The Masquerade Ball Event Closed

Mentions: @Erin Ryan
Interactions: @Quinn Healy

Action: Cast flippendo point blank at Quinn.

Interactions:
Mentions: @Quinn Healy, @Erin Ryan, @Oliver Hart, @Reid Kovacs, @Adam Harringtom, and @Serena Towers

Interacting with @Caradoc Browne & @Elliot Price
Mentions the Kaegen Deathmote, Olphie Bercegeay, Alaric Equinox group leaving

Zahid was still not used to the House system at Hogwarts, so he merely gave a slightly sheepish shrug in acknowledgement of Caradoc's comment on badger pride. “I suppose. I am still a wee bit bewildered by the school's House system. But it is not too different to rivalries between differing fraternities at a university?” Cocking his head in thought, he continued in a mumble to himself. “though I am not even sure my university had fraternities...”

Well, he supposed it didn't matter. He was not at the school for that long a time yet, he would get accustomed to the system in due time. It was one thing to hear about something and another to see it let alone experience it, after all.

Noticing their Potions Professor approaching them, Zahid gave him a nod in greeting. “Ah, Professor Price, good evening. - It was Price, was it not? If not, I apologize.” He had had even less interaction with Elliot Price than with Caradoc... though he ought to admit that it was likely his own fault. He was not exactly the most social person. “ How are you?”

A trip for a history lesson? Well, he was a history professor so he would have to join, would he not? It would surely be interesting – and a trip should at least ensure that the young ones stayed awake to learn about history (hopefully). Not that he had really had problems with students falling asleep in his classes, but he remembered one of his classmates snoring away half their classes when he was younger... He slightly shook his head to dislodge the thought, no need to jinx himself.

Shrugging his shoulder as he contemplated Caradoc's other question, Zahid smiled. “I have heard worse, though it would certainly not be my first choice. I do not play any instruments... I had some lessons when I was younger but I fear my talents lay elsewhere.” He was tempted to simply answer in the negative as he felt that would be more accurate but as that could be construed as a lie – as experience had taught him – he had elaborated. “What about you?” He asked both his colleagues.

Glancing around for a moment, he noted the Astronomy and Flying professors leaving the room with the student(s) involved. That situation had indeed been taking care of, then. Good. He hoped the nothing else would happen but somehow he feared they would not be that lucky. But he did not take a proper look around (yet) as he turned back to his conversation with his two fellow Hufflepuff professors.

Mask | Suit

Open to Interactions

Boniface was fashionably late, and not even for a good reason. He hadn't spent hours being indecisive about what to wear, or adjusting and then readjusting his tie a thousand times over. Nor had he stared at himself in the mirror, dreading a large social event. No, Boniface was late for no reason at all, other than "just because".

There was no harm done, however, From what he briefly witnessed on his way in, he wasn't missing anything spectacular. There was drama, which he was getting the feeling as though that was more than normal here at this school. All due respect to those involved, because he knew that feeling well. He was no stranger to the strange ways of Hogwarts, even if it did feel as though the school harbored an ungodly amount of strange people. No, Boniface knew that quite well, thank you.

He would stand awkwardly, at first, near the back of the room, appearing almost stand-offish. Not necessarily in an unwelcoming manner, but more so in the sense that he wasn't looking for interaction. That was when he decided to put on his game face and face the battle head-on.

Even when Boniface was in his teenage years, social gatherings of any kind weren't his thing. But he knew how important this was for the school... Ilvermorny was meant to impress them, they were meant to impress Ilvermorny... Ya-da ya-da ya-da... Yeah, he knew the drill. He couldn't necessarily blame the wizarding world for being so elitist (in a sense), given that as a whole, this community wasn't the norm. However, it was just like a private school out in the muggle world when they competed with other private schools. The situation wasn't unique to the wizarding world.

Very fitting for the herbology professor, his mask resembled that of a tree. Equally so, his suit felt very old fashioned. He had found a jacket in the back of his closet that was decorated with sequins in the shape of a tree, though he didn't want to distract from what was on his face. That was the most effort that he found himself putting into his outfit. He did look pretty sharp, though.

mask
suit

As Teiki Laurent | @Katrina Walker (Iris) | Open to interactions

Teiki nodded as Iris talked about the school. Well, at least the Hogwarts students weren't going to Ilvermorny. Personally, she loved food and wouldn't go and lose that to have some 'experience.' But she had already signed up now, so she didn't really know if she could actually back up.

"Well, it's nice to know we're the ones that have the parties." Teiki smiled, realizing she didn't entirely agree with what she just said. She would be perfectly fine to not have any social interactions, but where her talkative nature was going, she doubted there was any turning back. Wow, a lot of decisions I apparently regret. Well, that's fun.. I guess.

"Ha! You've been here about as long as I have. So, I've made some friends, and met some people, but honestly, haven't really have any experiences. Nothing that compares to just watching the events at this ball." Speaking of which, Teiki noticed another fight breaking out. This time it was between a girl and a boy, both quite strong it seemed, by the people falling over from simply being pushed by them. Teiki glanced down at her stick arms, a little ashamed. Teiki noticed that Iris seemed disturbed by the werewolf/vampire/who knows what people here.

"So, they don't have many halfbreeds or other races at Ilvermorny? I've heard a little about the student population of the school, but not much really." Teiki shrugged, tilting her head slightly as she looked up at Iris. The girl seemed nice, but she didn't really know what to think at the moment.

Too many distractions.

@Lamik Fillestar

She was aware of Lamik at her shoulder, asking her if she was okay and if she needed anything, but she couldn't form words. She didn't have the time to try and sort them out. However, as her strained eyes scanned the enormous hall, she could find nothing but people. "Yes... can... help. Find... window... I go there," she panted, hoping the boy could understand her. She continued looking for a window. If she couldn't get to one soon, she could pass out.

Her mind sharpened once more when she realized this. There was no time to be in pain. She refused to make a fool out of herself. And yet, she was a fool. A fool to come to this stupid ball. She'd known all along that it was a bad idea, and yet here she was. A few weeks before she had come to Hogwarts, the people at the wizard hospital had advised her- do not put yourself under too much physical or emotional strain a few days before or after your transformation. But of course, tonight she'd put herself under both. They had also said that sitting near a window during the night time might help. She turned to Lamik, who she hoped had been looking as well. "Any luck?"

Interacting w/ @Serena Towers | Open to other interactions

Why is it that terrible things happen when students gather? Reckless children with more power than they need; more than they deserve. Incapable, but for the most part unwilling to control their magic, their wrath and their rage. When they gather, it is like a volatile cauldron set upon a flame, all it needs is to be stirred ever so slightly for a disastrous result.

There was some semblance of joy at this ball. Many of the teens were enamored by the mystery of it all. A chance to dress up. A chance to play a different role. To be someone else. Before Kaegen's outburst, the students milled into the dance hall. Some of the children were immediately recognizable, such as @Aldai Rodbecause her hijab was a unique fashion statement that remained consistent despite her now formal attire. Another being @Rowan Bane, while not in that wheeled monstrosity but rather with crutches and leg braces, the well-dressed student was an obvious stand out. Injury and deformity were rare among witches and wizards, with magic their ability to heal and improve exceeded science. 

Many of the students were surprisingly fashionable, they looked like they should have been  on a runway rather than a dance hall in their school. This was for some, a first date. For others, perhaps their last date. Some of the students troubled to find their friends and their paramours, many of the students were indistinguishable in their ball room disguise. Those that hid their faces well were the concerning ones. The ability to hide their face also gave them the ability to obfuscate their trespasses and their intentions behind a bit of wood or feathers or porcelain. Anonymity gave cowards the gall to do what they never would if they had to attach their face and reputation to the reputable act. 

That would be why Lazarus insisted. Lazarus was more than a showman, he was a fraud. Solomon would know, in that regard they are one in the same. And now the foreign professor was late to his own gathering, typical of a drama queen. 

Well, not really. Solomon and Lazarus were not friends nor were they on good terms. 

A few hours earlier in Solomon's office:

"You were not at the gates." There was a tone of accusation in the voice of Lazarrus Plott as he stormed into the Headmaster's office. Lazarus Plott was dressed gregariously, a long purple cloak fluttered behind him, the cloth enchanted to do so for an improved presence. His high-collared tunic, an embroidered cloth of a deep cherry hue. A large, heavy chain around his neck housed a massive pendant, an amulet of some sort. It would appear he was getting ready for the ball but that was not the case, this was merely his normal attire for the most part.

"The gates..." Solomon repeated as he lifted his head to look up at the red-faced foreign headmaster. "No, I wasn't," he confirmed as he set his gaze back down on the scroll he was writing.

"And why not?" It almost sounded childish coming from the wizard.

"Because... I have better things to do," he replied bluntly. "Please leave, I have work to do before the ball. The students wanted a band called "Bayne" and "Bain" maybe "Payne"..." he sighed. "I don't know, probably some boy band. The floo network seems to be experiencing some sort of difficulty so I am trying to find a means by which I can get them here without apparition," he explained with a frown. "Apparently two of the band members get apparition-sick and are requesting an alternative means of transportation," Solomon's office fireplace was attached to the floo network and it was through there he had intended to provide ingress to the band. 

"What a shame," Lazarus replied with what sounded like sarcasm. "You realize how delicate something like a floor network is. How dangerous such connections could be?" He stepped closer to the Headmaster's desk. "You realize that I know Solomon," Headmaster Plott claimed.

"Know about what?" Solomon asked as he gently placed his quill down.

"About your wife... your daughter and what you did... Your son..." This was a threat.

A breath of air left the old man, he looked even older for a moment. He stopped what he was doing and stood up. They were about the same height, six foot. In  many regards, less the youthful flamboyant appearance of one contrasted with the older, gristled, armored facade of the the other. "No you don't. And forget. What. You. Think. You. Know." Solomon clearly and slowly instructed. 

"I know that you're a fraud. You know that you are a fraud. Because of that, you are going to help me. Tit for tat as they say. I scratch your back and you scratch mine... I am doing you such a favor keeping your secret, and all I need from you is a little favor as well--"

What happened after that point can be left to the imagination for now.

The students would know nothing of the tensions a few hours earlier. In fact, Solomon's office was presently locked and had been the rest of the afternoon. He took no visitors. No callers. 

The headmaster's fingers walked restlessly along his hips, his right hand occasionally rested on the hilt of his sword. A sword was a curious accessory to wear to this diversion, yet it was assumed by most less @Miko Limof to simply be a reflection of the famously eccentric Hogwarts Headmaster.

The armored headmaster was temporarily distracted when a lady in red entered. His eyes , the only part of his face that was visible widened a bit and his gaze was temporarily fixated on the girl, no woman that entered the dance floor. Solomon was not known for paying a great deal of attention to the female portion of the faculty for fear of being accused of an indiscretion. It was different when he was younger and ashamedly when he was married, but he was a changed man. He had a wandering eye and wandering hands back then but age and the consequences of his many mistakes were powerful forces of change for the apparent old man. 

There was also a few conspicuous youths, such as one that decided to dress in a pumpkin costume. An obvious prankster, probably troublemaker. The Headmaster did not want an incident here, at least an incident that he had not planned. The vision of the poorly attired youth distracted the armored professor from staring at Professor @Elane Pendrast any longer. He took a deep breath. The girth of that pumpkin costume could likely hold a few dozen stink bombs or something similarly nefarious. He let out an audible groan as he took a step forward. He did not want to manage these European kids. At least the kid was obvious about the fact that he was a mule for contraband he reasoned. It would ruin everything. Immediately after he entered, another youth wearing a sheet of paper on his face entered, making a mockery of this event addressed him. Already the young 'pumpkin' was attracting other students  such as @Adlai Rod and @Dan Palmer. The barefooted lad (Dan) even conjured the trouble-maker a mask [how?].

A deep frown emerged from behind his mask. He should have felt relieved, he found the trouble-makers early on. The masked Headmaster would approach @Jake Morris (Pumpkin Boy) and @Lamik Fillestar (Paper Face). The clang of metal was muted by the sounds of screaming death metal rock music. "Excuse me boys," the Headmaster said. "EXCUSE ME BOYS!" He repeated a second time as he attempted to shout over the music. "EMPTY YOUR POCKETS" Well, what pockets they might have had. The Professor gestured with his arms for Jake to parrot him as he extended both his arms to either side and them lowered them onto his sides miming the fact that he wanted Jake to pat down his pumpkin body. 

He expected a flagon of firewater, a few phials of potions or perhaps some dung bombs to be hidden within the confines of that pumpkin body. While the flattering silhouette of Dr Eggman might appeal to -some- strange young girls, The Headmaster saw it more likely that it was in fact a vessel by which the boy carried the tools necessary for deviants (such as himself) to cause a ruckus as this masquerade. "I don't want you boys causing any trouble here," he ordered. Presuming that there was no "contraband" on either person the boys would see the masked adult hesitate, as if he was not entirely certain he had been tricked before he would exhale in a single word "you'refreetogoboys."

While not purposeful on their part, they had given evil an opportunity to slip into the hall. And no, it was not Kaegen. That had not even started yet. Due to the distraction, the Headmaster would not see a tight group of students a bit too tall to be human enter the ballroom...

The first would enter immediately after @Serena Bowen, pretty little girl in a yellow dress. There had been rumors of giants causing a muck during the last ball, however their part in the fiery shenanigans was not witnessed by the staff. He was tall, taller than @Quinn Healy by about three inches and also blonde, unlike both the massive red-head and the dark-haired part-giant @Hugh Lowe. He was dressed well in a navy suit with a silver tie as well as a boutonniere with a small arrangement of dried herbs. His hands were gloved and his face was covered almost entirely with a silver mask.

A second would enter immediately before @Illowy Magnard. This one a female, about 6 and a half feet in height. Blue dress and long blonde hair, pretty but very tall. Short for a part-giant, but tall for a human girl. She wore a white mask with some pretty swirling details. She was by far, not the most beautiful girl at the ball, there were others who had spent a small fortune on their attire and while hers was nice it was comparatively quite simple and daresay cheap. She was not touching her fellow giant, she merely arrived around the same time as he.

As @Illowy Magnard found company in @Christopher Madison, she would share some pleasantries and give him a bit of a warning. Illowy had lived through previous gatherings. There was something about the consolidation of youths at Hogwarts and impending disaster that she felt she needed to pass onto the young man and pass them on she did. While this was happening, the third and final part-giant would enter the masquerade ball.

The irony of the fact that the girl was discussing matters that had happened at the Blossom Ball in front of one of the causes. The third, and final part giant entered immediately in front of @Ruthie Greer and her silvery dress entered the ball. This third part-giant was not dressed exceptionally well, he wore a tuxedo and cloak with red satin lining and a white mask. [Picture]. He would join the semi-circle of part giants in a sea of mingling students.

Ruthie Greer found @Jorah Moussa, unaware of how close to peril she actually was. Jorah was already there. Jorah was fumbling like a love-struck fool, one would have thought that the air was tainted with a love potion. It wasn't, really it wasn't... This was just the consequence of getting a bunch of teenagers and almost teens into the same room for a couple of hours.

The part giants were on the hunt. Last school hosted Ball, the Blossom Ball, was the occasion of a failed kidnapping and the brazen actions of a handful of part giants that did not seem to be members of the school. For whatever reason they had decided to infiltrate the school during a time of increased activity. They did it then because of the confusion, because they would not be noticed in a crowd even if they were a stand out. They were just some big kid that nobody recognized. The same was the case here as well. Now they were watching for that lone gazelle in a sea of students. That child that nobody would miss.

@Lark Flaer entered the ball looking for her date, @Dale Kurt. She would of course find him but their time would not be spent alone. Shortly after they found each other, @Koko Riddle entered the ball and seemed drawn to the duo. Things were not perfect, they never were in terms of love and romance. Lark would pull away from her date and the girl shortly after meeting up. She was second-guessing love, her relationship with Dale and what her actual feelings were. It was a conversation she should have been having with Dale but she wasn't. She was never a good target, she came with a date and now she was being surrounded by friends near the food and drinks. A small group of girls involving @Serena Davies and @Elzabeth Gillan .

@Rowen Banes and @Miko Limof would also meet up. Thankfully the punch was not spiked with anything concerning this time. During the Blossom ball they had admitted their feelings for one another while under the influence of a powerful truth potion. Their gravitated towards each other rather quickly, while the trio were equal opportunity kidnappers, they were not leaving them an adequate opportunity.

Genevieve Davis (dNPC played by Lark Flaer) arrived late to the ball and late for her date with Hunter Reyes (dNPC played by Elzabeth Gillan). Things would go better for these two, at least in comparison to some of the others. At least in terms of the part giant interest and their personal blossoming romance, but not for other reasons. Mixed bloods like them with their ties to the muggle world and the wizarding world, were dangerous. Thankfully Arslan Frost (dNPC wizardborn student played by Alma Malvado) arrived with Timothy Grey (dNPC wizardborn student played by Marcia Kingsleigh) in tow. The masked Headmaster would give the duo a long glance. He was relieved to see the two of them there.

The Headmaster would approach the duo "...Boys," he would state. His voice muffled by his mask but the pair would know who they were speaking to. "Make sure that your classmates meet up with some purebloods and wizard-borns for the love of Merlin."

@Dan Palmer would walk away from Jake just before the Headmaster started to interrogate the poor boy. Dan was dressed well in almost every regard, except for one. The boy must not have ever read the signs - no shirt, no shoes, no service. Before he met back up with his date, he would be intercepted by @Piérre Marchonné. He endeavored to make some small talk about Dan's attire, making a muggle joke only a select few non-pureblood (and unlikely wizardborn) students would understand. That is until @Piérre Marchonné was distracted by @Kaegen Deathmote and @Dan Palmer  was distracted by his date @Oswald Vanigton. This would prove to be a long evening of romance for Dan and Oswald despite the fact that the rest of the dance would devolve into chaos and Piérre inserted himself into the Kaegen-drama (see below) .

Poor traumatized @Serena Towers entered the ball. She looked like an easy target, just how she carried herself. Eyes were on her from the moment she entered the ball from the giant trio as they quietly monitored her ingress. They considered acting but Serena had found a fellow Hufflepuff to mingle with, @Adlai Rod. They made small talk. The partnership she had made had just saved her from this trauma.

Cyrus 'Cy' Darsel (NPC played by Koko Riddle) entered the ball a gilded bird. He was not intercepted by any girl or boy, he was alone. A potential target has been identified.

Well... was.

The headmaster would point towards Cyrus with his gloved hand. "The muggleborn there for instance" he was directing  Arslan Frost (dNPC wizardborn student played by Alma Malvado) arrived with Timothy Grey (dNPC wizardborn student played by Marcia Kingsleigh) to 'help' the boy ingratiate himself with the wizarding world. "Or those two" he gestured towards

Hunter Reys (dNPC Elzbeth Gillian) and Vi (dNPC played by Lark Flaer).

He was obviously being watched, Cyrus was not a viable target.

"Oppa Gangnam Style!"

Simon Belanger (dNPC played by Max) shouted, his muggle showing in his plague-doctor mask. The glass in the armored headmaster's hand shattered as he mentally slapped himself in the forehead. What was the idiot muggle child thinking! He was never going to attract... The Headmaster would have made his way over to the youngster and rebuke the boy. There was a reason that these American muggleborns and mixed bloods were sent across the ocean to another school, far from their muggle parents and homes. It was not to continue their muggle ways. 

He was furious, ready to pull the boy from the dance before he made a fool of himself. His position in the American magical society was tenuous at best, being a first generation wizard he was split between two worlds. Muggles were dangerous. Muggles did not belong in magical society and every time these muggle borns returned to their muggle families, they put themselves as well as the school in peril.

The Headmaster would be diverted when he was approached ...by a girl. A girl!How? He was not going to question teenage idiocy, he was just grateful as he stopped in his tracks only three steps in. @Alexx Séverin was a pureblood, not that he knew that as he stopped but Hogwarts had an unusual concentration of purebloods and wizard borns but more than that, their most likely means of future communication would be through magical means as their schools was what connected them. Fine, the kid has a pass.

The Headmaster would back up to his previous place on the dance-floor. He had a good vantage point from there.

@Aphrodite Bloom entered the ball. Another girl, another not so easy target. She was approached by @Brielle Gray and Brielle's date would enter soon thereafter. @Gem Stuart must have gotten fall picnics in preppy attire mixed up with wizarding balls, he was at the later but had dressed fr the former. Everyone, less the unfortunate chap in a pumpkin suit and possibly @Kyle DeRook had out-dressed him but thanks to near teen hormones, hopefully his date would not care. She totally did not care, it was all meetings and greetings and awkward moments from here on. There were no lonesome gazelles among them to pounce. That was how these giants hunted, they sought the person nobody would miss. Like @Rosie Turner. The question of course was why? Why would giants be kidnapping students and taking them away to a cottage that fringed the woods?

Simply put -- they were told to.

But by whom? There were a few students that knew the truth, namely @Arc Perscivious, @Raine Sage and @Rosie Turner. Last year at the Blossom Ball a part giant stranger absconded with Rosie and a terrible fate nearly befell her. They were working with hags or at the very least, short, gross, old women. The reason why was never discovered but with quick-thinking Rosie was saved. There were no obvious hags in the room but there were a few extra part giants in the ballroom.

@Kyle DeRook looked like he fell out of the edgiest laundry bin ever. His clothes choices alone kept the giants at bay, it would be like kidnapping a traffic cone. He was looking for @Santario Martin. Not that Santario noticed him immediately, she was more interested in getting a non-poisoned drink. Rather, he attracted another girl, @Catriona Staverly. She was better dressed and more put together than the rebellious Gryffindor but she, like Kyle was also dateless. Ultimately @Santario Martin would draw the lycanthrope away from Catriona and outside the  ballroom and beyond the part-giants reach although there was a brief consideration that perhaps the duo should be followed. 

@Dinara Lucey would enter the ball looking frightful. She was an obvious target, the two giant males eyed the obviously mentally deficient young lass. They whispered between each other, what they said? How about her? Dinara understood the scary concept of Halloween quite well. The part giant in a silver mask took a step forward but Dinara was intercepted by a fellow Hufflepuff, @Leah Isbell. Leah tried to start some small talk with the girl as well as a young Gryffindor, @Jürgen Hess who was trying a bit too hard to get her attention. He did not seem particularly effective at getting it but that was what persistence was for. Leah's attention was more fleeting than Jürgen's it would seem. After a comment about being sleeping beauty, Leah would wander off into the thick of this fete. She too would have been something to snatch up, there was no prize for picking up a smart youth, but sadly the village idiot (Jürgen) was attracted immediately to a like soul. The giant in a cloak would point at Leah and whisper to his fellow part-giant. The girl was a damn ping pong, she had another person in her sights it would seem. 

@Rosie Parker, @Quinn Healy's date entered the ball with @Dympha Teague. She would ultimately find her massive date, he was like a flagpole in a schoolyard. Nobody was going to mess with her except perhaps an unstable Slytherin but her attention would soon be drawn elsewhere. The silver masked part-giant would give the like-stature young man a curt nod of his head. He was simply standing there waiting and watching for an opportunity. There would be no opportunity, @Marissa North would make her way over to the small group as well as @Reid Kovacs.

@Max Avery was incredibly well-dressed. He had taken @Phaedra Stavrou. He was right to feel nervous as he looked over at the headmaster dressed in full armor with a blade. It would appear that the headmaster was expecting something. That said, he had better things to worry about, like impressing his pretty date. Indeed he was, but it was not the giants. He never made eye contact with them. In fact he seemed to have almost no interest in them. Rather he moved about restlessly as his eyes rested upon the band that was playing death metal music. 

@Thora Larkson entered the ball. While well attired, social anxiety can still be a thing. Wearing a mask allowed her to be who she chose, to have an iota of confidence. Yet sadly, not tonight. She found herself a corner and waited (as well as hoped) to be recognized. 

Delia Finch (iNPC) entered the ball, scantly clad compared to most of the other party-goers, and asked Don (iNPC) to dance. Don, donning one of the most popular costumes of the evening (the jester) would pull his date/girlfriend onto the dance floor.

@Saskia Nicholson entered the ball, she was going with @Ayden White. Little did she know, she had a fan in Lamik even if he was an embarrassing sight to behold with his paper mask. In fact, the pairing of Ayden and Saskia caught @Lamik Fillestar's attention. It was a bit cruel, Aideen's interest in Lamik was not only not reciprocated but Lamik failed to appreciate the feelings of the interested party before him. There was no consideration for her feelings and how she would take his longing gaze. That would have ran anyone off really. @Aideen Ryan saw that look and it was not only cruel but it was embarrassing - being the second pick, not being a pick at all. She fled. He did not understand, had he tried for a moment he would have understood but that was the problem with not thinking - you become thoughtless...

The girl would have made a fine target had Lamik not pursued. He would have been responsible for her death as well because of his thoughless and selfish considerations.

@Asteria Kurokawa was approached by @Eugenia De la Cruz, just a pair of people-watchers. 

Evanore Fairclay (dNPC River Dewlight) entered the dance alone. Another Ilvermorny student. Another one under the watchful gaze of the masked and armored headmaster.

@Griseldis Edelhardt entered the dance alone, wearing colorful attire and knocking over a glass shortly after entry. Her mask fell off. Her? The two larger gentlemen whispered between each other. Yes, her... A moment of discussion between the two of them and the cloaked young man would break away from his comrade. A smirk plastered on his face that was visible beneath the border of the mask. He would make his way over to the Prefect. His hand would hover over her shoulder. It was massive. Then as if on cue, @Alan Noble used her clumsiness as a way to initiate a conversation. Blocked again.

@Thea Knott being as extra as always had found her way into the ball. Briefly alone, as the Kaegen situation devolved concurrently with other events she would find herself in the company of Jeremiah Lucero (dNPC played by Saskia Nichols). The Headmaster would nod approvingly.

...everyone one of them was coupled up or being actively monitored by at least one person. This was not going to be nearly as easy as they had hoped. 

Then entered @Xailah Alptraum, and she was here to steal. Unfortunately for her, there was this strange lack of silver after the last major event in Hogwarts. Fingerfoods became a must for the next (well, this) gathering. Xailah was also looking for someone, but she would have a hard time finding that special man here. After all, they were all in masks and varied finery. Gloves were not out of the question and even if he was bare handed there was a lot of hands here and it would take her time as well as a lot of awkward explanations to find her man. Of course there was something else that made him a stand out, something that was not quite so easy to hide. The man she was looking for was dang huge. He was about Quinn's height last year and this year he was several inches taller, not that Xailah would know that. In fact, she would have to address a few giants if she were to find the right one such as @Quinn Healy who was here with Rosie and @Hugh Lowe if the boy showed up. There was a sprinkling of part-giants throughout the dance floor.

Xailah was a bit of a stand out. In fact she was terrifying in her ANBU mask, chicken-wire fence skirt, bloomers and clawed gloves. She very much looked like the defender of Hogwarts, nobody was going to mess with her. In fact the Headmaster looked at her and part of his soul tried to flee his body in fright. His hidden face contorted into a confused and concerned expression as he wondered what sort of mental illness precipitated the creation of... that. The giant who had an unpleasant interaction with the weird little girl recognized her. He was the one wearing a cloak. Another whispered exchange, that one was the one that cut me.

Of course Xailah's hunt for the masked giant would have to wait. She made a fatal error bringing Schrodinger to this ball, it attracted attention. Namely @Leah Isbell, the human ping-pong ball who had already interfaced with two others. she was unwittingly the savior of a few unfortunate girls here at the ball without her knowing.  The poor girl had been fluttering through companions throughout the evening, finding her person - be it friend or romantic interest was not only difficult but it would prove to be a journey. It also served as a deterrent for the part giant.

By the time 'Solomon' was done dealing with the troublemaker boys (and likely found nothing amiss somehow) the ballroom population would have more than doubled. Professor @Hjørdis Jensen was fashionably late, and fashionable as always. Her mask did almost nothing to hide her identity. She had every right to be worried at this party, gatherings such as these seemed to invite trouble. This dance would surely be no exception. Witch women just looked fantastic. Focus man... Focus.

@Eris Fawley entered the ball with her date, @Adam Harringtom

.

@Maggie Parker was there with @Grayson Ackley, although her attention had been diverted to @Dale Kurt while his date @Lark Flaer was away.

@Josephine Salvatore would be one of the few that would enter alone, lost in a sea of students. @Heather Ruby and @Andrew Vance would also arrive together.

They were not going to be taking anyone out of the ball. Change of plans.

There were many parts in this unraveling drama. The most obvious being @Kaegen Deathmote whose very presence caused the concoction to bubble. He was being pursued by @Aurelia Notrésvace and the former Prefect was being white knighted by a complete stranger @Jack Warren. A simple apology cost nothing, it was merely a verbal acknowledgement that someone or something was wronged, that they were in the wrong. Am apology was also a promise that in the future the wrong doer would pick another path. The assertion that if things could have been done all over again that it would have been done differently.

Kaegen Deathmote was not sorry. He could have lied. It would have cost him nothing to do so and his words, as hollow as they might have been, would have put the Gryffindor's mind at ease. A promise... an apology... was hardly a binding agreement. There was nothing that would compel Kaegen to honor his words. Rather he fled and Auriella pursued. She demanded something that could not be forced, it has to be given freely or not at all. Her efforts would be futile and fruitless as well as dangerous. @Xailah Alptraum had warned the girl about what would happen if Kaegen was cornered. The boy was near feral and if cornered the boy would have to fight.

The crowd might have had passing interest in Auriella's dramatics as she complained about her allergy to Schrödinger. In all, less a few, the crowd cared not for Kaegen's plight or Auriella's pursuit. Most of the students were selfishly concerned about their budding romances, the social cliques that they had ingratiated themselves into. They could not, no... they would not forfeit their own happiness for the sake of another.

 

@Piérre Marchonné attempted to verbally defuse the situation. @Duna Nixis's wrist gripped in his hand. There was a sense of safety and security perhaps in human contact. It was like embracing a stuffed bear in a dark, lonesome, stormy night. A comfort. A comfort for whom? For Pierre of course, who drew Duna closer to the potential fray. A bit closer to the spotlight.

Auriella's brazen, foolish and cruel decision to utilize the dhampir's lust, no need for blood would be Kaegen's undoing. Destroy the boy because he lacked remorse. Publicly show the world that dhampirs are too dangerous, too different to educate. This was not about making things better, it was about revenge. Yes, it might lead to Kaegen's punishment, possible expulsion, but there were other stakeholders that would be effected as well.

“I could say the same for you, Deathmote, but you can’t escape what you are. I’m sure you are very hungry, Monster,”

She was obviously pushing him. Egging him on to attack. Her plan was to cause him to be expelled but in practice her plan was akin to publicly sucker punching a rival in the face and then claiming that you are astonished when you share in the ramifications of their poor choices and ultimate outburst. She hid her actions poorly and with that verbal taunt, it was obvious the part she played. 

Kaegen was not the only dhampir lured by the intoxicating scent. @Nico Shymane, a late-comer to the ball interceded. It was not a wise choice, getting between two feuding feral cats, but it brought an additional spotlight on Auriella's duplicity. The Slytherin Prefect grabbed the Gryffindor's wrist and exposed the shallow "hemorrhaging" wound. 

Some of the other dhampirs there did not even seem to notice the blood or the scuffle, such as @River Dewlight. She was not drawn into the bloody display between the duo. It was a shame she was not drawn in, it would have served as an opportunity to show the restraint of her kind. To stop Deathmote from making a fatal error while others such as @Janus Lumley watched.

Kae's hunger was tangible. The boy was a monster.

@Alaric Equinox, a controversial choice for a Professor, despite the school's idealistic claims of inclusion would try to put an end to this madness. A dhampir Professor was a danger to the students. It was madness allowing degenerates and monsters onto staff they said. The parents that is. Other, external concerned parties. Some of the students. Some of the staff. Indeed there were many parents that were none-too-pleased, some pureblood families as well as wizard-borns who elected to unceremoniously withdraw their children from the school. Alaric, however, has proven himself to be a competent professor and in this moment also a necessary asset to the teaching staff.

An ominous, dreadful sense came from him, crashing into those nearby like a wave.

With control

          ... and precision

And despite the gnawing ache of his own hunger, Alaric would stand between the feuding students.

"I think your time here tonight is finished, and I will not repeat myself. Detention if not worse will be discussed at a later time."

Pierre had words of his own that he chose to share. The crowd and Duna making him feel confident and more brazen as he stormed over to the heart of the feud. His voice might have been loud, but it did not echo in this ballroom - there was a crowd of people all talking, a band playing death metal music and a fray in progress. Still, his words were not entirely drowned out.

”Who. Do. You. Think. You. ARE?! How DARE you act this way? Are we not all with human minds? Minds that can feel and comprehend? You speak of him like he is nothing but an animal! You speak as if he cannot and does not comprehend every word you break him down with, even though you know he understands! You chase him! You demand that he stands and fights! That is not the actions of a peace seeker or a person who desires restitution, they are the actions of a hunter. A beast, stalking its prey with intent to maim and kill! He is not the monster, o human one, YOU are. And if it truly is the concept of race you have difficulty understanding, if you feel I am defending him because I too, am a monster in your eyes, you must rethink again. I am human. I am fully human, but the difference between me and you, a human monster, is that I have compassion even for those who perhaps do not deserve it. I forgive. You have no forgiveness. Fair of face, fair of poise, but foul of heart and mind. Behind those temptress eyes, there is nothing. You are empty, no matter how much you dress yourself to hide the void within your heart.”

His lengthy speech might have started before the other two arrived but the room nor the event did not ease for the boy's monologue that ended with him pushing the girl away and throwing a drink on some random girl. A shrill scream following by a sobbing cry would erupt from the NPC (now controlled by me) as she shouted "YOU JERK!" As the overly confident youth exposed his face to whisper something to Kaegen, the girl's ungloved hand shot in a speedy arc in the direction of the boy's face. "THIS WAS VINTAGE!" The first year's face was not nearly nimble enough to avoid her hand and he might temporarily see stars and feel a biting sting where her hand had landed. For a lady, she packed a powerful punch. All his distraction did was make more people stare at his "distraction" as more of the students not already rubber necking the Kaegen dramatics, not the Pierre-show. "You JERK!" The sobbing teen repeated as she ran out of the ballroom, running past @Kyle DeRook and @Santario Marin who were out in the hall. Her Cinderella-like blue dress ruined with a great stain across the front. 

”Can you cast Diffindo yet? ...Hit the chandelier. If the chain is cut, it’ll fall. You can get out of here. I’ll come with.”

For those that misused the whispered words between Pierre and Kaegen, Auriella had taken the liberty of sharing.

“Of course he knows diffindo, it’s the spell he almost killed me with. ...Did I plan on what I wanted to do because of of his race or because of what he has done or perhaps even what harm he might do in the future? And now you’re encouraging him to take a chandelier down... I admire you but not so much of your naivety,”  

There was no doubt to the onlookers, both staff and student that Pierre has suggested a flashy, destructive exit without any regard for the safety of the student body. Selfishness was contagious.

Kaegen was blood lusted, hungry ... no starving. His only respite would be the temporary satisfaction of a full belly full of hot blood. Alaric was not warm. His blood was not sweet. Yet Alaric had this fearsome presence that screamed FIGHT or FLIGHT. With no place left to run, Kaegen could only FIGHT. Kaegen lunged at the Astronomy Professor, intent on taking a chunk out of him.

Nearby @Xailiah was making a swirling motion with her wand. There as discreet and then there was casting a spell in a crowded room. Sure, under the cover of screaming metal music, the word FUMOS was unlikely heard by many less those immediately adjacent. The same could not be said for drawing a wand, the wizard equivalent of a gun.

Alaric was going to take Kaegen away. His behavior required intervention as well as likely punishment. It was nobody else's concern.  At least according to him. 

"I'm afraid it does concern me, since that's my friend you're wheeling away there, and I'd very much appreciate if you knew that he believes most if not all professors to be working with evil monstrous creatures and that the professors are also evil. The circle of people he feels he can trust is limited to that redhead the flying professor pried him off. You may think you know how to handle this, but like all things with Kaegen, that is a mindset that'll get you or him injured. And fast!" 

@Elena Jones defied. Publicly declaring his madness was not likely to help his case. If the boy was allowed to stay in the school despite his many violent incidents, it would be on the presumption that he was not a threat. Being an unstable youth was the antithesis of what the people here needed to hear, even if her heart was in the right place.

"Idiots, the lot of you."

Elena Jones stormed away, leaving topic. 

Meanwhile Nico Shymane hugged her knees. This was perhaps too much for the fragile youth. It was scary. Kaegen had made her kind and by extension her look terrifying. Look dangerous. She just needed to curl up into a little ball and wait for everything to be OK. Where was @Alex Cloverfield when she needed him...

She would find a savior in @Jane Victoria. Someone to talk to. Someone to distract her. Someone that was not mad at her. Demanding answers. Afraid of her.

@Eris Fawley[/mention] yelled at @Piérre Marchonné, he had invaded her personal space. @Adam Harrington was the only person that could invade her personal space... Eris would make her way over to @Hjørdis Jensen, she still seemed to be on a mission as Pierre ran off in pursuit of Kaegen (which I will know nothing about, so have fun).

Piérre left topic.

Olphie left topic.

Alaric Equinox left topic.

“White-haired lady.” 

@Eris Fawley was looking for help from Nora, little did she know that she was damaging the Slytherin Head of House's chances with a hot Headmaster (he arrives right after this interaction so she might be gone).  

“Kaegen Deathmote says he needs your help. He’s kinda being uh, tugged away by the Astronomy dude but… he told me to tell you that he needed your help.”