GIVE ME PROM OR GIVE ME DEATH

[indigo_league]

So you’ve gotten on the ferry, piloted by a man loudly proclaiming himself to be Captain Garfield and won’t this be fun everybody? We’re going to a party! Hope you all like boundless enthusiasm for boating, because this guy and his trusty Rattata (who will be collecting everyone’s fees, pay up or you don’t get on!) sure do love this and want everyone to know it. Finally, through caves and up rivers, there it is, shining in the dim evening light: The Elite Four’s Mansion (and blessed freedom from Captain Garfield). It looks amazing! Bunk down for the night and get a good night’s sleep, because tomorrow? It’s party time.



KEY:

• BLUE areas are where the bulk of the party's events will be located! As you can see, the festivities will be taking place largely outdoors. Some of the landscaping is a little different than what longterm residents might remember-- again, this WAS the site of a pretty epic battle between Teams Aqua and Magma at one point! All the same, in two years, you’d think they’d have wrapped up most of the work… there’s a lot of large-ish dirt piles and general disarray in the grounds outside the main yard, although the main grounds are still tidied up and decked out pretty heavily for the garden party. There’s even a little gazebo set up where you can have pictures taken of you, your date, and/or your Pokemon! The gazebo smells a little like fresh paint and plywood, but the paint is at least probably dry! There’s also an indoor ballroom for the more fancy red-carpet dancing, but in general, most of the activity will be happening outside.

• GREEN areas are where guests will be staying overnight! Unfortunately, you'll be sleeping-bagging it up, since there's a limited number of bedrooms in this house and they all either belong to Claire, the rest of the Elite Four, or are reserved for guests who are regrettably way more important than you. That much is the same as always-- Bruno really doesn’t want anybody digging through his underwear drawer, guys. He never has.
All that said, the green areas are where you'll be given space to leave your possessions, claim some sleeping room, and generally crash for the night once the festivities do you in.

• RED areas are RESOUNDINGLY off-limits to guests! There’s a lot more blocked-off doorways than there were in the past, and if asked about them, the staff will inform you that the mansion is under heavy remodeling and to please move along! What do you want to look at a bunch of sawdust and exposed wiring for anyway! Stop being nosy!
For everybody’s safety, there will be some staff stationed near the various restricted areas to move people along and make sure nobody wanders where they shouldn’t.


• AREA A is the designated Indoor Ballroom area, for the people who prefer the classy elegance of a formal red-carpet gala over the more whimsy outdoor garden party atmosphere in the back. There's a big skylight and lots of space to move around! … But the hardwood floors are looking a little scuffed, and there doesn’t seem to be the usual array of tasteful artwork on the walls anymore, even though you can still tell where a lot of the frames used to be hanging. There are some red banners strung up over most of those empty spots, and although don’t quite match the decor and they’re a little on the cheap side, they certainly make it look like a sweet party! Overall, though, a little more upscale than the shenanigans going on outside, for the people who'd rather that kind of thing.

• AREA B, as some of the more bookish types will remember, is the Library/Gallery! A long-time favorite of visitors, it’s usually a nice haven for people who are a little partied-out but not ready for bed, or who just want to dig into the Elite Four’s personal collection of books and research. SADLY, this year it would seem the door is blocked off! Remodeling in there too, huh? What a shame. :(

• AREA C is...well, the Parking Lot. Normally it’s spotless (no cars!), but this year it looks like they didn’t really have time to clean up, as there seems to be a lot of litter lying around. But more importantly, this is where you take your Pokemon battles if you simply gotta get your battle on; keep it out and away from the house, please, and try not to make too much of a mess. Skirmishes, sorties, and sparring will be tolerated here and here alone. Don’t be that person, guys!

• AREA D … is the Elite Four’s trophy and commemoration room, and it too seems to be shut off to the public. :( Awwww.

For all other information about the Prom and the venue, head on over HERE!

Comments

Front Yard

[keep_surviving]

[Diana's seen that look more times than she cares to count.]

Anthy?

[rosehecate]

[Ah-]

...Hello, Diana.

[She manages the smallest of smiles, but it doesn't linger, and it's also noticeably nervous.]

I'm sorry. I...am not really good at things like parties.

[You're nice Diana please don't worry...........]

[keep_surviving]

Let's hang out here for awhile then.

[She shrugs and approaches to stands besides Anthy, hoping the lack of direct confrontation and the solidarity works to comfort her. Since Diana's pretty shitty at doing it with words.]

I like your dress. Glad we went for a similar colour scheme. [She rubs at her own bare arms idly.] Though I'm kind of jealous of your sleeves right now.

[rosehecate]

[...It does help. But Diana shouldn't miss out on the fun part of the party because of her.]

It's okay if you want to go inside for a while. I won't mind. But...thank you. [She looks down at Junior as he pulls up the gauzy wrap that had come with the dress. It was meant to drape between the arms in the back, and it's pretty thin, but she and her Pokemon have a similar enough idea to offer it to Diana.] Here. This might help, a little.

[keep_surviving]

That party's going to be going all night. Hanging out here won't make me miss much. [She holds up her small clutch bag.] Don't worry about it. If I get too cold, I'll get Sass out here and wear her like a scarf.

[Diana smiles as she throws the wrap over her shoulders.] Thanks. So, you come here with anybody?

[rosehecate]

[Still, make sure you keep yourself warm. The pink looks good with the red.]

Not really. But I did meet someone here. Her name is Angel.

[They had a gay friend date and everything, by now]

[keep_surviving]

Angel? [Diana cocks her eyebrow. She's used to odd names, she did hang out with a kind called Bug for a few months afterall. But the name Angel seems like something that must be only be used ironically.]

That a nickname?

[rosehecate]

No, I think that's her real name.

[And she's got the prettiest eyes and this is really gay isn't it. At least Anthy is smiling a little now?]

[keep_surviving]

[Diana smirks.] You like this girl?

[rosehecate]

Yes. She's very nice. I'm looking forward to getting to know her.

[And maybe she's kinda pretty and kind okay, not even Utena considered her personal boundaries and she's very devoted to her.]

[keep_surviving]

Well, I'm glad you got a date for this thing. I hope her see her around the party.

Is she gonna be here tonight? You know, for the... after party.

[rosehecate]

...I think she will.

[Anthy can't confront her. Oh, let her hair being up be enough of a disguise.]

[keep_surviving]

So she's a Rocket?

[rosehecate]

...No. She's...normal.

[keep_surviving]

Oh. So, what are you gonna do about tonight?

[rosehecate]

There's not much I can do, right?

[Avoid her, probably. Or try to.]

...I'm going to try my best. But...my Pokemon and I aren't very strong. So. I don't know if I'll be much help.

[keep_surviving]

Well, I think there's a few of us here, so maybe we don't all have to fight.

[rosehecate]

Maybe.

[She lets out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.]

It'd be easier to do this kind of thing if I didn't...care.

[keep_surviving]

Well, we can't help that. But it's not like we're doing anything too terrible.

[rosehecate]

...I suppose not.

[As long as it's not Ash or Angel, she...thinks she can justify following orders. As long as it isn't them.]

I think...I'm going to think about tomorrow, and not tonight. Just to...calm down.

[keep_surviving]

[Diana just nods. hey, however Anthy wanted to deal with it was her business. It's not like Diana's emotionally stable enough herself to tell people how to handle things.]

[rosehecate]

...Don't worry about me, though. [She does her best to put on a smile. It's empty, but not insincere.] I've survived a lot worse than a party.

[keep_surviving]

[Diana gives a harsh short laugh] Right? Me too.

[rosehecate]

[That puts some emotion into her face - a wry, shared...something.]

I hope next time is easier.