Maya, Aleksander & Robyn Valentines closed

Throughout Maya's time at Hogwarts, never did she ever step foot in the Astronomy tower. She belonged to the first floor and the thought of going so much higher in the castle was a nuisance. However, her streak stopped when an event was being planned for the Valentine's Day holiday. The Astronomy Tower was going to be used as a place to simmer some romance and friendships. Maya, typically, would not have signed up to join, however, there was a part of her that was curious.

The sign-ups were simple. She signed her name and a "crush" of her choice. She chose none other than Aleksander Ostrowski, the former Potions Master of Hogwarts. Granted, he was not a present professor, so her putting his name in the box was merely her way of saying she wanted to chaperone the event, not necessarily partake in it. But alas, it seemed as though he was in town (still) from Hamberg and the Head of Houses allowed guests. Perhaps it was not wise with the year that they had, but Maya was not going to complain nonetheless.

It was perhaps one of those rare moments that Maya was not wearing her cloak. Guessing that the decorations were going to be vomiting red, pink and white, she did not want to match the background and would rather stand out for the evening. Maya wore a little black dress that was both sexy and modest and black high heels that brought the outfit together. Her hair, usually slicked back in a bun, was down. Her dark chocolate brown hair was cascading past her shoulders and free. As for her make-up, she still wore her signature red lipstick that made her brown eyes look fierce.

It was clear that whoever had decorated the event had gone all out. The staircase to the tower was brim with decor along with entering the tower, an arch had to be walked through. Maya stopped and admired the beauty of someone's handy (or magical) work putting it together. It was exquisite with the different paper roses of pink and red. In addition, there were heart garlands that decorated after the arch. A note explained that they were able to take one. Maya passed, not wanting a garland. If she were going to take something, it would have been the paper rose.

Near the sign, there looked to be three choices to choose from. Maya eyed each option. Two of them were sweets and one of them was a simple rose. Maya chose the latter. She was not in the mood of munching on sweets. It was the vulnerability of the holiday-- eating many chocolate and heart candies. She was content with that of a rose. When she grabbed it, she saw that there was a piece of blank paper attached to it. As she walked away, a number started to appear on the label.

Within seconds, the number was made clear. Maya walked further into the tower and looked up to find balloons with various numbers as well. It was obvious that they were linked. Each balloon was with a table. Maya took her number and searched for the balloon that matched her number. When she arrived at her table, she saw the set up and couldn't help but smile. It was rather simple and inviting.

She noticed that there were two empty seats that were around the table. It seemed that her date for the event had not arrived yet. Maya still took her seat and looked around to see others doing the same. It was interesting to see such pairings occur, whether they were romantic or platonic.

As she waited, she did feel a bit cold, but was luckily warmed by the nearby fireplaces that were scattered around the room. Plus, the more bodies that were entering the room, the more natural heat was emanating from them.

Now lies whether or not Aleksander would come. He had come into town about a month prior. Who knew if he had gone back to Hamberg or stayed to come to a random Hogwarts event such as this. Maya waited patiently, looking around, monitoring the site.

@Aleksander Ostrowski | @Robyn Finley

Aleksander Kazimierz Ostrowski. Formerly Professor Ostrowski, Potions Master of Hogwarts, gently flipped the small card up and down through his fingers. A card that allowed him temporary restricted access to Hogwarts castle for the duration of their Valentine's event, an event he had most definitely not signed up for, and there was only one person in the castle who knew he was in the country.

"What are you planning Galim?" He murmured to himself as he ascended the stairs, arriving late as to avoid the crowds. If the Astronomy tower was unfamiliar to the Muggle Studies Professor, it was even more unfamiliar to the former Potions Professor. The Dungeons were his domain, and he often made great effort to never leave said domain.

He hadn't made any effort for the event, except for a cheap bowtie that he had mostly put on as a mockery, the thing wasn't even tied properly. He wasn't even sure why he was going, perhaps the allure of free food, perhaps wondering why Maya had invited him. Perhaps he felt bad that the school had organized this special permission for him and didn't want to squander it.

He only hoped his former students would be too busy making goo-goo eyes at one another to notice his presence.

As he entered the tower he almost gagged at the décor, it was a sensory overload to his eyes and made him feel almost uncomfortable. It was mostly ignorable, but he couldn't say he approved of the abundance of pink.

He didn't bother with the enchanted items, instead just striding over to Maya as soon as he spotted her. Trying to block out the abundance of voices that were bothering his heightened hearing.

"Galim, I see you're going cloakless this evening..." He remarked flatly as he sat down opposite her, looking her up and down. "Did you buy that dress for the occasion or did you just have it lying around?" He asks her curiously, his blue eyes piercing her once more.

@Maya Galim @Robyn Finley

────────────────── ЯF ──────────────────

Interacting With: @Maya Galim & @Aleksander Ostrowski
Hex Color: #433280
─ Alluring | Calming Presence | Nonverbal Magic ─

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Coded by Rafael D'Spacito

Robyn felt like maybe she had made a mistake when it came to showing up to school events. Perhaps showing an interest in the Halloween event now had her drifting towards the Astronomy tower. Of course there had been an invitation that was delivered to her, but she was under the assumption that this was the communication method for having staff chaperone. The sentiment of wishing she was back in the library entered her heart as soon as she stepped out of it. She had of course, dressed up for the event. She would not show up looking lackluster among students. She was a professional that had a reputation to uphold, and she would remain impeccably dressed at all times. A monochromatic red suit that was actually quite thick to protect from the apparent chill that would be in the tower, paired with dark maroon shoes. Her hair was left down, wavy red hair reaching just past her shoulders. The right side was perpetually tucked behind her ear. Growing up there was always an emphasis on being the best dressed in the room at any given time. A result of being raised by a full-blooded Veela.

Valentine's Day was a holiday she despised even though her nature allure made her a shoe in to be gifted with chocolate and flowers galore. It was something she shied away from. As she approached the normally stoic Astronomy Tower, her eyes took in the overwhelming decorations of pinks and reds that the students were sure to adore. Without any instruction really given in the invitation as the procedure for chaperoning this event, she took one of the flowers to be led to her assignment. Entering the room with students and blankets galore her eyes scanned the room until she found the balloon assignment to find one professor and one person she had never seen in the castle.

Her instincts were already on high alert, especially after all that had happened within the castle since her hiring. As she sat down, she extended a hand to the other two one at a time. "Professor Galim, I don't think we've ever been properly introduced. I'm Robyn Finley, the head librarian." Her eyes narrowed as her hand moved to the other man. "And I don't think I've ever seen you at all." Surely if Maya wasn't perturbed she shouldn't be either? Or this had to have been the most elaborate trick. "Do you two know what exactly we're supposed to be doing here?" Surely, at least one of them had more instruction on what they were doing here.

The scruffiness of Aleksander Ostrowski can be seen a mile away. Maya remembered their last encounter in Hogsmeade a few weeks prior. Whether or not he would still be in town, she wanted him to remember who he once was before a mere bartender in Hamberg. He was the Potions Master and although he had some complications, he was strong and brilliant. What better than to remind him at a Hogwarts event on Valentine's Day?

Maya could not ignore his blue eyes piercing at her. It was true that she dressed in something different. Her cloak, neatly pressed in her room, was left behind on purpose. Other than not wanting to match the decorations, Maya secretly wanted him to see her for who she was: not just little red riding hood spending time with a wolf.

"I do own more than a red cloak, Ostrowski. Would it be better if I were matching the decor?" she playfully responded. He was sitting opposite of him and she couldn't help but to look at his outfit. One wouldn't say he tried to look his best for the event. His clothing was typically the same that he always wore. What was different was a little bow tie that wasn't properly tied to begin with. It didn't bother Maya, however. It did make her feel for what looked like a sad puppy dog in front of her.

"I do enjoy your bowtie. Did you buy it for the occassion or did you just have it lying around?" she joked.

Plopping at their table was none other than the new Head Librarian of Hogwarts, Robyn Finley. Maya had never met her but knew her name and of her profession in the castle. She had been meaning of connecting with her to look up information in the infamous restricted section.

"Finley, pleasure to meet you," she said with a thick Israeli accent. Maya returned Robyn's handshake gesture. "I teach Muggle Studies here."

Maya could be mistaken, but from the way that Robyn interacted with Aleksander, it seemed to be suspicious. Maya couldn't help but to smile while caressing a utensil with her index finger, waiting for his response. How would he introduce himself? she wondered. Maya figured that she would do it for him, but he was a big boy.

"It's Valentine's Day, Miss Finley. Anything can happen," she said, jokingly as a response to what they were doing there. "It seems whoever put this together wanted some drama to occur," she smiled, pointing to a few tables that had more than two persons. If she was correct, the signups for this event was to include a crush. There were more three- and four-wheels than anything.

"Are you a fan of the Valentine's Day?" she asked the Librarian, starting some conversation with her.

@Aleksander Ostrowski @Robyn Finley

A new variable arrived to stir the pot at the table, although it was unlikely she was aware that this was what she was here to do. Aleksander only smiled gently, it wasn't a particularly warm or inviting smile. Aleks didn't know how to do those, but it was at the very least not a smile that said "please go away." Despite the man's rather rough and intimidating exterior he was not so rude as to send away a table guest for no reason.

"You could wear it like camouflage..." He teased, turning his attention back to Galim. "Perhaps then you would be better at sneaking all those glances at me." He winked. Flirting wasn't exactly his strong suit, but he had figured out it was basically just bullying in a friendly tone with a wink at the end, so that would suffice.

His eye returned to the newer woman...Ms. Finley as it were. Aleks found his gaze strangely locked on her for longer than he intended, and it caused the hairs on the back of his neck to rise, almost like his body was reacting in suspicion, his lupine instincts at full awareness.

"I would be surprised if you had seen me. Finley was it? I do not remember us having a Librarian when I worked here." He looked around for a drink of some description, of which he would take a tentative sip. "I am Ostrowski, former Professor of Potions, currently unwelcome tag-a-long to this lovely dinner date between you too." He smirked.

He wanted to question her about this odd vibe she gave him, and though typically social cues would not prevent him from questioning that, he would rather not have Galim make a scene by telling him off. He sat back and ran a hand through his dirty blond locks.

"I do not think I should have come." He mused out loud.

@Maya Galim @Robyn Finley

Apologies for the delay

─── ЯF ───

Interacting With: @Maya Galim & @Aleksander Ostrowski
Hex Color: #433280
─ Alluring | Calming Presence | Nonverbal Magic ─

─── ◈ ───

Coded by Rafael D'Spacito

Robyn's smile didn't quite reach her eyes. As much as she wanted to meet new staff, and apparently... old staff. The last time she went to an event it was an absolute disaster. "Feel free to call me Robyn." With the students she expected the formality, but with her coworkers it felt like a bit much. Especially if she wanted to seem cordial and friendly to help make the connections. "I'm surprised they let you come back. Security has seemed higher than ever with the events within the castle." She shrugged, perhaps that would come off as offensive but truly, they couldn't have just anyone walking in. Who knows what they were bringing in with them. There was no deep foreboding feeling that accompanied his presence so for now she let it go.

"Mm, as a young child I was a fan of it. But as I've grown I've seen myself get a distaste for it. Perhaps that's my own bitterness of a lack of partner for some time. But even in a relationship it was just an excuse to spend some extra time with them. You seem to be in the highest spirits of the three of us, I'm assuming you like it?" A bold assumption on her very poor people reading skills. Maybe Aleksander was over the moon and just showed it in a different way. "I'm sure whoever planned this will get the drama they expect. If the last ball is any indicator, hopefully this time will have less dolls and more innocent conflict of feelings."

Idly she made herself comfortable, if she was here than she might as well have a fun night with it. She regarded Aleksander once more, "I mean, might as well stay while you're here. There's food and drinks, and entertainment from the students to come I'm sure. How long did you work here, if you don't mind me asking?" She wondered where their employment's bordered each other. Perhaps by months or years, or just days. She certainly hadn't heard of him, but in her defense she had long been focused on other things since the first day she was employed.

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Outfit Reference

Reducio

Maya had such a strange feeling fill her heart. Was it the intimidation that he naturally brought by his aura? Or perhaps it was his easeness of flirting with her. Typically, it was not like that with her. Their banter was often suttle, but the minute he winked at her, she felt a sudden chill of excitement. With all her might, Maya kept a poker face of her feelings.

"Oh, I don't need to sneak them in, Ostrowski," she bantered back, giving him a warm smile. Though it seemed that his gaze had left her and went straight for Robyn. The gaze was longer than expected. Maya looked down at her hands and eyed the table next to them who had been enjoying each others company.

Listening to Robyn speak of her experience of the holiday, Maya gave a small nod and smile, showing signs that she was listening to her. "Where I grew up, we did not have Valentine's Day. We had a special day called Tu'Ba'Av, which is celebrating the love of another. But it wasn't like this. So perhaps my new experience brings more joy of the holiday," Maya said, ending with a shrug and a smile.

"I wouldn't be surprised either. There's always something happening in this castle," she rolled her eyes showing the amount of drama that occurs within the castle walls. There was never a moment where they could just relax and enjoy themselves. Something always had to go wrong.

Maya heard Aleksander state that he should not have come. She could not help but to look straight at him. Her poker face diminishing. While it was cliche and kitchy for them to connect together, she was glad that he was here. Even if they had one extra person as company. "Your company is appreciated," she said in a slight whisper.

@Robyn Finley & @Aleksander Ostrowski

The words of the two Women eased his nerves slightly, but though it was not evident in his face he was still quite on edge. There was a lot of people in this room, far more sounds and smells than he had been around in a long while. It was a tad disorienting, and more than a little distracting for the poor man.

"I too am surprised that my visit was approved. Perhaps Galim bribed the staff?" He suggested, shooting a teasing glance towards the Muggle Studies Professor as he took another sip of his drink.

He should've been ready for the next question, but he had been living in naive hope that it wouldn't pop up. He swallowed his drink slowly and mused over the answer for a few dramatic moment. "Just under sixteen years." He lied, though he said in such a straight mannered and genuine tone that it could perhaps pass as convincing. That was until Robyn most likely picked up on the scarred yet incredibly youthful face of the twenty-two year old man sat at their table. Though maybe he just had one of those faces, who could tell.

"I do hope the refreshments are not all sweet drinks and candy." He grumbles to himself, hoping to change the subject.