18862/Happy Harbor: Homecoming 24'

Happy Harbor: Homecoming 24'
Date of Scene:	20 September 2024
Location:	Track and Field - Happy Harbor High School
Synopsis:	No description
Cast of Characters:	Morrigan MacIntyre, Sam Wilson, Michael Hannigan, Caleb Dykstra

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Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
The fact that it's going on five years since Happy Harbor High School being opened is a bit surreal for Morrigan. And they've expanded with the Community College, which had always been a goal. She was just hoping that it was something that changed the lives of those that attended there.

This homecoming was a bit different. There was a huge event tent that had been set up outside close to the track and field area and that is where dancing and things were happening. Dinner, desserts and other shenanigans were happening off in the gymnasium. There were also photos being taken all over the place and photo booths with little props with them.

The vibe was a chill one and security of course was on hand, but keeping a nice and quiet presence given they didn't want to make anyone anxious. They just wanted to be there in case anything happened.

Morrigan is here, dressed in a lavender silk dress that is tailored to her frame and her hair has been plaited back into a thick braid that has silvery threads woven into it. She looks like she is just watching where people are going and pointing anyone in directions that they need to go.

Sam Wilson has posed:
Sam adjusted the cuffs of his dark grey suit as he approached Morrigan, his lavender shirt neatly pressed beneath a darker purple tie that matched the subtle highlights in her braid. His eyes scanned the crowd, taking in the laid-back energy of the event. There was a certain pride that swelled in his chest as he saw students laughing, dancing, and enjoying themselves in this space they'd helped create.

"Five years, huh?" he said, his voice low but carrying a touch of admiration. "Feels like just yesterday we were talking about whether this whole thing would even take off." He offered a smile, a quiet but warm expression as he gestured toward the crowd. "And look at them now. You've done something real here."

Sam's gaze lingered for a moment on Morrigan's lavender dress, the silvery threads in her braid catching the light just right. A few people will know that look. He's completely smitten with Morrigan, but isn't about to admit that in front of the kids. He shoved his hands into his pockets, standing next to her as if the two of them were the calm amidst the homecoming whirlwind.

"Need me to handle anything? Or should we just let them enjoy the night?" He raised an eyebrow, ready for her direction but equally comfortable just taking in the atmosphere beside her. "I hope your dance card isn't already full?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike is not dressed all that fancy. With fundraisers, release parties, and premieres, the rock star can safely put this at more church level attire. Dress pants, a blue dress shirt, and-

Well shoes. Nope there's no tie. And if as for the jacket, it's not currently on him. Instead he has it on one arm, back of it facing towards him as he presses a towel where the largest amount of wet spots have congregated.

Chaperoning has its moments...

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
Dressing in a sort of light fashion, is Caleb, with a hooded long coat made out of apparently thing fabric, and underneath a simple pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He's never been one for cerimonies; those who know him well enough can attest for it.

Currently he's nursing a drink in his hand, looking at it rather quietly. In fact, quieter than usual.

It's the weight of recent events, with words echoing in his mind.

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan gives a look over to Sam when he speaks and there is a smile, "Nothing to handle so far. Just trying to make sure that no one gets too rowdy or anything really." she tells him.

There is a smile from the woman, "Lucky for you I have exactly one spot on my dance card and it is open currently." she tells him. She gives a wave to Michael when she sees he is chaperoning as well tonight. Seems it is always the usual suspects. Then she spots Caleb and she looks back to Sam, "Think he's alright over there?" she asks him.

Sam Wilson has posed:
Sam chuckles softly, flashing a grin at Morrigan. "Ain't no need to worry 'bout Caleb. He's a big boy, he can handle himself. If he's feelin' out of sorts, we'll see about it when the sun's up. On Monday morning."

He offers her a playful wink before continuing, "But right now? I reckon that open spot on your dance card ain't gonna stay open much longer. So how 'bout we remedy that while the night's still young?"

He glances over at Michael and then back to Morrigan, relaxing into the moment. "Let him do the watchin' while we do the dancin'."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Catching a glance of Morrigan with Sam, Mike nods to her as he sees the wave. A lift of the hand shows the reason why he doesn't wave.

The glance up does allow for him to catch sight of the nearby Caleb who... does not seem to be full of cheer.

Giving a sigh, he walks over to the student. "...Seems like you'd rather be anywhere but here." Mike comments, "...So what is the cause this time?"

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
"I got me thinkin' back to those words thrown back at the House... You know?", he says to Mike once he breaks his view from the glass. "And now the counter-argument is forming in my head where I'd say a few words of my own. Where I don't just shut up and listen like a good little boy like I used to back in Gotham."

The keyword there would be 'growing resentment'.

"Right as arguments can be, come the end of the day... What do they know about me, anyways?"

A gulp of his drink. Though it's just juice, it goes down bitter.

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan gives a look over to Sam and there there is a soft nod, "We'll figure it out." she tells him. Then there is a laugh, "Probably should get that in before someone tries to spike drinks or set something on fire." she muses to him. "Not that any of our students would do that. More like...anti-heroes showing up and messing things up." she sighs at that.

It wasn't happening tonight!

She offers Sam her hand, "Lead the way?" she offers.

Sam Wilson has posed:
Sam chuckles warmly, his hand reaching out to take hers with a gentle but firm grip. "Ain't no fires tonight, love. Not on my watch." He pulls her in with an easy, relaxed smile, his Southern charm shining through. "Anti-heroes can wait. Right now, this floor's callin' our names."

With a wink, he guides Morrigan out onto the floor, the soft notes of the slow song settling around them. He wraps an arm around her waist, keeping the other hand clasped with hers as they move in time with the music, swaying gently to the rhythm.

"In two days, it'll be all about us. I put in the paperwork for some time off for after... you decided where we're going yet?" he asks her, holding Morrigan as he leads her about, a glance over to Michael to make sure he's good with Caleb.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike quietly listens as Caleb breaks his own silence to explain what is going on. Once Caleb stops to drink, Mike gives a nod.

"Ah...I know this feeling." The pale eyes, glance down to the jacket, daring to move the towel to test the spots underneath before shifting the jacket over to soak up another patch. "And it's a frustrating one indeed. Coming up with that perfect comeback long after the moment has passed."

Mike glances back over to Caleb. "You know, I'm not John. But I was there at the house. Do you want to tell it to me?"

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
Caleb Dykstra shakes his head at Mike, "Nah... I like to throw my words at those who deserve it. You don't."

He sighs, "I also did some soul-searching, and I kinda wonder where it went wrong on the dating area..."

He chuckles, "I never told you who it was, but for a while it went okay..." He grimaces, "...Until it didn't. Got told a 'very good friend' had come back into her life, so we dropped it." He points around, "That's also a part of the reason I'm here brooding more than a goth in Gotham. Looking back at the amorous part of my life... Oh black hole that was once happiness", he tries to sound poetic.

Drink in a gulp.

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan gives a smile to Sam, "I don't think the Punisher is going to show up, so I'm sure we're good." she muses to that. "And I mean...the music is more for the teens." she teases him. But she was fine to dance to things. Morrigan was just old...and way too reserved for most. But she's smiling, so that's a good thing at least.

Sam's lead is easy to follow and that is what she does with a contented look on her face.

"We get vacation?!" she exclaims in a teasing whisper. "No, I've not decided. Do you have anywhere you'd like to go?" she asks him. "We could go see Sarah and the boys first?" she offers.

Sam Wilson has posed:
Sam smiles at Morrigan, his hand steady as they move together on the dance floor. "Yeah, the music might be for the teens, but I think we can make it work," he says, his tone light and playful. Her smile is enough to make the moment feel just right.

When she brings up vacation, Sam's eyes brighten. "Supposedly, getting married gets us vacation." he whispers back. "I'll have to ask the boss to make sure she approves it. But well, since you mention it," he starts with a grin, "I was thinking somewhere a little different. How about Iceland? Around this time of year, it's nearly six months of midnight. No sun, just quiet, peaceful nights, and plenty of time to relax." He gives her a playful wink. "We could take a break from chasing down trouble and enjoy some real downtime."

He pauses, considering her suggestion about visiting Sarah and the boys first. "Seeing Sarah and the boys sounds great too. Maybe we stop by there, spend some time with them, and then head over to Iceland for some quiet. What do you think? Two week trip?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
When Caleb turns down the opportunity to use the argument he had thought up of, Mike nods again. The towel in his hand shifts slightly, blotting a bit more of the jacket.

"Well, without much more information than that, I think being just nineteen is a contributing factor. You're still young...ish. Odds were that it would end. But that doesn't make it hurt any less."

There's another test of the fabric under the towel, before he slides off the towel. He shifts over to a nearby chair to drape it over the back. "The first one gets you the most."

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
Caleb Dykstra shakes his head, "Nineteen, my ass. I'll be twenty-one next week." He adds, "And if you're talking about my first love, trust me, that one got me vaccinated for this one."

"Gotham High, at age 14. Perfectly normal girl; she had a thing, I had a thing, we started a thing." He shrugs, "And then... cheerleading trials come along, she makes the cut", he says in a dramatic delivery.

After the pause that follows, he says, "I mean, it was like, over night!" He speaks, still in admiration to this day, "It's like she had a complete makeover, and that included her personality. Dating the big school jock..." He recalls, "I mean, just the following day, I'm about to say hi to her, she moves back like I had the plague, and the next thing I know, I'm flying straight at the lockers in the opposite wall, courtesy of her new date, and threatened to stay away or the next football practice would have me as the ball."

He let's that hang in the air for Mike to evaluate.

"But I got my comeback later on, so thumbs up."

"But really, and what I'm trying to say from all this, I that I think I learned my lesson: never date girls that are not in the same league as you."

There's something about the way he says 'league', like it's a punchline.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike arches a brow. "Twenty-One?" Mike repeats. He's quiet for a moment as he slides on his jacket. "Huh. You really don't act like it."

Taking a moment, the musician glances down, straightening out the fit. "Although based from the amount of detail you went into describing the one when you were 14. My statement still rings true. The first one gets you the m-."

Mike pauses as he catches glimpse of one of the high school students to the other side of the area. Seeing the water gun in his hand, Mike cracks a smirk. "Found you....Uh excuse me, Caleb."

Not waiting for a response, Mike starts weaving his way through the crowd to confront the shooter.