Valentina was /here/, obviously.

The blonde had been looking forward to this dance ever since it was announced - and she definitely planned on having the best time. Standing close to the refreshment tables, she took a sip of her water, already itching to get back on the dance floor.

Now this was the nice part. Ash got a good helping of food, and a couple drinks, and some dessert. Then she sat down on the ground in an out-of-the way-spot, and started eating. Nevermind her beautiful dress- she could clean it if it got dirty. The fabric was also sturdy and wouldn't tear, even if it looked delicate... Ash had specifically requested her dad send a dress that was 'Ashley-proof'. She'd sit here until she got bored or someone showed up to talk to her.

"Hey Valentina. You look good!" The Valentina in question would probably have to look around a bit to see her though. She was sitting by the drinks(strategic placement- ash loved orange juice), in a little bit of shadow but easily visible if you were paying attention.

Phoenix was here and was all for the experience, he just wasn't sure about the dancing part. Maybe when there was a fast song and a big group, then he might get into it a little more, but the slow songs and couples didn't really appeal to him, so he headed off towards the refreshments.

This seemed to be becoming a habit for this first year Ravenclaw at these Hogwarts parties though, and maybe he should learn to socialize a bit more. Or maybe he could just ease into it. As he stopped by the table, he spotted a couple older girls there, and though he didn't recognize them, he briefly wondered if they were friends with his cousin who was possibly in the same year as them.

"So, uh... what's good?" he asked the girls and he looked over the food choices, noting that at least one of them had a sample of things for herself. He wasn't sure what he was in the mood for, but he picked up one of the finger sandwiches and examined it a little closer.

Of course she’d come with Vera. There hadn’t been anyone else Sable Ileana would have even considered coming with if it wasn’t her Bestie. Her first mate. She figured Vasco and Logan were probably around here somewhere too, but bestie!dates were awesome. Even if the smol blonde felt rather not pirate-like in the white dress with the ruffled neckline that mum had sent her. Or maybe it was Juli, but either way, she kind of wished she’d kept the fairy lights from Professor Devries’ festival for her hair. She felt fairy princess-y, although maybe the dress could still be pirate-y if she squinted.

Either way, she’d made a beeline for the refreshments, bestie in tow, and may have taken a wide berth to avoid Phoenix. She still hadn’t forgotten the beginning of term, and she didn’t feel obligated to forget either. Even if she was actively trying not to hum any sea shanties while she was at the dance. It didn’t seem appropriate, and besides, there was food. Specifically desserts, as she reached for a couple chocolate pastries. Chocolate was always good.

Stepping away from Milo and Mercer for a moment, they had already entered (leapt) over the entrance of the danced together and therefore had avoided any sort of malevolent folly, Mitsuki meandered over to the refreshments with Finn in tow to inspect the offerings and see what pulled her interest. There was already a small group gathered around the space, though the breeze did not suggest that she encroach nor otherwise engage with anyone else - not yet, at least. Not unless Finn wanted to, she supposed.

It was not as if she had an answer for the one boy in any case. She did not know what was good and was attempting to sort that out for herself. Perhaps Ashley Fox or the other older blonde could supply him with one.

"Do you see any boba?" she inquired of her friend while standing on her tip toes to try and see the drinks at the back of the table more easily. She hoped there was boba - she even had her own straw tucked away neatly inside her little black clutch bag.

If anyone had asked him at the start of the semester if he was going to the feast, he would have answered no. But thoughts change over time, and one thing led to another, and now he was here, with a date. But where Lisa Nam was at the moment, he wasn't concerned.

Avoiding the dance floor at all costs because he did not want to dance he hoped that he didn't run into V either for...the same reasons.

Daniel approached the tables draped in gold and green cloths, grabbed an orange-coloured cold drink, and strolled over to one of the nearby chairs. He sat down, feeling uncomfortable in the dark blue suit he was wearing (though he did not let this show) to match Lisa's dress, and took a sip from his beverage while quietly observing the people around him.

SPOILER!!: Daniel! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckyLinJi

If anyone had asked him at the start of the semester if he was going to the feast, he would have answered no. But thoughts change over time, and one thing led to another, and now he was here, with a date. But where Lisa Nam was at the moment, he wasn't concerned.

Avoiding the dance floor at all costs because he did not want to dance he hoped that he didn't run into V either for...the same reasons.

Daniel approached the tables draped in gold and green cloths, grabbed an orange-coloured cold drink, and strolled over to one of the nearby chairs. He sat down, feeling uncomfortable in the dark blue suit he was wearing (though he did not let this show) to match Lisa's dress, and took a sip from his beverage while quietly observing the people around him.

Aria hadn’t been concerned with this dance all year long. What she had been concerned about was her outfit which she had created all by herself! SEE HOW SHINY IT WAS??? Her heels too and the purple and while shawl around her shoulders and torso, had been designed by her and they were just as shiny and purple as her gown. So yes… Ms. McLeod was only here to have a memorable time with herself, mainly; she hadn’t wanted a date and hadn’t bothered asking anyone - not even her brother because she suspected he had other plans. It still bothered her, still threatened her sense of security that he was going to get distant with her. Whatever. He was pleased to do as he wanted.

With a paper plate of cheese sandwiches and a glass of juice, Aria approached the Refreshment Table section, searching for someplace to sit. Her sharp eyes spotted Daniel and without hesitation, she click- clacked her way over to him. “Hiya, Daniel! Are you waiting on anyone?” If so, she’d just move along!

Taking a break from dancing had been a good idea because there he was on the dance floor KISSING Autumn - Benjee Marchbanks. V approached the refreshments table for a drink and snatched one up so aggressively it almost SPILLED on her dress. Muttering something rude under her breath, Victoria blushed when she realized she was a HAIR away from Daniel, who of COURSE looked dashing as all heck with his nice blue suit and his NICE hair. Ugh.

Her cheeks were burning and she felt…she felt all shaky in the stomach. At least Aria was there, too, to make it a little less awkward. “Your dress is very pretty. I like the sparkles,” she said in between sips, her brow a little sweaty from dancing earlier. Well, not sweaty. Victoria preferred the term GLISTENING. “And you looking very dashing, Daniel,” she said snootily without looking at him. She was staring at Benjee.

Why was he so utterly handsome? So tragically hot? And who told him to wear white and break her heart? WHO? Her eyebrows furrowed, and she scoffed as she turned to face the table, facing away from Mr. Marchbanks.

She hadn’t forgotten he had promised her a dance. But with her insides feeling like jelly, she wasn’t sure she would survive a dance with him.

Ciara wasn't the one to mingle much with people, she was very shy and quiet unlike her older siblings. Although she was trying so hard to break from it, maybe this dance would do the trick, she could only hope. Tadhg her big brother told her to be herself, she was the best she could be. Taking his advice she walked towards the refreshment table, that seem like a good place to start. Grabbing some cookies and punch she took a bite of her chocolate chip cookie.

Although the cookie was her favorite, it didn't help with her nerves or anything. How did Tad and them make this look so easy? She was envious of them, Tad looked so popular with all his friends. Biting more of her cookie she looked around, the place looked wonderful, seeing her brother Tadhg giving her a comforting nod and smile she felt more confident. She could do this, she was a O'Neill and they could do anything.

Luckily for him, Finn was perfectly happy being told what to do and where yo go. He was less certain about these plants he'd agreed to pin to his jacket, but at least it was the same color scheme as his outfit. Though that might be a happy accident, unless Mitsuki was a Seer and had known what he was going to wear.

"Boba?" He repeated after Mitsuki. He glanced around the table of food and drinks, taking in the enormous selection and the other snackers and looking for anything that looked like it would be called that. "I don't see any," he said, reaching for a sandwich instead. He did not volunteer that he didn't know what boba was. "Are you hungry?"

Holden was monitoring the refreshments table.

Yep. He knew the drill.

Hang out by the refreshments tables and of course the Professors wouldn’t pay attention. This HoM Professor wouldn’t let history repeat itself. He had heard what had happened at Merlin’s Pride and, thus, he was watching the table like a hawk. Well a subtle hawk because a obvious hawk wasn’t a good thing.

Dressed in a nice charcoal tux, he watched the students mingle and kept an eye on a few interactions.

He did see Miss O’Neil with a cookie. “Miss O’Neil. Enjoying the evening?” he asked.

Vera rejected the idea of going in theme for the dance. Not because it was a bad theme, as the elements was a great idea and if anyone asked she would certainly be saying she most vibed with air or whatever word they were using to describe that. Imagine how cool it would be to be like... a space pirate! A pirate ship that fly instead of floated was cool. She could be like captain hook or something! BUT despite how much fun that idea was, she was sticking with her true love and decked out in all RAINBOW. With the spot of brown that was naturally already a chocolate stain.

The girl had already consumed like 5 chocolate frogs on the way down to the dance.

All hyped up, she BOUNCED alongside Sia. The fact they seemed to be avoiding passing someone did not go unnoticed by the girl - shockingly - but she just figured it was because he was a BOY so she didn't pry. "What should we eat first? Clearly we need LOOOOTS of energy so we can show off our moves on the dance floor!" The moves in which she had zero of.

Glancing around at the other students, she zoomed in on her fave older student and gave an enthusiastic WAVE. "HIIIIIII DAAAAAAANNY BOY." Should she serenade him with the song? She'd leave him alone while he was surrounded by girls (but where was Atlas????) but she could still be annoying supportive from not too terribly far away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waddles

Luckily for him, Finn was perfectly happy being told what to do and where yo go. He was less certain about these plants he'd agreed to pin to his jacket, but at least it was the same color scheme as his outfit. Though that might be a happy accident, unless Mitsuki was a Seer and had known what he was going to wear.

"Boba?" He repeated after Mitsuki. He glanced around the table of food and drinks, taking in the enormous selection and the other snackers and looking for anything that looked like it would be called that. "I don't see any," he said, reaching for a sandwich instead. He did not volunteer that he didn't know what boba was. "Are you hungry?"

Mitsuki may have consulted the dredges at the bottom of her green tea this morning, but inquiring as to the attire of every one of her acquittances had certainly not been a consideration. Her subconscious thoughts and dreams were still very much preoccupied with wondering whether or not that voice had ever found someone to play with. She had been quite keen to fulfill the request and had gone scavenging about the castle with Aiden for the good part of a week in hopes of answering the call. But...alas.

It was simple intuition, then, that had caused her protective offering to fit his aesthetic. Though she might quietly state that protection suited all aesthetics.

The corners of her lips curled downwards in disappointment, her hand instead reaching for a midnight purple looking drink. It would suffice, but it was hardly a substitute. Looking back to Finn, she assumed he was offering. He had just collected that sandwich from the table, after all. She considered it a moment, finding it curious that he wanted to feed her, and leaned forward with a little bow from the waist to take a little bird bite out of the corner of it.

The lettuce was nice and crisp.

Daniel sat back in his chair and drank the rest of his beverage before placing it on top of the table next to him when he heard his name.

When the nearly fifteen-year-old looked up, he saw one of the Slytherins dressed in a purple dress with a white shawl around her shoulders. "Hello Aria" he said, motioning to an empty chair at his table. "No, not really" he replied. "Lisa went to the dance floor, but I'm staying away from there"

"What do you think of the feast?" he questioned, his gaze drawn to V as she approached the refreshments table, and he frowned slightly as he saw her roughly take one of the cups, nearly spilling some of the beverage on her dress.

He didn't hear her murmuring something impolite under her breath, but he could sense something had upset her.

But then, what didn't upset these girls these days?

Although the 'compliment' was for him, the fact that she was staring over at the dance floor did not go unnoticed. He couldn't see who she was staring at because there were too many people on the floor, but he could make a wild guess.

Benjee Marchbanks.

Yes, Daniel knew that V had a massive crush on the older Slytherin. She had even confessed it to him once when they had been alone in one of the domes and he had kind of confessed that he liked Lisa's older sister. People who were out of their league.

He sighed and took out his wand from his wrist holster and twirled it between his fingers and pointedly ignored Vera waving at him and calling him 'Danny boy' at least it was a step up from 'Squid Boy'.

He was bored already.

Ciara swallowing her cookie nod and smile. "Oh yes sir, having a blast!" Although having some friends to dance with and etc would be better, but it was better then not going. Tilting her head she looked innocently at him. " Making sure no one spikes the punch? I never understood why people think it's cool to get drunk, they act like a bunch of clowns." Shaking her head at the thought of it, she seen a couple of times during her summer break. Her young mind didn't understand it, but honestly she didn't want to.

The fifth year set her plate down. “Thank you,’’ came her reply. “You look smart in that suit, by the way.” Daniel may take that compliment how he wanted since it sort of implied that he looked drab in other clothing. “Ah, so Lisa’s your date then?” It seemed like the majority of the Hogwarts population had managed to snag a date. “Oh it’s not bad. The decor though, Daniel! The decor! I am simply in love with that! I helped with the banners. You can tell which by all the glitter Arden and I used.’’ She sat back and watched him frown in the direction of Victoria. Clearly there was something between those two. What else was new? These kids and their hormones. “So, are you going to hit the dance floor later with Lisa?”

“OHMYGOSH, VICTORIA! You look GORGEOUS! Doesn't she, Daniel??’ Aria had seen V around earlier but hadn’t gotten the chance to speak to her. And now that she could, she could finallyyy verbally enthuse about V and her dress. “Ugh! Definitely one of the best I’ve seen this evening!” It was true. Aria grinned at the complement. “Thank you, thank you! I worked so hard on this.” She definitely was proud of her skills. Sitting back and munching on one of her sandwiches, the older Slytherin observed the younger one. OOOOH! Look at Victoria turn to mush in front of Daniel! Aria wanted to laugh. “Care to sit with us for a bit?” Yes, this just might be entertaining... for her at least.

In that moment, her eyes drifted back towards the refreshments tables and she saw Professor Eye Candy there. Had she been there when she had stopped by? Weird… because Aria knew there was little chance that she’d have missed him. Still, she raised a hand and waved it enthusiastically. HIIII, PROFESSOR! He looked so dapper!

Daniel was such a grump - did he know? Victoria smiled and giggled a little with Aria as she complimented her dress. "Thanks! And yes, I'll sit!" she said, instead of just hovering there like a weirdo. "Wait...did you MAKE your dress?" She asked in a GASP. Aria liked making clothes, didn't she? V would be supremely impressed if Aria had, and V wished she had even an ounce of that sort of talent.

"Daniel, you don't want to go dance?" she asked with wiggling eyebrows in his direction. He didn't want to go near the dance floor? "I thought you had like, learned to dance when you were young. Or something. Or did I make that up because you're so rich and fancy?" she blushed a little before veering her gaze back at the dance floor herself. It was hard since Benjee was still dancing all close and stuff with Autumn. Where were the PROFESSORS, oi?! Shouldn't they be telling them to keep a GHOST'S LENGTH APART? HMPF.

Vera always made her scoff. Tonight was no different. How annoying. Danny boy. Pffffft. Couldn't the girl get a HINT?

He was NOT offering.

Taken aback by her suddenly taking a bite, however small, of his sandwich, Finn was speechless. He opened his mouth to protest. After all, it was his sandwich, she'd picked up a drink instead of food and that had been her choice. But every possible option of retort he could come up with (which wasn't very many) sounded mean or else a bit wimpy, and he was a Gryffindor, gosh-darn-it, he wasn't afraid of her!

After he gave up on trying to think of something to say, for his honor, he dropped his shoulders dejectedly and held out the sandwich more towards Mitsuki. Now, he was very plainly offering it to her. To take it from him, with her hands.

With his own free hand, Finn reached and selected another sandwich. This one he took a bite from immediately, so there could be no confusion. And also because, if his mouth was full, it wouldn't be so odd that he had nothing to say.

Luca looked nice enough, he guessed. The navy blue suit wasn’t too big or too small and he’d combed his hair back like Theresa had suggested, though he didn’t see what the big deal was when it got in his eyes. It was taking everything in him not to ruffle it, a nervous habit he’d had since he’d grown enough hair to manage such a thing. This was fine, though. It was going to be fun. That’s what he’d been told and the music wasn’t too horrible so far and there was food. Maybe he’d even make it through the evening with a smile.

Moving towards the refreshment tables, the second year checked out his options. He had a bit of a sweet tooth so something with chocolate was the goal.

Wearing a DRESS seemed unheard of these days, but Remy was a sucker for big events and wanted to pull out all the stops. The kind of event where she could meet a shiny prince and dance the night away. Let’s ignore the fact that she was arriving without a date but think of her as more of a Cinderella type. Kapeesh?

No FROGS either, please. Only princes.

Her outfit was spectacular for a little black number, albeit fitting a bit bigger on her, but it was her hair that she was proud of, because no tutorials were followed, it was her own braided experiment.

Remy played it safe and went to the refreshment area first to busy her hands. It was an anxiety thing. While doing so, she watched the friendly faces do their thing, and tried to pair them off together in her head since she had no idea who was coming with who. Remy had been a bit of a loner this last year or so. Nothing against any of her friends, of course, she had just been lazy and boring.

She flipped her hair in the direction of Daniel Yoon, which she subtly did often, and again not expecting a notice but she tried all the same. V was with him anyway and didn’t they love each other or something? Remy picked up a crisp and headed for the dips…

Oh dear Merlin, Norman hated dances! He was more of an intellectual creature than a social one, always had been, always would be. Even in his own school days when he was young enough to enjoy them, he didn’t. Every school dance that he was ever forced to attend was spent hanging out at the refreshment table… until that time when a certain red-haired girl pulled him onto the dance floor. The wallflower and the social butterfly, what a mismatched pair they were!

He shook his head. No, he would not allow himself to think of her tonight. The memories would just make him emotional, and getting emotional would be of no use to anyone. What he felt was irrelevant anyway. This night was for the kids, not him, and that was as it should be. He was here to make sure this night went off without a hitch for them, and he wouldn’t let anything, especially not his personal feelings, stand in the way of doing that job.

Dressed in a simple black suit with a bluish-green tie the exact shade of his eyes, Norman made his way to the refreshment table, greeting any students he saw along the way. Whether it was a case of old habits die hard or an attempt to find the best vantage point to watch for shenanigans, he had no idea. He briefly glanced at the food offerings, ultimately passing them all up for now. Eating too much would make him sluggish and less able to react if things went sideways. And let’s face it, with this school's history, it was less a question of if than when.

One glass of punch wouldn’t hurt, though. As he helped himself, he spotted Simon talking to O’Neill. “Good evening, Simon,” he greeted. “Good evening, Miss O’Neill.”

Elsewhere he saw Benetti and Gaeltheos. “Hello, Mr. Benetti, Miss Gaeltheos. See anything good?” The question was directed at either or both of them, whoever cared to answer.


Kiara Ryder was here, so let’s get this party started! Although this Gryffindor gal was more on the tomboy side, she couldn’t pass up a night of fun, even if it meant (Ugh!) formal wear. She’d gone with a fiery red dress, in keeping with the elements theme and her house pride, and a pair of simple black boots - because this girl did not do high heels! What was the point of going to a dance if your shoes were too high to walk in, let alone dance?

First stop of the evening: the refreshment table. Those crisps and dips were calling her name! She hoped they had the kind of salsa she liked, but she wasn’t getting her hopes up. She liked it spicy enough to make a dragon cry! As she approached, she saw one of her housemates already there. “Hi, Remy,” she said with a wave and a smile. “I like your dress.” The black was sleek and classy and not over-the-top frilly. She dipped a crisp into a bowl of salsa - once, mind you, because double dipping was rude and disgusting! Hmm… not burn-your-tongue-off spicy, but it wasn’t bad either. “You should try this salsa!”

Kinsay made her way to the refreshment table without a plan in mind. She hadn't been very hungry, but maybe all that dancing had something to do with it. Except. Except she just needed to do a quiiiick look around all the buffet tables before she actually took any food for herself. Just to check that they actually had stuff she liked. And to make sure no one messed with any of the food. That was always a concern.

And so, rather than grab herself a plate, she stood in line and carefully inspected each food label and the tray behind it. Most stuff looked gross. Hopefully they'd have some bread. Or something.

Ew! Pickles! Those made her scoff and she was so, so quick to skip ahead. Where was the bread?

Hanging out at the snack area was already doing wonders for her festering anxiety, as who could be worried when around food?! Hogwarts was quite legendary in their spreads as well - very distracting. After dipping into some guacamole and crunching the crisp into her mouth, she jumped as she was surname addressed. It was weird having teachers at social events, felt like she was doing something illegal and was about to get caught despite her totally innocent double dipping.

“Hi, Professor Carton.” Remy replied BEFORE swallowing her food. “Just investigating the dip front… looking for something spicy.” Okay, trying the guacamole first may not have been the best choice when looking for spicy.

The salsa was encouraged by her fellow Gryffindor, Kiara, who did look fantastic in that dress. Remy’s eyes were drawn straight to it. “Wow, you look amazing.” She almost ignored the compliment on her own dress. ALMOST. “Aww thanks…” The knowing grin on her face was apparent. “I went a little boring with just black, though.” Her comment may or may not be her fishing for more compliments.

Back to the salsa… “Reckon it will be hot enough to make my ears pop?” Or make them smoke. Because that was fun and stuff, although hopefully wouldn’t mess up her hair.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waddles

He was NOT offering.

Taken aback by her suddenly taking a bite, however small, of his sandwich, Finn was speechless. He opened his mouth to protest. After all, it was his sandwich, she'd picked up a drink instead of food and that had been her choice. But every possible option of retort he could come up with (which wasn't very many) sounded mean or else a bit wimpy, and he was a Gryffindor, gosh-darn-it, he wasn't afraid of her!

After he gave up on trying to think of something to say, for his honor, he dropped his shoulders dejectedly and held out the sandwich more towards Mitsuki. Now, he was very plainly offering it to her. To take it from him, with her hands.

With his own free hand, Finn reached and selected another sandwich. This one he took a bite from immediately, so there could be no confusion. And also because, if his mouth was full, it wouldn't be so odd that he had nothing to say.

Oblivious, unfortunately, that she had entirely misread the situation (though the signs all felt obvious to her), Mitsuki straightened and accepted the sandwich. She was not sure that she really wanted it, the bite had not been entirely satisfactory, but she had enjoyed the lettuce. Eyes shifting back to the sandwich in hand, Mitsuki pulled the lettuce free and began consuming that on its own. The crunch was pleasant, crisp, and refreshing.

It was very polite of him to have offered her a sandwich first before taking one for himself, grandpa would most likely gush insufferably about Finn and how much of a gentleman he was. The Ravenclaw eyed her glass, which she had not taken a sip from yet, and offered it to him. The bread was dry, he would need something to soothe his mouth.

Especially if he was going to eat his sandwich so rapidly like that.

Looking beyond her Gryffindor friend, Mitsuki spotted another, Luca, who did not seem to be looking anywhere else but at the sweets before him. Not one to interrupt someone when they were doing something, she sort of just stared ahead for a bit and watched curiously in case her Hufflepuff friend happened upon some pudding.

Lettuce done, Mitsuki continued her deconstruction eating and smiled subtle at Finn in appreciation. "Grandpa would like you," she decided to informed him.