victory_road | Prom 2021, McMansion edition

After almost a week and a half of preparations, choosing your prom outfit(s?), and packing everything you might need for a wonderful weekend of luxurious fun, Prom has finally arrived! On Friday the 16th, starting at around noon, people will begin to arrive at this year's prom venue, the massive white building gleaming in the sun. Those with a very good eye for architecture might note that the mansion looks like it has been expanded over the years, with more and more being built onto it. Those with a terrible eye for architecture might note that it is, like, a really big house, man.

Anyway --

WELCOME TO THE MANSION!

Arrival is a bit of a hustle and bustle, with the hosting duo trying to greet every individual personally before directing them to their bedrooms. Anyone who has participated in one of Riegfried and Soy's previous contests will find that they remember each and every contestant and are eager to follow up with them, inquiring about the health and well-being of the Pokémon they entered into the contest with, whether they brought them along, and if they've engaged in any artistic endeavors recently.

(Hopefully, you won't get stuck waiting in line to get greeted behind one of these folks; these conversations can get long.)

In any case, why not head to your bedroom for the weekend (and wow, those are their own little experience, aren't they?), drop your bags, and see what the life of the rich and famous has to offer for you?

THE MANSION SIGHTS

Bedrooms

Even for a mansion of such staggering size, the sheer number of rooms that are made up into bedrooms is far, far too many. You even get the feeling that the mansion was expanded at times simply to fit more bedrooms.

If asked about this frankly excessive amount of bedrooms, Soy will confess that interior design is a bit of a passion of his. He really likes to try out new and unique designs, and it was getting a bit too disruptive to constantly redecorate their own bedroom, so they started building more bedrooms. And more bedrooms. And then even more.

Nowadays they move from one bedroom to the next whenever the whim strikes them.

Dining

Of course during your stay at the mansion, you will be catered to be a veritable flock of chefs. The kitchens that were previously used to host the contest have been converted to function as the main hub for meeting your character's every dietary need. The food that will be served is good, if not incredibly fancy. Sometimes, for seemingly no good reason, it is served on things that are definitely not plates. There is a lot of Kale for some reason.

Of course, you can also make requests of the chefs, but you might need to take a moment and explain exactly what when requesting a grilled cheese sandwich, lest you get some sort of fancy deconstructed dish.

Entertainment

It would be almost impossible to describe everything that can be found inside the mansion. Riegfried and Soy have more money than sense and more whims than sense. As such, anything you could expect to find inside of a mansion of this size (as well as a bunch of things you wouldn't expect) can be found there. A fancy as all hell pool table? Of course. Karaoke room? Third floor to your left. Bowling alley? Super fancy personal matinee? It's all there.

Vivillon Garden

Located partially indoors and partially outdoors, the Vivillon Garden is definitely one of the most awe-inspiring features of the mansion. This little slice of heaven is Riegfried’s pride and joy, and you can certainly see why!

Both the greenhouse and the open-air garden are a rainbow of colors, exotic plants and flowers lining every carefully laid-out path while Riegfried’s many Vivillon (he seems to have every pattern known to man) flit through the air, the sun glinting off their wings. Small private tables and chairs are scattered throughout the garden, along with several decorative benches, allowing visitors to sit and admire the sights, or even enjoy a bite to eat.

Of course, these Vivillon are not to be caught! You wouldn’t want to upset your host, right? But if asked, Riegfried would not mind providing interested guests with a Vivillon egg of their desired pattern, free of charge.

Pools

The mansion boasts not one, but two swimming pools--one indoors, one outdoors, and both completely over the top.

The smaller of the two pools is located indoors--though in this case, smaller still means larger than anything your wallet could ever hope to afford. With white marble, a bright blue ceiling patterned to resemble a bright sunny sky, and a fully stocked and staffed bar on the side, it's pretty clear this pool was never meant to see racing or competition; it just screams relaxation and slow, leisurely afternoons spent reading by the water’s edge while sipping an overly complicated cocktail.

And there's more than "just" the pool. Characters will be able to find two saunas (separated by gender for everybody’s comfort), a hot tub, and even a second (third?) smaller pool, located in a low-lit, adjoining room. The water in this pool has a high salt content, making it perfect for floating on your back, closing your eyes and simply relaxing underneath a ceiling that looks like a dark and starry sky.

Unlike the indoor pool, the large pool outside has been designed to evoke more of a playful and natural feel. Around the edge of the pool, water cascades down an artificial rock face, while carefully picked plant life creates some shade for eager swimmers. A artificial grotto houses a hot tub and another wall-manned bar, there to make sure nobody will have to resort to drinking the pool water if they get thirsty.

Of course, there are sun chairs by the pool’s edge to stretch out on, but why do that when you could be in the water, challenging some friends to a game of Torchick(en)?

Massages and More (but not like that)

What's a weekend spent relaxing in the lap of luxury without tons and tons of self-care? Thankfully, Riegfried and Soy’s mansion has an entire wing dedicated to rubbing, scrubbing, cleansing, and more.

First of all, there is a wide variety of massages available, offered by trained professionals, both for you and your Pokémon. Why not stretch out and enjoy a nice aromatherapy massage (aromas provided by a very well-trained Bellossom) or perhaps a hot stone massage (when you’ve got Magcargo heated stones, you know it's good) or go for a good old-fashioned Kantonian massage provided by a resident Machoke?

And once your every muscle has been kneaded and rubbed, how about indulging yourself in the very wide variety of facial and body masks available? You are going to be attending a formal dance on Sunday, after all. Don’t you want to look your best? Don’t you want your skin to simply glow, your hands to be soft as silk and your feet to be ready for a night of dancing? Whether you are looking for sugar scrubs, mud treatments, salt scrubs, or even more exotic treatments, you are sure to find it here.

AVAILABLE POKEMON

Considering the mansion is, well, a mansion, it probably won’t come as a surprise that there aren’t exactly lots and lots of wild Pokémon to catch here. Pokemon like living in tall grass, after all; not on the well-manicured lawns of the ridiculously rich.

But if you had come to prom hoping to pick up another friend or two, no need to despair! With the Safari Zone just around the corner, your hosts have arranged that anyone with a prom invite will be able to enter the Safari Zone freely, as often and for as long as they wish. If all the fuss and self-indulgence at the mansion isn’t quite your style, why not visit the Safari zone for a few hours and scamper through the mud and grass to your heart’s content?

ANNOUNCEMENT

While welcoming and directing people to their rooms, Riegfried and Soy also mention that there will be a small announcement later in the afternoon about one of the surprises they've been planning for this prom, so please do attend to hear what will be going on!

Once everybody has dropped off their suitcases and gathered for the announcement, Soy and Riegfried guide them down to a small (relatively speaking) foyer and a pair of closed double doors.

"First let me speak for Riegfried and myself and say how delighted we are to be hosting this prom for you! For this weekend, our home is your home. Please do not hesitate to ask us if you need anything at all. That being said, we'vetaken the liberty of arranging a few surprises for you during this prom, the first of which I'd like to reveal right now!"

Soy claps his hands together, his eyes shining bright.

"While Sunday evening will of course be reserved for dancing, Riegfried and I have decided to organize a special contest for you all on Sunday morning! Why not combine the glamour of an evening soiree with the excitement of a contest, after all?

I can already see you're all wondering what this contest's theme will be, so I will not dawdle about the big reveal. Come Sunday morning, we want to see your take on Fashion and Glamour! We understand this is a very broad subject, especially when you are so pressed for time, so we thought it might be fun to see you try and incorporate your bedroom theme in your contest choices!"

He's smiling, sparkling as he gestures for silence, not wanting to be interrupted by questions just yet.

"Of course, we also realize that by surprising you like that, you won't have had a chance to bring your contest essentials with you, so Riegfried dear and I took the added liberty of providing those for you. We collected some of our old things. These clothes served us well at the time, but now it is time for them to be reborn, within the fires of your creativity."

At this point, Riegfried opens the doors behind them to reveal what can only be described as the world's best-stocked sewing atelier. The circular room is absolutely filled to the brim with everything one could possibly need while designing or altering clothing, from sewing machines to an entire display case of different ribbons, from baskets and baskets full of different buttons and gems to enough thread (of every color imaginable) to string up an Onix. And as if that wasn't enough, there are three adjoining massive walk-in closets, filled with those few old things Soy was talking about.

"You are free to use and alter anything in this room as you see fit. And keep it too, of course! We look forward to seeing what you can come up with!"

THE DANCE

And on Sunday evening it is finally time for the grand event of the weekend.

A large staircase will take characters up to Riegfried and Soy's personal ballroom, a room which has been closed off up until now. Access to the room is granted by two massive double doors and as expected of your hosts, this room is absolutely, wildly over-the-top.

The center of the room is left empty, though hopefully it will soon be filled with people mingling and dancing. Delicate white tables and chairs stand at strategic intervals along the sides of the room, allowing those who need a bit of rest a place to sit. And amongst these stand several large tables laden with food and drink, constantly attended to by a flock of servers who make sure that empty plates are whisked away as soon as possible, only to be replaced with immaculately-arranged replacements. The parts of the table not laden with food hold a seemingly endless supply of delicate glasses filled with only the best wines and champagnes, although there are also non-alcoholic options for the youngsters among us. Set a bit apart, there is one table that holds not one, but three enormous chocolate fountains (white, milk and dark), as well as everything one could possibly want to dip into chocolate and eat.

Several opened doors along the side of the room give access to the balconies, where people can go for a moment of privacy, or just to breathe in the night air. It's only April, so it will get pretty chilly, but then again, isn't that just a good excuse to stand a little closer with your loved one?

But before you can witness all this in person, it seems your hosts have a little announcement.

There, on the stairs (forming a very well-dressed barrier between your characters and the ballroom), stand Reigfriend and Soy. And just behind them, looking every bit as well-dressed, is a third man many might recognise. Why, it's Solus zos Galvus, also known as Emet-Selch, an otherworlder like yourself! What is he doing there?

"Welcome to the final event of this year's prom. We hope you have enjoyed your stay here at our home." That is Riegfried starting off, greeting the characters with a small bow and a gesture of his hand. "Being able to serve as your hosts for this weekend has brought Soy and myself great pleasure, though we must admit we have one final surprise for you yet."

"Indeed," Soy takes over, smiling brightly. Now that your attention is drawn toward him, you'll notice he's standing next to a table with several baskets. "We know that ending these weekends with a dance has been a Prom tradition going back several years; however, my dear Riegfried and I couldn't help but put our own little spin on things. This last surprise we have in store for you is not our doing alone, but the efforts of one of your own, who's helped us prepare for you the experience of a lifetime. So before I reveal our little surprise to you, I would like to speak for Riegfried and myself and extend our warmest thanks to our new dear friend Solus zos Galvus for all his hard work in helping us organise this."

Soy is quiet for a moment. It seems like he's expecting you to clap. Clap, please.

"And now, without further ado, allow me to reveal our last and perhaps greatest surprise for you."

Like a true showman, Soy is able to stretch the excitement of the moment, allowing it to build as he reaches into one of the baskets, pulling out a golden mask.

"Welcome to our Masquerade!"

Prom FAQ

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Having of course taken part in the contest, Jonathan can't help but note that there's an artist present in the crowd.

He likes to try his hand at sketches himself from time to time, so suffice to say he's coming over to greet the other. "Have you been sketching the contestants?" he realizes, eyes wide with delight and intrigue. "As they move across the stage?"

From the sound of his voice, he's clearly already impressed with the endeavor.

(The question might be if Leonardo was at all impressed with getting a bewear in a dress, from there)

Leonardo looks up at the man in the gleaming suit, recognizing him from his performance earlier -- the one with the Bewear, yes, he remembers now. He smiles in response, holding his pen still as he chats.

"Yes, I am. Or, at least, getting down the general idea so I can finish the sketches later on."

"Marvelous!" Oh, marvelous..! "I occasionally still sketch certain plants and pokemon whilst here, but I've not managed the confidence to work from more mobile sources I shall admit. It's a truly impressive endeavor to behold!"

The pokemon sketches he makes don't quite count as a mobile source, he's sure. Half are actually tolerable when it comes to staying put, the others are typically asleep. Oops.

"I'm sure your drawings are quite skilled, even if they are of different things than mine." After all, plants and pokemon will always have their charms, and it takes its own sort of talent get those details down, no matter how still the subject may be.

"Goodness- I certainly would not call them wonderful, but I shall do my best to take such great compliment to heart," he manages with an embarassed blush. "Are you an artist by trade perhaps however? Or is it a side-passion? I do confess to falling within the category of the latter!" He got quite good at it for the sake of that diagram of a brain though.

"I am, yes. Though I'm more fond of the work I do for myself than the things I do for a commission." Shocking information, an artist who prefers to follow their heart and not merely do what makes them the most money.

"Indeed?" Jonathan is sadly naïve enough to be at least slightly shocked. "I do apologize for how swiftly such a question came to mind," he nonetheless says. "With but a moment's thought it occurred to me what sort of difference that could make- to know that one piece over another is where one's very livelihood rests upon must be a great stress, rather than anything near an enjoyment."

It appears he is still naïve!

"Most of my patrons are very forgiving of my flaws, luckily enough." Largely because word spread pretty quickly about his abysmal completion rates. "Or, at the very least, the flaws that appear in the painting." And there are always many of them, at least according to his perspective on the matter.

"Flaws?" Oh no! "I can only imagine that many such things would be a matter of perception- I have made a great many mistakes in my own sketches only for others to insist there is nothing to be worried for..." He pauses. "...They could certainly not be attempting to protect artistic pride I hope. It would be far more benefit that I recognize a mistake to be able to fix it after all."

Still, this wasn't about his work, so he'll focus on whatever it was that Leonardo was sketching. He can't really see it after all, and it'd be rude to try and peek.

"Would I be able to glance at what you were sketching, perchance? I shall certainly understand if you would rather I not!" It is not so rude to ask. Maybe. Maybe?

"Sometimes these flaws are a matter of opinion, this is true. But sometimes these flaws are all too apparent, all the same." But still, this is a little too serious of a topic for such a light and fun event, so he smiles when-- oh, right, wasn't his name announced as Jonathan during the contest? -- when Jonathan asks to see his sketchbook.

"I don't see why not. I'm just filling in some details from one of the performances from earlier."

It's a sketch of Dimitri, a friend of his, and his Raticate, complete with a wide brim hat and ice crystals in the air.

Far too serious a topic indeed! Before he can break into some sort of oddly passionate tangent about how everything has flaws and that only makes them better (or something painfully heartful as that), he is fortunately focused on the sketch instead.

"Thank you for the opportunity," he begins genuinely, peering over at the sketch. "Oh! The fellow with the raticate! I think I saw them at the prior contest as well- they were quite prolific!"

So much cheese bread...

"I must say, while still a sketch you've captured the appearance of that hat quite remarkably."

"Well, when the hat itself was so memorable, I could only hope to capture some of its appeal."

And, with his thin lines and subtle shadows, he thinks he's probably succeeded at that. Still, he takes the complement with grace and a small nod of acknowledgement.

"Indeed! I do wonder if they'll take such fashion off the runway later on- it looked quite dashing I feel! Though I suspect that Ailu cannot quite agree with the idea- she seemed quite relieved to be out of her dress..."

The show was worth it, but it was definitely an 'only this once' thing...

"Perhaps Ailu would prefer a different kind of fashion, as opposed to dresses?"

He's not sure what sense of style a pokemon has, but it surely can't be zero, can it?

"Perhaps indeed! Though her fur is quite thick, so I fear it would need to be something much lighter as well."

"Perhaps some sort of vest?"

"Perhaps indeed...I should see about giving it a shot whilst I have access to the wardrobe here perhaps!"

Prom 2021, McMansion edition

CONTEST,

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[jojo voice] `what do you mean customers can be bad`

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there he is, the head empty man,

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