The Watchers of Night ([personal profile] thewatchers) wrote in [community profile] daybreakacademy2020-02-14 03:12 pm

VALENTINES BALL



VALENTINES BALL

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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
stavros: Kokoro smiling and blushing as she looks over her shoulder. ([a] hope i can do it)

[personal profile] stavros 2020-02-16 08:29 pm (UTC)(link)
It is true, these events far outstrip what most would see even from professionals. From what I've gathered, anyway. Some people might never have fun, though.
arcadianvampire: (Tyrant's Confidence)

[personal profile] arcadianvampire 2020-02-16 09:06 pm (UTC)(link)
It's true, that some wouldn't know fun if it bit them in the face. Some of that might be personality, others... might just not letting themselves enjoy things.

[Some people were just too damn grumpy to have a good time sometimes.]

Still, we try very hard here to make sure everyone can have a good time and make some unforgettable memories. Though the institution is very, very French, we do often borrow very heavily from the German philosophy of working hard and playing hard in equal measure.
stavros: Kokoro holding her regular whip. ([a] no tripping)

[personal profile] stavros 2020-02-16 09:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Perhaps. Has it always been that way here? I mean, a long time ago.

[She'd gone here since childhood, save for that year on assignment, but the school was far older than that.]
arcadianvampire: (Prinny Instructor)

[personal profile] arcadianvampire 2020-02-16 09:36 pm (UTC)(link)
It's all a bit relative. Daybreak took itself far more seriously a couple hundred years ago, though I wasn't teaching here at that point in time. That said, it's not like it was ever really dreadful here. I'd say students here have generally had it better than most outside schools at any given point in history, but...

When you consider how dire and rough some times were, that's not saying as much as it could.

[Of course, that's not getting into how dangerous it could be, at times. Missions and fighting monsters and daemons were always risky and potentially deadly, but at least the quality of life at the school was always above average.

He watched as other students walked by, a bit of a wistful smile tugging at his lips.]


As time has worn on, I believe the Seers and the administration have agreed that it would be better if we did things like this more often.

And it's not just idle frivolity either. Full stomachs and good spirits lead to better grades, better performance, and sharper minds. I must say, our students only seem to be getting better, smarter, and more creative every year.

[And there's a great deal of pride in his voice at that, though not directed toward himself. He's happy, really, that so many bright minds are blossoming here.]
stavros: Kokoro with her ancestor. ([a] truer to form)

[personal profile] stavros 2020-02-16 09:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Perhaps. ...It is nice. Well, normally. I do have to wonder about the illusions on the snack table back on Halloween.
arcadianvampire: (Proud)

[personal profile] arcadianvampire 2020-02-16 10:45 pm (UTC)(link)
I thought they were quite inspired, personally.

[Of course he did, he's a daemon, and he possesses a rather dark sense of humor.]

But you're far from the only one who felt that way. I do not believe we will be allowing that this year. The feedback was resoundingly negative, I'm sorry to say.
stavros: Indignant. ([a] could you not)

[personal profile] stavros 2020-02-17 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
I can see why. We're going to see enough of the real thing if this goes poorly.
arcadianvampire: (Thinking)

[personal profile] arcadianvampire 2020-02-17 03:44 am (UTC)(link)
Grim, but true.

[It was a harshly realistic statement, and were it from any other student, he'd find it more troubling. But if Kokoro was one thing, it was very serious about the family business... and this was one of the nastier sides of it.]

Though if we have anything to say about it, we will ensure it doesn't go poorly.
stavros: Kokoro ready to fight. ([a] beside you)

[personal profile] stavros 2020-02-17 04:04 am (UTC)(link)
I'll do my best. There's nothing else to do.

[She nods seriously and contemplates her weirdly glittery drink.]

Are we certain nothing is expected to go amiss this year? I was off on assignment last year, but I've heard... stories.
arcadianvampire: (Proud)

[personal profile] arcadianvampire 2020-02-29 03:17 pm (UTC)(link)
We're as certain as is reasonably possible. Which means it's quite safe.

[You can't always rule out some sort of fate-defying bullshit happening, but the odds of that are extremely small, and Valvatorez isn't about to lie about it.]

Last year, we knew very well what was coming. Believe it or not, we were exceptionally well prepared. Heh heh, those daemons thought they were ambushing us, it was cute.
stavros: Kokoro holding her regular whip. ([a] no tripping)

[personal profile] stavros 2020-03-01 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
That does seem to happen regularly. It would seem there's nothing to worry about, then, at least for the moment. Though I will admit I can never shake the worry regardless.

[This child has probably not felt peace in years.]