Faerietale Endings Fall Ball 2022 Locked

Alma ran out into the gorgeous courtyard excitedly, calling for Jack to hurry behind her. She nearly tripped in the black heels she was wearing. They were on loan from her mother, who was absolutely overjoyed when she heard about the Fall Ball, lending Alma the shoes from when she herself was a kid. Mairi Stoll was always a formal fanatic, who took great joy in dressing things up nice and pretty for special events.

She stopped just as she came in, staring awestruck at the beautifully decorated courtyard. The fairy lights overhead made everyone in the room illuminate with a warm golden glow, and she marveled at all the little Grimm and Andersen details scattered across the yard.

Thinking about it made her a bit disappointed that they didn’t exactly follow the theme, looking down at her blue Alice-inspired dress. She shoved that feeling away immediately though, seeing as they both looked incredible and they were still a fairytale at least.

She was dressed in an ankle-length blue gown with a white petticoat, which slimmed at her torso and had buttons leading up to her collar. The sleeves were rather short, which is something she didn’t like as much, but she made up for it with a gorgeous blue wrist cuff adorning a golden pocket watch. There were white stockings protruding from the short black heels she was wearing, much akin to mary janes. Her hair was pinned up halfway and curled, held together finally by a piece of blue ribbon cascading down along the curly ringlets.

“Oh my goodness…” she whispered. “This is gorgeous! I wonder how long it took to set up!”

Honestly, she wondered what to do now that she was here. Do they go and talk to people? Eat some appetizers? Walk around and chat? Her excitement about the event was clouded suddenly by her anxiety, panicking and backing away. She scurried behind Jack, pushing her date forward a little as to move him towards the action instead of herself. “Uh, here! You decide what we do first. I’m…indecisive.”

She peeked her head out from behind him and started scanning for people she knew ahead of time, just in case they decided to go talk to some people. She spotted Colin, Finn, June, George, and Avery first, making a mental list for later.

‿︵‿୨✿୧‿︵‿

Interacting: @Mathias Pride | Open to interactions

Outfit: ✿

Mentioning: @Piérre Marchonné as Romeo

English | Irish

Winnie's face broke into a smile at Mathias' statement about the tale. He was correct; it was whimsical nonsense, but that made it all the more endearing. "It's a fairytale, Matt; it doesn't have to make sense." She paused to pluck a flower out of her hair, her thumb stroking over its silky petals. "When I was a kid I didn't really know much about magic because of my da... So, I would pretend the wizarding world was like a fairytale." When you came from a non-magical household it really did feel like anything was possible with magic.

"It didn't have a name, so I assumed it was from you." Owls still existed... People could be paid to deliver things! "I... I don't know..." It made sense at the time, but looking back it was rather strange. She gawked as she watched her boyfriend send the doll all of... twenty feet away from them. Thank Merlin he wasn't one of the chasers on his Quidditch team.

It was a damn good thing that she hadn't eaten any of the mysterious sweets. "What?! No! You're my boyfriend." She wasn't daft enough to say it out loud, but Romeo wasn't exactly her type. Little did she know that she wasn't exactly his type either.

"You don't like it? There are nice Shakespearean names..." So much for naming their future daughter 'Viola'. She raised her brow when she realized Matt's face was burning. "I AM NOT INTO ROMEO!" Her intial reaction earned her a few stares. So, she would be forced to do something very unWinnie-like; lower her voice.

"Matt... I said there is NOTHING between Romeo and I. I don't even know if it was him... I just can't think of anyone that would send me chocolates and a doll. I thought maybe it was his way of saying no hard feelings. My entire Quidditch team kind of blamed him for putting me into a chokehold but... That wasn't want happened... I mean, maybe they're from..." Don't say another boy's name. Don't say another boy's name. "... A-Aurora?"

She was growing a bit flustered, mostly out of concern that Matt somehow wouldn't believe her. She had nothing to hide, but his reaction was concerning. She would say something without thinking, "You said you choose me every day... Well, I would choose you every day too." It would have been a nice sentiment... If it were not from a conversation Matt had intended she forget. "So even if someone else is sending me chocolates, it doesn't mean I'm interested in them. I want you."

Upon first hitting the dance area, they had started the evening by dancing almost as close to each other as two human beings could get; so close, in fact, that echoes of the nuns’ admonishments from Simon’s former muggle dance functions probably did prick at his good, Roman Catholic conscience. She knew this because he had told her about it every time they danced closely, well, almost every time. The nuns apparently, according to Simon, would likely be scandalized that there was no daylight or room for the Holy Spirit to exist between them. That thought always tickled AngelFyre. Tonight would, yet again, rain more scandal upon their heads as being close to one another was a given for the two. Her father, a staunch Protestant, would in this case most definitely side with the nuns. Sigh Simon and AngelFyre had always tried to be both mindful and respectful of such protocols. Honest they had. They had even had numerous discussions about it, promising each other that they would abide by such and keep a reasonable distance. In the end, it almost seemed like knowing they could not be close made the desire to be so even stronger. And then they both felt guilty for making promises…to each other... and to God… that could not be kept. They were both good kids. Faithful kids. But they were human and doing the best they could.

With an itinerary set, and her handsome love looking as if his doldrums were behind him, at least for the here and now, AngelFyre herself relaxed a bit and dove right into playing and exploring with him on the dance floor. Dancing was first on their itinerary and oh how they enjoyed themselves! Fully embracing his princely self, Simon would bow in a most exaggeratedly appealing manner while wearing the most rakish of smiles. With a wrist flourish, he would extend his hand out to her as each new song would begin. The whole experience was completely divine and she loved every second of it. Singing, composing music, and playing multiple instruments was Simon’s forte, and the boy had an incredible sense of rhythm, but dance is where AngelFyre shone bright.

Because she knew he was as adventurous as she was, she decided to teach him a few modified dance moves of the time, or close to it anyway. Disney always had the characters waltzing, but this was not waltzing music. “Care to try to shake things up a little, my handsome Prince?” and she arched her brow at him in the way that tugged a smile up at the corner of her mouth, telling him he was going to have to think fast on his feet, which made her simply giddy. AngelFyre decided an anachronistically modified Regency Reel would be fun, something akin to the dance scene from the movie, A Knight’s Tale.

If others wanted to get their dance on and learn it, too, by joining in on the fun, all the better, but as for she and Simon, it was them at their creative and playful best. Stuffy medieval and renaissance dance moves be hanged! Alone or with others, the two were having a blast dancing and twirling and interlacing their arms and holding hands as their laughter echoed out across the Great Lake.

Looking across the dance floor at him, AngelFyre felt quite pleased and had to believe that even Simon’s nuns would have been mollified with the direction their dancing had taken…for now. Then looking behind Simon, she spied Dave and his gorgeous date, Daphne. AngelFyre waved at him and beckoned the two to join her and Simon as they decided to (try to) change the energy on the dance floor. Dave turned just then and missed seeing AngelFyre wave to him. It looked like the two were headed towards the petting zoo. No matter. They would catch up with each other later.

Looking back at Simon, she smiled. “I am having a blast, but all of this dancing has made me thirsty. How wise do you deem it to be to trust anything on those food tables, whether liquid or solid, to pass our lips?

Action: Dancing with Simon Kincaid and trying to get more Ball attendees to join in a modified Regency Reel type of dance

Stats: Sta 7 || Eva 6 || Str 1 || Wis 7 || Arc 6 || Acc 8

Abilities: Seer 1 || Fearless

The Trunk :

Inventory: Wand, wand holster, claddagh ring, handkerchief, slim-line trousers beneath dress, golden cross necklace, decorative hair comb, Toothflossing Stringmints

Standing permission has been given to godmod Simon throughout.
Mentions: @David Howard and @Daphne Sapphirus

| I - II - III - IV - V |
| VI - VII - VIII - XI |

¤ | Ω | ¤

Nec Temere, Nec Timide. Durmstrang Institute's

Romeo Giovanni Marchonné

"English." "Italiano. Italian." "Russian."

| Faint Scar on Left Eye & Mangled Right Ear | \ Fingerless Glove on Right Hand / | Lichtenberg Figure on Right Arm and Down Back |

Valetin Schnell
@Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood

With a little more fiddling with the straps of my Beater armor, I cinch the last of the knots and strike my chest once to make sure that the armor was properly distributing the shock of potential blows correctly across the entire armor. These balls had an uncanny tendency of ending up sideways, after all, and if I did happen to run into my brother while he was in a state, I didn't want to be underprepared.

With a deep breath, I slip the aluminum-alloy gorget over my head so that it fits comfortably on my shoulders, then tightening those straps as well so that it too sits comfortably on both my beater armor and on the straps of the leather pauldron on my left shoulder, currently colored a silvery hue by the use of a Colorvaria charm. Finally, I slip on my two gauntlets-- also made of aluminum-alloy-- which feature an almost scale-like pattern to them and tighten the straps on those so that they are tight enough to not slip off, yet loose enough that they do not cut off circulation.

I glance in the mirror of the cabin, turning from side to side a bit with my arms out so that I could observe the handiwork. After a few seconds, I snort to myself and pinch the bridge of my nose as I shake my head with a mixture of incredulousness and mild embarrassment. I look like a cosplayer at a Renaissance fair...

I peer through my fingers at my reflection, how well the adjusted armor fits me, how it is all white and shiny... I turn minutely again, and shrug with a small smile. I mean... I didn't think it looked bad, per say.

Just different.

It looked... right? Like I was just meant to wear something like this.

"Pshhht. Nonsense. It's just a costume. That's all..." I affirm aloud to myself, shaking my arms to loosen up. It would be very cold tonight. Granted, the weather was only going to get colder and granted, the weather here was more mild and in fact a bit warmer than the far north of Durmstrang's dominion... but I would still need something to keep at least a little bit cozier.

This method would come in the form of my heavy scarlet Durmstrang cloak trimmed with black wolf fur. Clasped at my shoulder, it would be the only splash of color in my mostly white and leather brown outfit. Yet, I didn't think that the cloak would be enough for tonight, and I retrieved my red wool scarf from my trunk. With a small spark of hope, I rustled through the deep interior, searching for the handle of my Firebolt. Though my hand takes hold of the handle of my lightning-burned Moontrimmer, that is the only broom I can locate in there. I let out a pent up sigh and avert my eyes to the ceiling. It had now been missing for about 2 days now, and I had no idea where it could have gone or when I could have possibly lost it. If I had lost it... I owed a big, big explanation to Val, the one who it actually belonged to. It had come from their family museum, after all, and even now I didn't entirely feel that it should fully belong to me.

I could only imagine the price of such a valuable item... and I knew that if I could not locate it, I would agonize over trying to scrap together the funds necessary to pay it back. Losing something like that was unacceptable, and I couldn't believe that I had done something like that in the first place.

Yet, agonizing over the prospect right now would do nothing for my nerves. Perhaps my best course of action for tonight would be to just try to relax, enjoy myself, hang out with the Horntail Horde, perhaps...

Yes, just calm down. That was exactly what I needed to do now.

Facing the Highland chill, I breezed towards Hogwarts castle, taking note of a large event appearing to be occur near the Grounds. Interesting.

But I had a ball to attend for the time being.

¤ | Ω | ¤

I don't think anyone could have asked for a better evening.

Squinting about the area, I couldn't help but notice all the Muggle faerie tale references that oozed from the cobblestone itself. Hogwarts always seemed to have a distinctive flair for the eccentric and the extreme. This year seemed to be no exception, and the décor almost seemed gaudy by comparison to Durmstrang's functional and sturdy build. Efficiency over elegance, rather to my tastes, admittedly. Though, similarly admittedly, it was refreshing to have some of the finer things in life like a palate cleanser, wasn't it?

Careful to keep to the outskirts and out of the way of other people (for though I was likely not the tallest person in the group, I was very, very close and rather broadly built), making my way towards the far side of the Courtyard where there were flowers and what appeared to be black thorned bushes with red and white blossoms. Drawing close, I became aware of a light tapping at my shoulder, and I glance over just in time to spot a small fairy finish rapping on my gorget with a light buzzing giggle before flittering off towards another small cluster that were perched in the flowers higher up the Courtyard wall. Looking up at them, I almost walk through a pair of ghosts conversing on the side of the dance floor, evoking a sudden chill that reached my very bones and caused me to shiver for a moment. Recovering quickly, I wave towards them after hastily passing by and trying to extricate myself from the potentially awkward situation. "S-sorry! My bad, I apologize!"

Rubbing my fingerless gloved hands together to continue circulation in my fingers, I draw a bit closer to the black bushes with their red and white flowers. Already, it appeared that a pair of students were staking this area out for themselves (@Aaron Jones & @Aly Salinger), so I resolved to gently stay out of their way and to not interface with them unless they mentioned something about my presence first. I wasn't interested in eavesdropping, I just wanted to wait for a while and observe the party before deciding what my night was likely going to look like.

These were most curious bushes, weren't they? At first glance, due to the white and red blossoms, it seemed that these were rose bushes, yet there was something about the way that the leaves looked so vastly different from the rest of the plant, the way that the thorns appeared much larger and defined than what a normal rosebush would express. It made me think that it was highly likely that these bushes had been grafted with a different plant in order to produce the hybrid appearance. I couldn't quite put my finger on what the other shared plant was quite yet, though. Maybe... if I could poke around a little bit more, run through the knowledge that I currently had, something would come to me.

I gently stoop down to a lower hanging white blossom, brushing it gently with the tips of my fingers and teasing towards one of the longer thorns, pressing it lightly into the pad of my finger to test just how sharp it was. Some sort of rosaceae, though I wasn't sure which family just yet.

Snow White and Rose Red, if I remembered the fairytale that these plants were making a reference to correctly. The tale of two young girls who played with a gentle bear and discovered that he was actually a prince put under a spell by a selfish dwarf that they had tried to help on three separate occasions by trimming his beard (which had been the reason for his ending up in those problems). Upon the bear slaying the dwarf he resumed his true form and was married Snow White, while his brother took Rose Red. An unconventional tale, but a rather delightful one.

The light scampering of feet on stone coming my direction draws my attention away and I reflexively turn towards the scuffling, my right hand opening loosely and my left hand balling ever so slightly, just in case it was someone who wanted to pick a bone with me. As soon as I notice the two pale ears that matched the milky complexion of a very familiar Il Niffler, however, I loosen up again as a small smile forms. Ah, so he had made it here after all. "Val!" I cry, greeting my captain. I stare at him with mild confusion as he enters a small, playful bow, scratching the back of my neck and giving him a queer, yet mildly amused, look. Ah yes, it appeared that the playfulness of the fair rabbit was now only just beginning. It seemed that I would be in for a night of tireless antics. "What a costume! The ears!" I gingerly reach for them. "May I?" I would stroke them gently, like any curious child petting a rabbit's delicate head right between the ears. "Homemade or found?" I ask nonchalantly, taking a good look at the rest of the getup. Ah yes, the White Rabbit. Quite a fitting choice for Val, no questions asked.

At the mention of a steed, I give Valetin a look between amusement, confusion, and mild worry. Oh dear, what had he managed to get his hands on now?

Evidently... this is where my broom had been for the past few days.

"Wh- VAL?!" I wasn't angry or upset, just a good mixture of surprised and confused that of all the things that he could have stolen, it had to be the one thing that didn't really belong to me other than in name. "I thought I had lost this thing! Don't scare me like that! Goodness gracious, I wouldn't have known how to tell you that I had misplaced or how I had managed to lose track of it!" These were all understatements, of course. If I had actually lost track of this Firebolt, I would have pulled my hair out of stress trying to find it, if only because of how high-end it was, let alone the whole "family heirloom" tag that was on it.

After having an initial outburst of nervous energy, I try to dial in on the fact that this was a dramatically altered Firebolt, one that had been lovingly made by Val for the purpose of this night. I focus my attention instead on the craftsmanship of it, as Val hands it to me with the same reverence as a squire offering their knight proper a sword.

My fingers trail to the ebony handle of my Firebolt, and then stroke the plush horse's head that is where the end of the shaft should be. Bedecked in very light barding, the Firebolt had experienced a very strange transformation... Of course Valetin had his way with it after stealing it when I wasn't looking, and of course he had gone all out on it with his niffler paws. Instead of a broom, the antique Firebolt now looked more like a hobby-horse that some children once had when playing outdoors; the kind which let them run about as if they were actually galloping on its back with fabricated reigns and all. The light and finely trimmed hazel and birch twigs gave the illusion that the horse had a tail, matching the color of the white plush and light fur that was used for the horse's head and mane. Light and unobtrusive barding served as "armor" for the head of the horse, and trailed to a small pair of banners on either side of the horse depicting the crest of Durmstrang; as if ready for me to partake in aerial jousting on behalf of the honor of our school. How Valetin continually came across these sorts of incredible antique gems and how he put them together so incredibly well I could only imagine... how much work did he put into things like this?

"Valetin, it is gorgeous." I say with genuineness. Of course it was beautiful. Everything that Val offered, everything that he was, everything that he presented had a mystical, surreal air of sorts, a sort of magic that emanated from him in everything that he did. Compared to my rougher, rustic traits and tendencies, we made quite a strange pairing indeed. Yet, it did appear to work just as opposites attracted. It was quite incredible, really, just how frequently where one of us fell short the other rose to the challenge and bolstered the others' defenses. We worked as if two cogs in a machine, almost like my twin and I had when it came to making trouble or merely playing out in the woods when we were children.

Opposites... attracted... I supposed.

"Ha... well, I will try to ride him as gallantly as I can. Such a loyal and proud steed surely deserves the honor of having the right knight ride it, hm?" I hold the broom at my side at hip level, not mounting it quite yet, but from a sideways glace it certainly did. For the time being, I wanted to keep my feet on the ground. Nobody else was in the air just yet... I didn't want to be a strange outlier... yet. "I'll try my best to make it, and you, proud, Valya." I test out the Russian diminutive for myself. Though it sounds strange in my ears, strange off the tongue, I try it out nonetheless. Many of our friends called Valetin by that name after all; perhaps it was time for me to adopt it for myself as well.

While still finding myself particularly in delight over Valetin's gift, I couldn't help but overhear a particularly loud and decidedly feminine voice shouting of my name (@Winnie Harper). Reflexively, I glanced up and around, trying to pinpoint the source of a commotion (about the equivalent of a giraffe peering over the bodies of mostly antelopes and a few elephants), a look of furrowed brows and curious scanning of the immediate crowd (feel free to state that you saw me, @Mattias Pride).

Peculiar. I shake my head for a moment before refocusing on Val. "Huh... Uh, well, that was odd." I glance over towards the main body once more before shrugging and refocusing on the half-rose-bushes again. "Could have sworn that... nevermind; maybe someone was getting a bit too in character with a costume. What do you make of these plants, Val? I'm fairly certain they are roses, but they have to be grafted with something else. These thorns are too long to be a normal rosebush..." Ah yes, distract myself with something else so that I could brush off the awkward moment that had happened but a few seconds prior. I content myself with picking at one of the thorns in silence again, trying to run through genera and families in my head again. Despite myself, I feel myself pinking. Goddammit. Why did things like this always have to happen when I just wanted normalcy, peace, quiet, and maybe a little bit of good-natured fun?

"Snow White and Rose Red..." I trail off quietly before quietly looking around again; up to the moon and stars, over to the banquet laid out for us, towards couples and dancers, to some who had already been heartbroken tonight and to others just now beginning to formulate relationships. I was so... awkward at these get-togethers, wasn't I? Yet, I could never bring myself to fully cut loose. That... simply was not my style.

So how was I to have fun, to enjoy myself, while also trying to maintain discipline and honor of my school. What was the right thing to do? What was the one thing that I was trying to observe or at least to experience while I was here?

Tch... maybe it would take a while for me to find out. In the meanwhile, small talk with Valetin had never let me down yet, so why would it start now?

Action: Receiving the Stallion from Valetin, Observing the Rose Bushes

Reducio

Stats:

Ω Stamina 9 | Strength 15 | Evasion 7 Ω
Ω Wisdom 9 | Accuracy 15 | ArcPower 0 Ω

Abilities:

Ω Obnoxiously Strong | Perfectionist I | Martial Artist | Healing Sage I Ω

Items:

Wand, "Hobby-Horse" Firebolt ("Steed")

Interacting: Stephen Shwartz @AngelFyre McCubbin
Open for interactions

Kamila had to admit she was a little sad that Stephen never responded. She had tried not to get involved in anything like this. It had been a month and it was possible he had already found someone else to go with. “Why didn’t he tell me,” Kamila thought. Hopefully he was at the ball, so she would talk to him there.

Kamila walked to the ball. If Stephen wasn’t there she would leave. There was really no point in going. The only reason Kamila had gone to the last ball was the Hexwizard Tournament.

Kamila saw Stephen as soon as she entered the ball. ”Stephen, can you talk for a second.” She tapped him on the shoulder, ”I’m sorry I took so long to reply. I got an E on a potions assignment. So, I was spending all of my time reading potions books and I didn’t have any free time. I replied as soon as I could. Kamila paused.

”Why didn’t you reply?” She asked, ”I wouldn’t have been mad if you had found another date, or were busy. I can’t believe you couldn’t even respond with anything.” Kamila’s voice was getting angrier, ”Well, what do you have to say?”

𝙾𝚄𝚃𝙵𝙸𝚃: Reducio

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▪ 𝙴𝙽𝙲𝚈 ▪ ▪ FELIX ▪ KOLBECK ▪ ▪ DURMSTRANG iNPC ▪ FOURTH YEAR ▪

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𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙰𝙲𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂: Reducio OPEN Mentioning: @Piérre Marchonné as Romeo @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood as Val @Ileen Knight as Amina @Flash Holmwood as Yefim @Erin Ryan

The blonde scary girl had finally arrived. Erim was her name. Erm, Erin. The one that Yefim liked. Felix could not say he knew much about it, aside from whatever information the Horntail leader had given him, but he did know that her presence annoyed him for a reason he couldn't quite understand. Aside from the fact that he found most people intolerable, that was.

Whatever, he'd leave Yef to go make out with her. It's not like he cared or anything. His other team mates were doing... Something. Val and Romeo probably making puppy dog eyes at each other. It looked like Val was presenting a DIY project to Romeo; a decapitated a stuffed horse. Was that normal for Italian courting? The Swede had no idea. Mikael was probably working on emitting a 'don't talk to me' aura. Felix had to give credit where it was due; the guy was great at it.

If his night was going to suck, he was going to make sure other people had sucky nights. His crotchety attitude was truly the gift that kept on giving. Amina was the closest thing to a companion he was likely to get that night, so he tried to elbow her. Should she give him the time of day, he'd grumble his proposition, "Hey, want to prod the competition a bit?" 'Competition' meaning anyone from another school. Unless Arjan (@Serena Towers) showed up, then he would do a complete 180 and focus his efforts on him.

Until then, he needed a target, and he had already had one in mind; the American that looked like a mannequin who had just stepped away from a store display after a fairy turned him into a 'real boy' (Stephen Schwartz/@AngelFyre McCubbin). He looked vaguely familiar but Felix couldn't care enough to try and remember why.

It was fortunate for Felix that another person decided to approach him in that moment. The fiery redhead (Kamila Yavlinsky/@Marina Oriel) had already started to rip the moonfaced boy a new one. She had also bestowed a gift upon Felix; the poor guy's first name. Perfect. If Amina had decided to follow him, he would offer her a smirk and mumble, "Follow my lead."

"Stephen, who the hell is this?" Felix quickly switched to English, his voice accented with a slight melodic drawl, a remnant of his traditional tongue. "It was fucking difficult enough for Amina and I when you asked us BOTH to the ball, but now you're here with some other chick?!"

Action: N/A