The Valentine's Date Auction [OPEN]

[diamonds_forever]

WHO: Eveyone who signed up + the school in general
WHAT: this thing
WHERE: Right here, in the Institute
WHEN: Saturday evening, the 14th
WARNING(S): Given the nature of the event, I almost expect it, but remember the rules regarding that kind of thing. Take it off the log if it goes there.

⊗Never let it be said that Emma didn't know her stuff. Not content with the paltry and tired and cliche decorations Kurt and subjected the students to at previous events, she had completely taken over, using a combination of her wealth and mutant powers to create a sort of bohemian love palace for the students. Dance floor, tables, the finest foods. This was not a party the likes of which they had seen before... unless they were part of the older crowd, and had witnessed Emma at work before.

Was she good or was she good? On the stage, Emma stood proudly, taking each of the auctionable singles to the stage, one by one, and selling off just a fraction of their free time to the highest bidder. And the fact that it was all for charity left the whole situation comfortably guilt and obligation free.

Of course, as the host, she was more focused on the party and its guests as a whole than any particular individuals... Attempts at sneaking off probably would go unremarked upon. Probably.

[[ OOC: Each auction will receive its own top level, as well as a top level for general mingling. PLEASE CONSULT THE PLOTTING POST BEFORE BIDDING ]]

Comments

[now_i_know]

[That was enough to give her a pause. Literally. She took a step back and got some distance between herself and Shindou.]

Sentinels? Six years??

[That's not something you expect to hear in casual conversation. Or at all ever, for that matter.]

[presto_turn]

[Way to go, kiddo, just off-handedly mention killer robots before the song's even wrapped up. Damn it, why couldn't he have just stuck with "I'm a sophomore this year?"]

Sorry, uhm -

[He draws his arm back from behind Labrys' shoulder, loosening his digits around her hand as well, in case she wants to pull back the rest of the way. He's wincing a little, unsure whether to backtrack or to try to explain.]

You haven't heard about the Sentinels? They were...well, anti-mutant weapons that the government here made. They attacked the school at the end of my first year here, so...

[There's literally no way to finish this story that's not going to make things worse, whether it's trying to explain Jean Grey's sacrifice or the damage that had shut the school down for years after or how. as a side-effect of the Phoenix's power, a good portion of the student body at the time had more or less blinked out of existence for half a decade.

Shindou decides just to give up, instead, his shoulders slumping low.]

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned it, when everyone's trying to relax. I thought you'd already know.

[now_i_know]

[She could tell there was more to it, so didn't press. But there was one thing that definitely got her attention.]

Anti-mutant weapons...

[Her unease was pouring from her face. She was hoping she would never have to hear that phrase again... or think what could have been were she not able to escape.]

[presto_turn]

...They shut down the program for them, afterwards. No one's seen them used since.

[Still, he says that like it's only weak reassurance. Which it is, especially given that their designer's whereabouts are still unknown.

There's not really time to offer anything better, though - by now, the song they were dancing to is fading out, sending the couples all across the dance floor separating or wandering back to the refreshment tables before the next number comes on.]

It's just, that interrupted life here at the school for a lot of us.

[In some cases, literally.]

[now_i_know]

Yeah, I bet...

[She wanted to offer him some assurance, but she really couldn't.]

Geez... we all gotta history, don't we?

[Ah, right. Realizing that the people are leaving the dance floor they ought to make for the tables again, right?]

[Maybe dancing wasn't such a good idea, anymore.]

[presto_turn]

[Yeah. The next song coming on has a much jumpier beat to it, and Shindou can't honestly say he's up for it at this point? So, he's going to start drifting for the edge of the dance floor with everyone else, tilting his head back towards Labrys as an offer to follow.

He's going to attempt an awkward smile once they're back away from the crowd, shrugging his shoulders.]

Thank you for the dance, anyway. I didn't mean to interrupt it like that.

But...I ought to head back to the dorms before it gets much later. I still have homework for the weekend. [He winces just a little there. The really sad thing is, it's a Friday and that's not even an excuse coming from him.] I enjoyed this, though! It was nice meeting you.

[now_i_know]

[The even sadder thing is, because she as out of school for such a long time THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LEGITIMATE EXCUSE TO HER.]

Yeah, I haven't had this much fun in a long time!

It was Shindou, right?

I hope we can do this again.

[presto_turn]

[Junior superheroics and schoolwork are a difficult balance, okay? You don't want to have to ask for an extension on a paper just because the Friends of Humanity decided to make trouble right before the due date, you know?

But for now Shindou's just breathing out a sigh of relief, glad he didn't thoroughly spoil things.]

Mn. I'm sure we'll see each other around.

Goodnight.

[And with a short half-bow and a wave, he's headed off for the ballroom doorway.]