic butt-kicking force! Call it Hex-Force. I'm trademarking the name. And the Hexistentialists. And the Hexperts. Also Hero Hexpress."