Monster Embassy

[Layla LaMia]

The Monster Embassy is the main diplomatic office where the highest diplomatic officers, politicians and royals in the Monster World reside and conduct business while touring the world over. The world's most powerful and influential monsters conduct business within these hallowed walls, from everywhere between the sands of Egypt to Oz and far, far beyond!

Portals are in the lower depths of the Embassy, allowing for easy travel to and fro the various countries and (in some cases) dimensions these dignitaries call home.

There is a Grand Hall in the center where the UNM (United Nations of Monsters) attends peace talks and such, and certain events are also scheduled, included the annual Howliday Ball, hosted in turn by one of the respective nations.

Many students, the children of said politicians or the heirs of foreign thrones stay here when attending school abroad, as there are no safer walls for these children to reside with security and magic protecting them.  

[Layla LaMia]

Ah but THIS year the Great Hall has been goreiously transformed into the Winter Wonderland from your biggest frightmares! And all in preparation for the Howliday Ball, to be hosted this year by the heir of the Lamia throne, Layla LaMia.

Monster royals and various dignitaries the world over shall be in attendance, and as a special bonus, Layla has invited her peers that attend Monster High to be her guests, representing the school that brings the children of monsters the world over, together!  

[Layla LaMia]

And it was time indeed for the grandest social event of the winter season for all of monsterdom, the annual Howliday Ball held by the dignitaries of the Monster Embassy!

With the entirety of the Monster High student body invited, courtesy of this year's ghostess, the Lamia princess and the students' peer, Layla Lamia, this evening promised to be one the boos and ghouls of Monster High would remember for the rest of their unlives!

The large, onyx doors that stretched to the domed ceiling of the Embassy swung open, and into the gloriously transformed ballroom, now a winter wonderland complete with food and decor, walked all invited guests.

There were several oo's and ah's from the students as well as invited teachers, including the Headless Headmistress, as for many of them, this was their first glimpse into the hallowed halls of the Embassy.

While normally the neutral black, the ball room had been magically transfigured into what you now see before you, with the ceiling enchanted to look like a wintry night sky, complete with magical snowflakes "falling" down to the bodies below. There was an entire wall lined with tables that were filled with exotic holiday foods from around the globe. Fanciful center pieces, each a unique ice sculpture, at the center of the many dozens of tables that lined the spacious dance floor.

Somewhere in the background, unseen, was a ghostly band playing a soft but enchanting symphony in greeting.

And there at the very top of the dais, was the hostess of this year's Ball, Layla Lamia, ready to greet her guests and their dates. And at her side, much to the shock of the school's betting community, was none other than the (in)famous Gryff N!

It would seem somehow, miraculously, Layla's stern mother made a rare approval on a boo to be her daughter's date for the evening. Gryff indeed did receive the most hexclusive invitation.  

[Gryff N]

Gryff was conflicted. On the one talon, he was on a dais, the epitome of privilege and wealth. He'd spent hours being grilled by a mom. Somewhere deep within he was sneering at himself and mouthing the words "sell out." On the other talon, he was literally place above the general rabble at Monster High, and they starred at him with appropriate awe (or was that shock?) At least he was decked out in his vintage 19th century top hat and the coat he'd scored after hours of painful, knee-scraping searching at Via's Grimtage. He was pretty sure it was owned by O'Scare Wilde at one point.

Plus Layla has let him pass out sheet boosic to the band. They were even now deep into Viðrar vel til loftárása.  

[Cassandra MH]

'Note to self, when trying to fake an illness to get out of going to the ball. Make sure you can actually CATCH said illness'

Cassie thought to herself as she walked into the building. Her phone in her hand ready to write down anything for her blahg. Anything. Let it be fashion faux pas or relationship drama. No no not relationship drama. Anything BUT that. Cass thought she was fashionably late but apparently everyone else was too.

'It will be alfright, just don't run into Gryff. At all'

She repeated in her head like a mantra. That was until she noticed layla and gryff had to welcome everyone and that meant everyone. So naturally she smiled softly putting her head up. Dolls were the best at faking smiles after all...of course part of Cassandra had hoped Gryff knew her better to know when she was faking. But another part wishes he wouldn't notice. Her breathing got tighter the closer she got to them. Hopefully she can hold off until she got past them. She can't do this here. The facade had to hold up. Her smile loosened with every step and every whisper around her seemed to get louder and ominous.

Layla LaMia

Gryff N

Atomica Servo

 

[Atomica Servo]

"See, I TOLD you that you didn't have the Ball Jointed Flu." Atomica declared to Cassie as she followed the little monster into the Embassy. She, Cassie and Lin had all come together as a group. As soon as Atomica stepped in the door, she took a strong stance and declared to the world her arrival.

"I'M ATOMICA SERVO AND I HAVE ARRIVED!" She shouted. There wasn't as much applause as she expected, but fine. Whatever. Once the Rest in Peace arrived (or at least, whichever members old or new showed up), they'd perform and everymonster would be clawing their way towards her for her clawtograph or an elfie on their iCoffins with her.

"There's Spectra!" Atomica informed Lin and Cassie as they waited in the line to be greeted by Gryff and Layla. "Come on, we have to go get our pictures taken for the Ghostly Gossip and tell her about our freaky fab fashions!"

"But what about greeting Gryff?" Lin asked as Atomica pointed out Spectra.

"Um, hexCUSE me, but we greeted Gryff just before he left. We greet Gryff ALL the time. Why should we waste HIS time and OUR time greeting each other when we are already so UTTERLY introduced? LOGIC FAIL."

This was clearly so obvious that Atomica couldn't even believe someone had brought it up. Atomica started waving down Spectra.

"SPECTRA! OVER HERE! LOOK AT MY UHHMAZING DRESS ALREADY. AND CASSIE AND LIN TOO I GUESS."  

[Cassandra MH]

"Oh thank goodness!"

She cried as she walked AWAY from gryff. Which was practically unheard of, why would anyone -especially Cassie the "Gryff Fanghoul" be happy to get away from him- and into the claws of their gossip ghoul rival.

"Im not comfortable with the crowds, all these monsters...they make my fangxiety act up."

She said it was the truth, but of course only part of it.

"Atomica you're sure to be on her beast dressed list, you look uhhmazing as usual...Spectra!"

She waved an arm and smiled helping to get the ghoulish ghosts attention.  

[Chase Q]

"Wow! Fancy schmancy!" Whinnie Q, the younger sister of Chase Q, exclaimed as she was escorted through the doors of the Ballroom, arm in arm with her date for the evening, the little imp Devlyn.

Coming up behind them, was her older brother and his date, Glen da West. Chase smiled at the amazed expression Whinnie gave as she looked everywhere there was to look. It was probably definitely the fanciest event she had ever been invited to!

Chase leaned down so that he could converse with his mini-date...

"Whinnie sure is gonna have a rockin' time! This is her biggest event yet!"

"Yeah, at least YOU got to go to the Emerald City Ball in Oz last year!"

"Yeah, talk about fancy! And colorful! I don't think anything will top..."

It was then that Chase looked up and saw for the first time just how decorative this event was and he puckered his lips and whistles in impressed fashion as they joined Whinnie and Devlyn in line.  

[Atomica Servo]

"Of course I made my own outfit." Atomica twirled around for Spectra, who dutifully took pictures of the three Trouble Tribers for the Ghostly Gossip.

"And will the Rest in Peace be performing tonight?" Spectra asked, typing on her iCoffin. "The buzz is that you've gone through another member turnover since Woestock!"

"Well, I mean...A couple of members haven't been available..." Okay, so the truth was that Atomica had never really been able to get ahold of Sally Slender because her power interfered with electronics, and it was entirely possible that she didn't attend Monster High anymore. AND that Regina had vanished. And yes, Layla LaMia was PROBABLY too busy tonight to perform. BUT, Atomica had been reaching out to some other names from the past. None of them had confirmed for SURE, but when had that ever stopped Atomica?

"But this performance tonight will be a REUINION of the original Atomica and the Rest in Peace!" Atomica declared boldly. "Marceline, Melody and Vanissha will all be up on stage backing me up!"

"But no one has seen Vanissha de la Luz in a month!" Spectra looked up from her iCoffin in surprise. "Are you really going to have all of the original group up there?"

"Of course!" Atomica nodded confidently. Marceline was a lock, of course. She was ALMOST as popular as Atomica these days. ALMOST. And Melody Nocturna WAS coming to the ball, so that was basically the same thing as agreeing to perform. And Vanissha...even if she wasn't there, who would know? She was invisible! "Every monster here will want to record our epic-dary performance."

"SpookTAKular!" Spectra started typing furiously again. "I'll spread the word to every monster! We'll be hexpecting big things from Atomica and the R.I.P tonight!"

With that, Spectra floated away. Atomica felt a strange chill go down her spine. Could it be that she may have slightly overstepped her bounds just now....?  

[Cassandra MH]

"Uhm...Atomica I trust you and I know you have a plan and all but. Isn't that a bit of a stretch even for you. I mean you can't just magically make her show up, and even if you could it's not like she'd want to play"

Cassandra put her hand on her friend shoulder.

" please you can tell me if you don't think this is a good idea you can always back out I know they're not your style but"

She heard the hexcited murmurs of the ball-goers. She sighed.

"Never mind the damage is done... If you need help I can do damage control. I would offer to help you onstage but...I don't want to embarrass myself or you"  

[Atomica Servo]

Cassandra MH

"Uhm...Atomica I trust you and I know you have a plan and all but. Isn't that a bit of a stretch even for you. I mean you can't just magically make her show up, and even if you could it's not like she'd want to play"

Atomica's smile became a little less big.

Quote:

Cassandra put her hand on her friend shoulder.

" please you can tell me if you don't think this is a good idea you can always back out I know they're not your style but"

Now the smile wasn't a smile at all but just a flat line of lips on the bottom of Atomica's face.

Quote:

"Never mind the damage is done... If you need help I can do damage control. I would offer to help you onstage but...I don't want to embarrass myself or you"

Aaaaaaaand now the smile was a full-on frown. Cassie apparently knew how to put the FUN in funeral.

"I can DO this!" Atomica informed Cassie defiantly. "Even if you don't believe in me, I will FIND a way to make this performance....I will find a way to make it so TRULY, TRULY, TRULY outrageous that monsters will be talking about it for centuries!"

Atomica looked around. Now that she had programmed a mission for herself, it was time to figure out how hexactly to accomplish that.  

[Draconia St George]

Harry Herne

"I am Arillena's Secret Kringle and I got her the MOST CRUEL GIFT EVER! Ari was orphaned as a baby and lost her home in Fairy. I embraced her like a sister but now it's official! I convinced the Old Monster to adopt her into the House of Herne! She can never inherit but she now will always have a home and family in Fairy!"

As the goblin-powered mushroom carriage arrived in front of the Monster Embassy, Draconia had the unfortunate task of breaking some bad news to Harry.

"Oh, Harry, that's such a fangTAStic gift! I know that Arillena would absolutely uhhh-dore it! But....didn't you hear? She was transferred back to Direland. She left late last week." There was a twinge of sadness in Draconia's voice. The two of them had bonded over their love of theatre during Arillena's brief time at Monster High. She hoped to stay in touch even though they would be an ocean apart.

To try to offset Harry's disappointment, Draconia presented her own Secret Santa Claws gift.

"I'm your Secret Kringle, too..." Draconia told him as Harry took the gift and unwrapped it. It was an alarm clock with the Beastles on the face. "It plays Scargent Pepper's Lacerated Parts Club Band to wake you up!"  

[Cassandra MH]

"I didn't- I didn't mean it like that"

She looked at her a bit taken back

"Of course I believe in you! You probably don't want me to, but if you need help with this just let me know...sorry"

She went to find anywhere to sit down, or maybe hide. The only reason she was here was because of Atomica, but now the 'cling-to-Atomica-all-night' plan wasn't actually what she would be able to do...and the ball hadn't even gotten into the full swing yet.

For Cassie this would be a very very long night  

[JD Leeds]

Just outside the Embassy, a beat-up old car pulled up to the front entrance and sputtered a few times before coming to a stop.

"Uhh, dude?" JD said from the backseat. "Do you mind maybe pulling around the side of the building and letting me out?

"It's gonna cost you extra, bro..." The college-aged troll at the steering wheel grunted.

"Seriously... whatever, just do it." What was left of his reputation was worth the few extra bucks on the Goo-ber fare, which he hastily stuffed into the troll's extended claw before clambering out of the car.

"Thank you for choosing Goo-ber for your transportation needs, we hope to serve you again...." The troll read off his script in in a monotone voice as he sped out of the Embassy lot. Carrying a silver briefcase, JD made his way inside and scanned the crowd for the hostess, Layla LaMia, whom he spotted near the stage... just where he needed to be.

Layla LaMia

"Hey! Layla!" He waved a claw as he approached her. "So uh, did you get a chance to listen to that demo I made up for you? I got all my gear ready to turn this party up!"