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 The lights are off, the desks and chairs have been replaced by beanbags and there's a table in the corner with a chocolate fountain, marshmallows and strawberries.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

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[ RESPITE ; CHILL-OUT AREA ]

It was nice to visit the school without fear of being seen for once. With everyone so absorbed in enjoying themselves or finding some way to enjoy themselves, Clara found herself in a unique position of freely move around the school and simply mingle with people. It's certainly a lot calmer than the coffee shop and there were perks to being a ghost at times: Coming and going as you please without worrying it'll offend someone somehow.

She eventually finds herself in the converted classroom, intrigued by what was playing on the screen and she moves closer to it as to get a better look what was the witches were doing. How curious. "I never seen this before. I supposed this is supposed to be something wholesome. No sacrifices or anything like that?"

Even if no one could hear her, it was nice to speak aloud just to hear her own voice. She doesn't do that enough she thinks.

[ DANCE DANCE ; ASSEMBLY HALL ]

The disco is happening in the assembly hall and the DJ has awful taste in music. Who could like this?

"I love this!" Clara says in pure and genuine excitement when they begin to play an awfully cheesy song that happened to be Clara's 'jam' so to speak. It reminded her of the first night she met her husband after all and how they danced the night away.

… No one has ever said that the dead are any wiser and at least Clara, usually a worrywart, is having real fun in the party. As one can judge the spirit's dancing to the music. Another perk to being a ghost? Not everyone can see you doing an attempt of the hustle and the funky chicken.

[ FUSS ; MARQUEE ]

And now she's back in full nanny mode, floating after students to make sure they weren't going to get themselves into trouble after they had one too many drinks of wine and not enough nibbles to help balance the alcohol in their systems. It's in her nature to worry over people and with her granddaughter showing that she'll behave herself for the event, she turns her attentions to those she thinks they'll need it.

It was almost funny to watch a worried looking woman chase after a pair of students or a group of students, asking them to watch themselves as her words most likely fall on deaf ears. If one could see her at all.

It actually is pretty funny, but he was never one for laughter. Perhaps Clara could get the sensation of being watched every so often in her adventures of attempted babysitting, but its all in her head. Probably. Not really.

So it might not be too much of a surprise when someone else appears next to her from nowhere, as easily missed as another ghost. There's a short 'good evening' of acknowledgment, but it can't be someone she knows. Will's generally unkempt appearance and bad attitude are a far cry from the composed person standing next to Clara now-

"Want me to throw 'em out?"

- Okay, no, it's definitely him.

For a second she genuinely couldn't believe it was him of all people, right next to her. Didn't even notice him until he made his offer and she looked at him, an expression of scandalisation but delighted surprise on her face. Happy to see he's also here but also a bit disapproving of how she came to realise it was him.

Only a little bit.

"Oh no! Don't do that. I'm just making sure they don't run off and do something dangerous but they're being silly is all." Kids should be allowed to do that, right? While they still have the time. She claps her hands together, the sound muffled and faint to the point not really being there. "It seems like they're having a good time. I hope you are too."

See this is why he likes Clara. She never takes his terrible jokes too seriously.

"Mm. Let me know if you change your mind. They'll probably survive getting tossed out a window."

Terrible.

Though in all seriousness, he's debating getting the bouncer until she distracts him with that second bit. She gets to see the exact moment something lags, far more noticeable than his usual trips. Not having to keep up appearances makes him less of a dumb about things, and the moment's immediately hidden behind his drink.

"It's business." The sip here is all the silent 'I hate parties' that he gives off in presence. But Clara is Clara, she's different. She gets explanations where others get shot down. "I'm not fond of crowds."

"I'll keep that in mind if I see them roughhousing again. Lord knows teenagers at this stage think they're invincible. Wouldn't hurt to surprise them a little bit." Terrible jokes but they were jokes and they have her grinning all the same, a warm twinkle in her eye.

It was a nice event in her opinion. Even if someone moves through her when moving through the floor as they hurry along at that exact moment.

Ohhhh-- It never stops feeling weird, her intangibility rearing its ugly head, and it shows with how she and the person flinch at the same time. It could have been worse she tells herself and it doesn't stop her from continuing to smile at Willard and spinning it to something positive. "Goodness! Looks like someone else is having a good time at least. Thank goodness they bumped into me and not you. You would have spilled your drink all over yourself!"

It's a nice event, even with his bad compatibility with people in general. Yet, whatever half-twisted smirk he has on falters when she gets walked through. Right. Most people can't see her.

And she still tries to find a bright side. It's not right that such a person could be so blatantly ignored.

"I have better composure than that if I wish to." A weird wording, but it has a point. Blinking means missing that moment that stunning posture and attitude comes up like armor, and an arm is offered to her in a textbook gentleman maneuver from the 1920s.

Even the tone is a whiplash of kindness, "Shall we find somewhere else to talk, Madam Seville? Such people drowning out your words is unacceptable."

It wasn't too bad when it happens nowadays. She's learned to deal with it! No one really means to pass through her and they certainly don't like it.

Really, it's fine.

Not that it stops her from looking very surprised, a little bit relieved, when he offers her his arm and the chance for them to go somewhere else. She laughs a bit at the way he does it, her defence and her concern that she was being a trouble to him down when he did things like this.

"--I hope it won't be too much of a bother to you," she said as she 'accepted' his arm, a faint heaviness of a hand pressing against his sleeve. Just barely. "I would love to find somewhere much more suitable for us to talk."

"Nah."

The blunt speaking habits are the only thing that will continually destroy his illusion of class. But more importantly - it really isn't a bother. Even if they don't mean to - even if Clara says it doesn't upset her - it doesn't stop Will from setting his half-finished drink aside and guiding her through the Marquee. If there's any care to avoid the crowd, or even to the glances the crowd may give him for walking with an invisible person, it doesn't register. At all.

Who gives a damn about them anyway. It's a nice night out and he finally has company he genuinely enjoys, this is a success in all books. "Would you rather sit outside or tour the school?"

Or get lost in the school. Same thing.

Staring? Staring makes her feel awkward but she keeps her head tall, her smile bright. Who needs to worry about people's ability or inability to see her when she has someone like Willard by her side?

"I think exploring the school will be fun," she admits to him, "because I haven't gotten the chance to really see all of it."

The unsaid option is going to be the one she chooses, of course. Her face is bright as the colourful lights being used to decorate the festivities and the Marquee itself, both thankful and glad he was willing to spend some time with someone, er, something, like her. "

In her defense, they're probably staring at the one who argued with ~~a ghost~~ himself at the bar for an hour.

The school option earns a pause, barely a second, because all logic says to agree. Observe an enemy for all weaknesses. Which places are points to break in, which rooms require searching, if alumni records of names and faces are still kept.

But even just walking away from the crowd is like shedding off a skin, a stressor and a mask all peeled off at once, and there's no reason to be Wright for Clara. She never required the role and with any luck she never will. Logically, this is an opportunity to be used.

So he doesn't.

"Do they have a salt ring? Or just following your granddaughter?" The gallery has too many people, screw that, empty halls mean less people to try walking through her anyway. "If her grades start skewing, you should leave post-it notes with sad faces drawn on 'em."

She shakes her head at his questions, thinking he was just worried for her since, to be fair, there were a lot of students here who had magic and may get the wrong idea if they see a spirit wandering about. The halls are a nicer place to be, the constant buzz of conversation and activity ceasing the moment they're both far away from it.

Willard is a man of many things and he certainly knows how to say things, that's for sure. Clara smiles at the thought of leaving a collection of post-it notes all over her room. That would certainly get her attention. "She's been doing fine, actually. A complete whiz at math and computer like her father. Terrible at P.E. but only because she just the bare minimum since she hates how small she is compared to everyone else. Makes her feel self-conscious."

Kind of her fault, really. All her sons and husband were giants, over six feet, but there is one thing the two shared: Both being 5'2. "Much as I want to tell her that doing a lap won't hurt her... She doesn't know I'm around, actually. Can't see spirits unlike the others. One of these days maybe I'll talk to her but I want her to focus on studies. And reading more books! She's glued to that laptop of hers all day, goodness."

(No salt rings, send ghost Eyes to look for additional traps if necessary-)

The thought gets swatted away on reflex in favor of focusing on Clara's words. Essentially a logistics nerd? He's willing to bet only half of the reason the class is hated is from the stature. The rest would be the thoughts of 'I'd rather be coding' or something. Lord knows he has the same problem himself.

"I'd figure being smaller'd be easier. Faster and less problem to get out of altercations." Either by squeezing out of the problem or how being tiny and breakable means you get easier passes on dirty methods. Eh, details, "She might be better in Track. The hundred meter or the pole vault probably."

Still, it's a shame that she can't see her own grandmother. It's filed away, but not commented on. Who would even want to be reminded about that? But someone needs to lecture the kid, someone in Redbright-

The tone immediately gains the haunted quality vietnam veterans have, "Could always sic Ushiromiya on her."

"Track? I never thought of that before." It made a lot of sense now that she thought about it. Magra was a quick little lady. Especially when late to class! That could be a good fit for her. Oh only someone like Willard would be able to think of that! "I guess I should keep that in mind for her so I get off course next time."

Clara and her puns. If there's one thing that the undead status of hers never dampened it was that.

Only when he makes the suggestion of his does she give him a mild look: A worried frown accompanied with a quizzical tilt to the head. Eyebrows shot up so high that they almost disappear into her hairline. Which is impressive considering how high it is.

"The way you say 'sic makes me a bit nervous," she confesses to him, "Makes me think of someone hiding in the bushes and everything when she passes by. It also sounds like you may or may not have had experience with having them sicced on."

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alethiological - 2015-06-11 06:09 (UTC) - Expand

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warmheartedly - 2015-06-13 16:30 (UTC) - Expand

"Honestly, you're probably more familiar with rituals like that than I am."

Henry kept his voice low, soft and polite to speak to the woman. He was used to ghosts now, though it never failed to strike him as odd that he could do it. That it was so natural after that first bullet to his chest. Still, it was always nice to talk to someone, living or dead.

"But I don't believe Ms Redbright would allow anything less than wholesome."

At least not on film.

"Ah! Hello there," she said, feeling a bit silly for jumping like that. You think she'll get used to people speaking to her in the school. There are better chances of having a conversation here then anywhere else, usually.

Especially with such a polite man she has next to her. It wouldn't hurt to have a discussion in the quietness of the classroom.

Would it? No. Of course not.

"Do you think so? If I am, that certainly says something. Most time when witches try to do their newfangled rituals and spells on me, it's something I usually don't want to be part of." Since the rituals and spells need something like her to power them through the very end. That doesn't sound very comfortable. "That is true though. Ms. Redbright would never do such a thing. Especially on such a lovely time like this. It's supposed to be a cause of celebration. Not scaring the poor students straight. That's for later."

"Doctor Henry Morgan," he said, offering a polite bow at the waist. A bit more old fashioned than he usually used, but, with a ghost, he thought it was more polite than offering a hand to shake. "I'm a new professor here."

He smiled faintly, looking back at the video. It was so unusual to him, seeing anything like that. He'd thought he was alone for so long.

"I don't know much about magic, I'm afraid. I'm looking forward to learning, though."

"I was wondering if I saw you somewhere before or if I was being more forgetful thatn usual. I've been visiting here for a few years now." Since Magra joined the school, naturally. She had followed her to ensure the safety of the only one left in her family. Not that she did that all the time. Sometimes she wandered around, noticing faces and he was one she couldn't recall easily.

Her smile is warm and considerate even if that was difficult to tell thanks to how she was faded and grey. "Well, Dr. Morgan, I'm hoping we get along with each other and I think we'll do just fine. When you learn about magic, how about you let me know too? It would be nice to know when someone's trying to say hi or if someone's trying to bind you."

"I certainly will." A long time ago, he'd thought it strange, talking to the dead. By now, it was yet another part of his strange affliction he'd come to accept. A part he didn't try to actively rid himself of, as it made his task even more interesting. Who better to discuss death with than the dead themselves? It might well be that one of them had the key.

"And if there's anything else I can do for you, please ask. I will do my best to assist."

"Thank you, Dr. Morgan." She beams up at him at him and then looks thoughtful for a second when she really considers what he just offered. "Well... I would hate to make it seem like I'm trying to influence you or something--"

Since that is a serious thing in the school and she doesn't want to get him in trouble. She looks around to be sure before looking back at him. There's no real need for her to cup a hand over her mouth and whisper, no one can hear her, but it makes her feel more secure. "--but my granddaughter. Magra Seville. It wouldn't be too much to ask to keep an eye on her? She's just growing into her powers and I worry for her at times with them. I hope this isn't presumptuous of me to ask."

"It isn't at all," he assures her with another small bow. "I think I can manage that."

Of course, he wouldn't be able to watch the girl overly much. Nor would he even if he could. He had his own classes to teach and other tasks on top of that, but he'd remember the name, certainly. Magra. He could keep an eye out for her here and there, certainly.

"I'd be happy to."

"Thank you!" Her voice is much louder at that point, the gratefulness shining through.

She looks relieved, happy to know someone polite as Dr. Morgan will try to make sure that Magra wouldn't get in trouble. "I wish there was some way that I could repay you for this. I know it's a lot to ask since you have your own things to do... The fact you're saying 'yes' means so much."

To her. To Magra too of course.

Henry can't help but chuckle a little as he shakes his head. "It's no trouble at all, I assure you. It's my job to watch out for the students. Keeping my eye on one perhaps a little more? Isn't a large request."

It might even help him get to know the students, paying attention to the different social groups.

"I hope it isn't. It's just I know the teachers in general are very busy." With teaching students, grading papers. Things like that. "I promise you she isn't going to be much trouble to you or anyone else. A bit rambunctious and loud but that's about it."

Trust her on this, even if she maybe a little bit biased seeing they're relatives. Having been a mother to two of the most mischievous boys in the world, Magra was an angel if a cheeky one. "I promise, one of these days I must pay you back. It's only fair! Maybe I'll learn to somehow cook again. My cookies were quite popular back in the day, you know."

"How long has it been? If you don't mind my asking."

After all, he was always curious when he spoke with ghosts. The ones who stayed for a long time were particularly interesting. The ones who stay for a short time? They usually want closure or revenge or something. But the ones who continue to stay... He finds them particularly interesting, especially since he sometimes wishes he could do what they choose not to.

"...Oh?" Clara looks surprised by that question, her eyebrows shooting up as if to quietly inquire, "Really?"

She didn't find it rude that he asked that at all. Honest. It just forced her to recall how long she's been alive. Er. Unalive to be exact. "Around fifteen years? More than that. I passed away after my granddaughter was born. Or was it a year later? It's been so long... I never put much thought about it."

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