VALENTINE'S DAY DANCE

[finchmods]

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:
  1. Cupid's Kiss. Hibiscus, strawberry, and seltzer.
  2. Bee's Knees. Honey, lavender, and lemonade.
  3. Green Light. A cucumber cooler with mint and tarragon.
  4. Casablanca. Rosemary, pear juice, and ginger beer.
  5. Leading Lady. Mixed fruits in mixed fruit juice, garnished with cinnamon.
  6. Golden Globes. Raspberry, mango, and lemon sorbet in Sprite.
  7. Shirley Temple. Ginger ale, grenadine, and a maraschino cherry.
  8. Tall Dark and Handsome. This is chocolate milk in a martini glass.
• 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

Comments

Blake (open++)

[undebted]

There's a reason why you don't wear brand new shoes to a dance. Blake knows this already from experience, but she hadn't been able to resist the thrill of getting an entirely new outfit from Adam, no matter how much she'd scowled during the Senior Swords' trip into town. Blake hasn't bought new clothes in over a year, and definitely not anything that made her feel... cool, instead of covered up. She'd lightened and dyed her roots for this; her hair looks pinker than ever, and swishes around her head in Marlene Dietrich-inspired waves.

There used to be a time when she'd spend upwards of three hours getting ready for a party. Blake misses the simple shallow joy of it, and wonders if that means she hasn't changed much at all.

She avoided any actual dancing, but had wandered around the gym enough, enjoying the music, that her feet are starting to pinch in her shoes. She's propped them up in another empty chair as she half-pays attention to the film, half-watches the people around her. Someone spiked the drink in her hand, and Blake is enjoying a rare moment of her head feeling warm and quiet.

Blake & Pansy

[tippedin]

Pansy has spent too much of her night, drink in hand, observing people. First with Monet and then later with Lee. But now the drinks have been drunk and the people have been watched, and Pansy finds herself wandering, which she's prone to do when she's had a few. She'll oscillate between unfocused and focused. Soft and intense. Such is the case when she comes upon Blake and everything sharpens again. She smiles at her roommate, decked out in the spoils of their shopping trip. "Am I going to have to fight your feet for the chair?"

Blake & Pansy

[undebted]

There's a flicker of a smile when Blake sees Pansy, looking radiant as ever. If there's one thing to be said for Adam Ho, it's that he does his best to make his friends look good. "I was saving it," Blake replies, just as she slides her feet back to the floor. "How's your squad?"

It doesn't take a detective to figure out who Pansy and Monet were gossiping about earlier. As a Support, Blake can't help watching her friends carefully.

Blake & Pansy

[tippedin]

The seat vacated, Pansy pulls up her dress a little and plops down. She fixes Blake with an odd expression when she asks about her squad. Of course Blake knows what Pansy's been up to. She's observant. Good at slipping under the radar and seeing everything. It's harder to overlook Blake today in her black jacket and tuxedo pants, though. She almost seems happy in her new outfit. Which in turn makes Pansy happy.

"They're good," she sighs. "You know, when I was made Leader, I knew I'd have to take care of my squad, but no one said I'd have to look out for their feelings." A groan. "Keep them alive and happy. It's exhausting." She sinks further into her chair. "Sometimes I even get wanting to be left alone," she gives Blake an understanding look.

Blake & Pansy

[undebted]

This speech is very Pansy, right down to the unspoken fact that a squad's personal happiness isn't a squad leader's burden, but rather one that Pansy chose to take on herself. Blake considers pointing out that her friend's unnecessary need to care for others is the real problem here, and decides against it. They both have their ways of keeping busy.

"If only they'd listen," Blake says wryly, "when I say I don't care." It's a joke, mostly. Her ability to ignore Squad 6's petty conflicts is... lacking. Maybe even more lacking than her ability to mediate said conflicts. At least Pansy seems like she knows what she's doing. "You... want to fix things. They trust you."

Blake & Pansy

[tippedin]

Pansy couldn't not care if wanted to. Years of playing older sister to her siblings has fundamentally changed her DNA. Look both ways before crossing the road and Make sure to finish your homework have been replaced with Listen to my orders so you don't die and Please don't get your heart broken. It's a new cast, but the same old play.

"They do trust me," Pansy fires back, even though she's agreeing with Blake. "So, I better not say or do the wrong thing." She takes another sip, and some combination of the pause and the alcohol calms her. She exhales and tilts her head at Blake. She feels bad for venting, especially since Blake had looked to be enjoying herself. The undone bowtie succeeding at making her look both stylish and relaxed. "I hope you've been having a good time tonight at least." It's a question wrapped in a statement, delivered with a hopeful smile.

Blake & Pansy & Suzy

[mentalmap]

This is the moment a glittery, winded mess descends on the scene: Suzy, glowing from dancing forever, hair slipping out of its updo in little black tangles.

"Hi," she breathes out affectionately, as though her roommates are skittish wood creatures. Her expression is a hopeful, questing one, like a child trying to join a game already in progress. It turns on Pansy and then Blake in sequence as she braces against the back of an empty chair, struggling to kick off her uncomfortable heels.

"I hope I'm not interrupting," Suzy continues, leaning down to undo a buckle. "I need a break! And sitting by you will make me look cuter."

Blake & Pansy & Suzy

[undebted]

To Pansy's statement-question, Blake lifts a hand and half-heartedly wobbles it back and forth—the gesture for it's so-so. But for Blake, who resists enthusiasm like a moral weakness, ambivalence might as well be a four-star review. A Valentine's dance still wouldn't rank on her list of top ten activities, but she's relaxed and not thinking too hard.

And she's in the company of two of her favorite people at this school, so that counts for something. "Because we're much less cute in comparison," Blake comments. Her tone is flat and matter-of-fact, but her eyes hold affection as she watches Suzy. No doubt that she and Kodi have been dominating the dance floor for the better part of the past hour. It's nice to see.

Blake & Pansy & Suzy

[tippedin]

Pansy shoots Blake a look, mortally wounded. Et tu, Brute? "Excuse me," but she can't stop a smile from poking through her 'hurt' expression, "but we look very good thank you very much." She turns her head back to Suzy and huffs (another smile fighting to get out). "Luckily, you look more than good enough to sit with us."

It's nice being together, the three of them. Not that it's a rarity. They all sleep in the same room everyday, but this is different. All dressed up at a dance. It feels special. A small burp brings bubbles to the surface. And a few emotions, too. "I love you both," she shrugs and then lets her shoulders drop.

Blake & Pansy & Suzy

[mentalmap]

Suzy strikes a pose: hand behind her head, pouty lips. It's a miracle this lipstick is still on. "Thanks. From me and my ego."

Then the heels are finally off. Freedom. Su is minus three inches and bent in two, carefully stowing them under her chair, when Pansy says I love you both. This earns a flashy grin upward, wayward hair falling into the oval of her face.

"Aww, Pansy."

Blake & Pansy & Suzy

[undebted]

Blake ducks her head, her drink moving to her lips. It's been a nice night with her friends—a nicer night that she usually allows herself to have, even with the notoriously affectionate Senior Swords—but she's still walls and barbed wire. Deadpan sarcasm doesn't feel right, but the normal expected response isn't coming either.

It's only Pansy. And Suzy. They don't mind. Blake exhales. "Someone's spiking drinks at the bar," she says to Suzy.

Blake & Pansy & Suzy

[mentalmap]

Suzy slumps into the seat next to Blake, scoffing amusedly. "Really? My Leading Lady was a virgin."

She raises her eyebrows like see what I just did? and giggles at her own stupid joke, then settles in to properly free her hair from its seemingly endless bobby pin prison.

Blake & Pansy & Suzy

[tippedin]

Pansy smiles affectionately at Suzy when she awwws and then gives Blake an affectionate eye roll when she changes the topic to the bartender. The fact that Blake didn't just stand up and walk away is evidence enough of her feelings. Pansy will take it. Albeit with an eye roll.

"Rose gave me something strong and maaaybe bad?" her voice ticks up. "Like, it wasn't obviously bad so I kept having to try it to find out if that time I'd come to a conclusion." She sighs. "You see any of the boys out there?" She means Adam, Atticus, and Scout. "All with dates. They're growing up so fast."

Blake & Pansy & Suzy

[undebted]

Blake rolls her eyes back at Pansy. She's happy that her friends are happy, but their shifting romantic statuses in the past month still feel like an unstable topic to discuss. It wasn't so long ago that Adam-and-Kodi and Pansy-and-Jude (and Atticus-and-Neal, first take) felt like sure things.

"Suzy, too." Blake leans over and helps Suzy track down the bobby pins hidden in her hair. "Are you having a good time?"