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 The lights are off, the desks and chairs have been replaced by beanbags and there's a table in the corner with a chocolate fountain, marshmallows and strawberries.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

[mensrea]

Abigail is far too kind; it is totally, definitely, absolutely his fault. The smile and shrug only reinforce his sense of guilt, and now he knows he needs to make it up to her somehow. Returning her smile with one of his own, he holds out a hand for her to shake—the gesture really isn't his thing, is a little too formal for his tastes, but he feels like some physical contact is necessary right now for reassurance.

"I'm Stiles. Sorry again. I just...yeah."

[acrookedchild]

"Abigail," she offers, shaking his hand for a moment.

Now, she's more able to breathe. She can think and grasp what's going on and calm herself down. He overreacted. Everything is fine. They're both safe. He might be in a little trouble for whatever he broke, but, well. That's nothing a little talk and a little donation wouldn't smooth over. So, she doesn't need to worry about that.

[mensrea]

“Abby!” he chirps, perhaps a little presumptuously, but hey—that’s always been his style. “Do you want, uh, a drink or something? I kinda feel like I owe you one. Or something.”

Y’know, for terrifying her.

[acrookedchild]

"Sure. We can grab something to drink."

It might be a good way to let everything settle. To get her mind off the panic that had set in and how nervous she must seem to him.

[mensrea]

"R-really? Awesome!"

He hadn't actually expected her to agree. Normally, pretty girls couldn't be bothered to give him the time of day, nevermind have drinks with him. Maybe he should try scaring the ladies more often... Nodding thoughtfully to himself, he decides that he needs some inspiration from scary movies.

"C'mon then. You look like you could use a cold hard glass of fruit punch."

[acrookedchild]

"Fruit punch?"

Abigail can't help but laugh. It's a little sharp, and she shakes her head a little. Then, she gives a small nod.

"Sure. Mind if I ask how old you are?"

[mensrea]

"Old enough," comes the immediate response with a dismissive sniff. Then, because she's a pretty young woman, he answers honestly, "Seventeen. So I guess you're old enough for the hard stuff, huh?"