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 The lights are off, the desks and chairs have been replaced by beanbags and there's a table in the corner with a chocolate fountain, marshmallows and strawberries.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

[kleptofaeniac]

She was starting to think she knew how a coyote felt before chewing their leg off in a trap before the cavalry arrived. Kenzi is more than willing to overlook the laughter - because honestly this is pretty hilarious. If only it weren't happening to her.

"No idea. But clearly they're a sadist 'cause this is the worst."

She finishes her complaint just as she pulls herself out of the vacuous bean bag and smooths out her dress. Thank God she was wearing something long to this shindig otherwise this would have been a lot more embarrassing.

Kenzi huffs out a relieved breath and smiles gratefully. "My hero."

[nestinghabits]

"I don't know... so far this night has been pretty sucky. Saving the day is always a good way to turn things around." He's not really aware of all of the political intrigue going on in this place, but he could tell from the atmosphere that some people considered the Chancellor's speech to be a pretty big deal. Aside from that, though, he's kind of bored. Formal events aren't his thing.

"Sorry for laughing, by the way." He knows enough about women that it might have been a bad decision, even if he hadn't really been able to help it. Some of the ones he's known in the past would have punched him in the face.

[kleptofaeniac]

Kenzi flaps a hand dismissively at him and the smile shifts to something much less appropriate for a formal event like this.

"Eh, I would have taken a picture if I were you. S'all good."

Really, she would have. And potentially tried to blackmail whatever poor sod she found floundering in the chair.

She hold out her hand for a shake, and offers her name instead of the more polite "nice to meet you" option.

"Kenzi."

[nestinghabits]

"I thought about it, for a moment! But with my luck, I'd end up getting cursed, or bitten, or turned into a rat or something." A grin breaks out across his face. Nothing creepy, just genuinely amused. He shakes her hand when it's offered.

"Clint Barton."

[kleptofaeniac]

Kenzi pulls a pouting frown and shrugs, as if she's considering the choice of animal before returning back to her smile.

"Eh. Rat's a bit cliched. On the same level as toad in my opinion."

Not that she'd ever been able to turn anyone into an animal. That was a higher level of arcane magic she didn't have access to. Not yet at least.

[nestinghabits]

"Yeah, but those are the classics. Some of the stuffier, older ladies around here are probably pretty fond of that kind of thing." Like he really has any room to go around calling people old, or to toss around stereotypes. He's lucky he hasn't been punched yet tonight.

"I like dogs, myself. I'd turn people into Chihuahuas if I could."

[kleptofaeniac]

It's cute. And not entirely a bad idea. After all what could a chihuahua do but pee all over everything and annoy you to death. Or chew on your toes. Either way.

She looks as if she's mulling over the choice, however.

"Parrots are more my speed. I think that Pulling Tulips show gave me the idea, though."