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

[exeggutorhead]

A. Dancing!

[Well this is...all pretty weird. Envy's only been to this mansion twice for parties (three times if you count the incident with Aqua and Magma), and...it's never looked like this. Not even when they were only there to fight! Envy doesn't like how off everything feels, but...you know what, if he came all the way out here and had to spend hours listening to that boat captain go on and on and got all dressed up in a snazzy suit (with a BRIGHT GREEN TIE because of course), he's going to party, damn it!]

[And, let's be real, the music is great this year.]

[He'll be going between both the indoor and outdoor dancing areas, looking for people to approach.]

Hey, even if the food sucks we could still dance, you want to?

B. Buffet

[Envy's not really hanging around the buffet much, but you know who is? A very round little Pikachu named Guglhopf, who is liable to go up to anyone approaching the dessert table and tug on their pants leg to give them a happy little smile.]

[You know you want to give him some of that cake up there. He's so cute. You know you want to.]

C. Attempted Sneaking

[Okay HE CAN ONLY RESIST FOR SO LONG. There's always been off limits areas, but never this many. Envy has to know what's going on.

And he's going to do that by hiding around the corner nearest to the front hall, waiting for the staff member hovering around the staircase to finally get bored or distracted enough to wander away.]

[Not that he doesn't intend to help with that. He's holding a Clefairy in his arms, and wow does the Pokemon look excited.]

Okay, Charon, you know what to do when I put you down, right?

Fairy!

D. Wildcard!

[Anything you want to do with Envy that isn't listed above? Send it at me!]

[11121_assumption]

Walter didn't intend to even approach Envy. He's got enough to think about with the deal behind prom and trying to find the people he cared about to try and warn them away as discretely as he could. Unfortunately for both him and Envy, Darkness spotted the long hair and bright green tie from across the dancefloor.

Had Envy brought his love? He had told Lyra he would be here, so surely she would have found a way to be brought along too? Darkness knew of the Team Rocket scheme, of course, but he also knew his mate was a seasoned battler and could easily fend off the grunts (honestly, his trainer was probably among the top percentage of Rockets and he was one of the lower ranking members!).

Darkness tugged on Walter's shoulder, flapping his wings and urging him forward. Walter followed, not wanting his suit to get ripped. "Darkness, what do you want?"

"Lyra." Darkness only answered when Envy was in view and Walter's feet crossed over onto the dancefloor. Darkness smugly flapped his wings again, and crowed to Envy. "Lyra!"

[exeggutorhead]

And Envy was perfectly fine not approaching Walter either. He knew the man was there, that was why he'd gone and bought Henry all those (way too expensive) drinks so he wouldn't have to even think about Walter being there. Because that was how that worked, right?

Either way, in spite of the smaller-than-normal space, he'd done a good job keeping well away.

But oh, he knows that bird voice.

His brief hopes that maybe Darkness would see that Lyra wasn't nearby him at the time and go look elsewhere for his feathery love are quickly dashed when Lyra herself flutters down from the upstairs banister to land on his shoulder. She's put extra special care into her appearance tonight, making sure that every feather is smooth and sparkling with glitter, and she's got all of her best baubles on. This dance is so much more exciting to get ready for when she knows that her love will be there!

"Darkness!"

Over here! On her convenient trainer-perch. Envy groans.

[11121_assumption]

Darkness sat up straight, looking very proud. He didn't have much finery on him - Walter didn't own much jewellery he could take - but he did have the Dusk Stone he had evolved from tied around his neck like a necklace.

"Oh my darling. You put the stars and moon to shame with your beauty." He said sweetly from Walter's shoulder, giving Lyra an adoring gaze. Walter would've let his shoulder's sag at being involved in this situation but Darkness was sitting on one of them. Instead he nodded politely to his fellow trainer-perch.
"Hello Envy."

[exeggutorhead]

As far as Lyra's concerned, the Dusk Stone is plenty. Her Darkness doesn't need much ornamentation to be the most handsome Honchkrow in the region. She holds her own head up, clearly pleased at the praise.

"Always the flatterer, my love. And how proud and dignified you look tonight. Why, you're the best thing I've seen all night."

It's bad enough listening to them croon at each other over the 'Gear, but this? Is just the worst.

It really doesn't help that the last time he spoke to Walter they were both high out of their minds on sunshine or whatever that was.

"Hey, Walter."

He's keeping a mostly neutral tone himself, but the awkward grimace is hard to hide.

[11121_assumption]

Oh yeah, it was one thing knowing and accepting your Pokemon was dating. It was another to be present - no, to be sat on as the Pokemon in question was flirting and crooning to it's date. Darkness was evidently happy, leaning forward to touch the tip of his beak to Lyra's over the distance Walter was keeping between himself and Envy. "It's hard not to be when I knew you were be here, dazzling all those who saw you. How are our little stars?"

Walter was just trying to pretend the Sunny Day conversation with Envy hadn't happened. Really he'd love to somehow dislodge Darkness and leave him to his romancing but that didn't seem to be an option. There was a pause as he tried to think of a safe topic of conversation - when the music changed slightly and he remembered where they were. The dance floor. Had Darkness planned this?
"Urm- maybe we should..." Move. From the dance floor.

[exeggutorhead]

"Oh, they're doing as wonderfully as always, and learning new tricks every day. None of them could come, but I'm sure you'll be able to visit them again soon, won't you my darling? Oh, listen! The music!"

Lyra has An Idea, and as Envy nods hurriedly in (for once) total agreement with Walter, she tilts her head down towards him, fixing one beady eye directly on his and giving a decisive croak. Where does he think he's going? This is a dance! Envy's eyes widen, then narrow as he hisses to her:

"Are you serious, Lyra?"

HE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT SHE MEANS. Meanwhile, people are starting to partner up all around them. The exit window is closing fast.

[armoredsoul]

[Alphonse stands nearby with his hands in his pockets, attempting to look casual while his Liepard watches Envy and Charon with interest.]

Are you sure this is gonna work? They've been pretty adamant about no one getting up there...

[exeggutorhead]

Shhh! Of course it's going to work! I know what I'm doing.

[Honestly that's a big warning sign right there, but Envy doesn't give Al another chance to protest his brilliant scheme. He tosses Charon down a few feet in front of them, lightly enough that the Clefairy can float to the ground and then continue hopping towards the staffmember.]

Fairy! Clefairy!

[This man is going to become Charon's friend whether he likes it or not. Charon stops right in front of him and does a little twirl, and the man looks down at him and then to the left and right, a little confused.]

Uhhh...hey there, where's your trainer little guy?

[If he'd known this was a Rocket Grunt in disguise, Envy wouldn't have been nearly so gung ho about this plan. But for now, it seems like it's going to work! Nice!]

[armoredsoul]

That doesn't--!

[Welp, too late to stop this now. Al stifles a groan and runs a hand down his face, watching Charon make his way over through his fingers. It seems to be going okay...]

[Cecil at this point decides that this is his opportunity to """help""" and darts forward to steal...a set of keys off his belt? Uh, sure, let's go with that.]

Cecil--!

[GODDAMNIT THAT WAS NOT THE PLAN]

B with eventual A once the Pikadrama has subsided

[foolishwren]

Pika pika!

<sub>[Uh oh. It's the FUN POLICE.]

[Hazel has spotted Guglhopf bothering strangers, and quickly scampers over to scold him. >8( HE HAS HAD PLENTY OF CAKE!!!]</sub>

[exeggutorhead]

[Oh no. He's been caught.]

[Guglhopf freezes right in the middle of reaching out to grab another pant leg, and the person he was about to bother continues on walking. The Pikachu takes a moment to stare wistfully after the missed opportunity before his attention is brought back to Hazel.]

[ :( He has not had enough cake! It's a party!]

[foolishwren]

_{[Hazel's tiny little paws are on her tiny little hips. Guglhopf is in trouble.]}

Pika!

_{[It's not even really the cake thing-- it's the fact that he's bothering strangers. STRANGER DANGER, GUGLHOPF! >8(]}

[exeggutorhead]

[Hey, he's been to these parties before and there weren't any dangerous strangers! Everyone's friendly at parties!]

Pi!

[He turns and very deliberately waddles over to the edge of the tablecloth. Then stands up and raises his little arms as high as they'll go, grasping the fabric. See, he'll get the cakes by himself, and there won't be any strangers involved.]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[!!!!!! OH NO HE DID NOT...]

[Cheeks puffed and sparking indignantly, Hazel goes right after him.]</sub>

PIKA! Pikapi!

_{[She grabs his tail and starts to tug. HE WILL NOT DRAG AN ENTIRE TABLE'S WORTH OF FOOD OFF ONTO THE FLOOR. NOT THIS TIME!]}

[exeggutorhead]

[Guglhopf lets out a loud squeak of dismay, gripping the tablecloth tighter as she pulls.]

Pikaaa!

[THIS IS CRUEL AND UNUSUAL, LET GO! HE JUST WANTED ONE OF THOSE MINI BUNDT CAKES]

Buffet

[toothaches]

Ah! Sorry dude! Sorry!

_{[Maurice all but runs into Envy as he shuffles by between a couple of guests and their huge ass Pokemon before reaching for the punch and praying to Arceus that its spiked.]}

I just need--

_{[The I AM GOING TO DIE panic melts from Maurice's face for a moment when he turns to properly apologize to the smaller man. He blinks slowly. He knows that amazing hair!]}

Oh! Oh, hey! You're--that really really old guy! Hey.

_{[Maurice gives Envy an amiable if strained smile.]}

[exeggutorhead]

[Envy hurriedly shuffles a few steps to the side as Maurice almost smacks right into him.]

Hey, watch--oh! It's you!

[.... really old guy. >:\]

It's Envy. And you're...Maurice? Right?

What's the rush?

[Because dude you're looking like you're having some trouble there.]

[toothaches]

Envy! Envy, that's right, I'm sorry.

_{[He weakly offers a hand to shake now that they have properly met, all the wile looking straight over Envy's head like a rabbit watching for hawks.]}

I'm hiding...you know. You're a lot shorter than I imagined you'd be.

[no_ufo_ending]

A!

_{[Henry has never in his life been the pushy sort, but as Envy readies himself to dance another dance, the Receiver of Wisdom, his hair all afrazzle, forces himself between the homunculus and his would-be partner. His face is drawn and he is vibrating just a little.]}

Envy. Envy he's here.

[exeggutorhead]

[It's safe to say that Envy was not expecting his partner to be suddenly replaced with a Very Upset Henry. The girl he'd been about to dance with quickly decides that finding another partner would be a better idea and gets right out of dodge.]

Wha--oh.

[There's really only one person it could be.]

Here? What's he want to be at a dance for--whatever. Has he seen you?

[no_ufo_ending]

I don't know.

_{[He glowers over his shoulder and clutches the straps of his camera as if they would keep him from rocketing off into space and MAKING this the next Moon Prom.]}

And I don't think so...but I saw Prince and that Marowak together...

[exeggutorhead]

Damn...what are you going to do?

[He hooks an arm around Henry's elbow and starts tugging him off the dance floor.]

Here, come on, we can talk over here.

[no_ufo_ending]

I don't-- I can't-- I can't let it happen again. I'm seeing red. If I get near him, I don't know what I'll--

_{[Henry totters, finding himself suddenly being escorted. He tries one of calming breathing techniques he's seen on the Munna Morning Minute.]}

Okay...

[exeggutorhead]

Hey, don't worry! We'll figure something out.

Uhh...just, maybe you need something to calm you down? There's all this booze here...

[ENVY IS NOT GOOD AT THE 'CALM DOWN' GAME]