Pharaoh and Harpy Queen Arrives

Yugi and Mai walked into the hall together. They did not have to wait long for their turn at taking their prom photographs.

"Um... I can't fit both of you in the photograph."

"WHAT," Yugi and Mai said in unison.

"The far shot seems awkward enough, but the height difference between you two makes it difficult to get the close up. How about you stand on this?" He took a plant off of a metal stand and pulled it over. Yugi could see that it stood higher than he knew that he could lift his leg. When he pushed his hand against it and it rocked.

Mai looked down at Yugi, "I am not letting you get hurt on that." Yugi nodded his agreement. She angrily arched her eyebrows as she turned back to the photographer.

He pointed to Mai, "How about crouching-?"

Mai was angry, "How dare you-!"

Yugi kicked the stand over, "OPPS!" The clanging sound was so loud, that everyone in the area looked at them. Mai started to get nervous, as she noticed all of the eyes on her.

"Smile," the photographer yelled. Mai instinctively smiled and posed before the flash went off. Mai looked around again and see that everyone was still starring. It was a stare she was not used to. They were not stares to suggest her beauty or even ones that suggested her fashion choices were odd. All the other prom goers were looking at her as if she was old. Mai was not THAT old, but being half a lifetime older than Joey, did make her old to everyone around her. She knew she did not talk or walk like 'the kids' around her. On the inside, she maybe was still as confused as the rest of them are, but at her age she had the grace for not cracking under most pressures. As she turned to her left, she saw Joey in the distance, in the ballroom. He was dancing with his sister. Their happiness was something she knew she could never have. Not the notion of a moment of happiness, but the opportunity to have the happy life she always dreamed of.

"Are you ready, Mai?" Mai looked down and saw Yugi's outstretched hand. She nervously reached down and held it. Yugi's voice was sweet, "You know, ...going to the prom is your choice. You don't have to go if you don't want to." Mai's eyes widened a bit. She finally got what Yugi had meant. She turned and started running toward the exit, hand in hand with Yugi. Everyone was staring at them, but they could care less. They both smiled as they each flung open a door. They were not escaping, but rather owning their freedom to take over the night.