Karaoke Party!

[dice-addict.livejournal.com]

The appointed hour had come, and the Great Hall was set up for a karaoke party, just like Ryuuji had promised. There were tables with snacks and drinks, chairs set up next to them to let people sit down, a stage with a karaoke machine and their host for the evening was currently standing up there, waving cheerfully at the people starting to come in.

"Hey, everyone! Thanks for showing up. I hope you all have a good night -- remember, duets are the most awesome thing ever -- and enjoy the performances! I'm kick-starting the night with a song from Voltaire that's dedicated to the old reputation of Slytherin, and then I'll hand the mike over to anyone that wants to show off."

Without any further ado, he launched into a self-mocking rendition of When You're Evil.

((Okay everyone, play nice. Stick your songs up on whatever site you like or link to the artist directly if they'll let you, but make sure you include a link to the song in your comment. If you want your char to sing but ICly they wouldn't, put 'ENABLE ME' in the subject line of your comment and someone will wander by to encourage them to belt out a ballad.))

Comments

[wh0-kill3d-m3.livejournal.com]

Another shrug. "Yeah, it helped some. Doing something helps. Reminds me I'm alive, you know?"

[dinosaurman.livejournal.com]

Grant had known that the anniversary of Laura's death was coming up, but had decided not to broach the subject if she didn't. It was one thing to commemorate the death of a loved one, but asking the deceased for suggestions was a bit crass, to say the least. Still, maybe this would be a way to bring it out into the open.

"Doing something," he repeated. "What other things would help remind you?"

[wh0-kill3d-m3.livejournal.com]

"I'm not sure. I've been trying to figure that out all day, and nothing seems quite right. Eating my favorite foods...walking around the gardens...playing with the critters in my menagerie...It doesn't seem like it's quite enough, you know?" She looked him full in the face. "Do you know? What's got me feeling like this?"

[dinosaurman.livejournal.com]

"I've got an idea," Grant said. "The anniversary of your death is coming up, isn't it?"

[wh0-kill3d-m3.livejournal.com]

Laura nodded. "Yeah. Tomorrow or the next day, somewhere in the middle of the night. I know it's just another day, but - it's a reminder, you know? What I've been through, what I've lost. It doesn't feel right to just pretend the anniversary isn't there."

[dinosaurman.livejournal.com]

"No," Grant agreed, "pretending that it's not there doesn't make much sense. It's not just another day, no matter how much you want it to be."

[wh0-kill3d-m3.livejournal.com]

She nodded. "I think part of the problem is, I'm working without a script here. I mean, birthdays, anniversaries, one-time-only deaths - we've got traditions for those. But there isn't really a ritual for people who've come back from the dead to mark the occasion."

[dinosaurman.livejournal.com]

"That's where we start making stuff up," he said. "You're trying to make yourself feel alive, but maybe you need something to acknowledge that you've died, too. We could steal traditions from celebrating life and death. Glossing over what you have been through isn't going to make you feel satisfied, Laura." Grant placed his hand over hers and rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb.

[wh0-kill3d-m3.livejournal.com]

Laura smiled and relaxed a little at the contact.

"Yeah. Yeah, I can see that, I think. I've been avoiding facing it, haven't I?" She turned her hand over to clasp his. "What would I do without you?"

[dinosaurman.livejournal.com]

Grant snorted. "Go out with nice, rich boys who take you dancing and make you happy? Spend time with people who don't think a wild night involves spending it with half a petting zoo?" Flashes of insight into other people's problems? On occasion. Taking a compliment gracefully? Never.

[wh0-kill3d-m3.livejournal.com]

Laura gasped in mock outrage. "Hey! Half that petting zoo's mine, buster. And my experience? Boys like that are great when you're happy. When you're down or in trouble? Not so much." She grinned. "In fact, I think I may feel another song coming on..."

[dinosaurman.livejournal.com]

"You only get half because your half has more legs," Grant argued, but he was smiling anyway. "Oh? Are you going to tell me what it is, or will it be a surprise?"

[wh0-kill3d-m3.livejournal.com]

"Surprise, of course. I've got a track record to maintain." She kissed his cheek and stood to take the stage again.

If Not For You (http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=E91DC45760382E3C) Olivia Newton-John version (http://www.lyricshead.com/lyrics/olivia-newton-john/if-not-for-you-lyrics.html)