MASQUERADE

[goosemods]

MASQUERADE

Classes are not cancelled this afternoon, which leaves Event Committee scrambling after 3 PM to get everything in order in the Atrium. Students having dinner are given only 30 minutes before they’re ushered out past the privacy curtains again, since EC claims they need the cafeteria for a “special surprise.” At 7 PM sharp, the Atrium opens, and the Anonymity Charm activates.

Mardi Gras is the theme of the night, and the Atrium has been decorated all over in purple, green and yellow. Floor-to-ceiling backdrops are arranged along the walls, depicting a festive city street, and painted figures of masked performers tumble, juggle, swallow swords and perform magic tricks for the students. The ceiling is decorated with glimmering, stylized stars and a smiling silver moon, and multicoloured confetti falls continuously, vanishing just above everyone’s heads. Purple, green and yellow balloons are strewn across the dance floor, but will magically skitter out of the way so no one accidentally steps on one.

The refreshments table is the real star of the night, with a chocolate fountain surrounded by plates of various fresh fruits, marshmallows, caramels, cream puffs and cakes. A long table features treats styled after the theme, with mask-shaped cookies, cupcakes with edible beads, macarons in purple, green and yellow; glittery cake pops, and sprinkles on literally everything. (A few special treats have been set aside for vegan students, and Prospero will point to them.) At the far end of the table is an open bar adorned with feathers and colourful silk, where students can order mocktails from a menu. Isabelle Sargent, Ursula de Luca and Todd Skynner all volunteer to take shifts behind the bar for an hour (or two), and make conversation with their anonymous classmates while serving up drinks. A masked house-elf will always be present behind the bar, if no one wants to play bartender.

Step through the doors into the cafeteria and you’ll discover a stage has been set up with anonymous karaoke. Have you been too afraid to sing in front of your classmates? Now, if you perform badly, no one will know who you are, so get up there! This room is also popular for the MVSC photobooth in the corner, which automatically spits out a strip of four animated photographs for the low, low price of a half-dragot.

If you want a quiet moment, then the balcony is the place to go. The decorations out here are just as bright and glittery, but the little benches have comfortable purple, green and yellow cushions, and there’s bluebell flame lamps providing warmth and light on this chilly but romantic February night.

Staff is present and also wearing masks, but they aren’t using the Anonymity Charm, to make it easier for students to get help if there’s any trouble. Anyone who’s using anonymity to harass others will be given only one warning before they’re ejected from the dance. Observant partygoers will spot Dr. O’Hare on the arm of Mrs. O’Hare (appropriately, they’re wearing matching rabbit masks), but his partner, Agent Larke, is nowhere to be seen…

Just before midnight, Mr. Oakes presents an awe-inspiring fireworks show right above the lake. You can walk outside for the full view, but the backdrops will be taken down so you also watch from the tall windows of the Atrium. The last fireworks light up the sky at the stroke of midnight, when the Anonymity Charm ends.

HOW THIS WORKS

• Decorating the Atrium begins around 3:15 PM, and the cafeteria is cleared at 6:30 PM.


• Cocktail dress code. That’s party dresses and suits, but you won’t be dinged for getting too fancy or dressing slightly more casually. No jeans or t-shirts, though!


• The dance starts at 7:00 PM, and runs until around 12:00 AM. These are also the hours of the Anonymity Charm: the charm activates just as the clock strikes 7:00 PM, and only within the confines of the lodge and the immediate surrounding area, and permanently deactivates at midnight. If students don’t have a charmed mask of their own, a simple domino will be issued to them at the door.


• Anyone wearing a charmed mask becomes unrecognizable to those looking at them. You might have known a person by their voice, height, hair, skin, or lips, but now suddenly… you aren’t certain. This could be anyone.


• This effectively means that you can’t guess the identity of an individual by their physical traits. However, you might recognize them either from their speech patterns, or something they tell you.


• It’s easier to recognize people by their masks, but if you want your character to struggle with this as well, you may. (The same applies to clothing.) This means you might be at risk of losing track of your date if you come as a couple. This is up to individual players.


• Mr. Calderon-Boot has the power to take the charm away, though, so if you act in a truly horrendous manner or break a rule, you could still get caught. Not to mention that a lot of people will remember if the guy in the blue domino mask was being a total dick all night, and someone might later see it amongst your possessions.


• If you leave the dance, the charm deactivates until you return. If you remove your mask, the charm deactivates, but will reactivate once you put your mask back on.

» Setting Up: In the afternoon, Event Committee works on getting the Atrium looking its best. Event Committee has thrown up magically impenetrable curtains around the Atrium, so even students exiting dinner at 6:30 PM won't be able to see what they're working on.

» Before the Dance: Dress to impress! Do you let your friends see your mask, or are you hiding it until you get to the dance? The trails have been swept by Mr. Covington, to make it easy as possible for students get to the lodge. (He recommends wearing your boots, and changing footwear once you reach the lodge.) Doors open at 7 PM.

» Beginning of the Dance: Students are allowed into the Atrium and get to admire the decorations and everyone's masks. The music aims to get everyone dancing with a playlist that’s heavy on the jazz, ragtime and brass band. (~7:00 PM)

» Refreshments Table & Open Bar: Food and drinks are available all night, and there’s little tables, decked in colourful tablecloths, if you want somewhere to sit. Head to the bar if you want someone to mix a drink for you—all non-alcoholic, of course. (~8:00-11:00 PM)

» Anonymous Karaoke: Through the doors to the cafeteria is a stage with a karaoke setup. Can you guess which one of your classmates is performing? (~8:00-11:00 PM)

» Photobooth: In the corner of the cafeteria, you can take instant mementos of your night. Just insert a half-dragot coin, and strike a pose! Note that the Anonymity Charm does not work in photographs, so your pictures might give away your identity... (~8:00-11:00 PM)

» Balcony: The balcony overlooks the lake, and some students mingle out here to chat or appreciate the scenery. (~8:00-11:00 PM)

» End of the Night: The music winds down with some slower, romantic songs. Just before midnight, there’s a fireworks show. The charm immediately ends at the stroke of midnight, Cinderella. So either leave the dance by then, or stand around with everyone else to unmask and see who you’ve been talking to! (~11:00 PM-12:00 AM)

» OOC - Questions, comments, concerns!

Comments

PHOTOBOOTH

[goosemods]

Ree

[reehobbs.insanejournal.com]

Ree is ALL ABOUT THIS, and drags everyone in with her. Everyone. She doesn't know who most of you people are, and she doesn't care, you're taking photos with her and her giant feather mask. DEAL.

Ree & Levi

[gdilevi]

Oh, hey, it's Ree. Actual, real life Ree, non Anonymous Ree. Levi waves enthusiastically and greets her with a, "YOOOOO!" before trying to cram himself into the photobooth with her without even introducing himself.

Re: Ree & Levi

[reehobbs.insanejournal.com]

"Baby!" Ree cheers, though she has no clue who it is crowding in with her. The spell is good. It's kind of freaking her out, but she's refusing to give into that. "Or...wait, are you going for Count Dracula or Edward Cullen? Because I gotta tell you, one of those is the wrong answer and I'll kick you in the nuts."

Ree & Levi

[gdilevi]

"More like Count Chocula. I ate so many fucking cupcakes, Ree, I felt like that fat kid in Matilda. Do you have any gum or mints or whatever? I'm hoping for some vampire-on-vampire action tonight and all I've got is Firewhisky to wash the chocolate vom taste down." Yep, that's Levi.

Re: Ree & Levi

[reehobbs.insanejournal.com]

Ree laughs. "Nah. No mints. Sorry, sweetie. Who else is a vamp, though? Cecil? Or are you just trying to mack on random strangers with coordinating costumes because this Anonymity spell is kinda foolproof?"

Ree & Jesse

[jijmjr]

After a disastrous first attempt at contact, Jesse is in desperate need of a costume change. He's seriously considering marching back up to Azurcrest, which seems like ... too much work, when he spots Ree. Beautiful, creative, trustworthy Ree. Just hanging out, being so obviously herself. Perfect.

Without identifying himself, he physically scoops her up and carries her into a photo booth like the literal ogre that he is. "I need your help."

Re: Ree & Jesse

[reehobbs.insanejournal.com]

Ree kicks a little, but just for fun. She doesn't actually mind being swept off her feet. "Well, hello to you too, sailor," she says, laughing. "What's up? Also, who the hell are you?"

Ree & Jesse

[jijmjr]

He lifts her legs and drapes them over his thighs, so he can squeeze himself onto the photo booth bench beside her. "I am the bat," he says, a little wistfully. It's his last chance at getting a laugh before ditching his Batman alter-ego for the rest of the night.

"No, but seriously, it's Jesse," he says, after a substantial pause, and pushes his mask to the top of his head. "I need a new outfit. Can you work some artsy magic on me?"

Fern + Open

[nothalfplaid]

"Take a picture with me," Fern says, grabbing the elbow of whoever is nearby and tugging them along. "It'll be fun."

Fern + Wilde

[destructobot.insanejournal.com]

"What," says Batman Wilde (http://asylums.insanejournal.com/gooseberry/352612.html?thread=22576484#t22576484) in a flat monotone, allowing himself to be dragged.

Fern + Wilde

[nothalfplaid]

"Photobooth. Props. Picture. Fun," Fern repeats as she pulls back the curtain and ushers him inside.

Fern + Wilde

[destructobot.insanejournal.com]

Wilde has to bend over slightly to fit in the frame, and even then he's still kinda smushed in there. Somehow having no idea who this person is actually does make this kind of fun. He's actually smiling?

"Let's coordinate. Frame two we switch places, then switch back?"

Riley + OPEN to multiple

[riledup]

RILEY
WANTS
PICTURES

She scrounges in her bag and finds as many half-dragots as she can scratch together. But if she runs out she can probably find Katya and she will shake. her. down.

"Ohmygod, you," Riley says to the closest person with a bright mask, or a sparkly outfit, or pretty hair, or smells nice, or has a pleasant aura, grabbing them by the arm. "Picture, yes, I want to remember that." And by remember that she means have more pictures of me looking adorable.

Riley & Dennis

[sheepish]

Ennis doesn't have to see that it's Riley to guess that it's Riley. The Ohmygod and boundless energy and need for attention give her away. He laughs freely and very willingly goes into the photobooth with her. "Let's make a heart together with our fingers?" he suggests. Even Anonymous, he's having trouble kicking the habit of turning everything into a question.

Riley & Dennis

[riledup]

"YES, do THAT, but don't forget your ducklips." Heart hands, ducklips, well that was cute. "K, next one we flex, Ima show off these guns." Riley doesn't really have that good of guns. But all this anonymous shit kind of has her delusional and she figures she can will them into existence.

Riley & Dennis

[sheepish]

Ennis has even worse guns. When their picture is printed out, it's gonna be embarrassing. Still, he doesn't realize that photos get rid of the charm and so he flexes his arm as hard as he can, also hoping to will GUNS OF STEEL into existence. He's fairly strong, but fat is layered on top of (already unimpressive) muscle for underwhelming results.

Maybe they should just stick to duckfacing.

Yeah, Ennis is gonna try givin' the camera a headtoss and a sultry pout. MM, YEAH, WORK IT. THEY'RE GONNA LOOK SOOOOO GOOD.

Pippa (& Essie???)

[orangepip]

Pippa has one half-dragot that a cute boy gave her (well, she assumes he's cute, anyway. Generosity is cute!) and she's looking for her BFF. They need a memento of their night! Pippa starts scanning the crowd for a frothy skirt and bunny ears.

Pippa & Essie!!!

[magitechnically]

Essie isn't that difficult to pick out in the crowd with her bunny-meets-Swan Lake get up. She's hanging out by the karaoke, wiggling along to the music, when she turns and spies a peacock across the room. Is that Pippa??? She knows Pippa is a peacock but she's also realized by now that it's not safe to assume Pippa is the peacock at the dance.

"PIPPA???" she yells across the cafeteria, waving her arms in the air. Hopefully any other peacocks here tonight are HONEST peacocks!!!

Pippa & Essie!!!

[orangepip]

Pippa's head swivels round at the sound of her name, and she grins as she sees the feathery white bunny madly waving her arms. "ESSIE!!!" Pippa shouts back over the music, beckoning Essie over with equally enthusiastic arm motions. "C'mere!"

Pippa & Essie!!!

[magitechnically]

"Okay!" Essie squeals and flounces across the cafeteria because her skirt was made for maximum flouncing fun. When she gets to Pippa, she throws her arms around her and pulls her into a hug. "You look so pretty tonight!!"

Dimi + Open

[evercretin]

Dimi sees the photobooth and cannot contain his glee. He looks out at the crowd of masked faces and says, to no one in particular, "Anyone want to snog a stranger and get some photo evidence?"

Dimi + Avery

[un_kept]

Avery does not know what snogging means. She is not British. She is inexperienced with this kind of language. But it's that word that makes her pause by the photo booth, staring at the stranger wanting to get photo evidence.

"WHAT is snogging???" She asks, stepping up.

Dimi + Avery

[evercretin]

Dimi halts, mid-step into the photobooth, laughing. His hand falls away from the photobooth's privacy curtain and he turns back to face Avery. "Oh dear. I'm not going to--Kissing. It's kissing. Still interested?"

Dimi + Avery

[un_kept]

Something stirs in her memory and yeah, she probably did know what that meant but forgot. She hadn't heard it very frequently, really. "Yeah, I definitely am." Why not?