The Enchanted Maze Spring Ball '23

Blue in English, Red in Korean

For the first time during her studies at Hogwarts, Eun-ji was going to attend the ball alone. She didn’t intend to, but the only person she wanted to go with suddenly disappeared from her life. She was planning to ask Flash first this time. She even had a really nice dress picked out for the occasion alas the boy did not come back after Easter break. The only thing she had to remember him by was the wildflower perfume he made for her and a collection of powerful memories. She understood his reasons of course but that didn't change the fact that he was now gone. It was a painful loss and she felt lonely. Lucia was not talking to her due to Eun-ji’s own horrible efforts and Kim was beloved by many…she did not desire to take him away and ruin his evening. She didn’t want him to see her like this either. Truthfully, the only reason the witch decided to go in the end was her own brain. She felt overwhelmed by all that was happening and staying alone with her thoughts didn’t do her any good. She needed distraction and Hogwarts balls were famous for being eventful…to say the least.

That being said, Eun-ji felt a bit strange as she was approaching the grounds. She usually made sure to follow the theme perfectly but today was different. It was a last minute decision to show up and her original dress wasn’t exactly salvageable…Yes, she may or may not secretly torn them to pieces in a fit of rage. This meant she had to go with the garment her grandmother sent her. Mrs. Hunt hardly ever cared for the theme but the dress fit Eun-ji’s mood and it looked expensive. It would be a waste to just throw it away. The crown that was sent with it was probably meant to represent a royalty or a queen but that was the end to her grandmother’s efforts as far as the theme went. For once, the Ravenclaw found that she didn’t care that much. Why would she? There was no one here with her.


Huh? Eun-ji raised her eyebrows upon reaching the destination. A maze? Was that really necessary? She felt like a Grinch. Obviously, the staff made all this to enhance the overall experience and keep the kids entertained. That’s why she was here too, wasn’t she? Still the girl couldn’t help but hesitate. This type of thing was not going to be simple. It would most likely be better not to go alone but she didn’t really have a choice. Is it truly worth the effort? Perhaps I should just go back and study. She took a step back, watching various couples and friends enter the green entanglement without much concern. Ugh…but I’m already here. I should have told Ye-jun I was coming after all. He would have waited for me. It was too late for that now however. Eun-ji really only had two options. Drag her sorry self all the way back to the Ravenclaw tower or brave the maze by herself. It couldn't be that bad. There would be others who would have no choice but do the same. She could see some lone souls wandering around already. One or two girls and a handsome boy walking in her direction (Hiro). I should probably move out of the way before I figure out whether I want to bother with all this. Yep, she definitely still didn't like crowds...

@Kim Sato as Hiro Bakugo
Action: N/A
Closed for interactions at the moment (except Hiro)

Japanese ~ English

Reducio

Word Count: 340

Mention: @Clair Fernandez as River

Date: April 21st 2023

This was now the second Hogwarts ball Chiaki would be attending, and she would be doing so with the same date. Not that she had any complaints about that detail, however, if anything the similarity might have been appreciated. She highly enjoyed River's company, and it had been several months since she had last seen her French friend in person. However, they had of course maintained contact through their letters, of which Chiaki had thoroughly enjoyed reading. She liked to hear what her friend was up to.

For this ball, Chiaki and River had agreed to switch themes from the last ball. Chiaki had enjoyed the light theme she had gotten to wear in the previous event, however she couldn't deny there was some excitement in the darker theme she would be getting to wear. She'd picked out an outfit specifically, and although it was a little out of her comfort zone, she was eager to show River.

Thus, she arrived at the entrance to what seemed to be an elaborate maze with a heavier dress of dark silk, laced with careful detailing. She had wrapped over the top a similar dark silk cloak, and on her back was a thin quiver with several arrows (non-lethal, the tips were in no way sharp). In one hand, she tightly clutched her wand, and in the other, a small bow. Atop her head lay a small crown of what seemed like a dark twisted metal inset with cold stones. She had been trying to grow her hair out as much as she could, so whatever had managed to grow out hung loosely styled.

She had gotten here pretty early in hopes of catching her before River had already made her own way into the maze, hoping that they could make their way to whatever was in the centre together. Though, if River was already in the maze, Chiaki would look pretty stupid. Regardless, she would try to overcome that small thought in the back of her mind, and keep watching for River.

Action: Waiting for River

Reducio

Stats:
Sta-9 Eva-8 Str-4 Wis-6 Arc-7 Acc-8

Abilities:
Calming Presence (allies are River and other Mahou students), 's grace

Today was the day. Yes, today was the big day, the day of the ball. And Roksana was ready for it completely, so she thought...after all, she dealt with pureblood parties all the time, surely this Spring Court or whatever it was couldn't be any different. After being cooped up in the Campgrounds all day long, she was finally, finally ready to mingle with other people again. Her babushka had sent her a letter, saying that Roksana was finally ready to become a "proper young lady" for once. Really? She might not be too far beyond that, but since when did she listen to babushka's opinion on parties?

Earlier, Roksana had found herself stressing about the theme and what to wear. If the theme was Spring Court, then obviously she'd need flowers. She had wanted to be a knight, but her mother had sent her her outfit for the ball. She certainly didn't want to disappoint her mother...getting ready had taken a lot longer than she had wanted, but finally, finally, she was all set. She went to the grounds to find the Enchanted Maze and a bunch of people over there. Fun...Roksana looked around, scratching her head. She didn't quite see anyone she knew...

...Until she did. "Angelique!" Roksana called in English. She walked over to her friend, who was wearing moonstone earrings and a very nice dress, her blonde hair styled in a complicated knot. "Um, hi," said Roksana, switching back to Russian. "You look very nice...the earrings really bring out your eyes..." Roksana wasn't lying there, since Angelique's eyes and her earrings were pretty much the same color.

She shouldn't have worn green. But at least she didn't look like stupid Cinderella, and she was perfectly fine without a date...but if she saw anyone else she recognized, she would definitely say hi. Roksana looked around the Grounds, which were decorated quite nicely, and Roksana, feeling quite awkward said, "So..do you want to do the maze together? 'Cause if you don't that's fine."

What was wrong with her? Was it just her, or had travel turned her funny? Or was it just adolescence? She didn't want to think about it...

Stats: Sta: 6 Eva: 10 Str: 4 Wis: 5 Arc: 3 Acc: 7
Action: Interacting with Angelique(Duvessa Ember's iNPC)

Outfit:

Reducio

Reducio

(Peace-tied hançar dagger)

“There’s so much more possible than we allow ourselves to believe. That’s why I have to imagine what seems unrealistic. Disbelief can be temporary. Aren’t those some of the best moments in life, when you realize that you’re really living the dream? Even if some visions are impossible, why shouldn’t we try? Just imagine what it must have been like before people knew for a fact we could fly.”

Valentin had faith that his precious passenger would follow his advice and hold on tight as he kicked off from the Hogwarts astronomy tower and shot down into maximum velocity on his Silver Arrow broom. Ducking his head to gain aerodynamic speed, a grin blazed across the white seeker’s face. He was indeed listening and feeling out the reactions of the rider behind him to discern how much thrill to coax out of the mercury-patina broom, but he still aimed to push that comfort level forward.

“Think about it,” Durmstrang’s quidditch captain continued, cutting through the whooshing wind with his voice slick like wet silver. “If you could pick out one wish to make come true, what would it feel like? Taste like? All the exquisite details you can picture, see them as if they were really there… The more crisp the vision, the more powerful…” The sight of the grounds below grew larger and larger as they lanced through the heavens. The outlines of a hedge maze came into view, and Valentin turned his amethyst-chip gaze to that of his brown-eyed passenger for but a moment before facing forward again. He’d spared himself most of the labyrinth’s aerial view to preserve its mystery, but still took a few seconds to focus on the vibrant vector of a bluebird flitting between two trees. So gradually did they begin decelerating that their bodies felt no hint of a lurch as they angled into a spiral. With the quieting of the wind in their ears, the sounds of people below grew discernible as the pair eased out of their meteoric descent. Sighing with the end of the adrenaline rush, Valya’s breathing settled into such calm that he might as well be just waking from a deep slumber as the Arrow’s gentle corkscrew dive leveled off.

Beguiling wafts of wisteria thickened the air, followed by the scents of fresh leafy growth and cool vapor drifting off the lake. The billowing tail of soft cotton from Valentin’s fur-lined summer cloak slackened and, as the pair swept gracefully towards the mouth of the maze, Valentin slid one leg over his broom and stepped off a half-meter above a dusty path. The Arrow slowed to a stop as Valentin walked alongside it, extending his hand to ensure his passenger’s safe descent.

Astride the broom, a girl decked with dark curls and a flowing gown the color of a storm cloud received Valya’s warm, joyous smile. He knew she was athletic enough to handle a jump, but his chivalrous posture assured her an entrance fit for royalty. If she took his right hand and stepped down to the ground, he would spin her slowly as if in dance as he brought the broom back to his shoulder with his left. Valentin’s eyes curled upwards at their corners and, if she seemed even the slightest bit weary from the flight, he extended his elbow in invitation to use his arm for stability.

Valentin could have stepped out of a historical play for as convincing as his Ottoman Renaissance attire was. Dressed as a Turkish şehzade prince in war general attire, Val’s belted white overcoat flowed over matching breeches and tall leather boots. A curved heirloom dagger’s bone hilt peeked out from inside his belt, accented by a sapphire-blue ribbon of silk that tied it closed as a gesture of peace. Although his Tatar almond eyes evoked the same exotic atmosphere as his clothes, Valentin’s smooth, beardless face and unusually small turban hinted at a more modern and youthful interpretation of the famous Şehzade Mustafa.

“So they’ve devised a labyrinth for us. Shall we gather some friends for the road, m’lady? I’m sure the puzzle is no match for you, but I wager joining up with my other dearest adventurers would make for a fine introduction.” Valya’s silky English carried only a wisp of Turkic accent as his calm gaze drifted across the silhouettes of others in attendance. Drawing his wand from his back pocket, Durmstrang’s champion then turned his amaranthine irises back to his companion with a glowing smile. “While we wait, allow me to welcome you to the ball with a gift.” Drawing the tip of his wand into a gesture resembling a shepherd's staff, the captain breathed the invocation, “Orchideous.” Should he succeed, Valentin would grasp a bouquet of buttercups, daisies, and lily-of-the-valley clustered around a single snow-white stargazer lily. If all went well, he then offered the flowers with a gallant bow to the girl in the tempest-grey dress.

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: Casting the bouquet spell
Free Actions: Swooping in with a dramatic entrance and looking for more of his friends to join for introductions and merrymaking
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. Join us!

Post Tracker: 1, 2, 3

Mentioning: @Ivy Bellamy as Cielle Johansen

Why did Hogwarts always involve mazes? Her first ball, last year's Fall Ball had involved some intricate corn maze where she had tried to rescue her friend Sherlock and now this...thing. Agata soon at the entrance to the maze, great green hedges looming over her. The foliage reminded her of home, albeit colder and not as humid. Quite depressing really. Although she loved coming abroad and learning new things, Scottish weather wasn't always the ideal. Drawing her poncho over her arm, something she figured she might need later as the afternoon waned into night and it became even cooler, Agata stepped into the maze.

It was like an instant transformation. Outisde on the grounds, bare hills with grass flitting in the wind. Inside the labrynth, flowers blossomed everywhere. She sniffed, sensing some sort of delightful smell coming from over to the left, near the edges of the path. She took a few steps towards it, before stopping and planting her feet down. No. This was how the jungle got you. She snickered. Of course this wasn't a regular maze. She was she could spot some fangs on some of those flowers. And the mushrooms bouncing around - totally harmless except if you weren't watching where you were going. She hoped someone tripped. Maybe it would be a Durmstrang student. She smile to herself. That would actually make her night. It would be even better if it was that annoying girl from last year, Cecily? Cecila? No, Cielle! That was it. Maybe she'd get bitten or tripped. Agata prayed to all the gods for it to come true. How she hated Durm and its pride.

Stepping lightly through the maze, she continued on towards the end, wherever it was. These twists and turns were never-ending.

Action: Going through the maze towards the Banquet

Reducio

The big day finally arrived. Five days after Andy, as one of the Ilvermorny students, arrived at Scotland for the first time this year to participate in the spring ball and the Second Hogwarts task that the Spring Ball finally arrived, on this particular Friday, Apr 21st. The brown-haired Second Year Thunderbird was of course quite excited for the ball, but he was actually far more anxious than excited. "There must be a lot of people from all over the world attending this ball, which is definitely a red flag for those who are more on the introverted side like me. On the bright side though, I can meet me some of my friends and nice acquaintances! Annika, Mathis, Estelle, Rita, and not to mention my secret cousin Daphne, there are just too many people I can talk to! I am a bit scared, but at the same time just can`t wait to go to the ball!" Andy thought when he quickly walked to the great lake from his Ilvermorny cabin to attend the ball, wearing a quite stylish blue suit with a tie of the same color with white dots, one of the best suits Andy had in his closet.

However, it was not as easy as he thought to enter the ball. There was an enchanted maze blocking the path, which made Andy question why it was called enchanted. Anyway, the brown-haired Thunderbird broom racer entered the enchanted maze, which was already filled with several people. Trying to make his way into the maze, Andy quickly recognized a very familiar face, it was that boy with blue-black hair he had met before in the courtyard, Mathis, who was wearing a brand-new black suit that looked handsome on him. The brown-haired Thunderbird quickly walked up to Mathis, and waved to the other boy with a friendly smile, "Hi, Mathis! Fancy seeing you again! How are you feeling today, excited for the ball? By the way, you look particularly handsome today in that black suit, which was like an icing to the cake since you are already very handsome!" Andy then continued to try his best finding his way out this confusing maze and at the same time waited for some other people to come up to him and strike up a chat with him.

Action: Entering the Enchanted Maze
Open to Interactions!

Tags: @Ciel Saskia as Mathis, @Duvessa Ember as Angelique, @Alma Stoll as Annika, @Kayla Realma as Estelle, @Daphne Sapphirus Rita Su You don`t have to interact with Andy, but I`m more than happy if you do
Stats: Sta 8 | Eva 8 | Str 7| Wis 6| Arc 7| Acc 7
Abilities: Charmer | Paragon of Health (Allies tagged)

Reducio

The big day finally arrived. Yeah, today was Apr 21st, five days after the students from other magical school arrived at Hogwarts, and of course, the day for the spring ball, where not only students from Hogwarts, but also students from magical schools all over the world, were going to participate in. As an extremely extroverted and bubbly person, Rita was definitely more than excited to attend the ball to meet up with old friends and make friends with new people, and she has decided to go to the ball with her friend Roro Griffith, whom she had an awkward moment with during the Valentine ball 2 months ago, since due to some unknown reason, the black-haired Second Year Hufflepuff beater had developed a strange attraction towards her first year Housemate, which thankfully just lasted for a short period of time. Anyway, Roro had agreed to go to the ball with the black-haired Second Year Hufflepuff first-string beater, and that only made Rita more excited for the ball, since although the aforementioned awkward moment, they were still very close friends. "I am pretty excited to meet my friends and other new people at the ball! Let me go down from the Hufflepuff common room and enter the ball now! I just cannot wait." Rita thought as she was combing her short but messy hair and doing some other finally preparations before leaving her plant palace dorm and arrive at the ball.

Wearing a pretty yellow dress that made herself kind of look like princess belle, Rita went down from the Hufflepuff common room to the great lake to enter the spring ball. Unfortunately, to her surprise, there was an enchanted maze blocking the path. "Enchanted maze? I wonder why it is called that. Does that mean it is enchanted with some secret spells?" Rita thought was some surprise and confusion as she entered the maze. Looking around, the black-haired Hufflepuff beater immediately found some unfamiliar faces, it was her friends Bailey and Ciel, as well as a few nice acquaintances from some club meetings, Duvessa and Ava, the girl who came to comfort Rita after that Chaotic untiy meeting, Valarie, not to mention the Ilvermorny she had met in the campgrounds the day before, Andy, "Hi, Bai, Ciel, Duvessa, Ava, Valarie, and Andy! Remember me from the pet club and the musicians corner club, Duvessa and Ava! You all look stunning today! Excited for the ball!" "I think Roro will come here very soon! Let me just try to find a way out of this maze while waiting for Roro to come!" Rita thought as she tried her best to find a way out of the enchanted maze while waiting for her ball friend to come.

Action: Entering the enchanted maze and waiting for Roro
Open to Interactions!

Tags: @Aurora Griffith @Bailey Glade @Ciel Saskia @Duvessa Ember @Ava Winchect @Valarie Song Andy Menton again, you don`t have to interact with Rita but you are more than welcome to do so
Stats: Sta 7 | Eva 6| Str 8| Wis 8| Arc 6| Acc 7
Abilities: Non-human Enthusiast | Beast Master

Roleplaying as Maila Aurora Laine

^{•Date• 21 April 2023
•Location• Hogwarts, Grounds}

+Red Converse

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• • • •Finnish •Swedish •Russian •English • • •

•Word Count• 686 •| Valentin Schnell @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood •|• Open to Interactions |•

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Maila's dark blue gown flew in any direction that the wind blew. The air felt electric on this evening as if there was something in the air. Excitement? Fear? Happiness? Whatever it was, it was as if it was flowing through Maila's every vein. Her heart was beating fast with the thought of leaving the ground so soon. To be fair, she didn't have a lot of experience on a broom and flying with such a long dress certainly wasn't easy. However, Maila wasn't as scared with her companion being right here with her. He was an experienced flyer. The wind seemed to break some of her curls loose as they took off into the sky. The weird feeling of her feet leaving the ground let Maila's heart sink and skip a couple beats. She took Valentin's advice to hold on and tried to find hold anywhere her hands could reach. The ground moved further and further away and with it, Maila's body became more uptight, yet she felt somewhat relaxed. She wasn't sure what it was, perhaps it was Valentin who continually talked to her. In some ways it was reassuring, in others it was a distraction to the fact that she could easily fall down into her death if she was to let go. „One wish to come true?” that had been his question and as silky and elegant as it had come from his lips, it came more as a hysterical question from Maila's lips. Gladly, the wind swallowed half of her voice and sounded barely as hysterical as she had said it. The closer the ground came, the more eager she was to get off of this broom. When she learned about the wizarding world she thought it would be exiting to fly but the more she did fly, the more nerve wracking it seemed to become. The muggle blood in her definitely had a preference of flying with an aeroplane. Her magical blood on the other hand, got a kick out of leaving the ground on a broom. It was a mix and mess of emotions that felt like it would never get solved. When the ground was close enough, Valentin just slid of and walked alongside the broom as of it was the easiest thing to ever exist. In that moment, she mentally thanked herself that she had worn her beloved converse and not the heels her mother had given her with the dress. As Valentin extended his hand, Maila gratefully took it and slid off the broom, returning her companion's smile and landing on her feet. To her surprise, she was spun around slowly and as if he had know that her legs felt a bit wobbly, the gentleman on her side extended his elbow for her to find stability on the dusty ground. A grateful smile spread across her lips as she did a playful small curtsy. Valentin truly looked like he was royalty and Maila could certainly not match up to his exquisite looks and attire. Maila had not yet taken notice of the massive maze before them, only when she finally looked around. A sparkle of excitement and wonder could be seen in her eyes and only Valentin's voice brought her back to reality from the thoughts of endless Farietale's and other books that she had read with large mazes and royalty. Valentin's choice of speech matched the evenings theme and Maila let a graceful smile accompany her answer. „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?” Her words were tinted with a small bit of her Finnish accent. It just slipped through and she couldn't help it. However, in some way, it gave her voice a much more graceful sounding tone. She looked around once again to see if there were any familiar faces before turning back to the elegant white haired boy. Surprising her again, Valentin attempted the bouquet spell and if Maila hadn't been certain that this would be a wonderful evening, she was now.

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Action: Accompanying Valentin Schnell with a grand entrance on his broom, looking around, talking to him, waiting for people to join them.
Stats: × Stamina: 7 × Evasion: 8 × Strength: 1 × Wisdom: 8 × Arcane Power: 1 × Accuracy: 10 ×
Abilities: The Martial Artist
Inventory: Wand

Is it possible to be late to a ball? Yes, it is, because I was once late to one. But,
I decided that I was going to be early to this ball, like the last one. Fun fact? I wasn't. Instead of it usually being me having to wait for my friend at an event, now it was my friend waiting for me at an event. And that friend was Rita. We had agreed that we'd meet each other at the ball and go as friends, but I was planning to have some fun. But can anyone have fun in high heels?

I arrived at the Grounds, where the ball was taking place. There were already some people there, more than half I didn't recognize. I spotted Val and gave a little wave, hoping she saw it. I recognized a few other people too, like Bailey and Ciel, and waved again. And then I saw Rita, finally! I was surprised she wasn't the first person I saw, since she was wearing a bright yellow dress. Yellow always suited Rita well, I had thought.

"Rita! Hi! I'm sorry you had to wait...you look very nice, I love your outfit," I said, walking quickly over to Rita. I was excited to see what we were going to be doing, the "Enchanted Maze" sounded like good fun. What was gonna be in there? "Are you ready to go in the maze?" I asked Rita. I sure was.

Stats: Stamina- 5 Evasion- 8 Strength- 4 Wisdom- 6 ArcPower- 7 Accuracy- 5
Action: Interacting with Rita and getting ready to go into the Maze

Vladislav smirked, feeling a tinge of red blush upon his face. But hey, a smirk was enough to give the illusion that mr. sharkboy over here performs on occasion. But yet, if you really had to contemplate the possibilities- Vladislav felt a bit compelled to draw himself to Hogwarts for the first time- even if this would be his first and possibly the only time he attends the school that's overseas- but still a cool thought.

He's already been to America- though, not Ilvermony, but he grew up in the South of America. He was taught from an early age- to respect everyone- however- him still being a kid- he would still point all the flaws in another person- at least the ones he catches- and would not hesitate to fight for his beliefs.

After all, "In Another World, Under Another Sky, I See Another Story Waiting To Be Told." To quote Another World by Brian May to prove his mindset.

But then again, once he arrived at Hogwarts, and was led down to the Grounds, he smiled. "I can't wait to have fun- maybe I'll meet... THE ONE. If I meet the one, perhaps I'll- like Hogwarts. But then again, if I meet the one and- well- I get into a fight- will I even- be allowed to return? Мне нужен герой, я держусь за героя."

Statistics: Sta- 10 | Eva- 10 | Str- 0 | Wis- 5 | Arc- 5 | Acc- 5
Character Encylopedia: My Liege
Character Abilities: Wandmaker (11 inches, thestral tail hair, elder wood, sturdy)
Action: Entering
Translation: I Need A Hero, I'm Holding Out For A Hero
Interactions: OWL to interact with me. Currently closed to @Avery Leveret, Clark Baird, and @Gabriel Palmer