Event The Fall Ball (Masquerade)

Interacting With: @Valerie Baines, @Thomas Baines, & @Callie Jensen
Mentions: @Rosie Parker

"This is Va-" Just as Elias had been about to hold his date above Thomas' head introduce the girl to Thomas, he was promptly interrupted by an outright attack from Callie. Letting out a small groan as the girl lifted his mask to get a closer look at his face, he was half tempted to clock her. The whole point of a masquerade was the mystique, why did she need to go around knowing who everyone was? It seemed rather pointless in his eyes. Plus, had his voice and stature not been enough to identify him anyways? "My nose is perfectly fine!" Eli protested, turning his attention back to Thomas before he did in fact commit what some may consider a war crime on his female housemate.

"As I was saying, this is my friend, Valerie... I was going to introduce her to you and Callie tonight but it seems like the two of them already know one another." He finished, letting out a shrug. He wasn't particularly bothered that his grand reveal of a friend outside of the two of them had been ruined. It wasn't like it was really a big deal, at least not in Eli's eyes. Though it seemed Callie thought him having a friend and one that would come to the ball with him at that was an absolute miracle.

Sending a brief nod Thomas' way, Elias brought their conversation to a swift end. That had been all he really wanted to tell the boy and well, it seemed that both Valerie and Callie were slandering him. He couldn't let that slide. "I did not threaten to throw another rock at you and you know that. Plus I didn't even throw it at you... you were just in the way." Every time the topic of the 'rock incident' was brought up, the two seemed to end up going round and round in circles, having the same conversation repeatedly, always expecting a different outcome. Eli had started to wonder if they were perhaps insane to be completely honest, but he was brought out of that thought by the suggestion that Callie and Thomas were attending the ball as dates. Now that he was actually here and looking at the boy, the thought of that little shrimp having a date was laughable. In fact, he did laugh. Out loud. "It's a ball, Callie! People need dates to dance with, otherwise, you're stuck looking like that girl over there- and I'm a perfectly good dancer, I'll have you know!" He gestured, pointing in the rather lonely looking Rosie Parkers direction.

Keeping Callie on one topic for long, however, was virtually impossible and it was not long until the girl had shifted her attention to the sweets that adorned the refreshments table by them. "I haven't tried any yet, no. We just arrived."

Action: Is it bullying if the stranger you're making fun of doesn't hear you?
Stats: STA: 7 | EVA: 3 | STR: 10 | WIS: 6 | ARCP: 6 | ACC: 8

@Breana Oliveire, @Quinn Healy and @Nico Shymane



The perfect place to remain unseen. To be what you want to be. To lie and to dance. To claim you are what you are not. To fall in love or be loved. Not that there would be any love for Breana Oliveire. She would never know feel of Pericles' manly embrace or the sweet taste of a Veela's lips. No, this would be her last day, the final hurrah.

She was addressing a pair of gingers, Nico and Quinn. Both of them Prefects. Neither of them particularly keen in terms of observation. What to do... What to do... The music. The food. The dancing. Breana would be easy to find, a teal suit with asymmetrical and feminine features. It was quite unlike the ballgowns most of the girls here insisted on wearing. So large, so cumbersome, so flammable.

Eureka!

Everything was following in place. The perfect opportunity to take her place. Nobody would even notice that she was gone. That she was replaced. She was best noted for her unique fashion statements and her propensity to be injured. Her mannerisms had been studied, errors in social grace would be almost expected. There was little to fear in this seamless assimilation.

Charles Atticus Woodward did not like parties of any sort, when it came to the magical world. Perhaps because he was fatally wounded the last time he had even stepped foot in an event as such- although this one wasn't a stupid secret hidden out in the middle of the grouds at night, where monsters could have easily attacked- but that didn't make this any easier for him. He even wondered if he should have brought his broom, his trusty Silver Stallion, but this was indoors... so-- really, what use would it be to him?

Why was he even here? He barely had 2 friends, and god forbid either had invited him- no... He was alone. He was alone at a ball, going "stag" as they said back home; and he was wearing the most eccentric raiment of clothes he owned.

Or rather, well, yes he owned them- but it took a lot of fumbling to get them... like this.

Charles wasn't usually a fan of the lavish or extravagant. Last year he detested the children who appeared on the scene wearing ridiculous outfits and inside plumages; and yet there he stood wearing the most fanciful coat he could have possibly imagined. Hell, he was wearing heels, which is something that Charlie from last year would have never dared to consider.
Adorned in a silky undershirt,vest, and puffy neck tie, a lavish red brooch and gloves- and this immaculate, increibly detailed... thing. He'd called it a coat, but really it was easily 3 things at once. A coat, if the sides were opened, A cape if they were closed. If he had the front buttoned, it was a poncho!

It... admittedly... gave him a bit of a headache amonst the other lacish decorations of the entrance to the ballroom.

In his hands though, was the most complicated and downright needlessly cool thing he owned. Cool to others, he hoped, but to him... was more or less an... overcompensation for soemthing brewing deep inside of him. In his hands he held a full mask, in the shape of a deer skull.

He didnt plan to put it on, not until the actual ball started, or if something happened to go wrong- which he assumed would be the case, as everything always went wrong, so he stood at the entrance, holding the skull, wondering if it would even be worth it to go in.

Why should he? He had no friends, certainly no date. He doubted he'd find anyone in there open to a dance or two- no, he was under the strict assumption that he was alone, and that would not change, so he stood in his tracks. He'd gone to all the trouble of making this odd fantasy of an outfit a reality (depsite his more rational side begging him to ditch the heels) so why shouldn't he either? Who cared if he was alone?

He did.

Well... shit." He swallowed, watching people pass him by. It was increasingly less likely he'd even walk a step forward in his boots; perhaps backwards- but he didn't know. The uncertainty of it all was making his hands itchm his leg hurt- and the large, nearly nasty, scar across his face sting with anxious flight.

Mentioning/Interactions - Closed to all interactions, interacting with @Scott Alexander and @Ami Procoppio
Stats - Stamina - 9, Evasion - 5, Strength - 5, Wisdom - 9, Arcane - 10, Accuracy - 8
Abilities - Charming, Fearless

Interacting with @Amara Dragamior

Open for interactions!

A ball, oh did an event ever send a shiver down his spine. It was for good reason too, since the last few Hogwarts balls had turned into chaos with various happenings like animal attacks and kidnappings being rampant. However, this time it was going to be different, everyone was going to be ready this time and fight through it together. They all had too, it was the only way of seeing what was shrouding Hogwarts in this new wave of darkness. And with a new companion at his side, Percy felt unstoppable in making good use of this event.

Gray waited outside of the Slytherin common room wearing a smart navy blue suit, along with a unique looking black and silver mask that partly covered his clear face. His black hair also seemed messy, yet suitable for the attire he was wearing, and yet for being a pureblood he pulled it off well. Percy did some last minute adjustments of his sleeves before the door creaked open, which revealed Amara who glowed with radiance. His face alone told her what he thought of the costume, that was all the indication she needed to know she was beautiful. The boy offered a smile before politely offering his hand to his new companion "We will get through this together..." reassured the boy as they made their way to the ballroom

Eventually, the duo make their appearance at the ball and stand at the entrance, their eyes gazing at the marvellous setting put before them. He looked back to his companion and nodded with a look of anticipation "Ladies first" he said before extending his right hand outwards and slightly bowing in an attempt to be a gentlemen. Although, when he bowed something seemed to come into eye view as he leaned back up. The unusual thing was a black orchid, one that still looked fresh with life. But it didn't look the same compared to a normal one, the plant had dry blood marks and small damages along its pettles which indicated it had gone through hell before. And what hell was that? the previous ball.

Percy gazed down and quickly tucked the plant back into his pocket for safe keeping, his eyes looking back to Amara who most likely noticed the mishap "Hmph... lets have a look around shall we?" he said as his eyes lowered slightly, almost as if a long lost bad memory had reentered his brain from the previous incursion "Might as well make the most of it before things hit the fan"

Stats

Stamina: 7 / Evasion: 8 / Strength: 6 / Wisdom: 6 Arcane Power: 7 / Accuracy: 6

Ability: Fearless

Outfit

Action: Walks Amara to the ball

Our fair Lucas Alexander-Nico Dragamior was one for the dramatics. All black, check, late, check, but fashionably late of course. Running his hand through his hair and musing it a bit, Lucas steps into the ballroom. Already filled with dancing students, Lucas eyes an unreasonably attractive trio, two of them sharing a chaste kiss and the third looking on, before continuing his search for the lovely Johannes, Lucas takes this opportunity to make a comment in the trio's direction, "Kinky."

And then, the world stopped.
A boy, standing there in radiance. A boy, an angel, a demon. Suddenly, the world comes back. Suddenly noise and chatter fill Lucas's ears but all he sees is the boy. Smoothing his suit, Lucas walks up to Johannes. A gentle kiss of the hand, and a murmur of hello into his date's ear.

Lucas keeps his grip on Johann's hand, leading him to the dance floor. He may be shorter but the Dragamior second in line knows how to lead a waltz. "How are you this fine evening my darling?"

The lights twinkle, the ambiance is cheerful, dark, romantic and here Lucas is, with the perfect boy in his arms. Nothing can go wrong tonight, not with Johann by his side.

Still in mourning, the recent death of a friend some months earlier had placed a damper on his demeanor. Still, he stood erect. In a house of extremes, either massive or insignificant, there were few in-between such as himself. Where the normal becomes the unusual and bizarre. He was dressed in black finery, an embellished jacket with large silver buttons. A silk vest that had been recently fitted by his father's esteemed tailor. Black on black on black... no, that would not do. A white dress shirt to break up the repetitive darkness.

He sniffed the air. She had not arrived yet, she might never arrive. If she never came, he would endeavor onward. He knew what his presence would elicit. The reckless passion of those who acted without thinking. It was to be expected. Nay, it was what they were counting on. He had asked Marion to the dance, not as his date but rather as a cohort. Victor's death would not be in vain. She was supposed to find a Gryffindor Quidditch player to accompany her but he had a feeling that she would be as she always has been, a perennial disappointment. It was amazing that there was a time he was Victor's rival for that girl's affections. Just another pretty blonde. Not much in the head. She could be replaced by just about any other girl here, it is as if a fifth of the school population is comprised of part Veelas or girls with abnormally lovely genetic endowments. However, there was an attribute that made Marion special. Something that could not be so easily replaced. It was for that reason she would remain his.

First, let's find Madeline.

Mentions: Madeline @Aaron Jones

Roleplaying as Durmstrang iNPC Arjan Oberoi

Closed to Interactions unless you DM/Owl me first

His peer group were so... loud. He had to wonder if he was as bad as them. It was kind of annoying how loud and rowdy they all were. Honestly, he secretly hoped that he did not give off such an impression. It was interesting to watch them all flirt though. They were so bad at it! Ha, he should show them how to do it. Obviously, he was far better at it.

At least, in his own mind, he was better at it. In reality, he was just as bad as every other kid out there. He had only recently turned fifteen and pretty much had zero experience in actually being smooth, but he sure as hell was confident enough to think he was the best at it. A girl [Cassanora Browne] appeared near him. These masks were kind of... annoying. They prevented people from seeing how handsome he really was and more importantly, they made it harder for him to judge others. How was he supposed to know what she looked like? She had a weird badger mask on! It was not as stylish as his but eyeing up her outfit, he could not help but smirk in approval. It was the Beauxbatons school uniform, if he recalled correctly.

He had heard plenty of rumours of how beautiful, graceful and classy the Beauxbatons students were... He could only hope that she did not disappoint, "Well... I don't need my clothes to do the talking for me. My personality is capable of handling that," He replied back with a smirk - and a wink that was mostly covered by his mask - as he looked around the room and motioned to a couple of the more extravagant outfits, "Have to wonder if they are compensating for something," He would add, slightly quieter as though he was thinking out aloud.

The girl in the floor-length ball dress, most likely wearing heels for the very first time based on the awkward walk she was doing as she tried to manoeuvre through the crowd without tripping. An easier said than done task. The boy who had clearly copied his father's attire, and managed to make himself an old man before even becoming a teenager. Most likely purebloods who were trying to show off their wealth or force the fact that they were 'powerful' down someone's throat. He understood because he often did it. Not here but at family gatherings. Of course, he was just being judgemental and making assumptions about their outfits but he did it nonetheless, curious to see if their personalities matched their clothing or if the clothes were a front.

Looking back at the girl, "And for the date... Well, I am not in a habit of asking random strangers on a date, and most of the students visiting from my school on this trip are guys. And annoying. Besides... How many of these 'couples' are really going to last?" He added. He was old enough to be over the whole 'cootie' phase or 'girls are gross' phase that he had gone through. However, even then, he really doubted most of these relationships were going to last longer than a night. Why tie yourself down to just one person for a night when you could talk to anyone and everyone that you found interesting without being held accountable to anything?

"So... How did a lovely Beauxbatons girl end up here, in her school uniform, without a date, standing on the sides by this boy?" He added, subconsciously running a hand through his hair. It briefly caught on his mask, knocking it slightly. Not enough to come off his face but he had just forgotten he was wearing it and was in a habit of running his hand through his hair often, which he now had to remember he could not do so easily. Sigh.

Stamina: 15 | Evasion: 4 | Strength: 15 | Wisdom: 3 | Arcane Power: 7 | Accuracy: 10
Abilities: Obnoxiously Strong | The Martial Artist | Spell Spread | Charmer

Outfit: Durmstrang uniform, mask

OOC Note: He's not referring to any specific people's outfit. Just randomly being judgemental and rude about random overdressed faceless NPCs I guess?

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Open to Interactions
Roleplaying as: Paisley Brown
Interacting with: @Sarah Lightwood
Action: Making horrible joke
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Paisley smiled, letting what Sarah said sink in to her mind, fulling processing what she had said. If she had wanted to respond, she wouldn't have been able to, because the misty glaze over the Slytherin's eyes had shocked her into speechlessness. She really cares that much. She doesn't hate me. That's, actually really good. Did I just do something good? Since when did something good come out of deep conversations like these?

Bye the time the Slytherin had finished speaking, her mood was much improved, and she had reverted fully back to her bubbly, excited self, perhaps even more so. "True, now we are stuck with each other." she giggled, releasing the tension that had settled around the two (she hoped). Now that her secret was out in the open, it wasn't a secret anymore. At least not here, with Sarah, who she knew she could trust. Thinking of the perfect way to overcome the deep and weighty conversation, Paisley put on a serious face, although the gleam in her eye said otherwise about her emotion. "What is your biggest flaw?" she let it sit for a few moments, hopefully catching her friend off guard, and then spoke, still with the same serious tone, "Mine is chocolate chip cookies." she could hold the serious facade only until the word 'cookies'. She laughed at her own joke. It was rather stupid, but she didn't know this.

Once again she felt the familiar sway to the music overcome her, bringing her into a blissful happiness, whisking her out of the terrible thoughts she had been in. It was funny how that could happen, where one moment you're terrified, worried, and scared, and another you're perfectly fine.
"Should we dance again? It was awfully fun." she suggested.

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Open to Interactions
Roleplaying as: August Henry
Interacting with: @Lydia Cooper
Action: Dancing
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"I'm Lydia, by the way. You're not from Hogwarts, are you?"
August shook his head. "No indeed. I'm from Ilvermorny, in the United States. A Pukwudgie first year. It's a very unfortunate name for a house, but I can't complain, as it is the very nicest. Do you have any friends who go to Ilvermorny? I might know them." he made sure to hold his tongue before it got out of check, as to not make a fool of himself in front of this newly found dance partner. He had recently gotten into the habit of bombarding innocent bystanders with a flurry of questions, and he was trying ever so hard to stop it.
He whisked Lydia onto the dance floor per her positioning, and moved in time to the music. He had never really found the need to know how to ballroom dance, but his older sisters, knowing a ball would come up sooner or later, had insisted he learn. So they had spent almost the entire summer trying to instill grace to a rather ungraceful being, and had succeeded in the end. That didn't mean there was no struggle, but now he was decent, and he could get by fairly well for an 11 year old with two left feet.

August twirled Lydia around once, and when they came back together, he gazed into her eyes, and was immediately blown away. This girl was like no other he had ever seen, and he wondered how he had failed to notice it before. She beat all males and females alike in her wonderful stunningness, and a compliment rolled off of his tongue before he could stop it. "You're looking wonderful." he commented, and then added, "Not that you'd need me to tell you. I suppose there's many, girl and boy both, who come up to you and tell you all the time." he decided to keep the small talk going. "Have you any siblings? I've got 4."

Mentioning: @Vladimir Athanatos, Cassanora Browne (@Eldridge Seath), Angélique de Clairmont (@Santario Martin), @Lydia Cooper

The storm going on outside set the perfect mood for a Halloween-themed masquerade ball. Madeleine was very excited about the event that Hogwarts was hosting, particularly the part where it was being held in an actual ballroom. She had been exploring the castle over the last few days - getting lost more often than not - and had yet to locate their ballroom or rehearsal room. Those were the only two rooms in a castle that mattered - rooms where she could show off her skill in dancing and be praised and watched for it. So as the crowd of students from all the schools headed to the masquerade, she was finally able to get her first glimpse at the ballroom that Hogwarts housed.

The young French girl was not disappointed. Although it was not as polished as the numerous ballrooms at Beauxbatons, Madeleine was able to find the beauty in most anything. Here, the charm came from the effort that went into decorating the area. Although the walls were still the old stone that the rest of the castle was made of, the decorations themselves drew attention away from that and towards the theme of the ball itself. Gothic. Elegant. Some might even find it cozy. It was clear to her that what they lacked in polish they made up for in heart. And this theme was perfection.

Madeleine adjusted her mask as she entered the ball with the crowds (unknowingly passing right by the one she was looking for). It was time to turn her attention to finding her "date" for the evening, Vladimir Athanatos. He was a fourth year at Hogwarts that had initially invited Cassanora to the dance - only for Cass to then suggest he be Maddie's date. The young French girl had been a bit miffed with her friend when she learned about this. She was not scared or intimidated by boys, but she did find most of them to be rather.. well, gross. Most of the boys at Beauxbatons seemed to be on a different level because decorum was part of their curriculum, but she knew that there were still boys who even liked to make fart jokes! What if this Vladimir guy was like them?

But then he had actually written her a letter. And attached to that letter had been a beautiful perfume bottle. Stunning, in fact, and it smelled heavenly! She had never been gifted perfume before, and it left an impression on her. Vladimir had seemed perfectly splendid in the letter as well - assuaging any fears she had that she was being looked at as a second choice. And she actually did want a dancing partner for the evening.

So as the letter had suggested, Maddie had put on the perfume while she was getting ready. The fact that he would be able to find her based solely off of that was.. strange, but interesting. She was curious if he would really be able to pick her out of the crowd. Her autumnal dress and leaf mask were a unique theme to most of the others here, and she did like to think that she stood out from the rest, but she was only confident to think people's eyes followed her when she was dancing.

Maddie took a few steps into the ballroom, searching for the six-foot blonde that had been described in the letter. She had specifically worn heels to make up for their height difference, and because she had been learning to dance in heels for years. She was tall for her age - but still only twelve - so with the heels she stood just shy of five-and-a-half feet. With this added height, though, she saw one of her friends, Angel, with her date for the evening. Mads' brown eyes started looking around for Cassanora, but the ballroom was so crowded at this point that there was no sign of her. They had arrived separately - mainly because Maddie had taken a bit longer to get ready - but she would be sure to find Cass at some point and pull her into a dance, whether she wanted one or not.

One person that did catch her eye, though, was a girl (Lydia Cooper) in a white dress being twirled around the dance floor. She was wearing a bunny mask - but even masked, she radiated an aura that reminded Maddie strongly of the girl that had captivated her back on her first day here. Could that be her? Had she dyed her hair a more strawberry color? Madeleine is very susceptible to the alluring effects of part-Veela.

TL;DR: Entering the ball, looking for her date Vladimir, getting distracted by a part-Veela dancing
Stats: Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 10 | Strength: 4 | Wisdom: 7 | Arcane Power: 7 | Accuracy: 7
Ability: Charmer

She never got a reply from Allister-Jameson MacAllister. She would be attending this dance alone.

Like most girls with dates, she painstakingly fretted over her gown. Her friend had died, so black seemed to be the most appropriate but black is creepy. She liked yellow, like her hair. So happy and shiny. But yellow on yellow? Too monochromatic, not cute at all. Pink was nice, but she wore pink to the Blossom Ball. That dance went terribly, she was robbed and Vic was set on fire. She cried all that night and never heard from Arlo again. It was probably never meant to be.

She liked blue, it was her second favorite color. Blue like the sky or the sea. Yes, that would have been perfect for her. Only... she was in mourning. Sparkles and bright colors best left for another day, maybe if Vladimir is able to muster yet another miracle even if he claimed that they were out of second chances. He has lied before, maybe he was lying again. That idle hope was all she had to make her smile.
It was hard doing her own hair but being a muggle born had its own benefits. YouTube tutorials took her far. A few silver hairpins and hairclips, an egregious number of hairspray was all it took to feel pretty.



The rest was as per Vladimir's instruction. Bring her clutch. Heels, something that made her 'less short.' She was five foot six, so not particularly short but she could always add some inches with her hair and with her footwear. She would see and recognize Vladimir. He was standing outside the ballroom. He looked like he was waiting for someone. She wondered who but she did not dawdle. She tried to duck into the ball as quickly as possible, attempting to avoid the Ravenclaw's discerning gaze.