uncagedbird: (we never sleep)
ɢᴀʀɴᴇᴛ ᴛɪʟ ᴀʟᴇxᴀɴᴅʀᴏs xᴠɪɪ | "ᴅᴀɢɢᴇʀ" ([personal profile] uncagedbird) wrote in [community profile] recolle2017-04-21 06:17 pm

EVENT ❦ Black Tie & Tails

WHO: Everyone's invited!
WHERE: At the nearest convention center.
WHEN: Saturday, April 22nd
WHAT: The Black Ties and Tails charity fundraiser, a.k.a. an excuse to dress like a prince or princess-- and your pets, too.
WARNINGS: None, but please PM me if this needs to change!



❦ Before the Event.
Saturday afternoon rolls around at the Recollé convention center. Some people have been here since the morning, putting up decorations and making sure everything is perfect. Maybe your character is part of the crew putting up last minute chandeliers and decorations, or maybe they've been working furiously to make sure all the food is aligned perfectly on the plates. Perhaps they're from the shelter and frantically setting up crates and walking the animals before the event starts.

There are certainly some things that need to be done before the doors open, after all.

If someone shows up early needing an outfit and some help, they'll be taken to a large side room that's been cordoned off by shades to give privacy. Racks upon racks of formal wear in every shape and size are found here, and the outfitters are happy to help. Need makeup? That's covered too: the beauty school has a few students eager to give partygoers the newest vogue looks-- for free!

No one is getting into the fundraiser proper unless they're a volunteer, though. And volunteers are expected to be working! Those chairs need to be placed at that table, and the streamers over here are falling down-- it seems like there's no end to the things that need doing.

❦ A Fantastic Soiree.
People start to line up an hour before the event begins. The bouncers check to make sure that everyone attending is dressed properly and has a donation (monetary or food) before letting people inside the building. There's some confusion at first over a woman's glamorous Nicki Minaj-tier outfit, but the proprietor herself smooths the misunderstanding and lets her in. Those with volunteer badges have the donation waived, though anyone with outfits falling short of the ideal are told to pick up a spare outfit in the fashion room.

Despite all odds, the double doors open at five o'clock sharp. The sight that greets those waiting is something out of a dream. The room is huge, as big as an airplane hangar but made much warmer by the netting full of twinkling lights above. Dozens of (fake) trees decorated with flowers line the path leading into the venue, and more lights besides. Lastly, there's a scarlet rug leading to the doors so that everyone can have that red carpet experience.


There are tables toward the front-- furnished with plates and silverware, silk flowers, and fake paw prints all over the cloth. More lights are spread throughout to give the room a golden glow. Each table has two menus highlighting what's available: one for people, and one for pets, if they decided to bring a cat or dog along! All the food has cute animal themes like cookies 'n' cream paws, kitty cat cupcakes, puppy love pie, purrfect pizzas, and the like. There are buffet tables nearby with snacks, drinks, and a multitude of punny desserts. There is, of course, one for furry friends as well. It's clearly marked but hey, if you're daring enough to eat gourmet wet dog food... no one's stopping you.

There is a small stage set up for musicians to play, including a fabulous grand piano. Whenever there isn't something live being played, a DJ in back sets up a cheerful classical playlist highlighting modern dance hits and... Dvorak? It's a little eclectic, sure, but it gets the job done. Near the stage is, of course, the dance floor: a careful arrangement of sturdy flooring and soft fairy lights. It would feel more romantic if the lights were down, but the lights are kept at a level that people can keep track of their limbs and their pets.

Clearly-marked cute signs point to a large adjacent room. This is where the shelter animals are kept in large enclosures, and they're all incredibly well-dressed. The sponsored animals are mainly cats and dogs, each with a little biography, a comfy bed, water, and food. The volunteers are instructed to walk the animals every hour or so, and of course the cats have litter boxes hidden in their crates. Volunteers are on standby for those who'd like to meet the faces here, or put in for an adoption! Patrons will be urged to visit the shelter on Sunday to finalize arrangements.

❦ Some Furry Fun.
At some point, the DJ calls for people to share a dance with their friends-- including dogs! To prove a point, he 'dances' with a very confused but eager chocolate Labrador on stage. Nothing quite like "You've Got A Pal In Me" to make people laugh and cry simultaneously. For those who are perhaps not as embarrassing, rumor spreads quickly: there's a pet loose!

Darting under tables, tripping servers, and knocking stuff over: that's what this pitbull pup is doing. He's growing into his paws, too, which doesn't help; he keeps failing at the turns and slamming into tables. There are heavy casualties to the drink station.

And then the pup lunges for the food table.

Will you watch? Will you apprehend the dog before he can run amok any longer? Or will you guard that seven-tiered chocolate cake with your life?

The nametag he's wearing marks him as one of the dogs available for adoption. If someone can get a hold of that leash, they might be able to wrangle him back into the side room.

❦ The End to an Evening.
After a couple hours, a final call for donations is sounded. Those who would like to donate even more to the Recollé Animal Shelter are encouraged to do so. The dance floor is cleared and people are urged to take their seats.

About a half hour later, it's announced that the fundraiser is a success-- they've raised over fifteen thousand dollars! Goodie bags are given to everyone present. While the black bag itself is fashionable for any gender, it's the inside that counts. Every guest gets the following:

- cruelty-free eyeshadow, eyeliner, and lip gloss
- coupons for 15 percent off the boutiques that outfitted people before the party
- a dog or cat beauty mask
- a paw-patterned clip on bow tie that works for pets as well as people
- and lastly, a cat or dog themed necklace in sterling silver.

When the clock chimes eight, it's officially over and everyone is encouraged to leave. Unless, of course, you're a volunteer... Most of the work will be done tomorrow but a few things must be done in the next hour. The animals need to be packed up and taken back to the shelter, and the food needs to be disposed of; the plates must be stacked, and the chairs arranged neatly along the wall.

At nine, regardless of how clean the place is, staff is officially dismissed. Go home! Get out of here! Hug your pets if you have them!

And thanks, of course, for supporting the Recollé Animal Shelter. ❦

[ooc: Go wild! here is the plot info if you need it. Feel free to handwave speaking to Ari for clothes help or volunteering. This is a stress free plot for anyone and everyone to dress up nice and pet the pets-- or bring their own as long as they're leashed. Let me know if there are any last minute questions via PM or [plurk.com profile] fonfabre. Thank you!!!!]
true_noir: (I prefer smirking smugly to smiling hone)

[personal profile] true_noir 2017-04-28 05:32 am (UTC)(link)
[Of course she was doing it right then, because of all the things in the world that Chloe really didn't have that much of... it was a sense of shame. She wasn't terribly easy to embarrass, and tended to act like everyone else wasn't either.

So, off she toddled before she came back to Emilie, winking.]
We have a few minutes before the next song. Want me to show you the basics?
scarlet_devil: ([Adult] A smile)

[personal profile] scarlet_devil 2017-04-29 08:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, shall we begin?

[ Émilie has not forgotten that little fact about Chloe... ]
true_noir: (Creeper)

[personal profile] true_noir 2017-05-01 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
[It was both helpful and at the same time occasionally annoying. While the music played in the distance to another lively tune, she began to whisper out the 'one two three' and show Emilie the steps, positioning herself opposite the other woman.]

The trickiest part is that it is less one that is led so much as it is the two of us together, in and apart, in and apart. At least it is not the fandango, yes?
scarlet_devil: ([Adult] A smile)

[personal profile] scarlet_devil 2017-05-01 07:11 am (UTC)(link)
[ Émilie matches Chloe's movements, taking note of all the steps... ]

Ah, I think I've got it...
true_noir: (Smile2)

[personal profile] true_noir 2017-05-02 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
[They still had a few moments before the song ended, and so she began to show her the next set of steps, as it started to change things up.]

We'll keep it to the simpler tango today, yes? Nothing too fancy while we're testing out feet, but I think the song should end soon. Are you ready for a new experience?
scarlet_devil: ([Adult] Pleasent)

[personal profile] scarlet_devil 2017-05-02 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
I am... I'm ready when you are, Chloe.
true_noir: (Cloak5)

[personal profile] true_noir 2017-05-02 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
[And, as the song changed, away they went. Thankfully, Chloe had chosen a much slower version of the tango than some of the others. It would make trying to keep up a lot less terrifying than it could have been. And, besides, she was patient even with flubs and stubbed toes.

What better way to learn than under pressure to perform from the crowds!]
scarlet_devil: ([Adult] A smile)

[personal profile] scarlet_devil 2017-05-02 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
[ She takes to it easily, it was only the two of them pretty much, no one else need interfere... ]
true_noir: (Peaceful)

[personal profile] true_noir 2017-05-02 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[Really, as long as nobody was dancing too close, the tango was fine and dandy, and keeping off of each other's toes was a lot easier if one partner was good enough to keep the room relatively free. Chloe smiled over at her, winking as they moved.]

We should go out dancing more often, you and I.
scarlet_devil: ([Adult] Pleasent)

[personal profile] scarlet_devil 2017-05-02 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Émilie is soon getting quite into it, smiling a little herself... ]

We should...
true_noir: (Smile2)

[personal profile] true_noir 2017-05-02 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[She really didn't have that many dance partners, and it would be fun to try out some dance classes and really learn all the old classics. Well, that and Emilie's company was generally a good thing.]

Do you get much of a chance to do this? I imagine your family attends a few more of these than I do.
scarlet_devil: ([Adult] A smile)

[personal profile] scarlet_devil 2017-05-02 11:27 pm (UTC)(link)
There's always events throughout the year, not all of them balls like this one...
true_noir: (Cloak16)

[personal profile] true_noir 2017-05-02 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
As much as I like to dance and this is a nice change of pace, I am not entirely jealous. You must always be under a bit of stress to behave a certain way at those.
scarlet_devil: ([Adult] Playful)

[personal profile] scarlet_devil 2017-05-03 01:39 am (UTC)(link)
There's always an expectation of behaviour at those...

[ She pulls Chloe closer, showing off a bit. ]
true_noir: (Cloak5)

[personal profile] true_noir 2017-05-03 04:31 am (UTC)(link)
[As Emilie got in closer, Chloe moved with her, keeping pace easily and grinning.] You're much better at meeting expectations than I am. I can look the part, but I was never a high society girl. Too many of the years among the vines, no?
scarlet_devil: ([Adult] Into her eyes)

[personal profile] scarlet_devil 2017-05-03 08:30 am (UTC)(link)
I suppose I have had practice... Dani seems to try an rebel a bit, though...
true_noir: (Smile2)

[personal profile] true_noir 2017-05-03 03:21 pm (UTC)(link)
That's not such a bad thing. She is younger than you, after all, is she not? I think this is the privilege of the young, to rebel against the shackles of their lives. [She chuckled.] Or perhaps that is simply younger sisters.
scarlet_devil: ([Adult] A smile)

[personal profile] scarlet_devil 2017-05-03 06:30 pm (UTC)(link)
I hope she'll become more manageable as she grows up...
[ She smiles a bit, and lets Chloe do a few moves. ]
true_noir: (Cloak15)

[personal profile] true_noir 2017-05-03 07:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, they almost do, Emilie. That's part of the growing process. Though, if she starts getting tattoos I might worry a little.

[Not that much, as she didn't seem to take the suggestion seriously, moving her into a more complicated move. It was one she could lead her on, where she twirled her to face her back to Chloe and almost seemed to walk her forward for several steps before twirling and pulling her back again.]

Quite the initimate dance, no?
scarlet_devil: ([Adult] Blush)

[personal profile] scarlet_devil 2017-05-03 07:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[ In spite of herself, Émilie blushes a little as she moves, keeping pace with her friend... ]

...Quite so, Chloe.
true_noir: (Genuine Smile)

[personal profile] true_noir 2017-05-03 07:26 pm (UTC)(link)
The goal is to move together, though sometimes I think the woman's part is much more involved than the man's. [And in fact, it was, so there'd been a few steps she was skipping, as they involved a lot of sashaying back and forth by the girl she knew Emilie could handle, but didn't know to do yet.]

Ah, but I think the song is ending soon. We'll have to do this again sometime. Perhaps lessons, yes.
scarlet_devil: ([Adult] Thoughtful)

[personal profile] scarlet_devil 2017-05-03 07:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, we should. Any other surprises you have in store for me?
[ She would be confident that she could master it quickly enough... ]
true_noir: (Default)

[personal profile] true_noir 2017-05-04 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
[As the two of them started to slow down a little, she grinned and shrugged.] Oh, nothing today, but soon enough I will find you something special for you. How does that sound?
scarlet_devil: ([Adult] Small smile)

[personal profile] scarlet_devil 2017-05-04 01:34 pm (UTC)(link)
That sounds... exciting. [ She smiles softly, gazing up at Chloe. She understands, though, since Chloe has always been pretty loyal in a lot of things. Her girlfriend was lucky to have her. ] I look forward to it.