Wonderland Waltz 2026 Spring Ball

Time: Evening ~ Date: 19/04/26 ~ Outfit: ✖ ~ CC: #4B3F57
Stats

Reducio

Sta: 7 ~ Eva: 4 ~ Str: 6 ~ Wis: 8 ~ Arc: 6 ~ Acc: 4

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟
Delilah entered the courtyard slowly. There wasn't reason to rush in. The Wonderland Waltz enveloped her in an aura of gold and ivory. Obviously, the décor in the courtyard was designed to awe the guest. Glittering lights dangled from the branches of trees, chandeliers floated above in place of the moon, and the waltz that played somewhere in the distance gave a sense of rhythm to the night air. There were red and white roses along the borders of the area; their petals changed color depending on how long you stared at them, but she was too distracted to pay attention. All of this was obviously carefully thought out and calculated.

There was barely a sound of her heels tapping softly on the stony ground as she began to move forward confidently, gracefully. The soft flow of the fabric of her skirt grazed her legs lightly, and her pale lavender bodice glowed in the soft glow of the warm lights.

Delilah looked at the various things in the courtyard one by one, absorbing bits and pieces of her surroundings. There was a gazebo decorated with beautiful hanging flowers, and there were plenty of food and drinks on the tables that were scattered throughout the area; some of the students were already talking and laughing as if they'd spent the entire night in the middle of the dance. One particular object managed to attract more attention than anything else in this location.

Her brows furrowed slightly as she spotted the shining dance floor. Yes, she saw the hands of this huge clock turning. That isn’t normal. Obviously, everything in the world was strange and unusual nowadays. She didn’t want to ponder upon the matter and moved her gaze away. As far as she knew, that thing could do whatever it wanted to do, but there was no need to find out first. It would be her turn anyway.

So, she shifted towards the margins of the area and turned away from the center, which was already crowded. It was much easier to keep watching from here. To wait patiently. At least until something happened. She was standing near one of the small tables now and looking around. There were people who started dancing; there were those who were still standing uncertainly; and there were also some who tried hard to pretend that they didn’t care about anything happening around them.

Her expression didn’t change much, but there was something more focused behind her eyes now. Not disinterest. Not quite curiosity either. Assessment. This won’t stay calm for long. Things like this never did. There was always something bound to happen.

A small shift of movement nearby caught her attention. Someone passed a little too close, the edge of their sleeve brushing against hers for just a second before they moved on without a word. Delilah’s gaze flicked after them briefly, then away just as quickly.

With her free hand, the girl moved the small golden chain around her neck, relaxing her body against the table. She wasn’t trying to isolate herself from the rest of the guests – she was just biding her time. The music swelled a little, laughter rising with it, and somewhere near the center of the courtyard, someone stepped onto the clock-like dance floor without hesitation.
𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

interacting with: Open to any interactions
mentioning: @no one

Salim couldn't believe he was there. At Hogwarts. How could it have happened?

Well, Hogwarts' annual school ball was arranged so that all schools were welcome. Although Salim knew that there were many from Uagadou who would rather spend the time studying or just enjoying the spring. At least that's what he had planned to do.

But unfortunately, Salim had happened to mention the ball in one of his letters home and his mother wrote back right away saying that she really thought Salim should go. She thought he needed to get away from school for a while and see some new scenery. Maybe even meet someone new that he could form a friendship with. Salim knew better than to contradict his mother. He loved her and knew that she only wanted the best for him. That was why he decided to go.

And now he was there.

Even though spring had come, it was considerably colder in Scotland than in Africa. Salim was very happy with his choice of clothes he had packed. Knitted sweaters and hoodies were perfect. Since he and the rest of the entourage from Uagadou who had come with him had arrived a few days before the ball, Salim had plenty of time to explore the nature in the area. It was something different from what he was used to, but he didn't complain.

Then came the evening of the ball.

Salim had only brought a simple black suit with him, but when he stood in front of the mirror wearing it, he couldn't help but think that he was quite handsome. He pulled away with a cautious smile and told himself that this evening wouldn't be so terrible after all.

He was wrong.

A moment after the ball had started, Salim found himself standing alone in a corner. He hadn't danced with anyone, hadn't talked to anyone, hadn't even made eye contact with anyone. "I must look like a complete idiot," Salim muttered to himself, leaning his head against the cold stone wall behind him and closing his eyes for a moment. This had been a bad idea.

When he finally opened his eyes again, he made direct eye contact with someone on the other side of the room. A girl. A beautiful girl in a long black dress. She was also standing to the side and looked like… Salim didn’t want to say idiot because she really didn’t look like one. He waited a few seconds in case someone else was coming towards her. No one came.

Salim pushed himself off the wall and walked around the dance floor and towards the beautiful girl. He had his hands in his pockets and stopped when he was a few meters away from her. How the hell was he going to start? He had to take a chance.

“Hi,” he said and smiled a little. Great, now he looked even more like an idiot. “I just saw you from afar and wondered if you would like to dance?” he asked and nodded towards the dance floor. Oh my God. What was he doing, really?

He looked at her. She was even more beautiful up close. The black dress, the white bow, the brown hair and those eyes. Gray eyes, just like himself, that sparkled like two moons. “My name is Salim, by the way. What is your name, beautiful girl?” he asked, hoping he didn't seem like a total idiot.

Wc: 575
@Tes Cadell
Notes: Not open to interactions

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tag/s✧.* @Salim Wolde	wc✧.* 259/200	ooc note✧.*
date✧.* 15.04.2026	outfit✧.* Reducio	speech✧.* Sissy -, Salim -

code by ara villa

Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 4 | Strength: 2 | Wisdom: 7 | Arcane Power: 9 | Accuracy: 3
Abilities: Parselmouth

The Wonderland Waltz was a fitting name for the ball. Derived from the Muggle story of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the alliteration in the name gave the ball an air of mystique and whimsy. A wonderful and magical realm where oddities and peculiarities thrived, it was truly the dream place to be. Tonight, the Courtyard reflected just that. Lines of light intertwined and stretched across the wispy branches of willow trees and tall oaks, hedges adorned with elegant roses blinking in glimmers of ruby and pearl, and enchanting wisteria laid its lithe stems at rest above ivory swings and themed tables.

Having been a part of the organising committee, Erast recalled the agonising hours spent with his fellow student planners over the finest of details. From the height and circumference of rose bushes down to the shine of their tableware, the team overlooked all the tedious logistical matters with the eyes of hawks. He never thought estate management lessons would have ever come into use at his hand, for an inter-school ballroom event no less. He must find a way to thank his governess once again. The Wonderland Waltz was his first formal event, one that he had poured dedication and heart into no less. Now, gazing at the beautiful sight within and listening to the passing whispers of awed participants from the entrance, Erast felt an unfamiliar rush of warmth – a warmth he now knew as pride.

Fidgeting with the band of his red beryl ring and clad in a red Jacquard waistcoat, Erast stood poised at the entrance to the ball, waiting. Waiting, because he had a partner to the Waltz: Verity Engels. The eldest daughter to the respectable lineages of Engels and Grosvenor, and his date to the Waltz. Alright, it was not technically a date. It was arranged after an eventful discussion with his group of friends that they would attend the ball together, and it just so happened that they would be a “pair” amongst a few other pairs. The thought of Noxley frankly made his eye twitch. After his mortifying violin rehearsal in front of the capable and lovely girl, Erast could never have fathomed facing her again, much less accompanying her to the Waltz that he helped prepare. Unconsciously, his index finger began tracing constellations in his palm, a nervous habit. He had many questions, but no way to answer them. Would she enjoy the Waltz? Would she be okay with the food? Would she be okay with him?

From a stranger's viewpoint, Erast remained stoic and refined where he stood at the entrance, blissfully unaware of the nervous flame slowly burning his heels up to his chest.

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Interacting: @

Outfit: ✿

Mentioning: @Mathias Athanatos | @Aly Salinger | @Dee Prince | @Aamon Athanatos | @Gideon Athanatos

English | Irish | Internal thoughts

Winifred lingered at the entrance of the courtyard, her short stature half hidden by the ivy. Her blue eyes scanned around the area, searching for someone she would not find. The crowd was populated largely by wide eyed first years wearing adorable Wonderland themed outfits. Winnie could barely remember the first spring ball she'd gone to. It was hard with the jumbled mess of memories. She had worn massive ball gown made of fake cherry blossoms and thrown a drink in the face of her future husband. That sounded about right.

Tonight would hopefully be less dramatic, though knowing these types of events it was wishful thinking. Her hands smoothed out her gown, which fell in rose blush layers with small pink flowers embroidered into the tulle and ruffles of her skirts. Her bodice was lower cut, structured more like a corset that had been stitched with the same cluster of small floral decor. The sleeves were an off the shoulders cut, dipping down into semi-translucent puffs. Her hair cascaded down her back in soft copper curls, tied half up with twin pink satin ribbons.

Apparently later in the night they would vote for a spring court. It reminded her of those old teen muggle movies she used to watch as a child, with homecoming queens and prom queens. She planned to vote for two of her besties, Dee and Aly. She hadn't signed up herself because she had her fill of attention stealing moments when Mathias had proposed to her a few balls prior to this one. Besides, there was no way anyone would win over Aly and Dee, they were both well liked, smart, beautiful, talented... Oooh! If they win a crown, will they let me try it on?

Hopefully she would spot Mathias soon. He was her husband (which was still weird to think about), and her forever ball date. He would get an earful from her if he was late. Still, she'd be happy to hang with her friends, or Aamon... So long as she didn't have to spend time hearing more of Gideon's damn riddles. Speaking of, where was the little asshole? Maybe trying to blend in with the firsties, wearing some sort of cute costume.

If he was dressed as a white rabbit, Winnie was leaving.

This spring ball had a much brighter atmosphere than last year's fall ball. Though, given the names and the differing seasons, it was expected. Fall was always a bit of a gloomy time, with the greenery going yellow and leaves falling to the ground. Spring was quite the opposite; flowers blooming, trees regaining their leaves, and more birds in the air.

Vera had gone alone during the last ball, having not found a partner or a group in time. It was fine, regardless, as she met a few people to sit with for dinner. But this time around, much like the seasons, was different.

The friend group she'd slowly made during the winter months had all expressed interest in going to the ball. So, naturally, there were plans to go together. Among those plans was also a partner for Vera in the form of her fellow housemate, prefect, and musician. While Erast's violin playing... left much to the imagination, he was polite, well-mannered, and cleaned up nicely. They had a lot in common, being the eldest of their families and being born into wealth, and there was a sort of comfort in being able to confide in those troubles with someone who knew what it was like.

Erast had busied himself with ball preparations, so they agreed to meet each other at the entrance. Vera walked through the halls towards the courtyard, feeling very conscious about her outfit. She had her own fair share of short dresses, so the skirt truly wasn't an issue. It was the corset, with her neck and shoulders uncovered, that felt revealing to the point where she'd taken a black robe and thrown it on top. To be fair, the outfit was more of a costume than a ball dress, so her expectations had to be adjusted.

She and Erast had settled on this sort of Alice in Wonderland, Queen of Hearts, and similar aesthetics after the theme of the ball was revealed. Sure enough, as the courtyard came into view, it was a sound choice. Vera couldn't help the 'wow's that came out of her mouth as she approached, impressed by the array of roses and string lights that lined the place. It reminded her of her mother's garden back at home.

It took a few more moments for Vera to recognise Erast among the growing crowd. But soon enough, she found him by the entrance.

"Erast," Vera greeted him with a nod, "You haven't been waiting long, have you?"

Action: entering the ball and greeting Erast
@Erast Yan