VALENTINES BALL

[thewatchers]

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

Comments

[imyoubut]

It could be.

[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?

[nor_iron_bars]

Well, you never know until you try, right? [She smiles, smug as the canary that somehow tricked the cat into catching its' own tail.] Sure wouldn't mind finding out...

[imyoubut]

Well then, what would you like if you win this little wager?

[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.

[nor_iron_bars]

You gotta stop asking questions I can't answer in front of the kids, sweetheart.

[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?

[imyoubut]

[At that response, Urtz puffs out her cheeks in mild annoyance and gives Jail's gas mask a light bap with her hand. Almost like a cat.]

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.

[nor_iron_bars]

[Jail chuckles.] Promises, promises...

[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?

[imyoubut]

[ The song that plays is one Urtz recognizes immediately. Her smile goes wide and she takes the offered hand. The second she does, the room starts grow darker. Then a spotlight shines down upon them. It doesn't take much detective work to realize that it's Urtz doing all this with her magic. After all, Jail isn't the only attention lover.]

Naturally. You lead, I'll follow.