Event The Fall Ball (The Hunt) Finished

Many of the other students surrounding the caretaker's office seemed uncomfortable with Eris' uncanny appearance and even less at ease with her wildly enthusiastic picture-taking. They might have felt she didn't respect others' privacy...but who were they to judge her for that while they were all snooping around this office without its owner's permission? If they hadn't thought to get permission, Eris didn't see why she needed to ask for it, either.

Except for one.

SNAP!

A quick photo of a boy and girl (Gregori and Elisabeth) holding hands ejected from her camera, causing Erin to giggle with delight. She reached out to gently tap the girl (Elisabeth) on the shoulder and leaned over with a hand cupped around her mouth to whisper in her ear.

"You respected the caretaker's privacy, wanting to seek his permission. So I'll respect yours." She slipped the photos of Elisabeth that she had taken into the girl's hand to do with as she wished (including the one with her and Gregori's hand-holding) before turning back to the others.

It was a mystery to them how Eris had even found their little group at the caretaker's office when she hadn't been with them at the start of the Hunt to begin with. Had she been stalking them?

Well, it was possible. She certainly seemed the type, what with her instant camera, invasive nature, surprising stealth (Cat's Grace), and undaunted perkiness. However, she also could simply have been heading from the masquerade or the costume party to the caretaker's office. Perhaps she had needed to visit the man but had found the group of kids there instead.

Whatever the case, her curiosity had been captured and she seemed intent on observing the actions of their little group now. She finally settled her camera against her side again, dangling across the strap that hung across her chest and on her shoulder, so she could clasp her hands behind her back. It appeared her uncontrollable urge to snap pictures had been satisfied for the time being.

She listened and continued to beam quietly, eyes bright, when theories were given and plans suggested. Some students seemed more willing to cooperate and coordinate than others. At Gregori's clever observations, her grin broadened and she gave a playful little finger wave in his direction when she gestured to her.

The glare from Ami had only seemed to seize Eris with another sudden urge to snap a picture of that particular expression. It was her accuracy and speed as a photographer against Ami's attempt to evade and, as luck would have it, Eris won. She made a happy noise of glee when the camera spat out her new prize, waving it around to help the film develop faster. When she held it up to her eyes, she tried to make out the slowly-appearing features frozen in time.

Eris was just tucking away the photo into a hidden pocket of her dress when she looked over to see the previously-aggressive matagot sit back on her haunches, somewhat placated. The stripe-costumed girl gave the feline creature a smile overflowing with fondness and knelt to give her a rewarding scratch behind the ears.

"Such a good giiiirl," she crooned, blissfully stroking the creature's fur. "What a sweetie! Have you been lonely doing your duty here all by yourself?"

It was then that Cassie saw her chance to try to slip into the office. Eris cast her a brief, passing glance, smiling as she recalled the wonderful picture she had gotten of the girl with her tongue sticking out. She didn't seem to mind Cassie's action. The matagot didn't either at first. However, once Cassie slipped in and Ami made her intentions clear to get out, the magical creature began to grow agitated yet again. Before anyone could do anything, she lunged for Ami's thigh with claws extended.

Eyes widening in alarm, Eris hurriedly straightened back up from her kneel and whipped out her wand, but didn't seem sure of what to do with it. Her gaze cut from the matagot to Ami to the chest that bore the Beauxbatons crest at her feet. The Cheshire -costumed girl tilted her head and tapped a thoughtful finger to her black-painted lips.

"Hmm...if the portrait - Giselle? - said the matagot was in the office before she got there, then the chest probably was, too, right?" She flourished a hand at the feline. "I doubt you're going to need it to rescue her brother. If it really belongs to the Beauxbatons Headmaster like you seem to think it does, wouldn't it be best to just leave it here?"

Another laugh bubbled out of her. "It isn't as though we'd have any means to open a chest like this locked by a school headmaster, anyway. Besides, why do we need to upset this poor baby any more than she already is?" Eris pulled a sad face as she implored the others while extending both arms to indicate the matagot.

"Also..." she continued, her expression dissolving into a more mischievous look, "I may have heard something about the caretaker keeping pets more dangerous than a matagot in his office. Have you heard of boggarts and what they can do to you? Or lethifolds?" The girl placed her mask in front of her face, peering out from the eyeholes at her companions. "Maybe one of them might be in that chest. Probably best not to risk it since it could be being protected from thieves for our own good."

Interacting directly with @Elisabeth Erner, @Ami Procoppio, Gregori Erkens (@Ginevra Tsuchiya, & Cassie Heather McGregor-Martin (@Lucia Fox)

lettering in header done by the wonderful serena towers

Action: Attempting to beat the Matagot up with the chest because she has a death wish.

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

abilities the martial artist prodigal transfig spell spread

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

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[font=times new roman]fourth location, travelling to fifth
OCTOBER 16TH
Interactions @Lindsey Springhall @Ami Procoppio @Lucia Fox as Cassie

Scarlett braced herself for the impact of the portrait, spinning round clumsily on her heal and barely catching it in time, albeit with a disgruntled 'oof' and a few muttered profanities. She didn't even know why she had tried to catch the painting...maybe because the remaining students might've not have the best first impression if the occupant of the painting landed harshly on cold stone floor? Yeah. Probably that. Anyway, Scarlett just managed to catch it, and staggered only slightly before she heard Cassie yell the words 'Giselle'. In an instant, Lindsey rushed over in her floaty pink gown, bent down and started to question the person in the portrait. A woman. Giselle.

Scarlett listened as Giselle spewed out all of her secrets. Thankfully, it was a change from Toa's unpredictable preaches and accidental confessions, paired with his snarky hostility and aggression. Scarlett couldn't see how Giselle could love the guy. Giselle said something about a plan and a lover, which fit the story. Scarlett absorbed everything like a sponge - exactly the way every single teacher in the history of ever described it. She caught the last words, the last location. The Potions classroom. They had almost solved this mystery.

She caught a glance of the odd purple cat girl, but ignored her mainly. The older redhead who had managed to sneak inside was now attempting to bash the Matagot with the chest they had caught a glimpse of when she had cast Lumos. Scarlett grinned - though she had acknowledged her mistake in attacking the Matagot, it still felt satisfying when another was subsequently trying to murder the pissy little kitty.

"GO GET THE LITTLE SHITE!" shouted Scarlett, as encouragement. She grinned before turning back to the situation at hand. Potions classroom. Scarlett took Giselle from the lovely face of Lindsey, and quickly told her, "Get Toa and bring anyone who wants to help. We're going to the Potions classroom."

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Action Grab Giselle and run to the Potions classroom
Stats Stamina | 7 | Evasion | 5 | Strength | 6 | Wisdom | 6 | Arcane Power | 9 | Accuracy | 7
Abilities Prodigal Charms Learner, Fearless

As Lindsey Springhall | open to interactions
Interacting with @Scarlett Aden @Lucia Fox as Cassie
Mentioning @Ami Procoppio

She listened attentively to Giselle, while feeling a bit sorry of being stern to her while interrogating. One thing was clear: here, or the caretaker’s office, wasn’t their final destination. They should go to the potions classroom. She didn’t know why they put the Matagot here. It seemed, according to Cassie, that the Beauxbatons headmaster indeed had an E.M. initial. And the crest…so maybe this massive cat was his. Interesting. Interesting indeed.

On the other hand Miss Giselle was ignorant of what the cat was doing. Maybe it was just a trick…to stop them from reaching Paran. Or at least trying to slower their speed. But if it’s really so…the purpose of it? Was the task really that important? Maybe. But…her chocolate brown eyes landed yonder, until Cassie’s plan C drew her attention.

“And a plan D now.” she smirked, and said slowly but clearly. “Perhaps this Matagot is used to fool us after we find Giselle. We need to get moving, to the Potions classroom. This massive cat isn’t the real thing we need to deal with — there’s a bigger mystery down in the dungeons. We’ve got to move as soon as possible. Like what she said, there’s no time to lose.”

A voice in her head told her to get to the potions classroom as soon as possible. In order to solve the mystery! That’s the right place to get the right answer! It called. The sense told her to follow this voice. Yeah, there’s nothing much to do here…clearly that couldn’t defeat this huge cat, and most importantly, there’s no use of defeating it. According to Giselle, what they should do was to first arrive at the potions classroom. She nodded silently. Oh yeah, like what she said, there’s no time to lose…her right foot tapped impatiently on the floor. Time to go.

She had almost started moving, when she saw Ami. The older student seemed had annoyed the Matagot, and the massive cat jumped over to attack her. Her teammate was attacked, and her heart sank. It seemed that the cat wasn’t very happy with what’s going on around…and probably, the ones near her were in danger. She blinked. This wasn’t exactly what she wanted…no. She couldn’t embark on an adventure herself, and leave others in danger. Sensibility told her to stop. It wasn’t because she wasn’t brave enough to go to the dungeons alone; mostly it was because her love for her schoolmates and fellow students. They were a part of herself. She had to help. There’s no way of stopping her. Except on a Quidditch field, which was the only place she could feel okay sending bludgers to the opposite players (but that’s for protecting her own teammates, right?). She couldn’t, and wouldn’t move on to the next location unless she had make sure they were safe.

Scarlett was already running off, telling her to follow and get Gaiz with them as well. She slowly shook her head. Maybe she’d get to the classroom after she had dealt with this cat…and it wouldn’t take too long. Sensibility had overcome sense yet again. Maybe that’s the difference between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor…and between the other two houses. She was often regarded as a prudent and strategic person, but love occupied a lot of space in her heart. And, there’re foreign students! She could bring them to the dungeons, or maybe they’d get lost. So…

Her wand raised, and pointed at the cat.

“Immobulus!” she yelled, while quietly making up future plans: if this spell hit, then everything would be alright, so they could get to the dungeons; if it didn’t, they should drag everyone along, and get to the dungeons…well.

Maybe that’s why the sorting hat insisted to put her in Hufflepuff.

Action: cast Immobulus at the Matagot
Location: fourth location
Stats: Stamina 7 | Evasion 6 | Strength 8 | Wisdom 7 | Arcane Power 6 | Accuracy 8
Abilities: Statistically Relevant | Lovely Creature

[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][0][1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

Reducio

ALLY LIST
-Wyatt Starkey
-Elizabeth Isaacs
-Scarlett Aden
-Leonard Oaksworth
-Marshal Mozor
-Casandra Ironwoods
-Mars T’ien

The cat didn't let Cassie into the office after all, and the Beauxbatons student scowled and kicked the wall to relieve her annoyance. "Stupid Magot with its stupid chest and stupid guarding," she muttered under her breath, then heard a hiss from the Magot and spun around, instincively standing ready to run, in case the cat decided that ripping Cassie's wound open again was a good idea. But no- the Magot went for the redhead, not Cassie, and Cassie watched with wide eyes as it scratched her leg, which began to bleed. "Uh-" she said stupidly. "Are you-"

The girl who had been taking photos of everyone shared her own opinions (which no-one, in Cassie's view, had asked for, especially as she hadn't been there since the start as Cassie Heather had), and (annoyingly) made a valid point. "I- yeah, that makes sense I guess..." Cassie muttered reluctantly, rather like a child who had been caught in an act of wrongdoing and was attempting to evade punishment. Then the girl said, with a mischievous grin which just made Cassie grudgingly like her more, that the caretaker might keep creatures like boggarts and levifolds in his office. Cassie frowned. "A what?" she blinked. "What's a boggart and a levifold? And what's it in-" But then she stopped herself. Whenever Cassie learned a new word in English, it was her instinct to ask for it in French as well, and vice-versa, but she had forgotten that this girl probably didn't speak French. Ah well.

The redhead, on the other hand, didn't seem to care about the girl's words, because she screamed at the Magot and began attempting to beat it over the head with the chest. Cassie yelped and immediately moved backwards, out of range of the cat, because in reality, she really didn't want to get hurt.

She bumped into Scarlett, who was telling the pretty blonde girl that they needed to go to the potions classroom. Then the Hogwarts girl took off with Giselle, and Cassie took a last look at the scene before her before following. "Hey! Scarl!" she called. "Wait up!" But as it happened, Scarlett was stopped anyway by the girl who had tried to help Cassie when she was bleeding. The girl asked Giselle some questions, Cassie tapped the floor with her toe impatiently, and then finally Scarlett and Cassie were off to the potions corridor - to finally solve this mystery.

MODERATION POST

Moderation Post Tracker:
[Start] [Interlude] [First] [Note] [Second] [Third] [Fourth] [Fifth] [Sixth] [Seventh]
[Eighth] [Ninth] [Interlude] [Tenth] [Eleventh] [Twelfth] [Thirteenth]

FOURTH LOCATION

The party was splitting up again, different goals, different priorities.

@Ami Procoppio’s reaction was a very comprehensible one, in a way. She had been attacked, was bleeding, and her choice was fight, not flight. She’d try to repay in kind - except she didn’t have claws of note, so smashing the cat with a heavy wooden chest was the next best thing.

Ami tries to lift the chest and hit the Matagot with it
Ami Strength check (DC 20 (lifting + swinging)): 26
Auto-Miss (Gregorí’s Terrible Presence): 10 -> Auto-Miss

The impressively muscular Hufflepuff managed to lift the chest without any problems, swinging it in the Matagot’s direction - but missed entirely. Where was your attention, Ami? Distracted by that Ilvermorny student and his oddly disturbing aura, maybe?

The Matagot did not seem to appreciate any of this - where Eris’ presence had calmed her, everything about Ami was infuriating her further. That she was touching her precious chest, that she was attacking her, the yelling, even her looks seemed offensive at this point. She went in for another attack.

Matagot attacks Ami with claws.
Auto-Miss (Gregorí’s Terrible Presence): 10 -> Auto-Miss

But the cat, too, was affected by Gregorí’s presence, no matter how taken she had been with the boy earlier. Her razor-sharp claws slashed thin air instead of Ami’s arm.

A second student was about to join the fray. Although @Lindsey Springhall was convinced that heading to the Dungeons was the right move, that that was where the real goal lay, her Hufflepuff loyalty would not let her desert her Quidditch Captain. She was wondering, however… What was the connection between the hunt of riddles and mysteries the portraits were leading them on and the Matagot? Was there one?

But either way, the cat had to be stopped.

Lindsey casts Immobulus (WDC 11)
Wisdom Roll: nat 20, critical success
Accuracy Roll: 20
Evasion Roll: 30

But while the spell was powerful, textbook perfect, really, the Matagot sprang out of the way with ease, turning to hiss at the girl. And yet, its main attention remained focused on Ami.

Eris Livius (@Kit Paine) was still remaining remarkably calm… and uninvolved. At ease in this strange situation, she continued musing about what was going on, if it might not be smarter to leave a chest that obviously belonged to the headmaster of Beauxbatons alone? They were causing distress to the poor kitty!

While Ami was too busy raging to listen to reason, others seemed more inclined to listen. Grudgingly.

Who gets Giselle?
Scarlett Initiative: 35
Elisabeth Initiative: 79

@Scarlett Aden was impatient to get to the Dungeons, the Potions classroom, as directed. She tried to take the painting of the girl with her (when would this abominable habit of abducting poor helpless paintings end?!), but someone else was faster - @Elisabeth Erner was eager to get more information out of Giselle, too, before running off again like a headless chicken, Giselle’s warnings to make haste be damned. Scarlett and Cassie (@Lucia Fox) would head to the dungeons empty-handed.

Elisabeth was putting the story together, piece by piece: Giselle was Laiks Denbora’s love, Gaiz Toa the spurned one, who had attacked Laiks out of spite and revenge (and the misguided hope that doing so would win him the girl). Paran Taja Giselle’s brother, the healer, who was supposed to be saving Laiks in their painting. But again, there was this odd mention of a plan, one that had gone awry. What plan?

Charisma Roll (DC 15+2 (Lovely Creature)): 23

“Ah,” said the girl softly, seeming a little embarrassed. “There was… I was not supposed to tell you, it would all become clear in the end, once you had solved it.” Her eyes flickered, uncertain, her cheeks blushing a soft, pretty pink. “It was supposed to be an event for you students. Get you to work together, solve riddles, get a prize in the end. Show you that you are stronger together. But things went wrong… I don’t know who, but someone stole me from where you were supposed to find me. Someone is sabotaging this. They might be dangerous.” She turned her head towards the office, the Matagot. “I don’t believe the cat is involved in this. It is more that someone made use of her to hide me, to make it difficult for you to get me. They led you here… hoping you would get hurt. I believe she will leave you alone if you leave the thing she is guarding. It was never supposed to be part of this.” Her pretty face distorted into a grimace. “But please, do save Paran, so he can help Laiks, ease his pain. He has always been helping us, even stayed behind in this world for me. You have all the information you need. With every minute…” She shook her head. “Be careful.”

Gregorí Erkens (@Ginevra Tsuchiya) was staying by Elisabeth’s side, listening, admiring her poise and grace. Refusing the picture of the two of them together, hoping she’d keep it as a memory, but secretly wanting the one of her alone, a keepsake of this softly blooming relationship between the two. He was in no hurry to go anywhere.

FIFTH LOCATION

Scarlett and Cassie were the first to follow Giselle’s directions. The corridor by the Potions classroom, well familiar. Quick steps down the stairs carried them to their destination. But how were they supposed to save someone abducted by figures in a painting? They could not directly influence the paintings, as it had quickly turned out at the first painting, the one of Laiks Denbora. At least they knew where to look - and who they were looking for.

The painting was not hard to spot, the wall decoration down here rather sparse. It was a large one, a big scene, some medieval stone circle. Hooded figures were scattered in groups around a fire, chanting. It had the feel of a ritual, a… sacrifice?

When the figures noticed the approaching girls, they became clearly agitated, their voices growing louder, more urgent. When they moved, another person became visible: Held by two others, a hood tied over his head, struggling to get free. Someone needed to free him! Or… help him free himself?

WHAT HAPPENED SO FAR…

OOC Information:

• From now on, if you want to switch from the first location to the fourth, you have to post in the third location first.
• From now on, please state where you are above your post (e.g. First Location, On the way, Second Location)
• The next moderation will take place on Sunday, February 21th.
• This is a moderated event, please state your actions (spells, attacks, observation attempts) accordingly. We will be rolling for them during moderation. You only have one action per moderation post.
• If you have any questions feel free to owl Dealla Prince or Ileen Knight.

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[font=times new roman]lé cínq locátíón
OCTOBER 16TH
Interactions @Lucia Fox as Cassie

Scarlett cast a look around the admittedly small group. It seemed like, at the beginning, there had been so many. Kara, Henry, Tina, Lucia, random people travelling out from the heat of the Ballroom to go on a wonderful adventure full of snarky portraits and ghost cats. And Scarlett herself of course. But slowly, some trickled away until only the last few remained. Some of the group had been quiet, some had seized action, some had observed but they had stayed. Cassie - Lindsey - the angry fourth-year Scarlett could relate to on a spiritual level - the two Asian girls - the foreign boy - the weird cat girl who didn't really count because she had joined later on - the other smaller blonde girl - Toa the moody portrait - the portraits Scarlett had seen before but didn't really understand (who the hell was Laiks or Debora or something?) - the Matagot, Star, and Giselle. It wasn't the end, but it felt near it, like in the odd Muggle movies where sad violin music played in the background as the guy stared into the sunset, speaking off-screen. Odd.

Anyway, Scarlett casted a glance back at the progress of the others. The Matagot was yet again annoyed and Lindsey had managed to cast some sort of spell on it so it froze and couldn't attack. Scarlett turned to leave with Cassie and Giselle. Toa could wait, and it was understandable that Lindsey was attacking the Matagot, not just because it was dangerous but because it was so annoying.

As they turned to leave though, one of the Asian girls intercepted Giselle...somehow. It was a flash, a grab and the girl had successfully taken Giselle from Scarlett's hands. "You could've just asked," snapped Scarlett, whirling round to face the girl. She pursed her lips before her face softened a little. "See what info you can get outta her, okay?" With that, she and Cassie left the corridor and ventured down, down, down...

Scarlett had never found the Potions classroom creepy. Just the Dungeons. But the Potions classroom was alright, with the knights guarding it and the endless vials and ingredients and tables that had provided many chattering students with the desks they needed. The air grew colder but Scarlett didn't shiver and tremble. She forged ahead, knowing that Cassie would be doing the exact same thing. Her wand was whipped out of her robe pocket. She and Cassie found the painting lying quite obviously on the wall. Its contents seemed like a ritual. Hooded figures. Chanting. Fires. The people noticed Cassie and her. They parted to reveal a struggling hooded man.

Scarlett gritted her teeth, clenching her wand tighter though she knew she couldn't do anything to influence what was going on in the painting. She felt threatened by just how creepy these people were, so she did what she naturally did on impulse, stepping forward, placing her hands on her hips and demanding information.

"Right you little brats," said Scarlett loudly, voice echoing off the walls. "Us two here want to know what exactly is going on, who Laiks or Debora or Paran or Taj and Gaiz Toa and Giselle are, and we want to know what is going on and we want the info stat."

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Action Shout loudly to assert her dominance
Stats Stamina | 7 | Evasion | 5 | Strength | 6 | Wisdom | 6 | Arcane Power | 9 | Accuracy | 7
Abilities Prodigal Charms Learner, Fearless