Event The Fall Ball (Masquerade)

interaction status [---]
mentions spectre, cat

position entrance, exit
previous posts 1 2

Brooding silently at an empty table with her legs crossed politely, Astrea nursed a tall glass of water and contented her impassiveness with the familiar motion of 'zoning out and people watching, preferably in the quiet area where the two overlap'. It seemed to be a constant thing at this point, to keep to herself at such large events where she knew next to no one. And many knew of her not. Swirling the crystal clear liquid with all the bored dignity of the high-borne princess she truly was, Astrea was simultaneously content in her own peace and numbed through with sparking apprehension. What a drag.

Truly, Astrea should have never come to yet another ball- knowing how they always ended in this particular setting. A lesson learned long ago, but being of her status meant that she had no wiggle room to skip out on a night of lavishness- her parents' shadows loomed long even so far away. On one hand, there was the ever-present looming of mortal danger and on the other, there was the lurking threat of social ruin. Er- Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry didn't have nearly the same stakes as the world of pureblood decorum, but the being so blatantly absent in such an event was not a good habit to get into.

Unoccupied and disinterested her own personal thoughts from a table near the entrance, it was quite easy to track the budding chaos that had already overtaken the ballroom and she was certain the tension would only escalate with the ticking time. The beginnings of a physical fight- how uncouth, the fight club had left a bad taste in her mouth in regards to such means of combat- was blooming somewhere in the oblivious crowd too distracted with their own lives and loves to risk anything.

A strike of lightning, like any other that night, the crash of thunder and- shattering glass. Astrea's glass sloshed in its container as she turned her head in alarm toward the seemingly broken window, half out of her seat- was this where things turned awry? This early in the ball? The glass shards fading away before her eyes into the dark, ephemeral yet signalling of danger all the same. It seemed that many others nearby had their attention caught by the sight, and what a sight unexpected.

A rider, dressed in ghostly browns and distress, atop a horse as spectral as he, galloping with great haste through the horde of students and announcing their business with a cryptic sense of urgency. Of calamity and ominous lurkings, of a riddle and names, before riding off, a great gush of chilled air in their wake. The Slytherin third year- now properly guarded in the face of such mystery, could only stare as an eerily glowing cat strode through the room towards the doors, a supernatural quality of calm that mocked the form of a Patronus as it looked back over it's back before heading out. This was no defense against the dark, only an induction. Her pockets seemed to burn as she stood a-ready now facing towards the entrance so close by, mind and head filled with the embers of unpreparedness from past balls stoked into grimly stoic determination.

From one side of her dress she pulled out the silver-emerald brooch that screamed her status- she could not duel properly but let her keep her skill- and pinned it hastily to the right of her chest with fingers tingling from the threat of crisis. From the other, her wand- the smooth, twirled texture of it a comfort and yet a reminder of how unstable things were. She was not going to be caught unaware but the fact that she not only knew this was going to happen sooner or later was not the most comforting thing in the world. The sizable and yet light skirt would have to be girded up soon with a sense of deja vu, but not yet. Not yet.

An aura of baleful energy, a beauty unnatural. Slipping out the doors of the ballroom without much fuss or fare, Astrea exited towards the corridors in hunt for the cat. Her drink long forgotten as it lay on its side, water drip dripping away from its body. If the scene made for any sort of foreshadowing- that idea is up to you.

Action: Exiting the Ballroom to The Hunt

Abilities: Terrible Presence | Lovely Creature | Spell Spread
Stats: Sta 5 | Eva 9 | Str 2 | Wis 9 | Arc 10 | Acc 10

Reducio

Before receiving an explanation from his pink-haired pal, the boy was pushed aside by a crowd of older students, those much taller and much more intimidating than any of the faux-ghostly ornaments hanging around the room. It seemed as though Hogwarts had a personal vendetta against safety and comfort, Leonard noted, struggling to stand up without looking like an idiot to the other partygoers and party-exiters, though with every second passing he wished more to join the latter. The one night, the few hours that he decided to not act out every second of his life following a prewritten script was the one night the crowd was to be covering their faces and the only means of identification the snake had to make sure he wasn't going to wake up in the Hospital Wing by talking to the wrong person. Also, there were shrieks coming from select corners, and it didn't seem to be a part of the decorations.

After finding his footing and making sure none of his father's suit was damaged by the drinks spilled across the floor, he stood to see that once again, he was left in a crowd of masks, fancy fabric, and fights he did not want to get anywhere near. The philosophical part of his brain had started to whir its gears again, since it seemed he wouldn't do much else this night other than keep to himself, his thoughts, and attempt to avoid getting burned. It was almost as though he was stuck in a game of checkers with life, he mused, except life was an artificial intelligence with hundreds of plays and zero moral boundaries who only kept on trudging through the match because the timer hadn't run out, and Leonard was a sweaty overthinker with one pitiful circle to play with and sadly, many moral boundaries.

And as though life had broken the rules of checkers enough, then came something that was akin to flipping the entire board and calling it a win, which by now was fairly typical of it. A weather change no forecaster could predict no matter the skill of guessing they had, booming thunder and the crackle of lightning, winds speeding in. However, even for a boy such as the Slytherin, the blatant disregard for all logic was not the greatest shock. A figure burst through causing a tsunami of glass shards, a man and a horse, it seemed, though they were clearly not anywhere near human. The phantom horse and its rider ran around, passing near Leonard and causing both figurative and literal chills to run down his spine.

“Time is running out!

Something terrible is creeping about this castle, and if no one stops it, tragedy cannot be avoided.

If no one steps up to face this challenge, we are all doomed.

Follow the graceful apparition to find the riddle’s first piece - and if you need my help, call my full name.”

His usual marathon of fast-running thoughts came to a halt, with only one remaining prominent: this had to be a joke. A cruel one, of course, from the panicked expressions of just about everyone present, but definitely a joke. Right? Right. Just a joke. Just some good fun, a convincing prank.

But it didn't seem to be a joke at all, the back of his mind whispered.

A feline with the same translucence as the horseback rider glided past near him, staring intensely before

The snake looked for a familiar face among the crowd. He needed someone he knew, hopefully the brave, loud one. The one most likely to help him on the maybe-quest to try and stop their maybe-doom. The one who unabashedly dressed as a historical figure and the pride of a house just for a joke: Marshal Aldous Mozor.

It wasn't hard to look for him, really. All Leonard needed to do was search for a blonde boy with a girl, and as fate would have it, there was a blonde boy with a girl near him, who hopefully was Marshal Aldous Mozor and not a lookalike.

"Marshal, Marshal!" He shouted at maybe-Marshal. "Look, I know you're just here for the romance, but we have to go see what's happening. It's a chance for adventure, right? You like that, right? Also, I, uh, don't think the ghost was joking. Look, you know me, I'm a very scared person. But now, I am very, very scared. You can bring your date along with you, I don't really care, but we need to solve this," his voice was high-pitched, and the words flew faster than the newest model of a broom. "If something really is about to doom us all, it's kind of a no-brainer, so you should understand just fine."

"That was not meant to be an insult. I think you're smart, actually. Well, not exactly smart, but...I should stop talking now. And go. Bye!"

With that, he rushed out to the corridors, wand at the ready and many curses on his school running through his mind.

ACTION: Leaving the Ball to join The Hunt.

STATS: Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 6 | Strength: 4 | Wisdom: 7 | Arcane Power: 6 | Accuracy: 7 | Health: 500/500

INTERACTING WITH: @Marshal Mozor

MENTIONING: @Melissa Carson, @Alec Mason, @Earl Gray

STATUS: Closed to Interactions

POST TRACKER: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

The Otherworldly Vision in Blonde

Reducio

Interacting with @Alan Vanes | Open to interactions

Erik Satie - Gnossienne No. 1

Roleplaying as Kheanu Maravilho Mondelez
Lovely Creature | Terrible Presence | Evasive Maneuvers
Sta 10, Str 0, Eva 0, Wis 12, Arc 13, Acc 10

If Nichlas hoped to be fashionably late, he would be sorely disappointed to know that he failed.

For one, the boy was so late, Kheanu was forced to stand awkwardly around the buffet table. Far be it from the Italian boy to complain about a time where he could flit around looking pretty for all of the ball to see, but the other Durmstrang student should have more respect for his time.

And for another thing... that outfit. Oh, mio Dio. [Oh my God]

It was three seasons too late, and for an inter-school masquerade ball, one should not make their entrance with nothing more than a satin-weaved curtain tied around their necks and allowed to trail behind them. However much of an assault on fashion his pair's getup was, it does bode well for Kheanu.

For if his partner had a less... timely set of outfits, it would only make his own haute couture stand out. In this sea of dated, unseasonal spring, flowery gowns and dark, winter suits, Kheanu's own outfit of silk organza, and twill-weave earth-green skirt did indeed stick out like a sore thumb.

"May I have this dance, Kheanu?

The boy was charismatic, he can give him that. It was part of why he—second heir to the Mondelez business empire—permitted Forsberg to take him to the ball. And another: he was just really curious.

Why would a boy whom Kheanu knew nothing of, who was defeated quite spectacularly by his own team (with no less of a heavy hand from the Italian himself) in the Summer Chess Combat, ask him out? What would prompt a person to go Ah, let me dance with the boy who handed me my bottom during a summer duelling bout?

And so the blonde-haired boy humored him, if not for his atrocious fashion, then out of a sense of wonder and genuine curiosity at the workings of the human mind.

"It would be your pleasure." Kheanu would reply in his breathy, accented tone as he would extend his delicate hand towards the other in a silent show of permission—all the while smiling like he was in on a joke nobody knew.

And in a sense, he was.

One at the expense of the other boy.

When the ghostly horseman arrived at the scene moments later, Kheanu was absolutely delighted. "Oh, what a good show! 'ogwarts stepped up their ballroom scene quite spectacularly! Bravo!" The boy would pause whatever he and Nichlas would be doing to give the performance a round of applause.

———
hair | mask | outfit

The Viper Magnate

Reducio

Open to Interactions | Mentioning @Santario Martin, @Opeila Winters, @Ileen Knight, @Henry Knight, @Erik Tharaldson, @Amara Dragamior. @Starlee Kennedy, @Illowy Magnard, @Adonis Thorn, @Astrea Soleil Neptune, @Ruby Cazares, and @Alexander Varellion

Twelwe - Ikigai

Roleplaying as Dmitri Kazimir Jones
Perfectionist | Perfectionist II | Spell Spread | Terrible Presence
Sta 7, Str 2, Eva 6, Wis 14, Arc 11, Acc 10

In a flurry of his long, accessorized trenchcoat (that he found while thriftshopping around London), Dmitri Kazimir Jones, fourth year Slytherin, entered the Masquerade Ball.

He hated it already.

He hated that people got hurt around these times. He hated that despite this, people still kept coming back. He hated that whatever kind of curse that haunts these events similar to the Defense Against the Dark Arts position of Hogwarts in the 1990s, people were still too stupid to do something about it.

If he had a choice, after the Blossom Ball debacle that proved his theory, he would have immediately discarded the idea of ever going to one again. Let them all die. Whoever is dumb enough to come to these balls and perish was meant to be taken. Natural selection.

But he didn't have one. Because as much as these events were dangerous, these events were... dangerous.

It was the perfect training ground for the Vipers.

He said just as much to them in the days before.

Throughout his time skulking at the Masquerade ball, hidden under his mask, Dmitri managed to meet the eyes of every Viridian Viper member in the room. They were...fine. He knew close to jackshit nothing about fashion so he could hardly critique whatever the heck his members were wearing. What only irked him was their apparent readiness to get into fights.

As the others were standing around and having pleasant conversations, some were up in other students' faces, throwing spells left and right.

Dmitri only shook his head.

Why these numbskulls felt the need to waste their energy on their fellow students who would do nothing more than just annoy the fuck out of them was beyond him. Maybe he did feel the need to interfere one time, but from his co-captain's stature, Dmitri felt it was right to just leave them alone to deal with their frustrations. He just wished Amara and Henry weren't dumb enough to put themselves in the same position.

Fucking kids.

Already, the night was not going in the Vipers' favor. If he were to give them a grade, it would be a T.

Dmitri touched his fingers to the brooch hidden underneath his trenchcoat. There were more things at stake here than your personal animosities.

This was when things usually went awry.

When people were so far into their heads, into their fantasies, into their relationships, into their fights. When you least expect it was usually when things went... wrong.

And what do you know.

It did.

Because mere moments later, a ghostly figure bringing portents of doom strode its way into the ballroom, asking everyone to follow the cat if they wanted to solve the mystery.

Wanted to die, more like.

Tch. But if he wanted to go ahead and see just what his Vipers were made of, he would have to be right in the fray.

In one swift, smooth motion, Dmitri threw his trenchcoat off his shoulders, caring not where it landed. The boy had a flair for dramatics, but this reveal scene would take the cake. The one thing that could be noted was that this was done completely unironically. Underneath was another one of the outfits the boy was known for: all black. Dmitri shed his annoying, fashion-y layer to reveal into one that would not hinder him in whatever challenge he would need to face. He adjusted the emerald snake brooch perched on his left chest, pocketing his mask as he strode away with a purpose, chestnut wand hanging loosely in his hand.

The Captain didn't wait up for his duellists for he knew they were going to follow, anyway.

———
outer outfit | mask | inner outfit | brooch

Leaving the Ballroom to go into the Corridors

Mentioning @Kyle DeRook, @Santario Martin, @Erin Ryan, @Quinn Healy

She did it. She actually managed to hit Erin. Overcome by adrenaline, Nico lightly panted, looking at her wand. Usually the dhampir wasn't this lucky, but maybe... luck was on her side this evening. However, she wouldn't cheer too soon, since trouble was already coming their way. And this time, it wasn't Erin.

Santario had missed the once purple haired girl, landing a hit on Kyle. He must've been a companion of Erin since he was in pursue. Being hit by the tickling spell, he still tried to come close to Quinn. But why? What did he do to them that made him get hit like this. Was there something he hadn't told her?

Kyle Derook. She remembered him vaguely from one of her first detentions. He was not just violent but a problem in general. He proved that once more here. Nico wouldn't show any mercy. They had to lay off and explain what the hell was going on.

'Get away from him! He did nothing wrong!' She screamed. Becoming more and more afraid as she realised she didn't have much muscle to pull the attackers away. But there was a small bit of hope Nico could rely on. The ever so mysterious Santario was for sure on her side... And yet, Kyle coming so close to her tree of a boyfriend, it felt uncomfortable.

Her Unsettling Aura started to show. It came down from her slowely, like something invisible was lurking about... Nico attempted to get closer to Quinn, still hoping to keep an eye on not getting hit herself. 'Quinn!' She hoped that maybe her voice would reach him. She felt anxious. But more angry than anxious...

Stats
Stamina: 13 | Evasion: 8 | Strength: 4 | Wisdom: 6 | ArcPower: 2 | Accuracy: 8

Abilities :
Lovely Creature & Unsettling Aura (ON)

Action : Turning on her Unsetteling Aura

Lucia gave a little laugh as the boy - André - recounted his own tales of autumn."I bet it wasn't," she agreed, in regards to the mess made afterwards.

Some people - purebloods especially, it seemed - did have extraordinarily long names, though Lucia wasn't included in this group. Her name was short - Lucia Fox. Her first name meant 'light' (apparently, the Hufflepuff had been born at sunrise), and her last meant... Well, 'fox'. There wasn't much to it, but Lucia liked her own name. She thought it suited her.

Suddenly, the weather took a dangerous turn and- MERLIN! - the glass of the window caved in!
Lucia couldn't help a shriek escaping her lips and cast a panicked look at the person in the group she was closest to - Scarlett Aden. Her legs seemed to move by themselves and she backed away from the glass, watching in surprise as - was that a ghost? - cantered into the room madly. Another second let Lucia realise that she was right: it was a ghost. And the window hadn't been broken, thank Merlin! She slowly stepped back towards Scarlett, Lily and André, flushing in embarrassment. "Oh! Thank Merlin!" she gasped.

But the show didn't end there.
The ghost cantered a lap of the hall - narrowly missing Lucia herself - and ten came to a halt right in the centre of the dance floor.
When the ghost had finished his cry, Lucia mouthed in horror, Something terrible... and turned to look at Scarlett again with a look of pure horror. The girl liked adventures, but reading about them and actually being in one were completely different. "Merlin's pants..."
She turned to look at the ghost again, but refused to meet his eyes. This was something far more terrible than what she had planned for tonight.

And then the ghost left, with nothing more. Lucia desperately tried to commit his words to memory. "Time is running out... Something terrible... Tragedy if no-one stops it... We are all doomed... Follow the ghost..." Surely, that was what graceful apparition meant. "Find the riddle's first piece... Call my full name for help..." The part-Veela turned to Scarlett again, and the terror was visible even behind the mask. She cursed. "Scarlett, we don't even know his name!" she said, in a rather high-pitched tone. Her fingers twisted themselves around the strap on her bag, and she nervously pulled out her wand.

The ghosts didn't seem to be over yet, and Lucia watched with a kind of fixed horror as a cat turned and padded into the corridor. "What the heck..." she muttered.
"Is anyone... Scarlett..." Scarlett was the one she trusted the most in this situation. The others seemed nice, but she had only just met them. "Scarlett-"
Someone left, calling for others to do the same. "Mother of Merlin. This stuff only happens in adventure books..." The girl was out of her depth here, and it showed.

So many people were leaving now. Should Lucia join them? Just a minute ago, her biggest worry was social awkwardness, and now... It seemed like everything had changed. She couldn't just ignore it. And she was pretty sure Scarlett would be the same. Lucia took a deep breath. "I... I'm going..." She cast a pleading look at Scarlett, almost forgetting about the presence of Lily and André. "Are you?"

Hopefully, someone would go with her as she adjusted the strap of her bag and left the ball.

Outfit | Hair | Shoes | Mask

As Charles Alluring: INPC

Russian in Red
French in blue
Spanish in green
German in orange
English in brown

Closed to interactions
Interacting: @Alec Mason
Mentioning: Cassie Heather _{@Lucia Fox
Permission given to godmode Alec Mason}
Action: Chatting with Alec, being confused about the situation, leaving the Masquerade and heading to the hunt
For Mods:

Reducio

tats: Stamina: 6| Evasion: 5| Strength: 10| Wisdom: 4| Arcpower: 5| Accuracy: 10| Total: 40
Abilities: Evasion Maneuver, Lovely Creature

Charles smiled at the boy when he introduced himself as Alec Mason, " nice to meet you Alec," Charles then heard the boy's response about rebelling and he chuckled a bit before saying " you rebel to? I thought I was the only one, maybe I should paint my nails to? I know I will get a reaction from my parents," Charles thought about painting his nails and how his father and grandfather would have a fit over it but then he thought if he could even pull it off like Alec? Maybe he shouldn't but maybe he should... the thought made him think of Cassie and her honesty, now he really wished that he went with her.

Charles almost missed the question about where he's from and Charles spoke " I'm attend Dumstrang but I'm from Durham, England," Charles offered the boy a smile but the chatting was cut short by a booming voice and ghost cat that went running from the room. A riddle? What was the riddle for and why was it there?

He didn't have much time to think not that he wanted to anyway when he heard Alec speak before pulling him after the ghost cat and voice, Charles never been a physical person and he definitely never enjoyed contact with people but for some reason as Alec was pulling him out Charles enjoyed it, kind of like when he enjoyed dancing with Cassie. Charles just spoke while jogging a bit to keep up, " sure, I'm in. I don't think there's anything better to do here anyway."

_{Banner Credited to the amazing @Amara Dragamior}

As Henry Knight: Main Character

Open to Interactions
interacting: @Miranda Everest | @Heather Blair Moretti | @Rohan Fog
Mentioning: @Dmitri Jones | @Amara Dragamior | @Erin Ryan | @Santario Martin
Action: Slightly panicking, apologizing to Miranda, Leaving the Masquerade and heading to the Hunt, joining the rest of the slytherin dueling team
For Mods:

Reducio

Stats: Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 5 | Strength: 5 | Wisdom: 10 | Arcane Power: 5 | Accuracy: 5 | Total: 35
Abilities+Race: Prodigal Charms Learner+Werewolf

Pendant
Brooch

Henry lowered his wand a bit as he got distracted from his spell when a loud mysterious voice broke out above the ball, Henry looked around quickly as he tried to find the source but his eyes only fell to the ghost cat that was walking out of the wall. The voice was referring to the cat, wasn't it? Henry then looked and saw his slytherin dueling captain reveal the team brooch he had on before running out, after it.

A few others joined him and Henry also hesitantly knew what to do as he felt himself panic, Henry ran back to Miranda, Heather, and her date. Henry pushed his dress robe out of the way to reveal a shiny brooch on his suit just like the other Slytherin dueling team. Henry then smiled at Heather and her date as he spoke " nice seeing and meeting you but I have to go, slytherin dueling team stuff but I'll be back don't worry," he then turned to Miranda and grabbed her hand as he squeezed it he spoke into her ear " I'm sorry Mira but I'll make it up to you promise," Henry then kissed her cheek before smiling at her and the others one last time. Hopefully I return and this doesn't end to badly....

Henry then held his wand at his front and ran off after his dueling captain, brooch shining on his suit and wand in hand at the ready. He was ready to conquer anything or at least try, he was ready to protect his friends through.

────── ☆ ───────

[font=times new roman]OCTOBER 16TH
Roleplaying as PC, Scarlett Aden
Interactions @Lucia Fox @Jade Sunshine @Lily Cawthi @Alec Mason (As Andre)
Closed to Interaction

More small talk was made. Scarlett wasn't particularly interested in any of these subjects - the Beauxbatons entrance, the swapping of names and the never-fail favourite season question. The French boy, now known as Andre, had introduced himself with an incredibly French-sounding name, true to the stereotypes of his nation.

"I wouldn't say charmed," said Scarlett wryly, but she didn't really mean it. She gave a little sigh and continued. "Yeah, there are quite a few students here with ridiculously long names. What happened to the simple first name, last name structure?"

Anastasia Blair Marie Katherine Alexandra Sophia Isabella Ann Beckett, thought Scarlett immediately afterwards, with a mental eye roll of disbelief.

At that moment, a crack of thunder could be heard, perhaps signalling a storm. She should've known the ball wouldn't be all fun and games. True, it was only weather, but weather would foreshadow what was to come. It was her first Hogwarts ball, and it certainly wasn't going to be an ordinary one.

Then - the window burst inwards with a brilliant crash as a gust of wind swept through the hot room, flickering the candles. Scarlett didn't scream, but grabbed her wand from her dress pocket. The pocket wasn't visible, but was definitely useful. She cast a glance at Lucia, instinctively stepping towards her as a ghostly rider galloped into the room. Scarlett's eyes went wide. She hadn't seen this particular ghost around before, and Hogwarts was crowded full of them.

"Thank Merlin," nodded Scarlett in wary agreement. "You shouldn't be thanking Merlin just yet though! Look."

The rider did a circle round the ballroom and announced terrors to come in a booming, sonorous voice. Scarlett made sure she wasn't paralysed in shock as she listened to the apparition. He said;

“Time is running out!

Something terrible is creeping about this castle, and if no one stops it, tragedy cannot be avoided.

If no one steps up to face this challenge, we are all doomed.

Follow the graceful apparition to find the riddle’s first piece - and if you need my help, call my full name.”

It wasn't a joke, wasn't simplistic fun and games, wasn't smoke and mirrors. The look on the ghost's eyes were very much real, almost desperately pleading for help as he turned his horse round and went cantering out of the window. A dream-like cat padded softly out of the door, another ghost. She looked at the students before exiting into the corridors.

Scarlett turned to face Lucia, who was looking a bit nervous as she recited the ghost's words. "Lucia, we don't know his name, but we don't need it necessarily. Only if we need help, remember? I'm sure we can fight by ourselves. You're a duellist as well! Come on, we have to follow the cat."

"We'll go together and follow everyone else, as well as the cat," she told Lucia, her face seemingly unnerved. Scarlett was born for this sort of stuff - she lived for adventure, revelled in glory and loved nothing more than excitement and peril. "Lily, Andre, you coming? Because we're going to go right now-"

Lucia was already leaving as she adjusted her bag and walked hurriedly towards the door. Scarlett followed swiftly, gripping her blackthorn wand tight. "Rather fun, isn't it?" she asked her friend with a bright expression.

────── ☆ ───────

Action Leave for The Hunt with Lucia
Stats Stamina | 7 | Evasion | 5 | Strength | 6 | Wisdom | 6 | Arcane Power | 9 | Accuracy | 7
Abilities Prodigal Charms Learner, Fearless

Interacting: @Autumn Ivy @Lindsey Springhall (trying to)
Mentioning: @Alec Mason

Outfit | Mask (discarded in final paragraph)

[font=times new roman] Just when Wyatt was done hurling insults at Autumn, there was a loud crash of thunder just when the sound of broken glass echoed throughout the ballroom, and a strong voice boomed over the sounds of a bunch of twelve year olds trying to flirt. Wyatt flinched and jerked his head toward the voice immediately. The voice belonged to a ghost sat on a horse, and as the horse galloped through the masquerade, the ghost warned the students of some threat.

“Time is running out!

Something terrible is creeping about this castle, and if no one stops it, tragedy cannot be avoided.
If no one steps up to face this challenge, we are all doomed.

Follow the graceful apparition to find the riddle’s first piece - and if you need my help, call my full name.”

Of course something had to go wrong before Wyatt was able to say a single word to Lindsey, but Wyatt had a feeling that shouldn’t have been his main concern. Time is running out? How much time did the kids have left? And if Wyatt remembered correctly, the ghost had said they were doomed? That if they weren’t able to stop this random thing tragedy cannot be avoided? What the hell was that supposed to mean!

Wyatt wanted to talk to Lindsey again, but he wasn’t going to stand by and do nothing while there was a dangerous evil loose in the castle. Other students seemed to have a similar mindset, Wyatt noted as he watched multiple students follow a ghostly cat into the corridor. Among them, Wyatt spotted one Alec J. Mason sporting painted black nails that suited him quite well… Wyatt assumed it was like a “mom’s not here” thing… but that wasn’t the point.

Turning back to Autumn, Wyatt said, “It’s been lovely talking to you,” and left with a herd of other students. Wyatt didn’t like the feeling that he was completely alone amongst all these random kids, so he tried to catch up with Alec on the way. They were… friends, though… sort of. Right? It seemed to be what Alec wanted, and Wyatt wasn’t really complaining, but they didn’t really hang out in their spare time like friends were supposed to.

On his way out, Wyatt removed his mask, tried to catch the attention of Lindsey Springhall and mouthed "sorry," worried if she'd be able to see him. He set his mask down on one of the nearby tables as he left and held his wand tighly in his right hand, thankful he didn't leave it in his dorm. [/font]

Post Tracker: [1][2][3][4]

Action: Exit the masquerade and join The Hunt
Ability: Parseltongue
Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 6 | Strength: 3 | Wisdom: 7 | Arc. Power: 9 | Accuracy: 5

[font=time new roman]Not open to interactions.
Interacting with @Scott Alexander and @Ami Procoppio

Charming // Fearless

Stamina - 9, Evasion - 5, Strength - 5, Wisdom - 9, Arcane - 10, Accuracy - 8

[font=times new roman]If he had to describe the feelings going through his chest as he stared into the hall, he might have concluded that he should really just abscond the situation and return to his comfortable, squashy room. He would have concluded that he should take off the ridiculous outfit, and go to bed, and wake up tomorrow without a single scar, scratch, or blemish on him or his heart.

If he had the ability to self-reflect without the feelings of odd disatisfied guild running through his mind, he would have never come.

And yet, the weight on his shoulders and the shallow breaths made his thinking nearly foggy already; despite still standing at the entrance of the ball. He wasn't even inside the massive crowd of covered faces, and yet.

And yet.

Before he could come to any resulting factor, a direction to walk in (either forwards or backwards) there was an odd happenstance which unfolded before him. He was perceptive, when he wanted to be- certainly so when at a ball and trying to distract his thoughts. Two figures had passed him, wearing, as he noted upon their first visual cue, similarly coloured outfits. He didn't pay them any mind, if anything, there was a silent comment in his head, battling with his anxiety, saying "oh, they used the same fabric in their outfits!". This wouldn't have been cause to describe an "odd happenstance", not until that same pair returned quite hurriedly from the dead center of the crowd- back to the entrance.

It was as if something had draw the shorter of the two away from the party, a notion which scared him- up until the girl's visuals focused on him, and they found their positions just across from him.

"What is that on your face?"

were the first words he heard amonst the chatter- the first words directed at him, besides "this way to the ball!" He opened his mouth to respond, but the pair were much faster than him in conversation.

"It looks familiar... who are you?"

Was her next verbal attack, as she dropped the arm of the boy next to her. She removed her mask- and Charlie could only vaguely recognise her to be a Gryffindor. Fourth year, he presumed, as she was not from his class- but too old to be a second year.

"I'm Ami, and blondie over there's Scott."

She then added. He could only barely put a name to an identity, staying rather eeriely quiet and he looked to the "Blondie" next to her, who had been staring at his mask with a rather... we he could discern an exact "look."

"I- yes."

Was the rather loquatious response he recieved from the other, whom he only could assume had been dragged along, given the stamp of his foot and far less interested demeanour.

"-Alexander. -And I sincerely hope you realise that my friend's.... avid attention is something to be received as a compliment. Even though it might not always feel like it. She doesn't spend too much time with things she doesn't find impressive, and I hope we can both agree that this,"

He gestured to his outfit, which made Charlie flush in embarassment.

"-most certainly is. ...Would I be out and about in saying I recognise you? These masks do make it difficult but I should swear I do."

He stayed quiet for a moment, before shaking his head. "I know... of you. Both of you I mean." He began, his thick Texan accent muffled under the large mask. "Scott Alexander and... Ami Pro...ccopio I believe. 4th years." He took Scott's extended hand in a firm, and elegant shake. "Surely, we've passed eachother in the halls, but I don't believe I've ever had the pleasure of meeting either of you." As quickly as they had appeared, he put on his usual mask- not the one weighing on his shoulders and head, nor his heart, but the mask of southern charm he was so used to applying.
He released his grip on Scott's hand, and allowed his own gloved hands to reach to the sides of his mask, slowly removing it to reveal his curly blonde hair, and his quizzical, but aimiable green eyes. Not to mention the large scar across his face, which started at the back of his jaw and made its way across the bridge of his nose, cutting through his left eyebrow. He had tried to cover it with a light layer of foundation his mother bought for him upon seeing the scar, but he gave up after realising it was a masquerade.

"My name is Charles Atticus Woodward, a pleasure, Miss Proccopio, Sir Alexander." He said smoothly. He hardly introduced himself as Charles, but as he was getting older.. the name seemed to fit more and more. "I suppose your interest was in my mask." He raised it in his hands, looking down at it. "It is Hallow's Season, although I apologise if it was a bit... much." He chuckled slightly, light and amused from his stained lips. "It's a mask I made myself... rather reminiscient of a Wendigo. I'm from America, you see, so I thought it might be more interesting to... go with something more appropriate to my personal soil." He placed the mask between his arm and his side. "My apologies if she dragged you back simply on the whim in insterest." He looked to Scott. "Truthfully, I fear I might have... interrupted you both. I came here alone, and I doubt I'll be staying long." He had assumed, simply by the fact that the two rather visually appealing members of the school were there on a date, due to their arms being linked, their familiarity, the matching of their outfits. "Did you perhaps think I was someone else?"

Interacting with: @Marshal Mozor
Mentioning: @Leonard Oaksworth
Action: Leaving the Ball to join The Hunt

Melissa instantly regretted saying what she had said when Marshal started to worry. Dang it- I knew I shouldn't have asked him... "I- Yeah I'm fine it's just that..." she stopped as she realized that there were people everywhere around them. She followed Marshal as he gently held her arm and maneuvered around the crowds of people. She heard a few shouts from somewhere in the ballroom, which was definitely not a good sign. Wonder what that's about... she questioned.

When they stopped at a corner where no one was, anxiety started rising inside of her. She waited for him to finish talking and then she started to explain. "So um, nothing's wrong, of course. It um... Oh yeah, just to make this clear, it has absolutely nothing to do with you." For some reason, she just couldn't find the right words. Who knew it would be this hard? "You know what, I'll just straight up say it...I don't rea-" The loud and sudden sound of breaking glass made her jump a little. Everything went dark and then lit up again. "What the-" she began. Then, Mel saw a transparent white figure on a horse. Behind it, the window it had come through wasn't broken anymore. What? How?... Wait a second, of course! It's a ghost which means that the window didn't actually break! She quickly ran to where the ghost was to have a better view of what was happening. In a booming voice, it said,

“Time is running out!

Something terrible is creeping about this castle, and if no one stops it, tragedy cannot be avoided.

If no one steps up to face this challenge, we are all doomed.

Follow the graceful apparition to find the riddle’s first piece - and if you need my help, call my full name.”

The ginger's face slightly went pale as she listened. Hogwarts was supposed to be safe, not have terrible things lurk in every corner... She ran back to where Marshal was, and then said, "So um...I'm gonna go find out what's happening and follow the ghost-" Melissa spun around as she heard a boy yelling at Marshal asking if he wanted to join him. "See you later I guess..." she told Marshal as she headed towards the transparent cat which the ghost had told them to follow. There were other students following as well, which made her feel safer since she wouldn't be alone.

Stats: Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 6 | Strength: 6 | Wisdom: 6 | Arcane Power: 5 | Accuracy: 7
Abilities: Sixth Sense