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 The lights are off, the desks and chairs have been replaced by beanbags and there's a table in the corner with a chocolate fountain, marshmallows and strawberries.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

B

[acrookedchild]

"It's a blessing," Abigail offers. She's on her way out to the marquee, where most of the high society people will be. That is where she's needed, where she can do the most for what she is. But the question catches her ear all the same. "To ensure that this is a safe place for another term."

A very minor spell, given what this place is. More of a placebo. Because the person who really protects this school is the woman in charge. Still, it probably helps the girls. Lets them think they're important.

[eyeforaneye]

Immediately he turns his head to catch sight of her, tugging down one of those too-short sleeves as an afterthought. What a wretched suit.

"A blessing without active wards or defense measures behind it isn't more than a show, is it? Or does it actually have an effect beyond slightly more fortuitous circumstances?"

[acrookedchild]

"They're students," she says with a small shrug. "It's not their job to really protect this place with wards. The older students probably help, but these are young girls. Their blessing ceremony is... It's for them. To make them feel good."

It was important to make young students feel like they could contribute. She hadn't gone here, but she knew the feeling of it all. Her uncle had always been that way toward her.

"Overall, no. It's pretty useless."

[eyeforaneye]

"I see. I'm not familiar with this place or their way of doing things, but I guess I can see the merit in it." A practice run before jumping into something more. Somehow he's jealous of the opportunity, of the teachers that these students are able to utilize.

"And you are?"

[acrookedchild]

She turns a little to offer her hand politely. "Abigail Widdowson. I apologize for not introducing myself earlier."

[eyeforaneye]

There's a near uncomfortable pause before he reaches out his own, making those sleeves appear even shorter and more ill-fitting when he shakes her hand firmly.

"Sasuke Uchiha. You don't need to apologize." He draws his hand back all too soon, slipping both into his pockets. "Are you affiliated with the institute?"

[acrookedchild]

Abigail returns the firmness of the shake and bows her head just a little at the introduction. Then, she shakes her head a little.

"I'm not, I'm afraid. I'm simply a guest here."

[eyeforaneye]

"In that case... who are you working with? It seems like most people were invited due to direct ties somewhere." Straight to the point.

[acrookedchild]

Abigail smiles a little more, giving a nod to acknowledge the point. "The Widdowson name is an old one, and a rich one. It opens certain doors."

Which isn't really a boast. It's simple fact. 'Widdowson' means something in society, and she knows it. She will use that because she needs the leverage it brings.

[eyeforaneye]

"Is that supposed to mean that you're working with yourself and no one else? I suppose that's fair enough. Though judging by that speech we're all meant to be getting along regardless of names."

He can't say it's a name he knows but it's been a long time since he's been part of any kind of high society himself.

[acrookedchild]

"It means that, right now, I'm mostly unaffiliated." She smiles a little as she says it, giving a small kind of chuckle. "But I don't want enemies, so I like being in places like this.

[eyeforaneye]

"I guess it's easier to go without enemies if you're a human." Here he looks to her again, seeking eye contact. "Are you?"

[acrookedchild]

"Almost." Because, technically, she sort of was. She was human, just born a little different than others. "I'm a witch." It's strange to be able to just say it at such a public event. She doesn't even have a coven to be with her own kind usually. "Are you?"

[eyeforaneye]

Somehow he hadn't been asked yet, nor even expected it after delivering the inquiry himself. It makes him pause, eyes lingering back on the television again without really processing what he's seeing, too focused on her words.

"A witch, huh... I'm not sure. It's only been a month or so now since I discovered this place existed, and a few years before that that I realized what I could do. I just assumed it was only me."

[acrookedchild]

"I was raised with it," Abby admitted. "My family's an old name, and we've almost always had magic in our line."

But she was curious, now that he'd said that. After all, she knew plenty came into this sort of thing without a clue. "What can you do? If you don't mind me asking."

[eyeforaneye]

"I suppose you have an advantage over me, then." In terms of more than just knowledge. Still...

"Some fire and electricity channeling, so far as I know. I haven't studied magic formally so I don't have much grasp on it." And one other fledgling ability he'd rather hold close to his chest instead.

[acrookedchild]

"I know fire magic," Abigail replied. It wasn't much, but... Well, especially if he was going to be attending Redbright, and she intended to apply. "I might be able to help you a little with that."

It couldn't hurt to try, at least. Offer help to someone who didn't have the same advantages she did.

[eyeforaneye]

"... You?" He supposes he should reserve judgment. He knows all too well what it feels like to be underestimated due to appearance, after all.

"What's the catch, then. What do you want in return?"

[acrookedchild]

Abigail shrugged. She wasn't stupid enough to offer something for nothing. There was no telling who was a fae, where something was listening to hear a bad bargain to be struck.

"Well, I mean, I'd be willing to act as a tutor. Pay me a bit, get lessons. That sound okay?"

[eyeforaneye]

".........."

[eyeforaneye]

"How much is 'a bit'?"

[acrookedchild]

"I don't know your financial situation," Abigail replies, offering a small shrug of her shoulders. It's a simple fact of life. 'A bit' can be a great many things to different people. "But I'm sure we could sit down and figure out the specifics."

[eyeforaneye]

"... Fine, consider me interested, then. It's not a large amount that I can offer but if you're willing to haggle then I'll find a way to make it mutually beneficial. How should I contact you?"

[acrookedchild]

"Do you have a mobile? I can give you my number, and we can talk later," she suggests. After all, it's the best way to do it. Now's not the time for business.

[eyeforaneye]

"Suitable." And here he reaches into his pocket to pull out... the saddest phone in the world; is this even from this decade? "If you have particular times you don't want to be called, now's the time to say that too."