Closed Spreading Some Love In The New School Year Open Thread + Open IC Game

"Yeeeop! Yeeeop! You said yes? You said yes! Come on Clair!" Colin watched Clair as she got up and dusted herself off and headed down towards the lake with him. He loved the feel of his feet on the grass as they walked along.

"Um. Clair? I really wanted to thank you for being with me in the train. I --- it's still hard. Not having Liam here. I don't really understand what happened, but you did something to me that day. You really got through that first day." She really had soothed his broken heart, and although it would be a long time in healing, she'd given him a start. It wasn't the first time he looked at Clair in wonder. How could she have that kind of power? It was a mystery, for sure, but Colin was happy in a way he'd never thought he could even feel!

About half way down to the lakeside, Colin could see where everyone was gathering. He nudged Clair playfully and said: "Clair! Let's race! I'll beat your there! Ayyooooooo!" He took off with a joyous leap, hoping she would come charging along and perhaps even catch up to him!

@Clair Fernandez

“Glad to hear you’re doing good!” Bailey said in response to Alec’s greeting of sorts.
“And I’m glad to hear your summer went well. It sounded like summer camp was a lot of fun - Kim kept me updated, or as well as he could through owl, and it sounded amazing! I’m sad I missed it, but I’m happy to be back. Classes are going well, but I’m excited to have this weekend of and to myself- I want to catch up with some friends and such. How are your classes going?”
Leaning in to give him a hug, and as she pulled back he gave her a thoughtful look.
As he asked how it looked, Bailey looked around with a slightly critical eye. She couldn’t see anything out of place, and turned to Alec with a smile.
“It looks amazing! I’m sure everything will go off without a hitch!”
When he said that he liked her rings, she smiled and blushed. Saying that she would have to tell him where she got them later, he wandered of to say hello to other people who were arriving.
In fact, the rings she was wearing were from a shop in London that her parents had taken her to for her 13th birthday. That had gotten her these rings, and she loved them.
Walking over to Kim, she said her hello and he replied, a smile twitching at his lips. As Sophia zoomed up, Bailey walked away, and watched from a distance as people kept going up and almost swarming Kim.
oh wow he’s popular Bailey said, knowing that Kim probably wasn’t the biggest fan of all of the contact.

Spreading Some Love In The New School Year - Moderation Post Number 1 round A
Specify whether or not your joining the game when you enter. Info on how the game works can be found here!

A celebration was underway. Candles that lit up the festive area slowly bobbed up and down in the air. The picnic blankets set up with the purpose of a calming lake and a beautiful, flittering, glowing night sky; it was a chance to view stars reflecting in the lake, at peace as you take it all in. They weren't going to have much of a night sky, nor were they going to have much for stars when they had to head in. Why the matter if it was a perfect game of pretend? The kind of pretend that is nothing more than a daydream you'd prefer to make last. Even if it was just this once.

People had already begun arriving. Saying their hellos as they met up with crushes and friends. Others you didn't know so well, but went on the greet you with the platonic love of close friends.It was an act of warmth and kindness especially from one such soul who did this, Bailey Glade. A friendly greeting towards Alec Mason who had been standing by, taking in the sight of the place set up as she arrived. Despite this nice act on Bailey's part, it seemed there was a bit of hesitancy in the other over being hugged. Even his hesitancy must have been a true brutal rejection, Bailey kindly picked up on it, switching the action in time. He was relieved. However this begged a question, for who could ever be so hesitant and reject the platonic affection that was Bailey Glade's hugs? Perhaps someone needed to check in on him more... Was nobody hugging this kid?

A shy Harper Jordan had arrived, and with a quiet greeting to everyone around her she would enter. Harper was hesitant. She had reason to be of course. Harper was nervous as she'd never actually kissed someone. Was she going to be a terrible kisser? Would she do it right? Was it even a good idea to kiss a random person? It was all possible! Maybe tonight would be the night to find out! Let's just hope she would end up getting the answers she wanted from it.

A panicking Cara Smalley had been invited to join an activity down by the lake with her friend Athene. What she hadn't known was that Athena hadn't invited her for any normal activity but the gross, hormonal game that was spine the bottle. Rita Su entered as Athena and Cara were going to play and started a conversation with the panicking Cara. Athena McClenin joined them soon and it seemed the group of idividuals were set for the night. Rita Su would start at conversation with the also nervous Lily Blaze as she took her time to enter on the scene.

Kim Sato arrived, quickly separating off from everybody participating in the game to his own group of friends with an excited Sophia Nelson, oh and wait... Who was that? A teasing Avery Chen! The biggest flirt for as far as nerds went at Hogwarts. He was straight but his bromance with Kim Sato was real. Would Avery Chen be able to stand to the pressure when female contenders finally came his way, or was this flirty side of him only reserved in his special bromance with Kim Sato? Bailey Glade would come join the group soon after as well as Haley Rose!

Colin McCoire's arrival was a sight to see. Making his presence know to a certain Clair Fernandez; Colin would have trouble holding it together, like ice cream Colin melted at the sight of her. Luckily Clair being oblivious would same him from dying a social death that was embarrassment of his lovesick flirting skills. If only poor Clair knew what she was in for.

Cassandra "Cash" Ironwoods would walk in, entering, they spoke with friends, talking about the game. Who knew their reasons for joining? Cash was known to be unpredictable, it tended to be a good thing. Like showing up tonight. They'd be in for a night of- Oh hey... Wait... was that their ex? Talk about awkward!

Piérre Marchonné was avoiding all of this, the people, the drama, the food, everything. The lone wolf tactic tended to be a smart move, maybe everyone should be taking a note from him.

Whether or not those there were separating into groups, everybody who joined to play spin the bottle would be brought to sit in a circle on the big patchwork blanket. It was time to get ready for the night and begin. An empty butterbeer bottle would be place in the middle and each person would take turns spinning the bottle and taking their action.

- Round A: All Players will be assigned someone their bottle landed on. Players will have 1 week to RP their character's action (kiss / hug / any other similar form of affection such as a fist bump / retreat). God modding is NOT allowed. All actions will be made as attempts to allow the recipient the freedom to react.(Of course feel free to owl each other work reactions out. Make sure to clarify this is what you did in your post.)

Reducio

1. @Colin McCoire spins the bottle and lands on 9. Athena McClenin
2. @Cassandra Ironwoods spins the bottle and lands on 7. Haley Rose
3. @Alec Mason spins the bottle and lands on 5. Piérre Marchonné
4. @Avery Chen spins the bottle and lands on 4. Avery Chen participants in the game would laugh and have a chuckle about this before he respun and landed on 14. Clair Fernandez
5. @Piérre Marchonnéspins the bottle and lands on 2. Cassandra Ironwoods
6. @Pea Elena Fowl spins the bottle and lands on 12. Kim Sato
7. @Haley Rosespins the bottle and lands on 10. Lily Blaze
8. @Sophia Nelsonspins the bottle and lands on 3. Alec Mason
9. @Athena McCleninspins the bottle and lands on 15. Rita Su
10. @Lily Blaze spins the bottle and lands on 4. Avery Chen
11. @Bailey Glade spins the bottle and lands on 1. Colin McCoire
12. @Kim Sato spins the bottle and lands on 8. Sophia Nelson
13. @Cara Smalley spins the bottle and lands on 6. Pea Elena Fowl
14. @Clair Fernandez spins the bottle and lands on 11. Bailey Glade
15. @Rita Su spins the bottle and lands on 16. Harper Jordan
16. @Harper Jordan spins the bottle and lands on 13. Cara Smalley

The Deadline to get posts in for the mod roll is 168 hours from posting time. Exactly seven days(if you have the website set to your timezone, you should be able to tell.)If you manage to get a post in after the 168 hours but before my mod post, I will roll for you.

Colin and Clair arrived at last to the appointed place by the lake, and it was spread out more like a gathering of friends than a game for random people. Even so, he was very excited just to be with her! "Clair, it's kind of odd don't you think? All these candles floating about, right?" he said to her. The refreshment table, laden with sweets and drinks was no surprise; it seemed like every student run event at Hoggys involved mounds of sweets! The blankets spread all around seemed a little out of place. "Do you reckon there's supposed to be a picnic?"

Hmm. Colin looked around suspiciously. A couple of his schoolmates definitely looked like they were --- up to something. Sophia at least seemed very excited to play this game. Maybe it is a muggle game, he thought, if she's this familiar with it! But looking at the equipment, this wasn't quite the kind of game Colin thought it would be. He thought perhaps they'd whirl a bottle around, like a game of skill. Perhaps try to bonk someone while they countered with a spell? A bottle spinning around on the ground didn't seem very skillful to him.

Alec led the players onto a huge blanket and Colin found himself corralled into a wide circle with all the other players. They all stood ready as Alec began talking, Colin standing next to Clair. He gave her a smile as the Gryffindor boy, Alec, explained how to play. Colin wondered if they'd have to kick the bottle around between them. That would be fun!

Colin gave the bottle a spin and went back to his place as the huge butterbeer bottle span round and round. He watched as it slowed and finally stopped. The opening pointed at a girl with long blonde hair and a cheeky grin --- well, Athena usually had a cheeky grin! They'd had some classes together last year, and Colin liked to tease her. He always thought she was nice, but they'd never gotten close. Right now, though, she was fidgeting a bit and looked awkward. Colin had no idea why. He wasn't even sure what happened next!

He looked over towards Alec --- he'd told them how to play right? Colin kind of lost track after the bit about spinning the bottle around, and then recollection hit him! Colin's eyes flew open and he gasped with the shock of realisation! He stumbled towards the middle of the blanket and it seemed like everyone was laughing at him! Sophia started giggling and called over to him to give her a really long snog!

Colin was blushing insanely as his bare feet carried him across the blanket. Sophia's voice rang in his ears: "Give her a snog she won't forget Collie!" He turned to look at Clair --- he was so sorry he'd invited her to this! This was so insane and Colin felt like he was losing his own mind as his legs bore him towards his doom! If he'd known, he surely never would played! What kind of game was this anyway? "Not Clair, Collie! Athena!" Colin stood in front of Athena and he could feel the blood draining from him.

"Don't faint, don't faint lad!" he whispered to himself. Colin looked into Athena's eyes, but truly had no idea what to do now! He really liked Clair --- like really! "Oo la la!" came Sophia's voice again. Colin watched as his arms lifted his hands upwards. His eyes widened again and he stared at Athena! His feet brought him ever so closer to the second year Hufflepuff! What was happening!? WAIT!!! This can't be happening! "Is this a dream?" he whispered.

His arms found their way around Athena's shoulders. Colin squeaked in terror. What was going on with him!? Why did he feel so warm suddenly? Why was his heart pounding? His head felt fuzzy. His eyes were still fixed on Athena's! "Help me." His lips moved but no sound came from them! The tip of Colin's nose couldn't have been more than a centimetre from Athena's. His eyes blinked slowly, and he could feel the warmth of a tear forming upon his eyelid.

What magic was in that bottle? Colin leaned in closer towards Athena. His breath came in short, shallow gasps. His lips parted slightly. If I don't give Athena a snog right now I'm going to die! He remembered back to feeling this before. Twice. Twice he came this close to kissing a girl before --- Jarael. Colin's heart raced as some --- force --- nudged him ever closer towards Athena's lips!

Colin! Was someone calling his name? Someone in the circle of players or a voice within? I'm going to kiss Athena McClenin! That's what spinning the bottle around is all about right? COLIN!! Colin wondered what Athena must be thinking. Did she know what this game was all about? Was her heart hammering in her chest the way his was? Wh--- Wait. Colin blinked. Another face replaced Athena's. Framed in long brown hair. Light blue eyes. A beautiful smile and tender, compassionate eyes. Memories of her flooded his poor battered mind! Flying gracefully around the race course! Watching with interest as he duelled Eddy this summer. Just laughing and chatting. Embracing him when his heart broke on the train back to school. Reading a muggle science book not half hour ago. His heart suddenly felt on fire!

If I do give Athena a snog now --- my heart could never live!

He knew his lips must almost be touching Athena's. Yet it was not Athena he saw before him! COLIN! How --- what am I doing? Colin whimpered quietly. He whispered just one word, so Athena alone could hear.

"Clair!"

Colin turned his head ever so slightly at that last terrifying moment! It was almost like careening towards the tree on the broom racing course, when he turned at the very last possible second! But this was so much worse! The tree would have only cracked his skull and smashed his ribs and snapped his arms --- but this! This kiss would surely break his very soul! He felt hot tears running down his cheeks as he drew Athena into a hug, his face buried in her hair. And then he let go. He rubbed his eyes on his sleeve, drying up his tears. Colin blinked a few times, and he felt a thrill of exhilaration all through his heart.

"Clair. I --- I won!"

Colin straightened up and gave Athena a smile. He waited for whatever she chose to do to him.

@Clair Fernandez | @Athena McClenin || Mentions: @Sophia Nelson (Note: gentle godmodding previously discussed & approved)

Outfit | Inventory: Wand |

Alec loved a friendly game of spin the bottle, sure his past experiences had been terrible, but they had all been terrible for reasons outside of his control. Today was going to be different Alec felt it. Either that or he was getting his hopes, something Alec noticed he tended to do far too often. A change of luck was all he needed. A change from unwanted kisses and the terrible and mentally scarring experience that was making out with a hag(her saliva was thick! Like slug trails! That's gross!), a creature that would have literally wanted to eat him up. Ew. Gross. Alec took a deep breath and glanced towards the lake as he headed to sit on the patchwork blanket. He needed to clear his mind. He couldn't start out spin the bottle thinking about a hag kiss, the next thing you know he was going to barf into some poor soul's mouth and he was going to have to drop out of Hogwarts, change his name, and flee the country. Fleeing the country sounded like a lot of work. Besides that stuff followed you for life, it always came back one way or another, and even if you tried to escape it you could never, it was just a period of time, waiting for the merciless darkness to get to you.

Setting an empty butterbeer bottle in the middle of the patchwork blanket, Alec would go on the explain the rules of spin the bottle and how the game worked in cased anybody had missed the memo. He had to emphasize that part on consent being integral to the game and please for everything that is righteous and good, please make sure your partner wants to be kissed before you kiss them. Unwanted kissing was fun for neither party involved! A simple pre-caution to make sure incidents like Alec own shoving one didn't happen here. Keep the night fun. Try not to ruin it for anybody else with giving unwanted kisses all willy-nilly, again, simple!

The game started and went on, people taking their turns, spinning the bottle and landing on somebody. Alec tried to pay attention, though he squirmed as he sat trying to sit still, eventually he found himself staring off into space, and then he heard it, it took him a couple seconds to realize, but, it was Alec's turns. The Gryffindor grinned, leaning over he reached for the bottle, pulling it just a bit close to him he would spin it and watch as it spun, around, and around, around; until finally it land stopping on @Piérre Marchonné. Presumably they would have some familiarity being in the same house and year as each other. Alec of course didn't recognize him... What? There are so many faces to keep track of already! It didn't matter even if he did, he was still here to smooch some people, and that would be the end of it, it was a game, nothing more.

He would smirk as he took in the sight of the other boy and stand up, walking across the circle towards him. If the other had not already stood up Alec would bend down to reach his level. “I love your hair,” Alec would attempt he move a piece of hair out of the other's face, tucking it behind their ear. If Alec was able to tuck a piece of hair behind the other's ear, he would pause for a moment, eyes stopping on the other's pointed ear which caused Alec's smirk to widen. “You think I could pull off a hair color like yours?” Alec asked, he'd never contemplated it before but the other pulled off the look so well that Alec was tempted. Alec's eyes would meet Piérre's, looking into them before he remembered why he was here. Alec face flushed. “Right- um... Can I kiss you? If not are you okay with a hug?”

Action: Alec wants to kiss Piérre, however,
-he will be following Piérre's lead and go with whatever Piérre is most comfortable with
A gentle reminder about kissing Alec

--- Date: 05/09/22 || Time: 18:00 ---

Outfit:

Sophia smiled at Kim's friend happily. She seemed rather nice, and she'd dragged him to a game of Spin-the-Bottle, so she was already winning in Sophia's book. Sophia shot her a warm smile and nodded.

"Hiya, Haley! Your last name is so pretty. I got stuck with Nelson, but I'd love to have one that comes from a flower."

She tried not to cheer triumphantly in her head as the girl explained to Kim that the game was for kisses. It seemed she was doing everything in her power - purposefully or not - to guide him right where Sophia wanted. Then Avery walked up.

Sophia pouted and joined in the game of tug-of-war against Avery, eyebrows furrowing at the boy's teasing. If anyone was going to kiss Kim, it was going to be her, by golly!

"I'll show you a pat on the back," she muttered under her breath, shooting a sharp look of annoyance to the boy. It didn't last, though. She could tell he was just teasing, and Sophia didn't hold grudges very easily. Not to mention the fact that her retort didn't even make sense. What kind of thread was 'I'll show you a pat on the back'?

She shot a happy smile to Bailey and gave a friendly wave with one of her hands before returning it to her death grip on Kim's arm. It was good to see Bailey again. Summer had felt long, and she'd missed being at school. She'd seen some friends during summer, but not Bailey, unfortunately.

A few more people arrived, including Colin and Clair of all people. He'd yelled out to her at the Sorting ceremony, so Sophia shouldn't have been too terribly surprised, but it was still a bit odd to see them together. She didn't want to interrupt, however. Whatever was going on there was probably way beyond her paygrade. She just offered them both a smile and a nod.

Unfortunately, one of the others that showed up was Cassandra, the prefect who'd given her detention. She tried not to feel bitter about that - or the way 'Cash' as she was apparently called had taken her wand from her at the ceremony. Sure, she'd attacked Faye, but it was self-defense! Wasn't that the point of Defense Against the Dark Arts? If there was a doxy, would she be punished for attacking it? Frankly, she considered Faye more beast than doxies at this point, so the whole situation was unfair to her.

As she watched the others arrive, Kim finally playfully responded, teasing them both with his comments about being 'torn between the two of them.' Sophia offered a jealous tug of his arm and a glare.

"Better not be torn," she whispered joking-threateningly. Honestly, it didn't bother her at all. She didn't get jealous over Kim for some reason. Maybe she should, but she didn't. She followed the group to the actual game location and sat, praying silently that this would go well.

As her turn arrived, Sophia gave the bottle a spin and winced.

It landed on the boy who'd organized the game. She'd never met him, but he certainly seemed nice. She could even admit he was objectively attractive. However, kissing him wasn't her goal today. She had other fish to fry.

So, instead, she walked up to the boy with the beautiful hair and held her arms open.

"May I have a hug, please?" she asked sweetly.

Notes:

Reducio

Interacting:

@Kim Sato || @Haley Rose || @Bailey Glade || @Avery Chen

Mentioning:

@Regina Miller || @Colin McCoire || @Pax Zhang || @Gemima Sable || @Sage Lilly

Banner made by the magical Sarah Night

𝐻𝑒𝓍 𝒞𝑜𝒹𝑒 #4B0082 English #3c78d8 French #800000 Latin #000000 Parsel #008080 Spanish	𝐼𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓉 𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽 @Alec Mason @Colin McCoire @Haley Rose	𝑀𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃(𝓈) Athena McClenin Henry Knight Katherine Labrouder Pea Elena Fowl Verona Andréas	𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒪𝓊𝓉𝒻𝒾𝓉𝓈 Reducio Dark blue polo shirt + black ripped jeans short + Prefect Badge + Navy Sneakers	𝑀𝑜𝓃𝒹𝒶𝓎, 𝒮𝑒𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓂𝒷𝑒𝓇 𝟧𝓉𝒽, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟤

When the green eyes said Kath to play nice with the newbie and the Gryffindor replied she could not promised to such things, Cash shook their head. It is so like Kath's things to do. One person told the ex Duellist not to do something, the next Kath will do the opposite of what she was told. Once the small introduction is out of the way between Kath and Pea, the latter told the other older students that Kath would not scare Pea away.

It was interesting to watch the interaction between Katherine and Pea. Cash knows at some point when both of them meet each other for the first time, in their own opinion, It was like looking back in a mirror. Not Cash and their reflection but it was how similar Kath and Pea were in some way. The green eyes do not know if it is a wise thing to do to introduce Kath to Pea and vice versa.

Sometimes Cash could not handle Katherine's antics. The Beater is already used to Kath's cold demeanor and her sharp tongue but now enter one Pea Elena Fowl into the mix, it sure will be an interesting friendship dynamics. A moment later, the trio finally arrived at the scene. Whoever picked the location for the game, Cash will give them a compliment.

Aside Rehearsal Room and Chamber of Secrets, Great Lake is one of their favorite places at the castle. As the trio waited for the game to begin, Cash kind of stared at Alec when they asked Katherine if it was rude to leave the game before the game could ever begin.

"Your pathetic you know that, Cash? Stop embarrassing yourself. You're way too late! So, get your shit together and stop being a mess, or else I'll torment you about this till the end of your miserable life, got it?"Threathhen the other girl. Despite Katherine's rather harsh words (for Cash) or rude attitude towards the Slytherin (for others who watch their interaction), Cash let out a scoff.

Under Kathrine's cold and hard words, she meant well and Cash knew it. Cash nodded their head and then Alec waved to catch Cash's attention before striding over. As their green eyes watched Alec's movement, Cash wanted to run and hide. Abort! Abort! Run, NOW!! the voices inside Cash's head telling them to do so.

But their feet planted on the ground until the other boy stood up before them. “You were staring,”The curly-haired boy started. “You like what you see?”Alec then playfully strikes a pose in front of their eyes. Blegh! Cash's wanted to barf on the spot. "Do not flatter yourself, curly fries,"Cash said after they saw what Alec did.

This kind of flirty side of Mason is new to Cash and it confused the hell out of them. Gone the avoidance Mason and he turns into this? What gives, Mason! Cash thought to themselves. “I'm surprised to see you here, Spin the bottle doesn't really seem like your thing."Alec continued. "I am surprised of myself too,"Cash replied to what Alec said, and for half of what the Gryffindor said there was not much to say.

Spin the Bottle was not their thing and yet after Ronnie told them about it, they got a bit curious about the game.“Did these two put you up to attend? Is it peer pressure? Do I need to go threaten someone for you?"Alec continued his string of questions. "No, no, and definitely NO!"Although for the last part Alec said jokingly, Cash was a bit offended.

And also since when did Alec care about their wellbeing? They are not some kind of a Damsel that needs a Prince Charming to fight their battle. Cash can fight its own battle, thank you very much. "I am the one that forces them to whatever this is,"Cash uttered for the first question. "Misery loves company or however that saying goes"Cash then shot Alec their trademark smirk.

Then Alec something to Pea that they did not fully pay any attention to it until their name is called again by the boy himself. “Oh. But, Cash um. . . Could you stay just a few minutes later after the game ends? I'll be cleaning up, there's something I want to talk to you about; It won't take long”He uttered to the green eyes.

Cash knitted their eyebrow. The Quidditch player does not know what else Alec wants to talk to them about but Cash is a courtageous person. "Yeah, sure.."Cash trailed off since they were a bit unsure of what they said but they will see what Alec wants with them after the game. Not long after Alec did his last-minute preparation, he called the gathering people to make a big circle on the patchwork blanket.

Cash took a seat and dragged Kath and Pea alongside them. The Cuban descendant did not give space for other people to seat near them. Once Alec explains what the rules entail with the game, Cash could not wait for the game to go over. They waited for their turn to spin the bottle. And once the first kid spun his bottle and landed on whomever he spun on.

It took so long and Cash let out a yawn out of annoyance and boredom. "For Merlin's sake, kiss her already!"Protested Cash. "Any day now, fur boy"Cash jested McCoire without knowing the boy is a werewolf just like their dear friend Henry. When McCoire finally kissed McClenin, Cash let out an annoying huff.

"You definitely took your time, dear god!"The fourth year grumbled under their breath in Spanish. Then it is their turn. Cash's green eyes took a moment to glance from one person to the next. "If any of you are first years, I will NOT kiss you. And if you are other than first-year, we will see what happened"They stated then they leaned a bit forward to give the bottle a good spin.

The bottle spun and spun and spun until it stopped. Cash looked up and they are relieved that odd is in their favor for the first round of the game. "Hales,"They breathe out calling the other girl's name. "If you do not hug me right now, I am going to be mad at you,"They joked. Cash then sit on their knees and leaned forward.

Their arms were a bit wide and waiting for Haley to meet them halfway to reciprocate their action.

Action attempting to hug Haley Rose