Magical Masquerade: The entrance

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With a fluid smoothness, Valentin easily left my shoulders and alit himself gently to the ground with my brother in hand. "Of course I mean it, Gretalina." I gave a mock start as if offended by Greta's lack of belief in the trueness of my words. "I wouldn't lie about something as true as what's right in front of my face." My smile spread a little more as Valentin went in for his 'kill' on Greta, rolling my shoulders and my neck back again as I loosened my muscles. Despite myself, I felt my arms cross, relaxing into a comfortable disposition of ease. Quietly satisfied with the current circumstance, a light pressure against my leg caused me to start for a moment before I realized that it was nothing but an orange cat that had decided to rub against the pantleg of my prince's couture.

Though not outright afraid of cats, I had had... well... I'd had bad experiences with cats before, particularly with the same silver hellcat that was currently beginning to investigate the orange one--the one that had ripped off a good part of my ear. I just stood very still, waiting. "You can stay there all you like, my good sir, just don't get any ideas about biting or scratching, capiche?" I said softly, trying not to detract from Valentin and Greta's moment.

Assured that the cat wouldn't try to act out on me, through the eyeholes of the bear masque I peered narrowly up at the sky and took a refreshingly deep breath... butthe slightly erroneous spellcasting action of Valentin snapped me back to reality just as the flaws of the spellcast would take hold.

With a sudden, harsh sneeze that was full-body in nature--"Vale--K...-CHOO!"--I sniffled a bit before sneezing once again and rubbing my eyes of pollen as a slight buzzing began to fill the air. Bees?!

In an instant even as quickly as Greta's warning had come for me, my hand was on my wand, trying to think of a spell to cast for the instance and tossing my thoughts up between Fumos or Ventus as to how to deal with the buggers that were likely just as surprised to be conjured into being as I was... but in a matter of moments it was over--one spell from Greta captured many of the bees inside of harmless bubbles, and another spell transformed the other lot of them into yellow and black birds that fluttered up and off into the night. I had hardly noticed the panic of my bird in his bird form, but I did notice from my overhead viewpoint that his feet were ever so slightly snarled in Greta's hair. He would probably be able to release himself safely enough when the time came, but it would take a little more thought than he was used to, most likely.

Wand still in hand, I glanced about for any more of those little buggers before shaking my head and turning the wand uselessly in both my hands instead. "I--k-CHOO! Augh..." Came the sniffle again. "Hah... I guess I wasn't expecting that... You're all quicker on the draw than I am, I guess." My face slowly turned red as I realized my lack of reaction time at times. I wasn't really... great with a wand. A bit clumsy with it, in fact.

A younger girl rushed in, and I took a step back only to realize that she was instead collecting the orange cat that had formerly been rubbing on me. "Oh uh... he's yours? He wasn't causing harm, that is... uh..."

She looked up at me, and I fixated on the face for a moment before the pieces clicked in tandem with her words. "The fall ball..." Ah... the fall ball... when I had saved a girl from the grasp of a group of grindylows...

My face turned even redder. "Y-yes, well that was... ahem..." I flustered as I figured that Valentin and Greta would have probably been attracted by this little meeting as well. "I-I just did what anyone would have done. Should have done. You're... you're doing alright it seems, that's good." Any former 'togetherness' that I had moments prior had disintegrated in an instant, my laughable ability to hold any kind of small talk almost immediately shining through in a most flustering and embarrassing light. "G-good! Good! Uh, have a nice night! Thank... you--er you're welcome?" The sentence transformed into a query as I awkwardly tried to wrap up the small conversation that had seemingly been an intention of thanks that... I...

Well frankly I wasn't used to, but on the other hand had grown to not have to expect. It was just... it was just what I did at this point after all. It was why I had decided to come here to this ball in the first place--to be the foolish brute strength and muscle that others could rely on to serve as cannon fodder or to engage with any present threat. Until then I was simply... here. Watching and waiting, as the case may have been.

"Tsss... I could probably carry both of you, yeah." I said distractedly, running my hand through my hair and ruffling it ever so slightly in an attempt to relax myself again. My brows creased slightly at Valentin's deflection of the failed magic. "I politely disagree, Valya. You know as well as I you've never had a single wand last for an entire year without it either blowing up or breaking itself. I think it totally the wand's fault, and I can prove it because I'll--" I roll my eyes before putting one hand on my hip and massaging my eyes with the other. "If I could get the materials, I'd make one custom for you. And that one will be perfect." I said deadpan. "But I think your incantation was a hair off that time, I'll agree to that much." I said wearily.

The pollen was blown off over the Great Lake quietly.

Getting ready to brace myself for 'onboarding' again, my ear was caught by a ruckus only a little ways away. My brow arched. A fight? Already? The doors to the main ball were already being open, hadn't been open before this, and a fight had started already?

What delighted these children of Hogwarts...?

But... didn't I...

Yes I knew that face. That was the face of one of the individuals I had housed with in a cabin a few years ago. A few years older, but...

'Deve essere impopolare...? Must be unpopular...?' Came the first logical thought that came to mind, the first logical explanation I had for someone being so venomously confronted. A girl demanded an answer about a Jack?

I rubbed my eyes again, this time with both hands before inhaling deeply with a small sigh. It was simply going to be one of these sorts of nights, wasn't it?

About to Cast Fumos, But Doesn't
Flusters a Bit, Gets Concerned by the Vladimir Engagement, Concentrates on Lifting the Durm Kiddoes to Create the Leaning Tower of Romeo [If they Desire it & Going With Them]

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Inventory, Outfit, & Post Tracker

Beneath a tempestuous veil of voices, the thoughts of his peers danced like malicious marionettes, their cacophony a deafening onslaught on his senses. It was an excruciating torment that gnawed at Vladimir's mind, a painful din that threatened to shatter the Ravenclaw's composure. But he knew how to clench his jaw, to steel his gaze and to stand in such a way that he would not sway beneath the weight of the psychic barrage.

As a Legilimens, Vladimir's senses were acutely attuned, amplifying the torrent of thoughts, emotions and adolescent hormones that surged through the crowd. The thoughts of some were awful, crude and Merlin damn it, ever-present. It was a curse that had plagued him since childhood, fostering an awkward demeanor and inhibiting his ability to forge genuine connections with others. Everyone lies, maintains face and placates to maintain the peace. Unfortunately Vladimir perceived the thoughts of others with excruciating clarity, their scorn and pity echoing relentlessly in his mind.

Unbeknownst to him, his thoughts echoed through the crowd as well, discernible to one particular young woman - Evelynn.

'They're so loud,' Evelyn's wand seemed to murmur in Vladimir's voice, only the tone seemed more tired than one would have expected. The Wampus hair core granting her a flicker of insight into his tormented mind. 'Why can't they be quiet? It hurts.'

Vladimir's lips remained motionless, yet his internal anguish manifested as a symphony of unspoken words. Their voices, once muted, now whispered faint echoes, while the single word 'Davenport' reverberated louder than the rest. Not that there was a link between the legilimens and the young woman with the wampus cored wand that was spying on his thoughts. No, it was that her name that still pulled at something deep within him.

In his mind, a gruesome tableau unfolded. Marion's beautiful features contorted into a grotesque sneer as a gloved hand extended towards her, wand in hand. A spell paralyzed her body, encasing her in a frigid prison. Then, a gloved fist shattered her frozen form, red shards of ice scattered across the floor. The scenes did not play out like a movie, but rather a disjointed collection of polaroid photos in her mind's eye through the conduit of the wand.

The memory struck like a physical blow, the cruelty of it etched into consciousness with horrifying vividness. As the final scene faded to black, a subtle flicker in the shadows to the right hinted at an unseen presence. Was it a hint at a greater power or perhaps a witness. A trick of the eye or of memory? It was impossible to know.

"She is gone. She is gone. Oh god, she is gone," the wampus wand seemed to cry.

Unbeknownst to others unless she chose to share, Eve had stumbled upon a scene she was unprepared for.

Shortly thereafter, as Vladimir stood alone, and the power of the wampus wand faded before he could share his impression of the oddly dressed woman that decided to stand near him. His head remained averted, but a subtle glance from the corner of his eye revealed a flicker of awareness. His thoughts, whether apprehensive or inscrutable, would remain forever hidden to Evelynn.

"You clean up well-" she ventured, her voice a deliberate contrast to the silence.

"Hmm?" The young man paused, his head tilting slightly, as if he considered acknowledging the lioness before abruptly changing his mind. He was not accustomed to such overt attention, nor was he particularly skilled in its reception. Xailah, having stolen a peek at his freshman journal was perhaps already aware of some of this awkwardness.

"-for a man who should be six feet under," she continued, revealing a grudging acknowledgment of his famed past. A sigh escaped his lips, a weary echo of countless past encounters like this. She was far from the first. Everyone had the same questions, the same comments.

He had an answer for them by now, as sarcastic as it was. "Fashioning a new trend: resurrecting zombie chic one dance at a time," he retorted, his tone devoid of amusement and the words well-practiced. Although considering his pallor, perhaps he was being literal in this statement. Shades of ash rather than rose sculptured his long, lean features.

She had more to say, perhaps allowing her thoughts to filter into words without consideration. Perhaps an interrogation. She uttered another observation, "I've seen you at past dances before. You always linger around the fringe first, watching," the girl continued. She was prying but it was also an accurate assessment. Vladimir always gravitated towards the periphery, rarely engaging with his peers. He did not even try to blend, so it was not about hiding. Not that he could hide considering his height. Not that he tried to attract a curious audience either. His demeanor was somber and his bearing rigid. One could easily assume an air of aloof superiority in his presence, a fitting image for the heir apparent to a wealthy pureblood lineage and aspiring politician.

"Why?" She would ask.

The surface answer was clear, but the underlying truth was far more intricate. "My last social interaction was with my friends," he said, using the term friend loosely again as Xailah of all people was likely aware. Victor and Marion both were rather cruel to him. Xailah knew his claim was delusional at best, a blatant fabrication. "I think everyone know how they always turned out," he reminded her, a tone of anger briefly flickering in his voice. The indignity of it all.

In truth, there was an incessant cacophony of psychic noise that threatened to engulf him, a constant reminder of his hatred for crowds. Deep-seated paranoia rooted in past trauma tormented him, leaving him constantly on edge. He had been mocked, despised, ostracized, creating an unbridgeable chasm between him and his peers. His presence was met with scorn, his existence deemed unwanted even before the onset of his current trials. There was no respite for him, even amongst friends. They were trying to leave him. They hated him, he heard them in their head...

"You had a chance to leave this all behind and start life anew. Why did you come back?" Xailah asked. Return to where? School? The gates leading to the Quidditch pitch swung open.

"Every time you depart, you're given that same choice, yet you always choose to come back—at the end of every vacation, the beginning of every year, after every defeat, every betrayal. The chance to flee has always presented itself for you, for me, for every student who has endured these harrowing years," he retorted. He was not the only one that suffered nor was he the only one that lost something. The explanation unspoken but was largely unanimous: they refused to surrender, to abandon their lives. For some, there was nowhere else to go.

Gradually, the students would filter into the quidditch pitch now that it was open. Couples, individuals, and groups converged, drawn by the allure of music, lights, refreshments, and the promise of pleasant memories. "Once they are in, there will be no way out." she said, referring to the partygoers.

"Such a dreadful fate," he remarked with seeming indifference. Yet, beneath his impassive facade, a flicker of fear in his eyes betrayed his trepidation—a hint of dread that far surpassed what his words could convey.

"Tell me, what should we come to expect tonight? Spiders? Shadows? Half-giants?" His gaze turned towards her, intent on etching her unusual features into his memory.

"Merely the rhythm of the dance, I trust," he uttered, pausing briefly. "Or would you prefer to prolong this...discussion...upon the dancefloor?" A hasty proposal considering the festivities were already in full swing, his gloved hand extended in invitation.

However, his potentially charming gambit for an amiable evening swiftly unraveled as an insistent girl brandishing a wand interrupted their tête-à-tête. A tut escaped his lips, and his mouth curled into a wry smirk as he regarded the dueling captain. "Surely this is uncalled for?"

Her wand pressed threateningly against his throat, forcing him to divert his gaze towards Xailah and raise his hands in a slow and calculated manner.

"What did you do to Jack, dead man?!" She demanded, her accusation leaving him utterly perplexed.

"What?" Vladimir replied with incredulity almost spitting out the single word. "Jack who?" There were a few Jacks in this school. He had no idea what Jack was her Jack.

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Interacting with: @Devon Wallen Reese/@Kaitlyn Connor and @Basil Murphy/@Quinn Brook and @Open For Interactions	Word Count: 210/200	Outfit: Reducio Reducio Mask: Reducio

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I groaned as Basil ran off, thinking I was a rude git. "Basil you-I'm sorry Devon, I was just being curious and he-I think I'll go find my date. Have fun with your boyfriend!" And I ran off to find Emiline. I sighed as I walked through the throng of people to get to the now open gates. I was just being curious, why did he have to overreact like that? Now Devon was going to think I was mean. When did life get so complicated? I sighed and continued walking to the ball. If I had let out a tiny bit of anger at the beginning, who knows what will happen during the real thing? Putting those thoughts away for now, I stopped walking and let some of the worst crowd get through first as to not get crushed. While I waited, I looked around for Emiline, hoping she hadn't gotten sick or anything. I then started to think about my actions. I might have seemed really rude, even though my voice was light and curious. If nothing bad happened then I would apologize. I looked at the crowd, and saw it slow down a little. When I was sure I would be fine, I walked into the ball. 𝓐𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷: Leaving the entrance and entering the ball 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕤: Stamina 7| Evasion 7| Strength 3| Wisdom 6| Arcane Power 5| Accuracy 7 𝒜𝒷𝒾𝓁𝒾𝓉𝒾𝑒𝓈: The Muggle Condition

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Interacting with : Reducio @Quinn Brook as @Basil Murphy Mentioning: @Minnie Duke as @Alice Dale

Outfit: Reducio

Notes: Reducio Speech: #3CB371 Thoughts: italics Devon: #8e19d7

‘I feel like such a bad friend. I should’ve said something much sooner. I’ll find a way to make it up to Alice,’ Devon thought, sadly.

The smile on her face turned into a smirk at his response. “I hope that’s meant to be a good thing,” Devon replied, her voice still uncharacteristically quiet. She accepted his hand in her hand again, interlacing their fingers immediately.

Devon flushed lightly, not really sure of what to say to Basil about Alice. They were best friends first. Basil was her current date, and definitely her crush. But, she didn’t want to alienate her best friend. She’d feel terrible about that. “Alice is my best friend,” she replied. “I’m not going to beg you to like her or anything, but please, for my sake, don’t fight with her,” she continued, her voice still quiet. “I’m not the one you should be apologizing to … I think you owe Alice an apology,” she replied. A cross expression formed on her face briefly, quickly falling back to the sad expression she wore when she first came over, unable to hold being properly mad.

Feeling awkward again, Devon’s sight returned to her feet. She was not prepared for this. She hated fights. Despite being the youngest in her family, she was often the one to break up any fighting. And now, here, she had no idea what to do. ‘Do I force Basil to stay here until he apologizes to Alice? Do just saunter into the dance, pretending like nothing happened? Do I bolt away from Basil and run to Alice again? Ugh, I’m so confused.’ Her indecision caused her to freeze to the spot, giving no indication that she was about to enter the ball, yet she still held his hand. Her free hand played with one of her pigtails, well aware of how enticing she must look to her date.

Reducio

Note: 316 words

Action: Too unsure of herself to do much. Talking / reacting to Basil.
Stats: Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 6 | Strength: 5 | Wisdom: 7 | ArcPower: 7 | Accuracy: 5

I nodded at Kaya. "I don't have anyone to go with as well," I said. Kaya's strategy was good. I smiled at EmmaLee. I hoped that she would find her partner. "I wish you the best of luck finding your friend EmmaLee, and hopefully we can all find someone to dance or hang out with at the end of the day!"
I smiled. I was pretty sure that EmmaLee's friend was going to be or was her partner. I was about to turn back to the lilies when another howler rang out.
Apparently the clue was in the irises which was strange. I guess it meant both? I wasn't sure. I waved to EmmaLee as she left. Afterward, Aurélie left. I smiled at her. "Yes, I hope I will see you sometime in the ball and maybe another day! It was nice to meet you finally!" I replied.
That left me and Kaya. And then Kaya waved goodbye and I waved back at her. I smiled. "Maybe I'll see you at the ball somewhere!". Then it was just me. I guess it was time for me to go as well. It was crowded with all the people entering. I hoped that I would keep in touch with everyone, especially EmmaLee because new friends were the best.
I would see the ball, eat, maybe run into someone and then head to the arts and crafts area. I had an idea and I wanted to make a necklace for Kaya my bestie. I guess it was time to put my plan into action then.

sta 8 • eva 7 • str 6 • wis 8 • arc 6 • acc 7
Charmer | Fearless
Open to interactions!

Word Count: 262/200

OC: A bit rushed but to prevent waiting.

Fate can be a real bitch and so can the narrator.

@Jack Warren had an adequate, but not quite a good life. He had friends, not too many of them. But enough. He was passing academically, but he did not excel. He was good, but never great. But for years Jack Warren had been but half a man, living a double life. By day, he was the young wizard enduring adolescence, academics and raging hormones. By night, he was compelled by an unseen, unfelt force to dig. Something called to him. Something hidden that begged to be found.

Something was terribly wrong, it was obvious as the young man relinquished what would have been a romantic embrace between lovers to excavate the earth with his bare hands. Some might notice just then Jack's back through the sheer shirt he wore. His muscles were unusually defined. His shoulders broad, the sleeves of his shirt tight against his arms as the seams struggled to contain the muscular form they so poorly concealed. Even if he was not digging a hole at a ball, the scene would have been thirst-inducing.

Ladies, you are very welcome.

Jack's hands would scrape at the earth. Ripping the sod from the surface. His nails digging into the hard-packed earth, scraping into the clay. Something was there. Deep beneath the place where he stood. Something that needed to be uncovered. An urge that he had forgotten each dawn hundreds of times over.

Dig.

He left a woman potentially wanting. On the precipice of passion only to withdraw at the final moment. @Meenauh Silmataurea was not a woman to scorn. The strange, abrupt change in Jack could only be attributed to one person, @Vladimir Athanatos. The Ravenclaw was always present at times of disaster, several being directly attributed to the teen. He was talking to a woman the Gryffindor was familiar with, fellow lioness @Xailah Alptraum. He should have stayed dead.

She stormed the ashen giant, her wand drawn from a hidden compartment in the navy dress that had so mesmerized her now cursed dance partner. A wrath that the Ravenclaw would be foolish to disregard. Her wand pointed at Vladimir's throat, she accused him of being the cause.

Vladimir had no idea what the crazed woman was talking about. He was, likely unsuccessfully, making moves on the metamorphmagus rather the involve himself in the drama that was obviously rising.

Feel free to attempt to attack Vladimir if this is fitting.

Jack would not be alone for long. His hands would push aside the earth, his attention downward as he endeavored to liberate that which was hidden. A younger student, both curious and incredibly stupid would disregard @Evelynn Decipio's warning and abbreviated mention of relevant threats and approach the newfound oddity, Jack. @Pericles Dralt had seen enough balls, enough curses and enough encounters involving Vlad to know better than to get too close, to make too much noise or get too involved.

Jack, you are obviously aggressive. You have minor power over yourself, but you are prone to violence and agitated as a part of your condition/ It is your choice if you choose to attack, however your action economy is modified (3 per round as opposed to the usual 1).

Did @Finnegan Connor know better? Heed the warnings of his elders? Was he just in the right place at the right time to slow Bex's suicide mission? It did not matter, he probably saved her life (refer to the note above) unless the cursed teen was feeling gracious.

Perhaps Pericles this diversion would reduce at least one liability. He attempted to brush Bex's shoulder with an encouraging push towards Finnegan as if to say you two play.

Push (Peri) (14) + 8
Evade (Bex) (3) + 14

A gentle push, a meager attempt at matchmaker. Defender of life. Fascination would override sensibility as the Ravenclaw approached Jack. He was taking a different approach as opposed to Meenauh who was already brandishing her wand. Sadly, he would need to have a powerful relationship with Jack to make a desired impact.

"Jack...?"

Would he answer? It was not a question of could, it was a question of if and how. Jack was dangerous. Peri tried to reach out to Jack, (allowing Jack to decide if they touch) going so far as to try to touch Jack's shoulder if Jack did not lash out first. If Jack did not feel the need to protect his hole.

"What's wrong, mate? Have you lost something?"

Jack had no idea what was lost, only that it needed to be found. It screamed from its grave. It begged for release. His hands would meet something smooth and hard about six inches deep. It was large, larger than his palm and deeply embedded in the ground. Jack needed to free it.

In the midst of the pre-ball commotion, a latecomer emerged, Gideon Athanatos. Yes, the younger brother of both Mathias and Vladimir, their family tree resembled more a wreath than a towering sycamore. This diminutive, flaxen-haired teen appeared years younger than his actual age. Most would mistaken Giddy for a first year. His piercing blue eyes sparkled with an infectious exuberance, framed by an angelic smile that illuminated his face deceptively. Clad in pristine pureblood robes and a crown his mother had gotten him as well as a colorful, playful mask that resembled a cat. Giddy clung tightly to a well-worn teddy bear, a whimsical accoutrement that seemed strangely out of place on the youth considering his stature and actual age.

As Gideon approached the gathering surrounding Jack Warren, he remained aloof, his gaze fixed upon the Hufflepuff's discovery. Something strange in the hole. His attempts to peer over the heads of the onlookers proved futile, his stature proving a permanent hindrance. Unlike his imposing cousins, who towered over six feet by adolescence, this stumpy child boy hovered at a mere five. This diminutive frame, while rendering certain items unreachable, also bestowed upon him an aura of harmlessness, allowing him to blend into the background like a shadow.

And so he waited.

The time was soon approaching.

OUTFIT Reducio This cool mask is made by Alyssea Brown

INVENTORY Reducio Bottle of Water Chocolate Bar HVS Papers Omniculars Potions: Reducio Antidote to Common Poisons Bruise Removal Paste Burn Healing Paste Murtlap Essennce Tyty (typewriter) Wizards Camera

“I-” Zach looked at the Gryffindor, the younger one. “Yeah… You’re right.” The boy scratched the back of his head. Still, he thought it would be faster if the flowers were blown away so the key would be found quickly. But Raizel was also right. It’s not the answer. Not to mention that the older Gryffindor lectured him. He could ruin the ball if his friends didn’t stop him.

His eyes were still scanning the place to look for his wand while Raizel asked him to keep going. “Well, yes. Let’s keep going. Uh, if any chance you find my wand on our way, can you grab it for me? I don’t have my glasses on,” he asked Raizel, with a simper on his face. Yes. It would be better for him to put his glasses on but he also didn’t want to ruin his mask. It’s a masquerade ball after all. Everyone used a mask.

“Let’s go,” he said. He led the way to the ball, still with his eyes scanning the ground for any chance he found his wand. Stomach grumbling no more. Once he arrived at the main place, he would take the food first. Stomach first, dance later. Or would he dance? He didn’t know.

Series of Unfortunate Shenanigans Interacting with @Raizel Voltrouz,(mention :@Alyssea Brown) Action: Leaving the thread obliviously Statistics: STA: 7 | EVA: 7 | STR: 3 | WIS: 9 | ARC: 7 | ACC: 10 Abilities: Prodigal Charms Learner | Blindvision

13/04/24

"english" "portuguese" "spanish" thoughts

outfit + hair

January 7th 2024

Dialogue
English: #e22400
Spanish: #fdc700

Stats: Sta 4 Eva 6 Str 3 Wis 8 Arc 6 Acc 8
Abilities: None yet
Trunk

"I think you will be a very good pet owner. Although my interests are reptiles and mice, if you need help, I can help you find a book about owls whenever you want."
"It ok, I think I'll manage just fine." I replied.
How hard can it be, right? You don't have to walk it like a dog or feed it anything special. Though I should probably just briefly check the library for any tips.

Victoria agreed with me about the rosebushes and it seemed that no one was even looking at them. Were we the first to crack the clue?
Before I could tell that to Victoria, the doors suddenly opened. The crowd of students swarmed to it like bees. The treasure hunt was over. I was a little disappointed that I wasn't the one to find the key. It was still an interesting activity though. Now it was time for the main event, the Spring Ball. I glanced at Vic. Did she have a date or friends waiting for her at the ball? I thought about this as we walked through the doors into the quidditch stadium.
"Is there anyone you are waiting for? So for ball. Do you have a partner? she asked as we walked through the gates.
It seemed that this thought has also crossed her mind too.
"Umm, no?" I said, a bit embarrassed. It came out a bit more like a question.
"Do you have anyone for the ball?" I asked.

Action: Walking through the gates with Vic

WC: 248/200 Tags: @Victoria Lena Jones