Michiru wheeled herself over to Elizabeth and gave her a kind smile. "So, nice party, ready to leave yet?" she asked with a silly grin.

Lucas watched Dura walk away and was left on the dance floor alone. "Oh well," he muttered with a smile and looked for someone else to dance or mingle with.

Dura looked over to Lucas with a shrug and an "I'm sorry" expression. Yes, dancing with Jay was a joy, but she didn't mean to leave Lucas hanging. She started searching for another girl for her current partner. "So," she asked, "any other girls you had your eye on?"

Ruby smiled, "No, not really." She looked to Nephrite and smiled, ~Of course I do, darling.~ She reached for the locket around her neck. Playing with the chain she flipped the lid open and dropped it back down to her chest. She bit the top of her lip and chewed on it lightly. ~So how long do you want to stay here? Cause I was looking forward to the after party.~ She grinned mischeviously at him and moved further into the crowd.

Jakurin slowly stepped lightly as she guided Maestro in the slow dance. He seemed somewhat awkward, but she covered and redirected his missteps. His eyes seemed shy, and a little apprehensive about being this close to a female, but he seemed to be in good spirits. And glancing over, she saw even her friend Dura was dancing nicely, even circulating well with other partygoers. Everything seemed warmly wonderful. ~Which means that in a few seconds the DJ is probably gonna switch to the Mexican Hat Dance, or (gak!) the Macarena,~ she thought, ~but what the heck.~

Jay looked up at Dura. "Well to be honest I was just planning to spike the punch, annoy Jonas, and then run before the big lug killed me. But since I got stopped from spiking the punch and you got me dancing, I guess I could have a look at the local girls..."

Lucas just waved to Dura saying he understood. He wasn't watching where he was going and accidently bumped into a strikingly beautiful girl with ice blue hair and a white dress. "So sorry, Miss. I didn't see you there." he said. For some reason he just couldn't take his eyes off of her. "Would...you like to dance?" he asked.

Nephrite just laughed mentally to Ruby. ~The sooner the better I say.~ he replied.

Dura blinked. "Local?" she asked Jay. "You mean you're not from around here?" Fortunately the slow dance number stopped, the music picked up, and Dura didn't have to dwell on her missing the obvious. "Well let me show you around," she said, as she showed him toward Elizabeth and Michiru. "I never caught your name, by the way. Mine's Dura."

Jay smiled slightly. "Jay. Jay Bishop. And I'm not from around here, no. I had one or two...problems and left home."

Ruby looked downly shyly and smiled at her locket, "Well of course," She said smiling as she looked up. "My name is Ruby, and yours, may I ask?"

Jennifer sat down at the table with the rest of the cheerleaders and their dates and sighed. Already she was bored out of her mind and she didn't understand why. She watched as the tempo picked up and found herself joining the rest of the girls on the dance floor.

Lucas smiled as they started to dance. "I'm Lucas. It's a pleasure to meet you Ruby. Though I must say I've never seen you around school before." he said.

Nephrite smiled in Ruby's direction. ~Perfect taget, my pet. That one was a Knight at one time. Drain him good~ he sent.

Dura blinked. "Jei Bishopu? My, another English-speaker! Seems we've been getting a lot of these around here!" she joked. "Are you American?"

Shaking his head, Jay said, "No, my Grandfather was British. It's from him I get most of my looks and my ability to speak English." He smiled. "It annoys Jakurin a lot. You know, I think we've met before. At a Christmas Party."

Ruby smiled, "Well I am new here." She shook her head, "I don't really no anyone yet, so I feel a bit out of place.." Ruby said softly feigning the sweet and innocent approach. Ruby smiled to herself knowing Nephrite was watching out for her, ~Why thank you my dear, unfortunately he is quite handsome too bad, huh?~ Making Nephy jealous was also one of her favorite past times and she smiled up to the man she was dancing with.

Nephrite looked harshly at her and then pasted it off. ~Use him if you wish, Ruby. But just remember, you're still mine after the Prom.. and it's my bed you will be slipping into. Not his.~ he replied with a smug smile.

Lucas smiled gently. "Don't worry, Ruby. With such a lovely face and a sprakling personality, I'm sure you'll fit in fine here." he said.

Elizabeth looked at Michiru and smiled back. "It is a nice party," he said and giggled at her comment at the end. "Well I'm not ready to leave just yet," she said. "I just wish I could dance with someone. For the first time in my life I am nervous to ask," she said.

Unleashing his own demonic grin, Jay responded, "And after we get a refill, I'll spike it up to the gills and make Jonas drink half of it. Now that will be proper entertainment."

Michiru nodded and wheeled herself around to her. "There's this guy over in the corner, he doesn't look too busy," she said pointing out Jeremy to her.

Ruby smiled, "Why thank you. You are awfully nice to dance with me without knowing me." She stepped away from her partner and held onto his hand. ~Possessive are we?~ She smiled at the boy she was without breaking her contact.

Elizabeth looked over to the person that Michiru was pointing at. "You want me to ask Jeremy to dance?" she said as she looked at Michiru. "I don't know Michiru. I don't think he likes me very much," she said.

Lucas genuinely smiled at the girl. "It's been my pleasure, Miss Ruby. I'd enjoy it if we could dance again," he said still smiling at her as he gently kissed her hand.

Michiru shook her head. "He acts like he doesn't like anyone, but inside I think he's a real softy." she sad with a laugh. "Go on. Ask him to dance. Be the best thing for both of you!"

Elizabeth looked at Jeremy for a moment and nodded to Michiru. "You're right. I mean this is our last prom isn't it?" she said as she looked at Michiru with a smile. Elizabeth started to walk towards Jeremy. When she got over to him she looked at him. She smiled to him. "Jeremy? Would you like to dance?" she asked him.

Ruby smiled, "Why, I would love to, Mr. Lucas." She blushed lightly at his light kiss on her hand and waited for him to lead her in the next dance. "So I guess I don't really know, but what grade are you in?" She asked him as she tried to make a light chat start up.

Just after watching Jakurin do her flips, Dura caught Jay and let that soft-skinned, graceful, large, powerful hand clap his shoulder. "Now, now," she said with a very warm smile. "Guarutonu-san's watching. And everyone has to drink the other half. I don't want them poisoned." Her grip strenthened a little, like she was massaging his shoulder. "And if you do," she continued sweetly, "I'll have to make sure you drink all your meals through a straw. Let's get a cup, straight." And Guarutonu cheerily poured them a cup each. "Now, see, Dura-chan?" he said. "Aren't you enjoying yourself?"

Jay grinned evily at Guarutonu. "She said if spiked the punch I'd need to eat my meals through a straw. Why do women keep on saying things like that to me? And why do they keep on filing restraining orders. I just happen to walk home the same way they do." He winked.

Michiru gave Elizabeth's back a look of approval as the girl made her way over to Jeremy. Perhaps they'd dance, perhaps not. But it felt good in Michiru's heart to see another wall-flower within the ranks trying to enjoy themselves. With a little help from herself, of course. Herself... how would she spend the evening? Rolling over some guy's feet in the Electric Slide? Her soft smile turned into a tight-lipped pout as tears threatned to shine. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to show up alone, after all. Or to show up at all.

"After all the yen I spent on those shoes, ya think they'd hold together!" griped Jakurin, tossing the broken heel and its pair into the trash can near the door. A sweatdrop went down Maestro's face as Jakurin dusted her hands and wiped them on her hips as he led her out of the hallway and back into the dance room.

Lucas glided Ruby gracefully onto the dance floor and smiled down at her, "A senior. After this year it would seem that I am finished with high school, a very appealing thought with how things have gone recently."

Jeremy looked at Elizabeth and simply nodded his head, his voice remaining even and calm, "I suppose it would impolite to do otherwise." As he led Elizabeth towards the dance floor and shot quick glance towards Michiru, knowing she had been behind this. He resisted the urge to smile slightly, she would pay for that one. He let his single eye fall on the other dancing student and listened as the song changed, wondering if he'd just gotten himself into trouble.

Ruby smiled, "So am I." She shook her head, "I just feel so all alone here though. I really don't know anyone and everywhere I go I just seem to get dirty looks." She sighed, "I just want to fit in, ya know?"

Elizabeth looked at Jeremy and smiled to him. "Thank you Jeremy. For dancing with me," she said to him. She glanced back to Michiru and the looked back at Jeremy. "Are you having a good time?" she asked. Trying to make conversation.

Jeremy glided across the dance floor, years of practice and knowledge coming back on instinct. He looked down at the young woman. His voice remained ever steady, calm, and even. "As much fun as I ever have at these events."

Lucas nodded down at Ruby, "But is fitting in truly worth changing whom you truly are?"

"No, but I would like to find a friend." She frowned, "See friends are something I don't have, and never really have had." She looked away, "I don't want to change, I just want to be liked."

Elizabeth smiled to Jeremy. She hadn't danced since she was 8 and this brought back memories. "Does it depend on the company around you?" she asked him as she looked at him.

"No. The matter is that such functions are not my preference, I merely show up to keep those who get out of hand in line," Jeremy replied evenly.

Lucas nodded, "Then do not ever change dear Ruby. People will like you for who you are, not who they want you to be."

Elizabeth looked at Jeremy with a smile. "So you are the protector of all the students?" she asked. "That is so nice and sweet of you," she said to him. "I do remember the first day I was here you helped me out of that jam," she said remembering back to ther first day. "And the other times as well," she said.

"It is nothing other than a mere personality trait," he said.

Elizabeth studied Jeremy for a moment. "The way you said that it sounds like you have been doing it for years, but you look young," she said. "I don't mine that in a rude way," she said and after a moment she smiled. "That is why you do it so well," she said to him.

Dura knocked back her punch, slammed the cup down hard on the table Wild West Saloon style, and glanced back all the other folks boogie-ing down. She looked back to Jay. "Looks like I'm gonna have to put my own restraining order on you. Back to the dance floor, wiseguy. And no more punch." And she tugged him back in the thick of the party. She looked over Jeremy's way, surprised. "He's actually dancing?" she whispered to herself. "That's totally new." And in her opinion, he was good, though he needed to sway his hips a little more. She spotted Ruby and Lucas. *Glad a musician gets to dance for once. But that girl... who is she?* And she did a double-take at shoeless Jakurin. *Wow, she IS a bitty thing. Even adjusting for the view from up here!*

Jay could see Jeremy, and was quite suprised. He'd never been all that fond of the cyclopse, but he actually looked human for a change. Maybe he wasn't such a stuck upp asshole after all. Just maybe. Then he said to Dura, "Why you not letting me drain the punch? Not only would it knock me out, it'd be fun. Well, at least until the vomiting..."

Jonas sighed. This was so boring. Maybe he should gather up some of his courage after all. What little he had. Jonas straightened his bow tie, and walked over to Michiru; ignoring Jay's comment about vommiting. The midget could vomit all he liked-he'd be the one who would stay behind and clean it up, There was no way Jonas was going to clean up Jay-puke. jonas smiled at Michiru. "H-How are you enjoying your graduation party?"

Jeremy shook his head, "I am possible only a year or two older than yourself. It is simply that when I studied the martial arts the discipline and personality I possess today were developed. My training taught me that my skills were of use for more than tournaments." As the music faded he broke away and kept his monotone, "Thank you for the dance." With that he slid away and back towards his wall, half wondering if he would be lucky to only have one dance for the evening. Somehow he wasn't sure if he should leave or wait to see if trouble showed up.

Jennifer shook her head in disbelief as the entire table of varsity cheerleaders suddenly broke into chatter. All around her she could here them wondering why the school enforcer/party-pooper had danced with the VonMond girl. Jennifer shook her head again, none of them seemed to get the fact that the most elusive, and therefore in some ways the most sought after, teen in the school had danced at all. She leaned back in her seat slightly, it was indeed turning out to be an interesting night.

Lucas bowed to Ruby as the music ended, "You are indeed a lovely dancer." Then his eye caught Jeremy leaving the dance floor and he actually did a visible double-take and mumbled softly, "Well I will be damned."

"You're welcome Jeremy," she said to him with a smile. She turned around on her heel and walked back to Michiru. She looked at Joan and smiled to him. Elizabeth then looked at Michiru and smiled. "That was fun. Jeremy is a very good dancer," she said with a smile.

Ruby curtsied to Lucas and smiled, "I will take that as a compliment if I may." She laughed sortly and reached up nonchalantly clasping her locket. "Would you mind if perhaps I spent some time with you, you see I am here alone, and I don't know anyone, other than you, and then only slightly." She blushed slightly.

"Really..." replied Michiru in a tone of dazed hurt, wishing with all her heart that she could walk on her own two feet again. She'd give up just about anything to -- "Hey, Satterlee-san!" gushed Jakurin, Maestro in tow. "Did I just see you dance?! Are you any good at an American dance called The Monkey?!" she asked, squeezing Maestro's arm a bit hard, making him wince.

Jeremy shook his head from side to side, "No. I know little of the various 'named' dances of any country."

"Aw, it's really cool! It goes like this--" Jakurin placed her arms out in front of her and began swinging her fists up and down in place. Maestro's face turned red as he excused himself for some punch.

Michiru had to giggle at Jakurin's antics. They were pretty silly. "Is that a popular dance in America?" she asked, winking.

"It is for me! It's about the only one I know!" harrumphed Jakurin, stopping and nervously snapping her fingers off-beat with the current tune. "So I can't dance, sue me!"

Dura blinked and said, "Johnny Bravo! I've seen that cartoon!" And she joined in with the arms up-and-down.

Nephrite faded back a bit and nodded. ~Ruby, think you can quietly tow Lucas to somewhere... secluded and grab that energy now? While that lemon-blonde yo-yo has everyone else's attention?~

~Right.~ Ruby looked up at Lucas coyly he still hadn't answered her question, so hopefully she wouldn't be pushing her luck. "Its a little hot in here, would you mind stepping outside with me. I think some fresh air would be good." She gestured towards the doors of the balcony.

Lucas nodded and offered his arm to Ruby, "After you."

Jeremy shook his head from side to side at Jakurin's antics and simply leaned his full weight against the wall, one leg bended with the foot resting against it as well. Silently he crossed his arms and leaned his head forward, closing his one eye and slipping into a light meditive trance, one that helped him focus yet remain aware of his surroundings.

Jonas watched Ruby and Lucas. He wasn't jealous, he muttered to himself inside his head. It's just there was something wrong with this whole scene; something was bound to happen. Jonas slowly walked towards the balcony making sure he was a few feet behind Lucas, and that he wouldn't be seen...he hoped.

Guarutonu observed the whole scene with a mild amusement. He sighed gratefully as Jakurin captured everyone's attention with her antics. He hoped Jay would stay attentive too. But he saw that two others were leaning away from this. Jeremy and Jonas. He tensed. Too many jokers in the deck, not enough cards with face value. Perhaps it was time to switch to canned and bottled soft drinks.

Jay blinked. The insanity factor had just gone through the roof. Dura and Jakurin were doing weird things...but on the other hand, it was a great chance for mischief. He grinned evily and looked around.

Elizabeth watched Jakurin and smiled. *She is so silly sometimes.* she thought and looked around the place for a moment. Elizabeth wished she could dance again. It was something she liked to do and wished she could dance soon again.

Jay looked around in a sneaky fashion. Everyone was distracted. He slid up behind the punch bowl, then added a portion of his special bottle. Then he quickly slid off again and looked innocent. More or less.

Jakurin giggled and stopped, posing like her current favorite cartoon hero. "*Hello, mamas*!" she said in low English before bursting into laughter. "That poor guy can't get a date to save his life!" Michiru coughed forcefully then and said in a flat voice, "I think I'll get something to eat." And she rolled away from the group. Jakurin watched Michiru leave, then shrugged. She missed the point.

Jonas turned to notice a rather glum Michiru wheel away from the others. Jonas forgot his objective of following Lucas and watched his counterpart wheel herself away. Jonas felt something clutch at his chest. It was his fault for not being there to protect her. Where had he been then? probably somewhere scoffing potato chips. he kept an eye on Michiru, making sure that if he ever got the courage, he'd go speak to her sometime again.

Michiru stopped on the edge of the dance floor, watching all the floating people pass by her. She sighed softly, her hands clenched in her lap so tightly they were turning white. She had promised herself she would have a good time tonight if it killed her, but it wasn't working. She pushed a piece of hair that had fallen over her eyes back on her head. She then slowly wheeled away from the dance floor towards the gym doors. She had enough for one night, even though the night just started. Forget about food, she just wasn't hungry.

Lucas turned to Mark a small and understanding smile played upon his face. "Mark, so good to see you," he said in plain english. "Is there any way we can go one night without discussing the band?" he pleaded gently. He didn't want to hurt his friend's feelings, but he also didn't want to blow it with his new aquaintence either.

Jeremy reached out a gloved hand and stopped Michiru, "Can I ask exactly where you're going?"

Michiru turned in her chair to Jeremy and sighed. "Out for a little fresh air," she replied. "It's very stuffy here close to the ground. And having to look up at who you are talking to puts a slight strain on the neck. You don't mind if I go outside for a while, do you?" she asked, sounding somewhat annoyed. She looked past him and noticed Jonas. He had tried to get her attention eariler, but she ignored him. She was regreting that now.

Jeremy shook his head and kneeled down so that he was balancing on his feet and looked up at Michiru. "I know that look, Michiru, you're ready to leave. Remember I've been around for a few centuries and learned a few tricks. At least don't leave without having one dance."

Dura looked around. Seemed that everyone had things in hand. Jeremy was cheering Michiru. Lucas was talking to Ruby and the Johnny-come-lately Mark. That last guy who skidded in here might need company later, but she figured he was confident enough to fend for himself a little longer. Jakurin was stealing the show. She smiled. Everything was in place. With that, she went over to the punch bowl, and sipped another cup. "Pheuwegh!" She spat it out all over. Then she knew. "JAAAAYY!!" she snarled, ready to do some property damage.

Ruby looked at the newest arrival and smiled thinly, "Yes, my name is Ruby. But I am not sure we have met.." she turned around and poured a glass of punch sipping it lightly. She turned at the sound of a girl squealing and looked at her oddly. ~Strange people around here...~ SHe looked around her, ~All I really want to do is get him outside and finish this.~ She smiled up t Lucas gently laying a hand on his arm, "Lucas, do you think we could step outside for that fresh air?" She looked over her shoulder towards the doors.

Michiru looked at Jeremy and shook her head. "Not possible," she said softly. "There's no way this thing-" she pounded her fist onto the arm of her wheel chair, "- will allow me to dance. I'll run over everyone on the floor. Please, just let me go," she said sadly.

Lucas looked down at the touch on his arm and smiled at Ruby, taking her hand. "Sure," he said gently. He smiled to Mark and said "We can talk later, if you don't mind." and escorted Ruby outside the gym. The night air was much cooler outside than in. There were a few couples already out there, but none took any notice in Lucas or Ruby. Lucas took off his jacket and gently placed it around Ruby's shoulders. "A bit chilly out tonight." he said, still smiling.

Jay looked round. "Crap! Busted!" He imedeatedly turned and vanished into the crowd, making a bee line for the door.

Jonas gave Michiru a slight smile but shrugged when he realised she may not have seen him. It didn't matter. Just as he was turning back to watching Lucas and Ruby he heard a screech of Jay's name comming from Dura at the punch bowl. He turned and noticed Jay making his way to the door. Jonas could move with quite some speed considering his height, and intercepted him before he made it out. He glared down at the smaller person. "Going somehwere Bishop?"

Looked up. What was it with big people today? "Just for some fresh air of course Jonas. I'd invite you to join me, but I want some frsh air. 'Scuse me." He span round Jonas and headed again for the door once again. "Yoink!"

Ruby smiled at Lucas, "Why, thank you." She led him towards the edge of a balcony and looked down at the flowers. She turned, "Gardens are so beautiful at night." She looked around the balcony, *There are too many people around here.* "Would you like to join me for a walk, perhaps? I don't really like being around all of these people." She smiled at him again. It was too bad she was going to have to drain his energy, he really was quite cute. Perhaps there wouldn't be anything wrong with enjoying herself first, right?

"Not so fast, Mr. Spike and Hike!" Dura grabbed Jay by the shoulder, spun him around again, and clutched her arm. There was nothing soft and graceful about her grip this time. "What if someone actually got drunk off that stuff, and drove home?" she demanded. "What if they had gotten arrested for driving drunk when it wasn't their fault? Or gotten killed in a wreck?! And don't even get me started about some sleazoid ecchi guy taking advantage of an intoxicated girl! Not all of them can fight back like myself!" Dura's face showed pained concern mixed with anger. "Jay, that little stunt wasn't funny! It's mean-spirited, and it's getting your rocks off on someone else's misery and injury! What if someone put a drug in your little brother or sister's cola?!" Meanwhile, Guarutonu-san heard the commotion by the entrance. Tasting a sip of the punch, he grimaced, picked it up, and went off to dump it. Then he saw the restroom's sink had a clog. So he went to the balcony.

Jay's eyes flashed cold. "Right, I suppose you want the truth here right? Well, it isn't very pleasant. I am evil, Dura. I might be a Knight, or was a Knight, but that makes me no less evil. Do you know what I did to my younger brothers in my past life? I captured them and slowly, oh so slowly tortured them to death. Of course they had good old mom and pa for company. I raised people from the dead. For fun, I tormeneted their very souls. Now, as bad as that stuff tastes, it has very little alchohol in it. If I let myself get drunk, I could do some real damage to this whole city. I hate rapists even more than I hate me, so I'm not going to set something up where I can help them. The other stuff? That could be quite funny."
He smiled. It may well be the most horrible thing anyone had seen. "Dura, I was a nice guy. But I am slowly losing control of myself. Do you have any idea how scared I am of myself? One day I could suddenly decide to kill someone for no reason. Could be you, could be Jonas, could be Michiru. Could be little old Jakurin. You've all annoyed me at some point. One day you guys will put me down, because I won't leave you a choice. And the last thing I say will be thank you."
He looked at Dura. "You know, since I started to turn or whatever you want to call it, I've only had peace once. That was when I was dancing with you. Strange, huh? You seem to be the only person who helped me... Good night, Dura. I'll leave as soon as you let go of my arm."

*If it wasn't such a big deal...and other stuff.* Mark scratched his head. He didn't even get a chance to respond to Lucas...and the girl...he knew her from somewhere. "...I think we have. Sure." He muttered seriously, as Ruby and Lucas walked away. He had a bad feeling about this. So he walked around for a while, kind of hiding in the shadows. *This DJ...what's wrong with him?* He thought as one of several Britney Spears songs he hated finished off. And a very familiar bassline kicked in. One he'd played before...at a club shortly after they had all lost their powers. *At least he's playing MxPx now...* He started to head out to the floor to start a moshpit...

Jonas really did try to stay calm, oh he really did. He never had a temper, it was almost non-existant. Howevr, it rose up in him now. Jonas felt sick, feeling anger rise up in his throat. He went to grab Jay. "HOW COULD YOU BE SO STUPID!! YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE!! DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU MAY HAVE DONE BEFORE!! NOW YOU'D BETTER GET OVER YOURSELF, YOUNG MAN OR ELSE YOU WILL BE THE ONE WHO IS UP TO IT IN TROUBLE!" Jonas blinked suddenly. Damn. He never lost his temper, not since he was 18. He coughed slightly, utterly embarrassed. "Don't bother answering," he muttered at Jay. "I have nothing more to say to you."

Jay looked at Jonas. "That's a shame, Jonas, because I have several things to say to you. You just made it sound like I have a choice. Wrong. You really think I want to be like this? Yeah, hurting people used to scare me out of my head. Now it's an amusing distraction. Now, you've been on my case since we met. I guess it has to do with you being the other end of the spectrum to me, being all nice and good and all. I don't fit with your idea of being a good guy. Well I'm not, Jonas, but I am needed. I'm probably one of the few Senshi who can kill people. I am needed. But one day I'll lose control. Now get this into that oversized head of yours: I do not have a choice. My sins in the past haunt me now, and there is not a damned thing anyone can do about it. Tell me Mr High-and-Mighty, can you escape your past? You never say why you came here, but we all have something in our past. What's yours, Jonas?" Jay was furious. His mind was working on how hard it would be to seal the place and burn it to the ground. He wanted to tear everyone he could see limb from limb. But Dura still had his arm locked.

Dura cringed. She had heard of these legendary bouts between Jay and Jonas, and she never wanted to get caught in the middle of one. Too late. She knew that hanging onto him like that was angering him, but letting him go wasn't the thing to do, especially with so much rage in him that she could feel his skin vibrate. So she did the only thing she could think of. She leaned into Jay's ear and whispered, "Jay. Please calm down. You've got that choice now."