Ash had pretty much finished her eating and socializing for the night(hey. she was tired. social interaction was hard), but she didn't feel like leaving. So she slipped away during a quiet moment to the pathways and found a quiet place to sit and reflect, and look at the sky. It was all very peaceful, except for the plants, which had a strong smell that she disliked. She didn't like smelling things. Plants, candles, whatever. She ignored the discomfort.

She stared at the sky and said nothing.

Also she cried. Don't tell anyone.

Jude had intertwined his fingers with Keighley's since before they left the Hufflepuff Common Room together. She wasn’t his date for this event but he was going to meet Evan there. For now, he focused on Keigh, wanting to spend some more time with her, and on the surroundings. He felt very at ease and rather happy as he swung his sister’s hand slightly. “I think I’m in love with archways and the set up,” he remarked, his eyes bright with appreciation as he took in everything. “I bet Devries provided the flora.” And the fairies? They were quite a nice touch.

The fifth year brushed his hair from his eyes as he looked over at Keigh. He thought she looked so stunning in her dress. Whyyy was his baby sister growing up so quickly? Couldn’t time just slow down?? “By the way, you look wonderful! Did mom or Rea help you pick the dress out?” And he didn’t look too bad, right? Their dad had helped him pick out everything, the colours representing aether.

Jude continued admiring their surroundings, seeing a few fellow students around. One of them happened to be Ashley. Um... was she crying as she stared up at the sky? "Ashley? Is something wrong?"

Victoria was actually having a decent time at the dance. Stewie and she made a decently handsome couple, and their outfits matched perfectly. And they had BOTH gotten each other flowers? So cute.

They had really just turned up, and V had already danced a little bit before going to get a drink when she noticed the archway area. As she peered around she smiiirked. It was the PERFECT snogging spot. Had the staff PLANNED THIS? Merlin.

Operation get her first kiss was underway, and she twisted herself to face the dance floor as she bopped her head to the music while she sipped her drink. "Jude, Ash," she said with a nod. Was Ash...okay? It was hard to tell in the lighting, but were her eyes, like, puffy? V assumed everyone wore makeup to things like this but maybe not.

Delaney Finnegan had been rather casual about this whole dance business all term, even forgetting about it for awhile, unlike many of his peers it would appear. But the seventh year Ravenclaw was here now and he'd even gotten himself a lovely date to attend with.

Escorting Lana on his arm, he walked in through the archways of the area sectioned off for the dance. It was quieter here, though he could see not far in front of them was were all the action was currently bustling. He did kind of like this seclusion, though either way did not matter much to him. He could leave that up to his date.

Paying little attention to the few people in their vicinity, Delaney turned to Lana. "What would you like to do first - get something to eat, dance, or just go for a walk?" This secluded little area with the occasional fairy fluttering by and the softly lit trellises seemed like a perfect place for a walk. But he would leave that up to Lana.

Curious. All this was very curious. While mum and dad had been deeply sentimental about their children growing up too fast and grandpa had quite literally been in tears, Mitsuki still failed to see what all the nervous energy and anticipation all term had been about. It had all been suffocating at times, the common room reeking of anxiety and depleting her salt supplies significantly as she attempted to counter balance it all. Perhaps the more curious of rituals was the whole must attend with a date aspect. It was as if no one knew that even numbers were unlucky, particularly two. If something broke, then it was left with one. Alone. Thankfully she had prepared for that specifically since she was in attendance with both Mercer and Milo as 'dates'. They already went most places together and it simply made the most sense to continue such things. The thistle boutonnieres she had handcrafted and tied with twine and a single unicorn hair each would serve as additional wards against negative energy.

Her skirt particularly full and bouncy thanks to her elder sister, Becky's, alterations to the black lolita dress, Mitsuki lightly swung her arms as her fingers remained firmly laced in Mercer's and Milo's. Stopped before the first archway, the second year briefly took in the present company and tilted her head curiously when she saw Ashley Fox crying. Were the burdens of which she spoke too heavy and her arms too sore to carry them? She seemed to have the attention of others, and Mitsuki's arms were not strong, so it was a scene that did not require more of her attention. Nor did the pair of older students who were standing nearby. She did, however, keep an eye out for red hair (belonging to either Rhett or Finn) so she could give them a protective boutonniere considering how particularly prone both were to being cursed. No unicorn hairs had been left for theirs, however. She had not collected enough.

Looking to her left and right twice each side, she spoke."Archways are thresholds," she reminded them both, though it was more for Mercer's benefit since he tended to forget all the important nuances of such things. "Do not step on them but leap through them."

Keighley didn't have a date but that didn't bother her in the slightest as she walked down from the common room, hand in hand with Jude. It was all about having a good time and she had every intention on doing just that. Nothing was going to keep her from having fun. "This is the most beautiful set-up right here. Do you think if we stand still long enough a fairy might land on one of us?" The question was asked in a soft light tone, meant as a joke but there was a hint of pure curiosity behind the words.

Sorry big brother but time was going to keep passing them both by. The blonde smiled up at him, thinking he looked amazing in black and purple, a combination of colors she knew he choose for a specific reason. "Thank you, Jude!" It had taken her a long time to settle on a dress that she had really really liked. "Oh, no, this was all me! They took me shopping but I choose this all on my own." She did have help with her hair and make-up though but that wasn't really all that important. "You look really great Jude.. purple just might be your color."

Uh-oh. Hearing Jude ask Ashley if she if something was wrong, had her turning her whole attention to the older girl. Had something happened? No one should be sad at such a nice occasion such as this one.

Stuart decided that maybe a drink was a good idea, especially since it seems like V had wandered off and got lost on the way. He knew, of course, that V was more than capable of taking care of herself but she was also her date for the night so maybe it was best that he be around?

That's how it worked, right?

Plus, if he was around her he could have the quick excuse of a dance if they ran into Lisa or Serena.

"Hey." he said strolling up to her. Arches. Cool. Weird there wasn't a photographer stationed here. At least that's what they did in all the muggle dance movies.

"Archways are thresholds," Mercer repeated, because it sounded a bit like poetry. He didn't understand most of what his very best friends said, but it was always clever and well thought out. Made him feel smarter just by rubbing off. He held tightly to Mitsuki's hand and leapt over the door step.

The room was NICE and very full of people super decked out in finery. It made Mercer wonder if he was dressed right, and if he should have flattened down the side of his hair still tucked up due to an ill-timed nap. He trusted his older cousins, and they'd helped him get ready. He was PROBABLY as beautiful as everyone else in the room. "Milo. Am I beautiful? Is my hair too wonky?"

Ash had just been sitting there, feeling her complicated feelings- she had no idea she was in the way of kissing, or walking, or whatever people did around here(exploring?). She nearly jumped as someone tried to speak to her, looking somewhere between a deer in the headlights and someone who had been caught breaking rules. "Um, no, everything's totally fine..." She laughed nervously, aware that Jude(she recalled from somewhere that Keighley was his sister) would probably see right through her. "I was just taking a break from the dancing and stuff..." Tiny sniffle. "...I agree with Keighley, purple is nice." Deflecting? Never.

Of course the time she went to be alone was the time everyone showed up... at least Mitsuki was keeping her distance. She ran her fingers through her hair, which was let down(the ocean was not constrained by lots and lots of bobby pins, her hair shouldn't be either). "Iiiii" -and here she stretched out the i - "think that you two picked a nice spot to walk. It's pretty out here." You two... more like you four. She glanced over at V and Stewie, giving a nod in acknowledgement of the greeting. "You two going together?" Her voice was curious(and it was NOT shaking by the way, definitely totally)- it was an honest question.

Maybe if she talked to them, they'd forget that she was here to cry by herself? Or would staying silent be better? Hm.

Keigh knew that she could always ask him to be her date whenever she wanted to. He would never mind, and even though he had his own date to this event, he would ensure that he squeezed a dance or two in with her. There was no rule that stipulated that one had to spend the entire evening with their date, right? Jude knew that Evan would understand. He and Evan always understood each other. “I agree! I mean…” He gestured around in general with his free hand, still in awe. The older Hufflepuff could not help but chuckle at the question. Actually, he wanted to know himself. “Want us to be statues and find out?” This big brother would always indulge his little sister!

Keigh chose that dress? Okay, someone remind him why was his baby sister growing up so quickly??? Because she certainly had chosen a dress that suited her. She looked so elegant! All the guys and girls had been keep their petty paws off of her! SUPER protective brother here! “You have impeccable taste, Keigh. Have I ever mentioned that I’m proud of the young woman you’re growing into? Because I am.’’ His usual war smile graced his face once again. “Thank you! Oh, is it? Then I’ll keep this in mind!’’

Jude felt bad because Ashley seemed somewhat frightened or at least startled. He studied her for a bit, deciding that whatever was bothering her then maybe she didn’t want to talk about it. He couldn’t blame her: they didn’t know each other that well though he had spoken to her many times during lessons. “Um… if you’re sure. If you’d like to hang out with Keigh and I for a bit, that’s fine.” Jude hated seeing anyone sad and would try to make them feel a little better. “Keigh and I are wondering if any fairy would land on us if we stayed still long enough. You can test that theory with us,’’ he added, smiling. Hearing the sniffle, the fifth year pulled out the handkerchief from his jacket pocket. “Here.’’ The soft, silk material was held out to her. “Thanks! Well, now that two beautiful ladies have confirmed that purple looks good on me, I have no doubts now.’’ Someone else Jude thought looked lovely? Victoria! “Hi, Victoria!’’ he greeted her enthusiastically. “You look wonderful, by the way!” Her dress was something magical. Stuart was looking good too in his opinion. Maybe everyone was! “Hi, Stuart!’’ There was a grin for the Ravenclaw.

“Hey, Stewie,” she smiled over at him. Had she mentioned that she loooooved that she had attended the dance with him? Maybe Lisa asking Daniel because Serena had already asked Jasper had happened for one those big, existential reasons. Like maybe a higher power out there thought V was going to enjoy the dance way more with someone like Stewie rather than Daniel. Hmph.

Maybe.

She linked arms with her date and kissed his cheek. “It’s pretty here. And I thought it was a little more….remote than it is currently, Merlin,” she said as she glanced around. The dance floor was hopping, but there were still people lingering over here. Did they have the same idea as V? She doubted it since a lot of the children here - yes CHILDREN - were too young for songs. HmmmmmMMmmmm.

She nodded at Ash, deciding to not mention that Ash LOOKED like she had been crying or whatever. IT was the worst when you were trying to hide tears and everyone kept bringing it up. “Yeah, we are. We’re pretty, aren’t we?” She asked with a twirl and a small chuckle. A giggle, even. She felt pretty tonight, and even if seeing all the older girls look stunning made her feel…jealous? She still felt like the fairy princess she had wanted to be. I MEAN THE PUFFY SLEEVES. IT WAS GREAT! She blushed and smiiiiiiled at Jude’s words. “Thanks. And yes, Stewie DOES look handsome, doesn’t he? You too, Jude,” she turned to look back at her date and gave him a HUG.

A tight hug.

A ‘I am feeeeeeling the dance vibes’ hug.

For all of Milo's discomfort surrounding the act of hand-holding, the revelation of his intense dislike of finger-entwining was unexpectedly enlightening. There was something restrictive about it, and put him in mind of limits and restrictions and Desdemona and Devil's Snare. Milo let his hand hang limp, the cuffs of the oversized purple shirt and green sweater bunching just where Mitsuki's hand met his, and directed his thoughts as far from the potentially imminent threat as he dared.

Distracted as he often was in his high-activity areas in and around the castle - the grounds as a whole being high on the list - Milo became vaguely aware that one or both his friends was speaking. He extricated himself from his thoughts with some difficulty, gave a twitchy jerk of the head which briefly jeopardised safety the bluebell flower crown, and blinked once.

"You are beautiful." Milo was not looking at Mercer in that moment, but it did not undermine his answer. He also knew that Mercer's hair would never be too wonky as long as that was how he wanted to wear it. Judging by Mercer's question, he was not aware of this, but he also had Milo and Mitsuki to remind him. Milo pushed his bare toes firmly into the ground, experienced the curious sensation of forcing the entire earth down and away, and added, "Exist like nobody is watching."

Difficult, maybe, because of course it was never true. But, ultimately, easy, because of course it was never true.

Lisa needed a break.

After a run in with Serena and a discussion with V, she needed some space to chill. So she headed over to the archways to collect her thoughts and feelings. Well- the remainder of the feelings which she was trying to find a way to freeze.

Stewie blushed. Although it wasn't her first cheek kiss, or even first one from V, it was blush inducing. He didn't catch the remote hint or why it would be important. He just figured she needed to catch her breath.

He smiled and nodded at ASH. "Yeah. V asked me. Then we decided to match and learned how to dance together beforehand." It was a whole big thing and he was determined not to embarrass her. He then leaned in toward V's ear and whispered "Has she been crying? She looks sad.", commenting on the older girl's eyes.

V was sure popular. Stuart was not at all surprised. He blushed again as V gave him a compliment in front of Jude. He offered a polite nod in acknowledgement. What exactly was the proper etiquette for when your date was happy?

Heh.

He did hug her back though. He knew how those worked at least.

"Do you want to stay here longer? Or go back out on the dance floor?" he asked, his attention completely on his date. For the first time since meeting, Stewie was unaware that Lisa was nearby. Or that she looked sad.

Yes, Ashley, they HAD practiced dancing, and it was definitely clear they had skills on the dance floor. V thought she had been quite the patient teacher despite being a little snippy here and there with poor Stuart. He was a good learner, though. And just so nice. SO nice, which was clear when he whispered in her ear.

"I think she was crying, but I don't want to ask..." she whispered back.

As she pulled away from the hug, V took his hand and pulled him further into the archway area, behind a shrub or whatever, and grinned nervously at him. It was the MOMENT. They were a little hidden, and she had TOLD herself she was going to do it tonight. Why Stewie, though? Well, he was nice, and he was her date. AND AND AND Stewie had never kissed someone before, and she felt so much more at ease snogging him over thinking about snogging Daniel. And the whole VIBE of the dance, and dancing with Stewie...it just fit. It made sense to her right now, at least.

"I wanted to go somewhere private for this," she said as her blue eyes met his gaze. She took both his hands in hers, shaking a little as she leaned in, closed her eyes, and kissed him. Not quite a peck but not quite anything deeper. A proper kiss, it was. And Victoria felt so nervous she could have exploded. It was a good thing she hadn't noticed Lisa or she wouldn't have done it.

But there it was.

Her first kiss.

Stewie! Stewie was her first !!!!! Kiss!!!!!!!!

Ash nodded, silently thanking Jude for distracting her from her thoughts. She didn't know him that well, but he had good timing and if Evan liked him, Ash figured chilling with him and his sister would be 1000% better than being alone and bittersweet. "Yeah, if Keighley doesn't mind. I want a fairy to land on me. Doubt it will happen but it's worth a shot for sure." She gratefully took the handkerchief and wiped a couple tears away. She'd give it back, obviously. Just not... not right now. She kind of needed it.

Ash glanced from V to Stewie and back. "Matching was a good choice. You look great. Stunning, even." It was her personal job to gush over everyone's outfits, no matter her mood. She watched as they walked off, suppressing a good-natured laugh. She leaned over to Jude. "They're cute, don't you think?"

"I'm going to stay still for the fairies." Even though that was REALLY REALLY HARD. Staying still was hard. But she was a fairy queen(also the queen of the weasley swamp, unrelatedly), and she wanted a fairy to land on her.

Yumeki was very much enjoying tonight. The music, the outfits and even his own full red suit. He hadn't tried to dance yet, but he was sure he might later. There was no need to find anyone to partner and dance with for him. Dancing was just more training in his head. Mother had begun to teach him tai chi and so he was sure he'd just go to the floor at some point and begin his motions.

He had barely done much at all, and yet he moved to the archways deciding that the lakeside seating had too much glowing lights thanks to the illusory bugs and jellyfish. He was resting against the back of one of the arches. He only slightly shut his eyes to put up the appearance that he was nodding off and just resting up before making his way back to the Dance. In fact he decided to people watch, seeing classmates talk and chat.

His head lifted when he saw Lisa Nam pause right in front of him. She looked slightly stressed in her expressions. He shifted in his spot on the floor to give away his position to her. So as not to startle her. "Hey, Lisa..." He paused a moment to stretch his neck ..."You want to sit down with me?" She looked like she could really need a break.

And then V kissed Stewie... She had seen the whole thing happen right near her. Her eyes widened and she gasped. Confusion was now painted across her face and she looked to see Stewie's reaction. Sure... She was happy for V if she liked Stewie but she was also frustrated too. If V didn't like Stewie, then she shouldn't lead him on like that. She turned away from the duo - almost ready to give up on the whole night together.

She couldn't hold back the stress that was evident on her face as she tried to make sense of everything that had happened. Maybe... Maybe she was fulfilling her own thoughts? She had told Atlas that she had never felt more alone and well.... Here she was... standing at the Archways and completely alone.

Lisa hadn't noticed Yumeki when she had originally stopped but she did see something moving near her feet slowly. Instead of jumping, she simply glanced down and found him seated on the floor. She crinkled her nose. Why was he on the floor all the way over here??? This piqued her curiosity. She was about to go on the offensive and ask him a rather pointed question; however, his offer to sit down next to him was... It was kind.

While they had had an interesting beginning between the duels and whatnot, she was grateful to him in this moment. She just needed to chill and take a break from overthinking. "Yeah... I'd like that." Slumped shoulders, she took a seat on the ground next to him. Her eyes were focused on all their classmates having a grand ol' time and she sighed. "Thanks. I like your suit."

A moment later, she asked. "Are you eternal fire?"

Oh...dang... Yumeki had forgotten how Lisa could get a bit...extra at times. The crinkling of her nose, and then the glance down at him. Come on now, shouldn't she know by now that he would usually be down on the floor if not in class or in the Dueling Room. Though he has had a few nice naps in there too...but that was besides the point. He had not planned to be annoyed tonight. He was not prepared for that kind of interaction. He just wanted a nice cool evening. Shocked to see that Lisa had taken his advice and was now sitting right beside him. Was he really going to have a good evening after all!?

He grinned when she said she liked his suit, and she even took it a step further. "Thanks." He said with much pride behind his voice as he could muster. He nodded to answer her question, also adding "That's it. Yeah!" Excitedly turning her way and pointing a finger toward her. "Think of it like the Eternal Flames in what looks like it's final moments but still too stubborn to snuff out."

He took in a quick look of Lisa's dress. "You look very pretty. I like the bow at the front." He gestured at his own neck as though she wouldn't know what bow he was referring to. "You went with the Aether theme?...or Water?"

While she had been so, so, so thrilled when it was first announced that there would be a spring dance, Kinsay wasn’t sure she’d be feeling up to it when the time actually came. But now that she was here, wearing the most beautiful dress, she was glad. It was nice to step away from everything else, even just for one night.

Even still, she found herself easily exhausted, putting on smiles for everyone and trying her best to stay present. It was hard and she needed a break. She wouldn’t be long though, she did want to dance some more, but. But for now, she just needed to lose herself in the path of the archways for a little bit.

And so that’s what she did.

Quiet and contemplative, she really didn’t need long. Just a couple of songs. Like three max. And then she’d go back to the dance floor, pinky swear.

The floor was surprisingly comfy and things seemed safer down here.

She smiled. Lisa liked being right. It was one of her favourite things to be. She was victorious in guessing his outfit and the meaning behind it. Lisa was good at that. Much better at that than this whole dating and dancing business. "You nailed it. Final moments of perseverance. Determined to put up a fight even in its darkest moments."

Her eyes widened when he told her that she looked not just pretty but very pretty. She had wished more of her guy friends had told her that but... things were complicated. Jasper hadn't even noticed her and that was an answer enough to her feelings for him. Nor had Stewie. It was hopeless. She was not even comparable to Serena and V. She was grateful for the compliment. It cheered her up even if that wasn't Yumeki's goal. "Thanks," she said with a grateful smile before glancing down at the bow. "Y'know you're one of the first people to compliment me... so thank you. That's kind. Daniel called me pretty too but not... very pretty." She focused on the bow and began straightening it a little bit more. "I... I wish I was creative as to say Aether but went with water... Water makes me calm but its also carries emotion... I have much in common with it... I suppose more than I thought."

Gideon Emerson adored a good party. There was something dreamy and dramatic about the flare of a gorgeous dress and the stunning twirl of lights that seemed to light up a dance floor. Intoxicating. And while Hogwarts’ own soirée did not rival the scale and scope of the many parties he had attended at fashion weeks over the years, as a professional nepotism baby and rascal, it had a lot of joy.

Fashion had that kind of power, he mused. The awful uniforms they were forced to endure all year long brought out the worst in his peers. It was hard to be your best in ugly clothes. But tonight, at the dance, with everyone in feathers and frills, the evening had a magic that had nothing to do with spell casting.

Good clothes made people brave, you see. A true super power.

Even his little sister who had not had as easy a time settling into this new school as he did was shining. Antonia was not a dull thing and this night complimented her natural charisma well. He saw that, even if she did not.

When she was occupied, he slipped away. The dazzling shine of his dress robes, dripping with diamonds like falling water, tamed somewhat when he dipped into the archways.

He walked for some time alone.

And then, he saw Kinsay.

”You promised me a dance,” he said, making himself known.

It was nice that Mercer was so acquiescent. It was a quality that Mitsuki tended to appreciate about her best friend, except in those instances where she did not. Namely those instances that involved his sister and encroaching on that which was not hers. Now was not one of those times and perhaps the only encroaching being had was her insistence on the hand holding. It was necessary, however, and both Milo and Mercer would appreciate the benefits later...even if they were unaware that they were. Mercer seemed rather enthusiastic about it, if his grip were any indication of things. Her fingers only remained entwined for as long as it took to leap through all the archways and then she was laxing her hold and leaving her fingers limply between those of her friends to hold or release as they pleased.

It had been nice though, she decided, and interesting how the same gesture could be performed so differently between people. Yukie tended to have a certain clingy like a leech unwilling to let go of that which it had latched on to quality that was not present with either Mercer or Milo. Nice as it had been, it was perhaps not something that needed to be done all the time. It might lose some of its appeal if indulged in too much.

"Exquisite," she concurred without hesitation, her own gaze focusing on Mercer as she spoke with the smallest hint of a smile. Both of them were, but Milo did not require the affirmation. He was beautiful too though, if he wanted to know, and her quick glance towards him may have signaled as much if he were to look at her rather than through her. To be fair, she too was somewhat looking through Milo as well...all the way over to Yumeki-sempai (talking to one of her housemates) and his eye catching suit. She felt her stomach perform a sort of unnecessary twist. She did subconsciously offer a smile in his direction, thankfully the whole wiggle worm sensation causing her to miss the other happenings around her - she did not the thinking that any of that was part of the ritual of a dance.

"We should dance," she suggested, though it came off much more like instructions. She was familiar with certain nihon buyo as well as performance calligraphy, the latter perhaps being the more applicable movements in the moment given the soft music dancing on the wind. Question was then...which character did she utilize?

What Keighley knew and what Keighley would do were two completely different things. Perhaps had Jude not had a date to the dance then that would have been different but he did have one and she knew how much it meant to him. She wasn't going to take that from him. Plus he escorted her here so that was enough for her and if she really wanted, she knew she could get in at least one dance with him. Jude was the best dancer she knew.
"Yes, it can't hurt to give it a try." Her smile was bright as she looked from her brother to the fairies all around them. It would be so magical if one landed on her!

Truthfully when choosing her dress she had been looking for one that not only suited her body type but she wanted a specific style and color too. She had lucked out that she had found what she had been looking for. A small blush crept up into her cheeks at her brothers words. "Thanks, Jude. That really means a lot to me." He was always one to build up her confidence within herself.

Oh, no. Ashley had been crying. She watched the older girl dap at her eyes with Jude's handkerchief. "Not at all. The more the merrier. You can stay with us as long as you like, Ashley." Keighley smiled warmly. She didn't mind who joined them at all.