Cupid's Cookies Errand

Reducio WC:440/400

It was valentines day and everyone was hanging out either with their friends of their significant other and as much as she wished she could hate them for it she didn't. Having been left alone in the common room she had grown bored and decided to go for a walk around the school, maybe discover new shortcuts or paths she hadn’t known of before. But naturally all the pink, white and red decorations were so tempting, who could resist following them. She followed the path they designated all the way out to the Courtyard.

Small, low tables were set up with cookies and decorating tools. Small groups had already settled down and started. It seemed like fun but… she was alone. Being alone on Valentine’s Day was sad enough, participating in activities alone was even worse. After all, what would I do with the cookies. she thought to herself. She supposed she could eat them herself, in the worse case. Who was she kidding, she was just trying to make excuses to not join in, she did enjoy baking… Perhaps she could make a few for her friends.

She stared down at what she was wearing. Blue jeans and a black and white jumper, not great but it would do.

She gingerly stalked towards an empty table and sat down on a cushion. She glanced around, seeing if anyone had noticed before reaching for a cookie. There were various shapes in which they came. Stars, circles and most of all, hearts. She looked around at the multitude of supplies scattered across the small surface, the different icings, sprinkles and decorations glinting in the sunlight and let out a breath. How to even start?

She heard a set of footsteps approach her table, the grass crinkling slightly with each step. A soft this as she let herself onto a cushion opposite her. Jada looked up, smiling awkwardly, Hi, she said to @Tatiana Contraireare you here to decorate as well? she asked. Stupid question. she thought Of course she is, why else would she be here?

Jada picked up piping bag with light pink icing and started drawing around the outside of the cookie, creating a border. She had decided that this one would be for @Evaline Valerie Hawthorne, a friend of hers, and would be decorated with a black bow in the center as well as an attempt to replicate her beloved black lace.

She finished up her cookie, and looked back up at the girl, Nice to meet you, but I think I’ll get going soon. There’s not much for me to do here anyway.

"Falling, sinking deeper and deeper into the uncharted abyss..." Interacting with: @Leo Noxley, @Rosaline Everhart, @Cecilia Merrick, @Lucille Rosenhart Word Count: 628 words

Valentine’s Day has been a fascinating topic to Erast for a while now. How could it not be? To know that there is a designated day every year for lovers to unabashedly display undying loyalty and affection by showering each other with gifts and sweet words– It was so, so romantic! It excited him almost as much as discovering the chivalric romance genre.

On February 14, Erast woke up to an entirely new atmosphere. There was a sort of honeyed excitement in the air that Saturday. He could see it in the pink, heart-seal letters and satin-wrapped chocolates that rained from the ceiling (truly, the owls were working very hard). He could hear it in the delighted squeals of girls and shy huffs of boys around him. He swore the air smelled sweeter too. All of it caught him off-guard enough that his morning patrol was spent pondering whether chocolates truly did taste different when made with love.

However, it seemed like Valentine's Day would not be an entirely mysterious, lonely affair after all, because early afternoon brought Rosaline Everhart onto his path. She brought an invite to go to a tea party at the Great Lake. Erast, of course, accepted the invite. It would be the first time they would spend time together as friends beyond their letters. What could he do but accept? The offer came in the most unexpected fashion too. It came with company. Very colourful company.

The most colourful was Leo Noxley. The boy was just an unnecessary reminder of the embarrassing predicament that they had going on. He still hasn't figured out how to face the other boy properly, so even looking at his face made Erast embarrassed. Cecilia Merrick was a... bright spot, as usual. Bright in a way that sparked fondness, but blinding enough to make him fear for his safety. Lucille Rosenhart was a pleasant distraction from the mix, despite being a complete mystery. Rosaline was really amazing, being a magnet for all kinds of people.

On the way there, the brunet walked with them quietly, not quite sure how to join in the chatter. The group's friendliness was… strange, but pleasantly so. It made him feel almost comfortable in his silence.

The sweet scent of desserts and perfume reached him before the sight of the venue did. Erast schooled his expression back to passivity when the rich, floral scent of roses hit him in full force. It made his head dizzy, but he followed the others to a table that Rosaline pointed out. The fancy, elegant set-up was very lovely. He only read of such parties in Western novels. Sparing such fragile, quality china teacups for a school event though… The organising seniors must have worked very hard.

Just as he was about to pick a seat, Erast felt a whirlwind sweep by. He turned his head, only to spot Noxley practically shoot into the seat next to Rosaline. He couldn't hold back the slight scrunch of his brow. '哇 …' Wow He tried to catch Cecilia's gaze, to see if she saw that too.

Erast distracted himself from the sight before him by picking up the teapot. He was pleased to find it full, and fragrant enough to know it was the second brew. He instinctively went to fill everyone's teacup before taking a seat.

The various shades of frosting, sprinkles, and coloured sugar almost looked too colourful to be real food. Picking up a plain heart-shaped cookie, Erast thought of the people who didn't manage to join the tea party. Archer, Verity… Do they like sweets? Will the cookies still taste good if he saves some for them?

He reached for a piping bag filled with white icing. Maybe a constellation cookie first, then a music one…

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Tatiana was always not the one to celebrate Valentine's Day without spiting it or feeling suddenly disappointed of herself for being too "soft" to celebrate such an event. But seeing the disgustingly vibrant pink note plastered on the bulletin board as she made her way for her annual announcement check and the long trail of rose petals that lead outside of the common room, she couldn't help but feel intrigued.

Following the petals, she was led up the stairs, into the Great Hall, and finally outside into the grounds, where crowds off students were huddled around a few tables with frilly tablecloths that almost made the girl want to leave immediately. But, at the center of the event, were two notably official students, a prefect and a captain. Seeing an opportunity to socialize and climb up the hierarchy, she threw aside her pride for once and decided to join in the event, in hopes to get at least a hello from one of the girls without as much as knowledge of what the students were actually doing here.

But unfortunately, as she was beginning to make her way to the pair, a small group of chattering girls ran in front of her and she lost sight of Millica and Charlotte. Gravely disappointed, she ventured in the grounds to try and at least make use of her time here, she wouldn't have made an effort of leaving the common room just for nothing.

So, spotting a seemingly empty table that only had one occupant, she made her way to a girl that had brown curly hair huddled by herself in front of a tray of undecorated cookies. The girl must've heard Tatiana make her way to her as when she was only beginning to sit into the pouf infront of her the curly-haired girl immediately greeted her.

Slightly taken aback, she returned a half-enthusiastic "hello". Then, seeing the small piping bag in the girl's hands and the small trays of assorted toppings, she now knew what the event was for: decorating.

Tatiana was never really the one to enjoy decorating, so when the girl had asked her if she was here to decorate some cookies too, she somehow managed to mutter out “I suppose so” and involuntarily grabbed a cookie and a piping bag as though she was obligated to do so. Managing to catch a glimpse o the curly-haired girl's cookie, she wondered if it was for a significant other. But her chance to ask was beaten as the girl had already finished the design and was now bidding farewell to Tatiana.

And now the dark-haired girl was left sitting by herself with a cookie in her hand and a piping bag in the other, looking like a complete idiot. Without actually knowing what she was supposed to do, she absentmindedly drew out a chocolate bar and strawberries on the cookie and put it back on the tray. Hopefully that was enough.

WC: 492
@Jada Blake

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February 14th.
Valentine's day.

It was the today's date and the event associated with it. Rose did not know much about it except that love was celebrated by giving flowers or spending a special moment to a restaurant for instance for people who wanted to. But that was only she had seen from the outside. Her parents always busy with work did not celebrate this kind of occasion unless she was not aware of it. So she knew as much as she was ignorant about it.
Aren't people who love each other supposed to show it everyday anyways?
Probably because she was still young she was thinking this way but she would understand it better while growing up.

Anyways she had receive an invitation from her best friend to join her to the tea party specially organised to celebrate this lovers' day. While walking her way out of the castle Rose passed by the bulletin board where the note about the event has been posted. It smelt a sweet heady perfume that was in a way bewitching everyone who was smelling it to follow the trail of rose petals on the floor probably leading the way to the Great Lake where the event was being hold. Although Rose was going there to join Skylar anyways having the smell still tickling her nostrils made her in a more willing and joyful state to participate to the tea party. Indeed if it were only her it was unlikely she would have joined it.

Rose walked down outside the castle to the Great Lake where she got slightly amazed by the set up of the place. It was giving a warmth -although they were outside- and cosy atmosphere well welcomed by Rose. There were a long table for people who wanted to talk and meet other people and small round tables where on the other hand people could be more intimate with their special someone either friend or lover. Rose's light green eyes fell upon what was next to each table alongside the pre-made dessert and tea pot. A set to decorate heart-shape cookies with frosting colors sprinklers or sugar.
Rose's eyes lighted up as a smile appeared on her lips. Perhaps it would be more enjoyable than expected. Seeing already many people were here she wondered if her best friend had already arrived. For Rose it was unlikely Skylar had sit on the long table instead she put her attention to the small tables looking for her friend when she spot a girl with two ash brown braids. The young Slytherin girl seemed to be focused on her task making Rose smiling at how cautious she seemed in what she was doing. Not to make her friend waiting any longer Rose made her way toward the table where she heard Skylar muttering something about the quantity of cookies she decorated.

"Cookies are never too much" Rose said chuckling while sitting in front of Skylar. She looked at the pile of cookies not clearly looking at the drawing yet as she worried her friend has been here for some times now.
"Sorry for making you wait." she apologised "But I guess you were able to keep yourself busy." Rose added on a teasing tone with a gentle smile while serving herself tea and taking one of the desserts. She was quite amazed by the numbers of cookies Skylar had decorated.

Now it was her turn. Rose smiled taking a heart-shaped cookie ready to draw a beautiful plant looking design for her best friend.

^{14 FEB 2026}

Absolute suckery back to back today. This has got to be the most eventful birthday he ever had, and he hated it. Sure, the day might've started off to an odd…. but sweet note with how his former captain sent him a birthday letter wishing him a birthday, and good luck with the duels on the same day. A lot to unpack there, but starting off with the letter first. Hanako had often avoided telling anyone his birthdate. Rainwood he knew had at least been told 8 different dates but he seemed to have forgotten, or stuck to one hadn't realised Hanako kept giving him a different one.

@Bridget Collins
Bridget he had done the same, out of habit. She was really the only person on the dueling team that he hadn't want to flirt with to get a rise out of, or wanted to mock or tease. He had figured that since she had left, there was hardly any reason for her to remember him anymore now that they didnt have dueling to connect them. But then the letter came and … it was quite difficult to fight the smile off his face. He supposed its when you least expect it, that it impacts you the most. Thankfully the smile was gone when he realized he had a duel on the same day, with Jack and Villa no less. Thanks Bridget, I'll get back to you after I recover from this birthday fiasco.

Frankly he wasn't even going to think about the duel. That one had it's own things to scream about in his pillow later. Which was supposed to be the best part about his birthday. Alone time - in bed, doing absolutely nothing and staying away from the icky gross couples flaunting their healthy happy relationship while Hanako had been stuck in his own stagnant love life. Like salt to the wound. He was admittedly even perhaps eager to spent the rest of his day with Jack. With how their relationship is at the moment, Hanako found his chest aching a little at the thought of spending his last few birthday hours with him.

But then that little shit fox face opened up his bloody mouth and started yapping about how there was this tea event, and how there was going to be cute people there and it made Hanako only want to strangle him more. He gritted his teeth with a smile he knew Jack adored - a fake one. Before saying sure~. Can't wait~

It was perhaps a mess and a bad choice. He was tired, but not as much as he was stubborn. He couldn't very well just say what he actually wanted to Jack, anyway right? Whatever- he was here now, might as well just get it over with. Arriving at the event, it showed on his face that nothing about the event made him excited. Okay well since Jack opened his big mouth, Hanako could do it too.

" Are you suuuuuree this is a good idea for us to be here?" He asked his roomate with a skeptical tone. " Well you know what happened last time we went to a valentines tea party like this, didn't you? Let me recal… the laced cupcakes.. cu sith's meltdown.. the fire .. me wanting to make out with you.. oh god you even kissed someone right?" He gasped a little too dramatic to be real shock.

w/c: 567

@Jack Burnett

Aly's hands shook, wiggling one of the hearts that she had been piping onto her cookie with the delightfully runny and brilliantly pink icing, as she startled at the sound of a nearby voice. It wasn't uncommon to find her lioness friend, formerly the object of the Ravenclaw's own affections, at these Hogwarts-run events; in fact, Eve was one of the few seventh-years who participated in faculty-created errands, and sometimes the two girls even attended them together purposefully, as with the sign-language lessons the previous fall. Aly craned her head around just in time to see the Gryffindor lass pull out the chair beside her, taking a seat. Their shoulders brushed, and not for the first time in the last year Aly noticed how her heartbeat no longer hitched when such an accident occurred. It was reassuring, really, how clear it was that the fleeting bouts of puppy love and first fancies could truly fade given the proper time and distractions.

"I never mind company, especially yours," the Ravenclaw said, cheerfully and genuinely, scooting over slightly to allow some elbow room on both girls' parts. "Freshly eighteen looks lovely on you, Eve." Her keen green gaze couldn't go without noticing the watch on her friend's wrist, and she held out her own left hand with a grin, bumping the silver metal of hers against the gold. "I'm so glad I could finally give that to you. Meant to last Christmas, but - well, with the whole Marcus protest and then the Hogsmeade... event," her tone bittersweet, for remembering her few days wherein she had been essentially a Muggle and downtrodden on just as much, "it completely slipped my mind. But now we all match, like a lovely little set of four." The silver and bronze versions that Aly and @Dealla Prince now regularly sported, respectively, were heirlooms - from Aly's own father and his best mate Alfie, after whom Aly was quite sure she'd been named by this point, and who had passed down the twin timepieces for Aly's seventeenth birthday after her father's passing. For the birthday of @Pericles Dralt a month and a half or so after, Aly had commissioned a version of pure white marble, complete with the same altitude-conveying broom-shaped hand as well as the moon phases and astrological chart measurements. She'd, at the same time, had a gold one made for Eve, but only now, nearly a year later, had it managed to find its way to the lioness's wrist.

The question of tomorrow only brightened Aly's already lovely smile, and the corners of her eyes crinkled as one only can when looking forward to seeing a special someone. Not that @Kavi Kattimani was a particular special someone, at least not yet, but Aly certainly didn't mind seeing his kind brown eyes and that jawline again. The pink blush that overtook her freckled cheeks somewhat matched her sweater, and she dropped her warming face into her hands, letting her bag of icing fall with a soft thunk! to the table. "Oh, is it that obvious?" she bemoaned, only somewhat embarrassed; she had, after all, regaled their High House mates in the Oceanian school of tales of their surfboard-filled meeting on the beach that first day at Tenūsa. Aly was never quite shy about hiding her feelings from her mates, and they had all been so wonderfully supportive about her having a bit of a fancy for a boy who regularly lived half a world away. "I mean, what can I say? I'm bloody excited to see Kavi again. And to cover all of it for the Headliner, of course. My first big assignment." She leaned in to bump her friend's shoulder with her own, a mischievious grin spreading across her face. "What about you? Excited to skate, I presume? I'll bring my best camera along and try to get a great shot of one of your jumps for the front page."

Closed to other new interactions
Feb. 14, 2025 | fit in banner | #C47DDB | interacting with @Evelynn Decipio
lovely & charmer affect everyone | sta 10, eva 14, str 5, wis 19, arc 7, acc 17