Start of the school year Formal

[Macy Deltine]

Macy walked down the staircase wearing a black gown with a pink ribbon tied around her waist. Her hair was tied up in a bun, and she was wearing black strappy stilettos. She had gotten the dress in Cardsdale a few days ago, after pleading with her mother on the phone for the money. When she got to the bottom, she saw her date, whom she had just met earlier that day, Caleb, or what he liked to be called Holden. He was wearing a black tux-type thing (it wasn't quite a tux, if you know what I mean) with his hair combed over to the side. She smiled when she saw him and walked over.
"You look nice." She said, waiting for a complement in return.
"Thanks." He said. She gave him a look, and realized that he was meant to say 'You look lovely too.' He paused. "You look lovely too." She smiled at the right answer. They walked though the large doors into the Ballroom. It was completely covered in decorations. There was a long buffet table on one side, and on the other, chairs for those who didn't dance.
"Um, would you like something to drink?" He asked. Macy could feel his nervousness, which calmed her down a bit. He came back with a glass of water and handed it to her. She accidentally froze it in the cup.
"Oh, sorry." she unfroze it again, and sipped it.
"It's okay. So, do you dance?"
"Um..not very well..um, what about you?"
"Yeah, not very well. I can if you want to, but I just don't like those guys who just show-off."
"Aah, there's Holden." she laughed. "Yeah, I know what you mean. It's like, wow, you can look like gay and just stood on fire, at the same time!" She started laughing very hard now. Holden was laughing too, but not so loud. Macy looked round her, trying to find something to talk about or do. "Chicken!" she shouted.
"What?" He asked, with a strange look on his face.
"Oh, I mean they've got barbecue chicken! I love barbecue chicken. Do you want some?"
"Um..okay..." He seemed pretty freaked out.
She got up and came back with two chicken leg and handed him one. She started ripping it apart with her teeth.
"Sorry if I'm not being very lady-like."
"It's okay." He laughed. She laughed as well, and wiped her face. She looked over the dance floor and saw the people, trying to be cool with their weird dance moves. She looked over at Holden who was staring up at the ceiling. He looked at her and sighed.
"I hate this song." He said. Macy sighed too.
"I also hate this song. It's too generic."
"Yeah." He said, sounding tired. He laughed quietly and Macy joined in.
He looked around the room. "What on Earth is that girl like?" He said, looking at a ginger girl in a blue dress.
"Oh no, that's Jessica Harte, she's in one of my classes. Like I know that I'm a swat, but she's worse, she's a wannabe swat." Holden rolled his eyes and looked back at the ceiling.
She looked round and saw Madeleine coming in. She sat up and smiled at her.
"Do you know her?" He asked.
"Yeah, she's my friend." She replied, trying to get her attention.

[Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford]

Madeleine walked down the corridor from her dorm to the main staircase, then hesitated at the top of the stairs. She'd thought that finding a date with whom she got along with would make it easier, but she was even more nervous now. She was freaking out in case she'd make a fool of herself, or say the wrong thing, or not look nice enough for him.
For Madeleine, who didn't usually worry or care about her appearance, this was odd. She'd spent literally hours in front of her mirror, doing this to her hair and doing that with it... eventually she'd settled on straightening it and putting some loose curls through it.
At least she was satisfied with her dress. There were some wonderful conjurers... she'd had no notice, so she'd sketched the dress that she'd like and shown it to one of her amazing conjurer friends, Olivia.
It was beautiful. Strapless, black and satiny, with a long straight skirt and little silver and black beads at the top of the boned bodice. Olivia had advised her not to wear high heels, since Lee was tall and the shorter she was, the more protective he'd feel and so the more likely he'd be to put his arm around her. Madeleine had scoffed at this, but Olivia had already been working her magic. She was now wearing black shoes with tiny little kitten heels.
And, true to her word, she was keeping her necklace on her at all times. It was adorning her neck right now, not only because of her promise, but the sapphire brought out the colour in her eyes.
Madeleine rested her hand on the top of the banister and told herself that she was being ridiculous. It was just a dance, for goodness' sake, it wasn't like it was a battle!
Though, she had to admit, she'd probably feel more at ease if she was in battle. Dances and things were alien to her. They'd had things like ceilidhs, but never formal dances and things. Their dances were just... relaxed, and fun. It was a party.
This was in another world altogether, and she realised that she'd just have to get used to it.
And now, she'd just have to accept the "battle call" and go down those bloody stairs.
Taking a deep breath, she started to walk down the steps. As she got nearer the bottom, she could see Lee waiting at the bottom, leaning on the end of the banister casually and looking ... really, really good in a black shirt and black formal trousers. She could sense from there that he was nervous too, which made her feel a bit better
"Hey you," Madeleine said, coming down to the bottom of the stairs and studying him.
He turned around and his eyes widened slightly as he took in her appearance.
She laughed nervously. "I don't look that bad, do I?"
Lee looked at her and laughed. "No, not at all! You look... wow." He laughed again. "You look lovely."
"Thank you," she smiled. "You look alright, actually. I was worried as to what you'd look like."
He chuckled appreciatively. "Well, shall we?"
"The lamest occasion of the year awaits," she said, smiling cheekily.
He winced. "I said that, didn't I?"
"You did," she chuckled. "Whatever, you also said that I'll make it "rock". I think that classes as a compliment..."
He laughed, and she felt her stomach jolt in that weird way again. She'd made him laugh. That made her feel... good. Maybe she might make this a little more bearable for him, after all!
He led her into the hall, where she looked around at the decorations all over the walls. "They went to town a bit, didn't they?"
Lee grinned. "Just a bit. Want a drink?"
"Sure, but I'll get it."
"I'm the guy, I'm supposed to."
"Yes, but it's less hassle if I do it. What do you want?"
As soon as he told her, two glasses flew over to them, filled with the desired drinks.
"Niice," he said, in slight awe.
"Isn't it?" she smiled, feeling warm again as she saw his eyes light up as he smiled back.
She glanced away from him and around the room. "Have you seen Kira?" she asked, searching.
"No, not yet," Lee frowned.
Madeleine's eyes found Macy, who was waving to her, trying to get her attention.
"Hey, look, it's Macy," she said. "Mind if we go talk to her?"
"Macy being Macy Deltine in Assembly this morning?"
"That would be correct," she confirmed. "Coming?"
She didn't really give him much of a choice, taking his free hand and leading him over, feeling her fingers tingle at his touch.

[Kira & Lee Norris]

Kira gazed at herself in the window outside where she'd agreed to meet Matt for a few moments. She was wearing blue, and strangely enough, it seemed to suit her. The dress was strapless and looked a bit shiny. That was literally all she took from it. However, it'd gotten a cry of glee from the shop assistant, so she supposed that it might hurt the poor girl's feelings if she didn't buy it. That was the thing. She didn't understand what the point of it was... making yourself pretty. After all she didn't feel much different from usual. Her long blonde hair was tumbling down in back in waves, and her eyes looked strangely popping in the light of the room but... she always looked like that.
There was a sudden cough from behind her.
She started, and turned to look at Matt, who looked a little dazed. He also didn't look like himself. His usually unkempt brown hair looked too well-groomed for her liking, and the gel he'd put in it gave it the effect of being greasy. His tux was a strange grey colour- like ash- and it drew all the colour from his skin.
"Hi," she said softly.
"Hi, Kira," he said, taking in her appearance, looking a little startled. "Um... you clean up good."
Kira forced a smile. "So do you."
It was an awful lie, but it seemed to make Matt happy. He extended his arm and she stared at it for a few moments. He groaned.
"Kira!"
"What?!" she cried, startled. He'd sounded a bit like a whining dog.
"You're meant to take it!" He shook his arm hopefully.
Kira's eye twitched, but she pulled a smile across her face. "Alright then..."
Kira carefully slipped her arm in his, and as soon as she did, Matt pulled her a little closer, as though terrified she might suddenly run off on him. He was terribly warm and sticky, and the smell of his hair gel was making Kira feel a little sick. Never the less, she led him lead her through the doors into the Ballroom.
Kira's first impression was a giant rainbow explosion. It wasn't just the decor- it was the people. Everyone was milling about wearing every colour under the rainbow. She easily spotted a happily chatting Lydia, wearing green to set off her beautiful thick red locks. She felt Matt tense beside her, and groaned, dragging him off through the crowds.
Making it to the punch bowl, Matt let go of her, looking pale.
"She looks so good," he moaned, rubbing his temple. "Why does she always look good? Like... really good? Super good?"
"Shut up," Kira said sharply. "If you keep doing that I'll be sick in the punch bowl. Besides, it's meant to be me who turns you into a gibbering idiot."
Matt didn't seem to hear her. He was shaking terribly.
Kira sighed, and filled them both a glass of punch. Matt took his weakly, but didn't drink. A much slower, softer melody had struck up, and couples were gliding onto the dance floor. Matt's face seemed to tense as he saw Lydia walk gracefully forward, and grabbed Kira's arm again.
"No," she said sharply.
He turned pleadingly. "Kira..."
"No!" she cried, pulling backwards. "I won't..." Her eyes glazed slightly as she saw Madeleine leading Lee across to Macy and her date.
Ouch. There it was again; the fire spitting up from her belly.
"Alright," she said mechanically, and let herself be led onto the dance floor.
Matt looked a little sick as he placed his hands on her waist. Kira narrowed her eyes and took a step closer, making him shiver a little. It served him right, she thought savagely, as they began to spin around the floor. He was using her after all, he might as well be prepared for the consequences.
The whole dance was incredibly awkward. Matt winced every time she pulled herself closer, and it gave her a vicious pleasure to watch him squirm. However, when the music ended, she flew from his arms as though she'd been scalded, and moved away quickly, loosing him in the crowds. Relieved, and strangely exhausted, Kira began to edge towards the doors.
"Kira?"
She jumped, and turned. Lee was looking at her strangely. He was wearing a black shirt and black trousers. He looked good, of course. He could with a bit of effort.
"Hi, Lee," she said hollowly, running her eyes over the crowd. "Where's Madeleine?"
"Talking to Macy and her date," he replied. "I came over to see you."
"Oh," Kira said dully. "Well... you've seen me."
"What's up?"
Kira frowned at him. "Nothing."
"Nah, something's up," he grinned. "I can tell."
She stuck out her tongue feebly. "Sucks to you."
"Well?" he prompted. "Is it... me and Madeleine?"
She blinked. "Oh. Um..." It wasn't really. She was just in a bad mood. That was all. Just a bad mood.
"After tonight, I won't see her again," he said softly. "Not if you don't..."
"No!" Kira cried, wringing her hands. "Of course not! It's not you and Madeleine."
He blinked, a wide smile spreading. "Oh, thank god!"
She laughed. "Sorry about that."
"Then... what is it?" he grinned, folding his arms.
"I..." she stopped and swallowed. "Matt said it to me today."
"Oh yeah," he snorted. "I saw you dancing. He looked terrified."
Kira bit her lip. "I don't think I want to be Head of the Spies."
He started. "Why- ?"
"Because they chose me because I'm a vague little thing, who sits around storing a giant temper inside of her innocent-looking face," Kira supplied dully.
Lee blinked. "Oh...?"
Kira laughed at the evidently confused expression on Lee's face. "I'm a freak, Lee. I guess it's one of those 'had-to-be-there' moments. It wasn't good."
"I'm lost, but I'll get it eventually," he grinned, pulling her into a one-armed bear hug. "Gotta get back to my hot date, lil' cuz," he winked.
Kira giggled. "And I've got to escape from mine!"
He laughed, and let go of her, disappearing into the crowd as quickly as he'd come. Kira smiled, and spotted a chair, choosing to sit down in it. She'd see him later. For now, she just wanted to relax...

[Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford]

Madeleine stopped as she led Lee across the room as she saw Kira dancing with Matt. Kira hadn't spoken to Madeleine since introducing her to Lee, and had pointedly ignored her at the Assembly. She also had ignored Lee since he texted her to tell her that they were going to the dance.
"She's mad," she said simply.
Lee grimaced. "I know. I'm going to go and talk to her, okay?"
"Okay," she said, letting go of his hand and watching him disappear into the crowd. She turned and fought her way through the hordes of people, trying to get to the place where Macy and her date were.
Then she felt a sharp tap on her shoulder.
She paused, knowing who it was going to be.
"Baudelaire!"
She turned round, forcing a false smile on her face. "Ryder!"
There was Levi, standing there and smiling at her with an obvious force. He was wearing a black suit, and his dark hair was annoyingly perfect looking, with not a hair out of place. Madeleine hated it whenever guys had hair that stayed in place when hers didn't.
"I saw you in assembly today," he said, a touch of annoyance in his voice.
Madeleine smiled back at him, pleased. It was horrid, but she'd got one over on Levi Ryder. She'd beaten him. "Yes?"
He looked her up and down. "I must say, I was pretty surprised. You don't seem... strong enough, no offence."
Madeleine had quickly learned that when Levi said 'no offence', he didn't mean it.
He went on. "You just don't give off the aura of being a warrior. You're not... hardcore enough," he said, giving a forced laugh. "I mean, you're short and like, fairy-build - you'd so get beaten in a fight. You are bossy enough to be a leader, I'll give you that. But... you'd get beaten easy."
A hot flame of anger rose up inside Madeleine, making her want to punch Levi, but she didn't. Not in this room, with so many people. And Levi was just sour that he had been beaten. By a girl.
She smiled sweetly. "Clearly Professor Hoodham and Professor Thandie disagree. Shouldn't you be getting back to your date?" Then, she realised that she didn't know who Levi was going with. "Who is she, by the way?"
Levi gestured to a platnium-haired girl in a baby-pink dress. "Chantelle Williams, who's yours?"
"Lee Norris," she said, looking around for him.
"Oh, the reputed chess champion?" Levi said coolly, clearly unimpressed. "Well, I'll let you get going."
"Bye, lovely talking to you," she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes as he walked away. She shuddered. Ugh. What an idiot.
As Levi disappeared, Lee magically reappeared behind her. "I thought you were going to go and talk to Macy.
"I am," Madeleine said, turning around and smiling, hiding her anger. "I just got hijacked. Let's go."
They fought their way through and finally arrived beside Macy and her date.

[Macy Deltine]

Macy looked over at Madeleine and her date, and then over to Kira and hers. There seemed to be some friction between them, which was strange. She sighed and looked at Holden. He was making flames with his fingers over and over again. Oh, she found out his powers too. They were fire, telepathy and incredible speed reading, which Macy envied.
They were both awoken from day-dreams when Madeleine sat down beside them.
"Hey!" Macy said. "How's your night been going? Oh, this is Caleb, but prefers Holden."
Holden smiled a smile that seemed to have been made with a small bit of force.
"We haven't been dancing or anything like that, but ah well."
Her date laughed and looked at the people on the dance floor.
"They look like retards." He said. He laughed again, and Macy laughed too, but was slightly embarrassed. She smiled at Madeleine and looked around the room. Holden leaned over and whispered something into her ear. He got up and walked out of the room.
"Sorry, he just said that he was going for a walk, if I wanted to join him. I think I might, I like him. But like, if he tried to put anything on, I'll break his nose." She said, laughing. "I'm sorry, for not being able to talk to you long, but I'll see you in our dorm later!" She hugged Madeleine and walked out, out to find her date.

[Kira & Lee Norris]

"Kira!"
"Hey, Lydia..." Kira hadn't been expecting her of all people to approach her. Lydia was really nice, but they ran with different crowds. This dance was a brilliant example. Lydia had obviously gone to a great deal of effort whenever she was getting ready for the dance. Kira had just turned up in a dress. Enough said.
"I'm so sorry about Matt," said Lydia, lowering her voice, which- thanks to the pounding music- made it far more difficult to hear her, so Kira had to lean in quite close. "He's being so awkward. Thanks for coming with him."
"Believe me, I'm regretting it," muttered Kira.
Lydia smiled weakly. "Well... em... thanks for coming anyway. Have you met Kyle?" Her hand reached backwards and she seemed to fish her date out of the crowd. He was a tall boy, thin and gangling, with blonde crew cut. He looked a little awkward in his tux.
"Hi," smiled Kira.
He gazed at her for a moment. "You're Head of the Spies."
Kira blinked. "I am..."
"I'm a Spy," he said proudly, puffing out his chest a little. "I just hope you're up to the challenge."
"Of course she is," said Lydia, looking fondly at her. She really seemed to appreciate Kira coming here with Matt. After all, she was still under the delusion that Matt was now going to fancy Kira instead.
"Yes, well, good to meet you," Kira said vaguely, staring out through the sea of heads. "Oh, look... I love this song. I think I'll go have a dance... enjoy yourselves..."
Getting up reluctantly from her chair, she decided to track down Lee and Madeleine. As she moved across the hall, she saw Macy and her date moving out towards the gardens where she'd met up with Matt. They must be going for a 'walk'. She couldn't help but smile at that. Finally spotting the top of Lee's head, she made her way over to them slightly breathless.
"Hello, you two!" she grinned at them. "Had a slow dance yet? I'm waiting to get you two on the dance floor!"

[Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford]

Lee rolled his eyes at Kira. "You're kidding. I don't dance. It's not very masculine, is it?."
Madeleine pouted at him, acting disappointed. "Oh, drat. There I was hoping that you would actually ask me to dance sometime tonight..." she said, with an exaggerated sigh.
Unsure if she was being sarcastic or not, Lee arched an eyebrow at her. "Sarcasm-and-punch partner, remember?"
She snorted. "Yes, and you're not a very good one if you don't recognise sarcasm, are you? And speaking of punch..."
Immediately, three glasses of punch appeared in front of them.
"So," she said, shooting a fiery look at Lee and turning to smile at Kira. "You don't look like you're having the best time of it with Matt."

[Kira & Lee Norris]

Kira rolled her eyes. "Last time I go on a pity date with anyone."
Lee was smirking at her now. She growled and kicked out at him, but he dodged, laughed. "Sensitive, much?" he cooed.
"Shut it," Kira muttered, but she was grinning too. She couldn't help it. She felt a lot better now.
"I saw Lydia talking to you just there," said Lee, nodding in the direction. "What did she want?"
"To tell me how relieved she was," replied Kira, "I couldn't see you two though. How's your evening been so far?"

[Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford]

"Sarcastic," they answered together, then laughed.
"Well..." Madeleine started. "Well, we went in, we got drinks, we started going over to talk to Macy, then Lee went over to talk to you, and I got hijacked by Levi Ryder," she said, shuddering and rolling her eyes. "The guy drives me up the wall, I'm sorry. Then Macy left for a "walk" and you came over," she smiled. "Not the most interesting start."
"Oi," Lee said in mock-outrage. "Thanks for that!"

[Kira & Lee Norris]

"You should get off with her, Lee," Kira said seriously. "But I'm not sure if that'll really brighten up her night..."
Lee rolled his eyes at her. "Again, thanks. I really have a knack for surrounding myself with sarky, evil little- "
"Ouch!" cried Kira, clutching her chest. "That hurt! Besides, I know you love us, Lee! Anyway..." she turned to Madeleine. "Who's Levi?"
The name was vaguely familiar to her. Probably a friend of a friend, or something.

[Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford]

Madeleine scowled. "Levi Ryder. He's a... I can't even sum it up. Ugh. I ... I hate him. I really, don't like... he's an arrogant, self-important, conceited jerk that can't be beaten."
Lee frowned. "Is it just me, or do they all mean the same thing?"
She ignored him. "He just told me that basically I'm not a good person to be Head of Warriors because I'm not tough enough, or something. He thinks he should have been it, and he's annoyed because we have this competition going on in Air Control, and now I've beaten him in the big contest. Eugh."

[Macy Deltine]

This post is continued from 'The Walk'

Holden staggered in from the gardens. He could feel his leg, almost hanging on his body and the most terrible pain in his chest. Tears where streaming down his face, with a mixture of blood, running down his shirt. He couldn't believe what happened. He couldn't stop them. He tried, with all his might, but he just couldn't. He staggered into the hall and fell to the floor. The music stopped and everyone turned to him.

"She's Gone!" He screamed. "Macy- they took her!" He fell to the floor in fits of tears. "I tried to stop them, but I couldn't." He kept saying. He lay on the floor in hysterics, trying to to believe what just happened, happened.

[Kira & Lee Norris]

A deadened silence swept the hall; broken only by the petrified sobs of Holden writhing in pain and terror. Nobody seemed to be moving; the crowd was barely breathing. A dull sense of shock was washing over Kira. Was it really her, laughing and joking without a care in the world, these few brief minutes past? As she told Lee and Madeleine that they should dance together, were Macy and Holden first attacked?
As she laughed, and decided they should get off with each other, was Macy being... taken?
And... and as she searched for the forgotten name of Levi Ryder as it stirred feebly in her memory, was Holden running back up towards the school; bleeding and sobbing?
As the silence reached its climax, there was a clattering of running shoes behind them. Kira turned just in time to see Professor Hoodham was tearing through the crowd, his withered face pale and stricken. Rushing over to the shaking boy, the old Headmaster pulled him roughly to his feet and brushed him down.
"Now, now, boy, you couldn't have stopped it," he said soothingly. "C'mon, we'll get you to the Head Carer and she'll patch you up right as rain..."
"Gone!" sobbed Holden weakly, shaking the Headmaster wildly. "No, no- we've got to find her- we've got to go after them! We've- we've- "
"Kira, Madeleine!" came a fierce whisper from behind. Kira turned to see Professor Thandie glaring grimly at them. "This is a very serious business," she said urgently. "Professor Hoodham will see you in his office tomorrow at lunch time- no excuses!"
Kira nodded her head slowly, a strange hollow horror expanding within her chest.
"By this time, the boy shall have spoken to Will," Professor Thandie continued. "She'll be there too, and she will be able to give all the details of the attack the boy has given. Understood?"
Kira nodded again, and was dimly aware of Madeleine doing the same.
Professor Thandie nodded curtly, then ran forward to take Holden from Professor Hoodham, and to go and track down Will through the crowds.
Professor Hoodham turned to address the sea of pale, anxious faces before him. The music had stopped, and the dance was a total wreck. Nobody moved a muscle, their eyes intently fixed upon their Headmaster.
He bowed his head gravely. "Enemies of the school have breached the boundaries, and attacked one of our Heads on school property," he said loudly, his sharp voice ringing throughout the hall. "They have taken Miss Macy Deltine hostage; for what purposes, we cannot say yet." He gave the hall a swift piercing look. "Get to bed, all of you. This dance is over."
And he swept away after Holden, without another word.