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 The lights are off, the desks and chairs have been replaced by beanbags and there's a table in the corner with a chocolate fountain, marshmallows and strawberries.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

[detectiveofthewest]

That did strike Heiji as odd. "You don't want your granddaughter to notice ya? How come?"

Maybe she was just trying not to look like too much of a busybody? Or like Magra needed to look over her shoulder? But he would have thought Clara would be a reassuring presence.

[warmheartedly]

She shook her hands back and forth, letting him know the reasons were not sinister or ominous. "Nothing really! She can't see spirits all that well and she's just moved on from my husband's passing, her grandfather's. I would hate for her to be... I don't know. Bothered by my presence."

See? Nothing too serious. There's nothing wrong with her wanting the young girl to be happy, which she clearly is judging by the sudden explosion of high pitched laughter that comes from her gaggle of friends.

[detectiveofthewest]

What a strange concept. "Well, if she's moved on and all. I always figured people'd like knowin' their relatives were around. The ones they got along with, anyhow..."

But maybe Magra just had her head full of Teenage Things and Clara didn't want to barge in on that. "So if you're not gonna hang out with your granddaughter, what else you got planned for today?"

[warmheartedly]

"Spying," Clara answers in a deadpan manner. It's the most honest thing she can admit. There's a mischievous twinkle in her eye, subdued or not. "Making sure the others keep themselves out of trouble from pulling pranks or getting into brawls. I don't think that will happen but just in case."

She cocks her head to the side, raising an eyebrow at him. "And you? If it's not too rude to ask you that question. I just didn't expect to run into you today."

[detectiveofthewest]

He laughed. "I'll probably bail after a bit. Formal parties ain't really my thing, and I usually only dress up for special occasions."

Like murder mystery parties; those were always a blast. But sadly, it didn't look like there were any plans in that direction.

[warmheartedly]

"Aw!" She looks a bit sad that he was going to leave so soon but wouldn't force him to stay longer than he felt comfortable. If he wanted to leave, he had the right too.

Not that it stops her from teasing him a bit, "You're going to leave? Not even going to have one little dance with little old me here? I feel so cold, Heiji."

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji smiled broadly. "Aww, I'd never leave a lady out in the cold! Been a little while since I did any formal dancing, though. What about you? Should we wait for a nice waltz?"

Clara was pretty pleasant company, after all. And not too many people that looked his age knew how to dance. Unless you counted twerking or something.

[warmheartedly]

"I've had a few dances here and there but never a waltz!" Ever. She's practiced it before when still alive, needing a hobby of some sort, and seen it done before but never did Clara get the chance for it to really happen.

So the prospect of it clearly excites her with how her eyes sparkle. Heiji may have just made her night with how bubbly she is, more than ever. "I hope you don't mind me stepping, or ghosting, over your toes. I'll do my best though!"

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji laughed. "Don't worry about it. Nobody's perfect, right?" When a song came up that had that trademark one-two-three rhythm, he held out a hand for Clara. Might as well play up the role, right?

"May I have this dance?" Good thing he was wearing a suit for this one...

[warmheartedly]

It was a song she never heard of before, shockingly enough considering everything that has been played was a hit with her, but Heiji here with her manages to make it perfect all the same.

"I would be honoured," she said, flattered as she 'takes' his hand. Makes it tangible just enough to make the presence of her own hand be felt. If only for a little while. That has to count. "Just so honoured, really. Thank you for doing this, Heiji. It means a lot to me."

[detectiveofthewest]

"Hey, you're gonna get me all embarrassed!" As the music started in earnest, he began the basic box step, careful to 'lead' Clara without disrupting the illusion that she was solid.

"Not bad, Miss Clara. I guess this party was worth a visit after all!"

[warmheartedly]

Ghosts can't do a lot of things anymore. Like blushing. Ghosts can't really blush since ghosts don't have blood in their veins nor have the ability to blush since that requires muscles long dead and gone.

Somehow that doesn't stop her cheeks from becoming a darker colour as they began to dance, her footsteps a bit unsure at first but then getting into the swing of things thanks to Heiji's confidence. "I'm glad you think so because, thanks to you, I get to dance a real dance tonight."

Those kids and their silly new dance moves. Give her a twirl over a twerk any day, personally.

[detectiveofthewest]

That was a pretty impressive ghostly blush, Clara! For his part, Heiji was enjoying the dance quite a bit himself. It was nice to tango (well, waltz) with someone who knew what they were doing. Not that he would have minded if she 'stepped' on his foot once or twice.

"Right? Modern dance is fine, but it's nice to engage in somethin' with a bit of elegance every once in a while. Ready for a spin?" Because he certainly was.

[warmheartedly]

"I am!" She's prepared for it. Much as her concentration is focused on staying 'solid' enough to keep a hold of his hands and grounding for her feet, she thinks she can manage a twirl and is just excited for it.

It helps that she's nearish to her anchor. It reminds her that the world is warmer, more colourful than she thinks it is. It helps that Heiji and the others are all so wonderful and good to her the entire evening, no questions asked. It makes her heart, or what used to be her heart, so light. "On the count of three, we'll do the spin! A flourish and all."

[detectiveofthewest]

Hearing Clara sound so thrilled was like a breath of fresh air -- like stepping out your door on a crisp autumn morning. "Okay! One, two..."

On three, he spun Clara about with a little flourish. The scene was actually quite elegant (well... for those who could see Clara, anyway. Someone like Stiles might just wonder what Heiji was doing on the floor by himself).

It had been a little while since Heiji had had the opportunity to indulge in a bit of dancing, and he laughed happily as he did so.

[warmheartedly]

There were probably a handful who were able to see her, see what on earth is going on with him. There were also others who wonder what on earth is going on and if there was something in the drinks.

Not that Clara cares. All her shyness when it comes to events like these are gone when she's spun around, some laughter bubbling out of her ever jubilant and bright. She felt the movement of her hair, the rustle of her clothes, the way her hand loosened and tightened around Heiji's hand so their movement was more fluid.

For a second, she felt alive.

"Three!" Clara finishes for the heck of it before dissolving into laughter, pausing in her dancing for a bit to look at him with a warm smile. "That went amazingly well! Goodness. I was so worried that... something was going to happen."

[detectiveofthewest]

And he smiled right back -- now this was a Clara he loved to see!

"What could go wrong? This is the most fun I've had all month. I gotta admit, though, I almost fell for that 'I've never danced a waltz' routine." He winked at her briefly, just to show he was joking.

As they resumed dancing, he added, "I take it back! This is a pretty nice party after all."

[warmheartedly]

"It is?" Her tone is hopeful and excited, glad to be part of someone's joy for the evening. "All from one little dance?"

She wants to believe it and does, her emotions clearly on the positive with how so put together she feels at the moment. Her touch is more solid and she needs less concentration to keep it up, going with the flow that just seems so natural now. "Oh you definitely know how to make an old woman like me feel good about herself. I'm so glad you're having a good time."

Because that's what matters the most for her: Her friends, loved ones, having a good time at the end of the day. Knowing he was having fun at the party after all is such a joy to hear!

[detectiveofthewest]

"Definitely!" was his enthusiastic answer. "You know how many girls these days know how to do a proper ballroom dance? Not too many."

Now that they both had the hang of dancing with each other, it was more effortless for Heiji to match his movements to Clara's as well. "D'you think Magra inherited your magic on the dance floor? If so, you're gonna have to look out for boys."

[warmheartedly]

At the mention of her granddaughter, she can't help but look at the direction that she sensed her only anchor left in the world. She was still having a good time from what she can tell, no doubting chatting with friends and enjoying her dance herself. She tries not to judge but Magra sweetie please don't be twerking.

(She is twerking though.)

"I hope so! That would be a good thing for her to have inherited from her old grandmother for once." Clara was noticeably smaller than everyone else. A sold 5'2 with no heels to help boost her height thanks to her choice of sensible flats. "I don't think I'll mind boys being interested in her. Long as they're gentlemen like you, I know she'll be safe."

[detectiveofthewest]

Sigh... youth. Well, what could you really do but laugh? Sooner or later, Magra might be a grandma herself, watching in mild horror as her own granddaughter engaged in whatever terrible Dance of the Future they came up with a few decades from now.

He laughed as they swung by another couple that seemed to be suffering from a case of two left feet. Or maybe four?

"Now who's doing the flattering?" he teased. "Miss Clara, you're gonna make me blush!"

[warmheartedly]

Clara notices them and can't help but laugh herself, feeling awful for the poor girl who looked like she was stepping on her partner's feet on purpose. Oh dear, that doesn't look a happy time for either party.

Here's hoping they'll have a nice night by the end. Everyone deserves to have a good time.

"Just copying your tricks," she teases him, giving what she hopes is a cheery wink. "Though I'll need more practice to be skilled as you in it. It's definitely helped me out tonight, being more confident. I met such interesting people. So, in a way, I have another reason to thank you."

[detectiveofthewest]

Luckily, they'd probably straighten things out eventually. Well... that or join the twerking party themselves.

"Oh, they're tricks now, are they?" Heiji laughed. "I'm glad you're havin' fun, too. Not that I ain't glad those kids have someone looking over their shoulder -- but everyone deserves a break now and then."

[warmheartedly]

"I do hope they like my company though I doubt it." She pretends to look around and leans forward, pretending to whisper, "Sometimes, I check who is paying attention in class and who isn't. If they're on their phone and it's just chatting with a friend or they're trying to cheat, I hover by and zip! Phone won't work while I'm around now."

She smiles a bit, feeling a bit bad that she does that since it is a hit-or-miss when trying to do that on purpose but she's getting better at it. Maybe. The students never scream in anger or look horrified when it happens. Only confused and ask later on to their friends if their gadgets still worked.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Miss Clara!" said Heiji, affecting a mildly scolding tone. "Playing pranks on the kids of today, who would have thought? ...Though I bet the teachers enjoy it."

She also probably resulted in a call or two to a tech-inclined friend or relative, who would puzzle over the phone and then announce that that was nothing wrong with it that they could see...