Thomas, Jack "Ya Boy", & Maria [Valentines] - Astronomy

31 Jan 2021, 23:31

Sunday 14th February 2021, 7PM

Today was a special day, a chance for a bit of romance or platonic love. It was an opportunity to have a little bit of fun and make room for love in your heart, whether that was a new blossoming relationship or to help grow an old one. Love was a powerful emotion, capable of achieving great things. This event was the push that was required to help those in need to make that first step, to find a bond that they could treasure for the years to come. Maybe people will find their childhood sweethearts here or build the foundation of a bond that only grows.

Perhaps that was too optimistic. Nonetheless, this was a way to escape from the drama and angst, a chance to just have a little bit of fun and have a cute date. And what better location to spend with someone than under the stars?

Entering the Astronomy Tower, students would see the familiar staircase decorated with floating paper hearts that gently spun around in the sky. Following the trail of hearts up the staircase, they would enter into the Astronomy classroom at the top of the tower. The entrance to the classroom had a large arch made from paper flower roses in different shades of pink and red around it.

Walking through the arch, people will be greeted by a very different decor than they were likely used to seeing at the astronomy tower. Heart garlands were draped on the edge of the tables and paper hearts floating in the room randomly. There was a sign on the side, saying "please take one". In smaller text, it also said, "You may take up to one of each if you would like".

By the sign, people would see three main options. The first was a vase of pink roses. If anyone looked carefully, they would notice that the thorns had been cut off from the stems. Taking out a rose, they would notice a small label attached to the stem. The second choice was little bags of sweets. A transparent bag holding a small variety of heart-shaped chocolates or sweets. There was ribbon around the bag that tied it shut and a blank label on each bag. The third choice was an eggless cupcake, with glitter icing on it that looked like a rose. On the cupcake case, there was a blank sticker label here too.

When someone took one of the items (or multiple), the blank labels would start to change immediately. They would see words start to form on them. It would give them a number. That was it. A number.

Looking up, they would likely spot a room full of picnic blankets scattered around the area. There was also a foil heart-shaped balloon that came in white, pink or red. They had a small weight on the bottom of the strings to prevent them from flying away. On either side of the balloon itself, they would see a number.

It was clear that they were supposed to go to the respective number to meet their blind date.

On finding their matching balloon, they would look down to see there were two cushions on top of the picnic blanket, with a hamper in the middle. The hamper itself contained a variety of snacks: biscuits, chocolates, scones, cream, jam and cake. There were also some small sandwiches, in case anyone wanted something a little heavier. For drinks, there was a small teapot of hot water that was magically kept hot in the hamper. They would find a small selection of teas, as well as hot chocolate powder in the hamper too - with sugar and milk. For those who preferred a cold drink, there was also water and juice available.

It was definitely on the colder side up in the tower. Being wrapped up in a coat and some gloves would probably be ideal. Hats and scarves would be a decent idea too. After all, the sun had set and it was the middle of winter. However, the sheer number of people around as well as the fireplaces helped to add a bit of warmth to it that prevented it from being freezing. People would not need to wear snow boats as it was not freezing by any means. However, it was definitely suggested that people dressed up warm for the evening.

Sitting down and looking up, they would see the beautiful starry night sky showering over them. Anyone who was good at Astronomy might be able to name some of what they see.

@Thomas Lestrange -- @Jack Warren -- @Maria Dee

There is something about ambition, how it not only propels you but also defines you.

Jack Warren

Seventh year, Hufflepuff

474 60

7 Feb 2021, 01:45

[font=Tempus Sans ITC]V[/font]alentine's day isn't all about love, contrary to what most would think. Affection, friendship, togetherness, and the pursuit of happiness with others, but guess what? Jack didn't give a damn about any of that. Perhaps saying that he didn't care was incorrect. It would be more fitting to say that he didn't understand it completely. Upon entering the Astronomy Tower with a graceless suave, Jack adjusted his army green military jacket that was most likely twice his size. There would be a point in his life that it would fit, but it wasn't now. It honestly bothered him that it didn't. Jack had to grow in so many different ways, and it made him grind his teeth a little at the thought. The well-worn fabric of the jacket covered up the nice sunflower button-up he had decided to wear. It wasn't anything special, but it was one of his favorite shirts. It was black, which contrasted nicely with the bright yellow of the sunflowers that littered the fabric. Finally, to complete the ensemble, a pair of jeans with authentic holes in the knees and red converse.
[font=Tempus Sans ITC]T[/font]here wasn't much taste for sweets in Jack's very unrefined palate, so he opted for the rose. With a light touch, the boy plucked the rose from its vase. "Tha's neat, I guess-" He absent-mindedly said aloud, as he noticed the tag attached to the flower's stem. It seemed as if as soon as he looked at the tag, a single number appeared. It only took a moment for Jack to connect the dots with the ballons and the number. How uninspired...
[font=Tempus Sans ITC]A[/font]s if to show how unconcerned he was, Jack flipped his hand through his hair nonchalantly. The action, to his dismay, only made his hair stick up in every direction imaginable. Why does his hair never agree with him? Damn. It only took a moment to smooth it down into a manageable mess. Jack could only thank his stars that he rocked the bedhead look. Warren plastered a casual smirk that couldn't be anything besides practiced as he swaggered over to the cozy little space with the corresponding number. For an added bit of quirk, Jack plopped down on his side and placed the rose's stem in between his teeth. Supersensual, of course.

Soon to be lovers with @Maria Dee & @Thomas Lestrange

Maria Dee

Sixth year, Hufflepuff

215 23

7 Feb 2021, 04:22

February 14th has never been that special of a date to Maria, not only because of her youth, but because any notion of liking other people as more than friends has only been a recent development to her. She’d yet to understand it beyond that, as her only observations of Valentine’s Day were couples who went to their diner to share a meal, or her parents that often went out on the fated Day of Hearts. If she was honest the best part about it was all the heart-shaped sweets that went on sale the day after.

So why then would she sign up for an event centered around the day? The answer was simple. She was curious. Curious of what might happen, who she might meet, and in general how her peers in the school treated Valentine’s. The Hufflepuff had no real expectations, except maybe that she might see the person she wrote down in the sign-up sheet.

On the fated day she put on a soft, warm sweater, and a skirt with black leggings underneath. She chose comfortable sneakers for the occasion, as comfort felt like a necessity in unfamiliar territory. She left her hair down for the moment, silently hoping that any wind at the venue wouldn’t disturb it too much. On the way out she grabbed a coat before making her way to the Astronomy Tower. Anyone could see how a night among the stars would fit the occasion, but given that it was smack dab in the middle of winter, it was best to stay warm. Lukewarm teenage affection doesn’t really do much to fight off the cold.

Her eyes scanned the area, several people already there before her. The table in front of her looked overwhelmingly on theme, with roses and chocolates and cupcakes of the Valentine’s sort. She took a bag of chocolates (the roses felt too cliché and the cupcake she thought would have been messy). A number appeared on the bag’s label and she went looking for their set area, and possibly the unfortunate soul who would have to keep her company for the night.

Little did she know it was two souls that she would spend time with, and that it was more likely that she was the unfortunate one in this situation. Upon reaching her destination, she found not her previous ball date, but another boy. He was familiar, definitely from her house. A scar was on his face and his hair looked as if gravity could not decide which way it would go. He was sideways on the area they would share, and had a funny look on his face (something very close to constipation), with a rose between his teeth. The pose was a familiar pop culture trope, but it would be lost on Maria. When she saw him, her eyes widened before her eyebrows furrowed in sheer confusion. She looked around at the other couples to get some sort of context but she would find no such explanation. “Hi there.” She would hesitantly say, keeping a short distance from the boy. “Are you quite alright?” She asked.

Soon to punt @Jack Warren off the Astronomy Tower | @Thomas Lestrange

Tryna solve a problem like Maria.
Stats:Stamina 8||Evasion 7||Strength 5 || Wisdom 8 || Arcane Power 8 ||| Accuracy 9

Thomas Lestrange

Seventh year, Slytherin

463 204

15 Feb 2021, 01:33

@Jack Warren | @Maria Dee

The type of love that accompanies a Valentine's "date" was a foreign concept to a one Lestrange. The extent of the love he has to give does not surpass that of your prototypical momma's boy. She was all there was to love, all the boy has had to lean on growing up, and a night he would normally spend by her side had it been an available option. No more than a night of pizza, a sweetie, and watching a movie on the couch.

Given this, Thomas' interpretation of V Day was not your average stereotype. A heart shaped box, a vase of flowers, and the like. Instead in represented the love for his family, and his foundation. Which includes the bitter twinge of a deceased father, and a currently absent mother. So what did today mean to Thomas, and why was he here? Likely just another escape from his cold reality.

Thomas arrived at the astronomy tower with a handful of notable possessions that would assist in passing the time with his company, and firmly imply he was not here for anything of the romantic variety. First and foremost, the boy carried a flask that his mother likely envisioned containing Earl Grey instead of the more than common Firewhiskey the boy attained from Hogsmeade once a month. Not that Thomas was on pace to be an alcoholic, it was used for occasions--days he was prepared to forget. Additionally, a deck of cards.

The boy sported a black sweater with a white undershirt, dark beige pants and boots. A simplistic look, all dark and solid colors, an easy reflection of the type of bloke Thomas was. After passing through the archway, he examined the variety of concessions prevented at the tower's entrance. Thomas retrieved a couple of small sandwiches and his number, approaching the designated area.

He would find a pair of familiar faces. First, the one he intended to join on this evening. A fellow prefect of Hufflepuff, he seemed alright enough, a potential mate to shoot the shit with. To his surprise, Warren was joined by his ball date--Maria Dee. His eyes flickered between the pair in a perplexed stare. Jack was fixed on his side, a rose in between his teeth. Thomas' jaw slowed to a stop, setting his sandwiches down on a nearby end table. "Am I interrupting something?"

Reducio

Jack Warren

Seventh year, Hufflepuff

474 60

25 Feb 2021, 02:46

[font=Tempus Sans ITC]T[/font]o be honest, Jack only wrote Lestrange's name down as his crush just so he could hang out and bro down with a new dudebro. What he wasn't expecting anybody else, but as he looked up at the confused face of a certain Hufflepuff girl. Was it Sarah? No- Mary? Naw, that isn't it either. Mariah...sounds... kind of okay. Eh, he would find out one way or another. For being as outgoing as he was, there was a surprising amount of people that he didn't know. The boy's cheeks were already getting sore from trying to smile with the flower in between his lips, but this was for the dedication! "Ehm Fnnn" Pro-tip; trying to talk with a rose in your mouth isn't the best way to communicate, and it never will be.

[font=Tempus Sans ITC]T[/font]he boy's movements were very lackadaisically and smooth as if he didn't just try to talk with a mouth full of flowers while he stood up to greet the girl. There could only be one reason that she would be at this numbered area! OF COURSE, SHE WROTE HIS NAME DOWN AS HER CRUSH! Jack wasn't surprised, he was a rather charming young lad. It's not that he thought that every girl had a crush on him, but using the mighty power of DEDUCTION there could only be one answer! That answer being that she had a crush on him. Pulling the flower from his lips, he repeated himself, "I'm fine, just tryin' ta show off the merchandise, y'know? I'm sure you do, we have tha same number, yeah? So tha' makes sense" Whipping his hand through his hair, the boy looked at the girl. Yeah, she's cute. However, before he could continue his 'seduction', another person had entered the fray. It was the bro-man-dude that he wrote down to chill with. He got together in a fight with the Lestrange boy, so obviously they are bros now. "Ah' shit- what's up, Stranger- Tryin' to find your number? Or are ya' here for me?" Self-centered nature will never change

Reducio

Maria Dee

Sixth year, Hufflepuff

215 23

25 Feb 2021, 15:04

For whatever reason whoever put them together decided that her company would be two confusing boys tonight and not just the one. She had no idea what Jack was talking about either. “N-no, I actually don’t know.”

There were so many questions running through her mind, but really she just wanted to understand what the ever-loving fuck Jack was doing.

But before she could get any answers, she’d hear a new voice ask its question and retort: “You quite certainly aren’t.” As she’d turn to the source her eyes would widen to see who it was. It wasn’t an entirely unwanted surprise, given that she had hoped he would be there but at the same time, she didn’t think he would actually be there. But regardless, there he was, carrying sandwiches and looking fairly decent.
Maria noticed the boy very much had a preference for the color black.

“Lestrange.” She slowly said in acknowledgment, her eyes still reflecting every bit of confusion from earlier. “Hi.” Then the other boy would just as obnoxiously talk to Thomas. Maria had no doubt that the other boy’s presence would only add to the confusion. After all, Thomas had already established himself to her as an enigma. Perhaps this was a sign that maybe she should just go with whatever was happening and live in blissful ignorance – a sign she chose to ignore for now.

“You two know each other?” She asked. Her eyes would dart from one boy to the other, her confusion just as visible as it was earlier. “Oddly enough, I’m not surprised.” A murmur under her breath, hopefully unheard by either boy.

Soon to punt @Jack Warren off the Astronomy Tower | @Thomas Lestrange

Reducio

Tryna solve a problem like Maria.
Stats:Stamina 8||Evasion 7||Strength 5 || Wisdom 8 || Arcane Power 8 ||| Accuracy 9

Thomas Lestrange

Seventh year, Slytherin

463 204

4 Apr 2021, 22:21

When listing his counterpart on the small piece of parchment, the idea was simple. Warren was good company, even if he had a knack for disappearing from Thomas' side near impending threats. Not that he'd hold it against the boy, Erin and Howard were formidable opponents, evidenced by the scars, broken bones, and a chipped tooth they've collectively rewarded Thomas with. Anyone with a shred of self preservation would steer clear. Thomas Lestrange was not familiar with the concept.

Maria insisted Thomas was not intruding with a hint of confusion, implying a misunderstanding was afoot. Though Thomas held a firm advantage to understand the origins of this trio tonight. Warren, on the other hand, likely unfamiliar with the pair's familiarity, having shared a quiet evening at the Masquerade Ball earlier this year. "Maria." Thomas spoke with a nod, a slight smile forming at her growing uneasiness. A status he had not intended to put to bed so soon.

Of course, Thomas swiftly assumed Maria has listed him as her crush given the aforementioned history between them. Whether as a friend, or something of a more romantic variety, he could not be sure. One thing is for certain, the site of Warren with a rose of advancement was not a comforting image, leaving him pleased with the beverage of choice in his flask. Not as a liquid to visually enhance his peers, more so to forget the visual altogether.

Yet this was to be tonight's entertainment, and he would not allow it to end so soon. Timing a sip from his flask, a subdued grimace formed from the burning liquid when it reached his throat. Thomas acknowledged Warren with a nod. "Warren. I thought I was, per our agreement." Thomas cited their prearranged plan to hang out this evening.

"That we do." Thomas turned to Maria, confirming their kinship. "And you..." Thomas approached a couch by the fireplace, taking a seat as he crossed his legs. "Have a thing for prefects, do you?" His blue eyes would locate Maria with a cheeky smile, poking fun at her status. The boy then tilted his head back to view the arrangement of stars overhead. "Please do carry on, Warren. I think she likes you."

@Maria Dee | @Jack Warren

Jack Warren

Seventh year, Hufflepuff

474 60

12 May 2021, 03:59

[font=Tempus Sans ITC]M[/font]aria! That's her name! Of course, he forgot it. It was a rather plain Jane kind of name. He couldn't help but keep his grin from growing. The Hufflepuff prefect knew he was a nuisance, it was part of the fun of messing with people. Of course, he wasn't nearly as thick as he put off. If he had let people think that he had some sort of intelligence, the expectation others set on him would be much higher. Trust me, nobody wants that less than Jack himself. However, his pure narcissism would absolutely blind him to the fact that Maria was not having any of his shit. Honestly, he was still thinking about himself. "I was under that impression, too, fella. I didn' think that lass, over here would show wit' the same number. I jus' figured that you found another lil' lady that you were crushin' on, ya lady kill, you." He gave a saucy wink and chuckle.

[font=Tempus Sans ITC]R[/font]eadjusting himself on the blanket, and finally drawing his attention away from himself, the boy took stock of the situation. Thomas's statement only continued to ring true. Who wouldn't be crushing on him? Prefect, good-looking, funny, strong, manly. Perfect qualities. "Tom, you don't have to tell me that, who wouldn't like me? I mean, take a lil' look at me. I'm kind of hot shit, y'know?" He was meaning to make it a joke, but the words just came out as a statement. Ah, oh well. At least he wasn't lacking in self-confidence. "We can still make this a date. We have two average lookin', and one extremely handsome people here. Why not still have some fun, yeah?" The casualness in which he insulted his new friends would have been shocking, I'm sure, if it hadn't followed everything else he had already said. Warren made sure to make deliberate eye contact with Lestrange and Maria. All the while, with deliberate listlessness, extracted a snack from the basket and popped it into his mouth! Messing with these two was going to be a blast.

Having a lovely interaction with @Maria Dee & @Thomas Lestrange

Maria Dee

Sixth year, Hufflepuff

215 23

26 May 2021, 10:03

Clearly, this Valentine’s Day was not going to be as uneventful or (as pleasant) as Maria hoped. Despite the presence of the current object of her juvenile affections, she already knew deep down that this was going to end in some variation of fire and brimstone. Said boy was smiling at her, and she was pretty sure it wasn’t because he was necessarily happy to see her.[not creepy at all] Instead, it seemed like he was reveling at her confusion and discomfort.

She was starting to regret placing the Thomas’ name. Her small crush was probably would be painfully obvious now. Or perhaps he would assume she put Warren’s name in? Either way, the implications were not things she wanted him to assume about her.

Actually, she was wondering where the scarred Hufflepuff fit into the equation. Perhaps he and Lestrange had something going on? She wouldn’t judge them if they did, but she also could not imagine a paradigm where their two personalities would fit. Oh well, perhaps it was just another mystery of love she’d yet to understand.

As if he knew, the not ugly boy in question decided to poke fun at her. Naturally, she wasn’t going to let him get away with it unscathed.

(Even if he wasn’t exactly wrong – except for when he said that she had thing for Jack).
The girl huffed and quirked an eyebrow at him. “Well if you must know, we haven’t formally met.” She said as she looked at the boy in question. Deciding to up the ante and to annoy the Slytherin prefect, he took a swing.

“You know, if I have a thing for prefects, then you must have a thing for Hufflepuffs.” She countered as she sat down opposite him and a good distance from Jack. “Or perhaps your plethora of admirers from the other houses decided that you weren’t worth their time today?” As she said this she poured herself some tea and raised the cup in mock cheers before taking a sip.

Where Thomas seemed to be a large question mark, Jack was no mystery. he Slytherin boy had eyes that seemed like they knew the darkest of mysteries in the castle, meanwhile the Hufflepuff looked like he was lucky enough to know his way around it.

The Irish boy was either trying to mess with his companions, or just extremely narcissistic. Although, no one ever said he couldn’t be both. Maria was not fluent in teenage boy, but she understood that Jack was just as goofy and in love with himself as she guessed several of their peers were. It was annoying, but unlike the 40-year-old stuck in a 14 year old’s body that was Thomas Lestrange, she could handle him. She decided to humor his antics.

“Honestly, with his ominous ball invitation and now showing up here unprompted it does make me think that perhaps Lestrange is more fond of me than he cares to admit.” She did not appreciate how he was talking about her while she was right there, but his words provided her a proverbial opening she just had to take.

“He should really make up his mind.” She said as she took another sip.

Jack’s comment about being “hot shit” made her want to laugh and gag at the same time. Why would anyone describe themselves like that? No, she decided. She did not understand teenage boys at all.

“Really? Where are they? And what about you? Where do you fit in this madness?” She told him as she pretended she was looking for said handsome person. Strictly speaking she did not have to look far as Thomas as almost next to her, but she would never tell anyone that.

Messing with @Thomas Lestrange | @Jack Warren

Tryna solve a problem like Maria.
Stats:Stamina 8||Evasion 7||Strength 5 || Wisdom 8 || Arcane Power 8 ||| Accuracy 9

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Thomas, Jack "Ya Boy", & Maria Valentines