daybreakacademy | VALENTINES BALL

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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

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As someone who hates far more than she loves, Emille isn't much for Valentine's Day. Yet she is pleased with the playful twist on the traditional theme, which makes her chaperone role seem a little less tedious after all.

Being her typical stick in the mud self, Emille's outfit is her usual buttoned-up maroon military jacket, but with formal black slacks underneath instead of a dress and leggings. At least it's something a little different?

A. Observing at the drink bar

[Emille sits at the drink bar with a water at hand, watching the crowd on the dance floor. No, she's not interested in trying any of the fancy drinks (at least not on her own), but she does take interest in watching others' reactions to downing the drinks. Want to amuse her by getting grossed out in front of her, or allow her to see the effects of one of the more odd drinks that actually changes one's voice? Or, even better, want to try and coerce her to live it up a little and try a drink herself? She has had her eye on one of the visually-altering drinks...]

B. A maze for days

[After sitting at the drink bar for a while, Emille notices a button on the wall to her left. That hasn't always been there, has it? Curious, she walks over to it and presses it, revealing a hidden door. Even more curious now, she enters it without a second thought. Follow her before the door disappears?]

(or)

[Emille has been in the hallways for a little while now, marveling at the magic on display. At least, she thinks it's magic? The walls glitter even though the hallways are filled with an odorless smoke... Her intrigue keeps her going, finding her journey and its unpredictability endlessly interesting.

She eventually ends up in a hallway that dead-ends into a small lounge area, with what must be an illusion of a full moon beaming through a window onto a plush red couch. However, as she approaches, the image of the night sky is replaced with a red and pink cascade of hearts, and she notices that the couch now has pink heart-shaped pillows on it.

Emille just frowns and sighs. Looks like she's stumbled upon the lovers' nook.]

...Seriously?

[It's too hazy for her to tell if anyone else is in the room... Or behind her, laughing at her response.]

C. Baby's first gun

[After escaping that red and pink nightmare, Emille hears others ahead of her chattering amongst themselves about a game at the end of this hall. Interested, she follows a ways behind them so they would not notice her, until they enter into a much larger, darker room with... black lights?

To her right are pendants and what look like guns. There's also a list of rules for the uninitiated such as herself, complete with instructions on how to use the weapons. Emille's never held a gun, let alone used one, so she's unsure whether or not she wants to partake in this activity. For now, she'll watch the others to get the gist of the game...]

D. Chaperoning... spirits?

[The ball is winding down, but Emille is once again at the drink bar, doing her duty as faculty chaperone until the bitter end. There seem to be more unrecognizable figures out on the floor now as the time has grown closer to midnight, and she has no idea who they may be, as their faces are veiled by hats and masks.

Every now and then one sort of mindlessly drifts over to the drink bar, and as they come closer to Emille, her small body glows with a blue aura that drives the stranger away without a word. She knows what the aura is, but she's unsure why it's reacting. Even more, she's nervous about other, more spiritually-attuned people seeing what's happening.

In an attempt to stop this from continuing, she whispers,] Please, I'm okay...

E. Wildcard

[Emille's going to be around all night and in all the places at some point. Feel free to poke her with whatever!]

[Guns are guns, for Hazel and even laser tag guns feel like a comfort in her hands. She's small but she's agile and focused, moving around easily getting a sense of the people who are planning to take part. When you're used to being shot at with rubber and real bullets for training, this feels even more like the game it's meant to be. The stakes are so very low.]

Are you coming?

[She looks at Emille, wondering if she's joining a team or going solo.]

[Emille's been lurking near the entrance to the laser tag arena for a while, watching others go in and mostly hearing them as they play, with the occasional burst of light speeding towards the entrance. Everyone else so far has ignored her, so she's slightly taken aback when Hazel calls out to her. Even though she's put on the spot, she thinks she's read the rules enough to sort of know what to do. There's nothing to lose by trying...]

I suppose I am going solo, unless you are interested in forming a team? Yet it would be unfair if I did not inform you that I have no experience with such a game, so it would be a risk to take me as a teammate.

[Emille seems as if she's waiting for Hazel's reply before grabbing a pendant and a gun, but she's really wanting to observe how she handles her gun before attempting to do the same.]

[Hazel handles a gun like someone who is well-versed, comfortable. Keeps the barrel pointed down and the safety on. Fingers along the barrel and away from the trigger. She looks Emille over for a moment.]

Sure, we can team up. It's just a game. No one is going to die if you make a mistake.

[Emille nods. Some people are very into winning their games, as if their lives truly did hinge on the outcome. Thankfully it does not seem that Hazel is that type.]

I am glad that you think so, Miss. [Emille dons a pendant but does not activate it just yet. And now the time has come for her to pick up a gun, which she does, taking care not to point it at Hazel. Emille's goal is to make it seem as if she's not completely new to using a gun, so time will tell if her bluff will hold.]

Before we begin, it would be improper if I did not introduce myself. [She dips her head into a bow.] I am Emille, biology professor and Head of Research. [That may be surprising, as Emille is only four feet tall.]

Oh. {A teacher. Someone with authority who it may be important for Hazel to know.]

I'm Hazel. I haven't taken your class yet. Maybe next semester? [Picking classes had been one of the hardest things she'd done when she got to the Academy. She'd never had formal schooling or even something close to it.]

Nice to meet you, Miss Hazel. [It's kind of hard to see in here, so she hopes she'll be able to recognize Hazel when she sees her in regular light.] Even if you did not register for my class, you are welcome to drop in to listen at any time. The labs in the Citadel where my office is located are also always open.

[Emille's getting used to the weight and the feel of the gun, but she hasn't had an opportunity to point it anywhere but the ground yet.] Well then, do you feel ready to play a game? [Emille's not one to back down from a challenge.] I wonder who our opponents will be.

Hm. Thank you, Miss Emille. [She gives her a friendly smile, hoping she comes across as respectful and deferential, as she is a teacher.]

I believe our opponents will likely be the duo the furthest from us, to the right. [She's speaking of the girl and boy who look to be older--and much taller--than Hazel herself who already have their pendant and guns ready. The boy looks like someone who has no idea what to do with a gun despite how happy he is to be holding one.]

They are the only other team ready. We should be first.

[She looks to the right at the pair Hazel mentioned, who are also much taller than Emille, and she hopes that the darkness conceals the sudden what am I doing here frown that slides down her face for a moment. But she shakes out of it and looks back at Hazel.]

I see. At the very least we may have a size advantage against them.

[Emille fingers her pendant.] I suppose it is time to activate this. [She puts it on over her head, and the second it hits her chest, her clothes seem to morph into a perfectly-tailored dark suit. If she could actually see, she would notice that it also has tiny white pinstripes. It's quite an impressive illusion.] Hm. This is certainly interesting.

[Hazel doesn't disagree. Her height can be a great advantage, especially in regards to aim. People aim higher when going for the head. Seeing the costume that Miss Emille is given, Hazel finally activates her own pendant. Her outfit is similar to Emille's, down to the stripes, with the addition of a hat.]

Are we supposed to be the criminals being chased? [She knows little about pop culture, but she looked into this when she found out what the theme of the ball would be.]

[Emille just shrugs at Hazel's question. Though she was born in America, she moved to Japan before she was old enough to learn much about American history.]

I am not sure, but I have not seen anyone dressed as police after activating their pendant. Perhaps we are all criminals in one large mob battle?

[Suddenly, a group of chattering people emerge from the arena and begin returning their guns and pendants to the table. Watching them go from mobster suits to ballroom apparel in a flash of magic is a little weird. But, if the arena is open, then...]

I suppose we are next, are we not? [Gulp.]

[If Emille is paying attention, she'll likely hear Urtz on her way over as her heels clack against the floor. Or perhaps she'll see her out of the corner of her eye. Either way, the other woman is clearly dressed for the occasion, wearing a traditional flapper outfit, though with a hat as opposed to a feathered headband.]

I can assure you the drinks taste far better than they look. [A pause.] Well, some of them. Thinking of trying one?

Edited 2020-02-24 08:17 (UTC)

Ah, Lady Cromwell. [Emille looks over Urtz's attire and is impressed, though she doesn't show it.] You are certainly well-dressed for tonight's festivities.

I have merely been chaperoning this evening, but it would be an untruth to admit that I have not been interested in trying one of the drinks that supposedly alter one's appearance. [Before Urtz can accuse Emille of wanting to have fun, she adds,] Solely to experience the magic behind it, of course.

[She's sure they're safe, as she's watched others take them, but she wants to ask anyway--] Have you tried any of these drinks yet?

Of course. Very serious business, I'm sure.

[Her tone is light, as is her smile.]

At any rate, indeed. I consider myself a connoisseur of both food and drink, so letting an opportunity like this pass me by would be simply unacceptable. Is there a desired effect you're looking for?

[Of course it's serious business, that's Emille's middle name. If she had one. But she doesn't let the comment bother her; it's Urtz.

She takes a moment to think about a drink she could take that wouldn't affect her duties as much, and comes upon an idea.]

Perhaps a drink that allows one to see in black-and-white, or otherwise magically takes away the ability to perceive colors, would be interesting to experience.

[It's nice to see that Emille is getting used to her...difficult personality. Though she miss her reactions every now and again.]

Very well. That's a specific effect, so it shouldn't be too hard to find.

[Urtz raises her hand and opens it as if bearing claws. A magical glows with a soothing blue light around her hand. In a matter of seconds, every drink begins to radiate an aura of their own in response, each with a different color.]

Cognosco.

[The small white circles of her eyes begin to glow as well, matching the aura of her hand. Seconds later the glowing fades and the magic dies down. She then picks up one of the glasses and hands it to Emille.]

Here you are.

[Oh, Emille will still have reactions, just as she's reacting now: eyes wide open and watching Urtz's display of magic with interest. She's still wide-eyed as she receives the glass from Urtz.]

What an interesting skill. Does it search out a particular ingredient, or magic? [If that's the case, then Emille is doubly impressed, as that would mean Urtz would need to know what specific ingredient or magic causes such an effect.

Then again... Emille swishes the amber-colored liquid around in the glass, a little hesitant to try it. She's wary of ingesting unknown magical potions. In fact, she's never swallowed anything supernatural... to her knowledge, anyway.]

There are spells like that, should I wish to conserve my magic levels, but I simply cut out the middle man in order to identify the effects and flavors of each drink. It's doubtful we will be under any kind of attack today, so I see no harm in splurging.

[Waving a hand, she gestures to the glass still full and in Emille's possession.]

By the way, the drink is blue raspberry flavored. You would think it would be orange or banana flavored, but alas. My theory is the culinary staff went mad with power at some point during the preparations.

Edited 2020-02-27 05:41 (UTC)

Impressive, as always. There may well truly be a spell for everything.

Blue raspberry, you say? [Emille brings the glass up to her nose, curious to know if it also carried the aroma of raspberries. What exactly was the difference between red raspberries and blue ones, anyway?] That flavor is more frequently used for children's candy, is it not?

[Oh well. Tipping her head backwards, she downs the drink in one gulp. True to her word, the drink tasted like fake confectioner's raspberry -- a little sweet and a little sour.

The effect took longer to kick in than it took for the drink to go down Emille's gullet. She first noticed the dance floor's lights begin to soften and fade, leaving spots of white everywhere. The myriad drinks on the table in front of them slowly drained of color until they were white, grey, or black. Emille never did notice much of a change in Urtz, but that is only because she was already basically black and white with her choice of dress.

Once the effect was complete, Emille was momentarily lost in a colorless world, where the lights were very bright and the shadows truly dark. Eyes wide, she kind of mutters out loud as she looks around and takes in the sights,]

This magic is indeed quite potent. How fascinating.

You do seem quite impressed. As an aside, the potion's effects should wear off by the end of the night, but if you desire I can provide an 'antidote' to the effects if you grow tired of them before then.

[Seeing Emille react to the magic drink was both interesting and amusing, but she also can't say she has much in the way of interest for them herself. Maybe it's her paranoia, maybe it's the fact that she'd rather not willingly consume anything that could be considered harmful to her body (especially considering she still doesn't feel like it's completely hers), who can say.]

I will certainly keep your offer in mind, Lady Cromwell. I will likely need it sooner than later, as I feel this novelty will grow old quickly. It is interesting, yet quite surreal. I am not quite sure what to make of it. Even I am feeling light, as if I were bubbles in champagne...

[Unbeknownst to Emille, as everything is turning black and white for her, her own body is beginning to turn black and white in reality. Was the drink supposed to do that too?]

...ah.

[Yeah that's...all Emille gets for a second or two.]

On second thought, perhaps I should get that antidote ready now. Your perspective isn't the only thing that has turned black and white.

[Wait, why is Urtz giving her that look? And why is she feeling so weird? It's a good thing she's already sitting, because she is feeling more faint by the moment. All of the lights suddenly being bright white aren't helping, either.]

Please do so. I do not feel so well. [Hold on...] And what do you mean about my perspective? [That's about all she can get out before she has to put her head in her hands.]

Your are quite literally viewing the world in black and white, yes? Well, now you yourself are changing to match.

[Reaching into her purse, Urtz pulls out several ingredients and supplies before reaching for another glass of the same drink. She pours a little into a container, measures out a few ingredients before tossing them in, then closes the container tightly and locks it into place. After shaking it thoroughly, she unfastens the cover and hands it over to Emille.]

Here, drink this.

[After Urtz breaks the news to Emille, she hurriedly raises her head out of her hands and looks at them in disbelief. Obviously she can't tell any difference between her hands and everything else in the black-and-white world at the moment, but the panic is still rising over something she cannot control.]

You are serious...? [Not that she doubts Urtz; it's more of a rhetorical "why me?" statement.] That may explain this woozy feeling...

[She foggily watches Urtz as she does something with a drink and things she pulled out of her purse. Upon being handed the container, Emille gulps it down quickly, then rests her head in her hands again. It takes a few minutes, but color begins to return to Emille's body, slowly and surely. She is unaware of this change, as she's continuing to nurse her head.]

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