Deck The Lair with Too Much Tinsel
Shego looked up from filing her nails to see Drakken spinning lazily in his lab chair. Shego sighed and put her file down. It was clear he was done with whatever plan he'd been attempting since they'd gotten back to the lair. He looked over at her and stopped spinning. Shego watched his expression shift between embarrassment and indifference. He shrugged and tossed his pen on the table and stood up with a stretch.
"I'm calling an early Friday," stated Drakken.
"It's Wednesday," said Shego. She stood up as well.
"Well..." he grumbled, "next week's Christmas so we'll just call it an early holiday hiatus."
"I thought you were going to work through the holidays?" asked Shego. She smirked at his clear agitation. "What? You and I both know you're just going to watch Snowman Hank and bake cookies if you don't."
"Just for that...no thumbprint cookies for you," declared Drakken.
"Oh no," said Shego in mock upset, "whatever shall I do without jelly-filled cookies?"
"You mock now...but we both know what happened to last year's batch," smirked Drakken.
"Since we're talking about the holiday and taking a break. Holiday plans?" asked Shego as they began walking out of the lab.
A solid minute passed and Shego raised a brow at Drakken's turning expression. She was certain he was attempting to think of a better response than the one he sighed and gave.
"You already stated mine," said Drakken finally.
"So, we're not going to Motor Ed's Christmas party this weekend?" asked Shego. She wasn't going alone, that was for sure.
"His what?" asked Drakken. He turned to look at her. "Eddie? Eddie. Is throwing a Christmas party? You never said that."
"Pretty sure I did," said Shego. She tapped her chin and smirked. "Oh yes. Somewhere between us getting back to the lair and you throwing a jealous tantrum and whining about my date."
She made a voice as if talking to a baby as she stated the last part and pinched Drakken's cheek. Drakken made an odd strangled noise and batted her hand away with narrowed eyes.
"I was not jealous of your date," scoffed Drakken. "Who takes someone to an ice cream shop? Losers, that's who."
"You didn't say that when I brought you back a milkshake and fries," Shego walked past him and towards their usual living room area. "Besides it was charming."
"I don't see you going on another date with Dillon," said Drakken as he followed her.
"It's Dean and you know that," Shego looked smug as she picked up a magazine. "So are we going to the party or not?"
"You can. I have no interest in seeing a bunch of monster trucks covered in tinsel." Drakken rolled his eyes and fell into his usual chair.
"Uhg, I don't want to go alone." Shego rolled her eyes. She didn't feel keen on Motor Ed and his lame pickup lines. She looked at the magazine.
"Take Junior," shrugged Drakken. "I'm sure he'll have a lot of comments on the decor for you two to gossip about."
"Junior is spending every waking weekend with his new girlfriend, Bonnie," sighed Shego as she fell into her seat on the couch and flipped open the magazine. "I suppose I could take Dean."
"I think not," said Drakken. Shego smirked at the tone in his voice.
"Why's that?" Shego leaned on the arm to look at him. His eyes flitted to the magazine as he glared.
"Be-because," he sputtered, "if anyone finds out where he works...well, think of the reaction."
Shego felt a little crestfallen at Drakken's answer. Drakken wasn't jealous. She sighed and turned back to her magazine. She waited in the silence before glancing over at Drakken. Drakken wasn't looking at the television as he flipped the channels. He was lost in his own thoughts. None, she was sure, involved her. She looked around the lair and at Drakken. The idea of yet another weekend stuck in the lair was frustrating. Drakken had stopped on a cooking channel as he now glared at the screen. Shego glared and began her argument.
"Well, I want to go. You made me go to your family gatherings for two years—"
"You were the one who told my mother we were going to Thanksgiving," snapped Drakken.
"Details," she waved a dismissive hand. "You're going to the party with me."
"I am not," whined Drakken. "You can't make me go to a party, Shego. I am not a child."
"He says as he whines like one," Shego sighed.
"Hey! No narrating, remember?" yelled Drakken. "I'm not going."
"We'll see," muttered Shego under her breath. She flipped a page.
"I mean it Shego. I am not going," Drakken continued his rant.
"Mmmhmm," she hummed. "I think I'll wear that sequin dress."
"Good for you. I'm not wearing anything," scoffed Drakken.
"If you feel confident doing so...that's on you," smirked Shego. She didn't look up from her magazine. "It's on Friday."
"I'm not wearing anything because I'm not going, Shego," he replied.
"Whatever you say," she shrugged. "Those blue heels will look nice with that dress."
It was silent save for the television for the next ten minutes. Shego heard Drakken shift in his chair. She pretended to read the magazine as she heard him mutter various words incoherently to himself. Still, she waited in the silence. Finally he gave a frustrated growl.
"What time do we have to be there?" she heard Drakken whisper. Shego felt the smug grin spread across her lips.
Drakken jumped out the hover car and looked around the parking garage of his cousin's warehouse lair. Nothing had been decorated as they had pulled up and judging by how clean the garage was... There were probably a lot of tinseled monster trucks inside. Drakken saw various vehicles about and smugly looked at his hover car. He had the only one. His thoughts were shoved aside as Shego's hands came into view.
"Will you stop futzing with my tie?" grumbled Drakken as she adjusted it again.
"It's crooked because you keep futzing with it," said Shego as she slapped his hands away.
"Wouldn't have had the problem if you'd let me wear the bow tie," grumbled Drakken. "Why did we dress up again?"
"Motor Ed said semi-formal," shrugged Shego. Drakken took a step away from her to raise a brow and make eye contact. "Freaked me out too. Adrena said she was told the same thing."
"Who's all..." Drakken trailed off as Shego smoothed out his jacket. "Now what?"
"Your stupid sequins were jagged," Shego crossed her arms and continued walking onward. "Such a ridiculous jacket."
"You were there when I stole it... You didn't say anything," stated Drakken as he looked at her sequin dress. "You're wearing sequins."
"Please tell me this isn't going to be an argument all night now?" sighed Shego. Drakken smirked.
"Night's early. Never know," he cleared his throat as they reached where several festively dressed bikers stood by an entrance door.
"Name?" asked one of them.
"Are you serious...? Shego," Drakken could feel the tiniest interest he'd gained in coming begin to fade.
"Dr. Drakken. Shego," came one tall man from behind the others. "Haven't seen you since Mexico."
"Mexico?" asked Drakken in confusion. The man looked vaguely familiar.
"Vex. Bouncer at the bar you stole—" Drakken cut Vex off as a foggy memory came flooding back.
"Yes. Vex. Forgive my foggy memory," said Drakken. Shego smirked.
"Sure the windshield didn't help," whispered Shego. She raised a brow, "Didn't go back to...Arizona?"
"Nah, bounty on my head. You know how it is," said Vex as he opened the door for them. "Nice seeing you two together. Like the look."
"See Shego. He likes the jacket," smirked Drakken. She rolled her eyes and shoved him.
"He's working for Motor Ed. I think he got brain damage in that accident," whispered Shego as they walked away from the door quickly. "I... What is this?"
"What is...? Oh," Drakken followed her gaze.
The two froze in place less than ten feet into the warehouse. There were sounds of laughing, wild dance music, and festive décor. This they expected to see...a little more Motor Ed style. Drakken had pictured a large junkyard-style lit tree and decorated monster trucks, and maybe too many lights. What he got was an actual lit forest with fake snow, a dance floor in the distance with people dancing, and elegant whimsy. Drakken wondered if he and Shego were at the wrong place. There was a twinkling lit path with fake snow that continued on the way in. Drakken looked at Shego skeptically and she shared a similar expression. She took the first step and he followed. Drakken found himself walking rather closely to Shego as if expecting something to jump out.
"Dr. Drakken!" Drakken practically yelled as a familiar voice came from the trees
"No," grumbled Drakken. Shego's eye roll turned into an amused smile at his reaction. "Frugal Lucre... You got out?"
"Yeah, when you left me in the jail they let me go thinking I was an unwilling party," shrugged Lucre cheerfully. "You were right. It was a fantastic plan!"
"Plan?" asked Shego.
Drakken replayed a vague angry speech he'd directed at Lucre in his cell so he didn't alert the guards of Shego's arrival. He didn't know what made the twitch in his eye start. The fact Lucre had wholeheartedly believed it was an actual plan and he wasn't ditching him... Or the fact it had worked. As Shego snorted, obviously piecing it together, Drakken decided it was the fact it worked. He was suddenly aware that Lucre had been ranting the entire time he processed his own thoughts.
"I mean, I wasn't going to come because frankly Motor Ed is really...really annoying," said Lucre. "I was really glad when he escaped."
"Yet...here you are," said Drakken.
"Mom said I should get out and socialize," said Lucre. "I also wondered if I might see you here since Motor Ed is your cousin. Which reminds me...did you mentor him before? Is that where his villainy comes from?"
"No," said Shego quickly. "Other way around. You should go ask Motor Ed."
Drakken's eyes shot open and he glared at Shego before gently shoving her into the forest path and away from them.
"Eddie did not teach me anything. If anything he blatantly ripped off most of my devious behavior," said Drakken smugly as Shego stumbled back out of the forest.
"I am wearing heels," snapped Shego. "Trying to break my ankle?"
"Please. I've seen you full-on fight people in stilettos. You're fine." Drakken rolled his eyes. "Maybe you shouldn't be telling lies."
Drakken felt a hand on his shoulder and swatted Lucre away from him.
"I like the jacket," said Lucre as he again smoothed the sequin, "Is it blue...green...black—"
"It's mine, so stop touching it," Drakken swatted his hand again. "Are we going to have to go over the not touching thing again?"
"I'm touching the coat," glared Lucre.
"Which is on me," Drakken suddenly realized what Shego had been trying to do. Lose Lucre. "Shego..."
She'd walked yards away and was about to turn a corner.
"Hey, I tried to help," and with one turn she was gone.
Drakken felt the sequins on his coat being played with again. He glared. Drakken wondered about the ramifications of physically fighting Lucre in the entrance of Motor Ed's lair.
Shego smirked to herself as she cleared the pathway and left Drakken with Lucre.
Serves him right.
She looked at her heels. It hadn't even fazed her. She'd actually thought it was humorous... But he was on his own now. She slowed her walk as the rest of the warehouse lair came into view. There were more decorated trees, some with car parts. A monster truck Santa sleigh sat with taxidermy reindeer, and beyond were plenty of people dancing on a dance floor. There was still an overabundance of Christmas cheer-style decorating that did not seem Motor Ed, the monster truck sleigh and car part ornaments aside. Apparently this area was the social area, or had become, as she saw people wandering through the trees with drinks and familiar faces gathered and chatting.
"Shego!"
Shego followed the voice towards an area of the trees where she could see Adrena in a bright red dress waving to her. As she headed over to where Adrena stood she wondered how many drinks she had already consumed by the redness of her cheeks. She knew Drakken and she had arrived an hour into the party, but it was clear Adrena had already started her party. This was confirmed by the blonde pulling her into a tight hug. Shego regretted her choice in going over instantly.
"Looks like someone has been in a party mood longer than the party," responded Shego as she took a step back.
"I ran into Anubis, Pandora, and Hermes at the Villain's Inn earlier. We had a few shots," she laughed. "No worries. I'm not going to get too freaky."
"So that's where my rubies are."
Cleopatra came around the tree with a raised brow. Shego didn't have to think too hard to remember Cleopatra's rubies that Hermes had swiped ages ago. It did seem very Anubis to add more cursed items to his own eccentric look. It was surprising that he and Cleopatra had yet to work together. At least to her knowledge. Shego was about to state this when another thought dawned on her: Cleopatra being there.
"Surprised you're here. Last I heard you were hiring people to steal out from under Motor Ed," said Shego. "Not that I blame you."
"I'm over that," she smirked. "Besides it's not in good form to miss a villain social."
Shego nodded and took a moment to take in the tight gold dress and elaborate white fur wrap. Shego smirked. Cleopatra may talk a good game but Shego knew a 'Look at me I'm over you' dress when she saw one. Shego looked over her shoulder for Drakken so she could point it out to him. She cringed at the thought he was still stuck somewhere with Lucre. Her focus came marginally back to the conversation as Carmella joined them. True to form, candy cane-themed attire seemed to be her inspiration.
"Have any of you seen Amy?" she asked.
"Last I saw she was talking to the tall guy in the giraffe suite," said Adrena. "Something tells me she's trying to get a new experiment under way."
"Geesh, did Motor Ed invite every villain under the sun?" inquired Shego.
"It would appear so," said Carmella casually. "Honestly, I haven't seen so many villains and henchmen in one spot since Jack hosted that last expo. I'm a little impressed."
"I wasn't expecting the decorations," said Adrena. She looked over Shego's shoulder. "I mean... the sleigh and the reindeer were less of a surprise..."
"Agreed," said Cleopatra as she moved some tinsel on a tree. "It's like he harvested a whole forest."
"I heard one of the henchmen say there was a major squirrel issue a few days ago."
Shego looked down the forest path to see Hermes in a dark purple fitted suit. Shego instinctively looked to see if his partner was nearby. While she had remained civil with Pandora during the final days of their villain retreat, she still had a bone to pick...or break. With so many people around it was probably not the time, but there were a lot of trees. Shego smirked to herself. A little Christmas vengeance was always nice.
"Now that sounds like a fun time," said Shego. "Where's your partner?"
"Where's yours?" asked Hermes with a raised brow.
"Flying solo, Shego?" asked Cleopatra. "That didn't fare well the last time."
Shego knew she could share a few choice retorts that might take this conversation to a more hostile turn, but it was too early in the evening for that. Before she could respond, Hermes continued.
"Pandora's on the dance floor with Giraffe. I was hoping to find Amy," said Hermes, clearly trying to defuse anything that might be said.
"Me too," said Carmella.
"Why are you both looking for DNAmy?" asked Shego. There was a shared curiosity on Cleopatra's face.
"Anubis heard her talking about some sort of top secret government facility that has some interesting inventory," said Hermes. "I know there was some mining being done in Tibet that was affecting the plates. Wanted to hear if she found out more on that."
"Oo, I was reading about that," said Cleopatra with wide eyes. "Some sort of mountain base."
"When there's digging in private locations and the government is involved...there's always something up," said Hermes. "Possibly precious stones or valuables."
"You mean possible rare ancient treasures," said Cleopatra. She shared a nod with Carmella.
"Suddenly finding DNAmy sounds like a fun activity," said Shego, mostly to herself.
"You three can do that... There is a punch bowl and a giant sled calling my name," said Adrena.
Shego watched as Adrena looked around and then sprinted to the monster truck sleigh. She focused back in on the conversation as they all started moving out of the forest to find DNAmy. While Cleopatra and Carmella weren't exactly her favorite people, she could play social and nice if it meant getting information on something she and Drakken could use. She mentally played back to Drakken spinning in his chair back at the lair.
It was clear to Shego he was in a creative slump at the moment, and if anything...it could be a good way to make quick cash. She pulled out her phone quickly and made sure to put it on volume in case she got a call. She'd managed to get a few interviews with other villains and questionable people...not to actually work for them, but to see if they had anything that might be worth high-jacking for Drakken. Some, she knew, had a few of the supplies he'd needed for his scrapped plans. Ones he'd said were too complicated and they hadn't had the resources for when he'd decided to work on his SAD amplifier device instead. She suddenly was pulled from her thoughts as she realized she'd fallen silent in their walk and she'd gained a raised brow from Carmella who'd been talking to her.
"Hmm?" asked Shego, trying to appear as if she was bored and hadn't been spacing out whilst looking at her phone.
"I was asking if you're interested in the information for personal use or if Drakken was working on something specific it might aid you with?" asked Carmella. "Or have you two taken up collecting?"
"Dr. D has an array of projects he's always working on. Never a bad idea to keep tabs on possible useful items elsewhere," replied Shego. She looked at Carmella. "What about you? I doubt mysterious government digs would affect your little demonic sweet shop."
Carmella let out something between a laugh and a giggle.
"Demonic sweet shop?" she grinned and continued. "No, but where there's secrets there's a use for some of my sweets for finding out said secrets. A marketing opportunity."
"I thought HenchCo was doing that for you already," Shego felt bitterness hit her tongue. "You know, people buying bulk supplies of those dangerous items to use on whoever they want without repercussions."
Shego did her best to give a casual smile in hopes of counteracting her condemning tone of voice. She saw Carmella's smile falter as she looked at the ground and then the others. She didn't respond and Shego knew she'd found a nerve. A small part of her wanted to keep pressing the nerve, but the sight of DNAmy chatting with Dementor stopped her from doing so as she remembered her main focus.
"I just don't see why he's not interested in my offer," she heard DNAmy say. Dementor looked a little disturbed.
"One would question why you offered to turn him into a giraffe," said Dementor. He looked relieved as they approached.
"Just the person we've been looking for," said Hermes cheerfully. "Rumor has it you've got some interesting information a Tibet dig going on?"
"I am thinking that... I should excuse myself," said Dementor. Shego watched him practically sprint away.
*Wonder how long he's been stuck in whatever crazed animal monster-making conversation that was.
"Tibet? Oh, the new fossil fuel thing," said DNAmy with a broad grin. "I'm trying to get my hands on it myself. It's supposed to be more powerful than standard natural fuels."
"A new energy source?" asked Carmella. "Stronger than petrol or coal?"
"Supposedly. They found it when they were digging a new discovered city," said DNAmy.
"Ding ding," grinned Cleopatra. "Do tell."
Shego listened intently as the questions and discussion began. It didn't take too long for her to regret the decision...a new energy source be damned. Shego's eyes went wide as the conversation shifted away from energy sources. Hermes had begun talking about rock formations and natural preservation. Carmella talking about the heating properties of a higher frequency... Honestly Shego ignored what she said. Mostly because Cleopatra was talking about the history of discovered cities. Shego glanced over towards where she saw the refreshment table. She took a few steps away, only for Cleopatra to notice.
"Oh, Shego. Are you getting a drink?" asked Cleopatra. "Good idea, I'm a bit parched. Anyone else?"
"I'd love another one," said DNAmy. Carmella nodded but continued her conversation with Hermes on coal.
Shego internally cursed as Cleopatra walked with her and continued her rant about ancient discoveries.
Why am I always surrounded by nerds?
Drakken sprinted out of the forest and didn't stop until he was secreted behind a giant monster truck sleigh. He knew it was only a matter of time before Lucre escaped the tinsel he'd tied him to a tree in. He glared into the distance... He might already have escaped. Drakken let out a sigh of relief as he began to look around and shook his head at all the decorations. This wasn't something he could have possibly seen his cousin do without some sort of reason. Ed hated decorating the tree every year growing up and the only interest he'd ever shown in holiday festivities...were gifts and cookies. He felt someone pet his shoulder and jumped away from the monster truck sleigh and fell into a taxidermy reindeer. Drakken paused to look at them before glaring back at the sleigh.
"How did you..." Drakken began and looked up for Lucre. Adrena grinned from where she sat in the sleigh. "You're not Lucre."
"Whose Lucre?" said Adrena. "Is he cute?" She sipped her punch.
"Depends how many of those you've consumed," Drakken responded.
"...Is he cuter than Anubis?" asked Adrena with a wide grin.
"You need to be cut off," cringed Drakken. She touched his coat again. "Will everyone please stop that?"
"I like this new look you guys have," said Adrena.
Drakken was about to respond when he saw Lucre walking out of the forest and looking around. Drakken made a sprint into the other forest only to collide full force with someone as he rounded a few trees. He smacked his head hard against them.
"Bloody hell Drakken!" yelled Monkey Fist, rubbing his own head. "Watch where you're running."
"Ay, is Shego after yah?" asked Duff from where he stood next to Monkey Fist.
"Uhg, I'm avoiding Lucre," grumbled Drakken as he gave an apologetic shrug at Monkey Fist who rolled his eyes. "Wait. How do you know Eddie?"
"I don't. Killigan made me come," Monkey Fist rolled his eyes. "He said it was some sort of semi-formal 'red-neck' gathering and I was curious."
Monkey Fist looked around.
"I'm disappointed," he finished.
"It has dead reindeer," shrugged Duff as if trying to sway Monkey Fist.
"I don't like taxidermy," said Monkey Fist with a glare. "I should be in Tibet right now and—"
"Hey! Remember what we agreed to!" Duff cut him off and glared. Monkey Fist sighed.
"No monkey ninja talk from me and no golf chatter from you," said Monkey Fist. He looked at Drakken. "It was a lovely carpool if you can't tell."
"It wasn't that bad... Are those sequins?" asked Duff as he looked at Drakken's jacket.
"Is that velvet?" responded Drakken dryly as he looked at the purple jacket Duff wore.
"I'm wearing silk if anyone cares," said Monkey Fist as he sipped his drink with his foot.
"Lucre? Ay, is that the guy who wanted a dollar from everyone?" asked Duff. He looked around. "Did Motor Ed invite all his contacts?"
"It seems," said Drakken as he glanced at the dance floor through some trees. "I know he can be social from time to time, but this is insane."
He knocked an ornament off the tree.
"And so is this," said Drakken as he gestured to a twenty foot Christmas tree.
"Yes...pointless animals slain and the destruction of an entire forest," Monkey Fist glared and sipped his drink. "Merry Christmas indeed."
Drakken and Duff looked at him with raised brow and then back to each other.
"I get to ride home with him," Duff gave a forced grin and shook his head.
"You insisted on taking my jet," glared Monkey Fist.
The start of the argument was Drakken's cue to slink away and out of the forest. He made his way near the refreshment table on the other side of the trees beyond the sleigh. The music was louder there and a majority of the dance floor was occupied by villains he'd only glanced at in magazines, and henchmen. Save for Dementor and Camille doing some sort of horrible disco with zero effort. He raised a brow at this but shook it off.
He scanned the area where people weren't dancing but chatting. He'd hoped to see Shego or even Eddie...someone familiar or worth talking to. His eyes fell on an unusual gathering that made him anxious and he couldn't quite place why. DNAmy, Carmella, and Hermes seemed to be in a deep conversation judging by the physical motions of the three. Carmella was practically bouncing on her heels, DNAmy was clapping her hands, and Hermes was grinning like an idiot. Drakken glanced Cleopatra behind them, fleeing the area judging by her direction. Drakken glanced around at all the other people talking. Their conversation intrigued them but he found himself stepping back...right into someone.
"I'd back away too," came the voice of Pandora.
Drakken bumped into the table as he gave her distance. She stood staring at the group and shaking her head slowly as she sipped some sort of punch concoction. Drakken nodded and debated on continuing his search for Shego. While he personally had no issues or history with the woman next to him, his partner did.
She ditched you with Lucre.
"What are they talking about?" asked Drakken as he grabbed a glass from the table behind him.
"Fossil fuel," she gave a strained grin. "It's been the source of conversation for three weeks. That and shale rock...and compounds."
"Sounds thrilling," snorted Drakken. "Fossil fuel?"
"Yes. They uncovered a hidden city preserved in Tibet...where they also located a new fossil fuel source that is supposed to be more efficient and cleaner than coal..." she trailed off and drank the rest of her glass in one gulp. "No. Nope. I am not being pulled back into this. Have you seen Adrena?"
"Sleigh," said Drakken.
He watched her grab more punch and head in that direction.
"Well now I want to know more," grumbled Drakken as he sipped his punch.
He choked on it and looked around before pouring it back into the bowl. Ed clearly made that punch by the copious amount of alcohol that was in it. He put his cup in the trash and grabbed a water. He barely got to take a drink when it was taken away from him. He didn't have to look or see the green hand as it vanished.
"First you abandon me with Lucre and now you steal my water..." Drakken raised a brow as Shego drank the bottle. "There is a whole cooler."
"This one was already open," smirked Shego. "Hey, I tried to save you...and you shoved me into a forest."
"Do you want an apology?" asked Drakken. He rolled his eyes.
"No," said Shego. Drakken yelped as he was shoved into the forest.
"Very mature, Shego," snorted Drakken from where he lay in the fake snow. "Do you feel better now?"
"Meh," she responded. "I'm just glad I found you. The conversations I just escaped left me drained."
"Too mundane," grinned Drakken as he sat up.
"Uhg, no. I wish. Too intellectually stimulating," she rolled her eyes. "That's why I was looking for you."
"Well that's— Hey," Drakken snapped.
She smirked down at him and grinned as she held out her hand. He took it and stood up with a shake of his head. They fell into mutual silence as Drakken yanked his water back and they both looked around the festive lair. His eyes fell to the dance floor and Shego followed.
"What's going on with Dementor and Camille?" asked Drakken as he nodded towards where they still danced.
"Hmm... A part of me wants to say companionship and hairless cats...but I'm settling on daddy issues," said Shego as she went to grab the water again.
"That's disgusting," shuddered Drakken. "I'm sticking to hairless cats."
"Well—" Shego opened her mouth.
"Don't say what you were going to say," Drakken gave her a serious look. She smirked.
"I don't have to...you knew where I was going," replied Shego. "Run into the rest of your stooges yet, Moe?"
"...If you're referring to Killigan and Monkey Fist," Drakken glared at her smirk. "They're arguing in the forest."
"Ah. Yet another domestic," shrugged Shego. "What's it about this time?"
"Monkey Fist wants to be in Tibet... Probably something to do with that city," said Drakken as an afterthought.
"Hey guys!" Adrena wove between the two to the punch bowl. "Oh whoa! You're both really sparkly!"
"No..." Drakken backed away from her hand as it moved towards him.
Adrena pouted and then looked at Shego. Drakken's brow shot up as she pet the sequins on Shego's chest before giggling and stumbling away. Shego just rolled her eyes and shook her head, completely unabashed by Adrena's antics.
"No reaction to that?" asked Drakken. He'd expected a plasma blast.
"Most action I've had in awhile," sighed Shego. Her face turned a dark tint and she looked away.
They made eye contact and both broke into laughter.
Drakken watched Shego shake her head and finish laughing. He smirked as they continued looking around. He'd be lying if he didn't find a little satisfaction in the fact Shego and Dean hadn't hit it off that well. The feeling turned sour quickly at his own smugness. He chose to focus back into the conversation as Shego started talking.
"It could have been weirder," stated Shego.
"Your friend is going to be tossing cookies soon at that rate," said Drakken. They could hear Adrena nearly fall out of the sleigh with a laugh.
They shrugged and began walking over to that direction to see.
"She can hold her liquor better than you'd think," said Shego as they walked past Adrena and the sleigh.
"She thinks Anubis is cute," responded Drakken. Shego looked alarmed.
"Ew. That's something I'd expect from DNAmy," cringed Shego.
Drakken followed her nod to where DNAmy had drifted from the circle with Carmella. They made their way to the reindeer where Lucre was looking around nervously, Adrena egging him on in attempting to climb the large stuffed beast. Drakken shook his head. He didn't doubt that Ed had taken them from Stephan and Stephanie without asking. Drakken's gaze drifted from DNAmy to where Carmella was looking up at the reindeer and looking disturbed, to where Hermes was now ranting to Pandora who had a forced interested smile on her face as she tried to walk away. Drakken really wanted to know more about the fuel thing.
"Speaking of your exes," Shego gestured to the three, "interesting information—"
"They're not my exes," Drakken responded quickly.
"Really? So you didn't actively avoid a conversation topic you'd be interested in because it was all three of your exes. I saw it," said Shego. She gestured to a spot not far from where they'd been. "You were just doing that because...other reasons."
"One is an ex," corrected Drakken.
"Huh...so how would you classify the other two?" asked Shego as she looked at her nails in a bored manner.
"A minor...love interest... And—"
"Ex-boyfriend," finished Shego. "Hey Pandora's mine. I own up to it."
"Completely different. He is not my ex," hissed Drakken.
"Oh...right. You just vanished...so you're right, not your ex," nodded Shego.
"Thank you," Drakken felt uncomfortable under her statement.
"So your boyfriend then," smirked Shego. Drakken growled. "Hit a nerve?"
"Are we taking a page out of Monkey Fist and Killigan's book and about to have a domestic of our own?" asked Drakken.
"Why are you getting so riled up?" sighed Shego. "Fine, I'll drop it."
"Thank you—"
"Like you did with college," whispered Shego quickly. Drakken crossed his arms.
"All right, I'm done," she smirked. "Back on topic."
"Who are we talking about now?" asked Drakken. He chose to follow her lead and look around.
"We'll get back to that...this fuel thing," said Shego. "Apparently—"
"Ay, have either of you two seen Fist?" asked Duff as he walked over to them. "He was messing around with the trees and I lost him."
"There's a lot of trees," said Drakken. "And a lot of tinsel... The more you look...the more you see."
"Yeah, this is definitely not the party I'd thought Motor Ed would throw," said Duff as he took his hat off to scratch his head.
"I think he's getting a drink," said Shego. Drakken followed her gaze to see Monkey Fist in the distance. "Agreed. This is...very festive... Oh!"
Drakken was nudged by Shego and he followed her wide eyed motion over to where he saw Cleopatra walking past them. Drakken was confused to see the villainess there considering the last he'd heard of her. He assumed Shego was indicating to that but then he watched her gesture to her outfit and to Cleopatra. He nodded in understanding why she was probably in attendance. Their attention turned back to Duff who gave them a confused look.
"All this decoration and...glamour...doesn't seem too Motor Ed." Shego nudged Drakken who was wondering the same. "Does it?"
"I mean. He liked Christmas growing up...but mostly presents," replied Drakken.
"Ay. It's a bit classier than I'd thought he'd throw," responded Duff as he looked around.
"Maybe he's...growing up?" shrugged Drakken. Though the idea was almost laughable.
"All right my villainous companions. Seriously, it's time for some party games!" said Ed as he walked through his Christmas tree forest.
Drakken and Shego looked towards the host of the party. Neither had seen him up to that point and Drakken sighed and shook his head. Ed was dressed up as much as Ed could ever be. It was a very nice button up attire and jeans...with a festive plaid blazer with sequin green collar. Very professional and party, save for one aspect: he'd ripped the sleeves off both his button up shirt and blazer.
"Whoo!" came Adrena from where she leaned in the sleigh. Lucre looked suddenly nervous as he went to get off the reindeer.
"Seriously. Spin the bottle!" grinned Ed as he held up a partially filled bottle. "Seriously!"
"There it is," smirked Shego as Ed made an electric guitar motion.
"That's more Eddie," agreed Drakken. "He can't be serious. We are all adults—"
"Did someone say spin the bottle?" called Dementor from the drink table.
"I love this game!" cheered Lucre.
"Heck yeah!" said Ed, he walked towards them. "Cuz. Green. You made it... Why are you wearing matching outfits, seriously?"
"We're not..." Shego began.
They looked at their outfits. It hadn't dawned on either when they'd stolen them or when they'd gotten ready before coming...they in fact looked like they were intended to be worn next to each other. Drakken saw Duff hiding a smirk as Monkey Fist reached them.
"You didn't plan this?" asked Monkey Fist as he waved his hand at them. "How awkward. Between us...tell everyone you did."
"Thanks for the advice," said Shego as the two followed Ed. "Like I'm about to take advice from a person called Monkey Fist."
"I can't believe everyone is going along with this game," scoffed Drakken as the majority followed Ed up metal stairs to a landing above the party area.
"Me neither," said Shego. "Come on before they take the good spots."
Drakken thought she was joking until she grabbed his hand and began dragging him towards the metal stairs. He still thought she was kidding until the grip on his hand tightened and they got half way up the steps.
"You can't be serious, Shego. I have no desire to play this game," whined Drakken. He continued following her up the steps.
"Oh loosen up. It's just a kissing game," sighed Shego. "It's just jokes and fun."
"You would know about that," muttered Drakken. He internally yelled at himself as his mind flew back to the previous holiday's kiss.
"What?" asked Shego. Drakken swallowed hard. "Fun? Yeah...yeah I would. Now come on."
They reached the landing where everyone had gathered in a circle around the bottle. More bottles of alcohol were up there on ice. Clearly this had been a plan and not spur of the moment.
"Do I have a choice?" grumbled Drakken as Shego pushed him towards the circle.
"Nope," grinned Shego.
Spin this Way →
