A night to remember (Open)

[dawnchorus]

“Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen, and thank you all for coming to the first donation drive for the Deauxnim Foundation, which you all know is a charity dedicated to completely eradicating the terrible sapphire virus!” The MC waited for a moment or so as the assembled crowd offered up a polite round of applause, the sound rather muted by the champagne flutes most of them were clutching in one hand. It was a beautifully clear night in Epcot City, the type of night on which normally the streets would be bustling with citizens on their way to enjoy the night-life. On this particular night however the streets were relatively quiet, for anyone who was anyone in Epcot City (and quite a few who weren’t anyone and had just gate crashed) had all congregated in the vast auditorium of one of the city’s most fashionable hotels for a charity gala. It was unusual for these events to draw such a vast crowd, however on this occasion the promised guests of honour provided more than enough of a lure.

“I’m afraid,” continued the MC, “that the founder of our charity, Lady Sue Deaxnim, is unable to be with us tonight.” There were a few murmurs from the crowd, no-one seeming to really know who this mysterious philanthropist was. “However, I think we all know that’s not who you were really here to see.” There was a laugh from the crowd. “Don’t worry; we’ll get to that in just a moment! First, I’d like to reveal the target for tonight’s benefit! Brace yourselves ladies and gentlemen!” Behind him, a large video screen switched on, upon which was a fancy graphic displaying the figure ‘$50,000,000’. There was a collective gasp from the crowd at this, the figure clearly higher than any of them had been expecting.

“I know,” said the MC, “it’s quite an optimistic goal for one night! But I think that with your help, as well as all the people watching at home,” he smiled towards a television camera, “we’ll be able to reach it in no time, and thus take a great step towards ensuring that the sapphire virus never affects anyone again!” The crowd gave another polite round of applause at this. “Come on now ladies and gentlemen, who will be the first to donate? You should all know one of the many easy ways to do so!” There was an awkward silence in the room at this, however after a minute the screen suddenly whirred into life and counted down to ‘$4,999,000’, which prompted a rousing cheer from the audience.

“Thank you so much for your generosity!” said the MC, as behind him the board began to move again as more donations began to trickle in, “So then, without further ado, allow me to introduce our guests of honour! THE DREAM LEAGUE!” Pyrotechnics erupted around the room, heralding the arrival of the heroes of Epcot City.

[Paradox]

Backstage, Paradox was in his usual costume, gaudy as ever. He was never a huge fan of the costume, but Duck Avenger insisted that he wear it instead of the boring blue robes. Oh, well! As long as it kept the loudmouth mallard's bill shut! The Prognosticator was backstage along with the other members of the Dream League who accepted the invitation. His right hand stroked his beard, as he listened intently to the master of ceremonies speak to the crowd. He waited for the cue.

Continuously stroking his beard, he leered at his companions with a quizzical expression. "I'd like to learn more about this sapphire virus. But have any of you heard of this Sue Deaxnim? I can't say I have." Paradox didn't know what intrigued him more, the mysterious virus or the mysterious philanthropist.

He would ask this question not long before the MC's loud announcement of the Dream League.

[The Masked Mallard]

"Can't say that I have, Paradox. If you want my opinion though, Sue Deaxnim almost sounds like a made up name." The Masked Mallard commented rather gruffly from beside his taller cohort. And he prided himself on keeping abreast of who was who among the wealthy elite!

The Mallard's right hand griped the handle of the black cane he always carried with him. He had never heard of any sapphire virus either before, but the disguised trillionare supposed it was some exotic new disease or something. If one listened to the media, it seemed as though new disorders and illnesses were cropping up all the time. He wasn't one to buy into such fear mongering (unless it involved something like, say, the stock market...), but if the sapphire virus was indeed as bad as it was made out to be, then he wanted to find a way to help science combat it.

"It's time, lasses and lads. Shall we?" The Masked Mallard said, addressing the rest of the team. He was among the first Dreamer to step out from behind the curtain and onto the stage.

[Dreamchild]

Dreamchild had no idea who Sue Deaxnim was. Neither did the all-powerful wizard, Paradox, nor the always-gentlemanly Masked Mallard. If neither of them knew this mysterious Deaxnim, then who did? And though she kept hearing about "sapphire" throughout St. Blair Academy, she had no real preconceptions about the subject. She was a psychic, but she wasn't the kind who can catch glimpses of the future, like Ragdoll or Paradox. But even though she couldn't foresee what lied in store, Dreamchild honestly didn't like this fundraising event too much. Something just didn't settle well with her...

Oh, well. Might as well give the public what they want. The Dream Come True looked the same as usual, though she had obviously bathed and brushed her hair shortly before the team left for the event, together. She beamed with cute femininity.

She nodded to the Masked Mallard and Paradox. "We shall!" She closely followed the Masked Mallard, and she was followed closely by Paradox. She smiled and waved politely to the cheering crowd. Being a celebrity that people talked about was still a strange concept to the Dream Come True, but she would be lying if she said she disliked the positive reception here.

[Bongo]

Despite the suspicion and uncertainty held by the other Dreamers present, they all must have been more aware of the situation than the carefree Bongo. This was the first he'd ever heard of the "sapphire virus", and he wasn't even sure what was so terrible about it in the first place - although he had just enough knowledge of the term "virus" to understand that it wasn't a thing to be welcomed. And, of course, he knew nothing of the aforementioned "Sue Deauxnim". He knew the real reason he was here, though - to make his fans happy and enjoy their adoration! Bongo wasn't exactly the most narcissistic member of the Dream League, but he sure was a sucker for praise and attention, so he couldn't resist tagging along.

He had himself all spruced up just for the occasion, as well - his everyday circus uniform looked spick-and-span, shiny and brand new, and his fur was definitely cleaner than usual. As the other Dreamers discussed amongst themselves, Bongo was busy examining himself in a mirror backstage, adjusting his strap-on cap and bowtie. With one final tug on his bowtie, he struck a most gentlemanly pose in front of the mirror and smiled confidently - he looked pretty swell tonight, if he should (or could, even) say so, himself. Before he knew it, though, it was time! Turning to see the other Dreamers already heading out onto the stage, Bongo hurriedly followed suit, slowing his pace down as he got close enough to his friends. Ecstatic to hear so much applause at their appearance, Bongo hammed it up as always and waved enthusiastically to as many members of the audience as he could, with a wide open grin. He would even stop in his steps to continue waving at them, before realizing he had to keep moving along with the rest of the League.