VALENTINES BALL

[thewatchers]

VALENTINES BALL

Log Comm | Network Comm | OOC Comm | Navigation

February 14th is a day both famed and notorious for feats of love, passion and confession. And violence, as this year’s theme suggests - a 1920s speakeasy theme, initially based off the Valentines’ Day massacre of 1929 and toned down to be significantly more fun and less a dark reminder of bloodshed. While this year’s event has no predicted surprises like a daemon invasion in store, the Student Council has still chosen to hire extra security for the ball; bulky constructs in surprisingly well-tailored pinstripe suits and hats stand guard outside the entrances to the venue, impassively watching for any signs of trouble.

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.

code bases by tricklet

Comments

[spelleton]

[ He hadn't expected Rex to bring such a thing up, but it does get a smile out of him, even if that smile isn't as bright as his (former??) charge's. It's nice to see him enjoying himself. ]

Indeed it has. [ He straightens from where he's leaning at the counter, taking Rex's hand. ] Though I doubt I could repeat the same dance I did with you when you were young, so I suppose you've something else in mind?

[ He's not entirely surprised by Rex's height, but comparing it to the child he used to babysit was always an experience. ]

[heromedal]

We could reverse the positions.

[ It would be very possible for Ekke to stand on Rex's giant feet, but maybe a little undignified. His ex-babysitter doesn't reach Rex's shoulder, but he's characteristically careful and gentle about testing how light on his feet Ekke is- the sort of wild flinging about of the swing dancing Rex loves is a bit over the top for most. It is an excellent style for someone with limbs as long as him though, letting him direct the action from afar. ]

[spelleton]

[ That gets a laugh. ]

Really? That might look a little odd. I'd rather just stick to keeping my feet on the ground, though if you insist, I'll try my best.

[ Despite the stiffness of his posture moments before, Ekkehardt is more than willing to go along with Rex's usual dancing style. He's swift on his feet; though this kind of dance isn't really familiar to him, he's a fast learner. Or, more accurately, he masks his stumbles and missteps well, though likely not well enough to escape Rex's notice at such close range.

Grimm would like this, he thinks. He puts the thought away for now. ]

[heromedal]

[ Rex does indeed notice. He'd notice from across the room. But he's not the sort to make a fuss of it- though any step that brings on a stumble is repeated more gently a few steps later. Rex is quite new to dancing with a partner, but it's easy to translate what he knows about dancing solo and about controlling distance from an enemy in hand-to-hand combat.

Easy for him, at least. ]

I think you could stand to try something undignified now and then.

[ The smile that comes with makes it clear, for once, he's joking. ]

[spelleton]

[ He laughs a little. As he gets used to Rex's way of moving, his mistakes and missteps lessen significantly. ] I try plenty of undignified things already, since working here. I suppose one more can't hurt.

I'm not sure how well your current style of dance would fit with it, however.

[heromedal]

They'll play something of another style eventually.

[ They'll play something where it's appropriate for someone twice your age to stand on your feet and be moved around like a widdle kid, surely.

Rex's talent for analysis serves him well as he reevaluates Ekke's skill level and comfortability by the second, adjusting to become more or less elaborate as they go. It's only when he's absolutely sure Ekke is ready he does a proper, full arm's length twirl. ]