if i think i can figure things out, is that curiosity or arrogance?

Fine. He'd just ask Ender to play sometime. And, of course, live to regret it.

Then the idea of Peter drinking hit him, and Topher snorted. "Yes! We have to! And you can try those jello thingies!"

And that tattoo thingy! Or maybe that was just him.

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Oh, come on, guys. You couldn't say you didn't see this one coming.

"I don't drink, either. Bad for the brain."

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"Peter, you're such a middle-aged geek, I swear. Come on. Take one night out of your life to do something teenagery and fun," Kenzi said in exasperation. Or come along to watch Topher get drunk!"

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Topher considered threatening withholding geek services, but remembered how well that had worked for him last time.

Instead, he just decided to caution Peter, "It's better if you plan it than if she tricks you into it."

What a surprising display of insight!

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"Not everyone is you, Topher," Peter reminded him. "Look, I hope you guys have the best time of your lives doing things that are teenagery and fun. I just don't want to get too distracted."

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"From what? School's always going to be there. In fact, with time travel, you can take as long as you want to get it perfect," Kenzi said, bemused. "Politics will always be there too. Maybe not exactly the same, but..."

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"It's not like doing something fun once will completely wreck your career plan," Topher added. "'sides, you're already smart. 's not like you have to work hard or anything."

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"When you're smart," Peter said, "You have to work even harder than anyone else to get something real done."

But that came a bit too close, so he turned back to Kenzi. "Look, I've had my wild days in the past, but not anymore. I'm not a drinker."

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"What did you do on your wild days?" There's a knock at the door, and Kenzi drips her way over to let room service in, two trays worth. She extracts money from Topher's wallet to tip them. Serve him right. "Thanks guys!"

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"He never got his chest waxed," Topher shared helpfully.

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"Because only idiots get their chest waxed."

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"You got your chest waxed?" Kenzi already has an onion ring in her mouth, and she almost chokes, laughing. "Why why why wasn't I there with a camera?" She throws a doughnut at Peter. Just for fun.

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"I did not say that!" Topher insisted, holding up both hands. "And there is nothing wrong with it. Or... getting your legs waxed. It's FINE."

It wasn't fine.

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Peter snickered. "It is not 'fine'," he said. "Girls get their legs waxed, if they're concerned about that kind of thing. Bodybuilders. Actors who do nude scenes."

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"Swimmers," Kenzi contributed. "And can I say 'ow'? Shaving's good enough for me." TMIwhat? "Also now I have this image of fuzzy carpet being removed in strips. Probably from working at the site."

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"That was Tony," Topher interjected. "Ben and I just got our chests done." Topher snapped his fingers in triumph. "See? Ender likes it!"

Ender probably didn't like it.

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"Thought you didn't like Ender," Peter said idly. "And Kenzi? Nobody here needs to know about your carpet."

Thanks, Peter.

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"Nobody here ever will know, 'cept me," Kenzi returned, unfazed. Then threw a pillow at his head, to follow-up the doughnut. "I'll be sure and ask Tony to take his shirt off to show off, the next time I see him."

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"Carp... oh! Oh, ew." Topher gagged loudly, repulsed.

Once that display of maturity was over, he corrected her, "You mean pants. 'Cause... legs. Which might be weird."

But possibly dare-worthy!

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Peter dodged the pillow... let's say semi-successfully. That was a good estimation.

"Oh, so this was all about getting Tony's pants off," Peter said, "Now I'm getting it a little better."

And Kenzi was getting a pillow in the face, if his aim was true.

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Kenzi managed to dodge most of it, but the giggling meant Peter still caught the top of her head.

"Okaaaay, yes, much clearer now!" Heeee. Kenzi retrieved the pillow, grin on her face. "You're sneakier than I gave you credit for, Topher."

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