Highschool Graduate!
ICly backdated to graduation weekend, June 11-12
Congrats, guys!
We're all graduated now. Wow. Thought the day would never come (as I'm sure Scott feared as well, heh.)
Anyways, whoever's sticking around this week, we should go do something fun and crazy to celebrate. Jubes, Bobby, Rogue? I'm in town til Thursday, then off home for a couple weeks, so have to be before then.
Tables have been pushed out of the way, the walls festooned and bedecked, and tables grown under food trays and punch bowls. About the room, teachers, parents, and undergrad mill, awaiting the graduates, and applauding when they appear, one by one. And laughing a little, no doubt, at the few boys who still haven't managed to get glitter off their faces. With the music low-key enough, a couple sets of older attenders are taking advantage of the opportunity to dance and embarrass the younglings associated with them. Gawd, cannot wait for the customary first few dances to be over, when they are subtly encouraged to leave, and the music steps up to teenage decibal levels and tastes. Jubilee twitches her skirt into place and eyes her escort before grabbing his sleeve and pulling. "Meh. Move it, water boy. You are /so/ not gonna be able to pull your weight in Europe iff'n you stand around like that there."
It's been a grand day for Wesley. Of escorting the parental units around the school, introducing them to teaches and friends. And it's gone relatively well; he's even grown used to that giant moth in his stomach. So far, so good. "Mmm?" he murmers idly, attention drawn away from his parents on the sidelines before allowing himself to be towed out to dance. "If I step on your feet... well, sorry now," he says, breaking into a grin. "And I fully expect to be pulling my weight and the weight of BOTH our backpacks most of the time anyways."
Rogue slides pretty easily through the whole brigade, only feeling slightly uncomfortable in the dressy getup forced on her by the occasion. Though Rogue doesn't have family visiting, the girl still manages to have fun, mostly sticking close to Bobby. Her dress is something much different than what she normally wears. It's silky sort of fabric, deep red, cut with a slanted hem at the bottom. Her arms are halfway covered in black gloves that reach all the way up and past her elbows. Rogue's hair is tied up into ringlet curls, flowing over her neck and shoulders. Two black hair chopsticks poke out of the bun, giving the whole ensemble an oriental feel. She moves to the side, leaning up against the tables as Bobby goes to say goodbye to his mother and father. Rogue sips gently on her cup of red punch, trying not to look too uncomfortable alone and off to the side of the floor.
Alyssa would be one of those milling undergrads, smiling at parents and faculty alike as she awaits the entrance of a certain, notably un-glittered graduate. Mm. Scruffy. Using the slight height advantage gained by wearing heels, she cranes her neck over the crowd, and continues to watch the entrance. Her attention is distracted somewhat as someone's younger relative unit (because she's not sure of the relation, or the student) tugs on her dress, and requests directions to the nearest restroom. Lovely. Flashing a sidelong glance toward the doors again, she bends down a little bit, and starts giving her best and brightest set of directions.
Enter the young Aussie. Not looking par course for him, as he has a pair of black slacks and a deep red shirt with just a hint of the metallic. No tie, because that'd just be over the top. Oh, and minus the jacket, though one can be assured that the lighter has found its way into another pocket. It's one thing to attend one of these things. It's quite another to be one of the guests of honor. He finds a nice corner of wall for the time being.
Sometimes, technology is a beatiful thing. Piles of CDs? Stacks of binders containing them? Not for this technopath. All's he needs is a computer and a cord to the speakers to do his stuff. Behind the table where the equipment lies and over which the speakers are raised, Jareth watches the crowd. After a while of letting them mill around as tradition demands, it's time to get things moving. As he walks around the table to lean against the front, he picks up a microphone. "Well, children, parents, relatives, guy from junior year English who wants to get those twenty bucks you owe him- here we are. Xavier school graduation 2005. I'd give some more of the usual speechifying, but being one of the professors, I'm sure the kids have heard enough from me. So congratulations, students, and now get your graduate behinds out on the floor and have fun." This said, he goes back behind the table to cue up the first song of the night. Mellow guitar flows in with the start of Dire Straits, "So Far Away."
Scott walks in and no sooner has planted himself chaperone like beside the door but is checking his watch and, with the realization that he has at least another hour to be there, lets a subtle and quickly suppressed grimace pass over his face.
Jean is watching over the proceedings quietly and with style. She's wearing the golden gown she wore to the President's Ball, both as a favourite dress and as a subtle gesture of not outshining all the girls in their carefully-agonized-over brand new gowns. This day is theirs, after all. Standing on Scott's arm, she smiles here and there, greeting students as they tow their parents over to see her (Or, occasionally, are towed by said parents.) until eventually she gives Professor Summers the Elder a kiss on the cheek, murmurs something in his ear, and makes towards the podium draped in the school colours. (We're going to call them black, burgundy and golden yellow, just because I say so.) She taps the microphone once to gather attention.
It was navy and gold last year...
Well fine, navy and gold, then.
Jubilee opens her mouth to retort, and is interrupted by the microphone tap. She twists one of the bead strands making up her sleeves and moves closer to the front of the room, indifferent to wether or not Wesley follows. THough... he'd better. *glare*
Yes, Wesley will follow. He can play obedient puppy when he has to. He falls into place behind her. Of course, that puts the parents out of view somewhere behind him. How annoying.
This brings back memories. Pete's done up fairly nicely for the occasion, fairly unassuming shirt and jacket. And standing off to the side, neither here nor there. Except that a lot of friends are graduating, so if nothing else, he's here to cheer them on. He leans against one of the side walls, looking over the gathered students toward Jean.
Rogue glances up past her glass rim, the red liquid pooling up around her upper lip. She is momentarily distracted, not even noticing Bobby as he appears back next to her. Rogue glances around at the soft touch to her side. "Oh, hey." She says in a whisper, smiling over at him. Bobby smiles back and twines his hand around Rogues. "C'mon, Jean is about to talk." He says, pulling the girl along behind him. Rogue follows up and keeps her eyes on Jean, placing herself between Bobby and Jubilee. Nothing more than a quick glance and a gentle nudge is given to her best friend... but that's probably better than the more moody Rogue actions of late.
Alyssa returns from elsewhere, trailing the aforementioned relative unit (a sister or cousin of somebody's, apparently). yes, she actually had to go /show/ the girl the location of the restroom. John is spotted once she's free of the tagalong, and so Alyssa sidles that way, away from the crowd. Jean's microphone-tapping catches her attention, however, so she doesn't actually /say/ anything once she nears the graduate. Instead, she flashes him a smile and settles against the wall beside him, nudging gently.
"Heya," John says, nodding Alyssa's way. "You look nice," he says, though quite tempered by some distraction at Jean's pending speech. High school graduates. Finally.
Scott reacts with a bemused smile, although not with a return kiss, as Jean is far too quick to accomplish anything but a completely missed peck and that would just be silly. He resumes chaperone position, just by himself this time. He looks more severe when by himself.
Jean clears her throat once, but refrains from any 'Is this on?' questioning about the microphone. The arboretum isn't -that- big, if it's not. "As most of you know, I'm just a little bit in love with making speeches." she begins, pausing to give a self-deprecating bow and a general grin. "So, I could go on for hours about the wonderful qualities that each and every one of our graduating class of 2005 posesses, the challenges they've overcome, and the triumphs and trials of life they've experienced. But I think if I did that, I'd probably start crying or something else that would embarass us all, so I'm just going to say this: There is not a finer group of young men and women than the group standing here tonight. I look at you and I don't just see the faces of the future, I see the faces that are going to change the world. So, congratulations to the 2005 graduates of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters... you couldn't make me more proud." There's a pregnant pause, before Jean concludes with "Now... let's get down to the serious business of having a party. Here's to you!" Applause.
Jareth checks over the playlist and the connections again while Jean gives the yearly address that these sort of gatherings demand. Once she turns the crowd loose for merrymaking, he picks up his own microphone. "Serious indeed. Just remember to party more than be serious. Now let's get things rolling with the graduate/parent dance." Click of a few buttons, and it's off to the races- er, dances.
Sophie arrives late as usual, per Rebellious Teenager specs, defiantly self-conscious about the pointed absence of parents when everybody knows darn well Daddy Warbucks is in fact in New York. As a result, she looks a little embarassed as she crosses the floor to sit gracefully on the chairs or couches or heck, even window seats that the player is sure are around here somewhere and/or brought in for the occasion. No date, no parents, hardly any friends, Sophie decides to hang out in a corner and see what, if anything, develops.
Alyssa waits until the end of Jean's speechifying, and starts cheering with the rest of the crowd. Okay, so most of the parents and siblings and other students are applauding, but she's cheering. And whooping, and hollering, and all manner of things one generally does not do while wearing a pretty dress and heels. She keeps to her feet, however, and /beams/ over at John before pouncing. Sort of. It's a crazy-exuberant Alyssa brand of hug, and there's a lot of grinning involved. "congrats, Johnny!" is chirruped, and she presses a quick, happy kiss to his cheek. ...which isn't the snogging that's been hinted at, but just.. Aly-ness.
Jubilee grins back at Rogue, the turns to listen to the pretty, pretty little speech, greeting it with a round of applause and a unself-conscious whoop, though she's far from the only one. Jareth's little contribution isn't greeted nearly so warmly from her quarter. With a little bit of a frown, she gives way on the floor for those returning to parent's and mentor's sides. Bah. Stupid tradition that just ends up m-- She glances around, her gaze falling on a stiff (almost rigid) posture nearby, and a her frown takes on a more thoughtful cast. *edge, edge* "Uh... I know this is kinda supposed ta be for parental figures and all... but... Uh... Would you dance it with me?" She fidgets uncharacteristically and steals a nearing-mortification glance at Scott.
Rogue presses her gloved hand up against Bobby, her eyes aiming up at Jean. She smiles slightly, feeling a twinge of longing for maybe just another year at the school... well, she is going to stick around anyways, so what does it matter? The whole parent thing is given an annoyed grumble, her hand falling to her side as Bobby moves to find his mother. Rogue glances back at him and look around, watching with a slim frown as Jubilee heads for Scott. She, however, doesn't bother asking anyone and instead moves back to the table, lowering herself into a chair and gathering up her punch glass. Rogue casts a bored look over the floor, watching people dancing with their parents. She draws a little black fan from her glove, the oriental ornament getting waved gently at her face.
John has parents, but they're on the other side of the world at the moment. Still, there is a cheer just for him. Right beside him. Which gets an awkward smile, made even moreso by the hugs and kisses. And a half-hug back. "Uh, thanks," he manages to get out. Obviously, he didn't get the memo. He's not leaving his perch. Because it'd mean dancing. Which can't be cool.
Jean isn't going to let Jubilee be the only one breaking tradition. Spotting John, her personal mentee and broody loner of the grad class, and knowing full well his parents are half a world away, she can hardly let him sit around like a bump on a log. She threads her way through the small crowd of gathering dancers in a swishing of golden satin and eventually turns up beside him with a proud smile. "May I have this dance?" she wonders. "I promise not to step on your toes."
Wesley watches as Jubes wanders off to find Scott. Which leaves him by his lonesome. And to make his way toward the back of the room toward his parents. Well, he can play the young dashing, so he tones down the smile, plasters a serious look on his face and extends an arm to his mother. "You'll allow me this dance," he says, the humor quirking back into his voice as he addresses his father, and quickly pulls good old mom out to the dance.
John's eyes widen as Jean addresses him, then a smile crosses his face. "Uh, sure," he replies, stepping away from the wall and offering his arm to her. "Back in a few," he nods toward Alyssa before slipping on those dancing shoes. Which will do him no good. "I'm really bad at this," he says, making a face toward Jean.
Alyssa can't help the flicker of.. something.. as Jean comes and asks John to dance, though it's more frustration on her part, and the realization that John really /hasn't/ gotten the memo. But he will, by the end of the night. So at his assurance that he'll be back, she flashes a grin to both, and settles back against the wall. All the better to watch the crowd, my dears.
Sophie gets up, finds herself something to drink, and sits back down again, a bored and resigned look crossing her face an instant before the 'Party Face' re-appears, bright smiles and all appearances of enjoyment.
Clap, clap, clap. This is enthusiastic clapping from Scott. It ranks as "normal clapping" for everyone else. He even smiles. A real, discernible smile. Of course, he's expecting that post applause, he will mostly stand there as a warning post until Jean decides to dance with him. Jubilee's approach, let alone that she speaks to him, takes him by surprise. This is before she requests of him something that he'd expect from a small handfull of students, if any, not including Jubilee. Not anywhere near ... He stares at her, or, at least, his tilts his head downward in such a way that suggests that's what he's doing. Then the smile reappears. It's even a little wider, perhaps by way of that surprise. "Of course." He offers her his hand. The motion is intensely formal, of course, but any quiet discomfort Scott might be feeling is well and suppressed by this point.
"That's why we leaned upon Jareth to be sure to play something with a slow pace," Jean replies to John, guiding them both out onto the floor but letting him lead, however tentatively, after that. "Dancing's really just about paying attention, to the music and to your dance partner. Everything else is just window-dressing. Like when you're doing a tactical analysis in a combat situation," she suggests, earning a slightly odd look from a bird-colonel who's in his dress uniform to dance with a starry-eyed daughter.
John? Lead? Heh. Well, he'll try. Though for the first bit, he's watching his feet as much as his partner. He does finally look up, though. "Just... not a lot of use for learning before, I guess," he shrugs. "Thanks for asking, though," he says, gaze trailing out over the rest of crowd. "Lots of people here." Read: Lots of parents here.
Ah, the effusive sweetness of it all. Teeth should start corroding most any moment. Jareth produces a camera from somewhere around the table - because nights like these simply bellow photo opportunity - and stealthily snaps pictures of various pairs. Particularly a few of Jubilee and Scott twirling across the floor. What plays next? Well, it's not a party without at least a few of the classics. Following that first dance come the Righteous Brothers to deliver a dose of "Unchained Melody."
Jubilee blushes harder, the color tinting golden-toned skin slightly. But he says yes and holds out an hand. Tongue tied, she follws him out onto the dance floor and grimaces as they enter the first few steps. Its a few more steps, and few moe bars of music before she fights that twitchy feeling deep in her ears enough to actually look up at him. "Guess you're gonna be glad ta get rid of me. For the summer at least," she suggests, half-way grinning. But maybe that's directed at Wesley and his mom just over Scott's shoulder. Aw... Gag.
Scan, scan, scan the crowd, tell me what you see? Well, it's not quite a classic, but it's the irreverent thought that flickers through Alyssa's head as she stands in her little corner. She just happens to be looking the right direction to catch Scott ..smiling? Okay, it's official. The world is ending. Eyes wide in something, be it disbelief or shock or whathaveyou, she flashes a nervous smile to anyone who's watching. Fortunately, she's too far away from.. well.. everyone for anyone to notice the eyes. Aw.
Rogue locks her ankles together under the table, her gaze finally dropping from the dance floor. The sight of Bobby with his mother is enough to make her suddenly wish she wasn't there. She stares down into the drink, watching the red liquid swirl and spin within it's container. Slow songs and mushy moments makes Rogue a very unhappy graduate. The girl's hand presses up on the table top, her fingers drumming slowly.
Scott is a competent dancer, but not an inspired one. Although he comes from an era where dances did occasionally mean you danced, instead of jumped up and down on your toes or mindlessly swayed. Not that Scott danced much at school dances, but, the concept is there. "Glad to be rid of you? What makes you think that?" Okay, perhaps some /mild/ irony inside that pair of questions, but it is mild.
Gag? Well, maybe there are some benefits to being a dutiful son. Namely having your parents mostly sponsor a flight to Europe. But there's also some benefit to the allusion that Wesley does go to a nice normal school. And a parent/graduate dance certainly isn't going to hurt that. He catches sight of Jubes n Scott and sends a grin her way, then is back to the dance at hand. Meh, step on toes indeed. Not so hard.
Hah, Scott comes from an era where dances featured music from Madonna in her pointy bustier phase as the latest hits, but Jean won't tell. She's currently swaying gracefully in time to John's movements, if not the music's rhythm, giving the impression to outsiders that they look like they know what they're doing. "Well, we trained together," she points out. "You're one of 'my' kids... even if I'd prefer to be viewed as an older sister rather than a mother figure. I'm not -that- old," she teases, before letting her own gaze wander. "That there are. There should be more, though."
Dance, dance, dance... Not inspired is better for these kinds of dances, thanks. "I don't know. Maybe the luggage?" she retorts, straightening and calming down under the teasing tone. The dancers break up, some of the more rigid parental units not lasting the song out, and others simply taking turns with other "mentor types". Scott and Jubilee whirl near the table Rogue is moping at and Jubilee force a twirl that turns Scott toward the other girl. "Okay, next!" she calls out, pushing him forward. Scott's the surrogate blow-up boyfriend tonight? "Thanks, Scooter," she murmurs before stepping away, rather pleased with the sudden idea to go drag Wes's poor lonely da out, since they'd been nominally introduced earlier.
Piotr's fairly observant of those standing around the edges. Particularly those he knows and and knows /shouldn't/ be standing around the edges. So, whilst Bobby is elsewise occupied, he makes his way around the room and taps Rogue on the shoulder. "Evening, Rogue" he says. "I may not be a parent... but could I have a dance before Bobby takes you for the rest of the evening?"
"What luggage?" Scott asks with deadpan innocence and gives Jubilee a subdued head ... bow before, as Rogue has already been claimed by someone more suitable, he stands aside in chaperone position again. "Thanks," he says, slower.
Well, John always /did/ dance to his own rhythm anyways. And it's nice to have someone following him for a change. "Well, now that I'm graduated... if you weren't taken, I'd take you out for a burger or something." John says, smirking in is teasing sort of manner. "And... yeah, thanks." Because teasing is much easier to express than gratitude, of course.
Rogue glances back and up at the large man in front of her. She grips her cup slightly and pushes it away, standing and brushing herself off. Moping? Her? Nonsense. Rogue simply like her alone time… yes… She smiles slightly and shrugs, playfully rolling her eyes away. "Sure." The girl finally agrees, giving a look to Scott. "I'll save you for later. Bobby wont mind." Though, whether this is true or not remains to be seen. "You're just as good as any parent, Professor." Rogue insists, taking his hand.
After a great deal of thought, Alyssa has apparently decided that her other friends are more important than keeping an eye on John and Jean. For many reasons, not the least of which being that Jean has most assuredly gotten the memo. In fact, Jean has gotten the technicolor version of the memo straight from the source, so to speak. The result of this is that she's already most of the way across the room and heading toward Rogue when the older girl is snapped up for a dance, which leaves her.. somewhat adrift, in a sea of dancers. Spotting Scott (because really, how can you miss him), Alyssa decides to turn the tables on Jean and John. Arriving in front of him, she asks, rather quietly, "May I have the rest of this dance, sir?"
"Well, no reason we can't go get that burger as friends," Jean quips. "Unless you're back in Australia at the time." Turning herself in and under John' arm and then spinning back into position again, she flashes him a grin. "No need to thank me. Repay my by becoming a brilliant journalist, and then I can sit in a rocking chair on a porch when I'm a hundred and ten and tell everyone that I taught John Allerdyce before he was famous."
"I'll be here," Scott informs Rogue, managing not to infuse this sentence with great resignation. Not that he is to dance to Rogue, but that he has to be, well, here. But then he is snapped up by fate! Or Alyssa, rather. His smile this time is smaller, since this is a much less weighty dance than 'you are standing in for my parental figure.' "Certainly." The hand is offered.
Piotr leads the way out to the floor, with a "I will have her back before ten... minutes," jest Scott's way. See, English isn't so hard after all. And Pete's not a bad dance partner, either, even if the more serious dances surely suit him better. "Well, welcome to the world of our graduated adults," he says with a smile, reaching for her arm in some sort of dance-appropriate motion the player knows nothing about. "It will be nice to have friends that are not all students still."
Jubilee pastes a bright smile on her face and drags Wesley's dad out for the last few minutes of the traditional dance (doesn't hurt to butter up those funding Europe trips for escorts either, eh?).
"Oh, not the whole, 'Can we still be friends?' bit." John moans, of course followed by a quick smirk. "Australia. Ymm, yeah, I can't wait to get home. Now that I'm actually going... well, didn't realize how much I'd been missing home, I guess. And..." he adds quickly, "I don't think even at a hundred and ten you'll be needing a rocking chair."
Rogue keeps her eyes on Piotr, trying her very best not to notice Bobby, who had left the dance floor to usher his parents away. She follows his lead, a nervous smile appearing on her face. "I don't feel like an adult... but I /was/ just ah student a few days ago.." Rogue says aloud, glancing down every now and then to miss his feet. "Yeah? Well, I'll still be around. This place ain't kicking me out so fast. Who knows? Maybe I'll end up like Scott an' jus' never leave." She comments loudly, just as their dancing steps take them past Alyssa and Scott.
Alyssa is about a year or so shy of dancing with a parental figure, stand in or otherwise. But dancing with Scott is (marginally) better than standing by herself in the middle of everybody and dealing with the sick sinking feeling that accompanied most junior high and high school dances. Scott's hand is accepted with a smile that's a watt or three lower than her typical beam, although his smile lends a small measure of comfort. "Thank you, sir," is murmured, and look! She's a competant dancer. No jumping up and down or swaying in place.
"Leaving is not all it is made to seem," Peter shrugs. He's pretty good with missing feet by now. When you've feet the size of small canoes, you learn pretty young the tricks to keep them to yourself. "You can see me for example. It... is hard to stay away. This becomes home very quickly."
"So, what do you plan to do first?" Jean wonders, giving Rogue a nosewrinkle from over John's shoulder as they pass close enough together that she can overhear the Scott-teasing. "Climb Ayers' Rock, surf the Great Barrier Reef, get bitten by something lethal and native to the island? And you're a charmer," she snorts, looking amused. "But what if I -want- a rocking chair?"
Competent dancing. Good Alyssa. You may evade receiving luggage when you graduate. Scott continues his own competent dancing and tries, again, not to wish he were somewhere else. And, surprisingly, the discomfort is wearing off. Or not so surprisingly. For seen too oft, accustomed with her face, social dancing even can become bearable. If one is competent. "You're welcome," Scott returns, although his head turns over his shoulder when a certain comment is unavoidably heard. But lo, is that a smirk Scott shoots Rogue before returning his attention to the dance?
"Actually, I'll join a band playing a digeridoo," John quips right back. "Mostly probably just go see all my old friends, probably be shocked how much I've changed, how much they've changed, how I don't really know them anymore. Maybe try to con the folks to take a few days into the bush. Just for some pictures to bring back. And if you want a rocking chair... I'm sure by then there will be students who can grow you a perfect all natural one."
The parents have had their fun. Time to make like Emeril and take it up a notch. After a few songs have elapsed, Jareth grabs his microphone again. "Parents, friends, other visitors, I just want to say again it's good to have you here. The youngins are going to be celebrating the way they like to, so for those with fragile ears, we have refreshments just down the hall. Thanks for coming, and we'll try not to turn the volume up to eleven." With a couple of minutes allowed for the parents to scatter, Jareth quite casually hops up on the table with not microphone, but cane in hand as he leans forward on it. "All right, kids. Time for some *real* partying, huh?" He stands up, twirls the cane from one hand to the other, then raps it against one of the speakers. "Mr. Seger- Give me some of that Old Time Rock And Roll." And so he does.
Rogue catches the looks from both Jean and Scott. She beams and catches her tongue between her teeth in a delighted look. Well, Rogue isn't about to admit it... but perhaps the extra side-attention was doing the moody teen a world of good. But shh, don't tell her that. "It /is/ my home." Rogue agrees, turning her attention back to Peter. She squeezes his hands with her own gloved ones and nods. "We'll be losers together and stick around the school, wont we?" Rogue says playfully, grinning up at him. Of course, just then, Jareth decides to get the real celebration down. The teenager breaks from Peter (thought not before a hand-to-shoulder hug) and laughs. "Thanks, Prof." Rogue glances around for Bobby, though he's no where to be found at the moment.
Mr. Flynn finishes the dance with Jubilee, by then Wesley and his mother have found there way back. And Wesley quickly exchanges arms of the women there. "So I'll meet you at Grand'ms for breakfast tomorrow still, right? /Laaate/ breakfast," Wesley quickly qualifies. After a quick assent, Wesley is soon parent-free. Oh yes, there's not just a bit of relief as he watches them make their way out of the room. Maybe he should escort them to their car. No, that's a bit over-protective. Got to let them out on their own someday. And that concluded, he turns to grin at Jubilee. "So... did you get a full dance lesson or the three-minute refresher course?"
Alyssa seems almost reluctant to break away from Scott, as dancing to rock and roll (at least when she did it in the living room with her parents) involves competancy to no small degree. But, he probably wants to get back to Jean. Or go back to standing there like a post. Or any manner of things that do not involve stilted conversation and dancing with her. Either way, she goes as far to ask, "Would you like to call it a dance, sir?" Dance, day, the sentiment's the same.
"And you'll be naming it 'Dingos Ate My Baby', of course," Jean agrees, expression deadpan and eyes twinkling as the first dance draws to a close. "Well, thanks for the dance, John. We'll talk more when I'm not keeping you from your friends," she promises. "And we still need to head out to the quarry." With that, she swirls away to go collect Scott before he can get trampled under the feet of dancing teenagers.
"If you'd like," Scott says magnanimously, disengaging his hands from her hands with not impolite speed or abruptness. "Thank you." Jean's swirling toward him has nothing to do with his complete willingness, of course. He's just polite that way.
Piotr offers a grin and nod back to Rogue. "Watch that, else I may be calling you 'Prof' soon as well," he says. "Thank you for the dance. But I think you have a line waiting, so I will let you begin the rounds. Congratulations again." And with that, he's back off to some corner or another. Or likely in search of another graduate who's name would of course not begin with a K.
Jubilee stands at his side and grins like an idiot at the scene of /total/ domesticity displayed there, going so far as to reach over and pinch his cheek. "You all are really /way/ too sappily cute, y'know? /Grandma's/?" she laughs, crossing in front of him and dragging him after her to the floor, planting herself in position and starting to bounce as the beat picks up.
"What?" Wesley asks, staring. "I... don't know if I like being called 'cute' or not. But they're off for the night, all tucked in bed. And now we can have some fun."
Rogue crosses her arms. "Me? Never!" She says as if shocked, waving a hand. "Professor Rogue... that doesn't even /sound/ right." Her nose wrinkles us and she smiles as he goes. "You're welcome." Of course, before she can turn the girl is swept carefully up by the iceman. "Bobby!" Rogue squeaks, twisting to grab his arms as he ushers her closer to the speakers. "I'm back. Did'ja miss me?" The boy asks with a huge smile. Rogue returns the look with a sly smile. "Why no, actually. Piotr saw to it that I was well taken care of." She comments, turning her nose up at him. Bobby laughs and pulls her into a dance. "Pete? Hah. I can dance better than /him/." Bobby says with a light snort. Rogue lets her rather sarcastic guard down and follows the dance, glancing up at Jareth as they pass the DJ platform.
Alyssa mouths 'Kiss him!' at Rogue once Bobby comes to collect the older girl, her grin towards Scott a little more genuine as she says, "You're welcome, sir." Twirling her way back out onto the dance floor, she gives Jareth a thumbs up for his choice in music, then heads off in search of John. Here, Johnny Johnny..
Jareth watches from atop his table-throne, leaning lightly on his cane with one foot turned on the toes and crossed over the other. It might be something to expect from Willy Wonka, and he *is* providing sweets of a sort. Peering over the teens and company, he sends a smirk and teasing eye gleam upon them. "Come on, ya bunch o' wallflowers. Do I have to put itching powder down your clothes to get you dancing?" He smiles down at Rogue and Alyssa, the latter of which just has to go and give him ideas. He spies that mouthed demand, and an answer instantly springs to life in his mind. As one song comes to an end, he twirls his cane again to point it at the computer. Now it's ZZ Top filling the room, playing along with Alyssa's "Gimme All Your Lovin'" scheme.
This would be John's cue to leave the room. Well, except that he's got any number of reasons to be heading out. Post-Jean dance, he's found his way back to the wall, glass of punch in hand. And with each refrain, he's edging toward that door just a bit more.
Rogue peeks over Bobby's shoulder, the mouthing from Aly getting noticed. She wrinkles up her nose and shakes her head slightly, hoping Bobby wont notice. Quickly an 'Are you crazy?' is mouthed back. Of course, leave it to Jareth to add to the evil plans. "Oh bother..." Rogue mutters, catching Bobby's attention. "What's that, Ro'?" He inquires, pulling back to look at her. "Oh... nothin', Bobby... Will you look at that!" She suddenly whispers, nodding to John who is attempting to sneak out. "Aly... go!" Rogue hisses to the other girl as they near her in the room. She jerks her head in the direction of John. Her hands grip tightly on Bobby's arms as she cranes her neck in order to see what's happening.
Jean proceeds to find Scott, but, mercifully, she doesn't insist on dragging him out into the middle of the floor. No, she suggests that "Maybe we can ask Jareth to put on some modern swing for you later." and nods towards a long buffet table set out with punchbowls and other goodies.
Scott is happy to walk toward the table. "Modern swing. Too bad that anything beyond a modified boxstep or waltz is a bit beyond me," he admits with a wry expression. "Don't tell anyone."
Apparently, Jareth and Rogue got the memo, too. Alyssa flashes a smile over her shoulder at the both of them, and starts off on an intercept course. She's determined, mind you.. so by the time John manages to edge toward the door, voila! Alyssa is lounging beside it, only slightly out of breath. Please ignore the evil twinkle in her eyes. "Hey there, Johnny.." She doesn't give him much of a chance to protest, clamping her hand around the wrist not attatched to the hand holding the punch. "Dance?" ...it's really not much of a question, though.
"Uh, sure," John says, downing the last of the punch and setting the empty cup on a passing table. "I really suck at this," he warns as they approach the dance floor. "This is your last warning. This message will self-distruct in 10 seconds."
Rogue forces Bobby to turn so she can get a better view. "Oh, this is gonna be good." She whispers in his ear. Bobby strains his eyes to see, and simply sighs. "I swear... if I have t'hear about this all night from him, Ro'..." He warns her, shooting the girl a hard look. Rogue sticks her tongue out to him. "Oh please, Bobby... look at them, they're great together." She insists, taking another look. "Yeah, great.. look how happy John is." Bobby whispers back, a sarcastic smile on his face. Rogue rolls her eyes and leads Bobby dancing closer to the other pair.
Some things bear repeating. Technology is a beautiful thing. Bless wireless connections and easily found samples. Jareth makes quick use of both, and as he sneakily watches Rogue hem and haw over Alyssa's demand, there's a change in music. "It don't take a word, not a single word, you wanna kiss the girl..." How convenient that Alyssa also falls into the scheme. Two birds, one stone, and the music stops after several seconds, still enough for several lines. "Oh, did I do that? Whoops." That smirk and positively scintillating mischief in Jareth eyes? Sure it was an accident. He waves his fingers at the computer, and Annie Lennox commences to sing the party "Into The West." Mischief aside, now is a good moment for something slower.
Alyssa turns to shoot a significant Look at Rogue and Bobby as the music.. flubs.. before turning back to John. To make it easy on him, she goes the junior high route, with her arms around his neck. "I'll remember to duck, then." There's a slight blush as she shifts subtly closer, then looks up at him. With the heels, she's only about two inches shorter.. which should make this entirely too easy. But she chickens out, and just asks, "Guess you didn't get my last email?"
To which, the only real response is draping ones linking ones arms around the other's waist and swaying. Which John does, no matter how awkwardly he dances. "E-mail? Not the one I wrote back to? I... don't check it all that often. Most people I talk to... I see every day."
Rogue is too busy with spying on Aly and John to notice the song right away. Of course, when the clearing of a throat sounds from a boy right next to her, she's forced to look up. Bobby is staring down at her with that nervous, eyebrow raised look. Rogue feels a flush of color on her cheeks, her eyes cutting dangerously over to Jareth. "Bobby..." She whispers in concern, looking back to him. Great the music cuts. Bobby bites his bottom lip and leans forward slightly, causing Rogue to turn her head to the side. "Hey... um.. Professor Jareth... why don't we, I dunno... get somethin' more lively, huh?" She babbles quickly, trying to change the mood.
Jareth sits down atop the table, legs almost appearing to collapse underneath him, but quite neatly folding up to place him crosslegged. Comfortably seated now, he props his head and hands on the end of his cane to watch the pairs of shrinking violets. Teenagers... As Rogue turns to him, he lifts his head. "Yeeees?" Once having heard her request, he taps his cane on his chin for a long moment. "Hmmmm..." After a momentary pause, he turns up his hands, then snaps his fingers. If there's somethin' weird in your neighborhood...
Alyssa hisses at both Jareth and Rogue, then quietly eggs Bobby on. "Go Bobby!" Returning her attention to John, however, she takes the opportunity before he can duck away with the excuse of the faster music. "Yeah, I answered it.. asked if you wanted to come to the Ball with me.." There's a trace of disappointment in her tone, "I guess I was too dumb to just ask, so.." And here it is, the moment of truth: She tips upward onto her toes, stretching that last bit of distance as her hands slide up, and tug John's head down eeeever so slightly before she plants a kiss on him. And then freezes.
Um, rewind? What just happened? Where did /that/ come from? John's just as frozen as she is for the moment, just looking at her. Stunned. And that just about settles that nagging fear that Alyssa is indeed crushing on him. "Uh..." he says, attempting a grin, "What'd I do to deserve that?" Humor in awkwardness doesn't come quite as easily as for, say, his roommate who is no doubt doubled over in laughter elsewhere in the room.
Rogue almost clambers onto of Bobby in order to see what's going on. A few other couples get in the way, and Bobby is dragged to the side. Rogue can't help but smirk, and Bobby actually does fall into a fit of laughter. She whaps him gently, sending a glare down at the doubled over boy. "Be nice, Bobby." Rogue says, trying to keep the amused look off her own face. There is a small feeling of jealousy in Rogue, however, but it's easily snuffed out for now. "C'mon, better not stare..." Rogue says out of the corner of her mouth, forcing Bobby to look as if he's dancing again.
Oh, now this simply begs for posterity. Up go toes, down comes John... click. Not that the tiny shutter sound is at all noticeable over the music, but the camera has gone off once again. Jareth just bites his tongue afterward, trying to keep from either laughing or calling out 'Alyssa 1, John 0!' Or perhaps a score of zero also belongs to Rogue. He peers from Alyssa to Bobby, chuckling over the sight of the hysterics-bound iceman. It really all is too much, and he can't help continuing the joke with his own voice. "Sha-la-la-la-la-la, ain't that sad, ain't it a shame, too bad, you gonna miss the girl..." Regarding the possibility of the students hearing him, he makes his cane ready to thwart any incoming impact.
"You were you?" is Alyssa's response, a blush spreading as she catches Bobby's laughter. But look! He hasn't run away yet. Which affords Alyssa the chance to do it again. There's no freezing this time, and she's practically beaming once she pulls away. "And I think I kinda like you." Pause. "A lot." There's another blush before she adds, "Besides, you're my best friend." Jareth is ignored -- unless, of course, John feels like paying attention.
Once more and he just might run away. Far far away to the land of Oz. Wait, John might do that anyways. He pulls back during the second kiss. "Um, Alyssa, I--" There's a slight glare Jareth's direction as the mockery of the music begins to register. Distractions. Why not? Special hell, John... "I... need some air. I'll... be back in a while." And yes, John, not really intending to be cruel, breaks off suddenly, making a beeline for the door, zagging past the few couples in his way.
Rogue and Bobby just stop dancing... yes, in the middle of the floor. They watch carefully, Rogue hissing a breath and Bobby gritting his teeth. "Oh, doesn't look good, huh?" Bobby mutters to Rogue. She's about to answer when Jareth gets their attention. "You!" Bobby accuses, turning a deadly look back on him. Bobby raises a hand in playful hopes to blast the poor Professor, which is automatically batted down by Rogue. "Bobby, no." She commands, giving him a look. He returns the look back at Rogue. "C'mon, shouldn't we show 'im up?" The boy pleads, giving Rogue his best grin. She only returns it with a glare. "Ah swear, am I th' only one that remembers that I almost killed ah boy that way?" She demands out loud, her brows furrowed together. "M'going t'get somethin' t'drink." Rogue mutters darkly, pushing away from him and storming towards the snack table. Bobby just stands there, his shoulder slumping and a frown growing on his lips.
"John? ...Johnny?" Oh, you can just hear the heartbreak in her voice as John beats a hasty retreat. She turns toward Bobby and Rogue for support.. but no. Nothing. Turning again, eyes wide, she finally finds.. Jareth! Jareth can be depended on, right? Eyes wide and pleading, she offers the professor an uncertain smile. Help?
Jareth clamps down on his tongue to keep back more laughter. Bobby's play-blast, or attempt thereof, earns an equally playful recoil as Jareth shrieks and pulls his arms up in front of him. He smirks and settles his cane in his lap, watching poor, flustered John run off. Alyssa makes pursuit in four... three... or not. Eyebrows go up as she gives him that look, which can only induce him to unfold his legs to hop off the table and go over to her. "I'd ask what's the matter, but I have a good guess. Going to go talk to him?"
Alyssa shakes her head, blinking rapidly to clear her eyes. "No. I'd just cry or something, and ruin it." She folds her arms across her chest, hugging herself as she looks over toward the exit. Unfortunately, as good as her eyes may be, she can't see through walls. "Play something good?" Something suitable to end the scene.
Jareth directs a contemplative frown toward Alyssa while he taps the cane against his free hand. Toward the air or the nearest wall goes a mutter of "Love's great, ain't it?" It might go unheard against the music, and in any case, he watches her for several moments before nodding. "Sure." He looks over toward the computer, making a gesture largely devoid of the theatrical energy he used for most of the evening. Dire Straits started the evening, and Dire Straits ends it. If she somehow works up the courage to go, not that he would expect it, she can go accompanied by the music while she goes to do the "Walk of Life."
Congrats, guys!
We're all graduated now. Wow. Thought the day would never come (as I'm sure Scott feared as well, heh.)
Anyways, whoever's sticking around this week, we should go do something fun and crazy to celebrate. Jubes, Bobby, Rogue? I'm in town til Thursday, then off home for a couple weeks, so have to be before then.
Tables have been pushed out of the way, the walls festooned and bedecked, and tables grown under food trays and punch bowls. About the room, teachers, parents, and undergrad mill, awaiting the graduates, and applauding when they appear, one by one. And laughing a little, no doubt, at the few boys who still haven't managed to get glitter off their faces. With the music low-key enough, a couple sets of older attenders are taking advantage of the opportunity to dance and embarrass the younglings associated with them. Gawd, cannot wait for the customary first few dances to be over, when they are subtly encouraged to leave, and the music steps up to teenage decibal levels and tastes. Jubilee twitches her skirt into place and eyes her escort before grabbing his sleeve and pulling. "Meh. Move it, water boy. You are /so/ not gonna be able to pull your weight in Europe iff'n you stand around like that there."
It's been a grand day for Wesley. Of escorting the parental units around the school, introducing them to teaches and friends. And it's gone relatively well; he's even grown used to that giant moth in his stomach. So far, so good. "Mmm?" he murmers idly, attention drawn away from his parents on the sidelines before allowing himself to be towed out to dance. "If I step on your feet... well, sorry now," he says, breaking into a grin. "And I fully expect to be pulling my weight and the weight of BOTH our backpacks most of the time anyways."
Rogue slides pretty easily through the whole brigade, only feeling slightly uncomfortable in the dressy getup forced on her by the occasion. Though Rogue doesn't have family visiting, the girl still manages to have fun, mostly sticking close to Bobby. Her dress is something much different than what she normally wears. It's silky sort of fabric, deep red, cut with a slanted hem at the bottom. Her arms are halfway covered in black gloves that reach all the way up and past her elbows. Rogue's hair is tied up into ringlet curls, flowing over her neck and shoulders. Two black hair chopsticks poke out of the bun, giving the whole ensemble an oriental feel. She moves to the side, leaning up against the tables as Bobby goes to say goodbye to his mother and father. Rogue sips gently on her cup of red punch, trying not to look too uncomfortable alone and off to the side of the floor.
Alyssa would be one of those milling undergrads, smiling at parents and faculty alike as she awaits the entrance of a certain, notably un-glittered graduate. Mm. Scruffy. Using the slight height advantage gained by wearing heels, she cranes her neck over the crowd, and continues to watch the entrance. Her attention is distracted somewhat as someone's younger relative unit (because she's not sure of the relation, or the student) tugs on her dress, and requests directions to the nearest restroom. Lovely. Flashing a sidelong glance toward the doors again, she bends down a little bit, and starts giving her best and brightest set of directions.
Enter the young Aussie. Not looking par course for him, as he has a pair of black slacks and a deep red shirt with just a hint of the metallic. No tie, because that'd just be over the top. Oh, and minus the jacket, though one can be assured that the lighter has found its way into another pocket. It's one thing to attend one of these things. It's quite another to be one of the guests of honor. He finds a nice corner of wall for the time being.
Sometimes, technology is a beatiful thing. Piles of CDs? Stacks of binders containing them? Not for this technopath. All's he needs is a computer and a cord to the speakers to do his stuff. Behind the table where the equipment lies and over which the speakers are raised, Jareth watches the crowd. After a while of letting them mill around as tradition demands, it's time to get things moving. As he walks around the table to lean against the front, he picks up a microphone. "Well, children, parents, relatives, guy from junior year English who wants to get those twenty bucks you owe him- here we are. Xavier school graduation 2005. I'd give some more of the usual speechifying, but being one of the professors, I'm sure the kids have heard enough from me. So congratulations, students, and now get your graduate behinds out on the floor and have fun." This said, he goes back behind the table to cue up the first song of the night. Mellow guitar flows in with the start of Dire Straits, "So Far Away."
Scott walks in and no sooner has planted himself chaperone like beside the door but is checking his watch and, with the realization that he has at least another hour to be there, lets a subtle and quickly suppressed grimace pass over his face.
Jean is watching over the proceedings quietly and with style. She's wearing the golden gown she wore to the President's Ball, both as a favourite dress and as a subtle gesture of not outshining all the girls in their carefully-agonized-over brand new gowns. This day is theirs, after all. Standing on Scott's arm, she smiles here and there, greeting students as they tow their parents over to see her (Or, occasionally, are towed by said parents.) until eventually she gives Professor Summers the Elder a kiss on the cheek, murmurs something in his ear, and makes towards the podium draped in the school colours. (We're going to call them black, burgundy and golden yellow, just because I say so.) She taps the microphone once to gather attention.
It was navy and gold last year...
Well fine, navy and gold, then.
Jubilee opens her mouth to retort, and is interrupted by the microphone tap. She twists one of the bead strands making up her sleeves and moves closer to the front of the room, indifferent to wether or not Wesley follows. THough... he'd better. *glare*
Yes, Wesley will follow. He can play obedient puppy when he has to. He falls into place behind her. Of course, that puts the parents out of view somewhere behind him. How annoying.
This brings back memories. Pete's done up fairly nicely for the occasion, fairly unassuming shirt and jacket. And standing off to the side, neither here nor there. Except that a lot of friends are graduating, so if nothing else, he's here to cheer them on. He leans against one of the side walls, looking over the gathered students toward Jean.
Rogue glances up past her glass rim, the red liquid pooling up around her upper lip. She is momentarily distracted, not even noticing Bobby as he appears back next to her. Rogue glances around at the soft touch to her side. "Oh, hey." She says in a whisper, smiling over at him. Bobby smiles back and twines his hand around Rogues. "C'mon, Jean is about to talk." He says, pulling the girl along behind him. Rogue follows up and keeps her eyes on Jean, placing herself between Bobby and Jubilee. Nothing more than a quick glance and a gentle nudge is given to her best friend... but that's probably better than the more moody Rogue actions of late.
Alyssa returns from elsewhere, trailing the aforementioned relative unit (a sister or cousin of somebody's, apparently). yes, she actually had to go /show/ the girl the location of the restroom. John is spotted once she's free of the tagalong, and so Alyssa sidles that way, away from the crowd. Jean's microphone-tapping catches her attention, however, so she doesn't actually /say/ anything once she nears the graduate. Instead, she flashes him a smile and settles against the wall beside him, nudging gently.
"Heya," John says, nodding Alyssa's way. "You look nice," he says, though quite tempered by some distraction at Jean's pending speech. High school graduates. Finally.
Scott reacts with a bemused smile, although not with a return kiss, as Jean is far too quick to accomplish anything but a completely missed peck and that would just be silly. He resumes chaperone position, just by himself this time. He looks more severe when by himself.
Jean clears her throat once, but refrains from any 'Is this on?' questioning about the microphone. The arboretum isn't -that- big, if it's not. "As most of you know, I'm just a little bit in love with making speeches." she begins, pausing to give a self-deprecating bow and a general grin. "So, I could go on for hours about the wonderful qualities that each and every one of our graduating class of 2005 posesses, the challenges they've overcome, and the triumphs and trials of life they've experienced. But I think if I did that, I'd probably start crying or something else that would embarass us all, so I'm just going to say this: There is not a finer group of young men and women than the group standing here tonight. I look at you and I don't just see the faces of the future, I see the faces that are going to change the world. So, congratulations to the 2005 graduates of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters... you couldn't make me more proud." There's a pregnant pause, before Jean concludes with "Now... let's get down to the serious business of having a party. Here's to you!" Applause.
Jareth checks over the playlist and the connections again while Jean gives the yearly address that these sort of gatherings demand. Once she turns the crowd loose for merrymaking, he picks up his own microphone. "Serious indeed. Just remember to party more than be serious. Now let's get things rolling with the graduate/parent dance." Click of a few buttons, and it's off to the races- er, dances.
Sophie arrives late as usual, per Rebellious Teenager specs, defiantly self-conscious about the pointed absence of parents when everybody knows darn well Daddy Warbucks is in fact in New York. As a result, she looks a little embarassed as she crosses the floor to sit gracefully on the chairs or couches or heck, even window seats that the player is sure are around here somewhere and/or brought in for the occasion. No date, no parents, hardly any friends, Sophie decides to hang out in a corner and see what, if anything, develops.
Alyssa waits until the end of Jean's speechifying, and starts cheering with the rest of the crowd. Okay, so most of the parents and siblings and other students are applauding, but she's cheering. And whooping, and hollering, and all manner of things one generally does not do while wearing a pretty dress and heels. She keeps to her feet, however, and /beams/ over at John before pouncing. Sort of. It's a crazy-exuberant Alyssa brand of hug, and there's a lot of grinning involved. "congrats, Johnny!" is chirruped, and she presses a quick, happy kiss to his cheek. ...which isn't the snogging that's been hinted at, but just.. Aly-ness.
Jubilee grins back at Rogue, the turns to listen to the pretty, pretty little speech, greeting it with a round of applause and a unself-conscious whoop, though she's far from the only one. Jareth's little contribution isn't greeted nearly so warmly from her quarter. With a little bit of a frown, she gives way on the floor for those returning to parent's and mentor's sides. Bah. Stupid tradition that just ends up m-- She glances around, her gaze falling on a stiff (almost rigid) posture nearby, and a her frown takes on a more thoughtful cast. *edge, edge* "Uh... I know this is kinda supposed ta be for parental figures and all... but... Uh... Would you dance it with me?" She fidgets uncharacteristically and steals a nearing-mortification glance at Scott.
Rogue presses her gloved hand up against Bobby, her eyes aiming up at Jean. She smiles slightly, feeling a twinge of longing for maybe just another year at the school... well, she is going to stick around anyways, so what does it matter? The whole parent thing is given an annoyed grumble, her hand falling to her side as Bobby moves to find his mother. Rogue glances back at him and look around, watching with a slim frown as Jubilee heads for Scott. She, however, doesn't bother asking anyone and instead moves back to the table, lowering herself into a chair and gathering up her punch glass. Rogue casts a bored look over the floor, watching people dancing with their parents. She draws a little black fan from her glove, the oriental ornament getting waved gently at her face.
John has parents, but they're on the other side of the world at the moment. Still, there is a cheer just for him. Right beside him. Which gets an awkward smile, made even moreso by the hugs and kisses. And a half-hug back. "Uh, thanks," he manages to get out. Obviously, he didn't get the memo. He's not leaving his perch. Because it'd mean dancing. Which can't be cool.
Jean isn't going to let Jubilee be the only one breaking tradition. Spotting John, her personal mentee and broody loner of the grad class, and knowing full well his parents are half a world away, she can hardly let him sit around like a bump on a log. She threads her way through the small crowd of gathering dancers in a swishing of golden satin and eventually turns up beside him with a proud smile. "May I have this dance?" she wonders. "I promise not to step on your toes."
Wesley watches as Jubes wanders off to find Scott. Which leaves him by his lonesome. And to make his way toward the back of the room toward his parents. Well, he can play the young dashing, so he tones down the smile, plasters a serious look on his face and extends an arm to his mother. "You'll allow me this dance," he says, the humor quirking back into his voice as he addresses his father, and quickly pulls good old mom out to the dance.
John's eyes widen as Jean addresses him, then a smile crosses his face. "Uh, sure," he replies, stepping away from the wall and offering his arm to her. "Back in a few," he nods toward Alyssa before slipping on those dancing shoes. Which will do him no good. "I'm really bad at this," he says, making a face toward Jean.
Alyssa can't help the flicker of.. something.. as Jean comes and asks John to dance, though it's more frustration on her part, and the realization that John really /hasn't/ gotten the memo. But he will, by the end of the night. So at his assurance that he'll be back, she flashes a grin to both, and settles back against the wall. All the better to watch the crowd, my dears.
Sophie gets up, finds herself something to drink, and sits back down again, a bored and resigned look crossing her face an instant before the 'Party Face' re-appears, bright smiles and all appearances of enjoyment.
Clap, clap, clap. This is enthusiastic clapping from Scott. It ranks as "normal clapping" for everyone else. He even smiles. A real, discernible smile. Of course, he's expecting that post applause, he will mostly stand there as a warning post until Jean decides to dance with him. Jubilee's approach, let alone that she speaks to him, takes him by surprise. This is before she requests of him something that he'd expect from a small handfull of students, if any, not including Jubilee. Not anywhere near ... He stares at her, or, at least, his tilts his head downward in such a way that suggests that's what he's doing. Then the smile reappears. It's even a little wider, perhaps by way of that surprise. "Of course." He offers her his hand. The motion is intensely formal, of course, but any quiet discomfort Scott might be feeling is well and suppressed by this point.
"That's why we leaned upon Jareth to be sure to play something with a slow pace," Jean replies to John, guiding them both out onto the floor but letting him lead, however tentatively, after that. "Dancing's really just about paying attention, to the music and to your dance partner. Everything else is just window-dressing. Like when you're doing a tactical analysis in a combat situation," she suggests, earning a slightly odd look from a bird-colonel who's in his dress uniform to dance with a starry-eyed daughter.
John? Lead? Heh. Well, he'll try. Though for the first bit, he's watching his feet as much as his partner. He does finally look up, though. "Just... not a lot of use for learning before, I guess," he shrugs. "Thanks for asking, though," he says, gaze trailing out over the rest of crowd. "Lots of people here." Read: Lots of parents here.
Ah, the effusive sweetness of it all. Teeth should start corroding most any moment. Jareth produces a camera from somewhere around the table - because nights like these simply bellow photo opportunity - and stealthily snaps pictures of various pairs. Particularly a few of Jubilee and Scott twirling across the floor. What plays next? Well, it's not a party without at least a few of the classics. Following that first dance come the Righteous Brothers to deliver a dose of "Unchained Melody."
Jubilee blushes harder, the color tinting golden-toned skin slightly. But he says yes and holds out an hand. Tongue tied, she follws him out onto the dance floor and grimaces as they enter the first few steps. Its a few more steps, and few moe bars of music before she fights that twitchy feeling deep in her ears enough to actually look up at him. "Guess you're gonna be glad ta get rid of me. For the summer at least," she suggests, half-way grinning. But maybe that's directed at Wesley and his mom just over Scott's shoulder. Aw... Gag.
Scan, scan, scan the crowd, tell me what you see? Well, it's not quite a classic, but it's the irreverent thought that flickers through Alyssa's head as she stands in her little corner. She just happens to be looking the right direction to catch Scott ..smiling? Okay, it's official. The world is ending. Eyes wide in something, be it disbelief or shock or whathaveyou, she flashes a nervous smile to anyone who's watching. Fortunately, she's too far away from.. well.. everyone for anyone to notice the eyes. Aw.
Rogue locks her ankles together under the table, her gaze finally dropping from the dance floor. The sight of Bobby with his mother is enough to make her suddenly wish she wasn't there. She stares down into the drink, watching the red liquid swirl and spin within it's container. Slow songs and mushy moments makes Rogue a very unhappy graduate. The girl's hand presses up on the table top, her fingers drumming slowly.
Scott is a competent dancer, but not an inspired one. Although he comes from an era where dances did occasionally mean you danced, instead of jumped up and down on your toes or mindlessly swayed. Not that Scott danced much at school dances, but, the concept is there. "Glad to be rid of you? What makes you think that?" Okay, perhaps some /mild/ irony inside that pair of questions, but it is mild.
Gag? Well, maybe there are some benefits to being a dutiful son. Namely having your parents mostly sponsor a flight to Europe. But there's also some benefit to the allusion that Wesley does go to a nice normal school. And a parent/graduate dance certainly isn't going to hurt that. He catches sight of Jubes n Scott and sends a grin her way, then is back to the dance at hand. Meh, step on toes indeed. Not so hard.
Hah, Scott comes from an era where dances featured music from Madonna in her pointy bustier phase as the latest hits, but Jean won't tell. She's currently swaying gracefully in time to John's movements, if not the music's rhythm, giving the impression to outsiders that they look like they know what they're doing. "Well, we trained together," she points out. "You're one of 'my' kids... even if I'd prefer to be viewed as an older sister rather than a mother figure. I'm not -that- old," she teases, before letting her own gaze wander. "That there are. There should be more, though."
Dance, dance, dance... Not inspired is better for these kinds of dances, thanks. "I don't know. Maybe the luggage?" she retorts, straightening and calming down under the teasing tone. The dancers break up, some of the more rigid parental units not lasting the song out, and others simply taking turns with other "mentor types". Scott and Jubilee whirl near the table Rogue is moping at and Jubilee force a twirl that turns Scott toward the other girl. "Okay, next!" she calls out, pushing him forward. Scott's the surrogate blow-up boyfriend tonight? "Thanks, Scooter," she murmurs before stepping away, rather pleased with the sudden idea to go drag Wes's poor lonely da out, since they'd been nominally introduced earlier.
Piotr's fairly observant of those standing around the edges. Particularly those he knows and and knows /shouldn't/ be standing around the edges. So, whilst Bobby is elsewise occupied, he makes his way around the room and taps Rogue on the shoulder. "Evening, Rogue" he says. "I may not be a parent... but could I have a dance before Bobby takes you for the rest of the evening?"
"What luggage?" Scott asks with deadpan innocence and gives Jubilee a subdued head ... bow before, as Rogue has already been claimed by someone more suitable, he stands aside in chaperone position again. "Thanks," he says, slower.
Well, John always /did/ dance to his own rhythm anyways. And it's nice to have someone following him for a change. "Well, now that I'm graduated... if you weren't taken, I'd take you out for a burger or something." John says, smirking in is teasing sort of manner. "And... yeah, thanks." Because teasing is much easier to express than gratitude, of course.
Rogue glances back and up at the large man in front of her. She grips her cup slightly and pushes it away, standing and brushing herself off. Moping? Her? Nonsense. Rogue simply like her alone time… yes… She smiles slightly and shrugs, playfully rolling her eyes away. "Sure." The girl finally agrees, giving a look to Scott. "I'll save you for later. Bobby wont mind." Though, whether this is true or not remains to be seen. "You're just as good as any parent, Professor." Rogue insists, taking his hand.
After a great deal of thought, Alyssa has apparently decided that her other friends are more important than keeping an eye on John and Jean. For many reasons, not the least of which being that Jean has most assuredly gotten the memo. In fact, Jean has gotten the technicolor version of the memo straight from the source, so to speak. The result of this is that she's already most of the way across the room and heading toward Rogue when the older girl is snapped up for a dance, which leaves her.. somewhat adrift, in a sea of dancers. Spotting Scott (because really, how can you miss him), Alyssa decides to turn the tables on Jean and John. Arriving in front of him, she asks, rather quietly, "May I have the rest of this dance, sir?"
"Well, no reason we can't go get that burger as friends," Jean quips. "Unless you're back in Australia at the time." Turning herself in and under John' arm and then spinning back into position again, she flashes him a grin. "No need to thank me. Repay my by becoming a brilliant journalist, and then I can sit in a rocking chair on a porch when I'm a hundred and ten and tell everyone that I taught John Allerdyce before he was famous."
"I'll be here," Scott informs Rogue, managing not to infuse this sentence with great resignation. Not that he is to dance to Rogue, but that he has to be, well, here. But then he is snapped up by fate! Or Alyssa, rather. His smile this time is smaller, since this is a much less weighty dance than 'you are standing in for my parental figure.' "Certainly." The hand is offered.
Piotr leads the way out to the floor, with a "I will have her back before ten... minutes," jest Scott's way. See, English isn't so hard after all. And Pete's not a bad dance partner, either, even if the more serious dances surely suit him better. "Well, welcome to the world of our graduated adults," he says with a smile, reaching for her arm in some sort of dance-appropriate motion the player knows nothing about. "It will be nice to have friends that are not all students still."
Jubilee pastes a bright smile on her face and drags Wesley's dad out for the last few minutes of the traditional dance (doesn't hurt to butter up those funding Europe trips for escorts either, eh?).
"Oh, not the whole, 'Can we still be friends?' bit." John moans, of course followed by a quick smirk. "Australia. Ymm, yeah, I can't wait to get home. Now that I'm actually going... well, didn't realize how much I'd been missing home, I guess. And..." he adds quickly, "I don't think even at a hundred and ten you'll be needing a rocking chair."
Rogue keeps her eyes on Piotr, trying her very best not to notice Bobby, who had left the dance floor to usher his parents away. She follows his lead, a nervous smile appearing on her face. "I don't feel like an adult... but I /was/ just ah student a few days ago.." Rogue says aloud, glancing down every now and then to miss his feet. "Yeah? Well, I'll still be around. This place ain't kicking me out so fast. Who knows? Maybe I'll end up like Scott an' jus' never leave." She comments loudly, just as their dancing steps take them past Alyssa and Scott.
Alyssa is about a year or so shy of dancing with a parental figure, stand in or otherwise. But dancing with Scott is (marginally) better than standing by herself in the middle of everybody and dealing with the sick sinking feeling that accompanied most junior high and high school dances. Scott's hand is accepted with a smile that's a watt or three lower than her typical beam, although his smile lends a small measure of comfort. "Thank you, sir," is murmured, and look! She's a competant dancer. No jumping up and down or swaying in place.
"Leaving is not all it is made to seem," Peter shrugs. He's pretty good with missing feet by now. When you've feet the size of small canoes, you learn pretty young the tricks to keep them to yourself. "You can see me for example. It... is hard to stay away. This becomes home very quickly."
"So, what do you plan to do first?" Jean wonders, giving Rogue a nosewrinkle from over John's shoulder as they pass close enough together that she can overhear the Scott-teasing. "Climb Ayers' Rock, surf the Great Barrier Reef, get bitten by something lethal and native to the island? And you're a charmer," she snorts, looking amused. "But what if I -want- a rocking chair?"
Competent dancing. Good Alyssa. You may evade receiving luggage when you graduate. Scott continues his own competent dancing and tries, again, not to wish he were somewhere else. And, surprisingly, the discomfort is wearing off. Or not so surprisingly. For seen too oft, accustomed with her face, social dancing even can become bearable. If one is competent. "You're welcome," Scott returns, although his head turns over his shoulder when a certain comment is unavoidably heard. But lo, is that a smirk Scott shoots Rogue before returning his attention to the dance?
"Actually, I'll join a band playing a digeridoo," John quips right back. "Mostly probably just go see all my old friends, probably be shocked how much I've changed, how much they've changed, how I don't really know them anymore. Maybe try to con the folks to take a few days into the bush. Just for some pictures to bring back. And if you want a rocking chair... I'm sure by then there will be students who can grow you a perfect all natural one."
The parents have had their fun. Time to make like Emeril and take it up a notch. After a few songs have elapsed, Jareth grabs his microphone again. "Parents, friends, other visitors, I just want to say again it's good to have you here. The youngins are going to be celebrating the way they like to, so for those with fragile ears, we have refreshments just down the hall. Thanks for coming, and we'll try not to turn the volume up to eleven." With a couple of minutes allowed for the parents to scatter, Jareth quite casually hops up on the table with not microphone, but cane in hand as he leans forward on it. "All right, kids. Time for some *real* partying, huh?" He stands up, twirls the cane from one hand to the other, then raps it against one of the speakers. "Mr. Seger- Give me some of that Old Time Rock And Roll." And so he does.
Rogue catches the looks from both Jean and Scott. She beams and catches her tongue between her teeth in a delighted look. Well, Rogue isn't about to admit it... but perhaps the extra side-attention was doing the moody teen a world of good. But shh, don't tell her that. "It /is/ my home." Rogue agrees, turning her attention back to Peter. She squeezes his hands with her own gloved ones and nods. "We'll be losers together and stick around the school, wont we?" Rogue says playfully, grinning up at him. Of course, just then, Jareth decides to get the real celebration down. The teenager breaks from Peter (thought not before a hand-to-shoulder hug) and laughs. "Thanks, Prof." Rogue glances around for Bobby, though he's no where to be found at the moment.
Mr. Flynn finishes the dance with Jubilee, by then Wesley and his mother have found there way back. And Wesley quickly exchanges arms of the women there. "So I'll meet you at Grand'ms for breakfast tomorrow still, right? /Laaate/ breakfast," Wesley quickly qualifies. After a quick assent, Wesley is soon parent-free. Oh yes, there's not just a bit of relief as he watches them make their way out of the room. Maybe he should escort them to their car. No, that's a bit over-protective. Got to let them out on their own someday. And that concluded, he turns to grin at Jubilee. "So... did you get a full dance lesson or the three-minute refresher course?"
Alyssa seems almost reluctant to break away from Scott, as dancing to rock and roll (at least when she did it in the living room with her parents) involves competancy to no small degree. But, he probably wants to get back to Jean. Or go back to standing there like a post. Or any manner of things that do not involve stilted conversation and dancing with her. Either way, she goes as far to ask, "Would you like to call it a dance, sir?" Dance, day, the sentiment's the same.
"And you'll be naming it 'Dingos Ate My Baby', of course," Jean agrees, expression deadpan and eyes twinkling as the first dance draws to a close. "Well, thanks for the dance, John. We'll talk more when I'm not keeping you from your friends," she promises. "And we still need to head out to the quarry." With that, she swirls away to go collect Scott before he can get trampled under the feet of dancing teenagers.
"If you'd like," Scott says magnanimously, disengaging his hands from her hands with not impolite speed or abruptness. "Thank you." Jean's swirling toward him has nothing to do with his complete willingness, of course. He's just polite that way.
Piotr offers a grin and nod back to Rogue. "Watch that, else I may be calling you 'Prof' soon as well," he says. "Thank you for the dance. But I think you have a line waiting, so I will let you begin the rounds. Congratulations again." And with that, he's back off to some corner or another. Or likely in search of another graduate who's name would of course not begin with a K.
Jubilee stands at his side and grins like an idiot at the scene of /total/ domesticity displayed there, going so far as to reach over and pinch his cheek. "You all are really /way/ too sappily cute, y'know? /Grandma's/?" she laughs, crossing in front of him and dragging him after her to the floor, planting herself in position and starting to bounce as the beat picks up.
"What?" Wesley asks, staring. "I... don't know if I like being called 'cute' or not. But they're off for the night, all tucked in bed. And now we can have some fun."
Rogue crosses her arms. "Me? Never!" She says as if shocked, waving a hand. "Professor Rogue... that doesn't even /sound/ right." Her nose wrinkles us and she smiles as he goes. "You're welcome." Of course, before she can turn the girl is swept carefully up by the iceman. "Bobby!" Rogue squeaks, twisting to grab his arms as he ushers her closer to the speakers. "I'm back. Did'ja miss me?" The boy asks with a huge smile. Rogue returns the look with a sly smile. "Why no, actually. Piotr saw to it that I was well taken care of." She comments, turning her nose up at him. Bobby laughs and pulls her into a dance. "Pete? Hah. I can dance better than /him/." Bobby says with a light snort. Rogue lets her rather sarcastic guard down and follows the dance, glancing up at Jareth as they pass the DJ platform.
Alyssa mouths 'Kiss him!' at Rogue once Bobby comes to collect the older girl, her grin towards Scott a little more genuine as she says, "You're welcome, sir." Twirling her way back out onto the dance floor, she gives Jareth a thumbs up for his choice in music, then heads off in search of John. Here, Johnny Johnny..
Jareth watches from atop his table-throne, leaning lightly on his cane with one foot turned on the toes and crossed over the other. It might be something to expect from Willy Wonka, and he *is* providing sweets of a sort. Peering over the teens and company, he sends a smirk and teasing eye gleam upon them. "Come on, ya bunch o' wallflowers. Do I have to put itching powder down your clothes to get you dancing?" He smiles down at Rogue and Alyssa, the latter of which just has to go and give him ideas. He spies that mouthed demand, and an answer instantly springs to life in his mind. As one song comes to an end, he twirls his cane again to point it at the computer. Now it's ZZ Top filling the room, playing along with Alyssa's "Gimme All Your Lovin'" scheme.
This would be John's cue to leave the room. Well, except that he's got any number of reasons to be heading out. Post-Jean dance, he's found his way back to the wall, glass of punch in hand. And with each refrain, he's edging toward that door just a bit more.
Rogue peeks over Bobby's shoulder, the mouthing from Aly getting noticed. She wrinkles up her nose and shakes her head slightly, hoping Bobby wont notice. Quickly an 'Are you crazy?' is mouthed back. Of course, leave it to Jareth to add to the evil plans. "Oh bother..." Rogue mutters, catching Bobby's attention. "What's that, Ro'?" He inquires, pulling back to look at her. "Oh... nothin', Bobby... Will you look at that!" She suddenly whispers, nodding to John who is attempting to sneak out. "Aly... go!" Rogue hisses to the other girl as they near her in the room. She jerks her head in the direction of John. Her hands grip tightly on Bobby's arms as she cranes her neck in order to see what's happening.
Jean proceeds to find Scott, but, mercifully, she doesn't insist on dragging him out into the middle of the floor. No, she suggests that "Maybe we can ask Jareth to put on some modern swing for you later." and nods towards a long buffet table set out with punchbowls and other goodies.
Scott is happy to walk toward the table. "Modern swing. Too bad that anything beyond a modified boxstep or waltz is a bit beyond me," he admits with a wry expression. "Don't tell anyone."
Apparently, Jareth and Rogue got the memo, too. Alyssa flashes a smile over her shoulder at the both of them, and starts off on an intercept course. She's determined, mind you.. so by the time John manages to edge toward the door, voila! Alyssa is lounging beside it, only slightly out of breath. Please ignore the evil twinkle in her eyes. "Hey there, Johnny.." She doesn't give him much of a chance to protest, clamping her hand around the wrist not attatched to the hand holding the punch. "Dance?" ...it's really not much of a question, though.
"Uh, sure," John says, downing the last of the punch and setting the empty cup on a passing table. "I really suck at this," he warns as they approach the dance floor. "This is your last warning. This message will self-distruct in 10 seconds."
Rogue forces Bobby to turn so she can get a better view. "Oh, this is gonna be good." She whispers in his ear. Bobby strains his eyes to see, and simply sighs. "I swear... if I have t'hear about this all night from him, Ro'..." He warns her, shooting the girl a hard look. Rogue sticks her tongue out to him. "Oh please, Bobby... look at them, they're great together." She insists, taking another look. "Yeah, great.. look how happy John is." Bobby whispers back, a sarcastic smile on his face. Rogue rolls her eyes and leads Bobby dancing closer to the other pair.
Some things bear repeating. Technology is a beautiful thing. Bless wireless connections and easily found samples. Jareth makes quick use of both, and as he sneakily watches Rogue hem and haw over Alyssa's demand, there's a change in music. "It don't take a word, not a single word, you wanna kiss the girl..." How convenient that Alyssa also falls into the scheme. Two birds, one stone, and the music stops after several seconds, still enough for several lines. "Oh, did I do that? Whoops." That smirk and positively scintillating mischief in Jareth eyes? Sure it was an accident. He waves his fingers at the computer, and Annie Lennox commences to sing the party "Into The West." Mischief aside, now is a good moment for something slower.
Alyssa turns to shoot a significant Look at Rogue and Bobby as the music.. flubs.. before turning back to John. To make it easy on him, she goes the junior high route, with her arms around his neck. "I'll remember to duck, then." There's a slight blush as she shifts subtly closer, then looks up at him. With the heels, she's only about two inches shorter.. which should make this entirely too easy. But she chickens out, and just asks, "Guess you didn't get my last email?"
To which, the only real response is draping ones linking ones arms around the other's waist and swaying. Which John does, no matter how awkwardly he dances. "E-mail? Not the one I wrote back to? I... don't check it all that often. Most people I talk to... I see every day."
Rogue is too busy with spying on Aly and John to notice the song right away. Of course, when the clearing of a throat sounds from a boy right next to her, she's forced to look up. Bobby is staring down at her with that nervous, eyebrow raised look. Rogue feels a flush of color on her cheeks, her eyes cutting dangerously over to Jareth. "Bobby..." She whispers in concern, looking back to him. Great the music cuts. Bobby bites his bottom lip and leans forward slightly, causing Rogue to turn her head to the side. "Hey... um.. Professor Jareth... why don't we, I dunno... get somethin' more lively, huh?" She babbles quickly, trying to change the mood.
Jareth sits down atop the table, legs almost appearing to collapse underneath him, but quite neatly folding up to place him crosslegged. Comfortably seated now, he props his head and hands on the end of his cane to watch the pairs of shrinking violets. Teenagers... As Rogue turns to him, he lifts his head. "Yeeees?" Once having heard her request, he taps his cane on his chin for a long moment. "Hmmmm..." After a momentary pause, he turns up his hands, then snaps his fingers. If there's somethin' weird in your neighborhood...
Alyssa hisses at both Jareth and Rogue, then quietly eggs Bobby on. "Go Bobby!" Returning her attention to John, however, she takes the opportunity before he can duck away with the excuse of the faster music. "Yeah, I answered it.. asked if you wanted to come to the Ball with me.." There's a trace of disappointment in her tone, "I guess I was too dumb to just ask, so.." And here it is, the moment of truth: She tips upward onto her toes, stretching that last bit of distance as her hands slide up, and tug John's head down eeeever so slightly before she plants a kiss on him. And then freezes.
Um, rewind? What just happened? Where did /that/ come from? John's just as frozen as she is for the moment, just looking at her. Stunned. And that just about settles that nagging fear that Alyssa is indeed crushing on him. "Uh..." he says, attempting a grin, "What'd I do to deserve that?" Humor in awkwardness doesn't come quite as easily as for, say, his roommate who is no doubt doubled over in laughter elsewhere in the room.
Rogue almost clambers onto of Bobby in order to see what's going on. A few other couples get in the way, and Bobby is dragged to the side. Rogue can't help but smirk, and Bobby actually does fall into a fit of laughter. She whaps him gently, sending a glare down at the doubled over boy. "Be nice, Bobby." Rogue says, trying to keep the amused look off her own face. There is a small feeling of jealousy in Rogue, however, but it's easily snuffed out for now. "C'mon, better not stare..." Rogue says out of the corner of her mouth, forcing Bobby to look as if he's dancing again.
Oh, now this simply begs for posterity. Up go toes, down comes John... click. Not that the tiny shutter sound is at all noticeable over the music, but the camera has gone off once again. Jareth just bites his tongue afterward, trying to keep from either laughing or calling out 'Alyssa 1, John 0!' Or perhaps a score of zero also belongs to Rogue. He peers from Alyssa to Bobby, chuckling over the sight of the hysterics-bound iceman. It really all is too much, and he can't help continuing the joke with his own voice. "Sha-la-la-la-la-la, ain't that sad, ain't it a shame, too bad, you gonna miss the girl..." Regarding the possibility of the students hearing him, he makes his cane ready to thwart any incoming impact.
"You were you?" is Alyssa's response, a blush spreading as she catches Bobby's laughter. But look! He hasn't run away yet. Which affords Alyssa the chance to do it again. There's no freezing this time, and she's practically beaming once she pulls away. "And I think I kinda like you." Pause. "A lot." There's another blush before she adds, "Besides, you're my best friend." Jareth is ignored -- unless, of course, John feels like paying attention.
Once more and he just might run away. Far far away to the land of Oz. Wait, John might do that anyways. He pulls back during the second kiss. "Um, Alyssa, I--" There's a slight glare Jareth's direction as the mockery of the music begins to register. Distractions. Why not? Special hell, John... "I... need some air. I'll... be back in a while." And yes, John, not really intending to be cruel, breaks off suddenly, making a beeline for the door, zagging past the few couples in his way.
Rogue and Bobby just stop dancing... yes, in the middle of the floor. They watch carefully, Rogue hissing a breath and Bobby gritting his teeth. "Oh, doesn't look good, huh?" Bobby mutters to Rogue. She's about to answer when Jareth gets their attention. "You!" Bobby accuses, turning a deadly look back on him. Bobby raises a hand in playful hopes to blast the poor Professor, which is automatically batted down by Rogue. "Bobby, no." She commands, giving him a look. He returns the look back at Rogue. "C'mon, shouldn't we show 'im up?" The boy pleads, giving Rogue his best grin. She only returns it with a glare. "Ah swear, am I th' only one that remembers that I almost killed ah boy that way?" She demands out loud, her brows furrowed together. "M'going t'get somethin' t'drink." Rogue mutters darkly, pushing away from him and storming towards the snack table. Bobby just stands there, his shoulder slumping and a frown growing on his lips.
"John? ...Johnny?" Oh, you can just hear the heartbreak in her voice as John beats a hasty retreat. She turns toward Bobby and Rogue for support.. but no. Nothing. Turning again, eyes wide, she finally finds.. Jareth! Jareth can be depended on, right? Eyes wide and pleading, she offers the professor an uncertain smile. Help?
Jareth clamps down on his tongue to keep back more laughter. Bobby's play-blast, or attempt thereof, earns an equally playful recoil as Jareth shrieks and pulls his arms up in front of him. He smirks and settles his cane in his lap, watching poor, flustered John run off. Alyssa makes pursuit in four... three... or not. Eyebrows go up as she gives him that look, which can only induce him to unfold his legs to hop off the table and go over to her. "I'd ask what's the matter, but I have a good guess. Going to go talk to him?"
Alyssa shakes her head, blinking rapidly to clear her eyes. "No. I'd just cry or something, and ruin it." She folds her arms across her chest, hugging herself as she looks over toward the exit. Unfortunately, as good as her eyes may be, she can't see through walls. "Play something good?" Something suitable to end the scene.
Jareth directs a contemplative frown toward Alyssa while he taps the cane against his free hand. Toward the air or the nearest wall goes a mutter of "Love's great, ain't it?" It might go unheard against the music, and in any case, he watches her for several moments before nodding. "Sure." He looks over toward the computer, making a gesture largely devoid of the theatrical energy he used for most of the evening. Dire Straits started the evening, and Dire Straits ends it. If she somehow works up the courage to go, not that he would expect it, she can go accompanied by the music while she goes to do the "Walk of Life."