Don’t worry about the future.

[mansionstaff]

Who: EV ERY ONE
What: Graduation. Prom.
When: The evening of May 31st.
Where: The Stadium.
Warnings: WHO KNOWS

It's a beautiful spring evening at Smash Academy, the barest hints of summer just beginning to touch the stadium floor, which had been rearranged into a platform overlooking neat rows of chairs meant to seat the gathered crowd of faculty and students. Towards the other end of the complex was the arrangement for the prom that was to follow. Food and drink, chairs and tables, each with a floral centerpiece, and, of course, a dance floor.



Before everyone could get their party on, however, there was the main event of the evening. From his place at the podium, Master Hand watched students and staff alike find their way into the stadium. With the recent shadow bug invasion, there seemed to be tensions in need of dispelling. If the Headmaster knew one thing, however, it was that some silly antics were not going to ruin this esteemed event. Not tonight. Not if he could help it.

-------

HEY DUDES! Here's how stuff is going to work. We kick off the log with GRADUATION. This part of the log will be divided into separate threads. I'll post them all at once, so feel free to hop around, mingle, post whenever, wherever.

HOWEVER, once the PROM starts, it will be up to you guys to post your own threads. Please check out last year's log if you'd like an idea of how this works. Everything after the thread titled "DISMISSAL" (I will post that in a bit, so don't post prom threads until I have that up!) will be considered prom, though don't let that stop you from continuing to post in the graduation section.

Please label all your threads appropriately! (Examples: "SHENANIGANS AT THE FOOD TABLE", "DANCE-OFF", "THE PUNCH IS SPIKED", "BOTHER X" In general, a location + what is going on in the thread is the way to go. Obviously, more than one thread can take place at the same location. 

Linking back and forth when and if you thread hop is very much appreciated. If things start to look a bit laggy, we'll bump to the next page. Most importantly, TAG YOUR DUDES, HAVE FUN, and let a mod know about any problems or concerns you might have!

Comments

[punchtheflute]

"I've always been ready to say it." Sonny clarified, squeezing her hand again. "But I wasn't always sure you were ready to hear it. So, I keep it to myself mostly and I just figured, probably a day might come where I could be more direct about things."

He shrugged. Between disappearing for a year, and then stuff with Marie... well. He'd done a pretty good job of putting his thoughts and feelings on the back burner in favor of being there for his Brother and the girl he loved - the girl THEY loved. Having a job and learning an instrument and concentrating on classes and lifting and learning how to cook and keeping out of situations where he allowed himself to think about it too much helped.

Maybe he didn't have to be that way any more. What had Kiyotaka said? 'Let there be no confusion!'

"I love you just the same as I have since... well. Years ago. And if you didn't know that, it's my fault. I'm not really direct about it. I worry about things and I second guess stuff and I probably think too hard and talk myself out of speaking more openly? But there it is. That's the truth. I am very much in love with you and it hasn't changed."

[inspirethefire]

"Recovering from a bit of a fever, yes... the worst of it has passed, but a bit of malaise lingers."

Casually avoiding that second question, as well as any details. Fluids were hard to get until recently, and rest had never been his strongest suit.

"I should have known you'd know how to take care of your body. I certainly welcome advice to block any potential relapse."

God forbid.

[mohawk_tomahawk]

Connor didn't know, with the robot being distracted on all fronts, hopefully now they could do some damage.

Connor started now going for the exposed areas on the head and neck.

They had to be doing something now, they just had to be. Connor wasn't going to quit until they did and the thing was taken care of.

[mohawk_tomahawk]

Connor knew of those uses for alcohol, so it came to no surprise that in whatever world Joel came from that resources would be used in such a way.

He may not have known the details, but it was easy to assume things were in dire states often. An easy educated guess, as Joel carried so much weaponry and had the weary eyes of a long time fighter.

He nodded again, finally sharing a tidbit of info, "Sailors drank because the water was unclean on ships. Though some...indulged far too much."

[mohawk_tomahawk]

Which was why Connor wasn't too fond of the emotion, as he was not fond of greed. Greed corrupted men and women, countless of times. Connor didn't want to feel this way, nor did he want to bother anyone with it.

There are those who would say all men and women feel it sometimes, like his mother just said. Eirik reassured him that he was of no trouble and he shouldn't be ashamed.

Despite being reassured he wasn't a greedy man, he still wasn't fond of the feeling; so he channeled it elsewhere. Simple concern. Acceptance that he had those feelings was one thing, but he knew those emotions were poor. He just felt that himself and even if others said it was natural, he didn't want it to be so. He expected better of himself.

There would be those that would say he was naive, or childishly optimistic, for that.

However, he was curious about what his own mother would say regardless of how he placed judgment upon himself.

"No," he said softly, considering his words. "Princess Eirik is capable of charming the hearts of many, at times I felt like perhaps she had charmed...other men."

His teal-haired companion was probably easy to spot out there, as she was socializing with Ike, who she came with on this evening. Connor remembered Valentines' Day, and when he saw her kiss another. Of course, Connor knew it wasn't her and she had done nothing wrong then and now.

[forgetbeam]

"Right?! Not only that, but she's dedicated and hard-working, too! She puts so much into everything she does, and that's admirable!"

Of course that was his type. Of course. At least he felt more comfortable opening up when it came to that.

"We... we went to the same school together in Japan, but did not really get to know each other until we came here." Not that there was really... time... to get to know each other back then.

[forgetbeam]

"It's--! I lost my concentration, that was my fault!!"

Stupid sexy boobies.

"Is your foot alright?" His was fine, thanks to his ridiculous boots making them pretty much invincible.

[punchtheflute]

"I'm glad that you got to spend more time together at this school, then. That's really great!" Sonny replied with a nod. Some people had problems when they came here. A lot of people had come here without meaning to and he could only imagine how something like that could mess up your life. But it seemed like it had worked out well for Kiyotaka.

"I know she's a hard worker. She's good at lifting!" he said, miming lifting a dumbbell. "I think you're really lucky to take a girl like her to Prom. I bet you both have a really nice night!"

[golonghorns]

"Can't imagine wantin' to get drunk on a ship." Joel replied. "That much work to do and that much ocean all around? Just askin' for trouble."

No, when he had work to do, he preferred a clear head.

[forgetbeam]

"Lifting..."

Oh no, he thought, he had to protect her from Max AT ALL COSTS.

"Y-you're right! I won't let anything ruin this night! Let's both do our best to make it enjoyable and memorable for everyone!"

It would be in all the wrong ways. For everyone.

[forgetbeam]

That was the most inspirational romantic advice he'd ever heard. Not that he had particularly heard a lot or anything, but hearing it from Hajime especially fanned the flames of passion within him.

"Absolutely!! I'll... I'll trust in what's in my heart and everything will go just fine!"

Except he'd never been good at letting his heart speak louder than his head.

[punchtheflute]

Aw Max is so nice, though. He just wants your girlfriend to have 48 inch biceps is that so wrong?

"Agreed!" Sonny replied, holding out a hand for Kiyotaka to shake.

That was how a deal was made, after all!

[nottheproblem]

Ah. It had to do with his lady love. Ziio couldn't ever picture herself with anyone of royal descent. It was hard to picture and even though she'd witnessed it plenty, it was difficult to come to terms with Connor picking one for his future to be with on some level. She had her doubts that she tended to keep to herself. That she tried to keep to herself, anyway.

"I don't know much about royalty," Ziio admitted slowly. "Yet it seems the duty of each member to be charming. For good and bad motives. The Princess Eirik is no exception. She seems to have an idea of where her priorities need to be."

After a pause, she continued, "Mm. She will always be a princess, my son. Even when you wish her not to be. I know you understand what it is you have to look toward in going down this pathway. Although it would be safe to remember that some royalty has been known to act deceitfully."

[mohawk_tomahawk]

Most of what Ziio said was what he knew already. He accepted that perhaps maybe his mother wasn't too keen on him having a relationship with someone of royal blood. Connor didn't plan this on happening either. In fact, love life wasn't anything he could picture. People sometimes spoke of who their "ideal" woman, or man, was. Connor had no such thoughts of that nature. He believed that things fell into place when it could with this matter. He was going to fall in love with someone, that someone would return the feelings mutually. Let things go as life had it. Do what he could to help this relationship thrive, because it was what he wanted. Just everything to work out.

It was hard to think of what kind of future they had though, but Connor knew he should. Especially with his title graciously given to him, in order to help her people. That meant there was a future, was there? Eirik always thought of the future, so did Connor.

The future of their relationship, though? Hard to interpret.

Royalty in general was hard to interpret.

He made his opinions quite clear of how he felt about unjust kings.

"There can be leaders truthful as well," pausing only to consider his words even further. There was a lot in his mind right now in regards to this, and it was hard to piece in simple sentences without going into this large debate.

"Power passed through generations by blood alone weaves a path for corruption. I know this, have witnessed this. Even those not within a royal family can be corrupted and be deceitful."

Let's make that clear.

"Through all that I have seen, through all the lies told to me by men with authority, through the feigned selflessness," he continued. "Is it hard to believe perhaps there are those who are truly sincere? That the charm is genuine? I do not think people are so jaded that there are those who do not share the views to make things better for no one's benefit but the people around them."

In other words, he trusted her.

[nottheproblem]

Ziio shook her head. "I cannot call the princess's nature into question. I don't know her well enough and I can imagine I am not so welcoming that she should be compelled to see me, that I might learn more." And there was honestly some curiosity there. Who was the woman, really, that had caught her son so?

What she knew of Eirik amounted to very little in total. A young woman of next to no renown in the academy, yet with an impact severe enough to influence Connor. To what? Be a better person. He was already too good of a person. A man filled with sometimes naive hopes, and that was coming from a rather jaded woman. Ziio could admit she was cynical at times, if not most of the time. Realistic, and not very optimistic.

"Since I cannot question her motives personally, it is up to you to keep all things in consideration. You have proven me inaccurate so far where she's concerned. And if you are so aware of the sincerity in those of royal lineage, why the concern over envy and whose hearts she may charm?"

She raised an eyebrow at him, "If you wholly trusted her, it would not concern you. That you make mention of it to me means you are not fully certain of your relationship with her, or where it is you stand, something that is the responsibility of you both." And he probably knew that, too, but with how independent he was, if he was making mention of it to her, it implied he was looking for some motherly advice.

"As an outside eye, I think in the times I have seen you two together, both of you look at each other in a way that either of you look at others." Because she supposed he deserved a little reassurance.

[tank_rockarms]

"Great, you're gonna need one for all the protein shakes you're gonna be drinkin' when you're ripped," said Max. He held his fist up for a fist bump.

Don't leave him hanging.

[lightyearsaway]

Brock left Max hanging.

[tank_rockarms]

Tentacle guy, don't leave him hanging.

[lightyearsaway]

Tentacle guy also left Max hanging. Everyone left Max hanging.

[tank_rockarms]

Rock snake guy, don't leave him hanging.

[lightyearsaway]

Onix doesn't have any arms.

[tank_rockarms]

He has a nose. Or that head-thingy.

[lightyearsaway]

"I mean, that's just what I've heard."

Brock had yet to actually handle a Mega Stone, after all, and figured this would be a good opportunity to get a first-hand look at one, though he certainly wasn't going to pressure Voile into anything she didn't want to do.

"If there is a workaround, we don't know it yet. Maybe we could find one."

[lightyearsaway]

Onix left Max hanging.

[mohawk_tomahawk]

"It is not her I distrust," Connor made clear. "I do not distrust the companion she is with. He is a friend whom does not attend these gatherings, she wanted to make him feel welcome."

But he gave eyes in their direction anyway, he did not know the man. Connor wanted to trust Ike, but how can you trust a man you know nothing about? But on the same coin, did he have room to distrust either? No.

While his mother's final words eased him a little, he realized maybe he was in denial somewhat. Was it a mother's advice he needed, or another one to tell him he felt what he did and there should be no point in hiding from it.

Eirik knew, Ziio knew now. But Connor was simply still unsatisfied.

"I do not wish to cause discontent, nor do I wish to smother her into feeling like she cannot trust me. But I have had difficulty quelling concern and curiosity. It is something petty, and I do not wish to let it consume me."