Event The Fall Ball (The Hunt) Finished

INTERLUDE

The first stop of the ghostly cat wasn't all that far from the Masquerade at all - in fact, it was on the same floor.

In between hopping chocolate frogs and flying pumpkin guts, it padded into the Rehearsal Room. A small flock of students was following it at this point, chattering and shouting, comparing theories and candy, and every once in a while, every few steps, the cat turned its head, as a if to make sure that they were still accompanying her.

It was an odd thing to observe, to say the least, and every student who noticed or paid attention might wonder what was going on.

A few of the students walking behind the cat were chattering excitedly, and anyone who cared to listen could catch snippets of their conversation:

"What do you think is going to happen?"

"What did he mean with doom and tragedy?"

"Do you really think we can do anything to stop it?"

"Isn't that cat so cute?"

Some of the kids looked rather worried, scared even, maybe, some where pumped and excited, some seemed to be there entirely by accident, but they were all on the way to solve the mystery that the ghostly rider had challenged them with. Maybe a few more students from the Costume Party wanted to join and offer their help?

OOC Information

Note: You have only seen the ghost rider if you came from the Masquerade. Everyone arriving from the Costume Party only sees the cat and knows what the others tell them.

• This is not a moderation post, just giving everyone at the Costume Party the opportunity to join. The first moderation post will take place on November 7th.
• Following the ghost cat into the Hunt does not count as this round's action.
• You can return to the Costume Party and the Masquerade at any point (as long as you're not involved in combat )
• Only players registered in the Index and iNPCs can take part. Please choose whether you want to participate with your PC or your iNPC.
• Questions can be directed towards Dealla Prince and Ileen Knight.

Interaction: @Falentra Black

Howard exited the Ballroom and into the corridors as he followed Falentra. They were hot on the trail of the mysterious ghost. It would turned out that they were not the only ones whose interest had been peaked by the daunting warning of the long dead rider and it’s feline friend. Before them a group of students had already gathered and were in deep discussion of what the ghost’s words meant and what the best course of action was. Unless Falentra urged him forward, Howard would slow his pace and take up a spot on the wall a small ways apart from the other students. The last thing he wanted was to attract too much attention.

“Let’s hang back, yeah?” He asked his date. Again he would go forward if she wanted, but he thought it best to hang back and observe. If she agreed, Howard would take a moment to think over what the ghost’s words. It had warned of something dangerous lurking through the castle and he knew this to be very, very true. However, it had mentioned that they should seek out the first part of a riddle. Certainly this was just something put on by staff for some Halloween flare. If the ghost knew of a real threat would it really give them a puzzle to solve first? “You think the staff is behind this?” Howard would whisper to Falentra. She was always a bit sharper than him and he trusted her instinct.

As he awaited her answer, Howard would continue to hear bits and pieces of the other students conversation. Some brought up the fact that the ghost had told them to call out it’s name if they required assistance, but they all seemed in agreement that it had not stated it. We’re they really supposed to know the name of every Knight ever? Howard asked himself as his brow scrunched in thought. His poor grades in History of Magic were a good representation of how much information he had retained about such subjects. Then a thought would come to him. “Damn...shoulda thought to just ask him.” He again spoke to Falentra.

Stats: STA-10 | EVA-6 | STR-14 | WIS-0 | ARCP-0 | ACC-15
Abilities: Fangs, Claw & Bite | Martial Artist | Unsettling Aura
Action: Observe

This all reminded Leonard of something he'd learned from a divorced woman's pillowcase, as well as the more reliable pessimistic science professor: Murphy's Law, anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Before, he'd picked at every single flaw in the so-called law, giving garrulous lectures to his lunch table about how the only way such a saying would be true if every variable in life were removed, and therefore, the only way such a saying would be true was death, an endless sleep devoid of dreams and movement where absolutely nothing happened. He was soon moved to a lunch table with the guidance counsellor. The joke, one could say, was on his muggle school. He didn't need an emotional adviser (though, based off how his night was going, he was going to require one within the hour), he needed to solve this riddle, find the cat, and try not to be knocked out by whichever horrifying beast showed up this time around.

As he ran to follow the phantom feline, he began to command his few functioning thought processors into action. No matter whether or not he'd made a promise to himself to let go and have fun, the result would be the same. The variables here outnumbered the solid facts, there being thousands of uncertainties that could lead to calamity and ruin, and one single constant, that with every single passing second the mystery remained unsolved, they were closer and closer to the calamity happening.

No matter, he thought while taking off his mask, since there really was no point in keeping to the rules of fashion when surviving the night wasn't at all guaranteed. If anything happens, at least I can use Dad's puns to keep me sane, the old boo-berry pie and the headless horseman starting a business to get ahead in life.

His weak attempts at semi-jokes heard only by himself didn't seem to be stopping the impending doom nor improving his mood, so he turned to one of his only skills that worked, the skills of observation and repressing fear. While the shoving-of-emotions-down-one's-throats-and-ignoring-them was something quite difficult to do in his current situation, science and logic thankfully found its way to the top once he neared the people that had gathered, seemingly to figure out the puzzle. There were four things Leonard knew for sure, one being that there was some sort of problem they had to solve in time before something happened, two being that there was candy scattered on the floor for no particular reason, three being that they were supposed to say the name of the horse riding specter if they found themselves in trouble, and four being that the cat had something to do with it. As he walked closer to the crowd, however, he learned another fact, that his fellow maker of mischief and nervous wreck Alec Mason was present. It was a plus in his mind, knowing the Gryffindor was fairly talented at planning, as well as having a friend among the rest. The curly-haired lion was talking to someone the snake didn't recognise, though that was the least of his worries for once. Socializing could wait until after they subdued whatever threat the school was facing this time around.

"Hey, Alec! It's me, Leonard. Of course, you already know that, don't know why I introduced myself again," the boy said. Nervous talking was a habit he needed to rid himself of, he noted.

"Alright," he said to Alec, as well as the unknown boy between gasps for breath. "Does anyone here know that ghost bloke's name? Because I'm pretty sure he said it and I didn't hear, since it would be utterly ridiculous to tell people about their doom, then say if they need help to call your name, and then not tell them your name. And, this might just be me, but I'm fairly certain we need some help right now. Also, you found any clues as to where that cat could be?"

ACTION: Conversing with Alec, and asking for clues.
STATS: Stamina - 5 | Evasion - 6 | Strength - 4 | Wisdom - 7 | Arcane Power - 6 | Accuracy - 7 | Health - 500/500
INTERACTING WITH: @Alec Mason
MENTIONING: @Marshal Mozor
POST TRACKER: 1 | x | x | x |

Lily speaking in English Lily speaking in Welsh Others speaking

Interacting with everyone, specifically @Lucia Fox and @Scarlett Aden

Lily had no idea what was going on anymore. There were students everywhere, some following the cat like her, Scarlett and Lucia were, others investigating other things. Lily had loved reading about there things for years, but had never actually been in one herself. She was somewhat scared, but at the same time wondering how they usually ended. For now, she couldn't remember, no matter how much she tried. "Yea, it could be a clue, but it could just be for some fun." The two girls looked at her, clearly surprised at the fact that she was still there with them. "What?" she asked, offended that they didn't know she was there. She had been quite quiet. "I was going to say I was coming, but you just ran off after asking. Anyway, I'm here now. So don't run off again."

It was true. Lily really wanted to be friends with them, ignoring the fact that they definitely weren't first years, and Lily didn't even know another girl, who had just walked up to them. Lily didn't know her name, and didn't really want to know at the minute. She just wanted everything to be okay again. Like it was only minutes before. "So, what's the next step?"

Banner by Lucia Fox

Interaction: @Howard White

It didn’t take the pair long to catch up to the others. Though rather than join the group completely, they kept there distance and held back, as Howard had suggested. The excited mumbles alone were annoying to listen to, so Howard had already made a good start to this mystery in the making.
The glowing cat they once saw was back in eyesight, though moving slowly throughout the room, leading the way for the children to follow. The Slytherin was trying to make do with what she heard, though the faint voices of children, along with Howard had filled in the gaps of what she had missed from the ghosts’ riddle.

Howard spoke of the professors taking part, but Falentra would scan before them all and see no adult in sight, as of yet at least. If a professor was to take part in this, surely one would at least keep an eye on the children. Not only that, but the sound at the beginning of it all turned enough heads, so why were no professors present? “I’m not sure. I don’t see any yet.. unless they are hidin’ somewhere. From what I heard anyway, and the look that ghost had on his face... he looked pretty serious.” Again, her eyes scanned the crowd in front before she turned it to focus on her partner. She thought about the Hags and if they were anything to do with it all. “Don’t think it has ‘owt to do with those.. you know.. things you talked about before, do you? Could be tryin’ to lure us somewhere?” Her mind raced with ideas, scenarios.. the lot. Even if this was a serious issue taking place, Falentra was loving it and treating it as a game at this moment in time.

Howard spoke of the ghost, and how he hadn’t mentioned his name to the students, yet told them to call it out when needed. “Yeah. Why didn’t he give us his name? How we meant to bleedin’ know?” Her brows furrowed in annoyance as her brain began to overwork itself.
She had read a fair share of books in her time, so trying to pinpoint names on ones she may of read through wasn’t easy. Nearly Headless Nick— No... his head was sure to have been dangling as some point during his entrance and he never came on a horse whenever he made his appearance. ... Wait... It had hit her. She knew of few ghosts that rid a horse. That could have been a big clue right there in front of them to grab, just like that. Of course, the help of knowledge played a big part but it didn’t necessarily mean she was right either.

“Sparkles.” She whispered and tightened her grip on his arm. A flash of hope crossed her face. She tried her best to hide it but her emotions were already sky high from the event before. It was hard for her to control them at this point. “You ‘eard of that ghost...” She hesitated, not really wanting those nearby to hear. “Sir Patrick Delaney-Podmore. He was a leader of a headless hunt... I think. Would make sense since, well, we are doin’ a hunt right now.” She tried her best not to throw questions at Howard, or question herself too much. At any moment, a clue might appear or be spoke of, and she didn’t want to miss out on it one bit.

Action: Attempting to figure out clues with Howard.

────── ☆ ───────

[font=times new roman]OCTOBER 16TH
Roleplaying as PC, Scarlett Aden
Interactions @Lucia Fox @Lindsey Springhall @Kara Capricorn @Wyatt Starkey @Lily Cawthi
Open to Interaction

Just then, a fair face approached the hunting party. Scarlett easily recognised the warm brown eyes and golden-brown hair, which appeared to be fancily pulled up for the night. The girl's usual Hufflepuff robes had been replaced in favour of an elegant pink gown with netting and flowers and other aspects Scarlett couldn't name, as she wasn't much of a fashion expert. The girl had on some delicate jewelerry and a silver mask. Lindsey Springhall did look good tonight.

Scarlett greeted her friend cheerily, and at first glance, you might've thought she was oblivious to the events happening around her. However some could see her determination if they looked past the happy face, her strong will and need to get to the bottom of this mystery. "Oh, Lindsey, hi!" said Scarlett brightly. "You here to investigate as well? You look fabulous."

"We're good," said Scarlett in response to Lindsey's next question. However her next statement did throw off the girl a bit. "The ghost might not be an ally...I hadn't thought about that. He warned us though - doesn't that show some form of allegiance? And he pointed us in the right direction..."

She trailed off, thinking. A boy joined them, a dark-haired one who seemed to be previously acquainted with Lindsey. Scarlett wove her way through all of the most logical options and jumped straight to one particular conclusion. "Why hello there," said Scarlett peering at the new boy carefully. "Are you and Lindsey by any chance dating?"

A new voice spoke up. Ah. Oops. In their haste, Scarlett and Lucia had left Andre and Lily behind, though in their defence, the two had told their group they would be leaving. "Sorry 'bout that," said Scarlett briskly to Lily. "We're just figuring out what to do next, following the cat and hoping no one gets set on fire. By the way, Lily, meet Lindsey and Lindsey's friend. Lindsey and Lindsey's friend, meet Lily."

She then turned to Lindsey's friend, the dark-haired boy. "And what's your name?"

Now that introductions had hurriedly wrapped up, Scarlett returned to searching. She would speak up when she needed to, but she had to find out what was going on. Suddenly, as she was walking back, she tripped over something. Scarlett picked the something (or rather, somethings) up. A sherbet lemon. An acid pop. Scarlett's mind instantly flashed back to when she had left the ballroom, and saw a Toothflossing Stringmint that she had picked up just in case it was a clue. Paired with Kara's sweets, it might be one.

Staring in surprise at the sweets, Scarlett choked out a quick, "Have to go - speak to Kara - sweets - come with if you want -"

She then rushed to Kara, the girl in question still present. Scarlett almost thrust the sweets at her face. "Kara, Kara look!" said Scarlett. "I found an acid pop, a sherbet lemon and a Toothflossing Stringmint. What about you? Do you think it means something? Well, sweets can't mean something, but....I, er -"

Scarlett stopped, unsure of where she was going with this. She just knew that the sweets were something important.

────── ☆ ───────

Action (previous action did not count) Trying to figure out what the sweets mean, embarrass Lindsey and Wyatt
Stats Stamina | 7 | Evasion | 5 | Strength | 6 | Wisdom | 6 | Arcane Power | 9 | Accuracy | 7
Abilities Prodigal Charms Learner, Fearless

Interaction Status: Open
Outfit | Mask

Interactions
@Henry Knight and others listening
Mentioning
@Astrea Soleil Neptune

Following the mismatched group of students along the corridors, Søren only recognized a few faces that he’d interacted with before. Henry Knight was chatty as always, attempting to determine the best course of action to solve this mysterious puzzle. The second face Søren recognized by the unsettling shiver running down his spine as he turned to face her. One of the girls whose names he hadn’t gotten while as Anastasia’s bedside during her stay at the infirmary last year. Mind running wild at the thought of what they could have spoken about after he practically ran away, Søren waved to Henry.

“Hey man,” he said, patting Henry on the shoulder to announce his approach. The Slytherin did him a great service during the apple bobbing competition, fouling another participant to ensure his win. At the time, Søren thought the action brilliant, but he kept it to himself, humbly accepting his prizes and celebrating in private later. Cheering for a cheated win seemed like the kind of thing that plebs would do. “It does look like a patronus, you’re not wrong there. I’m terrible at riddles, though. I’ll leave that to you guys,” he spoke to Henry and those nearby.

As the group made their way into the rehearsal room, Søren moved away from the pack to observe the space. He’d never been in here before. There was no performance talent he could speak of so there was never a reason visit. The centre chandelier was beautiful, its ever-flickering flames casting shadows across the walls. It definitely added to the creepy atmosphere created by the rider. Noticing the curtained portraits along the shadows, an idea popped into his head. Sidling up to one of the walls, he looked upwards to address the portraits.

“Good night, ladies and gentlemen. I apologize for our intrusion on your rest. We’ll be out of your hairs in a jiffy… I think. Anyways, have you seen a ghost on a horse riding through here tonight? If so, do you know what his name is? Or if he hasn’t passed through tonight, have you ever seen a ghost like that in here? Sorry, one more. Has there been anything odd going on here today? Someone planting pranks or er...writing riddles on the walls, or something like that?”

Action
Speaking to portraits

Ability: Charmer | Health: 800/800
Stamina: 8 | Evasion: 8 | Strength: 8 | Wisdom: 6 | ArcPower: 2 | Accuracy: 8

Post Tracker
1 2 3 4

Everything was just getting overwhelming. There were sweets scattered on the floor, a ghostly cat was leading them away from the safety of the party, and there were way too many people. "Mm-hm... Yeah..." Lucia murmured in response to Scarlett's words, though what the girl was saying she wasn't sure. Everything was just a little... much.

Then Lily, who Lucia actually hadn't forgotten about, just lost for a second, piped up and told them not to run off again. "I... Yeah..." Lucia mumbled.

Then, Lindsey and a boy Lucia didn't recognise joined them, and Lucia replied, "I dunno... I'm fine..."
Lindsey seemed to have loads of ideas, which was great, and certainly better than Lucia's idea, which was run back to the ballroom and pretend everything's okay. For a fleeting moment, Lucia remembered something her sister Willow had told her once. Lucy, you couldn't get into Gryffindor if you tried. It was true.

Then Scarlett rushed off, which gave Lucia the strength to do what she wanted to do. "I think... I'm going to go back to the ball... I didn't even get to dance with anyone... I'm sorry.... Good luck..." she mumbled, then took a deep breath and hurried away, back to the ball. You couldn't be in Gryffindor if you tried, echoed a voice in her head, and Lucia silently told herself to get a grip.
They'd be fine without her.

Wouldn't they?

Though her mind was spinning with what Charles had told her, Cassie still excused herself and practically ran out into the corridor like Cinderella at midnight - only considerably more independent, and with a dress covered in pumpkin seeds.
She wasn't exactly rocking the carved a pumpkin in my ball gown look, but who cared? She didn't even like her dress anyway. The only part of her appearance she currently cared about was the rosary bracelet around her wrist; it was the only article which meant anything to her.

Pulling a bobble out of her bag, she tied her hair up into a messy ponytail and looked around for something she recognised. There was the cat she had seen, and there was Scarlett - wait. Scarlett.
Cassie immediately changed course and made a beeline for her fellow Trooper, grinning the moment Scarlett saw her. "Hey, Lettuce," she said, making a joke of Scarlett's reluctant nickname. She was talking excitedly to someone a little taller than Cassie - but that didn't mean anything. Cassie herself was a second-year, but looked like she was only ten and a half years old in comparison to her thirteen. The fact frustrated her hugely. "And random stranger," the muggleborn added, acknowledging the other girl. "I heard the words danger and tragedy, so here I am!" Cassie struck a joking pose. "Di'ja miss me?" she asked Scarlett with a grin, then relaxed. "Okay, seriously though, what's going on?" Cassie asked, then noticed the items in her friend's hands. "And why're you holding sweets?"

Once Scarlett had told her where the sweets had come from, Cassie would pull out her wand. "Lemme try something. Revelio." she cast, hoping fervently it would work. She had never been very good at magic.

_{Banner Credited to the amazing @Amara Dragamior}

As Henry Knight: Main Character

Open to Interactions
interacting: @Kara Capricorn | @Søren Silverwood | @Piper Clark | Cassie Heather _{@Lucia Fox}
Mentioning: @Scarlett Aden | @Hanako Tone
Action: Examining the room for anything suspicious, following the cat
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

Before the Candy

Henry continued to examine the room as he listened to the girl speak and agreed with her as he nodded, " your definitely right since we have little evidence then the possibility of the danger can be anything," Henry turned to her for a minute as she continue before again searching for clues again. When she made her introduction however and also mention that Hana was her childhood friend, Henry turned to her with a smile as he spoke " well it's nice to meet you Kara," noticing her hair Henry then spoke again " I like your hair by the way, it's uh nice," Henry truly sucked at compliments.

After the Candy

As everyone begun to find candy Henry did to as he picked it up and looked around with questions forming in his mind, who would drop them and why? However he was pulled from his thoughts when mention of the headless hunt came up and for the boy who spent too much time in the library he spoke up " that's a good guess, the heedless hunt are made up of ghost but I don't recall them ever visited Hogwarts? Does anyone know anything about them?" Henry then heard Kara's response and nodded to her as he spoke " a ghost knight from the school I think makes more sense, maybe their doing this as a prank or something?"

Henry laughed a bit at Kara's next comment before joking himself " I'm not a big candy person so if you want to take one for the team then please," another joined them this one with blonde hair and possibly a year younger as she stated her own candy that she found. Henry looked over at her as he spoke " I have the same, I'm sorry I don't know your name? I'm Henry," he offered her a smile before continuing to look around this time his eyes wandered on the paintings as he spoke out loud " maybe the printings know something? Should we ask them?"

However someone beat him to that idea as he felt a pat on his shoulder and a greeting, Henry turned to look and saw the slytherin boy; Søren from the apple bobbing event during field day. Henry sort of cheated to help him win but in his mind Henry thought he was a cool dude as he spoke " hey," then hearing his response about the patronus Henry smiled before speaking " you think so? Corporal patronuses have the ability to send messages but the only thing is they usually have their casters voice. Did anyone recognized the voice? Maybe it's not a message, maybe someone cast the patronus and is near by leading it to the answer? Patronuses are held by a happy memory and as long as that memory is focused on," a bit awkward from his facts spiraling from his mouth Henry spoke " sorry about that, no worries Søren I'm pretty good with riddles and I'm sure others are to. You can contribute with some other skills like coming up with ideas," Henry said that to mention his idea on talking to the paintings.

Henry then saw Scarlett join them and decided just a smile and small wave will do since the two still weren't on good terms even though they were close friends as children. However her question could have meant something and Henry decided to play on it as he spoke " maybe the sweets are a hint to the answer of the riddle? Maybe someone should cast revelio on them?" And again someone beat him to it and another girl joined their party, she clearly knew Scarlett as she even addressed her by a nickname. Henry was a bit confused since she thought Scarlett hated nicknames, either their beyond close that she does it to annoy Scarlett or she doesn't know her that well," either way Henry moved past it as Henry continued to look for anything really.

The new girl seemed excited and from her accent possibly not from this school but he didn't know for sure as Henry heard her try revelio on the sweets which allowed Henry to turn to her and say " smart idea to cast revelio, it is a halloween party and what better then to disguise the clues as a piece of candy," Henry continued to follow the cat as a million thoughts filled his head unsure which to concentrate on now.

OPEN TO INTERACTIONS!

[/quote]

Jo entered just in time to hear some students talking amongst themselves, one of them just within earshot repeating the ghost's enigmatic riddle.

“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.”

There weren't many people here that she knew - in fact, many of her acquaintances had been curiously absent from the festivities. Where in the world was Evelynn? Or Rafa, for that matter. Now that things were starting to go down, Jo felt like she needed their help more than ever. Maybe not even their help... just their company, really. There were so many students running around and talking at the same time; Jo felt a little bit lost.

Suddenly the apparition of the cat, accompanied by a flurry of student activity, slunk out into the hallway. As Jo grabbed her purse and prepared to follow it, a prickly feeling at the back of her neck stopped her in her tracks. She was being too hasty. Too eager for adventure. This wasn't what Lady Aithne would have wanted her to do. The girl stole a sideways glance at the rest of the students.

Could the ghost have been trying to trick them? Jo had had enough of being tricked tonight, and she wasn't about to go prancing around trying to solve the ghost's problem for him unless she knew who he was and why he needed help. There was probably a reason he was keeping so much from the students and speaking in riddles. He was a riddle himself at the moment. If he really needed help, he would have contacted a professor instead of a bunch of students.

The girl herself, of course, had no intention of contacting a professor and having the whole mystery of the night ruined for her. Any threat of danger to the students might end with them locked safely up in their dorms while professors patrolled outside. And one word got out that Jo was the one who "snitched" and got the whole Masquerade Ball ruined for everyone, she'd probably never hear the end of it from anyone. She might even have to switch schools if the bullying got really bad. And yet... it could be that the ghost had something to hide. Perhaps his intentions were nefarious, and he relied on the naïvety of the students to complete his plan.

Well, either way, the idea of adventure was just too good to pass up. Jo hadn't punched or hexed anything or anyone in a long time, and...wait a moment, was that a sherbert lemon?

She picked it up off the ground. It was cleanly wrapped, and there were even other candies nearby along with it. She picked up what she could and stared at them inquisitively. People didn't leave so much candy lying around on the ground! But perhaps these were no ordinary candies. Jo had just barely escaped a ruined night back at the costume party when she decided to eat some tricky treats. These were likely no different. And yet, the prefects had been so adamant at the party that nobody leave the Costume party with the tricked food. Wasn't it a bit careless to leave charmed candy lying around?

Well, there was only one way to find out, and wizarding candy was expensive anyway. If it tasted the same as mundane sherbert lemons, who was Jo to judge the mysterious candy's origins? Jo popped the sherbert lemon into her mouth and rolled it around thoughtfully with her tongue as she transcribed the riddle onto her notebook to remember for later.

ACTION: Jo eats her sherbert lemon.