finchwoodacademy | VALENTINE'S DAY DANCE

VALENTINE'S DAY DANCE

The red carpet has been rolled out at Finchwood, and the decor does its best to distract you from the fact that this is still taking place in the gym. Banners proclaim that this is the Oscars ceremony, and for the first part of the dance freshmen mob the red carpet. [Character A] answers the freshman reporter's questions with grace as camera flashes go off in the background. [Character B] on the other hand says or does something terribly embarrassing by accident, which a freshman paparazzi catches on camera.

Inside there are elegant tables to the left, a dance floor and stage to the right. Once everyone is settled, Venus Rosales and Neal Valentine take the stage as the hosts of tonight's award ceremony! They give a banter-filled speech about how the night will go, and wish all these talented actors and actresses luck! Thalia Mitchell (and their band/partner if applicable) gets the night started with a cover of a Hollywood classic, and now it's time to party!

Throughout the night, Sabrina Lane is continuously assailed by paparazzi freshman who didn't get the memo that they only had to play this part for the first few minutes. Meanwhile [Character E] visits the refreshments table where Rose Chapman is "bartending", whether or not they have clearance. The drink they make is... suspect. Gross.

After the awards are given out, students file out of the gym in their fancy dress. The night is cold but clear, and the stars overhead are bright. Their lives might be complicated, but tonight was very silly and simple.

HOW THIS WORKS

The theme of the dance is old Hollywood glamour! The dance begins at 7:00 PM and ends at 11:30 PM. Then everyone must return to their dorms.

At the end of the night, some students will be awarded Oscars if they pose for photos! The categories are: Best actress, best supporting actress, best actor, and best supporting actor! These will be chosen via RNG. Just make sure you reply to the Nominee Photo Op header to qualify! ♥ (You must have replied to this header by Monday, February 18th at 11:59pm CST.)

There is a "bar" where student council members and volunteers are making mocktails for the guests. While none of it is alcoholic, the drinks are served in cute glasses with convinging garnishes. The menu is:
All night, the music played is from Hollywood's golden age, and the lighting is dim and romantic. A plush red carpet leads to the stage, and the dance floor around it is mellow and romantic.

One corner of the dance has a projector set up as a tiny theater, with chairs set up in rows. On the projector, movies like Casablanca, Breakfast at Tiffany's and Singin' In The Rain are being screened.

» Before the Dance: It's time to get ready! Be sure you look your most glam for the red carpet.

» The Red Carpet: Students arriving at the dance must walk down a red carpet, lined with freshmen asking them questions about their relationship and taking tons of photos. Awkward!

» The Bar: Just inside and to the left, there's the reprieve of a bar and table. Sadly, no real alcohol is being served, unless you slipped a flask in to spike your mocktail.

» The Dance Floor: Classic romantic songs play through the speakers tonight. It's not a very up-tempo dance, but it sure is classy.

» Movie Screening: Would you rather enjoy a Casablanca than cut a rug? This tiny makeshift theater is for you. The movies are being projected on a white sheet, and chairs have been arranged in front of it.

» Nominee Photo Op: Anyone who poses for a photo on stage, be it alone, with their date or in a group, could win an award tonight!

» Awards: And the Oscar goes to...

» Around Campus: Some people have decided to opt out of the dance, so they're free to enjoy the quieter-than-usual campus.

» The end of the night: It's been a long, fun night, but it's time to rest.

» OOC - Discussion

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Eli miraculously managed to sneak under everyone's radar this February, because no one had asked him his dance plans. They were so busy with their own problems that Eli just fell through the cracks.

Which was perfect, because now he's taking up an entire couch and two ottomans. He's in his pajamas, a blanket draped over his shoulder, huge headphones covering his ears. He has glass that is definitely just water and not vodka on one side, snacks on the other. His laptop is open next to him, but his focus is solely on the video game console in his hands. He bites his lip, focusing, and doesn't notice that he's no longer alone.

Finchwood's campus isn't massive, but there's enough distance and stairs between the gym and the Cups floor that Noah's face is just a little warm when he finally makes it to Eli. Not too out of breath though—he'll probably never be in as good shape as he was while attending monster-killing school.

"I can't believe this is your idea of romance," Noah sighs, thankfully while Eli can't hear him. He waves his hand right behind Eli's game, and waits for him to turn his attention to a more deserving target instead. As promised, Noah looks sharply dressed and handsome, his hair carefully gelled back to look more old school Hollywood. In spite of his exasperation, there's a little smile on Noah's lips when Eli stares up at him with those giant headphones on his ears. "Birdy."

Eli's startled, and nearly knocks over some of the arranged items for his perfect night in. He was ready to complain, but there's Noah. He's handsome, gilded and fashionable. The kind of guy Eli never thought he could get. Technically, he still can't.

He fumbles to pause the game and pull off his headphones. Noah is so out of his league. This moment brings that fact home, hard and brutal, except... Noah's not at the dance, he's here to see Eli. Sloppy, awkward, not-dance-attending Eli. For a second, he's in a bad fanfic, and he kind of loves it.

"Wow," is all he can get out.

Edited 2019-02-17 05:56 (UTC)

Noah's smile widens. There's a variety of witty responses he could make right now, each one more obnoxious than the last, but for once in his life, Noah doesn't feel like preening or teasing or front-loading with innuendo.

It's absurd, this whole thing. It's absurd how many of their encounters involve Eli in tragically unfashionable pajamas. It's absurd that staring at Eli, with his hair messed up from his headphones and his green eyes huge with disbelief, only makes Noah more determined to keep his attention.

In one smooth, graceful gesture, he offers his hand to Eli. "Dance with me."

"W-what?" Eli's hand is left hovering, like he almost just took Noah's hand without bothering to ask. "Right now? I mean, it's... I'm not..?"

He could grab Eli's hand and pull him to his feet, if he wanted. Noah doubts that Eli would fight him, but he stays right where he is, just one step out of Eli's reach. His smile turning mischievous, Noah reaches into his pocket and finds his phone, and it takes only a few one-handed taps before a dance-appropriate playlist starts up. He tosses his phone onto the couch, and turns back to Eli.

"You refuse to go to the dance, so I've brought the dance to you," he says, like this is a totally reasonable thing to do. Like this was his plan all along. He always catches himself wanting unexpected things, when Eli Gardner is involved. "Eli." It's not quite a please. Noah holds his hand out again, and waits.

Edited 2019-02-18 02:45 (UTC)

The music starts to fill the empty common room, and Eli puts aside all the things that were piled on his lap, and pulls his headphones off from around his neck. He should tell Noah this is making him feel things he swore he wouldn't. Just one joke about how romantic this is would scare him off. Even though Eli promised not to fall in love, it tugs at something inside him. Which is why he should say no.

Eli takes Noah's hand, and the blanket falls off his shoulders as he's pulled to his feet. "I'm not great at dancing."

Noah grins, lit up from the pure joy of having someone give into his charms. "Oh, please. People always say that." He pulls Eli in, and there's a moment where he just leans against Eli's beanpole body so he can toe off his expensive shoes. In socks, Noah is still taller, but he won't complain about dropping an inch closer to Eli's lips.

"There," Noah says, very close to Eli's face. "Your toes are safe." But he'd asked for a dance, not a hot and heavy makeout in a supply closet. Noah takes a step back, moving them both to a clear space without shoes or blankets or snack crumbs. He touches the small of Eli's back, and leads him into a swaying box step.

Edited 2019-02-19 05:46 (UTC)

VALENTINE'S DAY DANCE

Cups Boys Common Room: Eli & Noah

Cups Boys Common Room: Eli & Noah

Cups Boys Common Room: Eli & Noah

Cups Boys Common Room: Eli & Noah

Cups Boys Common Room: Eli & Noah

Cups Boys Common Room: Eli & Noah

Cups Boys Common Room: Eli & Noah

Cups Boys Common Room: Eli & Noah