The Mistletoe Spin Group #6 Summer Camp 2024

Landon was still a little overwhelmed by what was going on right now. He had not been aware that this dance required something like kissing. He loved dancing, especially when this was a Regency-themed dance. It was somewhat historical and Landon was always excited to participate in things that made him think of historical events. But kissing? Landon had never really even thought about kissing before and now he was in a situation where he might have to kiss someone he didn't even know. That was really a terrifying thought if he were frank.

Landon was grateful that his first partner didn't want to kiss him. He wasn't offended or anything. He didn't have a lot of time to think before the dance started again and he was whisked away. He felt his body start dancing again and he grinned. He was a little less relaxed about the dancing now that he knew the whole point of this dance, but he was going to try and enjoy himself. He looked around as he danced, trying to find Alyssea in the crowd. When he finally saw her, he smiled. He would wave but he was moving around too fast. He turned his attention to the dance again, just letting himself enjoy the dance.

But as soon as he turned his attention to dancing, the music stopped and he was standing across from someone again. Someone else that Landon didn't know. He looked up and realized he was once again under the mistletoe. "Why me??" he said quietly to himself. He then looked at the girl standing across from him. He gave her a shy smile, his expression nervous. "Umm... I don't..." he started before sighing a little. "Will you accept a kiss on the cheek or no kiss at all?" he asked. He really didn't want to kiss her. Nothing against her or anything, but Landon was just not comfortable with the idea..

August 2, 2024

Turning his eyes back to his partner, he learned her name was Kanae Suzuki. He heard her ask him what it was like in America, and he obviously thought a little too long on how to answer her question because it was so open-ended it was difficult to know where to even start. Just as he was about to, the moment slipped past him as the music started up once again and they were both carried off by their dancing feet, in opposite directions. As before, there were many partners that would come and go during the course of the song, but he probably grinned like a loon as he encountered EmmaLee once again. "I am indeed having a good time, but was shocked to learn that there is mistletoe hanging about. Were you aware of this?" he asked nonchalantly as his eyes sparkled in the candlelight. "Enjoy these baby blues while you can. They may be green by the time the evening is over," and his laughter trailed after him as they were once again swept away from each other and onto other partners, but even so, he quickly snuck a peek back over his shoulder at her.

As he turned back, he was very relieved to see Kanae once again, and he smiled brightly at her. "Apologies for not answering you earlier before the music started up. I actually was thinking about how to answer you. The short answer is America is imperfect, chaotic, rough, but also hopeful and striving to bend an arc towards justice. There is nowhere else I'd rather live. Would love to talk with you about it sometime," and then they, too, parted ways once again.

When the music finally slowed to a stop, Stephen found himself standing in front of a fellow in a splendidly stylish pale blue and white outfit with what looked like an embroidered moth on his cummerbund. "Fabulous outfit!" He was still smiling in appreciation of a great costume when it struck him that there was the business of looking above their heads. He was just about to look up, but found his answer to whether the dreaded mistletoe hung above them when a couple of drops of wax pelted a sleeve of his own stylish, Regency garb.

"Oh, son of a biscuit eater!" he exclaimed in annoyance and not in pain. Before thinking twice about it, he reached for his wand and shot a quick "Extinguo!" at the offending wax work above their heads. Scanning the other candles near them, he held his wand at the ready until convinced that there was no more threat above them. Relaxing and tucking his wand away, he turned back to the young man in front of him. "You didn't get burned, did you?" he asked with some concern. "You'd think the possibility of stopping under mistletoe with someone you may not wish to kiss," and he chuckled a bit, "or scarier still, with someone you may wish to kiss, would be all the angst any of us should be asked to handle, but Hogwarts always does things in a big way."

Once again, Stephen quickly scanned the dance floor until laying eyes on EmmaLee. His temper rose a bit when he saw her with Astrid, but then it cooled as quickly when he saw EmmaLee changing another dripping candle into a bird. Damn. That was a much more creative and beautiful solution to the problem at hand. He turned his full attention once again to his current partner.

"Hi, by the way. Probably should have said that earlier. I'm Stephen Schwartz. It's nice to meet you, and it's especially nice not having to worry about kissing you," and he laughed easily and good-naturedly, feeling a tremendous sense of relief.

------- ---------- -------

Abilities Perfectionist 1 & 2 Evasive Maneuvers Muggle Condition English || Russian

Action Met Ren Willow-Saito @Qrowley Beithir & cast 'Extinguo' on dripping candle Interacting: @EmmaLee LeDames, @Ara Villa as Kanae Suzuki Open for Interactions

As music changed as well as pairing, Linda found herself with Alyssea. Well, at least it was with a friend so she hoped it won't be so awkward like it was with previous girl. She glanced quickly at Quentin, and found herself getting a bit sad he kept ending up with girls.

Hey, you look gorgeous in this outfit! Linda felt happy getting to spend some time with her friend. The year was going strangely busy and she didn't get to see Alyssea a lot. Last time it was probably on broom racing and it couldn't count as she didn't go to talk to her friend after or before the game.

Maybe we could meet some time. I have so much to share with you. Linda smiled. The main news that she didn't share with anyone yet were that she felt something she couldn't quite explain or understand to Quentin. Maybe talking about it to someone would help her understand it better?

As she thought about it, she noticed that some candles were dripping. Oh really? Dripping candles? This is becoming dangerous, please take care here. I don't want you to get hurt. She said looking back at Alyssea. She knew her friend could take care about herself well, as well as she was sure that at least she will try to stop it in time if necessary, however she would be much more happy if this dancing would at least stay more safe.

@Alyssea Brown, @Della Barfield as Quentin Gagné

Roleplaying as iNPC Quentin Gagné of Beauxbatons
English | Français
interacting: Kanae Suzuki @Ara Villa | mentioning: @Linda Ramirez & @Alyssea Brown

After his "kiss" under the mistletoe, the dance erupted again—he didn't get to say another word to his partner. But they both begin twirling away and twirling toward Linda at the same time. In the flurry of arms and legs, Quentin stayed focused on her, chanting "mistletoe" and "Linda" in his head. It almost worked, but alas, his partner Alyssea got Linda instead—and it looked like they knew each other! Was Alyssea friend or foe? He hoped her and Linda were just friends.

Quentin found himself face-to-face with another girl. She was Japanese. The candle above them lit both their faces. He really wanted to look over at what Linda and Alyssea were talking about, but he was starting to catch on to the game here—and it would be rude to turn one's attention away from one's partner. This dance was forcing them to make new connections, so new connections Quentin would make. A foreign friend never hurt.

"Hello Kanae. I'm Quentin from Beauxbatons. Enchanté." Quentin attempted a gentlemanly bow, not unlike one you'd see in one of those period pieces on TV. He didn't realize that the Japanese had their cultural mores about bowing. "I hope the night is treating you well. This sure is a strange dance."

[calming presence active on everyone]
Action: being French and trying to find Linda

Group 6

MODERATION POST

Two successful spell-casts lead the way in this group, the first from Stephen Schwartz to extinguish his dripping candle and the second from EmmaLee LeDames to turn hers into a floating bird. The bird squawks in surprise and looks down at her, seemingly still held in place by the levitation magic set up by the organisers, but hey, now there's a floating bird! That's cool! And it's not dripping anything... yet...

Astrid Olsen apologises to her partner, while Kanae Suzuki, Alyssea Brown, Linda Ramirez, and Quentin Gagné are content to stick to chats and introductions. Zophyr Qethnis attempts to offer his partner a hand-kiss, but is rebuffed (partner player did not post). Similarly, Landon Matthews attempts to offer his partner a cheek-kiss but is also rebuffed (partner player did not post). So close, yet so far!

The music starts back up again, and the spell whisks everyone away to find a new partner... and by the time the violins fade out once more, each skilled dancer is paired with someone very new, in a situation that is either also new or vaguely familiar...

THE DANCE FLOOR HAS SPOKEN:
@Landon Matthews and @Alyssea Brown end up under the mistletoe!
@EmmaLee LeDames and Kanae Suzuki (@Ara Villa) end up under the mistletoe!
Ren Willow-Saito (@Qrowley Beithir) and Astrid Olsen (@Anastasia Varney) end up under the mistletoe!
Miles Thatcher (@Simon Kincaid) and Quentin Gagné (@Della Barfield) end up under the mistletoe!
Stephen Schwartz (@AngelFyre McCubbin) and @Guinevere Russetwood end up under a candle.
@Linda Ramirez and Zophyr Qethnis (@Mahlioz Evethisawe) end up under a candle... that is dripping wax on them!

For any questions or concerns, please owl the moderator of this event, @Aly Salinger.

Also and very importantly, please make sure your action is clearly visible and separated from the rest of your post. Preferably put it in a quote at the bottom but as long as it's separate that's fine. I would also appreciate an inclusion of any stats and abilities you may have in your posts. Makes it much easier to mod!

One final note: if you have not posted yet in the Spin, you must post within the next week or risk being removed from the event temporarily (e.g. you will no longer be matched with partners) next Saturday. This is to make it fair to those who are being consistently active. If you come back later and wish to be active, you may rejoin at any time, but note that you'll be #dancingonyourown until the next mod post.

EmmaLee frowned just slightly as Astrid apologized for not helping their tent with the prank war. As far as EmmaLee could tell, the others had been mad not because she didn't help, but that the Durmstrang tent had gone WHOLE HOG, even dangerous, on everyone except her.

"Where I'm from, and where, admittedly, most of those in that tent are from, our friends get it the worst when it comes to pranking. It is significantly funnier to string a friend up by their ankles than a stranger." EmmaLee said in a kind of flat tone that she hoped would convey that she wasn't mad at Astrid, but she wasn't happy with the girl either.

"Also," EmmaLee said, twisting her fingers together as she remembered falling into the Durmstrang's tower of things. "I don't know if you know, but people got injured. Very injured. It just.... wasn't funny." EmmaLee finished with a frustrated kind of sigh. She didn't even know if Astrid cared. She had been there when they had said they didn't want anyone to get hurt, but EmmaLee couldn't remember if she had agreed with them or had just gone along with it.

EmmaLee reached up and pulled the second pile of wax off of her shoulder. "I'm fine, thank you." She said as she held up the little pile of wax for Astrid to see, as she had with Miles. "The wax falls too far to be too dangerous, though it's a little warm in the middle." She squished it and smirked a little.

As EmmaLee felt the magic enter her toes once more, she gave a chipper curtsy to Astrid and waved goodbye as she twirled away. Well. That was alright. She closed her eyes and tried to get her cheerful bearings again as she whirled through partners.

When her eyes opened again, she remembered what Stephen had said during the last song. "Enjoy these baby blues while you can. They may be green by the time the evening is over," Green eyes? EmmaLee's stomach twisted. She.... What did Stephen have to have green eyes about? She took another breath to quell the spark of anger that rose up in her, so lost in her own head that she really wasn't paying attention to whom she was dancing with. She wasn't going to be mad about this, there was nothing to be mad about, but.... she really couldn't take his nonchalant compliments and flirting anymore. Now that she thought about it, she hadn't really seen a whole lot of him interacting with other girls. Was he like this with all of them? Or was it really just her?

No.

She refused to get her hopes up. She'd talk with him about it after the game. It.... It had really gone on too long to not talk about it. There were some things that couldn't go back to the way they were before. Her heart couldn't take it.

As she made this decision, the music brought her into Stephen's arms long enough to smirk and say, "I imagined a game with mistletoe in the title would contain mistletoe, yes," She said, teasingly. "but I'm 'oping to be lucky and avoid it." She giggled as the music whirled them away from each other and she encountered a girl with long black hair. She smiled brightly at her new partner as the music stopped and, this time, immediately looked above her.

Well, so much for luck.

She giggled as she looked back to the girl, whom EmmaLee recognized as the girl Stephen had paired with after the first song. Was she from Mahoutokoro? For a moment, EmmaLee thought about trying her Japanese but quickly decided that this was not the place to completely bomb her pronunciation again. Screwing up so badly in front of Sara had been embarrassing enough. So English it would be.

"In France, they kiss cheeks on New Year's to wish good luck for the year ahead under the mistletoe. We can wish each other good luck, as well, or we can ignore the plant." She said brightly, with a small shrug. "My name is EmmaLee. Are you enjoying the game?" She asked with a small curtsy to the girl.

At this time, EmmaLee looked over to see who Stephen had paired with again. Would it bother her if he kissed someone else? How much? The mere thought twisted her heart and made her want to run from the possibility before it happened. Man, she hated kissing games.

Where would she even run to? The tent? Where he could come back and find her being an emotional toddler again? She'd just gotten ahold of herself. She didn't even have a friend to run to because they were all here somewhere, even Sara had come with his weasel boyfriend, Midorimori.

No. She'd play this game out and not be the cause of the drama these games were so famous for. It seemed even a dancing game wasn't safe. EmmaLee didn't need to pay any attention to who Stephen, or anyone else for that matter, was paired with. She could just look away and focus on being the cheery, friendly, optimistic petite etoile little star that everyone expected her to be.

Turning back to the girl, EmmaLee patted her cheeks a little to do something with her flood of emotions and smiled. "You're from Mahoutokoro, yes?" She asked, clasping her hands behind her and grabbing any topic she could to keep herself from looking around at the other pairs again.

ACTION:
Offering to wish Kanae good luck for the year or just chatter, trying to keep her cool.

ABILITIES AND STATS:

Reducio

Fearless | Dhampir's Aura, Terrible Presence, Lycanothrope's Intimidation, and any spells or potions that cause fear are ineffective.
Calming Presence | Allies (defined at the START of an instance regardless of later betrayal) gain a 10% chance to auto-hit their chosen target.
Prodigal Transfiguration | Able to learn/perform Transfiguration spells above her current year.
STAMINA: 9 | EVASION: 8 | STRENGTH: 3 | WISDOM: 8 | ARCPOWER: 9 | ACCURACY: 10

· · ─▪───────────── ·· ─────────────▪─ · ·

𝕀 ℕ ℙℂ

Mahoutokoro

─▪────────────────────────▪─

Reducio

Interacting with @Anastasia Varley And Mentioning @Mahlioz Evethisawe
Calming Presence In Effect
Sign Language | #70bfef | Communication Cards | #ef70df
ACTION:
ACTION HERE

──────────────────────────────▱──────────────────────────────

It felt as if Ren was missing time; every cell of his body, focusing on the one and only Zophyr Qethnis. He missed the brief pause of the music, completely and utterly engrossed by Zophyr, even as candle wax dripped onto him from above, and the stranger he stopped with extinguish the thing with their wand.


It felt as if the Uagadou student had wandered into their life and become everything; the very oxygen he breathed.


Was that too much?

It felt like it was too much.


After all, he and Zophyr barely knew each other. They were strangers, acquaintances at most, who had shared a handful of intimate moments since they met, including a “not date” that was most definitely a double date at the Bonfire.


Ren was smitten. Sue him…

He couldn't help it if he enjoyed the way he could make “Mx Casanova, Zophyr Qethnis” blush or how much he loved the way that the Uagadou student was staring at him from across the dancefloor as they danced with a partner of their own, completely ignoring the poor person.


The music stopped again, and as Ren's feet came to their third stop of the night, he finally snapped out of the trance he had been in during the previous round. 


Once again, Ren had found himself under the mistletoe with a stranger of whom he had no intention of kissing.

Smiling, he covered his mouth with his hand, and shook his head slightly, before signing


“Sorry”


He only had his mind on kissing one person tonight…

──────────────────────────────▱──────────────────────────────

Roleplaying as iNPC Quentin Gagné of Beauxbatons
English | Français
interacting: Miles Thatcher @Simon Kincaid | mentioning: @Linda Ramirez

Before he and his partner could get any real conversation going, the dancer floor moved them once again. What was this? Speed dating? Quentin was beginning to understand why his Beauxbatons friends insisted on skipping the Hogwarts trips. This place was weird!

As he spun, he whispered to himself Linda and mistletoe again and again. He was starting to realize how dire the situation was—why had he wasted all of the blasted camp practicing quidditch when he could have just found her earlier and talked to her and possibly maybe kissed her (like he should have done at the last dance!) in a safe place where the floor doesn't fling you around?!

When he stopped moving, he did get one of his wishes—the mistletoe dangled above his head. But the person under it was a boy. Quentin recognized him: an American quidditch beater. "Hello. Good luck tomorrow. From one beater to another. I think you're playing with someone from my team. Destroy the Russians!" The French school had brought an extra chaser, and it just so happened the American team needed her.

In order to coincide with that good luck, Quentin reached over to complete another set of French air kisses. The mistletoe wasn't going to destroy his quidditch chances. He hadn't even considered whether or not someone of the male and American persuasion would find this behavior strange or out of pocket.

[calming presence active on everyone]
Action: warding off bad luck and air kissing Miles if he accepts

RPing as Zophyr Qethnis from Uagadou

Genderfluid, pronouns at the moment: he/him

☽ Kirundi | French | English | Swahili | Arabic | Tswana | Xhosa ☾

Date: August 2 2024 Time: Evening

Interacting with: Ren Willow-Saito @Qrowley Beithir, @Linda Ramirez Mentioning: X

Another few steps, and Zophyr was whisked away from Miles, who had refused the hand kiss. Zophyr didn't blame him. All this was weird anyway. It was funny how quickly he had gone from excited at this event - kissing pretty people, flirting, yay - to dreading the next match-up. Why this was, he knew exactly, but he would never admit it, even to himself, that a certain someone was affecting him like this.

Though he couldn't stop thinking about that someone. Even now that he had decided not to look at him anymore, his brain wouldn't let him be. Gods, it wished the two would end up in front of each other. ...If there was no mistletoe, of course - this wasn't because he wanted to kiss him or anything. He just, er, missed him. That was it. But no, destiny seemed to be against them, because Zophyr once again found himself in front of someone new.

"Hello," he said with a smile. It quickly vanished when he felt a quick flash of pain on his arm, and whipped his head around to see what had happened. Was that wax? A glance up confirmed it - these candles were not doing their magical job properly. Zophyr scowled. "Well that's just rude. Come, let's move over." He stepped to the side, where the candle was not dripping, hoping the girl he was standing with would follow. He was kind of expecting the candle would be enchanted, and would continue hovering above them and dripping, but it thankfully did not. Still, how annoying.

At least it hadn't been mistletoe, though. For once, Zophyr did not feel like kissing. He realized the candle had even distracted him from Ren. That was a win. It didn't feel like one, actually, but he convinced himself it was for the better. This crazy heartrate whenever he saw him was probably dangerous.

Action: moving away from the dripping candle

Reducio

Outfit drawn by me and inspired by drkav's art here Art here --> made by the amazing Qrowley Beithir, here's their shop (: