The Enchanted Maze Spring Ball '23

English • Spanish
Stats: sta • 7| eva • 6 | str • 7| wis • 4|arc • 5 | acc • 6
Race: Human
Ability: N/A
Action: Walking through maze

Sabrina took a step into the maze followed by another. Her arms were crossed tightly. She could see why the maze was coined as the Enchanted Maze. It was beautiful. Sabrina didn’t let her face show how in awe she was of the beautiful maze. She spotted people walking into the maze but she didn’t bother to talk to them. Sabrina turned a corner in the maze and sped up her walking. The sooner she got to the banquet the better. Sabrina kept walking and soon felt herself asking, when will this maze end? Sabrina knew that she didn’t want to be at the Spring Court like some of the other students did but for some reason she felt the need to go. Perhaps she felt the need to see new students despite the fact she liked being alone and didn’t know hardly any other students. Sabrina spotted the end of the maze up ahead and slowed her pace of walking. Now that the the end was in sight she didn’t feel the need to walk so fast. Sabrina pushed before walking out of the maze. She uncrossed her arms, letting them drop to her sides and took a deep breath before walking into the banquet.

Interacting With: @Mahlioz Evethisawe-Open to other interactions

IC date: April 21, 2023
Dialogue: X

Outfit Image:

Reducio

Raizel is naturally observant, perhaps it's because of her curious nature. Her eyes were on the new girl as she interacted with her, being just her observant self. She listened to her answer intently, that smile on her face never fading and seemingly brightened some more as she found a fellow first timer. Most people here had probably gone to balls like this countless times already, she was sure she wouldn't find anyone who was attending for the first time aside from a few of her friends. "Really? That makes the both of us then." The first year Gryffindor let out a soft chuckle after she said that. She tends to sit out on huge gatherings like this. Not that she hates it, she just finds it… draining, overwhelming.

For someone who is shy around strangers, quiet towards anyone who she doesn't vibe with, interacting has always been a challenge. So far though, most of the people she met in Hogwarts were nice people and made it easier for her to talk too, much like this new girl. "Hope the both of us will have a great ball experience and meeting someone new seems fun. Guess you have an additional person in that 'meeting someone new' list of yours now then?" She asked in a playful manner, her gaze falling onto the path before them and then to evergreen hedges where flowers and other interesting plants were resting, adding to the aesthetic of this magical maze. She does agree that most people stick with the ones they already know. She knows she would too but, exploring a bit on your own can be exciting as well and could lead to unexpected meetings like this one if one tries hard enough.

"Raizel Voltrouz." Raizel took the other girl's hand gently, giving it a shake as she introduced herself. "Raizel is fine. Nice to meet you." She told Mahlioz before letting go. "Would you like to get through the maze together then?" She asked, not even thinking about her own shyness at this point, just thinking that it'd be nice to have some company through the maze and of course, she can't let the opportunity of making friends pass. Mahlioz is free to decline the offer though, especially if she had any other plans.

Clark muttered, the shot of the Take Root spell didn't target correctly. It missed his horrendous housemate and he wished it would've struck her instead. That hate was unexplainable but it was bubbling down inside his stomach. The poor rabbit that hopped by, which by the way was poor timing on the rabbit's half, turned into a tree.

Well, admittedly he didn't understand the spell's effect himself but he would once again try to commit a crime against Aurora, try to ward her away from him.

What else was he supposed to do? Be nice? Apologize for what happened to the rabbit? Be nice to Aurora? That had to be a major load of bull. It was crap was what it was. If that was his expectation, Hogwarts would probably be a little safer, but then again, who cared? Live life on the danger zone! Be cool! Set books on fire! Smash in buildings!

"INCENDIO!" Clark screamed, aiming the spell towards Aurora. He desperately hoped he wouldn't miss, otherwise these beautiful- and yes- gorgeous- hedges would illuminate- and admittedly, that wasn't what he wanted to happen at the time, and simultaneously, he had to admit, he also didn't want to be set on fire. However, that was his plan- off the top of his head- to set Aurora on fire.

Statistics: Sta: 6 | Eva: 10 | Str: 0 | Wis: 5 | Arc: 5 | Acc: 5
Character Race: Part Goblin Y1
Character Abilities: N/A
Action: Casting Incendio (Firemaking Spell) on Aurora Griffith

april 21, 2023.

The Spring Court would be the first school dance Sabine had attended since her own school days back at Ilvermorny, and it was sufficient to say that she was quite enthused. Not because she would be dancing the night away, but rather because she had free reign to explore all that the school had to offer for such a dance.

Plus, it may prove to be the world's most effective atmosphere for catching troublemakers.

Sabine stood, certainly not dressed to theme, in an extravagant gown reminiscent of a red carpet award's show, squinting at the maze before her. It seemed a little silly that she'd have to brave it, seeing as she was a professor, but everything was in good fun. A little jest, one might say. She had no problem with being a good sport and braving a little flora and fauna. The only thing stopping her, for now at least, was her waiting on the (not yet very) new flying professor.

See, Sabine and Felix had grown quite close through the short time they'd known one another. Sabine knew Felix to be quite the friend, quite the gossip, quite the intrigue. It was an odd friendship they shared, for certain: a girl and her grandpa best friend, who could ever want anything more?So she stood with a small vial of butterbeer, waiting on the edge of the maze for her good friend to join her. Once they ventured into the menacing twists and turns of the Spring Court, she knew to launch them into a wonderful tale of "this is what I heard in the staffroom the other day".

@Felix Lin. Open for further (preferably brief) interaction.

Animagus.

STA: 10 | EVA: 7 | STR: 5 | WIS: 20 | ARC: 15 | ACC: 13

Outfit:

Reducio

“I believe that would be a good choice. Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light, wouldn't you agree?” said Maila, taking the quidditch captain’s arm for stability.

“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Valentin returned, bowing in time with her curtsy and producing his wand. In a flash, a fragrant bouquet of orange and white and green burst with new life in his hands, which Valya extended to the girl. “Do my eyes deceive me, or are those stars caught up in the folds of your gown? Looks like you flew so high one night that they hitched a ride.” Against the darker backdrop of Maila’s dress, the buttercups, lilies, and daisies of her bouquet contrasted in an understated burst of shapes and colors. Then a glint caught the corner of the seeker’s eye, and his smile brightened as he turned. “Ah, and here come some friends.”

With his mithril eyes examining Ginyami’s elaborate samurai attire, Valentin wouldn’t notice the entrance of Piérre and his delightful cat, Figaro, both of whom slinked in under the veil of stealth. It might have been the first time the silver Bengal noticed a new scent on Valentin, though, faint and only noticeable to creatures with an outstanding sense of smell: the characteristic fluffy musk of kittens, and several of them. Yet, Valentin was not carrying any, nor was there a single loose strand of fur on his person. Curious. To the human nose, the boy's usual scent of lilies, warm skin, and oud bakhoor indicated that his garments had recently travelled from his home in Kazan specifically for the special event.

The White Niffler’s eye first shot to the glint of gold lining Ginyami’s helmet. Flitting from tassles to glimmering embellishments on black brocade, then rounding out to a bird rising over tumultuous waters, Valentin’s head tilted. How interesting; the armor fans out at the bottom like a Scottish kilt… Such a skirt-like form is common for ease of movement in battle, yes? Yet, aside from the helm, it is very light for armor. He must be…

“A daimyō?” grinned Valentin, referencing the feudal Japanese lords of his history textbooks. With such extravagant garments, the fox seemed the type to have soldiers in his employ and spend his time fighting court politics more often than beheading enemy soldiers himself. “Ah, m’lord,” greeted the Turkish war prince with a tip of his head. “We’ve only just arrived. Please, meet Maila Laine of Durmstrang, a skilled and passionate violinist. M’lady, this is Ginyami Midorimori of Mahoutokoro, an aspiring herbalist descending from an illustrious family tradition in Japan. He’s quite a swimmer and can be held down by neither a shipwreck nor the iciest of waters.” Suddenly, a patter of footsteps broke out nearby and, out of instinctual recognition of the cadence, Valentin spread his arms.

“VALYA!” shouted a boy in a red tunic and crooked, gold-tone crown, running into Valentin’s ready embrace. From the enthusiasm of the boy’s tackle-hug exploded a cloud of red glitter, peppering the air with sparkles which then coated Valentin and sprinkled onto anyone in range. The şehzade war prince’s white clothing only accentuated the red sparks of light that he would now wear for the foreseeable future, but even brighter was the joy radiating from Valentin’s face.

“My dear Slava!” With such enthusiasm one could mistake them as having not seen each other in years, the Turkic captain squeezed the Russian back. Vyacheslav was the kind of treasure Val never let himself take for granted for even a single day they spent together, whether at Durmstrang or abroad. “Your eyes are stunning today. What a controlled hand Hanya has to make such fine detailing, and at such an angle to bring out your natural charm. Keep it up. Everyone, this is Vyacheslav, better known as ‘Slava,’ who fought bravely on the quidditch pitch with me even when I was a mere fledgling seeker. Now that he’s back, our team finally feels complete.” Squeezing the boy as if to welcome him home again, Valentin beamed.

As the seeker pulled back to introduce Maila and Ginyami to Slava as well, the glint of the Russian’s crown drew Val's attention once more. Although he tried to improve its angle with his fingers, Valentin chuckled in an acknowledgment of futility. “Would you let me adjust that for you? It just needs a little re-sizing.” If his friend consented, Valentin drew his wand again and formed a V-shaped gesture to pair with the incantation, “Reducio.” If all went well, a purple glow illuminated the tip of Valentin’s wand as he shrunk the crown ever-so-slightly to make it a perfect fit for Slava’s head. Ideally the result would neither pinch nor allow excess movement. “Who knows what adventures we’ll encounter in the maze. I hope this helps. Might we all go together once a few more friends show up?” No sooner had Valentin spoken than a golden brooch caught the niffler’s eye, lighting his amethyst gaze upon a far greater treasure than any sum of precious metal.

“Romeo,” breathed Durmstrang’s champion, ostensibly announcing the Italian’s arrival for the benefit of Maila but also clearly impressed with his Roman captain-of-the-guard armor. Yet, although Val’s keen eyes took in swathes of the outfit’s intricacies, it was the young man’s intense cerulean eyes that held Valentin spellbound the longest. "Bonum vesperam, Latin; Good evening," replied the moonstone-skin Turk. Not only was Latin a school subject for the purpose of learning spell etymologies, but even dead languages rolled off Valentin’s tongue as if he were a speaker for the departed.

“How you shine with the very light of Apollo.” Certainly there was no shortage of gold on Romeo’s panoply, but it was the grace of how well it suited his co-captain that brought the father of Asclepius to Valentin’s mind. If anyone at the ball could actually make full use of their martial attire, it was surely this man. The seeker’s eyes returned to their reconnaissance trip across the armor’s different features, lingering on both the curious lantern as well as its glints of light reflecting off the baltea's studs. Val’s breath held for a moment at the bottom of its exhalation before he tilted his head in question at the unexpected shield. Even the silver-tongued seeker couldn’t find good enough words anymore, and so Val began to stare wordlessly into the gilded bands of cuirass protecting the legionnaire’s chest.

"Really went and grew a whole maze on a whim for this. Crazy. I wonder how many people will get lost in it over the course of the night. Certainly not us, that's for sure; we've got too good of a navigator for that, don't we Val?"

Heat soaked Valentin’s cheeks and he looked up with hope in his lavender eyes. He wasn’t used to this. Batting his white eyelashes with pleasure, a smile swept from one corner of his mouth to the other in a wave. Romeo really meant it, didn’t he? Nodding back to his co-captain to offer his services, a ball of warmth hummed inside Valya’s chest. Ah, I mustn’t forget…

“…Please meet Maila, a luminous creature in her own right who hails from Finland.” Val’s amaranthine irises raised to watch shadows within the plumed helm play across the Italian’s face in the lantern light.

"I'm under the impression that Valentin has done nothing but shower you with rightful compliments and gifts since you arrived," teased Beater #4 delicately.

Without turning, Valentin lowered his head and began rubbing the side of his index finger with his thumb, as he often did when he was considering a challenge. Yet, with a brief shake of his head, Valentin tore his eyes away and looked first at Maila, and then back at Ginyami. The seeker’s mouth opened as if to speak, but his eyes tripped over the outline of a crane cutting across the samurai’s outfit. “Ah… What meaning do cranes have in your culture, Ginyami? I heard once that they imply wisdom and longevity in Finnish mythology.” Valentin’s foot fell back a step, and with it dropped away his gaze, which fixed itself on a fine point of red glitter swirling away in the wind. Certainly the elegant birds were symbolic to Turks like Val, who couldn’t help learning not only verbal languages, but symbolism across the globe. He began the practice in the name of etiquette, as to not make accidental implications when interacting across cultures, but then his curiosity for the topic simply never ceased. Not volunteering his own nation’s meanings in a bid to change the subject as soon as Ginyami had a chance to respond, the seeker continued on. “Quite the assortment of warriors we have today, mm?” The corner of Val’s mouth bent with an unspoken but arduous thought. “Fine responses to the challenge: a Roman captain of the guard and a Japanese daimyō meet a wartime şehzade dressed as if on the eve of…” Before Valentin could go on, a redhead blazed towards him wearing tight black pants and crossed beater bats at her back. After all, what was a recreation of Şehzade Mustafa without assassins?

Amina strode directly up to Valentin and, putting an arm around his neck, gave him a fast kiss on his mouth. "Hey, babe. Sorry to keep you waiting so long. But I see, you're in good company."

Shocked, Valentin’s eyes locked open as he froze in place and felt it all happening in slow motion. When she pulled back, his lips tingled with new information about what it was like to be kissed by a girl and he stared back into her doe-eyed blinks. A sense of humility, of gratitude, began to sink in as Valentin interpreted the unexpected act as a pure expression of unadulterated love. Knowing the new behavior must mean that Amina was feeling closer than ever to him, Valentin thought it must have been a gift – a confusing one, certainly, but was this just how Amina’s people expressed themselves? Valentin had learned of the Italian bacetto kiss of greeting, which resembled the Turkish pair of cheek kisses used with friends and family. Yet, neither was quite like this. Did this mean instead that Amina loved him as more than as her friend and confidant, captain, and fellow thrillseeker? He simply didn’t know, and so he decided it would be rude to assume. Still, “babe?” Had anyone ever called him such a term before…? Flicking his wide eyes to Romeo, and not just silently asking if the Italian had some special knowledge about it, Val stared at him in confusion and suppressed panic. An unusual pleading spoke through the furrowing of his snow-tone eyebrows. Please, don’t misunderstand… The seeker’s amethyst eyes whipped back to the black-within-black points of Ginyami’s, but the blood-red sun of his outfit drew Valya’s attention back to the flight of the crane across its surface. Without warning, Valentin felt sick inside and a thrumming in his head began spinning like a long spiked conch.

Amina’s arm slipped around the captain’s waist as she turned in a flourish to greet the rest of the group. While the thankful cheer in Val’s heart tried to tell him he was fine, his face iced over in an attempt to take control before the new stabbing pain in his stomach could. Looking down at the black-clad assassin, Valentin’s arm extended around the chaser’s shoulders before his mind could keep up. Words spilled from his lips even as his cognizant mind continued to stall and spin like a fighter jet out of control.

“Amina, have you met Maila before at Durmstrang? I don’t think you’ve met Ginyami, a student from Mahoutokoro…” An ache in Val’s gut twisted like a knife and his throat began to choke up as if increasingly strangled by thin rope. “Everyone, this is Amina Petrovic, a wondrous chaser for Durmstrang, member of our Hexiwizard team, and a very dear friend of mine.” Vocal fry winnowed away the last of the seeker's voice as the noise in his head pounded, wild as a madman's drumbeat.

Valentin stared into the pitch black of the girl’s scarf as if its darkness would eat away his ills, and while the tactic blocked out almost all his fear and allowed the frost captain to try carrying on with dignity, deep in his heart he knew that the darling redhead had helped him realize something. Something terrible.

“Are you ready for the... labyrinth?"

If people seemed good to go, Valentin raised his hand towards the hedge maze and began walking into it with them. It's okay, the boy thought to himself. We're with most of our favorite people. We can figure this out while we walk. Let's show everyone the grand evening they deserve.

Statistics: STA 8 - EVA 15 - STR 3 - WIS 15 - ARC 1 - ACC 15
900/900 HP (Paragon of Health buff declared by Slava Preobrazhensky ally)
Abilities: Keen Eye - Charmer - Evasive Maneuvers - Fearless
Action: If Slava consents, Val attempts to cast the shrinking charm on Slava’s crown to make it fit perfectly on Slava’s head
Free Actions: Reviving a suppressed existential crisis
Location: In front of the entrance to the hedge maze
Inventory: Silver Arrow, wand
Attire: Şehzade war general outfit including a light cloak, gold ring, amethyst ring on a silver chain tied to his belt, silver hoop earring, Turkish dagger (peace-tied with a sapphire-blue silk ribbon)

Open to interactions.

Post Tracker: 1, 2, 3

@Beatrice Dupont (Maila), @Jack Burnett (Ginyami), @Ruby Cazares (Slava), @Piérre Marchonné (Romeo), @Ileen Knight (Amina), @Astrea Soleil Neptune (Johannes, aka Hanya)

Spoken Words:X|Thoughts: X

𝑪𝒍𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈

Reducio

Ashley was mentally prepared to turn around and return to the castle as he stood there bewildered. When a recognisable voice said, "Hey." With only that, his emotions ran wild as he grew more shy with each passing second. Oh my, I've been expecting him, and now that he's here, where should I flee to? He asked himself some probing questions. Ashley's behaviour when his prince charming first greeted him showed that tween love was undoubtedly a humorous experience.

Snap! He groaned in his head. He cautiously turned, and when he did, he saw this young, handsome man who personified perfection. Ashley immediately felt a little uneasy about himself because of how immaculate and perfect the other boy appeared to be. You look..amazing. Said Lucian. Ashley muttered, hiding his flush, "Pfft! Me? Amazing? You're trolling me. The amazing person here is you." The boy who was his plus one looked so breathtaking that Ashley wanted wanted to scream so badly.

Like when they originally met, Ashley bit his bottom lip as he admired every aspect of Lucian.
Every detail that was written down and stored in his memory was perfect and impeccable. “Did you just fall from heaven?” . "Me? Heaven, no way. I ought to be telling you that, "He blushed but continued to cover it up. His heart was filled with such happiness at the time that he did not want it to end. Ashley's symphony was him.

"Lucian, you are perfectly here! You are breathtaking. My heart's symphony is you. And today, even without you, every symphony is timeless." He reached out and took Lucian's hand, holding it at that very moment with a tiny firmness yet gentleness. He desired that this particular moment last for all lifetime. But then he awoke from his daydreaming and realised there is still so much to discover. He nodded, suggesting that they should depart and possibly head to the Royal Banquet area as he held the other boy's hand.
There, he could spend quality time with the other young man who was currently stealing his heart. He took his hand and began to walk. He prayed Lucian would actually speak out because he was completely speechless. Yet, given how he was feeling just now, maintaining eye contact was challenging.

But thereafter, he made the decision to speak up right away. "L-Lucian, um, let's go to the other area, maybe you and I can have a meal and chat about some things," he said. Ashley spoke in a peculiar manner and was flushed.

Reducio

𝓢𝓽𝓪𝓽𝓼| 𝓣𝓻𝓾𝓷𝓴

𝒔𝒕𝒂 • 𝟓 | 𝒆𝒗𝒂 • 𝟓| 𝒔𝒕𝒓 • 𝟕 | 𝒘𝒊𝒔 • 𝟔 | 𝒂𝒓𝒄 • 𝟕 | 𝒂𝒄𝒄 • 𝟓
𝐀𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐥 - 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬

𝔸𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟: 𝔾𝕠𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕄𝕒𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝔸𝕣𝕖𝕒, 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕠𝕪𝕒𝕝 𝔹𝕒𝕟𝕢𝕦𝕖𝕥

𝑪𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑳𝒖𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏
@Lucian Mornstern

Interacting: @Lucia Fox

TL;DR: entering the maze and finding his date for the evening
Action: N/A
Stats: STA: 10 | EVA: 9 | STR: 10 | WIS: 6 | ARCP: 3 | ACC: 14
Inventory: Wand, Broom (Moontrimmer)
Abilities: Martial Artist | Muggle Condition | Calming Presence (allies when in range: Lucia Fox, Eun-ji Lee Hunt, Jack Warren, Dealla Prince, Lydia Cooper) | Beast Master

Aaron has a Calming Presence.

Your presence simply puts others at ease, if it is your carefree personality or the trust others have in you, the result is still the same. With you there, perhaps through your encouragement, your allies are able to better focus.

Reducio mentions and pings: @Ciel Saskia (mathias) @Ava Wincehct, @Valarie Song dhapmir

Reducio Reducio ooc notes: actions: Entering maze, chatting

21/4/23 • english • irish (gaeilge) • wc: 265

· ─────── · ♫♪· ─────── ·

The ball was going well so far. I had found Mathias, and even spotted two of my friends. Mathias told his friends that he was going with me, and then he grabbed my empty hand and kissed it. Huh. Nobody had ever done that before, and I had no idea how I felt about it. He then complemented me, and I didn’t know really know what to say. I was winging it. “Thank you! I’m good. I like your suit.” I responded.

Another girl showed up, and began speaking in Russian. I had no idea what was going on, but oh well. Mathias turned and asked if I was ready to enter the maze. “Yep!” I said, and we were off. I decided to offer my hand to Mathias, but I would be fine if he did not accept.

We reached the enterance of the maze, and I spotted my best friend Ava, well, ex best friend staring into the the leafy maze. “Hey Ava.” I said solemly, knowing that we weren’t on the best terms because of our dhapmir disagreement. “Have a good day,” I said, cueing Mathias and I to enter the maze. Deep down I wanted to be best friends with her again, but I guess she just needed more time.

We began to go through the maze, trying out best to find our way to the next thing. Mathias spoke. “Yes. Yes.” I responded.

There was a slight pause, and then I decided to speak. “So, I assume we have to get through the maze to go to the next thing?”

| 5 STA | 5 EVA| 5 STR| 5 WIS | 5 ARC | 5 ACC

☆ 21st April 2023

☆ RPing as iNPC Estelle Hughes

☆ Outfit

As Estelle caught up with the older boy, he smiled at her and whipped up a chat immiedetly. Estelle knew Andy was super talkative, so when she asked how he was, she wasn't surprised by the essay of an answer he gave her. But, for some reason, it delighted her more than it annoyed her. Considering Estelle, it would usually annoy her.

"Glad your okay, Andy. And thank you, you look pretty nice yourself." The Wampus Cat had to admit she was a little flustered by Andy's comment. But only slightly. But she admitted the Thunderbird didn't look too bad, he was wearing a dark blue suit, didn't match the theme but it looked really nice, anyway. Andy asked Estelle if he could accompany him through the maze and Estelle thought about this for a moment, then she nodded.
"Sure, Andy. I've read about mazes a lot, I consider myself an expert." Adding to that, Estelle had gone through a maze once or twice with her dad. Those were the times when he still visited- Estelle shifted uncomfortably in her heels. She didn't want to think of him, not now, not when she was thousands and thousands of kilometers away from him.
"Lets go, shall we? Don't wanna get lost early."

○Sta 6○ ●Eva 7● ○Str 5○ ●Wis 8● ○Arc 4○ ●Acc 5● ~ ○Terrible Presence○		Action: entering maze and talking with Andy Menton

~Tags~
@Rita Su as iNPC Andy Menton