Event Midspring Celebration

Action ✮ Assisting ⬩──────────────────⬩ Voice ✮ Cold, and firm

Tense ✮ Feeling ⬩──────────────────⬩ Open ✮ Interaction

@Piérre Marchonné

Maybe intervening had been a mistake- no, no not a mistake, but perhaps the situation should have been fully assessed before jumping right into it. Xailah had thoughtlessly thrown herself into a dispute, that she was quickly learning she didn't want to be in the middle of. This was beyond the usual sibling squabbles she had seen. Romeo refused to unhand his brother, who was presently turning an alarming shade of purple. He doesn't know what he's doing, the thought rang clear, like a bell. He's angry and he doesn't know he's choking him. It was scary- watching someone so clouded by anger hurt one of their own. Xailah hadn't understood the upset to it's full extent before stepping in. And although the idea was now clearer, there were still some things entirely foggy to her.

Watching Romeo talk was like watching the transport of a large pitcher of water, that had been filled to it's brim. Any moment now- any slight movement- would send the water pouring over the cups lip. Xailah was waiting for him to topple, to sputter. Any minute now. Uncertainty was the force that would send this pitcher tumbling. Doubt- self doubt. He was thinking through his panic, Xailah could see those gears churning through his icy blues. Romeo spilled; the words he sprayed through gritted teeth were quite shocking. Xailah could only stare at him wide-eyed, wand now in hand.

She neither fully understood nor believed all of it. What Romeo had shared sounded so out of character for the Piérre she knew- what little she knew. The Gryffindors weren't close nor were they friends, and there was no desire to pursue anything other than an alliance. Not on Xailahs part, there never would be. But, if what the crimson-clad boy said was indeed true, then he had a right to be mad at his brother. The same went for Piérre. Both were at fault here, but for different reasons. But they had no reason- absolutely none- to get physically violent with each other. That was inexcusable.

"You can't talk to him if he's unconscious." Maybe it was a bad time to channel Captain Obvious. She made her last attempt to reason with him. He was not willing to consider her reasoning. Piérre's hand slipped away from his brothers arm. His fight had weakened significantly. Slowly, his eyes fluttered shut. Xailah was out of time. Pointing her wand at the larger boy, she would make a decision. "Spongify!" An ineffective one at that. The spell did hit, but it did nothing to aid Piérre. "Let him go, he's turning blue." Xailah was too late. Piérre was limp and... quite lifeless. The boy crumpled from his brothers (now noodly) arms, like a sack of potatoes. Nothing could be done now. She watched as Figaro- poor little Figaro- leapt from Romeo, and made an attempt to revive his fallen human brother. Time moved rapidly after Piérre's lights were out. Romeo made a move- for his wand, he explained. He wished to nullify the Spongify effects. He assured that was his only intention. Xailah allowed him to retrieve his wand, and reverse her spell- but not without a clear warning first: "I'll send you through the wall if you try anything with me." It wasn't a threat. It was a promise. Her eyes followed his hand.

Before she could check Piérre, someone else had already come to his aid- a healing intern who had been waiting on standby. A healers corner was a good implement, but it wasn't very effective when the interns arrived to a scene late. But, in their defense, they were healers for a reason, not fighters. Technically they were doing their job. Xailah, an intern herself, recognized her fellow student and eventually found herself at their side. For a moment Romeo faded into the hubbub. She tucked her wand away. "Asphyxiation-" she started, ready to give a full report of what had happened. She caught herself however, and cut her words short. The dispute hadn't been the most discreet thing in the world, she was sure it had drawn a few glances. The intern might have seen some of what happened. "Well, I'm sure you saw."

Romeo's muttering reminded Xailah of his existence. You need to calm down. A golden leer passively flickered to him. She did not try to reinforce his assurance. He did not deserve such comforts. Not after what he did. Although, she did not leave his worried muttering hanging in the air on it's lonesome. She had things to say- well, one thing. "Perhaps." She murmured, her tone flat, unreadable. "That would be the best-case scenario." She wasn't going to lie to Romeo. But she also wasn't going to tell him that there was a possibility of his brother suffering from brain damage. She leaned towards the nursing intern, but her eyes would linger on the Durmstrang boy. Words were exchanged between the two medical apprentices. What they spoke of was inaudible; but it would appear both were in agreement of something. Xailah would conclude their exchange with a slight bob of the head. "It would be best to have Brumby look him over."

Instances where suffocation resulted in unconsciousness, were rather dangerous in comparison to a burn, or a deep laceration. Mostly because the brain was now involved in the matter. Suffocation restricts oxygen- restriction means a limited amount gets to the brain- when oxygen supplies are cut the brain begins to shut down. And... It doesn't take a genius to figure out the rest. Now, Piérre was not held for long enough, to undergo internal damage- or so Xailah thought. There was no way of knowing while he was torpid. "There isn't much that can be done until he gains consciousness," if he gains consciousness, "but he can at least be monitored, to make sure he wakes up alright." Wakes up- it felt wrong to use the phrase with the given context. Piérre wasn't asleep. His slumber had not been voluntary. But Xailah hadn't another word for the limbo that Piérre had been subjected to.

"I'll take it from here." Xailah offered, waving a gloved hand dismissively. "Thank you." She nodded to her fellow fifth year, and intern. Just as soon as she knelt to grab one of Piérres limbs, she would unexpectedly find herself under attack. "Ouh!" Xailah squeaked. Something firm had gone and hit her right in the rear. She shot up and then hunched awkwardly, clearly alarmed and in some pain. When she looked for the culprit of the attack she found none. No spell could have done something like that, so she was slightly concerned to say the least. She sent a very dirty, accusatory glare at Romeo; but said nothing to him. The lioness then called the intern back, realizing that she would not be able to help transfer Piérre. "Actually, we might need your help..." Xailah admitted, sheepishly. Yet in an effort to still make use of herself, she stooped to grab up little Figaro- if he would allow. "... I'll get the cat."

Getting hit by a rogue boomerang. Assisting with transferring Piérre to the hospital wing.

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Outfit ✮ Deep purple gown, cat mask ⬩───────────────────⬩ Perception ✮ Alert

Cat's Grace, Blindvision ✮ Abilities ⬩───────────────────⬩ Metamorphmagus ✮ Race

Interacting with Mikael Halldorson (@Percival Rainwood)
Mentioning @Kim Sato, Romeo Marchonné (@Piérre Marchonné)
Action: Trying to grab the boomerang out of Hiro’s hand.

X | X | X | § | X | X | X
¤ | Ω | ¤

@Xailah Alptraum & NPC Medic

With the consistent magic flow I was able to utilize on command, I opened and closed my fingers on the completion of the spell as my arms quickly stiffened up again to their former state, losing that leaden sensation of dead weight as bone regained its proper matrix. I had no doubts in my mind that the cat masqued female before me would follow through with her promise to cause me more injury if I did anything else other than what I said I was going to do. I don't underestimate opponents, I learn from them.

As I focused on my disabilities, the ringing in my ear now subsiding and dulling into a low throb of heartbeat, the lady in the masque got down beside my brother along with the medic, beginning to make analysis and theories. I ignore the crimson dripping down my chin, listening intently. I am about to speak, before the masque speaks first; I am told to calm down.

I stop and stare at the hand that was returning my wand to my belt; it is shaking subtly, testament to an unsteady mind. With concentration, I force it to still long enough to sheathe it before letting it tremble on the ground again, discreetly letting my nerves run their proper physical course.

The catwoman stated that the Hospital Wing should be our destination. I find myself nodding slowly, still trying to quash the repetitious themes of my perfect martial maneuvering and what effect and to what extent of harm it had had on my brother. Chokeholds were merely meant to incapacitate... But they had potential to kill if held for longer than necessary. On average, three minutes without oxygen could starve and kill the brain. In a way... I was very grateful that the spell had affected me in the moment that it had... Would I have been able to let go if it hadn't? If Piérre's words had been swirling about in my head the entire time? The righteous anger that I had felt.

Would it have been that far of a stretch to say that if someone had not been here to stop me that I could have possibly committed murder? Fratercide?

Both the cat masque and the Ravenclaw make movement to pick up my brother. Although the female stops short, being struck by a rogue boomerang, I focus my attention on the Ravenclaw, and with a quick movement, my large hand claps around their wrist. They look to me, startled, and why shouldn't they? My eyes bore through theirs with cold fire, my jaw still taught, a mess of red on the right of my face. I am not a monster, but in the moment, I am firm and assertive of my responsibility and my responsibility only. He is my brother. Not anyone else's.

"No." I say to him in a low, rumbling voice bordering on quiet thunder. I don't ever recall using such a tone before in my life, at least not with the baritone I now possess. "I will carry him. You lead the way to the Hospital Wing." The blood is starting to dry stick to some short peachfuzz scruff on my jawline that has been barely begun to grow in. I wipe it off while still fixing the Ravenclaw with a stern look.

They hastily take their hands off my brother, evidently not wanting a piece of me or my potential wrath after having witnessed what I was capable of. To be honest, I didn't want to act on the need to lash out again. I did not like this version of myself. I had been a child the last time a truly angry part of myself had bubbled to the surface. Admittedly, the consequences of it; the revelation of my magic, had not been entirely a loss... But I had not liked the immediate effects of such a loss of temper.

It had cost me and my brother a stable, normal childhood. Something that was plausibly more important than anything magic could provide.

Releasing the Ravenclaw's wrist, I notice faint fingerprints where my grip had been held that are already disappearing. After reflecting on it for a moment, I shrug off the implications of the grip and instead lift Piérre over both my shoulders, straining hardly a second before he is seated comfortably in a fireman's carry.

Getting to my feet, I nod to the Ravenclaw medic, my voice now returned to its softer, quiet state. "Please, lead the way."

We make our exit briskly, leaving the catwoman with my brother's own cat.

Exiting the Celebration;
Continued Here...

Stats:
Stamina 9 (850/900) | Evasion 7 | Strength 13 | Accuracy 12 | Wisdom 8 | ArcPower 0

Abilities:
Obnoxiously Strong | Perfectionist | Martial Artist

Brother, Tall Black & Gemello

The little silver bengal licked a few seconds longer before stopping and pawing at his boy's eye again with the soft of his pad. Usually when he pestered his brother in this way in the mornings, he would smile and then blindly reach a hand out to the feline, to which the cat would press his entire face into the lad's hand for a first thing in the morning cuddle session; all while purring to make the Bengal's entire body shake.

Now his brother wasn't moving, nor extending a hand, nor smiling.

Was it the one that he had called "Gemello"'s fault? The cat had fought ferociously, valiantly, even without command. Figaro knew that his strikes had to have harmed Gemello at least a little. Gemello had eventually let his frequently fur-changing brother down in the end, after all.

"Me-ew!" Figaro chirped at last, looking up and around as if to search for answers. There was Gemello, who was nearby Figaro's brother, though it occurred to Figaro that Gemello was a good deal taller than his boy. There was the tall black cat as well, with long inky black fur which flowed and glimmered about itself like a large fluffy tail that must take a long time to groom. It had been helping. It was a friend, at least as far as Figaro could comprehend.

The tall black cat was now with another blue human, both looking over Figaro's boy. Were they trying to do the same as he had been doing earlier? Wake him up?

With a purring meow cooking in the front of his throat, Figaro kept trotting around, trying to knead bread and rub on his boy's body. Sometimes his boy was stubborn and didn't want to be awake when Figaro was awake, even if Figaro had managed to catch that fearsome dustbunny that had been lurking under the bed for a couple weeks at three in the morning.

The black cat was picking up one of his brother's arms, ready to drag, it seemed, but was stopped by something quickly hitting them before disappearing off to somewhere else. It glared at Gemello, who was currently raising his voice with the blue human. Gemello scooped Figaro's brother up effortlessly and put him over both shoulders, almost like the way Figaro himself liked to perch on his brother's shoulders.

Gemello began to leave.

"Prrr-rr-rrreow!" Figaro complained, trotting for a couple of paces, but Gemello was moving quickly and Figaro knew that it was more likely that with all these people around that he would be trampled underfoot if the poor thing was to chase after.

He needed to get higher off the ground to follow.

And as if the Bengal's wordless plea had been answered, the tall black cat stooped down for him.

Without missing a beat, Figaro ran towards the tall cat, leapt into its arms, and out of a force of habit tried to gently scrabble his way to his comfy spot around its shoulders like he had been trained by his brother. It would give the black cat a warm silver and black stole.

"Crrrr... Crrrr-rrrr..." Figaro began to purr deeply and closed his eyes, smelling the essence of the black cat and committing it to memory. Under the initial scent, though, Figaro picked up the scent of another cat like himself. It was a scent that he remembered... Was it a year or two ago...? A large grey cat with yellow eyes...

Now-- as Figaro opened his eyes in determination-- after his brother.

Piérre is K.O.ed
Figaro Cozies around Xailah's shoulders in the "Figaro Stole"

Statistics:
Stamina 5 | Strength 4 | Evasion 13
Wisdom 10 | Accuracy 12 | ArcPower 5

Abilities:
Keen Eye | Calming Presence Inactive due to Unconsciousness (Xailah & Figaro) | Beast Master (Figaro)

Many things seemed to happen almost all at once. Howard was slowed, slapped, frozen and then unfrozen in rapid succession. Typical for a fight at Hogwarts, but still the sensation of being hit by spells always threatened to take the breath away as the magical energies flowed through him. However, he shook it off as his crimson eyes reconnected with Hadrian. The same spell that had frozen Howard had frozen him as well and the urge to pounce upon easy prey took some doing to resist. This was made all the easier by Erin's sudden presence as she became the newest threat to the dhampir. Her words were direct as always as she challenged him and he was in no headspace to deny. Howard had tried to play nice, to walk the higher path, yet it still all seemed to lead to the same place. If it was a throw down she wanted, so be it. "Name the time and place. " Howard growled in response.

It would be then that Falentra and Serena would come to his side ready to defend him. As complicated as it could be between them all and even through the anger that gripped him he felt gratitude for their support. Howard wouldn't be able to express it in that moment, but he hoped they would understand as he offered a firm nod to the both of them in reply to their concerned questions. The two of them wouldn't waste anytime before they stepped forward to defend him. Falentra would strike hard and fast while Serena stood guard. The intensity of it all suddenly felt quite exhausting. Chaos had found Howard once again and the rage he felt had depleted him. Unless he was stopped, Howard would slip back through the crowd and make a quick exit.

Action: Attempts to exit thread

Thank you to the planners, moderators and participants in this thread! Another epic ball for the record books!

INTERACTS | Henri de Bourbon (@Regina Miller)
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Despite her effort in bringing the two together and cleaning both in a time, her spell only cleaned the French boy’s clothes. Ah, Lindsey wished she knew that skill of splitting a spell into two - which her cousin Maxi mastered the summer before his third year. That would be very helpful, she thought, yet she was still satisfied with the result. Thinking of others first - though obviously based on the premise that the person was an ally, she was devoted, but not overzealous, not anymore - had rather became one of her core traits, regardless of her growing up day by day. Out of school pride the least thing she wanted was to leave Henri a not-so-positive impression of the Hogwarts ball, perhaps also the de Fostoncy and Springhall family as well. After all, he was a friend of Maxi’s - and Lindsey was not at all interested in causing a growing rift between them because of her. She wasn’t the type of troublemakers, you see. And Henri had been agreeable enough to leave her a nice impression so far, thus why shouldn’t she do a small favour for him? So a win-win, apparently.

“Done!” she chirped, satisfaction shining in her eyes. She was confident enough that this spell would not fail or backfire, thanks to her countless days of shutting herself in her dorm and finishing all the homework off. And a little extra research perhaps, to make herself even better at spell-casting. She lifted her eyes up, ready to cast the spell on her own attire again, when the boy started to send his praises flying around. She had to admit that he was indeed handsome, with that elegance and unique charm of a Frenchman, and his smile -

Breathtaking. Yet dangerous.

“I…” there was a brief moment when she temporarily lost herself. It seemed that she was forgetting all the words she used to know that well in social communication occasions, but, she assured herself, it was of course due to the fact that she long hadn’t been meeting up with people and socialising. A part of herself tried to remain calm, yet the other part failed. She was all lost. Her eyes immediately flashed towards the ground and gazed at it.

Yet the short moment of discomposure lasted only for seconds, and soon she sobered up. “Thank you.” again lifting her chocolate brown eyes up and gazing straight into his in that usual self-assured manner. “That’s really nice of you.” her silvery voice was not loud, only audible for him. Her feelings now were rather mixed and difficult to be described, and Lindsey decided to move forward and try not to struggle in dealing with it for a moment. Nodding at Henri’s suggestion of going outside - she wanted a change herself, the disorder in the hall was getting on her nerves - she turned to him and tucked her wand into her pocket. A playful curtsy and a grin would mark her lightened mood.

“This way, Monsieur.” she made a gesture and laughed slightly, while turning her heels and leading him towards the entrance. “We could as well converse along the way. I’d absolutely love to get to know you better, personally.”

Hopefully she could manage everything better in the future, like what she used to do.

stats sta 7 · eva 6 · wis 9 · str 8 · arc 6 · acc 12
abilities Statistically Relevant (+2 acc) · Lovely Creature · Perfectionist
action leaving for the festival, hopefully with Henri
tracker [1][2][3][4][5][6]

Dress

Actions:
- Entering the great hall
- Taking in the destruction
- Leaving for the festival area

Interactions:
None

Action: No longer attempting to take the boomerang; just peering into Hiro’s soul.
Interacting with @Kim Sato
Mentioning Mikael Halldorson (@Percival Rainwood)