Game Opening: May Ball

[undergroundmods]

LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED.

"" (Watch on YouTube)

It had to be done.

Welcome all to the Redbright Institute's May Ball! This evening is a celebration of the Institute's achievements over the past year. Students aged 16 and above can attend on their own, while younger students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Meanwhile, friends and guests of the Institute are invited as a gesture of friendship and harmony between the various factions.

Rules and etiquette
• This is a black tie event. Formal attire is required.
• No weapons. This is a school, there are children present. Any weapons or objects that could be used as weapons will be confiscated.
• No drugs or alcohol. Obviously. Don't try to sneak any in.
• No violence.

There is security within the school and present at the event. (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.

Places to go
The main action takes place in the large Assembly Hall. This is where the Chancellor Sylvia Redbright will give her address. It's also where you can party later on. The disco is family-friendly – not exactly a rave, but the kids will love it.

Drinks and snacks are available in the dining hall. The drinks are non-alcoholic. Vampires, no need to worry about your cravings: blood cocktails are provided! They're given in good faith on the assumption that you won't be snacking on anyone else tonight.

Just off the dining hall, one of the classrooms has been converted into a chill-out area. The lights are off, the desks and chairs have been replaced by beanbags and there's a table in the corner with a chocolate fountain, marshmallows and strawberries. A video of young witches taking part in various night-time rituals (they mostly seem to involve chanting and bonfires) plays silently on the screen.

One of the lecture theatres has been opened up to showcase students' work from the past year. On the screen you can watch a slideshow of notable events and achievements. Strangely enough there aren't many people in this room.

Outside, there is a giant chessboard on the lawn. The pieces are made of plastic and can easily be moved around. Why, you ask? Why not, is the answer.

Finally, a large marquee has been set up in the quad. This is the adults-only area, with wine and cocktails served at the bar, nibbles available at a few high tables dotted around and a sophisticated atmosphere. No children under 18 allowed. (Note that the legal drinking age is 18.)

Timeline of events
20:00 – Doors open.
20:57 – Sunset.
21:15 – Sylvia Redbright makes her address in the Assembly Hall.
22:00 – Disco in the Assembly Hall. The DJ has atrocious taste.
01:00 – Disco stops. The event officially ends.

Comments

[kleptofaeniac]

Chill out Area:

Kenzi needed a touch up and decided the best place to do that would be the converted classroom. The bathroom was just too busy, as always. Not that she could judge at all on that. She'd decided to take a seat in one of the bean bags and fumbled through her purse for her mascara and lip liner before making the few re-adjustments she wanted.

And then she found out why girls wearing six inch heels didn't sit in bean bags. Like, ever. Because she couldn't fucking move.

Kenzi struggled to roll out of the bean bag's black hole like bean bagginess. But it was not working. At all.

After fidgeting and trying to climb out of the hole she had made for herself until she was out of breath, Kenzi finally surrendered her pride (as if she had any left) and shouted for help, flailing all the while.

"I'm stuck! Help!"

Chill out Area v. 2:

Kenzi isn't stupid enough to go around dealing and hooking people up with trinkets and charms in the very school run by the one person who hates her type the most. And the one person who owns the very party she is crashing - well, not technically, she does have an invitation. Just...well, Kenzi doesn't think she would have gotten that invite if anyone knew she was part of Circle Midnight.

Which is something she will try to keep quiet. But you can't make a profit without getting your name out there. Kenzi is, instead of selling merch, handing out business cards.

There was no name, no address. Just a London telephone number and a simple blurb:

Sundries, Spells and Solutions

Kenzi liked alliteration, what could she say?

Assembly Hall:

Kenzi hides her combined alarm and exasperation at Sylvia's announcement - it wasn't expected, but it wasn't surprising either. The woman had power, and she was technically the mother of All witches.

Not everyone liked their mom, though.

As Sylvia finished up, Kenzi parted people around her like a bullet going through butter, cutting straight to the bar Sylvia had just mentioned. This takeover of hers could be bad for business.

Chessboard:

Kenzi might have had a few drinks. Or ten. It's hard to tell. She's Russian and has the tolerance to prove it. Regardless of how drunk she might be, Kenzi has stopped doing business and has found the giant chessboard.

After marveling at the warlock chess in front of her like in Henry Clay and the Wizard's Pebble, Kenzi locked eyes on the person on the other side and smiled like she has some kind of secret. Maybe blackmail, who knows, and, in a very robotic voice said:

"Shall we play a game?"

She watched a lot of 80's movies, so sue her.

Marquee:

After Sylvia Redbright dropped her figurative bomb, Kenzi made a beeline to the bar and sat down on the first empty stool she could find, regardless if it belong to someone before she got there.

"Vodka, straight."

What a night.

Closed for Derek

Kenzi showed up fashionably late, as usual, about fifteen minutes before the address to the party by Sylvia. Before venturing off into the party she turned to speak to her 'plus one'.

"Don't bite anyone's face off if they talk to you, okay? People know we're here together."

"I mean not...together together. That'd be like going on a date with a wall."

Kenzi snorts and rolls her eyes at the idea. Unfortunately for her, the image - while amusing - is ruined as her eye-roll ends in the general direction of Derek's face. Which makes her smile drop instantly as she tries to backpedal as quickly as possible.

"A very....scowly, tall... wall."

She can hear how badly she's trying to take that back.

[acrookedchild]

"She'll take a vodka martini," Abigail said when the bartender stared a little. That seemed to satisfy the man somewhat, though he still gave the both of them a strange look as he went to mix it up. "Oh, on my Tab.

For her part, Abby looked at the other girl. "This isn't the place to order shots."

[kleptofaeniac]

Kenzi immediately turns to look at Abigail as alarmed as she would have if Abigail had just appeared out of thin air.

"J'scuse? It's a school function, I think that's shot-worthy."

Still, Kenzi isn't going to turn her nose up at an easily customized drink. She looks from Abby to the bartender and smiles at him like she knows that's how to get what she wants.

"Just make it super dry, pal."

[acrookedchild]

"Keep ordering shots and you can see how quickly you get thrown out."

It's a lesson she learned from her parents. Someone clearly just after booze was usually sent away pretty quickly. Someone only drinking champagne and wine was more easily tolerated, but straight liquor was looked down upon in this sort of venue.

It's the nature of a party like this. And it says a lot that this girl thinks she can just skate by ordering drinks like it's a club. Still, that means she's not from around here. Which means she's got a reason to be here. Then again, so does everyone.

That's why it's best to be social at a party like this.

[kleptofaeniac]

"I'm being practical."

Kenzi says it as if it's both obvious and shameful that it isn't a more popular choice. Which to her, it really is.

"Cutting out the middle man that is juice and all those other frills."

You'd think rich old fogies would think that was more admirable than something to condemn.

[acrookedchild]

"Look around you." There's a bit of humour to Abby's voice because, well, she gets the point. It is practical. Not to her tastes, but practical. Then again, maybe it is. After all, she drinks wine. No filler there. "What about this party says practical?"

It was a society event. High standard dress code, multiple venues for multiple purposes. 'Practical' didn't fit, and if it didn't fit, it was 'other.' And most often? 'Other' wasn't tolerated for too long.

[kleptofaeniac]

"Touche."

It was possibly the singular most reluctant agreement she'd ever give Abigail for the night. But she wasn't arguing. After all, wasn't that one of the reasons she made marks of rich jerkoffs the most? Lots of money and lots of swag and a thousand different reasons to show it off?

But honestly, she liked being 'other'.

"But why else do you think a low-class shot drinker like me was invited?"

The digs at herself are pointed and it's obvious she's directing them at Abigail. And Kenzi is more than aware it was an "open" invitation. But honestly, why else would it be so "come one come all" if not to laugh and joke about the little people who were uncultured animals?

[acrookedchild]

Abby didn't bother to disguise the rolling of her eyes. The martyr act was old already. After all, she drank shots. Just not at a party like this. This was an entirely different sort of affair.

"For the same reason I was allowed in. To give people something to talk about."

She knew that was why most of those around glanced at her. There was something almost sacrilegious about seeing a Widdowson in Redbright. They were an old, dark family, and this institution expressly forbade dark magic. Which was why she'd hoped to get lessons here. She could split her time that way, but Sylvia had suggested a coven.

Abigail took a sip of her wine and shrugged her shoulders.

"Personally, I prefer to infuriate them by disappointing their need for entertainment."

[kleptofaeniac]

Kenzi sees that eye-roll missy. She sees it and ... isn't going to say a damn thing because she knows the martyr thing is tired. Which was partially why she'd done it in the first place.

But the fact Abigail wasn't invited as a part of the 'in' crowd. That was interesting.

"Oh, really? That whole 'cursed family' thing an attraction with the locals?"

She was genuinely curious so she made a priority of making sure she didn't sound condescending.

chill out #1

[nestinghabits]

With as many supernatural beings gathered together as there are here tonight, Clint had figured there might be trouble. It's something he's become very attuned to over the years; and while he's pretty good at avoiding it when he wants to, he's equally as skilled at getting himself stuck right in the thick of things.

When he hears a woman cry for help in one of the open classrooms, he's definitely going to come to her aid. What he sees when he gets there, however, causes him to stop short. His stifled laugh comes out as more of a snort.

"So who decided that beanbags and formal wear were a good combination?" Despite his amusement, he doesn't hesitate to offer Kenzi a hand.

[kleptofaeniac]

She was starting to think she knew how a coyote felt before chewing their leg off in a trap before the cavalry arrived. Kenzi is more than willing to overlook the laughter - because honestly this is pretty hilarious. If only it weren't happening to her.

"No idea. But clearly they're a sadist 'cause this is the worst."

She finishes her complaint just as she pulls herself out of the vacuous bean bag and smooths out her dress. Thank God she was wearing something long to this shindig otherwise this would have been a lot more embarrassing.

Kenzi huffs out a relieved breath and smiles gratefully. "My hero."

[nestinghabits]

"I don't know... so far this night has been pretty sucky. Saving the day is always a good way to turn things around." He's not really aware of all of the political intrigue going on in this place, but he could tell from the atmosphere that some people considered the Chancellor's speech to be a pretty big deal. Aside from that, though, he's kind of bored. Formal events aren't his thing.

"Sorry for laughing, by the way." He knows enough about women that it might have been a bad decision, even if he hadn't really been able to help it. Some of the ones he's known in the past would have punched him in the face.

[kleptofaeniac]

Kenzi flaps a hand dismissively at him and the smile shifts to something much less appropriate for a formal event like this.

"Eh, I would have taken a picture if I were you. S'all good."

Really, she would have. And potentially tried to blackmail whatever poor sod she found floundering in the chair.

She hold out her hand for a shake, and offers her name instead of the more polite "nice to meet you" option.

"Kenzi."

[nestinghabits]

"I thought about it, for a moment! But with my luck, I'd end up getting cursed, or bitten, or turned into a rat or something." A grin breaks out across his face. Nothing creepy, just genuinely amused. He shakes her hand when it's offered.

"Clint Barton."

[kleptofaeniac]

Kenzi pulls a pouting frown and shrugs, as if she's considering the choice of animal before returning back to her smile.

"Eh. Rat's a bit cliched. On the same level as toad in my opinion."

Not that she'd ever been able to turn anyone into an animal. That was a higher level of arcane magic she didn't have access to. Not yet at least.

[nestinghabits]

"Yeah, but those are the classics. Some of the stuffier, older ladies around here are probably pretty fond of that kind of thing." Like he really has any room to go around calling people old, or to toss around stereotypes. He's lucky he hasn't been punched yet tonight.

"I like dogs, myself. I'd turn people into Chihuahuas if I could."

[kleptofaeniac]

It's cute. And not entirely a bad idea. After all what could a chihuahua do but pee all over everything and annoy you to death. Or chew on your toes. Either way.

She looks as if she's mulling over the choice, however.

"Parrots are more my speed. I think that Pulling Tulips show gave me the idea, though."

[viduation]

The answering eyeroll - his usual response to much of what Kenzi says - turns into a slow rise of his brow as she keeps going. That's hardly a rarity, either, because if Kenzi is good at anything it's talking his ear off -- but still, one thick eyebrow climbs further up his forehead the deeper she digs the hole.

When the words taper off, Derek purses his lips like he's about to say something sarcastic in response, maybe about other walls being jealous, but the thread of conversation is too weird and he's still annoyed about choosing to be here. His head tilts, as though to convey a finished?

Instead, he settles for scanning the crowd. "Anyone I should look out for?"

For her sake, he means. For his own, he's looking out for approximately everyone. Tension climbs up his spine as he eyes the crowd around them and considers that his former alpha's killer, Laura's killer, could be here. Anywhere.

Jaw setting, he fidgets with his tie.

[kleptofaeniac]

Kenzi must not have a good fear meter because she swats at his hand before fixing his tie for him. Not that she doesn't think he can't do it himself. But she needs something to do while she talks to him.

"Tonight is just a wine and dine, so there shouldn't be too much mayhem."

Fingers crossed for that at least. She pats the pressed fabric of the tie when she's satisfied and breaths, coming here isn't exactly the wisest of ideas for either of them considering the affiliations of the woman who owns the place.

"Just uh...don't get your wolf on tonight - I'll be good too, and we should be able to leave in one piece."

This was the proverbial Lions Den after all.

"Maybe I'll steal some whore-durvs for us later."

Food was a good reward for dudes, right?

[viduation]

The action doesn't take him from the dark, soot-stained turn of his own thoughts - he is far too deeply buried in banked anger and helplessness to be so easily rid of it. But it does draw his focus back, his eyes - which had turned hard and flinty - momentarily widening in surprise before he fixes her with another deadpan, looking set to snap at her.

He doesn't, and nor does he step back or smack her meddlesome hands away. Instead, he simply huffs at her, perhaps understanding on some level that she's as nervous as she should be.

He snorts a laugh, largely mirthless.

"Shouldn't be. I think I've heard that before. From you."

[kleptofaeniac]

Kenzi blows a raspberry, happy to play along in the conversation as if she isn't internally shrieking at intervals. If she just thought about it like a long con she would do fine.

"Oh, come on. Your eyebrows grew back didn't they?"

She punctuated her sentence with a light pat on his shoulder, as if to tell him to buck up.

[viduation]

"Yeah, eventually," Derek's arms fold in what might be a show of defensiveness, before he remembers that he needs to put forward a less aggressive sort of presentation. He sighs, unfolds his arms again, and shoots her one more scowl for good measure.

"And who knows how much longer it might have been, if I wasn't a werewolf."

[kleptofaeniac]

Kenzi smiles slyly, as if this was the direction she wanted this psuedo-pep talk to go.

"But you are a werewolf! You're one of the badder mofos in this room."

Excluding all the fae, vampires and really high tier witches...which was a lot.

"No reason to be nervous."

It sounded like she was talking to herself more than Derek on that last bit.

[viduation]

Perhaps thankfully, Derek doesn't think much about how he's following along Kenzi's plan. He gives her a Look, which is far less scathing than it would be fixed on anyone else, and snorts a laugh.

"I'm not nervous." I'm the alpha. It's not wholly true, but Derek reasons that he'd be an idiot not to be wary - and Kenzi, too, is smarter than one might think. All the same, his confidence is not just for show.

One hand moves to the small of her back. Ever skirting around contact, he doesn't actually touch her, but he's a solid presence regardless. "Lead the way."

[kleptofaeniac]

"Okay, let's do this!"

She says it with, perhaps, too much zeal. An elderly woman passing by stutters just long enough in her step to give Kenzi the stink eye.
"By your leave, m'lady." Kenzi rolls her wrist and bows the way gentile folk do, the woman seems torn between confused and furious and walks off with her nose in the air.

Kenzi scoffs and rolls her eyes towards Derek.

"Jeez, what was her problem?"

She might get killed tonight.