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 The lights are off, the desks and chairs have been replaced by beanbags and there's a table in the corner with a chocolate fountain, marshmallows and strawberries.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

"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."

Game Opening: May Ball

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