Closed Royal Banquet Spring Court Ball

Banner Credit: Caoimhe Kyle

𝑪𝒍𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈

Reducio

Ashley and Lucian wandered around the maze before reaching where they were. They were staring at the plants alongside each other whilst savouring the splendour of the hedge maze. It had truly been an incredible moment.

It's only a labyrinth, Luci, what could possibly go wrong?

Ashley had chosen a flower in the Maze earlier, despite Lucian's attempts to dissuade him. He disregarded the directives and chose to pick up a gorgeous plant that had caught his eye. However, a sudden cold wind began to blow at the area after that. It seemed strange that it would occur, but because it was dusk, the night's events and the chilly air seemed to synchronise. However, do they? At its most basic threshold, that question was rhetorical. Ashley then left the location where he and Lucian were standing.

It was already evening when they arrived securely at the Royal Banquet, and the sky became gradually darker. Ashley clasped the flower he collected in the labyrinth in his left hand, while his other hand was clamped on the palm of the other individual. Ashley smiled charmingly and spoke these things as soon as they arrived at the Banquet. "The night will be beautiful, Lucian, I can feel it," he murmured softly.

The Royal Banquet had been exceedingly lovely, with all the vivid colours and splendour being difficult to resist. "Lucian, let's go!" The boy tugged Lucian and paced towards the royal banquet area, acting like a five-year-old excited to see the fun field for the first time. Ashley was astounded when they approached the main area, but what he saw made his mouth drop slightly as he couldn't put into words how the room looked.

Of course, his reaction was fair; he has never been asked to a ball or any other occasion with such décor. What he witnessed was genuine magic at its finest, and it was stunning how everything fell into place. "I really hope this night goes well." He smiled as he looked at the other boy.

Reducio

𝓢𝓽𝓪𝓽𝓼| 𝓣𝓻𝓾𝓷𝓴

𝒔𝒕𝒂 • 𝟓 | 𝒆𝒗𝒂 • 𝟓| 𝒔𝒕𝒓 • 𝟕 | 𝒘𝒊𝒔 • 𝟔 | 𝒂𝒓𝒄 • 𝟕 | 𝒂𝒄𝒄 • 𝟓
𝐀𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐥 - 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬

Action: Entering the royal Banquet with Lucian while praising the Area internally.

Note: The permission to Godmod the character was given by the writer

𝑪𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑳𝒖𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏
@Lucian Mornstern

Fri. April 21st, 23

┊--------------------SPRING BALL '23--------------┊

Grounds, Great Lake

Expressing exclusive information about her that was unknown to others proved to be a challenging task in more ways than one. To the majority, she demonstrated a guarded demeanor and stipulated others to acquire her trust and invest effort in comprehending her character. In addition, Caoimhe was calculated and never permitted anyone to get too near, as she preferred to maintain the upper hand in this way. Would the act of presenting herself as plain serve as a means to discard any pretense and disclose her authentic persona, and was Harlan truly worthy of the exclusive view of this element of her individuality? Could Caoimhe genuinely relinquish her defenses, potentially granting the Lion the upper hand? Or would this work against her in the end?

All these questions and such little answers could come to mind.

Although the game board was unstable beneath her feet, Caoimhe was not taken aback by Harlan's straightforward inquiry. She had perceived him to possess intelligence in various domains, which plausibly contributed to his captivating appeal to the Vipress. Perhaps that was what made him equally as dangerous; Harlan was accustomed to the sorts of queries that could get beneath Caoimhe's skin and compel her to concede and let down her defenses. In her mind, she could sense that Harlan was aware of her growing unhinged as well, using it to his advantage.

Caoimhe was cognizant of his strategy, but she was unable to comprehend the rationale behind his substantial investment in her which seemed to lack meaning. If roles had been reversed, Caoimhe would have given up by now believing the walls could not be broken. Somehow, the girl experienced a strange shift in her interactions with him, which led to a decline in her guardedness and a reduction in the distance that separated them. However, it remains unclear whether this shift was a result of her sympathy for the boy or some other factor that was not apparent to her at the time.

Nonetheless, the girl found herself relinquishing the intricate defenses that had previously isolated her from the people around her. The girl experienced a sense of instability, particularly in the presence of Harlan, which provoked an overwhelming sense of unease owing to the loss of control.
Inhaling deeply, Caoimhe searched his darkened eyes for answers while it appeared he, too, was searching hers. For what Harlan was seeking from her, she could not fathom. In an attempt to not allow the boy to get too close without providing him an unworthy response to his daring question, she would answer while plucking a grape from the vine that rested on their plate: "I really want to get into broom racing,"

There it was. Something that nobody knew about her, but not something that she'd regret sharing later. Now, though, it was her turn to investigate him. In contrast to Harlan, she would not be so reserved. Perhaps this was her way of proudly displaying her fangs and the magnitude with which she wielded them. "My turn.. she'd pop the fruit into her mouth with a smirk while calculating such a question to inquire. Then, it would dawn on her.

"Why did you ask me to this Ball?"

WC ┊ 535/200

┊ PERSIAN DRESS ┊ HAIRSTYLE ┊ TAGS @Harlan Montgomery ┊ ENGLISH #9b83a1 ┊ FRENCH #5c8890 ┊ ARABIC #5b8f89 ┊

Notes - I'm sorry about the delay!
Action: Playful banter with Harlan, eating grapes
Stats: sta 5 • eva 9 • str 0 • wis 8+1 • arc 5 • acc 8+1
Abilities: Statistically Relevant
Inventory: Wand, shawl, golden snake bracelet, and small pocket mirror

Outfit

Reducio

"Flower crown-making," Qrow said, moving between Azzy and Rhys. "I think we could do with doing something relaxing." They took both Rhys and Nora by the shoulders and gently steered them away, towards the tents. Rhys gave one last fleeting glance at their date (ex-date? Oh god, were they exes now? Rhys barely even knew what they were supposed to be before this night had changed so drastically), before sighing and looking away. They would face Azzy later, when the night was over. They would have to, being that they not only shared a house but also a dorm as well.

"Oh, I'm terrible at flower crown-making," Nora said once they eventually got over to where Qrow had been taking them. Rhys noted that she had hitched her skirt up some to keep it from catching on the flagstones, and they were at least glad that their own dress wasn't nearly as long. These fishnets, though, were starting to irritate them. They weren't used to them, and their tumble in the maze had ripped loose some strands that hung and tickled against their skin. "Do either of you two know how?"

"Hm," Rhys said, thinking for a moment. "I can't say I do, but I believe Rhain might," They remembered a time where their older brother had crafted and worn a flower crown in celebration of some random fandom day the previous summer. "Maybe we can.." They trailed off as they glanced around the banquet and their gaze landed on Rhain, across the room. He appeared visibly stressed as Rhun's apparent Slytherin flavor of the month stood talking to him animatedly and gesturing towards the maze exit/banquet entrance. … Nevermind, then. Rhys shook their head, looking back to Nora and Qrow. "We'll figure it out." They gave a pointed look at Qrow, offering a small smile. "I'm sure Qrow can teach us, as it was their idea."

Reducio

notes for myself
Rhys | #550c00 ]Qrow | #064107] Nora | #420c55

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Reducio

Interacting with @Rhys Read and @Nora De Carie
Qrow | #064107 | Qrow's Thoughts | #11a513

"Oh, I'm terrible at flower crown-making," Nora said once they eventually got over to where Qrow had been taking them. She had hitched her skirt up some to keep it from catching on the flagstones, and the Slytherin were grateful for their decision against wearing a dress. They had learned the hard way that long dresses weren’t practical for outdoor parties, especially where magic was involved, though they would have looked rather good in a green dress.

"Do either of you two know how?"

"Hm," Rhys said, thinking for a moment.
"I can't say I do, but I believe Rhain might; maybe we can..." They trailed off as they glanced around the banquet, and their gaze landed on a boy that shared a resemblance to them. Qrow hadn't met Rhys’ brothers yet, but they could certainly guess that the boy they were looking at was one of them.
He appeared visibly stressed as another student, whom the redhead recognised as a fellow Slytherin, stood talking to him animatedly and gesturing towards the maze exit.

Hmm, wonder what that’s all about?

Rhys shook their head, looking back at Nora and Qrow.
"We'll figure it out." They gave a pointed look at Slytherin, offering a small smile.
"I'm sure Qrow can teach us, as it was their idea."
When the Slytherin had suggested it, their mind had been less on the activity itself, and more so on de-escalating the situation as much as possible, and, whilst they had certainly made flower crowns before, they didn’t think themselves to be any good at it...

Qrow’s hand rubbed the back of their neck as they gave a lopsided grin.
"I’m no teacher by any means, and I’m definitely rusty, but I can certainly try."

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The Royal Banquet April 1st, 2023 Mod Post Tracker ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿

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A Sky of Stars The lingering sunset fell away, shades of pinks and purples fading into darkness just as colorful glass lanterns and the last of the candles within the ball were finally lit. The dark night loomed overhead, clear and brightly lit with a shower of stars hung in the sky and the slightest bit of moonlight. The glow of candles and firelight tucked away within glass lanterns will light your way. Down the dirt paths and beyond to the main events, have no fear of the dark, for your festival is awash with festive lanterns and pretty candles illuminating the plentiful feasts. A romantic glow paints the dancing floor and surrounding grove in a whimsical light. In the distance a few colorful lanterns decorate the branches of the distant pockets of trees surrounding the ball, casting the area in colorful hues like a distant glow of starlight or fireflies until one draws closer in an otherwise shadowed area. But who has need of candles or lanterns? Stray from the paths to walk among stray flower beds and grassy fields of flowers, you’ll need no lumos spell or distant lanterns to light the way! The clear sky of starlight is all you need. Keep your eyes to the sky and perhaps you’ll even see a shooting star. Make a wish to begin your night, the ball has only just begun. … But perhaps shooting stars are not all one's eye would catch. There is something moving between the trees.

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︵‿︵‿︵⊱✿⊰︵‿︵‿︵

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Springs Arrivals Jesters and royals and knights! Oh my! As night fell a new sort of beauty would be revealed to those newly arrived. Yes, even as night fell the festive air would not fail, music in the distance and the colorful lights paired with nature would transform into something whimsical. The darkness had no hold here. This is the type of magical sight @Alec Mason, and surely his date would be met with. Newly arrived amongst the grove of wild plants and small lit jars illuminating their path forward, nature would spill over the smooth stones marking the dirt path. Small roots twirling around a stray candle jar, a root reaching into the path where flowers of all sorts of colors shook in the breeze. A stray rose far from its flower bed, thorned, brushed and lightly caught on pants. Dancing, twisting, curling ever closer, almost knowingly to the boy's feet as the lion finally arrived to the open sea of flowers. Another pair, @Ashley Montez and the slower Lucian Mornstern whom was being pulled along, would be able to take in the royal banquets alongside the last colorful light of the sunset as night fell. But despite the jovial attitude of the newcomer the flowers reflected something else far sullener and distant. It would be a beautiful sight yes, with the vibrant colors and overgrown flower beds but one could perhaps not shake off an odd feeling in the air. Not far behind would be a few wall flowers, content to be alone or at least wait for company as they walked deeper into the Royal Grounds. @Zach Zaphiere was one such, wandering from the entrance and towards the delicious banquets. The flowers until then, would be happy to keep the boy company.

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What Lies Beneath the Shrubs One of the secret vials wasn’t enough so why would 2? It’s said 3rd times the charm but @Kim Sato would be the first to learn this was not the case in the Spring Courts. How unlucky. Determined to find a 3rd and final vial the boy would begin his search once again amongst the surrounding nature, but no matter how hard or where he looked…nothing. Not a single sign that there were any of the tiny vials left! But wait- was that…? One final search amongst the flower beds and he would find-! Ah, it was a twig. Unseen to the boy the nearby vial would be dragged away as flowers whipped about despite the lack of wind, masking the movement as a root seemingly curled around the vial until it was hidden once again out of sight under roots and flowers. Apparently spring had its own jesters. Well, at least it was a nice twig. Reducio Kim Sato Potion #3 Bot Command: t!choose twig | pebble | jump scare Result: Kim Sato gains…a stick

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The Lakeside View There are shadows dancing between the trees. By the lake, water shining and still with only the glow of a few flower lanterns and the light of the moon…there, hidden between pockets of trees and bushes, something was moving. The glow of the lanterns there was small, and few, the light of the stars and distant moonlight being the main light, but just enough to cast a shadow. It was rather small, there and gone between the next blink but if one were quick to look, to focus they could catch a glimpse. Only a few would be able to spot this amongst their wandering. Perhaps they were in the right place at the right time, or simply more observant than others at that perfect moment. Or maybe…they were just unlucky. @Logan Baird, a jester caught in her wanderings alongside her faithful feline companion, Sherlock, she would be the first to catch sight of shadows beyond the trees as night fell. Shifting and growing oddly, at a glance it could perhaps be mistaken as the shadows of the trees growing in the icy blue light of a lonely lantern hung on a high branch but stop and look closer as the lantern gently swung in the breeze. Another shadow, twisting and curling before disappearing further towards the lake. This was no joke. And that was no trees shadow. And @Monica Evans, even after previously following after a friend or…date perhaps, would be the 2nd to see the very same shadow as the sky grew dark. How curious. Another lonely wanderer would not be far behind the 2. @Mahlioz Evethisawe, sharp eyed and well armed, this ambitious traveler would perhaps be well suited to the mysteries that lay at the edge of the ball's tall hedge wall, just out of sight. Further away, at an opposite end, the Slytherin would be privy to thin wiry shadows, cast in charming purple light of a none too distant lanterns, low hanging and semi hidden between leaves within a group of trees near a dirt path lined with stone and candle light. There and gone within the blink of an eye, the twisting shadow would seem to melt away into the darkness the trees offered. Perhaps unsurprisingly @Kim Sato would be the last to see a glance of the very same shadow Malioz had as it disappeared behind bushes and trees, growing further and further away. Well, one couldn’t blame him, he had after all been in the middle of gaining a very nice twig after all his searching! The ‘forest’ surrounding parts of the Royal Banquet hiding the walls of hedges blocking off the ball from the rest of the world would make it near impossible for any of the 4 to truly see what was causing the shadow. But it was unmistakable. Someone or something was lurking, hidden just out of sight. Perhaps students exploring the more hidden parts of the ball? Maybe an animal that had wandered in through the lakeside view? Impossible to tell unless one fancied a moonlit walk by the waters. After all, what could be more enchanting or daring~

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For OOC Consideration
Welcome dear travelers to the Spring Court! May your hearts be merry and your bellies full as you step through the Royal Banquet! A few rules to follow, lest you be shunned by the Court.

Reducio

~ You must be indexed (have your name on the list here) to participate in the Ball.

‎~ Each character is allowed one action per round.

~ The Spring Court is separated into two main threads, the Enchanted Maze and the Royal Banquet. For ease of moderation, leaving and entering a thread require a full action. Clearly write if you are entering/leaving, and specify which thread you are entering if moving to the other. This also applies for the newly opened Knight Tourney.

~To access the Royal Banquet, you must enter through the Enchanted Maze. This is the same for leaving, unless you are participating in the Knights Tourney (please specify if you are leaving to participate in the Tourney). The Tourney is adjacent to the Royal Banquet within the Maze.
‏‏‎ ‎
~ Food and drinks are provided, however there are potions for use. But you may find these potions are harder to find and prone to hiding after you’ve already gained one... Trick an enemy or a friend and watch the effects. Please write yourself drinking a potion or spiking any of the drinks available to you as a full action per round. There will be a roll for the success of spiking and a roll for the effect of the drink.

~ There are games you can do in the Banquet area. These include Flower Crown Making, Toss a Crown (ring toss but with flower crowns) and Whack-a-Mosp. These are not moderated but there to enhance the Banquet.
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~ The Knights Tourney is a side activity adjacent to the Royal Banquet inside the Maze. You do not have to participate. Sign ups are located here.

~ Moderation posts will occur weekly on Saturdays/Sundays. Apologies but different time zones play a factor

~Royal Moderators: Raizel Voltrouz & Elsian Cox
please owl one of us if you have questions or an error to point out

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Dialogue: ✕ Thoughts: ✕ Quotes: ✕

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Date | April 21st, 2023 - -

Captivated, now seeing some shadow shape amongst the leaves... The slytherin fell into a trance, trying to figure out what she was looking at. Did she dare go after it? Get a closer look? Her foot shifted forward, hand slowly reaching out, when.....

Hiro's voice broke her trance, looking up at him, her eyes still glossed with curiosity. He mentioned having to leave, some sort of sign up. He hugged her, Monica felt her arms wrap around him. "Well come find me when you are done." She added, "I would like to spend more time after.... if you would like."

Soon he took off, leaving Monica to her own, she glanced back at the shadow that had captured her interest. She had enough sense that she dare not venture after it alone... not out of fear, but a desire to share in the discovery with another. She looked around the ball. Was there someone there she could possible convince to come with her?

Then she spotted threw the crowed, a sight for sore eyes. It was Bea! Monica's best friend! Monica waisted no time, her feet carried her over to Bea, who was with Hunter... Someone Monica had seen around, but knew very little about, certainly hardly heard Bea talk about him, so it was rather shocking to learn he was her 'date'.

"Bea!" Monica said as she neared her friend. Offering a comforting hug. She looked over at hunter, "I hope I am not interrupting anything?" She asked, but in all honesty, she couldn't care less if she was, Bea was her friend first, and that should matter more than anything the two of them may have been talking about....right?

"Bea, you wanna get a drink with me?" Monica tried to find a way to get Bea alone, she wanted to look at this shadow, but didn't want anyone else to follow them, or even make the discovery themselves. She waited for Bea's response, holding onto her hand, ready to whisk her away to the refreshment table.

STA 8 • EVA 8 • STR 8 • WIS 5 • ARC 6 • ACC 5
Slytherin Prefect

Open to Interactions
| Action |
Hiro leaves Monica, she searches out Bea to investigate the Shadow in the bushes.

|Interacting With|
Hiro(@Kim Sato's iNPC)
@Beatrice Langstreth
| Mention |

Outfit

Reducio

Thought | Said

Zach felt bored waiting for his date to arrive at the Royal Banquet. All he had been doing was eating and eating, sometimes he occasionally observing some students. He couldn't help but feel bored and hoped that his date would arrive soon so he could escape the boredom.

As he looked up at the clear sky, Zach was mesmerized by the starlight. He admired the way some stars shone brightly while others twinkled lightly, creating a magical and mystical atmosphere. He gazed at the sky for a while, hoping to spot a shooting star, which he hadn't seen in a long time. He thought, it might be five years ago when he was five years old.

After gazing at the sky, Zach ate the last pastry he had taken earlier. It was a really sweet honey cake. He also took a glass of colorful punch and drank it bit by bit. Now feeling full and unsure of what to do, he looked around at the other students. As drowsiness began to set in, Zach realized he couldn't wait around for too long. He got up and walked around the ball, investigating the tables to see if he could find any interesting thing there.

Action: investigating the tables