Secret Blossom Ball Event Finished

-Interacting with @Rafael D'Spacito, @Wren Caster-
-Open to interactions-

“Oh, wow, I can’t believe I’d forgotten about the boutonniere,”

Lydia could tell that her brief attempt to cover up her distress didn't work on Rafael, since he still looked worried, his eyebrow furrowed. She smiled to him again, shaking her head lightly at his words, before she chuckled as well. Since he had arrived at the Ball, Lydia's stomach had felt all kind of funny, as if she had, at the same time, a knot in it and butterflies inside; it was probably because of the mixed feelings and thoughts that were running through her head, but it still made her feel kind of funny.

Rafael's wide smile sent the girl's heart into a frantic rhythm, but not as much as his next confession. He was glad to be there with her, and it would have sucked to see her with someone else. Lydia stared blankly at him for a brief second, as her brain reset itself, overwhelmed by his words; then, a bright, genuine smile appeared over the girl's lips, her whole face lightening up with happiness. Whatever Aurelia might have seen in the common room, definitely wasn't what she thought it was; no boy with a girlfriend would ever say that to another girl, Lydia was sure of it.

A lovely laugh escaped her lips as Rafael offered her his hand as he bowed down, and Lydia couldn't resist the urge to curtsy, as with one end she held up part of her dress, while she placed the other one over the boy's hand.

"Then it will be my pleasure to guide you through this enchanted garden, Sir," Lydia said with a funny accent, as she tried her best to imitate those members of her family that at every single family reunion would talk about posh and snobby things. Before walking away, the redblue headed girl turned around just in time to wave at Wren, that had already started going back to her date.

After that, she gave Rafael's hand a light squeeze, before she started walking.

As they passed the two armours, Lydia gestured towards them with her head, before explaining to him why they were there. "One of these is an homage to the Headmaster, while the other one... well, I have to admit that it was more a matter of symmetry! It would have looked too weird for me, and on the long run it would have driven me crazy," she said, and then realised that she must have sounded completely crazy already.

When the Gryffindor boy asked her again if she was really okay, Lydia bit down on her bottom lip, her eyes suddenly glued to the ground. A minute passed before she finally spoke again, and by then they had already reached the edge of the dance floor. "I'm okay... I just-" she said and then took a deep breath, "I promise I'll tell you once we are somewhere more... well, with less people around." She knew exactly the place they could have gone to; behind the food tables, and therefore behind the Quidditch goals, there was a more private space that would have been perfect for it, since they had hung flowers and leaves between the poles, creating a sort of natural curtain/wall - she even thought about going up to the stands, but she had put that idea aside.

As Lydia guided Rafael towards the space behind the tables, she spotted Wren, and decided to take a detour to show her the beautiful roses, that she still held in her other hand, that Rafael had gotten her.

As they got closer, she noticed that one of the guys that were there with Wren, apparently just received a drink - was it apple juice? or maybe Yoohoo? she couldn't tell - in the face.

"Hey Wren, is everything alright?" Lydia asked her once they were close enough, her eyes scanning the faces of the people there. Being one of the organisers of the event, Lydia felt like it was her duty to make sure that everything was going well, and that no problems would have come up. Now, a drink in the face wasn't a problem per se, but if a fight would have followed that then that would have been a problem.

Reducio

Lydia's updated outfit

As they walked together towards the eastern stands, Aida's eyes glimmered in admiration; after all, Aida strongly preferred wildflowers because of her backcountry origins. "Bluebells! Stunning. They would carpet the forest floor in indigo out in the Highlands. Hard to find such a beautiful vision as that in the morning light. Did you know in the language of flowers they represent constancy, loyalty, and gratitude? I just love that language, it's like a secret code. Maybe you know that during the Victorian period foxglove signifies a whole phrase -- 'I am not ambitious for myself, but for you.'" Aida indicated the bell-shaped white flowers on her lapel. "Foxglove was said to be sacred to the faerie people and that where you found foxglove you could find fae folk." She decided to not go on about the other flowers in case she was the only one so fascinated by them. Besides, Alexander had questions.

"On the ranch I learned how to make a lot of things from scratch out of natural materials because we were really isolated. I was very lucky that once in a while we could go to a library with an interlibrary loan program. So I guess for my hobbies I read a lot and then did a lot of exploring the natural world. I wish I could take you there! Out in the chasm gullies and caverns and old-growth forests. Imagine if we could fly all over there. Or explore outside of Scotland, going to all the natural wonders of the world! I heard there is a cave of gigantic crystals bigger than a person, out in Mexico. What if we found a bunch of magical creatures that had never been discovered before?!" Aida laughed as she caught herself growing exuberant with the flight of fancy. She waved herself as if she were overheating. "But you know, there are all kinds of people and creatures that are in trouble, held captive as slaves or abused pets. Especially wild creatures and magical ones. Much as I'd like to explore, it haunts me that there are so many in terrible pain out there. Think of spending your entire existence in a cage where you couldn't even stretch your legs out all the way. Then there's habitat destruction and..." Aida saw that she was going on a rant again and trailed off. "Anyway, I was never able to travel much outside of the Highlands but I would like to. The closest I could get to world travel back then was books." Then it seemed a light went on in Aida's mind because her eyes grew very big.

"Oh Alexander, you must tell me about yourself! Tell me about your hobbies and your..." Aida was about to say 'dreams' but then thought it might be really intrusive. After a few seconds of thought, she continued on anyway. "Dreams. If you want to, anyway. It's okay if you don't want to say or if you don't have any."

Mentions: @Alexander Varellion

Interacts with @Ami Procoppio
Mentions @Anastasia Beckett

As Anastasia left, Scott found himself unable to do anything but watch her, wide-eyed and frozen cold to the spot. He'd have liked to go after her, to hurry or run and make sure she was okay, but exactly what he would've done he had no idea. Apologise? She deserved an apology, that's all he knew, but seeing as her dress was becoming smaller and smaller as she disappeared into the crowd around them it didn't seem as though that's what she wanted. Not now. Scott had never experienced someone wanting to just get away from him that desperately... It didn't feel good. Not good at all.

Though Ami sure must've thought so.

He wouldn't look at her yet. His eyes were still lingering in disbelief at the spot in the grass where Anastasia had turned her heel, with such a strange smile thrown his way. Hopefully it was sign of his not having made many people feel bad in the past, that he couldn't remember ever seeing an expression like that before in his life... No one should have to let such an unhappy smile go while wearing a pink dress. It should be illegal.

"...why would you do that?"

Still not looking at her, and speaking at a volume probably too low for her to even hear over the chatter of the crowd, Scott frowned. He really didn't understand it. He hadn't gotten the time to even process the things Ami had said about Anastasia before it was too late, and the sight of her leaving had washed the rest of him blank. It was all coming back to him now though... Parts of what she'd blurted out, in that cruel fashion, would've certainly embarrassed him dead only a few minutes before- but the rest was slowly inspiring a much more unfamiliar and nasty feeling in his chest. And as this sensation was quite easily taking over, he looked at her- his mind coming up with either a million words, or no words at all, to say.

"...Do you think this is funny?"

She didn't actually look very amused, but to Scott she might as well have been bending over with laughter, her top hat falling to the ground in a comedic fashion very fitting to the way she must be appreciating the situation.

She astounded him.

"She's mortified! Couldn't you tell?! You can't just do things like that to- it's not all right! And not true, or- well, it's.... it's..."

Scott groaned shortly at his own stuttering, and left her eyes once again. Her apparel was only making matters worse. He couldn't recognise his friend in her words before, and now he couldn't recognise her in herself. Though maybe, in some ironic way, he should have done it quicker than ever, since now that she forced him to think about it, this wasn't the first time she'd pushed him into this sort of confused upset from out of the blue. Not nearly as close to the "first time" as it was supposed to be, or as he'd imagined.

Scott needed to take a deep breath. And then he needed to leave, just like Anastasia had done.

The ball had looked absolutely magical to him! Back when he'd thought he'd get to spend it with his best friend, and a sweet girl who thought the night was just as fairytale-like as he did. But now, the light from the same candles were as if burning at his corneas, and the fragrant flowers as if inducing an allergic shock.

He wasn't used to feeling angry, that was the thing.

"I'm going." he said determinedly.

Not feeling like making another attempt at speech, and especially not in front of the rest of the school, Scott took the first step towards the exit of the training pitch. Although, and not much to his surprise, Ami shifted to her side in order to appeal for him to stay- making him push hard into a velvet clad shoulder.

"I'm going. And I think Chad should do the same. He's embarrassing himself."

Scott and Ami leave the thread. Stay safe everyone.

As @River Dewlight went on to answer Katrina's question about how she was doing, Katrina continued to pay attention while scanning the masses of students. River commented on the fact that it might turn out okay and Katrina gave her a slightly quizzical look, it was odd how she believed that things could work out when the previous record stated the exact opposite.

After asking what she had been up to, River mentioned studying and S.W.A.G. Club. When the Ravenclaw redirected the question to her, Katrina blanched. "Hm, well-- I mean, I have been keeping busy studying too," At least that was true. It was hard to tell the truth when so much of everything she did she didn't want to talk about. "Boomerang, my cat you met at the library, certainly keeps me on my toes, I'm honestly surprised that he didn't follow me here," A teasing grin hid the worry from her face for a few seconds. "Then, you know, S.W.A.G. Club and other stuff," The first part was true, and kind of the second part too, sure she had been doing other stuff, drawing-- crying-- eating.

Katrina looked over the crowd again, now it was almost becoming a nervous habit. Each time someone leaned in close, she couldn't help but hope that they weren't planning something evil. Every time someone showed off a bracelet or used their hands to talk, Katrina watched to make sure there wasn't anything dangerous in their clutches.

So far, so good.

No chaos.

No bleeding.

No monsters.

Nothing seemed amiss in the party.

Katrina bit her lip and turned back to River. She needed a subject that they could talk about for a while. Less pleasantries, more stories. For the sake of every living thing, why she couldn't come up with anything? What about childhood stories? No, that's somewhat out of the ordinary. What about friends? That's an awkward subject for Katrina. What about classes? Too cliché.

Katrina just wanted to take her mind off of things. Then she went back to what she had mentioned before-- pets, "So, how's your owl doing? Getting into any trouble?" She blanched for a moment, squinting her eyes and trying to remember, "Hoot? Sir Hootsalot? Small Hoot?"

Open to Interactions
Mentioning: Everyone
Interacting With: River
Action: sitting at table talking
Color: #80BFBF

interacting - @Logan Baird

"Eh? Now you're threatening me?!" he snarked in reply to her exasperation, giving an aghast look that quickly morphed into one of respect, "how devious." he praised, quickly waving off the rest of her statement off with a sarcastic hum, "me? cheering you up? I would never...I simply can't contain my amazing wit. A curse really."

Tilting his head he looked towards the dancing, cheek pressed into the palm of his hand and free arm beginning to tap at the table top quietly. He could see that. Kinda...not really. Maybe Logan was more shy than he thought because while slow music totally made sense. You can't that without a partner. He couldn't see the big deal about dancing to the faster music by herself. If anything she'd probably have an easier time making friends that way...

Oh well, not like he could say anything. He wasn't about to lead by example. Not his thing.


"Me?" he asked, growing slightly confused as she continued. There was a small pause as he took in her words, simply staring at her with a blank look that turned into an annoyed one. As if she'd just fell out of a tree when he told her to be careful type of look. Was she an idiot or something? No, maybe he just had a talent for meeting people with literally no confidence.

"I'm not waiting for anyone, I don't even know who came and didn't out of my friends. I just came because I wanted to see if this ball would be the exception to whatever bad lucks been following this schools events."

Well that and the journal but he didn't really feel like explaining himself all that much. It didn't really matter.

"I'm sitting here because I like talking to you." he huffed giving Logan an begrudgingly amused look, "you act like you're unlikeable or something. Pretty sure I wouldn't be your friend if that was the case..."

(Open for all rps good or bad.)
Character Outfit:

Percival rolled his eyes at Hanako's cheeky smile, and did his best to ignore his goading dormmate. He usually didn't have this much trouble ignoring people's attempts to get on his nerves. Though Hanako seemed to have a special knack at it.

Even despite Percival's snappy attitude, the boy was still glad that he had found Hanako. The presence of his friend would make the ball a little less awkward. The boy wasn't sure if he would have even come if the other had neglected on convincing him.

The boys looked back towards the girl who still stood in front of the pair. He couldn't say that he knew the girl seeing how she did not look the least bit familiar. If he had to guess, the girl was most likely not a Slytherin seeing how she was quick to apologize.

Percival snapped his gaze back towards Hanako as the other brushed off his shoulders. He really did not know what exactly drove Hanako to act this way. Though he guessed it was probably just at the expense of this girl, and his as well.

"We aren't dating. He's just joking around." he said with a slightly exasperated tone of voice.

The boy listened to the girl as she tried to take all the blame. "Really don't worry about it. We both could have been more careful." he said with a small chuckle. He hoped that him laughing a little would lighten the mood.

"Ah no I'm not-." he started to say before he was cut off by the girl reaching into her handbag. Percival's eyes widened as the girl offered her handkerchief. Percival could not help but feel a multitude of emotions. The boy took the handkerchief for a second looking down at it. He found the situation awkward, funny, and even a little bit sweet. Though the emotion that ended up with was a mixture of all three.

Percival bit his lip as a small laugh bubbled up in his throat, and it ended up coming out as a small chortle. The boy honestly could not help his small laughter and he hoped the other wouldn't think he was being rude. Though it was hilarious how she thought that she had caused some major life-threatening injury from a bump. In reality, it probably should have been him asking if she was alright.

The boy shook his head slightly before holding the handkerchief back to the girl. "Really I promise I'm fine." he stated with an awkward smile. "Besides it looks like a pretty nice handkerchief I wouldn't want to ruin it." he chuckled. "I like your dress by the way. My name's Percival. I never caught yours?" he said with a grin.

Percival looked towards Hanako as the boy interrupted the conversation. He had almost forgotten that his dormmate had been standing there. Though before he could even speak he watched as a book hit the backside of Hanako's head.

His eyes widened as he turned to a brown-haired girl who had come up behind them. From what she said it seemed like Hanako and she knew one another. Percival nodded at Althea before holding out his hand for her to shake. "Nice to meet you?" he said in a confused tone. Percival did not know many people who entered a conversation by hitting someone with a book.

Interacting with: @Hanako Tone @Ginevra Tsuchiya @Althea Valeden

Interacting with @Elsian Cox

Logan rolled her eyes a little as she glanced at the dancers, nervously tugging at her hands. "Didn't really have that much of an option whenever it came to being my friend. I kind of just brought you into it forcefully" she muttered as she glanced back over at Elsian again.

She thought about the Summer Solstice ball that her father had every year to celebrate her birthday and the beginning of summer. That was really the only time that she had ever met anyone around her own age due to having a tutor. The only other times were when she was at competitions and visiting other Pureblood families.

"I guess I just don't have any confidence when it comes to talking to people."

It was true, she couldn't talk to people that well and the fact that she had even talked to Elsian in the first place was a surprise to her. She knew that only talking about herself probably bothered Elsian, but at this point she had no idea what to talk about. She didn't want anyone pitying her, but it seemed that was the only thing she caused.

"I guess just interacting with people my own age is new and I haven't adjusted to it yet," she continued to mutter to herself as her hair fell into her face as she rested her hand on chin. "If I actually tried than I would probably be able to make more friends, but I just don't even try."

At this point Logan was lost in her thoughts as she stared at the candles floating above them. She wasn't an awful person and once she got to know someone she would talk to them more often, she just wasn't trying to talk to anyone. Spending most of her time reading and studying didn't do anything to help her case at all either.

A flash of the camera prompted an ill-tempered glare in the direction of the photographer. It only assisted in affirming the general tone his presence provided. It was not the first time he has seen this girl, their previous interaction being at the Owlery with a cagey blonde. Thomas failed to understand the intentions of the snapper. Sure, one could presume an assigned role from the group that organized this evening, but a bemusing notion. Providing visual evidence of the secret ball seemed like a contradiction. Despite his curiosity to discuss what she plans to do with these photos, Thomas opted to place it on the backburner…there were bigger fish to fry.

Thomas was relatively emotionless to the collective animosity the pair received him with. Whether the undeserved barbs towards the short fellow, or the lingering hostility that was effortlessly rekindled with Marion from their initial introduction. After implying he would toss the girl out the window, how could a different result be expected? Alas, any predetermined plan the boy arrived with this evening was quickly discarded at the first drop of the water of life. The initial calculating intentions quickly replaced with a series of rash decisions. Despite the liquid courage leading to a bolder approach, the goal in mind was not lost on the boy. He would take what he wanted by force if he must.

It was known to some the boy had a thing for the liquids(lake), but this splash of juice was far from pleasurable. If it is any consolation, pumpkin was good for the skin. Despite never laying a finger on Marion, his unsettling demeanor and diction led to a slap (last encounter), a drink to the face, and an…intended shove. Marion was accurate with her beverage, the pumpkin juice left dripping down his chin to his neck, dampening his collar. The only surprising development was the first substance to stain his clothes this evening was juice, and not blood.

The shove to follow mostly ineffective, the teletubby-esque strength of the girl led to one staggered step backwards. Thomas' lips parted in disdain, slowly dramatic hands rising to rub the remnants of juice from his eyes. Despite his want to retort, he continued to suppress his anger in effort continue playing this little game.

"F-find something else to bother!"

“So that’s a no then..?” Thomas attempted to remain stoic, utilizing whatever skills remained from those elementary school acting classes. A great outlet for an angry little boy, they would say. From his peripherals, another individual approached. It was the boy seen with Marion earlier this evening, duffel bag in hand with a somber expression. Likely due to the absence of the girl that accompanied him earlier this evening (Wren). A unique opportunity arrived, as Thomas opted to continue his rash string of decisions.

"Dude, leave Mary alone,"

Spirited opposition. Perhaps this would be easier than he thought. “I only asked for a dance…” He countered, implying the reaction to his actions was not justified. Thomas glanced over his shoulder to see the silent assassin, true to his name. He had almost forgotten the boy was present, the others didn’t seem to notice him either. Thomas gripped Selim’s forearm tightly, if the boys made eye contact Thomas narrowed his eyes in a curious glare. Play along. “You see…” He turned back to Victor. “My date…disappeared, I guess. Selim here, was helping me find…him.” Embarrassed blue eyes found the pitch before reconnecting with Victor. “Guess I’m not the only one.” He motioned to Victor, relating with his absent date. Thomas lit up as if he had a lightbulb moment. “Would you be interested in a dance?”

Fortunately for Thomas, he was given just enough time for this offer before the girl seen previously with Victor returned to the scene. From afar, the situation may have given one the impression he was the victim. A role he would willingly continue to play. Her question only assisted the development of this role to the desired party: Victor. Thomas offered no more than a humble nod towards the girl, before refocusing attention on Victor. “Your bag looks heavy; I could carry it… if you’d like.” With a half smile, Thomas offered an opened palm to Victor.

Interactions: @Marion Davenport @Victor Moore @Selim Faust @Wren Caster

Mentions: @Arlo Reynolds @Santario Martin

Interacts with: Opelia Seilun
Mentions: Marion Davenport, Thomas LeStrange, Victor Moore

Suspicions. Unconfirmed whispers of paranoia. Unsubstantiated theories. "You worry too much," Vladimir announced as she admired the gift from the box but did not touch. This contrasted with the expected human response. "If I was to give you something devious, it would have been the box. Nobody suspects the package," he lightly chuckled. Yes, it was a tease because he saw what she was doing. "Try it on," he urged. No he dared.

He knew she probably wouldn't, the gift had another intention entirely. The purpose was not to curse the girl, nor was it to track her. A gift from him, had he been the sort to give her some corrupted artifact, he would not be as obvious as to gift her with it on a dancefloor full of witnesses. He could feel the eyes on him and he did not mind one bit. What he wanted to know, she already told him. She was watching him too. What he felt now was not paranoia, it was a legitimate premonition. Paranoia represented that nagging sense that everyone experiences -- that feeling, perhaps knowlege people are not there for you. That they are watching you. That they were talking about you behind closed doors. That they were plotting against you.

Most girls accept gifts with earnest excitement and demonstrate their appreciation by using the gift, be it perfume or jewelry immediately. Even if it was a bloom that they could only sniff. She verbally acknowledged the existence of the bauble but nothing more.

Very well then, not a date.

As she had accepted his invitation to dance but not his gift, he would guide her onto the dance floor. He knew how to play the role of a pure-blood gentleman, he had spent his life cultivating his facade as one would expect. He was tall for a fifteen year old boy. Not quite as tall as some part-giants or a few string beans that had graced this school, but he was an inch shy of six feet. He was almost a head taller than his date. It would be hard for her to study his features from down there.

"If you do not know, I will lead," he announced with the same confidence he greeted her with. Socialization was hardly a concern for him. This was almost mechanical to him, the niceties of social expectations. It made multitasking easy.

He would see Marion and some deviant, possible pervert. Victor was left alone, his girlfriend had wandered off but she would be back he was certain. Romeo looked like he was trying too hard, but little did he know the adage about flies and honey was all wrong.

If she did not pull away, they would start dancing. He had drawn them into the crowd, away from a few eyes he could feel on him. "How many of your friends are watching us?" He asked. Could he dance? Not particularly, but the thing with dancing was - if it was done confidently, it was considered 'good.' Of course with dance moves like 'flossing', the concept of 'good' was relative. In comparison to modern dance crazes, he was fantastic.

He did not expect a verbal answer for his last question, her silence would prove enough even bvut so wouldn't her denial or admission. After all, he was not a hot-headed Gryffindor nor was he a loyal badger or a cunning snake, he was analytical even if on first glance he did not look like the type of boy that would have a brilliant mind. He offered to twirl her. "Where are you from?" Using this as an opportunity to know her - a passing curiosity, an idle interest, a diversion or something else entirely. "I am from Bargoed in Wales," he offered if he was asked or not.

Of course the diversionary conversation would not last long. He needed to unsettle her further. "Do you know why I asked you to the dance?"

Crystal heard about the ball through some girls in the Hufflepuff dorm, they were talking about the whole thing and asked her if she would go, and she decided it would be fun to see what it was all about. As she wasn't a girl into dresses and skirts as they severely limit her mobility, she showed up in a suit. Not the normal men's suit, but a suit jacket, dress pants, and a flowey blue undershirt that matched with her eyes. She stood taller than usual with her heeled boots, more of a wedge than a heel but it still gave her extra height. She looked around at wonder at all the decorations, the magic of the whole thing more than what she was used to. Her eyes were drawn towards the plants hanging from the hoops, she was tempted to figure out a way to get up there and get a closer look but decided she wanted to keep her head on for tonight. She looked around, and her stomach growled. Embarrassed, she realized she hasn't eaten in a while totally forgetting to grab dinner while rummaging through her stuff trying to find formal wear. She decided it would be a good idea to grab some food before her stomach collapses into a black hole.
Crystal headed over to the food tables, brushing past the chattering students to get something to eat. When she finally got to the tables, she was suddenly overwhelmed by all the options. There were so many drinks, what was what? how was she supposed to know the difference between them all! She let out an exasperated sigh and decided to pick up what she hoped was a punch. It smelled like one, so fingers crossed it was. She then looked at the lack of a proper dinner, and decided to put together a plate of a mix of things to satiate the pit in her stomach. She grabbed a tiny burger, a couple of carrots, and a cupcake for dessert. Hopefully it would be enough. She managed to balance the cup on the end of her plate and carefully walked over to a nearby empty table. Sitting down and digging in to her impromptu meal.