Event The Fall Ball (The Hunt) Finished

'Do you think the cat is a ghost or maybe a Patronus? I read patronuses are like ghosts--oh, maybe it's...'

--and then here they are--the little cornucopia from the costume ball, the pumpkin spiced latte, banana and (hopefully :prayeremoji:) their gilded friends; they'd been following the trickle of students following the cat. Mystery Inc is clearly quaking in their boots.

Safety net lifted, Quinn in all their poorly-drawn, rueful lines, feels a little overwhelmed: in theory, this seemed like a great idea back in the Costume Party, but here in practice... It all feels a little wizard of Oz, a little odd, and a little outside the Ravenclaw's comfort zone. Realistically, how could Reparo and the Dancing Feet spell help them solve this? If they knew Revelio maybe that would help? Maybe they could just throw something at the threat, they certainly wouldn't be expecting that...

Well, they aren't alone in this at least.

Quinn looks at the commotion surrounding the portrait, the people arriving, and then their friends, thoughtfully and then cannily. 'Okay, I have no idea what's going on or where to start,' they whisper, almost humorously. It seems a good idea to start at the beginning, but an even better one to stay together. 'But we all need to stick together, no matter what... '

STA. - 5 ┇ EVA.- 6 ┇ STR. - 1 ┇ WIS - 9 ┇ ARCPOW. - 8 ┇ ACC. - 6

Interacting with (Open to interactions) @Callista Lovis @Robert Toukmond @Henry Knight (as iNPC Charles Alluring) ___________________

Actions Arriving with friends. _____________________________

Interacting: @Lindsey Springhall @Lily Cawthi @Scarlett Aden
Mentioning: @Piper Clark @Henry Knight

Outfit

[font=times new roman]As soon as he finished telling the group his theory, there was a slightly unfamiliar feeling that fell upon Wyatt. A feeling he was being watched. Was this truth or paranoia? Wyatt turned his head to look around, and yes, there was a girl who seemed to be tuning into their conversation. Wyatt caught her just before she turned to join another girl, and wondered what she was listening in for, but he assumed she was just trying to hear some theories.

Still the feeling of being watched stuck with him, but in this odd situation, he didn’t think that feeling would go away any time soon, and was actually surprised it took that long to come across it to begin with. A new voice brought him out of his thoughts, a voice that belonged to one of Lindsey’s friends. "Why hello there," she began. Wyatt tried to say hi, maybe introduce himself, but the girl had other plans. "Are you and Lindsey by any chance dating?"

That was, at the same time, a good and a terrible question. Wyatt didn’t know how to answer that. The truth was no. This would have been their first date if there wasn’t a threat from a ghost, so they weren’t dating at all. Still, Wyatt didn’t want to hurt Lindsey’s feelings, but he was also was quite scared that Lindsey might laugh and said no, making Wyatt look and feel like an idiot. Wyatt tried to put together an acceptable answer.

Lindsey stuttered over an answer for a bit, and it seemed like she was less sure of what the answer was than Wyatt. Once Wyatt was sure she was finished, he spoke up. “Not exactly.” Because ‘not yet’ would be creepy.

Thankfully, someone else joined the group, to whom the girl turned her attention to. Wyatt sort of tuned out until he saw he was being addressed. "By the way, Lily, meet Lindsey and Lindsey's friend. Lindsey and Lindsey's friend, meet Lily." Wyatt offered a small, (hopefully) friendly smile, though he wasn't exactly looking for any new friends. "And what's your name?"

He suddenly remembered he never introduced himself. He just said, “Wyatt,” not wanting his date’s friends to hear Wyatt Starkey and recall something like, “oh, that’s the kid who used the sneezing charm on my friend in the hallway.” Wyatt looked down at the ground and pulled out a piece of candy he picked up on the way out. He didn’t trust it one bit. It seemed Lindsey had that same idea, because she pointed her wand at a piece of candy and casted revilio.

Nothing happened. The candy stayed candy. “Huh,” he said.

Lindsey's friend ran ahead of the group and met up with someone at some portrait. Henry Knight. Someone he recently narrowly escaped detention with... or rather had a quite negative conversation on the astronomy tower with after curfew before getting busted and walking back to the Slytherin common room, leaving Henry to deal with Professor Karr alone... with. Wyatt was dreading getting to that painting.[/font]

Masquerade Posts: [1][2][3][4]
Hunt Post Tracker: [1][2][x][x]

Action: Awkwardly converse with Lindsey's extroverted friend
Ability: Parseltongue
Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 6 | Strength: 3 | Wisdom: 7 | Arc. Power: 9 | Accuracy: 5

lettering in header done by the wonderful serena towers

Action: Arriving to the Hunt, by the portrait; pluck a feather from her mask and attempt to throw it, dart style, at the portrait.

stats stamina: 7 evasion: 8 strength: 15 wisdom: 5 arcane power: 3 accuracy: 12

abilities the martial artist prodigal transfiguration learner spell spread

the masquerade ⓢ ⓒ ⓐ ⓢ ⓒ ⓐ the hunt ⓐ ⓒ ⓢ

Interacts with : @Caelan Stewart | @Henry Knight | @Mars T'ien | @Scarlett Aden | Mentioning : @Elisabeth Erner and the rest of the Hunt people.
Open to other Interactions
Post Trackers :
Masquerade [x] - [x]
The Hunt [1]

Cash follow the spectral until the cat stopped meowed at a portrait. From where Cash stood, they heard someone speak in Spanish. At this fact, Cash's ears perked up. "Fuera de mi camino (get out of my way)"Cash pushed people that stood around the portrait a bit rough. They did not care who is it nor did not care to translate what they said.

Once they stood in front the portrait, what they saw is a bit gruesome. Luckily the green eyes are not that squeamish at what they see. A man laying on the ground, pool of blood around him. Then a familiar voice that belong to one Caelan Stewart greeted their ears. He compliment Cash's outfit. Saying along the line that Cash outfit is amazing.

"Hey to you too and thanks!"Cash said to their housemate. Cash also spotted Henry and Mars stand in front of the portrait, looking for something. "Nice seeing both of you are here"Cash stated to both of the people they consider friends. Cash scoffed when Scarlett try talking to the man in the portrait.

"Are you that daft?,"Cash asked the redhead lioness with sarcastic tone. "Clearly the man is in pain and who in their right mind could speak when they are in pain?"Cash know they are being harsh but seriously. Cash had enough with this charade games but their stubborn selves needed to prove it that they are not a quitter.

They already up front and personal with the portrait might as well looking for a clue or hint from the portrait to help this detectives wannabe. The green eyes scanned the whole portrait. Looking for some sort of clue, hint, word, anything in the portrait. Maybe just maybe it was just a portrait of someone dying, nothing special in it albeit how gruesome it is.

If and when they found a hint or word that others might not understand it, Cash could help them out. Since Cash's father insisted that they learned a whole lot foreign languages, including Latin. "This is useless"Cash speak to no one in particular. Then Cash turned to Henry.

"I do not know mystery excited you, Knight"Cash nudged Henry with their elbow playfully. "Guess there are a lot of things I still do not know about you, huh?"They questioned their housemate. After they said that, Cash averted their eyes back again to the portrait. They are hoping that they found something out of the ordinary in it.

For Mod :
Action : Observe the portrait, searching for words or hint in the portrait.
Abilities : Parseltongue Adept - Obnoxiously Strong (+10% Strength)
Stats : Stamina - 6 | Evasion - 5 | Strength - 7 | Wisdom - 5 | Arcane Power - 5 | Accuracy - 7

Questions were a daily part of Leonard's most-likely-to-be-cut-short life. A scientific mind, after all, was a curious mind, and a curious mind, if ambitious enough, sought to find answers to such questions. It was a brilliant system, one of logic and more importantly, one that had worked. Unfortunately, systems that worked in every other situation were merely jokes to Hogwarts and its residents, just a pebble in the journey to make sure as many students as possible didn't make it home with all their limbs intact. The current questions running through his mind were either unanswerable or not at all rational, or a combination of both, all while there was the glaring neon sign of near-death that blinded him. Almost literal blinding, in fact, with all the shuffling silhouettes of chattering crowds and a feeling that he didn't know the origins of, but would best be described as panic worse than he'd ever experienced before. This was not mentioned in his father's stories.

Luckily, a familiar face was close (in a more calm situation, the snake would say too close, though there were many other things riding his train of thought for now to care about personal space and hygiene), and he found his rescuer from the panic, even if it was replaced with subtle annoyance, in the form of a mop of blonde hair and an everlasting joking tone.

"I've done less legal things," he muttered, loud enough for nobody but his sort-of-saviour and his fellow prankster to hear. "And if you don't shut the talk about me proclaiming your unmatched genius, I'll have done one more illegal thing by the time you get to bed."

It was a strange type of humor that tainted his utterances, one usually reserved for those more appreciative of the dryness of sarcasm and with generally less appreciation for the wordplay of dad jokes. No matter, if Marshal's feelings were hurt in the process of his temper flares caused by the entire maybe-death-riddle-solving escape room they had going on, there was always a last minute apology before getting eaten by some my. Besides, it was better than Marshal's physical being getting hurt. He'd take having to apologize to someone over seeing their bones out their body any day of the week, especially when the light-haired had more courage and bravery and utter lack of sensing danger than any Leonard had seen previously. This was the boy who easily glossed over blowing up a table, there wasn't much that would hurt him.

"Oh, and, uh, Marshal, this is Alec. Another friend of mine. Alec, this is Marshal. A more outgoing friend of mine. Emphasis on more," he introduced the two with hopefully less salt that would make one mistake the blonde as Leonard's outgoing enemy. They could use Marshal's brains, if he decided to stop courting every girl within the vicinity and start using that mind filled with fantastical ideas to use. Everything else was noise, clutter, and people. An astounding amount of people, and with astounding amounts people came an astounding amount of outcomes to this night where he did not return home with both eyes functioning.

At least Marshal was here, he thought, but as the lion opened his mouth yet again to have an ill-fated attempt at summoning the phantom, his sentiments quickly changed to the more common oh, Merlin, why did Marshal have to be here?

"Marshal, mate, now's not the time. You can tell all the dad jokes you want if you help us sort this whole thing out, alright? Actually, no, you can tell three dad jokes a day if you help us. If you said all you wanted to, it might end in the school shutting down because of...laughter. Yeah, laughter. Totally not pain. Anyways, you see the cat on your way here? All I saw was some sweets and a lot of floor tiling."

"Also, his name is clearly not Phil. These wizard ghosts have more fancy names, like Bartholomeus or Alastair. Try yelling those."

ACTION: Talking to Alec and Marshal, and once again trying to find the location of the cat.
STATS: Stamina - 5 | Evasion - 6 | Strength - 4 | Wisdom - 7 | Arcane Power - 6 | Accuracy - 7 | Health - 500/500
INTERACTING WITH: @Marshal Mozor and @Alec Mason
STATUS: Open to Interactions
POST TRACKER: 1 | 2 | x | x |

@Falentra Black

Howard placed his hand over Falentra’s as she squeezed his arm. The pair spoke in whispers as they secretly talked of the evils that lurked within the castle of Hogwarts. “Yeah, think ya might be right, Fal. That ghost looked scared out his mind. Might not be a ruse after all. Stay close and be ready with that wand of yours.” His expression would harden as he scanned the area around them, but there would be a glint of excitement in his eye. Try as he might, Howard couldn’t help but to be drawn towards potential danger. There was something about the surge of adrenaline that came with it that stoked his desire for adventure. That pushed him to seek out things of a dark nature.

“No.” He began to answer Falentra’s inquiry about the ones they did not speak of aloud. “Don't think it’s them.” Howard of course was speaking of the Hags, but he would not speak of them by name. Although they had been spreading their dark influence across Hogwarts for years, this just didn’t feel like something they tainted by their vile presence. “They always seem to try to pick people off one by one. Gettin’ all of us together like this don’t make sense, but ya never know. Remember, if things go dark, light up that wand quick.” He advised his date as she was a much more capable caster than he was.

“You’re tellin’ me.” Howard agreed with Fal about the nameless ghost. “Call...out..my..name...” He said in a over exaggerated spooky tone as he mocked the ghost’s words. “Stupid git. Probably been dead for centuries. Thinks highly of himself, don’t he? Expects us to know who the hell he was.” A cheeky smile would come to his lips as he let slip some dark humor. Some might find it insensitive to make fun of the dead, but they were probably all squares anyways.

“Yeah...that’s right!” Howard responded to Falentra as she mentioned Sir Patrick Delaney-Podmore. His excitement increasing along with hers. “Makes damn good sense, Fal, and ya know what? Right before he turned and left I seen he wore the Hufflepuff crest. Do you know if Sir Patrick whatever was a Puff?” He surely hoped she knew more than him. Howard spent most of his History of Magic classes catching up on sleep.

It would be just then that the ghostly cat would make its way further down the corridor, begging them to follow. “C’mon, let’s see where it’s goin’.” Howard suggested to Falentra. As the group carried on it wouldn’t be long before the cat lead them to a massive painting. It wasn’t one that he had seen before which was surprising considering it was massive and depicted a gory scene. Getting used to the living paintings of Hogwarts had taken Howard quite some time, but he had learned that they weren’t actually alive. They were just charmed to mimic the actions of their living counterparts and often played out the scene depicted within the piece. “You think he’s really hurt? Don’t they just act however they was painted?” He asked Falentra before another smile crept across his lips. “Screw it, I’m a just ask the bloke.”

The adrenaline from the Ballroom scene mixed with his excitement for adventure had easily cracked his usually reserved nature. Unless Fal held him back he would push the pair forward so that they were closer to the painting. “Oi!” He called out the figure. “Can ya cut the act for a minute? Tell us what’s goin on ‘round here.”

Action: Ask the figure in the painting about any potential clues.
Abilities: Fangs, Claw and Bite | Martial Artist | Unsettling Aura
Stats: STA-10 | EVA- 6 | STR-14 | WIS- 0 | ARCP- 0 | ACC- 15

Andrew is experiencing the effect of Manegro Potion (from the Costume Party). He currently has a waist length ponytail, clipped with a shiny silver barrette. Wearing an all black outfit (collared, long-sleeved shirt; dress pants, dress shoes, knee-length cape, Batman mask).

Hair ♥ Mask ♥ Necklace ♥ Dress ♥ Shoes

Reducio Languages: English in Green Irish in Blue French in Red

Reducio Plot Section: ✔ Insult Starpee ✔ Bully Emile Meet Florian Bully Mad Marty Post Tracker: xx Hunt Tracker:

Reducio Ability: Fearless Stamina: 5 Evasion: 5 Strength: 3 Wisdom: 6 ArcPower: 8 Accuracy: 8

Reducio Interacting with: Mentioning:@Starlee Kennedy, @Martyna Romero, @Andrew Vance & @Hanako Tone

Liz had been a little late to the hunt. She had gotten a bit sidetracked by the amount of candy that was scattered through the Hogwarts halls. She had always had a sweet tooth. Finally she arrived where a group of kids were gathered around what looked like a portrait. Liz could only see the very top of it because of her short stature, but her attention was drawn away from it to a familiar round shape. Martyna Romero was here. This would be good. Both Starpee and Mad Marty were here.

If Liz wasn't so caught up with winning she would have taken a chance to gloat at the moon-clad girl. Maybe ask her were her fishy boyfriend was. Anyone who associated with Martyna Romero was automatically a loser in Liz's eyes. Liz finally drew her eyes away and made her way through the crowd of people, being sure to apologize to anyone she bumped into. She walked straight up to the portrait and stared at the bloody scene before her. She didn't know if she should try to talk to him, or search for clues in this or the nearby portraits. It appeared that another boy had had the idea to talk to the subject of the painting. Liz decided to just listen into that conversation while she searched.

She looked around at nearby portraits and wondered if they had to figure out who harmed him. She would do anything to find the next clue.

Action: Listening into Andrew Vances conversation with the painting while searching around for clues.

Ability: Fearless (In Use)
Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 5 | Strength: 3 | Wisdom: 6 | ArcPower: 8 | Accuracy: 8

_{Banner Credited to the amazing @Amara Dragamior}

As Henry Knight: Main Character

Open to Interactions
interacting: @Kara Capricorn | @Søren Silverwood | @Piper Clark | Cassie Heather _{@Lucia Fox} | @Heather Blair Moretti | @Scarlett Aden | @Martyna Romero | @Starlee Kennedy | @Cassandra Ironwoods | @Jade Sunshine | @Lily Cawthi | @Caelan Stewart | @Andrew Vance
Mentioning: @Hanako Tone
Action: Casting Lumos Maximum, following the cat, examining the paintings
For Mods:

Reducio

Stats: Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 5 | Strength: 5 | Wisdom: 10 | Arcane Power: 5 | Accuracy: 5 | Total: 35
Abilities+Race: Prodigal Charms Learner+Werewolf

Pendant
Brooch

Henry held up his wand and hoped that they would be able to spot something now with some light and his spell really was unless when he heard a familiar voice say hi to him, Henry turned and spotted Scarlett as he return the greeting with only friendliness in his voice, " hey Scarlett," he smiled at her her before turning his attention to his friend who was approaching him and greeting both him and Cash. Henry then turned to his friend with a smile as he answered his question " hey Nick, you haven't miss much just the ghost cat led us to this painting. Any ideas mate?"

Henry turned back to the painting when a girl with a french accent, _{@Allie Lewis inpc}, spoke to them and was clearly late to the party and conversation as he spoke to her, " were not accusing schools just coming up with different solutions and that was mostly a joke to. Also do you know anything else about the headless haunt? Because we already discussed it but since none of us really know much about them we passed the idea off, so do you know anything about them?" Henry then smiled toward his friend again as he whispered so mainly only Nick would hear him " odd right to bring up the joke we made? Or I'm probably just overreacting right Nick?"

Henry heard Kara's response to the paintings as he then spoke " maybe their in on it then? Or someone is controlling them? Could spells like that work on the paintings? Prepares that was part of the riddle, more reason to figure out that riddle I guess," Henry went back to searching for clues and figuring out the riddle as in his head his mind was at work to find a answer to the riddle,
time is running out, running out for what? Is it on a timer or something, maybe whatever danger we have to stop is on a alarm or something? Aren't in most muggle books midnight a important time? Could it be the same here? Something terrible is creeping about this castle.... terrible? Would it be something new or something we already faced? Maybe a hag or a turned student? Maybe a new dark wizard or witch?
And if no one stops it, tragedy cannot be avoided, tragedy? That could be anything, is someone's life on the line? Is someone missing? Maybe all our lives are in danger or maybe the future of this school?
If no one steps up to face this challenge, we are all doomed.....challenge? Finding out the riddle is the first part then stepping in and stopping this danger is the second, but why does it sound like a recruitment or something? Stepping up does that mean someone will have to sacrifice their live or maybe we can step up as one, all together? Isn't more the better especially in a fight?
Follow the graceful apparition to find the riddle’s first piece.... first piece? The apparition led us to the painting which means either it or something around us is the first riddles piece alright now were getting somewhere.... I hope...

Henry however was taken from these thoughts when Kara spoke her mind to the first year who was acting way to excited for this, Henry may have not wanted to say anything or get on anyone bad sides that night he was certainly glad someone did so he whispered so mainly only Kara could hear him, " thanks for saying something, my anxiety keeps me from saying those things but I'm glad someone did since your right, this really isn't a game and dangerous stuff could happen tonight. Sometimes I wish others would see that to," Henry smiled at Kara before going back toward his thoughts until Kara whispered her reply about Hana and cats in which Henry whispered to her " so what your saying is I should definitely introduced him to my cat."

Henry then heard her ask the group about a symbol she seen and he then told the group " the symbol sounds familiar for sure, anyone heard of it? It sounds like a crest of arms that knights or armies use so maybe it's to go along with the knight act or it could be a start on finding out their name?" Henry then watched Kara question the cat and try to befriend it, giving it the name star.

Henry saw Cash join Nick and him, greeting them both in which Henry smiled and gave a slight wave toward his friend before going back to thinking about the riddle and Kara's piece of evidence. Henry then heard Cash speak to Scarlett, mentioning something about how her efforts of speaking to the painting was useless. Technically Cash was his friend and Scarlett was just a old childhood friend but somewhere in him burned and he felt inclined to speak, to defend his old friend's efforts. Henry turned toward Cash as he spoke " questioning the portrait is actually pretty smart, they may give us some type of information and who knows maybe he was purposely painted that way. Anyway Scarlett is at least helping us solve the riddle which is the important part here so just forget about it Cash and help me solve the riddle," Henry smiled toward his friend before giving a quick smile at Scarlett.

Henry then turned back to Cash at her statement as be laughed a bit before saying " oh yeah I always like mysterious and this one seems especially important ones that have the possibility of tragedy and danger like this," he spoke in a hurry as he went back to thinking about the Riddle and responding to Cash's next question, " maybe we should hang out more than."

Henry thought about the riddle a bit more before he said to the group, " the riddle mention that the cat; uh Star would lead us to the first piece. So may the painting was suppose to be like this, it's probably the first piece unless something around the painting is the first piece of the riddle?" Henry then looked back toward the painting when a voice spoke about why they were always handling the dangerous stuff and how the professors were never around when it happened in which Henry laughed a bit before replying to the boy, " year where are the adults? Aren't they better equipment to handle danger than us anyway," Henry then recognized the boy from slytherin as he continued " isn't Hogwarts suppose to the safest place?"