The Welcome Ball

[Arrow]

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ADMIN EVENT: reward, three karma for attendance.

It's the first night the students are on campus. They enter through the front gates and spill into the Entry Hall, where the large, wooden tables have been pushed against the sides of the walls, leaving a large space dominating the room. Teachers roam around, greeting student but otherwise staying out of their way, allowing for them to socialize and interact. A small orchestra is playing.

The students should come attired in good clothes- dresses for the ladies, a nice tunic and pants for the males. This is one of the few occasions they are permitted to select the color and fashion of what they wear.

The entire point of this event is to let students have a good time, introduce themselves to one another, and begin to form friendships, relationships, or even determine an enemy or two.

[Jengo Casimir]

"Would you look at that."

Past the large, sloping lawn, up the polished stone steps and through the biggest door he had ever seen in his life, Jengo Casimir found himself standing in a large, elegantly-decorated room amidst a gaggle of similarly lost teens. The walls and floor were sleek and made of a stone that looked suspiciously close to marble, four long, stout tables against the walls were furnished with a deep golden fabric and laden with food, and the tranquil night air was graced with the elegant melody of a small orchestra. From either side of him, ebony-clad peers looked on nervously, whispering timidly to their neighbor, if saying anything at all. As one they were shepherded out onto the empty floor, where Jengo broke off slightly, craving personal space.

They hadn't told them much of anything yet; as of the moment, the young man knew three things, for certain. One, he was a little bit tired of lugging this massive egg around with him, everywhere. Two, he was getting a bit irritated with being kept in the dark and, three, he was hungry. By gods, was he hungry.

As it were, the moment he decided on going for some of the food, the orchestra ceased to play, and a deep, rumbling voice echoed through the room.

"Welcome, students, friends," the voice said; rolling his olive eyes wearily, Jengo glanced up to where a tall, solid-looking man stood behind a raised podium, beaming.

"I won't keep you for long; lessons, lectures, are for later. Tonight is for you- have fun. Make friends. And, place your egg somewhere careful, it wouldn't do to have them scratched, or otherwise harmed." He hesitated, his grin impossibly widening at the uncertainty on the faces of the crowd.

"Do not worry," he said with a deep chuckle; Jengo saw a few students glance warily at those around them. "The egg has chosen you- no other being can touch it, until it's hatched." He waved a hand, "enjoy your night," and disappeared off the platform. With hardly hesitation, Jengo peeled back the edge of the tablecloth and slid his charge beneath it.

"Finally," he grumbled, surveying the dishes with new interest.

[Taron Veritas]

Taron ignored his surroundings, practically waddling in with the rather large egg in his arms. The orphan enjoyed the music while he passed through the grand halls, even if he kept his gaze on the egg and where he was going, making sure not to run into anything. Music, and the violins, were heavenly to his senses.

A growl nearly emitted from his throat when an elder man stopped the music and began a speech. Fun time for us, hm? Taron, for the first time, scanned the area. Of course, he knew no one and nearly instantly lost interest. The boy sat down, keeping the egg in his lap. When the man spoke of handing his load off, Taron sent a confused glare.

Surely the elder had good intentions, but Taron had not been more than three feet from the egg since he had found it. Simply going about his business, he rogue placed his ear to the shell to try and listen to what was inside. Not a peep. He hated not knowing what he was taking care of. Hell, for all he knew, the thing would hatch and eat him for its first meal.

Noise flooded the Great Hall once more, causing young Veritas to rake his fingers through his hair. There were others his age, but why would they talk to him? He was just a homeless boy from the forest. In fact, one of the male boys seemed much more interested in food than possibly striking up any conversation with anyone. That was a man for you.

Taron leaned back in his chair, feeling the black dress tunic's sleeves drape down, touching the floor while his fingers were inches from doing so.

Despite having nearly scoffed at the other male for eying the food, young Veritas climbed to his feet, carefully cradling the egg, and made way to the table. Where he was supposed to, Taron reluctantly put down his egg. It seemed to nearly instantly call back to him, but he walked away, pushing aside the extreme tug. Food was something he could use, considering he had not eaten in thirteen hours.

On his way to the table, he clumsily bumped into someone, not having seen them. "My apologies," he said quickly, turning to face the victim.

[Kindauro DeLaTerra]

After arriving at the school and finding his room Kindauro found an out of the way corner to place the egg first laying it on the sling he had made to carry it, then removing the thickest cover from the bed wrapped it around the egg as a cushion. "Now," he thought to himself "the gathering."
Removing his outter traveling clothes he redressed, his pants wear fine leather loose but not baggy dyed molted shades of brown from the color of dark rich earth to a golden tan over these he pulled on high mohogany moccosin boots a dark emerald stripe running up the outterside of each, next he pulled on a dark green tunic edged with the same emerald as his boot stripe, from a woven belt of mohogany, emerald green, and gold hang his pouch he had thought about adding but desided agaist his dagger and its sheath the rings from his chocker resting just below his throat.
Normally he didn't like indoor gathering the rooms to small and to crowded but as he entered the great hall he sighed with releif it was enormus already people had arrived most his own age some older he quessed those to be the elders and teachers. A quick scan of the room and he located the other exits. A fast pat of the bag at his belt another sigh and he stepped into the next adventure of his live who were those before him friends, foes, perhaps, thinking of the many young ladies in time maybe more that was part of the adventure.

[Marin Axelle]

Really, she should have been looking to where she going, but Marin was too transfixed by the elegance of the scene before her that she didn't take much notice of the passings of other students. Drifting through the entryway, copper eyes tipped skyward and an uncharacteristic look of awe fixed on her features, she didn't see the boy just to her right. As soon as her shoulder nudged into his side, the young woman's eyes snapped down, her mouth closed, and she instinctively pulled the egg she cradled tighter into her chest. A tall boy with ebony hair turned to her.

"My apologies," he said; Marin found herself looking into two brilliant golden eyes. It took a second, but she finally smiled back at him.

"Its alright," she said, shifting the egg to one arm. "Brilliant place, isn't it? From the way my brother had it described, I had thought for sure this place was going to look like a prison."

While her parents had praised her for being 'chosen', Marin's older brother, Keith, was not so thrilled. For the days proceeding her departure he was constantly by her side, whether it was to walk her to the market or merely to her bedroom. Everyone that looked her way was suddenly on his bad list, and he insisted she kept her egg tucked safely away in her pack.

"You're different, you see," he had said. "People don't like different; not yet. Once you've made yourself something, they'll love you. But in the meantime, you've got prejudices and assassins to worry about- lets not wave that thing around too much, yeah?" And he had been right- when the neighbors got wind of what she was hiding, they distanced themselves from the entire household, looking past them on the street as if pretending they hadn't seen them. "Have to look out for yourself, now, Marin- not everyone is a good person."

[Mitchel Greath]

Finding the entrance was trouble in itself. Mitchel had to walk around half the school before he decided that the huge door that seemed to invite him inside with warm greetings. Nervously, the young boy of fifteen looked at his egg. For a long time, his family ridiculed him for keeping what they said was a breakfast treat. It came to the point where Mitchel had to hide the egg at all times, in fear of his family slapping it over a fire. Maybe now things will be different Mitch thought to himself.

When he dropped his belongings in his room and entered the ballroom, he felt extremely out of place. With a quick glance, he noticed that most of the kids were his age, but were dressed in darker colors. All he was told was that he was supposed to look nice. His tunic was form-fitting and was a polished blue. His pants were a dull gray. He found the colors happy and thought that they complimented each other quite nicely. He wished his egg wasn't so heavy though. He still felt awkward to leave it laying where someone else had the potential to grab at it.

He was about to try and talk to some people when a loud voice stopped the orchestra and greeted the students. He assumed he was the headmaster of some sort. After all, this was a school wasn't it? The assumed headmaster told the congregation to mingle and make friends. That part, Mitchel would do happily. The only awkward part was that the man told them to place their eggs in a careful spot. He didn't fully trust what the man said about the egg not letting anything else touch it, but he thought he should try and get on the man's good side and do as he was told. With a nervous glance around the room, he placed his bright egg in the corner of the room, far away from the rest of the kids and assumed-teachers.

On his way back to the spot where the kids were nervously attempting to chat, he saw a man eying the food as if he hadn't eaten in ages. "Might as well start there," he said to himself, walking to the man. "Um, hey. I'm Mitchel." He said to the young boy who seemed to be about to just take the whole table to his room.

[Tarotisa Genet]

Tarotisa found herself in a sea of people. PEOPLE. Too many people. If she had a muzzle she would have lifted it into a snarl. Not only was she forced into a dumpy purple dress in order to get some of the free food, she was around what seemed to be freaking everyone.

She smoothed the wrinkles in the front of the gown. It had no train, no sleeves, just basic and dark purple - clashing horribly with the bright blue of the jay feather sticking from behind her ear. She wore no fancy jewelry or demeanor.


She made no effort to conceal the fact that half her head was shaved, or that she clearly did not want to be around anyone. Her heavy brows knitted together, and her eyes gleamed with bitterness. She did her best to put on a smile that did not light up to her eyes, and wave to strangers, and shook the hands of the orchestra members. She could to do this, it was just like make-believe.

Every so often her fingers would fly to the straps of her handbag, as though to confirm that the egg was still there or to draw strength for sociability as though her egg was a talisman.


Tarotisa weaved her way to the table that held allsorts of goodies, she did not hesitate to stuff a delicate finger sandwich into her mouth as though she was starving half-to-death. She turned to the gaggle of new-students around the table. “Helwo-“ Tarot began before remembering to swallow. “Hunger got the best of me,” she winked. “I’m Tarotisa” she waved fearlessly.

[Ukon Deville]

Total insanity. Ukon loved it, lived for it. Not like anyone would know that, though. With a grin she swiped her blonde hair out of her eyes and stepped into the main room, holding the egg she had named Razor Blade to her chest. She spotted a pretty girl hanging around with a boy and made a mental note to approach her later; gazing about Ukon saw the whole...boisterous nature of the event as something silly.

The green dress that Ukon had on made this all the more obvious.

With a smile, Ukon let her gaze linger over the pretty girl, hoping to remain unnoticed. Of course, the dress she had on made that pretty dang impossible...some things would be changed, given time. Oh, yes. Time for everything.

Those eyes of Ukon's wandered the room, sliding over the boys with the bored expression of someone else...someone who was bored as hell. Then they slid over a half-shaved blonde girl and Ukon's eyes jittered to a stop. She stepped forward and headed towards the food table. The girl began to eat and forgot to swallow; when she spoke, Ukon couldn't prevent a small giggle.

"Hey Tarotisa." She blinked and tried hard not to look her over. Tarot looked like she could kick Ukon's skinny 'cracker ass' any moment. "I'm Ukon." She reached for a few grapes and, one by one, tossed them up and swallowed them whole.

"Well, I don't think either of us are having any fun here."

Let the flirting begin.

[Tarotisa Genet]

[I'm not certain of the time period?]


"Well, I don't think either of us are having any fun here."

"Never has there been a truer, blunter statement." She wrinkled her nose, and waved her hand as though to dismiss it. She watched as the stranger popped grapes into their mouth, trying to mentally will one to smack them in the eye. "Nice to, um, meet you Ukon."

Tarotisa itched the inside of her palm to cover that she was adjusting the straps on her bag anxiously. Social-scenes made her want to punch infants, or vomit o someone's shoes out of distaste and anxiety.

Her eyes wandered back to the table. "Don't try the sammiches, they taste like someone who's never eaten before made them," She said with a matter-of-fact nod.

[Ukon Deville]

"Yeah. All the guys, geesh." Ukon shook her head. "God. It's like a sausage-fest in here." With that comment, Ukon snickered. Jokes like that were her forte, probably because she could make such things. Lesbianism came in handy sometimes, it really did.

Looking at the girl, as she turned to the table Ukon flickered her eyes over her again. Cute, Ukon thought. Very cute.

"Hah, nice to meet you too. Jeesh, I usually don't talk this much. Might just be seeing a pretty face. Something wrong with me? Maybe."

With a laugh, Ukon turned to the sandwiches.

"Yeah. They might have tapeworms, being kept out like this." Ukon watched and laughed as a boy who had just picked one up and bit it covered his mouth and ran.

"Dumbass."

[Edana Hawkins]

Edana stared at the Entrance hard, her arms clutching an egg heavier then she was. Her eyes were transfixed on the door,staring as if something evil was hiding silently. Edana soon declared the entrance safe, due to the fact that several other kids were walking in, none of them getting burned. "Why is this so heavy", she mumbled to herself as she carried the egg, stumbling every few seconds.

She dropped her belongings, including the egg, gently in a room with other people's items and entered the ballroom. She glanced around, relieved that she was not the only kid forced into a dress. She felt awkward in the sea of kids, her dress brighter then the sun. She dropped her gaze from a young boy, his eyes boring into hers. She felt so out of place.
She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath just as a loud voice started to talk. Headmaster?, she thought. She looked at the other kids, wanting to find the guts to talk. She felt as if she had no voice and her legs were as hard as stone. The Orchestra stopped when the Headmaster began to speak. He said something about making friends,w which Edana would certainly do, and asked them to place their eggs down. Edana looked around as the other kids set their eggs down cautiously. That is, until the headmaster spoke and told them that only they could lay hands on the eggs.

Edana walked toward a group of kids, attempting to speak with them." I'm pretty hungry, so I'll talk to kids over there", she told herself, already walking towards the table. She gathered all of her courage in and spoke slowly. " Hi, I'm Edana Hawkins", she mumbled.

[Kindauro DeLaTerra]

Kindauro looked around the room a second time, an interesting selection of young people most of the races were reprsented also most of the social classes this would be an interesting adventure indeed.
Kindauro noticed that several of the young people were drifting toward the tables that were layout with an aray of foods staying at a distance he looked over the tables contence, then walking up to them selected some breads and fruit that he recognized and a mug of plain water better to be safe then sorry leaving the meats and other rich looking foods alone.,perhaps later he would try some of them.
"After they had eatten" Kindauro thought to himself, " the others would be more relaxed and maybe more talative." There were some that he wanted to meet..

[Tarotisa Genet]

Tarotisa chose to ignore the awkward comments coming from the stranger, almost bristling with indignation. She occupied herself with collecting bread in a napkin, and crumbling it into smaller bite-sized pieces to work out her frustrations. She sampled one, now and again for something to do, and rocked back on her heels to survey the group that was now of her peers.

And more were coming this way! She quickly practiced a smile behind her napkin, hoping it wouldn't come out as a sardonic grin as it so usually did, before turning to the newcomers.
" Hi, I'm Edana Hawkins"

Tarotisa extended a hand, "Nice to meet you, I'm Tarotisa Genet." She then turned to set the crumpled bread down. "Some kind of fancy place this is, huh?" She gestured to the grandeur of everything and smiled (as best she could).

[Krin Bolton]

Krin pulled on the tie around his neck. It was like his own personal noose. It was to no avail, however, it stayed tight on his skin. Grunting, he moved on towards the heavy doors in front of him, and stepped inside the great room.

It was packed to the brim with people. Just the way he liked it. He lived by the motto the more the merrier, even though he usually had a very hard time getting a group of people to hang around him. However, this was different. They HAD to hang around him now.

He had come a little late, so he had missed the whole speach from the headmaster, but he didn't care. Its not like he would be listening to him much anyway. What he did care about was how there was already a huge crown at the array of food set out for them. If he didn't hurry, he would miss out on his favorite part. He frowned a bit and scurried towards the area where everyone seemed to be putting their eggs.

He had hardly noticed the bulge in his arms until then. He had been in so much awe at the whole event, he had forgotten why he was invited in the first place. He placed the egg down moderately carefully, but he knew it didn't matter, if he had such a hard time trying to open it before, why would it suddenly break now? He stayed standing there, and surveyed the other eggs. They were all so pretty. Most of them had little specs of gold and gems in their lining. It was most intriguing for him.

Ideas began to pop into his head. He knelt down close to the eggs. "How pretty you guys are..."He whispered softly. "Do ya wanna play?" He knew of course that they were inatimate and therefore had no choice in the matter of whether they got to play with him, but he liked to ask anyway. He reached out for one. It was a nice jet black with navy and silver markings around it. He was going to take it for a nice walk. He smiled as he thought of the potential fun he was going to have.

As he touched it however, the egg got extremely cold, and ironically burned his hand. He squealed quietly and jerked is hand back. He blew on his hand to warm it up, and held it close to his body for a bit. "I guess he doesn't want to play..." He whispered to himself again. He gave another small frown and stood up.

He turned and was reminded of the food again, as the smell of just-off expiration meat and almost stale bread wafted into his nose. He licked his lips. He hadn't realized how hungry he was. Following his stomach, he made his way to the origin of his sweet temptation. Not even thinking about the people around him - much like usual - he shoved two sandwhiched in his mouth and gulped them down like they were an ordurve(sp?).

Just when he had enough room in his mouth to let air escape, he turned to the people next to him gave the famous upward nod. "Hey. I'm Krin."

[Jengo Casimir]

Leaning back against the table, a fistful of assorted nuts in his fist, Jengo lazily watched the going-ons of the crowd. Some of the students were like him; shying away from the crowds and dashing, instead, for the food. Some were the social butterflies and craved conversation. And even a few, unfortunate few stood timidly off alone, watching the crowd with baleful, longing eyes.

A lanky boy had pulled himself from the ranks of the other students; glancing his way once, he hesitated for a moment before ambling over. Understanding the gravitational pull of the food behind him Jengo paid him little mind until the boy stopped before him, and introduced himself.

Crunching placidly on the morsels, he flicked his hand in a mock salute. "Jengo," he said with a nod. His grey-green eyes flicked once to the boy's face and back to scanning the crowd, bouncing the food he held in his palm.

"Don't like crowds much; no one can hear ya, an' most of them don't want to listen, anyway," he commented; he smiled softly to himself, flicked his gaze back to Mitchel. "Guessin' thats why you wandered over this way, huh, doc? Anyway-" he stretched, rose, and began prowling the edge of the table for something else to nibble on- "food's not bad; all you need in life really, food. Everything else is just extra."