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

[hatesdragons]

Emille notices Gon's expression of shock, and she's internally glad that he is taking her seriously. It is much easier to talk with people who have already been exposed to supernatural forces about such things -- normal people would have likely scoffed at her and called her insane. She's also glad that she was able to warn at least one more person about this threat to Earth.

"It is for the better that you have not had any run-ins with Dragons. From what I know, they rarely end well." She leaves it at that, not feeling the urge to mention her own experience with the beasts. "If you ever have any questions about those evil creatures, please seek me out in the labs, or you are free to attend one of my lectures."

She nods to the bear. One more thing-- "Do you ever have reason to visit the Outlands? If so, please be careful. If you see beautiful orange flowers, run."

[betheman]

"I shall do just that..." He definitely doesn't want to test it after all, but- "Mn! I would not say casually, but a few missions at the least have involved particular areas of the Outlands...it is a warning that I, the man Gongenzaka, shall certainly pass to others, but I would think it best to make certain the remaining staff have been notified as well then!"

[hatesdragons]

Emille nods. Good, good. "Thank you for being proactive by helping spread the warning, Sir Gongenzaka. Faculty and students all need to be told. Knowing and preparing lead to our best chance at defending ourselves."

She looks around and sees so many people enjoying themselves, smiling, laughing, dancing... "This is all worth protecting, after all." She turns back to Gon. "Alas, I hope I have not put a damper on your evening with this revelation. However, it is of the utmost importance. I am sure you understand."

[betheman]

"Indeed..!" Honestly it feels like there's so many things to look out for these days...

But hey. "And it is fine, I assure you!" It might be a bit dampened, yes. "As you say, it is of the utmost importance. I thank you for sharing the information with me!"

[hatesdragons]

"And I thank you for listening. I hope you are able to continue enjoying your evening, so that you can begin anew tomorrow with renewed energy to put towards your studies." That's her serious professorly way of saying, "have fun while you can, because there are important things at hand."

She bows her head once more. "Again, it has been a pleasure to meet you, Sir Gongenzaka. I hope to see you around campus." It'll be hard to miss a talking bear, after all.