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 The lights are off, the desks and chairs have been replaced by beanbags and there's a table in the corner with a chocolate fountain, marshmallows and strawberries.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

The friendly physical contact is actually welcome, though on an unconscious level Stiles is unaware of. He's had over a decade to become very accustomed to small, affectionate touches from Scott. These past many weeks, he's had to go without. It's weird, maybe, but Cooper helps make him feel more at home. Even if the clap is a bit heavy. Wow. Maybe the guy is a werewolf. Or secretly a bodybuilder.

"Do those actually exist?" Eyes widening, he glances around as if such a person might appear any second. "Like, I know fae do. But is there one designated specifically for winter? That's so cool."

[emotioneater]

"Yeah, some fae have a theme. I dunno why, it's just their thing. Stick around, kiddo, and we'll have you being able to tell a shapeshifter from a Seelie far within a month or two." Just don't ask Cooper to be the one to teach him. He's terrible with telling creatures apart. Even after two hundred years, all he can really identify on sight are vampires and occasionally werewolves.

[mensrea]

"Oh, I plan on sticking. Like Elmer glue. Y'know, the kind that you used when working on crafts as a kid and then accidentally glued your fingers together and had to peel it all off? Yeah. That sorta sticking."

He means it.

"So I guess I'll see you around, Cooper?"

At least, Stiles hopes so. So far, he likes the other boy.

[emotioneater]

"It's inevitable." Cooper gives that same enigmatic smile from before. He could be just going for the mystery man angle or he could be sizing up Stiles to become a meal later on. It's hard to tell really.

"Now I've got t'go see a girl about a thing. See you around, kiddo." Cooper sets off through the crowd and is soon swallowed up.