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 The lights are off, the desks and chairs have been replaced by beanbags and there's a table in the corner with a chocolate fountain, marshmallows and strawberries.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

[apolly]

"But witches like that are gonna practice dark magic whether or not, right?" Apollo definitely knew none of their books were in the school, anyway. It was probably best not to get into something he didn't fully understand yet.

"You're making this sound way more shady than it probably is. ...Like you're looking for a scoop or something." Nailed it.

[detectiveofthewest]

"That's my take! But they must think they can make folks stop by making it against the rules." lol humans.

Heiji grinned. "I wouldn't say no to one of them 'scoops'. But that's cause I gotta stick my nose in everything. Makes life interesting, yeah?"

Although honestly murder was better than conspiracy, shh don't tell anyone.

[apolly]

"You must be a riot at party game night," Apollo responds dryly before sipping his drink. Actually, that was probably a little too rude, so...

"What's not interesting about taking time off and having a vacation? When's the last time you left town and didn't think about dark magic and rules and stuff?" A pause. "And I don't mean there." Not the other Realm, don't you dare count that.

[detectiveofthewest]

"I am if there's a body, anyway!" said Heiji even though that was super rude Apollo wow turn in your badge. He said it like it was 100% perfectly normal for there to be a body. Though to be fair, it was to him. Why, he'd been invited to a nice little chalet once that...

"This is my vacation. I'm originally from Osaka, y'know. It's supposed to be a learning experience... I think." He kind of preferred Japan, though, lbr.

[apolly]

"I'm pretty sure no one wants a game with any type of dead body in it. And second, you've been here longer than I have. I think that makes it less of a vacation and more of a new way of life."

Though learning Heiji being from Osaka is a pleasant surprise, somehow.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Yeah, but sometimes they just happen. That ain't ever happened to you?" Don't lie Apollo, you've probably seen some dead bodies in weird places in your time. Probably.

"Anyhow, you're talkin' like I don't enjoy my free time! I totally do, though. I met this cute reporter the other day who's gonna take me to the Natural History Museum! Say, I don't think you ever told me where you were from."

[apolly]

"Of course it's happened to me, but it's not like it brightens my day a little bit more each time."

... This guy moves the subject along like a speeding bullet.

"California. Los Angeles, specifically. You know— the sun, the media, the cost-a-leg living."

[detectiveofthewest]

"Oh, right, L.A. Somehow, I just can't see ya working elbow-to-elbow with show business types. I don't blame ya for leaving, either. Heard the traffic there's terrible." You couldn't pay Heiji enough to move there, that was for sure.

"You should visit Osaka sometime! It's way more affordable, and the food's great!"

[apolly]

Apollo wouldn't be paying anyone, don't worry about it.

"I don't know, I've never been to Japan... I doubt I'll have the time for it right now, anyway. My soul's sold here for a while."

[detectiveofthewest]

Just remember to pay yourself, Apollo...

Heiji made a face. "Don't joke about that kinda thing, jeez. Anyhow, you should make time! I'll show ya around. You like whale sharks? We have an aquarium with a really cute one. And we could see all the historical sites, too!"

[apolly]

"I'll think about it... um, when do you plan on going back?"

Schedule a time, schedule a time. A trip with Heiji sounds like a roller coaster all on its own. He's the type of man to bounce back and forth until something catches his attention, after all.

Like... this very party.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Hmm, that's a good question. I haven't even decided how long I'll be stayin' here! But I can pretty much fly back whenever. If you can take a few days off from defending, we can line up a visit!"

Why make plans when you can just waltz along without them... apparently, the fae Just Didn't Care about things like work and schedules. Or maybe it was just Heiji that didn't.

[apolly]

This is why we'll never be roommates.

"I can probably make that happen next month. Can you really take time off whenever you want?"

Why would the offices give Heiji this benefit?

[detectiveofthewest]

Well. That and Heiji's bringing the occasional cutie back to his place.

"Pretty much, yeah. You tell me when you wanna go and I'll do some planning." Heiji seemed delighted by this idea, FINALLY SOMEONE TO KIDNAP AND DRAG BACK TO GLORIOUS OSAKA you definitely would not regret this, Apollo.

"You'll love it! We'll get some real sushi, not that conveyer belt stuff!"

[apolly]

Kidnapping is only acceptable if I see your bull in writing, Heiji, this is how Apollo works.

... Wait, "real sushi" and "conveyer belt"?

"What's the difference?" Oh, America.

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji LAUGHED HEARTILY AT APOLLO'S JOKE. HA HA HA. But when Apollo did not immediately start laughing with him, his expression changed. It was the expression of someone who had looked into the abyss, and realized that it was looking back at him.

"Wait... are you serious?"

[apolly]

Wait for it...

[apolly]

"Okay! One's on a belt!"

Nailed it!

[detectiveofthewest]

"Of course one's on a belt!" Heiji scrubbed a hand through his hair, like what are you doing to him Apollo. What was wrong with you and Eagleland.

"Look, conveyer belt sushi places are cheap 'cause they slap together their sushi real fast. It's like the... fast food of sushi. You and I are gonna make a date for a good sushi bar, and that's final!"

[apolly]

"And a sushi bar's the restaurant version of... oh, yeah, okay!"

What a thing to finally make him excited, some actual sushi. At least this "date" is with someone who knows what he's talking about, but it's enough to make Apollo smile all the same.

"When it comes to Osaka, people always talk about its food. So... yeah, I'll plan time off soon."

Having a good time with Heiji, what happened.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Okay, good!" All smiles now; Heiji loved good food. "And they're absolutely right! We'll stop by someplace for coffee, too -- you like iced coffee? Oh yeah, and you should tell me which historical sites you're interested in. The Kansai area's got tons of those. It used to be the capital way back before Tokyo or Kyoto, y'know."

Yes, Tokyo... his archenemy. In any case, Apollo, you were going to have a good time whether you liked it or not. Pretend that made sense.

[apolly]

"Okay, woah, slow down." Apollo holds his hand up; it's about time he stops Heiji in his endless rants. For a smart guy, he sure did talk a lot. Not always a bad trait, but...

"Yes, I like iced coffee if it isn't too sweet. I've read about the castles, aquarium, and Universal Studios at some point. And I didn't even know it was the capital at one point."

It's fine, Heiji, he doesn't have a choice in a lot of things.

[detectiveofthewest]

What was astonishing was that Apollo hadn't stopped Heiji earlier. Although what would be the consequences of stopping Heiji from talking? Would Heiji literally EXPLODE?

"Universal Studios?" Heiji made a face. "You're from L.A.! You probably seen the real thing tons of times. I'll be sure to schedule a stop for coffee, though. You'll love it; we don't do that cold brew nonsense."

Then Apollo was prepared.....

[apolly]

Not really.

"I've been, yes, but that doesn't mean all the parks are the same. I'd like to see how Japan's is different," Apollo explains. "And I think... I mean, you can pick up coffee anywhere, right?"

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji still looked a bit rebellious, but Apollo was going to be his guest, after all, and by gum if his guest wanted to be a TERRIBLE AMERICAN TOURIST WHO VISITED JAPAN AND THEN WENT TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, well. So be it.

"That very attitude is how you get a Starbucks across the street from another Starbucks! No way, I'm puttin' my foot down on this one. Why visit another country if you're just gonna grab any old thing to eat and drink? 'Specially if you got a local to show ya around."