"I'm so happy we're outside! The Prefects were so excited to have the Fairytale theme but we expected it in the Great Hall again. Whoever decided to hold it on the grounds has a real eye for beauty. Kendra () wanted the pumpkin carriages and bobbing for apples. The fountain was the Head Girl's () idea."

Poppy got up to get herself a proper meal. "I'll go bring back some more spring rolls. It looks like there are new dishes out too."

She came back with a tray laden with , , , , , and .

Her own plate was comprised of , , and . The that she selected off the menu was divine.

"I won't fit into this gown tomorrow," Poppy said with a giggle. "Let's dance before dessert. I wonder when the band is going on?"

() "You only really need to fit in the dress for a few more hours! You can do it... we can also burn off the calories on the dance floor!" Gaia looked at the pumpkin ravioli "I guess Adrien () will bring a full plate of those!"

"What kind of wardrobe trouble did you have at the First Term Ball? Your dress is a dream tonight. Can you tell me about what inspired your look and your date's?"

() "Honestly Adrien inspired me. Until last minute I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I am Mal from Descendants. A muggle movie about the Fairy Tales villain's kids. Adrien is prince Ben. We are dressed for his coronation." Gaia smiled "last ball I had trouble finding a dress that worked with the theme and fit properly. It was a bit of a nightmare."

"That's so unique! Who are Mal and Ben descended from? Muggle villains are a lot of fun. Last ball I had dress robes before the theme was announced. I kind of wish I had saved them and worn something celestial, but I always get overexcited about new clothes." Poppy glanced at Adrien () pondering over the refreshments table for . "Your date is rather attentive," she said playfully. "Very chivalrous!"

() Gwen laughs and spins around as she dances. It is nice to let go and have fun. "I wonder where our friend went? I am having a great time!"

() Gaia blushed and looked over at Adrien () "He is. Everything about tonight has been quite unexpected to be honest. I didn't really think I was coming with anyone. He has been really good to me." Gaia giggled and blushed a deeper shade of red. "Mal is Maleficent's daughter and Ben is Belle and Beast's son. In the story all villains have been cast to an island surrounded by magic. Ben's first proclamation as about-to-be-crowned-king to bring some of the villain's kids to the kingdom of Auradon to get an education. Ethel came as Evie, the evil queen's daughter, and Mal's best friend. After I figured what I would be I asked her if she wanted to come as Evie." Gaia beamed looking over at her friend going crazy on the dance floor.

Lookie

"That whole concept is adorable, and clever too. You guys are such exemplary Ravenclaws. Will you introduce me to Ethel () out on the dance floor later?"

() "Sure thing! Just as a warning I should tell you she needs room when she dances!" Gaia laughed "Thank you, for the most part it was Adrien's idea, I just play off from it." Gaia looked towards Adrien with a smile on her face.

Adrien came back to the table, his plate loaded with some of the pumpkin raviolis and a small pumpkin filled with soup. "These looked so good, I couldn't resist!" He laughed and then pulled out a plate with strawberries on it. "Here you are, Gaia," He said with a smile as he placed it in front of her. "Do either of you need anything while I'm still up? I'd be more than happy to get it," he said to his date and to Poppy.

() "I'm great! Thanks!" Gaia picked up a strawberry and put it on Adrien's plate. "I owed you one." and winked returning her attention to the dancers.

Millie was finally ready for the ball. She knew she was late but she was having trouble applying her eye makeup. She finally used a charm and worked but made her look older than she really was. She hoped she looked like Rapunzel but wasn't sure because the wig didn't feel long enough.

Millie made her way into the ball and quickly began looking for her friends

(ooc - sorry for the delay. It's been a bad couple of days. First a blizzard kept me away from the computer than I had some personal problems I had to attend to)

[img align=left]https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/Persnickety2nd_1.png[/img]Professor Persnickety used the Sonorus charm on herself again to address the crowd.

"Unfortunately, Beathan Sutherland had to cut his act a bit short. We're not entirely sure what happened to cause him to get all tongue-tied, but rest assured, our new matron was able to fix him right up! So that brings us to our main act a bit ahead of schedule. Everyone give a warm welcome for our band this evening: The Woodland Wanderlust!"

Professor Persnickety left the stage, using the spell to bring her voice back to normal. Five band members made their way onto the stage and set up their instruments. Once completed, they started their set without any further announcement. Their music was heavy in drums, giving it a folk music feel. As they played, the wisteria behind them seemed to grow in size. Vines began to grow along the floor of the stage as well.

Click for the full image

(OOC note: You are still able to complete Beathan's cryptogram! It will be available until the end of the ball on Sunday.)

"That's very gallant, but I'm fine thank you!"

"I'll come dance in a bit but you and Adrien go on," said Poppy with a wink. "My makeup needs a touch-up and I don't want to third wheel. This band rocks!"

Poppy excused herself to assess how badly the water from bobbing for apples had messed up her face and hair.

Megan was finding it increasingly difficult to work with the wings she had chosen; staring at the chair she had moved towards after the group gathered drinks, she wondered just exactly how she was going to sit in it with its ornate backing. "Oh, I know![/] she thought and pulling her wand from the concealed pocket in her dress she pointed it to the chair back and muttered [i]"Revanesco". Instantly the back of the chair was removed and happy with her handiwork, Megan put her wand back in her pocket and sat down comfortably and smiled around her table mates.

"You look so wonderful, Gaia," she told her friend. "You and Adrien make wonderful dance partners!" She looked around the table again and noticed people she hadn't met before. "Hello, I'm Megan of Hufflepuff. How do you do?"

( )

"Thanks!" Adrien laughed as he popped the strawberry into his mouth before digging in to his ravioli. As Poppy walked away, Megan came up and he waved with a warm smile on his face. "Hey, Megan! You look wonderful tonight, are you having a good time?"

"Oh yes, I am very much!" Megan replied. "Actually, I don't think I've smiled this much in a very long time, my face hurts from doing so!" she confided, her hands twisting in her lap slightly. "I'm not usually a laid back person. At the last ball I sort of just dressed up, got butterbeer and hid in a corner."

Gaia was done eating her strawberries when Megan () came to their table. "Hey beautiful lady! I think you owe me a dance!" Gaia looked at Adrien () "I am going to take Megan to the dance floor while you finish with that." Gaia winked at her date and got up "Come on! We can dance next to our table so we can keep talking to everyone!" Gaia started chacha-ing from side to side. "This band is great! Poppy () was right!"

Megan let her friend drag her to the dance floor and wasn't entirely sure what to do. "Uh, ? I've never done dancing before," she whispered to her friend. She imagined she had a look of pure terror on her face at being in front of other people in a position of attention.

"Good," he smiled at Megan, "You deserve a night of fun and smiling." He popped a ravioli in his mouth and swallowed before answering Gaia, "Okay, you two have fun! You know where to find me," he winked and watched them walk off to the dance floor before turning to his only other table mate. "Did you come with anyone, Fade?" He asked the boy.