Somnambule [Sari]

[Deleted]

@sari

02.14.2025

Mask

Even with the promise of the Valentine’s Day Ball on Friday, the entire week had been marred with the reminder that her brother’s birthday kicked it all off at the start of it, Sunday, February 9th. Madeleine didn’t think it was going to be a problem, especially since Émile had been slipping from her mind more and more these days. Maybe it was wrong of her to think that way – it hadn’t even been a year since he had died and while she had acted like Christmas was the same as always, his birthday following a month later was like getting punched in the feelings full force. It was easier to find her mind wandering and needing time alone while at school, whereas at home she had the company of her parents and dog.

The week slogged by and by the time Friday (and the Ball) arrived, Maddie decided to forego the event altogether. It was completely out of character for her to do that, but having the common room basically to herself to wallow in her misery was the only chance she was going to get for the remainder of the school year. And just as she had expected, the return from dinner was met with a flurry of Hufflepuffs getting ready as quickly as possible for the masquerade ball. Maddie even went as far as to prepare her own mask and dress, and the ‘accidentally’ made it rip down one side. The shocked silence from the other sixth year girls getting ready was met with her waving it off as no problem, and saying that she would simply join them later once it was fixed. The fact that this was a masquerade ball meant that she could tell everyone she went around with her mask on and nobody was able to guess it was her. In her mind, it was the perfect plan.

Until she got tired of pitying herself and started to get hungry. The house elves were bound to put on a show with the spread and there was no doubt that the pastries were going to be every bit of impressive that they usually were, if not more. It had been a few hours since the ball had started, so she figured now was better than never to sneak in and grab a few sugary treats before retreating back to her dorm again. Deciding that putting the dress on with all of its accoutrements would be a pain even with the assistance of magic, so she left in an oversized jumper and her masquerade mask. Playing the game even in her normal clothes would still be fun for the few minutes she would be there.

Tiptoeing out of her dorm room and quickly crossing the common room for the exit, there was only one lone soul sitting inside; a messy-haired blonde girl sitting in the corner with her back turned to Maddie and clearly more preoccupied with the book in front of her than the French girl sneaking around her own common room. Gently opening the exit, she swiftly made her way through the basement corridors and out into the entrance way of the castle, her ears being met with the sound of music and a din of unrecognizable voices chatting away inside the Great Hall.

She slipped the mask over her face as she stepped through the threshold of the hall, ignoring the few glances from the professors standing nearby. The food had to be close by, because it seemed pointless to put it all the way at the other end of the dance floor. A few seconds of deflecting strange glares, she pinpointed a table full of desserts and made her way towards it, immediately shoving a chocolate chip cookie in her mouth as she looked over the rest of the sweets to figure out what she wanted to take back with her.

[Deleted]

where's the fun in doing what you're told?

THE BALL HAD BEEN ONE of the few things Sari Fawley didn’t really look forward to until the dates started to round the corner. She fretted her choices, afraid to see Nate’s face, or the reactions based on the pureblood accepting her natural brunette hair. Everyone knew Sari was the fakest blonde to go about, but given her narcissism and need to have a great appearance, she faked it till she could make it. The ball had been going well when Sari first arrived, couples dancing away and the Fawley even bumped into the host himself: Gilderoy Lockhart, aka her biggest competitor for self-love. Turns out, he was actually a decent fellow. What felt odd out of the whole day was, Sari hadn’t seen her new-closest friend: Maddie. The Hufflepuff was the type to hang about waiting for a familiar face, just for the two to bicker about the ridiculousness of the ball in its entirety, but once Sari left the dorms, Maddie was no where to be found. Maybe she turned up at the party after all.

Time continued on naturally, a few students caught by Professor Choi for attempting to spike the punch, and others heavily bickering on the girl’s they wanted to dance with (but ultimately couldn’t.) It was safe to say, Gilderoy’s ball was going rather well. But Sari’s own craving for a sugary delight was on the rise and her eyes began to wander. The elves had gone above and beyond for the Ball, probably due to Gilderoy’s begs and pleads (which were potentially never-ending) but the deserts were what attracted the Hufflepuff most. As her hand reached out for a perfectly rounded cookie, another girl beat her to it, already shoving a cookie in her mouth while she observed the other small treats.

The mask resting on the girl’s face was an interesting sight, black and detailed with horn-like features. Almost like a devil. Sari liked it. ”Nice mask.” She spoke, speaking a little louder over the music while her hand reached for a cookie similar to what the girl had just eaten. Pale eyes observed the girl’s outfit, an oversized jumper — noting how it didn’t really match the mask but alas, Sari knew balls weren’t for everyone. ”I hear those—“ She said, cutting herself to point in the direction of the other sweets. ”—Are super good.”

REFERENCE: DRESS & MASK

@madeleine & sorry for the wait!

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

@sari

02.14.2025

Mask

Before she could grab another sweet, a voice from next to her complimented the mask she had on. Maddie had already forgotten it was on her face, even with the black lace partially obscuring her vision and the strap holding it in place pinching into her head. She was far from being a devilish figure but at some point in time had decided that she liked the way it looked and already had a black ball dress to match it. Said dress was comfortably tossed into her trunk back in the dorms, still ripped down the side. The mask didn’t deserve the same fate though.

“Thanks,” she muttered in response, not really caring to have any sort of conversation right then and there. The goal in the end was to make her way down the table of sweets and onto the finger foods. From there she would make a plate to go and skedaddle back to the common room where she would devour her goodies. The other Hufflepuff that was there when she left probably wouldn’t care if there was an extra person in there, and it would be better than being surrounded by students trying to get lucky.

Maddie began reaching for another one of the chocolate chip girls when the other girl pointed at a section further down, stating that they were even better. “Sounds like you have the whole table scoped out,” she said as she took the girl’s advice, placing the cookie back on the table and snagging one of the ‘super good’ sweets instead. “These better not be the ones the host poisoned with love potions. Not really in the mood to be falling head over heels with that self-absorbed prick.” She had never met Gilderoy Lockhart, but the rumors preceded him nicely. Growing up with her brother being almost exactly the same way (though Émile was tolerable, to an extent) had prepared her well for prats like the Ravenclaw boy. Everything was a show at the end of the day for that type.

[Deleted]

where's the fun in doing what you're told?

THE DETAILING ON THE MASK was Sari’s favourite thing about the girl before her. It was somewhat disappointing to not see the girl in a dress, considering with a mask like that only a striking dress was in order. Maybe a suit! Everyone was a little different after all. Sari forced a smile in the girl’s direction, nodding away while she too — picked at the finger food, candies and chocolates scattered amongst the tables. The elves were truly prepared for anything. ”When you live with a large family and almost have a dozen elves to prepare just one table…You kind of figure out what’s good and what’s not as popular.” She grinned, trying to show her view on it all. ”See, all the couples are dancing right now, so they don’t have time to let crumbles of the cookie settle on their suits or dresses, nor do they have time to reach for the brownies or the sticky sweets. Chocolatey-sides after all. But they’re also fan favourites considering—“ Sari caught off, referring the girl’s attention to the other end of the table. ”There’s two batches prepared for them.”

She smiled, knowing that while the other girl was joking, it did seem like something Gilderoy would do. He had a tendency to flirt with almost everyone, Sari included just a few hours ago, but the Lockhart wasn’t too bad of a guy anyway. He was fairly nice. Just simply full of himself. ”He’s an okay guy.” Sari said, repeating her observation on him. ”He just…takes the whole, Love Yourself sort of scenario a little too far. Wouldn’t surprise me if he had a shrine dedicated for himself somewhere.” If Sari was a male or a seventh year Ravenclaw, she would hate to room by Gilderoy’s side. He looked like the kind of person that would snore as well. Though, the only thought or question of the minute was why the mystery female before her had decided to turn up without a dress — with no judgement behind that question anyway. ”If you don’t mind me asking…How come you’re going for the casual look instead of playing dress up tonight?”

@madeleine

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!