Fall Ball 2021 Samhain Festival

Her hair is bloooonnnndeee

Mentioning None

Interacting with @Nicholas McCowan

This is the day. My god, this is the day.

On the previous blossom ball, her own hand was the one she held for the entire night, babysitting her burning cousin, and just became the ultimate bouncer of the underworld. But not this time. Believe it or not, an extremely lucky boy won a lottery ticket and will take her to the ball. Even though it was her who asked, or rather begged him to be her date.

There was just something about the whole kid in love thing, either it was her nervousness level that reached the limit or she had eaten bad food. For the last couple of days, the girl’s bathroom was the number one most visited destination. It felt like a waterfall, but muddy colored. Probably it would be best to not describe the scene too vividly. Throughout her dateless days, never once she had this kind of horrendous circumstance, except that one time when she accidentally ate a sandwich filled with hot sauce. Don’t ask why, it happened. The hospital wing was eliminated from the list out of embarrassment, because the only description she had at the time was ‘my butt is having a firework party’ and the chance for the other to hear it beside the nurse was pretty high.

Good thing her mother was quick to rescue, by sending another food for Lucifur, ball necessities, along with loperamide. And just like that, she was cured. Too cured, perhaps, nothing came out anymore. It would be a blessing for Nicholas, he will not have to spend the ball from the beginning to end sitting outside the bathroom door with hands over his nose. With that out of the way, his hand should be free for awkward flustered sweaty hand holding.

Flannel, was it? To be honest, that type of pattern was never her go to fashion. The girl was more of a bright pastel rainbow with a sprinkle of glitter kind of person. Since her date seemed to not be the kind who has the best sense of aesthetic, maybe she would have to not try too hard for tonight. A red plaid dress with a cream coloured long sleeve underneath. Her usual jadon max was replaced with a pair of crocs, with a touch of gudetama charm on one side. Special for the occasion, her black hair for the month changed into a light milky brown and rich golden hue combined together in long flowing locks, styled in low pigtails, Aurora, despite her chaotic nature, the outer appearance always appeared neat and stylish, as long as her mouth zipped tight. What can anyone say, she won the runner up of the most snazzy dresser in the Ravenclaw right after the Pericles shining shimmering splendid Dralt. Quite an achievement.

As the other students started to leave the tower, a tad of worries that Nick would bail on their date barged in like an uninvited guest. Maybe he remembered her undeniable flaws, the impulsiveness, and her eardrum destroyer shrieks. But it would be better not to assume things first before actually stepping into the ball area. She rubbed Lucifur’s belly, the little devil won’t be attending the event, in the prevention of getting him hurt by anything that could’ve happened in the next couple of hours. “You stay here and sleep, okay? I just filled your bowl full so you won’t be hungry as I’m away.” Looking at the darkening cloud in the distance, she asked herself again why did they proceed to let the ball happen and not postpone it instead.

She tightened the bag on her right thigh underneath the midi plaid dress. Hopefully it would be enough to both defend herself and the boy if something both expected and unexpected appears. Of course, not forgetting the handmade blue bracelet special for the lion. Aurora intended it to be his lucky charm when she isn’t there to spray the danger out of his face, or just simply to make him remember the kindness underneath her pandemonium. Just as she left the tower, the sight of Nicholas with a face as red as his outfit, and a flower in his hand surprised her as if she had seen a ghost. Not that his appearance was appalling, not even close. In fact, he looked as if he did much effort from head to toe for tonight only. And his contagious blush, the kind of sweetness she had been looking for. “N-NICK!” His name came out much louder than anticipated. It was apparent enough that the girl was as excited as he was, maybe a little bit more. Her fingers nimble on the blue beads in her hand nervously as she made her way to him. “Sorry, h-hi.” This time, it was much softer. She could pass out at that very moment when Nick gave her the flower. First flower from a boy her age. Is this a real date? And he said I look good. I LOOK GOOD! HELL YEAH I LOOK GOOD IT’S AURORA RANVIER YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT! “Tha-thanks, you look g-great as well.” Well, this was the cutest Nicholas McCute moment, anyone with a good pair of eyes would and should agree or they will get a spray of ‘hurty juice’ , as that door matt would say, to each oculus.

“Oh I have something for you.” Aurora handed the blue bracelet with a slight shaky hand. “W-well, I’m not completely sure about your favorite colour. It’s not much, but I made it, and I h-hope you’ll like it.” It would make her entire night if he accepts it, even just putting it in his pocket. After so many long years, her dusty hand finally clutched in someone else’s. She wished she could glue them together, but her spell knowledge wouldn't be able to do that.

Reducio

Sta - 5 | Eva - 8 | Str - 5 Wis - 8 | Arc - 4 | Acc - 10 Terrible Presence Evasive Maneuvers

Action Flustered as she enters the ball with Nick :3 Outfit Reducio There's a leg bag underneath her dress (idk what that called). She has : a wand, a chocolate bar, 2 dittanies, a boomerang, two travel size pepper sprays, one travel size bug spray, one hammer, one inhaler

Thomas’ entrance to the ball would not be another display of visual puzzles and metaphors as in season’s past. His typical agenda to toy with Howard White even buy the wayside. Though he would take the prospect of jealousy in stride as a perk, if Howard were to take exception with his date.

@Falentra Black was not immediately seen by the boy upon his entrance. The boy swiftly darting through, bypassing the typical fanfare that has become the custom for Halloween themed ball(sorry moderators, excellent opening post but I’m lazy and mobile). His eyes only for certain individuals, having been provided pieces of a growing epidemic on this campus. If it’s any consolation, his third year may very well be the first time he didn’t feel alone.

The crone’s reach has collected a new batch of targets, leaving the days of human control at Hogwarts numbered. Having taken ahold of some that Thomas holds dear, molding his reactionary approach to this evening. At the very least, they would not see him coming.

The frog choir began their performance shortly after the boy’s arrival. Leaving him just enough time to locate Santario, providing a strong nod. it ends tonight.

A few notable changes to note for this ball, Thomas donning his black on black athletic jumpsuit. Ironically styling his hair as if it compensated for the underwhelming attire. Falentra may not be pleased to see her date dressed for a late night lifting session, Thomas would not care. Being nimble was vital this evening, the boy was done playing games.

Sorting through the crowd, he would find @Bridget Collins engaged with Victor Moore. A sickening image, and one he knew was not by Bridget’s design. A ploy to attract intention, perhaps the result to corner Bridget into a vulnerable position. Thomas knew she would not take the bait. If she located his eyes as he passed, he would only mouth burn it. Ignoring Victor altogether and brushing shoulders against Vladimir.

His target was the same, much like ball’s past. Marion Davenport was still permitted to embrace this abhorring facade as a victim. Thomas found the blonde in a typical try-hard attire, pleased to see no boy conned into dating her. ”Mary, fancy that.”

”You look pretty, truly. Let’s see you without your makeup then. Verdimillous!” As the boy spoke he wasted no time drawing his wand and pointing it at the girl’s frame along with the incantation.

Action: Casting Verdimillous at @Marion Davenport

Selim Text Color: #4d0f25
Aku Text Color: #614f6d

"Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, it seems to me most strange that men should fear seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come."- William Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar'

This time, Selim was prepared.

When he heard of the upcoming Fall Ball, his mind had immediately flashed back to when he was punched in the face by one Erin Ryan. He had been dragged to the hospital wing by Vladimir and his then-date, and the following emotionally and mentally stressful event that happened within said hospital wing was hard to forget.

He didn't want anything similar happening this time, especially since he gained knowledge of his ex-assailant's... changes. So this time he brought bandages and disinfectant, because despite knowing charms that could treat wounds, he didn't trust his wand (despite how far he could throw it).

He also brought his own drink after witnessing the events of the last blossom ball when he had also conveniently brought his own drink. This time it was tea though, not coffee, because he had enough paranoia and social anxiety without caffeine making it worse.

He also did some research into what this year's theme for the Fall Ball was and picked out a proper costume to his best efforts with the help of his new parents and their family owl. So unless he horribly misunderstood what the theme was, he technically would fit in.

The third-year decided to go as the mysterious Celtic god of death (using his own interpretation of what little info there was on the appearance of said god). He switched out his signature rabbit mask for another one he crafted, a rabbit skull. Yes, yes, very creative, wasn't it? It was odd suddenly having a much wider field of view than usual, but he adapted swiftly. The jaw was hinged, so he wouldn't have to lift the mask to eat or drink. Quite convenient, despite the trouble he had rigging such a sophisticated function.

He also replaced his yellow contact lenses, which highlighted his amber eyes, with icy blue ones (Both prescriptions because of the little-known fact that he was legally blind). The vivid hues seemed almost like pinpricks of light in the depths of the shadows shrouding his visage, shadows aided by a thin black mask underneath the bone one ( with some black face paint around his more exposed mouth and eyes).

He also requested that a hooded robe be made with the resources of his new family. It was a dark grey-blue, with silver and silver-blue edging and lining. The edging was made up of squares all containing an equally square spiral inside of them. There was also a patch on his left chest with the design of a Celtic knot, one which symbolized death and rebirth.

Along with this was a prop, one he also had sent to him in a package. It was a long wooden staff tipped with a hook. Dangling from the hook on a chain was a lantern, the inside lit with a single candle (He reasoned the lantern was used to guide lost souls).

All in all the outfit was thrown together using scraps of information he could gain from the library and through owls he received from his... family. He doubted it was accurate in the slightest, but he could also just say it was a costume used to ward off spirits, as per the festival the ball was based on.

He really did like the robe though, it had many hidden pockets, ones which contained his chopsticks, the bandages and disinfectant, his wand (which was in a pocket built into the inside of his right sleeve), and matches to relight the candle if it ever went out.

No, why would he use his wand to light it? Incendio was infamously dangerous in the hands of students, no matter if they were good at magic or not. Many fire-based disasters at Hogwarts have clarified that over and over again.

In fact, he wouldn't be surprised if another fire was started in this ball, it was practically to be expected at this point.

Aku was also in one of his pockets, and so was a flask of warm tea that would help soothe his throat and his mysterious chronic cough.

When Selim finished assembling his outfit before the ball, he had a nagging sense that tonight was going to be a very... interesting one. He also felt tense; as if bracing for something that was going to happen, but he didn't know what that something was.

There were definitely going to be some important players at the ball. Athanatos never failed to miss such events, and Victor had been preparing as well (hard to miss, he was their dormmate, undead or not). So were a few others that he had caught sight of.

After feeding Kioshi and gingerly placing his original rabbit mask in his trunk, (being sure to lock it afterwards) he grabbed his lit lantern staff and made his way to the festivities. The solitary boy caught sight of some peers making their way there as well. Just from that, he knew the crowd wasn't going to be something to scoff at.

Upon exiting the shelter of the castle and stepping onto the fallen leaves coating the grounds, he lifted his hood over his head, casting his mask in even more of an eerie shadow (Not helped by the lone candle flickering and sputtering as it swayed on the staff's chain). Easily catching sight of the distant lights of the ball, he made his way over in silence, soon stepping underneath the large tent erected outside the quidditch pitch. His robes lightly brushed the excess of fallen leaves as he halted, eyes scanning the crowd from within the safety of the bone mask.

Food was out, but he wasn't hungry, he was rarely hungry, that was seen well enough when people glimpsed his thin figure. At least he wasn't as malnourished as he was last year... last year was bad, terrible, the lowest low of his life just below 'the event' that gave him his scars. It was full of insanity, raving insanity, swamping voices, horrible hallucinations, and never-satiated bloodlust. He had shattered last year and was just barely put together again over the summer.

His fragile mental health was something he now kept a much closer eye on and tried to take much better care of (Despite not exactly knowing how to do that completely). He was still tired though, always tired because he was always thinking, noticing, observing.

He had observed the changes in one of his victims, he recognized the tired glint in their eyes, he questioned what exactly had happened for him to get that glint. He wondered if their scars had been healed with magic, or if they had decided to keep them as a reminder of the first taste of true pain. Then, he regretted.

For the first time in a while, he couldn't see the moving shadows, the puppets and events being tugged along by strings around him... he just knew they were there.

Selim caught sight of a few key people. The victim, the ostracized trio, the girl, the not-quite-human. For a while, his hues lingered on the resident undead boy, studying him in silence as he stood stoically, and unnervingly, near the entrance to the festivities. Then his eyes shifted to the not-quite-human. The pinpricks narrowed. She was a target, someone he had to keep an eye on. So, the Slytherin decided would follow her, using the shifting crowd to stay subtle.

Selim knew he wasn't the only one though, the only one who knew that she was no longer one of them. The key players would all have their eyes on her, the danger, a focal point of sickness. She needed to be cut out, like a scalpel taken to blighted flesh.

It was probably too late though. Everyone was focused on her, but the sickness had spread through the body, and the source of it was not just the not-quite-human. Still, it was a step forward, despite how inconsequential that step likely was.

Selim quietly noted two of the ostracized trio following a small crowd into the Quidditch pit for some event he didn't bother hearing the name of. He noted that one of the newer faculty members was also going in, along with the girl. Athanatos wasn't his target though, and he didn't want to linger near a professor, so, he didn't follow.

Another vaguely familiar face darted past him, one that surprised Selim quite a lot... Lestrange. He hadn't interacted with the boy since his first year, despite being hired help for him. After that job had been finished they never spoke to each other again. The boy still owed him a favour for his assistance, despite how he targeted the wrong bag. The rabbit-centric boy had still found items of interest from that excursion after all.

The other Slytherin rushed towards the female of the ostracized trio and shouted a spell. Apparently, subtlety was not key for his newfound goal. Selim knew what the spell did, but he wasn't particularly interested in something being relieved that he already knew.

She was infected, cursed, tainted, a blight. He had seen it, the black bile, the sickness she held. Unless that spell revealed that she was actually a fully turned or turning hag, then he'd only keep a passive eye on that situation.

Selim's gaze shifted back to the not-quite-human, and he slowly drifted through the crowd to grow closer to her. He made it discreet, of course. He stopped at some tables, mingling with groups briefly before moving on through the crowd. The unseen path he calculated would look rather normal, the only eye-catching thing may have been his outfit, but he was not the only one dressed up as some ghost or ghoul of the night.

The robed boy would stay close, as if the spectre of death itself was lingering at the ball just for her.

Of course, the third-year didn't know that she was being hunted down, that she was going to complete her change from not-quite-human to no-longer-human that night. His outfit and the being he based it on was just a rather darkly amusing coincidence. If he knew the plans of that night, the irony would not be lost on him.

The Slytherin had no one with him for the ball this time, no one he had to cater to or stay with to seem inconspicuous, no one to take up his focus. His eyes were locked onto his goal, and undistracted by the bright lights or amusing activities of the fall ball.

Eventually, he deemed himself close enough to see his target of interest, but not too close as to seem suspicious. He noted her gait, it was off, everything about her was off, but at least she was wearing clothes. Keeping a passive eye on her, his gaze hidden by his shadowy mask, he leaned up against a nearby table. The boy then idly propped staff beside him and took out his flask of tea. Taking some sips, his mind tricked him into thinking that it was briefly erasing the lingering itch that triggered his coughs at random intervals.

The coughs, a tick his doctors had said, but it was an inconvenient one. His throat was always sore to varying degrees. He had almost forgotten what a not-sore throat felt like. Sometimes it triggered flashbacks to the dungeons, to being trapped in that impromptu gas chamber of his own making. He could still feel it sometimes, just like he had then... the cold brush of death's fingers.

While his attention was largely locked onto the not-quite-human, he did also keep an eye on Lestrange and his not-so-subtle spell-shouting. Magic users had no idea how to be conspicuous. Then again, they weren't exactly trained in covert op skills. Really Selim was quite sure he was the only one that had even close experience and training for such a thing.

While he didn't have to keep up on said training now that he was taken from the grasp of his cold-hearted birth-father, he did anyways. At Hogwarts, you needed every skill you could get your hands on, and he wasn't one to let himself get rusty just because he was in a 'normal' family now.

So, the bone-masked boy lingered, talking to no one, sipping on his tea, observing the crowd, waiting... for something...

Much like he usually did in such events. At least he actually had something solid and physical to focus on. Last year's blossom ball had been chaotic, vague, and honestly felt like a fever dream.

This was better because this time he was stable enough to hear his own thoughts.

Full Outfit:

Reducio

The poor boy...

Well, perhaps poor was not as accurate a descriptor as one could make. Unfortunate would better describe the boy who came, who saw and who tried.

It would seem that Thomas had still, to date, failed to figure it out. How close they were all these years, building, learning, changing. Well, 'change' was also a poorly descriptive term for it. A more apt one perhaps could be scratched. Certainly, this itch that was always there. This truth, this essence, this nature was was hidden by the thinnest, tissue paper-like veils. The boy was always delightfully adorable, abhorrent really. It was what attracted them, those buzzing little gnats that gravitated towards the boy with such limited value. Daddy issues mostly, the need to disappoint their fathers actively so that their passive failures did not keep them up at night. The half-blood, do nothing, earn less, value even lesser still... boy who had no claim to fame, prestige by works, merits or blood. A sad case really, a one Thomas LeStrange.

”Mary, fancy that.”

She cocked her head to the side like a curious bird. "Ah yes Tommy," she cooed. The boy, hardly the man but about to try to be, gripping his wand like one would grip a lethal instrument that they hardly knew how to wield but knew that by holding it that there was an inherent threat. A small boy holding weapons too big, taking place in stories too large for his small presence. The sense of failing to belong, failing to measure up and claiming that he did not care when in truth how can he be anything but overwhelmed. A contrast to his underwhelming attire -- laundry day on the same day as the ball. How utterly Thomas.

"What do you think you are doing?" A mocking in that gentle tone. There was little that he could do to her in this public venue that would not be seen as monstrous. Not that the boy cared about being seen as a monster, the boy cared more about seeming as if he did not care than he did about actually caring.

”You look pretty, truly. Let’s see you without your makeup then. Verdimillous!”

It did not matter if his wand turned green, if green sparks did indeed fly. He would not see through illusions already in place, only hidden messages meant to be revealed, imperfections now highlighted. Under that eerie, green glow, if there was one at all he would see a slim, lovely form. Porcelain-like features on human flesh. If anything, Marion was too lovely. It would have been her vanity that made her this way, a carnal sin that should be marked with shame - daring to be so lovely. If under the verdant glow, the only evidence he would find would be the gown itself. There was something wrong there. Something moved unnaturally so beneath gossamer layers.

Marion had an attack of her own for the boy who tired. "I find you quite lovely also," only she would come in for an embrace, a kiss that would be by far more unpleasant than the famed Tyranni tactic. If their lips meet, her long nails which would feel like claws would find the back of his neck and his left ass cheek. The boy should have just kept on jogging. If she missed, if he avoided her molestation a look of indignation and quiet fury would pass over her face. If she succeeded, the kiss would be needlessly long. The nails would dig the more he flailed but would refuse to yield and when the kiss broke the embrace would linger a moment longer still so that she might whisper a curse into his ear. "From this curse which I knew, you shall lose somebody close to you."

Recommended Rolls:
Accuracy v Evasion (hug/kiss)
If successful, contested Wisdom Roll. (curse)

Marion was attempting to ply Thomas with a curse. In this curse Thomas will believe that someone extremely close to them has died, when in reality this person never existed. This being will be ingrained in Thomas' memories such as a sibling, parent, friend or even fellow house member. Thomas will become emotionally devastated by this beings death and will suffer one of the effects of long term madness. This madness would leave Thomas temporarily mute, unable to speak (or scream mind you). This would also prevent the casting of spells which require a verbal component.

Disclaimer.

If at any point Thomas feel uncomfortable with the content he reserves the right to refuse the success of a roll. Out of character consent is important to me as a person. His compliance or lack thereof is a choice he will always have without fear of reprisal or harassment by myself or a third party.

A message to Thomas' potential partner and/or the girls crushing on him and being creepy by reading his posts:

I am here to ruin Tom's day, you can have whatever is left of him I promise.

Action: Kissing/cursing Thomas

Inventory: Wand, three small opaque jars that are secured with a cork.

Outfit: Dress & Shoes

Mentions: @Thomas LeStrange

The crowd came to a halt by the entrance as Erin walked in. Hugh left his vantage point, putting his helmet back on, which he had been cleaning nervously. There had been a time, and it seemed like only yesterday, when Erin's existence would have hardly mattered to him. There'd been her crazy mind looking to punish his kind, and himself trying to avoid confrontation on a daily basis. And then suddenly it all changed…

Erin was walking amongst the crowd with an unusual gait, and the giant would shift from his position parallel with hers. Hugh would approach her, surreptitiously opening his cover as he slowly trod between the various students. He'd been a bit worried about how Erin would react. They had settled for neutral ground, but, she did not look the same. She looked worse. Now he was wondering where he got the nerves to talk to her now. Finally there, the giant pushed one last student aside before addressing the Slytherin girl.

“Can we have a talk?” Said Hugh. “There are some things I hope to avoid tonight.” He hated the way his mind worked. A clever human being would have shown more sense and quietly walked away. But, as he'd stood amongst the chilly field of mud, a horrible apprehension had stolen over him that almost all the answers were in place now, if only he could work out the questions.

He looked around at the other students. Several of them were likely out to get her and were staring back curiously at the two of them. “Er… I know this isn't easy to do,” Said Hugh. “But, when trouble comes knocking tonight, I'll need you to trust me for once.” He'd offer Erin a worried grin, seeing the flash of green behind him a tad too late. The part-giant shifted his position and looked over his shoulder. “It's beginning, I see.” Hugh said softly this time. He took one step more to the side, and tried to shield Erin's body as much as he could, being a giant, it was fairly easy. “Guess I'm playing the part of rock friend tonight.” He smirked, after years he finally smirked again.

Action: Protecting @Erin Ryan from any attacks.
Inventory: Wand & Repellent for Slugs
Attire: Something not plaid or fancy looking. And an Copper Kettle Helmet.
Interacts with: Erin Ryan

Interacting with @Thomas Lestrange @Marion Davenport

Late. Falentra was never late yet here she was hurrying down the halls that led towards the grounds. Her last minute outfit had been thrown together, having not thoroughly thinking through what she wanted to go as, or if anyone really was to make the effort. Thankfully, she played it safe and didn't go all out. A Wednesday Addams inspired look was what choose her to pick the short black-fitted dress and knee high-socks. Chunky black boots finished the look to her edgy, slightly over the top style to it.

Upon arriving to the entrance, where she had agreed to meet Thomas, she found the boy nowhere to be seen. Understandably so, waiting for a no-show would have pissed her off too, so she decided to head straight in, in hopes to catch up with the fellow Slytherin.

The ground was fairly busy already, with students scattered around in groups. Was she really that late? The slightly worried thought lingered as her eyes scanned through her peers, even the prompted height from her boots couldn't help her pinpoint the boy. Where was he? Had he even arrived yet? He... He best not have her down last minute cause...

As her thought rapidly progressed and her hand formed a frustrated fist, there already seemed to be a fight, or some trouble starting to form. Though it may not have had anything to do with Thomas, she had to at least have a nosy.

It didn't take her long to barge through the crowd, caring little for their safety. Her eyes were instantly drawn to the boy she was indeed looking for. Thomas. Already causing trouble, intentionally or? Falentra wanted to jump in, naturally, where trouble was formed, she wanted part of it. However, she knew nowadays to observe before getting her hands dirty, so she slowly approached her date with a mischievous smirk and a raise brown. ''Lestrange. Starting the fun without me?'' Her tone was playful, with a hint of excitement. Little did Falentra know the trouble he had started here was more than banter, more than attempt at bullying a peer.

Her eyes were yet to make contact with his. They were too occupied staring down the girl he had just attempted to cast at. Who was she? Had she seen her before? If her expression didn't share the curiosity she had for the girl, what was to follow sure was.

The unknown girl, other than now knowing her as 'Mary' seemed utterly unfazed. Whether the spell Thomas had aimed at her succeed or not, the girl only ended up closing the gap with Thomas. Falentra still, remained in her position and decided not to intervene so soon. If she knew Thomas well enough, as a friend, by now she'd have run her mouth and probably her fist too. This all just seemed to strange, and slightly awkward, to witness the kiss(if it succeeded), she was far to close.
Falentra was starting to feel as though her presence wasn't needed here and so was about to turn, or at the very least step away to allow the two to...finish whatever this was. If the kiss failed, she would do just that; and give them space, though still watch intensely from the distance. If however, it all succeed and she continued on with this curse, Falentra would intervene. She wasn’t stood overly close to the pair as it was, so the whisper wasn’t crystal clear, but with the bits she managed to pick up on, it made her uneasy. Whether it was the right thing to do, or her place to do such a thing with a boy she hardly knew, she couldn't stand there and listen to such a sick thing. For even her, it was a step too far.

''Those toxic words you spew don't match that pretty face of yours,'' She made sure to exaggerated on her 'compliment' to the girl. For a second, her eyes would finally find there was to Thomas to see if he was alright. He may of been able to stand his ground and fight his own battles, but Falentra was his date tonight and she was not just going to stand there let him deal with this strange girl on his own.
Her stance straightened and she stepped back forward, slightly in front of Thomas. She wasn't protecting him completely, she was just giving him some time to collect himself from what had just happened, if he needed to that is. To baby him and ask if he was alright wasn't her thing. She made sure to keep her concern as minimal as possible.

Her hand itched slowly towards her own wand, ready to draw it if needed, and her eyes set firmly back to the girl. Holding a cold stare, she would observe her. ''Whats your problem?''

Action: Watching cautiously beside Thomas. Intervening if needed.

[ @Eun-ji Lee Hunt as Ye-Jun Lee ]

looking around • being awkward • going to watch the frog choir performance if Ye-Jun agrees

"It's like a fairytale brought to life..." Lucia whispered to herself, smoothing down her skirt as she waited for her date to arrive, so they could enter the fall Ball together. Well, not date exactly - Ye-jun, @Eun-ji Lee Hunt's cousin from Beauxbatons, whom Lucia had met about a week ago but not actually spoken too since, was less of a 'date' and more of a 'dance partner'. Yes, that was it. Dance partner. After all, at first Lucia had asked if Eun-ji herself wanted to go with her, as they had done for the ball in May, and that had been completely platonic as well. It had been a good arrangement, and they'd had fun, and Lucia had hoped they'd be able to repeat it. Eun-ji, however, already had a not-so-platonic (well, that's what Lucia assumed anyway) date, and had instead suggested that Lucia go with her cousin. Which worked out good for everyone, as it happened: Lucia got someone to dance with who knew what they were doing, and Eun-ji got to spend some time with- what was his name again? Lucia couldn't even remember.

Speaking of Lucia's friends, she wondered how her best friend, @Alexa Mackenzie, was doing. She'd mentioned to Lucia that she was going stargazing with @Henry Knight, her boyfriend (Lucia still hadn't gotten over the fact that Alexa had a boyfriend), and Lucia hoped fervently that she was having a good time. It all sounded so romantic. Lucia seriously wished she had someone like that in her life - but then again... Lucia would never admit it, not even to herself, but there was a part of her that was as terrified of romance as she was enamored by it. Romance meant heartbreak, and there were so many tiny ways to lead to it. Every fairytale said so, every single one. Prince Charming got his heart broken by Cinderella when she abandoned him at the ball. Princess Jasmine got her heart broken by 'Prince Ali' when he revealed himself as a petty thief. Prince Philip got his heart broken by Princess Aurora when she abandoned him to find her family. And, although the couples always ended up together, that echo of heartbreak never truly faded. And, worst of all... Ebony Fox had gotten her heart broken by Antony Fox when he abandoned her in the middle of the night because he found out what she truly was. Lucia never wanted to have to deal with that. Never.

After suddenly realising that she was staring at some random stranger as she thought, Lucia pulled herself back together with a start. She had to stop 'running away with the fairies' as Briar put it. She had to focus on the now. And, as it happened, the 'now' was pretty easy to focus on. After all, Lucia was at a Hogwarts ball! And they were never boring. Well, apart from the one last October, where she'd danced by herself like a loner for half an hour after chickening out of helping everyone else solve a mystery... but that wasn't what was going to happen this time. After all, this time she had Ye-jun to dance with, so she was sure to have some fun. Unless Ye-jun turned out to be terrible at dancing... but he was Eun-ji's cousin. Lucia was sure he must have some of her talent at least. Well, if he turned up, that was.

No, Lucia was just being mean. She herself was a little early, after all. Barely any guests had arrived yet and the scene before her really was like one from a storybook. Toadstools so picturesque that the Hufflepuff was almost convinced they housed fairies were scattered across the gounds, joined by a range of plants, fauna, and autumn leaves which crunched beneath Lucia's feet whenever she shifted. Light spread delicately from pumkins which floated overhead, illuminating the students of the various schools as they made their way towards the dance floor, or the activities, or waited for their dates, like Lucia was doing, except she was waiting for a dance partner, not a date.

When Ye-jun arrived, Lucia would wave at him so he knew where she was. "Um, hi!" she said, only minorly more awkward than usual. She was about to go to a ball - with a boy. Well, it was platonic, obviously, but still! What if he expected a romantic date? Lucia didn't want a romantic date! She wanted a- "Just to check, you know this is platonic, right?" Oh my Merlin's bearded wand. Had she just said that out loud? She'd said that out loud. Lucia's eyes widened, she flushed, and she attempted to brush a hand through her hair, back to its natural black for the night rather than the ombre which she'd had it in since the Beckett Summer Ball, before remembering that it was done up in a fancy bun which she couldn't touch for fear of it falling out. "Um." Oh, forget 'minorly more awkward'. Lucia was most certainly descending into the realms of 'majorly' right now. "Do you want to go see the frog choir?" she squeaked, fiddling with the strap of her bag.

[ part-veela • alluring • perfectionist • scream• sta 8 • eva 8 • stre 4 • wis 9 • arc 6 • acc 7 ]

[ wand • 3 hair bobbles • 1 pack of tissues • 1 hairband ]

Outfit

Nicholas’s blush only deepened further, his skin changing to a vibrant shade of red. His colours had begun to darken over the preceding months, the beginnings of a tan finally changing his flesh from the colour of snow to something that betrayed the amount of time he spent outside. This was nothing like that. Embarrassment and nerves caused his reaction, pure and simple, and there was no colour that could be used to describe his newfound tone that fell outside of the world of pinks and reds. The boy was blushing, blushing absolutely furiously.

“Thanks,” The word escaped from his dry throat.

Then he blushed even further, the offering of a gift short-circuiting his brain and leaving only his unconscious reactions in place. He nodded, not bothering with words, lest he stumble all over them and make an even greater fool of himself than he already was, then took the bracelet from her. His shaky hand brushing her’s as he did so. Then he slipped the piece of jewelry over his right wrist, and extended that same arm toward her to hold her hand.

They walked like that, both children flustered beyond belief, but hand in hand. Months of arguments and insults, mostly one-sided, Aurora for her part had instead opted to act as if a woman possessed by a spirit of madness, seemingly forgotten as they crossed the threshold into autumn.

A number of students had already arrived, many with dates, some without, many dressed in garbs that fight an interpretation of the admittedly very loose theme, some without. The ball was nothing too far removed from Nicholas’s other experiences with Hogwarts balls and yet, it felt different somehow. He had a date, he supposed, and that meant it was all he could do to stop his heart from exploding at the slightest movement from the girl. Any reminder of the fact that he was holding her hand sent shocks of nervous worry through his heart. By God, he wasn’t good at this. Yelling at people, sure. Taking spells to the face from a pair of terrifying duelists, definitely. Girls, no sir, not at all, far too terrifying. Yet, he was of the house of Gryffindor, and that meant courage.

The mess of activity, the thinly veiled threats, and quite literal attacks of the magical variety were somehow lost on the boy. A creature of singular focus, so often lost to tunnel vision, had a far more pressing matter at hand. Trying to be a good date.

“So, uh,” He asked Aurora, unsure as to how hard he was supposed to grip her hand, “What do you want to do?” He chuckled somewhat awkwardly at the suggestion.

“The frog choir are performing, we can go see them if you like. You’re a member aren’t you?” Nicholas may have done some research following the work the girl had done to help organise the performance from the committee end, purely so that he could be a good date, it had nothing to do with any crush, because the insinuation that one existed was purely ridiculous. Present circumstances, obviously, were to be set aside. That included present feelings.

Of course, said feelings were placed on a temporary backburner as the sight of one individual in particular caught his eyes. He was dressed differently, sure, but his face and glasses were the same. Bitterly, Nicholas realised he still never caught the older boy’s name. He supposed he should have asked one of his housemates in the two months of school that had passed since that unfortunate incident during summer camp.

“Crivvens,” His usual blaspheme blurred into a single word in his mouth, the syllables slurring, “That’s the guy you tried to kick in the bollocks isn’t it? The one who rolled you into that rug.” He gestured idly toward the upperclassman, letting Aurora know that he had spotted the student she had once tried to physically assault.

With the benefit of hindsight, he wished that she had landed that hit.

Stats: STA: 12 | EVA: 6 | STR: 8 | WIS: 6 | ARC: 4 | ACC: 6
Abilities: Foulplay | Statistically Relevant
Interacting with: @Aurora Ranvier
Mentioning: @Jürgen Hess
Action: Nil

Actions: Enter Festival, leave to the ball!
Interactions:@Quinn Healy, briefly mentions Reid and Nico