The Summer Ball PV via Sign-Ups Closed

Interacting with @Anna Blackrose

Reducio

RP Date August 1, 2023 Speech Reducio "Speaking" °Japanese° •Korean• 'thoughts'

Outfit/s Reducio Ara Reducio Catherine Reducio Edmund's Suit Reducio Post date August 10, 2023 (11:36pm}

The person who bumped into her, a girl supposedly from the Blackrose family introduced herself as Anna. Ara was started by the sudden introduction but bothered to introduce herself too. "Ara Villa connected the Noble Family Suzuki and the House of Villa. Lovely to meet you." She said in the most mature, princessy way possible while bowing her head a bit. It was long and said her relations right away but she was required to make friends here. The ravenette thought for a bit, "Wanna be friends to escape the hell hole of being required to make connections with other Noble Families? By the way, the macaroons here are very sweet." she said, putting her hand out as an offer.

Ara saw her brother on the dance floor and gave him a side eye and then an eye roll for leaving her for a girl he wanted to dance with. She looked at the girl "So?"

'This is my quickest chance to make a friend so if I mess this up,1 fail on the list.' she thought while waiting for an answer. 'I'm over here trying to make friends while Edmund and Catherine are having the time of their lives!'

Open to interactions

RP Word Count:200/200

Tes was incredibly thankful when Hannah recognized her, seeming open to talk to her. "I honestly didn't think I'd know anyone here!" she exclaimed quietly, going to run her fingers through her hair before remembering the sheer amount of hairspray caked into it to keep it styled and out of her face while allowing the red crownlike headband to be visible. She awkwardly hovered her hand there for a moment before bringing it down to fiddle with the high collar on her dress instead. "I didn't really peg you as the pureblooded party type to be honest, though," Tes said thoughtlessly, before realizing that could be taken badly, and quickly putting her hands up with palms out in apology, "Not that I mean that in a bad way of course! Just... surprised to see you is all. It's a good surprise for sure!" Tes grimaced, embarrassed by the way her usual easy conversation was stilted and uncomfortable navigating these unknown topics.

Thankfully there was only time for a limited amount of conversation, as the call to move to the ballroom was made. With a hurried, "Maybe I'll see you later?" Tes made her escape. The room was beautiful, elegantly decorated with music playing in the background. Tes's jaw dropped, and she paused to look around. She'd lost her uncle and grandmother at some point and was craning her neck to try to spot them. She was also looking for Isadora, but her friend seemed to have disappeared into the crowd as the first dance started. Tes was starting to feel desperate to find her as she moved towards the edge of the room away from the dancing people, intimidated by their elegant movements, head beginning to ache as scents began to flood her sensitive nose. There was a hint of Isadora's familiar scent mixed in somewhere in the room, but Tes had no idea where.

Her slightly panicked spiral in the overwhelming room was stopped as a girl, smaller than her and in a beautiful floor length dress, stepped into her view. The red and black colors were similar to Tes's own, and she admired the way her dress and flower in her blonde hair seemed almost natural, bringing out the girl's delicate beauty. Tes couldn't help but feel clunky and out of place. She stood over half a foot taller than the other girl, and while her sunburned and freckled complexion was evened out by makeup, her skin was still dry and weather beaten. Her dress did a good job of hiding the freckles and sunburns on her shoulders, but the square cut to the sleeves made her feel boxy and boyish, with her wide shoulders and toned biceps on display. Normally she felt good about how she looked, confident and strong in tank tops and sweaters, but stuffed into this feminine facade, she couldn't be sure.

Tes realized after a moment too long spent staring, that the girl had introduced herself as Estelle Nyx. The name probably should have been familiar, but Tes hadn't paid any attention to what her grandmother had told her. She extended her hand, trying to do so in a less eager way than her normal handshake, and replied, "Tesla St- er, Blackwood. Tesla Blackwood. It's lovely to meet you," Tes glanced down shyly, looking at Estelle's dress, "I really like your dress. It looks amazing."

Tes wasn't too comfortable meeting someone new, but at least this could be a good distraction until she could find Isadora and steal her away to talk. Besides, Estelle seemed friendly enough! Maybe something good could come of this, and she'd make her grandmother happy by making a friend.

───── Interacting with - @ Tesla Stone ───── Reducio Outfits Estelle Reducio Estelle's Abuela Reducio Isadora Nyx Reducio Juan Nyx Reducio Languages: English, Spanish "The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it" - JM Barrie Date: 1st August Time: Late evening

❅

Estelle smiled as Tesla introduced herself. The girl had a beautiful dress and her hair looked incredible. Estelle just hoped that she'd have a beautiful personality to match. "Thank you," said Estelle, glancing at her red and black lace dress, "My Abuela, sorry, Grandmother chose it for me. All of my cousins are wearing similar ones. I kind of stick out like a sore thumb though, what with my blonde hair, pale skin and blue eyes. They all have tanned skin and brown hair. In fact, that's my cousin, Isabella." Estelle pointed at Isabella, who was chatting with some other people. Isabella smiled and waved, and then turned away. "Frankly, I didn't even know that I had cousins until just after Summer Camp. My dad told me that I was related to a pureblood family, but he was estranged from them so I had never seen them. Just after Summer Camp, my Abuela sent me a note and a butler who took me to her mansion. Kinda a Cinderella story I know, but it's all true." Estelle smiled as Tesla, hoping that she'd excuse Estelle's 'less proper' (according to her Abuela) way of speaking and acting. After all, she'd only been taught for a week. "Anyway, my Abuela gave me a list of people I could talk to - only ones from 'proper Pureblood families', whatever that means - so I came to talk to you. I wanted to tell you that's why I came to talk to you, because I'd rather be open than seem as if I have an ulterior motive. Also I'm a terrible liar." Estelle decided to stop taking. In her excitement, her mouth had begun to run away from her, and she was spouting every detail on her mind. She hoped that Tesla wouldn't hold it against her.

Parents:


The girl introduced herself, stating her family and connections. Anna bowed her head in return, smoothing her dress out. She figured the girl was from high standing, maybe a bit arrogant too, she wondered if it was for the best that she started talking to her. She glanced towards Reyna, noticing that the girl was still alone. She opened her mouth to excuse herself from Ara, when the girl, completely changing her tone and facial expression invited her to, in better words, ditch the ball and hang out.

Anna robotically plastered a small smile onto her face as she did a double take in her head and thought about it. Turns out Ara was quite bored of this whole ordeal, and maybe Anna could get a good friend out of this. She accepted the girls hand and said: “Why not. And I do agree, the macaroons are really sweet”. She glanced over at her parents still dancing. They wouldn’t mind if she went away with a friend. Her glaze once again landed on Reyna. “Actually would you like to meet another friend? Over there is Reyna Evergreen. We could hang out together, it would be more fun”, she flicked her gaze and towards the girl in a beige dress. She smiled at Ara, thinking about where they could go to. The gardens sounded great at the moment.

Open for interaction!

Mention: @Reyna Evergreen
Interacting: @Ara Villa

Perhaps diving into the midst of the crowd was a bad decision. There's no way to find Tesla like this, it's akin to looking for a needle in a haystack. And all around her are well-mannered guests whose gaze Dora can't help but shrink under. Hoping not to get caught up in polite conversations with strangers. Dora does her best to remain invisible as she slips through the crowd. It isn't very hard, as most of these people have never paid much attention to her when her family isn't present.

Finally, Dora makes it to the wall where less people are gathered. Still, it's not much easier to find who she's looking for. If Tesla is on the other side of the room, she's being blocked by the couples who waltz in the center. So graceful and organized, this dance. Perfect, just like the Everridges.

A hand on her shoulder startles her, but it's just her Uncle Harris. "Apologies." He says as she flinches. Dora quickly feels relieved it's her uncle and not someone else. "It's alright, I was just surprised." She replies, then looks around him. "I thought you were with Grandfather?"

"He asked Mother to dance." Harris gestures to the crowd, and Dora sees them. Her grandparents delicately glide across the floor. There's something soft about it, and Dora can't help but admire this rare moment. They look younger, almost.

"Are you avoiding the party, too?"

Dora's surprised again, blinking up at her uncle. "Too?"

He nods, looking out over the ballroom. "Never much liked these things. But family comes first, so.."

It rings true. Dora would much rather be anywhere else today, but this is too important for Grandmother. She just has to get through this. It's strange, though, hearing her uncle speak so candidly about it. He's pretty quiet, so she doesn't often know what's going through his mind. Even now, she wants to ask him more, but it feels improper to do so. Instead, they just stand there as the dance comes to an end, and Dora finally spots a tuft of yellow-blonde hair.

"Excuse me!" She says to her uncle and hurries off, hoping to not lose her. Once she does make it over, she fully takes in what Tesla is wearing and it's shocking. She doesn't look bad by any means, she looks beautiful! But she also looks so different from her normal, casual attire. Even her hair is styled so neatly, adorned with a pretty red headband.

About to say hi, Dora pauses when she sees Tesla in a conversation with another girl. A member of the Nyx family, she thinks, though she's not sure who. She's suddenly so nervous to interrupt, even though she barely ever has a hard time talking to Tesla. Maybe it's because she looks so proper now? And she still has so many questions about that, but for now she's rendered silent as she awkwardly stands a few meters away, watching.

_{Mentioning @Anna Blackrose, @Ara Villa, @Cassian Clarke, @Cicely Woods, @Conan Clarck, @Danielle Emberwood, @Estelle Nyx, @Hannah Blossom, @Hera Green, @Linda Ramirez, @Maverick Castle, @Nerissa Astor, @Nora De Carie, @Reyna Evergreen, @Scarlett Noel, @Sophia Fan, @Tesla Stone, and @Tristan Theramin
Isadora Ramona Everridge - Word count: 494 - Color: #631679 - Ency}

Note: There is a divide marking where Tes is talking to Estelle and where she is talking to Isadora. This is because I want to keep speaking with Estelle; not exiting conversation in the middle of it!

Tes nodded politely and waved at Isabella when Estelle pointed her out. "My grandmother picked my dress out for me as well. I'm not too used to wearing a dress, so it's a bit strange." Tes opted to leave out the fact that her normal outfit consisted of workboots and torn jeans. Estelle wasn't talking like some of the purebloods Tes had met, but she still wasn't familiar enough with the girl to know that she wouldn't be judged for her farm lifestyle back home.

Tes's thoughts stuttered to a stop when Estelle explained that she hadn't known her grandmother until recently, her father's estrangement and relationship with her, and most shockingly, her grandmother's "proper family" list to speak to. The way it mirrored Tes's own experience in a way was almost dizzying, and she couldn't help the way she stepped forward, lighting up with excitement. Without thinking she reached out to grasp at Estelle's hands, holding them in her own and grinning, unable to contain her enthusiasm.

"That's crazy! Over holiday break this last year my grandmother just showed up unannounced and dragged me to some ball. My momma and her don't really get along well, so I'd never met her until then. She was trying to convince me that I needed to learn the so-called right way to behave. She sent me back to school with instructions and people to talk to in order to make connections!" Tes glanced down, realizing she'd gotten a bit too close to Estelle in her excitement, "Ah, sorry! I didn't mean to get so close. I just fully expected everyone here to be all posh and proper, so meeting someone just like me, where all of this is new to you too, is so amazing!" Tes smiled apologetically, blush poking through her foundation in embarrassment over being so enthusiastic.

^꧁꧂

Estelle and Tes carried on their conversation for some time, before Tes glanced up at a hint of movement in the corner of her eye as a couple moved past her to rejoin the dance floor. Tes hadn't even noticed the song ending, much less about to begin again. As Tes's eyes jumped from the couple that caught her attention to the person standing behind them, she immediately recognized Isadora, the black skirt and white shirt she wore were eye-catching and unmistakable. This was her chance!

She'd lost her friend in the crowd of the ballroom, and this was the first she'd seen her since the door. Face lighting up with joy, Tes gathered her dress up in her hands to ease her steps as she bounced over to Isadora, excusing herself from Estelle, and stopping just short of giving Dora a hug. "I'm so glad you found me! I can't believe you're here- well, I can believe it because it's your home, but I can't believe that this is where the party my grandmother dragged me to is!" Tes sighed with relief, shoulders relaxing for what felt like the first time all night. "You have no idea what a relief it is to see a friendly face." Tes offered a tentative smile, hopeful that Isadora felt the same, and wasn't upset to see her in her manor unannounced.

Dora's breath hitches when Tesla makes eye contact with her and grins in recognition. Dora can't help smiling too. All of her worries dissipate when she realizes this really is the same Tesla from school. The blonde practically runs over to her, as much as she can in her dress, and the words spill out like a broken dam.

"I'm so glad you found me! I can't believe you're here- well, I can believe it because it's your home, but I can't believe that this is where the party my grandmother dragged me to is! You have no idea what a relief it is to see a friendly face."

"I'm happy to see you, too!" Dora says, joy filling her chest. "I didn't know you were coming, though, or, I knew a Tesla Blackwood was coming but I didn't know it was you! And your grandmother is Elaine Blackwood?" She still can't believe it, her grandmother's close friend related to Tesla. And Tesla is here!

"Your name, you changed it?" Dora asks, "Or.." She thinks back about what Tesla's said about her family. One of her mums is muggle-born, right? Maybe Tesla and her grandmother are hiding that tonight. Dora wonders if her own grandmother knows, and decides it's best not to mention it. Ramona Everridge already doesn't have the kindest view of Dora's Hufflepuff roommates.

Speaking of, Dora glances over the hall. Her grandmother looks to be introducing a woman to her uncle. Bradley is by the snack table with his friends, throwing occasional looks her way that make Dora uneasy. Right, she forgot where she is for a moment. There's got to be somewhere she can catch up with Tesla without looking over her shoulder.

"Shall we retire to the gardens for a chat?" Dora asks properly, putting the facade back on for a moment in case someone's watching.

_{Interacting @Tesla Stone
Mentioning @Anna Blackrose, @Ara Villa, @Cassian Clarke, @Cicely Woods, @Conan Clarck, @Danielle Emberwood, @Estelle Nyx, @Hannah Blossom, @Hera Green, @Linda Ramirez, @Maverick Castle, @Nerissa Astor, @Nora De Carie, @Reyna Evergreen, @Scarlett Noel, @Sophia Fan, and @Tristan Theramin
Isadora Ramona Everridge - Word count: 261 - Color: #631679 - Ency}

Tes's heart swelled as Dora smiled at her, excitedly greeting her. Well, as excited as Dora got. Which was to say it was more than enough for Tes, and more than most other people got! "I would've sent an owl to let you know, but I didn't even know I was coming until I got here!" Tesla couldn't help but grimace at the mention of her grandmother, quickly covering it up with a sheepish head duck and a smaller smile. She didn't want to be rude; she really was thankful Elaine was taking interest in her and being so kind as to help her out. She'd just rather she do it at home, and not polished up into someone Tes wasn't, at a fancy party.

"Yeah, that's my grandmother! I guess our grandmas both know each other, huh? That's pretty neat!" How to explain the name change on paper... "Ah, I'm just going by Blackwood tonight." She was thankfully saved from figuring out how to explain her grandmother's ploy to pretend she was a "true" pureblood by Isadora glancing around the room in a seemingly nervous fashion.

She was eager to accept the invitation to the garden, schooling her features at the reminder that they weren't alone. "Ah, yes. That sounds... Lovely?" Her lips curled a bit at the humor of her inability to figure out how to speak the same as Isadora. She smoothed out her skirts a bit, trying to arrange them to be easier to walk in, and gestured for Dora to lead the way. "Do you mind showing me where they are? We can catch up more, then. I've got some crazy stuff to tell you about summer camp!"

Just as Dora is preparing to lead Tesla to the gardens, she hears her grandmother's voice projecting with an amplifying charm to address the guests. She turns to watch the announcement, nearly certain of what it's about. The highlight of the event, one might say.

"I hope you are all having a marvelous time." Ramona Everridge speaks in an elegant cadence into her wand while the orchestral players pause. "It is time for us to engage in a tradition carried on by all the prestigious families who have hosted this ball in the past. Please clear the center of the room."

Once enough guests have moved, Dora's grandmother waves her wand and a beautiful fountain with shimmering waters sprouts out of the floor.

✹✧~✧✹

✹✧~✧✹

With another wave of her wand, Ramona returns to addressing the guests. "The Fountain of Wealth, representative of all the good fortune and prosperity we share in. All guests should now have a golden coin appear on their person bearing their name. In way of tradition, we shall all cast our coins in, and one lucky person will be chosen to receive a special gift from us, the hosting family. In doing so year after year, we promise to support one another and ensure that we remain a strong, unified community."

Dora has heard this speech before, similarly spoken at every Summer Ball. This year she won't have a coin to cast, though, as she is part of the hosting family. She wonders what prize her grandmother has prepared for the lottery. Looking to Tesla, she says, "If you wish to cast your coin in first, I can wait."

It would only take a few moments if Tesla decides to, and the winner will be determined later when all the guests have had a chance to enter. Dora waits to see what Tesla will do, and then leads her outside to the gardens.

A great many flowers are magically blooming along the way, all immaculately styled. With no one else out here at the moment, Dora feels more at ease to talk with her friend. "Here we are. Which way would you like to walk?" The path diverges two ways, right towards the onyx thestral statue and left towards the stables.

"So, summer camp?" She asks as they walk along whichever way. "I've never been. Did you enjoy it?"

It's so nice for it just to be the two of them again.

If you wish to cast your coin in, please roleplay it so I know to enter you in. I'll send the randomly selected winner a prize after they're announced! Feel free to lightly godmod the house elves that serve you, and enjoy the party!

_{Interacting with @Tesla Stone
Mentioning @Anna Blackrose, @Ara Villa, @Cassian Clarke, @Cicely Woods, @Conan Clarck, @Danielle Emberwood, @Estelle Nyx, @Hannah Blossom, @Hera Green, @Linda Ramirez, @Maverick Castle, @Nerissa Astor, @Nora De Carie, @Reyna Evergreen, @Scarlett Noel, @Sophia Fan, and @Tristan Theramin
Isadora Ramona Everridge - Word count: 405 - Color: #631679 - Ency}

Just as Tes and Isadora were about to step outside, a booming announcement caught their attention. Tes turned to see a woman who she could easily assume was Isadora's grandmother instructing partygoers to clear the center of the room. It unfortunately meant that their previously uncrowded edge of the room quickly filled with people that had been dancing or mingling in the large space, and Tes couldn't help but wrinkle her nose and step closer to Isadora, afraid of losing her in the crowds once again.

Her discomfort was quickly forgotten as her eyes widened, and she gaped at the beautiful fountain that emerged in the emptied space. It was incredible! She had never seen anything like it. She couldn't help but take a step forward, standing on her toes to get a better look at the shimmering water now cascading over ornate stone. She was so distracted she almost missed the coin settled suddenly in her hand, a shimmering gold with her name written on it.

"Oh! Sure, let me go throw this in really quick," Tes made to go step towards the fountain along with the faceless throng making their way forward as well, before glancing back at Isadora, "Do you not get one?"

After waiting for an answer, Tesla saw an opening between a few people, and quickly dashed forward to toss her coin into the clear waters of the fountain. She paused for a moment, eyes lingering on the combination of shimmering gold and flowing water, and for a moment she was struck dumb by the spectacle of it all. In later moments she would think back on how silly all this excess was, but in the moment, she was nothing but impressed.

Tes followed Isadora outside, breathing in the fresh air with a sigh of relief and looking around to admire the carefully maintained gardens around her. "Oh, wow! This is beautiful out here. I can't believe I didn't come out sooner!" She glanced left and right, trying to decide which direction to choose. The statue looked imposing and fascinating, but the sight of a stable and the chance of animals inside made the decision for Tes easily. Turning left with only a moment of hesitation, she swung her arms carelessly as the two walked, releasing the pent-up energy of being stuck inside for most of the day.

Tesla nodded, thinking fondly back to her time at summer camp. "It was really fun! There were events set up, and activities to do, and the weather was so nice! It's really a shame most of the time we're at Hogwarts the weather is a bit miserable. It's so beautiful in the summertime! Beyond the things to do, it was also interesting to meet some people from other houses and schools. I met some not-so-nice people," Tes wrinkled her nose, remembering the unfortunate run in she'd had with a Durmstrang boy after the quidditch match, "But most everyone was so kind! Even after our quidditch match. I don't know if you remember, but Hufflepuff was competing against Durmstrang to represent Hogwarts. Well, we won, but only on a technicality! It was something no one had ever seen before!" Tes still looked fondly back on the game, even if she'd barely been on her broom for a few moments before being knocked unceremoniously off of it and into the medical tent.