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

🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[goosemods]

I thought about not using a Gossip Girl gif, but FUCK IT let's embrace the shitty teen drama spirit of Gooseberry.

Also this is such a long post??? Oh my god. I am secretly Mina in my zeal for impractical party planning.

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[solveforx]

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[magitechnically]

This is SO COOL. Thank you for putting this together!!!

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[addytives]

I should watch the rest of Gossip Girl someday
No I shouldn't.

But this is so amazing thank you so much ❤❤❤

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[ulixes]

my heroes

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[racingstripe]

I cannot stop singing masquerade from phantom of the opera

This has been going on for three days, not even hall and oates can save me

Send help

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[bambae]

I would like to thank you both for this dance

And inspiring the most thoroughly discussed five hours of my characters entire life

I think we've agreed that Chris and rosy fall asleep covered in gold stars and post it notes and somebody from the coppertale cabin is gonna have to wake them to send Rosy home.

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[quinning]

THANK YOU FOR KNOCKING THIS DANCE OUT OF THE PARK

my hiatus officially activates now. I am still happy to thread! But if you want to, emailing me would be the best way to lmk! And I might/will ask you to start because I'M A MONSTER of limited brainpower. YAAAY.

written as I pass Maggie's hometown. How appropriate!

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[lovelacing]

... what does MVSC stand for?

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[-sparrow.insanejournal.com]

isabelle for event committee member a/b or/c :D

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[cecaelian]

Can I get Ursula for one of the EC volunteer slots? c:

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[duelled]

pippa and essie are the cutest lil kiddos in the world 😭

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[choneychurch]

Uuuugh. So sorry, guys! I wanted to get more done during lunch, but I'm stuck at the office and working on the SLOWEST COMPUTER IN THE WORLD. So I only had the chance to finish one for Cecil.

I'll get to Ty (yes, Chris, Ty will tie your tie!), Cole, Gavin, and other stuff when I get home tonight.

Sigh. :(

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[riledup]

I was going to tag when I was at lunch

I decided to get Mexican food instead

I stand by my choice

AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!

[chryseis]

AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

a gooseberry themed love ditty

[neattrick]

this came up in my spotify weekly playlist and it's cute and thematically appropriate OH MY GOD RAFAEL IT'S THE GHOST!!!

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[reehobbs.insanejournal.com]

stupid but important q- if a character who doesn't like falsehoods doesn't want to be anonymous, can they skip the charm on the mask?

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[neattrick]

UGH I gotta go to work but Clem & Todd & Reece are all here too and I will put things up for them when I get home. Or if anyone wants to do anything w any of mine you can just point me somewhere and i'll tag when i get home

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[icovington.insanejournal.com]

Never. Ever. EVER apologize for using gossip girl gifs. GOD I LOVE THAT AWFUL SHOW. shit now i need to binge watch it again. and use blake as a pb again.

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[uponawire]

I left my wallet at work and had to go all the way back for it so the janitors wouldn't rob me of my whole two-and-a-half dollars and now I am SO BEHIND WHAT IS EVEN HAPPENING THERE ARE GHOST CHILDREN.

AHHH.

Anon Theory #38

[sheepish]

Agent Larke is missing because Anon possessed her body so that it could go to the dance.

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[quickbuck]

OKAY since nobody else has taken it yet can Todd be the last bartender? (freshmen get to deliver your notes. sophomores get to mix your drinks)

THE PARTY CRASHER

[anonymooses]

As you may or may not have noticed, Anonymous/'2'/'little brother'/etc. is at the party and will be approaching people to ask them to dance at Rafael's suggestion. The number of people chosen will be small, just for the sanity of the mods! There's no way for you guys to really control whether or not Anon asks your character to dance, but but if you want a shot, you should create an open post to the beginning of the dance making it clear your character will accept dances with strangers.

If you do not want your character to be approached by Anon, let us know here! Otherwise... you'll just have to wait and see. This station does not take requests. ;)

petition to change fern's outfit

[quinning]

cheryl wouldn't take my good advice

Re: 🎭 OOC - Questions, comments, concerns! 🎭

[threatens]

i want to state for the record that i am a pixies fan until the end