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gooseberryhigh2017-02-24 09:36 am
goosemods) wrote in gooseberryhigh2017-02-24 09:36 am
Entry tags:
- ! ic/ooc,
- ariadne flint,
- clementine decourt,
- ennis harper,
- estella morales-tran,
- henrietta gray,
- irene lovelace,
- ivy templeton,
- jacob wood,
- jefferson key,
- jonathan wilde,
- laurel templeton,
- levi kramer,
- magdalen gillis,
- micah st. clair,
- nathaniel bird,
- philippa nightingale,
- ravinder dhaliwal,
- reece downing,
- riley stamper,
- robin youngblood,
- sun-mi choi,
- sylvester stoker,
- todd skynner,
- ursula de luca,
- wilhelmina tran,
- zoey valentine
MASQUERADE
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.
» 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!
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!
Laurel & Isabelle
She just kind of shrugs. "I got hot in there? I guess?"
It doesn't sound 100% convincing, but Laurel sticks with it.
Laurel & Isabelle
"It's pretty warm in there. I'd suggest getting a Well Mixed Mocktail from the Bartender." She replies, trying to lighten the mood with a joke and a laugh.
"Except not when it's me, I over-mixed all the drinks."
Laurel & Isabelle
"Oh my god, you were bartending?" She giggles a little at the thought. "Were you there when everyone was eating all those cupcakes? That was -- like, awful and great. Mostly awful?" Laurel had managed to eat six, even though she hadn't entirely meant to enter the contest.
"Um, what else happened tonight?" Laurel hopes Issy's stories can distract from her own.
Laurel & Isabelle
Laurel asked her what else happened, and Issy shrugged. "I danced with Garret. Or Gavin. I'm honestly not sure which, because he said his name was Garvin, so." She laughed. "It was fun, though. He was nice. Whichever one it was." It had been an interesting dance, that was for sure.
"And a stranger. Not real sure who it was."
Laurel & Isabelle
She winds her arm through Issy's without thinking much about it, turning out toward the darkness beyond the balcony railing. The little anecdote about the Ogletree twins is cute -- even she sometimes looks at them and wonders what it's like to be that close, even though she and Ivy have twinnish quirks to spare.
And then Issy says something about a stranger, and Laurel stiffens slightly, even though the whole point of a Masquerade is not knowing who someone is. The girl could be talking about literally everyone and anyone, not just... The strange boy.
"What kind of mask?" she asks, though. "Do you remember?"
Laurel & Isabelle
As Laurel winds her arm through Issy's, she lays her head on Laurel's shoulder, looking out at the scenery as the two still spoke. She felt Laurel go stiff when she mentioned her dancing partner.
"Just a basic mask - I think it was one of those domino masks they handed out if you didn't buy one. I just don't know the guy well enough to have recognized him without a mask on to begin with, probably."
She paused, lifting her head to look up at Laurel. "Did someone mess with you?"
Laurel & Isabelle
Issy's head on her shoulder is really nice; when she lifts it and speaks, Laurel looks down at her with furrowed brow.
"Um -- no." No is the truth. There was just dancing. She has no idea how to express her thoughts in words, so she just kind of gestures aimlessly with her hands, gold nail polish glinting in the light. "No. It's... It's fine, just like... Weird? A weird thing happened, except -- not actually weird weird. I think I'm just remembering it wrong? I just like -- you know. My imagination."
All of this comes tumbling out with no filter. "There was just this guy with ..." She pauses. "He asked me to dance and something about him wasn't, like..." Normal? Laurel sighs at herself. "You know. It's fine. It's okay."
Laurel & Isabelle
Issy is definitely searching Laurel's face for distress, but she just seems... off. Like she's thinking too hard, mulling something over. Not a face that inspired much confidence in Issy, but not one that put her that on edge, either.
"It's been kind of like that with everyone. It's worse when I think I know who it is but can't place them. The charm is disconcerting. It's probably just that, right?"
Laurel & Isabelle
It's probably just that, right?
Something inside Laurel says no, it's not, but she nods anyway. She even smiles. "Yeahhh. Just. I mean, there's so many people in there, too. You're right -- just the charm."
Her eyes soften a little, looking at Issy. She's glad it was a real friend stepping out here with her.
"Should we go back in soon maybe? I don't want my last memory of the dance floor to be, like, whatever all that was." Laurel makes a dismissive motion at everything she just babbled about. "Plus, I didn't get to dance with you yet."
Laurel & Isabelle
The charm is a bit off-putting, anyway.
When Laurel looks at her like that, Issy can't help but smile. She knows she was so lucky to find Ivy & Laurel - they'd been absolutely amazing since the day she started at Gooseberry. She isn't quite sure where she'd be without them, honestly.
"We did not get to dance at all, and that is definitely unacceptable." She replies, laughing and nodding her head in agreement. "I think ending the dance together is the best way to end the night."