xp_logs | Terry and Crystal - Music at the Winter Ball

Backdated to Saturday morning. Crystal and Terry meet to discuss the upcoming Winter Ball. Their ideas of the proper types of music to play at the event don't mesh, but they do agree on the theme right away.

There was no doubt about it, planning a semi-formal Winter Ball for the mansion's residents was going to be an interesting task. There were proper ways to do things, and yet Crystal didn't want another round odd looks like the ones she'd received due to her catered birthday party. This was supposed to be a nice occasion, but it was semi-formal, not formal...

"Do you think we should have a harpist or a string quartet? I know that you are partial to harps, and I am too, but having a string quartet play would be very nice."

The look on Terry's face--hesitant and yet firm--probably told Crystal everything she needed to know about that. Nevertheless she responded with all the delicacy she could muster, "I think that would probably not go over very well with the students. They're used to something a little less classical and a little more something that you can dance to. Most of them can't waltz let alone try a dance out of a Jane Austen novel. How about something a little less refined?"

Less refined? "Oh, I see." Is it my fault that the students do not appreciate true dancing? "How... less refined does the music need to be?" Crystal wasn't quite sure she wanted to know the answer, but the question had to be asked.

"You'll have better luck with something they recognize for one thing," Terry suggested mildly, noting the distaste that Crystal was trying hide. She wasn't sure why the girl would have volunteered for organizing something if she didn't want to actually make it enjoyable for everyone. "I'm not saying that you can't bring a little culture into their lives but you've got to be subtle about it."

"Something they recognize... but, sometimes, the things that they recognize do not have words that can be understood," Crystal replied politely. "Or, if one is able to understand the words, they are words that really should not be included in songs at an event of this nature." Music with screamed-out lyrics, as well as extremely explicit ones, did not count as music according to Crystal.

Terry laughed, "Well, aye, I wouldn't suggest playing Forge's music. Even I can't stand that. But there is a world of music between string quartets and thrash metal." She held up her hand and dove into her bag for her ipod, "Hang on, here's what I mean." It was actually her work out mix--upbeat but not offensive. There was a bit of Flogging Molly as well but she skipped that.

Semi-formal, Crystal. "This is what the students will want us to play?" Crystal asked, and then cautiously asked another question. "Is this the sort of music that requires being played at an extremely high level of volume?" And can't we have some sort of decent music as well?

"Oh, I'd mix it up a bit. You can have some fun with holiday music too even if you avoid the religion specific stuff." Terry hummed unconsciously along with the music as she chattered, the lilt of her voice harmonizing. "Doesn't have to be super loud, it's not like break your eardrums stuff. Just enough to give everyone a chance to dance and have some fun."

"What about slow dances, though?"

Terry shrugged, "You play slow songs? That's what I mean by mix it up. It's just that it shouldn't be all one thing or the other."

Well, that was good... slow songs were not completely banned from the Winter Ball. It wouldn't be much of a ball without them. "All right. We will play your type of music and slow songs. I will go over the list of permissible songs beforehand to ensure that there are no unpleasant surprises that evening."

"Don't stress yourself over it, all right? The kind of music that you like and the kind that they like doesn't really overlap but I'm sure that you'll do a great job." Terry grinned, "Think of it like a cultural learning experience. Experiencing an authenticate Yankee school dance."

And how exactly did Terry know what kind of music Crystal liked? She didn't, and would have been quite surprised to find out about Crystal's taste in music. "Oh, I am sure that everything regarding the music will turn out all right. Now, about the theme..."

"Oh, yes, did you have one in mind? Winter Wonderland is so cliche." Terry easily moved right on passed the music issue and bounced lightly in her seat. Natural exuberance was getting a pick up by Terry's eagerness not to upset Crystal.

Cystal nodded. "You are correct; I would not want to have any sort of theme related to winter. A summer theme, on the other hand..." Crystal smiled slightly. "Actually, Medusa and I already discussed this, and we believe that we should have a Hollywood theme."

Terry grinned, "Now you're talking. You have ideas already?"

"Of course we already have ideas!" Crystal replied, only an inkling of the shock she felt slipping into her voice. "Less than two weeks remain during which this event can be planned. There is no time for procrastination; planning a ball, even a small one such as this, is a serious manner." Most of the royal parties Crystal knew about were on a much larger scale, with many more people in attendance, and a Winter Ball for the school was tiny when compared to those.

If the expression on Terry's face slipped to amusement for just a heartbeat because of the utter seriousness Crystal was devoting to the planning, it could be forgiven. She was genuinely glad that the girl was getting involved in something for her peer group. "You're right, absolutely. Well then, do let's hear it."