fandomhigh | Fandom High Graduation Ceremony, Class of 2011, Saturday Early Evening

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!event: graduation

Fandom High Graduation Ceremony, Class of 2011, Saturday Early Evening - Part One!

The ceremony was once again held at sunset for the benefit of the graduates’ less diurnal guests, but the lawn was well-lit with twinkling blue and gold lights draped across bleachers, stage, surrounding trees and specially-assembled trellises, giving the overall effect of a peaceful fairy grove. (Not, say, Las Vegas. Tasteful twinkling lights.)

The staff having taken note of every previous graduation including the most recent, the lights had been purchased from Acme Decorations Studio with a money-back No Coming To Life And Terrorizing Your Party Guests Guarantee... and there was a rather large cache of weapons stashed in a trunk behind the podium. The chance that it would rain toys that could later be used for self-defense was slightly less than the chance that there would be a need for self-defense.

No one could say Fandom High wasn’t a learning experience.

[Open and welcome Class of 2011! Welcome | The Procession | Speeches | Diplomas | OOC]

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"Dinah." He smiled warmly at her. Yes, the reaction was anticipated, but he would explain later. "It is good to see you again.

"It's good to see you too," Dinah said, perplexed, and opening her arms for a hug with a little hesitation, but the smile was wide and real.

He pulled her into a close hug, despite the wormskin shivering at the touch. He would not let the non-human part deny him that. Then he pulled away a little to that he could see her face properly.

"I had to catch up with Ghanima's timeline. It's been a while for me, but not as long for you."

"What? Waaaait." Returning the hug, Dinah blinked, thinking of the things she'd talked about with Ghanima, and trying to do the math in her head, then tilted her head at him. "Wait no! It's been six or seven years for you?"

Jeez, shades of Jak, but at least Leto wanted to hug her when he saw her.

"Eight years." He reached out to pull her hair away from her face. "But now there's no risk time paradox."

He shot a loving glance at Ghanima. "At least that's one thing to make life easier."

Paradoxically, Dinah felt a kind of phantom-missing, knowing how long it had been for him, and how much things could change. "Dude. I'm glad that's over with. I kept wanting to mention Ghanima being engaged... that did still happen, right?" she checked, worried all over again. "You're not from a different timeline than your sister?" She tilted her head into his hand, giving him a wistful smile. "Eight years? Jeez."

"Engaged? I suppose that's a way of putting it." He grinned. "Yes, we are. No secrets are needed anymore."

"Well, whatever Fremen thing you'd call it." Complicated, was what Dinah called it, since Ghanima had both been adamant that it was a political thing, and yet seemed fond of the guy when she mentioned him. "Whew."

Then another hug, and a blink at the sandworms right under her eye. "So okay, can I ask about the new kind of decoration?"

"You can." He had actually considered how to explain it to different people. "I'm no longer completely human. I merged with the sandtrout and started a transformation that has only just begun."

Dinah took a step back, unable not to stare for a minute, realizing just now how completely covered in-- sand trout?-- Leto was. "Wait, I almost remember this. These little guys have something to do with Spice, you mentioned them when we visited Arrakis..." A hesitant finger reached out to touch one, if he let her. "Transformation?" Into what?

"They connect and turn into the sandworms," he said. "And that's what I will be come too, in about four thousand years. That gives me time enough to set humanity on to the right path."

"Wha-uh-whaaa..." That-- was a lot to process all at once. Dinah pinched the bridge of her nose, then stared at Leto's still-bluer-than-blue eyes, and blurted, "You're turning into an immortal sandworm and you're gonna do what?!"

Perhaps it was best to let her process that before going into details.

"Nothing is immortal, Dinah. Everything is in constant change. For me, it's just going to take a lot longer."

"Sandworms are huuuuuge," Dinah said, trying to get her head around this. "You're going to be a baby-sized sandworm..." The most important part of this finally came through, and she asked more quietly, "Why?"

"No other ruler have been able to control the universe for that long. The perspective of a human life time is not enough to bring about the changes necessary to ensure the survival of humanity."

He wasn't sure Dinah would understand.

"You looked ahead, and saw-- this?" Dinah said, remembering all the times he and Ghanima had talked about prescience. The touched a sandtrout on his hand, and then looked at him again. "But..." She squeezed his hand, biting her lip. "Does it hurt?"

"It... doesn't hurt." Physically, because he assumed that was what she was asking. Smiling again, he stroked her cheek. "But how have you been?"

Yes, it was a sudden change of topic and quite deliberate.

That had been what she meant; the rest of it, four thousand years, control of the worlds, changing species... the implications were still sinking in. But if he didn't want to get into it, well. Time to let it go.

Later, she was going to cry that he hadn't told anyone, so she could've tried to talk him out of this.

Now, though, she smiled back, enjoying that touch for what it was; a friend who'd always been touchy, and welcomed it. "I'm good. I love college. I'm learning so much, and from other crimefighters too."

That was all that he meant by it too.

"Living the life you want." He wasn't going to ask if there was anyone she loved as more than a friend. That had been important to her, once.

"Yup. And friends in a BASE-jumping club, and a motorcycle, and a boyfriend..." Dinah looked rueful, and happy, and miles away from the girl who would have been undone by his hand on her cheek. "It's early yet, but. He's sweet. Kyle."

"Good. That's good." The smile he gave her showed that he was truly happy for her. "Are you staying at the hotel while here?"

"Uh-hunh, it 'Dite's old suite, she gave me a key. Seventh floor, you should come by and meet him," Dinah said, taking his hand and swinging it in hers. "You and Ghanima both, if she's not busy with graduation stuff."

"Then I will. I have the room next to Ghani's and you're also welcome to stop by."

He might be more prepared to talk about things in detail in private.

Which would help, yes.

"Definitely seeing you again this weekend, then. One way or another."

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Fandom High Graduation Ceremony, Class of 2011, Saturday Early Evening - Part One!

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