Event The Fall Ball (Costume Party) Closed

OPEN TO INTERACTIONS!

Mentioning: @Pericles Dralt @Evelynn Decipio @Jack Burnett @Persephone Barret @Ruka Burnett-Tân @Solomon Lear

"When I first saw you at the last ball, you were eating, and now that I find you here, you're doing the same thing."

Akari murmured to Drew, indicating that Gregori and Elisabeth were here! Drew was glad of that, because if he had just been standing there not realizing they were there, that would sure be awkward. And he knew Greg would just hate that.

He grinned widely, turning to his best friend and their date. They were a little late, but Drew thought back and realized that they hadn't ever specified the place that they were meeting. "Hey guys! I don't think we told you we were meeting here- sorry about that. You look amazing tonight, though." They really did. He knew that Greg's suit was probably hand-me-downs from his big brother or something, but it still looked good on him- he looked sharp. Elisabeth looked even more amazing than usual, too, in her fancy dress and mask. In Drew's honest opinion, Akari out-dressed all of them. Everyone. Maybe even Rose, though Drew hadn't seen her yet. She just looked absolutely stunning. Neither Drew nor Akari had actually put their mask on yet. Drew was just waiting until they went to the masquerade to actually put on his mask, and he wasn't sure of Akari's reason.

Only when his hand slipped out of Akari's did he notice that their hands had lingered that long together. He straightened his suit. "I believe introductions are in order. Akari and Jess, this is my best friend, Gregori, from Ilvermorny, and his date Elisabeth. Greg and Elisabeth, this is Akari, my date, and her best friend, Jess." He gestured to the three girls, voicing his next curiosity. They were in the same school, after all. "Do you know each other by any chance?"

Interactions:
@Robert Toukmond | @Quinn Smith
Mentions:
@Pericles Dralt
Actions:
Saying hello to an old friend
-Open to interactions-

Moderation:

Reducio

Stats:
Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 6 | Strength: 3 | Wisdom: 8 | ArcPower: 6 | Accuracy: 7
Abilities:
Perfectionist

Turning her silver leaves bracelet around her wrist, the 11-year-old brunette walked through the doors of the rehearsal room into the Costume Party of the Autumn Ball, her dark brown hair cascading down her back in soft ringlets. Callista had toyed with the idea of going in midnight blue, but she ended up picking a light yellow chiffon dress paired with a simple white cardigan, a simple, silver circlet, and snug, soft pink flats, not unlike ballet shoes.

Callista had found one of the invitations taped on the back of a library chair. She planned to spend time in the Costume Party before heading over to the Masquerade Ball. She was, after all, dressed lightly but more formally than one would expect in a costume party. If Callista had not planned to head over to the Masquerade Ball, she would have dressed in a cat costume of some sort.

When she entered the room, she nodded to a young man by the door, who had a bird mask on. Her own mask was in her hand. Silvery and elegant while retaining a certain simplicity, Callista was quite fond of it. It had been a while since she had dressed so elegantly.

Her chiffon swished around her legs, her blush pink flats quiet on the marble floor. Her simple silver circlet gleamed in the light, her silver leaf bracelet matching it on her wrist. Her dark brown hair was styled in soft ringlets. She was, in fact, quite pretty. Callista even put a little lip gloss on, but she refused to put on any other makeup, retaining a soft, natural look.

Over the past month, Callista’s confidence had grown a little, and she didn’t stammer quite as much, although she was still shy. She spotted several people by the table labeled “Tricky Treats”, and suspected some sort of humorous magic was hidden in the treats. This was proven true by the unfortunate victims of the delicacies.

Callista spotted one of the students, dressed as a banana. With a jolt, she realized that she knew that boy. Robert Toukmond, she thought, dumbfounded. A few seconds later, she had her hands at her mouth, stifling laughter.

He seemed to be talking to another girl, dressed as... was that a latte? A pumpkin spiced latte, if she heard correctly. Callista was not fond of pumpkin herself - with a twinge of sadness, she remembered that she had, in fact, told Robert this in one of their letters - but it was cute as a costume, and it smelled wonderful.

The banana and the pumpkin latte, she mused. Robert seemed to be under the effects of a Laughing Potion. “Robert,” Callista said quietly. A smile pulled at her lips as she watched him with warm brown eyes. There was a glimmer of uncertainty in her eyes. That, along with her fidgeting with her bracelet behind her back, were the only signs of her nervousness. Her heart was pounding, wondering how Robert would react.

He liked puns, Callista remembered. And science. Yes, that’s one of the things I remember clearest about him. He’s a perfect Ravenclaw. This was a completely unplanned encounter, and Callista realized she had no idea what she was going to say. Her old nervousness starting creeping up on her, but she forced it down. I’m here to have fun, she reminded herself.

Callista smiled at Robert and said to the other girl, “Hello, I’m Callista.” She reached out her hand along with Robert’s for a potential handshake.

Outfit:

Reducio

Soft ringlets

Elegant silver masquerade mask

Light Yellow Chiffon

White Cardigan

Simple silver Circlet

Silver leaves bracelet

Soft blush pink flats

Post Tracker:
X | X | X

Interacting with @Thora Larkston and @Flash Holmwood [Yefim]
Mentions: Solomon Lear, Serena Towers, Sylvain Indarys, Ruka Burnett-Tân, and Jack Burnett
~ Open to Interactions ~

Thora seemed to be thinking the same thing as Bridget, more or less. Pumpkin carving sounded like fun, and the way she saw it, was the only real option by process of elimination unless they wanted to simply lurk at the edge of the room. But really, if they were going to risk attending of the historically disastrous Hogwarts balls, they might as well have some fun. The pair crossed the fog-covered floor to the mini pumpkin patch where a few other students had gathered, though no one she knew. A glance towards the center of the room showed the table of tricky treats was drawing the most attention. She'd anticipated it would; maybe she couldn't relate, but there was something exciting about a surprise. And, of course, it was food.

Directing her attention back towards the activity at hand, Bridget surveyed the pumpkins to find one she wanted to carve. It really didn't matter all that much to her, and considering they'd transported pumpkins to the Rehearsal Room they'd probably at least picked out decent ones, so she didn't have to worry about some deformed gourd. She settled on one of the medium-sized ones and carried it over to one of the carving stations. Thora soon followed with a pumpkin of her own. There was a bowl for the guts they'd have to scoop out and tools for carving. Cautiously, Bridget picked up one of the saws and gently pressed the pad of her finger to the blade. It wasn't necessarily the best way to test how sharp it was, but she wanted to know if she was going to have to be careful. What was supposed to be a fun crafting activity didn't need to turn into some accident like the stabbings brought to mind when she thought back to last year's Masquerade. However, the blade slipped harmlessly away from her skin. Smart. Enchanting the saws to not cut into flesh would probably spare them all at least one disaster.

Bridget's family didn't do much for Halloween, but they had carved pumpkins a few times. It was mostly the scary images and her mom sometimes having to work that kept them from going trick-or-treating, but pumpkin carving was a different story. Getting to work, Bridget started by cutting a hole in the top, sawing up and down in a zig-zagged circled. Once the top was off, the messy part started. With a grin at her friend, she reached her hand into the gourd, diving straight in. There was a squelch and her hand was coated in the slimy guts, but it didn't really bother her. Honestly, she could think of worse things to have her hands be covered in. Fistful by fistful, she emptied out the inside of the pumpkin.

While she did the messy and surprisingly fun work, she looked out at the rest of the Room. The sound of clanking caught her attention and turning towards the noise, she noted that Headmaster Lear had arrived. It was still a little weird to see him after his absence for a year. He was talking to Serena Towers, except only her head and arm were visible. Was she wearing an invisibility cloak? That seemed the most logical possibility, and she had to hand it to the former Hufflepuff Seeker, it was a cool costume that fit perfectly with the holiday's spooky theme.

The treats were tricky indeed, although from what she could tell, them were spiked in the way they were intended to be, not a more malicious one. She laughed as Sylvain's hair grew remarkably quickly until it was quite long, several students broke out into uncontrollable laughter, and a boy she vaguely recognized as a fellow third year flew in as Tinkerbell. He was clearly accompanying Jack Burnett, who was dressed as Peter Pan. She found herself hoping Jack would avoid her; there was really no reason why he would talk to her, but after what had happened at the fight club over the summer, she shared a memory she wished she didn't have with him.

Her and Thora sat in relative silence, occasionally pointing out something particularly funny to each other or commenting on each other's pumpkins. They were both naturally on the quieter side, so the lack of conversation wasn't bothersome. She supposed they were simply comfortable being around each other, no talking required.

When her pumpkin was de-gutted to a satisfactory level, it was time for the creative part, the actual carving. Bridget was decently artistic, although her preferred medium was pencil and paper, not a pumpkin. Of course, she was doing this for fun, not because it had to be a magnificent work of art. Tapping a finger to her chin, she decided to do start with something fairly standard. Carefully, Bridget sawed out the shape of a grinning mouth with two teeth. A triangle-shaped hole for the pumpkin's nose emerged above that and finally all she had left were the eyes. Normal circles, however, were boring and hard to get with the tools she had, so she opted for a star and a crescent moon. She was just finishing up the star and had pulled her saw back to examine how everything looked when it happened.

In an instant, the work she'd spent a decent amount of time on was destroyed, her pumpkin smashed. Naturally, her mouth fell open, shock written across her features. What the heck? Light brown eyes lifted to find out who had decided it was a good idea to stomp on someone's pumpkin. She was met with the smirking expression of a boy she didn't recognize whose hair was sticking straight up like he'd received an electric shock. No costume, no fun... Seriously? So they hadn't worn costumes and he decided that warranted ruining a perfectly good pumpkin. What was his problem?

The reasonable thing to do would've been to just ignore him. She could roll her eyes, she could move on. She could pretend he wasn't even there because he probably just wanted a reaction. But while Bridget tended to be a calm person and knew how to pick her battles, there was something about this random kid who ruined what could quite possibly be the only good part of her night that had her blood boiling.

Her expression had gone icy cold, and not breaking eye contact, she reached into the bowl of pumpkin guts, picked up a wad of the slimy material, and sent it flying straight at that smug look of his. Between the fact he probably wasn't expecting it and her fairly good aim, the projectile landed. And she had to admit, it was extremely satisfying. Maybe this was a Hogwarts ball and maybe that meant she couldn't risk getting herself into a fight, but she was not going to let this kid get away with ruining whatever he wanted to.

Action | Throwing pumpkin guts at Yefim's face [success of action agreed upon by both parties]
Outfit | Pumpkin before it got stomped
Post Tracker | x

Well, it’s not Mosps. But banana puns are buckshot to the little latte's resolve, their shoulder quirks up to help stifle their reaction, an errant kneejerk laugh. Brazen yellow, bearing fruit puns and already knowing Falcon Boy--Banana boy is scribbled down, for all intents and purposes, as totally cool in Quinn's book. Right after Falcon Boy.

But that doesn't mean he should get away with his crimes scot-free. 'Oh no,' they wince dramatically, humorously, a play-pretend vexation belied by their smile, an altogether down-to-earth and charming thing (or so intended ). 'Anything but puns!' But he's already peeling off to try the trick-treats, which leaves Quinn probing softly between the two boys, a mute question in their brown eyes.
' He seems nice,' they chime in warmly, before returning to the land before time with a quivering zest. 'Oh, I could... I could uhm... show you if you want? I have all the books and maybe I could send you one? There are so many cool ones, but I really like the Spinosaurus and the Yutryannus.'

But then there's the razzamatazz about their outfit and our once loud and proud little Pumpkin Latte suddenly spills over their words. 'Oh, I don't know,' they confess in Peri suddenly, quiet, near silence. (That sweat-blob emoji from the HiO discord their perfect doppelganger for a flash).

The dimness passes: flickers like a flame between blithe, crinkle-eyed happiness and astounded wonder. 'I've never tried a Pumpkin juice, but my mum bought me a decaff one once. I think they feel like a warm autumn hug in a cup.'

Pericles Dralt. Forgive Quinn if they smile at that--it's just an inspiring, unforgettable name. They accept his palm with another perfect 'o' of an expression. 'Oh, we haven't... I'd definitely remember. Is your name Greek?' they reply, tucking an errant lock of hair behind their ear.

'It's very nice to meet you Pericles--I'm Quinn.' Give it time (and a little nervous swaying) and suddenly, there seems to be a bunch of hands to pick from: both of which the first year shakes in turn, heart happily on their sleeve. Robert. Callista.

'Hi! Thanks Robert! I like yours too.' Quinn piques brightly at the returning banana. 'I'm really glad someone else dressed up like this or I'd have to... split.'

Then to the nervous soul (Callista) who'd been skirting at their edge. Could this be one of the boy's partners? they wonder absently, silently hoping they haven't stepped on any toes. All the same, they summon the pep to introduce themselves with a pinch of sunshine.

'Hi! I'm Quinn! We were just talking about dinosaurs and pumpkins...'

Interacting with (Open to interaction) @Pericles Dralt @Robert Toukmond @Callista Lovis ___________________

Actions Vibing Lost in the dino-sauce _____________________________

Jorah was one happy boy. Sure the dance proposal ended in utter disaster and she had confiscated one of his lucky coins, but he was still going to the dance with the pretty redhead. He was beginning to let the excitement get to his head. He was feeling... fresh. The bird popped up his collar and strolled down the castle corridors rapping his tall tale.

Now, this is a story all about how
My life got flipped-turned upside down
And I'd like to take a minute
Just sit right there
I'll tell you how I became the prince of a school called Hogwarts
In western Scotland born and raised
In the Highlands was where I spent most of my days
Chillin' out hexin' relaxin' all cool
And all shootin some quaffles outside of the school
When a couple of muggles who were up to no good
Started making trouble in my neighborhood
I got in one little fight and my mom got scared
She said 'You're movin' in with Headmaster Lear in Hogwarts'

I whistled for a train and when it came near
The license plate said Hogwarts Express and it had a snitch in the mirror
If anything I could say that this train was rare
But I thought 'Nah, forget it' - 'Yo, homes to Hogwarts'
I pulled up to the castle about seven or eight
And I yelled to the conductor 'Yo homes smell ya later'
I looked at my kingdom
I was finally there
To sit on my throne as the Prince of Hogwwhat's this?

Jorah's display of swagger came to a halt has his fingers found an unexpected note in his right pocket.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Meet me at the Rehearsal Room first tonight. I'm not sure how much you know about everything, so I'd like to talk before we actually join the festivities. ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ — Sneak

She had done it again, this girl was just too, too... sneaky. She was like a ninja, but without the turtle shell and hopefully less deadly. What did she mean by that, "how much you know about everything?" About what? Was there another attack expected at the ball? Were dances just the headmaster's way of reducing the class size. Mo' students, mo' problems, am I right? Whatever the case, Jorah would be ready this time because this time he would be the world's greatest detective.

On the night of the ball, Jorah strolled into the rehearsal room decked up in his Sherlock Holmes attire; deerstalker hat, tweed coat, and a pipe. He surveyed the revelers and found his partner. "Watson is that you?!?" He made his way over to Evelynn. "Of course it is, finding you was elementary, you're wearing the same insignia on the note you so cleverly reverse pickpocketed on me, bravo. Irregardless, yes I said irregardless, get with the times or be left behind. Irregardless, you mentioned you have some information for me. Well I propose a trade. This is what I have to offer." Jorah withdrew from his pocket a toy resembling a colorful ice-cream cone with a clear plastic dome, "this is a sneakoscope. It will light up, spin, and whistle if someone is doing something sneaky nearby. It's meant to alert me ahead of time of potential danger, but now I'm just realizing I can use this to find out when a certain someone is about to enter into my pockets uninvited." He gave her a curt look. "Anyway, I can provide that useful bit of information this evening, an advanced warning, but all work and no play makes for a dull boy, isn't that right Watson? My superior perception is telling me you are a fan of Skyrim. Surely you know that many a warrior in Skyrim were adventurer's like you until they took an arrow to the knee. At face value it makes sense, no more adventuring on an injured knee, no good indeed, but we must delve deeper Watson, we mustn't forget we our in the lands of the Nords. In Nordic culture, taking an arrow to the knee is synonymous with marriage. You see? Isn't it beautiful, these adventure's put away the sword not from disability, but for love. There I've shared, now what do you wish to tell me?" Jorah put the pipe to his mouth and with it began blowing soap bubbles.

| @Serena Towers | @Ruka Burnett-Tân | @Solomon Lear |
| @Jo Morgan | @Callista Lovis | @Robert Toukmond | @Quinn Smith |
| @Bridget Collins | @Flash Holmwood (Yefim) |

Being by the propped-open doors meant Pericles had an excellent vantage from which to see all entering costumes. While many were very beautiful, Pericles had a soft spot for the especially creative kind, such as Serena Towers the floating head. Even for one whose upbringing was saturated in magic, the sight of her was still enough to give the lad a start. He breathed a silent laugh and- although he couldn't exactly aim for her hands- attempted to offer her a caramel as she entered. Ruka Burnett-Tân came gliding in; it took Pericles a moment of squinting and staring before he could deduce there must be a broom involved. Evidently failing to process the intended humor, he cast a clueless compliment, genuine as he called in passing "What an inventive fairy." More surprising still, a suit of armor approached. Pericles couldn't have possibly guessed that the face behind the visor was Solomon Lear, and so he simply smiled, amused and left wondering whether this was an older student or staff. With quiet curiosity he watched the figure lumber to the Tricky Treats, where he spied Jo Morgan in elegant garb and mask. The lass looked fit for the dance, but Peri was glad to see folks were at least sampling the simpler soiree. Perhaps more would come here to unwind when the Masquerade dwindled down. The way she flinched from a snack at the last moment inspired in him a soft sympathy. He could hardly blame anyone their caution- even he typically avoided snacking at public events as well. But hopefully, some would be more at ease in a matter of minutes, once the actual effects activated....

Pericles continued conversing with Quinn Smith while observing arrivals, looking content to talk and greet. His gaze grew bright beneath the mask when the origin of his name was recognized. "Yes! My parents were on holiday in Greece when I was born. Our home is in Plymouth, which is where I was raised, but they decided on celebrating the circumstance instead of giving me an English name." This was practically recited, as though he had been waiting to share this personal factoid for some time. "Quinn, like quill." The comparison was chirped on the note of an A-ha!, the tactic of linking a likeness cementing this name into memory. "That's Irish, isn't it? Or is it short for something?" Quincy? Quinzell? They were left to their eccentricities during the gap in which Robert Toukmond left to examine the treats, and at the mousy androgyne's compliment, Pericles smiled. "He is," the boy affirmed simply, though there was a shared warmth to his tone. He inwardly friend-shipped the first-years. Discussion flowed easily, comfortably, incidentally plunging into a topic well-suited to a twelve-year-old boy. Dinosaurs. "All the books...?" Perhaps they had a paleontologist parent. Pericles' father, although admitting the study was worthy of respect, evidently did not find dinosaur knowledge essential enough to keep literature on the matter. Keen interest illuminated in the eyes within the mask. "I'd appreciate that a great deal. I'm keen on the Baryonyx myself, which I believe belongs to the same family as the spinosaurus?" Both fish-eating, creepy crocodilian swamp-dwellers. Never tried a pumpkin juice? "Oh but you should- we have some here...." Peri drifted just as he was about to gesture at the drinks, admitting "...although, I'm not so certain which ones are safe." He lapsed into another silence, this time, looking towards the tables as if he'd seen a ghost.

Gone for month's on end. "Personal business" the students were told, and now Solomon Lear was here, in a party Pericles was overseeing, about to eat a potion-laced treat of uncertain effects. "That's the Headmaster." The words were hushed, all talk of treats and dinosaurs and introductions abandoned. Last Pericles had seen the headmaster in person, it was the Sorting Ceremony, where his keen eyes had widened at signs of a sunken face and reliance on the table to stay upright. What "business" left him looking that way? What of the coded letters left behind, the murder, the hags? Pericles' jaw had dropped for more reasons than one. Lear was about to eat a potion-packed treat. Had he heard the warnings about them? Did he understand what the sign suggested? Or was he about to be altered and Pericles would be expelled for the idea of dosing cakes with a chocolate-craving senior citizen on the loose? There was no stopping him. The boy could only stand and stare in an apparent daze.

"Pericles!" Ah, that would snap him from it. "I know you're...under that bloody...bird mask!"
"Hullo, Jo." Jo Morgan, Gryffindor. It took a second to realize her, what with the mask and furious tone, but soon he recognized the Liberation witch. The poor girl's deranged laughter didn't suit her sublime ensemble whatsoever. She hardly had to explain her fury, as he was soon signaling a (NPC) third-year to assist, a peer dedicated to Reparifors duty. Peri offered a gently apologetic nod in answer to her thanks, though he made the mistake of turning away to greet Callista Lovis, an apparent friend of Robert. "Hello Callista." Before any further formalities could ensue however, he caught a glimpse of Jo standing stock-still, eyes wide and cup in hand. An awkward grin shaped as he called, voice between apology and amusement, "There's a half chance it's mundane...?" They would find out in just a moment. He had to brace for the chaos of effects ensuing, as well as what looked to be the start of pumpkin guts fight in the straw-strewn corner (noticed Yefim and Bridget via succesful perception roll). With mild tone and rueful smile, he addressed Quinn, Robert, and Callista, touching hand to heart in a gesture of sincerity. "You'll have to excuse me. It seems I might be needed elsewhere, but I'll be back to the door in a little while. Pleasure meeting you, Quinn."

﴾ This is a personal post. Moderation will take place within 12 from now. Eat! Open crackers! ﴿

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Mentioning @Frost Cira and @Delilah Stewart

𝓐madea was fashionably late. Well. Was it even fashionably late? She was sure the party was already in full swing by the time she had arrived. It was fine, though. The only reason Amadea was late because she had put so much effort into her costume. This was Halloween and Amadea was not about to do an easy costume. This time of year was Amadea's favorite; sure she could get a bit spooked by all of the horror stories that Halloween brought along with it but this time of year was easily Amadea's favorite. It was the beginning of the holiday season. Halloween kicked off the trifecta of celebratory events: there was Halloween, Christmas, and New Years. Amadea loved being able to spend time with family and celebrate and she loved that Halloween was the first of these events. She was also excited about her costume; Halloween was the one time Amadea could dress up as something she wasn't and pretend to be it for the entire night. This year she had picked a rain cloud; she loved the creativity that went behind making the costume and she loved being able to be almost the opposite of what people always thought of her as: the cheery, optimistic Hufflepuff.

She knew that the costume party was going to be really crowded so Amadea was a bit surprised by the fact that she was willingly attending. Plus there was the whole fiasco with the last Blossom Ball...well come to think of it, Amadea was realizing there was a trend with things going wrong at balls. So hopefully this would not be the same. At least Amadea was attending the costume party half of this event and not the Masquerade Ball. Perhaps the fates would have mercy on the costume party as it did not have the word "ball" in the title and it would actually go as planned. Amadea fiddled with the sleeve of her costume as the thoughts swirled around on her head. Why was she worrying so much?

She had made plans to come to the event with two of her fellow fourth years, Frost Cira and Delilah Stewart. While both girls were in her year, Amadea wasn't the closest of friends with either of them. Of course that was none of their faults; it just seemed like the paths of the three girls hadn't crossed that much up until this point. Amadea was hoping that this would be a good chance for the three of them to get to know each other better and bond. There weren't that many fourth years at Hogwarts; people had either transferred to other schools or simply just been scared away but Amadea felt like having a small class was nice sometimes; it gave everyone a chance to get to know each other better and really bond with each other. As Amadea stepped into the Rehearsal Room that was decked out in decor, she looked around for either of the girls. She didn't see them so Amadea decided to stand toward the entrance in case one of them were to walk in after her. Perhaps they were running late as well, or maybe they had already started perusing the activities at the costume party. Amadea looked around as she stood, marveling at the detail that had gone into putting on this event. She couldn't wait to see what was going to happen! Once she found Frost and Delilah, Amadea was going to make a beeline toward the food table.

Reducio

costume

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