Event The Fall Ball (The Hunt) Finished

Graphic by Leonard Oaksworth

[font=Times New Roman]Interacting With: @Leonard Oaksworth, @Alec Mason & @Anastasia Beckett
Action: Moving to location 2, then searching for any evidence of the man's involvement in the crime (Blood on the sword, a rip in his clothing, the glint of guilt in his beady eyes, etc.) and basically accusing him of the same.
Status: Open to Interaction

Stamina | 6 | Evasion | 5 | Strength | 8 | Wisdom | 5 | Arcane Power | 5 | Accuracy | 6

Abilities: Fearless

♢♦ Costume ♦♢

He knew Ana was joking. In his experience, sarcasm permeated just about everything the older girl said, and this time was no exception. He supposed he could have been offended that the thought of him having such a ‘staggering intellect’ was quite so laughable, but somehow, it simply didn’t matter to him. In fact, it never did. All his life, people had underestimated him - or the capabilities of his brain, at least. They couldn’t truly be blamed for those opinions, however, for he rarely did anything save for blurt the first thing that came to his over-imaginative mind. What could he say? He enjoyed living that way, and had no intention of changing.
In the meantime, he would allow them to believe as they believed, and use his well-hidden intelligence as he saw fit… which generally didn’t amount to a lot of use. Thinking hard about things was possible, but often annoying.

Raising his arms in a shrug, he replied to Ana, ”You would think so, wouldn’t you? Strangely, this is the first day that I’ve heard people mention it multiple times…” he raised one hand to his chin, a thoughtful expression crossing his face, “or even once, now that I think about it. Weird, isn’t it?” His shoulders bobbed in yet another shrug. ”Everyone must be too intimidated by me, I guess.”
Of course that wasn’t true in any warped version of reality, but it was a nice thought anyhow.

Upon hearing Ana’s comment about who might paint such a gruesome scene, he spoke again, in the most sophisticated tone he could muster. ”Perhaps he was a rather disturbed individual who felt the need to express himself in…” He glanced back at the painting, his charade as some sort of art critic falling apart, ”weird ways. Flowers would have been better. Those always improve my mood!”

There was a stir in the group around them. Glancing around, Marshal pinpointed the source of the commotion. Tail raised to show just how much smarter she was than the rest of them, the glowing cat hurried down another corridor, students in tow.
Glancing back at Anastasia, his hazel eyes met those of rich chocolate before she hustled to join the rest of the crowd.
He turned back to Leonard and Alec, beckoning eagerly for them to join. ”Come on, team! Let’s go find a murderer before they find us.” The amount of enthusiasm he felt was, once again, greater than any sane person should feel in this situation. But then, he had dreamed of adventures like this for months, and it was also quite nice to have a distraction to pull his thoughts far from his ill-fated date. Patting Leo on the back, he added softly, ”And Leo, just keep your eyes on the cat this time. It glows. It isn’t as hard as you might think.” Two more pats of reassurance followed the words before his legs carried him after the others.

Tailing the spectral feline, the group was led past the now familiar entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room, then down a particularly inconspicuous hall.
Marshal narrowed his eyes, entirely certain that he had never seen the passage in his life. Perhaps the castle was playing tricks on him, as it evidently liked to do, or perhaps he was truly as unobservant as everyone said. Either way, the sight of the hall was an enjoyable one; that is, until he spotted the painting mounted on the far wall.
Red cloak embroidered with golden lions, an unpleasant face, and a supremely untrustworthy mustache. Marshal was of the opinion that every real villain had a stylish mustache, and while he couldn’t be angry at their undeniably spectacular sense in grooming, he could certainly hold them accountable for their actions, and the sword in this man’s hand planted dark shadows over the actions he might have recently taken.

The young Gryffindor thought back to the painting of the injured man - the pain on the victim’s face, the pleading in his eyes. But most importantly, he remembered what he had noticed about the man’s injuries. His previous theory concerning a possible animal attack had quickly been discarded when he noticed the one large gash in the poor man’s chest. Long, thin and deep, the injury had appeared too clean to have been caused by claws or teeth. Rather, it seemed to have been made by a blade, such as the one the man in this new painting gripped.

A multitude of students were conversing with the painting, some invoking threats while others took a more pragmatic approach. Even Ana made an offhand comment that made him snicker. But he, on the other hand, had something else he wanted to say.
Stepping forward to take a closer look at the painting, he examined the large sword, as well as the man’s garb, searching for any sign of a recent struggle.
”The man in the other painting, Paran Taja, we presume, was slashed across the chest by a blade.” His tone and demeanor were uncharacteristically solemn, the look in his hazel eyes bearing a grave accusation. He continued, a bit of ice creeping into his words, ”Now, I might not be the most observant person around here, but I haven’t seen many swords as fancy as yours in the paintings at this school. Gotten any good use out of it lately?”
There weren’t a lot of things that could bring Marshal down from his world of bliss and enjoyment in the clouds, but attempted murder made the short list, paintings or not. No longer was this merely about fun - though he was still sure to have plenty of that - this was about justice.

MODERATION POST

Moderation Post Tracker:
[Start] [Interlude] [First] [Note] [Second] [Third]

FIRST LOCATION

There were some students who had decided to remain with the first painting for now, while everyone else was storming off, following Martyna and Star towards the Gryffindor Common Room. Who knew - maybe they had missed something? Maybe there was more information to be found? And those students, whether useful or not, came up with rather creative techniques of information gathering.

There was, for example, @Ami Procoppio. She was deeply intrigued with the mystery at hand, and very determined to get to the bottom of it. She was going to be the heroine of this story! It would maybe even get her a feature in the Headliner! So the obvious course of action was poking the painting with her wand! [We decided that it’s basically impossible to fail this, so no rolls here.] We are not exactly sure what she expected, but there was no visible consequence.

Her companion @Charles Woodward, the charming lad, took a more active and more interesting approach to finding out more. Interrogation! Intimidation! Maybe Charles was dreaming of being an auror, solving crimes? Out of the many paintings around, he picked one that had not yet provided any information to the group, and attempted to levitate it off the wall.

Charles cast Wingardium Leviosa (WDC 9 + 2 (Lovely Creature) = 11)
Wisdom Roll: 21

He successfully managed to get the portrait of a skinny, old woman with a hooked nose and a neck that seemed oddly long for her body off the wall. The woman, who had so far only watched the ongoings with sharp, curious eyes, mentally preparing to report everything to her friend in the next corridor in minute detail, immediately started screeching. “What… What are you doing, young man! How dare you! I have been hanging here for 62 years and not once has anyone dared dangle me around like this!” The complaining did not get any better when Charles, rather shakily, levitated her over to the stairwell. Quite the opposite, it got even louder and shriller, including some choice words not to be repeated at this point. He attempted to tilt it over the edge to get the woman to talk and spill all information she possessed, useful or not.

Control Roll (DC 15): 11

Just before it would have tilted enough to fall, however, it slipped from his magical grasp, falling to the floor, where it bounced once on its edge and then fell flat, facing the ceiling. A very pretty ceiling, but the woman didn’t seem to care. The screeching got louder.

@Lindsey Springhall had a similar idea, although with none of the magic, and all of the direct threats. Would they like to be set on fire? No? Well then, better tell her all they know.

Intimidation Roll (DC 15 + 2 (Lovely Creature)): 14

However, Mr Treasure Map did not seem particularly impressed by this twelve-year-old girl spitting threats in his face. His expression seemed highly amused and somewhat condescending. “Not with that attitude, we won’t. Be a darling and run along with the others if you want to solve this mystery.”

Silver Ventress (@Jess Malters), too, was still caught up with the paintings near the dying man, but she went the more charming route.

Charisma Roll (DC 15 + 2 (Lovely Creature)): 13

Her beauty, however, was not enough to distract the painting’s attention from what was happening to its peers in this corridor. Being thrown around, yelled at, threatened! What was the world coming to? It was time for a nice, long vacation in a more remote part of the castle. With a frightened look at the girl in front of him, the painting’s inhabitant just shook their head, and disappeared out of the frame.

@Mars T'ien was still caught up with the painting of the dying man itself. Maybe the whole painting was a clue. Maybe… maybe there was something behind it!! They decided to try and take it off the wall.

Strength Roll (DC 10): 13

They successfully managed to lift it off its mounting, stable enough to not drop it and break it right away, at least. Balancing it, they caught a glance of the wall behind the painting - and yes, there was a wall, no secret room. But it was not just a blank wall.
There were huge red numbers scrawled across the stone, changing in the speed of a clock ticking. Was that… a countdown? A countdown to what? The time that remained on it seemed to be until midnight, and the seconds were draining away. Tick, tock...

@Elisabeth Erner taking a break from all the terrible things going on, the chaos, the crowd of people. She was feeling distinctly uncomfortable, unable to enjoy the riddle solving. Maybe a small pause with the terrible, sorry, comforting Ilvermorny student Gregorí Erkens (@Ginevra Tsuchiya) would help.

Gregorí, on the other hand, was inwardly categorising and analysing everything they had discovered so far, and decided to remain behind to see if anything had been missed.

Observation Roll (DC 20 + 2 (Lovely Creature)): nat 2 (critical failure due to Terrible Presence)

He would notice odd lights flickering at the edge of his peripheral vision. There was one, right at the corner to the next corridor! And was there another one, just up the stairs? What were those?

In fact, these lights could be observed by anyone still lingering around the first location, moving closer, getting bolder. Huh.

SECOND LOCATION

One thing was clear to everyone who arrived at the second location: This charming person on the painting was not the personification of helpfulness or politeness. Why had the cat led them here? He was connected to the events at least somehow, but what was his role? Could he be the villain who was responsible for the misery they had witnessed in the first painting?

@Robert Toukmond had come to this conclusion as well and wanted to investigate further. He had spotted the scrap of fabric in the first painting - maybe it belonged to the robe of this guy?

Observation Roll (DC 15 + 2 (Lovely Creature)): 18 [owl]

The young Ravenclaw who had put the clues together scanned the painting and his eyes caught a glimpse of something suspicious, before the man made a movement and thus hid it from his eyes.

@Callista Lovis took a similar approach as the boy. There were already enough students who would talk to the rude man in the painting. Better to keep her eyes open and observe the cloths and the sword for further clues that he had been involved in the events from painting one.

Observation Roll (DC 15 + 2 (Lovely Creature)): 13

The man was tall and he made a face at her when he caught her glance. It was indeed a rude guy.

Alexander Ward (@Lydia Cooper) got a similar impression of the man in red. No wonder they put him here where no one would ever walk by. And he made that clear to the man who was not amused about that approach at all. Indignant, he towered over the boy and stared down at the Durmstrang, his black eyes glaring dangerously. ”Hey snotty nose! They probably wouldn't even have hung your picture if they had painted you at all. You have to achieve something in your life first, so don't give me that attitude!"
While the man was ranting, Alexander took advantage of the distraction and peeked at the painting.

Observation Roll (DC 15 + 2 (Lovely Creature)): 26
Clue Roll: 2 [owl]

@Starlee Kennedy was not that interested in the mystery at all, no. As a model Slytherin it was all about beating others.The next useful clue would be discovered by her!

Observation Roll (DC 15 + 2 (Lovely Creature)): Auto Fail due to Terrible Presence

The young girl was so obsessed with the ambition to outdo Martyna, she was barely able to focus on the painting. Maybe it was due to the sweet she had shoved in her eye before or it was just the intimidating presence of Anastasia Beckett. The poor Slytherin had just recovered from the presence of her Dueling Captain and now the next person was already here who made her feel uncomfortable. Her gaze would get stuck at Anastasia Beckett instead - also a rather special and not that polite Gryffindor. Maybe this attitude ran in the House of the Lions?

The just mentioned @Anastasia Beckett was still not impressed by her fellow students and also not by the painter of the first painting. Who would be dumb enough to paint something terrible if it could become real by removing the savior? Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Everyone. Also the second man in the painting. Who would invite someone as unpleasant as him?! Oh judgy girl, maybe you should take a glimpse at a mirror as well….
Well, after all she was here to bring light to the darkness to the other helpless puppies around.

Observation Roll (DC 15): nat1 → crit fail

This painting was just boring! The young Gryffindor would whip around and stare back into the corridor where they had been coming from. With her eyes narrowed she would notice something odd. Again, there were some mysterious flickering lights, getting brighter and lower, moving around. What was that? She never had seen anything like this before.

Fearless @Marshal Mozor was not intimidated by Anastasia that easily. So, he used his experience of ranting at rude people and applied this ability at the man in the painting as well. He would get a not very helpful answer to his implicit accusation. ”Excuse you! That’s not of your business, gnome! I would if I could to teach you some manners!”
But the Gryffindor boy was smart enough to not trust the words of the man, but have a look at the painting himself.

Observation Roll (DC 15 + 2 (Lovely Creature)): 26
Clue Roll: 2 [owl]

”Watch your tone, young lady. Why would I answer you any questions or help you? Did your mother not tell you to ask politely if you want something?”
The rudeness and impulsiveness really seemed to be with the Gryffindors tonight. @Scarlett Aden also decided to yell at the man first before asking questions and have a look for herself.

Observation Roll (DC 15 + 2 (Lovely Creature)): 18
Clue Roll: 3 [owl]

@Henry Knight chose to be more polite and stick to formalities - since Martyna was about to take his leader role he would make sure to improve the reputation of this party again.

Charisma Roll (DC 15 + 2 (Lovely Creature)): 23

The man in the painting gasped in indignation as the young boy asked him if he was Paran Taja, Laiks Denbora or Godric Gryffindor. He was so out of his mind that he took a deep breath to recover before he put his hands on his hips and glared down on the young one. ”Young man… While I'm flattered, you really should get a little more involved with school history if you don't know that I can't be Mr. Gryffindor. And....” He shook his head and pointed at Henry in a harsh movement. ”And don’t you dare ever EVER call me Laiks Denbora or Paran Taja again! I’m Gaiz Toa! And I demand to never be associated with these two rogues ever again! Do you understand?!”

@Sapphire Riddle on the other hand had a change of heart. First, she was yelling at the painting but then, thanks to Martyna she decided to apologize for that. Let’s leave the talking to others and focus on the surroundings.

Observation Roll (DC 15 + 2 (Lovely Creature)): 27
Clue Roll: 1[owl]

And indeed was examining her greater strength than flattering people.

@Martyna Romero seemed to like herself in the position of the strong, fearless leader, and we’ll do her the favour of not commenting overly much on her flinching at harmless little ghost cats. Star had never harmed anyone. While Tina was not impressed with the new painting’s attitude, she liked Sapphire’s reaction even less, and promptly switched sides to defend poor helpless (possibly murderous) Gaiz Toa. The world would be a better place if everyone was just a little nicer, yeah? So she presented the painting with a charming smile, and asked why he didn’t just attend the party.

Charisma Roll (DC 15 + 2 (Lovely Creature)): 19

Gaiz Toa first turned bright red, then started spluttering. “What... I… I would have! If that fiend Denbora had not stolen my sweet girl from me, I would now be dancing, too! But I could not possibly attend a ball without a date, all alone, how humiliating would that be? It would be like admitting defeat to the likes of Denbora and Taja, that goody-two-shoes. No, I couldn’t possibly. This is why Denbora deserved everything he got. When he’s finally gone, I might get my sweet Giselle back.”

@Alexa Mackenzie and @Andrew Vance, accompanied by @Dan Palmer, chose a polite approach. For sure he was somehow connected to Laiks Denbora and Paran Taja - why would the cat have led them here if there wasn’t a reason?

Alexa Charisma Roll (DC 15 + 2 (Lovely Creature)): 21
Andrew Charisma Roll (DC 15 + 2 (Lovely Creature)): 31

These two names seemed to be a trigger for the Gryffindor. His face turned red and he gasped in indignation again. ”You want to know if I know something about Paran Taja or Laiks Denbora? I’ll tell you what! These are the two people I despise the most!”

@Caelan Stewart was trailing a little behind the main group, and, as his peers had, picked candy off the ground. What was it with these kids? At least the one he decided to eat had still been wrapped.

Sherbert Lemon Effect Roll: 4

Well. If it was anything but a normal lemon drop, he didn’t notice it.

And then, @Ruka Burnett-Tân was much too preoccupied luring ball organisers away from their own event to help out with solving any mysteries. Plus, he astutely observed, there were way too many wannabe detectives involved here, anyway. They were only going to get into each other’s way. Might as well stray off the beaten path, find his own adventures - and maybe convince @Dealla Prince to come with him?

WHAT HAPPENED SO FAR…

OOC Information:

• From now on, please state where you are above your post (e.g. First Location, On the way, Second Location)
• If you have the ability Lovely Creature, Calming Presence or Charmer, and you haven’t done so yet, please define your allies in your next post. This decision applies from the next moderation post to the end of the thread.
• This thread is now closed for new people to join.
  • Anyone who stated they are joining before the respective deadlines is assumed to be with the group and can post.
  • Exceptions for people who did not state they are joining before the deadline can be made if you have an IC explanation for how your character knows where to find the group. In that case, please contact us for permission.
• The next moderation will take place on December 5th.
• This is a moderated event, please state your actions (spells, attacks, observation attempts) accordingly. We will be rolling for them during moderation. You only have one action per moderation post.
• You can return to the Costume Party and the Masquerade at any point (as long as you're not involved in combat )
• If you have any questions feel free to owl Dealla Prince or Ileen Knight.

Interacting with/mentioning everyone at the second location

ONCE AGAIN, SAPPHIRE WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO CATCH SOMETHING. The more important variable in the situation, however, would be whether she could get aid from the rest of the group. The last time she'd asked, there had been no response. In the back of the painting was a pair of dancing shoes... and from what she heard from the painting, now identified as Gaiz Toa, these could be from this Giselle figure? Perhaps?

She muttered a bit to herself, attempting to think of the best course of action. Finally deciding, she first turned to the painting. She pointed behind him, her gaze travelled from the shoes to the man. "Excuse me sir, but did those shoes happen to belong to this Giselle you speak of?" she questioned, voice much more quiet and level than the first time she had communicated with him. She hoped that previous interaction would not hinder her search for clues.

In her words, she tried to convey a sense of understanding. The understanding of what it felt like to lose someone close. The shoes seemed well-kept and it was clear that this Toa figure was very possessive of this Giselle. Perhaps he'd kept them clean to "honour her memory?" Or perhaps she was completely wrong. Regardless, she was willing to listen if it meant gathering more information.

She had not gathered any more information than that, but the shoes did seem a bit significant.

When or if she'd gotten her answer, she would also turn to the group as a whole. "What sorts of things have any of you noticed?" she asked, voice surprisingly calm. She would have expected it to be shaky, especially with a bunch of intimidating presences. But she did have a set goal in mind, something that normally would help her in such situations.

~On the Way~

Kara watched as Star just proceeded to purr and meow at her delightfully, but it didn't move, until moon girl had started moving. Star chased after her, then she looked like she was leading moon girl somewhere. Kara got up from her knees, wiping invisible dust off them before following moon girl, who's name she figured out was Tina from Henry calling her that.

She started jogging after the group, and as they had went on, Kara noticed they were going towards the Gryffindor common room and dormitories. She picked up her pace when she noticed Henry running in front of her.

"So, it's been quite an eventful evening now hasn't it?" She said, with a slight hint of sarcasm and humor in her tone.

~Second Location~

Kara kept going along the passageways and through the corridors, till she saw moon girl and a few others in front of a painting, where Star was also sitting, her fur slightly bristling giving out a few quiet hisses. Kara gave a quick glance of uncertainty to Star before approaching the painting.

”Hey, you tots! What do you want? Looking all fancy, huh? Do you want to undermine us with your fancy dresses and costumes? Showing us that you are invited to a party, rubbing it in our faces?! Good luck with that. Go on, and play somewhere else!" The man, who was very extravagantly dressed in red and gold, the colors of the House of Gryffindor.

"Well there is no need to be rude sir, all we are trying to do is solve a mystery that was given to us by some random dead knight type of looking guy." She looked at the bejeweled sword which he had "And by the way, nice sword."

"Speaking of partying... There's like, this other portrait, and he's pretty beaten up." Moon girl had said after her, "Apparently someone around here did it. Reckon you could, uh, go fix him up or something?"

Kara sighed, then turned to the girl, she had to give credit where credit is due, it was smart to ask the man if he could go help the other portrait out.

"Good idea asking him that Tina. Maybe you do have a sliver of potential in helping us out." She put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a small smile, before removing her hand and turning back to the painting with a neutral face.

"Find anything else yet? I sadly didn't," She turned her head to the sound of Henry's voice behind her.

"Not at the moment, but I'm still searching, sorry Henry." Kara dipped her head to him, then turned back the painting.

She scoured the painting for any clues, or at least, anything of use at the time. But she heard Henry talking to the painting.

"I'm sorry to bother you sir however, who are you? Are you Paran Taja? Laiks Denbora? Godric Gryffindor? Who are you and why did Star- I mean the cat apparition lead us to you?

”Young man… While I'm flattered, you really should get a little more involved with school history if you don't know that I can't be Mr. Gryffindor. And....” The man angrily shook his head as he harshly rebuked Henry ”And don’t you dare ever EVER call me Laiks Denbora or Paran Taja again! I’m Gaiz Toa! And I demand to never be associated with these two rogues ever again! Do you understand?!”

"Calm down Mr. Toa, he was just asking. Asking questions is the way we learn mostly everything in this world. Now, I have a question of my own. Do you mind if I look for clues on or in your portrait. Oh wait, don't answer, cause I don't care, I am doing it anyways." Kara said. She kept true to her word, making sure not to touch the canvas itself, she gingerly ran her fingers gently across the frame and looked around the backdrop and the man himself, making sure no clue or hint would be left behind.

Action~ Searching for clues, and complimenting the cool sword Gaiz possesses.
Stats
Stamina: 4 | Evasion: 6 | Strength: 4 | Wisdom: 8 | ArcPower: 7 | Accuracy: 6

The Masquerade Ball
X § X § X § X

The Hunt
X § X § X § X § X

Open to Interactions; Interrogating the Fat Lady
Mentioning: @Rafael D'Spacito as Hanzo & @Lydia Cooper as Alexander Ward

I had somehow gotten turned about in the crowd, lost in the people storming from location to location. I hadn't wanted to be rude in pushing people out of my way like when I first approached the wounded portrait. In fact, I had wanted to stay for a bit longer... just to keep him company as others milled helplessly about. Perhaps I had too tender of a heart for my own good. Picking up candy which had been strewn across the floor... had the cat dropped these items? Well... waste not want not, as the saying goes. Who am I to reject a gift of any degree?

"Pardon... excuse me..." I quietly managed to snake through the crowd, red-faced with embarrassment as I attempted to reach where the both of my comrades had made themselves off to. Something about the Gryffindor room.

Well, being a former Gryffindor with my twin, I knew the location well. Up a few flights, just past the Transfiguration classroom, and there was the portrait hole, with the Fat Lady ever making herself tidy. "G'day, mum." I nodded in her direction, and without waiting for a response, kept onwards. It wasn't likely that she remembered me anyways, and there was no need to start a conversation with her... yet. Perhaps later.

Everyone else found themselves preoccupied with anther individual, a fellow by the name of Gaiz Toa. Another painting, as it would appear. Rude... but perhaps only because everyone else around him was being rude as well. I would not blame him, being misconstrued for another identity can be... aggravating at the least and insulting at the greatest. It was interesting... I had never heard of a Gaiz Toa. Perhaps he was one of those... more unknown fellows, or the creation of an artist's mind.

Either way, he seemed most aggravated, or at least a bit puffed up and haughty, and the Gryffindors were of no use. These were my former housemates? What had happened to chivalry while I was gone? My twin never told me anything of these abhorrent disrespect that I was seeing now. With a deep sigh, I rolled my shoulders back, observing the crowd with lips pursed. No. I would not jump into the fray just yet. Perhaps the Fat Lady would be a primary objective.

That being said, I backed off from the group and the other portrait and stood respectfully in front of her. "Hullo Madam Portrait! I'm Romeo Marchonné. I used to be schooled here with my twin; you may know him. Piérre Marchonné: Second year, Gryffindor, Quidditch player, a bit ADHD, flighty and likely to cause trouble?" I kept solid eye contact with her, smiling should she choose to respond. "I'm visiting on account of a broom racing event for Durmstrang and I intend to watch and cheer for Gryffindor Quidditch when the time comes around. However, during the ball downstairs, we were disturbed by an Apparition, and there's a bleeding and dying portrait man downstairs that you may know." I paused to let the situation sink in. "I'm humbly asking for your help, Madam, Gryffindor to Gryffindor portrait. Would you happen to know of anything going on around here? The Potter trial you were obviously a witness of; could this be something connected with these matters?"

I really was staking my hopes on this, wasn't I? "Please, Madam portrait! If you know anything, please help us!" Still polite, and still eager. The bookish boy that she may or not remember. I'm hoping that she remembers, or at least is willing enough to assist in this case.

Conversing With the Fat Lady in Location Two

Statistics and Abilities
Stamina 7 | Strength 10 | Evasion 7
Wisdom 7 | Accuracy 10 | ArcPower 0

Obnoxiously Strong: +10% to any Strength Checks
Perfectionist: -1 Critical Failure Chance

Conditions:
- Under the Positive Effects of Piérre Marchonné's Calming Presence (10%Auto-Hit Rate)

Outfit:

Reducio

Mask


Outfit

Outfit | Mask

Interacting with | @Ruka Burnett-Tân | @Jake Morris
Vaguely mentioning | Jack Burnett
Closed to further interaction!

Dee wrinkled her nose at Ruka but laughed, a bright, happy sound, looking down at herself. The glitter was not only caught in her hair, but also stuck to her arms, caught on the embroidery of her dress, and likely covering her face as well. There were for sure a few pieces caught in her eyelashes. "Maybe you're right, and it is a problem with my thoughts," she conceded, trying to look disappointed but failing to keep the smile off her face. "Although they are rather happy right now. I must be doing something wrong."

Mr Frog seemed a little shy, but still returned her greeting with a smile and a wave. He sounded to be genuinely worried about the paintings and their mystery, though, and Dee's smile faded a little, shifting into a tiny frown as she wondered what to say. People weren't supposed to be scared tonight. Her eyes drifted towards where the painting was hidden by the crowd, then to Ruka as he provided Mr Frog with a reassuring but offhand response, and back to the boy on the invisible broom. She didn't want to say too much, but... Leaning slightly forward with a small, conspiratorial smile on her face, she whispered: "The painting will be fine, I promise. Someone just needs to solve the riddles." A quick wink, and she straightened up again, stepping back to a normal distance.

When the crowd started moving, Dee bounded up the stairs next to Ruka with maybe more vigour than necessary, just to make her dress swing and swish around her. Her grin widened, still taking delight in the feeling, even after quite a while of running around and dancing in it. She was likely also leaving a thin trail of glitter down the stairs, which somehow made it all even better.

There were quite a few people trying to help solve this case, she had to agree with a slight twinge of satisfaction. The group had split at this point, some remaining behind with the first painting, some leaving to head somewhere else entirely, but the narrow side corridor was still crowded with students, chattering among themselves as well as with the painting at the end of the hallway. "Right, quality over quantity, I remember," she replied to Prometheus's words, an amused spark in her eyes as she glanced at the fairy next to her. "Were Peter and Mr Frog also tested with fire, then?"

When Ruka turned to face the crowd, Dee rocked slightly back and forth on her feet. She wasn't all that interested in the progress the other students were making, rather confident they'd figure it out. They'd get help if they didn't. Tinkerbell's wings, much more than their surroundings, held an odd fascination to her, and she stretched out a hand again to touch the one facing her, trailing her fingers over it and slightly pushing against it, watching it bend. The felt soft and silky on her fingertips and snapped back into place when she pulled the hand back.

She let her hand sink when Ruka turned towards her again, her smile slightly impish but not at all embarrassed, then shrugged at his question. "Not very," she admitted. She had a bit of an advantage in knowledge here, after all. "I'm mainly here for you." Her eyebrows rose at the suggestion of straying, head tilted to one side in curiosity. Another glance at the surrounding crowd, then a grin. "What do you have in mind?"

Allies for Charmer | Everyone in the thread

Post tracker
Masquerade | x x x x x x
Hunt | x x

_{Banner Credited to the amazing @Amara Dragamior}

As Henry Knight: Main Character

Open to Interactions
interacting: @Kara Capricorn | @Dmitri Jones | @Scarlett Aden | @Caelan Stewart | @Martyna Romero
Mentioning: @Starlee Kennedy | @Cassandra Ironwoods
Action: Asking the painting for help, trying to not upset the painting, trying to hide his anxiety
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

Second Location

Henry waited for the response when he heard the voice of Scarlett near by and turned to meet the red head with a smile as he spoke to her " nothing new yet, just the cat apparition uh star lead us here so the painting has to be helpful right," Henry then turned back when the painting addressed both him and Scarlett. From the sounds of it he wasn't that happy with most of the students, Scarlett and Henry included even though apparently it was Scarlett's tone of voice and the names Henry called the painting. Henry out of sight and ear from the painting rolled his eyes at Scarlett as he whispered to her, " he sure has a temper maybe incendio would work better with him," Henry bit his cheek from laughing as he turned back to continue to speak to the portrait when Kara spoke to him first.

Henry smiled a bit and he was a bit glad that she spoke against the paintings words and was putting it in it's place but if he then decided to get up and leave then it would be impossible to know if he really did have anything useful for them or not. Henry smiled a bit at Kara as he spoke " don't worry about it Kara but thanks," before lowering his voice and whispering to Kara " but good thinking searching the painting, we don't need his approval and there might be clues that don't involve us talking to the portrait." Henry smiled at Kara before turning his attention to the portrait and speaking " I'm sorry Mr. Toa but of course you seem to represent gryffindor as brilliantly to," Henry then leaned over and whispered to Kara so only she could hear " yeah the idioticly and unruliness part of the house, I'm not sure about the courage or bravery part yet," Henry bit his cheek as he looked back up toward the painting and spoke again " I'll make sure no one mentions the other two again if you like sir? However I can help but ask about this girl; Giselle. Could you tell us about her? Maybe where to find her and we can help you win her back?"

Henry listened to the portrait when he heard another familiar voice this one of Nick whom was offering both him and Cash some. Henry actually looked over at them and offered Cash a smile when he saw them with Starlee the dueling member who for some odd reason kept their distance from the rest of the team. Henry turned back to Nick as he passed him the candy he found and spoke " no thanks, I'm not a big sweet person but you can have some of the ones I found Nick," Henry the turned back to the painting whom just rather shouted at the girl Martyna and Henry wanted to question him first before they got on his nerves.

So Henry smiled up at the painting as he spoke " sorry about her and if she insulted you which she didn't mean of course sir," Henry then turned to the first year before speaking directly to her " can I suggest looking around for clues instead of angering the portrait that can help us?" Henry then left back to the portrait and decided to check in with his slytherin captain; Dmitri as he made his way over those the blonde haired dye slytherin before saying " the painting definitely knows something's about the two in the other portrait so I'm going to continue questioning him that is unless you think it's a waste of time?"

After speaking with his dueling captain, Henry would make his way back to the painting and continued listening to him before leaning over and whispering to Scarlett as he spoke " do you think talking to him is a bloody waste of time Scar?" Henry added the nickname mainly because he knew that it would annoy her all but it wasn't like anybody heard as he then leaned over and whispered to both Nick and Kara " I can continue asking the portrait questions despite is unruliness if you guys would rather search for clues?"

Interactions:
@Sapphire Riddle | @Henry Knight
Mentions:
@Martyna Romero | @Kara Capricorn | Romeo Marchonné @Piérre Marchonné
Tagging:
@Quinn Smith | @Robert Toukmond
-Open to interactions-
Actions:
Discussing in general | Mentioning the weird lights | Checking on Henry | Observing the painting again

Moderation:

Reducio

Stats:
Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 6 | Strength: 3 | Wisdom: 8 | ArcPower: 6 | Accuracy: 7
Abilities:
Perfectionist

Huff. What a rude painting. This time, her search did not result in anything, but perhaps the others had better luck. Speaking of others... There were quite a lot of people talking with the painting, but she did notice that most of them were examining the painting, much like herself. Whether they had found anything... well, that was theirs to share.

The girl that had led the way here [Martyna Romero] seemed to have some luck conversing with that stubborn painting. It sounded awfully suspicious to Callista. Clearly, based on what he was ranting - sorry, saying - he was neither Paran Taja nor Laiks Denbora, and he quite despised them as well.

Henry Knight had managed to get some information as well - the man's name. So this man is Gaiz Toa. He must know of what happened to Laiks Denbora, seeing as he said that "Denbora deserved everything he got". But whether "everything he got" referred to his current condition... Callista didn't know. The painting said they were feuding. It must be about that girl he mentioned, Giselle.

The white haired girl she spotted earlier [Sapphire Riddle] pointed out a pair of dancing shoes Callista hadn't noticed until now, inquiring about them to Sir Toa. One of the girls [Kara Capricorn] was quick to snipe at the painting after his rather rude reply to Henry's question. Callista felt like doing the same, but was again reluctant to probe at the painting.

She noticed a boy she didn't know [Romeo Marchonné] walk away from the painting towards the Gryffindor common room, probably to talk to another painting. As she looked backwards, Callista noticed some weird lights. They didn't seem to be moving towards them, and looked harmless. She rubbed her eyes and blinked. Still there. Weird.

The girl that inquired about the dancing shoes [Sapphire Riddle] turned to the rest of the group and asked if they noticed anything. Callista shook her head, but said, "There are some weird lights over there -" she pointed to the general direction of them. "- do you see them?"

As Callista let her eyes wander, it settled upon Henry yet again. He seemed to be conversing with the girl from before [Kara Capricorn]. She shuffled her feet awkwardly. Quite involved with the group, wasn't he? Henry seemed to be trying to get the painting man - sorry, Gaiz Toa - to calm down, a good strategy. Callista walked up to the older boy again, this time asking quietly, "Hey, you okay?" She suspected that he wasn't as comfortable with being in such a large group as he appeared. As she waited for his response, she turned her eyes to the portrait, trying to look for a clue again. Everything she had found seemed to signal that Sir Toa had hurt Denbora, but Callista couldn't shake off the possibility that he was framed. She supposed the best thing to do was keep an open mind.

Post Tracker:
Costume Party:
[X] | [X] | [X]

Hunt:
First Location
[X] | [X] | [X]
Second Location
[X] | [X]

Outfit:

Reducio

Soft ringlets

Elegant silver masquerade mask

White Cardigan

Simple silver Circlet

Silver leaves bracelet

Soft blush pink flats

Interacting with @Callista Lovis, Mentioning the group as a whole

Sapphire was a bit surprised when someone actually did talk to her, for that had really yet to happen. Lights? Looking up and around, she did notice some strange lights. She hummed to herself, tapping the tessen lightly against her wrist. "That's... interesting," she said. "I don't recognize what those are," she muttered. They were curious and they reminded her a bit of the light produced by a deluminator, but she didn't see any reason why or how they were following them if that were the case.

She didn't know whether those lights would have any significance, but it seemed worth looking into. She wanted answers out of the painting first, however, so she would see if there was anything she could glean from the floating lights after she got some verbal response. This felt... a bit like a game, to her. It was reminding her of the scavenger hunt club, where they would be set to find clues. What if this was just some sort of elaborate ploy...?

She couldn't rid her head of that thought, even trying to get answers from the painting. She felt ruffled, a bit more nervous than she had been before. What was this, in actuality? Did that have something to do with why no people in positions of authority seemed to be helping? Curiouser... and curiouser...