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Tweak says, "Twinkle twinkle little earth.."

Gooseberry Mods (goosemods) wrote in gooseberry,
@ 2016-10-31 13:23:00

Entry tags:

! ic/ooc, coralee wong, henrietta gray, philippa nightingale, ravinder dhaliwal

HALLOWEEN DANCE

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"—these 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.)

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	evercreep 2016-11-01 07:01 pm UTC (link)
	There is no response, but as she comes closer Pippa can hear more clearly that he's not crying so much as struggling to breathe. After she calls out, the trembling stops, and he holds very still. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	orangepip 2016-11-01 07:06 pm UTC (link)
	"I, um, I can go if you'd prefer..." Pippa says hesitantly, although she's reluctant to leave him alone. She's really concerned now that he's not okay. She takes another step closer, reaching out her arm with the intention of gently touching his shoulder. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

IT'S SO COLD. I DON'T KNOW HOW I GOT HERE.

goosemods
2016-11-01 07:35 pm UTC (link)

Now that Pippa is very close, she notices several things. His hair and clothes are filthy and old, like he's been out in the woods for days. He's not moving at all, not even with the slight shifts and changes of a living person. This isn't Calvin. This isn't anyone Pippa knows. She smells woodsmoke.

Just as her fingers are about to brush the tattered jacket, the boy starts to breathe again, or at least he tries. It's a dry, muffled noise, and it sounds unwell. He turns to face her.

He's pale, and his skin is desiccated. The black, empty holes for his eyes and mouth are too large and they gape. Rot like ink has poured from them, leaving streaks of dark tears down his cheeks and chin, staining the collar of his shirt. He inhales sharply, like he sees her even without eyes, but it sounds like he's choking on the air.

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	OH MY FUCKING GOD rageahol 2016-11-01 07:43 pm UTC (link)
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	OMG SERIOUSLY I AM LOSING MY SHIT magitechnically 2016-11-01 07:46 pm UTC (link)
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	THIS IS WHY YOU TRACK THESE POSTS EVERYONE rageahol 2016-11-01 07:48 pm UTC (link)
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	that watery eye thing happened again AND IT'S STILL NOT CRYING lovekurts 2016-11-01 07:49 pm UTC (link)
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	my eyes water too when there's woodsmoke in the air :) orangepip 2016-11-02 03:17 am UTC (link)
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	AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! cricketq 2016-11-01 08:17 pm UTC (link)
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	Re: AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! cricketq 2016-11-01 08:17 pm UTC (link)
	OMIGOD. Not the icon I meant to use. Haha (Reply to this) (Parent)

	I'M DEAD cmdrchloe 2016-11-01 09:39 pm UTC (link)
	😨 (Reply to this) (Parent)

orangepip
2016-11-02 03:15 am UTC (link)

Pippa makes the exact same sound in response, all the blood freezing in her veins as she takes in that impossibly ruined face. She knows this isn't a costume, that no magic could make a person look like that, which means this isn't a person. Her heart is slamming against her ribs to a wild tattoo of run - run - run but she can't move, her limbs numb. She's never felt such all-encompassing terror in her life. Like a rabbit facing a fox, she's frozen with the absolute certainty that this is what death looks like.

She doesn't want to die. Pippa makes another tiny choking noise, and it's like one of those nightmares where you can't get enough air to scream, can't force your legs to move, to run. But the adrenaline surging through her forces her to try again, keep trying, and suddenly she's sucking in air and it's not the deepest breath her singer's lungs are capable of but it's enough for her to open her mouth and scream, really scream, the sound ripping painfully through her throat.

She doesn't dare take her eyes off him -- it -- and takes a stumbling step backwards, desperately begging her wobbly legs to start working again, but then Pippa stands on the hem of her stupid, stupid dress and with a startled cry she trips and falls, landing heavily on the ground.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

I HAVE NEVER FELT THIS COLD.

goosemods
2016-11-03 10:20 am UTC (link)

The boy jerks as Pippa falls, a gaunt hand raising in her wake. He follows her, one labored step at a time, until he stands over her. He stares at her face, or seems to, and whatever expression he sees there makes him start to shake again. All the while, a hand reaches out, dirty fingernails and scraped knuckles. To grab her? To help her?

Pippa never finds out. The thing wails, but quietly. It's the most human noise he's made this whole time. "Wh... wh..." he tries to say, but they aren't full words. He cries again, louder, and what remains of his face contorts painfully.

And then, like a record skip in reality, he's gone. The scent of woodsmoke is only a memory. Pippa feels cold down to her bones.

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	orangepip 2016-11-03 02:44 pm UTC (link)
	Pippa lets out a shuddering gasp, unable to believe that -- somehow -- she's still alive. She's shivering uncontrollably now, both from cold and shock, unable to even stand up. She can't get the boy's face out of her mind, or the sounds he made. She won't realise it until later, but the distress her tender heart is feeling isn't just for herself. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

lovekurts
2016-11-03 03:49 pm UTC (link)

After his Very Curious Encounter with Sy, Kurt wanders outside, goblets in hand (two punch, one candy, of course) and in search of Pippa. She said she'd be outside, but he isn't sure where to find her. You'd think the bright red hair would be a dead give-away.

As he's shuffling down the hill toward the dock, trying carefully not to spill any of the goblets—and only mostly succeeding!—he hears a noise. At first he thinks it's a sound-effect from the dance, or maybe some kind of a skit before the Holy Patricians or whatever play again, but it lasts too long. And it sounds too real, and it feels too real, and it sounds too close, and it's a scream. His brow furrows and he stands still, making no noises, trying to figure out where it came from. The trees? There is rustling from one nearby. No, but— on the docks he notices the telltale ginger curls, almost glowing against the dark of everything around. "Pippa...?" Kurt mutters out loud, squinting to get a better look. Really...?

He snaps out of the confused state and sprints toward the dock, chucking the goblets to the ground as he sets off. She's just at the edge of the dock, on the ground, shaking. Absolutely nothing makes sense. Kurt skids to a halt just beside her and squats down, hesitantly reaching a hand out to the girl. He can't see her face, but the shivering is evident even in the dark. "Pippa?"

Kurt has no idea what's going on or what he should do, and he's actually kind of terrified, but he feels like he has to do something. He looks over Pippa's head to the trees on the edge of the water, from here he's positive he heard chatter on his way down, and shouts "HEY!" There's no response but the rustling does pause. "IN THE TREE! GET A PROFESSOR, NOW!"

His eyes return to Pippa and he bites his lip, unsure of what to do. He moves to touch her upper arm, lightly, hesitantly. "Pippa, are you okay?"

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hanshotfirst
2016-11-03 04:06 pm UTC (link)

Robin's head shoots up and whips around at the Sounds of Distress. His wand is in his hand before he even has time to wonder how anyone knew there were people in the tree, they were being very discrete.

Throwing himself out of the tree, Robin stumbles on the landing and moves in the direction of the shout, mostly trusting that Trixie will either stay there or follow him. Sprinting over towards the docks proper, he sees that twitchy kid bending over some girl he doesn't really recognize.

"What's goin' on?!" he yells out to the couple, wand held out, glancing behind him and around him to make sure no one sneaks up on him. "Anyone hurt?"

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	lovekurts 2016-11-03 04:36 pm UTC (link)
	For some reason, Kurt finds it completely ordinary (or at least, expected) that Robin's the one to rush out of the tree. "I'll find out, just go. Hurry." He replies, stern, his eyebrows raised in the universal sign of 'I'm going to count to three,' or in some cultures, 'Don't make me use your middle name.' (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

hanshotfirst
2016-11-03 04:40 pm UTC (link)

Okay, first off, Robin would fucking love it if you used his middle name, his middle name is awesome. But second, he's not running up to the lodge just because Kurt is telling him to, he's doing it because there's clearly nothing to fight down on the dock, and that's what he wants to do.

"Yeah yeah," Robin huffs, just to really show that, yeah, no, you are totally not telling me what to do, then turns back in the direction of the lodge to go find an adult.

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goosestaff
2016-11-03 10:00 pm UTC (link)

"Youngblood." Ms. Lilywhite's voice is a whipcrack when Robin comes rushing back to the Atrium, and her arms are folded as she looks at him. Like the rest of the staff, Lilywhite's gotten into the spirit with a Victorian costume, but chose to wear trousers instead of a voluminous corseted gown like some of the other female teachers.

"This is a dance. There's no reason for you to be running around with your wand out." Her eyes narrow. Something's wrong. "Unless... there is?"

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(no subject) -

hanshotfirst, 2016-11-03 10:17 pm UTC

(no subject) -

goosestaff, 2016-11-04 02:10 am UTC

	lfmkarapst 2016-11-03 05:04 pm UTC (link)
	TRIXIE HAD SNACKS AND WAS PREPARED TO DO BACKUP IF NECESSARY. It just takes her awhile to get out of the tree and figured Robin was such a bad ass he wouldn't need her. She's like the Oracle to his Batman at this moment. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hanshotfirst 2016-11-03 05:52 pm UTC (link)
	Way to lend a hand, Jinx. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

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lfmkarapst, 2016-11-03 05:53 pm UTC

orangepip
2016-11-03 04:07 pm UTC (link)

No, Pippa says, but it comes out as a sob, and she throws her arms around Kurt's neck, clinging to him as tightly as she possibly can. She's not okay, and right now she's not sure if she ever will be. Their slow dance feels like it happened a million years ago, and even though Kurt is here -- like a hero swooping in to rescue a damsel in distress -- Pippa still doesn't feel safe, still can't stop shaking, and now she's crying too, her face wet against his neck.

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lovekurts
2016-11-03 04:58 pm UTC (link)

Kurt isn't sure what to do at first—this is utterly new territory—but with Pippa crying into his neck the options seems limited. He lowers himself from the squat to sit with Pippa, one knee supporting her behind her back, and wraps his arms around her in as big a hug as he can manage. He quietly assures her that "You're okay now," although his gut isn't sure if that's entirely true.

One hand rubs her arm mindlessly in a way that he hopes she finds reassuring as he tries to look for injuries, but between the mass of curls he's talking into and the long dress, he can't tell a thing. There's the rip in her hem, but no blood. "Are you hurt?" Kurt asks softly, stroking her hair slowly with the other hand, feeling like nothing he can do will actually calm her down. He's aching to know what on earth happened, but this feels like the worst possible time to ask. Was it some idiot bully, or Goosey? Or was it something else?

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orangepip
2016-11-03 07:28 pm UTC (link)

If she wasn't absolutely traumatised, Pippa would be in seventh heaven right now. As it is, Kurt's warmth is helping to chase away the bone deep chill she feels, and his gentle hands are steadying her. Gradually the uncontrollable shaking lessens, but her arms stay locked around him. "N-no," she hiccups, in answer to his question, and another hot tear drops onto the collar of his plaid shirt (which is somewhat soaked by this point). "I'm -- it was --" An image of those rotting eyes flashes through her mind, so vividly that Pippa shudders and presses her face harder against Kurt's shoulder, as if by doing so she can blot the image out.

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lovekurts, 2016-11-03 07:48 pm UTC

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goosestaff, 2016-11-04 02:10 am UTC

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orangepip, 2016-11-04 03:49 am UTC

	adorbs 2016-11-02 07:28 am UTC (link)
	Oh Well wow (Reply to this) (Parent)

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