The Lost Pearl 2025 Fall Ball

Interacting with: Reducio @Azzure Solace @Isabella Bernard @Kora Eliot @Charlotte Evergreen @Madeline Tomlinson Word Count:248 OOC Note: N/A Speaking: #8e0b65 Others: #6c0679 Outfit: Reducio

@Aly Salinger

Theo usually didn't think twice before signing up for the trips to Scotland every year but this year... He nearly didn't sign up. It seemed like a silly reason, but after the conversation with Ana last summer, leaving the continent made him feel guilty. Really silly. It wasn't like there was a difference, he wasn't passing up an opportunity to see her and he could send her owls from Hogwarts as well, but... he hesitated still.
Ana was finally warming up to him again. Theo had made an effort to send her owls at least once every two weeks, her as well as his brothers. Another wave of guilt had hit him upon the realisation how little he really knew about them nowadays.

Now that he was here, Theo was happy he had signed up. This year's ball theme was perfect! Balls tended to pose a recurring issue when it came to clothes. With his parents sometimes struggling to get all the school supplies for him and his siblings, there wasn't often money left for fancy clothing. As soon as he was able too, Theo had gotten a job during the holidays, but he tried to spend as little of that money as possible. A pirate outfit was perfect! A pretty simple red shirt, brown pants, a couple of belts and a bunch of red ribbons he tied around his arms or tucked under his belt. His hair had grown to his shoulders a while ago and Theo had kept it at that length, just long enough to braid a strand or two, before he tied a red bandana around his head as well.

Accessories posed the bigger challenge. A couple of plain necklaces, leather armwraps, a small leather pouch he could tie to his belt and- as a muggle born, he simply couldn't resist- a small jar that once contained jam, which he filled with sand and put a "jar of dirt" tag on. How many people would be able to get the reference? After a second of thinking, he shoved some candy into the jar, hiding it under the sand, and shoved it into his pocket.

Now the pouch... Theo had learned to come to events prepared and in his pouch fit maybe four flasks. Well... it was three in the end, after he decided to take a little vial of Erumpent Potion. He only put it in there after wrapping it in several ribbons and cushioning the pouch as well. If it broke while he was carrying it still- he would likely injure himself and people around him. The potion was probably about as risky as it was handy as a weapon. He'd take this risk today.

When Theo arrived at the lake, a bunch of students were already there, dancing on a dancefloor in the middle of the lake or... entering the shipwreck, that seemed to have been brought only for this event. He couldn't remember having seen it at Hogwarts before. Amazed, Theo walked up the passerelle to the main deck, accepted a welcome card from the fellow pirate with a conspiratorial smirk and went to look at the foods on the tables. When he was sure that no one was paying attention to him, he bent over one of the tables for two and stole a pearl off one of the blueberry muffins.

Actions: Stealing a pearl from a blueberry muffin

Potions: Black Fire Potion, Invisibility Potion, Erumpent Potion

Sta-10 | Eva-17 | Str-10 | Wis-8 | Arc-9 | Acc-20

Muggle Condition | Calming Presence (Ally: Aly Salinger) | Blindvision | Savior | Broken Broomshaft | Evasive Maneuvers I & II

Aly's eyes drank in the shipwreck atmosphere as she entered the Enchanted Depths with her new armpiece-slash-annoyance, the dreadfully pompous Barnabas Vidal ("of the Valencia Vidals"), preening by her side. She held as limply and delicately onto his forearm as she possibly could, her slim hand draped in the crook of his suited elbow. Their meeting in the front hall of the castle moments prior had been nothing short of frustrating, and despite her grandmother's orders to stay by Barnabas' side with a smile ever plastered upon her face, Aly was already looking for a way out and she'd only known this man for twenty minutes.

The difference between the two purebloods was evident in their reactions to the decoration. Aly stared hungrily about, excitedly absorbing every detail of the intricately disemboweled ship - it was not difficult to keep smiling, despite the situation. Gorgeous paintings lined the walls, pearls and shells scattered about; the eerie music tinging the air, drowned out by the happy laughter and chatter of all of the younger students who had already arrived, gave the whole affair a rather somber air which contrasted quite interestingly with the excitement pumping through Aly's veins. Barnabas, on the other hand was full of nothing but complaints, immediately drawing his hand back away from the railing. "Could they not have repaired the ship before coming aboard? If I step on a nail or get splinters, I shall be writing to Mamá about this horrid mistreatment." "What a terrible outfit that pirate man has. One would think that everyone, person or ghost, would dress appropriately for the occasion." "The food smells absolutely foul. Has Hogwarts no house-elves to cook for you?" At each one, Aly just pressed her lips together in a semblance of an agreeable grin and nodded along, until finally when they approached the tables at which people could sit, her date turned to face her. "We should acquire a table for two so that we can ensure the company is acceptable. You may go and get us some drinks. I believe I see some friends from Beauxbâtons - I shall meet you at that corner table in just a moment, after I greet them properly."

With that, his elbow was rather unceremoniously yanked from her grip and the Vidal boy was off. Aly's grimace faded as he stepped off, his slightly heeled shoes clicking on the wooden planks below them; still, the idea of sitting alone with him at a table for two all night, rather than dancing the evening away with her mates or gorging herself on Hogwarts meals that she thought to be quite delicious, was nearly as horrible as his attitude. The idea - no, the order - to get the two of them some drinks, however rudely phrased, was not the worst thing in the world, though, and Aly happily headed off to the buffet table, already daydreaming about ways to avoid seeing the Spaniard for the rest of the night whilst also keep her grandmother happy about the amount of time she had spent with him.

At the food area, a wave of relief washed over her when she recognised a familiar face deflowering the blueberry muffins: Theo, the American boy. He seemed to have changed significantly from back when he had been a terrible ball date to @Dealla Prince, for their meeting at the petting zoo had actually not been too bad, and Aly thought him to be a genuinely sweet bloke, if a little silly. As he stole a pearl from the top of a muffin, she sidled up and leaned against the table next to him - well, as much as she could lean in this wedding-cake-topper monstrosity of a fluffy dress. "Don't you look simply dressed for the occasion," she said, half-teasingly and half-complimentary, still wishing she herself could have been in an outfit that was a bit more thematic. "Are you just hanging about all by yourself over here? Pardon me - let me sneak by you..." and she reached out to pour two cups of pumpkin juice, wishing that she had something perhaps a bit stronger. Wryly, she tilted a goblet in Theo's direction. "Wish me luck. I'm about to go back to the worst date ever."

Action: Looking around (Keen Eye), talking to Theo

Closed to other interactions | October 4^th, 2025 | outfit in banner, | #C47DDB
lovely & charmer affect everyone | paragon allies: theo, peri | sta 10, eva 14, str 5, wis 19, arc 7, acc 16
inventory: knife, wand, hardanger's cosmetics, murtlap essence, welcome card | @Theodore Duncain

Interacting with: @Mikey Forville (Please owl to interact if not pinged! ) Mentioning: Date: 10/04/25

Word Count: 338

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A smile came to her lips again as he complimented her outfit. A blush crept across her cheeks as well. They had only been dating for two days, yet those two days felt like years. There was something about she connected with him that changed her for the better. Whenever she was around him, she felt like she could be herself instead of being something she wasn't. "Why thank you." She said as her hands gripped his tighter. She was glad that he had come. It made the night feel magical. Like nothing could stand in their way. They were unbreakable. She laughed as Mikey said he would make her captain. "You sure you want to make me captain? I feel like you'd be the more level headed one whereas I'd be the one running straight into danger. Perks of being a Gryffindor at heart." She flashed him a grin before looking back over the shining water as the waves of the great lake continued to gently lap against the sides of the boat. She barely paid any mind to the people arriving behind her and Mikey. They were in the background of what was in the here and now for her. As they walked, Avery was glad that she too was with him that night of the ball. Actually with him as a date this time instead of bumping into each other and dancing the night away. "I'm glad it's you too. You changed everything for the better that night. My date never showed up, but there you were. Always there and being the perfect gentleman even though we had only just met." Avery squeezed his hand gently just so he would know she was telling the truth. He really had made her night the night they'd met. She smiled as she listened to him speak. Resting her arms on the railing again and standing close to Mikey, she looked into his beautiful blue eyes and said, "I'm good with anything as long as I'm with you."

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4 October 2025 - evening of the Enchanted Depths Fall Ball

ngelFyre felt his approach more than heard it, and her silliness was all but forgotten the moment his lips brushed against her neck. How was it possible that something could feel so excruciatingly wonderful and just plain excruciating at the same time? She had never specifically told him that his lips and breath on that spot drove her crazy, but she figured he had it figured and needed no telling... with words anyway.

Her lash-thick lids skimmed slowly down, cloaking her vision of all he had pointed out. Her focus quickly narrowed to the shrinking distance between them. Simon shifted subtly from her side, towering behind her. His hand, now on her waist, pulled her towards the solidity of his embrace with a commanding, purposeful insistence. A barely audible gasp slipped past her lips, drowned out by the crashing waves of her own heartbeats.

Instinct took over as her head tilted to the side... exposing and elongating her neck, silently inviting him in for more. He quietly accepted as his warm breath feathered over her cool skin… forging a path for his lips. After months of heartbreak and rigid separation from one another, her mind and body were once again quickening to his merest touch, but a threshold was too soon crossed. The love-drunk euphoria had only primed her overloaded nerves to skid straight into arcs of sparking, and stinging, electricity with every contact.

Her traitorous shoulder lifted, her head following just enough to nudge him from the warm hollow of her neck.

She caught his brief look of surprise… or was it amusement? … before her pulse steadied enough to let her find her voice again.

“Keep that up, my Handsome Hufflepuff, and we will never make it to that ship!” she said just loudly enough for him to hear. Her heart was still racing and nerves were still sparking, but the Pushmi-Pullu moment of it all was thankfully receding into the background. “Unless…” and she squinted for a few seconds as she looked at him from a jaunty side angle “… unless that is secretly your plan for escaping your siren’s song, in which case, consider yourself busted,” and she giggled as she rapidly waved her hand in front of her face, trying to cool herself down in the aftermath of his kiss.

“"You know you can sing for me any time you wish. That means you're with me," he said sincerely.

“Spoken like a young man who has to be in love… or deaf.” Then she laughed, but her heart had melted at his sentiment. “Tell me, love, are you deaf and have just been reading my lips all these years? It would explain so much, honestly,” and she gently shoulder bumped him as he led the way to the ship. “On the off chance that you are actually not a lip reader, I did bring some ear plugs for you. And before you doth protest too much, they are not so you cannot hear me, but so that you cannot hear any other siren who may want you to set your course for her uncharted waters.” She turned, arching a brow in his direction. “I am nothing if not prepared.” Then, leaning in, she pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.

Having reached the ship, they both took a few seconds to admire it before starting up the gangway. “Very impressive,” she said in absolute wonder.

After climbing aboard the atmospherically decaying ship, they were each handed a card by the skeleton pirate. AngelFyre slowed just a bit to really look at him. He did not engender fear so much as he did curiosity, especially as no sound emanated from him other than the clacking of his bones beneath his coral encrusted clothing. His glassy eyes were of particular interest. Milky she would have expected, but glassy? Intriguing. She accepted the card with a genuine smile and a “Thank you.” Then, for good measure, she gave a small curtsy to the once was pirate before continuing on with Simon.

“Simon, did you get a close look at our greeter? I cannot tell you how much fun I think tonight is going to be,” and she looked down at the card before looking anywhere else. She blinked a few times, trying to clear her vision. The card was difficult to read in parts, but she could not tell if the difficulty lay with her eyesight or with the card. She thought she caught sight of something that had been there, but possibly only her imagination as she could not see it any longer.

She gave up momentarily and turned her focus to Simon. A soft creak rolled beneath them… the timbers shifting against the water… and moonlight spilled across the deck like a silvery current. The ball’s enchantments shimmered faintly on the waves, carrying laughter and music that seemed to belong to another world altogether.

“This whole evening so far reminds me of our Little Mermaid theme a few years back, but this time the whole ball is centered on it. Fabulousness surrounds us,” she gushed as she swept the hand holding the card in front of her, noting yet again there seemed to be something more to the card’s message than met the eye.

Moving over to meet Simon’s fearsome Tentacle Tom himself, who, by the looks of him, appeared to be a close relative of their own Great Lake’s Herman, AngelFyre could not help but laugh in delight at Simon’s name for yet another squid. “I imagine I am safe, love. Ol’ Tom there looks more concerned with the destruction of the ship in the portrait than stealing away with your lady love. Let us hope that Herman is not of a like mind, or else we shall all be in danger this evening.”

The distant strains of music drifted over to her and she grinned at her fellow. AngelFyre also heard the unmistakable voice of Colin somewhere around her. Sound played in unexpected ways on the water, so pinpointing his location proved trickier than she had expected Even a quick glance did not reveal her best friend… or his best girl.

“Shall we move towards the music? I am feeling my inner siren beginning to surface,” and she winked at him, delighting in the amused smile that spread across his face. “Or would you rather try our hands at the escape room game? Truthfully, I am game for anything, after I get to one of those bluebell flame jars to see if I can read this card in a more ambient lit situation. I know there is more to this card than meets the eye.” She sighed deeply and flicked the corner of the card as they began to move through, and out, of the dining area.

“Hmmm. I wonder what the card… or this entire enchanted ship… looks like through Captain Vane’s glassy eyes.” That thought sent a ‘shiver me timbers chill down her spine, and she instinctively stepped even closer to Simon, squeezing his hand three times.

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Reducio

AngelFyre is carrying the following items with her in her enchanted satchel , which itself has been reduced to size and strapped to her slacks-covered leg:

• Gillyweed
  
• Phials of Potions
  (Antidotes to both Common and Uncommon Poisons; Invisibility Potion; Revive Potion, Calming Draught, Chelidonium Miniscula; Essence of Dittany; Love Potion Antidote)
• Silver Arrow broom which adds (+3) to her stats (if being flown)
  
• Pickpocket knife
  
• Random Key
  
• Wand in bejeweled, silver, forearm holster

@Colin McCoire @Emily Shephard

Round Two Moderation - During the first course

Moods seemed to shift with the tide from sceptical or on edge, to relaxed and intrigued, the candle light flickering more brightly as the skies darkened with twilight. Some perhaps more intrigued than others, still sizing up the boat and what the night would bring in equal measure. Laughter floated on the wind, whispered tales brought in with the mist from the lake.

As people started to take their seats, interesting things were going on between the attendants, longing glances and the wonderings of love gone astray, as well as of love that has not, in equal measure. Friendship, too, graced the long lost vessel, groups of teens and preteens flocking nearer and nearer, talking all the while. One in particular was rather odd, with a certain girl's ears seeming to be... smoking? steaming? along with her two companions, acting rather eager to find a corner good for hiding. (@Maisie Gemmell)

For as many getting seated, there were also those leaving for the evenings other adventures, that of moonlit strolls, dancing on illusions of danger, or puzzling mysteries. As was the case with @Meyra Lancaster, simply entering and leaving with only so much as a smile and some disdainful glances.

The guests settled in, picking at the appetizers between bits of conversation, with some tears as it seemed for a certain @Kafelé Kahotep. The two first years were chatting right away, stuttering to their hearts content, and sharing more and more about themselves. (@Aisling Doyle)

On another corner of the ship there appeared to be a brash and seemingly unprompted comment about color schemes, very clearly not going anywhere good, and perhaps a gateway right into annoyance, for lack of a better word. @Milica Vranekova quickly walked away, flustered, leaving @Blaize Valerian with her blunt response.

Another pair graced the deck, some sixth year lovebirds being very affectionate towards one another and leaving almost as soon as they had come. @AngelFyre McCubbin had the bright idea of holding her parchment up to the flames, finding something quite interesting indeed. (@Simon Kincaid)

WELCOME TO The Lost Pearl.

OOC INFORMATION ;
1. To participate, you must be indexed. If you are not indexed yet, please apply here.
2. Moderation will occur every week, with the first few weeks describing the three courses. {One Every other week with a general moderation post in between, till the three courses are done, then we will just have the normal ones}
3. Your character is allowed one moderated action per round. Please specify your moderated action somewhere OOC in your post. Moderated actions are those actions that requires rolls like casting a spell on someone, physically fighting (like punching) with someone, surprising someone etc. Rolls are not needed for pre-decided or consented actions, like asking someone for a dance.
4. Please include your abilities and stats in your post.
5. There are two other threads in this event, The Weeping Shore (dance floor) and The Drowned Palace (escape game). IC speaking, your character would enter through The Lost Pearl to reach The Weeping Shore. You are not required to post here to access The Weeping Shore. The location of The Drowned Palace, as well as an additional clue to the treasure hunt, are hidden in The Lost Pearl. Your character doesn't need either to access or play the game, these are options adding to the atmosphere.
6. You can directly enter either threads without needing to post in this thread, but if you already have, please specify that you are leaving this thread for either one of the other two.
6. Please follow all usual HIO rules.
7. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer, beware of the bewitching siren's chant, but most importantly, enjoy !

4 October 2025 - evening of the Enchanted Depths Fall Ball

imon took charge, in that genteel manner of his, and suggested they leave the Lost Pearl to seek their adventures elsewhere. That suited AngelFyre just fine. It would have suited AngelFyre just fine if he had suggested they abandon the themed ball altogether and head off to the Viaduct or to the Library or even to Hades itself. The where was inconsequential. It was the who that mattered.

And for this girl, there was only one who... Simon.

She nodded her head in agreement at his suggestion, and his smile went from a tinge of questioning to softened assurance. "Lead the way, love, and you know I shall be more than happy to follow."

As they walked past the beautifully laden tables of food and drink, AngelFyre was of half a mind to snag a blueberry muffin, with decorative, but edible pearls on top. She loved blueberry muffins, but she valued not being jinxed or cursed even more. She and Simon did not have the best track record when it came to foodstuffs offered up at any Hogwarts event, so she most reluctantly left the muffin behind as her stomach let out a ferocious growl, clashing with the haunting melody in the background. She sheepishly mouthed her apologies for her rumbling tummy to those within earshot as they continued onward.

She had meant to eat something earlier in the day, but preparing for the evening, as always, took some time. More time than she had bargained for, honestly. And since this was their first real event together since having gotten back together, she had put in a lot of extra time above and beyond her normal amount. She wanted Simon to feel that she knew he was worth the effort, and she did not take any moment with him for granted. It meant, however, that she had not eaten. Nor had she packed any treats in her satchel.

Just then her stomach growled loudly once again and Simon paused. AngelFyre could tell he was listening for something, but whether that something was the music coming from the Weeping Shore or from her stomach was unclear to her. "Last chance at a shot for those ear plugs as I am sadly positive this rumbling is going to continue for a good bit of time." She was deflecting, but he looked momentarily confused by her statement. Then her stomach growled for a third time, but not nearly as loudly as the two times prior, and a knowing smile spread across his face.

He stepped towards her and took her into his arms, resting his cheek against the side of her face. Though still a beautiful lad, Simon was steadily turning into a man. His cheek was no longer as smooth as hers, and she slowly rubbed hers against his, intoxicated by the slight rasp of fine whiskers bristling against her skin. "Just one dance before we go," he whispered, and they both knew she would be powerless to say no, even if she had wished to... which she most certainly did not.

As they swayed and turned in unison along the deck, simply enjoying one another's company in silence, she counted her blessings a thousand times over for the young man now holding her. "Not exactly the ballroom you deserve but I'll dance with you anywhere if it means holding you like this." Her fingertips pressed more deeply into his embroidered vest and her heart skipped a couple of beats.

"I do not need a ballroom or any fancy goo gahs, Simon. All I ever need... or want... is you, mo chridhe." (my heart) And just like that, her romantic proclamation was completely undercut by another stomach growl.

Simon slowly halted their dancing and kissed the top of her head as she laughed, a little embarrassed by the noisy interruption. "Don't you mean me and chocolate?" he teased as he stepped back to pull a chocolate bar from his trouser pocket. Her eyes must have been bulging with hunger and relief as he began to unwrap it in front of her ravenous eyes.

"There are times when being a dhampir comes in very handy. Like now. You will note that the chocolate is not at all melted," and he smiled knowingly. "My thoughts may burn for you, my love, but my body temperature will always keep your chocolate in tact." And with that, he broke off a piece and placed it on his tongue, delivering her the best kiss of the night. When he pulled back, she noticed a bit of chocolate smeared at the corner of his mouth.

"All very true. I cannot deny it. I will also note, however, that while chocolate may not melt in your hands, or in your pockets, it definitely melts on that sweet talking tongue of yours," and she reached up to wipe the smudge onto her finger before licking it off.

He cocked an eyebrow at her for a change and they both laughed as he turned the rest of the chocolate bar over to her as they headed off into the evening to see what else may capture their fancies.

"So, remind me again as we walk and I eat this delicacy, what was your pirate name as a child? Tell me everything. No detail will be insignificant as what I need now is the gift of time... to chew."

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Reducio

AngelFyre is carrying the following items with her in her enchanted satchel , which itself has been reduced to size and strapped to her slacks-covered leg:

• Gillyweed
  
• Phials of Potions
  (Antidotes to both Common and Uncommon Poisons; Invisibility Potion; Revive Potion, Calming Draught, Chelidonium Miniscula; Essence of Dittany; Love Potion Antidote)
• Silver Arrow broom which adds (+3) to her stats (if being flown)
  
• Pickpocket knife
  
• Random Key
  
• Wand in bejeweled, silver, forearm holster