Gala of Mysteries Fall Ball

MODERATION ROUND 8

@Kiana Nakamura was as vindictive as her snake if not more. Her wits would recover soon after the bomb had hit her, and her snake, always in favour of assisting her master on whatever paths of revenge she would decide to take, would point itself towards pumpkin-headed, knotted-stomached @Elizabeth Stonewall, who had sat down in her despair. In full fairness, she should have expected what had come and will come next. After all, did she expect for her actions to go without consequences? And a consequence she would receive. Kiana, wand pointed directly at the girl's feet, said coldly, without a shred of remorse or consideration, "Anathema Daphnis." Still visionless and unable to even dodge, luck would not be on her side enough as the spell hit, rooting her to the ground in the manner Daphne had been in her grotesque metamorphosis.

Reducio

Kiana's wisdom: [d20: 5]+10 = 15 > WDC: 9
Kiana's accuracy: [d20: 10]+8 = 18 > Elizabeth's evasion: [d20: 10]+6 = 16
Duration: [d6: 6] = 3 rounds

"For making me smell crap," Hedeon (@Noah Jupe) said viciously across the room, following Kiana in her vengeance. From his wand, Hedeon would produce an arrow in a swiftly cast Sagitta. A well chosen spell, though one could not fathom why such a violent one would have been taught to students. No wonder it was illegal in broom racing. Granted, he had aimed for Elizabeth's arm, rather than chest or head - which student would be messed up enough to do that? At least it had not hit. Still, it didn't take away form the fact that they must have derived some sweet enjoyment from pinning down a helpless target and unleashing their morbid fantasies on her, even if their punches did not find their marks?

Reducio

Hedeon's wisdom: [d20: 9]+5 = 14 > WDC: 10
Hedeon's accuracy: [d20: 5]+10 = 15 < Elizabeth's evasion: [d20: 18]+0 (pumpkin head and take root) = 18

Soon enough poor Elizabeth had become the centre of attention, though not exactly under a positive limelight. Perhaps she had entered with benign intentions, but to throw a dungbomb with the malice of ruining someone's evening - what could go wrong? Her definition of a practical joke was not the socially accepted one, both in consideration of methods and occasion, after all this was a Hogwarts - and yes, the school was meant to be esteemed - ball of all places. Yet the response seemed more intense than arguably deserved, their attacks borderline, if not already, bullying. They had decided that the pumpkin head was not enough and she deserved further torture. Why must the children get into such trouble would remain forever oblivious to whichever older students were their to witness their ludicrous attempts at claiming superiority. What was the quote again? "An eye for an eye will leave the world blind."

At least Arno (@Prat Pass) wasn't all bad. Or perhaps he just seemed to be the haloed angel thanks to the stark contrast he posed to Elizabeth's inane mischief and, some may go as far as saying, lack of civility. A saviour to all caught in the reek of the dungbomb's vicinity, his Scourgify was casted with quick reflex and perfect precision, doing more than just alleviating the smell. It left Kiana looking refreshed as ever, practically shining under the candlelight.

Reducio

Arno's wisdom: [d20: 20]+7 = 27 > WDC: 9

Perhaps in the distance, a long, shadowed silhouette would be spotted quietly slithering away from the scene, having barely survived the attempts on its life. The straw that broke the camel's back, unironically, were not the flurry of attacks upon it, but the horrors of adolescents.

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OOC Information

Welcome to the Gala of Mysteries!
1. To participate, you must be indexed. If you are not indexed yet, please apply here.
2. Moderation will occur every week on Saturdays.
3. Your character is allowed one moderated action per round. Please specify your moderated action somewhere OOC in your post.

Reducio

Moderated actions are those actions that requires rolls like casting a spell on someone, physically fighting (like punching) with someone, surprising someone etc. Rolls are not needed for pre-decided or consented actions, like asking someone for a dance.

4. Please include your abilities and stats in your post.
5. There are two other threads in this event, Haunted Halls and Whispers of the Dark. You can directly enter the two threads without needing to post in this thread, but if you already have, please specify that you are leaving this thread for either one of the other two.
6. Please follow all usual HIO rules.
7. Enjoy the ball!

He smiled when he saw the spell cast, but that smile quickly turned sour into tremendous anger when he saw it miss his target. What was this torture? Who in the world would allow someone to miss? He had a good reason to shoot an arrow at someone, they caused the room to stink!

He mumbled, trying to rack his brain again for possible spells when he finally realized he could simply just cast the same spell again. Sure, the girl may have been a moving target, theoretically, but thanks to the smelly girl, she was no longer mobile.

He looked at her and smiled. "You're starting to smell better pretty one."

He turned towards her, walking closer and closer, so that he could potentially aim the wand in the proper direction. He spoke in Russian for her, "Don't think I'm easily deceived. You truly are a horror, the good thing is that this was easily rectified, however I still think we should instill a traditional consequence for dungbombing the gala."

He poked her in the arm with his wand, then backed away slowly to try and keep the angle right. He continued to back up until he was solely three feet away from her when he yelled once again. "SAGITTA!"

Action: Casting Arrow Shooting Spell (Sagitta) at Elizabeth Stonewall

Sta: 10 | Eva: 15 | Str: 12 | Wis: 5 | Arc: 5 | Acc: 10

Mentions: @Kiana Nakamura and @Elizabeth Stonewall

Roleplaying as approved :

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•Terrible Presence in Effect•

@Action : Casting Melofors

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Pity.
Perhaps it was the constant barrage of spells at the student or the consequences she was made to suffer for her actions. Arno felt pity looking at the poor soul as others around him kept following their intent to cast spells at her. This whole event seemed like it was going overboard, he wondered if an Adult would sooner or later step in and stop this. That arrow spell could've been dangerous had the boy not lacked precision. Arno cast another spell at the young girl. Something that was not going to harm her but rather set her free in a while.

He believed she had suffered enough and would rather not see another person getting harmed at another of these wretched events. "Halt!" he signaled to the other two-three spell casters in the vicinity as he stared at them. "Put your wands down, i don't think she'll forget this anytime soon. But you can all stop now." This wasn't him sympathizing with the girl but rather the notion of three targeting one did not sit well with him. Now that their problems had been solved, he wished to get away from this debacle and go back to testing out the food kept from all the different decades that have passed.

Action : Casting Expelliarmus @

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⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

Roleplaying as Hans Jenssen

Pathetic.

He had no other words. The chicken pecks at the worm because it is scared of the fox. Commotion was quick to Hans away from his peace with Astrid. Because of course something else had to go wrong. “Astrid, wait, sorry I'll be right back,” Hans said hastily as he stood, willing every drop melancholia out of his veins. From the corner of his eye he had seen chaos and, considering how low he thought of Hogwarts’ vacuous celebration already, had chose for it not to further ruin his stay at the supposedly esteemed school. But at some point he could not bear to just sit and watch when the line in the sand had been so clearly and carelessly crossed.

“Hey! Stop.” Words Hans shouted without a shred of hesitation. Hans shot a glare towards the smugly smiling Hedeon with one arm shielded before her protectively. With eyes still kept on the is other hand felt for the young victim’s arm and held it in some attempt at reassurance, though considering how badly he needed it himself he wasn’t sure how well he delivered. Easily six foot with red hair as ill-tempered as his personality, he had noting of Oonagh’s oddly adorable sass. Older, bigger, stronger, he wasn’t stupid enough to think he would win in a fight. Older, bigger, stronger people shouldn’t exactly be bullying their underclassmen though. So if peacemaking failed, Hans wouldn’t mind trying to employ other methods if it meant ensuring the assailant’s restraint. “Sure, she probably shouldn’t have done whatever she did.” Tipping his head up at the Koldozstoretzian in obvious challenge, his gaze was steely with hardened fury he continued with his usual confidence though devoid of the familiar gregariousness. “But don’t think you’re ‘cool’ or ‘bad’ either. You know we’ve all seen worse so you might as well just stop.” Though he was in no mood to fight, any arguments against would be greeted with vulgar language.

Drawing out his wand though with no attempts to cast in offence, he scanned the room for the two other attackers, for this gathering would only prove to be filled with more delinquents - that was a kinder word for fools with a weapon. A shorter but attractive girl stood to the side, adorned with not jewellery but a snake, though she would only ever be complete if her heart would grow to shine as bright as her skin. A rigid-postured - which still did not make up for his lacking height - beside her, whose shared look of contempt arouse hope in Hans for a sensible attendee. Soon he proved himself to have more human decency than what was previously shown as he too called their actions to a halting stop. Of course though, Hans still thought too highly of the cruel boy, for he had only intervened when it became an inconvenience for him, not out of any desire to help the poor girl. Responding with a scowl despite their shared intentions, he still felt all too much like strangling someone.

With a wand flick across the girl, he said, voice taking on a disdainfully cold edge, “You too. Cut this out.” Though his tone did not harbour obvious anger, disgust was actively swallowed down before he considered if he should have displayed it. Since the first pushing and shoving of primary school, he was never able to bear bullies. And now after the explosions at Hogsmeade he was not in the right headspace to watch kids pretend they own the world just because they could wield a little wooden stick.

As soon as the threats were under control, he would point said little wooden stick at the red head and gently cast a “Finite Incantatem” against the Take Root spell. Eyes setting on the girl’s natural blue, he smiled comfortingly as his gaze inspected her for any injuries demanding immediate attention. If the odds were in her favour and there were none to be found, he would pat her lightly on the arm. Even if he would have thought her actions asinine - he was unable to find any other words when she thought a dungbomb attack would be a good idea amongst such a hateful world, now she was as much a victim as those still suffering the losses and pains of the Hogsmeade explosions. She did nothing to deserve how she was treated, not this badgering of spells in a helpless three against one, and despite the fury still barely contained in his heart, his voice let go of the hard edge it has just taken on. “Hey, it’s ok now,” Hans began softly as he shot a glare back to Hedeon and Kiana before continuing, “Go get yourself cleaned up, yeah? Do you want me to walk you to the Hospital Wing? Or are you good on your own?”

Who helps the helper when they are all children? Exactly the reminder he needed for why humanity was so fucked up.

@Anastasia Blackwood-Varney as Astrid Olsen, @Prat Pass as Arno Dorian, @Kiana Nakamura, @Noah Jupe as Hedeon Karev

Sta: 8 | Eva: 10 | Str: 5 | Wis: 5 | Arc: 2 | Acc: 10 | Fearless | Charmer

Action: casting Finite Incantatem at Elizabeth

Charmer affects everyone but Nikolai Vol'ka, Valentin Schnell, Johannes Sauer, Felix Kolbeck, Greta Fransson, and Astrid Olsen

Interacting as approved Durmstrang Second Year Inpc Nikola Volka

To absolutely no one's surprise on the face of the planet another Hogwarts ball was becoming a raging Пиздец clusterfuck to defy all proportions. Not only was the 'celebration' now completely tactless and downright insensitive but people were actively attacking each other despite the loss all had shared. For the young Russian who had already practically been forced to the ball this was the last miniscule atom of patience he had and now even it was fractured beyond repair. Thus gently patting Valentin on the arm, who had become busy with the arrival of two others, he prepared to leave.

"Hey Val, good luck with whatever it is he needs. You know I love you but this isn't helping me, I just need to be alone right now and anywhere but here. Please try to enjoy your night because as selfish as it is I don't need another thing weighing on my mind right now and he actually needs your help." Shooting glances to the other two mostly out of politeness he excused himself from the table resisting whatever attempts his blood brother attempted in protest vehemently. Mikael, the older boy was one he had seen around the school but never had much interaction with, yet, it was no kept secret that Valentin was a source of protection for all Durmstrang's student body so he was hardly surprised at the interaction.

Upon standing and untangling himself from the position of comfort he and Valentin had found themselves in at the table his eyes were drawn across the room instinctively. Watching with pained yet protective eyes as Hans left his table to settle some kind of dispute Nikolai wondered if he should help. Wondered if despite the silence that had brewed between them these past days if he could resist helping his brother. In truth he knew he couldn't not if it really mattered and certainly not if he stayed around to find out. A part of Nikolai's heart had snapped perhaps irreplaceably so and he had no idea how to get it back. Valentin and Hans had rooted themselves so deeply in his heart it was agonising to hurt them how he was but he also knew that they weren't the ones that needed him most.

Ever since the attack Nikolai's mind had wrecked itself on jagged rocks thinking about the fact that his very own brothers were involved in that life and that unlike himself they had no lifelines to protect them. Being a Volkov was a cruel twist of fate that seemed inescapable but it wasn't, Nik had proved that and he was sure if his brothers could just see it that they may too break free. Unfortunately though, all the good intentions in the world couldn't prevent the pain of hurting his new family like a wound he carried before the blade even struck. His plan was volatile at best and moronically deadly at worst and he knew that if he asked them they would go to the ends of the earth with him, hadn't the pyre proven just that, but there in lay the problem. Nikolai was on a fool's errand and he knew it along with every risk, but he wouldn't let it take those with him down.

So with all the fearless courage he could muster he let his eyes slip away from his brother and proceeded to exit the hall returning only moments to their temporary quarters to gather the necessary supplies. Then when all was set in place and he steadied his mind in the knowledge that although they may hate him for it, it was necessary, letting himself drift into the night wallowingly searching for a place to gather his thoughts.

Exiting Thread, Continuation In Consuming Darkness

⋅ Inspiration ⋅ Outfit ⋅

Mikael blinked haphazardly as he stared at the boy with abject misery. His tongue caught in his mouth as he tried to work himself into being able to force his constricted throat to pull out a word. Standing in the silence of his own recognition he realized the other had been quite busy. Surrounded by warm bodies that pushed for closeness to the light that shone quite brightly. To..his light. In their well-dressed manner, while he was still in his normal clothes. A feeling pushed into his heart. Unknown and cruel. Resting there in a foreboding manner.

Something that had not dawned on him in the ever-collapsing expanses of his well-eroded mind. Had he seen the glimmer of happiness in the other's eyes, he wondered if he would have spared the other the torture of putting back together the pieces of his broken self, for he had fallen from the shelf, breaking into glittering shards. He did not feel fixable any more.

The boy glanced away quickly his brow creasing with concentration as he felt the concern in the boy's voice pierce him like the sharpest knife. No. Even with the best of intentions, he could not lie that he was anything but selfish. Wanting to soothe his wounds and gather comfort. His breath would hitch sharply as the word 'ghost' fell from the other's lips. How crude it felt, the truth slapping him harshly in the face. "Well I think he's alive?" he would mumble out in a bout of listlessness.

He was unsure what grabbing the other like this was going to change. Holding onto Valentin would do little to keep the predator from continuing to stalk him, and yet he held on. Like a boat holding tightly to its anchor. Afraid to be lost at sea. A fate worse than death, and one that filled him with abject terror.

Mikael would be brought of his thoughts as his gaze sharply focused on the light-haired boy, of which he knew not of his name, placing his hand onto Valentin's arm. Such a brief moment encapsulated him with far more emotions than he tended to be prepared with, and with his nerves already shot, he found himself numb. Looking at the pale skin of the hand, his gaze slowly followed the expanse of Nikolai's arm to the boy's face. Platinum blonde hair and blue eyes. The boy turned and left and Mikael would watch the other leave with quiet consideration. Why was Valentin hanging out with someone like him?

The boy swallowed regret pooling in his stomach as the other pressed him for information. Which seemed rather acceptable seeing how he had come in quite atrociously. "Since that trainride. I- I saw him, Valentin." he said quietly. "But I think I've seen him longer in my dreams." he would speak his brow furrowing. "I didn't realize it was him at first, but I think it's always been him." he quickly added his brows furrowing as he looked around the room. Scanning to see if the familiar impeccable black hair would make an appearance. "Valentin. I think I am starting to remember things. Things I forgot so long ago. it almost feels like it should be a dream, but I am starting to wonder how much of it was truly a dream." he spoke in a pained but passionate tone.

| Stamina 13 | Evasion 12 | Strength 14 | Wisdom 8 | Arcane Power 9 | Accuracy 11 |

Lovely Creature - Terrible Presence - Perfectionist - Fearless - Statistically Relevant - Attacker Awareness

Items: Essence of Demiguise - Locksmith's Knife

Open to Interactions
Interacting with: @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood
[Valentin Schnell]
Mentions: @Matthew Campbell [Nioklai Volka], @Eugenia Karageorgiadi

Roleplaying as Lee Ye-jun from Beauxbatons – Encyclopedia

Violet in English, Red in Korean and Blue in French

Once his cousin disappeared, Ye-jun mostly kept to himself, unwilling to get involved in any Hogwarts drama. And man…was there a lot of it. Why can’t the students just behave for one year? He thought with a sigh as he moved to the least crowed part of the room, he could find.

Since he didn’t spot any familiar faces in the crowd, the wizard made no move to make conversation with anyone. Couple of Beauxbatons students approached him to flirt for a bit but those interactions never lasted long. As usual, he entertained them for a moment or two but once they realized nothing would come out of it, they gave up and went to find a different victim. Ye-jun was tempted to ask someone to dance once the marriage proposal turned fight soap opera ended, alas it was not to be. Once that situation settled down a couple of young students came in throwing random spells at random people. Honestly, the wizard was beginning to think kids should have their wands confiscated before entering the ball area. Why did they have to do this? Where were the times, when innocent pranks that were actually funny felt like enough? Did they really have to hurt each other in order to feel satisfied with the event?

In a matter of minutes, Ye-jun lost count of how many spells were cast. Same as his cousin, he didn’t like to get involved in other’s people fights, least of all now, when he was trying to manage his own anger issues. Generally, he only stepped in when a line was crossed and no one else was there to help. At this point, the first condition was kind of fulfilled however, there seemed to have been plenty people to assist. Sure, he would have thought one of the adults would step in once the arrow shooting spell echoed through the crowd but that would be obviously too much to ask. Why would an older student use that one on a kid was beyond him. Sure, she started it, but she was most likely just being stupid and didn’t consider the consequences. The boy on the other hand, definitely looked old enough to know what that spell was capable of and that it was hardly appropriate response to her actions. Ye-jun was all for educating the younger kids but this was not the way to do it.

Sighing again, the Beauxbatons student looked around once more. Initially, he hoped to catch up with Tone or perhaps Sara, both of whom he met during summer camp but now, he was actually glad not to see them here. This was a mess. They were better off not being around right now.

Very briefly mentioning: @Kim Sato as Tone Bakugo and @Hanako Tone as Sara Kohana
Action: Unhappily observing from afar (CLOSED TO INTERACTIONS)