Fall Ball 2021 Fall Ball

Waiting. That was all Bloom was doing in the Fall Ball. Everyone was socializing with one another, but there was no one that she found truly familiar to tag herself with. Quite frankly, she was hoping to catch some time with Howard, a new and cherished friend of hers. But it seemed that he had perhaps decided not to come to the dance.

Looking around, she saw a lot of people really happy being together. Bloom was happy for them because it is always nice to be with your friends and more on such a wonderful event. Bloom had just hoped that the people she knew was around for her to celebrate the Fall Ball as well.

Shrugging, she gave it a few more minutes before deciding that it was time to just go and leave the Fall Ball and back to the Festival. Perhaps there were more people there than at the Quidditch Pitch.

Crossing her arms in reaction from the cool wind, Bloom made her way towards the Festival, which was considered the entrance of the Fall Ball. She hoped that her checking out the area, she would see some people she knew. If not, she would most likely call it a night.

ACTION: Heading to the festival

With their combined forces, they had actually managed it. Even though Simon wanted the two girls to leave the tent, Sam and Haley had of course not done so, neither would leave Simon behind and so the three of them grappled and tried to lift the pole. Haley wouldn't lie, it was heavy and immediately she noticed the muscles in her arms hardening as she pulled hard on the pole that held her boyfriend captive. But they made it and soon Simon was free. "Good job every one!" cheered the redhead, walking quickly to Simon to help him up.

"Thanks for your help." She now addressed Sam, Haley's mood by now more relaxed, knowing that they could all three finally get out of this mess. "Let's get out of here." She urged the two of them, glancing at the hole in the tent Simon had made to save them. Haley stood to the side and held the opening open for Sam to step forward. "After you." She smiled at her and waited for her to slip through the slit, out into freedom. She would do the same with Simon, but she knew full well that he would insist that she go first and so she didn't even try. She paused for a moment and looked at Simon with concern. "Are you all right?" she asked, carefully placing her hand on the side of his face and surveying him from top to bottom. After he would assure her that he was fine, as he always did, even when he wasn't, Haley too would go out through the hole to freedom.

Outside the tent she waited for Simon, glancing around nervously. Some of the others had already managed to escape from the tent too, but she was sure there were still some trapped inside. Her eyes searched for a professor, but her search was in vain. "There must be someone here who can put an end to all this chaos." Haley fretted aloud, "And above all, help the injured." She continued angrily and looked desperately back and forth between Sam and Simon.

Action: Getting out of the tent

Interacting: @Simon Kincaid @Samantha Salwis
Mentioning:

Outfit: Pink Plaid Suit

Inventory: Wand, small lockpicking knife, wizard tight, corsage (for Winnie).

Action: Unconscious, probably dying.

Interacts with: @Winnie Harper

Mentions: Nobody.

@Hui Ming | open to interactions

Action: hopefully getting a bleeding Hui Ming to safety?

interacts n/a mentions @Rose Moon

as Maximilien de Fostoncy French | English | #586d9d

That was the worst decision he had ever made.

Now on top of the cursed tent, Maxi found himself soaring high up in the air. The tent was lifting up thanks to some helpful students who were busy engaged in levitating it, and Maxi was particularly grateful for their effort. Alright, he fully understood that they wished to save the students under the tent - like he was just now - but they couldn’t ignore that someone wanted to get out at the same time! Gripping the fabric tight, Maxi knew that the least thing he wanted to happen was to fall from here. He was not afraid of heights (thanks to Monsieur le Comte’s flying sessions), but nor did he appreciate it. Especially when he was having a tent ride instead of a broom one. This was terrifying. He wasn’t expecting it. Not the slightest.

“HEY! DO LET ME DOWN!!” he yelled, voice shaking. But the words soon faded in the roaring wind, leaving Maxi alone, only to observe the Hogwarts grounds from the sky. People down there were becoming smaller and smaller. He couldn’t locate any specific personage - not even Mademoiselle Rose. Had she been out safely? Supposedly, since the tent was flying so high now. A bitter smile crossed his lips. He shouldn’t have been in this cursed place since the very beginning. This was certainly the worst ball he had ever participated in.

The feeling up here was - intriguing. Unlike flying on a broom, it was like riding on a magical carpet like the muggle tales told. Yet they were different. The carpets were never slippery like this tent. Maxi could feel his wound still bleeding, and his stamina losing every second he managed to hold on tight. He couldn’t grab the fabric anymore. He was slowly losing his grip.

He heard someone’s voice shouting his name. Mademoiselle Rose, was it? He couldn’t hear her clearly, nor could he see her, but Maxi supposed that she was telling him to jump. And she’d - she’d catch him?? A shame, Maximilien, really, to have a lady aiding you instead of you helping her. Though surprisingly the fear in his heart was fading slowly, and he wasn’t sure why. Nevertheless, he still couldn’t think clearly. It was clear that he had two choices - to jump, or to hold on. But both seemed the worst.

It was cold up here. Remembering what he wanted initially - an umbrella - Maxi decided that he should have one now. Raindrops on his wound sucked. It hurt, really, and he had to stop it. “Pluvia Velo.” he muttered softly. His right arm lifted his wand up, making the boy losing his balance. Nearly losing his left hand’s grip, Maxi swung a bit in the air. He finally managed to stay on the tent. But no. That was only a temporary success. Maxi could feel his strength slowly failing him, making him unable to stay steady on the fabric any further.

He was really losing his grip this time.

Remembering Mademoiselle Rose’s promise from a distance that she’d catch him, Maxi made a decision. Even if the promise was distant and maybe he had misheard, Maxi chose to trust her. She would only say so because she would do it, right? And he had chosen to confide in her. Once his confidence was placed, he would not withdraw it easily. Maxi was a poet. And poets believed in the best of results.

Eyes closed, he let go of his left hand.

And so, he fell.

stats: sta 7 · eva 8 · wis 11 · arc 7 · str 2 · acc 11
abilities: lovely creature | perfectionist | spell spread
action: casting Pluvia Velo and jumping down with the umbrella gracefully like Mary Poppins
p.s. not so sure about if the storm is still raging, and if the rain had actually ended and I’ve missed the description, please discard Maxi’s attempt on the umbrella spell and I will change my post

Simon told her he was fine and that she and Haley needed to go. "I- we are not leaving you behind." She spoke for both off them, assuming Haley would stay too. Samantha was very worried and wanted to get out of the tent as fast as possible, but not without Simon. When Haley had counted until three Samantha lifted the pole. They managed to lift the heavy pole, probably because the three of them lifted it together. Samantha was sure she wouldn't have been able to do it alone.

"It's nothing," she said with a little smile to Haley. Before Samantha left the tent she looked back to see if somebody else needed help. If there was somebody trapped she couldn't just leave them behind. Whenever somebody was in danger Samantha just had to help. It wasn't because she wanted to be a hero or because she was brave. She needed to help or she would feel useless, which she never wanted to be. Her need to help had already caused her to be cursed, so maybe it was a good thing that she didn't see anybody else.

Very happy to be out of the tent again, Samantha listened to the other girl "Yeah, you are right." Samantha looked around to see if there was somebody who could help, but didn't see anybody. She was a little frustrated that there was nobody near them, so Simon could be healed immediately. She turned to Haley. " Are you okay? Any injuries?" Samantha had totally forgot that Haley could be hurt too, because she had been focused on helping Simon.

"Do I need to look for somebody who can help, or are you okay, Simon?" she asked hesitantly. She wasn't sure what to do. She had helped Simon, what now? They were safe now, they were out of the tent. She didn't know if Simon needed help or if he would manage without it. If he didn't need help, was she suppose to just stand here?

@Flash Holmwood @Aaron Jones @Eun-ji Lee Hunt @Lee Ye-jun

The four Hogwarts students were joined by a boy whom Eun-ji apparently knew, but Opeila was pretty sure she had never seen before. Considering his Asian looks, he could be from Mahoko- Mahato... something? Opeila would need to hear the name a few more time before she would learn it. She also couldn't really tell from where exactly he was, it was just a wild guess.

The young girl was shaking stronger and stronger the longer they stood there, but she forced herself to focus on maintaining her spell and listening to the others. The rain soaked her dress, her hair, ran down her face in icey drops and fell on her bare arms, making goosebumps spread over her whole body. Where were the others moving the tent? Downwind. Alright, she could do that.

Looking at the tent, she slowly moved in the direction of the others, scared that her shaking would make it impossible to maintain the spell much longer. "G-Get out of th-there!", she would shout and gesture towards any student that ended up below the tent and was close enough to hear her. "Wh-where do we drop it?", she asked the others, her teeth chattering as she spoke. Well, next time she would do it like Flash and wear a sweater to the ball. This dress was good for running, but definitely not fit for these temperatures.

She was glad that her friend was here and the sudden wish to reach out for Flash's hand made her fingers twitch. Quickly Opeila clenched them into a fist. Not now, she needed to focus and so did he.

Action: Moving the tent with the others.

OUTFIT: ▪ ✿ ▪

INTERACTIONS: ▪ @Mathias Pride ▪

MENTIONING: ▪ @Kelsey Brumby ▪ @Nigel Read ▪

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Winne had been freed from her pole-shaped prison, but not soon enough. Fortunately, by some miracle, her legs had not been crushed and seemed to work. Her legs were wobbly at first, much like a baby fawn taking its first steps but somehow with even less grace. She was hyper focused on one thing, and that thing happened to be her boyfriend, who had flown without the help of a broom.

She ignored any protests her body made as she started towards the exit of the tent as soon as she could walk straight. "MATT! MATT GOT HURT! HELP!" Well, she didn't know for certain yet, but he had cried out before falling off the top of the tent. She likely looked like a madwoman, running across the tent screaming, wearing a ripped gown that was now erm... embellished with her own blood, and likely growing worse since she was still bleeding. Very Carrie-chic.

When she arrived outside the tent, she would frantically search for her boyfriend, stumbling when her heels were caught in the waterlogged turf that made up the Quidditch Pitch. It was through the mud she trekked until she finally found him (permission given by Aurora to say as much now that Winnie is no longer trapped) seemingly sleeping peacefully beneath a layer of the leaves, the autumn hues complimenting his complexion quite nicely. He would have looked like Snow White, had it not been for the rock beneath his head.

"MATT!" Why was she always finding him like this? She should have been more careful, she had failed to protect him... Again. With a trembling lip, she knelt down to try and check his pulse (mod said he wasn't dead, so assuming it is still there?)

Regardless, she needed an adult! Who was at the ball again? The nurse... Professor Read... Why wasn't she paying more attention?! She would summon all of her pterodatcl powers to start screeching bloody murder, begging anyone to try and help the bleeding ginger. "NURSE BRUMBY! PRODFESSOR READ! S-SOMEONE! HELP! HELP! HEEEELP!"

What if they couldn't hear her over the commotion? What if no one came? She couldn't sit idly by like she had last time. She carefully slid her hand beneath Mathias' neck to try and support it, with the other arm sliding beneath his knees. She was attempting to carry the boy, princess style. He might have been taller than she was, but she was much, much stronger.

Art Credit: @Cain Corvus

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@Della Barfield | Open to interactions

Ringing ears. Blurred vision. Stunned and disoriented.

A dull ache plagued the side of his skull, and his head was fuzzy. Hui Ming could hear voices, somewhere. But the sound was muffled and difficult to make sense of over the ringing.

It was dark. And painful.

What was happening? Was he asleep? Had he died somehow?

A spike of panic rushed through the first year, prevailing over the blurred lines of disorientation and impulse, of confused thought and unthinking reaction.

Critical analysis whited out, conscious thought drowned in the cacophony of mixed auditory inputs. All that remained was confusion, pain and instinct.

Ming tried to move, but he couldn’t. Something large and heavy and solid was pinning him down. He had to move. He had to get out of here. He had to…

After several feeble and unsuccessful attempts to try and crawl out of his predicament, the Slytherin first year ceased his efforts. It was hard work, trying to move. And he was exhausted.
So when the weights were lifted, the normally composed first year could do little in response but elicit a tired and pained groan. When he felt himself being lifted, he tried to fight back; but
exhausted and injured, his efforts were too pitiful to even be called half-hearted.

He heard a voice coming from the person lifting him up. The voice sounded familiar, but Ming failed to make any sense of the words being said to him.

“Mhhgg,” was his only nonsensical reply as he was being dragged bodily by this person.

OC Note 1: Apologies for the sparse replies. I should be more active again now
OC Note 2: Due to my inactivity over the past several weeks, I'm flavouring this as Ming having received a head injury from the pole. This means that I'll give Della/whoever is handling Ming permission to lightly godmod him util he gets medical attention

Action: Being dragged somewhere by Della Barfield

Outfit

“Aye, s’me,” Nicholas’s response was somewhat slurred, the words obscured by the dulled connection between his brain and mouth.

The blonde’s singing wasn’t even the worst thing about her demeanour, even to the panicked and bleeding boy, it was entirely evident that the off-kilter musical number was a symptom of a greater fear. A panic of the girl’s own. His eyes did not meet her’s, for they were far too busy darting constantly around the chaos that the ball had become, failing to settle in any one spot. Vivid memories of being trapped still tore at his psyche, his very soul feeling caught in the riptide. But he had sense enough to know he had to get the girl out, by any means.

He did try to princess-carry her, he truly did, but the stinging sensation that erupted from his shoulder made that impossible. Instead, he took the path of least resistance and dragged the girl much like he would a sack of potatoes, her diminutive form dragging along the ground and over all manner of refuse as he made way out of the tent.

The howl of wind and biting cold rain that bit against his skin and face were like kisses from the saints themselves, for it meant that he was out of the misbegotten hell that had come about from the collapse of the tent. Yet, he did not pause in his quest, and for a few metres more, he dragged Aurora Ranvier to relative safety. Of course, that term required that one discounted the scratches and scrapes she had picked up in the course of being hauled over broken glass and rocks.

He dropped her with all the ceremony of an Irish goodbye, and turned his fear-filled eyes back to the scene from whence they’d escaped. He wished he hadn’t. Students were bleeding and bloody, and not all of them had made their way out of the tent. More still had to be trapped, trapped in the same way that Nicholas and Aurora had been up until the scant moments prior. But there was hope to be found in the gale, for a number of older students and teachers had seen fit to at least return the tent to bear, raising it from the ground and releasing a few more of the children from the dark clutches that had imprisoned the Gryffindor.

As his eyes traced the rising tent, they initially scanned past a silhouette clutching to the canvas, only to rapidly return to bear on the obvious shape of a student, and then another. Two students had been stranded on top of the top of the structure and there was nothing Nicholas could do but watch as one of those two lost their grip.

“Christ defend,” The words left his mouth in a rapid whisper, and he took an unconscious step forward.

In the course of that instinctual motion, he inadvertently stepped out of the way of his date’s teary hug, the poor girl missing him and careening into a tree. He’d probably pay for that failure later, but as he slowly became aware of his accidental evasion, he allowed for years of proper gentlemanly education to take control, albeit in a way that was entirely ‘Nicholas.’ With a grunt he removed his denim jacket, inadvertently smearing the collar with some of the blood that had seeped through his shirt.

“Sorry, I- uh, sorry,” Was all he could muster as he thrust the jacket toward the girl hugging the tree, “It’s cold.”

Indeed, it was cold, the storm had made sure of that, but nothing in their prior conversation, or lack of conversation, had led to such an observance. Maybe a sweaty, bloody jacket would serve as some sort of apology for having dodged her sobbing hug.

Still, even as he held out the coat, his brain could not dissociate from the sight of a fellow student careening off of the top of the tent, not when he had just seen Aurora sobbing and panicking, not when he had just been subject to a repeat of his greatest and deepest fear. Every rational thought that entered his brain left just as swiftly as it appeared, replaced by a screaming, never-ending instinct to run for safety.

The sound of a horrific screech for help only served to send a further shudder down his spine, and he practically froze in place, millennia of evolution having programmed his brain to react to the sound as any prey animal would.

“Lord above, is that a banshee?” He said unthinkingly.

Stats: STA: 12 | EVA: 6 | STR: 8 | WIS: 6 | ARC: 4 | ACC: 6
Abilities: Foulplay | Statistically Relevant
Interacting with: @Aurora Ranvier
Mentioning: @Winnie Harper, @Matthias Pride
Action: Nil