The Weeping Shore 2025 Fall Ball

Outfit:

Reducio

Joseph’s night was going downhill.

The last wisps of Lindsey’s sparkly dress vanished into the night, leaving him with his scarlet parrot-rock and a few feeble shards of dignity. Gone, just like that. One moment she’d been stuttering an apology, then the next, fled, scrambling from this human trainwreck. Like he’d suddenly spouted six extra limbs, morphing into a hideous kraken. Perfect, just perfect.

Maybe that wasn’t too bad. He could still enjoy the ball with Astra.

He checked his ribs for growing tentacles. Finding none, he turned back to his pet rock. Astra perched securely in his palm, probably squawking in soundless confusion. Poor Astra. It was his fault she couldn’t have a proper first dance.

“Sorry, matey,” he muttered, giving his feathered friend a gentle pat. He gulped, lifting the rock to eye level.

Astra fixed him with a cuddly look that made his chest unclench.

Joseph’s shoulders drooped, his eyes softening. A gentle warmth spread through him.

Astra had that effect on people.

Pirate captains were supposed to be fierce and cunning. In reality? Probably not half as tough as they claimed to be. Especially not flashy purple ones in oversized tricornes.

“Okay,” he said, pirate lingo forgotten. He’d spent the whole lead up to the ball wondering how to survive the Lindsey problem. He’d never thought he’d have to survive without the Lindsey problem too. But here they were. Captain Joseph and Matey Astra, stranded alone on the shifting dancefloor. “Now what?”

Joseph took a cautious step forward, eyes scanning the area like a sailor who’d lost both his ship and his dignity. He had options: run around screeching like a headless seagull, or settle by a table to plunder some sweet and savoury treasures.

He pondered for a moment, then decided the latter was more befitting for a seasoned buccaneer. Maybe Astra’s disarming cuteness will boost his raiding endeavour.

Joseph smiled as he hobbled towards an abandoned Table Island. Delectable riches lay untouched, their shapes and colours forming an irresistible display. His mouth watered. Food. Food. Food. Surely... there had to be chocolate somewhere in that stash.

He didn’t get to check, though, as Ruth’s familiar voice bubbled over before he could reach the snacks: “Joseph! Astra!”

Joseph glanced back, his eyes lighting up. Ruth tugging Pam across the dance floor, the two scrambling over in a flurry of sparkly blue madness. He grinned, bending into a hurried bow.

Then the flurry became a silky whirlwind, limbs and golden hair whipping past in a blur. Joseph yelped, stumbling back to avoid the mighty Pamissile. He’d dodged the Category 3 Pamela Disaster by mere inches.

Then a faint sting bloomed across his right shin. Joseph winced. He hadn't escaped scot-free, turns out.

“Hey, hi Ruth, hi Pam - we’re alright! You okay, Pam?” he asked, straightening his cloak and catching his balance. His gaze darted to Astra, relieved to see her unfazed. Of course, he had to be sure first.

“We’re doing fine, about to carry out a food raid on Table Island. Care to join?”

His words barely registered as the girls swooned over his feathered fluffball, their faces practically screaming admiration in huge, capital letters. Joseph froze for a moment, unsure how to react.

“Thanks! The wings took ages to perfect,” he beamed at Ruth’s compliment, taking off his tricorne to ruffle his now frizzled hair. Pam commented on the rock’s cuteness, drawing a soft chuckle from the Hufflepuff boy. He couldn’t recall ever agreeing with her more.

He really shouldn’t be surprised. Astra had that effect on people, after all.

Action: Interacting with @Ruth Fairchild, @Pamela Graham & the most fabulous @Astra the Rock.

Mentioning: @Lindsey Bliss

Stamina 8 | Evasion 3 | Strength 5 |  Wisdom 6 | Arcane Power 6 | Accuracy 7

Owl for interactions! :>

Just after he told Landon to prepare his wand, Zach prepared his. It had been a long time for him to experience the excitement of not knowing what comes next. The former duellist part of him awakened. His mind looked for anything he could use to identify what was wrong in the place.

He looked around. His back was facing Landon's back to minimise their blind spot. "It's suspiciously calm," the Ravenclaw boy said. "I'm afraid there would be something unexpected coming." His hand was still holding the Hufflepuff's. He held it tightly, a bit from fright, but mostly from excitement. "I wonder what it is. But if there's nothing, well, perhaps we can continue our dance," he said calmly, hiding any other emotions he had. Though a bit annoyed that his dance was disturbed, he was actually enjoying the nerve-wracking situation.

This situation made him curious about Landon's duelling ability. He knew for sure that Landon was good at Flying and Quidditch, as well as History of Magic. But how about spellwork? Was he good at Duelling? "Do you have any idea in mind of what we should do?" Zach asked.

"We really should check the water," he said. With his other hand, Zach flicked his wand, drew the wand back, and flicked again. He expected his wand to emit a radiant light that would rise above the lake water and give him any answers if his suspicions as right. "Lumos Maxima."

The Ball at the Lake

"A soft golden glow dances gently on the still surface of the lake,
a magical ball resting quietly beneath the twilight sky."

The warmth of the light contrasts with the cool blue water,
casting ripples that shimmer like scattered stars.

Reducio

@Joseph Sims Last interaction@Hazel NelsonHazel and Lindsey will meet in the food areaLindsey is leaving the dancing area and is headed to the food part

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Date: 10/04/25| Outfit: Here | CC: #1f5cc6 | Words: 391 | Graphic by Damien Dragonclaw
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Landon smiled as Zach talked about his siblings. He could tell that Zach was fond of them. "It has to be a little lonely being the only magical one in the family," he observed. "I'm lucky that everyone in my family has magic, though I do find it really interesting that it can sometimes be a random quirk for some people. Like, you don't know if you have any magic in your family line, so it's really weird how it just pops up!" Landon thought it was very fascinating.

Landon laughed as Zach joked that the wizarding community seemed to determine danger differently. "It does seem like it. I mean, there was once things like the Tri-Wizard Tournament," he observed with a smirk. Thank goodness he had never been around during that time. He smiled as Zach winked. "Yes, of course. I wouldn't let you drown!" he insisted. Landon wasn't the type to just let people struggle if he knew how to help. He wasn't the best at helping people, but he tried really hard.

Landon looked around nervously as the lights went out, the music stopped, and the strange laughter started. "I don't like this either..." he said softly. He squeezed Zach's hand nervously as Zach said they should look around but stay in their current location. Landon took his wand out, nodding in agreement as Zach said they should prepare their wands. He gripped his wand tightly as he looked around, his back to Zach's.

"I also feel like something bad is coming..." he admitted. "The calm before the storm, and all that." Landon felt nervous but he was reassured because Zach was being so brave. "I don't know if we were going to get back to the dance yet..." he added. He hesitated as Zach asked him what they should do. "Part of me wants to run away, and the other part of me knows that I can't just run from my problems," he admitted. "Plus I would feel super guilty if something happened to other people and I didn't do what I can to help..."

Landon hesitantly nodded as Zach said they should check the water. He watched as Zach cast a spell toward the water, still somewhat facing away from Zach but looking over his shoulder. "I'm a bit nervous about what we might find."

Interacting with: @Dylan Astor Word Count: 289 OOC Note: Stats: stamina • 7 | evasion • 7 | strength • 6 | wisdom • 8 | arcane • 6 | accuracy • 6 No abilitys... Outfit: Reducio

MOD POST FIVE
lights go out for longer, and something bumps the platforms from below

The moon hung low above the idly still water, its rays flickering on the surface above as though an artist had added strokes of pure light onto a navy canva. Though if one were to look close enough to the edges of the frame, one might notice fleeting shadows appearing and vanishing with a gust of wind near the borders of the forest, fascinating spectacle of macabre. Still, the scene was a haven of peace, one any soul would delight in — almost... too peaceful. As if Fate was lingering on the verge of the universe, waiting to pour down its doomed rain onto the innocent heads of our beloved guests.

Speaking of which, two of them, saccharinely sweet ladies draped in ounces of sea-coloured tissues, had managed to find their way back to the Silent Scythe, and after enduring a conflicting dilemma between sustaining themselves with victuals or human connection, made their way to join a certain bubbly violet pirate. Well, violently crash into was a better fit of a description, given how uncooperative the blonde's feet were. No hard feelings were nurtured though, given the pirate's agreeable nature, and soon merry spirits twirled under the moonlights. One particular spirit, however, appeared to have been seized by the hellish sin of wrath, provoking a venom-filled argument in the midst of the ball before storming out. Could feelings and emotions be heightened by the bewitching chants rising from beneath the water ? Or was the evening simply prone to bizarre occurrences ? (@pamela graham, @ruth fairchild, @joseph sims, @lindsey bliss.)

On the other end of the spectrum, two reckless boys (@zach zaphiere, @landon matthews) had made it a personal affair to investigate the figures that appear to loom beneath their feet — foolish, one might deem them. Wands drawn at the face of potential danger, secured steps taken on the illuminated platforms, and soon waves were practically licking their feet, almost resembling hands wrapping around their ankles and pulling them towards the enchanted depths beneath. Still, no kraken brutally emerged from the water, tentacles devouring the blissful guests twirling and dancing above the water. No, the night remained as oddly peaceful as it had previously been. Until the sun itself sparked from one of the wands.

Foolish, foolish boys. The effect was immediate — a loud hiss rose from where the wand was pointing, and every single light went out, plunging the scene into a complete and immediate darkness. Music still twirled into the air, notes becoming gradually frightening as the eclipse remained, and soon chants joined its song. A minute, maybe two, in a complete and utter transe, before light was given to the world again. Disoriented, guests would blink a few times facing the sudden illumination, perhaps even reach for one another, relieved the worst was over.

Oh, was that the impression it gave ? My most sincere apologies.

Laughter, twisted and distorted, coming from every single direction. And soon something, multiple somethings were ramming into the platforms, causing screams to rise and mingle to their laughter. Not strong enough to topple the structure, nor to send anyone into the ice-cold waters, yet sufficient force to mess with the balance of anyone standing onto the targeted zone.

Fate, it seemed, had been provoked into action.

WELCOME TO THE WEEPING SHORE.

OOC INFORMATION ;
1. To participate, you must be indexed. If you are not indexed yet, please apply here.
2. Moderation will occur roughly every week, sometimes later due to the little activity of this thread !! Waiting until at least a few people posted before making the modpost.
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 Lost Pearl (dining area) 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 in The Lost Pearl 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 enter directly 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 !
{shout out to graci for covering for me last time, she's angel}

𝕽uth could have sworn that everything was going fine a moment before. Next, she found herself taking a glimpse of Pamela reenacting that fall of a gold tumbleweed, right into a flailing Joseph Sims. Yikes. She winced at the sight of their slightly bruised shins, shaking her head to herself before stepping forward, thankfully unscathed. Besides the minor injury, none of them looked upset, nor did the tripping spoil the moment, so the Hufflepuff refrained from bringing it up.

“I can imagine,” she murmured after Joseph admitted to how long the wings had taken. “Hard work paid off, though. She looks fabulous. What an evolution.” From a baby chick, no less.

Just as she had stepped forward to take her turn to pet the cutie, Ruth heard a series of clicks against the ground and a whiff of seething anger. The Hufflepuff had barely straightened up to take a glance when the girl she had noticed from before, arms akimbo. Close up, Ruth found herself noticing the constellation of freckles smattered across the other’s face, stars scrunching up as she donned a furious expression that left her bewildered. Thankfully enough (but unfortunate for Joseph), her glare was solely fixed upon Captain Sims.

For the next few seconds that she stood watching words of distraught spill out from the other’s mouth, Ruth was rendered speechless, jaw slacking slightly. There were just simply no words to describe her confusion and astonishment. When she did start, lips parting to utter a protest, the girl had swiftly stalked away. “Wait…” Ruth could only say, before blinking towards Astra, who seemed just as clueless. With a trembling finger, her eyes blown slightly wide, she blurted out, “You have a girlfriend?” That figures, considering the two of them had been dancing moments before. Well, even if they had been together, it took little to understand that there was a possibility he wouldn’t be taken now. What a pity, having a girl with such pretty features wear such snarky expressions.

Before she could glance towards Pamela to gauge the other’s reaction, a sharp hiss from behind caught her attention, but the quickest flick of an eye was barely enough to capture where it was the sound had come from before the area plunged right back into darkness, just as it had several moments before. Once was a fluke, and twice was odd. However, thrice? Initially, Ruth felt nothing but calm. Perhaps it was just technical difficulties, after all, and the three of them were huddled close enough that she could make out their silhouettes. There was no need to panic. Even the music was still going, giving off the sensation of dancing with eyes closed.

The blissful comparison didn’t last lost enough to prompt Joseph to repeat his answer – should he have even replied in the first place – for the music had now been joined by chants. These chants, rather than the syrupy sweetness that had hypnotised Ruth, were eerie and haunting. Wicked, almost, so much that Ruth felt a sickening chill run down her spine, a scene so close to those horror movies that Aaron would force her to watch with him back home.

And worse, the laughter. Even after the lights had gone back on, there was little to be relieved about. Ruth knew, deep down, that the blackout had a staggering chance of occurring again. And whatever it was within the depths of the water wouldn’t stop.

Blast, she hadn’t wished to be right. The cackles caused Ruth to jolt back a few steps, trembling with dread as she spun, trying to decipher where the sound was coming from, but it kept ringing and ringing and ringing from all directions. No. Not good. Even after making it safe back on land, it wasn’t safe. Didn’t feel safe. Her fingertips tingled, a dilemma between plummeting towards curiosity with her wand or running for safety. A fleeting look at Astra, cradled within Joseph’s arms, was enough to seal the deal.

The second year made a wild grab for Pamela’s wrist, tugging her before shouting to Joseph over the laughter, “We’ve got to get out of here!” unable to hide the urgency within her tone. Whatever was ramming into the platform, she was unsure of the possibilities in which they pursue the four of them. But if that was to happen, she jolly wished that no other factors stood in their way.

So, for the second time of the evening, Ruth attempted to light her wand.

CAT'S GRACE EVASIVE MANEUVERS

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𝐒𝐭𝐚: 𝟔 |𝐄𝐯𝐚: 𝟏𝟎 | 𝐒𝐭𝐫: 𝟒 | 𝐖𝐢𝐬: 𝟗 | 𝐀𝐫𝐜: 𝟒 | 𝐀𝐜𝐜: 𝟖

Action: Casting Lumos and running away from the shore | Interations: @Joseph Sims, @Pamela Graham, @Astra the Rock, @Lindsey Bliss

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Great Lake

Interacting with: @Ruth Fairchild @Joseph Sims

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Speech -- Thoughts

Joseph Sims was a pretty good friend.
That night, Pam discovered that he had yet to be a good boyfriend.

She'd spotted the girl storming toward them long before she actually arrived, and she knew—deep in her soul—that something painful was coming. The girl's expression was a whole warning sign in itself: jaw clenched, eyes blazing, shoulders squared in that I-have-a-thesis-of-complaints-and-you-will-either-listen-or-die posture.

Luckily, her attention had been only on Joseph.

Pam braced herself for something probably embarrassing. She hadn't braced herself for the volume, or the vocabulary.

Colorful words came flying out for a solid five minutes, unbroken, like the girl had trained for this moment her entire life. Pam stood there blinking, mentally taking a step back.

Wow. She's… passionate. Very passionate. She's about five seconds away from murdering him. Should I be worried?

By the time the girl finally spun around and flounced away— claiming the entire night with that single dramatic exit— Pam could do nothing but watch, stunned. Yep. That was going to live rent-free in her brain forever.

Her thoughts spiraled, the way they always did when she was overstimulated and slightly horrified. Years of binge-watching K-dramas had corrupted her emotional compass, because instead of words of sympathy, her brain offered multiple thoughts along the lines of: oh my god, this is just like that one episode of "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo," except with worse lighting and more swearing.

No. Don’t laugh.
Nothing’s funny.
It’s only some love drama—

Which, obviously, was the worst possible thing Pam could have thought of at that moment.

An ugly snort escaped her. Loud. Unavoidable.

The girl winced immediately— who snorts during a breakup confrontation?— but miraculously, it seemed to be drowned out by Ruth's question. So she slid right into the moment, smoothing her voice and expression as if she hadn't just almost exploded.

"I also believe your girlfriend thinks you're two-timing her."

She wrinkled her nose, just slightly. "I'd have been less offended if she'd been talking about Astra...."

Pam shifted, glancing at the boy who had been the victim of the confrontation, feeling a twinge of sympathy… and a bigger twinge of secondhand embarrassment. Talk about misunderstandings.

Her mind offered a final, dry thought: Well. That was a mess.

And then the night decided to get weirder.

A sharp hiss sliced through the music, sharp enough that it made Pam's shoulders jump. Before she could place it, the entire dance floor was swallowed in darkness— for the third time that evening.

This time, she felt annoyance prick up her spine.

Dude, decide if you want the place dark or with lights. Pick one, seriously. Stick to the aesthetic. Are you a kpop music group that you're switching the theme every five seconds?

The music hiccupped. Someone yelped. Someone else shouted. Pam exhaled sharply through her nose.

Wonderful. Chaos again.

Immediately after, the chants started—low, eerie, and honestly a little too theatrical to take seriously. They echoed across the room like someone had rehearsed behind the tapestry-lined corridors for dramatic effect.

Pam blinked, unimpressed.

A moment later, maniacal laughter joined in, echoing off the walls with all the commitment of a second-year actor at a haunted house.

Pam shivered, the sound reminding her uncomfortably of psychopathic serial killers. Yep, this was probably not a very good situation—

The lights snapped back on.

Pam’s shoulders dropped as she glanced around, and took in everyone's confused faces.

[/i]Alright, what kind of low-budget horror movie is this—[/i]

The fear level had plummeted instantly from "mildly concerning" to "laughably dramatic."

I guess there won't be any ghost magically popping up in all this light...

Around them, the crowd was buzzing, confused, unsettled, and vaguely irritated.

The night wasn't done with them—she could feel it.
And honestly, she wasn't sure whether to laugh, leave, or start documenting this for future storytelling rights.

Although, it was currently a very anti-climactic story.

She glanced at Ruth with a look, the kind that read, Did you see that? Did we hallucinate that?

Ruth Fairchild didn't even try to answer. Her face had gone flat—emotionally, spiritually, intellectually done. Without warning, she latched onto the blonde's arm like a lifeline and tugged her away from the crowd with all the determination of someone evacuating a sinking ship.

Pam stumbled after her, wincing as her heel clipped something sharp on the floor. Great. Injury by mysterious debris. Love that for me.

Ruth didn't slow until they reached the edge of the platform, practically dragging Pam down the steps. Only then did Pam manage to plant her feet, stopping them both before they walked straight out the door.

She looked over her shoulder at Joseph, waiting for the boy to join them. Hopefully he would not feel the aftermath of the emotional explosion too strongly.

Pam lifted her voice, light but steady.
"Are you guys hungry, then?" Lowering her voice, she asked Ruth, "You good?"

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Action: Going to meet Joseph

Stamina 6 | Evasion 7 | Strength 5 | Wisdom 9 | Arcane Power 7 | Accuracy 6

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Arriving to the dance floor, Lilith admired the gorgeous decorations. Everything looked like it came straight out of a novel about lonely pirates and drown boats. She also took a moment to watch the other students dance. Some talents were on the dance floor, and it only made her more eager to show what she could do. To her date's question, she answered that she loved the theme, and smiled as he complimented her. She knew that the compliment, though sincere, wasn't innocent.

"The dress is gorgeous, and I must admit I didn't believe you capable of such perfection," she answered. "But then again, I suppose you had an inspiring model."

She completed her cocky comment with a smile that seemed so sincere, so innocent that it was disarming. Lilith was a master in manipulation and he relationship with Harvey was a proof of that, but deep down, even if she would never admit it not even to herself, she was really attracted to him and wanted to appeal to him. Going to a ball with him, getting to dance and receive compliments not only flattered her ego but also made her genuinely happy, even if she was trying not to show it.

Still smiling at him, even though her expression became calculated again, she took his hand and placed herself ready to dance, waiting for a song to start.