PROM, DAY ONE: THE PROM-ENING

[these_balls]

Who: EVERYONE
Where: Scenic Tohjo Falls!
When: Friday, April 4
Summary: THIS IS THE LOG FOR DAY ONE OF POKEPROM! That means this is your RED-CARPET GALA, so put on your showstopping couture and go have a blast!
Rating: May vary by thread, please mark accordingly!
Log:

~
☆ YOU ARE HERE ☆




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, and the grounds will reflect that; there'll be the usual decorations of pretty floral arrangements, little lights, things like that. Think upscale garden party! There'll also be a ballroom indoors for more traditionally fancy red-carpet goings-on, but most of the action (and volume of guests) will be found mingling out back.
• GREEN areas are where guests will be staying overnight! Unfortunately, you'll be sleeping-bagging it up, since there's a limited amount of bedrooms in this house and they're all being occupied by Clair, Lance, the Elite Four, and guests who are regrettably way more important than you. However, this is 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. (Note: you're welcome to try to sleep elsewhere, but Clair might catch you and disapprove. You don't want that, do you?)
• RED areas are unfortunately off-limits to guests! If asked about them, anyone will tell you that those are the rooms and areas that the Elite Four (and their special guests) have claimed for themselves, and they're sealed off tight. Please don't try to break into them anyway; you'll only be caught and punished.

• 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, hardwood floors, tasteful artwork, and classy music — a little more upscale than the shenanigans going on outside, for the people who'd rather that kind of thing.

• AREA B will be the area of interest for anyone hoping to sneak a little Pokemon research on the side: this is the Library/Gallery area of the house. While most of it is your standard "tall shelves of ancient identical books" fare, there are a few points of interest — we've detailed them further right here. Guests are welcome to look around a little, but burying themselves in research the whole time will be highly frowned upon, and you'll be politely encouraged to leave the library alone and go rejoin the festivities if you hole up in there for too long.

• AREA C is...well, the Parking Lot. More importantly, it's 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. Do it anywhere else and you'll be facing some very displeased hosts.

• AREA D is the Elite Four's Trophy Room. Please be quiet and respectful if you come up here to have a look around; it's a solemn kind of place. Here you'll find various collections of badges, ribbons, awards, and trophies put on display, with one wall devoted to each member of the Elite Four. There are also pictures of the Elite Four members themselves, though it seems there's been a changeover since the last prom; the candids and Official Portraits™ depict different people entirely now (with the exception of Bruno) and there are a few photos of some sort of ceremony among the others. These photos include Lance being declared Champion of both regions by Professor Oak, while the rest of the Elite Four look on; Lorelai hugging Will and Karen immediately after their promotion to Elite Four; Agatha and Koga having an exhibition battle between her Gengar and his Crobat; all six of them piling into the frame for what amounts to a massive group selfie, etc.

☆ IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER: ☆

• This post is for threads taking place on DAY ONE of Prom, which means this is the RED-CARPET GALA! Only threads taking place on Friday, April 4 should go in this log!

• We recommend putting your character's location in the header of your comment, or if you're doing multiple locations in the same comment, mark them clearly so people can find you more easily!

• Once you've posted your top-level comment(s), make sure to go to Our PokéProm Masterpost Directory and link to it on the proper day and location, so we can find you more easily!

• The Masterpost Directory is also where we'll be linking the Special NPC Guest Stars' threads, so make sure to keep checking back there for links to their threads!

~

THE POKÉPROM MASTERPOST DIRECTORY

THE ORIGINAL INFOPOST | QUESTIONS AND INQUIRIES HOTLINE | DAY TWO: THE LOG | DAY THREE: THE LOG

Comments

C!!

[angerpoints]

[After spending several hours surrounded by his fellow party-goers, Yusuke soon found himself struck by the urge to fuck off by himself for a while, which is why he's now just kind of aimlessly cruising around the building. The further away he wanders from the party, the less people he seems to encounter, which perhaps explains why he's so surprised when he eventually ventures upstairs and spots a certain Kyouko Kirigiri standing just down the hallway.

To be honest, he's not sure what she's up to at first. After all, she doesn't really seem to be doing anything in particular, and really, if loitering around's really what you wanna do at a party this fancy, there're way more interesting places to do it in than in an empty hallway. Then he remembers that this particular section of the estate is supposed to be restricted, and suddenly, he finds himself thinking that maybe, just maybe, he knows exactly what it is that she's doing. After all, what could someone claiming to be a detective be doing in an empty hallway full of locked doors? You don't have to have the mind of Sherlock Holmes to figure that one out.

Amused, Yusuke shoves his hands into the pockets of his jacket and begins to approach her. He generally doesn't bother to control the volume of his voice at all, but in this case, he makes an effort, just so that he doesn't risk accidentally alerting any security guards to the scene. Who says he doesn't have any concept of professional courtesy?]

Hey there, Kirigiri! Enjoying the party?

[freshprints]

[WHOOPS. Spotted. There's a certain touch of alarm in the way she reacts, even to his relatively quiet hailing; it's clear she would've preferred to have not been seen by anyone, but the way that she settles down quickly after that initial shock gives away that she doesn't see him as a threat to whatever she was doing. There are worse people to discover her, she thinks, than Urameshi-kun — after all, he's a detective of sorts, too, so probably he'll understand.

Probably.]

It's all right. Are you?

[The average person would probably try to cover for their misdeeds by offering up an explanation right away for what they were doing. The average person would also look incredibly guilty by doing it, which is precisely why she doesn't.]

[angerpoints]

[Nicely done, Kirigiri. The fact that she doesn't respond by immediately pulling fifteen excuses out of her ass doesn't necessarily make Yusuke any less suspicious (she did seem a little jumpy there for a second), but he can appreciate how chill she's being nevertheless. Y'know. Only on general principle, of course. Not in the least bit because he himself is absolute crap at playing it cool under any sort of scrutiny.

Ahem.

ANYWAY. Have a big ol' shrug in response to your question there, Kirigiri.]

Yeah, sure. It's not really my thing, but at least the food's good.

[Fuck yeah, food. He directs a pointed look at the door she's standing in front of.]

So, uh, what're you doing up here? Checking to make sure their locks work?

[freshprints]

[So blunt, isn't he? She'll have to remember not to take him along on any missions that involve stealth or a cover story. Not that she would've been likely to in the first place, but it's good information to know about someone nevertheless.

But since she's all but caught, it's fair enough to smile enigmatically and...while not precisely owning up to it, not pretend like she's not attempting a break-in of shit, either.]

Isn't it the prudent thing to do, to look around a place you've never been before?

[She casts a sideways glance at the door.]

Especially when you're brought there under someone else's power, so your ability to leave is ultimately at their mercy and discretion.

[angerpoints]

Hey, makes sense to me.

[That settles that! Yusuke looks away from the door and back at her.]

So how 'bout it, then? Any luck?

[freshprints]

No.

[She resists the urge to kick the door, not because it'd actually help with the lock, but just because it'd make her feel better.]

All these areas are closed off to the public. So there's no telling what's in there. The layout of the house seems to suggest it's some kind of private recreational area for the Elite Four, but that's only a guess.

[angerpoints]

Nah, that's what they've been tellin' people, I think. That this is just where they go to play racquetball and scratch their asses where nobody can see them. I don't buy it, though.

[GUESS WHO DOESN'T TRUST THE ELITE FOUR OR ANY OF THE "IMPORTANT" NPC'S FARTHER THAN HE COULD THROW THEM? This guy! Granted, Yusuke probably could throw some of them pretty far given the opportunity to do so, but... well, anyway. That's not the point! The point is, he thinks they're shady as hell, and if they were hiding something up here related to how they all ended up here... well, he wouldn't be surprised.

Yusuke looks back at the door and gives it a considering look. Then, seeming to reach a decision of some sort, he steps towards it and reaches out to jiggle the doorknob. Yep. Locked tight. He glances around the hallway, first looking towards the stairwell, then looking in the opposite direction, where the hallway eventually leads to the Trophy Room. Nobody around - for now, anyway. Awesome. He looks at Kirigiri and asks her:]

Hey, d'you have anything on you? Like I dunno, a bobby pin or something?

[freshprints]

[She kind of looks at him, half surprised and half amused. It shouldn't have struck her as so, frankly (he is a detective, after all), but there's still something just barely...quaint about the notion that she's been discovered in her quest to investigate these locked rooms and rather than drawing consequences, she's in fact gained an ally.

Not that she has a problem with that.]

You're going to pick the lock?

[She says, already beginning to sift through her hair.]

[angerpoints]

It's worth a shot.

[... he says casually, as if he actually knows what he's doing here and isn't running the risk of potentially embarrassing himself. Okay, so he's never picked a lock himself (partially because he's never needed to, and partially because... well, if he ever encountered a locked door he really needed to get through while on a case, chances are he'd either kick it open or ask Kurama to figure it out), but he's seen people do it all the time in movies! How hard could it be?]

[freshprints]

[Following a little more sifting, she actually manages to find a pin (luckily, wearing her hair up tonight has come with perks, and needing to have it pinned is one of them), and she proceeds to wedge the end between the sturdy metal of the doorhinge and the frame before applying some torque, snapping off the bulbous ends so there's a flat edge for better manipulation within the lock.]

Here, then.

[Because of course, now she's curious.]

[angerpoints]

[No pressure...

Of course, Yusuke being Yusuke, he doesn't think much of what he's about to do (or what he's about to try to do, rather) up until she actually hands him the pin. Then he suddenly seems a little bit at a loss. He rotates the pin between his fingers for a few seconds, looking down at the pin, and then at the door, and then back to the pin again.

Okay.

... okay. Right. Picking the lock. Now uh, how'd he see the movie characters do this again...? JUST GIVE HIM A MINUTE HERE, KIRIGIRI...]

[freshprints]

[It's probably super easy to do when Kirigiri's eyes are drilling holes in his back and judging all the way, too, huh?

YEAH.

Fortunately, he's about to be saved by the bell — or rather, by the footsteps, because shortly after he starts his attempt, Kirigiri perks up, abruptly alert.]

Wait. Someone's coming.

[She steps back against the wall, making herself slightly less outwardly visible as she tries to gauge how close the steps are from the sound alone.]

...I'd suggest pretending I stood you up for a dance, in the next few seconds.

[angerpoints]

[Shit--

Yusuke flounders for a second. It's not the fact that they're in immediate danger of being caught by whoever it is coming down the hall that throws him for a loop - rather, it's her suggestion, because what the hell, does he look like an actor to her? There's no time for him to bitch about it, though. Now that she's pointed out the presence of a third party somewhere in the general area, he can hear them coming too, and man, are they approaching fast.

Quickly, Yusuke curls his fingers into a fist around the bobby pin and stuffs both of his hands into his jacket. He also steps away from the door, instead taking position in front of Kirigiri. It's clear he doesn't quite know what he's doing, here - not just because of his expression, which manages to look panicked and annoyed and unsure all at once, but also because of his posture, which is just... a smidge overly stiff. Hell, he doesn't even start speaking until whoever it is that's in the hallway - a guard, as it turns out - begins rounding the corner.

Needless to say, his performance, when he finally gets around to delivering it, leaves something to be desired at first.]

Uh-- HEY... you...!

[He winces. Fuck him, that was so awkward even he noticed it. Somehow, though, that doesn't discourage him so much as it just kind of... frustrates him so badly he becomes hell-bent and determined not to suck as badly from here on out.

Clearing his throat, Yusuke forces himself to relax a bit and slaps on a severe expression. He's got his back to the guard, so they can't actually see what kind of face he's making or anything, but he figures maybe trying to look the part of the jilted date'll help him better play the role of one. Or something like that, anyway. Fuck, he doesn't know. He's just riding by the seat of his pants here. In other news, bears shit in the woods.]

Where the hell were you earlier? I was downstairs waiting for you for, like, two hours!

[Yusuke's voice is loud and agitated. He can hear the guard starting to pass by them now. He can feel him looking at them, too. Talk about uncomfortable.

Yusuke decides to turn up the drama a bit just in case. Leaning in towards Kirigiri with a suspicious squint, he hisses:]

I bet you were playin' grab-ass with the bell boy. Right? You were, weren't you? Don't bullshit me!

[freshprints]

[...Yup, they're officially doomed.]

The dancing hasn't even been going on for two hours.

[Luckily, her mild exasperation with Yusuke's acting skills translates well into "mild exasperation at my overly jealous date guy behaving like this" as well, and she carefully sinks down a touch against the wall, giving the impression that he's looming over her a little more thoroughly than he is on account of the height difference.

The problem is, overacting this might actually cause the guard to come back and investigate; they'll have to aim for the middle of the road — not too disruptive, but just disruptive enough to explain being in a secluded hallway alone, near a forbidden door.]

There's really no need to be so jealous.

[angerpoints]

The hell there isn't! I saw how you were checkin' him out earlier. It's his hat, right? You like him 'cause of his hat!

[... can Yusuke stop now? Like, could the guard just be gone already? Yusuke'd really like to be finished with this. He doesn't even know what he's saying. He's just opening his mouth and letting whatever inane shit comes to mind fly out.

... yeah, they're probably screwed.]

[freshprints]

[Unfortunately, the guard is hanging around now because he's honestly not exactly sure what's happening here, but it seems stupid, and it involves two Japanese teenagers.

Leader Clair has more than expressed her opinion on Japanese teenagers already this evening.]

I don't see why that's something to be jealous over. I like you for reasons that have nothing to do with your headwear.

[And because this is quickly going south, she'll cast an obvious and deliberate glance over at the guard, as if just noticing him for the first time, and then — ]

Oh! Sorry, are we making too much noise?

[THIS IS OUR OUT, YUSUKE, DON'T SCREW IT UP NOW]

[angerpoints]

[No worries! Yusuke might be thick-headed, but he isn't so thick-headed that he doesn't take the (fairly obvious) hint Kirigiri's dropping here. He follows her gaze and looks over at the guard, who looks back at him with a raised eyebrow. Yusuke feigns surprise.]

Oh, sh-- sorry! Our bad, man. We'll try to keep it down.

[He forces a sheepish grin, and then returns his gaze to Kirigiri. All right. Clearly, he needs to dial things back a little, so...

He sucks in a breath and begins speaking again. His tone of voice is still irritated, but it's more level, and not quite as loud as it was before. PROGRESS: we are making it. Kind of. Maybe.]

Okay, so if you like me so much, why didn't you show up?

[freshprints]

["This is supposed to be a nice party, you two. Try to keep the fighting down or you'll upset Miss Clair," the guard says, shooting them both a final stern glance before carrying on his way.

Kirigiri, for her part, kind of holds still, continuing to listen as the steps recede, and when she's fairly certain the guard is gone, she rests her gloved hand on his chest and gives him a firm push off.]

"Playing grab-ass with the bell boy"? That's really what you came up with?

[SHADES OF KURAMA, MAN. SHADES OF KURAMA, RIGHT THERE.]

[angerpoints]

[AH, YES, THAT OLD FAMILIAR FEELING OF BEING SASSED AND JUDGED ALL AT ONCE. How Yusuke has missed it.... coming from Kurama, that is. Kirigiri, on the other hand, just receives kind of a miffed look before he tells her:]

Yeah. What, you think you coulda come up with something better?

[PSH. Yusuke leans back a little and casts a look down the far end of the hallway where the guard disappeared, just to double-check to make sure he's really gone.

... yeah. Yeah, looks like it. Phew. Yusuke relaxes. Man, if that wasn't the stupidest thing he's ever done...

... ... well, okay, it wasn't. Not by a long shot. But he definitely doesn't wanna do that again. Seriously, his job back home might suck, but at least he never has to pretend to be anyone's date. He just has to show up and punch people. Real straightforward.]

[freshprints]

I don't overact my part.

[She flicks a look at the door he'd been trying to get open previously, and then turns back to him.]

Would you rather I try to get it open?

[angerpoints]

I've got it.

[... he asserts irritably, as he pulls the pin out of his pocket and marches back over to the door. Really, he does have this! Just - okay, okay, it's coming back to him now. Just let him unfold the pin, and...

... aha! Great. It actually looks like a pick now. Who says TV rots your brain? Feeling triumphant as hell, Yusuke proceeds to shove the pin on in there...

... and WIGGLE IT AROUND FURIOUSLY.

Seriously, he is going to town on that thing. Hopefully he doesn't snap the pin in half. Or, god forbid, somehow bust the lock itself. OPEN FUCKING SESAME.]

[freshprints]

[You know, with all the noise he's making, that guard is liable to come back...]

You've got it.

[REVEL IN THAT DEADPAN NOT-SARCASM, YUSUKE.]

At this point it might almost be more efficient to just take the hinges off the door, with all the finesse you're showing.

[angerpoints]

[RUDE, KIRIGIRI. Yusuke was already annoyed over his vigorous attempts to open up the lock not working the way he wanted them to (why the fuck isn't it working?!), but somehow, Kirigiri's comment there manages to push him past the brink of "annoyed" straight into "pissed off". Gritting his teeth, Yusuke pauses in the middle of rattling the lock to whip his head around and shoot Kirigiri an ugly glare.]

Hey, yeah, that's a good idea. Here's another one: how about you shut the hell up and let me concentrate?

[Yusuke sounds about as aggravated as he looks. You're poking the bear, Kirigiri. DON'T POKE THE BEAR.]

[freshprints]

[...Does she really need to elaborate on her prior relationship with bears, there, Yusuke. Do you really want to ask her how she feels about bears.]

...

[Evidently she's perfectly fine with shutting up, though, and just continues to watch him in silence.]

[angerpoints]

[>:I Good. Yusuke, for his part, ends up standing there glaring at her for a moment longer before he finally returns to the task at hand, just to make sure she's gotten all her shit-slinging out of her system first. Look, this isn't how he'd normally deal with a locked door, okay? Kirigiri should feel glad that he's even making an attempt to be stealthy here. Not that, you know, she had any way of knowing how he usually handles this sort of thing, but... still! His boss'd probably kill for him to be this careful most of the time! Besides, it's not like he had to help her out here.

... or, well. Try to help her out here, that is. Much to his chagrin, it doesn't seem like any of that FURIOUS WIGGLING is getting him anywhere. Of course, Yusuke being Yusuke, it doesn't even occur to him that maybe he should try a gentler or more patient approach. He just skips straight to getting overwhelmed with frustration and hissing:]

Dammit! Screw this.

[Yusuke yanks the pin out of the lock and scowls at the door, as if giving it a really dirty look'll scare it into unlocking itself. Alas, it does not. Hell, it doesn't even make him feel better. Stupid door.

It takes a few seconds, but eventually, Yusuke begrudgingly turns towards Kirigiri and holds the pin out to her.]

Here.

[He seems sullen.]