Afternoon classes are cancelled in preparation for the beloved Halloween Dance. Chaos overtakes the school as everyone scrambles to perfect their costumes, or the Atrium's decorations. The dance may not start until 7:00 PM, but there's a lot of work to be done before then. And after that particularly vicious anonymous post, some students could use the distraction.
After dinner, students have a little more time to run back to their cabins, throw on their costumes, and find their date if they have one. Joanna May and [Dateless Character Y] are mistaken for a couple when they stop to discuss a very large squirrel they saw. They impulsively decide to go to the dance together, because why not.
Finally, the sun starts to set, and it's time for the dance. Upon entering the Atrium, students discover it's been transformed into a stunning haunted Victorian manor... with a rather rustic log cabin feel. Cobwebs are carefully arranged on dusty velvet curtains, and fake bats flutter around the upper levels in time to the music. Books occasionally rattle on fake bookshelves, and stern-faced portraits will scream "boo!" at any wallflowers who let their guards down. The Atrium is lit only by blue, green and purple lights, giving it an appropriately moody feel, and all teachers and staff have decided to get into the spirit by donning their sharpest-looking Victorian costumes.
At the refreshments table, the eerily lit punch bowl constantly emits fog from dry ice, and an array of spooky snacks have been created by the house-elves. Decorated skulls, bloodshot eyeballs, vampire teeth, giant spiders, tiny tombstones shoved into cups of chocolate "dirt"βthese creepy offerings are in fact incredibly delicious, even if some of them might look just a little too realistic. Vegan options are also available, and will be pointed out by Prospero.
Outside on the large balcony overlooking the lake, potted trees and magically flowering bushes have been scattered about, along with little benches and soft fairy lights, giving a fairytale feel that cooperates nicely with the idea of a Victorian garden. The surrounding area is full of jack-o-lanterns and candles.
Anyone who needs to go to the restrooms will find that someone has taken cutouts of aliens and UFOs and decorated the doors, walls and mirrors with them. A small musical device is playing the X-Files theme on repeat.
Afternoon classes are cancelled.
By 2:00 PM, the Atrium is fully cleared out and decorating begins.
Dance starts at 7:00 PM and lasts until 11:00 PM.
Setup: After lunch, Event Committee, staff and volunteers help to get the Atrium looking its best. Event Committee has thrown up magically impenetrable curtains around the Atrium, so even students headed in for dinner at 6 PM won't be able to see what they're working on.
Before the Dance: Glitter, hairspray and bloody makeup fills every cabin as students ready their costumes!
The Beginning of the Dance: Students are allowed into the Atrium and get to admire the decorations and one another's costumes. The student band, The Holy Rosicrucians, plays a short set to get things started. (~7:00 PM)
The Middle of the Dance: Finally, things really take off! There's dance music, refreshments, and everyone is milling about freely. (~8:00-11:00 PM)
The Balcony: The balcony overlooks the lake, and some students mingle out here to chat or appreciate the scenery. (~8:00-11:00 PM)
Outside by the Docks: Even more privacy and quiet. It's a little eerie down here, though... (~8:00-11:00 PM)
End of the Night: The dance is wrapping up, and everyone begins to return to their cabins. (~11:00-12:00)
Detention: Sylvester Stoker, Rosemary Stoker, Reid Wainwright, Ursula de Luca, Kurt Wolfhart, Riley Stamper, Olivia Sanchez, Casper Kim, Casey Patterson and Jacob Wood are all expected to show up for detention. They will be assisting in cleaning up the Atrium after the dance. If your character does not show, there will be IC repercussions. (~11:00-12:00)
Late Night: After the dance has long since passed, is there anything else happening? (12:00 AM onwards.)