The Watchers of Night (
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daybreakacademy2020-02-14 03:12 pm
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VALENTINES BALL

VALENTINES BALL
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The ball itself is laid out similar to a 1920s club, with a large space for dancing, a stage for entertainment, and plenty of tables and chairs for sitting, dining, and chatting. Bars on both sides of the room provide a place to order and collect both food and drink, and the second storey of the venue has been put into use to provide quieter and more secluded places to sit.
A. Classy…? Cocktails
As ever, the Academy has provided a lavish and thematic spread of food for the occasion, with a few unique twists to fit the theme. The drinks of are particular note - aside from the usual range of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks that Daybreak provides, many are tailor-made for the ball due to a collaboration between some of the alchemy and culinary classes in Daybreak (who were rather too eager to volunteer). Have you ever wondered what it’s like to drink cake or a steak? You’ll find plenty of experiments here, both savory and sweet, to facilitate that experience.
If that’s not to your tastes, some drinks are purely decorative, providing some unique visual or audio effects - you might find yourself sepia-toned or monochrome, chattering like an old-fashioned radio host or filled with an irrepressible urge to sing everything you say - among other things. Mercifully, everything wears off by the end of the night.
B. Changing Stages
While this ball is by no means illegal, there has at least been an attempt to capture the more ‘forbidden’ aspects of a speakeasy. As the night goes on, switches and buttons appear on the walls, and pressing them will make the room shift and change to reveal secret doors and elevators - partially mechanical tricks, but mostly through clever application of magic and mundane illusion. These exits from the room provide ample opportunity for attendees to stretch their legs and take a walk and a break from the rest of the party through mazelike, glittering hallways and smoke-hazy corridors that lead to balconies and small lounges looking out onto strange, abstract views. Walk far enough, and you might end up in a completely different part of the venue than you were before - though for the truly lost, the corridors will always bring you to someone you can ask for help sooner or later, or guide you out.
Well, eventually. It wouldn’t quite fit the theme of a speakeasy without a little bit of uncertainty, would it?
C. Nyeh, See?
For those who would rather indulge in the darker implications of the theme and have no patience for the other entertainment on offer, this maze of corridors offers one other attraction - enchanted guns and gear for laser tag. In strict adherence to the theme, all guns resemble the kind of weaponry that 1920s gangsters would be boasting - and no matter what you were wearing at the time, as soon as you attach a pendant to your clothing, you're immediately in magically-fitting suits any gangster would envy. They even give off the illusion of bleeding should you be 'shot' by one of these enchanted guns, though to avoid causing undue concern the illusory blood sparkles and shines different colours.
D. Shall We Dance?
No Valentines ball is complete without the opportunity to get close to someone you might enjoy the company of, after all. To fit with the speakeasy theme, music and entertainment has been provided - both stage performances from volunteers and a selection of recorded music from the era. And for those up on the second floor, a station has been provided for whatever you’d like to broadcast to the entire room. Whether you’re up on the stage, down on the dancefloor, or you simply want to set a little mood music for certain people to take a hint, there’s bound to be something to do.
Some of the spirits and other, benign creatures that inhabit Daybreak’s grounds have decided to invite themselves, finding the music and warmth too irresistible to refuse. As a result, masked figures dressed in the vague approximation of 1920s fashion can be spotted among the more solid attendants, and those who don’t have a dance partner might well find themselves being asked to dance regardless - and be given small gifts as a token of gratitude for the indulgence. Or they might just nudge you into dancing with someone new...
E. Wildcard
Anything else you’d want to do at the dance? Feel free to enjoy the night - it’s for everyone to indulge themselves, after all.
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[Urtz is decked out in a dress she'd chosen the very second the theme of this party reached her ears. Aside from the dress, she has a matching cloche bucket hat of the same color, with a black band and feather. Several pearl necklaces adorn her neck and chest, with her outfit being completed by black opera gloves and a black feather boa. All in all she seems quite pleased with herself and makes an active attempt to join people in conversation and on the dance floor. Every so often though she makes her way over to the refreshment table. Sometimes it's to enjoy some of the drinks and food provided, but other times it's to mess with the spread a bit.
Curious as to why your drink tastes like liquid cake? She probably has something to do with it. Not like she's even trying to hide her amusement at all the faces people are making.]
Prompt 2: I Cast Gun
[After a bit of more standard fun, Urtz decides there's no harm in mixing things up a bit. So she decides to join in on this bit of laser tag even though she's clearly not dressed for it. She can mend and clean her clothing so it's fine. If you're on her team during the start of the match, she'll be sure to pull you aside before it starts.]
I'll likely be splitting off from the group at some point. My abilities to shapeshift should prove useful here. If you see someone without this charm- [She pulls out a small acrylic keychain of a cartoon bunny making a piece sign and fastens it to her gun.] -they likely aren't me.
[Which would explain why if you're on the other team, you might hear about members of your own team somehow getting other people in your group out. Of course if you'd rather not deal with that, she's capable of playing out a match or two without using her tricks.]
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[ Like he hasn't been watching at least some of the time. ]
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Guilty as charged. But can you blame me? The culinary staff worked diligently to provide us with these "experiments". It's only fair that people give them a chance.
[Whether they want to or not.]
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You should let such experiments appeal to people on their own merits, surely?
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[She chuckles a bit to herself, still looking quite pleased.]
Ah, but where's the fun in that? Besides, you know how humans are. Always so resistant to change. If given the chance to experiment, very few will take it.
[Her tone is airy and light, filled with amusement likely matching Ekke's own, though it's seated in her own feelings regarding humanity even so.]
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Are you enjoying yourself so far? Besides the drink-spiking. I think the student council did an excellent job setting everything up.
[ And he's not just saying that because Rex is part of it. Though that is a small part. He never claimed to be unbiased. ]
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[Urtz wouldn't suggest she's so very distanced from humans, but she's seen firsthand what they do to those who aren't like them. What they do when presented with change. She'll fully admit she's biased, having mostly seen the worst they have to offer, but she's more than happy to be proven wrong. That's part of the reason why she's here.
And besides, she does know some pretty quality humans.]
I wouldn't call it drink spiking. More like drink swapping. But either way, yes. Very much so. It's clear the student council did their research to ensure an accurate replica. It feels as though I'm in a speakeasy during the roaring 20's. But what of you, Ekke? Are you enjoying yourself?
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Eventually Val will draw near after a particularly successful play, resulting in someone spit-taking and spluttering in surprised at the fact this was not what he came for.]
Oh ho, he never saw that one coming. Well played, I must say.
[And boy, does he look bemused.]
So, what did you flavor did you give that poor sod?
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Ah, Professor Valvatorez. I'm honored to hear you enjoyed my latest escapade.
[Taking her hat off, she bows and places her hat back on.]
An excellent question. I believe I provided him with delicious Chicken Alfredo.
[There's a pause as the man stares back at his glass before...shrugging and taking another drink out of it. At that, Urtz can't help but snicker.]
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His own eyes caught the man sampling the drink again, which just caused the vampire's smirk to grow.]
It must be a particularly exquisite Chicken Alfredo as well. You must truly have a gift at the culinary arts.
[Or whatever the magic equivalent was. Either way, it was legitimately bemusing, and a shared laugh was always welcome.]
So, did you have any other particularly good reactions to your gastronomical creations tonight? You must share, I've surely missed some.
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[She's all smiles as she says this. It's nice to have her genius recognized, but she won't take credit for something she didn't do.]
Nevertheless, I do have a few stories to tell. As I was walking by I spotted one couple being particularly loud and obnoxious. So when one of them went to fetch two glasses of punch, I swapped the liquids but kept the colors the same. You should have seen their faces.
[Except then she actually makes the faces - quite literally, mind you. First the poor soul who brought the punch and then the other who received it. Both are a horrifying mixture of confusion and sickness.]
I am bad and slow and I apologize
Oh, that is priceless. Completely off guard! Beautiful. You would probably win awards back in Hades for practical joking with that.
[He means it too, given such things are highly prized.]
They should give the cooking staff bonuses for all of this. Not only do they turn out some fine regular cuisine all the time, their culinary experimentation is positively delightful. If only they could include more sardines in them.
You are good and I will not hear anything to the contrary
Ah, would I now? Perhaps I should pay this Hades a visit. I'm sure I would get along well with the residents. Although practical joking aside, your words reminded me of something. Your love of sardines is well-documented, so I thought to put in a special request ahead of time.
[Reaching into her purse, Urtz pulls out a glass bottle that should not have been able to fit inside the bag. A cork is sealing the bottle tight to prove it has yet to be opened, but the thing that will likely draw Valvatorez's gaze is the picture of a sardine on the label and the soothing blue coloring of the drink. Her smile contorts into a smug grin as she hands it over to him.]
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[He chuckles at the thought of his younger days back in Hades. Oh, what a rough and tumble and incredibly silly, charming place. How he missed that part of the Outlands sometimes. Fondness for his home rarely came up in this day, but it did rear its head from time to time.
But when Urtz produces that bottle with the sardine label, he smiled quite devilishly, with a tone to match. He did reach out to accept it gratefully, however.]
Oh, my. Thank you! That's very kind of you. Ah, but I suppose I must simply taste it, to see if it tastes as good as its source.
[There's a hidden tone in his voice that suggests he's aware of the risks, given the conversation they were just talking about, but honestly, even if it was also a prank? What would be the harm? Oh, it might be just good for a laugh for both of them.]
Do you mind terribly if I try it now?
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[Reaching for a glass, she downs it without letting it touch her lips. After casting a spell to clean it and another to rinse it out and dry it, she hands the now empty glass over to Valvatorez. Said glass is so clean that it almost seems to be perpetually shining.]
There you are. Bottoms up, as they say.
[Once Val takes a drink, the liquid will indeed taste like sardines. Rich, flavorful sardine full of that sweet, sweet Omega 3 he loves so much. The only curious thing is it has more of a kick than he might expect, but also otherwise nothing out of the ordinary.]
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[He does remember his manners quite often, happily accepting the glass before uncorking the bottle and pouring it gingerly. Before he took a sip, he took a moment to take a sniff of the liquid; not out of suspicion, but more like one would before sampling a fine wine. He gave a hum, seemingly pleased at the scent, before taking a sip. And with that, his eyes opened in a start. It did kick a bit, much more than he expected, but it was clear that it was immediately to his liking.]
Why, that's marvelous! A rich, complex flavor profile, with a strong taste up front, and a warm, but smooth finish! How positively delightful. You have my sincere gratitude!
(no subject)
1.
If I guess what flavor you think of next, do I win a prize?
[Jailbreak is, perhaps unsurprisingly, blurring the line between "scruffy" and "stylish" to great effect. Her shirt is untucked, the sleeves rolled up, and her suit jacket slung over one shoulder. Instead of actually using them for their intended purpose, she's letting the suspenders dangle from the belt of her pinstripe trousers. Underneath her hat, her hair is fashionably messy- or possibly just regular messy, because at this point who can tell.]
[The end result is that she's not so much in a suit as she is attractively half out of one.]
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After clearing her throat for a few seconds, she finally manages to get a hold of herself.]
Perhaps. Though I feel you may get one just for participating.
[A smile creeps up her face as she closes the distance between herself and Jail; not that there was much distance already.]
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[Still, she's never been one to turn down a participation trophy- pride's for suckers who can't resell their useless tokens on ebay. ...Admittedly, more applicable in terms of metaphor than it is in the actual situation, but still.]
Or is seeing you look so pretty and not swooning the real competition, here? [She grins and tucks an arm loosely around Urtz's waist- giving her enough room to pull away if she's uncomfortable, but still making it clear she's appreciating the closeness.]
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[Urtz settles into the embrace, returning it easily by draping two arms around Jail's neck. Much like Jail's own grip, hers is loose enough to break out of. It's not likely she would, but it's her way of returning the gesture and showing it's appreciated. They can go closer in a minute.]
But do you think you could win a competition like that? Say if you had to last at least ten seconds?
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[Urtz leans in a bit, her eyes looking over Jail's attire and lingering perhaps a bit too long.]
Truthfully I am unsure myself. Having you here, looking as ravishing as you do, is all I could ask for already.
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[Seriously, this is a school dance, she's not going to get past "suggestive insinuation" within earshot of small children and Hector.]
But why don't we start with a dance?
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Darling, you're lucky I don't have a pillow to hit you with.
[Though it is partially her fault for asking Jail of all people the question.]
Why not indeed. A dance would be nice. Hmm... [Her expression changes. Initially she looked annoyed, but in a fake way. Now she looks quite pleased, even as she "considers" the proposal.] I suppose I'll allow it.
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[She's awful, she just likes having attention. But she smiles warmly, and offers her arm to Urtz as the next song starts up.]
Welp, looks like we'll just have to show 'em how it's done, right?
(no subject)