Magical Masquerade: The entrance

Howard made his way out of the castle and toward the Training Pitch. It almost seemed odd not to be dressed in Quidditch gear with a broom slung over his shoulder, but this afternoon was dedicated to other festivities. His mood was much calmer than the last ball he had attended. That fall he had an amazing time, yet there was something in the back of his mind that was nagging him all night. Graduation was near and these were his last events at Hogwarts. However, he had expected this anxiety to grow as the end of the school year came closer, but he felt at peace. Perhaps this was the natural way of things. He had stressed it for so long and now maybe he was beginning to accept it. These pondering left him walking at a slower pace than what was his norm, but what reason did he have to rush anyways.

The attire he wore wasn’t extravagant. A simple black suit and masquerade mask to match. Howard knew that his peers would be dressed to the nine, but he had never really learnt the flair for fashion. He would however enjoy the people watching that was about to commence as he drew closer to the pitch. Hogwarts balls were always top notch and full of excitement. They had to this day never failed to amuse him. Well, some in the past had been down right terrifying, but those days had long since past. Now he could easily relax and walk down the path the trees on either side created for them.

Some might wonder why he was walking alone. Surely @Bloom Silverton should have been on his arm, but they had developed a bit of a habit just meeting each other at the event instead of before. Hopefully she would be with him soon enough. Until then he would be drawn towards the sign and riddle like everyone else. They all seemed to be grouping around the same kind of flower, but Howard just watched for now.

Open to interactions. No actions for now.

Outfit:

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Text:

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Italics:Thoughts
Normal text: Actions and general description of what is happening
#5doo8f: Talking in English
#1a8ca2: Talking in Norwegian (Translations under revelio)

Interacting with:

Reducio

@Malin Penns
Open to interactions from others River has interacted with IC, please owl me if you wish to interact with her but have not done so before

Giving up on searching the honking flowers for the key, River turns to observe the rest of the people around her and the few characteristics that were still in view despite their masks. Having a memory like hers meant that even if someone covered over 75% of their face, she could still use the rest of what she could see to identify them. Sure, it might have been a little disturbing if others had heard about it, but she really couldn't help it, it was simply a part of her.

She recognised Viva, who had arrived before her and was dressed to the nines in a beautiful pink ensemble, with her wavy brown hair and distinct blue eyes, the curve of her jaw and the shape of her lips. Mentioning @Genevieve Delacourt

She also saw the McCoire siblings, recognising them with their silvery-white hair as they spoke with their friends, whom River also recognised somewhat, but had never interacted with them at all, so she did not know their names. She could remember seeing them around the Slytherin common room or a few classes. Mentioning @Lorcan McCoire @Colin McCoire

Lorcan stood talking with Minnie Duke, who seemed to have forgone wearing a mask to the event, simply wearing her glasses instead. River had not interacted with the Hufflepuff all that much, but they had attended a picnic together before and she seemed nice enough. Mentioning @Minnie Duke

River could also see Kaitlyn Connor, another fellow Slytherin, wearing a simplistic light blue dress with a silver mask and accessories. Mentioning @Kaitlyn Connor

Finally, she recognised the girl she had been waiting for, Malin Penns, whose outfit made her look like a graceful swan with its pearly white material and feathered embellishments.

The Norse girls carefully stepped away from the bushes she had given up searching and stepped lightly off toward her new friend whom she had invited to attend the ball with her. The runes stitched into her dress shone like stars as the balls of light drifting around the flower-filled area reflected their light off of the silver strings. The chains on her boots jingled as she walked and she flashed a small smile at Lin, who River hadn't been 100% sure would have actually attended.

"Hello Lin, I'm glad you decided to attend," she spoke gaining the attention of the girl who was still searching for the key to the entrance in the Honking Daffodil bushes. She took a step back and, remembering that this was a formal ball, curtseyed elegantly as her masked head lowered into a greeting nod. "You look beautiful," she complimented with a smile.

Word count: 424

Action: Stops searching the bushes and walks over to talk to Malin Penns

Sta: 5 | Eva: 5 | Str: 5 | Wis: 7 | Arc: 10 | Acc: 3

Abilities: None

As the sun crossed over the middle of the sky into mid-afternoon, growing ever closer to the loving embraces of the horizon, the tall teenager stood gazing out across the open expanse towards the quidditch pitch. Occasionally, he would absent-mindedly run a hand through his tousled mess of thick brown hair as Jack strode closer to the party. His choice of clothing was nothing if not provocative and fearless, a true reflection of his innermost desire to catch everyone's attention. Or, to put it more aptly, grab a single person's attention—the sheer light-blue blouse draped loosely around his lithe form, emphasizing his athletic build and revealing much more than it concealed. Meticulously stitched bronze-coloured roses adorned the blouse, blooming across his chest and arms. It was indeed a piece of art through fashion, with every thorn and petal immaculately embroidered with shimmering metallic thread. Form-fitting navy trousers accented the blue and bronze aesthetic nicely, along with a blue full-face mask with antlers pulling from the forehead of the mask. Finally, the true pièce de résistance was a silver crown that sat cocked at an annoying angle on top of his head. Jack Warren's self-assurance was at a mountain's peak, and if his swagger weren't irritating enough, a lioness on his arm would just about send the badger into space.

Jack had accompanied his date, Meenauh, from the Gryffindor common room. He had made sure to have a red rose to offer her, although he might have gone too far by holding it between his teeth. Though at the sight of his date, the Hufflepuff had pulled the rose from his mouth before gracefully holding it out. "You're absolutely stunning." He had spoken matter-of-factly, a grin growing wide across his face. The thought that his plan might be a resounding success and then fully sent his boyish charm into overdrive. Like a Sage Grouse, he puffed his chest out and offered Meenauh his arm for escort. And as they walked, Jack kept as close as he could to the Lioness. Their proximity was comforting for him.

Finally stepping onto the pitch, there were already so many souls starting to dig around in the bushes, but Jack couldn't help but smear a look of disgust at the idea of scrounging around for a box. What was he? A five-year-old? Wasn't the point of dressing up to look good and not mess everything up by digging around in some stupid, noisy flowers? He couldn't help but glance at Meenauh and raise an eyebrow as if to say, 'Really?'. He was curious to see her reaction to a wild scavenger hunt, but he hoped it would be with disdain, such as himself. "Is there a reason to dig around for a key? We could take one from one of the kids who did all the hard work." Mr. Warren commented off-handedly. "Unless you want me to find one for you..." It would be rude not to offer, even if he didn't want to do it. As he spoke, he casually tapped his hand against Meenauh's, which hooked around his arm.

Interaction with @Meenauh Silmataurea
Action: People watching for now.
Open to interactions!

Outfit:

Reducio

Stats:

Reducio

Sta 7 | Ev 17 | Str 12 | Wis 5 | Arc 7 | Acc 10
Fearless | Charmer | Animagus

*light Godmod permission from Meenauh

April 13th 2024
Quidditch Training Pitch
Moderation post

Malin and Victoria search the bushes
t!choose Malin | Victoria
20% chance to find something, success on 1-2: 4, failed
Victoria does not find anything

People are searching the Honking Daffodils bush
t!choose Aljendro | Sullivan | AngelFyre | Lorcan | Akira | Inara | Miles | Genevieve | River | Fang-hui | Irina
t!choose Mahiloz | Colin | Devon | Minnie | Elodie | Kaitlyn | Ophelia | Della | Paige | EmmaLee | Yasha
t!choose Basil | Greta | Rebecca| Linda | Irya | Kaya
Irina, Paige, and Linda may have spotted something!
t!choose Paige | Linda | Irina
80% chance to find the next clue, success on 1-8: 9, failed

People with Sixth Sense and Keen Eye
t!choose Valentin | Beatrice | Klynn | Mateo
90% chance to find the next clue, success on 1-9: 6, success!
Beatrice finds the next clue!

Some students opt out of the treasure hunt to socialise with their friends, while others stand back, observing the scene. Quentin Gagné, unfortunately, finds nothing as he covers up his clumsiness by pretending to search the lilacs. Raizel Voltrouz’s clever spell casting also fails to yield any results. Perhaps the key was enchanted to resist such charms, or maybe it wasn't a key at all, but rather a metaphor. I guess we’ll have to find out.

The poor honking daffodils suddenly find themselves swarmed by over thirty students, their honks and tooting drowned out by the sound of joyful chatter. The bushes are thoroughly searched, but only one student is destined to find the next clue of the treasure hunt. Beatrice Dupont, with her keen eyes, is the first to spot a small ornate box, clearly part of the game. Opening the box reveals a collection of wizarding joke candies with a small piece of parchment nestled amongst them.

The box contains a variety of sweets, including Fainting Fancies, crafted by Fred and George and sold in their shop. These candies induce fainting if bitten on one side but revive you if chewed on the other. Nosebleed Nougats are also present, causing nosebleeds on one side and restoring your nose on the other. Lastly, there are Puking Pastilles, which induce vomiting on one end but offer relief on the other. Additionally, there are Exploding Bonbons that, when popped into your mouth, explode harmlessly, leaving you annoyed at being tricked.

The real prize of course is the next clue:

Blood of a goddess,
Turned its petals red
Tears made her a mess,
Her lover now dead.

Just to be clearer on this. You are all free to assume your character has now also seen the clue.

Reducio

@Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood
@Alejandro Garcia
@Alyssea Brown
@AngelFyre McCubbin
@Avery Chen
@Beatrice Dupont
@Colin McCoire
@Danielle Alden
@Della Barfield
@EmmaLee LeDames
@Evelynn Decipio
@Fang Hui-Ying
@Genevieve Delacourt
@Inara Yang
@Irina Shevel
@Kaitlyn Connor
@Klynn Seacrown
@Leaf Shard
@Linda Ramirez
@Lorcan McCoire
@Mahlioz Evethisawe
@Malin Penns
@Minnie Duke
@Ophelia Northwell
@Paige Mallary
@Quinn Brook
@Quinn Root
@Raizel Voltrouz
@Rebecca Lark
@River Luxley
@Simon Kincaid
@Siobhan McCarty
@Sullivan Olivier
@Theo Vendeberg
@Tracey Bailey
@Victoria Lena Jones
@Zach Zaphiere

OOC INFORMATION

A warm welcome to everybody! Please proceed with the roleplay, only after reading this section.
• Your character must be indexed. If not, check out this thread !
• Moderation of this thread occurs once in 3-4 days.
• A character is allowed to only have one moderated action per round.
Moderated actions are described below:

Reducio

Moderated actions are those actions that requires rolls like casting a spell on someone, physically fighting (like punching) with someone, surprising someone etc. Rolls are not needed for pre-decided or consented actions, like asking someone for a dance.

• A character can only search one bush per round.
• Please specify your actions at the bottom of your post.
• Please mention your stats and abilities at the bottom of your posts as well.
• Some clues might be related to stories, feel free to use searching browsers to your aid, out of character.
• The entrance thread will still be open for roleplay even after the hunt has ended, however it would be your wish if you want to roleplay here further but it would be implied you have entered the ball after going through this area. The entrance would later on also function as the exit out of the ball and the entrance to the craft area.
• All normal h.io rules are to be followed.
Thankyou for reading! I hope you have fun.

MODERATED ACTION:
Searching through the roses for the box.

STAMINA: 7 | EVASION: 7 | STRENGTH: 3 | WISDOM: 8 | ARCPOWER: 8 | ACCURACY: 9
ABILITIES: Fearless | Calming Presence
INVENTORY: Wand, Lavender Honey Candies, Blue butterfly embroidered handkerchief, first aid kit.

Outfit

Animagus Form in Effect; Piérre is a Marvellous Spatuletail Hummingbird

Calming Presence in Inactive due to Animagus Form;
Romeo Marchonné, Valentin Schnell, Greta Fransson & Figaro Affected

Life was a strange creature, and Piérre was finding himself no less vulnerable to its whims than anybody else in this strange and mysterious world that always seemed to unravel at the seams whenever it was the least convenient for him. Not that there was much that he could do about it other than play the cithara while it burned on all sides--after all his mind was to himself no better than the maddened state of the infamed mad emperor Nero. A series of breaks and of mendings only to shatter the wounds through their plasters had resulted in a collective shattering of the delicate and once certain psyche that had been found in the boy. While he did hope there was a light at the end of the tunnel, while he had been shown that there was a light at the end of the tunnel for him and that he had seen it firsthand, there was the trepidation--of course--that came with a heart that had been injured just a hair too much to immediately find itself trusting what it was told lest it merely be bled out more for its troubles.

However, the boy was not fully recovered, as it were, and the boy was also not in the mood to try to do his own thing tonight when there was a perfectly chaotic and potentially doomed ball out there just waiting to be participated in. Where Piérre's footfalls were, there was disaster trailing like a needy baby bird in his very shadow. His eyes were still vibrant green even if overshadowed by dark marks, his skin pallid thanks to sleeplessness and sudden wakings even when he did manage to drift off. Attempts to smile, to perform, were paramount, even if in his heart there was a fluttering and a panic that came with the sensation of eyes upon his body, on his back. The sensation of magic that dripped through his body, that seemed to ooze from his fingertips and to linger behind wherever he stood for too long felt seemingly more volatile as ever, to the point that he was now not just a little frightened to attempt to cast magic. No, it could be left to sing and to tremble in his very heart, his bones, his marrow--to dance in his veins and to burn there like a wild thing. He would not give it the satisfaction--could not afford to give it its satisfactions for a second time in a non-isolated place as he had before in the aftermath of the ill-fated duel that crossed his mind like a shadow of ill omen and left its fingers of deep and excruciating guilt to score across his mind like a toothed scourge.

He had found, however, that such feeling subsided when he was not himself. Well, more specifically, if he was not in his human body.

As Valentin and his brother had entered, Piérre had joined them having had made plans with Romeo before the ball to do so. He had explained again after meeting them how he had wanted to simply tag along with them and spend a nice night with them as well, and that he wouldn't cause any trouble for them he promised and that they probably wouldn't even know he was there. After a skeptical look from his brother, Piérre had redoubled his efforts, and had somehow ended up winning his fight in the end. To back his end of the deal, the boy had shrunk and contorted his entire body as it seemed to transfigure on its own without a command--in less than five seconds where a sixteen year old boy was with some errant facial hair and a gangly, awkward poise bedecked in a tastefully ripped (only in places, mind you) gauzy pink and green jester's outfit complete with ruffle collar and headband jangles (his masque was an old porcelain Venetian masque from his first year in school... or rather one that had escaped being totally shattered when he had broken it out of frustration after a similar debacle and then mended ever so slightly to be repurposed as a very cracked and splintered half-masque). Just as it had been with his impromptu Cloak of Hyumming, these clothes were strangely easy to incorporate into his tiny bird form, and they presented no issues besides his feathers seeming to have a slightly more pinkish-green tint than they usually did.

So here he was now as his brother and Valentin entered the ball, having nested himself gently into Valentin's hair like a bejeweled hair-piece. If he didn't move, the only thing a little odd about it was the fact that it appeared to be breathing, or at least causing Valentin's hair to move ever so slightly as if ruffled by a teeny-tiny breeze that didn't make sense as it seemed to 'rise and fall' as oppose to 'brush backwards'. Piérre was, in the end after he had sort of 'spun himself in', very comfortable indeed.

He had not come here alone, however, as Figaro himself had come along as well. After watching his brother transmogrify, the feline had mewed softly and then had brushed up against Romeo's legs as if to signal that he too would be coming along for the fun. The two of them had an interesting history, but to Figaro at least it seemed that most incidents were well in the past by now. For now at least the two parties were at peace, and Figaro saw no reason to alter that condition unless under expediting conditions. The feline would come along with the rest of the party, trotting merrily alongside the two humans who had turned themselves into an impressive tower.

As they entered and heard the sounds of the honking daffodils, Hummingpi shivered a bit and tucked himself further down into the white soft hair of the Niffler, his little heart beating at what was likely hundreds of beats per minute. Small black-green eyes blinked birdishly, his head flicking around a bit as to look at things he wasn't sure what he wanted to look at. Everything, every color, was so strange in this form as it was that of the ultraviolet spectrum in parts--the better to see those vibrant flowers and the colors unspeakable and indescribable to the human eye. As a hummingbird, at least, they were gorgeous, and they were practically begging for him to come over and stick his thin beak and keratinous feathered tongue into the little nectar caches so as to imbibe the sugarwater that was waiting there for any pollinator that was fast enough to snatch it up before anyone or anything else could.

In the quiet that was brief, there was a young girl that came running up to the Tower with a warcry of the pet names of Valentin and what Piérre could only assume to be the nickname of his own brother. His head snapping towards the little girl (who appeared to be so far below himself on the head of Valentin atop the shoulders of his brother--a height that was likely close to nearing that of three whole meters), he blinked at the girl and tipped his head lightly in curiosity of her, how small she was (though compared to Romeo, that wasn't to say very much to begin with). She seemed delighted enough to be here, merry and joyful, the way that one should be at an event like this. Despite himself, the boy felt a hum of happiness vibrate in his hummingbird heart, and there came unconsciously from him a sharp series of chattering click-snapping noises that upslurred into a sweet tswee! sound.

As if realizing he had made the noise, Piérre tried to tuck himself back into Valentin's soft white hair, cozying himself in the soft strands as if they were his own nest once again as his eyes continued to fix upon the young and most beautifully-dressed young woman whose colors seemed to radiate in those effervescent and impossible hues that only he could rightly see. A splendid collection of colors they were...

Interacting with Friends, Entering as Hummingbird

Statistics: Stamina 7 | Strength 5 | Evasion 18 | Wisdom 12 | Accuracy 16 | ArcPower 5
Hummingbird: Stamina 1 | Strength 1 | Evasion 18 | Wisdom 1 | Accuracy 9

Abilities:
Keen Eye | Calming Presence | Beast Master [Cat] | Cat's Grace | Animagus [Hummingbird]
Hummingbird:
Flight | Observation (50% Chance [Flight/V. Small) | Stealth (25% Chance), +2 Stealth

Items:
Wand [10.2 inches Yew and Snallygaster Heartstring] | [Sharpened] Locksmith's Knife
[Red] Deck of 52 Playing Cards | Soda | Firebreathing Potion

Figaro the Silver Bengal Abilities: Cat's Grace | Claws and Bite Action: Entering Banquet With Piérre Entering in the Open Status: Calming Presence (Piérre)

Beast Master Familiar: 200/200

ACTION:
Searching through the roses for the box.

STAMINA: 9 | EVASION: 9 | STRENGTH: 3 | WISDOM: 4 | ARCPOWER: 3 | ACCURACY: 7
ABILITIES: Keeper's Catch
INVENTORY: Wand, Black handkerchief

Roleplaying as Mateo Yamamoto from Mahoutokoro

Japanese = green | English = white | Spanish = red | Thoughts = italics + #bc8f8f

As Mateo was searching through the honking daffodil bush, he couldn't seem to find anything, so, before the next clue was given, the young Japanese boy slowly began walking away from the bush.

More and more people had arrived, but sadly, his date hadn't arrived yet. He hoped she hadn't stood him up, even though they are only going as friends, but Mateo didn't want to be alone, so he began walking in the direction of where his friends are and they didn't mind him hanging out with him, which was good.

Mateo was sad that he hadn't found the box containing all those candies, or should I say, pranking candies, but at least there was another clue. Mateo read the clue outloud, and one of his friends seemed to know the answer right away, so, Mateo walked over to the rush bushes and began looking for another box, or maybe a key.

Who knows what he'll find? And maybe perhaps his date will arrive soon so he wouldn't have to continue hanging out with his friends from school? Well, that's what Mateo hoped for, even though he and his friends don't mind Mateo hanging out with them, it's just that, Mateo is always with them. And, there is one other person he could go to, but he didn't want to, since, like Tracey, Mateo wasn't sure what Tracey's date would say when he met Mateo, or found out that the two are childhood friends, so Mateo stayed where he was, searching through the rose bushes, and making sure he wouldn't get pricked by the thorns.

date: 04/13/2024

mentions: @Rowan Bellegno as @Maleïssa Nortundra

word count: 221/200

stats: Sta: 7 | Eva: 6 | Str: 6 | Wis: 4 | Arc: 6 | Acc: 6

abilities: The Sixth Sense

action: Leaving the Honking Daffodil bush and searching through the rose bushes

Outfit:

Reducio

Text:

Reducio

Italics:Thoughts
Normal text: Actions and general description of what is happening
#5doo8f: Talking in English
#1a8ca2: Talking in Norwegian (Translations under revelio)

Interacting with:

Reducio

@Malin Penns
Open to interactions from others River has interacted with IC, please owl me if you wish to interact with her but have not done so before

"River! Hi!" Lin greeted River, a bright smile stretching over her lips. River couldn't help but smile fondly as the shorter girl blushed slighter at her compliment. "You look scary." The Gryffindor suddenly blurted out, then realized how that must've sounded and backtracked, "Not a bad scary...a good scary, like a, uh, like a unicorn." River was a little confused to be entirely honest on the unicorn part, but she was appreciative of the compliment all the same.

Her ancestors were vikings, warriors of olde and to be perceived as scary, as threatening, her blood basically sang in triumph. She was young, sure, but she would not embarrass her lineage. She was hoping for such a reaction anyway, many of the runes stitched into her dress were ones of protection, war and triumph. My instructor always likened a formal ball to a battlefield anyway, River thought with a grin. Having an actual mask covering her features made her feel much more confident to be her natural self around the others. Having her friend with her made her even more comfortable.

"Thank you, 'scary' is a compliment of the highest order in my family, so I appreciate it," River glanced over at the new hint that had been announced after the first "key" was found.

"Blood of a goddess,
Turned its petals red
Tears made her a mess,
Her lover now dead."

Tilting her head in thought, River turns to Lin, "It is speaking of the tale of Aphrodite and Adonis. After adonis is killed, Aphrodite's tears spill and turn anemone flowers red. I haven't seen any of those flowers here, but in the tale Aphrodite also steps on a white rose thorn, turning the flower red with her blood and there are a few rose buses around here. Would you like to search through them with me? We can still converse as we do so."

She steps away from her swan-dressed companion and over to a rose bush with her hand beckoning the other gracefully.

Word count: 335

Action: Searching the rose bushes and glancing around for any anemone flowers. Talking with Malin Penns as she does so.

Sta: 5 | Eva: 5 | Str: 5 | Wis: 7 | Arc: 10 | Acc: 3

Abilities: None