Valentine's Tea Errand Finished

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Valentines day had officially puked all over the small hall. Pink chairs, pink tablecloths, pink cushions, pink everything. The holiday had officially crept up on her and surprise overwhelmed everything else in her mind. PINK!

Previously, she was in the library working on some long-overdue book reading. A stampede of candied students poured in and she took it as time to leave. The Common Room was stuffy and the Study Rooms were all taken. So, reluctantly, the 12-year-old had entered in the Small Hall.

Her outfit was very casual. She wore dark purple sweatshirt and dark jeans. On her feet were black shoes that she had painted purple with sparkles. The outfit screamed muggle, but today, she couldn't care less.

Valentines day had never really meant anything to her. Sure, she had met a few boys here, but the relationship had mostly left at, "oh, hi" and a small conversation. She had met an upbeat Gryffindor at a spontaneous tea party named Pierre. She had also bumped into a boy named Rafael a few time recently. And there was the boy in the caretakers office. Besides those three, Katrina hadn't met anyone. She never though of herself as a romantic. Boys never threw themselves at her feet. Sure, her best friends at muggle school had always said that she was destined to be with someone because she looked so pretty, but nothing ever happened there.

Her hazel eyes and auburn hair made her stand out in a crowd. More recently, the teal chunk in her hair had lead to many new conversations. But nothing really screamed that she was beautiful. She was average height and weight, a little on the slim size. Nothing about her was crazy and "out-there".

Katrina sat herself in a very pink corner and looked around before settling in her book. She saw a Gryffindor Prefect whom she should remember her name sit down. A girl from the toad housing errand was here too. And her eyes darted over the unnamed faces and fell upon Rafa's. He was, what looked like, introducing himself to another girl. For the most part, she didn't recognize anyone else in the room. Then she saw Pierre, Katrina timidly waved at him and looked down, unsure if he had seen her.

A small sigh of wishful thinking escaped her lips and Katrina opened up the novel. It was a new one about a girl with magical powers and her journeys hiding the fact that she had magic. It was odd reading those kinds of books and thinking 'that was me'. Even though the book was created from imagination instead of reality. The Gryffindor slowly lost touch with the world and sank into her book.

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Food was the only incentive this boy needed to get to come to a social gathering. House points was merely the sprinkles on top. Not even the icing. As for Valentine's, he didn't mind the season of dishing out the kind of affectionate love for friends and family and all that, but romantic love wasn't an area that Andrew had even stopped to consider. Sure, he knew a pretty girl when he saw one, but beyond the occasional crush and bouts of secret admiring he'd never admit to, Andrew wasn't of age to fully comprehend what true love and "feelings" really were. . .

He entered the Small Hall wearing a casual sweater, blue jeans, and gray sneakers, unsure of how fancy/formal he was supposed to dress for a tea party. Was there a dress code for this? The invite didn't say. Either way, Andrew didn't own any pink things to reflect the atmosphere, so he had entreated one of the upper year students to color change (Andrew hadn't yet learned the spell for it) his plain gray sweater into a dusty rose pink. Nothing too bright or vibrant, but along the same spectrum nevertheless.

His eyes overlooked the tea entirely, drawn instead to the finger foods beside it. Andrew helped himself to a small plate, heaping on some egg salad and cucumber tea sandwiches, and scones of various flavors. But he'd have to wash it down with something…Conveniently, there were cold options of tea as well. Andrew wasn't a tea connoisseur, but he recognized the name Earl Grey, so he mixed that in a glass with ice, and proceeded to search for a place to sit down and relax in…

The farther corners of the Hall were relatively empty, Andrew found out as he meandered over. And then he saw her… @Katrina Walker, sitting with a book in her hands. Andrew didn't know the girl's name, but he had seen her before - last time he recalled - sitting on the floor, against the wall, crying in the Ballroom. The teal streak in her auburn hair was a dead giveaway. Andrew had glimpsed her then, but with his attention fixed on other things happening at the time, he had forgotten all about her. But at least she had made it out all right.. Emotionally.. He hoped.

"Hey." He'd smile at the girl if she wasn't too engrossed in her book to notice him standing a few feet away, watching her curiously. "Nice book you're reading? Well, I won't disturb you," he'd shrug with a chuckle, preparing to mosey on by.

Open to interactions

Sola quickly backed down from her attempt to interact with the boy when she realized he was too distracted to reply. She frowned, wandering off. The teacup felt warm in her hand and she took a sip, using it to swallow the lump in her throat. She often felt alone in social settings, but she never expected she would be so easily ignored. It was as though she was invisible. Perhaps the Slytherin second year who had put together her outfit and done her hair had also put a disillusionment charm on her, just for laughs. Sola wasn't feeling like laughing.

She sighed, walking around, listening to the conversations, feeling her shoulders slump unintentionally. She wandered back over to the tea table to grab a biscuit or two... or three. Yes, she grabbed three. She would need three. She munched on one quietly as she stood, entirely ignored by those surrounding her. Maybe it was the dress. Maybe, because she was wearing pink, and everything in the room was pink, she blended in like a chameleon. She would never really know. Perhaps the professor might find her and put her out of her misery. She usually wasn't that lucky, though.

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Katrina was deep in her book when someone stopped by. She took the second to turn the page and put a bookmark in it. She set the book in her satchel and looked up. He almost walked away... to be honest, Katrina almost let him.

"Yes, it's a pretty good book" Katrina spoke in his direction unsure if he heard her. The boy was not one that she had thought she had met. Sure, the Gryffindor should have seen him around, but she didn't even recall his name.

Instead, the Gryffindor slowly made her way to a table of teas and such. She poured herself a steaming cup of mint tea. Mint was her fallback when there wasn't herbal. She was quite the tea drinker. It was a suitable option instead of water. On her way back to the corner, the 12-year-old snuck a cookie. It was a heart-shaped cookie dusted with pink sprinkles. Great more pink. Nevertheless, she munched on it while taking her book back out.

Without meaning to, she found herself looking at @Piérre Marchonné across the room. He seemed a bit hesitant in the split second she looked up. Not wanting to look like she was staring, it was a Valentines Party after all, she glanced back down at her book. The voices in the room rose and she grew a bit impatient.

The Gryffindor took a sip of the mint tea and regretted it. The scalding liquid burned her taste buds and down her throat. Her face reverted to the 'sour lemon' emotion and she stifled a cough. Of course it would be when people were looking at others that she would make a fool of herself. Her face burned red and Katrina hid behind her book.

Word Count: 300 || Total Count: 730

Interacting with: @Mildred Wilson

Well, it was the day to meet people. She had even started to get used to the pink already, perhaps from the sensory overload it seemed to give her. A few more tentative steps, and she glanced around the room.

There weren't any people that she particularly knew. She had seen some throughout her time at the school- either full on chats, or simply noticing them in corridors. So, she did a small mental game of eeny meeny miny moe. She just wanted to meet people, preferably someone who didn't have anyone to talk to. She found it easier to start a conversation, rather than input herself into an existing conversation. Perhaps it all had to do with experience. But- again- the girl didn't really care. She was happy to simply watch the people as they walked by.

And that's when she found her next target.

Okay- so maybe not target. But person to talk to. If they'd let her, of course. The lavender dress bounced slightly as she walked over to the table, a light hop in her steps. Her mood seemed to rise up easily, the realization dawning on her now. It was a tea party! Those had always been a fantastical dream to her, and now she could actually be a part of one. Never mind the pink, she could focus on the tea instead. It had nice, neutral tones.

She walked up to the girl, noting the red hair immediately. It stood out, and she was sure that she had seen this girl around. And in the Hufflepuff common room or dorms, no doubt! Her smile grew, pleased to have a chance to talk with a fellow puff. She gave a quick wave to the girl, a small question on her tongue.

"Hi! Can I join you?" Blue eyes gleamed with curiosity and excitement. Nothing could bring this girl down for long, apparently.

OOC: I wasn't sure if you're character was open to interactions. Feel free to tell her to go away if not!

Interacting with @Opeila Seilun and @Alan Vanes

Ruka shuddered slightly at the thought of people being tricked into taking a love potion. That could potentially turn out even worse than the Veratiserum debacle from last year.
Still, he decided to trust Opeila in saying that she would make sure he didn‘t do anything stupid should he fall victim to one, so he continued sipping his tea without any lingering feeling of paranoia.

„That‘s fair enough,“ he agreed, grinning, when Opeila pointed out that maybe in this case people would be less risky to keep around than food. 
At the mention of students trying to matchmake others, Ruka almost choked on his tea. Why was it that some people felt the need to play Cupid where others really didn‘t want them to? 
As Opeila said, most of the students around here seemed to be first and second years, and they really didn‘t need to be matchmade with anybody.
This sort of thing should really be saved for upper classmen in his opinion.

„Well, here‘s the deal,“ he said seriously, leaning forward a bit to get a little closer to Opeila. „I‘ll make sure to get you out of any uncomfortable situation as long as you‘ll do the same for me.“ He chuckled and leaned back in his seat again, groaning a bit as the cushions enveloped him again.

When Opeila pointed out that it was interesting to watch people here despite the bubblegum fantasy environment, Ruka hummed thoughtfully. „Still,“ he said, glancing across the decor. „Don‘t think I‘ll ever get used to so much... colour.“ He laughed, then turned his attention back to the newly arrived Gryffindor when Opeila suggested saving him from the shock of entering the hall. 

„Hey there,“ he called to the other boy with a grin on his face, waving lightly. „Did you wanna come join the party? Get some house points while sipping tea with us?“ He lifted his own tea cup, tilting it slightly in the other Gryffindor‘s direction in an invite to come and join him and Opeila on their still relatively empty table.

Interactions: @Griseldis Edelhardt | @Saskia Nicholson

It seemed that Thora was forever finding herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Typically an overcautious and definitely paranoid girl, options would be considered and consequences weighed before going somewhere. But from the small things like sending her Nimbus 1700 into steep dives on the training pitch to scary things like the ball,  it had become clear to the girl that sometimes, she had to take chances.

Of course, taking chances meant risk, something Thora didn't exactly like but had quickly become acquainted to. Risk was an old friend that somehow met her with every action, a restraint she would never be able to shake off like other things. So after a grueling few months of trying to escape her fate, she'd succumbed to what was coming for her. That said, there were things she could choose not to do, risks she could choose to avoid.

But of course there were the things that Thora chose to do, even though she knew full well that it probably wouldn't end up well. And the reason that set the girl on a path towards the Small Hall was one of those. Well, the outcome of the event was equal parts positive and negative. It was an errand, meaning that Thora would earn house points--three, to be exact--by simply showing up. At the same time, Professor Bercegeay or however you spelled her name, was honestly a bit scary. And the event was focused around Valentine's Day.

Simply the idea of Valentine's Day was pretty messed up. It had supposedly began as a day where people celebrated some saint, and it had involved love. Sure, people got married as adults, and that was normal, but for kids like herself, Thora thought that love was most of the time stupid and completely unnecessary. Sure, you could find the love of your life at a young age, but the possibility of that was pretty low.

While Thora had seen quite a bit of puppy love and even some… developing relationships among her mostly eleven to thirteen-year-old peers, she wasn't about to join in. At the students' age, love was a fickle thing, coated with way too much romance, and was honestly just a pain to deal with.

Thora didn't have utterly high expectations of this errand, honestly, simply because of her impression of the Flying Professor. Sure, Professor Bercegeay seemed overly quite passionate about Quidditch--something that Thora herself enjoyed immensely. But after last time's errand, where Thora and a few of the other students had been forced instructed to clean up the crazy professor's room, a very, very firm impression had soon blossomed in her mind.

Apparently the professor was obsessed with several of the students' male professors and the gaudiest shade of pink possible. And that wasn't to mention the state of her half-unpacked room. So not only did Thora expect her eyes to be met with an eye-poppingly bright spectacle, but her mind to an equally confusing front. It had been pointed out that the point of the event was Valentine's Day. Even better.

No doubt there would be shipping, some Merlin-accursed idea that some blockheaded idiot had come up with in their free time. Pairing people up simply didn't seem right to Thora, and she'd no intention to ever take part. Or become a target, for that matter. That--liking a boy, romance, and whatever--was not among any of the pages in Thora's book. Nor would it be for a very long time.

As green eyes met pink furniture, Thora bit her lip and fought the urge to run away. There were way too many people in the Small Hall for comfort. Too many people she didn't know, and too many people who simply looked suspicious. The entire event seemed much too out of place for a holiday-focused errand. That's what Thora was here for. She was simply present to earn a few more house points--no doubt hard-earned ones--for the sneks, and maybe hang out with a couple friends. That is, if she even knew anyone present.

"Hey Gris," Thora shot the prefect a smile and gave her a quick hug in passing as she made her way to a corner. Maybe it would be slightly more comfortable there, where she could watch everything go by while still earning those house points. After all, that's what mattered right now. Loyalty to Slytherin house. Griseldis being one of the people she trusted, Thora would've liked to talk a little more to the girl with the familiar honey-streaked hair, but she seemed to be waiting… for something. Someone.

But the Slytherin's smile widened as she spotted a taller brunette wandering the room. Saskia. Torn before two of her friends, Thora followed the Hufflepuff. Choosing was hard, as always, but at least she'd said hi to Gris. Life always hit with a whirlwind of opportunities, and the fact that only one could be pursued at the same time was simply annoying. But there were things to be done and conversations to be had, so Thora went.

"Hey, Saskia," the girl finally caught up with her painfully short strides. "Haven't seen you around lately, so just wondering how you've been doing." It didn't even occur to Thora that she'd practically just reversed a sentence. Well, everything was kind of distracting, so hopefully the badger would just go with it. And although she was hoping to gain Saskia as a friend someday, they weren't exactly there yet, in Thora's book. But with a little more time, trust could be built and a bond forged.

After all, who needed a holiday about crushes when you had friends?

WC: 939 | Posts: 1

Open for Interactions
Interacting with @ Griseldis Edelhardt

Alan heard rumours of a Tea Party hosted by Professor Bercegeay, eager to participate and earn some points for only attending until the young lad's heart sank at what type of event it was revolved around 'Valentines Day'. The boy was unfamiliar with the concept and usually tended to cringe at these types of things due to past experiences when he was younger. Just as Alan was about to turn around and say no to the party. His best friend Griseldis came to him in the hallway explaining that she was attending the Tea Party herself. A Spark lit up in the young man's head not to mention his heart without a second thought Alan immediately told her yes he'd gladly attend if she was going. He couldn't explain why he chose to go but wanting to go with his friend, in particular, was enough motivation.

Preparing a few days in advance, he planned out an outfit, memorised the route to take with the least amount of trouble and as per his Nan as well as his Mothers advice pick out a flower with a suggestion which was a rose. Picking it out on the day the stem was wrapped in a white napkin tied with a red ribbon he recycled from an old book he stopped reading. Dressed smartly yet casual Alan wore a blue striped sweater with a red scarf around his neck, black jeans and to top off a dark knitted beanie with his name engraved by his Nan. Walking along and finally reaching the small hall, Alan didn't know what to expect when arriving. The boy entered immediately taking off the beanie allowing his curly hair to roam free.

To his surprise, the turnout for the Tea Party was quite massive in terms of attendance. Although Alan didn't do too well in crowds such as this, he prepared for that, taking a deep breath he looked around the various snacks and tea options available before spotting his friend Griseldis alone at the table already sipping her tea. Without hesitation, he B-lined it towards the Gryffindor Prefect before the anxiety of the crowds settled in, standing by the table next to Gris, Alan said with open arms with a surprisingly confident smile and tone as opposed to his nervous stuttering "Hey Gris! I made it!" Though when it came to complimenting is when it returned to normal slightly "I-I-I like your outfit t-the design is lovely a-also." Concealed behind Alan's back was the rose he had picked and prepared to hold it out to her while nervously looking away his cheeks turning a slight tinge of red out of embarrassment "Cause it's today M-Mum suggested I-I-I get you this." The single rose glistened in the light still freshly picked. Alan looked at his friend in the eye, awaiting her response.

Word Count: 473/600 (First Post)

interacting with @Teiki Laurent and @Sola Haze

The tea party was in full-swing by now, Conversations buzzed around Mildred, and to be frank, she could practically feel the headache coming. She has always preferred the company of books, thinking back on it now Mildred regrets not bringing a book with her, this would have been so much more enjoyable if she had. stirring her now cold cup of tea, Mildred sighed and looked around the hall to see if she noticed anyone she knew, concluding that if she didn't see anyone she knew, she would just leave and perhaps study at the library instead. There were a few things that caught Mildred eyes, like how one student showed up in a full... kimono? Mildred was not one to judge, however that was quite strange, she even noticed how someone had brought their pet? Mildred resisted the temptation to go up to them and pet their cat, she always has had a soft spot for animals, realizing that she barely knew anyone there other than a few faces here and there that she had seen around the school Mildred sighed and decided it was time to go.

Mildred realized that she had been stirring her tea for quite some time, she blushed hoping no one noticed her, and decided that coming here was a mistake. she hoped that even though she was planning on leaving, she would still get the points. As Mildred was planning on getting up, she noticed a girl approaching her table, Mildred was quite surprised as she was often seen as "un-approachable", As the girl got closer, Mildred realized that she has seen this girl before, she knew that she was also a fellow Hufflepuff! which immediately put her at ease, the young girl appeared to be wearing a beautiful lavender dress, Mildred suddenly feeling under-dressed blushed and looked away.

As the young girl approached Mildred heard her say, "Hi! Can I join you?" Mildred looked up and noticed that she seemed genuinely happy, or excited to be here, the young girl reminded Mildred of a lot of other Hufflepuffs she had met before, they always seem to be happy or eager to help. Mildred still doesn't know if this is her true house, shes always has been so sour at times. Mildred realized that perhaps, the young girl was probably taking pity on her;of course, that had to be it. she had been here sitting by herself while the majority of everyone else were conversating, although this gave her no reason to be rude that simply wouldn't be proper. Mildred calmly said, "Hello! of course, you can join me"

Mildred thought it would be ideal to introduce herself, she took out her hand and said "By the way, My name is Mildred Wilson! first-year Hufflepuff, what about you?" Mildred has seen the young girl around the school before, but she didn't know anything about her other then she's in Hufflepuff. It was at this time Mildred noticed something out of the corner of her eye, she noticed her before when she was looking around the room, She appeared to be wearing a bright-pink dress with a bunch of frills and laces decorating it, although the young girl didn't seem to happy to be wearing it. Mildred had also noticed the young girl didn't look so happy, due to the young girls posture Mildred decided to shout "Hey you! yes, you over there!" pausing to regain her-self she continued, "Care to join us?" Mildred hoped the young girl heard her, with the majority of everyone else talking it would have been quite hard to hear her. She also hoped her fellow hufflepuff here wouldn't be offended, The more the merrier of course

occ: I hope this is alright! ❤ if there's anything you want me to fix I'll gladly to it!

Open to interactions

Interacting with @Jake Morris and @Quinn Healy
Abilities active : Lovely Creature

Busy controlling her breath, Nico played with the fabric of her dress between her fingers. Her iceblue eyes taking in the soothing blue of her marine dress. Was she really going to be okey? Maybe she should return to her dorm room and draw some more. That usually managed to calm her down. The way her hand could freely move over the white surface of the pages in her sketchbook had a very liberating feeling to it.

Before too long, she felt the table move a little. Her many years of anxiety had sharpened some of her senses. She was no super human/dhampir or anything like that. But small sudden movements in her close environment were easily noticable. By the sudden presence of a new person, Nico hit her knee against the table. 'Tch! ... Ow..' With a soft whimper, the little dhampir rubbed her knee hoping whoever joined them at her table, didn't notice.

As she looked over to her new companion, she noticed a boy holding a big dog plushie. How bold of him to bring that with him out in the open where other students could see him. Nico herself had a shark plushie laying under her bed back in the Slytherin dorm. But no hair on her body would ever feel coureagous enough to bring it with her in public places like these. Her experience with bullies had made her very scared about bringing forth what she was passionate about.

But... Just because of that, she felt more at ease by the side of this boy. She carefully straightened her back and eyed the boy, a soft smile sliding onto her face. Her conversation starter skills weren't the best but she was ready to give it a try.

'I... like your stuffed dog.' She said softly with a blush. Loud enough for his ears to hear since she was sure if others saw her complimenting a plushie, they would question her postition as a Prefect. Or... that's what the little dhampir thought atleast. 'What's his name?' Rubbing clam hands over the rim of her dress, she hoped to not look nervous.

From the corner of her eye, she felt something approaching her. Something big and quick. The table shook with every footstep it took until it stopped right next to her. His large shadow falling onto her as it seemed to block out a whole lot of the bright pink. Spooked, Nico grabbed tightly onto her chair, pinching her eyes closed. It probably wouldn't save her from a certain doom. However, it gave her a sense of ... reassurance.

'Nico me friend'

A familiar voice rang into her ears. Slowely, she opened her eyes, facing her lap. Where did she hear this before? Hesitantly, the small dhampir looked beside her, seeing a pair of big feet. These weren't the feet of an ordinairy student. Must be something in their genes. Taking her time, she slid her gaze up to meet eye to eye with her friend, Quinn. Her second tall friend next to Hugh.

'Q-Quinn?' What was it with these tall people? They only became taller every time she saw them. What was in these peoples food? She should... ask Hugh at some point.

'W-wauw.. You look.. dressed for the occasion. No doubt.' She smiled abit sheepish, a slight blush resting on her cheeks. The theme of Valentines Day dripped off of Quinns attire. He even brought heart shaped sunglasses? Maybe she should bring those with her in her purse or something. You know... just in case you walk into a room with a burning, bright, pink decoration.

Outfit :

Reducio

Hair Dress

Wordcount : 601