After all the craziness of Halloween night Andrew was looking forward to his outing the night after. The day of the symphony had finally arrived and he had two girls to take with him. There would be no empty seats to make him feel like a loser. Plus, if it turned out that he didn’t like it then Kate and Elizabeth probably would. Not to mention that they would be dining out beforehand. It sounded like a good evening to him. He’d pulled a suit out of his closet for the occasion. The tie felt crooked but Andrew had long since given up hope of winning that battle. The world would go on if he showed up to the symphony with a crooked tie. Sure someone may scoff at him but Andrew honestly didn’t care.

The foyer was empty aside from him. He was waiting there for the two ladies that would be coming with him. The group was due to be leaving soon, otherwise they would be late. Free tickets or no, Andrew wasn’t sure if they’d be let in after it started. Sitting out in the lobby until intermission with two girls, one of which he didn’t know that well and the other he was just getting to be friends with would be awkward. Andrew glanced up the stairs. Common knowledge held that girls took forever to get ready. He tried not to believe such things. In this case though he wondered if it was true. Andrew picture both girls sitting in the middle of a closet with clothes strewn everywhere, frantically trying to decide what went with what and what was appropriate. It made him glad he’d bought and kept the suit his mother had insisted he get.

Andrew straightened up the sleeves of his suit jacket and checked on the flowers. A couple of hours ago Andrew had had the bright idea of getting a little something for the girls to say thank you for coming with him. In the end he’d decided on two white lilies, one for each girl. Anything more seemed like it would send the wrong message and anything less didn’t seem quite right. After all, it wasn’t like he was going on a date with them or anything. What person in their right mind would try to take two people on a date? Heck, what person in their right mind would date more than one person period? It was just asking for trouble. Shaking those thoughts away with a physical shake of his head, Andrew looked up the stairs again. The girls would be coming any time now.

Giddiness coursed through Elizabeth’s body. She was going to a symphony, the first time she had been out of the mansion in months. She was so excited! The music was bound to be good since the players were said to be professionals, and the young mutant just loved symphonies, the way the music flowed and just everything about them. Butterflies were playing Tag in her stomach.

From his perch on the top of the headboard of her bed, Nico flapped his wings and let out a shriek. “I love you too,” Liz said with a smile, realizing that she had accidentally projected her feelings. But it was okay in that instance. Happiness never hurt anything. As she strapped on a sandal, her thoughts returned to the evening at hand. Granted, she didn’t know the people she would be spending it with very much at all, but they had seemed friendly and she knew how they reacted when under pressure. For some reason, she didn’t have the same sense of foreboding that usually accompanied the times people had given her a chance to leave the mansion in the past month. She chalked it up to her prayers being answered.

Liz picked a bit of soft grey down off of her simple black dress. She had no intentions on bringing Nico with her that evening. It felt like he would ruin it somehow. She put on the other sandal and then straightened up to look in her mirror. She twisted a bit from side to side, looking over herself. Yes, she seemed presentable. The dress was just fancy yet subtle enough for the occasion. The slight makeup was just enough to draw some attention to her, but not too much. If there was anything the girl didn’t want, it was too much attention. The gold cross hanging around her neck was the last touch.

Satisfied, Beth glanced at the clock. Perfect. She wasn’t early by any stretch of the meaning, but she wasn’t late either. She was comfortably in the middle. She carefully slipped Nico back into his cage, sending a steady trickle of tranquility at him to keep him complacent. She jotted down the last answer to her math homework and then grabbed a simple black purse with her things inside. She dropped a pre-written note on her roommate’s bed and then left the room, quickly arriving in the lobby.

“Hey,” she said, flashing a smile when she saw the older guy. “Is Kate ready yet?” She did her best to not break out into a song and dance routine right then and there over her excitement. After all, she didn't want to appear like a hyperactive grade-schooler in front of her acquaintances. It's so easy to get a wrong impression these day.

Kate had had quite a night. She helped fight off a hoard of crazed carnival attendees and then was rushed to the mansion infirmary when the people on the scene couldn't wake her up, even after Jorge dropped water on her head. She just slept peacefully waiting for her energy to return. Prof Doc had poked and prodded her for about half an hour before he realized she was just asleep and had her sent up to her room to sleep it off in the warm comfort of her own bed and that was where she woke up about 15 hours later.

Kate took a deep breath and let it out with a happy sigh, smiling at the warm and comfortable environment she was in. Part of her didn't want to open her eyes and have to face the cold world outside. She was nice and toasty warm in her bed, there was no point in ruining it with getting up.

She turned from her side to her stomach and glanced at the clock on her side table. 4:30...4:30 PM. The last thing she remembered was it being night and her being at the carnival. She amused that something had happened and the memories would come slowly like they always did. She put the thought aside and started to... 4:30 PM!!!!

Kate shot up in her bed and grabbed the clock to verify the time. She was late. She was so late. She threw off the covers and began the mad dash to get ready. She had planned on allotting herself 2 hours to get ready so she could make sure she was on time and had everything she was going to need. It had been an over exaggerated amount of time but she didn't mind. She had always believed in being able to take her time instead of rushing because she had run out of it. If you rushed you forgot things. And Kate most certainly couldn't afford to forget certain things.

Kate had never showered so quickly in her life. She enjoyed enjoying showers. The hundred something water was warm on her skin and she damn sure was going to enjoy it as long as she could before she exited into the cold air of the outside.

Upon arriving in her room, Kate soon realized that she was going to have to rush more then she thought. She had left herself the time to be able to pick out everything she was goign to need to accompany her dress, but with the lose of that she was going to have to think quickly. She ran into her closet trying to think of all the things within it. She opened the proper drawers and pulled out the first thing she could think of to fit her criteria. She knew that it wasn't perfect but it was going to have to do. She threw them on and started faze two of her mission.

She sat at the vanity and looked at her wet un-brushed hair with absolutely no clue as to how to fix it. So, she did the only thing she could think of and just started brushing and pinning. Before she knew it there was a mass of curls pinned to the back of her head. Next was the makeup. She moved slowly with this one, as to not stab herself since stabbing yourself in the eye only moments before going out was a very bad idea. After a quick 10 minuets of work she was ready. Well her head was anyway. She examined herself in the mirror, it wasn't perfect but it would have to do. She was running out of time and last minute touched were most certainly not going to be able to happen.

She practically ran into her closet and ripped the dress off of the hanger, throwing herself into it as quickly as she could. It was slowly becoming more and more after 5, the time they were supposed to meet in the lobby. Time was slipping away from her quickly, she was going to need to come up with a big apology. Maybe she would pay for diner as a sorry for being so late.

Kate looked at herself in the floor length mirror, making sure to check the front and back of her dress for any imperfection.

Oh no. Shoe. Kate ran back into the closet hoping her way out and to the door putting on the shoes as she went. She even got half way down the hall before she realized she needed a jacket. She moved quickly to grab one out of the wardrobe that held the items in question.

She threw things she would need into a purse and ran out the door. She had decided to put on the outerwear in the foyer and rushed out practically running down the stairs, "I'm so sorry. I didn't wake up till..." Kate stopped at the bottom of the stairs once she saw Elizabeth standing there in a nice black dress. Why was she here?

Andrew turned fully toward Elizabeth as she appeared in the lobby. Well that was one of the girls accounted for. Elizabeth was smiling so he smiled back.

"Not yet." he answered and passed one of the lilies to her, "As thanks for coming."

Now they just had to wait for Kate. After what had happened at the Halloween thing last night it wouldn't surprise him if she'd spent a good portion of the day sleeping it off. Though Andrew hadn't seen her during the party he had heard about it after he returned to the mansion. Just as he was thinking about it Kate came rushing down the stairs, apologizing for her lateness due to sleeping in like he'd thought. The sentence stopped short, just like she did at the bottom of the steps. Her eyes were on Andrew. He was a little confused at what appeared to be her confusion. However it occurred to him about a minute or so later that he hadn't actually told Kate that Elizabeth was coming.

"That's alright Kate. After that mess at the Halloween party I figured you'd be sleeping. I hope you don't mind Elizabeth coming along. I did have another ticket just laying around after all. Sorry I never got around to telling you." he handed over other lily he had to Kate, "And this is thanks for agreeing to come."

Hopefully that would fix any problems and they could head out. If not then Andrew would be at something of a loss and the rest of the evening would probably be extremely awkward.

Elizabeth graciously accepted the white lily from Andrew. “And thank you,” she said in response. It tickled her pink at receiving a flower, even if merely as a “thanks for coming” gift. Honestly, just getting to go to the concert was enough for her.

And then the third member of their trio made her grand entrance down the staircase. Clad in elegant themes of contrasting black clothing and a white jacket and with her hair done up just so, Kate looked fairly fancy and formidable. It was certainly much different than the few memories Liz had of her, when she had been in Angua’s mind, half-watching her bake the bread monster. She smiled at the memories and also gave a greeting smile and wave at Kate.

She dropped her hand so she could hold her purse with both hands in front of her. Kate looked confused about something for some reason. Elizabeth’s own curiosity was banished when Andrew started speaking. As he handed Kate the remaining lily, Liz could feel a little bit of heat color her cheeks. It was slightly embarrassing for her to be there, since Kate hadn’t known she was coming. Liz might’ve very well spoiled plans Kate may have had. Andrew and Kate seemed to know each other well enough, much more so than Liz knew either of them, so the youngest mutant seemed a bit like a third wheel.

Liz mentally shook the feeling off. She wasn’t a third wheel. She was just a friend invited along to go to dinner and then listen to a symphony. That was all. And Andrew had invited her of his own free will and without any poking or prodding from her so it was completely acceptable and wasn’t ruining any plans. At least, that was the train of thought Liz preferred riding.

When she felt that they were all ready, Beth spoke up. “So, how about we get this show on the road? When’s the symphony start again?”

>>That's alright Kate. After that mess at the Halloween party I figured you'd be sleeping. I hope you don't mind Elizabeth coming along. I did have another ticket just laying around after all. Sorry I never got around to telling you. And this is thanks for agreeing to come.

Kate looked down at the lily he had handed to her and smiled, "Thank you for inviting me." Kate wasn't going to let this little change in plan ruin her night. She had never seen the symphony up close before and she had always wanted to. She did, however, make a note to smack Gawain the next time she saw him.

"It's nice to see you again Elizabeth." Kate tried her best to seem as if she was not bothered in the slightest by the sight of Elizabeth. Every young girl needed to be exposed to culture and music and that is what she was helping to do for her. Her being here was a good thing.

>>So, how about we get this show on the road? When’s the symphony start again?

"I am not sure when it starts but I do believe that David is waiting outside to take us to diner," Kate slipped on her jacket and gloves and with her purse in hand walked gracefully out the front door.

Outside stood a tall blond man, he was large and rather intimidating, but his smile was so kind that it compensated for any of his physical faults. One could tell that he was a good man through and through, "Lady Finch-Hatton." He gave a little bow and opened the door for her, offering his hand to help her into the car.

"Hello David. This is Andrew and Elizabeth."

"Nice to meet you." David took Andrew's hand in a shake and tipped his hat to Elizabeth. Smiling all the way.

Kate took David's hand and he helped her into the limousine, she settled on the other side so her back was to the front of the car and waited for her companions. Yes, companions was the right word.

The girls seemed to get over the whole thing rather quickly. That was good. Andrew wasn't sure what he'd have done if it turned into an issue. Elizabeth asked when the symphony was and Andrew was about to pull out the tickets and look at them to find the time when Kate simply waved it off by saying that that were heading to dinner at the moment so it didn't really matter. There really wasn't much for him to do. The girls seemed to have things well handled so he just walked along with them.

Out the door they went to Kate's waiting limo. Andrew was introduced to David, Kate's driver. When he shook Andrew's hand there was an excessive firmness to the handshake that told him that David would be sorely upset if Andrew did anything to hurt Kate. Why that was Andrew didn't know. He wasn't dating Kate. While that would be something to brag about Andrew just hadn't thought about her like that at all. She was good looking and had kissed him on the cheek before. Maybe she had a crush on him? Nah. Why would she have a crush on him? That made no sense whatsoever.

Foolish thoughts aside, Andrew slipped into the limo and sat on the seat front facing seat. They'd be heading to a restaurant from here to have dinner. Once they were fed David would pick them up and drive to the Symphony and pick them up again afterwords. It seemed like a fairly straight forward plan to him. What could possibly go wrong?

And then they filed out the front door of the mansion. Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled a bit when she saw their ride. It was a limousine! Complete with a chauffeur! It wasn’t one of the mile-long vehicles you see in movies, but that was beside the point. Her cheekbones partially obscured her eyes as a smile grew. This was just too great. The prospects for the evening just seemed to be fantastic, the limo being the maraschino cherry on top.

Liz fell to the back of their trio, taking in the black beauty before them for just a moment longer. She returned the driver’s greeting with a dip of her chin and a warm smile as she approached the vehicle, the last of their party to get in. She graciously accepted the offered hand, softly thanking the big man for his assistance in helping her into the limo. She sat in the first vacant spot, which just so happened to be across the car from Kate and beside Andrew.

As the door was closed by their nice chauffeur, Liz quickly squashed any embarrassment or uncertainty in her about being there with her two friends who knew each other better than she did. She masked her feelings behind a smile, content to just observe and gaze about, pretending that she was much more naïve and clueless than she was. Just in case there was something going on so she wouldn’t mess it up anymore than she might have already done.

As the limo got rolling and swiftly carried them to their restaurant, Liz stayed silent, preferring to listen to idle chatter rather than interjecting any of her own. It was very much akin to looking before leaping.

The ride passed quickly for her that way, and before she knew it, they had arrived at their destination.

(Skipping the restaurant and proceeding directly to the symphony to spare complications. Kate's turn skipped with her permission.)

One meal later they were back in the car and heading for the symphony. It had been a good meal all told. Not very memorable save for the thing with the bread. Most of the meal had been taken up with conversation. Andrew sat quietly facing the front of the vehicle. From here it was on to the symphony. Both girls were looking forward to it from what he could tell. He'd find out when he actually saw it whether or not he should have anticipated it more. Andrew gave a look at the two girls he had with him. He wasn't entirely sure if he should talk at all. Not to mention what to say if he did talk. Therefore he stayed quiet and stared out the window as the vehicle rolled through traffic toward their destination.