Event The Fall Ball (Masquerade)

Interacts with: @Piérre Marchonné and @Thomas Lestrange
Mentions: @Vladimir Athanatos, @Flash Holmwood, @Aaron Jones (Madeline), @Hugh Lowe

She would of course accept the dance, be it a waltz or whatever strange deviation the Gryffindor would claim was a waltz. That was the point of course, to do as she had said - to dance. She knew that the peace would not last, the targeted youth was afterall one of them. [color=indian red]"I would not worry,"[/color] she assured him. She did not mind if he did not know how to dance, she was not particularly graceful either but she knew the basics from school dances.

He would bring up 'Potter', the Gryffindor obsession himself. She would stiffen, it was simply instinct. She knew full well what he was after, a convenient lie that would fulfill his fantasy. That somehow they were to blame for Potter's madness. [color-indianred]"Something like that,"[/color] she replied non-committedly. Oh course he knew who she was, she was never so foolish as to think otherwise. The specificity of the house and even the team was not coincidental. "Doubt we will ever know why," she added. She knew what she had said, what she had potentially done. Afterall, she was at the Blossom Ball as well.

Then, before her dance partner @Piérre Marchonné had a chance to reply, a fight would break out. Two in fact, one between some blonde and a part giant, @Quinn Healy. She did not know the ginger behemoth but he stood out, she knew exactly who he was. Then there was another, a sucker punch. He knew it was coming, he had warned her before the dance to expect it. Not that a warning made much of a difference, she still screamed his name "Vlad!"

She was not as pretty when she screamed or when she cried. She fought back the tears, perhaps if her dance partner never broke contact he would feel her shake. She wanted to run over there, help Vladimir in some way. After what happened to Victor, she was not sure what she would do if something happened to the both of them. She was next to useless in a fight but she wanted to try. She was not supposed to, the one difference that the warning made. She was not supposed to run into the fray. He could handle himself. Apparently he was 'tired of seeing his friends get hurt' but it was a sentiment that she shared and a part of her took this as a call to action.

Her jaw tightened, he yelled at his partner to get away. Some foreign girl (Madeline - @Aaron Jones). The girl was being talked to by a giant. "Good Lord, don't let her run off with him" she muttered just barely over her breath. The crisis would be averted naturally, the part Giant would not take the girl away. Vladimir's assailant would back down. She was relieved, but it felt like there was a led weight in her stomach as her eyes scanned the ballroom.

She did not feel like dancing, not really. But she was a liar. No frowns, only smiles. The fight was over, he was irrelevant. "Can't have a single evening of peace," she complained out loud to Piérre. Back to the mission, as loose as the plan might seem. She knew that Piérre was digging, that he expected a very specific answer and anything else was simply 'not true.' That was how hero worship worked, Potter was infallible.

She was being approached by an ominous, looming figure. At least in her mind. Thomas LeStrange personified everything she disliked about wizarding society despite only being a half-blood himself. It was not the name, even if that served as a malevolent symbol, a warning like the stripes of a snake that he should not be handled. She froze where she stood, stiffened in posture, only her eyes flickered as she monitored Thomas' approach. Her stomach twisted in knots and she felt the bitter bile rise in the back of her throat.

Don't run. Don't fight. Don't panic.

She repeated these instructions over and over again in her head, mouthing the words. Her feet wanted to move, her hands wanted to claw and she felt the panic inside her swell as her heart hastened like a hummingbird and her still tanned from the summer flesh paled.

Don't run. Don't fight. Don't panic.

She looked over at Vladimir. Could he see her? Was he looking? She did not see him looking her way.

Don't run. Don't fight. Don't panic.

She reminded herself again as he greeted her with a jab. This one was 'taller' wasn't he? "Looks aint everything to me," her voice quavered but she spoke over the din of chatter, the distant shouts from the needless melee and the music that filled the hall. "Not everyone of us were born with the depth of a mudpuddle," That was how she saw Thomas at least. A boy who cared about what people saw. Who cared about what he saw. What was under the surface had little if any consequence. Something she recalled from the Owlery and again the Blossom Ball. Some might call it standards or even ambition, she called it something else.

He offered her a glass of pumpkin juice. It did not matter if it was spiked, she was supposed to take it. She was supposed to drink it. All the better if she nearly died. "Lovely LeStrange," not Thomas just LeStrange she said loudly. She brought the cup to her lips and breathed the air above the contents. A few rapid breaths, a moment of hesitation she closed her eyes and gulped the contents.

Presumably nothing happened.

Just the echo of his voice stating his condolences.

An awkward silence followed, her eyes looked a bit glossy. "Enjoy our grief while it lasts," she announced as she turned away. Her first instinct was to leave the dance, escape the conversations and the company she did not want to have or keep. She wanted to go home but that was not an option. She wanted to simply hide away someplace isolated and let time pass, to allow herself to be forgotten, but she needed to be with witnesses.

So she would do what she had to do.

"You seem to have an unhealthy fascination with my life and the company I keep," her voice shook. "You sure you want to do this in front of your date?" A bit of strife between a couple that was purposefully placed. She recognized the girl, smart enough, she appeared on first glance to fit her stated house. Weren't they all just cliches?

Mentioning: @Thomas Lestrange| @Marion Davenport

There is something to be said about people with an air of mystery but Thomas Lestrange had an entire atmosphere of smoke – dark, hazy, and likely to suffocate you if you inhaled too much. It seemed he had his own gravity as well, or whatever it was that persuaded her into coming in the first place. Frankly, a whole planet would be a better description for the boy. His ego seemed about that size. So much about him made her suspicious. From the way he spoke to his odd actions at the refreshment table, it was like a huge DANGER sign was hanging above his head. A sign that Maria saw but chose to ignore for now. She’d been in several situations where the curiosity nearly killed her, but she’d yet to find out if it really could.

“Change of pace? What, did your regular pool of admirers not seem interesting enough?” A small jab at his pride flew out of her mouth unfiltered. She was almost provoking him now. Likely not the best choice but Hogwarts students are not necessarily known for their inherent sense of self-preservation. There were too many questions that floated about, ones she couldn’t stand to leave unanswered.

“I was curious.” An answer as curt as the one he gave her. Nevertheless, it was the truth. In that moment, she had no other explanation as to what possessed her so show up. Unless her earlier theory of this boy having his own gravity was right. She hoped it wasn’t. Who knows what else he might attract.

Unfortunately the more they conversed the less things made sense to the Hufflepuff. It was like he spoke in only in cryptic phrases and forgot to give her the cipher key. She was blissfully unaware of the context of most of his words, albeit most of Hogwarts was. But everyone had a small piece of code, from a figure in the night, to an attack in the forest - a letter for every character, but they’d yet to see the bigger picture.

She’d noticed Thomas move from the table and absentmindedly followed him. His statement of “offering his respects” simply melding into the haze of his other statements. Her brown eyes scanned the crowd for something to notice, or people to watch. There’s always something going on at these parties, that she understood from the get go. When he came to a stop, she came back to her own orbit to find herself in Marion Davenport’s vicinity. Apparently it was not a matter of what, but who.

Fortunately, the blonde was a little easier to read. The change in mood when Thomas arrived and the way her voice changed from the one she’d met told Maria that Thomas wasn’t a welcome presence. She had no context of what they spoke about, but Marion did address her, though indirectly. She would greet the blonde with a small smile. She didn’t know where they stood after their little “shopping excursion” but the blonde had her own fog around her. She thought it best to stay quiet unless addressed. For now.

ACTION: Observing the people around; looking for anything suspicious

Abilities:
Sixth Sense| Evasive Maneuvers

Stats:

Stamina 7 | Evasion 6 |Strength 5 | Wisdom 8 | Arcane Power 6 | Accuracy 8

Owl for Interactions!
Interacting with Violet Tempete^{@Autumn Ivy}

Past Posts: [I] [II] [III] [IV] [V] [VI] [VII] [VIII] [X]

Really, it wasn't my intention to hurt her feelings. Alexander smiled a warm smile at the sentence. Behind it, he hid a razor sharp grin, eyes measuring the glint in his partner's eyes. Truly, he could tell, she truly meant very word of that statement.

In all honestly, though it was quite surprising, he found himself enjoying this. There was something about this one that brought him dangerously close to the edge. He had a feeling that flashing a hint of his steely judgement wouldn't harm him in this situation. And yet... he resisted. A moment more, perhaps, and she might have convinced him. But this was a persona he'd built up over years, smile easy and genuine. At least, visually.

Still, he acknowledged the laughter in her eyes with a tip of the head, the strange encounter still ringing in his ears. It wasn't something he'd forget soon, he was sure.

He traced the motions of her body as she fell into a curtsy, dress billowing out as she dipped. Viola Rhia Tempete, hmm? Tempete, tempete. He committed the name to memory, rolling it over his tongue.

"Miss Tempete, then. A gorgeous name," Alexander complimented. If her earlier story was any indication, then it was a family name she ought to be proud of. For him, it was a family name he could use.

The silver-haired boy swept his eyes out over the sea of students, a smirk sliding behind his gentle features. Ah, now quaint. He turned back to Viola, and extended an elbow.

"Well then, Miss, would you honor me with a dance?"

ACTION: N/A
───── ⋆ ─────
STA: 7 | EVA: 10 | STR: 6 | WIS: 8 | ARC: 3 | ACC: 6
Non-Human Enthusiast • Charmer

Mod Posts
First | Second | Third | Fourth | Fifth | Sixth | Seventh

For those who stuck around, the night was theirs to claim. The Professors had agreed to let the ball go on past curfew, which would be happening soon. The night owls would get to groove and twirl to their heart's content. They were free to dance as much as they liked in theory, though it was clear that most of the student body had their fill at this point. There was no external pressure to leave, it was up to each student to decide for themselves when they wanted the night to end.

For those who still hadn't danced, now is your chance. It would be a while until the next ball, and who knew when the foreign schools would be invited to Hogwarts again? Best to abandon your misgivings and enjoy yourself while you can, time didn't stop for anyone. We don't talk about time magic.

Continuing to receive no outside help from anyone, the Gryffindor girls tried time and time again to subdue the admirer. With its staunch stance on a murder-only conclusion, @Xailah Alptraum had the brilliant plan to use herself as a cat shield. Meanwhile, @Jane Victoria conspicuously left a rapier in clear reaching distance. A dance with death it is! Wielding the weapon that was comically too big for its body, the lack of another summons from @Meenauh Silmataurea required it to make its final stand on its own.

Alas, it could not strike at its love. If it weren't so terribly, honestly, painfully in love with Xailah, it could have easily stabbed the two together and made a sister kabob. He would have to escape and regroup. Scatter!

Though Meenauh perfectly flung out a spell to un-brandish the deadly weapon it grabbed, the victory was short-lived. Perhaps it was the diversion of a shiny rapier sailing through the air, but in an instant nearly everyone lost sight of the tiny menace. It snaked its way into the shadows, losing the detection of even the most observant among them. All except for @Maria Dee, the Hufflepuff who was always just a tiny bit in over her head.

How was this information supposed to get to the people who needed it? Would Maria say anything at all, or would the Admirer live to love another day? Whatever everyone decides to do, they better act quick. If no one stops the Admirer in this upcoming round, it escapes.

Actions this round
@Zykeal Lane left the ball.

[font=Monotype Corsiva]For your consideration[/font]

• There will be a mod post every Friday, meaning the next mod will be on November 20th.
• There are two parties going on simultaneously, the Masquerade in the Ballroom and the Costume Party in the Rehearsal Room. Both are on the fourth floor of Hogwarts, so travelling between the two does not take much time. For ease of moderation, please clearly denote when you are going from one to the other. During moderation, this takes a full action.
• Your characters are no longer able to join the ongoing Hunt. People who have already joined the Hunt can still travel between all three locations, but each movement will still take a full action unless otherwise stated.
• Because changing parties is considered an action, this means you can switch once a week, though that also means you won't be able to take another action until the next mod.
• Actions besides changing parties are any attempt to do something to someone else such as attack, investigate, cast any spell, or generally anything that has a chance to fail depending on your stats. Minor interactions that are agreed upon between two players are free to take as much as you like. If you're unsure whether your intended plan involves an action, you can feel free to message me for clarification. Please do not roll your own actions even if they are minor.

Bolded Text - French | Regular Text - English
Interacting: @Vladimir Athanatos and @Selim Faust
Mentioning: @Hugh Lowe, Eugene Monserrac (@Caradoc Browne), and @Hjørdis Jensen

The extremely tall boy walked away just moments after Madeleine turned down his invitation to dance. Her eyes followed him for only a minute before returning to her date and his defender.

"They attacked my friends last year. We were witnesses in a famed case, saw a local hero do something real bad. They were caught, brought to justice and justice is rarely popular. Does not matter how handsome a face I got or how fine my pedigree here," Vladimir was explaining the reason behind his attack, and the story had Madeleine captivated. Her eyes were wide behind her leaf-shaped mask, and she was fully engrossed. He had been through so much! To be a witness to a crime and then be attacked for it!? Not just now, but in past as well? He was.. he was brave! To have stood up and told the truth about what he saw and not care if people attacked him for it! It made sense now why he had enemies, surely people would be upset about a local hero's crimes. But Vladimir had brought a criminal to justice, and that deserved praise, not unwarranted attacks in the middle of a ball.

"Thankfully my credentials got me the prettiest one from afar," he said next, turning his eyes on Madeleine. She had been staring at him with such concentration that she immediately felt heat rush to her cheeks and she averted her eyes, unable to help the slight smile on her lips.

When she asked about getting a professor, he said that she could but he seemed to be free of the bullying for the moment. It led her to believe that maybe.. maybe they didn't need a professor right away. Her eyes looked around the masquerade at this point, noticing now that it had emptied slightly since she had last given it a good look. Her brown eyes eventually found her headmaster, Monsieur Monserrac, dancing with the blonde professor who had greeted the Beauxbatons students upon their arrival. She watched them for just a moment, something bothering her about the sight. Then it clicked. The woman's hair! It looked exactly like Cassanora's hair! The braided bow was so intricate - no way was that a coincidence. Her eyes darted around the ball again, in search of Cassanora this time - but had no luck finding her in the crowd right away.

"But they might return soon," Vladimir's warning caused Maddie to look back at him at this time, her eyes a little guilty for getting distracted from her goal of finding a professor.

"If anyone starts heading this way, I'll get my headmaster, he's dancing just there," she said, gesturing towards the old man and his dancing partner. "Perhaps we can dance near them?" she suggested, a compromise on her lips. This way they could continue to have a nice evening - something both of them seemed to want - and prevent any further disputes. She was still admiring how he seemed so used to the whole situation - being the victim of vicious attacks just for telling the truth. She wanted to know more about him and his experience, before their evening got to a point of no return. And she could offer up details of the squib at Beauxbatons, since that was the most exciting thing she had heard about there.

"良い神," the bird-masked boy suddenly spoke under his breath, and Maddie's eyes turned to him curiously at last. The Japanese phrase had thrown her off for a moment. "I'm going to need a cup of strong tea after this mess passes..." His switch back to English made her wonder if she had heard him right, but there was an easy enough way to tell. Perhaps his name would reveal his heritage, as hers did.

"I'm so sorry for not introducing myself sooner, I'm Madeleine Nakamura," she said in English, her French accent accompanying the foreign name as she curtsied very slightly. Her last name would be unmistakable as Japanese to most who knew the language. "Thank you for helping," she added, her eyes lingering on the intricacy of his bone mask.

"What in Merlin's name? A doll is attacking two students."

This was the last phrase that Madeleine had expected to hear next, and her eyes immediately followed the boy's. A doll? Was that a term for a person? Like a person with doll-like features maybe? Perhaps she really did need to brush up on her English. As she stood by her date's side, she now followed the bird-mask boy's gaze to find whatever he was saying about an attacking doll.

TL;DR: Offering a compromise to getting a professor, introducing herself to bird-masked boy, looking for the doll fight
Stats: Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 10 | Strength: 4 | Wisdom: 7 | Arcane Power: 7 | Accuracy: 7
Ability: Charmer

Interacting With: Lazarus Plott (played by @Hjørdis Jensen)
Open to Other Interactions

It was a fluke that they were wearing the same thing. Granted, with some minor differences, both professors were in black. They could participate in the costume contest next door if they really wanted. Maya smiled at the Headmaster. Aside from his dramatic side, he was a charmer. He seemed to know the right things to say at the right time.

"We could win the costume contest next door," she joked and allowed him to escort her to the middle of the dance floor. She wrapped one arm across his chest and her hand behind his neck while the other hand was in his. It was a Masquerade after all, and it meant a ballroom pose when dancing.

His answer to her question was filled with so much ego. Stating that if it weren't for him then Ilvermorny wouldn't be what it was today. Maybe it was true. Maybe with all his "pizzazz" he was able to make Ilvermorny shine. A quick thought struck Maya: what if he was Headmaster here. What would become of Hogwarts? Just the thought gave shivers down her back.

Silence soon followed in their conversation. She had been entertaining him with questions. Where was his? Maya studied his face for a few moments and could tell that there was something on his mind. What was he thinking about? He was studying the room more than he was studying their interaction. Was he searching for something? Maybe he was trying to be more aware of his surroundings because of what happened last year.

"Nothing will happen this year," she said, trying to eliminate any of his feelings of thinking something might happen. "I take it that is why you're looking around?" she asked.

1D20 for Perception Check -- ROLLED 19

Mentions: @Hugh Lowe, @Quinn Healy @Reid Kovacs @Thomas Lestrange
Interacts with: @Kyle DeRook

Today would be a good day for @Kyle DeRook, lauded for his natural or in this is not entirely natural talents. Kyle was a werewolf and the ferocity of his primal nature was coming through. For most this would be a deterrent, it was logical to avoid those prone to outbursts of violence and those capable of following through with their bloodlust even moreso. However, Erin was a unique sort. She saw risk in the faces of those that should be defending them, liars in those that should be trusted. There was something pure, clean and unadulterated about Kyle's willingness to simply fight.

Erin was under the delusion that she was the 'good guy' in this scenario. That Quinn Healy was the threat, afterall why would she of all people harbor some terrible threat? The impending change loomed before her, the promise of adulthood, strength and power. Attractive concepts for one that has none of these things.

Their victory over the giant menace Quinn Healy served as fuel for future endeavors of violence. Kyle wanted more. It was a drug for him perhaps, this sense of elation that comes with victory and acclaim for his strength. Quinn was her sole target. She did not know who else they needed to haunt. "No clue, I never got this far," she answered honestly. Her eyes would scan the crowd, she would recognize @Hugh Lowe. She had no idea he was back but there he was -- the blackened tooth on an otherwise pristine smile. Her initial impulse was to take him out before he had a chance to cause any destruction.

As her eyes continue to scan the dancefloor, she looked for other potential targets. Were there any death witches here? Prefects mostly. The occasional midget giant. "Wonder if Reid Kovacs is here..." she commented. The head death witch, at least in her mind. Strong, dangerous and ironically also a Hufflepuff. It was obvious that her enemies would all be Hufflepuff, the most deplorable and dangerous sorts. There were plenty of people she just did not like. People she held an unforgiving grudge against, Thomas being one and Jack (all of them) the other(s). It would be in poor taste to employ Kyle in matters of a broken heart - a friendship that was a lie in the case of Thomas and a relationship that was a lie in the case of the many Jacks. No, she did not require assistance with them. It would take some time, but they would come to regret their magical heritage.

Honestly, what she wanted was simpler than revenge or even heroics. She was simply too proud to admit it. Her hands gripped the dark fabric of her skirt as she restlessly observed. "Is there anyone here you want" to fight but the later went unsaid, it was an obvious inquiry for the kindred brawler.

Of course, their peace would come to an end as some girl started to verbally berate her date. Little did she know, it was Kyle's cousin. She hardly knew the Gryffindor, his reputation for brawls preceded him but his domestic affiliations not so much. She would attempt to take Kyle's hand in her left. If he avoided her touch she would not pursue. "He had it coming," Erin claimed without anything to substantiate. "Not that it matters, it is obvious he can handle himself. You're concern" bullshit it was concern "is grossly misplaced." She had every intention of placing the girl on the floor. With her right she would attempt to push the Slytherin girl over with an outstretched arm.

Action: Plan their next murder?
Attempt to push @Illowy Magnard over

Note: If Kyle accepts her non-dominant hand, consider an attempt to physically stop her as automatically successful because she is attached to him.

Vladimir was hardly the center of attention, a satisfactory outcome. A dance sounded lovely, another opportunity to garner the animosity of his peers. How could he be so happy in the wake of a tragedy? It was not as if their lives went on. As if they were not here with friends and dates, making new connections and memories. It was they that moved on, not the other way around.

His date shared a commonality - Japanese. He did not know the language but he was able to study their tone and their posture, an attempt to glean intent. Nothing malicious it seemed. "The right herbs can do wonders," at least according to Marion. "But I prefer to keep my wits about me," he prodded slightly at the youth's paranoia. His need to self-medicate and the cyclical fear that comes with requiring something to dull the senses that were heightened by his fear so that he might stay alive.

He extended his hand to Madeline, it was time for them to return to the dancefloor. Salvage this evening. That was until the chaos was noted on the other side of the dancefloor. Dolls on the attack. A glint of recognition crossed the Ravenclaw's icy blue eyes. "Bother," he muttered. He would look over at the melee between a young woman and the murderous muppet she was engaged in battle against. "Merlin help us," he muttered. "I wish I could claim that this was unusual, but sadly I would be a pitiful liar," he admitted. If her hand was clasped within his, he would release his grip on her and offer a simple instruction - "Don't wander off with anyone." Was green his real color as jealousy was shining through or was that a legitimate warning for her own safety? Perhaps, but it could also be a legitimate warning as well.

He wordlessly approached the trio: @Xailah Alptraum, @Meenauh Silmataurea and the psychotic puppet. The dangerous doll was hiding, so Vladimir was seeking. he would not say anything to the girls, he was not likely wanted and as far as he was concerned he would not have it any other way. He had a few options, the first was to disable the doll by casting a spell that had an area of effect in which he would -hope- that the doll was within the radius of the attack. Yes, collateral damages were possible, but that could be later rectified the pragmatic youth internally considered.

If he spied the doll, he would do what was the most logical. He would attack. [If searching counts as his action, then he just looks. If not, then he attempts to tackle the doll. Accuracy v Evasion to hit, Contested Strength Check to hold.

Action: Attempts to find, possibly grapple the doll.

Mentions: @Xailah Alptraum, @Meenauh Silmataurea @Thomas Lestrange @Maria Dee @Piérre Marchonné

The ball was devolving into a familiar sense of chaos. Surrounded by enemies rather than friends had its own psychological toll as did the weight of knowing that her peers were capable of murder. Yet she needed Hogwarts, she was a Slytherin afterall and like all those there she had an ambition, even if it was one that was hardly more than a sneaking suspicion. Arcane skill was only in part bestowed by nature, she was only born with the potential to be a wizard, she still needed to learn. Despite her desperate want to abandon this hellish place, she was gaining more than they were taking.

If she were to leave, she would surely die.

The chaos that seemed to follow Vladimir had already resolved itself. His assailant would walk away, his date, whoever she was remained by his side. Of course the pureblood that caught his eye would be fine, her own envy bubbling just beneath the surface. She repressed it, that notion she seemed to forget she ever even had.

Thomas had brought with him a date, one she vaguely recognized. There was a time she would have been as foolish to believe in coincidences. That time was not long ago. She did not see the world any longer as a place of chance and chaos, of black and white, merely shades of grey. Loss and grief do a number of things to people, as does anger and blame. She would see the murderous mannequins and the malicious melee between two girls she did not know.

What in the world was one of those doing here she was left to wonder. They should have been destroyed. Vladimir appeared to be the one to intervene, or at the very least conceivable try. She was not going to help, it was a selfish impulse considering the fact that she could but the nagging question in the back of her mind held her feet in place -- why? Intervening, helping, playing the hero. Nobody cares, not really. In the end she would get hurt.

Not like Thomas would play hero. Or Piérre for that matter but it would be interesting to see if they would fein concern, if they would even play the part that they cared.

Action: None, just making sure I have one this round. May possibly post again if there is something to reply to.

Interacting with: Andrew Lycan (Played by @Rose Moon)
Mentioning: N/A
Outfit:

Reducio

Akari glanced at the hand that was placed on her waist. She felt her heart nervously skip a beat. All she could do was nod her head when he had asked her if it was okay, while slowly moving one of her own hands to Drew's shoulder.

Before she had a chance to realize she was still staring at her feet, a hand reached out and gently brought her attention upwards. Then came his voice, telling her to not look at her feet and... She didn't catch what else was uttered. She was lost after he called her Kari. No one really ever called her by a nickname. It caught her off guard, but in the best way possible.
Once again, all she did was respond with a nod, and then just did her best to follow along with what he was doing.

As they glided on the dance floor Akari looked up at him, her face gradually relaxing and becoming a tad more confident as time passed. The little spin surprised her but when they came back together a small smile could be seen across her face.
"Why thank you" Akari finally replied with a small laugh and then gave him the tiniest curtsy.

Her gaze then went from Drew to around the room briefly. The crowd was definitely starting to dwindle. It couldn't be that late?... Could it?