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!!!!]
longwei2go: (and they say that if you don't blink)

[personal profile] longwei2go 2017-04-28 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Heh. I don't know if it's any cheaper than the dollar menu but I could get used to the taste if I had to.
me_matey: (in loving you with my whole heart)

[personal profile] me_matey 2017-04-30 01:51 am (UTC)(link)
I saw a movie once, some post-apoc thing from Australia, where a dude was eating dog food from the can.

He seemed chill about it.
longwei2go: (these eyes don't lie)

[personal profile] longwei2go 2017-04-30 01:54 am (UTC)(link)
There's some nasty-ass canned chili out there, so I believe it. I wonder what brand it was...
me_matey: (every minute every hour every second eve)

[personal profile] me_matey 2017-04-30 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
Dinki-di

You don't forget a name that silly sounding.
longwei2go: (then I'll call your bluff)

[personal profile] longwei2go 2017-04-30 02:04 am (UTC)(link)
[ Yin laughed. ] No, you really don't.

Anyway, where'd you fuck off to? I lost sight of you like an hour ago, and not just for the usual reasons. [ short joke. ]
me_matey: (i'm your problem now)

[personal profile] me_matey 2017-04-30 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
-An arm punch. And hey! Looks like she's learning to control her super strength, as that almost felt normal, probably...-

I had some shit to take care of.
longwei2go: (and they say that if you don't blink)

[personal profile] longwei2go 2017-04-30 03:34 am (UTC)(link)
[ Yin recoiled but at least she wasn't holding anything or otherwise lost her balance. there's a muffled curse. ] Is that what I get for giving you a dress and taking you out to a fancy dinner party? Ditched?
me_matey: (always jumping never happy where you lan)

[personal profile] me_matey 2017-04-30 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
More like dragged...

Anyways, it's not like I'm your date, girl. You got some peeps you wanna schmozz up to, right?
longwei2go: (and they say that if you don't blink)

[personal profile] longwei2go 2017-04-30 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
Pfft. Anyone who would come to a party like this without being dragged doesn't want anything to do with someone like me. [ she sticks her tongue out. ] I'm just here for the food and... I dunno. Felt like making use of this thing once before I stuff it back in the closet, never seeing daylight again.

[ gesturing to the dress. Yin may have gone without mentioning how she found this thing. ]
me_matey: (in loving you with my whole heart)

[personal profile] me_matey 2017-04-30 05:27 am (UTC)(link)
Yanno I was wondering... You didn't really do a great job of explaining where these outfits came from.
longwei2go: (and if you ever gonna doubt my faith)

[personal profile] longwei2go 2017-04-30 05:34 am (UTC)(link)
Yours is actually my sister's which she hasn't worn since, like, her last Homecoming dance. [ so when she was about 15. sorry, May. ]

Mine was... y'know, I don't remember buying it? Maybe it was put in my closet by my dad. Wishful thinking. [ shrug. ] Seems familiar. Could be I saw him do it and just put it out of my head.
me_matey: (which way the pressure lies)

[personal profile] me_matey 2017-04-30 09:50 pm (UTC)(link)
No wonder it's a little tight around the chest... -May sighed, but... did a small twirl, not quite minding it all the same. It did kind of seal the impression that Yin was family.-

Well, you look great in it, even if it's not your usual style.
longwei2go: (and if you ever gonna doubt my faith)

[personal profile] longwei2go 2017-05-10 01:10 am (UTC)(link)
I'm gonna just not pass that on to her. [ she said, sticking her tongue out. when she saw May twirl it amused her and also pleased her because, as Yin had said before: ] That suits you too, sorta.

Let's not make this a habit, yeah?
me_matey: (are you looking to drive my dreams)

[personal profile] me_matey 2017-05-12 06:12 am (UTC)(link)
What? You don't wanna start with a new glam look? New York Dolls style?
longwei2go: (look in these eyes)

[personal profile] longwei2go 2017-05-13 06:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yin snorted. ] It's totally worth the look on people's faces tonight, that's for sure... But the shock value of showing up to a party dressed as inked-up Marilyn Monroe only works once.
me_matey: (towards tomorrow)

[personal profile] me_matey 2017-05-13 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
I mean I think you rock it, but that's only one girl's opinion. Shock value ain't gotta be all its about, yanno?
longwei2go: (and if you ever gonna doubt my faith)

[personal profile] longwei2go 2017-05-13 07:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[ she reaches up as if to muss May's hair, but stops herself. ] Eh. You're probably the only person in here that thinks that way. That's why we're besties.
me_matey: (things are so passionate times are so re)

[personal profile] me_matey 2017-05-14 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
Are you kidding me? -May reached to scruff up some hair for herself.-

You don't thinl your soft-butch ass works in a dress? I can almost promise you that you could take a girl home tonight if you wanted.
longwei2go: (and they say that if you don't blink)

[personal profile] longwei2go 2017-05-18 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
[ Yin almost looked offended. ] Yo, I know you did not just call me soft butch... You may be stronger, but I can still hoist you over my shoulder and walk outta here if you talk like that.

[ yep. best friends. ]
me_matey: (people smile and tell me i'm the lucky o)

[personal profile] me_matey 2017-05-22 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Don't even act hurt, you're TOTAL soft butch! Not that it's a bad thing.
longwei2go: (look in these eyes)

[personal profile] longwei2go 2017-05-26 04:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah but you now how I feel about labels. [ Yin took a look around. ]

Whatever you wanna call it, the only thing I know for sure is, one way or another I'm turning heads tonight.
me_matey: (thank god i'm not an angel)

[personal profile] me_matey 2017-05-28 10:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Any... particular heads you wanted to turn?
longwei2go: (these eyes don't lie)

[personal profile] longwei2go 2017-05-29 04:18 pm (UTC)(link)
What, besides those pugs in the side room?
me_matey: (this one definitely goes out on a censor)

[personal profile] me_matey 2017-06-01 10:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Homey, don't play me like that. You know what I mean.
longwei2go: (and they say that if you don't blink)

[personal profile] longwei2go 2017-06-02 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ she's laughing. ] No, I'm serious! I'm not gonna try to pick up someone up at an animal shelter benefit unless it's to let me pet 'em.