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 The lights are off, the desks and chairs have been replaced by beanbags and there's a table in the corner with a chocolate fountain, marshmallows and strawberries.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

Chill-Out Area

[eyeforaneye]

The assault to his ears being suddenly made twofold is bad enough, but given that he'd been trying to very subtly glance at that phone from behind makes it feel like an alarm's going off and he instantly jerks back, splashing a small amount of coffee onto Apollo's shoulder.

Whoops. "Do you mind? As if it wasn't bad enough..."

[apolly]

The splash jerks Apollo out of his seat, just as he finally paused the song and set his phone on silent, but he whips his head to his shoulder then back down at whoever the hell did it.

"Sor—... wait a minute. Do you mind?" Apollo asks, pointing to his own shoulder. "You splashed me!"

[eyeforaneye]

"Because of something you did. It's coffee either way; it shouldn't stain."

... "Is it an expensive suit?" Because that's not a rude question.

[apolly]

Apollo stares, flabbergasted, before the expression turns into a scowl and he slams down his drink on the table next to him before swiping up a few napkins.

"Probably costed more than this DJ," Apollo grumbles to himself, wiping down his shoulder.

[eyeforaneye]

"And you think you'd do a better job with the music at your disposal?" Was that the Pussycat Dolls? Not that I would... know...

"I guess it doesn't matter." He glances briefly again around the still relatively empty room, finally stepping forward to actually take a seat without seeming even more out of place. "Are you part of the administrative staff? You're looking at class records on your phone and you're concerned about what the DJ is getting paid, so it makes sense."

[apolly]

Please tell us how you knew this song is from the Pussycat Dolls, Sasuke.

Apollo stills, a ton of thoughts running through his head. The biggest one being that this guy thought it was an alright conversation starter to throw some stupid coffee on somebody.

"I don't care what the DJ gets paid, it's not my money. But yes, I teach here. As of a few months ago."

[eyeforaneye]

It's funny how a man only thinks about the -beep-.

Sasuke's all too quickly making some judgments himself, just affixing the word 'money' to this man mentally regardless of his denials. "What do you teach? Are you human?"

[apolly]

Ka-ching.

"Just... well, to answer your first question, I teach the laws. The Council's, anyway." Apollo finally sits back down, dropping the napkins in the trash. He can't wait to go home and watch this.

"Your second question, yes. I'm a human with a perk. You?"

[eyeforaneye]

"Human with more than one perk." And a side of sassy.

"If a person was interested in taking just one or two classes, would it be possible?" Would it be expensive...

[apolly]

"Well, more perks more work." Not dealing with it from you.

Apollo pauses to think about that much, at least. He's at work, he has to be professional.

"I'd say it depends on your situation. Most students are full time, but if for some reason you can't meet those requirements, I'd think Ms. Sylvia's team would be your best bet for compromises."

[eyeforaneye]

You don't even know me, stop info-modding that I'm a shit. I mean. Well.

"Ah, that woman. She'll be occupied for a while at an event like this, I'd assume. You, by contrast, appear to be free. I just thought you might know."

[apolly]

"... She has a name.

I don't, at least not yet. I've only been here a few months, like I said. I know about regular administration rules, though? You look young enough to enroll."

1/2

[eyeforaneye]

2/2

[eyeforaneye]

"I'm of age. They'd be part-time classes for an adult. You said that you teach law?" Wait a minute.

"Do you know Hasegawa Heiji?"

[apolly]

Then how come you behave like a bra—

"... Yes. We, uh, we talk at work. My other work."

[eyeforaneye]

"You mean your work as a lawyer. You didn't introduce yourself, you know."

[apolly]

Oh, yeah, that was probably impol— hold up.

















"How did you know I'm a lawyer?"

[eyeforaneye]

"So it is you after all.

I didn't know. Hasegawa mentioned needing to meet with his lawyer friend, so I assumed I'd accuse you of it and see what happened."

[apolly]

[apolly]

[apolly]

[apolly]

"Have a good night," Apollo finally stands back up, dragging to briefcase with him.

"Party's open until 1:00 AM. Go nuts."

[eyeforaneye]

"Can I get your name first? I'm interested in your class." You are so sensitive, man.

[apolly]

Dread settles in Apollo's stomach when he hears those words, already imagining the scenarios, and all of them ending with him throwing himself out the window.

"Apollo Justice." Is the simple answer, because everyone has a right to an education, before he leaves and makes a very obvious point of not looking back.

[eyeforaneye]

He opens his mouth to return the introduction before noting the futility of it, staring at Apollo's back... before looking back to the television again. Well that was productive.