Locked TABLE 2 | Sweethearts Tea Party Event

Banner by Winnie Harper

@Winnie Harper | @Cain Corvus | @Santario Martin

Levi was catching flies, panting in a frantic search for oxygen and calm that would die unfulfilled. The boy's hands were gripping the edge of the white-clothed table, knuckles gradually fading to match the hue, and he was shaking his head as though to rid it of that harrowing drum that’d made a home in the deep canals of his ears. His heart’s distressed beat spiraled through his body, and every noise amplified it further so it banged against the inside of his flesh, against his bones and the thin walls of his veins. To the relief of his grip, Levi let go of the table’s border, instead snatching the remnants of the letter in his hands and ripping it until just pointless scraps of paper that had the lingering poison of his rival’s touch.

Cain had, in the manner of a true gentleman, done what needed to be done to restore humor to this ordeal, venturing to ease Winnie’s arguably lesser distress with one last bottled word from her love. His hand was stuck in the letter, an awkward impression escaping his lips, one Levi would largely ignore as even fake Percematt was too much for the lion to deal with now. Levi’s head lowered into the haven of his palms, blocking out the amateur ventriloquy and attempting to steady his erratic heaves before thrusting the evening forward as though it’d never happened.

A bang tore through the ballroom, caressed and nurtured by the architecture that sent it piercing in with Levi’s bass line, so sudden he’d flinched. He peeled his wrists from his face, glancing back to see his fairytale breaking character and staring daggers into his eyes. However, they were dull, muted by the tears she was pathetically fighting, but no chances would be taken, and there would be no surface to sharpen this rage as any more than a misunderstanding. He needed a lie, a good lie, a believable lie. Someone, somewhere, had once said if it shined you in an unflattering ray, the naïve were more likely to cling to it as hope. You win some, you lose some, and fortunately the brunet was unafraid of the dark.

“Winnie,” Levi stood from his own chair, visibly off balance. His left hand came to rest on her waist, perhaps a perceived act of flirtation, but more so a desperate claw at equilibrium. “No, we’re not together… any, uh, anymore. Not for a long time. I think this is an old Howler, repurposed.” Was that possible? He wasn’t sure as a believed muggleborn, and in such, she would not be either having begged Cain to revitalize it. His voice had lowered to discourage others from correcting him, soft enough to pacify her. "I thought he’d done away with them all…” He looked away for a moment, bringing his hand to his eye to erase skin cells as though they were tears. Stepping to the side, he lifted her chair from the ground and situated it behind her. “I’m so sorry he treated you that way. I’d say it’s my own mistakes he’s paying forward. Will you sit? Please?”

Even in her altered mind, Santario was an ethereal creature that moved as a shade of wind, carried by whims of the universe that twirled around her finger like a cosmic ring. He’d just found his seat again when her voice came from the breeze’s whisper, her presence a cadaverous one, engineered to strike fear and static electricity everywhere she touched and affected. Her breath was warm, and there was a part of him that wanted to swim in it; the part with the mark on his collarbone, the real part, stretched his hazel eyes open beyond belief and recoiled so hard that he fell from his chair. She glided around the table to her place card, and the air parted for her to move with no resistance, in perfect flow, pretending to not see him in a puddle of his melted dignity on the marble floor.

This texture she had was no longer one of comfort to him, but of dangerous and terrified desire, like the barely-controlled childhood whim to see what happened if you stuck a fork in an outlet. He stood again, crawling back into his seat as a sickly man at half-life. In a handful of minutes, dark circles had burrowed in his visage, lines of age beginning their run from mouth to jaw. “Winnie…” the boy rasped, attempting to redirect his attention, but consistently flickering his gaze to the woman in charge to ensure she wouldn’t pounce on him across the table. “Have a cupcake.”

Interacting With: @Aurora Ranvier | @Levi Drakos @Cain Corvus | @Santario Martin

Outfit: ꕤ | ꕤ | ꕤ |

Mentioning: @Mathias Pride |

Date: February 14th, 2022

Cain questioned her knowledge, but she shook her head in response. She assumed it was quite obvious given his behaviour and knowledge about the wizarding world. There was also that one chocolate frog card he had said he might be related to. They were definitely purebloods.

Her face was already flushed from the tears when she approached Levi, but those hazel eyes almost made her stumble backwards and apologize. Her hands were still clinging to him when he stood, though he was actually taller than she was, so they slid down to loosely grip the upper sleeves of his button-up shirt. A lovely colour and pattern, she had always appreciated the boy's taste in fashion. "W-Why would he do that...?" Did the red floaty letters work like that? She did not know of their existence until today, so they probably were able to. Maybe they would talk again if the original owner resealed them?

As Levi stepped to the side to set her chair upright, Cain approached, a makeshift puppet in hand. "What are you...?" She stared but was interrupted by the boy's sudden show. She stared at the letter, half tempted to punch the damn thing around as if it were actually Mathias. The performance earned the boy a half-smile. Cain had already known about her troubles with Matt and had already told her how he felt about the Slytherin. "Thanks, Cain." He was a sweet guy, responsible and caring. It was no wonder he was selected to be a prefect.

Levi's soothing tone caught her attention, and it was enough to quell the lingering embers within her. "... Okay." She was quickly fading, a cold numbness spreading through her and turning her fingers to stone. The numbness carried with it a sense of relief, an escape from the profound pain of a broken heart. Levi graciously guided her back to her seat and, overtaken by stupefaction, she allowed him to become her puppeteer. "... This is the first letter he's sent me. The last time we spoke was before winter break." She admitted to the Gryffindor, her voice almost a whisper.

As San made her appearance, Winnie's hand quickly lifted up to wipe away the tears that had dampened her tear trough. The female prefect had once shown Winnie how to be strong and how to hide her emotions, though it seemed like her lessons were not being put to good use today. Winnie did not want anyone to see her like this, let alone San.

Levi was shaken by her appearance as well, not that Winnie could blame him; she'd probably fall out of her chair too if San were to lean over and whisper in her ear. She wondered if it was a threat as she had told Santario that the Gryffindor had poisoned her and was the reason for her memory loss. Was San trying to protect her? Had she seen Winnie's red face and assumed Levi was the cause? If that were the case, why was San smiling? She wondered if she should offer a hand and help Levi up, but he was already crawling back to his chair. She cleared her throat and tried to keep her voice from shaking. She might have sounded more cheerful than she intended to. "Hi San, I like your sweater." It looked really cozy, the perfect type to wear on a chilly winter day. Winnie hugged herself, her hands sliding down her bare arms. It was a bit chilly in the ballroom and she was regretting her outfit choice.

... If Matt were there, would he have offered her his jacket?

No, she had to stop thinking about Matt if she wanted to get through the rest of the evening without crying. She had to focus on the people around her... Merlin did Levi ever look like he had aged ten years in a matter of minutes. "... Yes, okay. Would you like to share one?" She had arrived first, and the house-elves had taken the cupcakes. There was no way Levi had put anything in them. Still, she could never be too careful. Sharing ensured the boy had not done anything to the treats, lest he ends up poisoning himself. She selected one of the strawberry ones Aurora had given her, her eyes never leaving Levi as she tried to decipher why he looked so shaken. This was not a man in a reformed relationship. There did not seem to be an ounce of excitement from the letter Matt had sent him. She leaned in under the guise of passing him the cupcake so she could whisper, "Are you feeling okay?"

A chestfallen Aurora passed her a letter silently, and her eyes were quick to scan the contents. Shit. Although this information did help stoke the fire within her, she was still not her usual fiery self. "Rori... I'm so sorry. You're an amazing girl, and if he can't see that he doesn't deserve you." She reached across the table to give her friend's hand a small squeeze. "Let's get through the party, and then we can..." Her eyes flickered over to the two prefects sitting at the table next to them. "Erm, have a private talk with him." And by that she meant should deck him right in the mouth for hurting her friend.

ꕤ ꕤ

ꕤ ꕤ

SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED!

As the students settled into their seats and confusion began to take over as they scanned the contents of their 'letters', some might notice several pale pink roses start to seemingly descend from the ceiling. The same hue as the petals floating through the air, these roses would gracefully glide downwards and land in front of someone at eight different tables; 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 15.

Tables 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 14, and 16 would not receive any roses (yet), but they would not go without entertainment. It was from his position at the teacher's table that Orion would stand up and clear his throat, "Welcome students, thank you for attending our tea party! I have hopes to make this an annual event." If only the French man was aware of the chaos he had rained down upon the crowd of youngsters. He had not slept the night before after scrambling to try and correct his errors. The dark circles under his eyes might have been noticeable to anyone sitting close enough to him. "I'm sure you've noticed the roses by now. If you've received a rose that means you are now a bachelor or bachelorette, which means you get to help spread a little love around." His face broke into a smile as if this were a simply sublime idea. With the romantic heart Orion possessed, he likely believed it.

"If you did not receive a rose, do not worry mes amies (my friends), you will get an opportunity soon. Until then we are going to offer you an opportunity to show your love. This means that you can ask us to dedicate a song to a special someone in the crowd, or make an announcement to your peers. The choice is, of course, yours to make." The students received a playful wink before Orion sat back down at the table. (PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOUR TABLE HAS RECEIVED A ROSE YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REQUEST A SONG OR SPOTLIGHT THIS ROUND)

@Aurora Ranvier and @Cain Corvus would discover that they were one of the individuals selected. If they were to pick up the rose, they would discover a small note attached that read the following:

YOU'VE BEEN SELECTED AS ONE OF OUR BACHELORS / BACHELORETTES. THE MUSIC IS ABOUT TO START SO GO FIND AND KISS YOUR VALENTINE! DON'T FORGET TO GIVE THEM THE ROSE!

P.S. For those too shy I will gladly pick for you
-O.L.

The students might notice the soothing sounds of the harp starting to play from the back corner of the ballroom. There was a shutter that blocked the view of who or how many people were playing. Whilst they would not see her, they could hear the Slytherin head of house, Hjørdis Jensen, had started to strum a harp to help set the mood.

Until people started to request songs, she would simply play random songs that she was pretty sure that the children would enjoy on the harp. Honestly, what did children listen to these days? She had no idea. But she was evidently trying in the fact that she had bothered to learn how to play all of these, specifically for this occasion.

It just so happened that occasionally, another instrument - such as a fiddle or guitar - could be heard in the background too, randomly chipping in. The sound of notes hit the air. It was not too loud but it could easily be heard throughout the ballroom if one stopped to listen for it. It almost complemented the chatter. [Click the music note for the actual playlist]

The students had a choice to make or risk the chance of a certain French man making the choice for them.

You've received a rose!

Your character has the ability to select one person to give the rose to. This person will be considered their 'valentine'. The OOC purpose for this is to A.) Add even more drama or B.) give characters an opportunity to move tables.

To move tables you must message a mod which table you wish to move to before it is confirmed. Please tell the mod your in character reason for wanting to move to this table. Why? This is to prevent tables from becoming too populated, as this is not the only round we will be doing this.

Keep in mind that once you move tables, you will be unable to return to your original table unless you are given permission to do so!

If you do not pick a 'valentine' by the next mod post, Orion will pick one for you. Trust me, you'll want to pick your own!

Her hair is dark brown

Banner made by Winnie Harper

Mentioning @Nicholas McCowan

Interacting with @Winnie Harper

Boys. The dumbest creature on earth. They were just one table away and he didn’t even notice the distraught Aurora. The next couple of minutes, perhaps hours, would either pass in a blip or leave an emotional scar. Winnie said they were going to have a private talk, she knew very well that it wouldn’t go well for Nicholas. Being the dorm mate for more than a year, it became progressively easier to read the redhead, as if everything were written on the back of her hand. Talk. More like screams and shouts, perhaps with one or two physical attacks. That was her concern. If he were anybody else, she would just give his life to the chaser right at that second, not literally, but he was different. Misunderstanding or not, cheater or not, she liked him too much to make a scene in public. Her hand reached on to the crumpled letter and shook her head, “N-no no Winnie it’s fine, I can handle this—” Aurora sent her friend a smile, then continued to say something under her breath “—hopefully”

As the shadow lurked in the form of her worries, the rumours echoed inside her head, a rose suddenly appeared right in front of her eyes like an epiphany, but it wasn’t one. The note attached to it was actually a nightmare. These adults. Why don’t they just do regular adult stuff like drinking a gallon of coffee and reading the newspaper, or gossiping about their boring and vacant stares co-workers? There must be something worth talking about, and instead, they made bets on who ends up with who. Professor Honeydukes seemed to be ecstatic to see his student suffer, she wondered why. Maybe he had a terrible love story back in his school time, thus, seeing a couple of childrens happy with their relationship with their friends or blushing target made him itch. What even is a bachelorette? And K-K-KISS? She didn’t want to face him when she was incredibly perturbed, knowing that she would probably say something she’d regret later, let alone kiss the Gryffindor race captain when he allegedly had an illicit affair behind her back.

She wasn’t there fully, not quite present, not quite absent. It was a sin to mess with a kid’s heart, that defense against the dark arts professor would be in hell for an eternity. Maybe this would be the perfect opportunity to drag Nicholas away from the crowd and have a talk just between the two. She wiped her tears, took both the rose and the letter and walked towards his table. But as always, things usually don’t go according to plan.

Sta - 5 | Eva - 9 | Str - 5 Wis - 8 | Arc - 4 | Acc - 10 Terrible Presence Evasive Maneuvers

Outfit Reducio

Roro is walking towards table 1 ehe ehe

Interacting| @Winnie Harper | @Aurora Ranvier | @Cain Corvus Mentioning| @Levi Drakos

Outfit Reducio

Interacting : @Winnie Harper @Santario Martin Mentioning : @Levi Drakos @Aurora Ranvier

Cain breathed out a sigh of relief at Winnie's reaction, even a half smile was better than righteous anger. He remembered her coming to the Slytherin dorm when Matt had first gone 'missing' before but he wasn't able to find him for her and his only way of comforting her was giving her a piece of candy. Now it was a puppet. If there was a way to re-play the letter, he didn't really know of it and didn't want to. "No Trouble." He gave her a half smile back.

"Santario." Cain repeated obediently. "Of course, I would like that. If ever you're free to join me." He'd wanted to show how capable he was by doing it on his own, but it seemed like he wasn't taken all that seriously by older kids. If he had someone as lovely and imposing as Santario Martin, a dueling captain no-less, they'd listen better. It was then that some sort of nightmare began, a pink rose with a note attached had dropped down before him. Harp music was playing off somewhere and he just barely recognized some ridiculous pop tune playing. Why wasn't he waking up? If he noticed he was in a dream, then usually he woke up...

YOU'VE BEEN SELECTED AS ONE OF OUR BACHELORS / BACHELORETTES. THE MUSIC IS ABOUT TO START SO GO FIND AND KISS YOUR VALENTINE! DON'T FORGET TO GIVE THEM THE ROSE!

P.S. For those too shy I will gladly pick for you
-O.L.

He read it over and over, but he was at a loss. He looked up to see Aurora who'd been in tears before clutch her own letter and make a beeline for a certain table with a boy she'd been eyeing the entire time. It didn't look like a romantic walk either, not that he could really tell these things anyway. He took a swift glance at his table mates, Winnie who'd just been broken up with, Levi who he'd met in the library and hoped to become close friends with and Santario who was like his prefect role-model. He couldn't put this accursed rose on any of them. There was Draven, his roommate and dear friend, but he couldn't do that to him either. Cain was fairly sure he was dating someone or someone had to be in love with him.

But if he didn't find someone, it would be chosen for him and he couldn't allow that either! He stood up, but then he could hear the harp playing out the tune 'Shape of You', his ears going red before he sat back down and held tight to his rose. Another horrible thought came to mind, if he went to some girl and she flat out rejected him or laughed or even accepted it out of pity. Of course no girl liked him, he didn't know that many yet and the ones he knew probably had boyfriends already. It was now or never. Cain stood up again.
"If you'll all excuse me."
He left the table, cautiously moving in the ballroom to make it seem like he was choosing another table before making a run for the door to take the escape hatch he should have from the beginning.

Wearing : Cable-knit gray sweater, dark jeans, black boots, rose hastily pinned over heart.
Action for Moderation : Making a run for the entrance and attempting to leave the thread.

Banner by Winnie Harper

@Winnie Harper | @Cain Corvus | @Santario Martin
mentions several

Both of Levi’s shoulders were pressed to hell. On one weighed Santario in her red mermaid dress, and on the other was Winnie yanking at his earlobe, her halo casting a soft glow that combed through her copper hair. The deep trenches that burrowed beneath his eyes were darkening, his gaze hoisting a shadow over the typical vibrant hazel. He’d joined the table in a moment of ignorant vibrance, unwilling to accept that the mark on his collarbone would sink no less than two or three shades darker than the rest of his skin. There was a certain noncommittal air to him now, even in moments of direct eye contact it seemed as though he was looking through you, or not at all.

“He can be a jerk,” He whispered in reply to Winnie, twirling the silver ring on his right index finger. “I had good reason for doing what I did last year, as cold as it may have seemed at the time. I’d prefer not to speak of it, I just want you to know I understand.” His lies came easy now, a graceful performance worthy of a thank-you, contrary to what one may think with the intertwining rivers of age lines that were seemingly cutting into his visage.

The starlight took time to address his black hole, a precious sweater complimenting the contradictory tones of her skin and ebony hair. He, too, was appreciative of the way she looked in it, though perhaps he’d be more enthused if he’d been able to take her in for more than a fraction of a second at a time. There was danger in her silhouette, a heat singed corneas when he dared, threatening to set his entire body aflame so she could dance in his ashes. To be nothing so she could be everything was a promise he’d have made without hesitation a month ago, but it was a pretty string of words, something he’d say with hopes that his mother’s cataclysmic, hallowed horrors were listening. It wasn’t a swear that she could render him bone for a fleeting state of fullness.

One of his hands took a graceless place on his collar, quickly remedied by a feigned neck pain soothed by a hard rub. “Hm? Yes, we can share.” He supposed that would be what it took to convince her that dining with him was safe. A flock of rumors were circling sinisterly overhead, enough to warn him of the inevitable outcome, too far away for him to slam them to the hard ground one by one. A premeditated attack on his character had to be met with constant reassurances to defend it, that included splitting a cupcake with a sobbing girl that was likely to make them taste rather salty.

She leaned in close to him, the cupcake in her hand but ulterior motives made obvious by the whisper that masked her voice from the others, blending with the buzz that floated into their bubble from the surrounding tables. A sweet gesture, to check on him after accusing him of swiping her unlovable boyfriend from under her, but it was characteristic in a way that rendered irony moot. She was an impressionable, manipulable, honeyed breeze, able to be whistled and inhaled and would embrace such if we could flow between lips. Levi met her hand with his own, taking the cupcake but ensuring their fingers brushed for a flash longer than necessary, that enervated countenance still decorating him. “Yes, bunny. Disappointed in the way you’re being treated, but I'm fine.”

A harp started to play somewhere from the back of the ballroom, its melodic notes dancing across the floor and burring through the sumptuous intricacies of the dangling chandeliers. It settled within Levi’s ears and dipped into his chest, failing to alleviate the sting and heaviness that the serpent had brought in the loose sleeve of her sweater. In uniform with the petals that slowly descended from the ceiling, roses of their hue manifested among the aerial bouquet. These did not evaporate once they touched a surface, instead settling deliberately in front of various students at about half the assortment of tables. Two of these being, the crying Aurora whom Levi had yet to decode, and the entertainer known as Cain.

Aurora wasted no time standing silently and excusing herself, likely to the table of Mop. He made a mental note to swoop in there later should this not go the way the chromatic raven so desperately desired, she deserved better. Significantly better, he thought, peering between the crowd to spot Nicholas sipping in the presence of some really hot girl. Cain, for a moment, looked confused, a blistering crimson pouring beneath his first layer of flesh, before eventually pardoning himself. Cain-sanova, however, he was not, and rather than finding himself a partner at the Professor’s fondest wish, he seemed to be making an impressive sprint for the door.

Mini-mod post because I have no desire for people to leave due to my meddling. Permission was given for me to lightly godmode.

After Orion was finished scolding the rowdy boys at table 13, he was left to head back towards the teacher's table to enjoy a cup of tea with his co-workers. It was then he saw it happen; the look of pure terror on the first year's face as he stared down at the rose and the message that had been delivered with it. Truthfully Orion had set those up as a way to push some of the stubborn students into confessing their feelings for someone without having to directly say it, especially since not everyone had participated in the sweets creation process yesterday. He had no desire to actually be the reason a child had a panic attack. He sighed as he saw the boy bolt towards the door. He recognized the kid as the first year Slytherin prefect, Cain Corvus.

He picked up his pace, attempting to intercept before the Slytherin could exit through the ballroom doors. "Monsieur Corvus, are you leaving so soon? The event has just begun." His eyes flickered down to the rose and he gave a small gasp, "Oh dear. You cannot leave yet, I'm afraid there has been a mix up." The professor placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and tried to lead him back towards his table. "You see, this rose was not meant to land in front of you, but rather Miss Martin." He tried to meet the older prefect's eyes to give her a small wink as a sign to play along. "I apologize for the mix up, it's always difficult to get these charms just right but it was bond to happen, I suppose." He reached down to take the rose from Cain's hand and instead lay it in front of the third year.

"In any case, please stay! There is more fun ahead and as a prefect of Slytherin you need to set an example, no? I just broke up a fight where a boy hexed someone. It was so disappointing, but I know I have students like you to help me out." Yes he was buttering him up, making certain that he felt like it was his duty to stay. He wanted Cain to break out of his comfort zone a bit, make new friends. He was such a nice kid, after all. "I must return to the teacher's table, but I hope you reconsider your exit. Have a nice evening, everyone." He offered the table a small smile before turning and heading back towards the teacher's table.

Translation:
Monsieur = Mister

@Cain Corvus | @Santario Martin

‿︵‿୨✿୧‿︵‿

Interacting With: @Aurora Ranvier | @Levi Drakos @Cain Corvus | @Santario Martin

Outfit: ꕤ | ꕤ | ꕤ |

Mentioning: @Mathias Pride | @Marshal Mozor

Date: February 14th, 2022

"That's true." San made a good point. It seemed as if the three of them had been mistreated lately, their hearts broken into tiny pieces. San was a wonderful person who deserved someone loyal by her side, someone who wouldn't run away. Aurora did too. Though Winnie was starting to wonder if she deserved it, considering her own father didn't even want her. Santario's voice broke Winnie away from her thoughts, and she blinked over at her, realizing she was reading her poem. "Oh!" Her cheeks flushed at the compliment, "I'm glad you liked it. I really meant every word." Of course Winnie believed San had received the poem comparing her to a beautiful rose, but the one she had received was still pretty valid.

Levi's words were not dripping with honey as they usually were; there was weight to them, a truth even. Perhaps he was lying about his relationship with Matt, but his opinion of the former Slytherin was clear. "... I guess he started acting off back in November." A flashback to the last event she and Mathias had attended together, the talent celebrations. He had seemed like a completely different person when he had arrived and had insisted on kicking Levi down a notch. To say his new style didn't attract Winnie would be a lie, but she did find his new persona to be concerning. If Winnie was a smarter girl she would have assumed the boy had a disorder of sorts. Then again, if she were a smarter girl, she likely would not have been tricked by Matt.

Though she should not have cared about a boy who had apparently poisoned her and had stolen away precious memories of the early days she had spent with Matt, she still found his condition to be concerning. Why did she care? What was wrong with her? Perhaps she was the perfect victim for a case of Stockholm syndrome (although admittedly she would just as quickly lock something she cared about away under the guise of keeping them safe). Regardless, Levi's light seemed dull and it pained Winnie to see him this way. A flush coloured her cheeks a rosy hue when their fingers touched, and she remained unmoving when he spoke to her.

'Bunny'. There was that nickname again. Yet she didn't correct him, didn't tell him that wasn't her name. It was gentle, the type of nickname one usually gave to someone who was beloved. She should have hated it, but she didn't. His sadness. All of it was for her? "Levi... You're worried about me? But why?" She suddenly realized their hands were still touching. Her brain went into it's usual panic, which especially seemed to happen when they were too close. Grasping at anything to distract from their close proximity, her fingers brushed over his knuckles and rings. "T-These are nice, they suit you." She blurted out, before pulling away so quickly that her fingers smudged the cupcake's icing. She quickly licked the sweet off of her fingers. Merlin, there she went again. Why did she always blurt out such random things around Levi, like the time she had sprouted poetry... Wait, when had that been again? Huh...

Dammit, she was letting him get to her. She had to focus on something else. Like the lovely decor. Any other day Winnie would have found the ballroom enchanting, with the soft rainfall of petals endlessly falling from the arched ceilings, the hues of pink and rose mingling to create a pleasant palette that seemed designed with her in mind, and an array of fluffy cupcakes perched on platters. She even found the sudden appearance of several roses flittering through the air disenchanting, while normally she would have tried to catch one just to have an excuse to kiss Matt. She stared down at the strawberry-decorated cupcakes in front of her as Professor Lécuyer spoke. In the background, an angelic harp started to play songs that her mother often listened to. Who cared? What was the point of all of this if she couldn't share it with Matt? Poor Aurora was heartbroken too and--

She had received a rose?

Winnie blinked over at her friend and knew instantly what she was going to do. It was as if Aurora had a screen on her forehead that displayed her very thoughts. "Aurora..." Winnie spoke, intending to persuade her from walking over to Nick's table. The Gryffindor didn't deserve her if she wasn't the only girl in his heart. Still, she understood the dull ache and the desire to still be with the one who had hurt you. She shook her head before offering her friend a sad smile, "Yell if you need anything I'll come running."

It seemed Aurora was not the only one to receive a rose. Cain had also been given one. Winnie was silently thankful one had not fallen in front of her, as it would have likely only caused her to cry again. She wondered if Cain would try to get away with a kiss on the hand when suddenly the Slytherin decided the door seemed like a better option. "Cain--..." Winnie stood from her chair again, ready to chase the prefect but Professor Lécuyer, the man to blame for this chaos, had already caught the nervous boy. She released a sigh of relief when the professor led him back to the table and asked him not to leave just yet. "That's right, you haven't tried any of your sweets yet." She tried to offer him a smile as an attempt to make the boy feel more at ease, "Besides, Marshal is a no show so we can steal some of his." She joked in an attempt to lighten the mood.

ꕤ______ꕤ______ꕤ ____ꕤ______ꕤ______ꕤ

Interacting : @Orion Lécuyer Mentioning : @Santario Martin

He was almost there, he almost made it when he nearly walked face-first into a teacher. Professor Orion Lécuyer, a ridiculously handsome man for a teacher with a French accent no less. Cain was nearly blinded, it was no wonder there were so many girls with crushes on him in class. Now the man was rescuing him while also kidnapping him back to his table, unable to do much but sputter a thank you and an 'Oh, I see' upon the discovery of the apparent mistake of the rose being given to him. Truly he was relieved, though staying only meant there was more torment to come. He tilted his head back and saw the deep dark circles under the teacher's eyes and furrowed his brow. Had he been up all night planning this? Well, now he had to stay. The professor was right, it was duty as a prefect now. He hadn't even noticed the fights and hexing going on, too absorbed in his table's own tears and drama. He'd have to be here and protect them, even if it was just going to be down to him taking the hit of a spell or throwing cupcakes at an attacker.
"It's all right sir, I wouldn't leave. The tea and the decorations are really something. Great job." Cain managed a smile for the obviously tired man before he escaped back to the adults' table. Maybe he'd have to help out sometime to make it up to him later.

He was here for good now. They lost Aurora and there was still a late guest, should he appear later, now it was the four of them. Cain settled into his seat and poured some real tea into his cup this time, calming his nerves with a long, quiet sip. A lot of the harp music was fairly soothing, but he couldn't be lulled into a false sense of security now. He straightened his posture, one stolen cupcake on his plate at the ready. It wasn't for eating, it was ammunition.
Though now the lovely Santario was the one with the rose, he hoped she wouldn't resent him for it.

Wearing : Cable-knit gray sweater, dark jeans, black boots, rose hastily pinned over heart.