It was the night before Prom at Santa Monica High School.

Thanks to Lorna Dane's discerning eye and Ororo Munroe's patience, the inside of Inferno had been transformed from its usual decor to a more colorful dance floor befitting a non-prom. The amount of detail in the decorations looked like it took more than the two days provided, brightening up the dark club and giving them the perfect venue for everyone's best dress. Doors opened at eight and the party was well underway by nine.

Food was lined up against one wall, monitored by Heather Cameron and any chaperone who felt the need to break away. There was plenty to eat, provided by a few different local places and replenished throughout the night. Drinks were offered from behind the counter, non-alcoholic punches and sodas for the students and something a little stronger for the older crowd if they looked like they needed it. And as long as no one started any trouble, a certain Miss Manners wasn't going to go around to verify drinks as alcoholic.

The majority of the music provided that evening was courtesy of Mark Sheppard, simultaneously taking requests while using his experienced judgment to play what kids these days liked. To give the resident disc jockey a break, Alison Blaire took the stage, performing a slew of covers and some of her own stuff with Lila Cheney providing the music tracks. At the height of the performance, Mark joined them back on stage and the two ladies belted out a rendition of 'Telephone' while a light show played over the crowd, perfectly synchronized to the music.

It looked like any other Friday night at the club, the crowd swelling on the dance floor. Only this time, this group was a bit younger than the average weekend crowd. The reactions of the non-mutant guests were varied but general positive; they wouldn't have been invited or attended if they were weird about mutants, after all. And if any trouble or cops showed up at the door, they were met by Betsy Braddock who charmingly convinced them they we needed elsewhere.

[ THREAD ; open to those who attended or helped out! ]

A storm was brewing in the skies and Paul was speeding away from the diner. Sara barely had time to buckle her seat-belt and she was sure that she still had tables to wait on. His reaction frightened her but she had no choice but to go along with him as he dragged her out to the truck faster than her feet kept up with her. He had slammed the door after she had pulled her feet in, running around to the other side of the vehicle. In hasty motions, they were out of the parking lot and onto I-10 without a word exchanged between them.

But now that they were on the road, she had to know.

( 'Paul, what's going on?' )

atmokinetic

Under better circumstances, Ororo’s reunion with Scott would have consisted of more than a quick hug in the doorway of the Sandbar Diner and Café. But almost two days had passed since she had contacted him, and there was still no progress with Jean. She was Sara, and her fiancé was out of town right now, but they were so happy together. Ororo had spent the last couple of days smiling and nodding, sharing stories of her time with Jean, in hopes that something she said would jog Jean’s memories. But it was no use; “Sara” didn’t recognize her as anything more than her little sister’s friend. Hopefully, Ro thought as she and Scott slid into the booth she had been using for the past two days, Scott would fare better with her.

( Business was slow, and Jean greeted them with a bright smile and a pitcher of iced tea. )

Monday March 8, between 5:54 A.M. and 8:32 A.M.

Jean Grey always preferred the window seat.

It is barely dusk when the plane circled New York City prior to its descent. The change in pressure caused Jean to jolt from her light sleep. She turned her head to look out the window and immediately sat up, leaned forward; she mentally checked off certain buildings and for a second, she forgot all about the things that upset her these past few weeks, truly excited to be back in her city.

( She's taken this trip enough to navigate with minimal effort. )