one thing's universal, life's no dress rehearsal

[stagemanagers]

[Prom night! The greatest night of your young lives if you watch any Western high school media from the past 60 years. The looks, the music, the copious amounts of fancy snacks, the sore feet from dancing heels and then spending the rest of the night in bare feet- it’s all part of the bigger package.

The courtyard and the roof have both been decked out in a special way for tonight, despite no one really seeing Hester or anyone/anything else decorating. There are round tables set-up in both places, covered in yellow-gold tablecloths. Some of them have platters of snacks laid out on them, one has a large punch bowl that never seems to empty no matter how many drinks are taken from it.

On the roof there’s an extra table with pencils, small slips of paper, a box wrapped in gold wrapping paper and a notecard labeled Song Requests. Just write a song, pop it in the box and within a few minutes it starts playing! Weird, there doesn’t seem to be a sound system anywhere...

Red paper lanterns have been strung around the outline of the roof and between stakes in the courtyard, granting soft romantic light for a night to remember. Put on your best costume shop formal wear, get ready to lose your shoes after an hour and sneak in liquor even though most of you are of age.

After all…tonight belongs to you.]

Comments

[mayavericks]

[Luckily, there are no doors for Maya to open all gallant like. There's just her, leading Janis to the dancefloor with a wicked smile upon her lips.]

You'll permit me the first dance of the evening, right?

[fourbutts]

[ Janis manages a smirk back. ]

Been saving it for you.

[comeandfindme]

[ Her thoughts on everything are a little muddled. She's still annoyed as hell with Spongebob, still somewhat mad. But her long rest today and her talk with Janis have her a little less...prickly, in general. ]

It's fine, we all had a lot of things on our minds. [ Obviously, Peregrine— ] Are you feeling any, like...better, today?

[mayavericks]

Better not step on my feet, then.

[She gives Peregrine a wink, before reaching for her hand. She's not taking no for an answer, oops!]

[mcfife]

[Spongebob's smile has returned. It isn't as physically demanding of a quest as questing to the northernmost region of Caledonia, but the reward heals more than a Legendary Enchanted Jetpack on its own.]

We have a plan. I think...I suppose I might remember more about The Phantom and The Wizard, if I was killed. [By a sweet alien and Maya's friend. Even if he wasn't responsible for Claudine, it pains him.] We are standing closer together than before. And your arm will heal. We all can recover from this week.

[comeandfindme]

[ Peregrine joins in with her, awkwardly placing her hands on Janis's shoulders. She slowly follows Janis's lead, puts her trust in the other girl. ]

I just wanna dance with you
Let the whole world melt away
And dance with you
Who cares what other people say?
And when we're through—

[mcfife]

He could have brought you back without -- [Gestures at the sky.] But I am glad that you could come. It wouldn't be the same if one of us was locked away.

[comeandfindme]

[ Eek! Well! Okay! Peregrine hopes to put the single dancing lesson she's had to use. Janis is one thing, but Maya's a little intimidating! ]

Well, you seem in your element.

[mayavericks]

[With one of Janis's hands clutched between her own, Maya makes her way over. She doesn't announce herself, at least not behind a warning clear of the throat. Then her free arm is slipping around Peregrine's shoulder.]

May I have this dance?

[fourbutts]

No one can convince us we were wrong

[ She smiles - this is definitely character Janis, not narrator Janis, from her current available skill on her feet. Or maybe she's just slightly sick. Either is possible.

Either way, she twirls Peregrine. ]

All it takes is you and me
And a song

[brokeforgood]

You’d be missing the life of the party, that’s for sure. With Discord gone… It’s up to me to make sure we stay fun.

[fourbutts]

[ And, on the other side, Janis slips her hand around Peregrine's waist. ]

Can I have this dance?

[mcfife]

[At least Farrah doesn't provoke people for fun.]

Oh? And what sort of fun are you proposing?

[whatyouwant]

That's cool! I will totally help you find something more promtastic, it won't take any time at all. Skirt or pants?

[mcfife]

[Angus runs over to a seated Elle, lion mask under one arm and his cape covering his other hand. This way, he doesn't have to look at himself anymore.]

Did you find something special there?

[Gods, how is she so smart and pretty?]

[feudalladyshandmaid]

You can pay me back by staying safe tonight, okay?

[Because even through the haze of her illness, Cass knows what day it is.]

[tailor_made]

[Hester is not early nor is she late. She arrives precisely when she means to...which is about an hour into the evening after hiding in a closet and having a gay crisis over seeing Maya on a horse finishing getting ready. Her dress is a soft pink, strapless with a flowy organza skirt reaching just mid-calf on her. It's simple and sweet but very Prom Night.

It's starting to get dark as Hester quietly steps out into the courtyard, looking at the decorations with a mixture of joy and just plain being impressed.]

Wow...you guys really went all out with this, huh?

[She ends up dancing through the night, either with another person or just by herself, no matter the music. She's just here to have a good time, dance with people she likes and pester people to get hydrated in-between songs.]

Have you had anything to drink yet? You should get some punch- or water. Water is better. Hydration is important!

[comeandfindme]

[ Peregrine's never been spun before! She clearly doesn't know what to really do, a giggle breaking from her as she twirls clumsily. Despite it all, she's having...a good time. ]

Two people swaying slowly
Nothing more and nothing less.
I'll let myself enjoy that,
And let go of my stress.

[fourbutts]

[ It's alright, that's what this is for! ]

I just wanna dance with you
Let the whole world melt away
And dance with you
Who cares what inner voices say?
And when we're through
No one can convince us we were wrong
All it takes is you and me...

[brokeforgood]

[Farrah, who had been drinking her bottle of water…

Pours it out. While trying to make eye contact with Hester.]

[comeandfindme]

I don't have to wear a dress? Oh thank god. Uhhh. I don't...know, um— ...can...I keep my cloak?

[ It's messy. She meant to wash it, but... ]

[fourbutts]

[ Considers the possibility that she is going to be apart from Maya (and Peregrine, if she can play her cards right) for a single moment tonight.

Nods. ]

You too, okay? I'm the one with the horse coupon, and I have no idea how to take care of one.

[tailor_made]

[:|]

Farrah, I don't know how to tell you this but you're the one who's going to dehydrate here.

[employeeoftheyear]

I am! Yesterday was kinda a wakeup call for me I guess.

[He falls silent, his smile turning more wistful.]

I told you yesterday that I've been feeling like I've been useless to this team, and that nothing I've been doing has been helping. But seeing how scared you guys yesterday, and everything, it made me realize something.

[He leans against Peregrine.]

... I don't care if I don't add anything to the team, I just wanna stay with you guys.

[whatyouwant]

[Elle smiles up at him, her handsome prince. She has to be the luckiest girl in the world.]

Just looking at the plants. I didn't really take the time to actually read about them last time we were up here.

[She pats the empty spot of ledge next to where she's sitting.]