Event Midspring Festival

After doing his usual self-assigned duty of looking over everything one last time, Flash would find a seat on the periphery of the courtyard that he had been eyeing for a while. It was a long day, even while using magic to set everything up. It wasn't only that which made him tired though, his sleep the night before had been particularly horrendous. His world was falling apart, his life was fading away, and be couldn't even find the energy to be miserable anymore. He just wanted to sit down.

The occasion brought along nostalgia for his first ball-- how he had shown up looking his best, with the intention of learning more about Vladimir, Victor, and Marion. Back then, Flash had been told to keep an eye on Victor, but the only two images he could conjure of Victor that day were his ugly suit, and him burning alive. Well, alive was not the right word for it.

It was an odd memory, even beyond his eventual history with the mission of that night. It was hard to place himself in his own shoes, two years hence. So much of his life had been spent doing whatever people wanted him to do, being whoever people wanted him to be. Now, he was nothing. The advent of reminiscing was not full of sorrow though, he felt thankful that his mind was still capable of remembering things. He didn't know how long that ability would last.

Flash had helped organize a ball before, but his time, he had engineered the it to suit himself. Darkness, masks, and fire. In the last two years, he had started to see magic differently, as something cosmic and cruel. He was not spared, and none of them were likely to be spared either. They should be more comfortable with danger. He had put so much of his life into it, pushed himself to make it right, and on time. As he waited for it to fill with the usual crowd, he would blend in with the wall. His time in the light was over.

He was, however, waiting for one person. He had asked Willow to keep him company. Partly, it was due to a recent event that had him worried for her health. He knew she had broken up with her girlfriend, that she felt lost, and he didn't want her alone during a major school event. Even at her saddest, he still felt like the light she carried with her would warm his hollow heart. He had asked that the ball take place on her birthday, and took inspiration from muggle witch celebrations. He hoped the gesture itself would be enough to show her that she was loved, and if she needed him, he would be there all night for her.

It was sometime in November, after several months of constant interruption of sleep, he could feel everything draining from his life. After coming to terms with his loss, he had to consider the possibility that he would never get better, and might even get worse. With finite time and energy, he needed to be more purposeful about how he spent it. He wanted to take care of his friends, as they had taken care of him. Protect them, support them. He knew that making people happy made him happy, and little else seemed important anymore.

Uninterested in whether anyone enjoyed themselves, Flash's lids would feel heavy, a sting whenever they closed. He became half-conscious, drifting to sleep, yet unable to rest.

Extressia was looking around the medieval-like festival. Nervousness swell within her, but she didn't let it stop her from enjoying the warmth of today. She didn't know what to act or do. She spotted a flower and mask stall, but she didn't have any real interest in them. All she wanted to do was sit down, and enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere of the festival that can calm her nerves about her mother. Her partner to the ball was going to be here soon, she was just waiting for Kai to arrive so they can enter the proper ball together.

See, Extressia had send a letter to her mother, and the response wasn't very nice. Her mother kept saying that she felt betrayed for Extressia leaving for Hogwart and that she should refuse her offer of attending, that they should have done alternative ways of schooling and that Extressia was at fault for willingly letting running away from her. Did Extressia not care enough? Or she care that her mother had grown tired of taking care of her, Extressia was willing to put herself in this death trap. Of course, it was not explicitly stated in her mother's letter, but knowing her for years, Extressia could pick up the hidden message. "No no, you here to have a nice time, not worry," she muttered under her breath.

She knew there had to be a better distraction than sitting down, something really active. Like talking to someone! Scanning the room, she saw an older kid beginning to doze off in the periphery of the courtyard, it was kinda rude to talk, but she needed a conversation. Dashing over there, she loudly proclaims: "What's your story with balls?" she didn't know why she ask, but she guessed being in the Blossom Ball caused her brain to hazardly asked the question.

Flash had never intended to fall asleep. On the contrary, he was very invested in not letting his guard down. His closing eyes had been an involuntary action of exhaustion, and he'd be glad to be kept awake by something occupying his mind. That was the logic, of course, but the act of being woken suddenly was never pleasant. As a young girl spoke up to him, he snapped out of his repose and made a small gasp of surprise. He'd look her up and down, a small blue gown with a jacket and a frame and stature that implied she must be a first year. His look would not be a friendly one, his odd eyes vaguely upset and judgmental. This was a good example of why he didn't like kids.

However much petulant anger he had in him from his own suffering, he could still manage to pat it down. He'd straighten up in his seat, and his expression would mellow into a poker face. It was hard to tell from her question whether she asked him because she knew who he was, or because he was the only person currently in the festival who wasn't paired up with someone else.

"My story with balls?" Flash would reiterate incredulously, yet without emotion. He would take a stab at understanding what she meant. "This is the second ball I've put together. The other was the Masquerade last year, so before your time."

As a rule, he tended to be polite to strangers, which had soured yet not vanished from his personality as the curse worsened. That said, he didn't trust anyone at face value anymore. His talent with communication would require he fix this conversation. "Did you want to give me your name, or tell me why you've decided to talk to me?"

He wasn't hiding the discomfort Extressia had when she woke him, and that made her feel worse, she didn't want to upset him so much for a second she thought of dashing out of there for him to get some rest. But she couldn't just leave the conversation, that would just make things worse. Sucking up some air, she tried a big apologetic smile, a look of real shame spread across her face, as she replied to the annoyed guy.

"I am so sorry, I could see you were having a nap, but you look like a cool person who involves with a lot of things in this school." She started to fidget a little, nervousness filling her lungs, but somehow that was comfortable because it was the usual nervous feeling she got whenever something happen. "It working." she thought, talking to someone is calming her nerves. "Well I guess calming-ish," she thought to herself.

But that was better than the gigantic slew of feelings she felt just before. "I'm Extressia, and I just wanted to get away from stress by talking to you." Now looking at him more clearly she noticed, that while he was dashing and somewhat princely, his clothes make it look like he was just walking to the grocery store, not at all in a fancy party like those other people she saw in the great hall. "You not wearing anything special?"

Rather than commenting on his answer to her question, the youth began to apologize for waking him. It wasn't unusual, he always was aware of how he looked, and he had clearly shown discomfort at his waking. However, he was not aware that despite sitting in the corner, away from the crowd, that he looked 'cool,' or 'involved.' A year or two ago, he might have found this comment normal, but now, he wondered if she wasn't lying to cover something up. He'd not say anything in reply, but he would no longer be so cross.

However, to her reply to his question, he'd lighten up a bit. He felt slightly better with her name under his belt. Her reasoning was fine by him as well, he needed someone to keep him awake until Willow arrived, so it was a mutually beneficial conversation.

"I see." He would reply shortly, before she continued with a pointed question. He wouldn't be able to resist a small smile at her remark about his clothing. He certainly wouldn't be offended, since he dressed that way on purpose. This would be the first ball he arrived to without a tie. "I think this is rather special. It's comfortable."

"I don't plan on meeting many people tonight, just watching for the most part." That answer out of the way, he'd be free to ask his own question, "Are you waiting for anyone? You dressed up, yet are looking for a stranger to calm your nerves... why not a friend?"

Now awake, Flash would lean back in his chair, observing her, yet glancing behind her at the crowd occasionally. One could think he was looking for Willow, but there was another he was more anxiously awaiting. He hoped she would not show, but he'd be lying if he didn't join the planning group under the assumption that she would be drawn out of hiding because of the event. She always showed up, didn't she?

Interacting with: @Flash Holmwood

"Well, I am waiting for someone, I'm not sure if he is here yet though..." Exressia gave a look of embarrassment and a little shame. Now that her mind had been cleared up of all the heavy emotions, she could see clearly that she could be ghosting her friend to talk with a stranger.

"But I will be sure to head back in there after a few minutes, other than that, I just was feeling a lot of emotions regarding my mother that all, and with so many people in that party I panicked and ran here, hoping for more of a one on one conversation" Now calmer, she started tapping her foot to the more distant music in the great hall as she remembers a fun fact, she gave a small smile as she recites from memory.

"Now did you know in 2017, two universities in Australia wanted to see if people themselves picked better profiles depending on how dominant, beautiful, and confident the picture was, or if a stranger was better. Could you guess which one was better at picking profile picture?" There was a short silence as she await his answer, but being a bit impatient, she answer the question before he could properly even form a couple of words. "It was the stranger that picked a better profile picture." A bit giddy, she smiled as she remember when she first heard that fact. "Oh, I forgot to ask for your name, can you give it to me?"[/quote]

OPEN TO INTERACTION

───Interactions─── Reducio [font=century gothic] @Ivy Bellamy @Flash Holmwood [/font]

OUTFIT Reducio Elie Saab Spring 2022 Collection

────Mentions──── Reducio [font=century gothic] @Marshal Mozor [/font]

As the doors from the small hall to the courtyard cracked, fresh air carried the aroma of a thousand fragrant bouquets over the two Gryffindor girls. Immediately, a sense of serene calm befell the prefect, nose lofting slightly as shoulders rose with a deep inhalation. The hint of a smile graced rose-tinted lips as she stepped forward away from the chaos of a food fight and into the blossoming garden into which the usually stone-barren courtyard hard evolved. Steps slowed, padded souls of her ballet flats whispering against the cobble as she took her time to enter. Fingers trailed gently over silken petals and along the coloured ribbons as she took in the full sight.

"This is quite lovely, isn't it.." she mused as her attention followed the sound of whimsical melodies until they came to fall on the small quartet situated on a raised stage. While they fell right into the whimsical atmosphere afforded by the thousand blooms, several other features of this area of the festivities contrasted rather heavily. A brow lofted at the bonfire as its dancing flames rose above the décor, and all the more so as she made note of the massive dragon in the distance. "What in heaven is that..." She wasn't sure she wanted to know, in truth, and whatever curiosity she might have held in her tone of voice was laden heavily with sceptical concern.

And then there was the corner that had been arranged to resemble that of an after-school day-care. Or typical Hogwarts errand, really. Even at a distance, Evelynn could spot the shapes of empty masks just waiting for a students imagination and creative touch to transform them into something truly beastly or beautiful. Nearby, mounds of flowers rested, a number of centrepieces on display to catch the eye. Already, a number of students had gathered around the tables, putting idle hands to work in one fashion or another.

"Have you yet seen Marshal?" Evelynn wondered, pulling her gaze back to Bellamy just long enough before peering about their immediate area again. She hadn't seen him in the Great Hall, not that she had really allowed herself much time to really look; but something told her here would be more to his liking anyway. Yet, his absence was noted.

Instead, she spied a familiar face of a different sort. Appearing deep in conversation, she wouldn't bother him just now, but if Flash looked her way, she would bow her head in acknowledgement. Either way, she made a note to touch base with him a little bit later if he hadn't found her first. It wasn't lost on her that his attire was out of sorts from his usual careful grooming. Too casual. Almost a walking definition of careless fatigue. Eyes narrowed slightly as she swept up and down his figure with that discerning scrutiny. Yes, she reaffirmed to herself. She would definitely be paying him a visit before long. He still owed her a dance, after all.

[font=century gothic]ACTION: Entering the Festival in the courtyard with Ivy Bellamy; looking for Marshal[/font]

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James guided Bailey and himself into the courtyard which had been adorned by all kinds of flowers. There were ribbons threaded through the bushels of flowers that swept along each archway. There were tables and chairs lining the perimeter.

Inside the courtyard there was a craftable where flower crowns or animal masks could be made and painted. On the edges of the courtyard was a group of four people playing strange looking objects. Whatever they were they played music that was quite nice.

James looked at where the courtyard met the grounds to see a bonfire dangerously reaching to the sky. Behind the bonfire there was an effigy shaped like a dragon. Beside it was a small table covered in slips of paper for students to write on.

He looked up at the setting sun then to Bailey. She looked even more beautiful in the gorgeous orange and pink hues. She looked almost like a dream or like a princess out of a fantasy. James smiled at her gesturing the both of their hands still interlaced to the crafting table."Let's make some flower crowns!" He shouted in a quieter voice not wanting to draw too much attention to themselves from the other students and couples that were there.

He led her over to the crafting table and looked over the different flowers. He had decided to make one for Bailey. She would look like a goddess if she had a crown of flowers upon her head.

Word count: 247
Interacting: @Bailey Glade
Mentioning: None
Open to interactions
Please owl for permission to god mod
Permission granted for/from Bailey Glade to god mod
(free)Action: Walking over to craft table with Bailey Glade

Mentioning @James Owens
My outfit:
Here!

As James guided her to the craft table, Bailey looked around. It looked like the courtyard had been decorated with flowers of all sorts, along with ribbons and some tables and chairs.
When Bailey saw the table for making animal masks or flowers crowns, she decided that she was going to make a crown for James. Maybe like some cream lilies, and few white flowers, and maybe a few peach ones too. The cream, white and pink would go with their outfits, and would show up and complement his hair and eyes.
James glanced at her, just as she glanced at him. Blushing, Bailey looked down again. wondering why she was blushing, Bailey looked up again when James suggested that they go and make flowers crowns. Glad that he had decided to do the same thing, she agreed and they made their way over to the table. Actually, James led her over to the table, which was quite romantic to Bailey’s 12 year old mind.
As she weaved the crown, Bailey thought back to all of the time she had spent with James. It was not a lot, but she truly felt a connection with him. As she finished up her crown, she turned to James who was still working on his.
“Um.. James? I made this for you.” Handing the crown to him, she waited for his response, hoping it would be good.

word count: 240