Issue 1 Downtime

Will was standing in front of a mirror in the locker room.

He had apparently gained a good 150 pounds, and was standing there, scratching his chin.

((open))

Bobby walked past, heading to the track.

He stopped, glancing at his friend.

"That's a different look. Usually, I just change my haircut."

He smiled, slapping Will's shoulder gently.

"What does that take, anyway? A chisel? A belt sander?" Will laughed

"Nah, I'm just kinda testing this out. Getting close to the end of December, after all."

"I'm not sure I follow.. ah, right! Robin's first Chistmas needs a visit from ol' Saint Nick."

"That's the ticket! I dunno, though--this seems a bit unwieldy. How the hell is he supposed to go down a chimney with this thing hanging out? What does he do, spend 364 days a year chugging beers?"

"He's a magic dude, Will! Or a mutant. Probably a mutant. a magic catholic mutant."

"Yeah, but this is just ridiculous. Perhaps there's a thing as too traditional."

"Well, if anyone can get down a chimney and then revert to full pudge node instantly, you're the guy."

"I dunno. Maybe a hip, modern Santa is more fit for the world of today? Or then again, it's all Father Christmas and whatnot over here."

"Over here. Father Christmas gifted high-powered weaponry to the kids from the lion, the witch and the wardrobe. You might want to wait a few years before giving Robin a magic sword."

"I dunno, if she got a little plastic thing, that'd be amazing."

"Well, whatever you go with, she's gonna love it."

"She's not the ONLY one who has their first christmas coming, though. There's Miranda; that girl we rescued from the Savage Land."

"The blind girl?"

"Aye. Turns out, she's the long-lost daughter of our headmistress and language professor."

Bobby blinked at that. "Biological daughter?"

"I don't know! I think if that were so, they wouldn't have been as surprised by her existence, but you know how the world works. Maybe sh's from an alternate dimension or something."

Bobby shrugged his shoulders.

"Wouldn't be the first time, I suppose."

"Yeah, and I'm the last person on campus who should question these sorts of things."

"I hope things turn out alright.. Everyone needs family."

"That's why we're here.

So I've gotta make sure they do Christmas right. I mean, the Headmistress is Catholic, but she's also..."

Will trailed off, then shook his head.

"So they need to do the tree and the advent calender and Santa and elves and reindeers and the whole thing. I've already gotten busted sneaking in there to make sure...uh...that things were being done properly."

Bobby looked at will a little funny.

"I'm pretty sure they can handle the Christmas prep. It's the same every year, right?"

"Maybe so, maybe so," Will hrmed. "But they've never done it with a kid before. And there are all KINDS of potential pitfalls."

"I'd say you're overthinking it, but I'm not the new daddy. So, yeah."

"I overthink everything. Didn't you know that? That's my primary mutation; the whole shifting thing is secondary."

"Blah blah blah, method acting?" Bobby asked, smirking.

"Heh. Only if you need neurotic people to star in the play."