8:30 PM

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This was it, all of her hard work coming together. She felt a nervous sort of twitching in her stomach as her eyes darted around the booth. For someone who never had much trouble with feeling nervous or caring what people thought; Sophie found herself fretting as she fussed over the collection of costumes. She wanted so badly for things to go well. Faun had put her in charge of the Art Booth because it'd been her idea. The problem was... well what if she wasn't really any good at it?

She hemmed to herself as she fluffed the knight's plumage atop his helmet. If she were objective she rather liked the way things looked. The backdrop was currently set to an abstract design she had painted herself, an overlay of pain splattered black curtains hiding the edges. The whole thing had been enchanted, with the help of Professor T, to change according to participants preferences. There were five other alternate scenes ranging from a snapshot of the Hogwarts Grounds to a ship, and a pseudo-balcony scene. The ship, admittedly, was because she'd often overhead a gaggle of first years talking about or like pirates.

The collection of costumes was extensive too, as were the signs they'd made for people to optionally hold. Not all of them were romantic either. There were several that said things like "Singles Appreciation Day", "A Damsel but not DISTRESSED", and "I hope you choke on your candy hearts". Sophie tried to make things as inclusive as possible for everyone. She was secretly excited to get to use her new enchanted camera. She loved moving pictures, the moments they captured. She wanted to test out a few filter spells she had learned too. Now it was just a matter of people showing up to the booth...actually she was starting to wonder where her special helpers were...

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Feel free to throw your character in as someone working the booth or whatever. It's all wide wide open! <3

Demitria was never early to anything. Never. So being one of the very first to walk in to the Valentine’s ball was an anomaly. Still, comma, it wasn’t a random decision. Just like never coming early, making random decisions was against her moral fiber. Sighing, she walked around the area nearly empty of people.

The reason she had come early was to not be noticed. She had worn the strapless dress, against all of her intuition screaming at her to not to, but there was no way in Hell she was taking off her cloak. In short, Mimi Strelnikov had chickened out and was avoiding her gaggle of Slytherin Queens who would just pressure her back into it. Hopefully, she could hang around for a little and leave again before the first of them arrived and pressured her into wearing it. She frowned deeply. The last thing she wanted was to become the object of everyone’s stares. The hideous scars on her back may even have been too much for the little first years.

While wandering around, she saw the group of costumes the Artists had put up for the photobooth. Maybe she would consider taking a photo to send to her mother. Darya Strelnikov was a force to be reckoned with.  If she didn’t see her daughter in the outfit she had bought for her, she would probably send a howler. Granted, a very kind, soft-spoken one, but still a howler.   

With a loud gasp, Strellie tripped over the edge of the costume rack, making it wobble precariously. Bracing herself for the fall, she hit the ground hard. A sharp stab of pain came from her leg. Seeing the cut made her growl under her breath. “ Der’mo. This is absolutely ridiculous.” She sighed deeply. “Valentine’s Day hates me. What did I ever do to it?” 

Sophie watched as Demitria wandered around the booths; that stupid cloak fluttering behind her. The very way she walked annoyed Sophie. While the youngest Flickwick was known most for being a loving vibrant person...when she felt she had been wronged and no effort was ever made to make it right she could hold an insanely long and deep grudge. Demitria had made the grave mistake of inserting herself into a conversation; no an argument with some of the people Sophie loved best. Had the Slytherin been a friend, or at least someone who knew Sophie from Gordic maybe it might have been different. If there was one thing (beyond the civil rights of other's being violated) Sophie couldn't understand it was being spoken to like a child. Yes, she might have been silly sometimes but she was not an infant and just... she couldn't even think of the proper words to describe the things flitting around her brain.

When the other girl toppled over and nearly brought down the rack of costumes Sophie was caught between screaming... and laughing. It was not a part of her personality she was particularly proud of - the desire to mock those that had (at some point) hurt her feelings. Still, when her fellow fifth year didn't get up Sophie's brow furrowed in concern. Ever the girl scout she grabbed the magical first aide kit from the table holding the various camera she intended to use tonight. With the soft ruffle and whisper of her dress announcing her arrival before she actually knelt beside the Slytherin; "Maybe it's Karmic retribution for speaking down to people," her voice was light as she tilted Demitria's leg inspecting for any deep gashes or swelling. It was more than likely just a bruise and wounded pouting pride but she couldn't just let the girl sit there and sulk, "Can you walk at all? There's a sofa over there; maybe I can get Professor T or Fauna to come look at it. I don't see any gushing blood".

The curiously absent Gryffindor prefect had not been seen in social settings in quite some time.  The 7th year rocker still felt uncertain, out of place in attempting to slip back into a scene that he didn't feel he belonged in.  To say that Chance Ryker hadn't been himself as of late was a massive understatement.

But nonetheless...he cared greatly about his fellow Gryffindor-Sophie Flickwick.  Chance arrived just after...whatever had happened to Demitria.  Chance hadn't officially met her, but he tended to be a bit hesitant around Slytherins as a general rule of thumb.  He knew better than to judge by one classification, but if Sophie seemed to have a problem with her...this was likely another very effective warning sign.  Chance lingered back, uncertain...trying to allow events to play out instead of participating in them, before approaching the set and allowing his fingers to run over some of the props and costumes...nodding his approval all the while.

"Soph-ya never do anythin' halfway do ya, lass?"

The Irishman glanced back over his shoulder...trying not to embarrass, nor complicate the situation between Demitria and Sophie any further.  Perhaps he'd even distract from it?  Chance's hair was slightly longer and he was sporting very faint stubble, wearing a dark red dress shirt, black pinstriped suit, and black dress shoes with squared toes.  He was looking pretty sharp for Valentine's Day! Chance was also holding a small box, wrapped in a quite average fashion from a very poor wrapper trying very hard to make the present presentable.  It was Sophie's V-Day present.

The ruffle of Sophie’s dress alerted Demitria to her classmate’s presence before she actually appeared. While she had been walking around, she had seen the Gryffindor milling about the booth, but decided to just avoid her. After… whatever had happened, truthfully, she couldn’t even remember, Sophie had developed a grudge against the Russian girl that annoyed her to no end. Strellie hated conflict more than anything. Even when she was in a vengeful mood, the tiny Slytherin had a way of ignoring whatever had happened and going on with life. It was the only way she had survived after her father had been imprisoned and their manor in Russia stripped.
Mimi looked up at the other girl as she knelt down beside her.

Maybe it's Karmic retribution for speaking down to people.

She resisted the urge to groan. That was it, she thought. The little blonde had berated the Gryffindor for being loud about sensitive subjects. At least she was being civil right now. Sophie’s voice continuing on pulled Demitria back into the present.

Can you walk at all? There's a sofa over there; maybe I can get Professor T or Fauna to come look at it. I don't see any gushing blood.

Sophie’s comment on gushing blood made Strellie’s lips break into a smile slightly. “No, there’s no gushing blood. But if you have something that will close the cut, that would be lovely.”

She slowly began to stand, though she was a bit wobbly. Just because the cut didn’t hurt badly didn’t mean she wanted to stress it. Once she had balanced herself, she looked up at the slightly taller Sophie. “Also, if this was karmic retribution, that means we’re even.” She said, her defined Russian accent breaking through.

Soph-ya never do anythin’ halfway do ya, lass?

Demitria’s bright jade eyes turned in the direction of the new voice. Her memory searched for the name, but she couldn’t find it. All she could find in her memory files was that he was a Gryffindor seventh year. The presence of another person dissolved the lingering tension, at least for Mimi, and her natural smile returned. She wasn’t quite sure how to address the newcomer… Hello? Hi? Who the hell are you? The last was her internal Kitty Li, but she shoved it down and just opted for a nod and smile.

“By the way, if I’m allowed to say, I like the color of your dress, Flickwick,” Strellie said, noticing the nice outfit that her Gryffindor counterpart had on. The only problem was that seeing others with their pretty dresses on made her want to take off her cloak even more.

The thing that had made Sophie maddest about the whole affair in the Great Hall that day was that... well Mimi didn't know her - but she spoke like she did; and had done so after two people she loved dearly accused her of yelling when she wasn't. She had yelled at Fig for about three seconds and then though her voice had been terse it was not overtly loud. It was bad enough Fergie got after her...but then this stranger, this person who didn't know her at all spoke to her like she was a toddler. It was demeaning and disrespectful. Still, Sophie wasn't the kind of person who would just let someone sit on the floor by themselves if they were hurt.

Placing a hand on the small of Demitria's back as she helped her stand (mildly amused that her heels made her taller than someone for once - being barely 5' tall rarely allowed this to happen). In the midst of all this she heard a familiar voice and felt her face relax into a genuine smile. Chance. He came! She had been mildly worried that he wouldn't, that he'd find some excuse not to show up and she'd have to be sad and angry with him. But he'd come and so she could just be happy. Helping Strelnikov to the lip shaped love seat she found herself blushing at both of their compliments. She was quite proud of the booth and that she had managed to pull off a dress that was both father and boyfriend approved.

Kneeling carefully in front of Mimi she opened the magical first aide kit (never let it be said that Ruby hadn't drilled preparedness into Sophie's brain), though her eyes were focused on the box her voice was chipper; "You should not be so surprised Chance. My motto has always been why do when you can over-do," she laughed a little before shifting her eyes to Demitria; "Thank you very much....Oh no!" her face looked a little panicked as she picked up the edge of Mimi's cloak, "There's a big splotch of blood". She looked a little forlorn as she held the corner up to Strelnikov; "Here hold this, we'll see if we can fix it in a minute. You're probably better at spell work than I am, but your dress is so pretty that you don't even need a cloak". She gave a half laugh as she opened a potions vile and poured a bit on a cotton ball before dabbing the cut on her leg the skin closing as she went. Wiping the excess potion away she got up from her feet and then lept at Chance hugging him tightly; "I'm so glad I didn't have to beat you up for flaking out on me".

It seemed like the bad feelings between Sophie and and Demitria were subsiding, at least momentarily.  This pleased Chance and allowed him to draw nearer to the duo.  If this Slytherin had anything in common with Kitty Li, they likely wouldn't be getting along in the near future.  The nod and smile seemed to be genuine enough though and Chance returned one to the girl.  Normally he would have been far more outgoing and made the girl feel welcome and at home...but Chance hadn't been himself for a few months now.  Still...he was making progress.

Watching Sophie's face light up however was worth his discomfort.  His trademark sideways smirk came into play as Sophie addressed him. 

"Sounds 'boot right!"

The Irish Gryffindor watched and then approached the girls.  It seemed that the crisis was averted for the time being...but Chance was Sophie pounced and found himself laughing as he hugged her and swayed her in his arms.

"Ah'm glad m'self...Ain't no thrashin' like a Sophie thrashin'!"

Chance was amused, but his unnaturally green eyes popped wide open and he quickly brought out the box he'd been toting along.

"An' I brought yer V-Day stuff too, by th' by..."

Demitria’s pure jade eyes twinkled as she watched the exchange between the two friends with a small smile. It reminded her greatly of herself and her older brother, Maxim. She sighed a little. She missed all three of her brothers greatly. True, she had seen two of them at Christmas, but Jaska’s fiancé, the Lithuanian hag (as Mimi so affectionately called her) had made closeness between the siblings nearly impossible.

She took the kit from Sophie as said witch threw herself at the other Gryffindor. If Demitria’s thoughts had been on the two infront of her, she probably would’ve laughed, but she was distracted. The blood spot on her cloak gave her an option. She could just take it off, as everything was telling her to do, or she could leave it or fix it. Leaving it wasn’t an option. She did have an image to uphold, afterall.

So while the seventh year was giving his present to Sophie, Strellie slipped the silver cloak off, leaving her back bare for the world to see. The ugly scars that crisscrossed it were left out for the first time in seven years. The tiny Slytherin took a deep breath and stood up again, holding the silver velvet in her left hand.

“Is there somewhere I can  put this for now, Flickwick,” Demitria asked, walking up to the Gryffindors. She then turned to the seventh year. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Demitria Strelnikov, though I prefer to be called Strellie or Mimi.”

"'Cause a Sophie thrashin' don't stop - whut whut," she giggled at the fact while hugging Chance (as usual), Sophie's feet dangled well off the ground and her silver pumps landed with a clatter. She was so glad he was there! She was so glad she wasn't really mad at Mimi anymore. Valentine's Day was turning out better than Christmas! Of course given the course of events that had happened around Christmas that was not hard. When he offered her her present, her brown eyes went wide, her small mouth forming an "o" as she looked from him to Strelnikov. It seemed so rude to open it in front of her - seeing as she didn't seem to have a Valentine... but she was so bad at waiting for things!

"You really didn't have to-" her voice cut short as she opened the lid to the box. The scarf and sweater were sweet, and the lion faced t-shirt surprisingly exactly like something she would wear. Apparently boys could pay attention to fashion sometimes. The thing that most caught her eye though was the lovely bracelet inscribed "Imagine". Without a second thought to how it might look with her rest of her outfit she put it on and held it out for Demitria to see; "Chance is the best Valentine. We need to find him a pretty girlfriend who will fully appreciate his unadulterated awesomeness". She laughed at herself because honestly the idea of Chance dating anyone upset her stomach just a little bit even when she was the one talking about it - and for some reason the idea of he and Fauna particularly made her stomach squirm.

When she finally let go of Chance - well let go enough to slip her arm through his and face the Slytherin she offered a big smile; "This is Chance Ryker. He's a rockstar, only he isn't famous yet - but he will be. He is a very lovely boy; who should have better manners and tell you that you look very pretty in your dress without your cloak," she bumped him with her hip and gave him a pointed look. Demitria seemed very uncomfortable but Sophie couldn't imagine why. Scars were not something that freaked Sophie out - she had lots; plus she looked after Ty and was planning on working for Meredith when she got older. Mere's scars were bad too but she carried herself like they didn't matter so... at least to Sophie they didn't. Plus asking questions like Gordic's Garters what happened to your back?! was just plain rude. So rather than any of that she moved to the costume rack and pulled out one of many feather boas and offered it to the girl; "Happy Valentine's Day. Now you can look like a Muggle Movie Star for the picture I am going to make you let me take of you"!

"Strelli Mimi eh?  Ah'm pretty much Chance Ryker...Chance...not a whole lotta variation on that 'un.  S'nice t'meetcha though Strelli Mimi."

Chance offered his right hand in greeting to Dimitria and a gentle smile.  That smile turned into the smirk again as Sophie commented further.  He lowered the little one down to allow her feet to touch the floor again.  Chance enjoyed seeing the look of surprise on her face and he gave her a nudge with his elbow, shaking his head.

"Yeah, yeah...y'started this gift war, wee lass!"

Of course Sophie was the best at talking Chance up to the point of embarrassment.  He shook his head humbly at all her verbal adoration. 

" 'Adulterous awesomeness'?  Whatzat now?"

The Irish Gryffindor chuckled again.  Sophie had him laughing all the time.  He nodded toward Mimi with a shy grin.

"True true...yer lookin' quite fetchin' indeed, Ms.Strelli Mimi.  Pardon m'manners...Ah jes' don' get out much lately.  Ah'm a tad out uvvit."

Strellie reached out, took Chance’s proffered hand and shook it. Shaking hands was always an awkward action for the Russian, as she was used to a more familial double cheek kiss, but after living in England, she had had to accustom herself.

“Aldulterous awesomeness?” She questioned, one of her pale eyebrows raised. “Sounds rather… devioius.” She chuckled and the unexpected praise from both Sophie and Chance made her turn pink.

“Oh, it’s perfectly alright. Compliments are only a plus, not a requirement. Also, it’s just Strellie or Mimi. Not both. Though, if you wanted to call me both, that’s fine too.” She said with a wink then turned to Sophie who had already run over to the rack of costumes. The little Gryffindor was quite the ball of energy.

“Umm… if I may ask, what is a movie star?” Mimi blushed, hating to play the role of ignorant pureblood, but she had never heard of a movie.

Sophie liked when Chance laughed. She liked making people laugh in general but with Chance having been so sad lately all the time it felt important when she could get him to crack a smile. Grinning at him she poked his side; "Adulterated awesome; Sophie speak for being so awesome it has to have multiple partners. It cannot be contained to one being. That is how made of awesome you are - more awesome that Fir; no matter what he would have you believe"!

She covered her face with one hand when Mimi asked what a movie start was - not for the other girl's ignornace but for Sophie's assumption that everyone knew all the things she did. Being a half blood with a muggle born mother exposed Sophie to several different types of cultures all at once. Tapping her chin she tried to explain, "It's sort of like... you know enchanted pictures that move? It's like that, mixed with a play and longer...." she gave the other girl a helpless look holding both her hands up in the air; "I am really, really bad at explaining things - basically I was saying you look super glamorous and faboo"!

The Irish Gryffindor smiled and shook Demitrai's hand in a firm, yet friendly fashion.  Chance looked to the Russian Slytherin with that sideways grin, as she too seemed puzzled and amused by Sophie's new phrase.  Sophie would go on to explain...which made Chance's smile grow. 

"Well thank y'kindly, Sophers.  Ya flatterer you!"

Chance had realized the nicknames were both separate, but that was simply part of his nickname loving habit.  It was rare when Chance didn't feel the need to put his own spin on someone's name...even upon initially meeting them.  It seemed that Demitria was able to playfully toss jokes around and receive them, so Chance responded in kind. 

"Well thank y'Ms.Mimi Strelli."

Ryker also appreciated how gentle and kind Sophie was.  He was a halfblood, just like Sophie...and Chance knew a great deal about Muggle culture, because he'd always been very close with his father-who was a muggle.  Chance's problems came primarily from his mother-the perfection witch.

The Gryffindor prefect looked to Sophie curiously.

"Anythin' ah' can do t'elp out, Ms.Sophie?"

Demitria thought about the concept of a movie with a slightly puzzled look on her face. After awhile though, she gave up with a small laugh. "I'm hopelessly lost when it comes to all things muggle. But I know I can definetly pull off super glamourous and faboo." She walked over to where Sophie was standing and took the boa gracefully. Still, she gave the costume rack a dark scowl for its previous infraction. "Maybe Valentine's day doesn't hate me asfter all," She chuckled quietly.

She turned back to Sophie. "Is there anything else that goes with a... movie star?" She asked, feeling the funny word on her tounge. English was her second language so even though she was rather proficient, many muggle words in english were vastly foreign to her and hard to pronounce. She dearly hoped she didn't butcher it.   

Sophie looked thoughtful. Most of the movies she had ever seen had been with her Abuelo. He liked old movies, Ruby was really the one that knew all about muggle music and movies and things like that. Sophie just liked watching the ones where they danced and wore big full skirts; or floppy hats and big sunglasses. She thought one must feel very glamorus drinking whatever came in those funny shaped glasses and laughing at some joke she never really understood. She knew a lot about muggles but she didn't know everything. Tapping her chin she gave a small nod before moving to the costume rack, "I believe I have just the think Meems!"

She riffled through dresses and swords and all kinds of other bothersome costume bits before finally coming back with a wide brimmed black hat with a thick white ribbon and a pair of sunglasses. Coming back to the duo she gave them a bright smile; "I believe I have found everything to need to turn you into a movie star Dahling," she gave the other girl a wink as she carefully put the hat into place and handed over the sunglasses. "Now, just stand right there in front of the background, sort of bend your knees a little; loosely extend your arms a bit - just like that! So the boa is sort of just draped there. Perfect"! She threw a look at Chance with a sweet smile, "Camera assistant boy I am in need of your services. It is a very important job; you have to stand next to me and look busy and like I am the least fun boss in the world."