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The Gym is alive with music and people.  There is valet parking and lots of people have turned out for the dance.

About two hours before the end of the dance the Principal, Mr. Landis, gets up on stage.

"Can I have everyone's attention please.  It's time to announce the King and Queen for this years Homecoming.  As you know everyone is eligible for the honor, and ballots went out Wednesday in the school paper and were collected in boxes set up in the cafeteria areas.  Mr.  Monnitoff and Ms. Pomeroy have counted the votes, and the results are in this envelope."  He holds a large white envelope over his head.  "This years voter turnout was the highest the school has seen since 1956, so let's all give a round of applause for those that took the time to vote."  The gym fills with the sound of applause and yells of victory.  After a few moments Mr. Landis motions to lower the volume, "Now, after the announcement the King and Queen will come up here to get their crowns, and then they will lead us in a dance.  Making the announcement this year will be Mr. Heep."  There is some applause from the science gang and a few others who know Mr. Heep.

OOC: Letting this set for a little while in case anyone wants to comment or do anything.

Megan stopped where she and John had been dancing (after having come back down from upstairs awhile ago).  She was excited to see who had won, though also was starting to think this could be when the bee guy (or anyone else for that matter) might try something.  She held John’s hand and looked up at the stage as Mr. Heep made his way up to make the annoucment.

Kel stood there with Brianna, he really had no interest in who would win but he felt an inkling that he shouldn't let his guard down just because this night was going so smoothly, if there was a time for disaster, right now with everyone watching the stage, the time would be now.  He lets his eyes wander as he watches the crowd and doors, he had been a little to lax tonight, his eyes traverse throughout the gym as announcements are made.

Donnie held Sylvia's hand, having been able to dance successfully and avoid tromping upon her toes. He was feeling quite pleased with the earlier heriocs and the dance. It was good to see everyone having a good time and not worrying about what tragedy or attack was going to come next.

Sylvia's happier than she's been in a while, and why not?  She's with Donnie.  She got to spend some time making much of Althea.  She has a great dress.  And, oh, they managed to kick some ass before making it to the party.  She's been demonstrating that she's not a bad dancer when she doesn't have to count to eight and shake pom-poms, and she's been almost bubbly.  It's a glimpse of the girl from the witches' illusion.  Giddy Sylvia, carefree Sylvia, Sylvia on a sugar high from the punch and cookies.  "I bet you a dollar it's John and Megan," she whispers to Donnie.

Sammy takes this opportunity to move with Elrod to the back of the crowd and get something cold to drink from one of the refreshment tables.  She sits down on an empty chair, kicks off her shoes, and waggles her toes against the relative coolness of the gym floor.  If Elrod sits down beside her, its only a matter of a few short moments before her tired feet are propped up on his leg.  "Who do you think it'll be?"

"Ask Dave."  he says, massaging her feet, "He sai he was going to talk to some people so that two people who might not get it would.  If nothing else, you guys and your hero thing have given him a sense of purpose and direction.  I'd like to think that's a good thing."

Sarah munches on some table snacks next to Colin, mildly interested in who the winner will be.  "I think Megan's got a good shot.  Cheerleaders usually have the inside track for these things don't they?  You know, I realize I forgot to vote for anyone."

"I'll take that bet. I think Elrod has done some behind the scenes stuff and it will be him and Sammy. Probably hired Dave and his limitless minions to perform secret assignments, threats, payoffs and bribes."

His lips linger in her hair and he kisses one earlobe before returning his attention to the stage.

"I'd like to think that too.  Dave has a lot more influence than I'd suspect from just looking at him.  I'm glad to think he's been  inspired to use his power for good."

"Ooh, intrigue in the royal court."  She gives him a kiss on the cheek, which is about as risqué as she gets in public.  It's a lingering kiss, though.  "See, this is the part where I pretend I don't care but am really secretly covetous of the forty-dollar rhinestone crown.  This is the part, too, where you remind me I'm the one who came to prom on a dragon with real-live nobility instead of last season's quarterback."

"From a photographer point of view, if I had to pick someone... Maybe Dave and Lisa Janusch. They're quite interesting. Though I have to admit that John can dress up. I wondered if he has stashes of the same T-shirt. Megan is shining, but if they make her queen now, they'd have to make her win next year too, and the year after that. Sylvia and Donnie? It might be asking too much. What about Kel and Breanna, though?"

Sarah smirks and lets a little reality sink into the conversation.  "Or as a crazy thought any of the dozens of other couples here who haven't been getting blown up or attacked for the last few months.  Intelligent, kind, friendly kids who have all the time in the world for socializing because they aren't running around chasing witches or being attacked by drugged up punks or getting abducted or possessed.  Speaking of which maybe Rob's got a shot."  So much for reality.  "Then again with whatever is in Rob he might just have to ask to get elected as Prom King.  Heck they might just declare him Prom God Emperor of OakPark." 

Colin chuckles.

"I didn't mean to say that only the Usual Suspects have a chance. Just that Kel and Breanna look good together, in an unconventional way. While Donnie and Sylvia... They're lovely too, but a bit too unconventional. She looks really happy tonight. Have you seen Rob around? Or Greg?"

"Silly girl! You came to Prom on the back of a dragon, stopped a murder and put two mob guys behind bars, and happen to be on the arm of the only human permitted to visit the Dragon Reaches and bearer of the Sword of the BorderLord, the final gift to mankind from the mysterious dragons of olde!"

He pauses fro a moment, looking at Mr. Heep as he begins to talk.

"The rhinestone crown would look good on you though. Althea would adore it."

"But then she'd want one.  And you'd have to find out where they make rhine-boulders."

Sammy leans back, allowing Elrod to massage her feet.  "Have you and Dave named your successors yet?  When you graduate, there will be a power void.  Someone needs to step up and fill it.  I assume you'll want to choose who that will be?"

"No, these things are worked out in mysterious ways that we mere mortals are not meant to understand."

"Nobody you can even guess at?  I have a rep to maintain now, and its all your fault.  I need to always hang out with the coolest guy in school.  If I make friends with him now, I won't look like a total suck up next year."

"Ah."  Elrod says with a smile, "I'll see if I can come up with a list."  he says, leaning over to kiss her.

Somehow Sammy winds up on his lap with her arms wrapped around his shoulders.

Mr. Heep gets to the stage and takes the envelope from the principal.  "Thank you Principal Landis."  he says, looking rather nervous.  He straightens his tie and opens the envelope.  He reads the names and then looks out across the gathered bodies.  "This years King and Queen of Homecoming are.  Sarah Rollins and Colin Crow."  The gym bursts into a roaring applause.  A spot light sweeps the crowd until it finds Colin and Sarah.

"Huh."  Sylvia shrugs at Donnie and then claps and cheers with the rest of the crowd.

Donnie laughs and claps along with everyone else. "That was unexpected!"

Sylvia's clapping stalls, and her giddiness drops away.  "That was unexpected."  She finds herself searching the faces in the crowd, the dark corners, and the exits.

Megan was very surprised by the names Mr. Heep read, but smiled widely and clapped and cheered along with the rest of the gym.  She imagined Sarah was possibly about to fait with surprise, but was very happy for her old friend.

Sammy rapidly unpeels herself from Elrod so that she can vigorously applaud and cheer for the King and Queen.  She is filled with an overwhelming sense of relief that Bee-guy did not somehow rig the votes to make her the Queen.  Tension flows right out of her body, leaving her much more happy and relaxed.

Sarah starts chocking on the piece of fruit she had been munching.  WHAT???!!!???  The witches are back and up to some evil plan!  She sips from her cup and turns to Colin, completely stunned.  "Colin?"

Colin looks panicked for a moment, then shakes his head and smiles.

"I told you you are wonderful. It looks like I'm not the only one to think so." he whispers in her ear.

He stands up, and takes her hand courteously, as a king should do.

Ok, I'm dreaming again. Nice dream, though.

They walk slowly towards the stage, as the crowd parts before them.

Once they arrive on stage The student body president and the principal present them with their crown and tiara.  The Queen is given a dozen red roses, and then the Principal asks "Either of you want to say a few words?"

Sarah starts turning as red as her hair.  Oh god I'm going to die.  I'm going to die on stage.  It's a horrible joke and I'm going to die.
When Colin starts leading her to the stage, obviously handling the situation better than her she just follows along meekly.  She smiles, because it's a good thing right? 
"I really hope you are right."

I could make them all forget!  No... I don't think I could manage that.  Nothing worse than being queen and having your head explode all over everyone.  Too Carrie.  Oh god!  It's a setup like Carrie!  Thanks for making me watch that one Greg.  Scarred for life.  Sarah glances upwards looking for a bucket. 

Once on the stage she forgets everything for a minute.  The roses... the crown  Ooh shiny! it's all pretty amazing.  She finds herself waving.

Colin notices Sarah is a bit overwhelmed and takes the microphone that is offered them.

"Well... Thank you. Thanks for voting for us, we really didn't expect it, and we're still wondering a bit if we are dreaming or not. It's been a perfect evening so far, and this is... great. Just great. Thank you, really. I... I can't even guess why you think I deserve this honor, but my charming Queen surely does. Can I have another little applause, just for her, so we can convince her it's for real?" he asks the crowd with a smile.

"This is all for you, my wondergirl." he whispers to her, keeping her hand high as if to show how beautiful she is for him to the whole school.

Oh god.  Oh... god. Sarah finally realizes she's standing in front of... lots and lots of people.  They are all looking at her.  Colin just reminded them to look at her.  People expecting her to even say something.  The urge to disappear was nearly overwhelming.  I could go.  I could run.  I don't have to stay.  Nothing in the world can keep me standing here.  I can leave.... She looks at Colin's smiling face.  leave Colin standing here? 

Sarah takes a deep breath and stays.  She reaches out for Colin's hand and squeezes it hard, holding on for dear life.  She steps up to the microphone.  Ohogodohgodohgodohgod. 

"Thank you... all of you.. I'm uhm.. I, thanks really,"  She manages while the blush rises again.  Sarah pushes forward wanting to try and make some effort to be coherent.  "This is totally unexpected and I'm completely blown away.  This is a wonderful surprise.  Thank you."  She looks at the roses cradled in her arm and finally really smiles. If it's a setup I'm going down but I can't spoil my life expecting the good bits to be traps.

Sarah smiles a lot and cries just a little bit and steps back next to Colin.

More applause fills the gym, and the principal comes over to the microphone.  "And now the King and Queen will go to the dance floor and lead us in a dance."  He points to the DJ and a slow dance begins.  The princiapal comes over to congratulate the couple and shake their hands, then leads them to the front stairs of the stage so they can go to the dance floor.

They only have to dance for a minute or so, before more people move out on the dance floor and the world seems to return to normal.

OOC:  One minute of time dancing alone in the spotlight to two nervous teens = 10 hours of intense scrutiny. 

Sarah holds on to Colin and tries to remember how her feet work.  She is still completely baffled.  She just keeps smiling and laughing a bit at Colin every time they turn and face a different patch of the crowd.  Sarah tries to spot at least one of her friends in the crowd.  The light in her face on the stage had made seeing any of them nearly impossible.  Maybe she was still trapped in the witches dream.  No...this is real.  It has to be. 

"I can't believe it Colin.  This is weirder than finding my powers." says Sarah. 

Sammy slips her shoes back onto her feet and leads Elrod out to the dance floor.  She whispers in his ear, "Do you want to let the royal couple have the limo afterwards?  I could fly you home."

She smiles and waves at Sarah but is pretty sure that the other girl can't see her because of the spotlights.

"These are happy tears, I hope." He whispers to her jokingly.

This is a magic moment. I have to make it wonderful for her, so she'll never forget it.

He takes her hand and leads her to the dance floor, and does her best to make her feel like she's flying, to make the crowd all around staring at them disappear, to make her feel his love.

Dancing under the spotlight (1d20+3=21) (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=1216304) = Great performance. Audience impressed.  8)

Only when everybody else has resumed dancing, he leans really close to her.


"I can't believe it either, but I'm going to enjoy it fully while it lasts. Do you think I could kiss my queen?"

"Well," Kel says from where he is standing with Brianna, "That's a wee bit of a surprise."  As other people join the dance floor, he turns to Brianna and says, "Shall we join them?"

Sarah laughs a little bit and nods.  She holds Colin closer and smiles, feeling less conspicuous as more people join the dance floor.  "They are happy tears.  I think I'm all done with them though."


"Anytime you like your majesty.  I never dreamed of anything like this you know."

Not since I was eight.  The scraps of Disney stickers on her bedroom ceiling left an old clue to a younger Sarah with different wishes. I'm a queen.  I have a beautiful dress, I came to the ball and I got a prince, well king,  I got a crown and if anybody messes with us it will be off with their heads.

Sarah tilts her face to Colin, leans into his kiss and lets a dream from a long time ago sneak out to play for a little while. 

"Oh course"  she says, placing her hand in his, "Lead the way."

"We could do that.  I could ask Jerry to take them around the park or something."  Elrod gets a look in his eyes, and then a smile, "Or."  he says, reaching into his pocket for his phone.  "It's okay to meddle in the affairs of friends, right?"  he says as he searches his phone book and dials a call, placing the phone to his ear.

Sammy whispers back, "Meddling can be a good thing."  She eagerly waits to see what he comes up with.  A horse and carriage?  The corporate jet flying them to Paris for brunch?

Kel lead her back out onto the dance floor and began inching their way closer to the newly crowned homecoming king and queen, when they were close enough he said, "Hey there guys.  Congrats."  He bit back the question of 'how the hell did this happen'.

"Mr. Spalding, Elrod Janush calling."

"Good sir, how about yourself?"

"I was wondering, are you working to night?  I know it's short notice but I have a couple of friends who were just made Homecoming King and Queen and I was wondering if you could maybe pick them up here at the school and take them around town a little before dropping them at home?"

"Are you still at the same address, I'll mail a check Monday?"

"I insist.  You're a gentleman and a saint sir.  I'll text you the address and start the clock now.  I'll give you a ring when they're ready to go.  Thanks again."  Elrod hangs up and looks at the time.  "Okay, romantic ride home for the King and Queen is taken care of."  He gives Sammy a tight hug, "Someday I promise you a ride in Mr. Spalding's horse draw carriage too."

Sarah laughs when Kel and Brianna managed to join them. "Thanks Kel.  Do you have any clue how this happened?  I didn't even remember to vote!"  She turned away for a few moments and swirled with Colin who was leading her in a pretty amazing way.  Colin was totally on his game tonight.  Then again he'd been racking up a lot of good Karma lately.

"You're the King of my Homecoming dance!" she purrs.  "I knew I had the best date tonight."

He shrugged and said, "Your guess is as good as mine.  I know I didn't vote."

Sarah shrugs the mystery away for now.  Perhaps she had a secret fan base.  Maybe there were trading cards. 

She smiled at Brianna, "Brianna, you look awesome.  Are you two having a good time tonight?"

"Thanks.  I was afraid my mom dressed me in some really gross color and Kel was to afraid to say anything.  So far the evening has been very nice.  No problems.  What about you guys?"

Sammy asks Elrod to steer their dancing in the direction of Sarah and Colin.

"Congratulations!  You guys are both so nice, I'm glad you got the crowns!"

Sarah grins and says in an affected British accent, "We are doing quite well.  That's the royal we of course.  Our King seems quite pleased as well though I... er... we would not dare to presume."  Dropping the accent she adds, "Boy this queen stuff is tough to get the hang of.  Can't we all just eat cake or something?"

When Sammy and Elrod swing by Sarah laughs and calls out, "I'm a Queen Sammy!  I don't know how or why.  Let's go find some flamingos to play croquet with!" 

Sammy knows how, but she doesn't think Dave wants Sarah or Colin to know, so she keeps her mouth shut.
Besides, it wouldn't have worked out if people didn't want to do it anyhow.

"I guess they like you! They really like you!"

Sarah laughs, "Thats what I should have said up there!  I'm sure there are a dozen lines Greg wanted me to have said and I didn't manage a single one.  I thought I was going to die.  I hate public speaking."

The rest of the evening goes without any trouble.  The dance ends around 11PM, and some people are headed to parties, while others have assorted plans.

OOC: I'll pick up with the couple threads.  For the begining I'll have Sammy and Elrod in the Colin and Sarah thread until the King and Queen are underway, then take them back to their own thread.