Beyond Evolution

Nathaniel Essex could tell the Worthington boy wasn't listening to him, as he gave him the last set of expected directions for leaving the hospital and returning to his life at the school. It was, to say the least, not something that he appreciated. If he hadn't had certain appearances to maintain (helpful and professional-acting doctor, for one), and if the brat wasn't the son of his money-source, it was very possible that he would have snapped his neck.

He hated being disrespected.

His jaw clenched briefly, the pleasant smile on his face becoming strained for a moment. But then it passed, and he decided to just finish up. "Why don't you go wait in the lobby for a minute, Warren. Ms. Pryor and I have some last details to see to." Warren gave a slight sigh before pushing back out of his chair and leaving the room, hands shoved into the pockets of the hoodie that someone had brought him. Essex had no idea why the boy was wearing something so warm in the middle of April. Absentmindedly, he supposed it had something to do with his wings being gone, and some kind of residual shame -- or some psychobabble like that. Essex really couldn't care less about Warren's (or anyone else's) mental state. They were all just useful test subjects to him.

Once the door had shut again, he turned to look at his assistant. Madeline Pryor. He still couldn't believe her likeness to Jean. In every way, it would seem, that he could find to study. Truly, he was loathe to let her go just yet, but he needed to. It was vital that she get to the school before anything happen. How else would Scott ever trust her?

"Don't forget. Two injections a day for him. The metal needs to take. And you know what to do, to take care of our unexpected guest." Nate Grey. It was imperative he not be able to interfere. "His sister, too. And the old man." Rachel, Xavier. He doubted the latter would be too much of an issue, but the former could be. He didn't like how hard it was to get any information on her.

She nodded, and he gestured with a hand for her to leave. Fond as he was of her incredible (and currently scientifically impossible) genetics, to say that he was actually fond of her as a person (or...anyone) would be pushing the line. He moved to the window, looking out of it as he pulled his cell phone out, feeling its buzzing. A glance at the caller made a slight smirk hit his lips as he flipped it open to answer."

"Hello, Vanessa..."


[Narrative, closed]

Xaviers' tended to hold its dances on-campus. There were a variety of reasons for that precaution, including the tamest and most common reason that many boarding schools did -- money. Even Professor Xavier, it would seem, felt the economic crunch every now and then. More likely though, was that the main reason for the home-base location was safety. For the students and for everyone around them, it was just safer to try and contain their activities. That way if anyone's powers went off (or any insane people tried to attack them), then the damage to non-residents would be minimal.

But, it would seem, even Xaviers' tried to go big for the prom.

The ballroom that had been rented out was expansive and, thank to the efforts of Lorna and the prom committee, decorated to the nines. Silver, black, and white, were utilized as the predominant colors adorning everything, from the white pillars that had been put into place, to the silver and black clock faces on top of them, all pointing to 11:59. Balloons and streamers in all three colors were wrapped around the various surfaces, and silver glitter was on the floor. It also rained down from the ceiling every forty-five minutes. A large DJ booth had been set up, playing a mix of popular songs, and of course the requisite 80s jams. Near the entrance, for the pictures, stood a large clock face, clear through the middle and with the numbers in roman numerals.

God only knew why their theme couldn't just be Monte Carlo, or a repeat of Famous Couples Through History.

The entrance to the dance itself though, was one of the crowning points. Deciding to take advantage of the near-celebrity status of some of their students rather than trying to hide it, they had set up a miniature red carpet that led into the ballroom as though it were a movie premiere. The photographers there were all hired by the school, of course, but walking down it would give the attendees the same experience a real star might have, with their name being called and flashes hitting them every other second. The pictures would be available along with their official prom photo.

The dance started at 7 PM, and at 9 the crowning of the court began. Lorna read the names in pairs, having them come up and take their places on the makeshift stage -- the first Prince and Princess couple was Warren and Sadie, followed by Nico and Gemma. It was announced then that the runners-up to King and Queen were also being made into a Prince and Princess. A slight pause for dramatics, and then Lorna announced them: King and Luce. Once they had joined the rest of the court, another dramatic pause was given in anticipation of the King and Queen being named.

Adrien and Charlie.

The court was all moved to the dance floor with their respective partners, where they were to have the offical royal dance -- with Adrien and Charlie at the center, of course. And, because it was a prom, and because the theme was The Hour Of Enchantment, their song was Time After Time. Cindy Lauper, eat your heart out.


(Open to all!)