Faerietale Endings Fall Ball 2022 Locked

Russian: ✕ | Thoughts: ✕ | English: ✕
iNPC: Maskim Levin

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As Maksim stood up, his head felt off. Looking down at his pie covered hands, the ooze of the filling dripping off his fingertips, the pie crust lingering between his knuckles. His once cristen white nails, now glossed over in caramel and blades of grass. He looked at the two before him, he had to leave! He jumped up, walking backwards from the present situation, being sure to keep his hands from gracing his suit or hair.

"Excuse me." He said, a slight shake to his voice.

Very unlike him.

He walked away, pushing through the crowds. No clear direction set out for his feet to follow. His only objective was to leave. He looked at everyone around him, their gazes burning into his being, they were judging him. All of them! They saw through his façade, he knew it! Every look screamed how much of a failure he was. He would never make his father proud, continue his families legacy.

He rubbed his hands together, feeling the pie still coated on them. Then a clear thought entered his mind, he had to get his hands clean!

With an objection in place, he headed to the latrines, he had to rid his hands of this filth! As his pace quickened he suddenly found himself ramming into...something. What on earth was that? Was not a tree, must have been a person! He felt his legs wobble underneath him during the impact, falling backwards, and landing hard on his back, his head bashing the earth as he ended his fall. Sitting up, he fought to refocus his vision. Looking down, he saw some of the pie filling had splattered over his suit. "No!" He didn't even notice his thoughts were audible for others to hear. Turning his head up, he saw what, or rather, who had run into him. A girl tossed opposite him on the ground. His head was pounding from the impact, "Watch where you're going!" Speaking in Russian, not even considering the person's understanding of the language, "Look at what you did!" He pointed out his shirt, only now thinking in English, "My father paid good money for this suit, What's your problem?"

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Action:
Fleeing the scene with Opeila and Nikolai after taking affect from the apple pie. Runs into Monet

Open to Interactions

| Interacting with |
|Monet Navarro-Gallay (@June Selwyn's iNPC)|@Opeila Winters |Nikolai Ryzhkov(@Avery McCall's iNPC) |

Hogwarts had been nothing but boring so far. It smelled awful, like old dirt and dust. The castle was big, yes, but it was nothing compared to the splendor back home.

Home.

It was the first time Monet had considered the Brazilian school "home", and it felt... Right. It felt correct. Away from the grubbiness of mundane muggle life, and into the wondrous wizarding world that, truly, she had no right to partake in. But people, gracious people like Boe Mirales Correa, had opened their treasure trove of culture and knowledge to her. The amount of muggle students she had seen here that were not as grateful as they should be for this privilege was a bit revolting.

Monet had never been to a school dance before, nevertheless a ball. The theme seemed a bit... Odd. Anderson and Grimm fairytales? Here? It felt almost dirty for Monet to dress as a character from a tried and true story she had grown up with, some Disney princess or picture book fairy. After a long while, she found compromise in a black dress, red contacts and dark makeup. A vampire, something that did definitely exist outside of muggle realities, but also had somehow wormed their way into the stories she grew up with. Good enough.

The ball was already a bit underway when Monet headed down, but it didn't really matter to her. She had no date, no companion to spend her night with. She was only going to be seen, to observe the other schools, and to be a wing-woman for the few friends she had if they needed one. And dance. Really dance.

However, plans went awry when she turned the corner and ran smack into someone. He was walking with such force, such determination, and his body was such a brick wall that it sent Monet stumbling straight onto the floor. "Fuck, watch where you're going, huh?" Words scrambled out of Monet's mouth as she pushed herself off the floor. She smoothed out her dress, noticing something... something had been smeared all over the front of it. Her face scrunched up, "Disgusting."

Her gaze shifted to her aggressor, giving him a once-over from top to bottom, noticing the same something on the boy's hands. "Seems you're not taking very good care of it if you're walking around with gross shit around your 'fancy suit'," she air quoted. She rolled her eyes as she pulled her wand out of her pocket. "Calm down, mané (dude)." Monet pointed her wand at the sticky, sweet-smelling stain on her dress. "Scourgify." Once her own dress was cleaned with the charm, she'd do the same to whoever the hell this was.

Sta - 7 | Eva - 7 | Str - 10 Wis - 4 | Arc - 3| Acc - 9 x Lovely Creature

Action: Quite literally bumping into Maxim, casting "Scrougify" to clean the pie off of both of them.

Interacting with: @Ethan Smith Mentioning:

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Date: 8th October 2022 Outfit: x | x | x

Adelaide did not know what to do as she watched Ethan stare at her, awaiting a response. For what felt like an eternity, he didn't say anything. He just stared. And then, finally, he spoke up. "Oh!" She said, surprise evident on her features. That was why he had stayed silent for so long? Maybe he had just zoned out again, as that seemed to be the only logical explanation for why he had taken so long to respond. "Thanks! It wasn't my intention to take your breath away or anything. Don't need you dying on me," she sarcastically remarked as her lips tilted up in a smirk. Part of her felt bad for finding Ethan stumbling over his words amusing, but the other half just couldn't help it. She tried her hardest to not show her amusement though, not wanting to embarrass him further. At least, she thought he was embarrassed. If he had zoned out earlier, and she was sure he had because she didn't know any other reason why he would've just stared at her for minutes before speaking, he was likely embarrassed about the zoning out.

She did appreciate the compliment though. The Ravenclaw always took pride in her appearance and put effort into looking good, so it was nice to be complimented on your hard work, especially at a ball. "You don't look too bad yourself! And I'm doing good too," she smiled warmly at him, hoping to ease the probable embarrassment he was feeling just a tiny bit. Despite thinking this night was going to be absolutely horrible, she was trying her hardest to be optimistic about it. Surely it couldn't be that bad, even though Hogwarts balls in general end up in absolute chaos. But she had a sliver of hope that it was going to actually be a fun night. Hopefully (she was doing a lot of hoping tonight).

The blonde followed Ethan's gaze out to the sea of people dancing and then flicked her gaze back to the boy in front of her when he spoke up once more. For some reason, at his words an infinitesimally small piece of dread made its way into her heart. She really, really hoped he was just saying those words to match with the theme of the ball, and not for any other reason. "Oh! Sure!" She said, smiling as she tried her hardest to push her feelings away. She took Ethan's outstretched hand while hoping against all hope that he didn't ask her out to the ball for another reason, didn't stutter for another reason and didn't call her beautiful for another reason. Adelaide doesn't know why her stomach drops and every inch of her body fills with dread at the prospect of a boy possibly liking her like that, she really doesn't know why, but it does. As if it's a natural instinct. Maybe this is just what happens when you're still young enough to not be worrying about love or boys and 'cooties' still exists? Whatever the reason, it doesn't take away from the fact that her body feels the need to flee right now.

She wouldn't, though. She was probably just overthinking and there was a perfectly platonic explanation for everything. Oh, Merlin, please let it be that.

Action: Talking to Ethan and going to dance
Inventory: Wand
Post Tracker: [1]

======================== The Courtyard was where this year's fall ball was supposed to take place. Hiro had been looking forward to getting to go back to Hogwarts yet again. After all, he'd had such a great time the last time he'd made the trip there. He'd made friends. And wanted to meet others too. So he kind of wanted to see them. Not only them but others too. Getting to know people from all the other schools was also great! Such as Valentin. Or Val as he was calling him from now on. Hiro had gotten to know him a lot better over the summer days. After a bit of a shaky start, it had been fun to talk with him about various things. Most of which had to do with quidditch of course. The two were both players. So it stood to reason that they'd talk

about the wizard sport at some point in time. As a result, the two had bonded over their mutual interest in quidditch, amongst some other things. And of course, quidditch bonded everyone together. How could it not? It was an amazing sport that almost all people couldn't help but love!

Hiro was overly happy though at this particular point in time. Why? Because he'd gotten Akira to be his date for the second time in a row! It was going to be a magical time! And this time Akira couldn't say that he'd misunderstood his invitation, as he had with the previous ball they'd attended, since Hiro had specifically stated that he wanted to go to the ball with Akira as his date. The fact that Akira had accepted his invitation despite this, had made the boy's heart beat faster.

As for the reason?

Well, it was probably because he liked spending time with him. Yes, that was a logical explanation.

Knowing that Akira tended to like to go off on his own when they came to an event together, Hiro didn't expect his date to stay by his side all the time. But that was fine with him, as long as they got together from time to time. Hiro would probably head over and try and feed him some food sometime later that night if possible. Although, he knew it was highly likely he'd get hit for trying to do so. But that was a price he was willing to pay! Or maybe he'd let him do it this time. Who knew?

Upon entering the place, Hiro glanced around, taking in all the beautiful sights. Hogwarts had outdone themselves. But then again, their balls always tended to be lavish and over the top. It was early evening and although the air was a little chilly, Hiro didn't mind the coldness. He wasn't dressed in flimsy or thin clothes. The Japanese student and Akira had dressed to match all in black, complete with a large hood too. Hiro called it, "Little Black Riding Hood", which he thought cool.

It was like a take on the fairy tale.

At the moment, Hiro had his hood up, which concealed his pink hair from view at the time.

There was so much to see! Hiro didn't know where to look or go first and it became an issue. If he couldn't decide, how could he proceed and not miss out on anything?! The tables with food and refreshments was closest to where he currently was and Hiro decided to head over there. "There's so much to see and do! This is awesome, don't you think Akira? I don't know what I want to do first! If we do get separated, I'll try and find you somewhere, somehow."

"But if you can't find me and I can't find you, meet back at the refreshment and food tables later!" Hiro said and grinned at him before taking off for the aforementioned table. He looked over the table and then selected a little bit of everything from what was offered to guests. Pouring some of the dark red beverage into a goblet, Hiro went over to the apples bobbing on the surface of the water. This looked fun to try out! The colors were all cool but one caught Hiro's eye.

And made him think of a certain Ravenclaw.

Not to mention the fact that this particular color also happened to match his current hair color too.

In other words, pink. Now, pink apples were not commonly seen, but this was Hogwarts. Magic could turn food items different colors if they wanted to. Hiro studied the locations of the pink apples and then tried to bob for a pink one. The goblet with red liquid and his dish with a slice of every pie, various different puddings and some stew remained on the table nearby. Hiro hadn't yet tried what was on his plate at the moment but that was because he wanted to get a pink apple first.

Actions ---
Hiro enters the ball w/Akira, grabs a goblet w/red liquid and bobs for a pink apple. He has not yet drank from the goblet, he merely has taken some and intends to drink after he gets an apple.

Inventory ---
Wand, Enchanted Satchel (protective gloves, chocolate frog boxes, nimbus 1700, self-inking quill, parchment paper, comb of vanity, hair dyes/bleaches, hair accessories), Magic Toothpick.

Stats ---
Stamina: 7 | Evasion: 10 | Strength: 6 | Wisdom: 7 | Arcane Power: 4 | Accuracy: 7

Notes ---
I have permission to say Akira enters the ball with Hiro.
More in depth notes are under reducio.

Russian: ✕ | Thoughts: ✕ | English: ✕
iNPC: Maskim Levin

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Who they hell did this think she was? Maksim stood up, hearing the spew of whatever foreign language, only to finally hear some comprehendible english, which was less than pleasent. "I was dealing with it! All was well before you blocked my path!" She called him something...mané, what on earth was that? An insult? Did she think it smart, making the situation worse? Maksim rolled his eyes, over with this attitude.

She pulled out her wand, and Maksim went for his, what on earth was she doing now?! Going to Flipendo him from the ball? Little did she know he was ready to send it right back! The audacity of this girl!
However, before he could counter-react, she cast Scourgify, cleaning her dress off. Then aiming her wand over in Maksim's direction, cleaned off his suit. He could feel his nerves settle a little, it was good she wasn't trying to attack him, however his hand never left the location of his wand, staying at the ready incase she changed her mind.

Looking around, Maksim saw various people were watching. He took a breath, to try to calm himself down. "Well... be better at watching where you're going next time, and you wont have to clean up for other people." His voice was thick, and still a bit raspy from his speed walk. Though this was her doing, he felt some level of gratitude was in order for saving his suit, even though he was perfectly capable of casting the exact same spell for himself.

Looking down he saw his hands also were clean, no longer coated with the inners of the pie, his nails once again fresh and sparkling white. He allowed himself to calm down more, now taking in a good look at the person who both ruined and fixed his problem. She was fair, with light brown hair, and a stunning black dress with red coloured eyes. She looked rather... elegant for such an event, far better than most with their overly whimsical vomit draped over themselves. He didn't dare stoop to their level, and kept to his traditional formal look, and it seemed this girl shared, to some degree, as similar idea.

Moving his hand away from his wand, he tussled back his hair, "ну...Well" clearing his throat, forcing aside the unexplained nerves that was still bubbling inside of him. He looked into her eyes, making sure he was being seen for being the gentleman in this 'accident', "I appreciate you cleaning the pie filling," He looked down at her dress, it was nice, of course if he had picked it out and styled it it would have looked far better, but she could nearly be seen as well dressed as he was. "It would be a shame for such a dress to also be ruined."

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Action:
Being cleaned up by Monet... struggling to say 'thank you' and finding some intrigue in the girl

Open to Interactions

| Interacting with |
|Monet Navarro-Gallay (@June Selwyn's iNPC) |

Ileen's nerves were stretched. Her eyes glided restlessly over the crowd, searching for a clue that her presence here had meaning. Depending on which vortex she would be drawn into, the evening would be drastically different.
There was already the usual scuffle in the crowd, but the young Slytherin did not pause to pay more attention. She was looking for something. For someone. Or was she waiting to be found?
The coldness of the stone floor gradually seeped into her legs and crept into her body, like the surging panic and desperation she was trying to fight down. Having hope kept the pain, the guilt alive. Made her keep holding on.
A scream snapped her out of her thoughts and Ileen jerked so hard that she bumped against the table. Perhaps a drink or two would fall over. She identified Opeila as the source of the fright, striking at a spider crawling up her arm.
Ileen exhaled in relief. She hadn't even realized she had been holding her breath. Opeila looked as if nothing bad had happened (how little Ileen knew) and besides, several people were already gathering around her. So Ileen was not needed, someone was taking care of her.

Helping someone to help herself. Opeila could have been her anchor. Could have. But she wasn’t. So Ileen’s eyes flickered back to the shadows. Normally, she had studied them with fear. But today she wanted to discover something unusual in them. Today she wanted them to come to life - they were her only connection that remained to him. His icy blue eyes stared back - guilt and longing constricted her chest.

Couldn’t the cold numb not only her feet but her whole body? The pain? Trying to freeze her aching heart? And just when she was about to get completely lost in her illusion that haunted her for one year, someone else entered the ball. The girl that Victor had defended last fall ball (@M J Davenport). Ileen’s heart skipped a beat and she instinctively straightened her back.
Her fingers clawed at her skirt as she stared at the beauty. A flicker of hope. Meaning. It must be very strange for outsiders. A girl, pale as a corpse, standing next to a table, looking as if she had sleepwalked here, staring at another like her only salvation. Victor had defended her. Maybe she knew what had become of him?
However, the older Slytherin was not alone. She was accompanied by a huge guy and Ileen hesitated. Talking to her would have taken some effort anyway, but like this...?
Her heart was beating so loudly in her chest that Ileen was sure the others around her would hear it. It throbbed in her ears and the ball company disappeared in front of her face. Only Marion was in focus. Victor deserved Ileen to pull herself together. She owed it to him. She had sworn to him. If she didn't do everything she could today to find out what had happened to him, he would never forgive her. She would never forgive herself.

Ileen took a deep breath and mobilized all the courage she had left. Despair could disguise itself well as courage. It could push one beyond limits... Just as she was about to take a determined step forward, her date appeared out of nowhere. Percival. Maybe that saved her. Maybe it didn’t.
Flustered, Ileen blinked a few times. The pink Slytherin blurred before her eyes and her focus turned to the boy. The boy who had asked her to come here. The other one. How little the poor thing knew that here were two different mindsets colliding. Perhaps even crashed against each other and would break. He expected a nice date. Their first real official prom date. Instead he got a girl who was half in the past, half caught in hallucinations. She had improved greatly over the summer, but proms were a brutal memory that kept pulling her into their vortex.
As she looked at him, different emotions inside her fought for the upper hand. She felt a pleasant warmth - with him she felt safe. At the same time, the eyes that were always with her moved away with each step Percival took toward her. No. Don't leave me.

Instinctively, she wanted to take a step back to keep him with her, to back away from the boy. But at the same time, she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. He was the light that could break through her darkness. Could.

"Hi. Thank you." Her words were delivered a little unsure and a slight blush rose in her cheeks. Was she flattered...or embarrassed that he saw her in such a state? She didn't know. Her eyes slid over his carefully chosen outfit. "You look good, too." And dancing? Why not?

She opened her mouth, but before they could say more they were interrupted again. By a white rabbit. Confused, she stared at the visitor, unable to process the words directly. It took her a few seconds to gather the context. Right. Valentin, the seeker she had knighted at the candy festival. Wistfulness flooded through her body. That carefree spring day seemed so far away.
Yet she smiled uncertainly. "Sir Knight. Pleased to see you again." Politely, she bowed her head and the smile grew warmer. He knew the fairy tale Sterntaler. But the smile slipped from her face as quickly as it had come. She stared at the jacket he held out to her. No. NO. If she accepted that, then the stars would not rain. It would destroy everything. She stared back into the amethyst eyes and swallowed. He insisted. "I- " Can't? "Thank you." Reflexively, she picked up the blue coat. He wouldn't leave if she didn't accept it. And with that, he hobbled on.
Flustered, she stood there like a frozen clothes rack, jacket in hand, and turned back to Percival. The confusion was clearly written on her face. He would see that she was helpless. Lost. But why? His appearance at least gave her a clue to reality.

Action | examining the shadows for something unusual

Interacting | @Percival Rainwood | Valentin Schnell (@Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood)
Mentions | @Victor Moore | @Opeila Winters | @M J Davenport

Ability: Sixth Sense, Prodigal Charms Learner, Healing Sage, Perfectionist
Stats: Sta:9 | Ev:12 | Str:3 | Wis:12 | Arc:7 | Acc:12

• | I ~ II ~ III ~ IV ~ V | •
• | • | | • | •
• | VI ~ VII ~ VIII ~ IX ~ X | •

Reducio

The Courtyard had, from the start, seemed the only logical place to hold a ball such as the likes of the theme Faerietale Endings. What sort of Faerietale did not in some way incorporate the beauty of a twilit sky, or the delicate sparklings of the silvery stars overhead? The usually drab grey stones of the courtyard appeared almost silver in the almost entirely full light of the waxing moon, just one night away, and every tree and shadow appeared to have a slightly more angular and harsh edge because of Luna's soft yet intense glow. Soft birdsong, difficult to tell if magically or mundanely made, cooed in the black and whispering branches, and a soft, brisk, and rather chilly wind (11 degree Celsius/52 degree Fahrenheit) rattled branches and encouraged the older among the trees to groan in their own eerie melodies. A better evening could not have been asked for save the Highland cold, and tonight in particular seemed to gleam with a mysterious magic of a non-wizard origin.

Sprinkled about the environment lay trademarks of several better-known Hans Christian Andersen and Grimm Brothers fables. Within the courtyard fountain was a small recreation of Thumbelina being introduced to a repulsive toad groom. Opposing it on the far side a single large frog with a golden crown sitting on a lilypad sat with one of his "arms" extended as if to reach out and take a lady (or lad) by the hand for a tender kiss. Both of these floated freely in the water, bobbing here and there and guided by the current of the fountain water. Tangled upon the walls of the courtyard were thousands of blooming flowers mixed with sharp, prickly black thorns. Any self-respecting wandmaker would recognize a collection of well-trimmed blackthorn bushes off in one corner, though these appeared to have been grafted with a rose bush, for there was one red-blooming bush and one white-blooming bush. Not too far away from these was a pile of shoes, mostly leather and rough in make, but both a single "glass" shoe for a young woman barely glittered underneath its mundane fellows and a pair of bright red shoes stuck out like sore thumbs. High up in the tallest tree sat a stuffed plush golden goose in a nest that was angled so that all could see large golden eggs, the prize of most any kleptomaniac to be sure. Underneath a willow tree sat poised a collection of plaster swans, one of which was a small, downy, ugly grey fellow being embraced by one of the larger, more magnificent ones while a family of ducks watched on. Similarly, faux ravens looked down at both the scene below them and outwards towards the main congregation of the celebration with quiet eyes. If a student brushed close enough, it would magically animate, extend charcoal black wings, and have its eyes glow red with an accompanying "Caw, caw, caw!" emanating from it.

Fairy lights (glowing by the bioluminescent light of glow bugs) would offer an almost unnoticeable glow when compared to the light of the moon, their only purpose being to highlight the already bright and colorful bursts of spectrum that were found in the flowers and the leaves of the fall-blossoming plants. Tiny, real fairies, likely drawn in by the color and the ethereal nature of the environment fluttered about here and there, playing with the plush animals or perusing the nearby feast that was laid out. They giggled in a lightly buzzing tone, gesticulating and teasing with one another by pointing out the students that they thought to be less-dressed or less than impressive in their attire than themselves. Other fairies were more content to sit by the water fountain and meddle with the frogs thereon, whereas others flittered in the trees and danced in a way that caused loosened flower petals to be whisked into the air and produce a waltz of their own design.

The Grand Feast:

Reducio

The warm orange glow of the setting sun cast upon the vicinity had set the courtyard in a picturesque far back in time. As if reliving an old painting from the renaissance or within one's imagination of fairytales brought to life. With the sun disappearing into the horizon and giving way to the shadows of Autumn's early evening, the bronze candelabras on tables and strings of starry fairy lights that hung across the walls of the courtyard would shed light throughout the event, albeit with an almost eerily flickers.

The tables around were dressed in dark linens, with a neat display of silver goblets and silverware set upon. At the further end of the courtyard stood a rather coniferous juniper tree with claw-like branches that cast its shadow on a long rustic mahogany table displaying a delicious array that was to be feasted on. A large brass pot of simmering savoury stew, an impressive platter of pudding and pies of the sort, and a deep bowl of a rich burgundy red beverage to serve with the many intricate goblets that cluttered the table. By the table was a wooden bucket swirling with apples bobbing on the surface, green, pink, red and yellow. Any hungry souls could help themselves to a share of food while it lasted.

By Aurelia Notresvace

Light, mystical music drifted through the air; not sourced by a band or instrument easily visible, but as if by ghostly, phantasmal, omnipresent nature, encouraging couples to dance freely in the central, clearing of the courtyard set aside for a dance floor. Already there were a few of the native ghosts of Hogwarts finding themselves at home in the company of the antique surroundings, as they whispered to one another about their lives and their deaths alike, with especial couples somberly drifting to and fro in a silent waltz among the living and evoking an accidental chill if one came too close to one with still-living flesh.

An eye drifting to the right of the celebration would observe a collection of ill-sprinkled Bernie Bott's Every Flavored Beans, which would lead to but one of the activities of the night...

On the left, a collection of pumpkins of all sizes, faux rabbits, squirrels, birds, and other small woodland creatures would guide anybody who was curious enough to investigate their trail to sights and experiences of the most magical degree...

The night was young, the moon was nearly full, the food and beverages were set. Mystery and trickery hung thick in the skies as an air of excitement, grandeur, and the remotest tingling of trepidation laid eerily present in the vicinity. The 2022 Fall Ball was now begun.

Dancers, Entrances/Exits, & Interactions

Accompanied by ghosts and fairies, those who chose to dance (regardless of their ability) upon the slightly uneven ground would be able to admire the darkening skies overhead while being toyed with by the soft, almost undetectable, hands of the faeries who buzzed and giggled at what they believed to be amorous relationships between the two who partook in it. Some of them hummed to themselves, or sang their own songs to accompany their special dances, but above all of these the merry music of twilight mystique continued to play, ceaseless and almost romantic.

Unfortunately, not all could say that they were in an amorous state of mind, as one girl in particular with beautiful ginger hair (@Jannette Applebottom) fled the ball in tears. Had she been stood up? Had her date mysteriously vanished? Or perhaps the pressure of the great crowd that was slowly accumulating was simply too much for her if she happened to be more introvertedly inclined.

Two rather large crowds made up of mostly younger students appeared to be forming in two separate vicinities, but then again, it was to be assumed that younger students were more apt to find comfort in one another as opposed to standing alone and being awkward for the duration of what was likely going to be a very long night. Perhaps safety in numbers would serve them well, or at the very least it would allow the children of the younger years get to know one another a little bit better than they had before.

The Apples

Evidently the committee had decided that it was a good idea to take the idea of literal "Poisoned Apples" to the extreme. Some were having a rather nice time with the innocuous potions that were scattered among the items about the banquet that were made of apples...

Some weren't

Such was the case with the unfortunate Goose Girl Seer upperclassman @Opeila Winters, who had received a rather nasty dose of Confusing Concoction and was now suffering its effects in the form of incredible paranoia. Such distress was not helped by the fact that not too long after she attempted to take a drink of the punch by the use of an unstably transfigured goblet, it would transform into a shiny black spider. This alone would be cause enough for panic, but considering the Seer's experience with critters of that caliber, it would be more than enough to cause even the most stalwart of heart to shiver had they known the Slytherin house's experiences with certain shadowy arachnids.

In response, the Seer would use a particularly nuanced spell; that of "Spider to Matchbox". The Slytherin duelist would find the spell come to her most easily, though her aim was far from on point. Instead of striking the spider, who was still attempting to skitter about, the spell would instead be fired up towards the tree which held the eggs of the Golden Goose... which also happened to be the temporary home of an arachnid by the name of Kitty who belonged to @Elsian Cox. Fortunately, however, Cox's sweet Kitty would be able to skitter just out of the way as the light flashed into the sky and into nowhere. The goblet spider, on the other hand, began to skitter faster and faster, seemingly in a panic as it tried its best to escape from this now obviously dangerous place.

As people began to crowd about the general vicinity, most notably a clutch of Hufflepuffs, a pair of Gryffindors and a stray snake @Gideon Athenatos, @George Henry, @Jake Morris, @June Selwyn, @Finnegan Connor & @Alan Vanes-- one of them carrying with them a strange, undecorated box which held a very, very special necklace inside-- a particularly curious Maksim would touch the pie, oblivious to the fact that Confusing Concoction could also be administered by means of touch just as well as ingestion. Apple pie filling was perfect for this means, the sticky sugary matter causing the potion to cling to his fingers and permit the potion to have direct absorption through his skin and into his bloodstream. Sensing the heightening paranoia beginning to fill his mind, he would attempt to make a hasty attempt to leave, only to run into another classmate of his; Monet. She would attempt to cast the cleaning charm on the both of them to clear away the pie filling that was spread between them. Though there was a high probability that the concoction that was now spread to the young girl by the action of spreading pie filling to her exposed skin, Monet's action of casting a particularly effective Cleaning Charm (critical success) managed to scourge away all traces of the potion from her skin before it had a chance to be absorbed through her flesh. However, nothing short of a restoration draught would have the ability to relieve the effects of the Confusing Concoction that was still inducing immense paranoia and hyperawareness that was present in the mind of Maksim.

Though he had noted the distress of Opeila, Nikolai had partaken in his own apple delight and would begin to feel affects not terribly unlike the Confusing Concoction that the Slytherin Seer had fallen prey to. However, his mental affliction was less of that of over alertness and distrust, and more of a general confusion and fuzziness of his surroundings. He was more confused by his surroundings (in the common meaning of the world) than he was overstimulated by them. What exactly was he doing here, again?

Meanwhile, The Lord of Anarchy Who Ate Heterosexuality, otherwise known to plebians by the name of Johannes Sauer, would enjoy his apple deeply as he made his way over to his Quidditch captains. As he went, however, he would feel a strange tickling sensation in his tongue and lips, almost a strange numbly buzzing sensation as if he had been given a dose of Novocain. He would feel himself becoming glib and clever in wit, as a good number of snarky responses and clever comebacks would begin to filter through his mind. He saw opportunity everywhere to make a comment or to state a witty remark. Hopefully those that he would interface with for the next few minutes would be able to tolerate this new aspect of the (admittedly already) sassy Durmstrangian.

The rough and tumble Vignette Stonemoss @Erin Ryan made amends with the fact that there was bound to be something that would go wrong at this ball; it would only be a matter of time. So, naturally, she decided to accelerate it. As she cleaned off the apple, the effects of a Pompion Potion would become evident. She would not be affected by the surface-deep alteration to her bodily anatomy, but others would certainly be able to glance over and spot the strange jack-o-lantern looking thing with wings. Was this some sort of Muggle or Wizard fairytale they simply hadn't heard of before? Maybe someone was doing a cosplay of a pixie who had unfortunately gotten their head stuck in a pumpkin.

Lovely blonde Illusia would find herself becoming drowsier every passing moment. Perhaps she hadn't gotten enough sleep the night before? More likely she had had a busy day preparing to attend this very event and was likely worn down by the effort put into making herself perfect for the night. A yawn would escape her. Maybe if she sat down for a minute she would be able to rest and recollect her thoughts so that she would be able to enjoy this night to its fullest.

On a similar princess-like note, after eating an apple which had been spiked with Amortentia Potion @Aly Salinger found herself in a particular situation of a self-made love triangle between herself, @Aaron Jones, and a GORGEOUS @Logan Baird that was only a few feet away from her and this simp Aaron. Something about the other Hufflepuff was simply more alluring than this boy that she had walked into the celebration with. She should... gosh, she just wanted Logan to understand that Aly wasn't able to take eyes off of her. Maybe she could talk to her...? Maybe she could do something to catch her attention? Oh... please... Logan, just look over this way towards someone who is simply pining for you!

Hogwarts Champion, Dhampir, Hufflepuff, and animal lover @Howard White, though no longer present at the main area of the ball [Exited to Petting Zoo] felt his eyes itching as the effects of a Bulgeye Potion taking effect right in front of his girlfriend/special person. Embarrassing, perhaps, but you know how some women say that they like men who aren't afraid to show their softer sides. Maybe he would be able to play it off as puffy eyes from his earlier shedding of bloody tears over his reflections of mourning over losses of purity.

Necklace in the Black Box

@Gideon Athenatos had an agenda of his own, guided by the contents of a black box and its accompanying note that he carried with him and that he had shared with his fellow classmates @George Henry, @June Selwyn, @Finnegan Connor, @Jake Morris, & @Alan Vanes. He requested to be led to the girl, claiming that he had something for her. It would not be difficult to find the screaming Opeila (evidently a motif of hers) currently in a state of panic over her ongoing fight with a once-goblet spider which was scuttling across the ground haphazardly and trying to avoid the subsequent spells being fired at it.

On their way by the banquet table towards their destination, the youngest Hufflepuff would express a rather mild form of childish jealousy, extending a hand to knock a goblet towards Alan Vanes in an attempt to splash him with the dark red substance that could likely leave a quite severe stain if it made contact. However, due to the nature of their quick clip, Giddy would miss his target, and Alan Vanes would easily sidestep the attempt, leaving the goblet to clatter to the ground and leave a dark red mess where it had fallen. What a perfectly good waste of a fine drink... What a shame.

A rather large crowd was beginning to form, made up of many concerned students that had been drawn by the Seer's screams... it would be easy for them to push through those who were nearby in order to deliver this allegedly important runic necklace, as Gideon pressed it into George's hand...

The Felix, Yefim, Beatrice, & Raine Drama

Meanwhile, yet another Champion of the incoming Hexwizard Tournament was making his own mark on the scene of the event; Yefim Rumyantsev and a selection of his team including Amina (who appeared to be more interested in attempting to charmingly and coyly introduce herself to one Stephen Schwartz in the presence of the lad's date Kamila) and Felix were hard at work trying to make their dominant methods of asserting power over the Hoggy Warthogs by targeting a young Slytherin girl @Beatrice Dupont who seemed just a bit too big for her britches. No sooner had the girl collected a beautiful friendship bracelet from her friend Raine that Yefim Rumyantsev, god among men, made his move and assaulted the much smaller girl, pushing her down and away in the way that only a practiced troublemaker could.

However, it appeared that for the first time in previously known history, bleached haired Felix (despite having sewn some seeds of dissent in the minds of those in romantic commitments but moments prior), swiftly became Beatrice's knight in black leather. Catching the girl, he would ensure that she would come to no harm from Yefim's assertive shove.

Yet... would the girl be grateful?

No. Absolutely not. The little miss instead turned her nose up at the gallant action, not terribly unlike a certain ungrateful girl who trod on a loaf from Andersen's retellings. She spurned the assistances of often sarcastic Felix, instead preferring to insult both Yefim and Felix in equal measure.

What would come of this encounter? Would the girl's feet sink into the loaf and drag her to a place most unpleasant or would she manage to let herself be pulled from the doughy confines and willingly see the light before it was too late?

The Winnie x Romeo Scandal

On the other hand, a Mahoutakoro once Hogwarts student Mathias Pride, though thoroughly confused by the Muggle fairytales that permeated the area, made quite a sight to behold in his vivid Hawaiian style couture and the immense and unwieldy flower bouquet that seemed to make him a much more terrifying opponent than a person would think if only because of his lack of ability to discern where the flowers were in comparison to his personal bubble. Already, one @Bubba McGarry had been assaulted by the enormous scented blossoms, and Winnie Harper, Mathias' date had also received a good deal of the leaves/blossoms to the face following Mathias' panic over a rather lovely (if beaten up and scuffed) porcelain doll who was dressed up as the flower prince's subject and who bore flowers from the empty socket of its right arm. Bright blue glass eyes were half open, half closed as Winnie held the item upright; obviously it was one of those kinds of dolls intended to be rocked like a baby in the arms of the girl who was its tender "mother".

As Winnie expounded on her gratefulness for the gifts given to her by Mathias, the Mahoukoro boy instead believed that there was something more sinister on the horizon. In an instinctual reflex, he snatched the doll from Winnie and proceeded to throw it as far away from them as possible while chastising Winnie for accepting the seeming gifts of chocolate and the doll. These, he would claim, had not come from him, and when Winnie mentioned the name of a certain boy who had tried to catch her during the summer Quidditch game, Mathias finally realized a potential scapegoat to be had; Romeo Marchonné.

I mean, if the name wasn't enough of a red flag, then what was? This boy was most assuredly a threat to the wellbeing of Mathinnie's most beautiful relationship. He would have to be dealt with accordingly.

Not too far away, both the boy that they had been talking about (Romeo) as well as his white rabbit comrade Valetin had overheard snippets of the conversation while the later had been laying presents upon the former in the form of a hobby horse steed and a preemptively peacetied sword. Perhaps fate would be kind enough to ensure that nothing too terrible would come from this overarching misunderstanding, right?

The Sign

@Piérre Marchonné and his cat Figaro were more concerned with keeping watch over the celebration as opposed to partaking in it. With the assistance of an invisibility cloak, the boy would hide in wait, sending out his feline companion to keep an eye on the immediate surroundings with their (Beast Master) bond. How well was he and his cat hidden? Well, he wasn't entirely sure, nor did he really care so long as he was not able to be immediately spotted by a person casually glancing his way. The silver bengal, while it blended it slightly with the silver cobblestone around it, would be easily spotted by anyone even remotely aware of their surroundings. However, it would only be those with a sixth sense for picking up strange things that seemed either out of place or who had a tendency to feel like they were being watched that would have a chance to take note of a small part of the environment appeared to be ever so slightly warped, as if a photoshop was cheaply done; this would give away the Jester's location. These notable individuals would be Hufflepuff @David Howard, albino Ravenclaw @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood, and Slytherin @Lucinia Thwain, all of whom would observe that nearby the depiction of the fairytale "The Ugly Duckling", a strange, visible ripple in the air that was... decidedly not natural.

This sneaking suspicion would be confirmed as a hand would slip out of thin air to place a sign visible to all. It stated, quite plainly;

After being most rudely thrown by its own royal flower prince Mathias, the loyal doll subject would smash against the ground on the side which bore the lovingly placed flowers, scattering their fragrant petals to the winds as it came to a complete stop next to the Courtyard's fountain. The flower crown would be roughed up and scattered as well, though it would miraculously remain on its curly ginger hair, and the beautiful outfit that Winnie had compassionately put it into would be dirtied by its contact with the cobble and the grit of the ground. Delicate skin would be scuffed and scraped, and a chip or two would appear on it already rather chipped form.

Its slightly cracked face now upturned towards the moonlit sky, a porcelain smile innocently directed towards the stars, thin reddish lashes were peacefully closed over glass eyes. Its one whole arm was extended upwards towards the sky, as if beckoning to be picked up by any kind stranger or a willing parental figure. From the newly inherited cracks on its face and the pre-existing shattered arm began to slowly ooze a liquid substance, only a few shades darker than the ginger hair that it expressed. It lay there quietly in the pale moonlight, unmoving, a small "infant" lost among the much taller "adult" students. @Ileen Knight in particular, between her well-compartmentalized episode of grief and her staring into the shadows near where she stood [19 Wisdom Check], would take note that between the passing legs of shuffling students, the beautifully broken redhead doll laid pleadingly by the Courtyard's fountain a brisk walk away from the wall where she currently stood.

The same would be true for both @Della Barfield & Astrid Olsen who were currently perched at the fountain's edge and who would have likely spotted the doll's unceremonious flight from the hand of Mathias to where it now sat in despondence but a few feet away from both of them. The fairies tittered around them, stimulated by the presence of these two admittedly lovely girls and the new arrival of a gorgeous, if roughed up, doll. It was almost as if the doll's single hand was extended to the both of them with a silent plea for assistance.

Such a pitiable scene.

IN CONCLUSION:

Actions

Statuses:

Reducio @Aaron Jones: Entrance @Adelaide Barlowe: Dance With Ethan Agata Matos @Beatrice Langstreth: Entrance @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood: Exit to Pet Zoo @Alan Vanes: Interfacing with Group @Alec Mason: Entering @Alma Stoll: Arrive with Jack @Aly Salinger: Find Aaron Amelia Miller @Lily Blaze: Enter Amina Petrovic @Ileen Knight Mess with Stephen @Anastasia Varney: Interacting @AngelFyre McCubbin: With her Vampire BF @Ashleigh Hazelwood: Interfacing @Astoria Swann: Interacting/Entering Astrid Olsen @Anastasia Varney: Interact with Della @Aurelia Notresvace: Exit to the Pet Zoo @Aurora Griffith: Exit to Petting Zoo @Avery McCall: Trying to Help Opelia @Bailey Glade With Marcel @Beatrice Dupont: Being Snarky @Bloom Silverton: Exit to Petting Zoo @Bubba McGarry: Interacting, Having a Vendetta with Mattias' Flowers @Clair Fernandez: Interacting @Colin McCoire: Interacting @Daphne Sapphirus: Interacting @David Howard: Entering @Della Barfield: Interacting with Faeries @Dove Peregrine: Interacting with Reena @Elena Jangleton: Interacting with Rita Eloïse Duciel @Astoria Swann:: Interfacing with Lloyd @Elsian Cox: Having a Prankster's Crisis (Kitty: Placed in the Golden Goose Nest) @Emma Wynn: Entrance @Erin Ryan: Enter & Drank Potion @Ethan Smith: Dancing @Eun-ji Lee Hunt: Interact With Flash Felix Kolbeck @Winnie Harper: Causing Issues @Finnegan Connor: Interact with June @Flash Holmwood: Interact with Eun-ji @George Henry: Helping Gideon Deliver Necklace to Pei @Gidion Athenatos: Gave necklace box to George @Hanako Tone: Mad Chillin' at the Banquet Table Hiro Bakugo @Kim Sato: Bobbed for an Apple @Howard White: Exit to Petting Zoo @Hunter Argentum: With Judith @Ileen Knight: Having a Hallucinogenic Episode @Illusia Bobich: Entering @Irina Sousa: Exploring Ball with Wynn @Jake Morris: With George & Alan @Jannette Applebottom: Exit Ball in Tears Johannes Sauer @Astrea Soleil Neptune: With Romeo & Valetin @June Selwyn Drinking from a Goblet @Jürgen Hess: Entering with MJ Kamila Yavlinsky @Marina Oriel: Interacting @Kayla Realms: Going to Explore @Keith Moore: Interacting @Kim Sato: Entering @Lazarus Lavey: Interacting With Taisia @Lily Blaze: Interact with Claire @Lily Brown: Entering Lloyd Thomas @Bailey Glade: Interfacing with Eloïse @Logan Baird: Interfacing with Aaron @Lucia Fox: Enter @Lucinia Thawin: Exit for Petting Zoo @Maggie Hawkins: Enter Maksim Levin @Monica Evans: Exiting the Ball? Still nearby? I need clarification. @Marius Brown With Goblet @Mathias Pride: Outraged over the RomeoxWinnie Scandal/Yeet the "Hag" Doll Mikael Halldorson @Percival Rainwood: Enter and By Banquet Table @MJ Davenport: Enter with Jurgen Monet Èlisa Navarro-Gallay @June Selwyn: Cast Scourgify on Maksim @Monica Evans: Loitering at Entrance Nick Iris @Quinn Root: Hanging out with the Crowd @Nico Cirillo: With Kayla @Nicole Richards Enter @Opelia Winters Cast Spider to Matchbox @Percival Rainwood: Interact with Ileen @Piérre Marchonné: Actively Stealth (Figaro: active scouting) @Quinn Root: Enter @Rani Adler: With the Beatrice Situation Raul Correa @Nicholas McCowan: With Lucinia @Rebecca Loops: Exit Ball with Jannette? I need clarification @Reena Delgado: Having dancing-fright with @Rita Su: Interactions; Social Butterfly Romeo Marchonné @Piérre Marchonné: Receive Firebolt Steed @Samantha Salwis: Interact with Bubba Sara Kohana @Hanako Tone: Leave for Petting Zoo Sherlock Dols @Marius Brown: Exit to Petting Zoo @Simon Kincaid: With his Seer GF @Sirin Liu Interacting Soraia Sampaio @Lucinia Thawin: interacting with Agata Stephan Schwartz @AngelFyre McCubbin: Gift Necklace to Kamila @Taisia Elidine Stroudefielde: Interacting with Lazarus @Taizu Miyashiro: In large group @Tesla Stone: Interacting with Rita Valetin Schnell @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood: Gifting Italian Peactied Sword @Violet Grace: Worrying over Jannette @Winnie Harper: Unfortunate victim in the center of the RomeoxWinnie Scandal @Wynn Wen: Sticking with Irina Yasha Volkov @EmmaLee LeDames: Entering Yefim Rumyantsev @Flash Holmwood: Causing Issues

Reducio @Aaron Jones 1090/1000 @Adelaide Barlowe 600/600 Agata Matos @Beatrice Langstreth 800/800 @Alan Vanes 1200/1200 @Alec Mason900/900 @Alma Stoll 300/300 @Aly Salinger 900/900 - Amortentia (Logan) Amelia Miller @Lily Blaze 600/600 Amina Petrovic @Ileen Knight 900/900 @Anastasia Varney500/500 @AngelFyre McCubbin 700/700 @Ashleigh Hazelwood 500/500 @Astoria Swann 700/700 Astrid Olsen @Anastasia Varney 700/700 @Bailey Glade 600/600 @Beatrice Dupont 600/600 @Bubba McGarry 600/600 @Clair Fernandez 700/700 @Colin McCoire 600/600 @Daphne Sapphirus 1000/1000 @David Howard 700/700 @Della Barfield 500/500 @Dove Peregrine 500/500 @Elena Jangleton 900/900 Eloïse Duciel @Astoria Swann 800/800 @Elsian Cox 1000/1000 @Emma Wynn 800/800 @Erin Ryan 800/800 - Pompion Potion (1 Round Remaining) @Ethan Smith 800/800 @Eun-ji Lee Hunt 800/800 Felix Kolbeck @Winnie Harper 700/700 @Finnegan Connor 800/800 @Flash Holmwood 800/800 @George Henry 1000/1000 @Gidion Athenatos 500/500 @Hanako Tone 1000/1000 Hiro Bakugo @Kim Sato 700/700 @Howard White 1100/1100 - Bulgeye Potion @Hunter Argentum 1000/1000 @Ileen Knight 900/900 @Illusia Bobich 700/700 - Sleeping Draught (-3 Wisdom, 1 Round Until Unconcious) @Irina Sousa 400/400 @Jake Morris 600/600 Johannes Sauer @Astrea Soleil Neptune1000/1000 - Scintillation Solution (+3 Wisdom, 3 Rounds) @June Selwyn 600/600 @Jürgen Hess 500/500 Kamila Yavlinsky @Marina Oriel 900/900 @Kayla Realms 600/600 @Keith Moore 700/700 @Kim Sato 600/600 @Lazarus Lavey 300/300 @Lily Blaze 500/500 @Lily Brown 700/700 Lloyd Thomas @Bailey Glade 700/700 @Logan Baird 900/900 @Lucia Fox 900/900 @Lucinia Thawin 900/900 @Maggie Hawkins 700/700 Maksim Levin @Monica Evans 600/600 - Confusing Concoction @Marius Brown 600/600 @Mathias Pride 500/400 Mikael Halldorson @Percival Rainwood 1000/1000 @MJ Davenport 700/700 Monet Èlisa Navarro-Gallay @June Selwyn 700/700 @Monica Evans 800/800 Nick Iris @Quinn Root 700/700 @Nico Cirillo 500/500 @Nicole Richards 500/500 Nikolai Ryzhkov @Avery McCall 700/700 - Befuddlement Draught @Opelia Winters 900/900 - Confusing Concoction @Percival Rainwood 900/900 @Piérre Marchonné 600/600 @Quinn Root 500/500 @Rani Adler 600/600 Raul Correa @Nicholas McCowan 500/500 @Rebecca Loops 400/400 @Reena Delgado 600/600 @Rita Su 600/600 Romeo Marchonné @Piérre Marchonné 1000/900 @Samantha Salwis 900/900 Sherlock Dols @Marius Brown 300/300 @Simon Kincaid 800/800 @Sirin Liu 600/600 Soraia Sampaio @Lucinia Thawin 900/900 Stephan Schwartz @AngelFyre McCubbin 800/800 @Taisia Elidine Stroudefielde 500/500 @Taizu Miyashiro 400/400 @Tesla Stone 500/500 Valetin Schnell @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood 800/800 @Violet Grace 700/700 @Winnie Harper 1000/1000 @Wynn Wen 500/500 Yasha Volkov @EmmaLee LeDames 900/900 Yefim Rumyantsev @Flash Holmwood 1000/1000

OOC Guidelines:

Reducio

Welcome to the 2022 Fall Ball Faerietale Endings. I hope you enjoy your stay. Just a few reminders and guidelines so that we can all enjoy our happy and/or tragic endings!

1. Make sure your ducks are in a row when trying to perform an action! State when you are using an action and or an ability (so I can keep track of limits on the use of ability), name allies/enemies if required by an ability, state in your roleplay if you bring certain potions and items (organizing these as well as statistics and abilities in a reducio at the bottom of your post is helpful so that I can note them for ease of moderation, but you are not obligated to do so).
   - To perform statistically related actions, you have to be registered in the Index and must have a Trunk with statistics and abilities.
   
   - To cast spells, you have to have them in your trunk and must use the EXACT INCANTATION; failure to do so will result in an automatic critical failure on casting and a subsequent backfire!
   
   - To use a potion, you must have the potion on your person (stated in IC roleplay) and have the potion on hand in your trunk (OOC). When using a potion as an action, you must send me the potion (so I can affirm in moderation that you have used it), and I in turn forward it to the Game Master account (as a papertrail).
   
   - Any attempt made to perform more than one Action in a round (cast a spell, perform a statistical check, make an attack, imbibe a potion, etc.) results in an automatic failure of the second action and may be accompanied by a backfire/adverse effect.
2. In your post, state a performed action (so I can moderate you properly). If you change locations, state that you do so in your post as your action. Yes, it does take an action to leave the ball and move to another location.
3. IC, this area is being watched over by @Piérre Marchonné & @Aurelia Notresvace.
4. Follow rules of the site; no godmodding me, other players, etc. Keep it PG-13. Be polite. Etc.
5. If you have any questions on actions or disputes on moderation rolls (I am human), feel free to contact me via owl or Discord (check Piérre's encyclopedia for the username).
   
   
   Do try to enjoy yourselves...

Note for Future:
Try to keep Moderated Actions to one post from now on
Moderations will now be happening weekly!

Kamila had gone utterly silent. That could be good or bad. He did not her know her well enough yet at all to be able to gauge what it meant. For all Stephen knew in that moment, she could have decided he was just not worth so much effort and had left, and in this moment, who could blame her? He did not think it was the latter as his spidey sense told him he could still feel her behind him. Besides, even if she was still annoyed with him, who wouldn’t want to stick around to see how it all resolved itself?

Curiosity…cats… and all that jazz.

Stephen also was not entirely sure what to expect from Felix and his friend. He really hoped not to have it turn physical as this was supposed to be, in his imagination anyway, a chance to get to know a girl who had captured his attention somewhat. He was by no means head over heels crazy about her, but she had definitely sparked an interest. He wanted to see where it might go, if anywhere.

But these two characters were definitely peeing in his bowl of Cheerios. Felix spouted off again with words, not fists, so that was a positive sign right there. Stephen could not help but chuckle as the bleach blonde kept casting his line, hoping to get a bite. Wasn’t going to happen; he had been told as much. Still, Stephen did admire his pluck in continuing to try.

“What can I say, Filbert? and Stephen let the “l” roll on his tongue a second or two longer than necessary. “Funny that your folks would name you after a nut, but hey, maybe one or both were Seers? Ah, no matter. Forgive me. I did digress, there didn’t I? To answer what apparently most aggrieves your heart, all I can offer by way of a reply is to say, ‘Just take a look behind me’. Can you blame me for clearing my social calendar and breaking a pre-arranged engagement made in infancy while both sets of parents were clearly under the influence of Infamil shots and the heady scent of baby talcum?”. He broke eye contact with Lana Turner and now looked over at the girl.

Stephen knew absolutely nothing about the redhead, but that did not stop him from continuing on with his dramedy. “We both knew, deep in our hearts, girl whose name I do not, nor ever did, know, that we were not ever truly meant to be. So fly little bird. Fly,” and Stephen folded his hands in such a way as to make them appear to be wings and pantomimed a bird flying. “I set you free.” While clearly feigning mock sadness at having caused the redhead pretend pain, two things that brought great relief happened.

Filbert either got bored or something else more pressing caught his attention, so he shot off like a rocket, leaving his redheaded friend behind. Stephen called out after the blonde, “Ok. Bye, Filbert,” again rolling the “l” for longer than necessary. “Call me!"

Turning back to the redhead, he looked her directly in the eyes, which seemed to be dancing, but not with malice. He tilted his head and said nothing, but he did catch the corner of her mouth twitching as if she was holding in laughter. Her American accent had been flawless, so he took a chance.

He offered his hand to the girl. “The name is Stephen, Stephen Schwartz,” and turning to Kamila, he positioned himself by her side instead of in front of her, “and this lovely young lady is Kamila Yavlinsky. May I ask who you are? Your American accent was perfect.”

Open to Interactions

Action: Stephen plays along with the Durmstrang gang’s nonsense

Stats: Sta 8 || Eva 7 || Str 8 || Wis 8 || Arc 5 || Acc 4

Abilities: Perfectionist || Evasive Maneuvers

The Trunk :

Inventory: Wand, white gloves, hammered gold crown, handkerchief, Toothflossing Stringmints, and a lavender rose

@Marina Oriel as Kamila Yavlinsky @Winnie Harper as Felix Kolbeck and @Ileen Knight as Amina

ENGLISH|| RUSSIAN

They/She

Pax never usually wore dresses. They usually found them uncomfortable and awkward to move about it. That didn't mean they weren't confident in them, however. And didn't mean they didn't think they could pull one off.

The theme had been faerietales for this year's ball. Pax had to admit, they did love the dark twist on a usually light-hearted classic, however when choosing a faerietale to base off, they'd doubted Chikao's willingness to be put in a dress. So they'd taken the mantle.

Considering the Red Riding Hood theme, they'd selected a darker red dress, with a more structured corset top and then red tulle for the skirt and a detailed crimson mask of fabric flowers. Covering that was the much needed red cloak, a signature staple for the character. A light dusting of make-up felt odd on their face. To lengthen their hair, matching brown extensions had been a pain to attempt to put in, but done with somewhat success. But it was fine. They'd just keep the hood on.

Feeling a little self-conscious, they entered the busy courtyard. The committee had done an incredible job decor-wise, to give them credit, as the venue looked stunning in the low lights, with the fairy lights hung up, the blooming flowers and the large feast table laden with food.

Not seeing Chikao, their 'date' (God that felt unnatural to say) anywhere, they made their way over to the Grand Feast, ignoring most of the other people, shifting uncomfortably in their dress. Hopefully they'd find Chikao soon.

Reducio

Stats:
Sta-9 | Eva-9 | Str-6 | Wis-3 | Arc-6 | Acc-9

Abilities:
-The Muggle Condition
-Fearless

Items:
Wand

Action:
Entering the Ball

Reducio

Word Count: 256

Mention: @Hunter Argentum as Chikao Narumi

Date: October 8th 2022