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 The lights are off, the desks and chairs have been replaced by beanbags and there's a table in the corner with a chocolate fountain, marshmallows and strawberries.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

[viduation]

[ not for the first time tonight, Derek absolutely regrets saying a word to Stiles. Derek takes a long, slow breath, the type one might learn in a anger management class, and rolls his eyes skywards. ]

Yeah, it is. Because it's in the name. [ he sighs. ] Newham, Waltham, Redbridge, and Barking.

[mensrea]

Hello? Brand new to the UK? Remember?

[ Frankly, Stiles is just about as done with the conversation as Derek is. His oncoming hangover demands water, so he starts inching in the direction of the bar. ]

Alright, inquisition is over. For now. I’ll let you get back to…whatever it is an alpha does at these kinds of things.

[viduation]

[ once again, Derek's relief is enough that he doesn't bicker. he can be the bigger man here. he doesn't need to stoop to Stiles' level. folding his arms, he turns to face him. at first it seems the only goodbye he's about to offer will be a cold stare. ]

Stiles.

[mensrea]

[ Frozen in place by the sound of his name, Stiles gives the bar a yearning, desperate look before eventually turning back to face Derek. The cold expression that greets him has him nervous all over again, brows knit together in anxious uncertainty. ]

Yeah?

[viduation]

[ and even when he sees, senses Stiles' discomfort, he doesn't let up. it seems like all he can do; Stiles is beginning to make him feel like he's struggling for ground, for purchase. it's not a challenge he relishes.

still. ]

Don't get yourself killed.

[mensrea]

[ An odd request, and yet not the first of its kind. Mouth falling open in speechless surprise, Stiles struggles to work through the tangle of emotions that throttle him. Despite his earlier claim, he thinks that he does get Derek. So the man’s parting words have him flinching away, uncomfortable and embarrassed, like he’s seeing a softer side to Derek he’d rather ignore. To conceal how he feels, he affects a lopsided, nonchalant grin. ]

C’mon, why does everyone keep telling me that tonight? Have some faith, dude.

[ He jerks his head in a nod and then hurriedly walks off, head swimming with thoughts and questions. ]