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As soon as Nukpana crowned Malodore, Riley used an arm around it's waist to turn it around and get a look. Her face was glowing with happiness, forcing down a giggle as she pressed a finger to it's beak. Then, it was her turn to be crowned, and she rolled her eyes as Nukpana forced her to turn. Relinquishing her hold on Malodore, she faced the student body - and paled.

Everything had led to moments like this. Everything that had been grilled and drilled into her since her birth - only, this moment was a faux, a recreational mimicry of the real thing. And there, before her, she saw all those happy faces enjoying something as simple and innocent as their own prom.

And she quailed.

When Nukpana was done, Riley turned around and held her hand out, tilting her head at Malodore. This was no world domination.

It was just Prom.

And that was okay.

May I have this dance? She whispered quietly.

No response, but Jericho figured Riley might be busy right now anyway. Leaning back in his chair, he just watched the dance floor with a sort of smile.

Ys applauded the next round of winners with enthusiasm, following the spotlight as it revealed who exactly they were. Ah yes, she remembered those two from the Open House evacuation, though she had not had any actual contact with them otherwise. They were clearly well loved by their fellows, however, and she joined in the camaraderie and cheered for them as they made their way up to the stage.

The plague doctor cut a mysterious figure in her opinion. It seemed to be taking the excitement in stride. She liked it all the more for its humble attitude on the stage. The other one though... She hadn't paid enough attention before, but this time something struck her. The tentacles, the regal bearing... There was something decidedly eldritch about that one. She peered up at Riley in fascination, noting the resemblance between the Pumpkin King and certain tales of elder gods. Yup, she was a fan all right.

A familiar song started up as she stared up at the various members of the Court, trying to get all the names straight in case she ran into them later. As the new dance began, Ys swayed to the tune, picking up the lyrics and singing along in a soft, bubbling voice only those nearest her would hear. She moved off to the periphery of the dance floor as the Court took to dancing, watching contentedly.

Danny was not pleased with the talk of fish. Fish lived in water. Fish tasted yummy, but they lived in water. She preferred them charred to pieces. Lava fish were nice too, she supposed.

To switch the subject, Danny said, "What's a jackdammit?" She honestly didn't know who that was, but she mostly wanted to switch the subject.

Luckily, another subject was given to her. Prom king and queen! It was Ridley ... Riley and the bird thingy! Well good for them. "Yaaaaay!" she cheered really, really, really loudly. Embarrassingly loudly.

She turned to say something to Roch, but he was already gone. Probably to get more of that stupid .... substance. Danny shuttered and looked around the crowd. Where had Moure gone to? Was he busy making out with Claire? Danny certainly hoped not. It was like Roch had said- they could explode!

So instead of finding people to socialize, she headed over to the slots. Like the popular, social girl she was. Gambling was fun, alright?

Afterwards, she began walking to the dance floor, but then she noticed a table. Then she saw it.

The girl with the best hair ever.

Danny ran straight up to Colette and stared. Like a creeper. But in the bad way. Eye glued on the pretty black strands, Danny said "You have the prettiest hair EVER." She was so giddy and loopy. How could you say no to that face?

Practice. That did seem to soothe the sickly feeling in her stomach, though she was much more content to simply take Malodore into her arms with a twirl, bending it slightly into the sway of the dance. Her head perked to one side at the choice in song, and all apprehension faded away in lieu of a much more familiar expression. Devious content.

Yes, my queen. She murmured quietly as she pulled Malodore's body against her own. This is appropriate practice for the future. She lost the battle, finally letting a giggle escape, as her face pressed gently against the tip of it's beak.

You were right, you know. Her voice was a gentle whisper of thought, surrounded by gratitude. About coming tonight. I'm glad I didn't miss it.

One tentacle lifted to wrap around it's shoulder. But then again, you're always right, I suppose. I will try my very hardest to remember that.

"..." Mac bit back a snirk at her reaction to his question and instead took a firm grasp on her hand and lead her into a dance that was perhaps a little too slow for the current song, but definitely not as slow as an actual slow dance. A slightly-less-than perfect speed, really. The Reaper was careful to keep their dance out of the way of the Court's first dance; it was their show, their spotlight...but he didn't know when he'd get another chance to dance with her tonight. He'd struck out too often and it was winding down, he had to try and here they were.

"So." Ahh, conversation; he wasn't going to go quiet like their first dance together. That just opened the door to disaster. "And don't take this the wrong way, I'm just curious - Are you okay not being named Pumpkin Princess?" It was a fair enough question, considering that Mot was her date and all. Besides, he had her in a dance and he wasn't going to let go any time soon.

Riley's sway slowed, her eyes closing suddenly as the swell of Malodore's thoughts filled her with a strange, disabling sensation. It was exciting - and truly frightening - all at once.

Her hands gripped tight around it's waist, not for affection's sake this time, but simply in desperate need to stay standing. If anyone knew just how easily Malodore could bring Riley down, it would be her final mistake.

She took a moment to steel herself, before her hands released her hold on it's waist and pressed their palms against it's back. Her eyes opened just as she turned her head, resting the side of her face against the soft layers of it's robes. Finally, after several moments of silence passed, her brow furrowed slightly. A wave of melancholy passed over her at the mere idea that Malodore might never have come to this place at all, if things had been different.

She whispered in a small, innocent voice.

I am glad you came here, too.

Her trust in her darling nergal had not been ill-placed, and she let herself be twirled and guided along the dance floor in time to the tempo leaking from the surrounding speakers. The song changed, a few times in fact, and they had continued in dancing within their own little blissful world. Unaffected by anything that may have been going on around them, good or bad, until the music came to a stop, replaced by the eagerly awaited crowning of the prom court. Reluctantly the djinn stilled within her boil's arms, smiling at him as he lifted one tanned hand to lay a kiss along her knuckles. Slipping her hand from his dangerous grip so she could stroke henna darkened tips along the the line of his jaw.

"Not bad at all," she agreed, joining her applause with the general clamor of the room. Turning where she stood beside the nergal so she could smile up serenely at the royalty as they were crowned. She would have to take a moment, when things have calmed, to congratulate the ilithid and her date for their win.

All parties introduced with new titles, Hadiyya turned back to Sharra as she spoke, leaning in to rest palms upon the pinstriped vest on his chest. Pretty face tipped up so she could speak with soft lips brushing fondly along the point of his chiseled chin. "None so important to me as you, so any separation between will be temporary only. I will be back for you, my handsome boil, and the dancing then shall be far less proper." There was a certain thread the ghoul's voice that was meant to pique the demon's interest.

Sliding hands up his chest she cupped the softness of his cheeks, drawing his face down to her's for a tender kiss. "So don't forget who's taking you home, or in who's arms you're going to be~" she sang softly, pressing her cheek to his. "Oh darling, save the last dance for me."

With a last lingering kiss she finally left him, grinning over her shoulder to her beloved nergal as she slipped through the crowd. The thin points of tall heels adding just a little extra sway to her already vivacious swagger.