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Colin goes to meet Sarah

Sarah smiled into the mirror.  It had been quiet for a couple of days, she had discovered a new talent, she was wearing a beautiful dress and going to homecoming with her boyfriend.  Colin was going to meet her hear and then Sammy and Elrod were going to be picking them up in a limo.  It should be pretty awesome. 

She twirled once in the dress for pure pleasure.  She went through her mental check list.  Dress?  Check.  Matching shoes?  Check.  Jewelry?  Um. 

Sarah dug through her small collection of jewelry, most of which was of a humorous or sarcastic nature.  She had never considered jewelry until this year.  She hadn't even had her ears pierced.  I should get my ears pierced.  Idiot.  I should have had my ears pierced so I could wear something for the dance. 

She dug out a small gold charm bracelet that her mother had given her a couple of Christmases ago.  This is actually really nice.  Why didn't I notice that before? 
Her memory returned to that Christmas and the fact that she had been desperate to get a new computer even though hers was perfectly fine... it just hadn't been fine enough to play the latest games. 
Oh right.  Spoiled brat is me. 

She went down the hall and carefully down the stairs looking for her mom.  "Mom?"   She found her folding a basket of laundry in the living room.  "How do I look?"

Sarah's mom smiled.  "You look gorgeous honey.  Colin is going to be speechless."

"Only because there isn't a word for how goofy she looks in his vocabulary."  Her brother says, riding his skate shoes past on his way to the kitchen.

The door bell rings.

Colin and his mom have arrived. This time he insisted that she actually got out of the car with him to greet Sarah's parents, and she reluctantly agreed.

Colin gave himself a quick look in the car's mirror. His simple, black tuxedo makes him look leaner and a bit taller, which doesn't hurt. He picked a green tie to match the hue of Sarah's dress, and it doesn't look too bad with his own hue either. He thinks back at when he asked her to be his homecoming date, at how she accepted, and smiles. It seems like ages ago.

He pats his pocket, where his slim digital camera sits next to the little surprise he has for Sarah. Everything's all right. He moves as if to ring the bell, again, but his mom stops him with her hand and a smile.

"Sorry. I have to admit I'm a bit nervous."

"Gah!  Mom!  Make him stop!"  She gives Marty a dirty look and tells him, "Go away before I erase your save points."

She looks back at her mom hopefully, "Do you think so?  I wanted ...  I mean, could you help me with some makeup?  I thought maybe just some lipstick or some eyeshadow or something but I'm not entirely sure."

The door bell rings.

"Oh god he's here!  I'm not ready!"

"Oh for crank's sake."  Mort says, rolling into the room.  "I'll paint the doll, mom can intercept them and do whatever stalling tactics that mom's do."  He heads towards the stairs.  "We're gonna use your makeup table mom."  he says as he makes his way up.

Once upstairs with Sarah seated he stands behind her to look at her.  "You really look nice."  he says, reaching around for the lipstick.  "Now hold still."  He takes a brush and begins to paint her lips.  "This and some color for your cheeks, should be more then enough."

Sarah's mother opens the door to greet Colin and his mom.  "Hi."  She says, "Sarah will be down in a minute.  Please, come in."

"Good evening, Mrs. Rollins, this is my mom. Mom, this is Sarah's mother." colin says a bit awkwardly.

"Good evening, Mrs. Rollins. Colin insisted to have me wait here until the limo arrives. I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not.  I'm glad we finally got a chance to meet.  You look very nice Colin."

Sarah is too stunned to argue.  She sits quietly while Mart paints her.  She can see in the mirror that he's doing a good job.  Finally when he's finished she smiles softly.  "You did a really good job.  Thank you.  I don't know how you knew how to do that, but thanks." 

She leans over and kisses Mart on the cheek leaving a light red stain.  "Now you've got girl cooties!"

She gets up and ruffles her brother's hair.  "You really are a good little brother." 

Sarah walks carefully down the steps in *gasp* heels, making sure not to fall on her face.  She sees Colin and Mrs. Crow talking with her mom. 

Mort chuckles, "How do you think I learned to paint lips."  he says.


"Well, you're not too bad for a sister.  If you tell anyone I said that though, I'll completely deny it."

'How do I think?' asks Sarah.  She shakes her head in bafflement.  'Guess we've got something to talk about later besides the latest screen shots of the new games.'

"Thank you."

Colin lowers his head in slight embarrassment, but then he hears the steps on the stairs. When he looks up at Sarah, his look is everything she hoped for. He is indeed speechless.

Sarah feels her cheeks burn as she blushes from the attention.  Her mother is smiling and so is Mrs. Crow.  Colin looks stunned.  Sarah herself finally smiles and laughs a little at his expression.  "Hi Colin.  It's nice to see you again Mrs. Crow."

She finishes making it down the stairs in one piece.  She turns to her mother and says, "I guess I'm ready Mom.  Sammy and Elrod are probably on their way here already."

She steps over to Colin and takes his hand for support.  She was pleased by his expression, even if it was a little goofy.  Guess I don't look like a total freak.  She nods to Colin's outfit.  "You look handsome."   

With Sarah downstairs the picture taking can begin.  Sarah's mom snaps lots of photos, and her and Alex seem to hit it off as Colin and Sarah get ready to go.

"Alex, why don't you stay for coffee."  Sarah's mom says.  Colins's mother looks for a second like she might decline, then smiles.

"That would be nice."  She turns and gives Colin a hug, careful not to mess up his tux.  "You guys have a good time, and if you need anything just call.  Okay?"

There is a knock, and Mort answers the door to reveal Elrod.  "Hey guys."  He says, "You ready to go?"

Sarah grins at Colin and nods.  "I think so.  We've done the photo op so we're ready for a ride.  How does Sammy look?"

Colin seems to snap back from the trance.
"Almost ready. I have to give you my corsage."

He puts his hand in his pocket.

"You know how I feel about flowers. So I thought to give you some flowers that could stay with you."

He takes out from his pocket a silken scarf, almost transparent, in scarlet and orange. Golden lilies and rose petals have been carefully painted on it, as if they were waving in the wind. It also smells like flowers, he probably has poured some perfume on it. When she looks at it closer, there is a single thread of gold writing a line. It reads "Beautiful as a fiery sunset and free as the west wind".

He hands it to her with a smile.

"Now we're ready to go."

"I'm biased.  You'll have to judge that for yourself." 

Sarah looks down at the scarf and it was her turn to be speechless.  She leans in and kisses Colin right in front of both moms and a little brother.  "Thank you.  This is beautiful.  Can you tie it on my wrist?"

Once it's on she admires it again.  If anyone spills anything on me tonight I am going to kill them.  This is too awesome.  Ah!  Girly thoughts!  Run away!  Run away!  "Best boyfriend ever."

She looks over at Elrod, "Let's roll then.  I've got to see Sammy." 

Sarah smiles once more at her mom and brother and Colin's mom.  "Bye, see you later.  Thanks for all your help mom."  She gives Mart a quick wink.

There a special degree of of happiness when a girl you love appreciates what you spent a long time working on for her. When she kisses him, Colin wrinkle-blushes, but he feels like he could fly. He dutifully ties the scarf to her wrist with a nice knot, and then takes her hand.

"Well, time to go. Have a nice evening, and thanks for all this." he says to their moms.

"I've never been in a limo." he says to Sarah and Elrod. He's not sure if he's supposed to sit in front or beside Sarah, So he waits for Elrod to take a seat and does the same.

[OOC: Moving the Sammy-Elrod thread here, for now]

Sammy is seated on the far side of the vehicle, across from the door.  There is a spot for Elrod right next to her.  Across from her is the area reserved for Colin and Sarah.  After the driver has taken a set of photographs of all of them together in the limo, she settles back into her seat.  She gushes approvingly over Sarah and Colin's appearances, making approving "Oooh! Aah!" noises when she notices Sarah's new scarf, then shows off Elrod's creative work.  "It's based on one of Colin's photographs.  Isn't it wonderful?"

"Wow. I never thought of something like that."

Then jokingly at Elrod "I should ask you some royalties for that. But I'll settle for the limo."

After brushing her dress down smooth and sitting comfortably, Sarah leans towards Sammy and gushes over the broach, "It's awesome Sammy!  Really beautiful.  Nice job Elrod."  She smiles and gives Sammy a careful hug.  "I don't want to rumple you before the dance." 

She rests back against Colin and sighs happily and closed her eyes.  The smell of the limo was familiar from her childhood.  It smelled... rich.  Megan's house smelled like that.  Maybe someday I'll get back to that.  But how if I'm bouncing around the galaxy?  Will it just not matter anymore?

She looks up at Colin and asks, "Do you want to play with the buttons?"  She gestures towards a row of switches. 

"Sure. Show me around. I like... This one." He presses a random one of them.

Windows and the sun roof are made to dance at the whim of the buttons.  The partitiion seperating the driver from the passengers moves a few time and the driver chuckles.  "Just like old times sir."  he says, and Elrod laughs.

"Yeah, I guess it is Jerry.  Thanks for this by the way."

"No trouble at all sir.  It's nice to be behind the wheel again sir."  Jerry's accent is certainly not American.  It has a hint of British polish to it, but very subtle.

"Jerry was our driver forever when I was growing up.  Now everyone drives themselves for the most part, so he manages the cars and stuff.  He helped me restore my Impala."

Sammy is struck by a thought.  "Hey, if Jerry drove your tour bus this summer... do you think he'd count as that responsible adult chaperone my parents want so badly?"

Elrod gives Sammy an odd look.  "Hey Jerry, you wanna drive us all around this summer for our band tour.   You'll be playing the role of responsible adult."

Jerry laughs, "Sorry sir.  Did you say responsible adult?"

"Yep.  You heard me right."

"I assume that wasn't your idea sir.  Perhaps Ms. Jameson's?"

"I told you man, it's the voice.  Chicks always think the English guy is cultured and well mannered."

"If you can convince your father to let me be gone that long sir, I'd be honored."

"Hell,"  elrod says more quietly, "That will be the easy part.  It's mom that might have a problem."

"Sir?"

"I'll see what I can do Jerry.  Thanks."  Elrod closes the partition.  "Good idea though, I knew there was a reason I liked hanging out with you."

Sarah blinks in puzzlement.  "Your going on tour?"

Sammy heard the quiet remark about Elrod's mother, but chooses not to push that button, not right now.  Its not the right time or place.  She looks at Elrod with a hope-filled expression.  "I get creative when I'm backed into a corner.  Bringing along Jerry is a far better plan than me going out with a long string of losers would have been."


Sammy blinks back "You weren't there... oh my gosh, that's right, you weren't there the day I was so mopey because my folks were being difficult... Elrod and his band are going on tour next summer, and they want me to be part of the band!  Mom and Dad don't want me to go without appropriate supervision, they were making noises about me maybe spending too much time with Elrod and maybe needing to go out with other guys beside him... this was right after we got back from California, and they knew about the stalker but weren't telling me, so things were kind of weird for them.  I think they're settling down some since because I haven't pitched any fits about any of it."  She shrugs her shoulders.  "I've been too busy plotting to get what I want, and if I yelled too loudly they'd have shut me down quick."

Colin raises an eyebrow for a moment, But Sammy is quite right.

"Have you asked Jack if he's busy this summer?"

Sarah grins and asks the smart-ass question, "Does he play an instrument?"

"I don't know, but he kind of had a lot of time to learn if he wanted."

Sammy says thoughtfully, "I had not thought of asking Jack.  Not until now anyhow.  Maybe I could offer him up too, give them a choice in who watches over their little girl?  With a choice, they might not notice that I pre-screened the candidates for the job... its not so bad being babysat if you want that babysitter."

OOC:  When do we get to the dance?

OOC:When ever you guys want to.

OOC: I would have gone with -  "When we get there!  And if anyone asks that question again so help me I'll turn this adventure right around!!!"

OOC: Actually I was just kind of wondering how long in drive time it would take to get there; if the driver was taking the long way, that kind of thing.  I just phrased it badly.  I'll go take my slapped wrist and cower in the corner now.

OOC: It's probably a ten or fifteen minute ride counting the time it takes to get through the valet line.

"If Jack could, well, your parents couldn't wish for a better bodyguard. Not that you need one, I mean."

He leans back on the seat.

"I'll try to take a bus to Arizona. Maybe sooner than summer if I manage. There's some people I should meet there."

"Arizona!  Wow."  Sammy looks at Sarah.  "Are you going too?"

Sarah blinks a bit and looks at Colin with a question.  "Arizona?  Does everyone have summer plans but me?  I was just going to pop around town.  I wouldn't mind going on a trip but I wouldn't want to intrude."  

What's stopping me?  I'm going to travel.  I can travel right now!  Sarah does a little math in her head, a frightening concept.  I could get Colin to Arizona in four or five hours.  Unless I get a headache or something from all the jumping.  I'll start small.  A trip to Milwaukee and back wouldn't be too bad.  I could do that tomorrow in no time!

"Actually, I'm probably the one that would be intruding. Bobby and his wife did invite me, but I'm not totally sure they really meant it. I hope so. If you want, when I ask them if I can go, I'll ask if you can come too. I've got to warn you, though. They're a bit weird. Pretty much like me." he says with a smile.

Sammy laughs at Colin.  "You're not weird, Colin.  Not too weird, anyhow.  Not scary weird."

"Thank you, I guess." he replies with a smile.

He look out of the window and notices they're almost arrived. When the limo stops he opens the door and offers Sarah his hand to climb out.

"Thanks, Elrod, it's been really nice."

"Are you eager to dance?" he asks Sarah.


OOC: Do we move to the dance thread?

Sammy looks through the open doors, then looks back at Elrod in mock disappointment.

"What, no red carpet?  No papparazzi?"  She sighs heavily.  "Oh well.  I suppose I'll survive."  She allows him to help her out of the car, and rests her hand lightly on his arm as they walk into the school.

OOC: So far everyone has just kept posting in their thread.  I think the dance will be for when people cross paths with other people and general stuff.


Elrod shrugs, "All the papparazzi are chasing Paris Hilton or Linsey Lohan."

OOC:  jumping back to Sammy/Elrod

Colin and Sarah have been at the dance for about an hour, enjoying each others company when Sarah's phone tells her she has a text message, from Elrod.

Sammy dancing with some guy.  Might be THE guy.

OOC: Notice check is 20 to find her in the crowd.

As Soon as reads the message from Sarah's phone, Colin opens his eyes to the ghost light and looks for Sammy in the crowd frowning. He can't see her amid all the people dancing. But he remembers where he saw her last time though.

"Let's pretend we're going to take something to drink. I hope Elrod is wrong, but you never know." he whispers to Sarah. He takes her hand and they go towards the tables, craning their neck to look for their friend.

Sarah shows Colin the message and starts typing a quick response. 

Where?  Landmark?

She starts looking around.  Sarah says to Colin, "Do you see her anywhere?"

OOC:
Notice for Sammy (1d20+6=9) (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=1212139)

When they finally find her, Sammy has just finished dancing with Bruce, and everything seems alright. Megan and John are there to check on her, and few moments later, Megan dances with Bruce too, so Colin sighs in relief.

"It looks like it wasn't him."

Being near the bar, they can as well take a drink. Colin fills a glass for Sarah too.

For a moment Colin looks like he's looking for the right words to say something.

"This might not be the right moment, or the right evening, but there's something I wish we could talk about. But if you're not in the mood it's not a problem, it can wait."

Sarah tilts her head in puzzlement for a moment.  "You can always talk to me about anything.  I can't guarantee how I will answer until I know what you are talking about though.  Fire away."

She takes a drink from her glass in her left hand and admires once more the beautiful creation around her wrist.  He really is amazing.

He looks down for a moment, then straight into her eyes.

"I don't want to hurt you. Ever. But...I've already made you cry twice. It's like you have a thorn, and sometimes I accidentally touch it, and twist it inn your side, without even noticing. I respect you. I trust you. You feel you cannot tell me about it, at least yet, and I accept it. Well, I can't help but trying to imagine what it is, and why you don't let me help you, but I know you're tough, and you can deal with it. I just wish that we could be together without me hurting you unwittingly. I wish that you could feel safe with me. Would you tell me what topics I should avoid, what I shouldn't do, not to make you cry?"

Sarah listens quietly but towards the end she has a gentle smile.  She says, "You can be such a boy sometimes Colin."  She frowns for a moment then goes on to say,"Then again so can I.  Didn't anyone ever tell you that girls cry when they are happy sometimes?  We cry when we're happy, when we're sad, when we're angry when we're hurt and those are just the top four of a long list of reasons to cry not to mention the right to cry for no reason at all."  She puts her hand on his lapel and smooths out a non existant rumple, just touching him for comfort. 

Sarah explains a bit more of her situation saying, "I wasn't like this before I met you Colin.  Before I starting seeing you I was just one of the guys, playing video games most of the time or rpg's with Donnie and the rest.  I wasn't wearing dresses or thinking about dances.  If a boy asked me on a date I just laughed at him or punched him.  So I'm kind of new to this girl stuff.  My mom seems pretty happy about it."

"I'm sorry if I'm crying too much.  There are some things I'm not telling anyone.  I think that is the nature of the teenager isn't it?  Well most of them anyway.  I trust you with my life Colin... at least once a week it seems.  I do feel safe with you and you can ask me about anything but I won't promise I'll tell you about everything." 

She takes another sip from her drink.  She says, "You and I are very different people.  You are open and thoughtful and you want to know how other people think and feel.  I'm a lot more insular.  I feel guilty about that sometimes.  I don't ask you much about yourself or your life.  I mean, I check in with you on the day to day things but I don't know really anything about you that you haven't shared first.  I'm sorry about that."

"Ok. I see. If you promise you'll just smack my head if I do or say something that hurts you, I won't bug you when you feel the need to cry for whatever reason. I'll just offer you my shoulder. I'm new to all this stuff too. So I'm always afraid to say or do the wrong thing. You see, you make me so happy. I just wish I could make you as happy as you make me feel."

He smiles. "Would you like to dance some more?"

Sarah rolls her eyes before saying, "You DO make me very happy.  Remember I just said we cry when we're happy?  You just have to remember to have a towel or a spare shirt or something to soak up all the tears from time to time.  Yes we can dance.  Hey maybe they'll play a slow song soon."

"I can't wait." he says smiling and taking her hands to go back to the dance floor.

Sarah grins and says as they dance together, "This whole dating thing has it's perks that's for sure."

When the slow song comes around she draws close to Colin and into his arms.  She wraps one arm around him but the other she puts on his face, admiring him.  She rubs her thumb softly across his bottom lip and smiles in a rather seductive fashion, she hopes.  Either that or he'll think she has something in her eyes. 

Colin cradles her in his arms like a true gentleman, then he makes her turn around herself so that now she is leaning her back on his chest and, leaning forward, he lays a gentle kiss on her ear, then she makes her turn so that she's in his arms again.

"You're truly wonderful."

After the dance Sammy, Elrod, Sarah and Colin meet up outside.  Elrod has them walk a couple of blocks from the gym to where the tennis court parking lot is.  "There has been a change of transportation plans."  Elrod says as the Limo pulls up, "The King and Queen have to have some time to themselves."  He waves towards a darkened side of the parking lot, and an open topped carriage pulled by a pair of white horses comes out of the darkness towards them.  Elrod gives Sarah a hug and a kiss on the cheek, "Congratulations."  he says, and then shakes Colin's hand, "You two take a ride around town, spend a little quality time together.  The driver will drop you off at home whenever you guys want."

Sarah wanders outside on a cloud.  Every so often through the evening a dark thought would try and spoil things.  It was a setup or a scam.  A plot by yet another evil lurking in the school or a setup for some other reason but she refused to let it spoil things. 

The sound of clopping hooves on pavement turns her head just as Elrod gestures.  She points andlaughs in delight when she sees the horsies.  She hugs Elrod and kisses him back, she hops over and hugs and kisses Sammy and ends with another hug and kiss for Colin for good measure.  "That's amazing!" 

"Have fun, you two!"  Sammy is happy to be even a peripheral part of the treat, and is beaming with pride at Elrod.  He's so nice.  He's so clever!

Colin is terribly embarrassed. "Oh, Elrod, you shouldn't have. I'll try to find someway to return the favor." he says, shaking his hand.

"I don't know what to say, tonight is... a dream. Thank you so much."


"Will do. Thank you, really. Have fun you too. You deserve it."


Colin looks at his beautiful queen and his eyes seem to say that, to him, the most amazing thing of the evening it's always her.

"Milady" he says taking her hand "where would you like to go?"

Sarah turns to Colin after Sammy and Elrod have headed off on their own.  "I just wanted to let you know that tonight has been amazing.  And I wanted you to know that it wasn't because we got crowned and it's not because we have a carriage.  It's because I was here with you."  She leans in and kisses him.  After a long moment she leans back and finally answers his question. 

"I don't know," Sarah says with a shrug and a smile.  "Maybe this gentleman knows somewhere nice?"  She looks at their driver and says, "Sir?  Would you know some nice places for a ride?"

"I think I can find a nice place."  he says.

Colin returns the kiss, so happy he feels his heart could burst. Even after they break the kiss, for the second time tonight, he's speechless.

The driver takes the couple on a romantic ride through Oak Park.  It's older residential districts lit with low street lights that resemble the gas lights of days gone by.

Sarah leans on Colin's shoulder as the carriage strolls through old Oak Park.  "It was pretty cool.  The dancing, the crowning.. okay that part was just scary, but this carriage is really nice.  Did you have any other plans for tonight?" 

Colin can't resist taking a couple pictures, mostly as studies to use later for drawings, but he quickly leans back, welcoming Sarah on his shoulder.

"I'm afraid I didn't. I was too nervous to plan much. I... I think I could do anything and enjoy it, if it's with you. Even if it's nothing. Especially if it's nothing."

He kisses her lightly on her forehead, and takes in the scent of her air.

"The best thing is that, whatever happens, nobody will be able to take this night from us. It'll always be ours. I'll never forget it."

Sarah nods.  "Well, after the ride I've got a little something set up.  Nothing fancy... not like getting crowned at home coming or a carriage ride through scenic oak park."

"Just when I thought there was nothing more I could look forward to." Colin smiles, cuddling her. "I can't wait."

Sarah stands up in the carriage and climbs up behind the driver and whispers in his ear.  Afterwards she climbs back down and snuggles next to Colin with a happy smile.

The carriage leads them through a long and leisurely stroll through historic Oak Park before it eventually turns off and stops at a structure familiar to Colin and Sarah both.  A particular branch of the Oak Park Public Library.  (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Oak_park_library.jpg/450px-Oak_park_library.jpg)

Sarah turns to Colin with a smile.  "We're here." 

After Colin steps down she reaches out to take his hand and glides down from the carriage herself. 

To the driver she says, "Thank you so much it was a wonderful ride."   

After a wave goodbye she turns to Colin, takes his hand and asks, "Ready?"  
Before he can even answer there is a sudden shudder of movment. 
*zwip!* 

They stand together on the roof of the library. 

As the moon shines over Oak Park, Colin takes Sarah's hand.

"Thank you."

He looks down for a moment as if he's trying to find the right words.

"Maybe this is not the right time, but finally I'm not scared for you or for myself, so it's not fear that compels me. Tonight everything has been perfect. I've said it several times already, but I've been silly. I should have waited to say it now. This is our night. No matter what happens, everything about tonight is true. So this time let me say it, because it's true. I know you don't want to hear it, but please, let me say it now, and I won't bother you with it again unless you ask me to."

He finally finds the courage to look into her eyes, and he gently caresses her cheek, his hand really warm in the cool wind.

"I love you, Sarah."

Sarah nods to Colin, "I know you do," she says.  Her chest feels tight and her stomach lurches a bit.  "No one who didn't would put up with me as well as you do." 

She turns and reaches behind a piece of the ventilation system and pulls out a bag.  She plops it on the ground and kneeling carefully in her dress she unzips the bag and pulls out a thick picnic blanket.  With a quick toss Sarah spreads it across the roof.  She pulls out a bottle of alcohol free sparkling wine and a tupperware of strawberries and last a pair of slim champagne glasses packed in a protected box. 

"I thought we could have dessert and just hang out for a while before going home." 

Holding up the wine she shrugs and gives a small embarrassed grin.  "I know it's not exactly real but it's the best I could manage."

She hands Colin the wine and a bottle opener.  "I hope you know how to make this thing work."

While he makes an effort on the bottle she drifts behind him and kisses his neck with a contented sigh.

"Champagne and strawberries. Wow."

He takes the bottle and looks at it for a moment. It shouldn't be too hard to open. But when Sarah kisses him on the neck he moans, shivering, and the bottle pops on its own. He quickly grabs the glasses and fills them before it pours all over the blanket.

He hands her her glass, saying "Cheers, your majesty.". Then he takes a strawberry and offers it to her as well, holding it so she can bite it from his hand.

Sarah touches the crown on her head, having forgot about it on the carriage ride.  She smiles softly and blinks forward a step with a sudden teleport.  A teleport that manages to leave her dress drifting to the roof behind her.  She leans towards Colin and bites the strawberry.  After chewing for a moment she smiles in a hopefully sexy way and says, "There is no way I'm ruining another dress."

She takes a drink from her glass to wash down the strawberry.  "I love you Colin Crow.  I've been too scared to say it but I love you."

She kneels as demurely as she can manage on the picnic blanket next to the strawberries and tries not to laugh as Colin attempts to sort out the mind of his girlfriend.
 

Colin eyes go really really wide for a moment, then what she says hits him fully. He blinks a few times, and a tear well up in his eyes. He catches it before it falls down his chin, and smiling he says "Happy tear. Maybe I'm beginning to understand."

He takes off his jacket and drapes it on her shoulders. "I... I don't know what to say and I have no idea what's happening so I think I'll just-" he steps closer, and kisses her fully on her lips, while the moon shines bright on them from above.

* fade to black *