Magical Masquerade: The entrance

Basil blushed as Devon agreed with him. Then giggled as Devon talked about "tripping".
"I'll be ready to catch you." He whispered in her ear. He breathed in her soft scent as they stared at each other fingers interlaced.
"Thanks." He said breathlessly.
"I based it off a prince." He said again. Basil moved closer and then... Blushed furiously and dropped his hands as a sort of familiar girl inturuppted them. Devon smiled and waved her over, ending there moment.
"H-hey Alice." Basil muttered shaking her hand.
"I'm Basil." He said in a soft voice. The girl, Alice, looked like she was nervous about something.
"er-no. Not white roses." He said against himself. His mum had told him about a plant that fit the clue perfectly.
"Pearlbushes." He told her. He took Devon's hand again and pulled her toward's the bushes with him. I hope she didn't notice me being super shy. I am so shy among other people, she just keeps the shyness away. Basil thought, his face still hot from the interuption. Basil interlaced his hand with hers again and squatted down by the bushes. In the afternoon light she really did look amazing, Basil couldn't believe such a pretty and nice person had agreed to go to the ball with him. Basil sighed, lost in a love world before noticing Alice and snapping back to real life. Time to find another clue. Guess this is a treasure hunt. Basil thought.

Action: searching the rose bushes
Stamina -6|Evasion -5|Strength -4|Wisdom -8|Arcane Power -5|Accuracy -7
Steady Flyer

Speech: #DB7093

Pausing her walk with @Kiera Roseline to go say hello to @Matthew Campbell. Open to any other interactions!

Viva tilted her head to the side as she listened to the next clue, pondering for a moment. Immediately, an answer popped into her head. "A pearlbush!" she exclaimed to Kie, smiling happily. "Are these all this easy?" Carefully following the throng of students as they migrated towards the white flowered bushes. Bending down stiffly, she lightly brushed her hand across the top of a bush, trying to pry apart the leaves to look inside. This really isn't the ideal activity to do while everyone was dressed up, Viva surmised. She blinked, laughing at her awkward searching and attempts to keep her dress clean and in one piece.

Looking up and around at all the other students surrounding her. Slowly scanning the crowd to see if she knew anyone, her eyes lit upon one familiar hazel-eyed boy. "Um, I'll be right back, Kie, is that okay?" Viva hastily excused herself and started moving towards the boy, a smile starting to cross her face. She stepped up to him under the magical lights and blinked shyly. "Hello, Matthew," she said quietly. He was wearing a very nice green suit with green plants embroidered on it and a lovely plant themed mask. "I like your mask," she said. "Have you figured out the clue yet?" Suddenly noticing the blond boy he was standing next to, she blushed with the thought of her inconsideration. "Excuse me," she said, curtsying prettily. "I did not see you there, what's your name? I don't recognise you from around Hogwarts."

Action: Searching a pearlbush, then walking up to Matthew.

Sta 5 | Eva 6 | Str 4 | Wis 7 | Arc 7 | Acc 6 | Lovely Creature

Roleplaying as Mateo Yamamoto from Mahoutokoro

Japanese = green | English = white | Spanish = red | Thoughts = italics + #bc8f8f

As Mateo was looking through the rose bushes, he sadly, didn't find anything, and so, he stopped looking. Mateo didn't see Maleïssa anywhere, so when the next clue was given, Mateo decided to stop looking for the key entirely.

Mateo really hoped Maleïssa didn't lie to him when she agreed with going with him to the ball, but, at least he was able to hangout with his friends, whom were also concerned, since they too, thought Maleïssa wasn't going to show.

Mateo and his friends walked away from the rose bushes and decided to walk around the Quidditch Pitch, staying near where the ball will be held, since they didn't want to miss the ball or anything like that.

While they were looking around the Quidditch Pitch, Mateo was looking around, trying to see if he can see Maleïssa, but sadly, he couldn't. One of his friends dates assured Mateo that Maleïssa will show, and Mateo hoped she was right, since he really didn't want to spend the whole ball with his friends, but Mateo was also fine with spending the whole ball with his friends, since it'll remind him of his happy childhood memories at the balls he used to go to, which is how he had met his current friend group as well.

date: 04/13/2024

mentions: @Rowan Bellegno as @Maleïssa Nortundra

word count: 215/200

stats: Sta: 7 | Eva: 6 | Str: 6 | Wis: 4 | Arc: 6 | Acc: 6

abilities: The Sixth Sense

action: Leaving the rose bushes and deciding not to look for the key anymore and walking around the Quidditch Pitch

Speech: #6B8E23

Outfit + Mask:

Reducio

Open to interactions.

Adrien breathed in deeply as he made his way down to the ball entrance. His brown hair was being played with by the breeze, and he automatically reached up a hand to smooth it. He chastised himself as he saw the crowds of people already gathered there. Of course he was late. Of course. Adrien sighed and continued forward, walking stiffly so as not to upset his suit at all. He felt like sneezing as his mask scratched against his face uncomfortably. Adrien really wished he didn't have to come tonight. He had been to many a ball in his young life, as his parents would often throw grand parties for the rich nobility all over France. Suddenly, a thought jumped into his head. Élodie @Danielle Alden will be here, he thought as a smile crossed his face for the first time all evening. He hoped he would get to see her. I wonder who she went with, he pondered for a second as he took in all the lavish and beautiful decorations. Wow. Someone really put a lot of work into this ball, he thought, impressed.

Stepping forward, he looked around at the throng of people. What in Merlin's name were they doing? He peered around, and realised that they seemed to be... looking through the bushes? Adrien was extremely confused, and visibly jumped as he heard the howler. Hmm. Clues? You have to solve riddles to enter the ball? That's irritating. Adrien frowned. He had never experienced this at a ball before. Answering riddles? Pshaw. How silly. He just wanted to get it all over with, the dancing and feasting and ridiculous small talk. Sighing once again, Adrien made his way forward, trying to figure out what he was supposed to do and feeling a bit lost.

Action: Arriving and looking around.

Sta 6 | Eva 6 | Str 6 | Wis 5 | Arc 6 | Acc 6

Mentioning: Evelynn, Aly, Dusana, Mahlioz, the Shenanigans crew - (Open) to interactions

┏		┓
	After experiencing five years of near-death experiences at Hogwarts, Pericles wasn't one to attend any ball unprepared. He had speculated, in his endless wonderings, that these concentrations of magical energy seemed to generate their own force. It was well known that most muggle electronics couldn't function in wizarding households due to this strange science. He had begun to entertain the idea that this force doubly operated as a magnet, drawing in the arcane and often dangerous. That, or the school was cursed. Whatever the math was behind their misfortune, he would appear with a small arsenal of solutions at hand, all artfully hidden in ball-appropriate attire. The Ravenclaw arrived as an eagle. He issued a couple calling chirps to the crowd outside the gate, hoping to catch the ears of allies, then descended on the outskirts. His transformation back was a flurry of feathers, a quick shift before landing boots-on-ground. The theme of his masquerade guise paid homage to the moon itself. Pericles' ensemble was primarily comprised of silvery fabric with a faint glow in the right light. His mask was crescent in shape, curving above his brows like a pair of horns, contrasting the white feathers that protruded from the sides to frame his temples. It hid his eyes behind deep blue satin, enchanted so that trying to meet them was like staring into a starry night sky. The same material lined the inside of his long white coat, tying together the impression of a besuited celestial, poised to do what the moon did best: people-watch. The only disturbance in the pureblood's carefully composed look was his hair. Given how heavily he relied on his animagus form to get around, it had a perpetually tousled look these days. He tamed it with cobalt gloves as he strolled, then ran his palms over his vest, smoothing wrinkles while double-checking his inventory. Several crystal vials had been hidden into pockets stitched along the interior. He pulled his left cuff as if to straighten the sleeve, but was truly checking that his wand remained firmly in place. His equipment was at the ready. All he needed now was to determine who he could turn to if (when) things went sideways. The bird started scanning the scene, expecting a head of bright red curls, confident that the meticulous @Evelynn Decipio had gotten there in a more timely fashion than himself. An inexplicable familiarity left him feeling bolstered, and he knew that somewhere behind the sea of masks and billowing ball gowns, a friend must be near (@Aly Salinger). Of the familiar faces he hoped to see, however, he hadn't anticipated the school's own nurse @Dusana Sabo. The presence of an adult at these functions was almost mystifying. Pericles slowed mid step, fixing her with a quizzical frown, looking away quickly should she glance in his direction. Maybe the school had finally decided it would be best to have a medical professional on site. Maybe a certain paranoid Gryffindor knew something about her that others didn't. Until he learned more, the Ravenclaw considered her with cautious curiosity and tentative hope, side-eyeing the healer until the sound of spells jolted him from his thoughts. His eyes narrowed behind the starry satin, darting around until they settled on the source. A boy had been incapacitated by a couple of young witches. Nothing dangerous, nothing worth worrying over, likely a prank. He assuaged himself with a small snort of amusement before a booming voice made him flinch. A howler was part of the search, it seemed, and it was bellowing out the next clue on how to access the party. Peri's stiff stance softened as he spied a familiar head of wavy hair alongside it. @Mahlioz Evethisawe, dressed handsomely androgynous, was the one to find the first clue. He allowed himself a small smile of pride, trying to assuage his nerves by continuing to haunt the party's periphery.
┗		┛

Action: Arriving, transforming back from animagus form, scoping the scene, trying to identify friends

Reducio

﴾ Stamina - 10 | Evasion - 12 | Strength - 4 | Wisdom - 12 | ArcPower - 10 | Accuracy - 14 ﴿
+10% temporary HP from Aly's Paragon of Health (1,100/1000)
Perfectionist 1 + 2, Keen Eye, Spell Spread, Animagus
Inventory: Potions, wand, Fit

EmmaLee jumped a little in surprise as a few students started to cast spells. She had figured that the scavenger hunt wouldn't be as easy as summoning the boxes or magicking up some solution. What fun would that be? Although, admittedly, she was a little run out on this brand of fun. She had been trying to keep an eye out for Stephen, but it was a definitely hard to find anyone she was really looking for when she kept needing to hunt for tiny boxes in all of these bushes. Hopefully they could move on soon.

EmmaLee took a moment to have another sweeping look over the ever growing crowd of students, now wishing that they had at least given a hint to their costumes. How was she even supposed to find him in this mass of students, all wearing masks? Well, maybe once they were inside and she could fully focus on finding him, she could think about the costume he would pick. If she knew him like she thought she did... like she hoped she did... she should be able to pick him out of a crowd when undistracted, with or without a costume. As she completed her once again unsuccessful sweep, someone else found the box and the clue rang out over the crowd and others started to try and piece it together around her.

EmmaLee nodded as Kaya analyzed the clue this time. As she listened to her friend, EmmaLee put her left arm around her waist, her right elbow on top of her forearm and her right knuckle to her bottom lip in thought. She was pretty sure that this clue was the first one that didn't have another possible answer. Pearl bush was pretty straightforward. "I do believe you're right. Pearl bushes look like pearl necklaces over the bush before they bloom into little white flowers." EmmaLee explained as Kaya walked their group over to the bush and the three, now four girls began to search among the flowers.

EmmaLee turned with a wide smile as the Amber girl introduced her friend as Aurélie of Beauxbaton. "Ah. It's nice to meet you as well, Aurélie." She said. "Are you 'aving a good time so far?" She asked politely.

MODERATED ACTION:
Searching through the pearl bush for the box.

STAMINA: 7 | EVASION: 7 | STRENGTH: 3 | WISDOM: 8 | ARCPOWER: 8 | ACCURACY: 9
ABILITIES: Fearless | Calming Presence
INVENTORY: Wand, Lavender Honey Candies, Blue butterfly embroidered handkerchief, first aid kit.

Interacting with @Howard White
Open to other Interactions

Hair up or hair down... Bloom was running late to the Magical Masquerade spring ball. She was staring at herself in the mirror in her dormitory. This was the last ball that she would attend as a student. As a seventh year, her next milestone was graduation and then who knows where? Typically, getting ready for the spring or fall balls were a snap, but right this second it was not.

Bloom, wearing a simple black dress that flowed right above her knees was figuring out how she should wear her hair. Should it be styled in an updo? Or maybe she should let the natural waves take control. She stomped her right foot, hearing the clack of her heal, in frustration for not being able to figure this out right away. Perhaps the mask may help determine what she should do? Bloom put on a black laced mask and tied it behind her hair that was currently flowing across her shoulders.

After a few minutes of staring, Bloom decided that her hair down was the right choice. Taking a deep breath, she left the dormitory and made her way to the well-familiar Quidditch training pitch, where the masquerade was being held. Although she had been here plenty of times, the decor of the area made it unfamiliar. The trees they added and the lights that surrounded them... It was magical.

Bloom had wanted to make her way in, but there seemed to be a halt in actually entering the masquerade ball. Bloom looked around and immediately, she spotted her plus one, Howard White. He was dressed in all black just like her, except she noticed his red eyes shown through his mask. "Have you found the key?" she asked with a smile. "I'm hungry," she added with a little giggle. She looked around to see that others were looking behind bushes of many kinds, finding the key. Perhaps they should join or let the younglings do the work for them?

ACTION:/b] No action yet; arrived at entrance

Outfit:

Reducio

✧ ೃ༄*ੈ✩
Interactions: [please owl/dm if you wish to interact expect those mentioned to respond] @Remedy Norden
Speech: Speech
Stats: Stamina: 5
Evasion: 8
Strength: 2
Wisdom: 5
ArcPower: 5
Accuracy: 5

Abilities: Part-Veela
✧ ೃ༄*ੈ✩

T he day of the ball had finally arrived, and even though Aleksandra was not one for large crowds or being around other people in general, she had agreed to go to the ball with her newfound acquaintance.

Aleksandra busied herself preparing for the ball alongside Remedy, and the duo took their precious time in Aleksandra’s dorm that time drifted from them. The Slytherin's delicate hands fixed her hair into a braided crown pinned with a dainty flower clip at the back. Her light forest green gray dress flowed down to her ankles, barely floor length and thus revealing her small heels that coordinated with her floral gown. The mask that both adorned and concealed her fair, pale porcelain skin cascaded the sides of her porcelain face only to reveal her lips would be intricately woven and painted by her beloved Professor Toussaint; a gift to her son who would supposedly not attend the Spring Ball.

Aleksandra had left the Slytherin Common Room with Remedy alongside, and the duo chattering along the way to the Quidditch Training Pitch. Aleksandra was normally a quiet young girl on most occasions, but for some odd reason, she seemed compelled to be a tad more talkative with Remedy. Something about the ravenette-haired girl intrigued Aleksandra; maybe it was the air of superiority that Remedy held around her, but no matter, Aleksandra definitely did not mind her enigmatic company.

The duo casually made their way to the Magical Masquerade's entrance, though "better late than ever" as Remedy had stated, not that Aleksandra cared at all. The bleached-haired girl was rather pleased to attend anything as long as it required little to no effort on her part. Plus at least the girl was not truly alone, which gave her purpose to be there, and oddly enough she enjoyed the company of Remedy. Aleksandra had to admit since Remedy and Aleksandra had grown acquainted, the bold girl's presence seemed to make Hogwarts a tad bit less annoying even though everyone else who attended the school was nothing but a body of hindrance.

As the pair neared the Quidditch Training Pitch, a booming sound caught Aleksandras attention. Her face scrunched making the bleached-haired girl glance around until her eyes landed on a howler reciting a riddle.

Furrowing her brows slightly, Aleksandra stopped mid-stride and grabbed her chin between her index finger and thumb. The riddle would seem a tad strange, though it seemed to strike some familiarity within the young girl's mind if only a bit.

Seren white? Garden spread? Strung into a necklace? What could it mean? Why in the world would they be asking stupid riddles in the first place?

Aleksandra muttered softly in her feathery Scottish accent.

The bleached-haired girl glanced towards Remedy uncertain of what in the world was going on. After all, Aleksandra was not one for large festivities like this and didn't know such tasks would be expected of her. Moving closer towards Remedy to avoid colliding with another attendee and for the sake of comfort, Aleksandra tilted her head to the side trying to think to herself, uncertain of what plant the howler would be referring to. There was a ton of variety though maybe it was a lot simpler than she imagined.

“The only thing I can assume that would bear any resemblance to a string of pearls would be the Curio Rowleyanus, also known as the String of Pearls. It is a unique trailing succulent. But finding it among the plants here may be a tad tricky. Unless they mean the LotusMoon PearlBush that is a high possibility as well.”

Aleksandra spoke softly, glancing towards Remedy again with a shrug. She had to admit her knowledge of plants was not the best, but it definitely was helpful in certain cases. After all, Herbology was one of Aleksandra's top classes. She did not want to let down Professor Sarai especially; after all, that would be fairly awful to the bleached haired girl for the slight fondness she garnered her Professor with.

Aleksandra glanced around the space thinking that exactly a succulent like the String of Pearls would be hidden after all it was a plant that would be overlooked by those who were not sure what they were looking for at all.

Quietly examining the scenery in front of them Aleksandra awaited for her Vipress friend to pipe in. Alas Aleksandra also seemed annoyed that they had to do some childish antics like riddles to find what on earth are they looking for anyway? Was she so busy overthinking and chatting with Remedy that she overlooked something? Most likely but the bleached-haired girl rather did not care for it all in all honesty she was ready to get this night over with, but who knew maybe she would enjoy her night with her ravenette haired friend. Or the night would prove to be as troublesome as half the darn school. Scowling slightly in annoyance Aleksandra thought how this night was gonna be a very interesting in a way annoying yes but interesting to say the very least that was for certain.

Interacting with : Reducio @Quinn Brook as @Basil Murphy and @Minnie Duke as @Alice Dale

Outfit: Reducio

Notes: Reducio Speech: #3CB371 Thoughts: italics Devon: #8e19d7

Devon giggled nervously at Basil’s comment but never stopped smiling. “I’m glad to hear I’m in good hands. I like that we can catch each other so perfectly,” her green eyes sparkled with happiness. Her smile deepened when he mentioned he styled it off a prince. “Oh! Really? That’s awesome. That makes me your princess,” she giggled. She really wanted to ask which prince he based his outfit on, but she didn’t want to be rude to her best friend, Alice.

As Basil and Alice exchanged names, Devon smiled. “We’re both broom racers,” she replied so Alice could connect how they met. She indeed noticed that Basil acted shy around April, and she simply smiled. As she was about to respond about the clue, Basil said what he thought the clue meant. White roses certainly sounded lovely, but pearlbushes sounded more like something a lady would wear. Devon personally didn’t own any pearls, but she never saw herself as that fancy of a girl.

“I think pearlbushes, as well. While not my favorite thing to wear, I’ve seen them a lot,” she replied.

She could hear … and see, spells being cast by other students looking to attend, and Devon frowned as well. She leaned over to Alice. “I don’t know why they need magic just to look for a key … it gives you no advantage whatsoever,” she whispered.

Devon felt Basil take her hand again and interlace their fingers. A light flush bloomed on her cheeks. ‘I love the feeling of his hand in mine,’ she thought, smiling at their hand-holding. She could feel Basil gently move her to the bushes, and she smiled at April. “You’re welcome to search with us,” she told her friend, making sure to include her.

Reducio

Note: 293 words

Action: Searching a pearlbush for the third key.
Stats: Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 6 | Strength: 5 | Wisdom: 7 | ArcPower: 7 | Accuracy: 5

Action: Introducing himself to Matthew and suggesting to search the pearlbush

OPEN to interactions with anyone!

sta: 6 | eva: 7 | str: 1 | wis: 7 | arc: 6 | acc: 8
Abilities: Fearless