Enchanted Aquatica---the Prom [WIDE OPEN Y'ALL]

[starbolts]

The day had finally arrived for her big event, and Starfire couldn't be happier---or more nervous, actually. She was certainly not an expert on the inner workings of a prom, but it couldn't be too terribly complicated, right? As long as the people could eat, dance, and talk, it should be a reasonable success.

With that in mind, her decorations sprung from her mind into the large dome all around her, transforming a grey Sensorium into a beautiful underwater world, one with clear waters and free from the possibility of a shark attack.

The first change was the scent of the air, shifting into the comforting salty scent of the seas. Then the ground beneath her feet became a hardened sandstone, maintaining the gritty texture while remaining easy to walk upon---except for the smooth dance floor, of course. The grey dome transformed into a flowing bluish-green, rippling all around with fish of all colors passing in the background. Some of the 'sky' faded into a violet tone over the dance floor, lit by glowing circular lights in every color. Suspended in midair, they almost looked like motionless fireflies, though they sometimes swayed in tune with songs.

Tables arose from coral in all colors, rising from the ground and twisting to provide a flattened surface on the very top---rounded ones for guests, and long tables off to the side containing shell-bowls of food. Chairs were large floating clam shells with well cushioned interiors, some large enough to hold two people. More comfortable spongy places to sit were also littered across the area, notably by the large shell-shaped enclosure that was the promised swimming pool. It too was lit by the floating lights, providing what she hoped was a romantic atmosphere.

Finally, the glowing stage above the dance floor couldn't help but attract attention with its chairs. Six royal thrones and one plush chair of all colors directly in the middle rested in the back of the stage, leaving the front open for announcements. Just off to the side of the stage stood the DJ's table, with even that machine painted to match the soft underwater glow of the scenery.

Everything finally seemed pleasing to Starfire. With one last change, dressing herself in the formal attire of the prom, she sent out the signal to everyone and waited. She hoped they would have a wonderful time.

Comments

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

"So did I," Kaya said, grinning. "I don't know what she gets so afraid of. A know there are a lot of different people here, but most of them are friends aren't they?"

And she would keep what she learned about Ronnae from Billy to herself, though she doubted now it would even be an issue.

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

"Considering how she was used to being treated by her peers, her fears of being mortified from some incredibly embarrassing and perhaps cruel prank are fairly founded."

He shrugged a shoulder, running a hand over his stubble-marked chin as he did. "It is no big deal, really. She is just a girl who needs more reassurance than most when it comes to social situations."

Really, they were exactly the opposite when it came to that. She cared to much about it while he didn't care at all.

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

"If anyone dared to do something like that to Ronnae, we'd make them pay for it," Kaya said, rather serious. "I've heard enough about those horrible people she went to school with to know how bad it is."

Poor girl. "But she'll eventually understand she doesn't have to worry about that happening here. You can pick and chose who's company you want, and there will always be people who will watch out for her."

She shook her head. 'I have to congratulate Negi and Sasami too though: they were tied!"

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

"Hm, she is the way she is. Perhaps one day she might see things differently, but how she is right now is fine as well. She needs people and she has them." And if there was anything he liked, it was being needed by the people who mattered to him.

"Ah," he started, releasing her hand. "You should take this moment to speak to Negi and Sasami and I will go find Ronnae. We can meet up afterwards, yes?"

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

"Exactly," Kaya said, glad that Ronnae had a friend like Nokosi: hopefully, that would eventually allow her to relax around people.

"Ok," she said, but stopped, turned and gave Nokosi a long kiss. Whens he broke apart, she looked close to tear. "Thank you. You made a potentially bad night into a wonderful one."

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

The kiss was appreciated, as were her words of thanks, and he regarded her with a beaming smile to convey it.

"You do not need to thank me," he said, lifting her chin with one hand. "It turned out so well because of you, too," he finished, poking her on the nose. "Give yourself a bit of credit."

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

"Oh, I am," Kaya said, winking. "I'm totally giving myself credit for asking you to come to this in the first place. I'm also giving myself credit for being able to dance in a style I hadn't even seen until now!"

And she raised her thumb and lightly touched his ear. "But I do have you to thank for some of this newfound courage."

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

"I am glad then," he exclaimed, clasping his hands together in delight. "I have always thought of you as a courageous girl, so that comes as no surprise to me."

Nokosi flicked his hands at her, shooing her along. "Now go, you must not leave them waiting. The longer you spend here, the longer it will take you to return, and we still have much to accomplish, this 'night'."

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Yes, there was definitely some newfound courage now. She DID tell Billy and Ronnae tat he would keep them updated before in the pool, so she might as well go and find them now.

And it looked like someone was anxious for her to go and get what she had to do done so they could meet up again. "Right, got you! Be back soon!"

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

"Mhm," he hummed, waving a hand at her. He immediately ducked down into the group of nearby people to begin his search for Ronnae. Chances are, she'd be somewhere secluded, but he hoped against that.

Things were going so swell, too! He would have a lot to think about the next time he decided to lazy about under a tree.

[morphitudinous]

Billy had found himself a moment of peace from the dancing, sitting down to watch. Ronnae was out of his line of sight, probably getting a drink or dancing with other friends or watching from another angle, and in a moment or two he was glad. Because he wasn't quite prepared for the inkling of happiness he felt---the one that quickly became a torrent of excitement. And that meant she'd succeeded. Yes!

As soon as he caught Kaya's eye, the combination of his relief and the overflow of emotion meant he couldn't keep himself from yelling. "Hey!" he cheered, leaping up and charging at her. "You did it!"

He was almost jumping up and down at that point. And he failed to notice, of course, that they were far from alone.

That is perfect!

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Kaya looked down, a hint of red on her face, but there was no escaping the glee in her, not from him, and she knew better than t try and fake it anyway. So instead, she just gave him a broad grin and a thumbs up, indicating that yes, they had p0rogressed to at least "more than friends" on this particular night.

Oh, who was she kidding?

"Yes, it happened!" She said excitedly. "This night couldn't be more perfect!"

[morphitudinous]

Billy's smile widened even further. It was really wonderful news. He flung his arms around Kaya as soon as he was close enough, squeezing her with all the affection he could muster up. It was a bright future, and her choice was just fine with him.

But he couldn't let Nokosi know that right away, he thought. He'd have to go through the motions of the brother talk soon. "I'm so happy for you. It's the best outcome I could've hoped for."

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

She hugged back, that silly, somewhat stupid smile still on her face. She still couldn't get her mind off the way he had swept her into this so easily, had made the kiss come so smoothly from her lips to his. She couldn't help laughing a little.

"You know, in the end? I think I was being just like you, Billy. You knew I liked him, I admitted it to you, but I told myself that I would stay friends with him if he showed no interest. The truth was I wanted him to, badly, see me like I saw him. As it turns out, he did, and he chided me a little for being silly."

[morphitudinous]

After another laugh, Billy pulled back to get a good look at her face. She was almost bubbling over with excitement.

"Then we've both learned our lessons," he said simply, imagining that bright future together. "If you want a head start, don't be afraid of trying new things or not trying them. You'll know what's right for you, you don't have to get caught up in conforming to others' expectations."

When that was done, he squeezed her hand excitedly. "I'm not going to ask you for details, that's your business, but I'm glad it's him. The four of us, huh?"

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Kaya nodded. "Well, I wanted to make sure that I wasn't reading into something that wasn't there. But as it turns out, Nokosi saw right though that. He told me that he could tell if I liked him, and that I knew better than to compare him and Matt, which I do. But it was breathtaking, I can tell you that much, and he even warned me, in case he thought he was being too forward. Needless to say, I sort of had to show him what I thought of that. I wouldn't say we were being clingy, but it did take some effort for bus to finally separate."

She giggled. "Yes, I guess so. Who knew?"

[morphitudinous]

Perfect. He laughed again, recalling his own first blunders. "You'll feel your way through, don't worry."

Billy glanced around in hopes of seeing her date, but he must have been hiding well. "That'll be a motivation to become better friends, that's for sure. But I'm talking to him soon, all right? I'm supposed to say something intimidating."

She could easily see what he thought of this idea. Billy, intimidating? That would be the day.

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae sat at one of the coral fountains, a rose colored drink in her hand and a light blush on her cheeks. This night had been pretty exciting, albeit a bit too much to take in at the moment. So she did her best to keep to herself, while her lover went out and mingled.

She just wasn't the type to do so. She was fine just sitting and trying no to stand out. Being as invisible as she could muster to avoid attention.

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

A familiar figure quietly slid up beside the half-orc girl, the sound of his movement further muffled by the thumping beats from the speaker system. It was just like her to be hiding out in a place like this, away from all the eyes and ears of everyone else in attendance.

Nokosi folded one leg over the other, his ankle now sat on his knee. Laying a hand against the boot, he slowly leaned towards his friend, only stopping when his head rested on her bare shoulder.

"Sometimes I believe that you have picked up all the stealthy skills of your mother. Not that you could so easily hide from me but perhaps you would have everyone else fooled."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae flinched a little, not from the surprise, since she had heard him closing in, but from the fact that he knew she was trying to hide and called her out on it.

It was with a light sigh and a slight blush that she smiled and looked over to her friend. "You know how I am Kosi... Specially in an event like this one? All my prior experiences with school dances were.... W-well, you know..." She didn't have to finish, Nokosi knew more about her than many others. He was, after all, her confidant and best friend.

She couldn't help but relax against him, "How's your night going?" She asked curiously, smiling at the thought of Nokosi and his date. Specially since it was one of her best friends, Kaya.

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

"I do know," he said, not bothering to move his head from Ronnae's shoulder. "You did not have a doting lover before, who would stand and support you through all of life's mishaps. That makes all the difference in the world."

Nokosi extended his arm and placed his larger hand over her smaller one, then interlocked their fingers. The corners of his lilac lips rose higher, ever-so-slightly at her question, turning his previously serene expression to that of a pleased one.

"It has gone well. I enjoyed the company of my partner, as usual. Kaya is a very good dancer and I did better than I thought I would. I am still waiting on a dance from a certain someone," the elf commented, putting emphasis on 'someone'. "But overall, I am very pleased. And your night, Ronnae?"

Never the type to give out more information than he was asked for, Nokosi fell silent, there. She was going to have to begin working in specifics if it was a recap she was looking for.

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

She smiled, squeezing his hand gently as she listened to him. Her mind still full of thoughts from today's occurrences.

"It's been... Well it's been really wonderful Kosi. Even if I was deathly nervous about the coronation, it wasn't as scary as I thought it'd be. It was darn quiet compared to the coronations in the Silvermoon School and I sorta like it that way."

A heavy blush rose to her cheeks and she bit her lower lip lightly, "Billy, as always, was incredibly sweet... he... he made a very heartwarming confession and I felt both incredibly timid on stage and incredibly happy. I think... I think it was the highlight of my night." she said finally, nuzzling up to her friend before grinning.

"Now tell me, what happened~? C'mon I need details here Kosi! This is like your first date! I want to know how it was for you~" Ignoring the fact that her first date had been less than six months ago!

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

"First date," the elf repeated, a thoughtful inflection to his voice. "I did not think about it like that," he admitted. "But you are right; it was a date and a good one at that, though I have nothing to compare it to, so perhaps I am biased in those regards."

He lifted his head slightly to look up at Ronnae and stifled a chuckle. "I am afraid there is not so much to tell, though. We did much of what we usually do; talking, laughing, exchanging stories. Challenging each other through some activity--it was dancing this time. Ah, and we took a walk to explore all of the hard work Starfire put in."

"I also kissed her, but I warned her first," he casually said, though he was sure that was exactly what his friend wanted to hear. "I heard his speech when Billy stood on the stage. It made me smile."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

She listened intently as he retold the occurrence of his date, a wide smile on her lips the entire time, imagining just how cute they must have looked together. It wasn't until he mentioned they kissed that her face lit up, bright eyed and a light blush on her face.

"You guys kissed?! That's great! S-so, it's official now then? You two are dating?" she asked excitedly.