undergrounds | Night Tournament Opening Ceremony

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Every four years the Night Tournament is held in London as a celebration of the physical, mental and magical prowess of its supernatural inhabitants. Over three weeks the chosen competitors will take on various challenges in an effort to be crowned Champions of their species. Tonight, the grand opening ceremony is taking place at the Redbright Institute, where guests can expect a spectacle of magical wonders and of course the parade of this year's competitors.

The ceremony takes place from 8pm-11pm Sunday 6th August. It is being hosted by the school's Chancellor, Sylvia Redbright, accompanied by event organisers Alexandrie Belrose, the Dean, and Yasmine Merad. Guests must have purchased a ticket in order to attend the event, unless of course you are one of the competitors or someone involved in organising the tournament.

Rules of entry
• No weapons. Any weapons or objects that could be used as weapons will be confiscated.
• No drugs or alcohol except that provided at the event. Don't try to sneak any in.
• No violence.

There is security present on the grounds during the event. The school itself is shut. (In fact, if your character is a member of the Redbright Institute, you could have them acting as security if you want.) They will respond to and put a stop to any trouble.

Order of events
The entirety of tonight's ceremony takes place outside in the grounds, namely the football field. There are stands around the field where the audience can watch the show. A number of stewards (student volunteers) will check tickets and direct guests over to the right place. They are also selling a variety of drinks and snacks to cater for all supernatural tastes. Vampires without daylight jewellery are directed through to the "shade zone": a section of the stand which is completely shielded from the sun.

8pm-8.30pm: Redbright Choir
Led by the Head of Music Ms Sandra Ng, the Redbright Choir is comprised of a variety of students representing all supernatural beings coming together to sing in harmony. They are accompanied by a live band.

8.30-9.30pm: Welcome to the Night (nb. sunset is at 8.45pm)
Settle in for one hell of a show. The hour's entertainment, proudly organised and performed by students at the Redbright Institute, features a showpiece from every supernatural type, from witches performing a spectacular light show of magic, meta humans showing off their powers, to werewolves and shapeshifters dancing in fur costumes. The theme again is harmony: the show ends with all performers joining hands in a giant circle on the pitch before performing their final dance.

9.30-9.45pm: Sylvia's Welcome Speech
As the host and sponsor of the Night Tournament, Sylvia will then step up to a podium to say a few words. She talks about (you guessed it) peace and harmony and coming together to celebrate supernatural diversity. She speaks proudly of the Redbright Institute's record of welcoming and teaching any supernatural student, no matter their background. The one thing that does get all the journalists scribbling furiously, however, is a brief mention of the Night Council's new President. Though she doesn't mention him by name, she does say that she welcomes the President's stance on promoting peace and unity.

9.45-10.15pm: The Parade
At last the 16 competitors are introduced one by one. Dressed in spectacular costumes, each competitor gets their own float which makes one round of the field before they all meet in the centre of the pitch. The parade is accompanied by inspiring music and showers of glitter (or is it pixie dust?). Smile and wave, everyone. Smile and wave.

10.15-11pm: General Mingling
Finally, the audience are allowed to invade the pitch where they can mingle with the competitors as they please. Stewards walk around serving more drinks, and there is a live band playing until the end of the event. Stick around to catch some gossip, place a bet on your preferred competitor, or offer support to your favourites.

[OOC: Please see the information post for more details on this event and to ask any questions!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"The hats are what stands out to you?" Natasha asks, but to each his own apparently. If that's what wows Cole, that's what matters. Ghosts have strange priorities at the best times. "I didn't notice them."

"Of course," Cole responds, as if it's obvious. Well, if Natasha didn't notice them, then he needs to point them out.

"You should try and get a look at Mogget. He has a tiny crown." It's just said in a matter of fact tone. Cats are alright, cats in tiny crowns are even better.

"I'll keep an eye open for that." Though Natasha's opinion of a cat in a tiny crown might not be the same as Cole's. Seems sort of cruel to the cat. Of course, Mogget isn't a normal cat. "Thank you, for letting me know."

It's not important, but she's willing to treat it with at least a little seriousness.

Only a little, though.

"So do you know what you're up against in the tournament?"

"I don't," Cole remarks, with a shake of his head. Even if the rankings were posted, Cole has no idea where to seek them out or who to ask in the first place. Still, this doesn't matter.

"I don't think I'm worried, though. I've heard people talking." More like he's been a terrible eavesdropper. It's easy to not be seen when you don't want others to see you. "Isn't the first round combat?"

"So I here. That's one of the reasons I wasn't interested in signing up." She tilts her head a little, then glances around at all the floats and fanfare."Not the biggest one, though."

"What is it, then?" He's being nosy. Cole knows that much. But he likes Natasha. She was nice, she listened, and most importantly, she's also dead. Natasha seems like a nice person to talk to, to learn more about, and to also help out if he possibly can.

"I'm also not big on the publicity," Natasha admits after only a brief moment of hesitation. "I think being on a float might give me hives."

"So many eyes, watching, waiting." That's understandable. He might not feel the same, but he understands why Natasha hesitates. Even some of the people on the floats seemed uncomfortable, and that was before Cole picked up on their feelings with his empathy.

"There are a lot of eyes here. And a lot of judgements attached."

Natasha casts a sideways look, uncertain about the way he says that, but his mean seems sympathetic. She shrugs it off; she doesn't want to give away too much. "There are. Hopefully not too much judgment, but hard to escape the feeling."

If Cole accidentally picks up on a particular fear or worry of Natasha's, he doesn't realize it. They're competing and people can apparently place bets. Of course there would be judgements.

"I wonder how this will end," Cole murmurs, seemingly out of nowhere. "She talked about peace and harmony, but talking's easier than doing. Especially since there's going to be combat."

Peace and harmony between supernatural being but oh by the way the first round's punching? Cole isn't sure how he feels about that.

"Only one way to find out? Sometimes this kind of fighting helps keep people from picking real fights. Healthy competition. At least, that's what they say about the World Cup, isn't it?" She says that, but Natasha doesn't sound entirely convinced. A fight between people like this, people with powers, could easily end badly. "Should I wish you luck?"

"If you want," Cole simply responds, with a bit of a shrug. "I wouldn't mind that."

Mostly because the more he hears people talk, the more he realizes he'll need all the help he can get.

"Good luck." She says it gently, warmly. "I have other friends in this too, so... hopefully it's not as rough as all that."

"I hope your friends do good as well," Cole can't help but remark, with a little nod. "If you tell me who to root for, I'll root for them."

"Evie Frye. The vampire in the gladiator costume." Natasha smiles, indulgent as she glances in the direction of her girlfriend. "If you want to cheer for someone."

He follows her glance, looking over to Evie as well. That...is that clothes she's wearing? That skirt doesn't make any sense, wouldn't the straps get caught on something?

Still, it's not the strangest outfit he's seen tonight so the confused frown fades away as Cole turns back towards Natasha.

"Then if I'm not fighting her, I'll cheer for her." It's said in a very matter of fact tone, as Cole gives Natasha a little nod. "I haven't met her but if it makes you happy, then that's what I'll do."

"Kind of you. As long as the two of you aren't fighting, I'll root for you. Sound fair?" His simple honesty puts Natasha a little off guard. It's not what she's used to, or what she expected. "You should talk to her sometime. She's like me."

Dead too, Natasha means.

There's a pause while Cole tries to realize what Natasha means. Like her? That...oh. She's also dead.

Well, that's all the more reason to talk to her.

"Do you know any other people like us?"

"More vampires than ghosts." For obvious reasons, she figures. They're easier to find, tend to stick around more than ghosts. "Most of the ghosts I've seen were the short term kind. They tended to move on once whatever problem was keeping them around was resolved. Not quite the same for you?"

"I don't know what my problem is in the first place." Sorry Natasha. Cole really doesn't have a damn clue why he's hanging around here looking sad.

"Maybe you're better off that way?" Not knowing doesn't seem to have made him happier, but she doubts knowing would save that. Natasha probably ought to hope for him to move on, but Natasha's views on that are probably different than most people's. For her, there's nothing left after death.

"Perhaps," Cole simply answers. "I don't have problem but I have a purpose. Perhaps that could work instead."

"Might work better. I'd rather have a purpose than a problem." That's not hard to say; the honesty comes easily just then. "If I got the choice."

Night Tournament Opening Ceremony

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