The Miscreants of Xiphoid Camp [NOT UPDATING CURRENTLY]

» 2131 « Chapter 21 - On families and demons

"What are we to each other?" Bradley asked one evening as he slid from Todd's bed onto the floor.

"That's a broad question," James remarked, sliding down beside him. Those two had been just about joined at the hip lately. It was strange.

"Okay, well, I need to know, because the winter rankings start back up in two days and we still don't have a campaign,"

"They're still doing the winter rankings? Wow," James said in disbelief.

"What're the winter rankings?" Avior asked. Nobody told him there were more rankings! What was this atrocity?

"They're like the summer rankings, except they're an election and everyone votes which cabin gets top spot. It probably won't be us, thanks to CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS THAT WILL REMAIN NAMELESS," Marcus explained.

Marcus was definitely talking about Avior. That was unkind of him. Avior had been sweet and good ever since the start of the session.

"We're a family, of course," Todd said.

"A family?" Bradley's brow furrowed.

"Yeah. You and James are the parents, Nicky, Vivi, and Marcus are your kids, and I'm the awesome uncle,"

"My uncle is clinically insane," Avior said, which was actually a very true statement. Uncle Lennart was knitting with only one needle, and had been for a while now.

"Thank you for sharing, Vivi," James said.

"I like this family idea," Nicolas said, joining the conversation. "It has real potential. Who doesn't love good old-fashioned comradery? All for one and one for all and all that,"

"It's terrible. And cringeworthy. And unoriginal. And boring. And stupid. And—"

"That's enough, Vivi. Adults are talking," Todd said.

"You sound like my stepmother," Avior muttered.

"I'm not your mother. Bradley is." Todd grinned.

"Why can't we just have two fathers?" Marcus suggested.

"What a clever idea!" James pointed at Marcus. "New favorite son!"

Marcus preened.

"WHAT?!" Avior and Nicolas yelled in unison.

"In fact," James began, "number two and number three," he said, pointing at Nicolas and Avior respectively.

"That's SO unfair!" Avior protested.

James narrowed his eyes. "Four," he said.

"You can't DO that!"

"Five."

Avior gaped. "There's only THREE of us!"

"Do you want to be number six?"

"No,"

"I didn't think so,"

"Hello, Bradley,"

"Wha—Nicolas, why are you still awake? Jeez, you scared me. It's dark in here,"

"Why are you still awake?"

"Couldn't sleep. Figured I might as well make sure everyone's okay,"

"You watch us sleep?"

"No!"

"Save it. I know you were going to go sleep in James's bed. I know all about that,"

"You do?"

"Yup. Don't worry, I won't say anything,"