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 The lights are off, the desks and chairs have been replaced by beanbags and there's a table in the corner with a chocolate fountain, marshmallows and strawberries.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

[stauncherhearted]

Assembly Hall

The speech itself is decent. Interesting information acquired- the Circle Daybreak and Redbright Institute making a move for territory. Nancy, and the witches of Circle Midnight had absolutely no territory of their own, and she didn't mind it. Let others deal with territories so long as she was free to come and go wherever she wanted, whenever she wanted.

That wasn't how life worked, unfortunately, but she was still, as far as these things go, relatively unknown in the supernatural world of London. Only those who wanted any black-market goods or sought out the fae that had raised her really knew her. Or those who wanted a quick bite.

Nancy hovers near the edges of the event, surveying the crowd.

Dance, dance

A few drinks in her, and Nancy is more than happy to make her way to the dance floor. The music was awful, but what did you expect at a thing like this, where you had so many tastes to try to account for? If the result was awful top-of-the-pop, well, she could deal with it.

You can find her, drink still in hand, tearing it up to whatever awful beat is being pumped through the speaker systems. Shoes still on, the petite woman has no real care who or what she dances with, so long as she's having fun. That's what matters, right? Well, maybe keeping Stiles out of trouble, but sometimes you just wanted to dance.

Drink up

Ah, yes, sweet sweet alcohol. Easily one of Nancy's largest vices, she's hardly too far from the bar at any given moment. A small plate of snacks, and a champagne flute in her hand, she's relaxing a bit more now. Everyone seems to be loosening up some, and purse-strings are looser. It'd be stupid to make a huge scene here. But if someone abandons a purse, she won't say no to it.

But until then, she'll be making small talk with those around her, and making sure her cup never empties.

Maybe it's time to return to the dance floor. Or find someplace a little more quiet for a conversation.

Closed to Stiles

"So what do you think?" She approaches her date mid-way through the night, holding a glass and a bottle. The bottle, she extends to him, the glass already has a lipstick stain around the rim. That one would be hers. "Not at all what you were imagining, is it?" Maybe this was an awful idea, bringing him here. But he'd have found a way in sooner, rather than later. And if he came with her, he was much, much safer.

Stiles was an idiot, sure, a young American, wide-eyed and naive. But he'd wormed his way into Nancy's heart early-on, and she was going to make sure he kept himself safe. This world was terrifying, and dangerous.

"And don't worry about the drink, if that's what you're going to do." A pause. "It's just beer." He was still underage, according to England. Nancy, meanwhile, had been drinking since she was a child, and saw no harm in making sure he drank his fill, too. God knew she was already doing so.

Drink up

[detectiveofthewest]

"You're really poundin' 'em down, huh?" Champagne flute or not, booze was booze, and though the refreshments didn't really do much for Heiji, he could certainly stick around and watch other people enjoy them. ...He was kind of regretting the decision to go along and wear the suit, though.

"You part of the parent-teacher association?" She didn't really look it.

[stauncherhearted]

Nancy stops drinking in order to look over at the man that had spoken, raising an eyebrow at him. Then, she finishes the drink and sets the empty glass down. "It's free, may as well enjoy it." She remarked, tapping her fingernails on the high-top.

His next remark also gets him an eyebrow. "Hardly. Just a guest. Like you, I assume?"

[detectiveofthewest]

If Heiji noticed the rapid succession of eyebrows being raised at him, he gave no indication. Although it would be cool if Nancy could do that thing where you alternate eyebrows really fast.

"A guest, sure! Wouldn't say no to free food, anyway. So whatcha think of the speech?"

[stauncherhearted]

Nah, that would mostly just be ridiculous.

Nancy swallowed, pressing her lips together. "It was fine enough. I try to stay out of politics as much as I can, personally." A soft breeze rippled at her emerald skirts. "Redbright sure can command a room." And a school. And a council. And now a territory.

[detectiveofthewest]

There was a thin line between the two. A very thin line indeed.

"Yeah? I think most people're like that. You're right, though, she's kinda got that gravitas thing workin' for her. Really bad taste in DJs, though. I mean terrible." He picked a bite to eat off a nearby tray, examined it, and took a bite.

[stauncherhearted]

Whaaaatever you say, guy.

Nancy shook her hair over her shoulders as she laughed. "Probably." Witch politics were completely different from Fae politics that she'd been raised around. "Oh, you can say that again! Goodness, you'd think this place could afford one."

Dance

[emotioneater]

"Well, look who it is!" Cooper has to shout to be heard over the thumping beats of whatever God-awful song the DJ's put on now. He makes his way through a throng of dancing people over to where Nancy is. The tie around his neck has been loosened up and his pale face has a flush from dancing for so long. He looks like he's having a good time and the grin on his face only gets wider as he approaches. "How ya doing, sweet-pea?"

[stauncherhearted]

The second Cooper approaches, Nancy has to fight the urge to turn around and leave. But alcohol and music win over, and she's still there, dancing, even as she frowns at him. "I told you- that's not my bloody name!" But there's a smile there this time.

[emotioneater]

"Now, don't be like that, darlin'. I'm here to play nice 'n have a good time." He looks her over with an appraising eye. She looks good enough to eat. He means that, of course, in the most literal sense possible. He gets close to her. "I suspect you're here to do the same."

[stauncherhearted]

She tossed her long red hair over her shoulder, letting it tumble down her back, exposing her neck more than she should have, perhaps. But when that was part of what you sold, it was always good to put it on display. But she didn't know Cooper was a vampire, by any means.

She doesn't dance away, but instead, takes her own step forward, almost as if she were dancing with him. "Something like that. Why? You think you can show this girl a good time?" If he could pay for the ticket, he could have the meal.

Her charm was still visible, the amulet that kept her safe from mind-control and vampires.

[emotioneater]

The look of her neck, young and pulsing with life, is enough to bring forth temptation inside Cooper. He's eaten not more than an hour ago, but there's a big difference between blood from a glass and a live victim wriggling around underneath him. His fangs ache to come out and pierce through into Nancy's veins. There's a moment where a look of desperate hunger crosses his face.

Then it's gone. He reigns the beast back in. After all, this is someone he knows. Friends don't munch on friends. He gives a toothy grin, matching her step for step. "Of course. Stick with me 'n life is anythin' but boring."

[stauncherhearted]

That look. She knows that look, but she doesn't say anything. Just lets her smile tug her lips up further.

"Yes, so far I've already almost been run-over. What other fun things do you have planned, hmm?" An arched eyebrow, but it's all in fun. She can't hardly be irritated with him here.

A thought occurs to her. "What are you?"

Assembly

[kleptofaeniac]

Kenzi has been eagerly scanning the crowded room for a familiar face, someone to enjoy company with. She started zoning out around the part where Sylvia has declared another piece of London all hers. Kenzi doesn't like the implications of more land belonging to Queen Bitchface but if it isn't where she's living she can't be bothered to care.

And then she spots Nancy and her whole day brightens. Kenzi makes sure to stick behind Nancy's line of sight so she can sort of sneak up on her. Not that she wants to frighten Nancy. Just make it a pleasant surprise.

Though what she aims for is rarely what occurs.

Kenzi hooks her chin over Nancy's shoulder and mutters into her ear:

"Don't look now, but I think I just saw a bloated Tom Cruise by the bar."

Before making a smecking noise near her face - she doesn't want to ruin her lip stick or Nancy's face with the stain.

"Also: hi."

[stauncherhearted]

"Jesus Christ, Kenz!" Nancy hisses, spinning around to greet her best friend. "Don't do that! You know I bloody hate you sneaking up on me." But she's all smiles as she grab's the girl's hand and gives it a welcoming squeeze. It takes a moment, but she pulls back to examine Kenzi.

"You look beautiful!" And she did- Kenzi always had a gift for dressing herself, in addition to hair and makeup. Nancy, meanwhile, had just found a gown she liked, made off with it, and curled her hair with an iron while doing her usual makeup. With maybe just a little bit more glitter and red lipstick. Kenzi always managed to show up looking like a full production. "And hi, to you, too." She added finally, letting out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding.

[kleptofaeniac]

She actually bought this one! Well...rented it.

"As do you, my darling." Kenzi inflected some kind of...Serbian accent onto the pet name and stepped back to admire Nancy's dress.

"I have to return it in the morning," she pouted. The dress was really something. All flowy and a very pretty metallic silver that managed to be shiny while not being too gaudy. At least, in Kenzi's opinion it wasn't too bad.

"Sorry about scaring you. By the way."

[stauncherhearted]

"Pity." She even pouted over it. There were ways around the return policy, especially if you were a girl like them. But, maybe sometimes they had to play it by the book. Maybe. Sometimes.

"Quiet, I need to let you dress me for one of these things next time. No matter how many times you go to one of these.." She shakes her head. At least they were good for business. Which, date at her side or not, she was still on.

"Don't worry, I just wasn't paying attention." She hated people sneaking up on her. "Next time, you won't."

[kleptofaeniac]

"Yay, dress-up!"

She was definitely an adult. Kenzi even claps and hops up and down as much as her shoes will allow it. She is incredibly into the idea of glamming Nancy up. After all, she had the right foundation for it.

[stauncherhearted]

"Maybe even for a work night, too." Maybe. MAYBE. Don't count on it, but she's feeling generous.

Oh she was going to regret this and already she knew it. "Don't make me regret trusting you." Said lightly, though, truth be told, Kenzi was one of the few people that Nancy did trust. Losing that, over anything, would have been heart breaking.

[mensrea]

The bottle is accepted a bit more clumsily than is even typical for Stiles; he’s not sure if he’s drunk off of the amount of alcohol he’s imbibed or drunk off of the atmosphere here. Everywhere he turns, he’s surrounded by a mass of supernatural beings. It’s amazing. There are even vampires here. If he didn’t have the tiniest shred of self-preservation, he would have waltzed up to one of them already. As it is, he’s decided to nurse his curiosity for a bit longer before stumbling into an early death.

“I think this is basically the coolest thing ever.”

He doesn’t take a swig from the bottle just yet. Though quite accustomed to the wonders of underaged drinking, he’s more interested in freeing up his mouth to chat.

“Do you know all these people?”

[stauncherhearted]

say what you wanted about Nancy, but she knew the value of showing up at these things already drunk. it made the awful music better and it easier to stomach some of the whole mess. so it stood to reason that she happily offered Stiles all manner of shots before they arrived. and now, more booze.

look at that friendship. Friendship.

"me? God no," she said, laughing the idea off with a wave. "maybe a handful. the circles I run in- well, circle, isn't the most well-known for coming to these things. but it's free food and booze and it provides great networking." she took another drink of champagne.

"congrats on not getting yourself killed yet, by the way." seriously. mad props.

[mensrea]

Circle. Stiles has overheard some talk about those—there’s apparently a Circle Daybreak and a Circle Midnight. Judging from the less than polite mutterings the latter elicited, he suspects that Nancy must belong to Circle Midnight. Right now, that means little to him; he’s way too intoxicated to do much with the information. Later, however, he’s going to research her affiliation.

“Hey, thanks,” he replies amiably, pleased to be reminded that he is, in fact, still very much alive. “The night is still young, though. Maybe I’ll die in some kind of werewolf versus vampire brawl. I’d be like, a martyr. Stiles Stilinski, the patron saint of humankind.”

Okay, he’s pretty drunk.

[stauncherhearted]

truthfully, Nancy tried to avoid politics. she'd been raised by a member of the Unseelie court, and her own personal dealings slid her into Midnight. but beyond that, she didn't see any reason to care, truthfully. just another thing to worry about.

Nancy looked over at him and resisted facepalming. "don't do that- the name of the game here is peace, if you didn't hear." if it went over his head, she didn't blame him. there was a lot to take in and Sylvia tended to say a lot of things that probably made no sense to him.

"whatever you do don't make me regret bringing you. I want to have a good time tonight. and I know you do, too."

[mensrea]

“Fine, fine. No patron saint Stiles.” Then, mutinously, “For now.”

Finally, he drinks from the bottle. The warmth hits his belly heavily, and he realizes distantly that he should probably eat something soon. But then Nancy’s words are distracting him, and he’s studying her intently.

“Yeah. Yeah, I want to have a good time too.”

Whoops, guess who took her harmless comment as a come-on. This guy.

“Plus, do you know how expensive it is to rent a tux here? I can’t let that go to waste. No way.”

[stauncherhearted]

"for now," Nancy agrees, raising her glass to him in agreement.

you know who is unaware of that mistake? Nancy. so she laughs. "Kenzi rented her dress too. that's where I found the five-finger discount is useful." once a thief, always a thief. and even for the supernatural, there was still money to be made picking pockets and the like.

Magic just made it easier.

with a slight hum, Nancy glanced over to appraise Stiles and his tux. "you
look nice." a little awkward but men in tuxes? she wasn't going to complain. "almost fit right in." the accent gave him away. just a little.