Who: Mikhail and Ivan Baikov
When: Wednesday evening
Where: Mikhail's room in the staff quarters
What: Mikhail and Ivan Baikov are back at the school as staff. They have an interesting investigative conversation

( We're back )

Who: All students and staff, plus a few spirits and perhaps an uninvited guest. Please tag your character when you comment.
What: The annual Halloween party
Where: The Ballroom.
When: 7PM to 1 AM. While the party officially ends at 1 AM, celebrations don't have to.

The hallway leading to the ballroom was dark, only dimly lit by floating candles held by ghostly hands, a levitation charm wrapped in conjuration magic. Decorations lined the walls, everything lending a still, ghostly air to the already dark and quiet school. The doors at the end of the hall opened into the decorated ballroom, swathed in tones of red and blacks, again sparsely lit. Light concentrated by the food, so attendees would be able to see what exactly they were eating, though perhaps that wasn't for the best. The food had been carefully made and cleverly charmed to look positively questionable.

Charmed ghosts hung around corners of the room, pale shadows and translucent white images that were meant to unsettle, not terrify. Along one wall lay the carefully crafted image of rows broken dolls, mingled with what looked like skeletons and a few fleshier bodies. The staff had clearly gone all out this year to infuse the room with the creepy air of Halloween. Some things looked a little too real.

The doors opened precisely at seven PM, as smoky fog rolled along the floor and eerie laughter echoed from somewhere in the rooms. Sounds and screams punctuated the halls, setting the stage for what was going to be one hell of a party.

OOC: We will be putting up time stamps for students to arrive when they wish and interact. After a bit, we will post a new thread with plot bits. Anything posted beneath that post will take place chronologically afterward, and students can react accordingly. Everyone is encouraged to attend, mingle, and be prepared.

Halloween's coming and with it the Annual Dark Path party. Anyone and everyone can attend Halloween, of course. Have a costume in mind already? Or plans to approach the night as a masque? We need a little levity at this school don't you agree? Perhaps someone should plan something...exciting to happen at Halloween. Anyone have any ideas? You know what to do.

Revelio

Looking for more news? According to sources, the white handprints aren't just around Durmstrang. Folks in Durmstadt have been spotting them too, on the sides of establishments, on light poles, benches, anywhere and everywhere. It's almost like someone's trying to leave their mark. Or let people know they're there. 

As far as we all know, nothing's actually happened yet. It's just white hands everywhere, as though someone attempting to spread a message that this symbol should be feared. Dare we liken it to the Dark Mark? There's nothing to warrant that, and yet some people already feel that is the intention behind it. That it's no mere prank and it's only a matter of time before something happens to merit the fear they'd like to instill. 

What are your thoughts? Revelio.

Consider the following: teachers inform us to stay out of the woods, for something is attacking animals and students alike and lurking about. Teacher have yet to discover what that something is. White hand prints were found - presumably by a student venturing into the woods - on several trees, only shortly before that same mark was found on our very doors. Merely a prank? Possibly. But then, how do we know? Especially in light of last year's occurrences: students vanishing without a trace, students being attacked, teachers leaving on sabbatical mid-year, teachers being killed in class. It was a rough year, wasn't it? Even for Durmstrang standards.

So students, what do you think?

You know what to do.

Revelio

Ever think the administration's keeping secrets from the students? They want us to be formative adults, to be completely self-sufficient. They want exemplary students, role models, completely without failure, weakness, or even fear.

And yet they refuse to inform us what's lurking around our very school. Can it be they're keeping secrets? Or is it worse, and they simply don't know. Which is the worse case? That our esteemed professors won't tell us what's happening outside our walls, or that they truly don't know? For ones who impress up on the value of knowledge, it's a blow to consider their own lack.

Well if you have a voice that wants to be heard, it's time to speak up. Reveal it now. Your thoughts, your desires, your suspicions, and your convictions.

Revelio. It's time we students had our say. Use this charm and send word to your fellow student. Teachers won't know. It's just between us. So, what have you got to say?

Petya had needed to replace her cauldron for a few weeks now. She had procrastinated replacing the old, second-hand cauldron and it had held up against her tantrums and outbursts. The cauldron had several cracks and was chipping on the inside, it finally cracked in half when she threw it across an empty room and it hit the wall.

It was getting colder for her usual attire so she grabbed a coat which she permanently borrowed from a boy she met while she was traveling. She traveled down to Durmstadt by herself and perused some of the shops for a new cauldron and some ingredients. Maybe she would treat herself to a chocolate later.

She was looking through some of the cauldrons at a magical supply shop when she knocked over a few and they crashed to the ground. "Oh shit," she muttered as she hurried and tried to scoop them all back up onto the shelf.

The night is full of sounds from the woods; they are the sounds of beasts howling, chirping, making the nightly noises that students have become used to over the years. Except for one long interminable moment of time when everything is deathly silent. The night slowly passes, and in the morning, there's something unusual to be found.

( It's not just a prank. )

Who: Matthias Fettkenheuer and OPEN
What: Matthias is lost in thought. Potential for duel or friendship development?
When: Sunday evening, after dinner.
Where: Combative Magic Room.
Rating: PG-13


Matthias sat on a windowsill in the Combative Magic Room, well after dinner was finished. He gazed out the window across the grounds, golden rays streaking across the landscape, night well on its way. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, a light layer of stubble reminding him that he needed to shave. What was attacking the students? Or perhaps it was who... He hadn't paid much attention until the most recent announcement; glowing, white handprints...

Was it a prank? It seemed like something a student might do, but he wasn't familiar with such magic. He'd gone through all of his darkest books in search of an answer only to surface with as much knowledge as he'd had before. If it was a student, it was someone very smart...

Who: Kirsten Nordlund and OPEN
What: Kirsten takes a quick break from running.
When: Friday, after classes
Where: Outdoors
Rating: Worksafe

Not being required to try out for the Quidditch team this year was no excuse for Kirsten not to stay in shape. There wasn't much time between tryouts and the start of the season, anyway. Most of her training involved flying, but she knew that she had to do more than that to be at her best. Dressed in a bright blue hoodie over matching leggings and a fitted black tank top, she ran across a "safe" area. While the danger of the forest was intriguing, she didn't need any distractions. The Grey Path team needed to be at their best this year, and that included her. She didn't take much seriously, but Quidditch was always an exception, especially now that she was team captain.

Stopping for a minute, she took a deep breath and unzipped her hoodie. The weather was cool, but she was used to the cold, and felt kind of hot after all that running. She took out her water bottle and sipped, leaning back against the castle.

Who: Antigone Kaligaris and OPEN
What: Antigone attempts to unwind after studying.
When: Friday evening
Where: The atrium
Rating: Worksafe

Okay, this was it. Antigone knew she was pushing herself too hard and needed a break. Putting her Necromancy notes away, she sat back in her seat and let out a sigh. It was nice to have a room to herself, but on the flip side, her dormmates were usually the ones who prevented her from studying too much. It was a lot easier to overwork yourself when there was no one to stop you, and Antigone was determined more than ever to do well on her exams this year. After all, she hadn't made it this far to screw things up.

Picking up her purse, she headed down to the atrium to relax and have a quick smoke. Or two. Antigone tended to only smoke when she was stressed, and she had a feeling she was going to be lighting up a lot this year. It wasn't the best of habits, but it worked for her. She could wait until after final exams to quit.

Just being in the atrium made her feel a little less wound up. There was no one else around, which was more than fine with her. It was nice to just sit there alone and doing nothing, she thought as she lit a cigarette. Doing nothing was a luxury for her these days.

Who: Petya Krum and open
When: Thursday afternoon
Where: Outside Durmstrang
What: Petya flew around the Durmstrang grounds and decided to lay in the grass like usual
Rating: G

Back to school, what a strange feeling of excitement. Petya chalked it all up to be the excitement of new adventures in learning, she could never admit that she was just happy to be around other wizards and witches her own age. She was not bored or tired of her lessons and was actually quite glad that her schedule had finally changed to accommodate her chosen path. Aside from all of that, being at school was also another chance to get back on her broom.

She laid in the grass after a long ride on her broom with Besnik loyally perched on the broom which Pet had carelessly tossed to the ground. She held a little golden snitch in her right hand which she let go and grabbed as soon as it started to fly away, she did this continuously and absent mindedly. She started singing a song to herself, a familiar tune that she had heard some of the gypsy mothers singing to their children as they laid down to sleep at night. The Romani language rolled from her lips fluidly as she lost herself in the gentle lyrics and notes of the song. Her singing voice was an almost foreign, sweet thing that she herself barely recognized.

Who: Heinrich Kronenberg & Lidia Gorski
What: Pretty much have a huge fight
When: After classes on Monday.
Where: Lidia's room
Rating: PG-13. May Will get violent.

Heinrich was pissed off. Lidia had been outright avoiding him now, there was no question of it. Heinrich was incensed and immediately following his last class on Monday, taught by none other than new professor Vincenc Reznik, Heinrich stalked out toward the sixth year Dark Pat tower. He would have been pleased Vincenc was teaching, especially teaching his class, if not for the ire at Lidia crowding his mind. He knew he had to take care of this now, before it got further out of hand.

He brushed past classmates as he strode past his own room and headed for Lidia's. He didn't knock, just pushed the door open and growled two words at Lidia's roommate. "Get out." He turned dark, unfathomable eyes on Lidia, and spoke with a low cold fury, only after the roommate scuttled out. "Tell me why you've been avoiding me, and it had better be good."

Who: Misha Vladimirovich & Open
What: Misha discovers something unusual on the grounds.
When: After dinner on Wednesday.
Where: Out on school grounds.
Rating: Worksafe

Misha was already bored. Classes had only just begun, and while he was grateful that he had made it into eighth year, and even more so to be in classes with Sasha again, he was restless. He needed something to do, something fun and he wasn't getting that sitting in classes. It wasn't dark yet as he strolled out onto the grounds. He idly wondered if the beast from before break was still roaming about, and whether the woods had become any safer.

He looked off into the woods, trying to resist the lure of exploring. He nearly did when he noticed something strange on one of the trees, something glowing white, and somewhat small. Curious, he started to approach, heedless off possible danger. He did, however, draw his wand, just in case.

Who: Kazimeras Seraichyk & Ion Laieshi
What: Kaz wants to know what major Ion chose
When: After classes on Wednesday.
Where: Sixth year grey path common room
Rating: Worksafe

Kaz rarely went looking for people, unless it was to satisfy some measure of his own curiosity. That was the case today as he set out to the 6th year Grey Path tower, looking for one Ion Laieshi. He knew the younger student was choosing Grey Path, but when they last spoke, he hadn't chosen a major yet. He would have had to by now, and so Kaz found himself curious as to what choice the younger boy made.

He smiled at a sixth year who stared up at his as she passed, and he asked her to send for Ion Laieshi, if she could. The girl seemed shocked that an eighth year was speaking to her and immediately ran to go get Ion. Kaz sat comfortably in a chair, remembering just two years ago, when this had been his own common room.

Who: Taavi Suullinen & Vincenc Reznik
What: Taavi thinks he's seeing things, but no, Vincenc really is still there.
When: Between classes on Monday.
Where: In the hallways
Rating: Worksafe, maybe.

Taavi thought he was going a bit mad. Twice this morning alone he'd sworn he'd seen a raven. Not just any raven. He swore he saw Stínohra. Where she was, Vincenc was never far behind. But that made no sense. Vincenc had graduated, the was no reason for him to still be at school. At least that's what Taavi had to keep telling himself. Stínohra wasn't there. Simple as that.

Or not, because there she was again, cawing softly, almost as though teasing him. Taavi stopped in his tracks and just stared, feeling a familiar prickling sensation along the back of his neck. He had the sudden distinct feeling, that if he turned around, Vincenc Reznik would be standing right behind him.

It is my greatest pleasure to announce that the following students have been accepted into the prestigious eighth year at the Durmstrang Institute:

Vilhemina Amsel - Grey Path
Adele Hastenpflug - Dark Path
Antigone Kaligaris - Light Path
Nastasiya Kostenko - Grey Path
Theonia Lekkas - Light Path
Markos Mogensen - Dark Path
Kazimeras Seraichyk - Grey Path
Mykola Vladimirovich - Light Path
Oleksandr Vladimirovich - Grey Path
Kadriye Yilmaz - Dark Path

[+ 1 more Grey Path, 2 more Light Paths, and 2 more Dark Paths, currently unnamed and available to be picked up]

Congratulations on your success, and good luck in your final and most distinguishing year at Durmstrang.