Deceptive: Go confer with Bertie, ENCOUNTER him (2d6+BRAVERY)

⚃⚁ +2=8

You think about the morality of it all. How much do you really care about what is really 'right'? The dark truth of the matter is that, for all of their politeness and cheery demeanor, deep down most witches and wizards believe that might makes right. Things like 'inalienable human rights' were claptrap cooked up by mundanes to make themselves feel better about their hapless existence.

So no, you told yourself with a dark sort of pride - you weren't sorry you had learned the COMMAND spell, and you weren't sorry you had used it on that lech back in Turnbuckle who you were sure was going to pressure Kinzie into sex (the fact that she actually was shoplifting certainly didn't justify his advances on a girl half his age).

But... All of that being said (er, monologued), this simply wasn't an important enough situation to deploy such a risky tactic. Really, what were you thinking? Time to get yourself grounded again with a little comic relief from your partner in crime, and discuss what other options you have.

When you knock on Berthold's door he appears quite soon and looks excited - it's been nearly a week since you spoke to him in private. The short young man runs up and pulls you into a tight hug, pressing your chest against his, and gives you a kiss on the cheek."H-hey!" you blush, wriggling out of his embrace. "Didn't I tell you before not to get the wrong idea about my visits here?"

Grinning like a cherub, he displays a few hastily hand-scribbled RSVPs. "Sorry love, sorry. Just pleased as punch with my results. There's three other fellows from Leontes intereted, but then, the pièce de résistance, just yesterday I came up to two firey red-haired witches from Draconis snogging each other in the halls, told them that if they liked showing off and wanted some variety they could come along to an exclusive little get together... And after the two of them finished laughing at me, they said they'd come just to call my bluff, not believing that a first year could have tickets for any such thing! Made me want to take you in my arms and give you a kiss right then and there, and I guess that feeling popped up again when I saw you there in my door."

Not wanting to feed his ego, you give a barely-perceptible nod. Lucky little weasel - at least he wasn't in competition with you, or not much of one anyway. "Well done, then. Things are going well in that department. I was actually going to do a little experimenting at the same time. Not just with girls," you say in response to his waggling eyebrow, "I have already done that, of course. I mean trying advanced magic in such an atmosphere. Have you met Kinzie yet? Well, she wanted a few certain polo-playing guests to come, and she was going to give me a scroll of powerful magic in return. It seems like that might not pan out, but I want to try and perform a bit of a deception to get her to live up to her side of the bargain anyway. Hmm - you're in an illusions class, aren't you Berthold? I have an idea if you'd ask your professor for me."

Nodding along, Berthold has a bemused look on his face. "Er, I'm sorry my honey, I fail to see the problem. Why do we need their type along? Don't want the gender ratio to get to skewed - unless you do, pfffthahhah. But seriously - There'll be... what. Five witches there, counting you? Six if I can get Winnie interested after-all? Why mess with perfection just for bloody boring spell practice? If you're anxious about it, I can think of more fun things to practice, hah!"

You cross your arms and frown cutely. "Are you really trying to flirt with me or just being a prick for your own amusement? I am no diviner but I feel certain it is the latter."