FEAST OF ST. VALENTINE

[thewatchers]

FEAST OF ST. VALENTINE

Log Comm | Network Comm | OOC Comm | Navigation

The auditorium floor has been cleared and polished to perfection, the smooth wooden surface prepped and ready to accept the students of Daybreak Academy as they step onto the floor to strut their stuff. Lining the walls are tables with lavish hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and drinks. For now, at least, the drinks are non-alcoholic, although there are a number of wine bottles and ale casks ready to be broached once the battle is finished.

Along the south wall, an array of weapon lockers has been set up for the students to deposit their weaponry for the coming invasion, with Valet Golems collecting arms and printing claim tickets from slots in their frames for students to reclaim their equipment before the battle. Familiars are taken to a spacious sound-proofed holding pen where they can relax before the fight without having to hear any loud sounds or music that some might find alarming.

The ball kicks off with soft classical music intended for austere, formal dances that have been popular among the moneyed and nobility for generations. This segment, thankfully, ends after about fifteen minutes as the DJ station is opened up to student volunteers who can play whatever they wish, shattering the atmosphere in an instant.


A. SNACK BAR
As is common in Daybreak, the food tables are stocked in opulence that can only be described as excessive. Hors d’oeurves and desserts are present in abundance, stacked high on porcelain platters resting on displays made of enchanted ice, the cold from the ice keeping the snacks and desserts at an optimal temperature for consumption throughout the night. Bowls of punch and other non-alcoholic beverages line the table, and behind the table sits massive wooden casks of German ales and meads, as well as a large display of fine French wines. These particular drinks are cordoned off for the first part of the dance, but will be opened up as soon as the battle is finished.

B. DJ STATION
Before the dance, student volunteers were able to sign up to DJ the dance, the Facility expecting students will be best suited at providing a musical experience that will be most enjoyable to their fellows. The DJ station has several turntables, access to a vast catalogue of music from over several centuries (some with original master recordings), and a microphone system they can broadcast commentary over. The DJ schedule is posted, each volunteer is given roughly equivalent time at the station, and can man the booth however they wish, including what, if any suggestions from students they’ll accept and how much they talk about or over the music.

C. DANCE FLOOR, PRE-INVASION
The dance kicks off with the first segment, which involves about fifteen minutes of formal ballroom music followed by an open floor for student music, although the volunteer for this segment is given instructions to keep the heavier dance music out until after the battle. Pre-invasion, expect a lot of soft classical and slow-dance music and not a lot of music with a driving beat.

D. CLEAR THE FLOOR...
About fifteen minutes before the arrival of the daemon invaders, the dance floor will be cleared and the Valet Golems will sweep onto the floor, collecting claim tickets and returning weaponry and equipment to their rightful owner (usually). With the incoming invasion, Faculty will assemble on the outer ring of the dance floor and be prepared to cover students should they struggle or extricate students who find themselves in danger. Students will assemble on the inner ring, pointing their weapons inward at the emergence point which will be marked on the floor for maximum intimidation factor when the Daemons emerge. This is also a good opportunity for Faculty to give some last-minute pointers and remind students to attempt to take some of the Daemons alive, if possible.

E. IT’S A BALL AND BLITZ
”TREMBLE MORTALS!”

A portal comprised of pure flame opens on the dance floor as massive humanoid creatures, red scales covering their bodies save for their yellow bellies and black bat wings, as well as massive jagged horns adorning their heads emerge. Spewing flames and brimstone from their mouths, their expressions are ferocious but quickly fall to shock and alarm as they see the force assembled before them. The largest, presumably the leader, speaks up.

“Dark Lord Below why are there so many of you!?”

The command to attack is given at that moment as the students descend upon the hapless Daemons. There are several dozen Daemons, and while a single Daemon is more than a match for a single student, there are enough students present to face each one in groups of four to six, and in these circumstances the Daemons, while equipped with flame breath, swords forged of bolts of lightning, and whips of fire, do not stand a chance.

F. BRING ON THE CHAMPAGNE
Once the Daemons have been defeated, golems will once again appear to sweep the floor, clean it and polish it so the dance may resume. During this time they will also cart off any captured Daemons, should the students have managed that. During this time, the students will be invited to the snack tables as true Champagne from the Champagne province is distributed in celebration. Servers will take their places to broach the casks and distribute the wines on order to any students or faculty who would like them. Younger students will have somewhat limited access in consideration of their relative size, and the servers have a good eye for when they need to cut someone off.

G. DANCE FLOOR, POST-INVASION
After the invasion is when the dance will really pick up steam. Faster songs and heavier beats will be unleashed on the students flush from their victory over the Daemons, and this is when the dance floor will get hot. Slow songs will still make their way in, but once the fight’s done, be ready to bring your A-game.

code bases by tricklet