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The Valentine's Dance is being held in the Gym.  It's been closed all Friday for decorating, with members of the dance committee running around in a near panic getting everything organized and put together. 

Dave has agreed to drive people to and from that need a ride, and has forgone VanGo for a Lincoln Town Car. 

OOC: If you want a thread for you and your date to talk in, then I will do 57-14-X threads for that.  If Cassie doesn't feel that she could participate to the fullest we can have her struck down with the same flu bug that Rhys had.  (Maybe he has been in the girl's shower?) and Donnie can go Stag.  Any questions post them in the Chapter heading thread.

Other than a brief moment to prove to him that she has safely returned, Sammy stays out of El's way during the day; she's disrupted things enough.  She gets ready for the dance, first putting on the costume then applying stage makeup in a very intricate design around her eyes, cheeks, and mouth.  It has the desired effect of making her look not quite human, somewhat 'otherworldly', yet still very much herself.  Her now golden hair shimmers beneath a thin veil dotted with small clear cut crystals which catch the light and sparkle as her head moves.  All in all she's quite pleased with the overall effect.

[Can we assume for now that Sylvia's sick?  Maybe growing scales and webbed hands as her hitherto unbeknownst proto-Atlantean blood reacts to the mutagen?

I am so joking, D!

She might show up soon, but I need to confirm with some people that it's okay for me to come home.]

She’s wearing a sleeveless sheath dress that falls to her lower thighs; the flowing deep blue fabric shimmers at her slightest motion.  She’s taking a chance, exposing that much leg to the world, considering her ill luck with runs in her stockings, but it does provide an illusion of height.   Laney’s aunt had taken charge of her makeup, concentrating on enhancing the girl’s eyes, forgoing lipstick in favor of clear gloss as a lesser disaster risk.   With her hair pinned up, wearing those deadly high heels, the only things missing were a cigarette case and a knife strapped to her thigh.   This was the opinion of her uncle, a fan of James Bond movies, when he surveyed the ensemble earlier.

As usual, Laney’s relatives anticipate her misfortunes better than Laney herself.  Jean has the girl bundled into her long, black wool coat before the Elliotts arrive, to minimize the likelihood of spills or tears.  Though she had forbidden Laney to eat, drink, or even go near the kitchen once dressed, the aunt was taking no chances.

Jean also insists on introducing herself to John’s father, even if she has to walk down to the curb and shake his hand through a car window.  Laney politely thanks Mr. Elliott for the ride and smiles shyly at John as she slides into the vehicle.



So dramatically different from the fuzzy-haired, cringing creature known to her classmates, Laney could not have disguised herself better if she had worn a mask.

John and his father come to the door of the house.  John's father makes a point of introducing himself, and shaking hands.  John wears a suit, dark blue.  His shirt is blue, and his tie is the same.  His normal mop of hair has been slicked down, and he too looks very different.

Dad drops them off at the dance, and tells John to call if he wants a ride.

"You look nice."  John says after his dad pulls away.

Precisely the same shade of blue.

She'd noticed and made no comment on the way here. 
He made her laugh last night and joke about the source of these coincidences, and she felt better.  A change, but a good one.   Laney is cautiously optimistic that her problems won't ruin the evening; this will be fun.  Her smile now has nothing to do with his compliment.

Nor does her reply have anything to do with his attire.   She steps close enough that her arm brushes his sleeve, anticipating the need for a lead, as they were about to entire a crowded area.  Before the environment pulls them apart, one way or another, Laney looks steadily up at John with that blissful smile and whispers, "So do you."

Since it makes sense that everybody in the Court should enter the party together, and since El is busy playing party planner, Sammy gets a ride with Dave and finds others already waiting in the designated meeting place.  She stands around chatting idly with some of her friends as she waits for Elrod and for Nick to appear.

Elrod arrives, there is something about him when he plays dress up.  Some glimpse of the man he will grow up to be.  He sweeps her into his arms, kissing the tip of her nose.  "You had me a little worried."  he says in a whisper.  "You look fabulous by the way."  He adds in his regular voice.

Nick arrives a few seconds later.  He's had his face done in black and white in a pattern that matches his costume.  He taps Elrod on the shoulder, "My turn."  he says.  Elrod moves, thinking that Nick will hug Sammy, and is greeted with a kiss from Nick, a ridiculous giggle, and then a bow.  "Showtime!"  he says, and makes for the doors.  Looking back he smiles.  "Smiles everyone, smiles."  he says, the accent is obviously an imitation of someone, and then he throws the doors open.  He strides into the hall, and begins to trumpet the arrival of the royal court with a Kazoo.

Laney hears a kazoo in the distance and winces.  Her smile for John goes a little crooked.

"This is going to be weird, isn't it?"

"Welcome to Oak Park High."  he says with a smile.

"What a perfect fool." Sammy laughs.  "But I can't blame him for kissing you.  You're extra yummy tonight."  She wraps her arm around Elrod's arm.  "I'm sorry.  For everything.  Maybe one day I won't be so much of an idiot.  That would make my dad a happy man."

"So long as you're happy you can be as big an idiot as you like."  Elrod says as the procession moves into the gym.

The band kids begin to play, and drown out the Kazoo, which only gives Nick the chance to try acrobatics.  He's bad, but his physical comedy skills are good.  He manages to get in the way of the acrobats and never foul them, even though it looks like he might get killed any second.

Principal Landis takes the stage and calls for everyone's attention once the Valentine Court have arrived at their thrones.  "May I have your attention please.  I would like to thank all the members of the dance committee for their efforts, and all those people who made sacrifices to make this dance possible.  We are expecting some live music in a few minutes, until then our very own Logan Darklighter will be playing DJ for us.  And later in the evening we will be crowning the Valentine King and Queen.  You can text your vote for King to nine-eight-nine-nine.  Votes for Queen go to nine-eight-nine-zero or see any teacher or myself to vote.  You can vote for anyone, but you can only vote once.  Those numbers will be up on signs around the gym.  I hope you all have a wonderful time.  Mr. Darklighter, if you please?"

Music begins to come from the sound system, and people start to move towards the dance floor and conversation picks up.

She says, so quietly that the kazoo and the band might just drown it out, "My idiocy usually seems to go with unhappiness."


"I promised you at least one dance, didn't I?  Come on," Sammy says.  As they start to dance, she looks up at Elrod.  "So who's the winner for king and queen tonight?  Did you put the fix in yet?"

"Not yet.  The floor is still pretty much wide open."  he says as they move around the dance floor.  "Dave said he could muster the voting minions, and Logan said if we needed to we could hack the system to decide the winner."

"Why would we need to, unless its to keep you and me from winning; you said that wasn't allowed."  She laughs and grins.  "Maybe we should get the minions to pick Logan, so that he hacks the vote, just to see who he picks, or vice versa -- let Dave think he's winning and see which way he pushes the minions."  She spins so that her gown flares out and her hair looks all sparkly.  "You're the real king anyway.  All this other stuff is just for show."

"Dave and Logan both agreed to not win.  So we'll think of something."  he says, moving with her.  "And, for the record.  I'd have skipped the dance so we could sit on a blanket on the beach in our parkas, so long as it was together."

"We could do that," she says.  "We could do that in about 15 minutes, 30 if we stop for hot dogs, hot chocolate, a sleeping bag and a tent.  I've never taken you to my island.  Some sand, rocks, and driftwood, a fire pit, not much else, and nothing but wind and water for a long ways around it.  Say the word, my king, and the windy, freezing cold island adventure is yours.  I'm only here because you wanted a party, and I wanted to be where you were.  Costumes, makeup, music, court, its all for you."  She stops and points to the court jester with her eyes.  "You'll have to give Nick a proper kiss goodnight, because he might cry himself to sleep if you leave without saying goodbye, but other than that, you're the only thing keeping us here."

"I'll let you know."  he says, kissing her softly.

A few minutes later the stage is being set upo, and about five minutes after that the band takes the stage.  They begin to play a mix of stuff.  Plenty that can be danced to, some fast, some slow.

Logan dances with his date.  Dave arrives with Lisa and they dance some as well.

Refreshments are set up, and everyone seems to be having a good time.

Someone is dressed in a shining armor set, with a helm that covers his face completely. It looks very realistic, and he bows stiffly to the courtly ladies passing nearby.

Sam returns the kiss. "You do that."


The band is reviewed, and passes inspection.  "Good band choice."

"I thought they'd be a good opening act."  he says, finding them some drinks.  "I like the look by the way.  Not that I don't like the non-dressed up you, but the Samantha from another world look is cool."  he says handing her a cup and getting one for himself. 

John watches people dance for a while, then takes Laney by the hand, leading her to the dance floor.  "Asking would make you think, thinking is bad."  he says, sweeping her into his arms as they begin to dance to a slow song.  "Just relax, and dance."  he says with a smile.

Her arm lightly brushed his, and sometimes her hand reached out, just a feathery touch at his fingertips; sometimes she was jostled against him by the crowd and remained pressed there.   Like she had done that night outside the library, Laney kept contact with John while they waded through costumed faces and greetings.  Wanting very much to remain earthbound, normal, and close, she was trying not to lock up and to enjoy the event without complaint, without the headaches and without the...accidents. 

Laney was evaluating the music and had been listening with a strange expression on her face, listening so intently that John's move surprised her.  Asking...thinking...Her brain began rabidly working on a translation for his comment.  Until he smiled and embraced her, and they were dancing.

She's immediately entranced, the world a blur of rhythm and color.  John was the only person she trusted to guide them both through this chaos.  And if he couldn't...if he was overwhelmed first...maybe...maybe she would rescue him, instead.  And that would be something.

She dimples up at him.  "I like it too.  Maybe I'll use it this summer when we tour.  It can be my stage face."  She takes a sip.  "Want to stand and watch or wander around and mingle?  Its your party."


Sammy spots the knight bowing in her direction, and she curtseys back.

"It's not my party.  Not this time.  This time it's Oak Park's party."  he says, and they begin to mingle through the crowd.



John is not a talkative dance partner.  Too much of his attention is diverted to making sure he doesn't step on his partner, and also seems to move when people bump into him.  Anyone who has stood wrapped in his arms knows very few people could move him with a casual bump, but he is ever vigilant for those so that he can react to them.

The band plays plenty of music to dance to.  Close dancing and the semi-spastic types of dancing that teenagers are known for.  Logan and his date are on the dance floor when he's not being DJ during the bands breaks.  Dave and Lisa move around, Lisa touching base with people and Dave dutifully moving along with her.  He looks like a cross between a date and a bodyguard.  Rob and Greg are in attendance.  Greg is technically in the company of the drama gang, including Sylvia's sister, which is on his arm like a date.  Rob dances with a few of the other drama girls, and has one that tends to be on his arm or in the chair next to him during the times they aren't on the dance floor.

A stately looking couple enter the room, the male in a dashing tux complete with top hat and opera cape, with his companion dressed in a close-fitting eveing dress and long gloves. I takes a moment for those familiar with them to recognize them as Rhys and Alicia.

The moment they enter and can hear the music, Alicia begins tugging Rhys to the dance floor.

In this place, manuevering to the edge of the scene for both their sakes would be fruitless; it's probable Laney would be wandering up to the roof if left to her own devices.   She doesn't speak at all, not to John or anyone else, not even when they pause for refreshments.  One would normally assume this is because, with hundreds of teenagers, in a room blasting music, no conversation can be had.  Between pleased giggling at the amazing costumes she encounters and playful glances up at John, during lulls between songs Laney communicates well enough.

Sammy finds herself among some of her band friends and chats amiably with them.  She wrongly guesses the answer to some trivia question, and is led away from her buddies to dance with the guy who baffled her, despite her false protests of "no fair!" and begging El or anybody to rescue her from this cruel, cruel fate.  The crystals on the veil pinned to her hair sparkle brightly as she dances and laughingly cries for mercy for her poor abused toes.  A few "rescuers" emerge from the band's ranks, and she finds herself being passed from one dance partner to another as they "save" her from the dreaded Rhythmless Toe Stomping Monster with Two Left Feet.

Laughing, Rhys accompanies Alicia to the dance floor.

"See? Not so scary as all that. I would say let yourself go, but I really don't think everybody here is ready for that just yet!"

Sylvia sits invisibly on the DJ stand.  She's made her token appearance as part of Sammy's court, but now she's looking out over the crowd, compulsively checking the exits and windows, and waiting for Donnie to come back with her punch.

When her gaze drifts out over the crowd, she doesn't look at the costumes or listen to the music.  She scans instead for malice or mischief or even abnormal detachment--like her own.  "Logan?" she asks when they have a moment.  "You didn't see any weird attachments when you were checking the sound system, right?"

"Nope."  he replies as he queues up the next song.  "Mr. Heep asked me to look over a home made ground loop isolator though.  Not hard to figure out where he got it and why."  He triggers the next song to begin as the current one fades.  "Poor solder joints, and cheap parts.  I did take the liberty of testing it at the college though.  Simple happenstance, what happened."  He turns to look at her.  "The feedback noise from the air conditioners set up a harmonic in the box.  That's what caused those people to cry.  The box essentially made a noise that triggered a biological response in people.  Fascinating, but probably not intentional.  I donated a much better one to the college, and cleared up the misunderstanding about the one Colin appropriated."  He smiles and waves to someone, then looks back at her, "Would it be too much to ask of you to save a dance for me tonight?"

Alicia sticks her tongue out at him with a grin and continues pulling Rhys into the throng.

Once they reach an open spot, she positions herself, one hand up and the other at waist high. She cocks one leg slightly, her foot en pointe. She purrs to him with lidded eyes, "Care for a waltz?"

The thing is, while the music playing is by no means a waltz, it does carry a close enough rythm.

"My lady, I would be delighted."

Rhys knows no more than the basic step, which he sort of fumbles through, but at least he's making an effort...

"If your date doesn't mind," Sylvia says.  She doesn't mention Donnie, but maybe her reflexive misgivings show on her face.

"You're in tight with Mr. Heep," she observes.  "What do you know about Mr. Hamilton?"

Alicia adjusts to Rhys's motions, so that every misstep becomes just a shift to another move, as smooth as possible. She face is aglow with pleasure, yellow-green eyes shining, focused entirely on him.

Sammy is danced to within speaking distance of Alicia and Rhys.  "Hi guys!" she exclaims.  "Having fun?"

"I think she can grant the girl that introduced us a dance, she doesn't seem that predatory."  If the word seemed insensitive, considering Donnie and Sylvia's relationship Logan doesn't seem to notice.  And knowing him it was entirely deliberate.


"Tight?  I've had two of his classes, and he's the faculty sponsor fo ra few clubs I'm in.  He knows I know sound equipment, so he asked.  He's probably unaware of my connection to you guys, so it's not likely he realized I'd know the source of the box."

Sammy gets a smile from Alicia as an answer. It comes across much more radiant without her shades in the way. She looks the way Sammy feels when she's flying.

"Hamilton," Sylvia overenunciates.  "AP Chem.  Have you had classes with him?"

Donnie, a mirror to Colin in his Knight outfit as they preceded the court into the gymnasium as 'palace guards', comes clanking gently back to the stands, trying to remember where Sylvia was sitting. Eyes carefully watching Logan, he sees the teenager talking to no one and deduces where Sylvia might have ensconced herself. He makes his way up the bleachers, carefully balancing a plate of veggies and two cups of frothy pink punch.

Not an easy thing to do while wearing armor and a real broadsword at his side. There was some concern at the entrance when one of the French teachers raised a fuss about carrying real weaponry into a school dance, but a little glamour on Donnie's sword and a thwack against Nick with Colin's foam sword showed the teacher there was nothing to worry about.

Heh.

The Minions Of Dave had really done some fantastic work in their shop classes over the last week, banging out a number of tin breastplates and helmets for use in the costumes. Of course they were required to donate all the armor and stuff to the drama club for future plays, but no one minded, since it was all being paid for by the school and a donation from the Janush Party Foundation.

Donnie wobbled a bit as he neared the top of the stairs next to the riser where Logan had set up his DJ station. "Hey Logan," Donnie says, voice even and muffled in the helmet. "Have you seen Sylvia?"

Logan nods to a spot of empty nearby.  "Nice costume."  he says to Donnie as he makes a minor adjustment to the audio.


"And to answer her question, I've never had any classes with Hamilton.  He's only been a teacher here two years though."

A thought breaks through Alicia's nirvana. She frowns slightly and whispers to Rhys, "Follow my lead."

She leads the two of them back to within speaking distance of Sammy. As she twirls to place herself next to her frend, Alicia looks searchingly into Sammy's face and asks, "Are things... all right with you?"

Although Sammy offers a nonchalant, "You mean because of last night? I'm okay.  El looked after me", Alicia's words trigger a furtive glance and a narrowing of eyes in John's direction, betraying both the existance and the source of Sammy's lingering discomfort.  She never said why she took off, just that she had already gone far away.

Alicia catches the gesture and arches an eyebrow. She shakes her finger at Sammy, "Remember, we talk later. But for now..." She finishes the sentence with a musical laugh and, with a whoop, twirls away, Rhys in tow.

Sammy starts making her way back to where she last saw El, but stops en route to laugh at something Nick is doing.

Nick bends over so that he can see Sammy between his legs.  "Ah, your highness, I was just going to come and find you."  He says, walking backwards towards her, still bend over.  The stiff legged wobble causing a few more laughs.  He pops upright and spins towards her, ending in a deep bow.  "Might I have this dance?"

The DJ spins up another song and the curtain is closed on the stage while the bands change.

John guides Laney through a few dances, then they make their way to a table and he brings them some punch.  "Here, it must be hot."  he says handing her a drink, then sitting down to enjoy his.

Sammy gladly dances with him.  "I couldn't have chosen a better Fool," Sammy smiles.  "Having a good time tonight?"

"I'm having a marvelous time.  And you, are you having a good time?  And, might I also add you look wonderlous in that costume and the hair and the makeup.  It's all quiet.....I'll find the perfect adjective someday."

Very warm but dressed for it and not uncomfortable, Laney gratefully gulps down the sugary drink anyway.  A case of nerves earlier limited how much food she could tolerate at dinner.  She can't rest her feet flat on the floor (she's too short) so her legs are merrily swinging while she sits beside John.  She doesn't quite fit the part of a Bond Girl, especially not with that goofy grin on her punch-stained pink lips. 

Looking at the room from this new perspective has Laney's eyes wide and in constant motion, as if she were trying to see everything at once.  And there is an eerie split-second, when those same eyes fix on John, that he can see the room reflected in crystal detail.  Only it isn't the room the girl is facing in front of her; he's not there.  It's the room behind her.  The illusion is gone in a blink, literally.   Funny what tricks artificial lights can play on one's sight.

Sammy laughs.  "That's ok.  I can wait for the right word to reveal itself to you.  It might be easier for you to describe my overwhelming awesometudinousness if you give my nose back from yesterday; not seeing it on my face, where it belongs, is probably throwing you off your game."

"Probably."  he says, and then he kisses her.  It doesn't linger too long, but long enough to make them both warm.  "There you go.  Nose all back in place, and perfectilicious."  He smiles and licks his lips, "You taste like punch.  I should get some more.  Want some?"

"Sure," she says.  "I'll walk with you."  She takes a few steps, then seemingly out of nowhere says "I'm glad you're in my life.  I don't want you to have to guess if that's true.  I know things are not ordinary, strange even, but," she shrugs, "I'm glad for your part of the strangeness."

Nick smiles, "I'm glad your the source of the strange."  he says, taking her to get some punch.

Principal Landis takes the stage, and manages to get through the curtain with a mic.  "Ladies and gentleman, I'm proud to present a band I know nothing about."  The mood wins him some laughter for his efforts.  "The All-American Rejects."  And the curtain goes back, and Principal Landis hands the mic to the young man at the front, who replaces it in the mic stand.  And they begin to play.

As she stands in the punch line with Nick, Sammy lets herself flow into the music a little bit and the wait goes by quickly.  "Want to sit down for a while?" she asks.  "I could use a little break."

"Me too.  These bells are starting to drive me battier than usual."  he says, and the pair find a place to sit down.  "Jester work must have been really hot.  Of course, when Jesters were in vogue there wasn't much in the way of central air either so I guess staying warm was a plus."

The girl that was helping with refreshments, and helped Donnie not fill his boot with punch, brings some plates with assorted snacks to some tables.  she's dressed as a cigarette girl from the forties and plays the part up as she moves around offering treats.

Lisa and Dave spend some time on the dance floor, and then she makes another batch of rounds to see people.

Elrod makes the rounds as well, and does his best to get the other members of the dance committee to actually enjoy the dance they worked so hard to put together.

Logan excuses himself to spend some time with his date.  The two of them seem to be having a good time, and they manage to dance to a few songs when the band is really rocking.

John takes Laney out onto the dance floor a few more times, and she's swept away from him a few times by some of the drama club guys.  Those that didn't become part of the Love court chose to wear suits and all pretend to be assorted movie stars from the past.  She dances with Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, and William Powell in the course of about thirty minutes.

The question starts to circulate in whispers if it would be okay if Principal Landis and his wife were elected Valentine King and Queen.

"I can help with that."  She reaches over and takes the cap off his head, laying it down neatly on the table.  She wraps a napkin around a cold cup of punch and absorbs its condensation, and uses it to wipe some perspiration from his brow.
She leans in close as if to better reach the area around his forehead and whispers, "There are advantages to hanging around with an airhead."

At that point, a gentle cooling breeze finds its way to Nick.  "I can do this all night if you need it.  Say the word and I'll whistle up a wind for you."



Sammy smiles encouragingly and gives him a thumbs up as he drags some of them out onto the dance floor.


(to Dave) mr and mrs L 4 king & queen ok w me.  rock the vote!

Nick breaths a sigh as the cool air blows over him.  "It's okay that I totally don't understand our relationship, right?"  He pulls open his collar to let some cool air into his top.  "Just so you know, I'm really happy around you.  You're like a fountain of buzzy happiness.  Is that corny?"




Elrod gives her a wink and smile from across the room as he exercises his dance muscles, which aren't entirely bad.



Dave gives her a nod from the dance floor, then a nod to Logan.  Logan disengages himself from his date and goes to talk to a few people.  Dave finishes his dance with Lisa and excuses himself to circulate as well.  Everywhere the two boys go mobile phones come out and votes are cast.

Dave makes the rounds to all the Usual Suspects to let them know there is an effort to vote Principal Landis and his wife in as Valentine King and Queen.

Even the idea of being up on a stage with so many faces staring at her makes Laney anxious.  Surely there was a time, not long ago, when she enjoyed such games and contests, but she is no longer that person.  Speculations about a King and Queen are met with a blank stare.

The music, now, that she enjoys.  It provides a kind of freedom from the crowds, while she's paradoxically immersed in them.  She doesn't skip a beat, pardon the pun, switching partners mid-song; and there are a few times she incorporates multiple dancers into her configuration, fluidly weaving between them in an exhilarating evolution.  

In the girl's own whimsical way, she's able to mimic real and choreographed steps she's seen from movies and shows with her "famous" partners - when they encourage her to do so.  These are drama students we're talking about, after all.  Probably just the fox-trot, maybe a tango or swing.

Always, when the music ends, Laney is left swaying slightly, looking disoriented and lost as if she'd just woken from a dream.  Chances are she won't remember who it was she danced with.

Alicia stays on the dance floor, her moves shifting fluidly with the changes in rhythms. During each break, she looks at Rhys with a mischievious grin. "Had enough, loverboy?"

She seems willing to spend the whole night dancing, despite the signs that it's wearing her down, too.

Sammy takes his hand.  "No.  Not at all.  And I totally don't understand us, or me, either."  She gnaws at her bottom lip and looks at him kind of seriously.  "I kind of know what I want, and what... responsibilities I have.  I need you to tell me what you want.  We can work it from there.  Sometimes I'm going to be yours.  Sometimes I'm not.  Sometimes I'm not going to be anybody's but my own.  If you can live with that... I'd like to at least give it a try."  She smiles.


She waves and tries to look like a grand dame surveying the antics of the assembled masses.

Rhys gives as good as he gets, keeping up with her throughout the evening.

"Not yet; maybe not ever!"

Sylvia utters a rich, slightly diabolical laugh at the thought.  She begins to amuse herself by psyching up the crowd--rocking the vote, as it were.

Alicia catches eye of Laney dancing with one of the drama club guys. Her eyes narrow and her lips thin slightly.

She repositions herself in a clinch with Rhys, one leg up in classic salsa fashion. "You asked for it. Round 2!" And they're off.

Before, it was obvious she was dancing for the pleasure of dancing. Now it's just as obvious she's dancing to grab the attention of everyone else there. She's careful to keep the moves within the boundaries set by the school authorities, but there's no doubt she's giving the crowd a show.

Her hair becomes a bit disheveled. Her eyes flash wildly and her mouth is stretched in a feral grin. She looks like she's in some fugue state. not truly conscious of her surroundings. Her steps are still sure and her moves smooth, though.

"So, the señorita likes it a little caliente, eh? Well, I think we can work with that..."

Rhys gets into the act, too. At some point in the evening - no one could say for sure exactly when - he managed to "lose" the cape, top hat and gloves. Now that Alicia is going in a more latin direction, his pants have gotten a little tighter, the cummerband has become a red silk sash, and somehow the tuxedo tail coat has managed to lose its tails. When he pulls her close, she sees that his complexion has darkened a little, and a stereotypical "latin lover" pencil mustache now adorns his upper lip.

As the Lady surveys the peasantry, she notices that Alicia seems to be settling something Brooklyn style -- with a dance off!  and the take-down target is... oh.  Oh my.  The girl with the competing sheath dress.

She stands to watch.  Then she turns to Nick with an evil grin on her face.  "'scuse me, I have to go fix the results of a dance off, or at least make it interesting." She hikes up her long skirts and runs to the stage.  She catches the attention of the guy who seems to be in charge of the band and points out the budding dance off.  "Fast dance music," she says.  "Something that could be used to dance the socks off the devil himself.  Can you do it?  Do you need help?"

At one point, as the couple is in a tight clinch, Alicia whispers in Rhys's ear. "I think this is a good time to tell you. I'm not wearing any underwear."

She gives his ear a quick playful bite and spins away.

"I don't have a clue what I want.  I have things I'm going to shoot for, and if along the way we get to be we sometimes, I think I can live with that.  But, the serious thing, it needs to wait until another night."  he smiles, "It's a Valentine's Day dance, only smiles and heart shaped sugary treats tonight.  Tomorrow we can be all serious."

"Weeeeell," she says tentatively, "would it help if I said I was aiming more for something like 'I want to eat lunch with Sammy sometimes' or 'I'm going to do live mic night at schmo's, and it'd be cool if she came to support me when I do stuff like that' or 'it'd be nice if she'd go out with me, just me, once in a while'.  Nothing more serious than that.  And sometimes I'll be available, and sometimes I won't, and sometimes you won't know what I'm doing because I've run away to Washington.  That's all."

As the motion of the dance pulls them together again, Rhys whispers back "Neither am I," and laughs.

Donnie sits next to Sylvia, munching on a stalk of raw broccoli and watching the dance off between Alicia and (surprisingly!) Laney.

He sighs.

"So. After the dance off, do you want to take a spin on the dance floor, or just sit up here? We could talk about Hamilton. Or not. Whatever you want."

"That's great."  Nick says, leaning against her for a few seconds.  "And now, back to work."  he says, getting up and putting his hat back on.  "There are people that need to be jested."  He leans down and kisses her, and then bounds off.


Sometimes she is pulled into another dance immediately.  Sometimes she's left alone.  If she's left alone it's not for long, John arriving to guide her off the dance floor to a chair.  Greg finds her at one point to dance with her and talk lightly about getting her involved in some of the drama club projects.

As Nick bounds off into the crowd, Sammy hears John's voice, "Can I have the next dance?"  and he comes around into her field of vision.

The cute cigarette girl comes over to where Donnie is sitting, "Hey, if that Donnie under there?" 

OOC: Donnie make an Int check DC 12

With an enrollment of over three thousand students at this high school, if Laney were aware of an audience this joyful diversion would become a nightmare.  Fortunately, she is not.

Demanding strains of music, a willing and responsive partner, and her own uncanny grace and innate sense of timing.  Laney remains engaged until she can no longer complete the pattern for lack of an element.




Her attention is such that Greg has difficulty conversing, but she is eager to help behind the scenes and curious about their plans.  She apologizes for her distraction and promises to attend their next meeting.

Sammy is a bit startled by his appearance; she was caught up in watching Nick bounce away.  "Um, yeah, I, uh, sure, ok."  She doesn't take his hand, she doesn't touch his arm, she just kind of stands there looking at him, wondering if she's supposed to follow him or lead him out to the dance floor.  This song is about to end, if something slow follows I have to talk, if its fast I have an excuse to just dance, hell he's going to ask about Saturday what am I going to say? just say ok and get it over with the first time is always the worst  She registers where El is, where Nick is, where Colin is, where Alicia is, just in case...  

John reaches out for her hand, and brings her towards the dance floor.  "I'm making you nervous."  he says as they dance.  "But I wanted to dance with you at least once."  The song ends and he doesn't seem to notice the chance of beat, he seems to be looking too intently into her eyes.  "You've been my best friend since I got here, and if I didn't make a point of dancing with my best friend at least once, what kind of friend would I be."


"I don't know.  I like you when you're sort of Spacey Laney as Alicia would say."  Greg comments with a smile.  "Maybe this summer you can help me with a movie.  I tend to make one every summer, no block busters yet but I get some nods from the amateur film festivals which is encouraging.  And, I suppose I should confess that I was hoping you'd go to the movies with me.  So maybe asking when you're distracted is the best thing."  He shakes her a little to make sure she's focused on him and his smile.

Donnie lifts the visor of the help with a squeak of metal on metal. "Uh, yeah?"
1d20+2=11 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1999133/)

"Can you dance in that?" Sylvia asks, but that's when the cigarette girl comes up to talk to Donnie.  Sylvia stays hidden.

Sammy nods mutely and breaks eye contact as inconspicuously as she can.  She stares at his eyebrows instead and thinks of Elrod and of Nick and Realizes Something Important about her and El, her and Nick, and what she got from her and John.  Her glance falls to the space between them, and centers around a button on his shirt.  You talk about not having friends before you came here, about always having to hold something back.  That's why I like to hang around with you.  I never ever feel like I have to hold back with you; with you, I can roll around in my powers like a big old dirty dog rolls around in dead fish.  I can fly with you, go as fast as I want with you, push the edge with you, and it'll be all right.  I don't get that from anybody else, and the best part is, it works both ways.  Worked both ways.  That feels broken now.  Now I have to hold back.  Dylan? if Donnie allows it...

She looks back up.  "Everybody needs a friend like you, John," she murmurs.  "You can claim a spot on my dance card any time you want.  You'll give me pleasant company, and I'll give you a partner whose toes you don't ever have to worry about stepping on."

"Huh? Spacey? Oh. Sure.  I'm not um...really into movies so much. Or theatres. That's it. Theatres. Um...sure. I don't know what help I'd be, though.  She said that?"   Greg is blessed with a confused but amiable smile.

"That's really nice of you to say."  he says softly.  "Thanks."  After the song ends, he lets go of her and moves trough the crowd.


"It's me.  Jessica Sherman."  she says with a smile, "We danced at the wrap party for the winter concert.  We have PE the same period."  She looks around, "Would you like to dance?"


"Jessica?"  Logan says taking a step towards her, and then taking her hand, "How about a dance before the next break and I have to go back to DJing?  Donnie will be here when you get back."  He doesn't give her a chance to say no, and the two head towards the dance floor.  Jessica waves back towards Donnie and giggles,

"Later, okay?"  she says as her and Logan move onto the dance floor.


"It doesn't have to be a movie."  Greg says, "Maybe a concert.  Or a baseball game.  Or we can watch traffic from an overpass."  Greg gives her a twirl and then pulls her back, "Maybe I should be more blunt."  he says smiling at her with his gaze fixed on her eyes.  "I'm interested in you.  I'd like to get to know you and spend time with you.  Clearer?"

Sylvia gives Donnie a raised eyebrow and then searches after Jessica and Logan, contemplating a foray into the cigarette girl's head.  No.  Some boxes are better left unopened, especially when they've got the name 'Pandora' written all over them.  Still, she can't resist playing with Donnie.  "You have PE together?  Methinks you might want to scale back your jock-liness.  That chick was swooning."

Donnie stares open-mouthed at Logan twirling Jessica on the dance floor. "Now I've seen it all. Logan actually prevented a murder! He does care about humanity.."

He shakes his head. "Saved by my greatest opponent for your affection. At least I didn't have to say 'Sorry, I can't dance with you or my invisible girl friend will be mad.'"

"I don't know if I like watching games, now.  I did.  I should find out." 

Laney spins and returns easily into his arms, a miracle her poise in those high heels.  But he entraps her, and there ends the dance.  The conversation proves too much of a distraction. 

She stands perfectly still, transfixed by his gaze, and Greg can see his own image in fine detail in her dark eyes.

"Why?  Oh, I didn't mean - Time?  It's nicer under the bridges where no one can see."

Sylvia laughs, puts her arms around Donnie's neck, and plants a possessive kiss on his cheek.  "Logan's just working to preserve the moral balance by ensuring I don't go over to the dark side.  Besides, I wouldn't kill her.  I'd just change her mind.

"But, really, have you been wearing your gym shorts a size tighter or something?  Who is that girl?"

"Under it is then."  And he pulls her back into the dance.  "And why should be obvious.  But, if it's not."  he twirls her again, pulling her back tight against him and then whispers in her ear, "I think you're cute.  Smart.  Funny.  And slightly deranged.  I like deranged."  And then they go back to moving with the music.

Donnie shrugs. "Jessica something.. She asked me to dance at another dance once. Surely you must realize that because I'm dating a hawt cheerleader, my attractiveness factor automatically gets ratcheted up a couple notches. I'm a hot commodity, and not because I'm baking like a bad brownie in an Easybake Oven in this breastplate. Maybe if you, you know, become visible it might deter the girls from asking me to dance."

He downs the dregs of the pinky punch.

Sammy watches him walk away, then turns and moves briskly in another direction, straight to Elrod.  However Elrod is busy with a girl on the dance committee, a senior who is on every dance committee but never seems to dance, except for right now.  He's dancing with her and she's got a huge smile on her face, talking animatedly and for once enjoying the results of her own hard work.  Who would have guessed she danced so well?  Who'd have guessed she knew how to smile?  Sammy is loathe to steal that moment of happiness away from the other girl.  There, maybe?  Nick is working a small crowd, basking the glow of their admiration, filling them with life and laughter.  He needs that as much as she needs to fly.  Colin is dancing with an Acrobat.  Alicia is working on giving Rhys a night to remember.  Gotta get the cakes from behind the curtain for him and Colin,  not now though.  Donnie is sitting on the stage, talking to an imaginary friend.  Sylvia?  Pip?  Not the time to bug him.  Janie and Heather are dancing...

Sammy diverts from her course and fills one hand with a glass of punch, the other with a napkin full of heart shaped sugar cookies.  She finds a nice cool wall near Nick's performance and plants herself against it, devoting herself to giving him a soft breeze and not flying to Washington.  Maybe I should call Dad and ask him to come and give me a ride home later.  That way he won't have to worry about me getting lost between here and there.

"Relax."  Rob says, stealing one of Sammy's heart shaped cookies.  "You don't have to breath, but you need to remember to breath."  he says looking out over the room and the people.  "If that makes sense."

"Hey, that's mine!"  Sammy smiles, inhales and exhales and starts the motions going.  "Sometimes I forget.  Thanks."  She nibbles the scalloped edge of a cookie, making it even and smooth.  "Why aren't you dancing with that girl who was all over you earlier?  Seems she might have a thing for guys with cheetos stained fingers.  This could be your lucky night."

Laney does not go back to moving for long, not unless some outside force compels her to do so.  If it did, then ignore the following:

She would have willingly allowed Greg to submerge them both into dance again, if she hadn't finally clued into what he was trying to tell her.  

When Greg whispers those last words, Laney twists in his arms and holds him, pressing close that he may hear her reply through the mind-numbing pulse of the music, so close he can feel her warm breath on his skin.

"Thank you.  Sorry. Listen.  Thanks.  I'm sorry.  I never...I was never attracted to a guy before.  I don't know what to do.  Girls are so much easier to understand.  But I am.  Maybe he was just being nice.   Maybe not.  But I wouldn't have come to this dance at all if he hadn't asked me.  It wouldn't be right to lead you on when I'm thinking about someone else.  I'd like to know you better, too, but not... I'm sorry.  I'm a lot of trouble."

"You're the one in the knight costume," Sylvia says.  "Are you asking me to defend your honor?"

Still, she biddably and dramatically taps herself on the nose with her forefinger, and amid a corruscation of multi-colored glitter she reappears.  "Voila.  Visible."  She's wearing the costume she promised Sammy, a patchwork of spandex diamonds in peacock and magenta with a hand-painted half mask.  Sylvia, gymnast and cheerleader, can carry off skin-tight spandex even though she's still working her way up to an A cup.

Donnie grins, eyes roving. "Fantastic! Now people will realize I'm up here with a girl instead of staring longingly at Logan; and yes, it is easier to drive away the hordes of admirerers when you are sitting next to me. Plus, I can appreciate how fantastic you look in spandex instead of using my imagination. Want more punch?"

Sylvia laughs.  "No more punch.  You know how difficult it is to get into and out of a full-body spandex unitard by yourself, especially when it's crunch time in the girls' bathroom?"

She looks out over the crowd.  "You know, no one's attacked anyone yet.  I'm starting to think we may actually have to dance at this dance."

"I'm having a good time, and that's what we're all here for.  No pressure.  No expectations.  Just have a good time."  Rob says as he munches on the pilfered cookie.


"No problem.  I've never really been attracted to a girl before.  Cameras are so much easier to understand.  And, for the record he was being nice, since I don't think John can be anything but nice.  And, we can know each other better.  I still think you're interesting."  he chuckles, "You are a lot of trouble, aren't you?"  he says still smiling.  "You're making it hard to dance though.  We should finish this one or just leave, I'll look silly trying to drag you around the dance floor."

"Oh.  You're right.  Sometimes I forget that too."  A rueful smile appears on her face.  "Want to dance before I forget how to do that as well?"

"Sorry, yes, lots of trouble.  I didn't know I was interesting.  That's a new one.  It's nice to hear you say that.  Thanks.  I broke my camera.  You don't think he likes me?"  a melancholy voice answers Greg.     Laney miserably rests her head on his shoulder and doesn't comment about dancing at all.

"Delighted."  he says, taking her hand and heading to the dance floor.


"Of course he likes you."  Greg says, "I was just stating the other obvious fact.  John is a nice guy."  They stand there for a few moments, not dancing.  "I find it hard to think no one has ever thought you were interesting.  Maybe they just haven't had the chance to tell you.  I'm glad to be among the first." 

"Colin said I was like a flower and John said I was...hard to deal with.  I have to go, now.  Sorry."  Pushing unsteadily away, Laney tries to leave the room, the crowds, the sounds.  She has no idea where she's going.

Sammy dances with Rob, and manages to dance herself into a lighter mood.

The music reaches a turning point and Alicia finally comes down from her dancer's high to realize she's at the very end of her endurance. She shifts a few steps, whispers commandingly to Rhys, "Dip, Now." and finishes the set leaning back, almost horizontal to the floor, saved from gravity's grip by Rhys's strong arms.

She looks up at her lover's face, her chest heaving from the exertion, and thinks, F**k the school policy. She wraps her arms around Rhys's neck, heaves herself up and gives him a deep, satisfying soul kiss.

Rhys returns the kiss, every bit as passionately as Alicia. When they finally break, she can see that his altered appearance is slipping a little and he's starting to look more like himself.

"Thank you. Both for that kiss and for stopping - I was just about to drop. Shall we find a table where we can just sit for a while?"

He's still grinning like a fool, though. He obviously enjoyed the kiss.

Alicia mirrors the grin and answers, panting, "Oh, yes, mi amor." She stands up and exits the dance floor with him.

She pats his shoulder and adds, "Could you get me some punch first, love? I'll go freshen up and meet you there."

She makes her way to the girl's restroom. Once there she slips into the locker room area for some privacy, as the post-adrenaline shakes finally catch up with her and she collapses into a trembling fetal ball.

OOC: And considering Laney's gift for probability, maybe that's where she ends up during her wanderings. ;)

((Funny you should say that.  I was about to double-post our illustrious GM while he was out. ::)  Whether they end up in range of each other, I'd better leave to him.))

Laney disengages from her companion, claiming the need to visit the girl's room if she must.  She wanders far from the dance, into areas normally closed at night, her way only seen by emergency lighting.  On another floor entirely - she could not say what level or even which building - Laney slips into a dark restroom to sponge cold water into a wadded paper towel and hold this to the back of her neck for a minute.  She only needed a moment of peace to untangle herself and rest.  Just a moment.  That someone, even someone who didn't know the depths of her insanity, found her attractive was uplifting.  Now, I'll have to make him see me as "interesting," instead of "hard to deal with."  I can do this.  It can't get any worse, right?

Another time, she might have lingered to savor the thrill of exploring the school after hours, but not now.  There are only the soft sounds of nylon on silk and of heels striking the waxed floor as Laney briskly walks through empty halls and down wide stairwells to return to the dance. 

OOC: For this sort of thing if you guys are in agreement, go for it.

((Okies.  Didn't want to alter the universe too dramatically without permission.   ;D))


As luck would have it, through the locker room Laney passes on her roundabout way back to the event.  This area should not be open from the fire exit.   Weird.  Alicia no doubt hears the girl's footsteps long before she's in sight.

Alicia is struggling to find herself. When she has these attacks, her finely-tuned kinaesthetic sense goes out to lunch, and, for a few seconds, Alicia suffers acute vertigo. It's as if she's suddenly aware of the planet's rotation and movement and can only grip the ground in a vain attempt to hang on.

Through her disorientation Alicia dimly hears the approaching footsteps. Her first panicked thought is Hamilton? but the steps are lighter, feminine.

Great. Just f**king great. One of the girls will come in and see her like this. She'll laugh at me, lying here like a sick dog, and she'll tell the others and they'll all come and look and point and laugh at me. The fear which had lain in wait all this evening springs out to drag her down into the dark.

You knew it was bound to happen sooner or later, the evil voice in her miond gibbers with sick joy. Hot tears of old familiar shame and anger leak out of her eyes, smearing the carefully applied mascara.

Alicia's nose confirms the intruder's identity the moment the door opens. Laney. Of course. Her humiliation is now complete. Still sprawled on the locker room floor, her eyes snap open, spearing Laney with the force of the emotions surging through her.

For a disorienting few seconds after she marks Alicia's position within the dimensions of the room, Laney's not sure if the world just flipped upside down on her, if she's supposed to be on the ceiling, too.  Then she sees tears and is instantly concerned. 

Yes, she is supposed to be on the ceiling.   Or floor.  Whichever.  Laney kneels right down beside Alicia and asks in a frightened whisper, "Are you alright?"

Alicia tries to sound fierce, but only manages to sound peevish.

"Leave me alone," she mutters as she rolls over to drag herself up to a sitting position against a row of lockers, her limbs still twitching.

"Guess you must be happy now," Alicia half-snarls at Laney.

Accustomed to overseeing obstinate gradeschoolers, Laney ignores the attitude and persists in a low, gentle voice, "Do you want me to call someone?  Your mom?  Rhys?"

Indescribably relieved the girl appears to be able to move and bears no new visible injuries, Laney withdraws the hand she'd outstretched towards Alicia and scans the room again, seeking an explanation.  Her mind filters through her intial assessment of the scene: that things were contrary to what they seem -

- and she ventures a guess, "Are you feeling a little faint?  Dizzy?  It's alright.  You don't need to move around.  There's no one here but us.   Best be still for awhile.  Want some water?"

Alicia stares at Laney in confusion. What the f**k? Her solicitous manner does succeed in deflating Alicia's anger, leaving her sullen but not hostile.

"I'm fine," she answers tiredly. "I get the shakes after I use up my energy too quickly. I wasn't plannng to go anywhere, and I know we're the only ones in here right now. Yeah, I need to get some water in me; I'll down a couple of cups of punch once I'm out of here."

Alicia keeps her eyes on Laney, studying the enigmatic young girl, trying to discern how much of her act is for real.

"No punch.  No one will see me.  There're vending machines in the - Well, I'll be right back."   And she is right back.   She finds Alicia five minutes later, wherever the girl might've crept off to, and holds out a cold, sealed water bottle for her.   That Laney did not then and does not now have her purse is...weird.

"Water."



Reading Laney's emotions is like reading a child: simple, transparent, if one knows the signs.  For now, there is no amusement, no curiosity, only concern.  She sits quietly on the floor, watching with those dark eyes of hers; and if Alicia empties the bottle, Laney refills it at a sink and returns it to her without a word.

Alicia does down the bottle in close to a single gulp, and accepts the refilled bottle without comment. This one she drinks slowly, still looking intently at Laney.

For all her physical similarities to cats, Alicia has neither the subtlety nor patience of a predator. Bluntly, she asks, "Ok, chica, what's your game?"

"What would you like to play?"

Alicia's eyes narrow. "C'mon, no one's that spaced-out. What the hell's wrong with you, anyway?"

Somehow, this odd conversation reversed and is now about her instead of about Alicia.  Laney fidgets uncomfortably, smoothing her skirt so it covers her garter more modestly.

“They're making a list.  Acronyms of things wrong with me, I mean.  Do you like anagrams?  You can make many words with their list.  Especially if you add my middle name.  Are you sure you're alright?  I found out Monday there are others.  The guy in the suit.  He makes money.  The mom makes the traffic lights.  The little girl makes ripples in the world.  And Adrien.  Earthquakes."

Alicia absent-mindedly taps the lid of the bottle against her lip as she listens to Laney babble. I'll be damned. It's like listening to a radio while someone keeps hitting the scan button.

Alicia can't help it. Laney's conversational wanderings are like dangling a piece of string in front of her.

She grabs a random comment out of the flood to see where it goes. "What's your middle name? Mine is Dolores."

After Sammy has danced with Rob, she finds Colin.  "Want to dance with me?" she asks.

"Dolores..." Laney repeats the name in a nearly unaudible voice.  Then aloud, matter-of-factly, "I don't like it.   It is yours, though, isn't it?  Even if you didn't ask for it.  Is it from your mother or from your father?  My middle is my mother's last, my last is from my father, and my first is my own.   Ashe.  Funny name, isn't it?  Are you your mother or your father?"

Alicia laughs, in surprise. "Depends on where you look, chica. These," she points to her eyes, "came from my father. They're the only thing I have of his. Everything else is pretty much my mother's, although you'd think she would've been kind enough to give me a little more here." She holds her hands out to indicate her small breasts.

Alicia's enjoying this. It's like dropping a pebble in a pond and watching the ripples spread out in the water.

She tries another one. "You said there are others Other whats? What are you?"

An embarrassed red color darkens Laney's cheeks when she realizes just how long her gaze was held by the gesture.  She looks away, down at the cool symmetrical tiles, and stammers, "Th-those are beautiful eyes.  Um...y-yeah?  Same for me.  His are hazel.  A long ways.   I-I am my mother, except for my eyes.  From my father's s-side of the family, she said.  A long ways back.  I'm sorry you thought I was teasing you.   I don't tease people, not like that.   It's not nice.  I'm trying not to hold on so tightly, but I think I broke something and now I can't hold tightly enough.  Or maybe I fixed something and this is the way I'm supposed to be.   Are you?"


"Interesting and hard to deal with."

Rhys sits at the table, sipping his punch, listening to the music, and wondering what's taking Alicia so long in the restroom.

Is there a line?

He scans the crowd, looking for anything out-of-place. He's only been here a short time, but he's already seen that more weird stuff goes down here than anywhere else he's lived.

How many? How many more of these kids, or teachers, or whoever - has a big secret? How many have their plots and schemes?

He takes another sip.

Alicia turns her head slightly, regarding Laney curiously. This must be how Alice felt talking to the Mad Hatter, she thinks, remembering a movie from her childhood.

She'd caught Laney's embarrassment, but assumes it's just a sheltered girl's reaction to a frank topic.

"I was what others wanted me to be and am becoming what I want to be," Alicia responds, trying her hand at doing inscrutable fortune-cookie speak.


Alicia laughs again. "You got that right, 'mana."

She shakes her head in wonder. I'll be damned. She's doing it to me, too. You just can't help but like her, crazy-talk and all.

She wipes her hand and offers it to Laney. "With all the craziness, we never got the chance to properly introduce ourselves before. Welcome to Oak Park, Laney Ashe Brennan, I'm Alicia Dolores Vega."

"Do you know what that is?  I mean really?  It's best to have a plan and learn your limits, so you know how much energy you'll require.  I think you should have some punch, now."


"Didn't we?  Oh. Thanks!  Nice to meet you.  Sorry about the craziness. I think - "  She leans close, taking Alicia's hand firmly in her own bony grip, and whispers conspiratively, "- I think we'll have to work around that.  Chances are you'll need backup."

Alicia shrugs, "It's a work-in-progress. And I normally keep my energy limits well in hand. Tonight... well, I can get carried away sometimes."


Alicia gives Laney a wide grin. "What? You angling for a sidekick job already?" She laughs in a friendly fashion to remove any sting from the comment.

Alicia flows to a stand, wiping the bottom of her dress. "We should be getting back out there. Ree-is is probably ready to call for reinforcements and send out a search party. I'd say the same thing for you with John, but he's probably already checked out where you are with his peep-o-vision."

She checks herself out in the mirror over the sinks, clucks her tongue in distaste at the ruined mascara, cleans the worst of it off with a paper towel, and looks back at Laney, offering her hand. "Ready to face the crowds?"

"Huh?  Oh.  Sorry.  I meant I'd corroborate - if you needed an excuse for being away from your date for so long."



"I hope he isn't worried.  He's been so nice.  I can't tell if he likes me or if he's afraid I'll burn the school down if he doesn't keep an eye on me.  I'm a lot of trouble.  You don't really think he's spying to make sure I'm -"

She's not quite so graceful standing, accepting the offered hand.  A little wobbly while she straightens her stockings, then tries in vain to tuck straying black curls back into hair clips before they blind her.

"Work in progress.  Yes, ready."

The grin gets even wider. "Oh, don' worry 'bout Ree-is. I'll make it up to him." She wags her eyebrows meaningfully.


"John?" Alicia replies as she steadies Laney. "He's the world's biggest Boy Scout. I can't tell you if he likes you or not, but he'll be sure to show up if you need any help."

She guides Laney out the bathroom, holding her elbow for guidance, unself-conscious in the extended physical contact. "And it's all right if you have a crush on him. Every girl in the school's had one for him, at least from what I understand. Well, except for me, but that's 'cause I don't go for good boys."

"Huh?  What's not to like?"   It's probably a rhetorical question, since Laney almost veered off to the fire exit with an intensely preoccupied expression.  She automatically falls into step with Alicia when touched and doesn't seem to realize she's being steered.     Back in the dance hall, the sounds and motion hit her like a slap in the face; her eyes go wide and she halts.  For a few seconds it appears Laney's not going anywhere, then she does.  She wanders that-a-way - as luck would have it, directly towards John.

Alicia stays with her when she halts then lets go to watch her gravitate off into John's orbit.

Poor kid, she thinks sympathetically. That's a car wreck waiting to happen.

With a sigh, she glides through the crowd to Rhys's side, making sure she's unseen until she shows up at his side. "Miss me, loverboy?"

In a crowded room, filled with costumed bodies moving about Laney manages to find John in short order.  "Hey you."  he says with a smile.  "I was about to start looking for you."

The band takes a break and Mr. Heep takes the stage.  He taps the mic nervously, "He..hello?"  he says, testing to see if it's working.  "Ah."  he says, holding up a note card.  "We have the results of the voting for Valentine's King and Queen."  He coughs, "Sorry."  He looks at the card, "Oak Park High School's student body have voted, and chosen for this year's Valentine's King and Queen.  Karl Landis and his wife Melody."  Mr. Heep tucks the mic under his arm and begins to clap, and a round of applause begins in the gym.  Melody Landis looks like she's about to faint, and Principal Landis looks at Mr. Heep, obviously unsure of what he just said.  Mr. Heep nods, and the student body president goes down to collect the King and Queen and escort them to the stage.  The pair are draped with capes, and crowned.  The Queen is given two dozen long stemmed red roses.  All the while the crowd continues to applaud.  Mr. Heep gives Principal Landis the mic.

"I."  He stops, obviously chocked up about the moment.  He holds out his arm and his wife comes closer to stand in his embrace.  "I'm really very touched by this.  and I sense a conspiracy among a pair of my students."  he says with a chuckle looking towards Dave and then Logan.  "But, I would like to say that I am honored to have been chosen as King.  And I couldn't have a better Queen."  They kiss briefly, and Mr. Heep takes the mic.  

"The King and Queen will now lead us in a dance."

The King and Queen leave the stage for the dance floor, and Elrod can be seen talking with the band.  There are nods, and then they break into a slow dance number.  The dance floor is clear for a moment as the King and Queen dance, then people begin to join them.

Whatever Rhys is about to say is interrupted the moment the music starts. "Ooh, slow dance! C'mon!" Punch and rest are quickly forgotten.

Alicia pulls at Rhys towards the dance floor then turns and gives him a half-lidded come-hither look, one finger poised on her lip. "Puh-leeze?" she begs coyly.

Almost as soon as she asked Colin, the music was stopped so the announcement for King and Queen could be made.  Ah.  Slow dance.  Colin's not going to want to dance with me, and Sarah won't appreciate it either.  Step aside, Sammy.

"Wait, I didn't know it was going to be a slow dance.  I don't want to die tonight.  You and Sarah should be dancing together for this one.  Go, go!"  Sammy goes away before either one can protest.  She loses sight of Elrod in the crowd, and figures he's probably sticking to the 'dance with a bunch of people' protocol established earlier.  And there's Nick, dancing with... a coat rack?  Yeah.  Definitely a coat rack, stripped down to a coat and a scarf and a hat.  That's my boy.

She ducks to the back of the crowd, intending to find the birthday cakes and get them ready. 

She curls her arms around John's left and slides one hand down to entwine their fingers.  With a timid smile she raises her head, admiring, and whispers, "Yeah?  Looks like I found you first."

John smiles and pulls her to the dance floor, "I hope you're having a good time."  he says, wrapping her in his arms as the slow music begins to play.


"Hey!"  Elrod says, coming around some people to grab her hand.  "King and Queen dance, no hiding."  he says, taking her hand and pulling her to him.  "Gotcha."  he smiles and kisses her, warm and slow.  Then tugs her to the dance floor and begins to let them sway to the music.

"I am.  I hope you are, too." 
Laney nestles right against him, rocking gently with the beat.

"As if you'd have to ask," Rhys replies with a grin. He follows Alicia to the dance floor and holds her tight for the slow dance.

"Hmmm..." he murmurs in her ear. "This is the best birthday I've had in quite a while. Thank you."

Alicia surreptitiously runs her tongue along the edge of Rhys's ear. "And it's not over yet."

She chuckles throatily. "You thought I'd forgotten, didn't you?"

"I'd hoped you didn't. But I really don't want anything in particular - you're special enough for me."

Alicia murmurs with a touch of smugness, "Well, that's too bad, 'cause I do have something very special to give you later. When we're alone." She puts a lot of insinuated promise in her voice.

"I was not hiding," she says with a smile.  "I thought you were busy, and I didn't want to dance this one with anybody else.  That's not hiding.  That's being picky and maybe a little antisocial."  She sees John dancing with Laney, gets that feeling like she's gonna barf again, and averts her glance, choosing instead to rest her head on El's shoulder.  "You feel good against my cheek."

"That's very nice of you to say.  I also realized if we ever get married you have to keep your last name."  he says, kissing her under the ear.  "Samantha Janus doesn't roll off the tongue.  Truth be told, Janus doesn't roll off the tongue well at all."

The song ends, and the band says there good nights, making their way from the stage.  Logan goes back to playing DJ, and the caterer brings out the Valentine's Day cakes for the party.  "You want to get some help and grab the cakes for Colin and Rhys?  I need to get their gifts."  Elrod says, waving towards the band as they make their way out.


"I am."  John says, leading her back towards the table after the song ends.

"I'm going to be a famous musician, remember?  I won't have a last name.  I'll just be Samantha! or Sam! or Sami with an I! or Sammi J!"  She squeezes him.  "And you were going to quit the getting married talk, remember?  I don't want my mom dropping dead from shock, or my dad planting his fist in the middle of your face because you're making inappropriate moves on his daughter.  There's the part about us being way too young to be thinking about that stuff too.  Neither of us need you getting me in trouble for making provocative comments about things named Janush that I wouldn't mind letting roll off my tongue."  She gently pokes him.  "So quit before I get accused again of being all serious and not letting myself relax or have fun."


"Sure."  Sammy looks around for appropriate cake wranglers, and spots John and Laney at their table.  Deal with it.  One step at a time.  One word at a time.  One breath at a time.  Except I don't need to breathe.  "Hey," she says, in as steady a voice as she can muster.  "Please, I need some help bringing out the birthday cakes for Colin and Rhys. It's all over there.  Will you, or should I ask someone else?"

"Sure." John says, standing.  He points to Laney, "You stay here, away from cakes until they're safely on a table somewhere.  Okay?"  Then he goes to help Sammy.

Elrod takes the stage and grabs the mic.  "Hey folks.  There is cake over by the refreshment area, and there is going to be a little birthday thing over here."  He points to a table near the stage, "For Colin and Rhys, so come on over and bring your dates you two."  then he exits the stage and Logan turns the music back up.

Rhys looks at Alicia. "Is this your doing?"

Alicia adopts a suitably innocent expression. "Not me. I told you; my plan involves the two of us alone."

Putting her arm around his, Alicia starts guiding Rhys towards the table. "I'm guessing Sammy or Sarah; they're the kind to think of things like this."

Laney flashes a brilliant smile up at Sammy.  "It's their birthdays?  Fun!  You look like an angel, by the way, that's come to earth.   I keep thinking if I don't keep my eyes on you, you'll be gone when next I look.  Taken by the wind.  Will the dance committee mind if its hijacked?  Who cares.  Of course, I'll help.  I - "

She manages to spill three drinks simultaneously when she springs up to help.   To be fair, it should be noted that two of the drinks were on an adjacent table and should not have been placed so close to the edge.  Nor should the previous occupants have left their chairs out, the metal legs locked with Laney's own chair.  



"Um...yes..."

"No high-jacking.  Elrod is busy getting their presents.  He asked me to put the cakes on that table."  Sammy indicates a table, and continues somewhat distantly.  "I can't promise I won't disappear.  With Colin and Rhys whistling up the wind together, who knows where it might take me after they've made their wishes?  Maybe someplace warm this time, with music.  That would be nice."  She walks away to get the cakes and whatever else goes with them.

John and Sammy get the cakes and take them to the table.  The Usual Suspects gather around.  There are candles and all the other things that go with birthday cakes.  "I haven't know you long Rhys, but I thought maybe you could get some use out of this."  Elrod says, handing him a card.  Inside is a gift certificate good Any Guitar in the shop. from Fredrick's Music in Chicago.  "Maybe a replacement for yours, or a spare or something."

Elrod hands Colin a gift wrapped box.  Inside is an old Contax S camera.  "The guy said it always took good pictures.  It's not super modern, but I thought you'd like it."

Other gifts are exchanged and candles are blown out. 

OOC: Anyone else that wants to give a gift and/or say anything feel free to.

Alicia will remind Rhys she has something for him "for later."

When Rhys is handed his piece of cake, Alicia gets an evil grin, deftly grabs the piece off the plate, and attempts to feed it right into his mouth, making a big mess of it.

"Wow! Thanks a lot!" It's clear from his expression that he means it, and that this was far more than he was expecting. "I was really wondering how I was going to be able to afford a new bass. This is really too much. Thank you again!" He leans in and gives Elrod a big hug - friendly, not sensual... (at least not with Alicia nad Sammy standing right there!  ;) )


Rhys laughs, goodnaturedly accepting a face full of cake.

Alicia triumphantly wipes a smear of frosting off his cheek and pops the finger in her mouth, sucking it clean, her eyes flashing coquettishly.

((On the actual date of Colin's birthday, Laney hands him a feather she'd found.  She can't say why.  It's only a pigeon feather.
On the actual date of Rhys' birthday, Laney unintentionally spills something on him.  If it's today, guess what?  It's punch.))

Laney tries to withdraw to the edges of this gathering, as close to a wall as possible.  She's very uncomfortable with the attention they're drawing, especially after Elrod's public announcement.  And the candles.  The candles bother her for some reason.  Too many.  Too few.  She can't quantify it exactly; and for awhile she stares dazedly into the thin, rising coils of smoke.

Sammy mutters subvocally "so not fair", says "Gryffudd goes with just about everything, doesn't it El?  You'd think his cake had a topper on it." and hands Rhys a napkin.  She also gives him a package which turns out to be a nicely padded guitar strap woven with an Escher-inspired design that changes from fish to birds to fish again.

Donnie hands Rhys a rolled up scroll, tied in a ribbon of green. Unrolling the parchment reveals a printed high-quality family crest shield for the name 'Gryffudd'. Underneath the colorful crest is a brief history of the origin of the name. "Thought you might like your family crest. Took some research and hacking into a few low-protection geneology sites, but found out what I could."

To Colin he hands a small but surprisingly heavy box, wrapped with a pink and purple polka dot ribbon. "This is from me and my friends." Inside, nestled in a bed of soft fine sand, is a perfect skull similar in shape to Pip's. In the eye sockets are rather large uncut rough gems, one green, the other red. "Don't ask me how they got them over here. Alley chose the ribbon, of course."

Alicia's face is momentarily stricken, and she excuses herself for a moment. When she returns, she approaches Colin.

"I'm sorry," she say contritely. "I didn't know 'bout getting you a gift, so... I hope you'll accept this in the spirit it's meant with."

She holds out her empty hand, then passes her other over it. When it moves away, a plump strawberry is nestled in her palm.

Alicia gives Colin a tentative smile. "It's filled with gratitude."

"Ok, but you still owe me one later. I'd like a pic of the knight and the fairy queen."

He says, raising his helm, before Sarah drags him away.


"God and Great Spirit!" he says, turning the camera around in his hands to inspect the lenses and the prism. "I mean, wow! It's a piece of history, it's... fantastic. It must be 60 years old and... God and Great Spirit, how much did you pay for it? It-it must be a fortune, I'm not sure I can..."


Colin studies it in his hands for a while, dedicating his whole attention to it. Things happen for a reason. What's the meaning of this feather? It's a captivating riddle. He tries to convince it to surrender its secrets.


Colin observes it, almost afraid to touch it. "I'd like to thank them in person, then, Donnie. Could you give me some hint about the significance of such a a gift in the dragon culture?"


Colin's gauntlet inadvertantly goes to the scar-tattoo on the back of his neck. Or would. The armor is in the way.

As he accepts it he smiles. "You're welcome. But it was a real pleasure helping you and seeing what you're starting to become. You deserved it. Someone, someday will be grateful to you this way too."

He pockets the strawberry. "I'm going to plant this. I know an angle of wood that could use some color."

"It's not polite to ask how much someone paid for a gift."  Elrod says with a smile.  "It's old, but it just sort of says Colin to me, you know?  Just promise me you'll use it, hate to see something like that gathering dust."

Sylvia has already given Colin his birthday gift, a bag for his camera that Mitzi put together and Sylvia covered with crewel-work blackbirds.  She cornered him in the newsroom on the day itself with a pair of candle-studded cupcakes and tried to tell him how much he meant to her without actually saying the words "best friend."  Then, annoyed with herself for being such a sappy girl, she criticized his grammar in an article he wrote and told him to get out and go home while she slashed through it with a red pen.

To Rhys, whom she knows almost not at all, she hands a soft, tissue-wrapped parcel with a pair of hand-dyed hand-knit socks in it.

Later in a not so public place, Donnie tells Colin of the gift's import. "Dragons like prizes. Tokens of past glories and winnings serve as reminders of their past. Their word for treasure roughly means 'memory in stone'. Each dragon could likely tell you the time and place they got each pretty item in their collection. Pip gave you the skull of one of his foes he slew in combat. He had buried it in sand to prevent scavangers and to preserve the skull. The gems are from Uther, from his own collection. They of course do not have much in the way of cut gems, but he thinks these are worthy of you. I know nothing about gems, so they could be quartz for all I know, but I think they mught actually be a ruby and either a topaz or beryl. Anyway, the fact they are giving you parts of their hoard, for lack of a better term, is to show they value your friendship as much as their own memories. The sand is from my idiotic trip to Mexico where I thought I was going to confront my dad. It serves ME to remind myself that I really should check with my friends before doing one of my hare-brained ideas. The ribbon is from Althea, who likely snatched it out of a trash bin or found it blowing around. She likes pink and purple."

After some time of cake eating and gift presenting, Sammy taps Colin on the shoulder.  "Do you still want to dance?"  she asks.

[text added]
She takes his hand and they dance, at one point posing for an obligatory photograph of the Knight and the Lady.

Once the birthday festivities die down and attention is drawn once again to the dance, Alicia will nudge Rhys and whisper, "You want to go somewhere private so I can give my present?"

"Nice! Thank you! This will look great with that new bass..." he looks to Elrod.


Rhys studies the crest for a moment. "Cool. Dad is going to go spare - he's been casually looking for this stuff for years. And you found out more than he ever did! Thanks!"


Rhys accepts this gift with as much grace as all the others. "Wow! These are really hand-made? That is so awesome. I could never do something like that. Thank you so much!"

Still a little overwhelmed by everyone's generosity, Rhys hardly knows what else to say.


"Did you have someplace in mind? We could go anywhere, after all. The sky's the limit... literally."

"If it wasn't so cold, I'd say the roof, so we could see the stars. Instead..."

Alicia takes Rhys's hand and guides him around the crowd and surreptitiously out of the gym. Unerringly, she heads for an unoccupied classroom. She pulls out a wire and makes short work of the lock. Pulling Rhys in, she looks cautiously outside and closes the door.

A sudden thought strikes her and she signals Rhys to be quiet. She traverses the room, eyes closed and ears cocked. Once the circle is complete, she nods in satisfaction. "Nothing electronic buzzing that shouldn't be there," she mutters to herself.

Facing Rhys, she takes a deep breath, "OK, I wanted to give you this but I didn't want to do it in front of the others."

With a flustered gesture, she brings out a small wrapped bundle of paper tissue from somewhere and offers it to him.

Inside the bundle is a white gold ring. The front of it is shaped like a pair of hands holding a crowned heart made of a purple gem.

(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n295/NestorDRod/2661-2.jpg)

"It's a 'clah-dah' ring," says Alicia helpfully, slightly mispronouncing the word "claddagh" in her own distinctive way.

She looks expectantly at Rhys. "Do you know its history?"

While the US are still gathered, Laney steps close to the metal-encased Donnie, lays a hand lightly on his arm, and says with absolute sincerity, "You were wise to forgo the cheese."

Rhys looks at her, his eyes wet.

"Yes I do."

He slips the ring onto the ring finger of his right hand, with the heart pointing inwards, before grasping both of her hands in his.

"Do you know its symbolism?"

Alicia's eyes brimming with tears through her smile, Alicia nods, "Yes."

She leans forward, her lips open, and gives Rhys a tender kiss.

She brushes his hair with her fingers and, gazing lovingly at his face, she begins to sing softly. Her singing isn't record-breaking, but the lilt in her voice and the emotion in her words give the song powerful meaning.

"I cried a tear,
You wiped it dry.
I was confused,
You cleared my mind.
I sold my soul,
You bought it back for me,
And held me up and gave me dignity.
Somehow you needed me.

"You gave me strength
To stand alone again,
To face the world
Out on my own again.
You put me high upon a pedestal
So high that I could almost see eternity.
You needed me.
You needed me.

"And I can't believe it's you,
I can't believe it's true.
I needed you and you were there.
And I'll never leave, why should I leave,
I'd be a fool.
'Cause I've finally found someone who really cares.

"You held my hand,
When it was cold.
When I was lost,
You took me home.
You gave me hope,
When I was at the end,
And turned my lies
Back into truth again.
You even called me friend.

"You gave me strength
To stand alone again,
To face the world
Out on my own again.
You put me high upon a pedestal
So high that I could almost see eternity.
You needed me.
You needed me." *


Her voice cracks on the last words as emotion overtakes her. Tears now running unashamed down her cheeks, she rests her head on his chest. "Feliz cumpleaños, mi amor," she murmurs.

* "You Needed Me" - Anne Murray (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-tJBsOsboM)

He strokes her head gently.

"Thank you.

"I was afraid of what coming to this country was going to mean. I didn't want to leave everything I knew and cared about behind in Wales.

"But you've made it all worth it. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat if I knew it meant I would meet you."

Holding her tight, he begins humming a traditional Welsh lullaby as he rocks in place with her.

After a few minutes, he pulls back slightly. "Do you...?" he gulps. "Do you want to go somewhere more... appropriate? This empty classroom just isn't very romantic."

Alicia smile widens a bit more into a sly grin. "And what do you have in mind, Ree-is Grif-fiss?"

After a few minutes, Sammy decides the crowd noise and the music is sufficient to mask her words.  She leans in close to Colin and says just loud enough for him to hear, "I ran away because John kissed me."

Donnie's brow furrows. "Is that a crack about my weight?"

"Weight?"  She blinks confusedly up at him.
"No. About masks. I like this one much better."

"Oh, I don't know... I didn't really have any place special in mind. But our parents are out tonight, meaning both of our places are empty at the moment..."

Her eyebrow arches in amusement. "So you're thinking, your place or mine?"

Her face furrows as she gives it serious consideration. "Well, I guess it depends on where our parents would be likely to end up."

Her face pales as the implications of her statement sink in. "I-I mean, to talk. Y'know, just chew the fat be-before coming to pick us up," she adds, hurriedly.

Good going there, girl. Way to ruin the mood, she thinks furiously.

Rhys grins. He doesn't look like his mood has been ruined at all.

"We could swing by your place first so you can change, if you want. We could even stay, if you'd be more comfortable in your own room."

Alicia says, bewildered, "I've never..." Her face begins to blush strongly enough to show through her dusky skin.

Looking down, she murmurs shyly, "OK."

Gently lifting her chin so she's looking into his face, he says "You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. Please, tell me the truth. If you don't want to go back to your place, we don't have to."

Alicia smiles, moving her head so that his hand strokes her cheek. "No, it's not that. It's... I guess I always looked to my room as my bolt hole, my place to hide from the world."

Her smile widens as her hand reaches up to squeeze the new ring on his right hand. "But I don't have to hide any more, especially from you."

She looks away for a second. "It would make it special for us to... be together there."

Alicia frowns slightly. "No, no more dodging the words," she mutters.

She turns to look straight into Rhys's eyes. "Ree-is, it would be very special for us to make love in my bed."

He smiles at her for a moment before kissing her. He takes her hand and leads her to a window, which he opens. As the cold air streams in, he climbs up onto the sill and changes. It is similar to his regular angel-form, but looks more like himself. When Alicia takes his outstretched hand as he helps her up, she notices that the air around him is warm.

"I'm making the air around us warm for you, so you won't be cold while we fly."

Alicia is unable to speak. Her heart is beating so hard that it feels like it must burst from her chest. Mutely, she wraps herself around him, burying her head on his shoulder.

Rhys can feel her trembling, but it's obvious it's not from the cold.

OOC: We can fade to the fireplace any time now, sir. ;)

"What mask are you talking about, and what does cheese have to do with it?"

Donnie is curious now.

"Huh?"  She's beginning to suspect he's teasing her.  She wrinkles her nose up at him and smiles.

"Your mask, of course.  Cheese would've been...interesting.  Is it heavy?  It looks heavy, but I thought you'd use a light material.  Not macaroni, but you know that's more practical.  I would've used beads and feathers if you preferred.  I like this better." 

Not having been witness to a full-on Laney Experience before, Donnie is wondering if she's having a bit of fun with him. He looks back at Sylvia and then returns to Laney. "Macaroni and feathers would mess up the believability of the illusion." He raps a knuckle against the side of the helm and spins up his best London accent. "Tin's the ansah, love. Nought beads."

"Tin. Then you don't have to worry about weight.  I agree with you there.  The dye they put in cheese isn't believable at all.  Not much protection, though, is it?  I don't expect you'll be lanced at a dance."    Laney giggles at his affected accent and smiles merrily from Donnie to Sylvia and back.

Colin is still speechless for a moment. "Ok. I will. I promise. Thank you." he says, finally.


He remained there for a moment, considering hugging her, but then decided it would be against the rules of their game. So he took the keys from his pocket (Earlier that day, unbeknownst to her she had lost her keys, and would have remained outside in the rain for an hour before Ginny and Mitzi came home. Colin 'accidentally' found them.), he put them in a place where she would have run into them, and got out muttering "Yes, boss.", turning so she couldn't see his smile.

A the party, a quick calculation makes him realize that the bag is large enough for the Contax too, and he smiles to himself again.


Colin blinks a couple time thinking of the market price of a ruby the size of a pigeon's egg. Then he chides himself for the thought. This is much more than a gem. The first time he meets each of the dragons he tells them he'll strive to be a man worthy of such a gift. For Donnie, he has something else.
"From what Sarah told me, the trip to Mexico wasn't useless. You learned many things about yourself, your family, and the government too. If we never made any mistakes, how would we learn new things? You'll always be welcome when you come looking for advice, or for help getting out of whatever mess you got stuck into. But I like the Donnie who decides to storm the world and invade foreign countries for great justice." he says with a smile. "There is wisdom in both the waterfall and the lake."

"Of course I do." he says, offering her his hand to lead her to the dance floor.


"Oh." Through the holes in his helm, his eyes seem concerned. "Have you talked with him after coming back?"

"Cheese would be even less protection, I think. Besides, my girlfriend would kick the ass of anyone trying to stick large pointy things into me."

"Well, that's good because i won't likely change."  Donnie grins and claps Colin on the shoulder. "Too stubborn for my own good."

Where is Sylvia in all this?  She gave Donnie a peck on the cheek and told him she owed Logan a dance.  She and Logan are still standing out there, arms up in the kind of formal dance hold that keeps some distance between them.  They look amused but intense, as if they're talking about the end of the world as we know it yet they're determined to go out laughing.

"Protection enough.  Hopefully before, not after, and - Oh.  There she is with Logan.    There're are a lot of people here.  Can you see them?  I mean through the metal.  Rather like driving an SUV through a sea of compacts, I suppose."

"Yes," Sammy nods sadly.  "But everything still feels broken."

She moves closer, like she'd like to ask for a hug but won't, and whispers "He's not like me.  I thought he was interested in her.  Laney.  I had been trying to stay away, to get over him, but he messed up all that when he kissed me.  We talked.  He said," her voice catches, "he said I was his best friend but that he didn't..."  She blinks hard so as not to cry, and continues.  "He really shouldn't kiss people the way he kissed me unless he means it."

Jakob arrives fashionably late.  It's not the only thing fashionable about him.  He's sporting a black suit - an honest-to-God suit - cut a little big like all of his other clothes - and dark glasses. 

He scans the room and manages to find where the usual suspects have congregated - some of 'em anyway.

"Evening, folks."

Jakob is greeted by Rob and Greg.  He is offered cake and punch to celebrate the birthday boys.

The music continues and Logan makes sure to dance with his date as much as possible, but close enough to the DJ booth to handle that.

Principal Landis and his wife share a few more dances before moving back to the side lines.

The bodies begin to thin out some.  Members of the dance committee try to get around and thank everyone, offering them goodie bags with assorted Valentine candies and other little tinkets.

Laney squints at Jakob, her head tilted to one side so recently escaped locks of hair cross her view. 

"The tallest MIB I've ever seen.  'evening."  And she grins.

Sammy wiggles her fingers over Colin's shoulder in greeting to Jakob.

She notices the activity around them and starts to apologize to Colin.  "I shouldn't bother you with my problems.  Besides, this is between me and John.  It's not polite to drag anyone else into it.  But you're so sweet, and since the tattoos, it has felt as if there's a special kind of bond between us; it's hard not to lean on you."  She kisses him very quickly on the corner of his mouth, then giggles.  "Yum.  You didn't wipe off all of the cake icing from your mouth."  She moves away.  "I should go help Elrod now."

OOC: Need a Fate Roll from Sammy and Colin.

Sammy's Fate roll: 1d20=8 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2011652/)

Donnie manages a dance or two with Sylvia before the music ends, now that she had decided to actually join everyone in the flesh as opposed to her rapidly-becoming-standard invisible or astral self.

He waves at Jakob and resists the temptation to go for a second piece of cake. He toyed with the idea to ask Sammy to dance, but he sees her dancing with Colin and decides her dance card is probably full for the evening. Besides, after what she said at lunch the other day it might not be the best idea.
When Sammy leans in and gives Colin a quick kiss, Donnie nearly trips over his own feet in shock.

"Yow!"  Sylvia rubs her instep, but the face she's making isn't one of serious pain.  "What's the matter?  Someone spike your punch?"

"Buhhh. Sammy just kissed Colin."  

Seen through the half-inch slit of the closed face helmet, his eyes are wide and worried.

Sylvia turns to squint at the pair.  "She was acting--no, not acting--thinking a little weird a couple of hours ago.  Something to do with John and Laney.  Is that Sammy being Sammy, or is something going on?"

Donnie shakes his head. "I have no idea. I am damn near clueless when it comes to girls, as you well know. I just wonder if Sarah is going to go all Anakin Skywalker on her or something."

"Surely not," Sylvia says, but she sounds uncertain.  "If things get all throne-room on us, I'll put the whammy on Sammy.  You--I dunno--do what you can with Sarah."

"Hello, Laney...  I guess I'm just too conspicuous to be a MIB.  A boy can dream though..."

Jakob happily accepts cake & punch, and even manages to scarf it down without getting any on his suit.

"Everyone having a good time?"

"I am.  I want pizza, though.  I think you can come up with a better dream.  Something more ambitious. Maybe something you don't have to wear a tie for."

"I'm so sorry, Sam. It doesn't take being half genie to be confused about how you feel. I don't think he meant to do you wrong. I'm sorry it hurts so much."


He looks in her eyes very seriously. "I can't keep you from falling. But if you ever need a hand getting up again, I'm here. Growing up hurts. It's a part of life, it can't be helped. We can help each other go though it, though." he says, taking her hand and squeezing it gently.


He smiles awkwardly, but the 'blushing lines' don't appear around his eyes.

"Enjoy the party. If you want to talk again, I'll leave the window open."

Fate Roll (1d20=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2012982/)

Nick sweeps into Sammy, spinning the pair onto the dance floor and kissing her.  "You dance divinely my dear.  No one would suspect that one of your legs is actually shorter than the other."

After Donnie and Sylvia have had a few dances Logan asks her to dance.

John makes sure to dance with Laney a few more times before things wind down completely

OOC: Nothing out of the ordinary seems to happen.  Fate rolls aren't always interesting.

OOC: I need everyone to make a Fort Save please.  Go ahead and post them here with your next post.

Fortitude save (1d20+3=12) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2013136/)

Uhm. I reserve the right to spend my hero point on this.

OOC: A question came up if this means only the people still at the dance.  No, I need a Fort Save from everyone.  Sorry for the confusion.

Rhys: 1d20+3=22 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2013165/)

Fortitude save (1d20+2=17) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2013156/)

Sammy dances the night away with anybody who will dance with her; Greg, Dave, Logan, drama boys, band boys, Elrod again, Nick again.  Each one of them gets a kiss from the Lady of the Court of Love, some more 'serious' than others, most just with a laugh and a smile.  She dances with John again, if he will, but doesn't say much other than "I don't want to stop being your friend.  I'm just going to need some time to get a grip first, ok?"  At the end, he gets a kiss too, firmly on the cheek, where it leaves a big red lipstick mark.  The hug might be a little tighter than absolutely necessary, but she again laughs merrily and moves on to her next victim.  Dance partner.  Whatever.

Breathe, Girl, Breathe (1d20+2=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2013176/)

Doh!  :scared:

Like Colin, I reserve the right to use up a Hero point.  :-[

Feelin' kinda woozy. (1d20=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2013278/)

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2013311/
Fortitude: 1d20 + ? → [6] = (6 + ?)  


Edit:
I should add like...a post or something...Um...



As the room gradually clears, Laney's far less inclined to hug the walls for safety.  She's content to dance with John alone and doesn't make any attempts at conversation, simply enjoying his company.

1d20+1=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2013548/)

Donnie is exhausted by the end of the night. Wearing armor, even tin armor, can be tiring. Especially if you're dancing around in a warm gym.

During one of the dances when Logan has Sylvia, Donnie gets approached by Jessica.  "Hey, um, you have time enough for a dance?"  she says with a smile.

Donnie stands up from where he had just sat down. Looking over and seeing his girlfriend dance with the undercard champ of Coolest Dude on Campus, he shrugs. "Sure. Why not?"

"Great."  She says, "You look sort of warm in that."  She helps him take his helmet off (assuming it wasn't already considering the heat) and they go to the dance floor.  "I think the dance has been really fun.  And I really liked your costume."

"Thanks. Most of the metalwork was done by others though. I just lucked out by knowing most of the Queen's court. I didn't recognize you in the cigarrette girl outfit. Yeah, it was nice to have a dance without all the drama or psychos." He keeps glancing around, as if uneasy meeting Jessica's frank gaze. Perhaps it was to assure himslef that Sylvia wasn't headed his way with murder on her mind.

Sylvia is having another one of those intense conversations with Logan.  They're talking about the dance, something about how the dance floor consists of controlled chaos.  It could be a few hundred thrashing, single dancers, fighting for space, fighting for attention, but social convention and the ritualized cooperation of partners create a cascade of order.  Two people with a united will constitute a majority amid a score of disorganized individuals.  They impose harmony.  They instill order.

Sylvia is having trouble following all this--she's only fourteen, after all, and she's feeling the sugar buzz off those four cups of punch she drank--so she notices nothing about Donnie and Jessica.  And if Logan sees, he likely doesn't care.

"It's still a really cool costume."  She says.  "A lot of people didn't recognize me tonight.  I normally wouldn't wear anything this daring.  Remember me in grade school?  I always wore those over sized sweaters and jeans that were as little too big."  And then Donnie recognizes her, they went to the same elementary school her two years ahead of him.  The realization comes about a second before the dance ends.  And she kisses him on the lips.  "Thanks for dancing with me Donnie.  It was very sweet."  And then they part.  She holds into his hand for a bit as they part, finally letting it go.  She's smiling, then she blows him a kiss and walks away.

John and Laney move slowly around the dance floor, and John seems happy to be there.  "Did you want me to call my dad, or just take you home?"

Elrod cuts in on Nick and Sammy for the last dance, "But of course my lord."  Nick says, "A kiss before I leave her?"

"I could not deny the Jester such a request."  he says, then is ambushed by Nick with a kiss and a giggle.  The jester bounds off with a lunatic laugh.

"Gah!"  Elrod says, "Why didn't I see that coming?"  he says, taking Sammy into his arms and kissing her.  "That's more my speed."  he says with a smile.  "I hope you had a good time tonight?"

Laney pauses mid-step to answer that, not entirely motionless but swaying gently with her head on John's shoulder.

"I guess we have to go home some time.   You have flying lessons in the morning and I - I don't know if I have plans with earthbound people.  It's been a strange week, so probably not.   Neither.  I'm sorry.  I wish you...you could have as much fun as I do dancing.  I don't know why it feels like that.  On the roof?  Can you ever...ever relax like that?  If you take me home, then the night is over sooner, isn't it?"

Donnie stands there, a bit flabbergasted. He's not used to girls having an interest in him, still continually surprised he scored with Sylvia. Having an attractive Junior wanting to not only dance with him, but leave him with a kiss is just out of his range of normality.

He waits patiently for Sylvia to finish her dances wit Logan.

"Did he give you a good night kiss? I wonder if it's something in the air. I was just surprised by one."

"Yeah, pretty much," she says.  "Did you?  Do I need to call Nick back here to kiss you again to cheer you up?"  Her eyes laugh up at him.  "Or will I do in a pinch?"  She plants a kiss on him that is just this side of where the dance chaperones would ask the two to break it up.  "Your legs are still holding you up," she whispers.  "I need to try harder."

"I'm not standing, I'm floating."  he says softly, pulling a deep breath in.  "I had a great time.  We should do this more often."


"There's no rush.  No flying lessons tomorrow."  He sways with her for a few more seconds, "I don't think I ever relax like that really."

Rhys takes to the air, cradling Alicia in his arms. Alicia curls up, her arms wrapped around his neck, and enjoys the ride.

As he alights on the roof of Alicia's apartment building, Rhys looks down at Alicia's peaceful face, a slight smile playing on her lips. She is sound asleep.

"I thought you, Sammy, and Sarah were - Sorry.  I don't know much about flying.  You know, Ann - she's one of my therapists - says I'm the easiest person to put under that she's ever met.  She says it's about comfort and trust.  I don't know if I believe that anymore, not after I -  well, patterns have a lot to do with it, I think.  If you must hear and see and worry about people near you, then the way for you to escape is to go to that desert we were talking about, right?  Is the weather supposed to be bad?   I thought it wasn't going to snow until Sunday.  You need someplace with no bad distractions and one very good distraction.  See?"

Rhys looks down at her, and he smiles at her, somewhat wearily. Taking great care not to wake her, he shifts into something like his normal form, but larger, and makes his way down to her apartment, carrying her gently. Upon reaching the door, he hesitates. He's done this before, but it always rubs him the wrong way just a little. He reaches toward the door knob, extending one finger. The finger becomes slender and tapered as he inserts it into the lock. Once there, he feels for the tumblers, and shapes his finger into the perfect key to unlock the door. He extends the skill of his hearing as much as he is able, and listenes to see if anyone is home before he simply barges in.

When Rhys shifts, Alicia murmurs sleepily, then settles back down, rubbing her cheek against his chest. Asleep, it's easy to see the signs of fatigue in her face, along with the still-healing bruises no longer covered by make-up.

It strikes Rhys how vulnerable she is at that very moment, and how willingly she's placed herself in that position with him.

"What?"  Sylvia's gaze swivels to rest like an ice pick on Sammy's face.  "No," she says crossly.  "No, Logan didn't kiss me.  I keep telling you it's not like that.  Why is everyone getting kissed tonight but me?"

Donnie quickly rectifies that, dipping her dramatically and kissing her lingeringly, oblivious (or simply ignoring any glances their way).

Take that, Logan. he thinks, uncharitably.

"MmmHmmm," she replies, almost sighing.  "I'd like that a lot."  She kisses him again.  "Floating is good."

It goes a long way toward mollifying Sylvia's tetchy ego, and when they come out of it, she's smiling and holding his hand again.  But Sylvia doesn't forget, and she can feel a snow job in the offing.  "Sweety," she croons, "exactly how did she kiss you?"

Donnie senses a minefield. Warning bells are clanging in his head. "It wasn't Sammy. It was the girl that asked me to dance earlier. You were dancing with Logan, and she asked me again. I had forgotten we had gone to gradeschool together." Donnie takes her hand and leads her over to the near demolished food table. He picks up a few cheese-cubes and a handful of grapes, offering to pop one in Sylvia's mouth.

His eyes are guileless and wide, professing innocence with every ounce of actor in him.

Sylvia holds up a hand, refusing access.  The pursed lips, the way her nose is wrinkled up, the squint of her eyes--she's well past annoyed and teetering on mad.  Not at him, though, which might be some relief.  "Hey, are you wearing new cologne or something?"  She leans in close to take a whiff and, smelling nothing, grabs him by the leather straps of his breastplate.  'Mine,' is what she wants to say, and woe betide those who encroach on her territory.

But for Sylvia:  stifling emotions, a specialty.  "We're solid, right?" is what she says, just loud enough to be heard, just imploringly enough that he can see how unsettled she is.

Donnie puts the little paper plate aside, not looking away from her eyes. "I'm yours. You're mine."

He smiles, a little sadly, perhaps wistfully. "We're not to good on sharing, are we?"

She arches an eyebrow, Spock-like.  "You want to be shared?"

"No goofball. It's just nice (and odd) to see a jealous streak in you. Usually, you're the level-headed one when it comes to petty jealousies, and I'm the one that goes into paranoid freak-out mode."

She frowns ruefully.  "It's just weird, what's going on tonight.  Sammy's acting out because--"  But that's private, and Sylvia doesn't share other people's secrets.  "Well, she's acting out.  And this girl, with the fishnets and the little hat--"  Sylvia's jealous of the fishnets.  "--where'd she come from and what's she thinking, flirting with you?  I mean, that's not a nice thing to do, right?  You don't move in on someone's boyfriend like that?"  Sylvia, first-time girlfriend, is trying to suss out the etiquette.

Donnie shrugs. "I don't know girls. I've learned a lot over the past year, but before that they were an alien creature, unknowable and to be watched eagerly from afar. Is it normal for girls to show interest in other girls' boyfriends? Sammy got all weird when John showed an interest in Laney, but they've been dancing tonight and I think she might have kissed him too. Who knows. Perhaps you should ask her. Want me to ask her?"

"Seriously, you're going to ask Sammy if she kissed John tonight?  Why?"

Donnie, once again on uncertain ground, says "No, not Sammy. I don't want to put my foot into her business like that, with her, Nick, and Elrod all kissing each other like the beginnings of a menage a trois. I meant asking Jessica why she kissed me, when she should know I have a serious girlfriend."

Hearing nothing inside the apartment, Rhys unlocks the door and enters, closing the door and re-locking it behind him. He remembers the way to Alicia's room from his previous visit and takes her there. He lays her in her bed and only then does he lightly kiss her and whisper, "Alicia? Time to wake up."

Sylvia wonders again about that pretty box marked 'Pandora.'  "Yeah," she says with a touch of hesitation.  "You should."

Alicia's room, as Rhys had seen before, is a study in clutter. While not "dirty" in the sense of dust or food debris, there is a collection of clothes, shoes, CDs, books, and other less-identifiable objects scattered around, giving the room an almost organically irregular look.

The effect is even more acute on her bed. A mound of clothing and blankets cover the mattress so that anyone lying underneath them would be essentially cocooned.

The moment Rhys brings Alicia in, the familiar scents cause her to stir and slowly become aware of her surroundings. At his words, her eyes open slightly and she murmurs, her voice fuzzy, "Mami?

Her eyes open wider and a small frown forms as she becomes more aware. "Ree-is? What...? How...?"

It's obvious she's fully awake when she grimaces and reaches up to Rhys. "Did I fall asleep? I'm sorry, love. It just felt so good in your arms, and you were so warm..." Again, her tanned skin fails to hide the blush on her cheeks.

Donnie nods. "Okay."

He begins looking around for Jessica in her fishnets. She did look really good in them. Dammit, don't think that, Sylvia might be peeking.

Jessica is helping hand out goodie bags as people head out.  She sees Donnie coming over and her face brightens with a smile.  "Hi.  Did you get a goodie bag yet?"  she says, holding one out towards him.

OOC: Need a Will Save DC 18 for Donnie.  And, is Sylvia peeking in his head?  You can inform me via PM if you'd like to make him sweat.

Fortitude Save for Jakob...  1d20+5=9

"I know this might not sound sensible, but what I think when you say good distraction is actually not as good in my case as you might think."  John says.  "But I appreciate your concern.  And, I think there has been a change in plans.  At the very least there has been a change in dynamics.  So I'll have to worry about flying practice some other time."

"It's perfectly all right - don't fret over it. Knowing how well you keep your guard up at all times, it's actually something of a compliment." He smiles at her, and it is genuine. Now that she's in control of herself once more, he has shifted back to his normal form, in comfy-looking clothes, sitting on the edge of her bed. His hand lazily trails up and down her arm.

1d20+2=8 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2014595/)

Donnie takes it and tucks it under one arm. "Hi, hey, thanks. Um, can I have a word with you.. for just a moment?"

"Dynamics?  I'm sorry.  I don't um...What?  There's no reason to make your dad drive over here when...Um...If you wouldn't mind walking me home, that'd be nice.  Jean likes you, so it's alright.  Obviously, I mean 'good' for you, not for other people, John.  Comfort and trust to relax is what I said.  Find someplace away from things that worry you, then - if you're with someone - make sure it's someone you trust not to hurt you.   And I don't mean physically.    Crime fighting what time?"

"I don't think that's going to happen either.  Sorry.  But, I would be happy to walk you home."


"Sure."  she says, asking one of the other dance committee folks to cover for her.  Donnie feels his pulse ramp up when she bends over to her her hat, and he feels himself get warm.  She comes over to him, "What's up?"

She's still resting her head on John's shoulder, so he can't see her expression.  He can feel the shift in her stance and her breath catch. 

"That's alright," she whispers.  "It wasn't important.  Yes, please.  I'm tired.  Not thinking straight.  Sorry.  Um...Thanks for taking me.  To the dance.  It was nice."

Donnie toys with the edge of the bag and takes a deep breath before looking up at her. "Why did you kiss me like that? I have a girlfriend, who I have been with for most of the year. Why would you do that?"

Jakob notices that he's arrived just as people seem to be getting ready to leave.  He genuinely regrets the time he spent prying his feet into the dress shoes.

"Anyone up for a little after-dance nosh?  The night is young..."

The pointer on Alicia's mood spinner has obviously moved since earlier. She sits on the edge of the bed, nervously biting her lip.

"Um, Ree-is?" she asks, trying to find the words. "Do you like me?"

"More than anyone I've ever known before." His own sheepish expression indicates that he could only be telling the truth. "I don't always understand you - but then, you are a girl..."

Jessica looks at him like he has just sprouted a second head.  "I'm sorry.  I thought you liked me.  And, I like you.  You seemed to like it.  You did like it, didn't you?"


"Food is good."  Rob says, Greg nods. 


"Ok."  he says, and he takes her to get her coat.  They say their good nights to Jakob and the guys, wave to the other Usual Suspects as they walk out of the dance, and begin the walk to Laney's house.

Alicia matches his expression as she idly traced one of the tattoos on his arm. Then her head cocks as a thought strikes her. With an evil smile, she says, "But you can be anything you want, can't you?"

Not understanding her expression - or where she's going with this line of questioning - he just looks confused. "Physically, yeah. But that doesn't mean I become what I turn into. I can turn into a girl, but that doesn't make me a girl. I still don't understand them..."

Alicia chuckles and shakes her head slightly, more at herself than Rhys. "Never mind."

She goes back to tracing his tattoos, giving the task her undivided attention. "I'm just being silly. It's... hard for me to... accept that you see me as more than..." She waves her hand vaguely as if the words she wants are just within her reach.

"A good lay," she finishes lamely, immediately unhappy with her phrasing.

"Pizza another time, Jakob.  Alright?" 
Laney smiles and waves a little goodbye to those remaining.

Rhys sighs. It's nothing melodramatic, just an expression of exhasperated confusion. "Of course you're more than that. I wouldn't think of just using you like that... I... I don't..." He struggles to find the words to say what he means. "I don't know what to say or do to make you understand how I feel about you. Now that you've said that, I'm afraid even to kiss you since you might think that's all I want, when that's not it at all... Oh, cachiad!"

Alicia's face crumples. "I'm sorry!" she exclaims contritely.

Her voice shakes as she continues, "I'm doing it again. Opening my mouth and screwing things up. I can't have anything good so I f**k it up the first chance I get."

She thuds her fist against her thigh as she mutters repeatedly, "Estupida, estupida, estupida..."

"No, no..." Rhys reaches across and pulls her into a hug. "You mustn't think that. You're not stupid and of course you can have nice things. You have me."

"B-but," Alicia gasps, as she tries to speak through sobs. "That's j-just it. You-you're so nice and wonderful. You give s-so much to me and wh-what do I give in return? Trouble and pain. I d-don't understand how... why you're willing to stay with me."

She grips his shirtfront as she buries her face on his chest. "A-all I have to give is sex. But that can't be enough. And wh-what does that make me?"

"Hush now..." He pulls her tighter into his embrace and rocks with her for a minute before continuing. "Don't sell yourself so short. You're vibrant and funny and most importantly not full of that passive-aggressive cachu iar that I can't stand in most girls. You're different - in a good way. You gave me this ring... and that's not just sex."

"B-but," Alicia persists, now wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace as if afraid he'll move away. "That c-can't be enough. Not for all that you do for me."

She moves back to look pleadingly at Rhys, her eyes glistening and her lip trembling. "I j-just want... I need to know that I am making you happy, that I am giving back, that I'm not just a burden."

Her voice lowers to a strangled whisper as she closes her eyes with regurgitated pain. "Someone you'll just get tired of and throw away."

"Yes, but I have a girlfriend. Isn't there some sort of girl-code that you don't try to steal another girl's guy?"

Donnie is swimming in very infamiliar waters.

"Never. I can't explain it, Alicia, but just being with you makes me happy. I've never seen you as any kind of burden." He pulls her into his embrace once more. "I love you."

"It was a kiss Donnie."  She says, "I'm not trying to steal you."  She pauses, "Unless you're not happy with her?  She does spend a lot of time with Logan."  she waves her hand dismissively, "But that's probably nothing right?"  She brushes her hand against his cheek softly and smiles, "Relax.  Everything will work out."  Then she turns and goes back to the table to resume helping the dance committee.

Alicia hugs Rhys tightly, trying to drive the demons of doubt away by his presence. "I love you, too," she manages to choke out through a throat tight with emotion.

She breaks down and weeps openly, holding onto Rhys as her body shakes with sobs and tears stream from her eyes. It is a cleansing outburst, drawing all the pain and misery she'd kept locked up in a corner of her soul and letting it gush out, leaving her drained and still at the end.

Alicia's face is a mess, all puffy eyes and runny nose, the smeared make-up beyond any hope of salvation. Nevertheless, the love shining on her face gives it an almost otherwordly beauty as she looks at Rhys.

With a solemn expression, her gaze still riveted on Rhys's face, she slides down to kneel at his feet and says with heartfelt conviction, "I am yours. Let me please you." Her words have the strength of an oath, the power of a promise, the passion of a plea.

Donnie throws his hands up in the air and walks back to where Sylvia watches like a bird-of-prey. "Girls are confusing," he says miserably. She said it was just a kiss and that she is not trying to steal me from you. But she pretty much said she thought i was fair game because of all the time you spend with Logan." The last is said with a bit of pointed attitude.

"No." He gets off the bed and kneels in a similar fashion facing her. "Don't talk like that. You are no servant - we are equals. I am as much yours as you are mine. We can please each other." His face breaks into an impish grin. "And we will..."

Alicia looks at Rhys with uncertain hope. Her hand hesitantly reaches up to caress his cheek as her face once again glows with adoration.

"Mi amor," she whispers, in emerging wonder as she realizes the utter truth of the word.

Her expression shifts like mercury into a feral mask of mischief and lust. "Yes, we will."

Without warning, she launches herself, tackling Rhys to the ground amid giggles and playful growls.

Just then, the front door opens.  Alicia can hear her mom giggling, not just laughing, you know, but giggling.  "The kids won't be done with the dance for hours," she purrs, "Would you like a glass of wine?"

"That sounds lovely."  is Rhys' father's reply.

ruh-ro-roobie!

OOC: YOU! RAT! BASTARD!  :rant:

Alicia freezes, straddling Rhys on the floor of her room. She stares at Rhys, her golden eyes as round as saucers. A slight whimper escapes her lips.

Rhys just grins as he puts his finger to his lips. He whispers low enough that only Alicia's super-hearing can pick it up, "Can you get the window open silently? We can head over to my place instead..."

Being given a course of action helps quell the incipient panic in Alicia's mind. Adopting a serious, almost predatory look, she nods and lifts a finger in silent response. Wait.

She slides quietly off of Rhys and glides across the room like a ghost. She stops to inspect the window. She makes a point of oiling the treads, but she's known her mother to rig it so Alicia can't sneak in and out unnoticed.

Satisfied that nothing is amiss, she sets herself and sloooowly slides the window up. She wonders how wide the opening needs to be for Rhys to fit through, then berates herself for the silly thought.

All through this, she strains to keep an ear on the outside conversation to confirm their presence remains unnoticed and because she's curious as to what's going on out there.

The TV comes on, and Alicia can hear the parents get their wine and sit down to watch.  They do not seem aware of the kids in the next room.

"Get ready..." he whispers. "This is going to be a little different. Wait on the sill."

Once Alicia is out, and in order to make as little noise as possible, Rhys goes completely fluid* and flows across the room, up her leg and then around her back. Only once he's fully exposed to the outside does he solidify into the form he used to fly them here in the first place, keeping the air warm for Alicia.

"You can let go of the window now - I've got you."

* - Just like Odo from Deep Space 9.

One of Sylvia's quirks, something she might neither acknowledge nor deal with until she's in mandatory therapy at Eagle's Nest ten years from now, is that, when she's mad, she wants you to know it.  She expresses.  But when she's angry, she closes all that off into a hard fist of repression in the pit of her stomach.  Thus, there's something chilly and polished--like a marble bust to the back of the skull--about her demeanor now, while her words are calm and absent of emotion.  "She's pretty."

Alicia obeys his instructions without comment. She slips through the crack, her body twisting in ways that would cause other people to wince in expected pain.

As Rhys makes his way across her body in his altered form, he can feel her shudder. Once he's in solid form, she glances at him, her lips slightly parted and a gleam in her eyes. She doesn't say anything; her flushed face and hungry look says it all.


Without hesitation, she lets go of the window and wraps herself around Rhys, arms around his neck and legs around his torso, her groin pressed against his.

Biting his ear, she whispers, "Take me away, lover."

"As you wish, my lady," he grins. He spreads his wings and takes off into the night back towards his apartment.

Donnie is typically a nice kid. Sometimes he gets a little angry, sometimes he has tender, loving moments that surprise his friends. Occassionally he has intuitive moments. Thankfully, this seems to be one of them.

He does not turn to look back at Jessica. "So what? I wouldn't care if she were a supermodel. I am with you and fell fro you the first day of school. You are the one I care about. I don't want to be with anyone else. I have avoided her in several occassions already, and now she knows that I am serious about you and only you. Let's get out of here and take a flight. I know Althea wil love your oustfit. I think you look fantastic."

"Thanks," Sylvia says, eyes dark and wise and disengaged from the close-lipped smile she wears.  "Let's go."

Great, just great. Another girl happens to be interested in me, and I'm the one in trouble. Nice, Sylvia, nice. Why don't you go dance with Logan again, or slip off to visit his house like you do sometimes, hmm? You looking in my head right now?

Donnie says nothing as he retrieves their coats after he divests himself of the armor. He offers to help her into her coat, but Sylvia just takes it from his hands and does it herself.

Great. I'll be lucky if I get a goodnight kiss, let alone anything else tonight.

OOC: This might be a good line to close this thread on.  Let me know if there are any objections.  If not I'll shut this one down.