Event Blossom Ball - Underworld

open for interactions

Nikolai was late. And one of the things that he hated the most (a long list, a very very long list) was being late to anything. Punctuality was right up there with neatness and common bloody decency to your fellow human being as things that Nikolai respected the most. And here he was, rushing up from the Hufflepuff common room through nearly-emptied halls toward the courtyard—alone, late, and his head buzzing with anxious noise.

He’d never been to a ball. Hell, his parents weren’t the sort of people who ever even mentioned anything as fancy as a ball, let alone included their son in one. Balls were something out of fantasy, something one attended to meet a prince or dance with an elf. Muggle school dances had, in his limited and embarrassing experience, been little more than swaying awkwardly together with a nice but uninterested girl from maths class to music that had been outdated twenty years ago. This wasn’t some mere dance; this was an event. This had a bloody dress code. Being ill-prepared as usual, Nikolai had wrestled the honey-yellow sheet from his bed and tied it with a belt around his middle in a poor approximation of a Greek toga. Not having any footwear that particularly matched his haphazard costume, he’d elected to go barefoot (at least the weather seemed to be accommodating, but he was even more perceptive for any wandering shoe that might seek out his bare toes).

And here Nikolai Dragos was, stumbling his way into the Courtyard to a crowd of milling bodies. Blue and flickering light covered the usually calming courtyard into a shrouded, eerie mystery. Not to say that the atmosphere had been stifled. No, for lack of a better term, it seemed practically rowdy. Already there was heated talk and an altercation happening in one corner of the underworld, and Nikolai decided it best to skirt around it and avoid confrontation altogether. (He could barely defend himself, how did he suppose he could possibly help anyone else?)

He was supposed to be meeting someone. Michael, the Slytherin that had been unusually kind to him. But, with Nikolai being late and the anxiety swimming circles in his head like a trapped shark, he was sure that Michael would have moved on without him—decided that Nikolai wasn’t worth wasting time on and gone on to party with people more daring and interesting than he was. Still, what if he was wrong? What if Michael was waiting for him down at the party proper?

Nikolai loitered near the border of the courtyard, looking down at the shining lights and inviting music of the actual dance on the grounds further from the castle. He waffled in indecision, moving his weight from one foot to the other, and stayed rooted to the spot. He was sure he looked like a complete moron.

Interactions: @Opeila Winters [Theodore Duncain] and @Thora Larkston [Karilyna Kawahara]
Mentions: Lazarus Plott because it's not a true Phyllis post if I don't insult him

So, Hogwarts balls. The first one Phyllis had gone to had been pretty bad. You know, fires, doors crushing your BFFs, giants crashing. The usual. Because of that, last year's Masquerade Ball was the only Hogwarts ball she'd attended, at least until today. She was going with Theo and KK, which pretty much guaranteed a good time, and it sounded like the last ball had been okay, so maybe Hogwarts wasn't actually cursed. And this one was outside, so there wouldn't be any doors around to crush people.

Props to the ball's planners, the theme sounded pretty sick. The Greeks were cool. Their mythology was interesting, not that she could be bothered to read about it, with lots of fun gods and goddesses. Mad respect for their wooden horse game, too. The first few invitations had her worried a bit, to be honest. Much too boring, another typical ball. She'd resigned herself to the fact British people just didn't know how to throw a good party. But the later ones had won her back. Very spooky, and spook equaled excitement.

On the note of hating your standard fancy ball, Phyllis hated all those fancy dresses. They were uncomfortable and impractical, and what were you supposed to do, buy a ballgown, wear it once, and then leave it to rot? Not that money was an issue for her family, but still, stupid. Owling her mom for what she wanted didn't sound all that fun anyway. And so, she decided to fully embrace the theme. She wouldn't be a pretty goddess like most of the other girls; instead, she'd wear the thing most Greeks wore: togas! I'm sorry Kaz

The outfit had cost her nothing, too! She'd been dabbling in DIY stuff for a while now--she did have to do something other than broom flying sometimes--so was confident she could make a passing toga. Just a little bit of mutilating one of her bedsheets for the material, the color-changing thingy spell on part of it (which she was pretty proud of herself for casting so well), and repeatedly stabbing the fabric with a needle, and voila, she had her outfit! Okay, so it was a little more complicated and careful then that, but that was the basic idea. Add in some paper leaf cutouts put together in a circle shape for one of those crown things and she had a perfect, on-theme costume.

She'd been excited and impatient all day--though she did have some candy this morning, so maybe part of it was just a sugar high--and now the ball was here, finally. Down to the Courtyard the three of them went, Phyllis with a nice little skip in her step. Along the way, she felt it necessary to let Theo know his outfit was not remotely Greek. She would have made him a toga too if she'd known! The bouncing motion only ceased when they reached the entrance, where they paused for a moment. Maybe for dramatic effect. Dramatic effect was good unless it was Plott's doing, then it was just unendingly annoying. Like him in general. She probably ruined the moment by going up on her tiptoes; could you blame her, though? She and Theo were about the same height, but he was a little taller, and that was unacceptable. And this way she could really look down on KK, aka the Miniature Human/Shorty/Shrimp/whatever you wanted to call her, who didn't stand a chance. They couldn't all be tall, so thank you Karilyna Kawahara for your sacrifice.

Theo offered them his arms, cueing their entrance, so she finally stopped her fight to be taller. "Ooh, a gentleman," she teased, looping her arm through his. "Yes, onward!"

Action: Entering the Underworld
Stats: STA: 11 | EVA: 9 | STR: 10 | WIS: 7 | ARC: 2 | ACC: 11
Abilities: Calming Presence | Fearless | Statistically Relevant [+2 Stamina]
[Allies for Calming Presence are all Ilvermorny students]

Banner Credit: Sylvain

Interacting With: Jan

Outfit

Katrina was quite entranced by both the ball and by the fact that everything was totally fine so far. People were darting back and forth, participating in the trials Katrina assumed. She had deciphered the clues from the fliers and had overheard a few discussions about them. Dramatic? Sure. Dangerous and out of control? Not really. There were a good amount of people simply passing through the Underworld and right into the rest of the ball, but Jan and Katrina were more taking their time through it all. The decorations this year easily surpassed earlier years, Katrina was quite impressed, but the real difference was the fact that she was just enjoying the moment.

Jan inquired if this was a yearly thing, "Well technically we have two balls a year. One in the autumn and one in the spring," Katrina was quiet for a moment, unsure where to continue after that statement. Bring up last balls? They had thankfully strayed from that topic in their letters. Comment about how this one was better than the previous? Well that would just be rude to the organizers from previous balls. Thankfully, Jan came up with something else to do.

There was a table of punch. Jan joked about how she needed to keep her energy up, didn't want her fainting. Katrina was able to somewhat match his mood, a smile on her face, she was ignoring the voice in her head screaming about the tainted punch at the Blossomball a few years back, truth-telling potion. This was safe, it was staff organized. Katrina assured herself that the most effect it would have would be laughing or dancing or something equally silly if anything at all.

Jan asked if any particular one stood out and Katrina glanced over them, pointing to the more inconspicuous of them all. He poured her a glass and she accepted it with little wariness after seeing how much Jan wasn't the least bit worried about it. Not wanting to seem rude, Katrina tapped her glass against his and pretended to take a drink, she hardly wet her lips with it, she still had some of her wits about her.

Jan made a comment about how everything was nice and joked about having to switch schools. "If you were to switch schools, then we wouldn't have the same fun out of writing letters!" Katrina smiled and bumped against Jan teasingly.

Katrina thought she saw something, someone more like it. Bridget, her best friend--well, if they were still best friends Katrina wasn't sure. But if Bridget was here, that means she had warned Katrina not to come and fought over nothing. How hypocratic would it be for her to show up now? Katrina gritted her teeth, having half a mind to walk right over there and confront her. After their whole fight she had the guts to show up here? Then the person turned their head. It wasn't Bridget, in fact, Katrina didn't recognize them at all. Katrina felt the bubble of guilt return. Hopefully, Bridget was safe and sound, not angry at Katrina, enjoying her night.

Katrina returned to the moment: the ball, Jan, the punch that she didn't drink. Jan was fine now, wasn't he? Surely the punch was just fine. Before Katrina could really think, she shoved any hesitation aside as she took a big drink of the punch. It was only as she had swallowed that she realized something may have been off with Jan. It was just punch though, the too-sweet liquid that probably consisted of more sugar than anything hydrating. It's not like it had that much of an effect, right?

Action: Drinking the Punch

Allies: Jan_{@Elena Jangleton}

Mentioning | @Anastasia Beckett | @Henry Knight | @Aldor Humbleglow | Eyre Reeves

Rose was dressed as a harpy. She was wearing a red dress that she thought was resemblant to Ancient Greece. Her hair was up in a bun, with a gold thingy that resembled feathers to Rose, even though they were really meant to be leaves. It looked pretty with the bun she had put her auburn hair up into. All the other things about her appearance and outfit were linked back to the harpy look she was going for - her earrings, her shoes, and her eye makeup. And, she had wings. She was not expecting this part of her costume, but again, her great-aunt had provided. She smiled at the thought. Her wings were discreetly attached to her back. They were by no means light, but they were certainly manageable.

She came into the Blossom Ball, but soon froze, overwhelmed. The drinks. The people. The fights.

Memories flooded into Rose's mind. She remembered the few moments of glorious peace with Eyre, dancing, butchering French. He had called her breathtaking. And then- Rose flinched, remembering Anastasia Beckett storming into her life once again and hooking her feet out from under her. Rose had put herself between Eyre and Anastasia, but Eyre had been determined to not let that go. Beckett had then carted him away. Seeing the food and drink, Rose remembered sitting down at the edge of the crowd to wait for him to come back. She had a drink and was wondering if he would want one when he came back. And then he didn't. He didn't come back at all.

Nobody was here to greet her this time. Nobody had been waiting for her. Nobody had made plans with her or wanted to go to the Ball with her.

Rose tried to tell herself that this was a different Ball. That nobody could ditch her if she went alone. That nobody could steal her date if she didn't have one to begin with. But Beckett could still screw up this Ball. Anybody could come along and ruin everything.

Somebody ran into Rose from behind, and she tripped on her skirt and fell forward. After all, she had been standing right at the entrance, petrified to move. "S-sorry-" she tried to tell them, but she was only given an eye roll from her position on the floor before the person walked away. The redhead rose to her feet, and took a couple of steps forward, then turned around, watching the entrance.

Her vision darkened around the edges and she backed up, slowly. She felt the back of her shins touch the fountain side. She gave a little gasp at this, and felt her breath quicken. Rose swallowed, though with great effort and a lump in her throat. She sat down on the side of the fountain, her hands beside her. Her arm shook with her breaths that she tried to slow and calm.

What was she even doing here? She didn't deserve a good time. She didn't even deserve the things she was wearing. Rose spied her friends- Aldor and Henry, but they didn't seem to see her. Good. They didn't need her presence here, and she would only make this worse. Just like she made everything worse. Just like she made things with Eyre worse. Just like she made things with her mother worse. Just like she made things with her duels worse.

Rose stood up and walked out of the Ball, making her whole costume that her great aunt had shipped to her a waste of time and energy. She just couldn't- she couldn't do this.

For Moderation-

Action: Entering the Underworld, freaking out, exiting the Underworld

Abilities: Keen Eye | Lovely Creature Allies: N/A Inventory: Wand

Stats: Stamina- 6 Evasion- 8 Strength- 5 Wisdom- 9 ArcPower- 7 Accuracy- 5

"Rabbits live close to death and when death comes closer than usual, thinking about survival leaves little room for anything else." - Watership Down

The chaos blooming before had now blossomed, there was shouting, threats, and the sounds that Selim once could vaguely pin as from his head were now unidentifiable amongst the cacophony. It made his head pound as he tried to focus on his companion's words, only being able to catch just enough of them to kind of understand what he was conveying.

The false cheer had been the dhampir's attempts to jump to the lightworld or at least the greyworld. It would need some work. Now that Selim knew of the worlds he knew that once he had slipped between them with ease. His first year, before the fever dream, had been the easiest time to traverse them, like Ratatoskr jumping between the heavens and the underworld that Yggdrasill connects.

This year it had been harder for him to go between worlds. The most he could reach was greyworld, for any attempts to reach lightworld ended up with him seeming, unnatural, eerie.

Then the shattering came and he was cast back down into the shadows, where he seemed more like Níðhǫggr if anything. It had been a long time, he felt... old... no not old, decayed. Like a broken-down merry-go-round, barely able to spin without painful screeches of metal on metal that would make your ears bleed.

He refocused on the one he had bound himself to, trying to listen to his voice despite his aching eardrums. A word made him furrow his brow, and he tried to search his mind for the meaning, but it was hard when things were screaming at you. "1-Cs? My mind is becoming hazy with this chaos... I don't recall knowing that word. What is its meaning?"

He cast his gaze back to the turmoil they were idly chatting in. Most seemed perfectly normal, but the few shouting until their lungs popped were very, very loud to someone who had been living in near-perfect silence for multiple months straight.

The sickly smell of the punch was adding to the sensory overload. He hadn't been near so many people for so long. The most chaos he had dealt with was whenever he snuck into the kitchen or dining hall to grab some food (often because he forgot to eat for a few days straight). Those moments of brief crowding had barely lasted three minutes, and he had been here for a few hours now.

He could hear his heart thudding in his chest. His unconcealed fingers were twitching erratically.

"Calm yourself, no one is attacking you. Half the noise you're hearing are likely all hallucinations. You are fine."

He took a deep breath... it didn't do much. Grimacing he glanced at Kaegen, looking at his glowing hues. Their light was twisted with deep fear but also coiling cunning. Sometimes he wondered how the dhampir had ended up sorted into Ravenclaw.

It took a moment for the upperclassmen's words to register, they had to fight through the growing fog constricting his thoughts. He shook his head in an attempt to clear it, thudding the heel of his free hand against his temple and grumbling incoprhensably.

What did he say... 'minds being read'?

His memories flashed back to his conversation with Jack about Vladimir, and he huffed.

"I had almost forgotten about that particular Ravenclaw in this mess." Aku grunted, commenting on his thought. Selim sighed.

"I know of someone who could possibly reach into our minds. He's in your year, Vladimir Athanatos. I'm convinced he's likely working for someone else, someone powerful, or at the least connected to them in some way. He had headed into the Spring Festival at the start of the ball." Mind clearing as he spoke, Selim tapped a finger to his temple. "He has spoken to me before, mentally. Didn't do much other than had a chat with me... his ability could've been temporary though, perhaps gifted to him briefly by someone or something."

He then addressed the rest of the command given to him, tilting his head at dhampir, having to crane his neck slightly due to the Ravenclaw being a head taller than him. His mouth was slightly curved down behind his mask. "It's been a while since I've felt hope, I'm not sure how well I can convincingly mimic it. What if they know I'm faking it?"

Then the other boy offered him a vial. Selim took it frowning down at the label and the clear liquid it held. He was a bit confused as to what to do with them, after all his face was hidden by a mask so placing them like tears on his cheeks would be completely unnoticed, and putting them on his mask as tears would... well, make no sense. "What do I do with them? Use them like eyedrops?" His bland tone was tinted slightly with puzzlement.

But the dhampir was speaking quickly, his drained mind was struggling to keep up with him at all. He clenched the vial in a loose fist, glancing down at Aku as he met the puppet's button eyes. The rabbit shrugged, and Selim was mildly suspicious of how quiet the little imp was. "What good will being in the lightworld do if things are highly likely to break out in bloodshed?" He muttered. Head swimming slightly. He glanced back to his escort , glimpsing the predatory smile. He had to shake away some darker memories that rose with the threatening glimpse of the expression. "It's better to not show teeth when you smile, and you have to make your eyes smile too." His suggestion was passive, not much thought about it.

"I can handle the insults." Aku's mouth dropped into an open grin. Selim rolled his eyes. He didn't feel that it was necessary to insult others, that seemed to only be a habit for a handful of the suddenly aggressive students in the party.

Memories of etiquette classes sluggishly returned to him as he tried to remember the lessons meant to help with how socially likable the 'heir of the clan' had to be. He let out a huff, starting to feel drained from it all, and shifted up closer to Kaegen, looking out over the crowd. "The smell of that punch is making me feel ill." He grumbled, eyes scouring the crowd of students. He felt uneasy as he tried to search for something off aside from the irrational behaviour of some of the duo's peers. Reddish hues sharpening, he felt on edge and instinctively was directing the nervous energy towards being hyperaware.

Why was everyone acting so... odd? Everything had been fine at the beginning of the party, so why were they all suddenly screaming? Was it just from the excitement of the ball? What was the similar factor in all of this?

He caught a glimpse of a girl sipping punch... and it hit him. The revelation was hardly a surprise. "Kaegen, I doubt this is a surprise to you... but the punch is most definitely spiked with... something." He let out an annoyed sigh, as if his already-infuriating peers needed assistance in being mindlessly impulsive. How long would it be until one of them casts Incendio he wondered?

"Are you planning to show your face?" Selim sure wasn't, too many could recognize him here, he didn't want to be recognized... a passive thought struck him and he glanced back to the dhampir"Would... anyone actually recognize you if you did?"

He hadn't prodded at the boy's past, just as the Ravenclaw didn't prod at his, but this situation was different, more... tense. Selim felt he'd be a danger to those that knew him if they saw his face again, and that some, specifically professors, would be a danger to him if they realized he was there.

He had cut up another student, and he wasn't sure if that student had actually told any of the staff that... and he wasn't one to bet on unknowns.

But did Kaegen face any dangers with those that once knew him? They both intended to protect one another, and while there was a general danger at the Ball, there were much greater dangers that lie in people who knew them, knew what made them tick, knew things they shouldn't.

A shudder ran down his spine at the sudden burst of anxiety that came with thoughts that he had tried to ignore. Without a thought, he stepped back, a bit behind the Ravenclaw.

With the burst of stress came the Lies. Creaking timbers seemed to drown out the crowd, and whispers began manifesting close to him. He flinched, heart feeling as if it skipped a beat, and swore under his breath.

'Not now, not here, please don't start up here.' A tremor shook the hand holding the vial of tears, and he pulled the appendage into its bellowing sleeve, slipping the vial into a pouch he had sewed into the lining of his robe.

"My my, loosing your grip so soon, Tea?" Aku chuckled, "And we're only a few hours into the party." the cruel voice mocked.

Selim grit his teeth, willing the madness to leave him be, willing his mind to go back to matching the blank mask, but the tremors didn't stop, more did the whispers.

"Ease your heart, Selim. You are no longer alone in this, no one will recognize you. You will not be taken away again." Ronri murmured into his mind.

It was hard to calm down though when you felt like you were constantly hunted.

Actions: Searching for something off within the party

Free Actions: Chatting with he local Dhampir Dungeon Dweller. Getting his senses overwhelmed by the senseless yelling and smells of sweat and punch.

Mentioning/Interacting: @Tory Williamson
Outfit, Shoes
Languages: English, German, Japanese
Action: 'Chatting' in the Underworld, leaving to the Trial of Hades

She let her gaze slide away as Williamson hooked her arm in Suzuki's and led her away from the other well-dressed kids.

" You look really nice," she told Williamson. It was quite true- the girl was fitted in a sweepy foret green dress that somehow seemed modern and Greek-themed at the same time. It went with her hair color. Her golden wreath-like headband stood out in her hair, which was done in a nice bun. Her glittery sandals, which were nothing at all like Suzuki's, had the wings that kind of represented Apollo's shoes. Very fitting.

Suzuki wished she could say the same for herself. All she wore was a set of navy sweats, and a olive green flak jacket over top. Not appealing to say the least.

She'd worn the same thing for the past few days. Better not to mention it.

She probably looked out of place, next to Williamson, who looked really really freaking beautiful in her perfectly themed attire. Suzuki almost couldn't belive this was the same girl as the one in pajamas being a maniac in the Griffindor dorms.

" I guess." Suzuki let herself be lead away to the snack table, where an array of miscellaneous treats and drinks were laid out. Better not to touch them. She'd heard that some things could send you to the Hospital Wing.

Interacting: @Annie Morgan, Tiger @Alan Vanes
Mentioning: Levi Drakos, Eris Livius, Luka Volkov Kazuo Shimada, Anastasia Prokovdine Violet Carrington, Rodion Macaroni Aurora Ranvier, Selim Faust, Kaegan Deathmote
Actions:
Being hugged by Annie, observing the chaos, attempting to pet Tiger the cat, asking Annie if she would like to move to the Spring Festival

Chaos soon erupted all around. Even more than before.

So much was happening that the first year couldn't quite keep up, but she noticed that one of the kissing boys [Matthias Pride] from earlier had moved on, and the other [Levi Drakos] was being... ah... approached by a small girl with a camera in hand [Eris Livius]. On the other hand, a group of students - they were total strangers, were they from a different school? - seemed to be engaged in a queer situation.

One girl [Anastasia Prokovdine] was rocking back and forth on the ground like a small child, one boy [Luka Volkov] was trying to calm her down, and the other boy [Rodion Macaroni] was... being assaulted by a slipper. Blinking as if she wasn't quite sure what was happening she looked around and started to connect the dots. That cup on the ground looked awfully suspicious...

However, Callista was distracted from her musings when she was hugged from behind. Annie's call took a while to process as the first year stood there, stupefied for a second. She was still unused to hugs, and to Annie, it would seem as if the first year had stiffened underneath her arms. However, when she realized who it was, Callista relaxed - or tried to, at least. She laid her hands on the third year's and looked over her shoulder.

With a smile, she greeted her friend softly. "Annie. You look splendid tonight." Her friend's outfit was certainly different from everyone else's, but it looked wonderful with her dark hair and fair skin. Annie's hands felt warm underneath her own cool ones, and Callista lifted one of them to feel her necklace - the one that Annie had given her not long ago.

Unsure what to say or do, Callista awkwardly removed Annie's hands - and then immediately regretted it afterward. Oh god, what if she thinks I don't like her? Wait- do I like her? I do like her - as a friend, no? Panicking, the first year stammered out, "N-neko." It seemed that her brain had unconsciously gone looking for something to distract her, and it had settled on a slightly familiar figure. Attempting to clear her throat, Callista tried to explain. "Sorry, I mean, there's a really cute cat [Tiger] over there - I think it's a Bengal?"

Callista didn't see an owner nearby - although, then again, there was quite a crowd around. Anxious to move away from the crowd of screaming, dancing, and a mixture of both, she tugged lightly on Annie's hand, "Do you think we can go pet it? She wore a genuine smile, and if Annie could see her, she would notice that the Hufflepuff's eyes were bright and eager, and her smile came easily. No matter what breed, except maybe those hairless Sphynxes, Callista loved all kinds of cats.

Stretching her hand out slowly to the cat, she greeted softly, "Hey there, koneko. Aren't you just adorable? Where's your owner?" Glancing around, Callista observed the chaos wordlessly. She could have sworn some of those shadows were moving... Yes, I'm looking at you, Selim and Kaegan. "Annie, would you like to move over to the other area - the Spring Festival - soon? It's getting a bit crowded and, well, chaotic here." Although she wasn't exactly sure whether the other area would be much better...

Summary

Callista is found and hugged by Annie. Feeling awkward about it, she removes Annie's hands and immediately starts to worry about what the third year would think about it. To distract herself, she notices a cute Bengal cat near them and attempts to go over to pet it if it will allow her. She also drags Annie along with her because who wouldn't love a kitty?

Post Tracker:
[x] [x] [x]

Awful idea it might have been but it was a proposition that Elena was willing to accept because if the girl knew anything about balls at Hogwarts, it was that the idea that everything was going to go pitch perfect was merely an illusion though she liked to keep a bright approach about the topic convincing herself that were was no way this celebration could be foiled. Last she had checked, there was not a single mosp to be seen and no one had started ranting and raving yet. Well, not near them anyways as she would cast a concerned glance towards various areas of the room where some quarrels were breaking out, perhaps a bit too much for her liking and for a moment, Elena wondered if she had spoken too soon. "Everyone does seem to be getting rather passionate about today too." She'd say jokingly hoping to pass it off as humor while Adlai refreshed herself.

She'd give the Hufflepuff the best, genuine smile she could muster up ever since the two had stepped into this ball sending a silent message that Elena well and truly was happy. She could tell Adlai had not regretted one part of this and a part of the brunette was secretely relived that Adlai had agreed to come along or Elena Jangleton would have probably spent the duration of the ball skulking around the back like a wallflower, not something she had planned on doing at social gatherings like this. "I told you it was gonna be worth it." She said raising her glass to tap against Adlai's in a celebreatory gesture before pouring herself more of the punch. The Gryffindor herself had bene longing for something refreshing after having been through thick and thin of the trials as she took a long sip of the liquid letting it clear her parched throat as she would nudge Adlai with her shoulder as they stared out over the milling crowd and the room in all it's glory.

"So.."

A little playful smirk would appear on her face as she drained her cup before setting it down refreshed and renergized as she nodded out towards the center of the room where it seemed to be the most lively in her opinion. "See anyone that you fancy?" The brunette would joke slightly deciding to introduce a little humour into the situation. Truthfully, the brunette didn't know if Adlai was too much into what Elena was talking about but a little poke here and there never hurt anyone. She frowned for a moment eyeing the punch, it certainly had a kick to it but nevertheless, it was defintely marvelous, suspicously so maybe as she returned her attention to the ball wincing as a few shouts and yells reached her ears. Okay, people were really getting riled up for some reason as that familiar feeling of unease she had felt last year returned, Elena casting downwards to where her wand was sheathed in her heel where she could pull it out at a moment's notice.

Hopefully, they would not need it today. She would rather they go one year without anything messing up, now that would be glorious indeed.

Outfit

Percival's eyes widened as Ileen gave him a large smile. It was interesting how much he noticed every small detail when he stopped to look. Had she always had those dimples? Swallowing down the smile that threatened to spill over his lips. He wasn't too sure when he had started to care about the girl. Hadn't she once been an enemy? Though, now that he thought about that wasn't true. The only thing she had ever done was be friends with the likes of Dealla. At the worst, she was guilty of ruining one of his favorite shirts. The boy shook his head ever so slightly. Now was not the time to think about sour girls smashing the wood of his guitar. The hope to enjoy tonight was strong.

His gaze flicked away from the girl as he watched some crazed, trigger-happy girl attack the unsuspecting rabbit. A frown pulled at his lips unsure of whether or not he wanted to go over. Lest he wanted to experience the same fate as the masked person. It didn't seem to be the most pleasant thing. Whatever the girl had sprayed at the masked figure seemed to hurt them. Besides, it appeared as if the rabbit had done enough justice to the girl. Pouncing on her in a manner that was almost cat-like. How unbefitting of a rabbit. "I have no clue who they are. She really did act quite hastily, didn't she?" he asked throwing a small smile in her direction. "Must be a Gryffindor if she so willingly attacked someone without cause." he scoffed his mouth breaking out into a small grin. He really did dislike Gryffindors. They were far too loud for their own good.

Percival followed Ileen's gaze towards a boy apparently named Jack. He nodded at that, glad he was not the only one who went for a more modern approach. The boy glanced down slightly as he noticed that the two of them had their arms linked together. His cheeks tinted ever so slightly as embarrassment heated his cheeks. "Ready to go to the Spring Festival?" he said quickly looking onward. Purposely avoiding the girl's all-knowing eyes. Well, they at least felt like they were all-knowing. He was sure if he looked at her she would know every little thing he held close to his heart. The boy lightly pulled at the girl's arm. Leading the two of them towards the Spring Festival.

Interacting with: @Ileen Knight
Mentioning: @Selim Faust, @Aurora Ranvier, @Jack Warren

Action: Entering the Spring Festival with Ileen Knight.

Free Action: Throwing snide comments

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

Foulplay - Lovely Creature

Jan certainly admitted Katrina had a point. There was a certain appeal to exchanging owls with each other, he didn't know how to word it. The thought that there was someone out there to write him letters was a nice thought at least. "I'm surprised you can read my scrawly handwriting." He commented smirking at her as he drained his glass letting the liquid flow down his throat surprised at how well-tasting it was. If there was one thing that was essential to any ball, it was the decorations followed by the food and drink, probably the two key factors that made any social celebration successful and in the German boy's opinion, Hogwarts had pulled this off in the most grand manner and for a moment, he almost envied Kat, the joy and luxury she got of attending such a fine school as he looked around, his mind zoning around as she talked.

There was a problem.

"Yeah.." The boy would mutter half-absentely not really paying attention as his mind swirled and emotions rose to his head. For some reason, he felt..riled up. Jan felt as if the world had wronged him in some manner and there was this fire inside of him waiting to explode as he put the glass down, his hand visibly shaking and his ears reddening a bit. He would cut the redhead off mid-sentence, the smile dropping from his face as he raised a hand to say his bit as the words tumbled out of his mouth as he adopted a stony expression that his father was so skilled in doing. "That's great, Kat. That really is." For a moment, his expression visibly softened as if he was being brought back to his sense before that irritated expression appeared once again. "I think I'm gonna just go over here." He would nod a few feet the other way, his heart pounding in his chest as he felt the urge to steamroller over anyone who got in his way.

This change in personality was certainly sudden and not at all typical for the boy who was commonly a pleasantary to have around and it took a lot to have him blow his top off as he shifted a few feet away from Katrina running his hand through his hair. "Let's just...give me some space, yeah?" His tone had dropped the gentle, warm he had been using with the girl ever since they had entered the ball and taken on more of an authorative nature as he poured himself more of the punch as if hoping it would sooth his mysterious source of frustration and anger swirling the contents around a bit. He was clearly ticked off but the source of his displeasure was not visibly clear as he raised the glass to his lips letting the punch filter in as if it would relieve the burden off his shoulders as he looked around annoyed tapping his foot up and down. The music, the noise, it was all hurting his ears, too much happiness.

ACTION: Taking a second drink