The Mistletoe Spin Group #7 Summer Camp 2024

Click HERE for Ency

Appearance when white shawl is off:

Reducio

Standing next to Ginyami, Haven, and Sara (whom Val had dragged there), Valentin eyed the mistletoe above Ginyami and wondered how he would interact with the sweet girl who’d placed a band-aid on Val’s forehead. Haven was clearly distraught after what Hana had done with her, even though Valentin was not clear on what exactly had happened – until the girl blurted out every detail about how her first kiss had been… suboptimal, to say the least. As she stepped away from Ginyami after offering him a peace offering, Valentin turned to her with a gentle, sympathetic smile.

“It’s so sad to hear your first kiss was not what you were wanting. I wish yours could have been as good as mine was… One could even say it was unforgettable.” Valentin sent a side-eye to Ginyami right in front of them, sad and bitter like he wanted to cry. “I bet your pygmy puff is a delight,” Val remarked, trying to return to a more pleasant topic. Val just loved this girl. She was utterly squeezable. From even their first moments, the captain got the impression she had a beautiful, pure heart. “Thank you for offering me your mistletoe. I can’t take it, though, unless your partner also has no use for it either.” Dipping with a half-bow towards Haven, Valentin’s eyes glittered with dapper affection. “Is there anything that would make you feel better after what happened with your first kiss?” The girl had such a generous spirit, it made Val squirm with the desire to reciprocate. As she grew even more distraught, Valentin couldn’t take it anymore and gathered the girl into his arms in a hug.*

“It’s okay now…” Val whispered. “You’re beautiful with a heart of gold and the person to take your hand one day will be a truly lucky one. Such people who disrespect you by aren’t even worthy.” Squeezing Haven, Valentin could relate to her pain about being surrounded by a cultural norm of superficial kissing. “One day, you will receive a kiss steeped with real love, if it is truly your wish. Believe me. I believe in you.”

Meanwhile, Sara seemed focused only on the plant Val had placed in his hand, but the Japanese boy’s expression did not seem positive. Valentin was hoping that Sara would use the ammunition he was given to fight for Ginyami’s love after the latter had kissed Gellert… but Sara seemed to be too much in shock to move. Val couldn’t keep standing around waiting for him, though, as he had to address Gellert as well. Leaving to stride up to the other Durmstrang student, Valentin laid out his angry expectation that Gellert actually follow through with his self-proclaimed greatest wish. Mid-speech, the seeker glanced over with the hope of seeing Sara using his new position to smooth things over with Ginyami – potentially making use of the mistletoe Valentin had conveniently placed between the two boyfriends… but nothing seemed to be happening. Sara instead dropped the mistletoe on the floor, face seeming upset enough that he could crush it out of spite. Instead, he gruffly asked to not be spoken to anymore and tried to leave.

Valentin squinted in annoyance as he watched Sara go. Apparently Ginyami wasn’t all that important to him after all. Why else would he just abandon the fox like that? It was no wonder he was apparently not making Ginyami’s dream come true. If that relationship wasn’t worth fighting for, what did Sara even want? Shaking his white-maned head, Valentin didn’t know. He just felt bad for Ginyami now. If it had been Val in the fox’s place, he would have felt discarded just as callously as the mistletoe. There was much to be done, but first, Valentin needed to return to talking to Gellert. The unknown boy [Enzo] seemed to be casting Glacius on the candle above him and Gellert, so Valentin simply nodded in greeting and stayed out of the way. As amusing it would be for an interfering Frost Captain to get frozen, it was more important to listen to Gellert without distraction.

“I have already chosen and so have many of the people here it seems. Perhaps some had chosen you once upon a time. It’s time for you to choose, Valentin Schnell. There are many who would choose you, yet now it’s your turn. You can not fulfill everyone’s wishes no matter how hard you try. It is the same with love. It is only fair that you must choose. There is nothing any of your suitors can do, until you choose. I cannot do anything either. I will be leaving now unless someone stops me and you can come find me afterwards if you have chosen me.”

“That’s not true, Gellert. No one has ever chosen me before. For as much affection as I’ve received, no one else has ever asked for my hand. Otherwise, only one ever said they loved me romantically – within minutes of our meeting – and then he abandoned me after the night ended. You are the first person to really try to claim me, so I have been truly considering you. Fulfilling your greatest wish is the most important priority, however, so I want to understand if I’m really the answer to what you seek. If I’m not the One for you then I want to help you find that unity, but even if I am your One, I need to learn more about how help you get what you wished for. ” Valentin sighed with ache in his heart, eyes lined with frustration. “You say there are many who would choose me, so why are you the only one actually asking to make me yours? Why do so many try to kiss me but not try to commit? Is the champion of Durmstrang just a giant trophy? I want to believe I’m more than that to you, but I need to see the truth in you. People wear masks all the time. If I’m really your One then show me that you’ll actually fulfill those promises you made. You spoke passionately about undergoing any trial, any pain, to truly understand the One. You even said you would do anything for me. Are your words so hollow that you’d discard me if I don’t accept your contract on the second day of our meeting? My loyalty is to fulfilling your greatest wish, not obeying demands you make of me. My kingdom already has a king. If you simply have no patience for my best efforts to help make your dream come true, then maybe you don’t really give a damn after all.”

Eventually time ran out, spinning Valentin away for the final pairing of the night. Along the way, Valentin stooped to recover the mistletoe he’d given Sara that was unceremoniously discarded on the floor. While the night began with great suspicion of the “mind-altering demon plant,” by now Valentin felt a kinship with the damaged little cluster. As partner by partner Valentin exchanged dance moves across the floor, there was a fleeting moment he crossed paths again with Della. He only had a few seconds but he bowed to the parselmouth and offered her the clump of mistletoe, repaying her for snatching one from over her head. Extending both hands, Valentin smiled.

“I want to return what I stole from you, Della. The White Niffler always gives back at least as much as he takes. May this charm bring you luck with love. Sssee you after the game.” If Della made any attempt to accept Val’s gift, his eyes would glimmer as he passed the sprig to her.

Continuing on his whirl, Valentin ended up in front of Kim Sato, the Prince of Sweets. He seemed a bit different from the last time he’d seen the Korean in London – thinner, less healthy. Valentin’s smile from interacting with Della melted away as his eyes began to trace over Kim, looking for other possible signs of injury or illness.

“Kim –” began Val, wanting to ask how he was doing and maybe even apologize for what happened at the bookstore. Yet, a drip of scalding wax announced the hazard candle above them. Kim* did not move out of the way and only closed his eyes and winced, so Valentin edged in closer with the impulse to shield him from the pain with his own body. Yet, Kim seemed resistant, like he wanted the wax to burn him. Squinting with a crooked grin, Val wondered if Kim was some kind of masochist. The more he tried to move Kim, the more the boy struggled to retain his position. Trying to make contact with the other’s eyes, Valentin tried to understand what the other was feeling. Then, the shock of a droplet hitting the back of Val’s neck during their scuffle made him open his mouth with a tiny gasp. This almost lifeless boy – Val could breathe some energy back into him tonight, if only Kim would follow his lead. It must have been all the romance in the air. This sort of tension always had a certain effect on him...

"What do you think you're doing? "

Smirking, Valentin’s eyes glittered with a new challenge.

“Hm, it seems you are a fan of hot wax after all. You don’t really intend to hog all that by yourself, do you? Didn’t you know I’m a designated lightning rod?” Clearly Kim didn’t want protection, so maybe Val could offer something better. “Well, if you really want to enjoy that candle then let’s play.~ Wrestle me.”

Sliding forward, Valentin tried to overtake Kim with a pin, spreading his broad back in the hope of acting like a giant umbrella shielding the other from the scorching drips from above. Certainly Val was no true martial artist, but he was a student of combat arts at Durmstrang and frequently sparred with others for fun – including with genuine martial artists. Still, as Valentin grappled with Kim, his fighting style was downright gentlemanly. With only clean, assertive force that simply aimed to move the boy, Valentin had no wish to hurt nor damage Kim. There was a gentleness to it all, as if it were simply another form of dance leading Kim where Val wanted him.

“Let’s have fun. Do anything, I dare you.”

Kim then tried to evade, aiming to climb onto Val's back, but Valentin would also try to evade Kim's attack. If the shorter Korean didn't want a battle of strength, Valentin was happy to take on a battle of nimbleness. Trying to whirl out of the way and put himself in the path of the wax first, Valentin reached for his broom. Why should he use strength anyway when Valentin had the sky?

“Trying to take the candle by using me as a ladder? Alright, beat my speed. I'll make it there first.”

After attempting to evade Kim's climb, Val would then mount his broom and try to reach the candle first, grasping it and trying to remove it from its fixture while trying to block it from dripping on Kim any further.

*Descriptions/godmods of Kim and Haven were received via DM; godmods are mutually consensual here

Basic Stats:
STA 8 - EVA 20 - STR 3 - WIS 20 [24] - ARC 1 - ACC 17
Keen Eye / Charmer / Evasive Maneuvers / Fearless / Comprehend Languages: Parseltongue & Veela
Inventory: A golden locket, a silver earring, a golden ring on his middle finger, a wand, and an Oakshaft 79.
Broom bonus stats (when flying): +4 ACC, +4 ARC
Charmer recipients: literally everyone

Action: While wrestling with Kim, Val attempts to evade Kim's effort to climb onto his back. He then mounts his broom to try to grab the candle and remove it from its fixture, hoping to block Kim from being dripped on by flying into the wax's path on the way up.

Free Actions: Comforting Haven, trying to return what he stole from Della, talking to Gellert, being disappointed in Sara. A future post will reply to Ginyami’s edits.

Interacting especially with: Sara Kohana (@Hanako Tone), @Della Barfield, Ginyami Midorimori (@Jack Burnett), Gellert Schroeder (@Tristan Theramin), (@Kim Sato), @Haven Bohannon

When the blonde replied to Jack's question with such a blatant lie, the redhead flinched as if she'd struck him in the face. But after a moment more of watching her, trying to understand if she was being obvious on purpose or if she was trying to make her pain go away by denying it, or something else entirely, the girl began to spill her guts anyway. Jack's brows steepled in concern and then empathy as he quickly came to understand what had gotten the girl so upset.

"Whoa, whoa, just...just breathe a minute, okay?" he advised as gently as he could manage, reached out to put what he hoped was a somewhat comforting hand on her shoulder. Her sobs seemed to shake him to his core once she finished speaking. Then, with a heavy sigh of his own, he gave up the fight regarding some inner turmoil and tried to wrap his arms around his schoolmate, attempting to envelop her in a tight, heartfelt hug if she would allow him to.

"Listen," he told her softly, his mouth near her ear, "You're right. It's not fair what happened to you. The same thing happened to me, actually. Not in the same way or for the same reasons, but someone stole my first kiss from me, too. So I think I might know at least a little about how you're feeling right now." Releasing her from his grasp, he pulled away a little in order to meet her gaze, each of his hands clasped on each of her shoulders.

"Look at me. You're not ugly. Even if Hana thought you were, that superficial stuff doesn't matter. One measely kiss, even if it's your first kiss, does not define you as a person. Nor does it define your kissing skills or future love life or any of that nonsense. None of that determines your worth or value, so don't you dare start suspecting that. Because you know what does?" He peered staight into her pupils. "You do. So don't start doubting yourself just because some asshole wasn't mindful enough to get his priorities straight. He probably didn't even think he could be hurting someone else with his thoughtlessness. He's kind of oblivious that way."

The redhead sighed then. "I'm not saying he had any right to steal your first kiss or trying to make excuses for him or say that you're obligated to forgive him. But he's got his own issues. And he's actually...not a bad person at heart, even if he's a little confused and acting extremely inconsiderate. So I can promise you that while what he did might have been wrong, he at least didn't do it to try to hurt you." He frowned. "That said...I'll bet you whatever you want that that even if that kiss might have been your first, it won't be your last. And it's definitely not going to be your most meaningful. So in the end, what does it matter what your first kiss is like, anyway? If it sucked, that only means that whatever ones you experience from now on are only likely to be better. Right?"

Jack tried to smile at the girl. "Don't let that stupid snake ruin kissing for you. Just because this first one wasn't everything you hoped it would be doesn't mean all the others you experience will be the same. Trust me on that. So long as you keep looking, you'll find what you're searching for eventually. And the longer you wait for it, the more valuable it'll be once you find it."

The chatter fox had just finished having his say when the music forced the students to dance to its melody one final time. But when it came to its end at last, the instruments that had played it seeming to lose their enchantment as they slowly decended to the ground, Jack discovered himself in the worst possible situation he could have and yet had somehow failed to imagine right up until that moment. This kissing event had essentially gone more or less the same as the rest of the kissing events he had participated in had gone in the past: with more drama for others than him.

But it seemed fate had finally determined it was his turn. Because even though he had somehow miraculously managed to avoid landing under even a single sprig of mistletoe the entire evening, his marvelous luck had just run out. Not only did he find himself under the mistletoe then, but he found himself under the cursed plant with the most notorious kisser he knew. A grin conveying a mix of unease, anger, incitement, defiance, and tenacity slowly spread across the young Welsh wizard's face.

"...Hello, Tone."

HP: 600/600
Stats: STA 6 / EVA 9 / STR 3 / WIS 20 / ARC 9 / ACC 9
Abilities: Prodigal Charms / Binding Mark / Perfectionist / Perfectionist II / Animagus
Action: Talking to Haven
Interacting with: @Haven Bohannon & @Hanako Tone

𝕯𝖊𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖎𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓

Rosewood wand wood Hana’s natural charm

Reducio

shoulder length wavy black hair. Dark honey brown eyes. Feminine japanese descent features. Looks approachable and sweet from afar. Will make you think twice about it when he opens his mouth.

* OOC NOTE: feel free to base your characters description of Sara Kohana off this.

Red ®: 112
Green (G): 95
Blue (B): 165.

Hanako expected a banter back, really. That was what usually went on around their conversations. Sure they haven’t talked in a while but Kim wouldn’t have hated him for that, surely? Involuntarily, Hanako’s smile faded. As if cold air just whipped him out of nowhere. At this moment, if it wasn’t Kim he was talking to - Hanako could have easily offered himself as a distraction. Hell, he needed one himself. And the last time they had kissed, - as eventful as the circumstances that led to it were -, it was still nice, Hanako would like to think. Funny little memory, even. Even when Hanako pretended it never happened often.

But this? It was like he was talking to someone different. Not the same guy he kissed months ago. Enough people had come to Hanako for many reasons, boredom, curiosity, even an aching need to be distracted. And Hanako wouldnd mind giving them his time of day. If they were sure about it. If they both mutually benefited from it. But Kim’s words made Hana’s stomach drop. "Do whatever you want to me."

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” The words slipped out of Hanako faster than he could stop them. His earlier annoyance resurfacing, as if Kim had insulted him. He didn’t like it. Not one bit.

In the corner of his eye, as if the world word was out to annoy him as much as possible, Burnett had decided to run up to the teary eyed girl and ….what the hell was he being so close to her for? And such a lengthy conversation at that. Hanako didn’t bother to listen, his frustration just being topped again and again. He leaned away from Kim, agitatedly brushing the back of his hair, before glancing back at him. “I’m going to assume its a bad night for you.” he stated, the next words he wanted to say just on the tip on his tongue. When I don’t feel like throttling anyone, I’ll come to you. But really, would he? What business did he have with whatever Kim was going through. What could he do? Even if he were somehow to do anything, he certainly wasn’t going to say it outloud. Hanako often opted out of stuff like this. But jeez, were people really testing him this year. Showing sides of them Hanako was desperate to ignore and yet somehow, consumed his waking thoughts more often than he’d like to admit. It friggin pissed him off. But he will leave Kim at that. It was easier for both of them if Hanako simply acted like he couldn’t care less. Until he could regather his thoughts and decide what to do.

He took a deep breath, sensing the music about to start playing and decided to drop one last word to Kim. “ Cu Sith’s been whining for you.” He said, a tone still tense but somewhat softer than before. Like an annoying but unavoidable fact. “ Stop by sometimes to shut her up, will you. Can't deal with her all the time?” And with that, the music whisked them away.

Hanako was truly debating on just leaving the event the same as what that hunk did earlier. But he figured, it was the last dance anyway. Whats one more idiot to deal with going to do much? And it turned out, quite a lot. Especially when THIS idiot ended up being the one Hanako was left with. His initial reaction was one similar to Burnett. Except initially, a smile wasn’t really his first instinct. Despite it being his usual to-go expression, even at the face of wraith. But Burnett did have a way with seeing expressions Hanako liked to lock away.

“ Done shit talking about me? “, his smile returned, but it was anything but warm. “ I dearly hope you didn’t tell her anything unnecessary”. It annoyed him even more that it was likely that Burnett wasn’t purely shit talking about him. Simply put, Jack was a little too fair when it came to assessing a character. Hanako guessed he could have so many reasons to shit on someone, but if there was even a few things that weren't so bad, it would be mentioned. Truth loving prick. Ideally they should have been eachothers natural enemies. Afterall, Hanako hid truths. But unfortunately not one word can describe their relationship. Especially not as one as easy to use and common as ‘enemies’.

“ Tonight… a lot of people have really pissed me off. But by far.. God.. you have a talent for being the best in that category do you?” he let out a dry laugh, finding absolutely nothing humorous about this. In an irrational moment, clearly lacking judgement, he grabbed a fistful of Jack’s shirt, bringing him to lean close to him. Hoping it would make the other boy squirm.

“ I'm just deciding how best to express that. You know. Not verbally, that is” he whispered in what meant to be a smooth flirt. And yet, it was impossible to not detect the controlled frustration just simmering underneath each gentle whisper. “And considering the abomination of a plant above us, let’s not make this any worse by giving eachother bad luck, yeah?” He taunted. The last few words he said, he pushed it further by leaning in close. Though still, not intending to press his lips on his. But Burnett didn’t have to know that at the moment. At least not until Hanako was likely pushed away

Action: not kissing @Jack Burnett BUT definitely getting a little too close.
Was interacting with: @Kim Sato
mentioning : @Haven Bohannon,

,

Click HERE for Ency

Appearance when white shawl is off:

Reducio

This is a dialogue post responding to Ginyami's post edits. There is no action to moderate here!

This post chronologically precedes this round's actions: HERE

While Valentin was still interacting with Gellert and before being spun off to meet Kim, Ginyami would approach Val once more to speak with him.

“Ginyami… I have a lot to say about what you told me before, and it’s opportune that Gellert is here as well.” Looking from the dark-haired boy to the platinum blonde, Val’s eyes flared.

“You were both right. I must choose. In the end, I have denied my own wish by filling my hours with the fulfillment of others’. Perhaps it is my very attempt to put others first that is creating suffering in them. I thought I had been patient, but I’ll admit that it often feels like the world is spinning at a different pace for me. Two days of knowing Gellert – weeks of learning about Ginyami – years of gathering together my teams… what does any of that time even mean anymore? It’s not like I want to measure a relationship the way a merchant would weigh a trinket on a scale. As a mortal I must eventually draw the line and commit, or else my wish’s ‘tomorrow’ will never arrive.” Turning back to face Ginyami, Valentin plucked the mistletoe the other had been eyeing earlier from the clasp in the seeker’s open shirt. Looking down at the little plant he’d tried and failed to give to Sara, Valentin smiled with a twitch at the corner of his mouth.

“Maybe I’m just like this demon plant in the end. Perhaps my charms are not selective… because deep down I really love everyone. Still, it’s not that I don’t want to commit. I would be happy to pursue just one person, just as I committed to chasing the golden snitch every day. My Horntails know I committed to them and the elevation of Durmstrang Institute. I work hard, Ginyami, and I would never have gotten to where I am today if I did not love commitment. Your accusation of not having that ability is groundless, but if you both insist that I urgently commit to a single love interest, then I can be tempted with a challenge.” Valentin slid his left hand into his leather pants pocket and closed his eyes for a moment, exhaling. The event’s mistletoe had a variety of effects, leading to some frivolous kiss collection as well as to wounding others. A humble sprig had the power to leave Haven in tears and spellcasting as if in a waking nightmare, and so too had it summoned angry ovations in Ginyami and Gellert. Even if the plant had only been the catalyst for what was fundamentally human drama, the mistletoe still had agency– albeit subtle and easily dismissed. If Val, too, had been influencing others and sparking conflict at the event, perhaps the considerate action would be to finally get off the stage and pick someone.

“If I have a problem with events like these, it’s because of the harm it brings to hearts like Haven’s. She and I are the same in our earnest wish for committed, deep love. I thought that was what you both wanted from me, Gellert, Ginyami. How do you think Kohana-san is feeling right now? I’m left feeling like this is all a game to you both. It’s because I don’t want to leave broken hearts that, as Ginyami said, I have thrown a 'tantrum' here. If I am harmful because of my lack of chasing just one person, who are all these alleged suitors who would like for me to claim them? You have a boyfriend, Ginyami. Romeo has declined my advances for years on end, and I won’t force suffering on him in new and creative ways anymore. The only person I see available is Gellert, and I am bound foremost to the fulfillment of his wish even if the answer does not lie with me. I can’t commit to him until I know that it will truly fulfill his dream. Whom do you have in mind for me to swear myself to, Ginyami? Even when I tried to hunt down the water nymph who seduced me to spread a mind-controlling parasite, even he didn’t take the commitment I offered so wholeheartedly. Are you perhaps thinking of someone not present – one of my many fans, like Sophia? Or… are you actually suggesting I commit to someone who doesn’t want the real me or has no idea who I even am?” Smoothing over a pair of bent leaves in the damaged mistletoe in his hand, Valentin grimaced.

“Ginyami, you said you never sought perfection in me and yet you then went on about your family’s ideas of perfection, not your own. What I hear from you are many criticisms, as if you are interested in helping me reach a vision of perfection. I really appreciate that, actually. I am trying to learn from you, and it is a blessing to have you show me the world through another cultural perspective. Maybe your idea of perfection isn’t the same as mine, but I can still consider your thoughts. Yet, it seems much of what you say is based on false assumptions of me that I have been trying to dispel here. You could do for a bit of inquiry instead of jumping to conclusions, yourself.” Taking a breath, Val knew he was getting emotional again...

“For example, it’s arrogant to tell me what my feelings about you were. You are wrong to claim I wasn’t ready to give you everything. All we needed was to take it to the next level, but then you vaporized from my life without warning. It was only after I felt utterly abandoned by you that I ever began considering other people again. Your sacrifice was tragic because it was not founded on the truth. You can refuse to believe me, manufacturing a lie to shield yourself from reality… but I won’t lie to you. You were the only one in my heart back then. Please do hold me accountable for my wish, but don’t try to gaslight me about what I felt. You have no right to tell me what my heart said, however clever you thought your ‘tests’ were. Whatever you intend to do with your manipulations, spare me your sunk cost fallacy. However much you sacrificed, it was in vain. Whatever you think you know about me from spending all this time on the other side of the planet without even contacting me, it has not led you to such basic, important truths. It saddens me to hear you find us incompatible, as I never felt that way. Still, if you ask me stay out of your affairs with Kohana-san then I will respect it. Also, I will follow your suggestion and try to ask you questions directly instead of assuming. Why am I so imperfect as to remain romantically alone to this day? Where did I go wrong with you, Ginyami? What wrongs have I done to you, as well, Gellert? Help me stop if I’m hurting you. The mistletoe, despite all its charms, surely means no harm…”

Stepping forward towards Ginyami, Valentin reached for the boy’s hand. If he managed to take it, he would try to lay the clump of mistletoe – battered from being dropped by Sara – into the fox’s palm.

“I didn’t mean to hurt Kohana-san either. I was hoping he would use this to fight for your love because I believed in him after he tried to defend you despite what you did with Gellert. Yet, it seems he has gone. If I am to blame for hurting all of you, I am sorry. I don’t know how to heal this damaged plant, and I have failed to bridge the division between you and your boyfriend. I can leave you two alone if that is your wish. Still, please understand that I want you to be happy and would like to help you one day attain what you wished for when we first met.” Trying to give the plant to Ginyami, hope lit the mithril spikes of Valentin’s tortured eyes. If anyone could help that discarded sprig, it was surely the botanist who understood a few things about charm itself.

“Thank you for trying to teach me, Yami. The hardest part of all…. is that your story struck a chord in me. Your words about the Welsh wizard… I have to really ask myself if you’re right somehow. Maybe I have been in denial this whole time, lying to myself. I can’t help but wonder if the reason I’m still alone is because I don’t realize a forbidden truth: that I’m actually already committed to someone whom I don’t dare dream of catching. If this is true… I must learn to admit that my heart has already been devoured. Has it been consumed by someone just as monstrous as me? I don’t know, but… your story makes me want to learn and respect the truth, whatever that might be.”

Pulling his hand out of his pants pocket, Val’s hand raised to show his fist clutching a golden chain where hung a simple heart-shaped locket.

“More is possible than I know, and reality is greater than I see or presume to understand. So long as I keep striving, I can get closer to perfection, even if I never reach it. I help people with their wishes because I believe even in crazy dreams… but I’m not special. Anyone might attain what at first seems impossible, so long as they are willing to flex over the details of a goal’s implementation.” Turning to Gellert, Valentin tried to take the other’s hand. If successful, Valentin would then lay his golden locket on its chain into the other boy’s palm.

“Gell, I want you to use this to help you accomplish your quest. It’s ‘true love’s locket,’ which speaks with the voice of your loved one. I hope you will use it to find and unite with your ‘One.’” Releasing the necklace with the intent of permanently giving it to Gellert, Valentin bowed his head and stepped back. “To be honest I’m not entirely sure how I acquired that pendant. I hope it helps you.”

Valentin then glanced between both Gellert and Ginyami with an amused sigh.

“I should at least thank you for the show, if you guys won’t start going out now. That was quite a hot kiss.” Smirking and shaking his head with a chuckle, Valentin wondered what he could even do now to help them now… especially if Ginyami did not want Val meddling with his relationship with Sara. Everything was such a mess.

“Considering what you’ve both shown me, I accept your challenge. I will choose someone to commit myself to romantically, even if the pursuit seems daunting or even impossible. Still, my head grows heavy from tonight’s struggle. My past failures taught me not to move too fast, and so I will try to give it just a little more time – but not infinitely. It’s not only up to me, after all, and I have to be considerate when making such a major decision. Therefore, on the night of my 17th birthday, October 3rd, I will make a decision of whom to pursue.” Tipping his head down and closing his eyes as coils of white hair cascaded over his face, Valentin stayed still for a moment. He had to eat something soon. The brutality of the preceding year still left a lingering (though greatly diminished) effect, and through all the emotional pain he’d taken on tonight, Valya was beginning to long for the comforts of his tent.

“Thank you for bearing with me until that day.” Raising his hand to brush the most aggressive strands of pearly hair out of his eyes, Valentin slowly raised his head. Looking each boy directly in the eyes, Valentin’s face displayed easily readable torment. “Until then, you know where to find me.” Clutching the cloth over his chest where once there hung mistletoe, Valentin repeated some mantras of his father’s to himself, trying to get himself to not lose control, having an emotional breakdown on the spot.

What if Ginyami is right… have I been in denial because I didn’t dare believe I could have the one I want? Have I been cowardly, sparing myself a dangerous moonshot without admitting to myself that the sacrifices would be worth it, even if I failed? Is it just irresponsible to even consider… How do I… How do I stop hurting people? How?

Raising two fingers to his temple, Valentin noticed his skin had become clammy with sweat. He felt guilty but he didn’t understand why – or couldn’t allow himself to understand why. Whom should he choose? He only had two months to make what could be the most momentous decision of his life… and yet… yet… For all the negativity he’d shown the mistletoe, was this moment not a blessing in disguise? Just a bit longer, and he could go back to his tent and recover his center.

I want to go home… Oh great Aq Yılan, show me to my true home …

Yet, the evening was not done with Valentin. The music started up again and the dance floor whirled Valentin to his final dance partner, Kim Sato.

Basic Stats:
STA 8 - EVA 20 - STR 3 - WIS 20 [24] - ARC 1 - ACC 17
Keen Eye / Charmer / Evasive Maneuvers / Fearless / Comprehend Languages: Parseltongue & Veela
Inventory: A golden locket, a silver earring, a golden ring on his middle finger, a wand, and an Oakshaft 79.
Broom bonus stats (when flying): +4 ACC, +4 ARC
Charmer recipients: literally everyone

Action: No moderated action; please see previous Val post.

Free Actions: Talking with Ginyami and Gellert, trying to give Gellert and Ginyami stuff before they can leave

Interacting with: Ginyami Midorimori (@Jack Burnett) and Gellert Schroeder (@Tristan Theramin)
Mentioning: @Haven Bohannon, Sara Kohana @Hanako Tone

"I don't know; that depends. Is it still considered shit-talking if it's true?" the fox animagus asked, his voice filled with a merriment he didn't feel as he continued to grin. "As for what I told her...no worries on that front. I assure you I only told her what was absolutely essential." Which of course, was entirely subjective, especially when no one established what the information told was necessary for or essential to. But the fact that Hanako had commented on what he 'dearly hoped Jack hadn't told her' was enough to tell the history-lover that his dormmate probably already had quite a good idea of what he had told the girl. Which meant there was no more need to comment on the matter. Much better to leave the rest up to the heartbreaker's expansive imagination.

At the other Slytherin's comment regarding being pissed off, Jack looked surprised and confused for a moment. "Pissed you off? Aren't you usually the one who does the pissing off?" he asked as he carefully went over some of the evening's events thus far concerning Hanako. "Unless it's the sort of pissed off that you enjoy being because of the distraction it provides you. For example...you seemed to enjoy the Beauxbatons boy. What was his name again? Enzo Delcroix?" He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "You're going to be meeting him back at your tent after this, aren't you? I could be wrong, but...while I was running around camp this week...I could have sworn I saw you both disappear into the same tent at one time or another. Possibly multiple times. I mean, not like I'd have the time or patience to just sit and stake out a single tent to note the comings and goings of its occupants, right? Or go check the tent rosters to look up who's rooming with whom in order to cross-reference names with faces." The Welsh teen unleashed a loud laugh of his own. "Oh, wait! I do."

His smile shuttered instantly into a neutral expression when a fistful of his shirt was grabbed and he was pulled in close. But it was not Jack's first rodeo when it came to being treated so roughly; not by a longshot. He just had to think of Hanako as one of the many, various bullies who had been ready to smash his face in prior to Hogwarts. Or even one of the myriad of other students he had goaded into using physical force on him out of irritation. It should have been easy. So...why wasn't it, exactly?

"...When you say I have a talent for 'being the best in that category'...are you referring to pissing people off in general, or pissing you off specifically?" Jack asked, slowly adopting a more serious, small, thin-lipped smile than the exaggerated grin of before. "That dirty look you gave me after you saw me step in front of Sara - what was that for? Were you mad I might have been trying to win your latest conquest over before you did?" Chuckling, he shook his head. "But what right did you have to get angry with me after cutting that poor girl to the quick? Isn't she in our year? A Hufflepuff...? Heh...figures it'd be the foreigners you flirt with and the actual schoolmate of ours that you end up pissing off. Only one of those groups will remain once the school year starts up again, you know."

His gaze went a little distant as he looked past Hanako. "You didn't know that was her first kiss, did you? But neither did you seem to care...which is kind of worse than if you'd behaved as if you'd known all along, actually." Jack's eyes came back into focus. "...Remind me how your first kiss went again...?"

As he doubted Hanako would actually do as he'd requested, he continued on with voicing his thoughts aloud. "So you've got the French blonde, the badger blonde, and now Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome who just got away. So greedy! Supposedly." He smirked, casting Hanako a knowing look. "You know how people say their eyes are too big for their stomach? You remind me of them. Only...instead of your stomach, I think your eyes are too greedy for your heart to handle."

With a deep sigh, he reached up to gently pat the hand grasping his shirt front so tight. "Oh, Tone...tsk, tsk, tsk," he said, clicking his tongue disapprovingly. "I've already done this dance with you before. I think it's safe to say you know me well enough by now to realize that I don't dish out what I can't take myself. And I've been bullied by and antagonized far too many people to not have been grabbed like this before. So let me guess: either you're being 'kind' to me by treating me in a way I'm familiar with...or this is one of the scenarios from one of those stories you like so much. You know - the ones with the enemies who think they hate each other but turn out to have both been in denial the whole time?" His grin suddenly returned with renewed vigor.

"Oh! That's what you like about that French snob, isn't it? That he's willing to be just as much of an asshole to you as you are to him? Sounds like he fits that character profile fairly well." Jack pretended to look thoughtful as he playfully tapped his chin. "Hmm...fine, I'll play out your little fantasy scenario with you if that's what you want. I've certainly been in the victim's shoes too often in the past not to play my role perfectly. Let's see...you probably prefer a victim who's defiant enough to put up a fight rather than the defeatists who give up right away, don't you? It cranks up the tension and makes it more satisfying when the last rope finally snaps. Oh, yeah - and it'll be the perfect straw to break the camel's back once you return to your tent and taunt your precious Delcroix with the tale, won't it? That is...if he isn't watching right this second." His irises flickered briefly toward the direction of the Beauxbatons student to indicate who he meant without lifting a single finger.

"Of course, there's also always the possibility that you really just aren't thinking and simply succumbing to your emotions and baser instincts, letting me get the best of you yet again. That really would be a shame. Disappointing considering how little I even did or said this time to cause you to lose your cool. Regardless of how many people had been wearing on your patience before you got to me, it seems strange considering how you must realize how I work by now. Is getting under your skin really this effortless even with you knowing that?" His grin became falsely friendly; mockingly gleeful. "You know, this is much more fun than kissing. How about we just spend the rest of the time standing here and talking? About our...feelings?" Jack spoke the last word with derisive ridicule, his expression itself morphing into an obnoxious countenance designed specifically to taunt his dormmate. "Oh, right, you wouldn't want that, would you? Alright, then - I can do the talking about your emotions and you can simply listen if you prefer."

Talk, talk, talk. It was what had earned Jack the nickname of 'Chatter Fox' in his very first year at Hogwarts. And yes, it was true he talked a lot in general. But that evening, during that particular conversation, the Welsh teen seemed be talking even more than usual. One could have argued it was to antagonize Hanako or remind him how well he could read him. But another possibility was that talking was one of Jack's main coping mechanisms - especially when it came to situations that made him nervous. In fact, a particularly perceptive person might have suspected he might even have been stalling for some reason.

Jack forced himself to hear past the flirtatious aspects of Hanako's whisper, carefully keeping a straight face as he swallowed and focusing instead on the barely-restrained frustration that doused each syllable in tension. And that was nothing to say of their intimately close proximity. He just couldn't allow himself to think of the other scenario in which people usually permitted themselves to get so close to one another.

Hanako had grabbed him. It wasn't mutual. He just had to endure it. He could do that. After his first kiss, what were a million more? Wasn't that the sort of mentality that the snake-owner likely used to cope with his abundant displays of affection using his mouth over the past few years?

And yet the beads of sweat began to form across Jack's brow just the same. For all the practice he'd had learning how to maintain a poker face, he still had yet to learn how to control bodily functions such as excessive sweating and tell-tale blushing in response to certain situations. He knew by then, though, that if he reached up a hand to wipe his brow on the back of it at that moment, the gesture would have only drawn more attention to what he hoped hadn't been noticed yet. So, instead, he pretended it wasn't there.

"And how do you propose we 'not make this any worse'? We are each other's bad luck," he said flatly, as if it were already the most obvious thing in the world and he was annoyed to have had to confirm it verbally. Mentally, however, his mind was racing, running through story after story and fact after fact from his favorite history books, mythologies, and fairy tales. 'Bad luck'? What was the Japanese youth doi- oh. Right.

There was that one version of the tradition - the one that said a man was allowed to kiss any woman standing underneath mistletoe. And that bad luck would befall any woman who refused the kiss. Talk about sexist.

However, no one had mentioned that bit of information throughout the entirety of the event so far as he knew and it hadn't been written or typed anywhere; not even on the sign-up sheets. So...how did Hanako know? Had he possibly looked and read up on the origins of the the tradition himself? Hanako, who couldn't be bothered to even pay his full attention to each person he kissed while he kissed them?

It seemed the trend still continued between them. Even then, after thinking he knew so much about his dorm mate, Hanako was still surprising Jack. Impressing him, if he was being honest. And Jack finding himself impressed was so rare, especially these days. If Hanako had researched the tradition that in-depth...then the whole event, the kissing situation...they must have meant more to him than he was letting on. It was something that that stubborn son of a bitch would likely never admit, even if held at wand point, gun point, or knife point. It reminded Jack vaguely of their altercation the previous year in Hanako's old dorm room.

Like the wax dripping from the candles overhead, a stray drop of sweat slid down the side of Jack's face. It was now or never.

"...Maybe I would if I thought it might actually help you in some way," he answered back coolly, peering deep into honey-brown eyes. "And don't even try to pretend you want it."

His voice became clinically cold as he verbalized his calm assessment of his dormmate. "I get the feeling you already want to cry after knowing what you did to that girl. I'll bet by now you probably feel worse about it than even she does. Or you will. Eventually. When you, in time, will have to stop to think about and process it. Internalize it. Keep it to yourself like you do. Bottle it up inside until it just consumes you and then you go out hunting for even more distractions to take away your focus from everything that's tearing you up inside." It was then that both his features and his tone softened.

"Why would I want to make that worse? You might tell yourself it's all the same - one kiss or one hundred - but we both know it's not. Is it?" The redhead leveled Hanako with a meaningful stare. "Or else you wouldn't have researched and memorized the history of this stupid mistletoe tradition so intensely before this event."

Jack reached up a hand to flick Hanako's forehead with his thumb and forefinger. "There's a saying we have back home in Wales: 'Dim uchellwydd, dim lwc!' It's a Welsh proverb meaning, 'no mistletoe, no luck.' But no luck means no luck, either good or bad." He smirked again, shrugging innocently. "It was the serving class of England in the Victorian era who said that any woman standing underneath mistletoe who refused a kiss initiated by a man would get bad luck. But guess what?" He held up one finger. "Neither of us is a woman." He held up a second finger. "And neither of us is about to initiate a kiss with the other. So we're off the hook."

There. That resolved the tension nicely. Now they could both avoid a mutually-unwanted kiss, loopholed out of the absurd tradtion that gave power to poisonous white, seasonal berries harboring negative connotations. Trickster mentality had saved the day yet again. And his sanity.

Turning his head slightly, Jack's gaze wandered from Hanako's face again, peering in the direction Sara had gone. "Were you thinking that pointless stunt I pulled might have endeared me to him?" he asked off-handedly, referring, of course, to the quiet, shy Mahoutokoro student who was the first to leave the ball. "I'd hate to ruin your chance to go after him and 'heal his broken heart' now that his piece-of-shit boyfriend has been exposed. Hell, I'll even help you if you're serious about it. Heh...I bet even you would make a better boyfriend than that fox-faced, shifty-eyed shitlord. So long as you're not planning to ditch Sara for the next pretty face you find."

HP: 600/600
Stats: STA 6 / EVA 9 / STR 3 / WIS 20 / ARC 9 / ACC 9
Abilities: Prodigal Charms / Binding Mark / Perfectionist / Perfectionist II / Animagus
Action: Sweating and talking to Hanako; talking a LOT.
Interacting with: @Hanako Tone, Sara Kohana (@Hanako Tone), Enzo Delcroix (@Akari Kato) & @Haven Bohannon