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 The lights are off, the desks and chairs have been replaced by beanbags and there's a table in the corner with a chocolate fountain, marshmallows and strawberries.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

"Ain't even sure these are hits!" Heiji honestly didn't recognize a lot of the songs, so they must not have had much international appeal.

"Lewisham... heard that was a disputed territory, but I ain't spend much time there. Daybreak's based over in the southwest of the city, though. Wonder if they're plannin' on expanding..." If they moved eastward, she might have something to worry about in the future.

[stauncherhearted]

"Pretty sure that last one was done by Dannie Fisher." She'd had a brief pop career before appearing on the television show Professor Why. Nancy had been raised in London, so this sort of thing she tended to pick-up on.

She nods, before reaching out to snag another champagne flute from a server in a suit. Much better. "Under Redbright, perhaps." But she tended not to pay much attention to the laws anyway, magical or otherwise.

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji plucked a champagne flute for himself -- not because he particularly wanted any, but what if he needed to toss his drink at someone?

"Never heard of her. Oh yeah, I never introduced myself. I'm Heiji. Came out here hopin' for a good party, but it's probably more interesting if you're an actual student."

[stauncherhearted]

She shrugged, as if to say fair enough.

"Nice to meet you, Heiji. I'm Nancy." She held out her hand to shake.

[detectiveofthewest]

He shook her hand; by now he was used to the gesture. "Alright, so. What brings you out here? Aside from the free food and awful soundtrack, I mean."

After all, Nancy was not a parent, teacher, student, or interested in politics. So why even put herself through this...

[stauncherhearted]

"Mostly that," she admits. "But I see a fun excuse to dress up, and I'm there." She was networking, partially. And babysitting, but she can't exactly mention that.

"A friend of mine wanted to go."

[detectiveofthewest]

"Yeah? That means they owe ya for next time! You should go somewhere fun. You gonna see Dippy before they move him?"

Assuming Nancy even liked museums. But Heiji's mind was clearly on other things. "There's a Greek place near here that I like. I think after this I'll check and see if they're still open."

[stauncherhearted]

"Forgive me for sounding ignorant; Dippy?" She took a small sip of her champagne, if only to punctuate the sentence.

"Oh, yeah?" Where he was getting food was of no interest to her, but whatever kept the conversation going. "Not a huge fan of Greek."