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John and Megan were getting a ride to the party with Lance Harbor and his girlfriend.  The game hadn't gone Oak Park's way, but it was a narrow loss and the team was still rebuilding.

Lance knew better than to honk for Megan from the driveway, so John went up to the door.  He was dressed in black, with a cape and mask, with a flat brimmed hat and a rapier at his side.  It was obviousl he was Zorro.

Megan was putting some finishing touches on the light amount of eyeliner and mascara she had on as she waited for John to arrive with Lance and the older boy’s girlfriend to so they could go to the Halloween party.  Sadly the team had lost again at the football game today, but Megan had still had fun cheering, and the bright spot was that there had been no other mishaps with the squad, though she hardly expected they were over. 

The teen felt extremely sexy in her pirate costume, a felling helped by the fact it was made to be that way.  The red dress, with a very short skirt and black ruffle lace, left her shoulder and everything just above her breasts bare.  A black corset, tied tightly in the front, accented her hourglass figure, and two straps extended up over her shoulders to help hold everything up.  The red sleeves were tied tight just a bit above the elbow, the lower part of the sleeves a bit looser.  The knee high black leather boots she had bought for the outfit looked great, and made her fence net stocking legs look even longer than they were, aided a bit by the three inch stiletto heels. 

Her long blonde hair was down, and she had spent a good bit of time curling it.  Pushing a couple of curls, she put her Dior eyeliner and mascara away.  She then took off the top of her bottle of Dior J’adore perfume, running the stick with the fragrance on it along the sides of her neck and base of her throat.  Dipping it slightly again she then ran a faint trace of it along the inside of each forearm, just below the wrists.  Holding one wrist up to her nose, she smelled the brilliant combination of several orchids that were complimented by the velvet touch of Damascus plum and the mellowness of amaranth wood.   

Satisfied, she put the top back on the bottle of perfume and grabbed the grey trenchcoat from off her bed.  She put it on, wrapping it closed to both help her from the cold and to keep most of her costume hidden until they got there, assuming John just was not able to look through the coat.  Putting on the black pirate hat with black lace and a red bow, she made her way downstairs just as John arrived at the door.  She grinned as she saw his costume, making her way over to give him a kiss on the cheek and said goodbye to her parents.  As they made their way out towards Lance’s car, she smiled and said, “you look anything but lame.”


(HERE (http://groovygamers.com/forum/index.php?topic=1436.msg98571#msg98571) is where the picture of Megan's costume is posted)

"Why thank you ma'am."  he said as he went to the car with her and held the door for her.  "This cape thing is a little annoying, but I like the mask idea."

“Thank you sir.”  Megan replied in a playfully formal tone as John held the door to the car open for her and then chuckled slightly at his mild complaint about the cape, then, in a whisper she knew only he would hear, replied, “masks can be liberating, in an odd way.”  Climbing into the car, she greeted Lance and his girlfriend, the excitement about the party a bit evident in her voice and manner. 

This year Lance decided to dress as a cowboy, and the lamb woll chaps made the costume far more amusing then it should have been.  His girlfriend had agreed to be a saloon girl, and the pair matched it nothing more than era.

The ride to the party was mostly consumed by Lance going over the events of the game.  The team had played well, but they stil had a few more bugs to work out to be in top form. 

The initial mingling was pleasant, and Lisa made all the right noises when she saw Megan's costume.  It was plain to see that Lisa felt perfectly at home in her costume, especially with her entoage to carry her about.  Once all the friendly greetings were done John got he and Megan some punch.  "I think I'm going to have to stop throwing the games."  John says in a low tone.  "I've been basing how I play by how the other quarterback plays, I think I'm gonna have to adjust my system some or we're gonna bomb the rest of the season."

Megan had given Lisa a big hug when the older girl had greeted them, complimenting her on her costume and having litter bearers.  Once they had moved away from the initial group in greetings and John got them some punch, Megan took a drink as John whispered about having to adjust his system.  She nodded in understanding as she quietly replied. “Well, I think the season is a loss anyway, and was before you arrived, but it would be nice to get some wins going out, especially for Homecoming.”  She gave him a grin and then added in a bit more seriously, “but it must be a bit frustrating not being able to really perform as well as you can.”

"Not really.  Technically I'm already cheating, but I really wanted to be able to play, at least one year.  The challenge is to try and find a way to handicap myself so that it's not totally one sided on the field."

Megan thinks a moment and then says, “well, there is the defense.  You are not part of that, so how well you do on offense does not effect whether the defense can stop the other team or not.” 

She then reaches up to grab the upper part of one of John’s arms and gives it a friendly squeeze.  “But I think the really important thing is that you have fun while playing.  Though, if you listen to Coach, that can only be done by winning.”  She grins, thinking of all the yelling to that effect she is able to hear down on the field when the coach has roamed near where the cheerleaders are standing and also during pep talks for the football team before and after practices.


(Here is the LINK (http://groovygamers.com/forum/index.php?topic=3325.msg98762#msg98762) to the Usual Suspects Table thread)

John and Megan went out to dance.  For the first time John seemed focus completely on Megan.  As they danced a smile crept across his face.  "You really do look nice.  I probably should have said something earlier.  I'm not very good at this boyfriend thing.  Maybe with practice."

Megan was already starting to move to the music as she and John made their way out into the dimly lit dance floor.  When John began to smile and focus on her, she gave back a smile that widened as he mentioned how good she looked, particularly at the use of the word “boyfriend” in his apology.  “Don’t apologize.”  She said, her smile still in place.  “Important thing is you realized you should say something.  And I am sure practice will help.” 

She stepped in and up slightly on her toes to gently kiss his lips before she was back on the heels of her boots and really started to get into the music.  As she danced, Megan kept her gaze on John, letting the rhythm of the music guide her to the numerous dance moves she had been practicing in her studio of late.  As she did, her dancing became something truly amazing to watch.


(ooc perform dance roll: 20+8= 28!!!  Megan is something to see!  http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=912153
Of course, now that Kat and I have both made natural 20’s on skill checks for this party, if anything serious happens that requires combat, we could all be in trouble as the nat 20’s are used up)

Once Megan really gets moving a wider and wider space open up around her and John.  He's not nearly as talented a dancer as Megan, but all he has to be is out of the way and he knows it.  By the time her performance is over she's drawn quiet a bit of attention.  As the song ends she gets a round of applause from most of the spectators and then they begin to go back to dancing as well.

John is smiling as he pulls her closer, "I'd say you dance well, but I think you already know that."

At first Megan had not noticed the space the formed around her and John as she danced, but it soon became very evident, but it did nothing to slow her down, after all, she danced in front of crowds all the time.  As she received a round of applause from most of the people on the dance floor, she smiled and waved as John pulled her closer to him and everyone else began dancing once more.

She begins dancing slower as she smiled back at John she replied, “yeah, but it’s always nice to hear it anyway.”  Going with slower motions to the new song, she works on using her movements, so close to John, to guide him along some as they continued to dance for awhile.

Megan and John had continued to dance for awhile, Megan enjoying the time focused on each other as they danced close to one another.  Finally deciding to take a break, the pair made their way back into the main entry way to get something to drink and a bit of food.  Downing one glass of punch, Megan took another as they began to work their way back trough the crowds.

When they came across Brian Parks and several other members of the Science Club, Megan and John stopped to talk.  “Hey Brian.”  Megan said with a smile as she greeted her fellow Constitutional Debate Team member and the president of the Science Club (as well as a number of other clubs at the school).  “Good to see you, you having fun?  You seen Laura or Brendan around?”

"We're having a blast."  He says, indicating the group of friends with him, "Laura is around somewhere.  Brendan?  He's not the party type so I wouldn't expect to see him tonight."

“Good.”  Megan said with a smile as Brian indicated he and his friends were having a blast.  She talked for a little while with him, getting introductions to those with him.  “Tell Laura hello if you see her before I do.”  Megan said with a grin as she and John started off though the crowd once more in the general direction of the library.  With her arms wrapped around one of John’s Megan leaned her head against his shoulder, tilting it up slightly to look up at him.  “So, shall we head back to see what everyone else is up to, or was there something else you want to do?”

"That fire in the library looked pretty nice.  We could relax for a little while, see what the night has in store."

“Sounds good to me.”  Megan replies with a grin.

Megan and John made their way to the library and found a spot near the fireplace to sit and chat.  John took the opportunity to learn about Megan's life growing up here and shared some of the details of his growing up in Maryland.

Megan was very glad John had suggested going to sit by the fire in the library for awhile.  Having a somewhat quite opportunity to talk more was very nice, not to mention the combination of the fire and leaning close to John also made it very cozy.  She hoped the others were enjoying themselves, and a part of her mind was wondering when Donnie might find a group of the witches to try his plan to deal with them. 

Looking into John’s eyes as he finished telling her a bit about Maryland, she asked in a lower voice, “are you ready in case Donnie calls for us to help deal with the witches?”

"The problem with having powers since I was little is that I'm always ready, in one way or another.  Part of me is always paying attention to the world, listening for someone to cry for help, or the sound of breaking glass or screech of car tires.  It's always had an effect on my relationships, firends that don't know the whole truth can't understand.  My teachers used to think I was autistic.  I'm sure even you've noticed, I'm not always all there when we're together."

“Yeah, I have, and I understand.”  Megan replied as John mentioned how he seemed slightly distracted at times.  “Don’t forget though that you’re not alone anymore, and I or the others can help you.”

Taking her hat off, the blonde teen rested her head on John’s shoulder, the top of her head up against the side of his neck.  She smiled as she added.  “And its moments like this that I don’t really mind that time can seem to pass slowly.”

John gave her shoulder a squeeze and smiled.  "Me neither."

The feel of John’s unusually warm hands on her bare shoulder caused Megan’s pulse to quicken some as she enjoyed the sensation.  “Hmmm.”  She signed contently.  “You know, you would be pretty useful for getting warm again after spending a few hours out on the ski slopes in Aspen.”  She said half teasingly. 

"I've never been into skiing.  I might like snowboarding though.  The only time I tried skiing I broke a tree.  Luckily no one saw it but my mom."

Megan laughs at John’s mention of the only time he tried to ski.  “Well then, if we ever do go together, I’ll make sure you ski out in front of me.”  She said with a grin, not lifting her head up.  “But snowboarding is a lot of fun.  I have tried both over the years.”

“But really, the skiing or snowboarding is fun, but a big part of a ski trip is just enjoying being in the mountains and relaxing by a fire like this afterward.  That or hot tubing.” 

"Hot tubing.  That sounds like a sport I could enjoy."  John says nudging Megan.  "Maybe it'll become an Olympic event in our lifetime.  that could be nice.  We'd have to practice though, if we wanted to be any good."

Megan chuckled slightly as John nudged her some, teasing about hot tubing becoming an Olympic event.  “That would be something wouldn’t it?”  She replied.  “As for practice, it’s a good thing my parents have one in the back near the pool then.  Sometime soon we will have to start our training.”

Some time passes and the conversation drifts from one subject to the next lazily.  It's a little after ten when John's gaze darkens and he looks up, glancing around the room.  "Donnie says they're here."  He gets up and offers Megan a hand up, "I need to let Sammy and Kel know.  Donnie's in the main hallway, with Sylvia.  I'll be back as soon as I can."  He turns to start looking, athen turns back.  "Be careful."  he says with a smile.  Then he begins to move into the crowd, looking around intently.

Megan takes John’s hand and lets him help her up, the event she knew was likely coming finally here.  She nodded as he mentioned telling Sammy and Kel, as he looked back at her and told her to be careful, she smiled back.  “You too.”  She then quickly stepped in and gave him a kiss, then let him start on his way to go inform the other two who he had likely already spotted with his enhanced senses.  Turning towards the main hallway, she started along at a determined pace as well, putting her hat back on as she went.

(ooc LINK (http://groovygamers.com/forum/index.php?topic=3322.msg100062#msg100062) to main Party thread for witch encounter)

John and Megan went back into the main hall where the food was, and John started to stack a plate, eating as he went.  He kept looking around to ensure no one was staring at him make a pig of himself.  Once through the buffet line he guided Megan to a table, snatching a bottle of soda and a pair of glassess along the way.  He tried to eat at a normal pace, but it was a minute before he took a break.  "Sorry, I know this must be a little distasteful."  He drank a glass of soda and poured another.  "If I push my powers I can really burn up the calories."

Megan was a bit surprised as John started eating like crazy, even while in the line pilling food on his plate.  The blonde girl only got a few things for herself and made the way over to the table as he began eating somewhat hurriedly.  When he stopped and apologized, she gave him a smile as she replied.  “You should see my brother after a swim meet, he always eats like a mad man.  And if you want even worse, sometime I am sure you will get to see Robby Williams and Andrew Palmer get into a hot dog eating contest.”  She shuddered slightly as she thought about one of the after-game parties earlier in the year when the two offensive linemen had one of their apparently legendary contests.  She then has a slightly concerned look as she spoke in a low voice, “how did you push your powers exactly?” 

"I can push the limits of what I can normally do.  It's useful, like when I grabbed the witch and dropped her off in the bathroom.  But it takes a lot out of me."

“Well, hopefully you don’t have to do it too much.”  Megan said, a bit worried that John would do that when it did not seem that necessary and that it might hurt him to push himself like that too much.  “I haven’t really tried doing that myself.”  She said, thinking a moment.  “But then I guess I just haven’t been in too many situations where I might have to, yet anyway.”

She looked down at her plate of mainly carrots, celery and broccoli, along with a few of the other foods that had been available and added, “I’m actually a bit surprised I don’t seem to eat more than I used to myself, given all the running I have been doing over the last two months since getting my powers.”

"Not all paranormals need increased caloric intake.  Most of the reading I've done suggests it's only about a third of us need to increase our intake for our powers.  My ancestors didn't, but I'm a male in a long line of females so there might be a genetic anomoly that requires me to do it."

“Hmm.”  Megan replied as she though a moment.  Then she added, “well, its comforting to know that there is nothing wrong then, its just a bit odd.  I would think if any paranormal would need increased calorie intake, it would be me.  I mean I can cover a mile in just slightly over a minute and keep like that for a long time.  I could see someone with powers like Colin’s or Sylvia’s not needing that.  Where do I get the energy?”

John pauses from eating, "I could tell you the popular theory, but it's not pretty."

Megan looks at him a moment, not sure if she should ask him to tell her.  But after a bit of a pause, she finally replies.  “Well, I guess I am interested in hearing anyway.”

He wipes his mouth with a napkin and takes a breath.  "Well, the leading theory is that your cells tap into energy from another dimension.  Think of it as a universe composed entirely of energy.  Your cells convert food into energy, and they also act as conduits for energy from this other source.  Supporters of this theory also think that it's possible for you to strain yourself and burn up by pulling too much energy at once, over loading whatever biological mechanism protect you from buring yourself up.  Another theory, far more left field is that all of us, meaning every copy of us in every alternate dimmension, access a finite elemental energy.  the fewer of you there are in alternate dimensions the more powerful the remaining copies will be.  some even think that by using super powers you're killing your alternate selves that don't have powers by sucking the life force out of them."

Megan listened as John explained two possible theories for where she could be getting the energy to use her powers.  The first one did not sound too bad, other than the possible straining and killing herself.  The second theory though was much darker, particularly the thought that she could be killing alternate versions of herself by using her powers.  That thought had Megan silent for a moment.

Finally she said, “that last one is really dark and twisted.”  She went quite again and then asked, “has there ever really been anything that has been learned that supports either of them?  You said the first one, the universe of energy is the leading theory?  Why?  Because it sounds nicer?”

"No, it's the leading theory because it dovetails with some other theories on matter transfer and shunting and doesn't violate the laws on conservation of energy.  The dark and twisted one seems more likely to apply to magic, since the guy that wrote about it is prtty deeply involved in the study of magic."

“Ahh.”  Megan replied nodding.  “That makes more sense I guess.”  Then she pauses a moment and then adds, “maybe we shouldn’t mention that last one to Donnie or Colin, not sure they would want to hear about that right now.”

She the focused back on John as she said, “so, the energy transfer theory, would this only be for those paranormals that don’t gain energy though an increased calorie intake or the like?  Or does is it generally believed to be for most all paranormals?  You said your female ancestors were like me in that they just ate normally, but when you push yourself too much you have to eat a lot to make up for it.  Could it be because something in the male system has a harder time processing the energy, particularly when you push yourself?  Aren’t you afraid you could hurt yourself pushing too much?”

John shrugs.  "Lots of questions, not many answers yet.  But, I know I can hurt myself, I've done it before.  I also don't think about it.  I do what I think is best, I'll worry about the side effects later.  Just like fireman and police officers."

“Well, again I’ll point out that your not alone anymore so perhaps you won’t need to push yourself as often.  But it will likely be impossible to avoid putting ourselves in danger all the time, just have to be ready to deal with it when we do.”  Megan replied, trying not to think too much about what John might have been doing that caused him to hurt himself. 

She then gave him a wide smile as she asked, “so, feeling recharged now?  If so, how about we leave the talk about possible sources of power and potential dangers of being a hero aside for a bit and go off somewhere for awhile and just be teenagers?”

John smiles.  "That sounds like a fine idea."

Megan gets up with a smile and takes John’s hand.  Leading him away from the table, she swings by the table in the main hallway where there were the flashlight and blankets, grabbing one of the flashlights.  She then starts off towards the upper floors of the old building.

John and Megan got a ride to Megan's place.  They said good night to Lance and his girl friend and watched them drive away.  John walked Megan to the door, he gave her a hug and a kiss good night.  "So, couple weeks until Homecoming.  I'm looking forward to it."

Megan was still thinking about the hug and good night kiss when John mentioned Homecoming and how he was looking forward to it.  She smiled widely as she replied, “it will be here before we know it.  I’m really excited about it as well.  Been having a bit of a hard time settling on the dress I want to wear, but think I have finally found the right one.  Next weekend will feel a bit odd, it is likely going to be a quite one, unless someone is planning a party they just haven’t started telling people about.  But it might be nice not having some big gathering to feel obliged to attend for a change.”

"I'll take all the quiet weekends I can get."  he says, "You should get some sleep.  I'll see you tomorrow."

Megan grinned in reply.  “Trust me, I will likely barely get this outfit off before I am out like a light.”  She pauses a moment then her grin widens as she wags a finger in front of him.  “No peaking.” 

“You get some sleep as well, lots of studying to do tomorrow night.”  She said as she dropped her hand and gave him another quick kiss before turning and starting to unlock the door.  As she opened it, the turned back around, “good night.”