Magical Masquerade: the actual ball Closed

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The minute Lottie stepped out into the green wonderland of fresh Spring, she felt at home. A familiar sense of warmth spread through her body in response to the loud sounds of laughter like cymbals crashing together and the joyful sounds of excited chatter between dates and friends. Despite her many failures in connecting with the diverse crowd of students at Hogwarts, this was fair ground.

The long ankle-length skirt of her ink-black dress swished playfully above her shiny heels, tickling the sensitive skin on her foot. She made her way around colorful clumps of people, in search of Nora De Carie, the girl she had met only a few weeks prior and made plans to attend the ball with. Knowledge of a shared language being the click, it seemed the two had been somehow fated to meet, if only for a short amount of time. She searched hurriedly for the familiar face in the sea of people.

Pressed against her pale face was a black mask, the same shade as her dress, with lacy flourishes sewn elegantly atop the thin surface. Of all the balls and galas she had attended, this was the first masquerade. Her hair was curled sharply around her face, bangs wispy and thin above her curious eyes. Tugging at the long bell sleeves that trailed down her arms in an airy, thin waves, she attempted to get up on the tips of her toes to try and catch sight of Nora. Finally, she found her.

With a deep breath, Lottie carefully made her way over, folding her hands in front of her and giving a hopeful smile. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting."

@Nora De Carie

Reducio

Interacting with @Charlotte Winfield.

Standing under the tree, Nora waited for her date to arrive. Lottie hadn't arrived yet, but it wasn't like she was late. Besides, Nora arrived early to everything, so it was only her own fault if she had to spend a few minutes alone. She'd gotten the habit form her mom, who would arrive early by a day to every event if she could. They both had such nerves that they couldn't focus on anything if they had plans later in the day. This morning, Nora had spent nearly an hour just fussing with an errant strand of hair before giving up and just snapping it off. Now, she patted the top of her head, just to make sure everything was in place. And when she dropped her hand, she spotted a familiar face come in through the front entrance.

Nora waved at Lottie as she approached, smiling cheerfully through her mask. She felt a bit weird with it on, so after a second, she moved it up to the top of her head. Maybe that would keep her hair flat, too. She thought Lottie looked very elegant in her ankle-length dress. The fabric was the color of night, and the sleeves flared out at her elbows. The matching lacy mask was just as stunning, and she loved how she'd done her hair, with harsh curls framing the face.

Lottie smiled as she approached. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting."

"Yie kok nis," Nora replied, responding in their shared language. She didn't think she'd ever have much use for her knowledge of it, but now she was thankful to her aunt for teaching it to her.

Looking around, she saw that many others had already started dancing. It was a sea of deer, mermaids, and various other disguises, as well as some more plain masks. And away from that, the tables were quickly being emptied, and even more quickly being refilled. Nora was hunrgy. However, as she turned to her date, she realized that she'd like some time to get to know her. She hardly knew Lottie, and this was the perfect opportunity to learn. As she thought this, her stomach growled. Sigh. They did have the whole night. They could grab a bite and talk while doing it. In English this time, she asked, "Want something to eat?

As she started walking towards the tables, she added "Where are you from, in England?"

409 words. #420c55.

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Though the experience of a ball was nothing new to Lottie, the feeling of being apart of one was entirely foreign. She was used to wandering around the shadows of large ballrooms, watching rich magnates discuss all the things that don't matter. But now, she really got a chance to feel planned for.

At Nora's response, Lottie couldn't help but huff out a laugh. Having met over Lottie's home tongue, it had become something of a personal connection that the two shared. It felt nice to have that connection just between the two of them, a brief break from formality. It was the exact thing she hadn't known she desired from Hogwarts, but now it was clear to her that it was the one thing missing from her school experience.

Lottie followed Nora's gaze to the many tables arranged neatly around the stadium. People swarmed around them like moths to a flame, unpredictable and energetic. There was a kind of liveliness to the dance that strongly rivaled any other party that Lottie had attended in the past. Perhaps it was being around people her age, or perhaps it was the freshness of so many years gone without seeing magic unrestrained that gave everything a certain rosy tint. She smiled at the thought of being so free.

"Oh, certainly. I'm starving," Lottie replied quickly. The time spent getting herself all done up for the dance had stolen away her regular eating schedule, and she was also famished. She fell into step with Nora, still buzzing a bit with nerves. At the question, Lottie swiftly replied, "Cambridge. I live in a family home towards the north. And you?"

@Nora De Carie

Uri was happy that Siobhan seemed to be accepting his joke about her punching him in the spirit that it was made. He really wasn't mad, and if he were, it would have been at himself rather than her. He really should've known that it would have startled her. In fact, wasn't that his intention? He made it as a joke but you can never tell how other people will react so it was basically the consequences of his own actions coming back to say 'what's up'.

He was fascinated by her description of home. It just sounded so different than everything he was used to (and not just because she lived in Ireland) but it sounded like a nice existence of fresh air and room to do as you please. He also thought it sounded like a bit of a lonely existence but that was fine, some people liked to be alone. "That sounds like the complete opposite from my home life if I'm honest. We live in Liverpool, in a small wizarding community... And I mean small... we have a little cul-de-sac to ourselves. But it's nice, I grew up around wizards but I could go just a couple of blocks and experience muggle life. In terms of my family, I come from a mixed family, my father is a muggleborn and my mother is a pureblood, she's originally from Israel, and her family is very proud that they can trace her lineage to the earliest Judean wizards of the Common Era." He decided he need to stop because he was pretty sure he was rambling, which was unusual for him as he was usually fairly reserved, especially around strangers.

At her remark about the time he realized that it was getting quite late and decided it was time to get someone to take this damn mask off, but not before he smiled back upon hearing what she had to say, "You were very fun to hang out with, even if you did punch me, but really the goal was to startle you and it work, so it's mostly my fault." He said as he realized she could see him smile because of the stupid mask, "I'd very much like to talk to you again as well, either at school or who knows, we might see each other when we get our supplies in the summer." He said hopefully before adding, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to try hunt Professor Lécuyer down, if anyone can get this stupid thing of he can."

Action: Hunting Orion down so he can get his face back.

STA 5 | EVA 3 | STR 3 | WIS 7 | ARC 7 | ACC 5
Metamorphmagus

Interacting: @Siobhan McCarty
Mentioning: @Orion Lécuyer

Reducio

Interacting with @Charlotte Winfield.

Oh, certainly. I'm starving," Lottie replied quickly, to the relief of her date. That day, Nora's nerves had only allowed her an apple and a Turkish delight, so simply the smell of those platters was enough to make her feel ravenous. From the looks of it, they had everything from cheeses and meats to fruit to boiled potatoes. Oh, she hoped there were wraps. While not the most elegant of foods to eat, she'd kill for a good chicken one. Or anything chicken, truly. Nora really liked chicken.

"Cambridge," said Lottie in response to Nora's inquiry. Nora had never been there, but she knew it had a pretty big muggle school. Her cousin, Mei, was thinking of going there at one point. Lottie continued, "I live in a family home towards the north. And you?"

"Queenstown, it's a small city right along coast of the Irish sea. I don't live right on the water, but I could bike there pretty quick," Nora replied, distractedly, as she began loading some food onto her plate. "This all looks so good."

She'd nagged a few pieces of chicken, a kebab of chicken and fruit, some melon, and half a club sandwich. Unfortunately, no wraps, but her need for food had been satisfied nonetheless. After getting her share and letting Lottie do the same, she directed them to a nicely shaded spot to sit down. The ground was comfortable enough, padded with the fresh grass of spring. Nora sat across from Lottie, her legs crossed casually.

"Ya'au ra'a'nn ghmooa," said Nora quietly as they settled in, just loud enough for Lottie to hear. Not that it would of mattered, as it was unlikely anyone around them spoke Veela, but her reason was more bashfulness than anything. It was hard for her to keep her composure in any type of new social situation, but she managed to pull herself together. Regaining her easy smile, she continued, "How are you doing?"

325 words. #420c55.