Cupid's Ball (open to all)

((This is going to be an extremely long post.)

After he got done doing the one song he put down his guitar and went to get a drink. After he got said drink he went back up to the band and started to talk to them again and the conductor. After a few minutes they went their ways and Shuda was just smiling. Now it was time go to all out. He went and talk to one of the and members and after he talked to the person that one got off stage and ran into the back as if to get something. After a few short minutes he came back out with another guitar case, he brought it over to Shuda and he nodded. "Thanks man that will nicely. Now all of you know what we are about to do right?" They all nodded and smiled. They knew that this was going to be fun night. Shuda went back to the mic and nodded at the conductor and with that the conductor started the orchestra started to play and he started to sing as the rest of the band started to play as well, with him playing his guitar.

I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away and dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Well, every moment spent with you
Is a moment I treasure

(Chorus)
I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing

Lying close to you
Feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming
Wondering if it's me you're seeing
Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we're together
And I just wanna stay with you
In this moment forever, forever and ever

(chorus)
I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
I don't wanna miss one smile
I don't wanna miss one kiss

Well, I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just wanna hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time

(Chorus)
Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
'Cause I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing

I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep, yeah
I don't wanna miss a thing
I don't wanna miss a thing

After that song was done he put his down guitar and went over to the other case, He opened the case and pulled out an acoustic guitar, while one of the band member ran and grabbed a stool for Shuda to sit on. After the stool was put on the stage Shuda sat down and started to tune the guitar. The odd thing was that he did not use any instruments to tune it he was doing it by ear. After he was done tuning it he put his hands on the mic to adjust it to be close to his mouth. With everything ready he looked at the band, he nodded and started to play with the band slowly following him. The conductor took his cue and started to make the violinist start to play as well.

And Id give up forever to touch you
cause I know that you feel me somehow
Youre the closest to heaven that ill
Ever be
And I dont want to go home right now

And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
cause sooner or later its over
I just dont want to miss you tonight

And I dont want the world to see me
cause I dont think that theyd
Understand
When everythings made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

And you cant fight the tears that aint
Coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything feels like the movies
Yeah you bleed just to know youre alive

And I dont want the world to see me
cause I dont think that theyd
Understand
When everythings made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

And I dont want the world to see me
cause I dont think that theyd
Understand
When everythings made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

And I dont want the world to see me
cause I dont think that theyd
Understand
When everythings made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am.

After he got done with the second song he got up and put the guitar down as he got another drink before sitting back down and he looks at the band. "Ready?" he asked them. "Of course lets do this." Shuda chuckled as he nodded and started to play again with the drummer backing him up. about 30 seconds into the songs the rest of the band started to get in.

We got the afternoon,
You got this room for two,
One thing I've left to do,
Discover me,
Discovering you.

One mile to every inch of,
Your skin like porcelain,
One pair of candy lips and,
Your bubblegum tongue.

Cause if you want love,
We'll make it,
Swim in a deep sea,
Of blankets,
Take all your big plans,
And break 'em,
This is bound to be a while.

Your body is a wonderland,
Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands),
Your body is a wonderland.

Something 'bout the way the hair falls in your face,
I love the shape you take when crawling towards the pillowcase,
You tell me where to go and,
Though I might leave to find it,
I'll never let your head hit the bed,
Without my hand behind it.

You want love,
We'll make it,
Swim in a deep sea,
Of blankets,
Take all your big plans,
And break 'em,
This is bound to be a while.

Your body is a wonderland,
Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands),
Your body is a wonderland.

Damn baby,
You frustrate me,
I know you're mine, all mine, all mine
But you look so good it hurts sometimes.

Your body is a wonderland,
Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands),
Your body is a wonderland,
Your body is a wonderland.

He just looked over at Seleen when he was done with that song and just chuckled at little seeing how embarrassed she was. And then with that he started with the next song letting his hands glide across the next of the guitar as he strummed it. The band came in when they needed to for this song they have heard it many a times.

What day is it
and in what month,
this clock never seemed so alive...
I can't keep up,
and I can't back down,
I've been losing so much time.

'Cause it's you and me,
and all other people with nothing to do, nothing to lose.
And it's you and me,
and all other people.
And I don't know why,
I can't keep my eyes off of you...

Of all other things,
I just want to say that you're still coming all right.
I'm tripping on words,
You've got my head spinning and I don't know where to go from here.

'Cause it's you and me,
and all other people with nothing to do, nothing to prove.
And it's you and me,
and all other people.
And I don't know why,
I can't keep my eyes off of you...

There's something about you now,
that I can't quite figure out.
Everything she does is beautiful,
And everything she does is right.

'Cause it's you and me,
and all other people with nothing to do, nothing to lose.
And it's you and me,
and all other people.
And I don't know why,
I can't keep my eyes off of

You and me,
and all other people with nothing to do, nothing to prove.
And it's you and me,
and all other people.
And I don't know why,
I can't keep my eyes off of you...


What day is it
and in what month,
this clock never seemed so alive...

All the while as he was singing he was looking at Seleen when he was not taking a peek at the guitar. So after that song he just stayed there sitting down. He patted the guitar to state they were going to keep on going and with that he started up again. This time it was the band that back him up including the orchestra.

The strands in your eyes
That color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains
Thrust towards the sky
Never revealing their depth

Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated,
I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows
Of heartache that hang from above

I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

Rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival
You're my living proof
My love is alive and not dead

Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated
I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows
Of heartache that hang from above

I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

I've dropped out
Burned up
Fought my way back from the dead
Tuned in
Turned on
Remembered the things you said

I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of you life

After he got done he got up and put down the guitar to get a drink again before talking to the band. He said a few words and they just looked at him funny. "Trust me this is going to be funny." He just chuckled because if Seleen was not embarrassed now she will be when he got done with this song. He sat back down and picked up the guitar again. "To all I am sorry but there is a song that I have to do." And with that he strums the acoustic guitar.

I wanna make you smile whenever you're sad
Carry you around when your arthritis is bad
All I wanna do is grow old with you

I'll get your medicine when your tummy aches
Build you a fire if the furnace breaks
Oh it could be so nice, growing old with you

I'll miss you
Kiss you
Give you my coat when you are cold

Need you
Feed you
Even let ya hold the remote control

So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink
Put you to bed if you've had too much to drink
I could be the man who grows old with you
I wanna grow old with you

After he was done he could not hold it in anymore and he started to laugh. He had heard that song once before a while back, so he decided to sing it. The rest of the band all the while that song was being sung were trying so hard not to laugh it was after the song that people could hear Shuda and the band laughing. After a few minutes the laughing stopped and Shuda put the acoustic guitar back into its case he would need it later. He moved the stool so he would not trip on it and then got his guitar back around his shoulder. "Ready?" the band just nodded and for some off reason they all had kazoos. He started to strum with the bend starting with him.

Moving Forward Using All My Breath,
Being Friends With You Was Never Second Best,
And I Saw The World Crashing All Around Your Face,
Never Really Knowing It Was Always Mesh And Lace.

I'll Stop The World And Melt With You
You've Seen The Difference And It's Getting Better All The Time
And There's Nothing You And I Won't Do
I'll Stop The World And Melt With You

(you Should Know Better) Dream Of Better Lives The Kind Which Never Hate
(you Should See) Trapped In A State Of Imaginary Grace
(you Should Know Better) I Made A Pilgrimage To Save This Human's Race
(you Should See) Never Comprehending A Race That's Long Gone By

(let's Stop The World) I'll Stop The World And Melt With You
(let's Stop The World) You've Seen The Difference And It's Getting Better All The Time
And There's Nothing You And I Won't Do
(let's Stop The World) I'll Stop The World And Melt With You

The Future's Open Wide

I'll Stop The World And Melt With You
(i'll Stop The World) You've Seen Some Changes And It's Getting Better All The Time
And There's Nothing You And I Won't Do
(i'll Stop The World) I'll Stop The World And Melt With You

The Future's Open Wide

I'll Stop The World
I'll Stop The World
I'll Stop The World

I'll Stop The World And Melt With You
(i'll Stop The World) You've Seen The Difference And It's Getting Better All The Time
And There's Nothing You And I Won't Do
(i'll Stop The World) I'll Stop The World And Melt With You

I'll Stop The World And Melt With You (i'll Stop The World And Melt With You)
I'll Stop The World And Melt With You (i'll Stop The World And Melt With You)

He put the Kazoo into his pocket before putting his guitar down and he gets up. He took another sip of his drink. Heck he has been up for over an hour so far, so his throat was a little dry. He started to walk over to the conductor saying something to him. The conductor considered what Shuda was talking about before pointing to one of the violinist. The guy pointed to himself and the conductor nodded. With that the guy came down carrying two cases. Shuda talked to the violinist and the guy just nodded. The violinist ran up the stage and opened up one of the case pulling out an electric violin. All Shuda could do is smile and chuckle. He got back up on stage looking at everyone making sure they were ready for the next song. When everyone was he started to strum and he started to sing. A couple of seconds into the song there was an odd sound coming from the speakers. If people were to look at the stage the violinist was playing on his electric violin.

Turn it inside out so I can see
The part of you that's drifting over me
'Cause when I look you're, you're never there
But when I sleep you're, you're everywhere
You're everywhere
Tell me how I got this far
Tell me why you're here and who you are
'Cause every time I look
You're never there
And every time I sleep
You're always there
'Cause you're everywhere to me
And when I close my eyes it's you I see
You're everything I know
That makes me believe
I'm not alone
I recognize the way you make me feel
It's hard to think that
You might not be real
I sense it now, the water's getting deep
I try to wash the pain away from me
Away from me
'Cause you're everywhere to me
And when I close my eyes it's you I see
You're everything I know
That makes me believe
I'm not alone
I'm not alone
And when I touch your hand
It's then I understand
The beauty that's within
It's now that we begin
You always light my way
There never comes a day
No matter where I go
I always feel you so
'Cause you're everywhere to me
And when I close my eyes it's you I see
You're everything I know
That makes me believe
I'm not alone
You're everywhere to me
And when I catch my breath
It's you I breathe
You're everything I know
That makes me believe
I'm not alone
You're in everyone I see
So tell me
Do you see me?

After the song was done he just smiled. He took off his guitar and put it back in its case before walking around the stage shaking hands with the violinist as the violinist was putting up his instrument. After about ten minutes he went the conductor and talked with him. The conductor nodded and got his people ready.He went back to the stage and talked to the band. They shook hands before getting back to their instruments getting ready for another song. "Well ladies and gentlemen I thank you for listening to me sing. But it is now time to do the last and I am getting off the stage. He went over to pickup the acoustic guitar and pulling the stool that he sat on earlier to the mic. He sat down and looked at everyone before started making sure everything was ready.

He puts his fingers on the strings as his other hand it used all fingers to strum the guitar.

"A hundred days had made me older since the last time that I saw your pretty face
A thousand lights had made me colder and I dont think I can look at this the same"

The conductor raises his hands and the violinist start to play.

"But all the miles had separate
They disappeared now when Im dreaming of your face"

The base player comes in.

"Im here without you baby but your still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby and I dream about you all the time
Im here without you baby but your still with me in my dreams
And tonight its only you and me"

The drummer starts playing.

"The miles just keep rolling as the people either way to say hello
I hear this life is overrated but I hope it gets better as we go"

"Im here without you baby but your still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby and I dream about you all the time
Im here without you baby but your still with me in my dreams
And tonight girl its only you and me"

Shuda looks down at his guitar before coming back up and singing into the mic.

"Everything I know, and anywhere I go
It gets hard but it wont take away my love
And when the last one falls, when its all said and done
It get hard but it wont take away my love"

He just keeps singing with the backup people just looking at Seleen. as the final verse comes up everyone plays a little louder.

"Im here without you baby but your still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby and I dream about you all the time
Im here without you baby but your still with me in my dreams
And tonight girl its only you and me"

After he got done he got up and bowed and talked into the mic. "Thank you all and have a happy Valentines day." With that he again shakes the hands of the band and conductor before putting the guitar back up and giving it to one of the band members. He just started to up his stuff before heading back to Seleen.

Seleen was what some would call a metal head. She loved heavy metal music. Death metal, grunge metal, hair bands, glam rock, it was all in her MP3 player all the time. So when Shuda started to sing Aerosmith, she wanted to melt. That was one of her top five favorite bands. She couldn't help but smile. It was perfect. She sat in her chair and swayed slightly to the music.

The next song he was playing for her was Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls. She was a fan of the Goo Goo Dolls as well, after all, not everything she listened to was metal. She found herself tapping her fingers on the table to the drum beat. The back beat of the song was awesome. During the instrumental break she even closed her eyes and bobbed her head to the beat. Her movements were slight and hopefully unnoticed by others as she hoped her boyfriend was the center of attention at the moment.

The next song was something new for her. She would have to add this to her MP3 player. She didn't usually listen to John Mayer. But this was a lovely song and the fact that Shuda was singing it to her made it that much more beautiful. She had heard it before so during the chorus' she sang along. "You're body is a wonderland ..." She was singing at barely above a whisper. She wasn't like Venis and Tasha and JonLouis and evidently now Shuda. She didn't have it in her to perform in public.

Now Lifehouse she had in her MP3 player. But not this one. She had seen the video once or twice before they had left Earth. She liked the song, so now she would be adding it to her MP3 player too. She was swaying to the music from her seat. This whole thing was so sweet, and she loved watching people dance to Shuda's singing. As she listened to him and watched him she couldn't help but think about how much she wanted to hear him play the music she got him for Christmas.

As the next song started she caught her breath. Never mind how that action went with the song. This was one of her all time favorite Goo Goo Dolls songs. She mouthed the words along with his singing. A blood tear began to roll down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away. She would never be able to wipe the smile from her face again.

"Oh God's ..." Was she hearing things or was he playing Adam Sandler? She had seen every Adam Sandler movie ever, he was one of her favorite actors. And that list included The Wedding Singer. She wanted to crawl under the table. She put her elbow on the table and rested her forehead in her hand and laughed.

The next song he sag for her made her want to get up and dance. It was a faster cover of a song she loved already. There were some of Venis' men and some women standing in a group out on the floor dancing to the fast paced song. So she got up and joined the crowd. As she danced and laughed all she could think was that she was going to break her neck in the heels she was wearing. But how could she not dance. Even if this was the Bowling for Soup version, it was still an awesome song.

She went and sat back down after the song was over. He played Yellowcard next. She was drumming on the table again and slightly head banging to the song. They could have gotten away with a mosh pit for this song, but heels and a formal ball gown were not indicative of a mosh pit. But a few bars into the song she figured forget it. She got up and ran over to Joseph and Shamus. The three of them started to mosh and it only took a few minutes before they had a little pit going as more employees joined in. It was great.

She sat back down as he started playing 3 Doors Down. She smiled as she thought to herself that he was never going to be here without her. It was so sweet. She just sat there and smiled while he sang, she moved her head a little to the beat of the song. She did kind of hope that this was his last song. She was a little embarrassed because he was singing to her. She hated being the center of attention.

It was! He was headed back to her now. She rose up from her seat and stepped closer to him. When he was close enough she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. She didn't care who saw what she was doing. She let her tongue part his lips and go in search of his own. She held him close and kissed him deeply for several minutes. Once she broke the kiss she looked into the flames of his sexy red eyes. "I love you baby. Thank you." Another chaste kiss before it was time for them to sit down again.

He just chuckles "Of course I will be behave." He took her hand looking down at the ring. He knew what it was but he was not going to say anything. He pulled he up and put his hand on her waist. "Now tell me my dear why are you alone?"

Once he was finally able to breath from the kiss that Seleen gave him, he just chuckled. "You are welcome dear. I thought you might like it. I mean since you have not seen me play I thought this might be a good time to do it." He just held her hand as they sat back down. The little heart bottle was sitting there at his side. He picked it up and opened it. It did smell sweet, and he was thirsty so he decided to drink it.

Tasha smiled at him when he said he would behave. Did she believe him, a little. She had one hand in his and his other hand was on her waist. As they danced he asked a question of her. And oddly enough there was a simple answer. "Because he ..." She looked at her amethyst. "Had better things to do. But that's just the way it is." Did that fact bother her? It broke her heart.

She wasn't going to tell him that the drink had started to make her feel all warm and tingly. Maybe it was the drink that had inspired her to get up and dance with a group of people. It had to be the drink that made her start a mosh pit in a ball gown and heels. "I loved it baby. And I love you." She kissed him again after he had drank his drink and then leaned her head against his shoulder for a while.

Isah caught one of the servants and asked them to get Kyra something to drink as he sat down with her. The other men had drank their little heart shaped bottles earlier. So they were starting to feel even more brave than before. And all the young children had gone to bed. So they were getting a little more free in their flirting and enjoyment of the evening. Some would even say the men had become bold.

The men had also all raided the baskets of bracelets from Kyra. Jorge even grabbed three extra so his three kids could get one as well. All the men had one now, and the married ones had even gotten some for their families. They figured they would thank her later when they saw her again.

Venis had Kahn had been spending a lot of time on the dance floor. It had been years that they were apart and they had a whole lot of time still left to make up for. So that was where they were again. Nothing made Venis happier than being in her husbands arms. She wondered if her Granddaughter had the talent of picking up on the emotions of others. It wasn't very strong in Dre, but it could still show up in Kyra. Maybe someday she would get a chance to find out.

But in all honesty, she hoped that it didn't. She would hate for her Granddaughter to go through what she went through every day. What she was going through now. Someone was scared somewhere, or maybe not scared, just had a feeling they were in danger. But for some reason, she was having trouble focusing on them. There was more dread on Valentines Day than there was at Christmas time. But this person was standing out from the crowd. Why couldn't she focus on them? It was driving the Goddess crazy.

JonLouis had asked the band and the orchestra to rearrange the play list. He knew Bo was getting anxious and there were some other things that he knew people wanted to do. So that put his song that he had chosen to dance with Casandra to, next.

He returned to the table and bowed to the Marques. "Excuse me, but Casandra, may I have this dance?" He offered her his hand. He lead her to the dance floor. He placed one hand upon her waist and the other hand held hers. The song was mostly instrumental, and it was rather fast. "Trust me to lead. I will not let you slip away." It wasn't quite a waltz.

They spun around the dance floor in large sweeping steps to the slightly accelerated beat of the music. He figured that she was not used to dancing like this, but it fit the music. And when the lyrics finally began ...

"il y a personne à gauche dans le monde sur lequel je peux me tenir
il y a vraiment personne est parti du tout là est seulement toi
et si vous me laissez maintenant
vous laissez tous que nous avons été défaits
il y a vraiment personne vous a laissé sont le seul

et la pièce la plus dure pour que vous mettiez toujours votre confiance dans moi
je t'aime plus que moi peux dire pourquoi vous ne croire juste?"

There was more music after the lyrics but when the song ended he returned her to the Marques side. "Thank you for the dance." Then he again returned to Belle and sat back down with her.

((Lyrics And Cas, that's your cue to sing. We can get this done in the morning.))

When Casandra had gotten up to sing, Bo walked Alyssa out onto the floor. That little heart shaped bottle from Epiphany had given him even more courage for what he was about to do. They danced a Tennessee Waltz to the song. And Bo really was counting in his head 'left two three, right two three.' He wasn't used to this dance.

He mouthed the words to Alyssa as they danced. And during the last you in the song he dipped her. She was all giggles and laughter. She was ready to walk off the dance floor when he took her hand in his and stopped her. He gave the slightest tug to get her to turn and look at him. Then they both hugged Casie and thanked her for the beautiful song that she sang for them

And when she did, he dropped to one knee. He held her left hand in his as he dug into his pocket. "Alyssa, you have been the light of my life for five years. You have been my rock through so much. And I hope and pray that I have been the same for you." His hand went into his breast pocket and he pulled out a little brown elephant. Alyssa collected elephants.


Alyssa gasped as she looked at the cute little brown elephant. Bo smiled as tears began to stream from her eyes. "Baby, just like an elephant never forgets, I will never forget that your love means the world to me, and I will spend the rest of my life working to be worthy of your love." He flipped open the box, he had practiced flipping it open like that.

The ring inside was a diamond and sapphire ring set in platinum. Sapphire was the birthstone of both Alyssa's parents and blue was her favorite color. "Alyssa, my love, will you marry me?" He held the box up closer for her to see the ring better. He had a look in his eyes that said that if she said no he was going to cry and or pass out.


Alyssa's eye were filled with tears as she took the little box and nodded. That was all she could do was nod. Over and over again. Bo reached up and took the ring from the box as she held it and he slipped it on her left ring finger. Then he stood up and kissed her deeply and passionately. Then they returned to their seats as some of the women were gathering to see the ring. They knew where he got it from, they were dying to see the design.

Sometime during one of the dances Inion slipped a small box with a little note into one of Leo's pockets. Luckly for her it was not the pocket he had been trying to keep away from her. She had figured sometime during the evening he would find the box, the more of a surprise the better.

They all watched as Casandra sing and the young man proposed to his lovely lady. Inion rested her head on Leo's shoulder. She loved romance, a tragic romantic at heart, the more 'ahhhh so sweet' it was, all the better. She did have a moment of saddness as she thought of Aiden, she could sense him somewhere nearby, but a deep sigh and she shifted her mood. She was going to enjoy the evening no matter whay.

(What was in the box for Leo. a pair of pearl cuff links and a note.
"Thank you for a wonderful evening. "
I little heart with fairy wings in place of a name.