Closed Fall Ball 2023 Lanterns and Boat Rides

date: 6th october time: 7pm location: great lake

mentions: Reducio @Delilah Chapman

languages english: #490085 spanish: #0b0085 thoughts: italics

★ ☆ ✦ ✩ ✫ ✬ ✭ ✮ ✯

Es wiped the paint of her cheek, laughing. This night so far had been one of the best experiences of her life and she was so happy that she was there with Del, having fun. "I'm so glad we chose each other for the ball - I honestly wouldn't have preferred to be with anyone else. This is one of the most fun things I have ever done. Also your space kitty is looking great!" Es looked down at her own lantern. Her merpuppy was just about recognisable as a dog. Usually, this would really annoy Es - she had a tendency to be a bit of a perfectionist - but tonight she didn't mind. She got to work, outlining the merpuppy then applying a base coat in her preferred colours. Next she began to add in details such as the scales and fur of the puppy. Finally, she added its eyes and mouth. It was by no means perfect but she enjoyed making it nonetheless. Es grabbed a tealight for her lantern and lit it, placing it under the fabric. She held it tightly, preventing it from floating away. Hopefully she and Del could release their lanterns on the boats. "Come on Del, lets head to the boats!" Es' Painting: Reducio

★ ☆ ✦ ✩ ✫ ✬ ✭ ✮ ✯

★ ☆ ✦ ✩ ✫ ✬ ✭ ✮ ✯ ✮ ✭ ✬ ✫ ✩ ✦ ☆ ★

Blue in English, Red in Korean

Eun-ji was almost in awe of Hiro’s ability to stay so optimistic all the time. Then again, when people were TOO optimistic, it only appeared more suspicious to her. No human could possibly be this positive all the time. In her experience, when people projected one emotion too intensely, it was just to mask something else. Like her for example. She appeared impossibly calm 99% of the time when in fact, she was filled with anger and bitterness. She also pretended to be someone, who didn’t need anyone yet inside she yearned to call for help. Of course, she’d never actually do that. The witch knew even if she did, nobody here had the capability to help her anyway. It would only make things worse.

Looking at the lunch box, while listening to Hiro's words, she started feeling a bit guilty. Food shouldn’t be wasted. Her late grandmother taught her that very early on. Still, Eun-ji couldn’t just give in so the best she could do was hum nonchalantly and cease her protests. She didn’t take the lunch box but she didn’t push it away either. If the boy never mentioned it again, she might even take it with her once she leaves the ball. That was the best she could do for him right now.

As expected, Eun-ji's next suggestion of him leaving to play with somebody else was met with an immediate refusal. Thankfully, the Ravenclaw was in the middle of painting her lantern, which was somewhat calming activity to her. This made Hiro’s persistence slightly less irritating. “Suit yourself but don’t complain to me when you regret it later.” There was obviously nothing she could do to shake him off but if he thought, he’ll have fun sticking by her side, he was definitely wrong. The current Eun-ji was not fun to hang around. She was very well aware of it herself.

Action: Crafting a lantern and talking to Hiro since he refuses to leave :-D
Stats: STA: 9 ✦ EVA: 10 ✦ STR: 4 ✦ WIS: 12 ✦ ARC: 11 ✦ ACC: 13
Abilities: Healing Sage I & II ✦ Perfectionist ✦ Death Defiance ✦ Spell Spread
Interacting with: @Kim Sato as Hiro Bakugo

Date: 6 October 2023 Time: ~19:00

Interacting with: @Astra Norrick, @Renelle Dalton Mentions: @Irina Shevel

English | French Thoughts

Mahlioz felt a wave of relief wash over her when Astra approached her, saying she, too, didn't know what was going on with Renelle. The second year hadn't been sure whether it had just been her who'd noticed - maybe she was the problem? She had felt like the protagonist in one of those dramatic movies where everyone except the main character knew what was going on and wouldn't tell them. But Astra was quick to reassure her that that was not the case, and that she could talk to Renelle if Mahlioz wanted. The Slytherin was immensely grateful.

"Thank you," she said to her date. "I don't mind too much, but I don't want Renelle to have a terrible night... and I would ask her what was wrong myself if I knew her better, but, well, you're her best friend, right?" To be honest, she really didn't want to talk about this to the Ravenclaw - she felt like she'd mess something up for sure. She was glad Astra had volunteered.
The redhead sped up to Renelle to talk to her friend, but it turned out she hadn't needed to. Renelle was no longer in front of them. Mahlioz frowned.

Looking around, she managed to spot the edge of a purple dress before it disappeared into the shadows. Wait, hadn't their plan been to go on the boats? Where was the other first year going? It then dawned on Mahlioz that she and Astra may have been a little louder than they should have. Had Renelle overheard their conversation?
Mahlioz looked at Astra for a second, bewildered. This night was definitely not going where she'd thought it would. "Er..." she said, looking at where Renelle had disappeared to and then back at Astra again. The boats were going to leave soon, too. What were they going to do?

The only person who could really do anything about it was Astra. "Do you... do you want to go after her? I'd completely understand." She would do the same if this was happening with Irina. Although she felt like this much drama wouldn't really happen with Irina. "I think she needs to talk to someone." No, that was wrong, she had no idea what Renelle needed. "Or, well, I think you guys should sort it out. I'm not sure what's happening but I really don't want to be the reason you guys have a fight." If she'd learned anything from her first year, it was that friends were important. Dates a little less so.

Stamina: 6 | Evasion: 6 | Strength: 4 | Wisdom: 9 | Arcane power: 7 | Accuracy: 8
Wandmaker | Perfectionist

IC Date: October 6, 2023
Time: evening
Interacting with @Renelle Dalton and @Mahlioz Evethisawe
Astra speaking: #136323
Mahlioz speaking: #00a321
Renelle speaking: #00002b
Thoughts: Italics
Others: Bold

Astra's eyes contained a mix of confusion and hurt as they looked on at the disappearing purple gown. Was I- I was too harsh. I shouldn't have- there were-

She looked at Mahlioz with gratitude in her eyes and a quick thank you as she hurried after Renelle. Astra practically ran into the shadows, spider lilies hanging limply from her hand, forgotten. The thoughts of the fiasco at the banquet were pushed far far out of her mind as she searched.

What have I done?

She should've known Renelle wouldn't have been alright with this, that she was just saying yes to... no, that can't be right, she's not a people pleaser.

Astra could see the figure that was her best friend, arms crossed, dress swaying gently in the light lakeside breeze. Her hair was particularly pretty tonight, though it always looked great.

She and Renelle like yin and yang. Astra had a borderline wild appearance, Renelle always looked so sleek and elegant. Astra was an academic while Renelle's knowledge was of a completely different sort. But they were the completion of each other. Without Renelle... Well, Astra would've probably ended up very different without Renelle in her life.

Now look at this.

The redhead kept her distance, about four feet, fiddling with the stems of the lilies. "Renelle, I-" she began. "This, this whole thing... I'm sorry. But... Why did you say yes to going as a group of three when you were just going to exclude Mahlioz? You know I would've turned her down for you. You know you come first, right? And I know I was harsh back there and I know I should've handled this differently-" A deep breath. She was getting worked up, getting emotional. She tried to shove the emotions aside for a moment to have a rational discussion. "What I'm trying to say is your happiness and our relationship is my priority, but we have to communicate about these things in an honest way." Astra couldn't tell if she was making sense but she desperately hoped so. She wanted to resolve this now if they could. She wanted Renelle back to normal and she wanted to have a fun night with her best friend. She wanted Renelle to at least try and get along with Mahlioz because she thought they would like each other and no one deserved to be left out.

As she talked, she boarded the boat after her friend, sitting on the opposite end.

Action: Getting into boat with Renelle Dalton

Reducio

Colin finally got himself together, with Liam's help! His hair had taken the most time, but at least his long kilt or dress thing wasn't bad. And! He'd match Clair pretty well too! She'd sent him a note saying to wear fall colours and had shown him a brown plaid dress. Clair was so beautiful! Colin had almost forgotten to get dressed even, just thinking about the evening ahead! Fortunately, Liam was able to get him focused.

And now, Colin was heading down to the lake to find his beloved! Greebo came along too, just in case there were any other cats to menace! As he headed out across the meadow down towards the lake, he thought that some flowers would be nice for the occasion. He stopped and slid his wand from its sheath strapped to his right arm. "Orchideous!" he said. He'd produced an acceptable, but rather odd looking bunch of vines with wee greenish-reddish leaves and tendrils of blue and purple flowers that appeared in no herbal Colin had ever seen! The vines, twisted into a somewhat lopsided wreath, were unceremoniously crammed that onto his head. He'd done his hair short for the occasion, and felt weird!

It didn't take long to catch Clair's scent on the evening breeze, and he followed that to the lakeside. He saw Clair! She was wearing old boots! They looked like they'd seen some adventures! And a brown plaid dress too! He smiled and trotted over towards the girl! He saw the lake and the moonlight shimmering on it. Almost he turned to dive in! But Clair's presence brought him back.

"MRRRRRRR," said Greebo, rubbing up against Clair's boots happily.

"Clair! Ayo!" He stepped up to his girlfriend where she was waiting for him. "Sorry I'm late! Did I miss anything evil that needs fighting? I --- er --- had a bit of trouble with me hair!" Colin blushed slightly. He leaned in and gave Clair a kiss --- right on her lips! WHOA. Colin's universe exploded! "Oh God, she's sooo beautiful! I'll never get tired of kiss---!" Colin realised he was saying the last hit out loud.

"Er!" He shook his head slightly. There was no reason to be embarrassed! This was Clair!! He should be leaping for joy! He shouted as loudly as he could: "WOOOOO! I mean! I'll never get tired of kissing Clair Fernandez!!" Colin smiled at his beloved. "So! Shall we enter the Ball of Doom mo chridhe?"

@Clair Fernandez

october 6th 2023
the great lake
19:00

Many of the boats had set off, gliding slowly across the dark waters of the Great Lake.

Skye Daze Arch @Aries Scythe 9
@Alyssea Brown 5
@Rodney Hughes 17
@Helena Rose 6
@Renelle Dalton 8
@Piérre Marchonné 11

Although there were a few wobbles here and there as people moved around the boats or got on to set off, nobody fell in.

The surface of the lake was smooth and glassy, a mirror image of the dark sky above, lit by the glowing floating lanterns that had been released. It was still, except the slight ripples from the drifting boats and the occasional movement from under the surface.

Next to and on the lake, people were still making their lanterns, using the paint and decorations set out. Once they were lit, the new lanterns would join the others, a floating pathway in the sky, made by the glowing lanterns and light winds.

It really seemed like something from a faerie tale, the floating lanterns above the beautiful boats in the still water.

Not to mention, the romance - the little wooden boats were a perfect opportunity to confess to a crush or even share a kiss. This event truly catered to all. Well, all that liked water anyway.

For those who didn't, there was the candle-lit banquet nearby. So it truly could be said that there was something for everyone.

OOC Information
Welcome to the lake! Before you enter, please read the following:

1. Your character must be indexed. If you are not yet indexed, please register here
2. There are two activities you can partake in this area — lantern-making and the boat ride
3. Moderation will occur once a week on Saturdays. Clarification is below
4. Your character is allowed one moderated action per round. Please specify these actions in your post. If you are in a boat, there is a chance that you will fall in. If you do, it will be stated in the next moderation post. Please do not post that your character has fallen in unless it has been stated in a moderation post.
   
   Reducio

   A moderated action is anything requiring rolls e.g. casting a spell (at someone), punching someone. If the action is only between PCs and is consensual, it will not require rolls e.g. asking someone to dance.
5. If your PC is moving between the banquet and the boat rides, please specify your movement in your post
6. Please follow all normal H.io site rules while participating in the ball.

Get creative with your lanterns! And don't fall into the lake...

october 6th 2023; interacting with @Rodney Hughes, @Landon Matthews, @Madison Bennett, and @Helena Rose

Outfit Reducio

Once everyone got on the boat, sat down, and lit the tealights on their lanterns, their boat set off. Getting in was somewhat scary considering Helena's entrance made the boat even more unstable. Rodney's entrance had stabilised it, thankfully. There were screams but they survived.

Alyssea watched as the lanterns went up one by one as everyone finished making them on the ground. She looked down at her painting again, smiled and closed her eyes as she chanted her goal in her head again. I want to be a broom racer. Once the words were mentally spoken, she opened her eyes again and looked up at everyone. "Ready?" She asked.

"One..." She remembered her goal.

"Two..." She remembered her ball team.

"THREE!" And with that final countdown, she remembered her family.

She watched as the lantern floated into the sky, the golden glow from the tealight illuminating the painting on her lantern. Beautiful was the only word she could think of as she watched it fly up into the sky.

With a lighthearted laugh, she looked down at everyone and smiled. "How are we all?" Now that they had some time to sit down away from the crowd and just enjoy the vibes, maybe they could have a good conversation with one another.

"well I can't say I knew your name either" as he looks absentmindedly at his lantern trying to avoid the awkward eye contact that would occur if we looked up, but alas he couldn't not look at her as he said his next line hoping to encourage a more welcome environment between them "...but it's better late then never" he looked up with hope in his eyes trying to capture her attention the way mr brazil had in their past interaction.

although his creative skills had improved since his hieroglyphic sketch of a Jobberknoll he still hadn't created a masterpiece of a lantern that was meant to be for Harmony, while he felt almost embarrassed to present it to her he knew he'd tried his best and he hoped through the blotched paint and poor drawings that Harmony could notice that. As those around them started to release their lanterns Flynn looked across to the grounds to see people preparing boats to be launched, the confliction between what to do had confused Flynn until he remembered what Harmony had said and how she wanted to release the lanterns on the boats. "well I think this is the best I can do" as Flynn stands up with his lantern he looks at a barren patch he had left before grabbing a paintbrush and writing a big H in gold to signify that it was for Harmony, most would assume it to just mean Hufflepuff but to Flynn he knew what it meant and thats all that matters.

"well if we wanted to get on the lake with the lanterns we'd best go soon so we don't get stuck on a boat with strangers" Flynn remained standing as he admired his handiwork deep in thought about what him and Harmony should do during the rest of the night.

Interacting with:@Harmony Hollins