undergrounds | Game Opening: May Ball

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Game Opening: May Ball

LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED.

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 The lights are off, the desks and chairs have been replaced by beanbags and there's a table in the corner with a chocolate fountain, marshmallows and strawberries.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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"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."

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."

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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?

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."

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.

Abigail chuckles under her breath a little and gives a nod.

"It always has been. I think they make bets, personally. About whether or not I'll die. Or anyone else will."

She shakes her head a little, glancing around as she finishes her glass of wine and passes it to the bartender. There are a few people staring, but it's not too bad right now. Still, she's used to people staring. The best thing to do there is just smile sweetly at them.

Though there's one question that needs to be asked, quietly.

"What's your faction?"

That question. That question demands delicacy. Something Kenzi can usually pull off, but prefers not to because ostentatious is more fun.

Fun however, isn't exactly something you wanted to be having when you're a dark witch in a light town. She could easily blame it on family, that she was raised into it. But really, people made the switch all the time. She couldn't pretend she didn't enjoy it.

But she could pretend to not be a member of the Midnight Circle.

"I'm uh...off-brand."

Kenzi's martini arrives just in the nick of time, and she sips at it noisily as if to say: Drop it.

Abigail had a new glass of wine in her hand when the martini was delivered. An attentive bartender, after all, could notice an empty glass. So, when Kenzi drank loudly, Abigail raised hers, as if in agreement of what was said, and took a soft sip.

Werewolf seemed most likely. They weren't popular around these parts, and she certainly wouldn't blame one for keeping their head down.

"What about you?"

So much for dropping it, Kenzi. But then again, she wasn't fond of keeping her nose out of other peoples business. She thought it was only fair to ask after all. An eye for an eye sort of thing. Tit for tat.

"Unaffiliated."

It was as good an answer as any and very true. She'd have to make up her mind soon, decide whether she was willing to lie to a coven or stand her ground against Daybreak. She wasn't sure yet, though. She needed to see the Night Council really in action.

Barnet would be telling.

"Well that makes two of us."

Kenzi smiles politely, drinking deeply from the glass and finishing it off with all the social graces of someone much more used to back-alley poker games and dark sweaty clubs than this swanky place.

Abigail sighs a little, considering the situation. There might be quite a few who were waiting to see what was going to happen with all of this.

"What brings you here, then?"

To a Redbright -- and Daybreak -- event. It was a very interesting thing, and she wondered if their motives might not be somewhat similar. Then again, she wasn't even sure what this girl was. It was always hard to tell.

"I'm networking. Girls gotta eat, right?"

She wasn't really here for Sylvia's announcement of her little coup. Tonight was more about operating right under the nose of the one person who hated her and hers the most. Kenzi wanted to become a legend and this was a great way to start.

"There's food in the dining hall." It's not a good joke, but it's an attempt to set them both at ease. After all, two unaffiliated people talking to one another during a party like this? It's an uneasy situation.

"Let me know if you need an introduction. I'm happy to help."

As long as it benefits her, too, which networking always can.

Kenzi's tilts her head to the side at the offer for introductions. It was unexpected. And pleasantly so. Kenzi didn't want to further irritate this girl if she was going to be a window into a bigger, better world.

So she held out her hand with a smile.

"Kenzi."

"Abigail."

It's worth saying. It matters, after all. They might be in the same boat, they might not. Either way, they need to know each other. They deserve to know each other. Just in case they're either useful or dangerous to each other.

"Nice to meet you."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Game Opening: May Ball

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