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xp_logsMedusa and Blackagar.
Medusa turned to the man sitting on her left side, a small smile causing her lips to twitch upwards. "~I went a little overboard. I could not help it.~" An ice sculpture of a swan on a nearby table, as well as the amount of guests and the small orchestra playing near the dance floor spoke to just how overboard the redhead had gone in the planning of the royal engagement shower. "~It may be difficult to top this when it is time for our actual wedding.~"
Blackagar shook his head. Implicit in the movement was you could never disappoint, but only that -- a look in the eyes, the way his lips curved. Nothing in words. With his hands he signed, Did you invite them all to the wedding?, nodding his head towards the guests.
"~I will be, yes,~" she said. "~There will also potentially be a few more guests on the list, depending on how the next year proceeds. I hope that Nathan will be able to attend the wedding itself. It was such a shame that he had to tend to Rachel and miss this,~" she said, her hair gracefully flicking out to gesture around the room.
The flick of Medusa's hair had encompassed the part of the room where Crystal stood talking with Ambur. She looked happy, animated. He was glad to see it. The emotion seemed to have been in such short supply from her lately. Being home now, he hoped, would prove good for her. Blackagar turned to Medusa and gave another of his barely perceptible smiles as his hands raised again to reply, Family is important.
"~As is home,~" Medusa added. "~It feels good to be back where we should be, though I do hope Crystal was able to learn from her experiences at Xavier's. I just wish she had been able to learn without having been injured multiple times. It is safer here, and for that I am doubly glad to have returned.~" She didn't mention her own close encounter while at the school, but it hung unspoken in the air around them.
For Medusa, as all their family, silence spoke volumes. Even without Blackagar's particular impediment there was sometimes little to be said. Sometimes, though, actions sufficed.
Blackagar removed the napkin from his lap and rose to extend one hand. His eyes met his fiance's, flicking towards the dancefloor in unmistakable request.
Her hand reached out to take his, a silent answer to his silent question. As the pair made their way to the dancefloor, they nodded at the various individuals they passed, most smiling warmly at the couple. Beginning their first dance, Medusa realized that all the planning she'd done to have the perfect party didn't really matter. This was the moment of true perfection.
Laurie and Marius.
"So, I see that you've managed to avoid the dungeons for seducing young impressionable ladies in waiting then." Laurie said, grinning at Marius.
"Ah, but never in a house where one is on personal terms with one's hostesses," Marius pointed out from over his drink, which, due to Attilan's superior drinking policy, was sufficiently and very legally alcoholic. "Class, you see. It is in poor taste to disrupt the household workings of one who has reinflated your failing lungs or indulged you with a rather unnecessary but undeniably entertainin' game of fetch in the library."
"True, true. One must think of these things before one does anything that one might regret." Laurie replied, giggling after a moment and shaking her head. "This one also notes that the food here is quite excellent. I recommend the dip heartily."
"This one ignores the clear mockery of that one an' concurs to the quality of the dip." Marius raised his glass in mock-salute. "Good food. Good mates. A decided lack of extinct beasts. This, my friend, is what we consider a win."
"This one notices said ignoring and chooses to take the high ground of changing the subject. A win it is indeed, unless something hideously untoward were to happen, like say, the salad becoming sentient and trying to eat the guests." Laurie responded, raising her own glass, which happened to contain some fruit punch. She had 'views' on alcoholic beverages. Not least because she was currently not of legal age anywhere to drink it.
"Mate, do not jinx it. It would be a shame to spoil such a picture-perfect communion of love." Marius nodded towards the royal couple seated at the head table. Because he had great affection for the Amaquelins he did not add 'and an equally interesting celebration of flexible matrimonial limitation.' Also, he wasn't going to risk the chance the dungeon existed.
"Indeed." Laurie said, glancing over at the couple herself and smiling at the picture they presented. They were the epitome of royalty, and the entire event had so far gone off astoundingly well considering the usual thing that happened when they were away from the school for any length of time. "I believe this is the point where you ask me to dance."
Music had struck up, and people were moving forward toward the dance floor, and if there was one thing Laurie loved to do at any occasion, it was dance.
He paused for a moment, then shrugged out of his jacket. He wrapped it around his lead-arm to form a barrier against the direct skin contact.
"Right enough," he grinned, holding out his swatched hand. "Now that I have sufficient protection against your potent charms, let us dance. But quickly, before Jen has me arrested for adultery."
Laurie laughed as she took his hand, allowing him to lead her to the dance floor. "You are such a ham, you know that, right?"
Jennie and Rahne.
Never in a million years would Jennie have ever pictured herself doing this two years ago. Two years ago she was making lattes in a strip mall and living in a stucco apartment building. No real future, no real prospects. Just day-to-day.
And now? Jennie was at the party of the century. The engagement of Crown Prince Blackagar and Lady Medusalith was host to a good chunk of Europe's royalty. A couple of dignitaries from Asia. And more celebrities than you shake a stick at. Jennie was resplendent in dress made of shimmery gold fabric that glinted green when the light hit it. It was purchased at a vintage store in the village and probably cost less than some of these women's tiny handbags. Jennie was about to take a sip of her champagne when she heard the unmistakable sound of a seam splitting. The girl rolled her eyes and pressed her hand to her back. Figures.
Luckily, Jennie knew enough to pack an emergency sewing kit in her tiny handbag. Unfortunately it meant escape and an accomplice. Looking around, Jennie spotted a familiar face. "Psst! Rahne! Have a minute?"
Rahne blinked and came over to join Jennie, quickly swallowing the end of the mushroom-and-shellfish hors d'oeuvre she'd been nibbling. "Of course. What for?"
The dark-haired girl motioned for Rahne to join her by the wall, and then turned, revealing the split seam in the dress and the small patch of tanned skin it revealed. "Um, need your help for a sec. I have a sewing kit in my purse and you're the only one around here I feel comfortable with pawing at me." Jennie gave the scots girl a wink. "Say we sneak out for a minute? We'll say weren't doing anything untoward. Or very toward, depending on who asks."
"Ah, of course." Rahne smiled and started navigating toward the exit. "Depending on who asks, I doubt they'd care if we were doing either."
Mark and Medusa.
Making nice with all the high and mighty of Attilan had been surprisingly easy. A smile here, some pleasant words there, and they all thought that the charming American was such a sweetheart. It made Mark laugh, and as his drunken haze quickly evolved into a drunken stupor, it was a rather loud one, possibly accompanied by a snort. He accepted yet another glass of champagne to hide behind and sipped it. At this point, he could barely taste it, but he still was coherent enough to appreciate the faux pas of chugging champagne from Champagne. At the very least, Betsy would turn his insides out if she found out, and then wouldn't even let him shop for a wardrobe to flatter bone, muscle, and blood.
"I see you have been enjoying yourself," said the amused royal behind Mark. As with any party, Medusa's role of hostess had meant very little time spent with the people she personally had invited, but she'd finally broken away from smiling and nodding politely to check on her friend.
"Milady." Mark offered Medusa a sweeping bow, amazingly not spilling even a single drop of his drink. His long hair fell in his face as he pulled himself back up, and he tried to blow it out of the way. No success there. "Or is it 'Your Highness' now? Congratulations, mazel tov, felicidades, et cetera."
"Not until after the wedding," Medusa said. "Then you can address me as 'Princess' or 'Your Royal Highness,' I am really not picky." A red lock flicked out to secure a glass and Medusa took a small sip of champagne.
"So I suppose this is the end to your wilder days? No more night clubs, no more throwing shoes to get away from whackos . . ." Mark sighed heavily and wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. "I will truly miss all that."
Medusa's smile broadened as she recalled some of the adventures she and Mark had shared. "I will just have to wear a hat on our adventures from here on out. And perhaps take on the observer role while you do the shoe throwing."
"You know what this palace needs? A big ole statue of you with shoes in your hair. Like this." Mark lifted his hands over his head to symbolize big hair. "Totally get your people's respect when they see that. And it'd go marvelously with the decor."
"Oh, it would be utterly fabulous," Medusa said after another sip of her champagne. "I can just see the headlines now...Royal Celebrates Nuptials with Eighties Inspired Statue." Her hair spread out with a flourish to punctuate her words. "But perhaps I can arrange a small one for you for your birthday, so you will not forget me now that I will be an old married woman."
"Never old," Mark immediately declared. "I'll forgive you for the marriage, though. Nobody's perfect." He finished the last of his drink and gave the flute to a waiter passing by. "So when's the actual wedding? And can I play the music at your reception?"
"It will be in about one year. Blackagar believes in a traditional waiting period between the proposal and the wedding." Taking another small sip from her glass, Medusa's hair settled around her shoulders. "As for music...well, it depends. How scandalized will the others be when they hear it? If the answer is significantly, than yes, though I will disavow all knowledge of your intentions."
Mark grinned. "I got everything from grinding to the waltz and back. I bet I could find something that'd both a. be something you'd like and b. set your first royal scandal, which is initiation into the world of politics anyway, amirite?"
Forge and Laurie.
Forge adjusted his tie, taking a seat out on one of the many expansive patios that the Attilan estate had to offer its guests. The sheer amount of socializing and music and dancing was getting to be a bit much. Still, as engagement galas went, he thought, this wasn't too bad. Seeing as he'd been to all of exactly one. While he hadn't exactly expected Disneyland castles surrounded by thatched-roof cottages, the island nation still seemed like a place from a different time. Probably because his only experience with it had been the upper-class royal aspect, he figured. A nice place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live here, he pondered quietly, leaning back in the chair and looking towards the ballroom.
"Forge, you do know this is a 'dance' and not a 'sit', right?" Laurie said with a grin, moving out of the shadows nearer the edge of the balcony. She'd come out to look at the stars and get a bit of fresh air. She loved the occasion but it was a bit hot in the ballroom when dressed in a full ballgown as she was.
Forge raised an eyebrow as Laurie turned his own line from the Winter Ball back on him. He smiled as he turned around, then paused. "Wow," he said after a long moment. "You look great. Heck of a party, huh?"
"You think?" Laurie asked, grateful for the darkness as she felt a blush colour her cheeks. She turned around in a small circle, giving him the full view. "Crystal helped me pick it out, since I've never been to a Royal ball before. It's...big. And I swear I saw a woman in there with a necklace that'd take me at least a thousand years to afford on my salary at the Bookstop."
"That's royalty for you," Forge said, standing up to look out from the balcony. "Nothing succeeds like excess. But I suppose it gives them something to do. Attilan's run by a democratic government. The royals are really just there for show, leading in name only. I mean, really, Medusa and Crystal mean well, but can you imagine them actually leading a nation? We are not amused."
"Don't be so sure they wouldn't rule well. Crystal really helped keep us together and moving during the kidnapping. I wouldn't have done anything if it hadn't been for her keeping me focused." Laurie responded, giving Forge a look. "Just because a system of government isn't like our own, doesn't make it better or worse. It's all subjective. Although, I don't think you'd find me arguing that hereditary rule is not exactly the best way of choosing a ruler."
"Grace under pressure is a remarkable characteristic," Forge agreed, "and Crystal's got it in spades. And she'll be a leader one day, believe me. But an entire country?" He shrugged. "Good thing Attilan's reasonably stable. They set a pretty positive example for the rest of Europe when it comes to mutant acceptance and progressive thinking. Don't you dare tell the Amaquelins I said so, though. I'd never live it down."
"I promise I won't." Laurie replied, smiling in delight as she heard a song start in the ballroom. "It's beautiful...I wonder who composed it?"
"No idea," Forge said, then held a hand out to Laurie. "Care to dance? And by dance I mean dance, not like the prior instances where dance means hot making out in the hallways, because I think that'd be a bit of a faux pas here..."
"Do you know how to dance, then?" Laurie replied with a teasing lilt, taking his hand and allowing him to pull her forward. "Here I thought you were a pure intellectual and didn't need any of this fancy gadding about."
Arching one eyebrow suggestively, Forge suddenly pulled Laurie in close, his other arm sliding around her waist. "I've been at the school for over two and a half years. HeliX functions, clubbing at Silver, not to mention the occasional prom. It's safe to say I've danced." He chuckled. "Don't be surprised. The world doesn't end if Forge dances."
Laurie laughed, and then allowed her head to rest against Forge's shoulder as she closed her eyes. It had been a long time since she felt truly safe but at that moment, with Forge leading her through the steps, she did.
Medusa turned to the man sitting on her left side, a small smile causing her lips to twitch upwards. "~I went a little overboard. I could not help it.~" An ice sculpture of a swan on a nearby table, as well as the amount of guests and the small orchestra playing near the dance floor spoke to just how overboard the redhead had gone in the planning of the royal engagement shower. "~It may be difficult to top this when it is time for our actual wedding.~"
Blackagar shook his head. Implicit in the movement was you could never disappoint, but only that -- a look in the eyes, the way his lips curved. Nothing in words. With his hands he signed, Did you invite them all to the wedding?, nodding his head towards the guests.
"~I will be, yes,~" she said. "~There will also potentially be a few more guests on the list, depending on how the next year proceeds. I hope that Nathan will be able to attend the wedding itself. It was such a shame that he had to tend to Rachel and miss this,~" she said, her hair gracefully flicking out to gesture around the room.
The flick of Medusa's hair had encompassed the part of the room where Crystal stood talking with Ambur. She looked happy, animated. He was glad to see it. The emotion seemed to have been in such short supply from her lately. Being home now, he hoped, would prove good for her. Blackagar turned to Medusa and gave another of his barely perceptible smiles as his hands raised again to reply, Family is important.
"~As is home,~" Medusa added. "~It feels good to be back where we should be, though I do hope Crystal was able to learn from her experiences at Xavier's. I just wish she had been able to learn without having been injured multiple times. It is safer here, and for that I am doubly glad to have returned.~" She didn't mention her own close encounter while at the school, but it hung unspoken in the air around them.
For Medusa, as all their family, silence spoke volumes. Even without Blackagar's particular impediment there was sometimes little to be said. Sometimes, though, actions sufficed.
Blackagar removed the napkin from his lap and rose to extend one hand. His eyes met his fiance's, flicking towards the dancefloor in unmistakable request.
Her hand reached out to take his, a silent answer to his silent question. As the pair made their way to the dancefloor, they nodded at the various individuals they passed, most smiling warmly at the couple. Beginning their first dance, Medusa realized that all the planning she'd done to have the perfect party didn't really matter. This was the moment of true perfection.
Laurie and Marius.
"So, I see that you've managed to avoid the dungeons for seducing young impressionable ladies in waiting then." Laurie said, grinning at Marius.
"Ah, but never in a house where one is on personal terms with one's hostesses," Marius pointed out from over his drink, which, due to Attilan's superior drinking policy, was sufficiently and very legally alcoholic. "Class, you see. It is in poor taste to disrupt the household workings of one who has reinflated your failing lungs or indulged you with a rather unnecessary but undeniably entertainin' game of fetch in the library."
"True, true. One must think of these things before one does anything that one might regret." Laurie replied, giggling after a moment and shaking her head. "This one also notes that the food here is quite excellent. I recommend the dip heartily."
"This one ignores the clear mockery of that one an' concurs to the quality of the dip." Marius raised his glass in mock-salute. "Good food. Good mates. A decided lack of extinct beasts. This, my friend, is what we consider a win."
"This one notices said ignoring and chooses to take the high ground of changing the subject. A win it is indeed, unless something hideously untoward were to happen, like say, the salad becoming sentient and trying to eat the guests." Laurie responded, raising her own glass, which happened to contain some fruit punch. She had 'views' on alcoholic beverages. Not least because she was currently not of legal age anywhere to drink it.
"Mate, do not jinx it. It would be a shame to spoil such a picture-perfect communion of love." Marius nodded towards the royal couple seated at the head table. Because he had great affection for the Amaquelins he did not add 'and an equally interesting celebration of flexible matrimonial limitation.' Also, he wasn't going to risk the chance the dungeon existed.
"Indeed." Laurie said, glancing over at the couple herself and smiling at the picture they presented. They were the epitome of royalty, and the entire event had so far gone off astoundingly well considering the usual thing that happened when they were away from the school for any length of time. "I believe this is the point where you ask me to dance."
Music had struck up, and people were moving forward toward the dance floor, and if there was one thing Laurie loved to do at any occasion, it was dance.
He paused for a moment, then shrugged out of his jacket. He wrapped it around his lead-arm to form a barrier against the direct skin contact.
"Right enough," he grinned, holding out his swatched hand. "Now that I have sufficient protection against your potent charms, let us dance. But quickly, before Jen has me arrested for adultery."
Laurie laughed as she took his hand, allowing him to lead her to the dance floor. "You are such a ham, you know that, right?"
Jennie and Rahne.
Never in a million years would Jennie have ever pictured herself doing this two years ago. Two years ago she was making lattes in a strip mall and living in a stucco apartment building. No real future, no real prospects. Just day-to-day.
And now? Jennie was at the party of the century. The engagement of Crown Prince Blackagar and Lady Medusalith was host to a good chunk of Europe's royalty. A couple of dignitaries from Asia. And more celebrities than you shake a stick at. Jennie was resplendent in dress made of shimmery gold fabric that glinted green when the light hit it. It was purchased at a vintage store in the village and probably cost less than some of these women's tiny handbags. Jennie was about to take a sip of her champagne when she heard the unmistakable sound of a seam splitting. The girl rolled her eyes and pressed her hand to her back. Figures.
Luckily, Jennie knew enough to pack an emergency sewing kit in her tiny handbag. Unfortunately it meant escape and an accomplice. Looking around, Jennie spotted a familiar face. "Psst! Rahne! Have a minute?"
Rahne blinked and came over to join Jennie, quickly swallowing the end of the mushroom-and-shellfish hors d'oeuvre she'd been nibbling. "Of course. What for?"
The dark-haired girl motioned for Rahne to join her by the wall, and then turned, revealing the split seam in the dress and the small patch of tanned skin it revealed. "Um, need your help for a sec. I have a sewing kit in my purse and you're the only one around here I feel comfortable with pawing at me." Jennie gave the scots girl a wink. "Say we sneak out for a minute? We'll say weren't doing anything untoward. Or very toward, depending on who asks."
"Ah, of course." Rahne smiled and started navigating toward the exit. "Depending on who asks, I doubt they'd care if we were doing either."
Mark and Medusa.
Making nice with all the high and mighty of Attilan had been surprisingly easy. A smile here, some pleasant words there, and they all thought that the charming American was such a sweetheart. It made Mark laugh, and as his drunken haze quickly evolved into a drunken stupor, it was a rather loud one, possibly accompanied by a snort. He accepted yet another glass of champagne to hide behind and sipped it. At this point, he could barely taste it, but he still was coherent enough to appreciate the faux pas of chugging champagne from Champagne. At the very least, Betsy would turn his insides out if she found out, and then wouldn't even let him shop for a wardrobe to flatter bone, muscle, and blood.
"I see you have been enjoying yourself," said the amused royal behind Mark. As with any party, Medusa's role of hostess had meant very little time spent with the people she personally had invited, but she'd finally broken away from smiling and nodding politely to check on her friend.
"Milady." Mark offered Medusa a sweeping bow, amazingly not spilling even a single drop of his drink. His long hair fell in his face as he pulled himself back up, and he tried to blow it out of the way. No success there. "Or is it 'Your Highness' now? Congratulations, mazel tov, felicidades, et cetera."
"Not until after the wedding," Medusa said. "Then you can address me as 'Princess' or 'Your Royal Highness,' I am really not picky." A red lock flicked out to secure a glass and Medusa took a small sip of champagne.
"So I suppose this is the end to your wilder days? No more night clubs, no more throwing shoes to get away from whackos . . ." Mark sighed heavily and wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. "I will truly miss all that."
Medusa's smile broadened as she recalled some of the adventures she and Mark had shared. "I will just have to wear a hat on our adventures from here on out. And perhaps take on the observer role while you do the shoe throwing."
"You know what this palace needs? A big ole statue of you with shoes in your hair. Like this." Mark lifted his hands over his head to symbolize big hair. "Totally get your people's respect when they see that. And it'd go marvelously with the decor."
"Oh, it would be utterly fabulous," Medusa said after another sip of her champagne. "I can just see the headlines now...Royal Celebrates Nuptials with Eighties Inspired Statue." Her hair spread out with a flourish to punctuate her words. "But perhaps I can arrange a small one for you for your birthday, so you will not forget me now that I will be an old married woman."
"Never old," Mark immediately declared. "I'll forgive you for the marriage, though. Nobody's perfect." He finished the last of his drink and gave the flute to a waiter passing by. "So when's the actual wedding? And can I play the music at your reception?"
"It will be in about one year. Blackagar believes in a traditional waiting period between the proposal and the wedding." Taking another small sip from her glass, Medusa's hair settled around her shoulders. "As for music...well, it depends. How scandalized will the others be when they hear it? If the answer is significantly, than yes, though I will disavow all knowledge of your intentions."
Mark grinned. "I got everything from grinding to the waltz and back. I bet I could find something that'd both a. be something you'd like and b. set your first royal scandal, which is initiation into the world of politics anyway, amirite?"
Forge and Laurie.
Forge adjusted his tie, taking a seat out on one of the many expansive patios that the Attilan estate had to offer its guests. The sheer amount of socializing and music and dancing was getting to be a bit much. Still, as engagement galas went, he thought, this wasn't too bad. Seeing as he'd been to all of exactly one. While he hadn't exactly expected Disneyland castles surrounded by thatched-roof cottages, the island nation still seemed like a place from a different time. Probably because his only experience with it had been the upper-class royal aspect, he figured. A nice place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live here, he pondered quietly, leaning back in the chair and looking towards the ballroom.
"Forge, you do know this is a 'dance' and not a 'sit', right?" Laurie said with a grin, moving out of the shadows nearer the edge of the balcony. She'd come out to look at the stars and get a bit of fresh air. She loved the occasion but it was a bit hot in the ballroom when dressed in a full ballgown as she was.
Forge raised an eyebrow as Laurie turned his own line from the Winter Ball back on him. He smiled as he turned around, then paused. "Wow," he said after a long moment. "You look great. Heck of a party, huh?"
"You think?" Laurie asked, grateful for the darkness as she felt a blush colour her cheeks. She turned around in a small circle, giving him the full view. "Crystal helped me pick it out, since I've never been to a Royal ball before. It's...big. And I swear I saw a woman in there with a necklace that'd take me at least a thousand years to afford on my salary at the Bookstop."
"That's royalty for you," Forge said, standing up to look out from the balcony. "Nothing succeeds like excess. But I suppose it gives them something to do. Attilan's run by a democratic government. The royals are really just there for show, leading in name only. I mean, really, Medusa and Crystal mean well, but can you imagine them actually leading a nation? We are not amused."
"Don't be so sure they wouldn't rule well. Crystal really helped keep us together and moving during the kidnapping. I wouldn't have done anything if it hadn't been for her keeping me focused." Laurie responded, giving Forge a look. "Just because a system of government isn't like our own, doesn't make it better or worse. It's all subjective. Although, I don't think you'd find me arguing that hereditary rule is not exactly the best way of choosing a ruler."
"Grace under pressure is a remarkable characteristic," Forge agreed, "and Crystal's got it in spades. And she'll be a leader one day, believe me. But an entire country?" He shrugged. "Good thing Attilan's reasonably stable. They set a pretty positive example for the rest of Europe when it comes to mutant acceptance and progressive thinking. Don't you dare tell the Amaquelins I said so, though. I'd never live it down."
"I promise I won't." Laurie replied, smiling in delight as she heard a song start in the ballroom. "It's beautiful...I wonder who composed it?"
"No idea," Forge said, then held a hand out to Laurie. "Care to dance? And by dance I mean dance, not like the prior instances where dance means hot making out in the hallways, because I think that'd be a bit of a faux pas here..."
"Do you know how to dance, then?" Laurie replied with a teasing lilt, taking his hand and allowing him to pull her forward. "Here I thought you were a pure intellectual and didn't need any of this fancy gadding about."
Arching one eyebrow suggestively, Forge suddenly pulled Laurie in close, his other arm sliding around her waist. "I've been at the school for over two and a half years. HeliX functions, clubbing at Silver, not to mention the occasional prom. It's safe to say I've danced." He chuckled. "Don't be surprised. The world doesn't end if Forge dances."
Laurie laughed, and then allowed her head to rest against Forge's shoulder as she closed her eyes. It had been a long time since she felt truly safe but at that moment, with Forge leading her through the steps, she did.
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