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daybreakacademy2020-02-14 03:12 pm
thewatchers) wrote in 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.
1
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?
no subject
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.]
no subject
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.
no subject
[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.]
no subject
[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?
no subject
[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.]
no subject
[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
It was no trouble at all. I am just glad you enjoyed the drink so thoroughly. Feel free to contact the culinary staff. No doubt they'd be able to provide you with any subsequent bottles you wish to procure. Though you will, most likely, have to purchase them.