Wandering in Again (open)

[leon]

Leon stood in the Foyer looking no older then 25. His blonde hair stood out against the dark contrast of his clothing. A dirty torn black leather jacket hung loosely from his shoulders as he searched through the coffers in the floor looking for the 'good stuff'. his tight white t-shirt showed off a physique he had grown accustomed to over the years, and his face, despite its youthful exuberance, seemed to hold a tired confident expression, that only years of experience could bestow.

Not many people knew that the good booze was actually located in the floor below the fridge, it was his own idea, back when the place was originally built. To his knowledge the only other people who knew about this secret stash were Logan and Charles, which meant that this stuff stayed relatively untouched.

After some scrounging he eventually came across what he was looking for: A 1940 Old Farm Straight Wry Whiskey. It wasn't the best Whiskey Leon had ever had, but he did have a certain affinity for it.

The bottle was still unopened. The glass was lined with age, and the label was yellow and torn, but the liquor itself still seemed fine. Picking out the bottle and closing the floor, he stared longingly at the bottle tossing it up and catching it a few times as he sat.

The one problem with that old secret compartment of his was that it was never updated, as no one knew about it. As a result it was only as chilled as the ground, but that was an easy fix. Holding the bottle aloft in his right hand, Ice began to condense upon the bottle. Drinking warm whiskey was a sin.

[leon]

The place was quiet, almost too quiet knowing the chaos of Charles's little daycare center. Leon enjoyed it. He drank in silence, savoring the taste of a whiskey finely aged like himself.

Something was nagging at him, it had been nagging at him for a long time now. Something was off. He didn't move right, he didn't feel right. He couldn't really put his finger on what exactly was going on, but he didn't like it. As much as he tried he couldn't really ignore the annoying tug in the back of his mind any longer. He might need more then just a good drink.

Leo got up, taking another quick swig of his whiskey before taking a quick glance around the corner to see if anyone was near by. Once he was sure none of Charles's little brats were around he took out a cigarette and lit it with a flick of his thumb.

It was hard to smoke anywhere these days. No smoking signs everywhere, people talking about cancer everywhere he went. People were all bluenosers now, he had to sneak off into the corners just so he could get a light every now and again.

[logan]

The night was still young but no one was looking foreword to a little down time more than he was. Chasing brats around and beating some sense into them was harder than it seemed. He finally rounded up the last one and shipped her to bed when his nose caught an intriguing smell. 'Well, well, well... Logan's eyes narrowed as he made his way toward the smell.

Practiced feet made no sound in those dirt caked boots as he walked. He knew he could possibly catch him off guard but did he really need frostbite? A smile crossed his face as his denim covered haunches moved effortlessly across the floor. He could smell the whiskey and was that a cigarette now? Luckily this was one of the distractions he could deal with. He turned the corner and as he walked into the room stated,

"Somethings just never change eh? Got any good stuff?"

Logan turned one of the chairs around and took a seat. Pulling a cigar out of his pocket, he placed it to his lips. He had been waiting to smoke this all day.

"Got a light?"

He knew he did of course and both of them would be in trouble if 'Ro caught them but last he heard she was in the attic.

[Hank McCoy]

It had been a long day cooped up in his lab. Mixing this and concocting that. The work of a scientist was never done. But there was still those times that one had to take a break for sustinance. So that was the reason for his trip to the kitchen.

Just before he reached the doors he could smell the distinct scent of smoke. Smoking? Indoors? That wasn't very wise. But he could only assume there were only a few people in the mansion that were capable of trying and maybe even getting away with the task.

Once the large blue furred man, whom wore only his x-men 'uniform' having ditched the labcoat before he ventured to this side of the mansion, entered the room he was met not only with an extra bit of smoke but with the logical conclusion of his previous hypothesis. Logan, which wasn't a real surprise other than the fact that he was back amongst them. Even more surprising was Leon had returned as well. Did they return together? That may be quite the interesting story to hear. "Well I would say that I am surprised at your behavior." Hank spoke with a slight smirk on his lips while he pulled his glasses from his nose and folded them. He added them to the hand that also held a book that he had intended to read. "But then I would be frabricating a lie. Good to see the both of you in one piece again." It wouldn't be the first time he had to confine Logan in one place so he could actually heal his wounds. At least this time he wouldn't have to worry about those security measures, yet.

Well, wasn't this just a collection of old timers? Well compared to these two Henry was still a spring chicken! But they all had enough years behind them to be able to understand each other for the most part. Sure, Leon and Logan had a bit more in common than Hank had with either of them but he did find them entertaining. After all they rarely seemed logical in anything they did. Which only made him want to try and understand the way they thought more.

[leon]

"I thought you didn't have a taste for good stuff. What was it....ah 'An Ice Cold Bruskey beats your fancy piss water any day'. Wasn't that right?"

Leon's tone was cold, but playful. Was simply a casual greeting to a good friend. A call back to the many nights spent at the bar so long ago.

Leon took his old, tarnished flask from out of his coat pocket and tossed it to him. "That's the real stuff. If you can take it that is."

He flicked his thumb reigniting a large blue flame where his thumb once was. He moved his hand over a lit Logan's cigar, watching it as the tip slowly turned to ash.

They sat there in silence for a few moments, inhaling the smoke into their lungs. Neither of them were big talkers, actions spoke much louder, and more poignantly than words. They stood there in silence, an unspoken understanding shared between them, until Hank showed up.

Hank wouldn't have been wrong to think that he was the young one stumbling in on a bunch of 'Oldtimers'. In fact, that was almost exactly how Leon saw him. Hank was just a kid wandering over to the adult table while Leon and Logan had their fun.

Normally in this situation Leon would have gave him little more then a passing glance, but today was different. Leon turned his head toward the blue fur ball, and stared at him with a meaningful glare. Smoke billowed from his cigarette, so much so that it was hard to ascertain where the origin of the smoke was actually coming from, seemingly wafting from the very man himself.

Leon spoke no words to him, he made no real motion, other then to simply remove his cigarette from his lips and blow a cloud of smoke into the air as he waited.

[logan]

"That's 'bout right."

Logan chuckled as he easily caught the flask. Lokking down at it, he could remember many times they had drank it's contents in hard times. He had a hunch whatever was in it had to be better than the whiskey Leon had on the table. If he couldn't have a beer, well this would do. "Heh ya know damn well I can handle it."

He waited tuil his cigar was lit to open the cap. The smell of the liquor and the taste of the cigar was relaxing him by the second. Looking right at Leon, he held his gaze as he took a long swig from the flask making it seem like water. He always appreciated the fact that it was always cold and it was always strong. He set it down with a satified grunt and replaced the cap. "Much better than your usual crap."

It was then that he caught the sound of footsteps but as Hank came around the corner, he didn't turn. The comment of course was a friendly jab. Hank was one of the few who he actually rspected but that didn't mean he wasn't too smart for his own good sometimes. "Ya shouldn't be by now. You gonna rat us out Hank?" he turned his head toward the man and took in another long drag before letting it out slowly.

"Or ya gonna grab a seat

[Hank McCoy]

Rat on them? Was he a snitch? No. He shook his head slightly then opened the fridge to find something to eat for himself. He needed at the very least a sandwich and maybe a piece of fruit. That would keep the energy going while he continued his work in his lab. Considering the current company in the kitchen he wouldn't be able to simply sit and read his book while he ate. "I have no intention of 'ratting' on you Logan or Leon. But I do hope that you will consider the students you can put at risk with the excess smoke."

It was more of an off hand comment as he went about preparing his sandwich. The set of book and glasses were placed on the counter while he gathered supplies. Bread, various meats and cheeses were spread out while he carefully crafted the masterpiece of sandwiches. At least that was the way he saw it. And of course there was some lettuce and a tomato placed upon the sandwich as well. There was also a light layer of mayo and the sandwich was completed. Taking a plate from the pantry his sandwich would be transfered to it as well as a spear of a pickle from a jar that was in the fridge as well.

And even though they were all veterans in experience of the world...it seemed Henry was still out of place with the duo. At least that was the vibe Leon gave off. Perhaps Leon didn't even realize it, either way it really didn't matter. Beast had no qualms with going back to his lab to eat.

[leon]

Hank went on his way, sandwich in tow. Leon considered stopping him for a moment, but he thought better of it. He hadn't seen Hank in a long time. Actually, this may have been the first time he'd ever seen the boy blue. Quite literally in fact. The Hank he remembered was a young promising boy always busy with one thing or another, this Hank seemed all together different.

Not that it was any of his business Leon supposed. He was just a passing acquaintance, a familiar face , heck he was around here even less then Logan. He had no right to meddle in other peoples' affairs, especially those he didn't even know. Leon watched hank as he left; his eyes lingering there a moment or two after as he was lost in thought.

Eventually the moment passed, and he found himself again alone with Logan in the smoke filled room. He let out a large drag of smoke into the air. "Hey Logan, let me ask ya something...do ya miss it?" Logan only looked at him quietly in response. "I mean the way things used to be...the chaos of youth ya know?"

The situation was rather surreal. Here you had two old war buddies acting like old farts in a bar, and neither of them looked like they could be over thirty. Leon, in fact, would be lucky to get a drink anywhere but here. A fresh faced kid, body full of piss and vinegar, and yet he seemed tired.

He'd traveled a lot of roads and went a lot of places, and yet for some reason he always felt lost.

[logan]

Nodding to Hank, he figured as much. "Already did Hank. Notice the time?" Logan let a small smile cross his face. Hank was a good guy and had a good heart. Though he did tend to use a lot of big words most people didn't catch but that wouldn't change. The blue fuzzy ape was currently making himself something to eat so Logan shifted his attention back to Leon. He wasn't sure if Hank was going to leave or not but Logan got the feeling Leon didn't really want him to stay. Well wether or not he did, Leon seemed to have a lot on his mind and Logan would be willing to listen.

A silence fell between them for a moment, the only sound being the rustling of beast and the exchanging of smoke for air. Logan looked at Leon, his gaze a little hard. This was a man he could remember doing some recon missions with and spending days and nights with just the two of them surviving some of their group missions. When you spend nights on end in a jungle with someone, you tend to grow a mutal trust in that person.

'Do ya miss it...the chaos of youth?'

Logan's attention came back to the moment as his eyes refocused on Leon. "It's hard ta miss somethin' ya hardly remember." Which was true. He couldn't remember most of his childhood due to the weapon X prodject. "Killin' was easier back then though. Way too easy. Seemed like everyone was gettin' away with murder. Mostly cause they were an' gettin' paid fer it." He slid the cap of the bottle that was sitting neglected off to the side and took a small swig. "Do I miss it? Sometimes. Do I want it back? No."

He let out a small grunt and looked to the bottle. That wasn't the best year but it would do for now. "Had too many good things taken 'cause of the 'chaos of youth.'" He seemed to drift for a moment back into the past to some of the good times he could remember. These were the few precious times of peace between storms. After a moment, he looked back to Leon. "Why do ya ask?" Knowing Leon there was something more to this than he was letting on. Just had to figure out what it was.

[Random Bunny]

*Bunny walks into the thread, carrying a paper banner and grinning*

I was told that I'm supposed to wish happy birthday to the board. Unfortunatly the Admin seems to have forgotten what I told her I was going to do. Bunny stares at banner for a moment* Anyways, Here we go!!! *Bunny holds up banner and grins* Isn't it PRETTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




*Bunny folds up banner and smiles mischievously* Well, time to go. I have plenty more threads to interrupt! More Chaos to cause! *Bunny walks out giggling*

and now, some facts about the Happy Birthday song.

History of the song


The public domain song Good-Morning to All



Song Good-Morning to All. 22sec.



Instrumental version of "Good Morning to All".
The origins of "Happy Birthday To You" date back to the mid-nineteenth century, when two sisters, Patty and Mildred J. Hill, introduced the song "Good Morning to All" to Patty's kindergarten class in Kentucky. In 1893, they published the tune in their songbook Song Stories for the Kindergarten. However, many[who?] believe that the Hill sisters most likely copied the tune and lyrical idea from other popular and substantially similar nineteenth-century songs that predated theirs, including Horace Waters' "Happy Greetings to All", "Good Night to You All" also from 1858, "A Happy New Year to All" from 1875, and "A Happy Greeting to All", published 1885. In the EU and other countries in which copyright lasts for the life of the author(s) plus 70 years, the copyright will expire after December 31, 2016, as Patty Hill died in 1946.

[Random Bunny]

*Bunny walks into the thread, carrying a paper banner and grinning*

I was told that I'm supposed to wish happy birthday to the board. Unfortunatly the Admin seems to have forgotten what I told her I was going to do. Bunny stares at banner for a moment* Anyways, Here we go!!! *Bunny holds up banner and grins* Isn't it PRETTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




*Bunny folds up banner and smiles mischievously* Well, time to go. I have plenty more threads to interrupt! More Chaos to cause! *Bunny walks out giggling*

and now, some random fun facts about the Happy Birthday song and it's origins. enjoy!

The Hill Sisters' students enjoyed their teachers' version of "Good Morning To All" so much that they began spontaneously singing it at birthday parties, changing the lyrics to "Happy Birthday".[citation needed] Children's Praise and Worship, edited by Andrew Byers, Bessie L. Byrum and Anna E. Koglin, published the song in 1918. In 1924, Robert Coleman included "Good Morning to All" in a songbook with the birthday lyrics as a second verse. Coleman also published "Happy Birthday" in The American Hymnal in 1933.