groovygamers.com

Rhys and Alicia's evening.

"Nervous?" asked Andrew as Rhys fidgeted in the passenger seat on the way to Alicia's apartment building.

"Only about you and Mrs. Vega." Rhys stared out the window as his father chuckled and pulled into the parking lot.

When they reached the door of Alicia's apartment, Rhys threw his father one last sidelong glance before knocking. He still wasn't sure what, if anything, was going on between their parents - and the uncertainty made him edgy.

Consuelo opens the door in answer to their knock after few seconds.

"Hello, Rhys... Andrew," she says with a wide smile. "C'mon in, c'mon in," she urges, waving them forward.

She offers them a seat. "Alicia will be out in a moment."

Alicia's voice echoes our of her room, in exasperation. "Mo-om!"

Consuelo rolls her eyes, her attempt at theatrics spoiled. "You can come out now, Alicia."

Shyly, Alicia steps out of her room.

The transformation is stunning. Her hair is styled, slicked down to frame her face. A wrap-around dress covers her from below her shoulders to her knees, the hem uneven to reveal a bit more of one of her stocking-clad legs. Spike heels accentuate her calves. Opera gloves cover her arms. A string of pearls nestle on her bare throat.

(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n295/NestorDRod/Hero/dr5313.jpg)

But the most striking part is her face. Consuelo has subtly covered the bruises, highlighting her lips and cheeks. Mascara brings out her uncovered alien eyes, looking demurely at the two men.

"Wuh... wuh... wuh..." seems to be about all Rhys can say at first, until his father gives him a playful swat to the back of his head.

"Wow!" he manages at last. "You look amazing! And all I'm in is this stupid turtleneck..." But there is a mischievous gleam in his eye when he looks at Alicia that tells her more appropriate attire is only a private moment away.

It's more than just the outfit. Her demeanor has changed. Instead of the cocky, smart-mouthed gamine that Rhys has come to know, the girl before him is a timid, wide-eyed doe, self-conscious and unsure.

She smiles uncertainly at Rhys's outburst. "Do I look all right?"

Consuelo's grin is wide with motherly pride, "You look fantastic, hija, just like I told you you would. Now, let me grab my bag, and we'll get going."

Alicia frowns. "Your...? Are you coming too?" she asks suspiciously.

Consuelo replies over her shoulder as she retrieves her purse and grabs a coat from the closet. "Only to see you to the dance. You think I'm going to miss seeing my daughter's grand entrance?"

She looks to Andrew and asks innocently, "If that's all right with you?"

"We're just dropping you two off then heading out for some bowling."  Andrew says, getting the door.

Alicia stares at her mother, her shocked expression easily readable without the concealment her shades normally provide.

"Close your mouth, dear. You're spoiling the effect," says Consuelo with a touch of smugness in her voice.

She stands by the door. "Shall we go? The night's not getting any younger, you know."

Rhys thinks it over... If Alicia's mother accompanies them all the way to the door, he'll not have a chance to "change" unseen before they enter the gym...

He leans in and whispers to Alicia in a voice so low that only she, with her super-human hearing, can hear. "Does your mother know I've got powers?"

Alicia ponders this for a moment. She shrugs minutely at Rhys, with an apologetic look.

Discerning the direction that Rhys is going with his question, she asks Consuelo, "Mom, I know how proud and happy you are for me, but is it all right if you just let us walk into the dance by ourselves?"

Consuelo looks archly at Alicia and comments amusedly to Andrew, "Remember when they were little and wanted you to come with them everywhere? Now it's embarrassing to be seen with their parents."

She sighs theatrically. "I suppose seeing your boyfriend's reaction will have to do as a reward for all my effort. Very well."

She adds with an evil grin. "I'll even refrain from yelling out as you go in about being careful and not doing anything I wouldn't do."

Andrew nods and agrees. "They grow up so fast. Makes you wonder where the years went."

Rhys looks at Alicia with an expression that's difficult to read. It's clear he's got some conflicting emotions under the surface.

"Thank you. Although I don't like to disappoint your mom."

Consuelo waves it off. "Thank you, Rhys. If you want, you can make it up to me by making sure my Alicia enjoys the evening. You'd think this was the first dance she's ever been to."

Alicia gives Rhys a frantic warning look. It's amazing how much emotion her face can carry when not hiding behind plastic lenses.

And suddenly Rhys is all charm.

"Of course, Mrs. Vega. Although I don't consider that in any way to be a chore, as I was planning on making sure she enjoyed herself tonight anyway."

Consuelo smiles. "Thank you, dear."

OOC: Unless anything else is supposed to happen...

The car arrives at the school and the two teenagers disembark. Hugs and kisses are exchanged. Rhys and Alicia wave to the departing taillights.

Alicia looks at Rhys tentatively. It's strange to see her without her sunglasses outside, and her subdued mood makes it almost surreal.

"What now?" she asks, nervous.

"And now, my dear," Rhys begins as he starts changing, "we dance."

He grows a tiny bit taller, a tiny bit wider, a tiny bit... handsomer. His clothes change into a full tux with tails and top hat, cummerbund and bow tie matching the color of Alicia's dress, and gray gloves. Patent leather shoes and opera cape round out the ensemble, and he is the picture of the perfect Victorian gentleman.

He extends his shoulder, and escorts Alicia into the gym.

Alicia hides a smile behind a hand at Rhys's transformation. Her humor melts into apprehension as they approach the gym.

She halts for a second and closes her eyes, taking a deep breath. "Ay Dios mio, I almost wish I was back in the alley with the street gang."

"Aye, it's a whole different world in there than the one you're used to. But don't worry - I'm here to help you navigate through it, mi amor."

He smiles at her as he pats her hand on his shoulder and walks through the doors.

Alicia gives Rhys a sly smile, the mischief flashing in her eyes vying with gratitude, "So if I do something stupid and make an ass of myself, I can count on you to cover for me while I escape?"

"If that's what you really want. But you're stronger than that - you don't have to run away from anything."

The statement gets another halt from Alicia, but not from fear. She turns to face Rhys, holding his face with her hand. She parts her lips as if to say something, then leans forward to join in a quick passionate kiss.

Stepping back with a Mona Lisa smile, she gets back into position at his side and waits for him to lead them in.

Rhys copies her enigmatic smile as they enter the gym.