Star Crossed (Closed for Aussie_Wolf)

[papillon24]

Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Virginia, where we lay our scene,
From ancient rivalry break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal pledge of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers meet;


Jasmine stared out of the window of her English 206 class. The fall was beautiful this time of year. The leaves were all turned and starting to fall, creating a scent in the air that was intoxicating on campus. The weekend was coming and Sigma Kappa Theta was holding their annual Halloween costume party later that evening. It was something that all the girls in the household looked forward to.

She sat there barely listening to her professor waiting for the class to end. The seconds passes slowly as she watched the clock. 10...9...8...She was assigned to help set up the decorations with Karen and Beth.3...2...1.

She grabbed her books and dashed out of the room. Every moment counted since there was so much to do. And not enought time to get it all set up as well as get changed into her costume

http://vikraman.in/mediumhairstylescutideas/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2014/09/Easy-Hairstyle-For-Girl.jpg

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason was not your typical geek. He was not skinny, he actually looked reasonable and he rode around on a Triumph motorcycle that he had lovingly restored. The thing was he was also brilliant with computers and figures. He had been a mathematical prodigy as a child and during High school he had used his knowledge of maths to help him to move into computers and had developed an interest in both programming and artwork.

He could have graduated years ahead of his fellow students, but had made a conscious decision not to and while still keeping his scores in the top ten percent, he had also developed several apps for smart phones and tablets which he had sold for a tidy sum and had deposited the amount in a term deposit and made some interesting decisions on the share market.

He had made it into a very decent college and had even decided to join a fraternity. He had been accepted into Kappa Theta Pi, a fraternity mostly concerned with intellectual pursuits while still having a list of fun things to do. One of those things was coming up that night. A rival Sorority Sigma Kappa Theta was holding their annual Halloween party. Of course no one from Kappa had been invited, after all they were considered too Geeky to be seen at the Sigma house. It had been the same for years. Sigma was the head girls house for all the well off girls or the cheerleaders. Anyone that was or wanted to be anyone had to be in Sigma. Once in you only associated with the cream of the crop at school. The jocks or the well off. No one else was allowed to date a Sigma or attend their functions.

Well this year the Kappa's were going to change that. They had forged invitations for five of the new freshmen and had rigged up a few nasty surprises for the uppity guests at the party. Their job was to get in, set up the booby traps, and get out before they went off. Jason smiled as he donned his costume and pocketed his invite. Glancing at his watch he smiled. It was almost time to leave.

http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTI2NTY0NzA4MF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwMjE1MDE0._V1_UY1200_CR85,0,630,1200_AL_.jpg

 

[papillon24]

Jasmine had gotten to the house late. Karen and Beth were already knee deep in streamers and cobwebs.

“Where have you been?” Karen called over her shoulder as Beth took out another plastic skeleton from the box of decorations.

“I'm sorry. Professor McMannis kept rambling on. I was going to try to leave, but I was stuck in the back of the class. You know how it goes with his classes. He loves to hear himself talk. But I' here now.”

She barely took a moment to catch her breath from the near sprint across campus. She tolled her Armani Backpack on the couch and got to work setting out various ghoulish things that came from the boxes. The then headed to the kitchen to check on that. Their chef was already food and drinks themed for the party. Cases of alcohol and beer lined the edge of the kitchen, ready for consumption.

Her heart beat in excitement. This was her second year in the house. She loved every moment of it. The friends she had made, the parties. She especially liked the connections she had to the world by being a part of this sorority. Senators, movie stars and athletes were all former members of this house and it would open a lot of doors for her, both now and in the future.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason headed out towards the Gamma's house. Well calling it a house was an understatement. It was actually more like a mansion. They had the money to afford the very best and the place stretched back almost a hundred years, almost to the time that women were first given the vote. He had decided to be one of the first to arrive to see if the invitations worked. He would text the others if they did and they would all arrive separately and at various times to avoid suspicion. That way if he was caught the mission could be called off or if someone else was at least there would be someone inside.

He got to the small park just down the road from the house and then waited. He didn't want to be one of the first guests to arrive but he wanted to be in the first couple of groups. He would sit here and wait until the party got started and then make his move. Already other students were out in costume making their way to other parties and he got friendly waves and the occasional scary noises from passing people. It was amazing what a mask and costume could do. Normally half these people wouldn't have given him the time of day, but now they were happily smiling at him and wishing him a happy Halloween.

Sitting back on the park bench he laughed a little to himself and watched the sun start to sink painting the sky a beautiful mix of orange, pink, purple and red. Looking up the street he knew that it would soon be time for him to make his move. He checked that he had the invitation for the thousandth time and that the items that were strapped about his body were secure. Sighing he leaned back and just enjoyed the sunset as he waited for the first guests to start arriving.

 

[papillon24]

Jasmine walked back into the entryway just as the first guests were starting to arrive

“Shit” she murmured under her breath “I cant believe I'm this late”

She ran up the stairs to her room on the third floor. It was one of the larger rooms and she was grateful for it. Hanging up on the coat rack in the corner was her costume for the night. It had taken her weeks to come up with the idea and another week to make it.

She held the light blue fabric in her hands and smiled. She had decided to go as the Disney princess that donned the same name as her. She slipped out of her clothes and into the gauzy pants and crop top before stepping back to admire her handiwork in the mirror. It was perfect. All she needed was to find her street rat.

Quickly she fixed her make up, over exaggerating her almond eyes with a thick cat eyeline. After fixing her hair she looked almost as if she had stepped out of the cartoon. It was perfect. Next a pair of turquoise blue earrings, a few silver bracelets and slippers and she was done. All in record time.

She raced out of the room. She could already hear the party getting going. The chatter and the laughter was starting to fill the hallways. She stopped at the top of the stairs to observe the scene. This was going to be one hell of a night

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason had waited awhile as the guests had started to file in and thought it was about time for him to make his grand entrance. Well grand might be a bit of an understatement. He was actually dressed in pretty ragged clothing. The Fraternity had decided to not only play practical jokes on the people in the party, but to actually mock them all as well. They had each come up with the best costume they could based on a character that would wear threadbare clothing.

They had an Artful Dodger, Top cat, Tom sawyer and a Zombie. Jason meanwhile had gone for Aladdin but in his street rat attire. He wore plain moccasins, patched flowing white pants, a purple vest with a brown sash around his waist and a red fez upon his head. He had debated about adding a stuffed monkey but he didn't like the feel of it. Instead he had hung an old lamp just like from the movie on the sash.

Walking up the path he smiled to people passing by. It was amazing how many people did not recognize him. Sure his hair had been dyed a rich dark black, and his skin had been given a coating of makeup to appear darker and he was wearing a small black robber mask but still. He walked up to the door and approached the ladies at the desk and gave them his best smile as they asked for his ticket. He leaned over showing off his physique to distract them as he searched his sash to find it. This was why he had been chosen to go first. He had an athletic build with muscles and his costume showed them off. He was their best chance to get in.

"Ah here it is ladies,"He said as he pulled it out and handed it over. "Sorry about the wait".

He chuckled to them as they barely looked at it and waved him inside. He quickly lost himself in the small crowd then sent the text.

'I'm in. Flash a smile at the door and compliment the girls, it helps. Will wait the three hours then set off the devices. Hope you all make it. J out.'

Looking around he began to look for places to hide the three devices carefully hidden inside his sash for maximum devastation.

 

[papillon24]

The party was starting to get more and more crowded with the rich and elite of the school. Many wore finely made custom costumes. There were jewels and feathers of every color.

Jasmine made her way to the bottom of the stairs and over the the bar. She lookd through all the choices. There was everything from the finest vodka to the sweetest champaign. All was fine in her book, but she had one favorite that most of the girls could not stomach.

Whiskey was her drink of choice. Rich oak flavored whiskey, mixed with real ginger beer. There was something about it that felt comfortable. Something different from the rich and upity-ness of the others that were here. She ordered one from the bartender they had hired for the evening. He raised an eyebrow at her choice, but poured the drink, and placed it in a fancy highball glass for her. She took a sip and let the richness of it race down her throat.

Music pumped in the back room. She knew many of her sisters would be back there. They all loved to dance, but tonight there were important people to impress. Even the president of the school was going to attend. As one of the senior girls, Jasmine was responsible to introducing who she could to other people and helping to keep an eye on the new pledges.

Sometimes the girls got a little out of lie at things like this as most people who grow up with money often do. They think that they are the center of the world. This house did not tolerate any of it and prided itself in influencing the rich, entitled girls to a different type of educations. One in manners, respect and being humble with what you can. She loved that part. Rich people like herself had always gotten a bad name in society for their attitude. Here, the girls were brought down from their pedistals and shown how to use their wealth for good.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason had wandered around, blending in rather well but sticking to the walls and avoiding most of the crowd. He got to the dance room and peeked in and saw all the girls dancing. He smiled and picked his way to a quiet corner and placed his first device. A rather expensive looking handbag that didn't look out of place in a place like this. Most people would assume it had just been left by someone on the dance floor and he assumed it would not be touched. If it was then the thief was in for a rude shock in a few hours.

It was rigged with a very powerful stink gas that actually clung to the clothes and skin of it's victims similar to a skunks but three times as powerful. He moved back out of the room and continued on, looking for the next target.

 

[papillon24]

All in all the party was a good one. Nothing had happened as of yet, either with an inner house fight or an ex boyfriend of someone's showing up unwelcome.

Jasmine grabbed her drink and broke away from the conversation she was having. A very boring one a that, with the head of the admissions department. She rambled on about the newest rowing crew add on they had brought from California. He was not pleading to Pi kappa alpha, the brother fraternity to Sigma Kappa Theta and house the up and comers, Athletes and those who payed the most tot the school.

Quickly she made her way around the corner, dodging more people so she could check on the pledglings on the dance floor. She knew that alchohol was flowing freely that night and that sometimes the girls did not watch how much they had.

As she rounded the corner quickly not expecting anyone to be there. Soon enough, she came face to face with a man. She caught his eyes first, his charm and good looks next. She looked at his costume.

“Aladdin!?” it came out as a shock. She had not told anyone she was coming in this. This had to be a joke.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason had just been walking out of the back room when the vision approached him. From around the corner she had come and almost bumped into him, before she backed up and then looked at him in shock.

“Aladdin!?” she had exclaimed as she looked upon his costume and he could see why.

She herself was dressed in all the finery of Princess Jasmine and he had to hide a chuckle at the odds of meeting someone dressed in such a costume. He decided to play up to it and swept of his Fez and gave a deep bow.

"Why Princess, what brings you down from the castle to these lowly corners of the Bazaar? Does your father the Sultan know you are slumming it with us street rats?" He chuckled as he moved around he eying her up and down and then snagging a few small canape's from a passing tray he began to juggle them while he looked her in the eye again.

"You should be careful down here Princess Jasmine. You never know what may happen." With a flick of his wrist he opened his mouth and ate one of the treats while changing to juggling the others with one hand. "I shall tell you what I will do. For you and only you of course, I will guide you and become your bodyguard and keep the riffraff away from you."

He smiled and ate another canape and held the last out to her. "So what say you Princess. Do you wish this Humble servant to guard your body?"

 

[papillon24]

She stepped back as she watched him play up the character he was dressed at. His devil may care attitude with the antics of the street rat. Her really had nailed every movement and antic and it brought a soft smile to her face. It was the first smile she had donned since she had arrived at the house. With so much going on it was hard for her to enjoy herself.

She slowly took a sip ove her drink she had been holding, letting a little of the burn flush though her cheeks.

“I do believe that I will be fine down here. The streets are not as dangerous as you think. I'm a lot more capable than people give me” she played along a little. It was the fun part of dressing up as someone else, even if it was only for a night. She could actually become a princess and let him be her street rat. “I do not need a body guard, but some company on this beautiful night would be lovely.”

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason smiled back at Princess Jasmine. So she was going to play her role as well. Well he could go along with that, especially as she was very beautiful and had a very cute smile.

"Well then Princess, it would be my honor to accompany you this fine night. Having someone as beautiful as you beside me will of course make me look a lot more important than I am and should ensure that more people acknowledge me," he grinned at her. "That of course just makes it easier to pick their pockets," he grinned cheekily at her.

Laughing he stepped in beside her and began to walk slowly with her.

 

[papillon24]

She took another sip of her drink as he stepped up next to her. She wondered where he was from. What fraternity he was in. With his build and good looks he probably was probably a Kappa Omega Epsilon or a Delta Beta Pi. They were not as well known, but still house a few jocks and playboys. And they were not rivals of her house.

“You flatter me too much street rat.” A playful smile crossed her lips as she teased him. “And please do not thieve in my presence. There is plenty to go around.” she gestured to to the room full of waiters with trays of snacks and drinks. “please, help yourself to our abundance.”

Jasmine grabbed a glass of wine as the server went past and handed it to her Aladdin. “Here, this is a nineteen ninety six Château D'angelus Bordeaux. Perfect to warm the spirits of this night of haunting spirits.” she smiled as she watched him nervously take the crystal glass from her.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason was surprised when she handed him the pure crystal wine glass and almost fumbled it. Oh yes that was sure to impress her. Still he may impress her with his knowledge of wines. One of his Fathers friends had owned a winery and he had spent many a year harvesting grapes and learning a thing or two about fine wines from him as he had streamlined his computer system for him, so he was not a country bumpkin when it came to such things. In fact he had actually invested in some wines recommended by him and it just so happened that this was one of them.

He had a case of these stored in the mans cellar and was actually interested in how the flavor had actually improved with age. holding the glass up to the light he swirled it a little and noticed the color had deepened into a fine ruby. he took a small sip and swirled it in his mouth before swallowing and sighed in pleasure.

"Oh this is beautiful. The fruity flavors have developed nicely and that hint of olive and leather has now mellowed and provides a more subtle background taste. I think this has aged rather nicely don't you princess?"

 

[papillon24]

She smiled as he spoke of the sip he had just taken. He had class and wine knowledge.

“That my dear is one of my favorites. I picked it specifically to impress tonight. We have a lot of important guests.”

She sipped her cocktail, enjoying the oak finish on the whiskey and the bite of the ginger beer. She linked her harm around his and leaned into him. Jasmine gestured over to a group. There stood a white haired older woman dressed in a southern hoop skirt standing in close to an even older gentleman in holding an opera mask and a man in his mid fifties who was dressed to the nines in a nineteen sixties red velvet suit.

“You see that woman there?” she spoke low so only he could hear. “That is the president of the alumni association. She is the one that issued my scholarship. And the man next to her is her husband. The man is the dean of admissions. Anyone who goes to the school, their application crossed his desk.”

She nodded to over to another group. “That man,” she pointed to a tall almost fully bald man wearing a black Victorian coat with tails. “That is the president of the school.” She snickered. “I think he looks absurd in that costume, but you didnt hear that from me.”

Jasmine smiled up at him. “this party is my baby every year. I plan and put it all together. If the administrators have a good time here, they are usually more favorable to giving out scholarships. Mostly academic, but some athletic.”

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason was taken aback. So although this party was full of the high and mighty, it was also designed to keep them happy so that they would issue scholarships to those not able to afford to get into such a prestigious school. He started to see this party in a whole new light and he was not liking what he was seeing in terms of what his fraternity was doing.

"So as long as yon Prince and Princesses are kept happy the land is sure to prosper. That seems a little like bribery to me dear lady, but what would a street rat like me know of how the upper society works. I only know how to work hard and try to survive in the world. You dear princess have to swim with these sharks everyday and learn to navigate and survive living with them."

He smiled to dull his words and then took another sip of his wine. "This is a most excellent vintage but not exactly to my taste. Perhaps if it is not to much to ask i could get something more to my unrefined palate. Something in a whiskey perhaps if indeed there is such a drink here tonight," he smiled. "Then you can tell me how you have planned such an enormous undertaking such as this. I have to tell you the place looks fabulous and everyone has certainly put the effort into their costumes, well almost everyone," he said spying a very poorly dressed ghost.

 

[papillon24]

She smiled. There was something about the way her understood her plight. The constant bowing and scraping to the higher ups at this school was exhausting.

"This is a most excellent vintage but not exactly to my taste. Perhaps if it is not to much to ask i could get something more to my unrefined palate. Something in a whiskey perhaps if indeed there is such a drink here tonight," his charming smile almost though her off guard. And his choice of drink....well there was a surprise. Everyone who came always drank Champagne or wine. It at least a martini of some sort. She usually was the only one who drank the brown stuff.

“Follow me this way street rat.” She chuckled to herself as she turned towards the bar. “ it just turns out I too am a fan of the whiskey.” She tilted her glass to him and took a sip. “Harold is the bartender. He can give it to you neat, or mixed. Its really your choice. WE have everything from Jack Daniels all the way up to Laphroaig scotch.”

Jasmine set her almost empty glass on the bar, where Harold replaced it with a full one.“As for pulling this off. It was nothing. Maybe a little magic” She smiled as she took a sip of her fresh drink as she turned to face him

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason followed his princess to the bar and smiled as she told him of the choices of Scotch behind the bar. He was rather impressed with the range and decided to check if they could back up that claim. He had once had a really nice Scotch at a computer conference show and he had always remembered the name of it.

"I will just have a Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch on the rocks. If you are offering a street rat a good drink he may as well take you up on the offer Princess."

He received his drink and sipped it, feeling the smooth liquid hit his taste buds and explode in his mouth. Then the heat hit his belly and the warmth spread throughout his body. "Ah now that is a taste of heaven," he smiled.

Looking around the room he saw all the effort that must have gone into putting this all together. He was starting to have second thoughts about what they were up to, but then noticed how all the guests were just the elite, and were treating the waiters and staff with disdain. He scowled a little but then hid it quickly and turned back to her.

"So princess, Just where is this magical genie of yours? I wouldn't mind having a few of my own wishes granted," he told her giving her a sly wink.

 

[papillon24]

Jasmine smiled at his choice. It was one of her favorites for drinking straight, of at least on completion of a huge assignment or a series of challenging finals. It made her wonder about him more. Which fine fraternity did he belong to? why had she never seen him at another function before?

"Well, There is no genie. Just magic. And what wishes might you have? what secrets are you hiding?" She raised her glass to his and clinked it gently. She glanced around making sure all was running smoothly.

The band picked up with some smooth jazz and it wafted in from the ballroom.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason smiled. If only the princess knew the secrets he was hiding she may not be as willing to share the night with him. However he had a certain feeling about her. Perhaps she was more like him. Choosing to be in a situation to change things from the inside, rather than bitch about it from the outside.

"Well dear Princess, are we talking personal dreams or other types," he asked again with a sly smile and a wink. "My personal wishes may be a little risque for a sensitive flower such as yourself, however my other wishes, well they may be a little tamer."

He began to sway in time with the jazz music coming out of the ballroom. He had always had a soft spot for good Jazz. He liked to listen to Art Blakey and his Jazz messengers, Bird (Charlie Parker) and of course Louis Armstrong. He smiled as he listened and sipped his drink. "Whoever you chose as your band tonight has very good taste, and can actually play well. Would you care to dance while I tell you my tame wishes my Princess," he asked offering her his hand.

 

[papillon24]

She took his hand as they wandered onto the dance floor. Something electric sparked in the connection of their skin. She could feel a warmth build within her with that connection.

The music heavy with feeling and sound of a time long past. The band was a hard one to find in this day and age where everything was filled with heavy bass or way to much technology.

"It takes a lot to make this flower wilt." She lifted her glass to her lips, taking a sip of her drink as the music flowed though her. Many of the older people were paired off dancing to the sounds of another era. "You have no idea how hard it is to find good jazz in a day and age of electronic and country pop." She giggled a bit as she thought about how silly some of the music was. "This band is actually a student band if you can believe it."

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason was surprised at how well she danced to the music. So she did understand it and was not just posing about it. He had met a lot of people like that. Anyone could say they liked Jazz, but if you couldn't dance to it, you didn't really appreciate it properly.

"A student band? Well then I will have to meet them. Anyone that can play this good is certainly worthy of some attention. Maybe I might be able to point them in the direction of some good clubs too. I have found a couple around town that actually play some good Jazz and I think they would fit right in."

Jason was liking this girl and while he had no doubts about spoiling the party for everyone else, he was having doubts about her. Hmm maybe it was time he asked a few questions to see where her loyalties lay.

He looked around lazily sipping his drink and then leaned in close. " I see the elite of the elite are here. Although as this is my first time being here I do have to say I am surprised not to see any elite academic students. I thought they would normally be invited to a shindig like this."

 

[papillon24]

Jasmine was starting to feel the warmth of the alcohol take hold of her. Her inhibitions were a bit lower as she relaxed with this perfect stranger on the dance floor. Her body began to move to the music as she let the smooth sounds of the jazz fill her body and soul. She watched as he did the same thing. Together the moved as if no one in the world was watching them.
It intrigued her about the his interest in the band. The idea that he would help his fellow students get their start in the local clubs in the area. These guys were the best she could find, even outshining the old time jazz bands in the area.

she felt him lean in close. She could feel the tickle of his breath on her ear as he spoke

" I see the elite of the elite are here. Although as this is my first time being here I do have to say I am surprised not to see any elite academic students. I thought they would normally be invited to a shindig like this."

She leaned back speaking as close to his ear as she could. She felt her arm brush his as she did so.

"The elite academic students are invited to things such as this. I personally sent out many invitations to those who received scholarships and personal grants from the members in attendance. Many do not show up to the events. Midterms are right around the corner and many forgo coming to this party to get a few extra hours of studying in."

She stopped as she let her hand rest on his chest as to keep her balance. "There are few academics in their senior year here though since their course load is a bit lighter than the new students. " She glanced over to the corner where a short Asian student was dressed in a dapper pirate costume. "Alex Lim has been a scholarship recipient for years now, but tonight i his first time showing up. I also received the scholarship for academia last year. The only reason I show up is because I planned the event and my house hosts it. If it were not for those two factors, I would be up in my room studying for my Biochemistry Midterm."

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Now Jason was confused. He had been told that no one had ever been invited to one of these parties and that was why they were pranking it, yet his princess was calmly informing him that she had sent off many invitations to scholarship students. Sure a lot of the students in his Fraternity were not scholarship students, but they did have their share. Surely they would have gotten one or two over the years.

Suddenly his mind started to turn over. No wonder their invitations had looked so good, they were probably the real thing supplied by genuine recipients. The reasons freshmen were being used would be because they would not know about the actual facts. Still he needed to make sure of all of this.

"Biochem Princess. Why Beauty and brains, a deadly combination. You will go easy on a poor street rat like myself won't you," he said flashing a quick grin. "Still I am surprised there are not more students from academic Fraternity's here. I would expect at least a few from Kappa Theta Pi. I heard that while they where very highly placed in academics they also enjoyed things like this. Surely members from there were invited," he said while swirling her around on the dace floor, still moving to the music.

 

[papillon24]

She felt herself blush slightly. She was not sure if it was the heat of the room, the drink in her hand or the compliment, but she flashed him a coy smile. She listened as the music began to slow down. Its rhythm pulsed low and floated though the air, lingering amongst the couples on the dance floor.

"Kappa Theta Pi." She spoke slowly, twirling the name in her head and recalling it to the forefront of her memory. "I do believe that some were invited my dear street rat. I address two myself. Although if I remember correctly, this house is a rival with them. Something to do with an evil prank before I joined the house. But still, I know some were invited. I never did get a reply back on if any were going to be in attendance"

She stopped thinking again. The Greek names were a jumble sometimes and a lot to keep track of." Delta Kappa Epsilon was also invited. Courtney as in charge of addressing those. Although we got several formal declines due to a heavy midterm load. The physics department apparently had a brutal midterm schedule."