Gala of Mysteries Fall Ball

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Evpraksiya M. Y. Vinogradova LOVELY CREATURE Reducio User is distractingly beautiful, +2 to DC STATS STA 7 │ EVA 8 │ STR 0 │ WIS 7 │ ARC 5 │ ACC 8 ACTION; Shielding Meiyu from curious gazes

(adj.) Angelic, Sweet

───────────────────────────────────────────────────── 2024. 10. 19. | sundown....

INTERACTING WITH @Meiyu Xiang @Aodhan Shaw

𝙾𝚄𝚃𝙵𝙸𝚃: Reducio

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▪ 𝙴𝙽𝙲𝚈 ▪ ▪ FELIX ▪ KOLBECK ▪ ▪ DURMSTRANG iNPC ▪ SIXTH YEAR ▪

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𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙰𝙲𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂: Reducio @Evelynn Decipio as Greta

Felix was already starting to replay the horror show he had just put poor Greta through minutes before. SHIT. He couldn't believe how fucking lame he sounded babbling about love. Thank Merlin shovels weren't easy to hide on your person, because if they were Felix would be digging himself a hole to go hide in after that disaster of a conversation. It was fine. IT WAS FINE. He would only replay the moment over and over again in his head late at night when his brain decided to torment him. UGH.

His date took on the cupcake with all the grace (and charm) of a starving squirrel. He was still convinced she had been some sort of adorable rodent in her past life, filling her cheeks full of food for winter storage. The Swede had to resist the temptation to reach out and squish one of those cheeks as she grazed. "Only after you've gotten your sugar fill, Pärla Pearl."

He swallowed an amused chuckle as she quickly tried to clean any remaining icing off of her face, but still managed to miss a stubborn smudge of small blue frosting, "Hey, you missed a spot." Before his brain picked up on the quickening of his pulse, his hand shot out to cup her cheek. His thumb brushed against the pesky mark to banish it.

It was a mistake to touch her face the same way he had when he initiated their first kiss back in August. It was an even bigger mistake to allow his eyes to flicker down to meet the warmth of her own. He'd convinced himself those sea green eyes had only ever glanced his way for the sake of friendship. Yet here he was, dirtying her skin with his touch. He pulled his hand away, shoving it into his pocket in an attempt to be nonchalant. "... That's better."

He took breath to try and steady himself. 'What the fuck,' he mentally cussed himself, 'Pull it together or you're going to end up doing something stupid.' Like at the mistletoe ball.

"Yeah, well... I don't do it very often." He grumbled in response to her statement. This was going to kill his coolness level, wasn't it? Whatever, fuck what anyone else thought, he really only cared what she wanted in this moment.

"You know how it is; my parents forced me take lessons." They really had humorously high hopes for the Swede, practically training him to be a 'perfect gentleman' before he arrived with bleached hair, piercing, leather jackets, and a scowl that tossed a brick through their plans.

"Where did you get the idea that I don't want to? If I didn't want to take I wouldn't have asked you. Besides; I remember telling you I wouldn't be a shitty date." He teased, a small smirk pulling at his lips as he offered her his arm. Should she take it, he would lead her towards the dance floor.

As he turned to face his date he leaned down to slide an arm around her waist and pull her close. She fit against him almost perfectly, the warmth of her body felt thawing against his own. He paused in place when he caught the scent of wildflowers.

In his desperation to give Greta the perfect night, he hadn't realized that his plan might backfire. Still, his brain was on autopilot and he drew her body closer, his free hand clasping her own hand within it.

Another gulp before he managed to wet his lips enough to talk, "Just so you know, if you step on my toes I might hold it against you." He half-heartedly teased in an attempt to force himself to forget how he was so close he could see the light dusting of freckles dancing across her nose and cheeks. Merlin, she was so damn beautiful. Had she been anyone else he would have blamed her for the warmth in his chest every time he saw her.

Action: N/A.

Note: Thoughts Speech	Nabi's Dress: Reducio
The Great Hall 2024.10.19	Interaction Status: Owl me for interactions, please. Interacting: @Alyss Gilmour Mentions: Salami, the kitten | @Evpraksiya Vinogradova

Nabi quietly observed that Alyss' previous hesitant demeanor had become slightly calmer. The smile Alyss was giving her may seem natural to some who would not bat an eye to even a kitten in a small bat costume; however, for those well versed in the art of appearances, the smile looked forced.

Nabi had seen numerous forced smiles prior to Miss Alyss...

Alyss' timid reaction to her compliment did not go unnoticed by Nabi, not one to receive kind words hm? She hummed in response as she heard the girl's compliment and shook her head gently, " Thank you, Miss Alyss...no need to thank me, dear". With a soft nod, she listened to the blonde girl mention she had picked out the dress specifically for the ball, my mother would lecture you if she ever saw you in such a dress.... Observing as the young blonde boasted on her dress, Nabi noticed how the Alyss grew comfortable around her.

So you are one of those... Although Nabi has never been one to socialize and attempt to be well-liked, people would always react differently to her. Some would find comfort on her silence, others would find themselves holding their breaths in the tense air; as if they could disappear off the face of the earth. On rare occasions, there would be one; perhaps a damned soul or a troubled mind who found understanding in her silence.

Alyss did not appear to be one of those, no, she appeared to be one of few who found comfort in the absence of Nabi's words. Her child-like wonder began to emerge through the mask she was once facing Nabi with, and that most certainly did not go unnoted. The young girl spoke as if she was a wind-up doll, her movements lively. Nabi continued to silently observe her, you my dear, are quite the lively one... Alyss' gleeful demeanor seemed to make up for Nabi's silent one and Nabi decided to entertain the blonde girl for a moment longer.

It is not every day Nabi stumbles upon a person who enjoys her silence. She had grown accustomed to the gaze of adults, her mannerisms and speech resembled that of an adult. Never interested in any personal matters that did not pertain to her, she has learned to tune people out. This was not the case for Alyss as Nabi's curiosity on the small girl only grew more as Alyss' blithe nature shined.

Goodness, any bubblier and I may think you have had a bit more than just fruit punch, dear. Nabi nods and answers Alyss' inquiry,"Yes. I had signed up for the Murder Mystery part of the ball, Miss Alyss... I assume you are excited to see who the culprit could be then". Nabi continued to watch the young Alyss speak, having long forgotten her search for the overly sweet velvet cupcake. With a slight raise of an eyebrow, grey eyes observed her intently as if she were reading a book.

A bit nosy too...you remind me of someone...
Her eyes flicker away from Alyss in a blink of an eye as she glances at an old friend who was mingling with two other students before returning them back onto her.

Abilities: none
Stamina: 6 Evasion: 6 Strength: 5
Wisdom: 8 ArcPower: 5 Accuracy: 5

Actions: Continues to speak to Alyss
Items: Wand

Honestly, Eric didn't really know why grown ups danced like this either. It was...elegant? Aesthetically pleasing? Just overall more relaxing than usual more upbeat dancing? No the last one didn't make much sense he didn't feel more relaxed, frankly if anything he felt even more tense. Like he had to have perfect posture, perfect movement, all that sort of things that otherwise while yes Eric did take into account on a daily basis, didn't seem to be such a focus normally. "I don't know? They just do? It is common at events my family have attended. So I had to learn as well eventually." That hardly sounded like he WANTED to learn it. More like he had to do. More like...it was an obligation or a responsibility.

"But normally people just do that and then they get back to what they were doing before...which was really conversing mostly." He either paid no attention to such conversations, or found it irrelevant to go into detail about what that conversing was. He did seem to pause a bit in his movements as she complimented him. "I am not that smart...I just grew up with stuff like this, it just feels like any other usual event. And I am interested in learning new things, so I guess that does help..." Well props for being honest at least. Eric did find himself smiling a bit at her chuckle. It was clear, her happiness, or more so glee and excitement was very much contagious. He has never really been around someone as...carefree and as well...for the lack of a better word wild as Novalie was. And that was in a good way...surprisingly. And it was starting to influence his own temperament and behavior as well. He found it easier to talk to her, not being as uptight and just overall handling mostly anything she did quite alright. Be is running around, dragging him around, or stealing stuff from people apparently. Yes...the cupcake event will not be easily forgotten.

As she went on with the questions again he returned to having his attention on her no longer being lost in thought again. "Yeah, more like had to attend some with my parents since they were going." Once again that same sort of "had to", implying obligation or responsibility. "You didn't?" Well she most likely didn't given the earlier show of being a cupcake bandit and then this situation with the dance but...Worth a question maybe she was at other events that didn't require so much formality? And in that sense, he was clueless about her life and upbringing until now. While Novalie may be clueless in some aspects (like earlier), he was clueless now in terms of how others (especially from different blood status families) lived prior to Hogwarts.

October 19, Evening of the Gala.
Action: Eating a variety of food and attempted to hold onto companions so they don't get lost in the fog. Inventory: Wand, Wizard Camera
Outfit: Pastel yellow slacks, vest, tie, shoes, and silk headscarf. White button up.

Reducio

Interacting as approved Durmstrang Second Year Inpc Nikola Volka

To say that Nikolai didn't want to attend the festivities this evening was an understatement of the highest calibre. Nikolai didn't want to be in this school let alone enjoy celebrations, what pray tell was there to celebrate? Ever since the explosions that robbed Durmstrang of their headmistress he felt utterly empty. Despite having assisted Madhup in saving the lives of five students the weight of every life that was lost plagued his every thought. Her life more than any. Nikolai's family only went as far as his parents, never having met his grandparents they were so rarely discussed, for all he knew they were dead. Marishka was the closest thing he had ever imagined akin to having one, strict yet fair, stern but deeply devoted to her students.

What was once to be a night he had enthusiastically looked forward to now simply felt like a thinly veiled façade to pretend like everything was ok. Everything was not ok, far from it. Anger, vengeance, hurt, sorrow all boiled in the pit of his stomach brewing up a concoction that filled his lungs drowning him from the inside out. None more so than guilt. While his parents would have had nothing to do with this attack they instigated the very same techniques of terror and violence back in Russia and witnessing the true horror of it had left him hollow with nothing but devastation. His old name was forever linked with the death as allies. Death would follow him forever.

Yet Valentin was not one you could easily say no to and despite his urge to wallow in the grounds avoiding the tactless party he found himself stood beside the tall senior preparing to enter into the main hall he had heard many stories of. Thinking back he had recalled how much excitement the idea of seeing more of Hogwarts had inspired in him, a feeling that had fleeted away so far on the wind it was now unreachable. Looking up at the boy who had become one with him in blood and heart he spoke softly with the heaviness of the weight dimming his projection, "Well, the quicker we enter, the quicker I can leave right?" Nikolai didn't want to ruin Valentin's night but even the power of that wanting wasn't enough to get him to do little more than a shallow smile.

Upon entering the room seemed like a purebloods dream ball which only made Nikolai despise it more. Not even bothering to inspect it for any finer details he simply looked towards a large unoccupied table that was far enough away from the masses to hide in. Turning back to Valentin he said "I'll grab that table over there, feel free to join or go find the others. Either way I don't think I'll exactly be good company tonight. Best to take my mood elsewhere." Upon seeing the growing unease upon his white knight's face he let out a deep sigh and strained a smile with creased hurting eyes and added, "Please, don't try and stop me." Then holding the older boy's hands in his own he pressed his face into the cavity of his chest and held him in an embrace for a moment before pulling back light tears gracing the corners of his electric eyes giving them a richness.

"I love you Val but I don't know what to say. I'm not ok and yet I don't know what to say, I can't speak for how I feel, I can't possibly find the words. Maybe there aren't words. I just feel like shit and there's no way to show you but I know you want to see. I just don't know how to. And every time someone asks me how I am it's like I'm going to implode." While stepping back to speak his truth his eyes really took in the room and across the way he caught eyes with the rest of his Durmstrang family. Watching across the way as Hans and Astrid shared equally distraught looks he begged for the release of escaping to the far table and away from everyone. It wasn't that he was avoiding his dormmate, his brother, he just didn't have the words.

Fiddling with the lining of his black fustanella, that he had spent the last day completely reworking out of his old outfit, he stepped back from Valentin and doubtfully hoped he would accept his request making to move towards the lonely table. The clothes that draped around him had been the only comfort of the entire festivity. He had designed the robes based on a traditional Albanian design inspired by the heritage of their former headmistress, even the thought of referring to her as former filtered many tear stains onto the gown that had long since dried. Nikolai had worked long into the night on it as a token of respect for her sacrifice. It was clear that the boy was no tailor but in the end the product was something he managed to find pride in and in truth it was likely the most important thing he had ever created. There was a beautiful tragedy in the knowledge that one day soon he would have to wear it to her funeral.

Date: October 19 Word Count: 266/200 Action: Eating "jello salad" her wand is out.

Mentions: Reducio @Tesla Stone, @Meyra Lancaster, @Jun Mayumi Mochizuki, @Colin McCoireand @Elisa Wagner

English: #00b899 Spanish: #009919 French: #e69f3d Thoughts: Italics

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Lucy smiled at the newcomer, feeling safer now that he was here. He looked like he had been through a lot and knew how to save people, and that meant that he could save her if necessary. And it looked like it might be. Fog started appearing out of nowhere, and she nearly choked on her jello. This was way too spooky. "So this stuff is...normal? I'll never understand you British people." She shook her head, looking at Tes to see if she was scared. But nope, just trying to keep them together in the thickening fog. Lucy took out her wand, not sure what it could do, but knowing it could save her a little if she really wanted it to. It looked like she knew what she was doing at least. I'm fine. The food is fine. This isn't going to be like....no. Just don't think about it. But she was. The dead bodies, the terror, the fire. The nightmares since the pyre all came rushing back. No. Think about something happy. She willed herself to stop thinking about the pyre, and instead think about her home. The farmhouse. The chickens. Mom, dad, and Micheal. Quiet. With every breath, she calmed more. "Well, I'm glad I'm with you if anything goes wrong. You look like you could handle it." She informed Colin. Then she took another bite of the jello and held on to Tes. This was most likely something the planners had cooked up. "Not that this is bad." No use stating her inner anxieties. She was sure everything would be fine. Right?

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Stats:
stamina 5 | evasion 6 | strength 7
wisdom 7 | arc power 5 | accuracy 5
Ability: Werewolf

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norwegian ❅ russian ❅ english ❅ swedish

october 19 outfit [x][x][x][x]

Hans Jenssen (@Archer Duncan)

i'm gonna keep on dancing - at the pink pony club

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She was scrutinising the food of that fourth table. The more she was reading the signs, the more disgusted was the look on her face. The "TV-dinners" looked like a perfect representation of how she had imagined food in muggle sci-fi books. The JELL-O and the spam... she could cry. Space food, there was a reason for it to look that way so it was fine. She scrunched her nose and whispered to herself, looking at the spam. "Why would anyone want to eat that" Astrid didn't even eat meat that often but that was a crime to every animal that ended up in that thing. She sighed, sadly looking at the table. That table was a crime to food. Then someone approached, first familiar face of the night, Hans. Like her, he looked very disappointed about that fourth table, and also sad because of what had happened the other day. He tapped her shoulder lightly, his grin shadowed by the grief they shared. "Hey Astrid." She offered him a small smile. "Hey." He sighed, lost in thoughts before saying "It feels impossible to find anything enjoyable these days, doesn't it? This school is just..." She scoffed, fidgeting with her rings. "You can say it, this school is shit. I usually come for the drama, but not that much drama" Hans grabbed a chocolate bar labelled "Snickers" and handed it to her. "I suggest you eat. It will make you feel better." Astrid smiled with sad eyes, accepting the bar but putting it down on the table. She looked back at the boy, explaining "Thank you but... I don't trust the food here. Last year I started saying nonsense after drinking something, and I know that other people were doing weird things after eating here." She looked back at the table, and some things did look good but not enough for the girl to actually want to eat it. Plus, all that was way to macabre only a few days after the attack. "So yeah, I'm not eating or drinking anything from here. I appreciate the gesture, though."

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Inventory wand
Action refusing to eat
sta ● 11 | eva ● 9 | str ● 6 | wis ● 10 | arc ● 7 | acc ● 10
fearless - obnoxiously strong - keen eye - charmer
Post 1 - 2

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Mentions: @Sanguinius Demarest

English | thoughts	Date: 16/10/2024
Outfit: Reducio	OOC Notes: Reducio Permission from @ Sanguinuis Demarest to godmod his character. Abilities: Sixth Sense code made by 𝑅𝑒𝓎&𝐿𝒾'𝓈 𝑅𝑒𝓂𝒶𝓇𝓀𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒𝓈

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Elena felt her irritation grow with every second. The boy across her, crowned in fainted gold, let his icy eyes linger on her face, particularly on the shadows underneath her eyes. Her jaw clenched, eyes narrowing. People often thought they were a product of late study nights - a common misconception, one she didn't correct. She never mentioned the real cause, never shared the haunting presence of shadows that always seemed to follow her, no matter how far she ran. Crazy, they whispered, as they chased her down the halls. Shame, downfall- Blinking those thoughts away, she turned her focus back to the golden boy and his inquisitive stare. Not fighting the urge to roll her eyes at him anymore, she sighed as he went on and on about Gryffindor pride. "Is this your idea of a pep talk, or do you actually think anyone cares?" She raises an eyebrow, amused. The boy's arrogance had almost become comical. He always seemed to act as if there were thousands of eyes aimed at him. Tragic hero. Or at least he thinks so. She scolded herself for her thoughts. It wasn't like her to be so mean. But she didn't know why, he had a special way of getting on her nerves. And he seemed to like that, given by the irritating grin that never left his face. She cracked a smile at his reaction to her nickname, but it quickly vanished as he made a comment about her height. Of all things... Really ? Taking a deep breath, she flashed an irritated smile. "Original, Demarest. But points for trying." His laughter only spurred her annoyance further, as she looked around for an escape. I might actually punch him. "A trophy ?" She scoffed. "Is that how your parents see you ? It explains why you keep trying to shine so hard. Polish yourself all you want. It doesn't hide what's underneath." Her words were sharp, but his grin widened, almost as if her retort was exactly what he hoped. Tilting her head, she nodded. "I do enjoy a good mystery, yes." Please please please, let me be in any group but his, she silently pleaded. She had a feeling luck would be against her. Elena was left speechless by his description of hunting. He must have been from an ancient family if he still took part in such barbaric traditions. She always felt a sting in a heart while watching movies, as the stag was shot through the heart and his head mounted on a wall. Her parents taught her to love and respect living beings, and hunting wasn't in that picture. But she did enjoy a different kind of hunting, the one they were about to take part in. Investigations, the thrill of analysing, of discovering, of understanding. As a child, she devoured Sherlock Holmes and every other detective stories. She would listen to her father talk about his job, sparkles in her eyes. Elena did loved that kind of hunt, and she wasn't going to let him win. "We'll see about that." She replied coolly. A short gasp escaped her lips as smoke invaded the room, wrapping them in sudden darkness. Only making out Demarest's silhouette, she took a small step back, panic slowly creeping inside her. This is real, it's daytime, you're awake. Mentally easing herself, she took short silent breaths, waiting for the smoke to go away. It wasn't that she didn't like the darkness, it had become her companion. But the sudden smoke blinding was too sudden, and resembled in a deranging way to her shadows. Startled as her drink was ripped from her hand, she suddenly felt Demarest's fingers slipping into hers. Strangely, the sudden touch grounded her, comforting until his smug voice shattered the moment, bringing her irritation back. "I'd rather step on my own foot." She flashed a sarcastic smile while she withdrew her hand. "But thank you for the offer." As the stars lit up the room, she suddenly remembered she - and him, sadly - was supposed to be somewhere else. Damn it. Yanking him with her, she rushed out of the room. "Move, Demarest !" She commanded, walking them out of the room, hand wrapped around his elbow. "I'm not letting you ruin the most interesting event of tonight."

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Word Count: ---/200
Stats: Sta 6 / Ev 7 / Str 4 / Wis 6 / Arc 6 / Acc 6
Action :

Elena and Sanguinuis are leaving the ball.

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Interactions: Mentions: Technically not spotting @Irina Cawthorne and @Nico Romano, but tagging the two of you anyway so you know my post is up

Date: 19th October Location: Great Hall

Outfit: x

- Gala of Mysteries -

Cass Ito was not really one for planning things in advance, unless it involved 100 buckets of water placed on every door in the school in the heat of summer to give everyone a lovely refreshing soak they may not have asked for but would be getting now. So when they saw the ball poster (and throughout the whole process of planning the thing) they had absolutely no plans for who to go with. The whole "date" thing didn't even occur to them. What did you mean there were people who had spent days on their outfits and coordinated with their friends and things? Cass had just pulled a random nice shirt, jacket and pants and then walked down with zero planning involved. They hadn't even done their hair, although it at least didn't have any twigs in it today. Were they on theme? Of course. Their outfit was black and white at least.

Their decidedly-not-a-plan for the ball was to just head down there and find one of their friends to bug. Maybe they would get to see some faces they would recognise from summer camp, or meet some of the students that had travelled over from international schools. Hopefully they were finding the ball pretty cool. A lot of Cass's award winning ideas, if they did say so themselves, like throwing pumpkins at students as they walked in just to really set the spooky atmosphere, had not been received particularly well. Which was a shame, but even without the pumpkin projectiles, the ball was looking pretty awesome. A lot of the people they had passed on the way down fit the theme perfectly, with lots of people in detective coats and hats or long dresses and even longer gloves.

They weren't even there yet and they could tell that this was going to be an awesome night. Once they saw the doors flung wide open and got their first look at the ball though, their mouth formed a tiny o shape. Yes, they had known what to expect, but everything all together and students filling the hall was quite the sight to see.

Currently closed for interaction unless you are Nico or Irina
Action: Entering the ball
Stamina: 8 | Evasion: 6 | Strength: 4 | Wisdom: 6 | Arcpower: 5 | Accuracy: 6
Parselmouth | Evasive Maneuvers