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"Oh, just some sparkling cider." Lex lied completely, smiling the whole time. Everyone needed booze on New Year's, legal or not. "Drink up, it tastes good...puppy." A sly smile at the last part. This, Otto, was why you didn't let Eva talk to Lex.

Turning his face to Gale, Lex grinned warmly at the Death Hunter. "Name's Lex, you were there when I woke up from the pods." His chirped, offering a hand to shake. "And you're quite right, beer is awful."

Earlier it was ok to deal with, not many people around and the irritation was mild. But more and more hunters streamed in, all waiting to celebrate the rest of the worlds new year. nothing but noise and revelry.

Leon would rather pass on the Nakama bullshit. Taking a tall stout glass out of the room seemed to be the better choice where he could drink in peace.

Since it was New Years, Madeline had imagined herself pickpocketing a few bottles of red wine and staking it out in her room like a good antisocial little girl to watch baseball reruns and think about resolutions she'd never follow through with.

And then Wilson texted her.

The girl, already somewhat tipsy from an exciting bottle of red that she'd either found, stolen, bought (unlikely), or won in a card game, arrived on the scene and beelined for Wilson with no immediate step two in her plan. Of course, Lex was in the way, and her feet weren't particularly helpful in this situation, so she knocked herself into him first, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and pressing a laughing "happy ********' new years," into his ear. She then made a show of twirling around him like a ballerina (she'd taken dance lessons) and kissing Wilson on his forehead. "And to you too." She even grinned at Gale on Wilson's back (who probably saw a fair bit of cleavage too from his vantage point) and Otto, waggling her fingers at them both.

It was too bad no one else here danced. But then again she was probably not in the best state of mind to do anything entirely complicated with her feet.

There was one large benefit of being taller than someone else and being bigger than them. Not to mention being trained for it.

Marcus made a very good wall.

“Nope.” He would herd her to the group if he had to. “And Otto is a grown man he can watch himself. Now come on, you have to at least say hello. If you don’t, I’ll change the locks on the lab and on the file cabinets. No work until you at least spend 15 minutes with other human beings.”

He gave her a look.
“Its 15 minutes. Baby steps. You just have to say hi. That’s all.”

Jerry wobbled awkwardly, just debating heading off when he spotted Madeline- a face he hadn't seen in a long while. And talking to Otto.... if Molly had been there, it would have synched it, but even so, and despite Leon hovering nearby, he steeled his courage, straightened his hair, and made his way over. Parties were for being social, after all, and if he let Leon bring him down, then the boxer would have won.

"Madeline! I haven't seen you in ages! I just got some new instruments for the holidays! If you wanted to take over Guitar next time we have a band-meeting you're welcome to it, although I think I do have a lead on a possible pianist!"

Sorry, Otto, no escape.

Ami was gaping at Madeline making a complete idiot from herself, and ran into Marcus' wall. She gave a childishly frustrated groan and whined, "Marcus." It wasn't focused though, as her eyes kept flicking to Madeline, worried she might do something.

The idea of changed locks quickly altered her expression. She glared at Marcus and gave him a gentle shove that wouldn't do any damage at all to the big man, and then marched over to Madeline.

Grabbing the girl's ear, she pulled Madeline aside and whispered and angry, "What do you think you're doing?" Hesitantly, she looked at Lex and the others and said, "Ah. Hi." A glare back to Marcus, so as to say Look I'm doing the thing. Then back to Madeline for being a dumbass.

"C'mon Otto, just drink it." Lex urged, sipping his own glass to demonstrate - not that the boy needed instructions on how to drink out of a cup - and refilled his glass with more of the bubbly stuff before Madeline came crashing into him.

A quick jerked smile and a hasty peck to the cheek was all he was able to get in before the woman was off dancing about and making a hot mess of herself before Ami brought the hammer down.

"Oh, let her live a little!" He jeered, turning his attentions to Jerry and offering a little wave. "Happy New Year to you!" He offered, sneaking a bottle of rum behind his back and onto the floor. He'd pick that up later...