The Enchanted Maze Spring Ball '23

by: Thorn Cullen ••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Japanese | English

208/200
Interacting: might be with @Bailey Glade or @Enola Johnson but they are open||| @:mentioning

Outfit, inventory & OOC note

Reducio

interactions are currently open!


Wand

Stamina 7 | Evasion 7 | Strength 6 |Wisdom 3 | Arcane Power 4 | Accuracy 8

April 21st, 2023
Action entering the ball

Reducio

Feeling like crap after snapping at @Qrow Beithir while looking for @Rhys Read

Azzy stopped and looked more than a little pissed off. Qrow didn't have any room to speak. They spun around on their heel and faced Qrow. "Oh like you have any room to speak, Beithir! They snapped. They knew full well words were about to be said and they were going to sting. "I didn't even want to come into this stupid maze to begin with! I hate mazes! Especially enchanted ones! And you're whole thing isn't helping at all! So if you would like to go on your own, be my guest you fucking inbred!" They yelled, but quickly covered their mouth. They froze and looked down. "Qrow I didn't mean- I just..." Who were they kidding... they didn't have an excuse for what they had said, and so they turned around and started looking for the exit, they needed out of here before they felt any worse than they already did... They picked up their pace and soon found the exit. They sat down in some moss and stayed silent. They had severely messed up. Rhys and Qrow were gonna hate them... Oh gods this turned out to be an absolute disaster... A part of them hoped Rhys would leave them because of this. But even they knew that would break poor Azzy's heart. But at least they would have all summer to recover...

Writing as Achille Lévesque-Auclair
see banner for outfit, abilities, and stats

Reducio

Upon Zendra accepting his hand in her own, Achille straightened up and gave a glance around them. It appeared that the maze had formed a fork, with two different ways that they could go.

"Which way do you think we should try going?" He asked, tilting his head as he looked back at Zendra briefly. However, when he gestured to the paths in front of them, he looked back just to see that one of the paths had disappeared, and only one remained. "Huh. Guess there's only one way to go." Carefully, Achille began to lead Zendra forward, delving deeper into the maze. Hopefully, it was guiding them towards the exit rather than into a trap.

As he walked, Achille tried to think of ways to make conversation. Vaguely, he recalled what the shorter Beauxbatons first year had said regarding Greek mythology. About how she had loved it before her mother had 'stamped it out' of her. While that comment was more than a little concerning, Achille didn't yet know Zendra enough to feel comfortable asking for an elaboration on it. Maybe as the night went on, he'd know her a little better than he did now.

"I'd be more than happy to re-introduce you to Greek mythology," He spoke lightly, swinging both of their arms a bit as he walked and keeping his gaze focused on the path ahead of them. "As I said earlier, I have a pretty extensive knowledge of it. Probably as a result of being named after one of the more well-known heroes." He gave Zendra a sheepish smile. "I'll have to warn you, though. Once I get going on a topic I know a lot about, it's difficult to get me to stop."

Action: talking to Zendra/moving through the maze
tags: @Nora De Carie
Open for Interactions

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Hannah walked around everywhere. But she couldn't find the exit. It seemed like hours since she entered this maze. She played a little with her butterfly necklace. The girl took deep breaths and even doing this, she was very annoyed.

Then, a boy came up to her. His hair was back and his skin was a bit pale. He had said a few words.

The boy said his name was "André", it was a different name, but Hannah liked it. Then, she decided to answer his questions. "Oh, hi! I didn't expect to find anyone but, anyway... Yes I was the one who called out." "although I didn't know anyone would hear that" she thought. André seemed like a nice person.

"I'm Hannah by the way, I like your name. May I ask, where is it from, do you know? she said with some of her accent slipping in. It kind of made from sound like "fro-eem".

She had never came across this boy, and he seemed very nice and kind. "Do you want to navigate the maze together, I guess it would make things easier right?" she grinned a little. The girl was quite happy to find someone as lost as her. Even though they were lost. Especially since they were lost.

It was actually a little fun to walk around the maze, but it also wasn't. Did that make sense to you? The girl smirked and patted down her dress, to get some of the mud out.

She walked little, but not too much, just waiting for André's answer. Then she played a bit with her necklace. This maze was making her stress out.

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Reducio mentions and pings: @Bailey Glade, @Ava Winchect (Akihiko) fearless

Reducio Reducio ooc notes: stats: Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 6 | Strength: 6 | Wisdom: 7 | ArcPower: 5 | Accuracy: 6 Actions: Chatting, entering the maze.

21/4/23 • english • japanese • wc: 269

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Walking with Bailey and making some small talk, Botan was glad he had approached her. Without her this walk through the maze would not be very fun. The two chatted about their lives back home. Botan shared about his life growing up and how he had a cousin named Akihiko and he actually was here as well. He shared about some of his most epic pranks he had played, flashing one of his rare smiles when during this humble trip down memory lane. Botan missed simpler times. When he didn’t have to worry about being better than Akihiko. Which was only like three or four years of his life, but Botan still wished he could go back to those times.

Since he was not the most sociable boy, he stayed quiet while listening to Bailey. The two kept walking through the maze while they chatted, turning around at every dead end. This was a very large maze, but Botan and Bailey kept at it.

When the two made it to the end of the maze, they headed off to one of the event areas. It was something called the Knights Tourney, and there was something inside of Botan that made him want to sign up. He did so, and then asked Bailey a question. “Do you want to stay? They’ve got a little area for spectators that you can sit in if you like. But don’t feel pressured to stay. You can go and spend time with others if you like.” He said, secretly hoping she would stay.

After leaving Bailey, Botan went off with the competitors to battle.

Botan has arrived at the Knights Tourney. | Permission to lightly godmod Bailey was given.

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Reducio

Interacting with @Azrael Faire and desperately wishing @Rhys Read wan't kidnaped by the maze.

They spun around on their heels and faced Qrow. "Oh, like you have any room to speak, Beithir!" They snapped. "I didn't even want to come into this stupid maze to begin with! I hate mazes! Especially enchanted ones! And your whole thing isn't helping at all! So if you would like to go on your own, be my guest, you fucking inbred!"

Azrael covered their mouth, froze and looked down. "Qrow I didn't mean—I just..."

Their anger boiled and bubbled under their skin, causing it to become hot and itchy. Blood rushed in their ears until the only thing they could hear over it was the sound of their own heart hammering in their chest as their hands clenched angrily at their sides, tight enough to turn their knuckles white.
They cut them off.
"I may not like you, Azrael," they started, their voice laced with a cold, bitter venom, "but I have been nothing but polite to you this whole evening. I was trying to help the both of us. How fucking dare you bring my family or Rhys into this?"
Their face twisted into a snarl as they spoke, and their acidic green eyes practically glowed with rage.
The Slytherin had tried.
They played it nice.

Qrow needed to leave.
The redheads' thoughts were too plagued with vengeance to stay in such close proximity to the Gryffindor. If they stayed, they were either going to punch them or take out their wand and start yelling any of the vile and cruel curses they had heard of; but they knew that wouldn’t make them feel better.

"Y’know what. Fine. Find your own way. I don’t care. I’m done."

They stalked past Azrael, head held high with a sense of emotional defiance. They would not let a foe see them fall apart, nor would they let the Gryffindor ruin their night. They would get through this blasted maze and go and dance with their friends if it was the last bloody thing they did.
And for fuck's sake, they would NOT cry tonight. Not when their eyeliner looked so good.

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For someone with an awful sense of direction, Qrow had apparently done something to please the maze, as they seemed to find their way through fairly easily after they got away from Azrael.

The journey did wonders to clear the Slytherin's head, and while the tears had threatened to fall, Qrow Beithir did not cry.
With the worn dirt path set, Qrow followed the tall hedges, finding themselves led along the path by warm, glowing candlelight, bathed in the golden waning warmth of the sun.

Quirky hand-painted signs offered directions, pointing this way, that way, and to keep going. Were they true, though?

Overgrown shrubs of different heights and colours bloomed along the edges of the dirt paths, creating an enchanting kaleidoscope that filled the dimming golden light. It was intoxicating, like being in your own lush little world.

And it only got better as Qrow finally found the banquet hall.

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Reducio

Apologizing to @Qrow Beithir and leaving @Rhys Read to them for the night.

Azzy started to crack. They tried to calm themselves down. They never meant what they had just said to Qrow... They hated themselves for it... Ha... What a night... Azzy looked up, the sky had darkened significantly. Great. They looked down the path and saw Qrow once again. They quickly wrote out a note to them. To apologize and to tell Rhys that Azzy had fallen ill and had to return to the dorms. They were glad they had brought their messenger bag with them filled with art supplies.

Dear Qrow,
I hope you can forgive me for my insolence.
I never meant to call you that...
I just wanted us to try and get along.
It pains me that you and Rhys both have to suffer because of my actions.
So I atone by backing out of the rest of the evening. You have Rhys to yourself tonight.
I hope my apology finds you well.
Tell my date that I have fallen ill and could not attend the rest of the event with them.
Sincerest apologies and regrets.
-Azrael Faire
Ps. As a way of getting back... my deadname is Rose.. Call me that if you wish...

They signed it and ran up behind Qrow, stuffing it in their pocket, and running back to the dorms to grab their guitar. They didn't have the emotional capability to handle themselves tonight. They were going to sit there and cry... All night.

Playing as Himori Sako

Japanese English Thoughts

Himori runs up to the maze worriedly, scared she had waited too long and was late. She then stares in awe at the sight. It was such a beauty, but so large. This obstacle would make her even more late!

She was so excited for the dance once she heard about the theme. One of her favorite dresses just so happened to fit it perfectly! She also made sure to bring her mother's hand fan along too. So she spent so long, getting into her dress, socks and shoes, putting on makeup and jewelry, and of course, doing her hair into a high ponytail. It took her about 2 hours, and then she realized that she's running late.

"Dammit.." She mumbles. "Perhaps I can climb?" She looks up. Nope, too high. She just going to have to go through it.

"This'll be a while..." She begins walking into the maze, very, very quickly. She wants to get this done and over with quickly.

She turns corners, passing other people from different schools. Hogwarts, Illvermorny.. she recognized a few from Mahoutokoro, but out of six schools not many from her own were seen. The sun was setting, and the low sun was bright in her eyes, but it looked pretty. Gorgeous, in fact. She loves the little bit of warmth it gives her, despite the cold wind.

Roleplaying as iNPC Andrew Lycan
@Lucia Fox as Cassie Heather McGregor-Martin
Obnoxiously Strong | Fearless | Charmer | Paragon of Health

Drew entered the ball, unsure of what to expect. When he saw the towering hedges, he couldn't say he was surprised. Hogwarts had come up with all kinds of eccentric ball themes in their times, as well as decor and other elements. This one, he had known, was themed with medieval elements, and people were encouraged to dress up as princes and knights and such.

As the crowd of people came into view, Drew searched for his friend, Cassie. He hadn't really enjoyed the last ball because he hadn't really found anybody to hang out with. But this year, he had been determined to have fun, so he asked his most fun-loving friend at the moment if they wanted to plan to go together. They had been writing to each other, and though at first Drew had only known Cassie as a friend of a friend, he was glad he could now call her his own friend, and that he had gotten to know her. Cassie had suggested that they go as something called Jedi knights. Drew had no idea what a Jedi was, just like he had had no idea what a Power Ranger was when they went a couple of these events ago. But since it had the word "knight" in it, Drew was fairly sure that it would fit with the theme and he would be fine.

However, when he saw his costume, he was... surprised, to say the least. He considered not going in it and just picking out a suit of some kind, but he hadn't brought one. He would have to send some kind of urgent owl or something, and he was not going to stress himself out about that. Plus, what was the worst that could happen?

Cassie attacked Drew on sight, though it was with a hug. "Cassie-" he laughed, hugging her back. She seemed ecstatic as she pulled out what she called lightsabers. Drew could sort of see the saber part, but they were not emanating any kind of light. Was there some kind of (what did muggles call it?)... battery? He laughed again, taking it from her. "Thanks! Are these our weapons?" he asked, and as she explained, he pretended to face off with an imaginary dueling partner. Maybe he should ask Rose about dueling, if she was here. Even though she dueled with her wand, he was pretty sure some of it translated to swor- uh- lightsaber fighting, right? "Okay. Um, Cassie? I thought these were supposed to be knights?" he said, spreading his arms as if to show his costume. "I thought they were just like... hippie knights that believed in meditating and chakras and stuff."

Apparently not. These kinds of knights seemed completely different from their medieval counterparts, and Drew shrugged. Before he could say anything else, Cassie's attention seemed to have wandered. "Okay!" he said. Of course he would cheer her on. That's what friends do.

For Moderation

Action Going to watch Cassie do the Knight's Tourney Inventory Wand, lightsaber Allies Cassie Heather McGregor-Martin

Stats Stamina: 10 Evasion: 7 Strength: 15 Wisdom: 4 ArcPower: 10 Accuracy : 7

Outfit

Reducio

Rhys wasn't sure how long they stood sulking before they frustratedly began to try to find their way out of the maze. But they knew for sure that it was definitely fucking with them as they continuously came back to places in the maze that they recognized. It also didn't help that, if Azzy and Qrow were looking for them and calling out to them, Rhys heard none of it. They also didn't get any responses to their own attempts at calling out for help.

"Helloooooo?" Rhys called, tipping their head back and swinging their arms around in the clearing that they now stood in. The maze split off into three paths ahead of them, and for the time being they refused to take any of them, since they were convinced they'd only somehow end up back where they stood. They paused, waiting. Nothing. Groaning, Rhys covered their face with their hands.

"Bit lost, are ya?" Rhys froze as their eldest brother Rhun's voice came from behind them. They turned to see that he had (presumably) walked up from the middle pathway. And he wasn't alone. At his side stood his current flavor of the month, some Ravenclaw that Rhys barely recognized. Whether it was because they didn't really associate with Ravenclaws, or simply that both the girl and Rhun were in their fourth year while Rhys was in their first year, it didn't matter. Rhun smirked as he assessed Rhys. "Long time, no see, little sis."

Rhys bristled, and Rhun chuckled, rolling his eyes. He muttered something to the Ravenclaw, who gave him a weird look before eventually sighing, tossing her long, blonde hair, and walking back the way the two had came. Rhun waited until she was out of earshot before he turned back to Rhys, crossing his arms.

"What's wrong? Don't have Rhain to guide you through the maze and shelter you from life's challenges?" He asked mockingly, adopting a babyish tone of voice before sneering at Rhys. "Yeah, I know how much time you two spend together now. And I know he's been helping you with whatever it is you think you're doing hanging around queers like those Azzy and Qrow characters. Which makes me think... didn't you show up here with that Azzy person as your date? Where's she gone off to, now? And that Qrow girl?" He snorted. "Seems your so-called 'friends' have abandoned you. Or, sorry, 'acquaintances'," Rhun gave another eyeroll before his gaze landed back on Rhys and he took in their outfit. "But whatever happens tonight will be the least of your worries, once Dad hears what you wore. No doubt that Rhain was involved in getting you those tights? Well, at least you wore a dress this time around. He and mum were worried after you basically wore a tux to the Valentine's ball. Hell, they've been worried, ever since you cut your hair. And now that you've dyed it, too, they're even more concerned." Rhun had stepped closer to Rhys, and he was suddenly standing right next to them, speaking low in their ear. Chills ran down Rhys's spine as Rhun planted a firm hand on their shoulder and his breath tickled in their ear. "You know that nothing you do goes unnoticed, right? Rhain may have decided to lay off on what you called 'spying' on you, but you should know that I see basically everything, and I tell Dad all about it. Sure, you can say I don't know specific, fine details, but I know enough. Just from these past few months, I know plenty. And while Dad thinks I'm wrong in some aspects of what I know, it's only a matter of time. before he also realizes you're a f**, just like Rhain." He stepped back, narrowing his eyes at Rhys.

Swallowing, Rhys met Rhun's gaze, trying to keep their voice steady as they crossed their own arms across their chest. "I don't know what you're talking about, and frankly, nor do you. And leave Azzy and Qrow's names out of your mouth. You have no right to speak about either of them that way. Anyways, thanks for showing me which way to go." Rhys darted past Rhun, silently praying that while the maze didn't seem to like them, it would at least let them escape through the same path that Rhun's apparent 'girlfriend' had left by. They were shaking, still processing everything that Rhun did, in fact, appear to know, and they desperately needed to get out of the situation.

Luckily, the maze seemed to have forgiven Rhys, and also didn't seem to tolerate the way that Rhun had just been treating them, because not only did it allow Rhys through, it also closed directly behind them, cutting Rhun off from following them. Just ahead, a sign appeared directing them which way was the exit.

"Thanks, maze." Rhys mumbled, letting out a relieved breath as they moved forward. Please let this be the actual exit. "Guess you're not so bad,"

Reducio

notes for myself
Azzy | #e20aff Rhys | #550c00 ]Qrow | #064107]