She prowled the corridors of the school, clad in a red hoodie and jeans, scowling at the louder younger children.
Faye was stressed, and not the kind of stressed that she used as an excuse to get out of things.
This time it was real and not that enjoyable.

Have you heard the story about the Boy that cried Wolf? asked her conscience.

Have you heard the story of shut the hell up and think of a plan? We’ve been put in charge of this frickin Snow Ball which personally I think is a punishment and whatever they think I did that deserves to be punished I think I didn’t do it and this is totally bull, Y’know?

I think so…

Ok, so we have done posters and put them up. So we need decorations and drinks. I think the school already has decorations so we just need to get the booze.

I don’t think you’re meant to use that money to buy alcohol. I think drinking is frowned upon at a school dance

Shut up! We’re teenagers, teenagers drink. ‘sides why else would they give me money to get stuff?
Right I need to find someone over 21 or someone with a fake I.D, Damn I wish Lyd was here then we could use her I.D.

If you insist on underage bar crawling why don’t you procure your own fake I.D?

Good point, make a note.

Feeling better with herself she began to sing, to be true it wasn’t really singing but repeating the vocals back from songs that she’d heard but it made her wicked at karaoke. Tonight’s repeat music masterpiece was some old song her mom and dad used to listen too.

“You pull the trigger of my….”

Where are all the grownups? The ones that could purchase the alcohol and save a dreary winter formal from being just a dance. This was the best chance she’d had in a long time to prove to others at the school that she fit in to their funny little mutant world and she wasn’t going to screw it up by organising the lamest party ever.
Dammit it was Christmas! This called for a Christmas miracle.

Stomping outside through the front doors she found what she was looking for an adult, ok she had long black hair, funny clothes and something about her creeped Faye out a little but hey, needs must right?

“Oi!, Sorry I mean Hello. Can you help me? I’ve got to get some things for the winter formal of which I’m in charge and I need a adult to help. You are a adult right?”

Raven found winter to be such a dreary time. It was cold outside, cold and miserable and since she didn't have the advantage of a nice warm coat of feathers, she was mostly stuck inside. It wasn't all bad, of course, not this year since she actually had herself a warm and dry place to stay, but she still chafed at her confinement. At least The Mansion provided a warm room and good food. All the food she or Blackwing could ever want, in fact. Plus there was the endless fascination of the mutant and human teenagers all around her. Baffling though they sometimes were, there was nothing quite as engaging or entertaining as observing their many interactions. If not for that one factor, she was pretty sure she woudl have gone mad with boredome long before.

At that exact moment in time Raven found herself lurking just outside the Mansion doors, bundled up in all her colourful winter clothes watching the students play. Playing was something she understood, it was something both ravens and humans enjoyed and thus it was something she was able to embrace from both sides of her heratige. Of course playing was something that was considered to be an activity practiced more by children than adults, in the human world, but that didn't stop her from playing when she felt like it. Or watching others play, as she was doing at that moment. Blackwing was nestled in his warm nest at the top of a nearby building, completely uninterested in the human children. As per usual unless they had something he liked.

“Oi!, Sorry I mean Hello. Can you help me? I’ve got to get some things for the winter formal of which I’m in charge and I need a adult to help. You are a adult right?”

Of course Raven's keen sense of hearing picked up the woman long before she actually appeared to notice Raven herself and long before she opened her mouth to speak to her. Turning her attention to the younger woman, she was quite certain that she had seen her before around the Mansion; her memory for faces was quite good.

"Why yes I am," Raven agreed, bobbing her head up and down in a rather birdlike fashion. Not that she was often called an adult, but that wasn't really the point. "I don't think I've ever helped with a winter formal before but if you need my assistance, well, the magnificant Raven is happy to help." Normally she would have asked for something in return, some interesting token to make it worth her time. But being part of a winter formal, well, that was really all the payment she needed. It would be her first formal and even though she had only just learned of it and the fact that she would apparently be helping (in whatever manner the younger woman saw fit) she was all ready excited.

“That’s great because the winter formal is super important but who’s the magnificent Raven?

She’s the magnificent Raven you dunce, she must refer to herself in third person like Caesar

The Salad?

The Roman

“Sorry you’re obviously the magnificent Raven, I’ma gonna call you MR k?, For short. I’m Faye” she stuck her hand out to shake “Um You can totally buy us alcohol yeah? You have I.D and junk? Because a party ‘aint a party unless there is booze.

This was going to go so wrong, the girl was clearly on something with all the bright clothes and head bobbing but Faye really didn’t want to go ask a teacher for help even though they put her in charge.
Last time she had a talk about alcohol with a teacher it had been with Miss Taylor about hiding beer in a cereal box and the time before that she had tried to get Mr Johnson to steal his own liquor after mistaking him for a student which had ended up with her having to take part in his survival classes in the danger room.
That was strange because why would some teachers who had told her off for having or trying to get alcohol at school allow a school dance to have some? And why had the school given her money to buy some?

Faye decided that it was probably best that she didn’t over think this; Parties needed booze otherwise they sucked. She had money to buy said booze.

“Ok, MR which way to the nearest liquor store?”

Raven blinked at the woman calling herself Faye and then nodded. She seemed a little strange but then the same could be said of most humans. She also seemed like she had a lot of energy and enthusiasm and that was something Raven could approve of. "MR it is then. Or just Raven, whatever you prefer." It didn't really matter what she was called as long as she got to be a part of this magnificant event.

"Yes I can buy you alcohol," Raven agreed. Drinking was another one of those human things. Actually she liked drinking, just not too much. A little made her feel happy and included, alot made her dizzy and Blackwing compained a lot and in most irritating fashion when he wasn't able to fly properly. She was, of course, vageuly familair with the fact that some people, particularly young people, couldn't buy alcohol of their own but she was a little hazy on the exact reasons why that should be. As far as she was concerned, there really was no logical reason for it and if that was what was needed for the Winter Formal to be a success, well then she certainly couldn't say no now could she?

"I should have an id in here somewhere," Raven stated. She took her ever present backpack off of her back and began digging. A couple of minutes later, with a rather triumphant grin, she displayed a slightly bettered id. "Here it is! You may have to lead the way to the nearest liquor store though." The location of such stores never seemed important in the past and therefore she hadn't paid much attention.

Faye watched as the woman called Raven searched through her backpack, weren’t I.D’s kept in wallets? She felt that she should mention this but instead did patience thing that she was trying lately and lit a cigarette and offered one to Raven.

>>> "Here it is! You may have to lead the way to the nearest liquor store though."

“No ish, I’ll GPS the nearest” she said producing her phone before putting Liquor store in its search field.
“Ok, there’s one a couple of blocks west. That away” she pointed in the opposite direction “No wait, my badness. It’s that way

Faye led the way down the mansion path towards the road, the early December wind making the few remaining leaves in the tree rustle.
“So are you like one of the older students then? Like what’s his face…um…Andrew." a sour look crossed her face as she spoke his name "You go to NYU like the rest of ‘em right?
Upon reaching the main road she turned to The Magnificent Raven and asked “You wanna walk it or get a cab? I’m easy”

Raven wrinkled her nose and gave a disdaining look at the cigarette. She didn't need to have an enhanced sense of smell to know that the things smelled aweful. For that matter she didn't need anything beyond a little common sense to tell her that it was a bad idea in general to inhale toxic smoke into your lungs. That particular habit was just another sign among many that ravens were far more intelligent than humans, no matter what the humans had to say about it. No self respecting raven would ever pick up a nasty habit like that.

"West it is then," Raven agreed following Faye in the direction she pointed to. The second and correct direction, of course. It was rare for Raven herself to get lost, except occasionally at night when she was less able to see what was going on around her. Ravens were not creatures of the night.

"Walk," Raven stated definitively. Money was still something she didn't want to spend unless necessary because one never knew when the free room and board offered by The Mansion might run out. "Nope not a student. For some reason they just let me live here and feed me for free. Until they stop doing so, I think I'm going to stay." It still baffled her that they didn't ask for anything in return, but who was she to question it?

“What?! They let you just sleep and eat here for free? You don’t have to go to class or anything? That’s totes ridic. Wow, wish I thought of that”

Faye shivered a little as they walked the down the sidewalk; the wind was a little stronger than it felt from behind the mansions walls and she wrapped her hoodie tight around herself.
Finishing her cigarette she flicked it into the gutter and started humming to occupy herself.

Dammit she hated this awkward feeling and it was a a bit of a walk to the store.
Still it meant she could be nosy and ask questions which was a great way to gossip.
“So… what sorta junk you like? You like music?

"Nope, no classes or anything," Raven agreed with a giggle. Faye might have been a little strange but she was really starting to like the young woman. The fact that she thought it was as unusual as Raven herself did and would be willing to take advantage of the situation had she been given the opportunity spoke highly of her. Highly for a human, that was, of course. She might just be able to forgive the distasteful smoking habit if she continued to be so entertaining.

Raven was glad that she had the money, for once in her life, to actually have proper winter clothes. Although a proficient thief there was something to be said for having new clothes with no holes that actually fit properly. Sometime she woudl have to thank whoever it was that actually ran the Mansion for allowing her the money to increase her winter wardrobe. It was still cold but at least she wasn't shivering with the frigid weather.

"Music," Raven agreed with a nod. "I love music, all kinds of music. I also tell fortunes." It couldn't hurt to bring that little bit if information tot he forefront, just in case Faye happened to want her fortune told. Never pass up a potential opportunity to make a little money. "What do you like?"

“Awesome music rocks, like songs with big beats and drums that go bown bown bown that you can dance too, Y’know?” Faye waved her hands around excitedly as she talked; bouncing them up and down on invisible drums and keyboards which drew a few looks from other pedestrians.
“Like, you heard Voodoo Child? It’s got this line in it that goes “Her come the drums here come the drums” she sang out pitch perfect and in an Australian accent “…and then pow! Drums! I like old stuff too. Like my mom and dad are big Kiss fans so I grew up with them and stuff from ages ago like the 80’s is awesome too” pausing to inhale she continued “What bands do you like MR and I ‘aint ever met a fortune teller before, do you read palms or do the thing with the pack of cards?”

>>> “What do you like?”

“Umm, lots of stuff I guess. Clothes and gossip and boys in skinny jeans which I totally shouldn’t look at as I’m seeing someone at the school but I kinda can’t help She grinned and shrugged.
“I like dancing too, going to clubs and stuff”

It seemed as if Faye had endless contagious enthusiasm and Raven grinned right along with her. So what if people were starting, that had never bothered her before and she wasn't about to let it bother her now. "Anything that's good for dancing, drum beats and electronics. I even went to a rave once."

Now that had been an interesting experience and one in which Raven would like to try again. There were people everywhere, dancing and having a good time. And the music, oh the music, it was rhythmic and electronic and she couldn't help but let herself go and just emerse herself into it. Then there was the visual show, the lights and the glowsticks. It had been one amazing experiences of her life and even Blackwing had appreciated it from a distance.

"I've never been to a club," Raven commented. Techncially she hadn't been meant to go to the rave either, but it was outdoors and she simply couldn't help herself when she came upon it. "Are they fun?" The liquer store came into view and she felt her excitement at the Winter Formal bubble anew inside her.

“A rave? Wow, I’ve never been to one. I suppose a club is like a little indoor rave but the music isn’t as tribal if you know what I mean? More R&B-y. Still they’re really fun. Sometimes they fill the dance floor with bubbles.

Faye kinda liked MR, sure she dressed funny Your in New York girl! but she liked the same things as she did which counted for a lot. Plus she was over 21 and thus could procure drinks on any night outs they might have.

Speaking of drinks the Liquor store came into view, It was one of those shabby run down places that seemed to be permanently closing down. Rusty shutters covered the front of the store and Faye feared it was closed but as they got closer she saw someone had hung a sheet upon which “I assure you we’re open!” was scrawled in black shoe polish.

“Cool, Um I’ve got a list around here somewhere.. . Faye told MR as she searched through her pockets “… sweet, found it. Okay we’ve got to get some Vodka and some Rum as well as some punch mix. Hmmm I suppose we should get a couple of bottles of wine for the teachers as well yeah?”

The idea of a giant dance floor filled with bubbles was absolutely entrancing to Raven. She simply must experience such a thing and once she had her mind set on something it was difficult to dissuade her from persuing it. At least until something else came along and distracted her that seemed even more interesting, which was always a possibility.

"I tell you what, my lovely Faye, you get me into one of these clubs of yours and I'll find us a rave to crash." Raven winked in conspiratory fashion. The fact that she had no idea where she might find a rave in the city didn't phase her for a moment. Somehow she'd manage as she always seemed to. Someone surely would have heard something and once she caught the trail she'd follow it to its inevitable end. Plus, she had a second set of eyes and ears in Blackwing.

"Whatever you need, just lead the way. You do have money though right?" For a moment Raven was worried. She had money too but had no idea if it was enough. It was sometimes difficult to gauge human currency, what was worth what amount. It was easier with the crows, they were simple creatures that wanted either food or shiny things. Humans didn't seem to value either thing nearly as much. Except for very specific shiny things like certain kinds of stones. Yet another baffling human trait.

>>>"I tell you what, my lovely Faye, you get me into one of these clubs of yours and I'll find us a rave to crash."

“Deal” said Faye winking back.

Ok, game face on. Keep calm, you have every right to be in a liquor store. Besides MR has I.d so its all going to work out.

Grinning at Raven Faye pushed the stores door open, the little bell set above jingled as they entered. Taking a basket and nodding at the cashier Faye led Raven down the one of the aisle.
The shop wasn’t particularly busy, only a couple of other customers and its shelves where tall and dusty.

“Charming place” Faye muttered to MR before depositing a couple bottles of vodka into the basket.
“Ok that’s the vodka sorted so we just need to get the wine, rum and punch mix”

Of course Faye didn't answer Raven's inquiry about having money to pay for everything, but she had to believe that the other woman had everything under control. She seemed to have everything under control, walking with confidence around the store. She seemed to know exactly what she was looking for, which was more than Raven could say about herself. Although not exactly a drinking virgin, her experience was relatively minimal. There just wasn't many opportunities to drink when one was homeless and more concerned with finding food and shelter than anything else.

"Wine and punch mix it is," Raven agreed. She went to stand in front of a display of many different wine bottles, not having the slightest idea which ones were good and which ones weren't. In a dillemma like that there was only one way to solve it and that was to get the prettiest bottle there. Which she proceeded to do. The bottle itself was one of the larger ones with intracite patterns carved into the glass and a red and black package. Because more interesting clearly meant potentially better.

"Anything else that we need?" Raven consulted with the expert in Faye. Oh, this was an exciting day indeed.

“Ummmm… just the rum” Faye told the older girl as she dropped the pack of powdered punch mix into the basket (just add water, fruit and alcohol!). “Why is the rum always gone? she added in a perfect rendition of Jack Sparrows voice thanks to her mutation. “Love that movie, Orlando bloom is so lush
Wandering down the aisle they reached the Rum section, which contrary to popular belief wasn’t gone.
Selecting a bottle of Capt Morgan on the basis that it had a pirate on it she added it to the basket.

“I think that’s it. leaning in towards the MR she added “Have you got your I.D still? in a whisper so the clerk didn’t hear.