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
arcadianvampire: (Proud)

[personal profile] arcadianvampire 2020-02-28 11:08 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sure you would get along just fine there. Though being good in a scrap is practically mandatory if you prank the wrong person.

[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?
imyoubut: (008)

[personal profile] imyoubut 2020-02-29 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
I expected you might wish to sample it right away. And by all means, allow me to assist you.

[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.]
arcadianvampire: (Proclaimation!)

[personal profile] arcadianvampire 2020-02-29 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you kindly.

[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!
imyoubut: (015)

[personal profile] imyoubut 2020-03-03 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[Urtz watches Val drink with curiosity, wondering if he'll truly like it or if he'll find the taste displeasing. When he does like it, there's a hint of surprise that she doesn't allow herself to show. Instead she simply smiles and bows.]

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.