Sato Yule Ball 2022 PV for those who signed up! Closed

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Nec Temere, Nec Timide. Durmstrang Institute's

Romeo Giovanni Marchonné [6'2" | 193lbs]

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

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

Valentin Schnell & Ginyami Midorimori
@Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood & @Jack Burnett

I had not come here for a fight. A fight was the last thing that I wanted out of this. That being said, I swore that if my blood pressure amped up any higher I was either going to have a heart attack or I was going to throw a hand and use my adrenaline to help regulate the current state of tension that my entire body and mind were exhibiting in this moment. I needed to find a way to either calm myself or to walk away... and I couldn't walk away. Not from this. Not from something as important as this; where my friend's life could be at risk, where my friend's life potentially was at risk, and not while there was someone this empathically absent nearby. I could say one thing of Ginyami so far; at least he seemed to have a clever head on his shoulders. He made good points-- points that I could agree with and both respectfully debate or concur with-- but I was not willing to debate over the life, harm, or threat of death of Valentin. That was nonnegotiable.

It would do no good to defend my pride at this point; I was too entrenched in a lie woven around me to try and argue that the lie was indeed a falsity that stained my reputation. Such rebuttal would only give more munitions to the people who wanted to try and rake me through the mud; even thought I had very little to be raked through the mud. All I could really do was mitigate the damages. All I could do is try to explain; how truly my words rang in the ears of those that listened could only be determined by how much trust that they still had for me...

"I really did not want to come, Val." I couldn't help but let an incredulous chuckle leave me as I realized how nonsensical this all was. It was almost a comedy, how a person was being framed for purely circumstantial evidence alone... and I really had not meant any harm by being here, especially by (what some could consider) unfortunate accident. "Maddie dressed us both up, it's why this suit is a bit too tight on me; we didn't even have time to do a quality resizing, this was her brother's." So suddenly psychosomatically feeling the tightness in the shoulders, I tried to roll my shoulders back a bit in an attempt to get the tight suit comfortable; fortunately no seams had popped-- yet.

There was, of course, the last reason that I wanted to share aloud with Valentin in particular; to be as blunt as I could and explain the most pressing reason why I had turned down his invitation for an Unknown blood status to partake in a Pureblood celebration with an already well-affiliated Pureblood such as himself. But Ginyami being nearby unsettled me, how he seemed to know (or thought that he knew) so much about me. There were precious few things that I found myself able to keep to myself with new publicity fixating their gazes on an up and incoming Beater co-captain potentially being primed for the big leagues as well as a reservist for the Durmstrang Hexwizard team. "I didn't forget. I didn't know that this was the same one. And..." Did I dare speak openly here out of fear of being noted by greedy ears? With a resignation, my shoulders slumped ever so slightly. "I am still not entirely comfortable here; at a high profile pureblood event. Never been to a 'fancy' party before." I partially confessed, keeping blood out of it entirely. Nobody had to know. It was not their place to know.

"The point is that it should not have had to befall you." I retorted to Valentin's claim that it just so happened to be a whim of fate someone had had the gall to attempt to burn down part of his household. "'If you don't come back'?! How can you even entertain such a thought?" I continued to bubble out, my mind whirling as the seemingly blatant lack of rationality affronted me outright. "If you worry that much for your personal safety; don't go anywhere unknown alone." I emphasize assertively. "You can have a safe place, you can be protected if you worry that much, you can stay at Maddie's place with me and Piérre--" I cut myself short the second the last words left my mouth. While it wasn't untrue, it was certainly a leap of assumptions for me to make. "How am I going to maintain team morale if I have to break the news that one of its captains died and I did nothing to prevent it?! Do you forget the Hogsmeade bombing that claimed the lives of so many Koldovstorez Quidditch team members and students so soon?" I wouldn't be able to handle that sort of stress, I didn't think, especially if I had been a complacent bystander that could have stopped the tragedy or nipped it in the bud outright. It would have been not terribly unlike as if I had sentenced someone to die myself.

And as for Ginyami... "I give you the concession that no action can sometimes be the best action; but if Valentin has made his mind to take action, I want to know that he has a plan to fall back on if things do go wrong. If he feels that action needs to be taken by him, I want to help him in whatever way I can because I have something to lose if he is hurt or if he dies." I speak evenly and almost coldly, throwing his exterior niceties back in his teeth. "Call me a liar if you like, but even if I had ulterior motives I would want to preserve Valentin at all costs because he is more precious alive rather than dead. Something that I think even you would find valuable insofar as asserting a foothold in whatever ambitions a person could seek. Life is more precious than answers. Answers will come; posthumous resurrection rarely does." Outside of the Miracles, this much was true.

As Valentin stepped forward to calm us both, my hackles lowered slightly. Though I disagreed with his sentiment, I understood his purpose. We were not enemies. In the end, we did want best for Valentin, at least for now. This time is precious. "All time is precious, particularly yours." I was still a little hopped up on adrenaline. "I don't want your time to run out when it doesn't have to." My eyes flick to Ginyami's extending arm to Valentin as he too quickly changes the subject, but I don't move other than an unconscious tightening of my chest in a displeased breath. Too calm. Too blasé.

It was clear that I was unwanted. Perhaps Ginyami was better tailored to assuage the mood than I was in the moment; but was it best to simply put it out of mind or was it better to talk about it openly, honestly. To formulate the contingency plan that he had explicitly stated that he did not have. I stared at that one element of this frame with increasing despondency at every second. Valentin said that I did not have to be the Aegis anymore... then why did I feel such a need to keep out those shades that kept trying to assail him at every turn both human and immaterial? Why did I feel so much guilt that now scraped in my chest? I hadn't even done anything to him... right? No. I had lied to him. He knew that I had lied to him... Had I lied to him?

If I had, then surely I needed to make reparations. "At least tell me what your plans are, Valentin, where you are going." I finally spoke up, my eyes never leaving that extended arm. "Let me help you plan, like we would in any game strategy." I brought myself to try and catch Val's eyes. Was I desperate? Perhaps. I needed to know. I had to know. "If you need someone to back you up, if you are nervous at all... let me come with. A smart person never goes into danger alone; two are stronger than one." I felt nauseous even thinking about letting Valentin risk his life unnecessarily.

But this was all I could do. All I could do was plead and attempt to be a voice of reason, no matter how feeble and potentially misleading in the mind of the one I was trying to persuade. I didn't care if Ginyami eventually took Valentin's attention from me; at least I would continue to see him in the halls of Durmstrang. At least we would still command the team. At least he would stay alive.

All I could do was use words. And God knew how feeble my words were.

But I had to try. Even for a glimmer, a seedling.

I had to try.

Reducio

Stats:

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

Abilities:

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

Mentioning : @Kim Sato Interacting with : Open! Word Count : 350

December 24th, 2022 : Date 8pm : Time Evening Dress : Outfit

"I really did not want to come, Val. Maddie dressed us both up," Romeo said with an incredulous chuckle. From the sound of his co-captain’s defensive laugh alone, Valentin decided that Romeo had meant his original claim but circumstances must have changed since then. Still, Valya got the impression he wasn’t getting the full story. [1d20:14+15=29] Figuring Romeo had his reasons for not giving a better explanation in front of the boy from Mahoutokoro, Valentin sighed. It would have been fine if Romeo had just changed his mind, but it seemed that Maddie had made up his mind for him. "I didn't forget. I didn't know that this was the same one. And… I am still not entirely comfortable here; at a high profile pureblood event. Never been to a 'fancy' party before." Same party or not, Valentin didn’t care. He just needed to understand Romeo’s motivations, and it didn’t have to be here and now, but if Valentin did not strive to truly know his co-captain then he would have felt like a liar himself. With the bravery of the beater’s admissions, Valentin nodded and lifted his hand calmly, taking it on faith that Romeo hadn’t meant to mislead him out of avoidance. The seeker meant to apologize, in fact, but there was no time. Medveditsa Russian: Mother Bear was mad as soon as Val admitted to becoming the victim of arson.

"'If you don't come back'?! How can you even entertain such a thought? If you worry that much for your personal safety; don't go anywhere unknown alone. You can have a safe place, you can be protected if you worry that much, you can stay at Maddie's place with me and Piérre--" Romeo cut off without finishing, and Valentin wondered if it was really true. Wasn’t Romeo trying to do his own stuff now? Wasn’t he done with being an aegis for people? Either way, the pause convinced Valentin that it would have been a terrible imposition. "How am I going to maintain team morale if I have to break the news that one of its captains died and I did nothing to prevent it?! Do you forget the Hogsmeade bombing that claimed the lives of so many Koldovstorez Quidditch team members and students so soon?" The white seeker began to blush under the heat of Romeo’s firebreathing, but the remark about the bombing hit him like a blow to the face.

“Where were you, Romeo, when Durmstrang was trying to help Koldovstoretz pick up the pieces? Maybe I risked my life for Sergei and will do it tomorrow to try and have a family again, but where were you when our team and Koldovstoretz and I lost almost everything? You didn’t even say goodbye. You just left like none of us ever meant anything to you. We needed you and you just went on with your vagabond life. I was terrible to charm you into coming back, and I sure as hell don’t deserve you, but the team, the… there are people who need an aegis in this world. If you’re not going to do it then it has to be me, however weak I am, and however alone I am forced to be. I wish I could have told you before everything fell apart how much I needed you. Now all I can do is try to help people. If this really is my father, I’m the only one in the world he has left. I don’t want to go alone, but what else am I supposed to do?” Valentin shoved a singed note into Romeo’s hand and tried to calm his own breathing. The note read, in English:

Reducio

Son,

Please come immediately to the address below and tell no one you received this. It is a ma–

[illegible]

I know I can count on you, Valenka.


- Hugo

"It seems, Romeo-san, that you have your answers…As you can see, our mutual friend, here, has been through quite the ordeal and does not appear to be in much of a state to socialize tonight…"

"Answers? In what world do you think that I've been given resolution to my worries?"

"I simply suggested that you had been given answers to the questions you asked. Your worries are another problem entirely; a problem that is solely yours to resolve," retorted Ginyami. Valentin winced, but he would wait for a better time to speak as Romeo and Ginyami continued their verbal sparring match. The beater turned more questions upon the mysterious Japanese boy, asking for the details of his plan.

"…What do they want and how do we mitigate or deny their demands? Most importantly; who the fuck do you think you are to speak for Valentin." Valya couldn’t stifle a small amused smile, but he was mostly impressed with the strategic assertions of his co-captain. Under the turmoil of arson, attempted fraud, and feeling betrayed by Romeo, Valentin’s emotions were running so high that he hadn’t been able to focus on constructing a plan himself. The Italian had a point. With the forcefulness of Romeo’s demands, the mask of Ginyami’s politeness cracked as a wicked grin seeped out, but because Valentin was behind the black-haired boy he could not have noticed.

"Who am I to speak for Valentin? I am someone he can rely on. Someone who would not lie to him," Ginyami shot back, explaining that this was how he showed care for Valentin, even when it was the most difficult thing to do. "It is simply because I trust Valentin. I trust him to handle this alone, as he asked me to." However, it was not leaving the seeker to his own devices that Valya was asking for, but rather that he go unaccompanied to the mansion to ensure that his lead wouldn’t disappear. Even if he had to meet with his alleged father solo, being alone was the last thing Valentin wanted otherwise. Still, the Turk saw wisdom in Ginyami’s point that doing nothing could actually be the best course of action. For a moment, Valentin began to doubt the wisdom of going to Germany alone, but the tension in the air was still crackling as if a bolt of lightning could lance into someone at any moment.

“I never meant to bring this upon either of you. I just wanted you to have a beautiful evening… This time together is precious.” Valentin stepped forward and Ginyami moved out of his defensive position in front of him, eliciting a nod of appreciation. One of Val’s favorite things in the world was when quidditch players moved around each other in harmony for a common goal. The small gesture was something positive to hold onto.

"Alright. What is it you would like to do first?" asked Ginyami, offering Valentin his arm. "Eat? Drink? Mingle? Dance?"

Valentin bit his split lip again, holding in a greater pain as his hand fell to Ginyami’s arm to squeeze it. The suggestion of eating in public was the least of his worries now. Then, the seeker's mithril-amethyst eyes glimmered for but a moment as he looked into the boy’s dark slit eyes and, easing his grip, Valentin turned back to the Italian.

“Romeo, I’m sorry I snapped at you before. I’m really on edge right now, and it feels like backstabbers are everywhere. You deserve a proper explanation, and I do, too. Still… you’re not a liar. Reality is complicated. You said you wouldn’t come to such a gathering as this, and here you are, but I believe you. Ginyami is trying to believe in me, too, and you’re also right that we need a real strategy. I’m just… really in a bad state right now. The fraud, the arson, the… possibility that maybe my family isn’t gone forever… I can’t think straight.” Valentin scratched his cheek, further smudging the streak of ash across his moonstone skin. “Just… listen… I can’t afford to lose you two. I couldn’t make it. Please just… so long as you’re alive, then there’s something left for me worth all the hell. Don’t take that away from me.” Looking over Romeo’s shoulder, Valentin’s eye caught sight of their second-string seeker, Astrid. “The heavens know I love my team, but if I don’t fix this, there might not be much of me left to give them.” Valentin’s long fingers sank into his milky hair as an ache pulsated through his head and down his neck. With his forelocks pulled back, he looked down at the floor with closed eyes, and the red of abrasions peeked out around the corners of his face. “Give me something worth fighting for, since I'm afraid otherwise I won't make it back.”

°°°ROXETTE HARTMORE°°°

Mentions@Kim Seto @Logan Baird@Daphne Sapphirus Interactions open
The Hartmore Residence Roxette was rather nervous about tonight. She had decided not to stay at school and went home come winter vacation. She could have stayed just because she didn't feel like she can just yet. After all she liked staying at home with her family. The holidays were for family though the little friend she made was precious. She hoped they understood why she would want to go home. Her older brother was also going home instead of staying at his magic school that year which gave her more reason to come home. She missed her brother a lot and wished he had decided on Hogwarts for his training and not a school far away from them. She was glad he owled her about coming home that winter. She had skipped on even thinking about being at Hogwarts even though Kim was there. The one person she wanted to spend time with yet he seemed distant or at most distracted. He was more chaotic than from what she knew prior to Hogwarts. She didn't know if that was a good thing or bad thing. At least, he had Puffie. However, she wasn't disappointed for long. He was going home too which meant maybe they could spend time together. She soon got an invitation for the Sato Yule Ball at their residence. She was ecstatic to be able to see him during the holiday. Dress code? There was a dress code! She knew that a ball meant a dress or gown or dress robes, however there were colors they were only allowing. She pressed her lips together as she surveyed what she had for formal wear. Would ombres be okay? She had Eomma (Mom) do her hair and makeup. She didn't know what to do with her attire. She picked a starry theme dress: a black and dark blue and dark purple gown. She made certain it was elegant and matched the other approved dress code. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail, silver earrings, and a choker like thick necklace. A navy blue clutch purse with silver accents and strap and black high heels. She looked at herself in the mirror. She believed everything was set. She looked beautiful or so her parents told her. They asked again if she was certain about going alone, even her brother offered to come along to escort her to the Yule Ball at Taohuayuan. She politely declined. Taohuayuan/Sato Residence She arrived at the assigned fireplace for the ball guests. She was led to the ballroom by one of the house elves. She thanked them before looking curiously at all the guests. She was trying to find Kim yet it was chaotic with all the people who were invited. She suddenly felt shy, especially with all the languages. She only knew English and Korean, maybe some Japanese yet not enough to say she even knew the basics. She took a deep breath and blew out a sigh. She could do this, squaring her shoulders as she walked in and wandered all the while searching for Kim. A flurry of green sparks abruptly appeared above, causing Roxette to halt her path to who she believed was her housemate. She looked to see Kim's mother who started her speech, welcoming them. His father took over and spoke about the talent show. The sensation of butterflies in her stomach caused her both excitement and nervousness. She only had an hour to decide and practice if she wanted to participate. Dinner was served and she still didn't move until a servant came, offering her a glass of water. She smiled, nodding her head as she took hold of the drink and sipped it slowly. Her eyes were wandering, taking in the scenes and sounds. She walked up to one of the tables, pausing every so often when another person or creature needed to pass. She took a plate and utensils, serving a little of each dish for herself. Food was a good ice breaker as she analyzed who she should approach first. Another girl who looked to be the same year as her and certain she was a Hufflepuff Quidditch players was nearby. Maybe she should finally get to know another fellow housemate?	date : 12.24.2022 time : night location: Sato Residence notes:
| Speaking | Thinking | English - 0d134f | Korean - af28d1 |	WORD COUNTER: 703 ^OUTFIT^

•••TRANSLATIONS•••

• None

Roleplaying as Ginyami Midorimori from Mahoutokoro
"English | Japanese"

It didn't take much for Ginyami to put two and two together. If Romeo had never been to a 'fancy' party before, chances were he wasn't from a very important family. Perhaps that was why he had told Valentin he wouldn't come to such a 'high-profile blood purist event'. It was, of course, possible that Romeo could have been a pureblood and simply deigned not to attend, but Ginyami wasn't familiar with any family called the Marchonnés; not even outside of Japan. It was also possible that he went by a different last name like Kim Aoki evidently did, but he doubted it if Romeo hadn't even bothered make a point of offering even an alternative last name.

Perhaps this 'Maddie' he spoke of was a pureblood and thus the reason why he was there at the Sato Yule Ball, but Ginyami wondered whether Romeo had been more afraid of coming due to associating himself with Valentin as a nobody rather than not wanting to come merely because of the sort of people who were invited to the ball in the first place. If he hadn't had his own family name, wealth, and background, Ginyami supposed he would have felt intimidated about coming along with Valentin as well.

He continued to listen quietly as both Durmstrang students exchanged words, deciding by then that Valentin was done giving his co-captain the cold shoulder. It seemed to make sense given what he knew of Valentin's warm nature that he would be willing to forgive so quickly and easily; at least quickly and easily according to Ginyami. Besides, it was clear Valentin had a soft spot for the brunet. It had been clear to him since Ginyami had first laid eyes on them both at Hogwarts.

When he offered his arm and asked Valentin what he wanted to do, the other boy bit his split lip again and the noiret realized his mistake when his arm was squeezed. Right. He still doesn't like to eat in public. But before he could say anything, he was silenced by the look in the seeker's eyes and lowered his own narrow gaze when Valentin turned back to Romeo to respond to him.

"I think what Romeo is trying to say is that just as you say you could not afford to lose us, we could not afford to lose you," Ginyami commented softly when Valentin told them to give him something worth fighting for. "When can we expect you back? Or at least expect to hear from you again to make sure all went well with...with potentially your father?"

Interacting with: Valentin Schnell (@Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood) & Romeo Marchonné (@Piérre Marchonné)

Word count: 260/200
Mentions: @Kim Sato + many others
Interacting: N/A
OPEN TO INTERACTIONS

Bailey glanced around the room, looking for someone to talk to, and for Kim. to say she was worried would be an understatement. She was terrified she would mess something up, but her will and wanting to be there was balancing that out. Bailey felt confident in herself, at least, which was a plus. She loved her outfit - the elegant and classy black dress, the heels that for once she felt confident in, and all of her accessories - gave her the sense that she could rule the world if she wanted to.
Running with this newfound confidence, bailey looked around.
Bailey spotted @damion white with @Fiona Callahan. Bailey smiled, and started to make her way over to them, but with the crowd of mingling people, bailey quickly gave up. The house was large, but there were so many conversations going on and she did not want to interrupt.
Bailey smiled as the food was unveiled. Four tables of food, all of which looked delicious. Then the announcements continued, and bailey felt a little shocked when a talent show was announced. Kim hadn't mentioned that this could be a possibly!!! Bailey was conforted in the fact that she had her wand, and her mum had slipped her extendable bostaff (her newest one, a classy black one) into her dress's pocket. Bailey took a deep breath, and let it out. She smiled, regaining her confidence.
Bailey got some food, and found a chair. She looked around, looking for a familiar face, or at least a friendly one.
where is kim..? she thought.

¤ | Ω | ¤

Nec Temere, Nec Timide. Durmstrang Institute's

Romeo Giovanni Marchonné [6'2" | 193lbs]

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

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

Valentin Schnell & Ginyami Midorimori
@Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood & @Jack Burnett

Where was I when Durmstrang had been helping Koldovstorez pick up pieces? Well technically Piérre was already on the Quidditch team for Gryffindor that year and so Romeo could not also be in that sport, but OOC matters do not always help to explain IC matters, one supposes...

"If someone could have told me how I could have helped; healing, trying to pick up pieces in Hogsmeade, literally anything that a twelve year old child could have done to help in a situation involving terrorism and the blatant, undeniable murder of other children that age, older, and younger, I would have done something." We had only been children back then, as far away as it seemed to be now. Still, that didn't prevent me from feeling at least a little burned at the fact that Valentin thought me so selfish that I would not even offer my help to a student from another school who was floundering or in danger. "Not to mention the fact that there's 'school pride' ridden all over the place and the idea that a school can and will take care of its own with no help from outsiders even if assistance is offered." Koldovstorez had been crippled, this was true, but there had never been any indication (at least not to my knowledge) that the other magical schools had made any effort to help the young school our or even that the school itself had wanted any other's school's help to begin with. "I take it you do remember how Koldovstorez treated us even as recently as last year when Durmstrang generously merged with their team so that their players could play at the finals. I don't mean to imply rudeness, but they certainly could have tried to be at least a little friendlier at times." And this was not to even so much as mention Edward Smith and the Greta debacle that had come of it.

Still, in the end that was still a highly flimsy excuse, and I no more liked to say it even as much as I liked to think it. "You did help to boost their morale when it counted most, though. That is something I didn't do, and that is something that is your pride and yours alone. Maybe I was wrong to leave when I did..." Was it wrong for me to have wanted to try something different for a year? For someone with no prior experience with magic, surely everything was something to be experienced at least once, with Broom Racing being one of those things? And with schoolwork the way it had been, and Hanzo... and, well...

The fallout of the team had been something to behold, from everything that I had heard and that I had learned. Everything had to be scrambled; new members, new people in different positions, and Durmstrang had played host to an ill losing streak ever since that first Championship Game when I had only been a newly graduated second year without a dream of accelerating to a higher class.

Things changed, things always changed, and things and times adjusted. There was a time for everything, and at that point in time, I supposed that it wasn't mine to belong to. "But when times change, so does the situation. I'm back now, and I don't plan on leaving if I can help it. I don't want you to leave either, and that's why I am so... riled up over..." I indicated to the letter that I had been given and generally to the entirety of the situation that I had been plunged into. "This."

Valentin wanted to connect to one of the things that had been stolen from him. Of course I knew that feeling. If Valentin was indeed the only one that his father had left, then those desires were altruistic indeed. But altruism, like many things that implied a 'good' nature, tended to be the first victim of the creatures seeking to kill. "I'm not saying you shouldn't go. What I'm saying is that you should not go alone. You know just as much as I that something like this is worth adhering to if it is true and sent out of genuine desire, but..." I just couldn't stop alarm bells from going off in my head. "The part about going alone and the explicit statement that you should tell nobody of your leaving for this place is what is making me suspicious." Call it forged out of muggle media cliché, but this was something that I trusted less than Ginyami himself. Of the two, this was certainly the lesser evil; at least Ginyami was doing a halfway decent job of at least acting like he cared about Valentin and did seem to have at least a few of his best interests in mind. He was thinking like me about this situation; critically and with just enough suspicion to around a need to warn and propose alternative plans. At least we could agree on that.

Despite myself, I sighed a bit in relief when Valentin said he believed me. I really didn't have much to hide except from Ginyami himself, and even that I was sure would come in time; nothing stayed a secret forever, after all, not even a dead man's tale. "I don't want to appear as a backstabber, Valentin, and if I ever have then please rid yourself of me." If I was something poisonous to Valentin's well-being, I would rather be put aside rather than damage him further. The same went for anyone else... even my own twin. "But if I am your friend, and you trust me enough to keep my company, then let me think with you and we can work on this together, even all together if we have to." I nodded even to Ginyami. A good strategist listened to all sides, after all. "Let us help you, all together, but I'm not letting you go alone. You say that you won't be able to go on if we die, then realize that it's the same way for us with you." At least it was for me, though I couldn't speak for Ginyami (what little I knew about him at this point in time). But it seemed that his subsequent words rallied to my own. Good. At least we didn't have an ally quandary.

I crossed my arms as the Asian boy continued speaking, and my brow furrowed in curiosity. Not out of anger of his asking, but of continued analytical assessment. It was a good question, one that I wanted to know the answer to as well as he. If Valentin wanted to go alone... then maybe I could make a plan to check in on him if he didn't communicate within a certain timeframe.

There was an announcement to move to the gardens for some sort of talent show. "Why don't we head outside. The air'll be fresher out there and maybe all of us will think more clearly. People'll be distracted by the talent show and we'll be able to talk without interruption."

Reducio

Stats:

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

Abilities:

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

Valentin Schnell, Ginyami Midorimori, & Astrid Olsen
@Aida Mórsgor-Ama Ellwood, @Jack Burnett & @Anastasia Varney

Calming Presence in Effect
Allies: Romeo Marchonné, Valentin Schnell, Astrid Olsen, Ginyami Midorimori & Figaro

Green eyes continued to sparkle as Piérre observed the heightening tension that was almost able to be tasted in the enclosed area. There were bodies around them, for certain, but the heat that was coming off of the confrontation that he was locked onto was infinitely more amusing than anything else that was potentially happening in his vicinity.

Still, Piérre was cordial towards Astrid's introduction to her older sister. Piérre grinned a bit and gave a waist-bow to her with cat in arms, straightening up again to express his pleasure. "M'lady, a pleasure!" A little goofy, and certainly not of the Pureblood variety, but at least it seemed that there was an attempt to blend into the environment that this multicolored blur of a mess was in; breaking dress code and seemingly all about attracting attention if he could manage to obtain it. Charismatic to a fault, though seemingly oblivious to any taboos, this was the energy that the boy Marchonné radiated, even as he "forgot" to introduce himself by the surname 'Wendigo' that Mathilda had told him to go by. "Piérre Marchonné of the most noble Italian house of Marchonné, obviously." With an obviously played up primp to his words, Piérre placed his left hand delicately over his heart and downturned his lips into an aristocratic pout as he held Figaro under his right arm. Figaro, not fond of being held in such a way, mewled with impatience at the shenanigans before Piérre took him into both arms again.

The façade fell away quickly, though, and Piérre touched noses with his kitten (though by four years of age now, the 'kitten' could very well be considered a 'cat'). "Aw, Figgy, c'mon. You know I would never seriously consider carrying you like that. I know it bothers your tum-tum." Directing his attention back to Viktoria, though. "But really, it's nice to meet you. I kind of thought that this formal party would be a drag, but it's nice to be pleasantly surprised I suppose. I go to Hogwarts myself, but my twin attends Durmstrang. He's the tall, beefy, handsome one over there, by the way." Piérre gave many adjectives about his (certainly at least more musculatured twin) as he nodded over her shoulder towards the entire situation. "I'm stalking him to make sure he socializes." A wink.

Piérre nodded, a look of both concentration and mirth crossing his features as Astrid spoke. "Well then, it seems like I may have to stalk him at a little bit of a closer range, won't I." Not a question, as many of Piérre's declarations usually were. "I aaaaaaammmm his wingman after all, and I have to make sure that my brother's not messing anything up. You know twins, right? Say," The boy's eyes sparkled as he tipped his head at Astrid. "You should come with. We could spy on them together, and I can really use a 'man on the inside' as it were."

The boy's ears piqued as he heard the announcement to go outside for a talent show. "Hmmmm... that sounds opportune. We'll blend right into the crowd. C'mon, Asteroid! You too, Vikki--if you wanna, of course!" Strange how this seemingly late teen-appearing boy had such a childish attitude to him. Looking the part but not acting it, it seemed. Perhaps it had something to do with the vermillion-inseamed cloak that continued to billow dramatically around him and his scintillating outfit with every move that he made. If Romeo and his group made their way to the outdoor pavilion, then the Piérre was certainly along for the ride. Heck, why shouldn't he perform in the talent show, after all?

Stalking near but not next to the group that he had continued to observe, though he would not be able to collect all of the conversation that would happen between them, he would plan his 'talent'. Admittedly the boy was not of many talents outside of comedy and making a fool of himself. After all, Mathilda hadn't even allowed him to have his wand for the night due to the rules of the house and of underaged magic. He simply wasn't all that interesting...

He supposed that he had his cat... Maybe he could do some tricks with Figaro or something.

Or he could give his brother a heart attack.

Ha.... Haha!

Yeah that would be really funny.

Well, however long it took to get the participants wrangled, Piérre would be among them and hopping in whenever there was a gap for him to take (perhaps even during a hesitation of another individual experiencing stage fright or the like) and flare his hands outwards while climbing on top of the highest wall or gate that he could find (preferably one that was equal to or upwards of 6 feet at its highest). Looking an idiot and a madman as he was coutured in anything but the dress code outlined for the event, glittering green eyes and a pearly smile awaited everyone who looked upon him and the silver cat wrapped about his shoulders. If they didn't have keen enough eyes, it was likely that they would think him to be wearing a fur collar. "Ladies and-a gentlemen! Boys and-a girls!" Oh dear God, someone please stop him before this (surprisingly handsome individual) makes a bigger fool of himself than usual. "I come bearing no magic, though I am a magical folk!" He could practically see Mathilda's hackles rising and Romeo's widening eyes upon him. "Paltry tricks and flashy magic are BORING!"

Ignoring any boos or murmuring, the boy continued to hold his arms out as a balance as he walked away from the security of the wall close to the ground and made his way towards the higher point aforementioned. He was an individual of pristine balance, forged by walking on slippery logs and finding his foothold on rocks ravaged by creek water and pond scum. At one point, he got so cocky as to stuff his hands into his coat pockets before spin jumping to face the audience; an action that caused him to wobble back and forth a bit and forced him to pitch his body weight so that he didn't fall too early and ruin his act. "Did you come here for ENTERTAINMENT or to be PLACATED like CHILDREN?!" The grin turned almost sinister as his eyes almost caught the light like the glowing eyes of a bewitched midnight stalker. Those eyes flicked about, half looking for his brother and half trying to catch the eyes of anyone tittering among themselves so that he could lock eyes with them and thereby unsettle them if they noticed his own gaze boring into their skulls.

Tipping his head, Piérre shrugged as he crossed his arms, getting up on his tiptoes as he mused aloud. "A pity that magic is so much used as a crutch. Aren't there more important skills in this world?" Keep riling them up, keep exerting pressure.

Wear the Jester's crown, you fool.

"We choke on it every day!" Not a lie, exactly. "What would happen if magic disappeared tomorrow? The next day? In a year?" A mock gasp. "Your talents! Ohhhhh noooooooo!"

Wagging his head sadly, Piérre pouted and looked at the ground. "It makes me weep just thinking about it... a world without magic... It is so intense, this grief I feel... As if I just want to end it all right here and right now!"

As if performing a Shakespearian soliloquy, Piérre threw a hand to his head in distress as he slowly turned aside and tilted his head to the moonlit skies. Eventually, he turned so that his back was to the crowd and that he continued to look out over the stars. "Oh you world of magic! Would that you leave and show the world what it is like to live without you, if they can! I shall show them! I shall perform it!" With a hasty murmur of "Figaro, saltare. Jump/Leap" to his cat, Figaro immediately leapt from the boy's shoulder at the same moment as Piérre fell backwards in the form of a trust fall plummeting to the ground.

He had to trust his instincts even as (potentially) screams came from around him. This was quite literally a do or die moment, lest he crack his head on the ground. If he trusted himself, if he knew his body enough, he would perform an acrobatic maneuver in which the moment he got close to the ground, he lead with slight backwards momentum on his lower back and hips, rolling himself entirely on the axis of his spine and then somersaulting entirely so that his feet hit the ground and allowed him to bounce upright with his hands in his pockets as if it were no big deal. Looking up at the sky, Piérre would flash a mischievous grin at the rest of the crowd with his continually glittering green eyes. The world was his playground, after all, as were the people who lived in it. If he had thrilled them enough for them to be entertained, he had most certainly done his job well.

He would not give so much as a bow, but would instead walk calmly away, intending to briefly hide himself before again attempting to find Romeo and overhear as much of the conversation as he could... if he would be able to hear anything at all before their conference was completed.

OOC, this is my last post for Piérre, so:
Unless stopped, Piérre Exits the Thread

Stamina 6 | Strength 5 | Evasion 15
Wisdom 10 | Accuracy 14 | ArcPower 5

Keen Eye Beast Master Calming Presence 's Grace

Figaro the Silver Bengal: 200/200

"I think what Romeo is trying to say is that just as you say you could not afford to lose us, we could not afford to lose you," Ginyami commented. "When can we expect you back? Or at least expect to hear from you again to make sure all went well with...with potentially your father?"

Valentin blinked and shook the hair from his eyes, but remained silent. He didn’t know.

"I'm not saying you shouldn't go. What I'm saying is that you should not go alone. You know just as much as I that something like this is worth adhering to if it is true and sent out of genuine desire, but..." chimed in Romeo. "The part about going alone and the explicit statement that you should tell nobody of your leaving for this place is what is making me suspicious."

Rubbing one temple with the pad of his thumb, the seeker winced and sighed.

“Stribog, my head…” The pain of blunt trauma to his skull seemed to finally be resurging with a vengeance after the subsiding of adrenaline, shock, and anger that started well before his argument with Sergei and continued into the Yule Ball. “Guys, I just… don’t feel… so great right now. I just… need… to slow down for once… I mean…” Valentin nodded deliriously as Romeo elaborated. Of course he was right, and Ginyami, too. “It’s just… so complicated. I can’t just…” There was an announcement, but it was all fuzz in Valentin’s foggy head.

"Why don't we head outside," offered Romeo. "The air'll be fresher out there and maybe all of us will think more clearly. People'll be distracted by the talent show and we'll be able to talk without interruption."

“Talent show?” Valentin blinked slowly. Were they going to perform and distract people from Val’s problems that way? Romeo's words hadn't come through clearly. Putting each hand out, Valentin caught Ginyami’s and Romeo’s shoulders, each – Romeo in his right, Ginyami in his left. “I’ll go with you. Just… take me somewhere, please. I can’t stand staying still in this corner anymore.”

If the others would go to the talent show, Valentin would try to pour his woes into a soulful piano composition with enough professionalism crafted to woo even the most hard-nosed of music elites. If the other two opted to go outside away from the festivities, Valentin would instead accompany them out.

Leaving the thread unless stopped.
@Piérre Marchonné, @Jack Burnett