4 Apr 2021, 04:54
Practice Makes Perfect
The warm spring air greeted Kazuo as he stepped outside, shielding his eyes against the bright light of the afternoon sun. The lingering scent of delicate floral and verdant green tickled his nose and he sneezed. Too much pollen. Not that he would let a little hayfever distract him from his purpose. He had some time before dinner to get in some practice and every intention of taking advantage of it. His application to the duelling team had finally been accepted and after watching the second round of duels in January, he was worried that he was behind the rest of the duellers. He had only classroom experience at this point, though he had studiously widened his repertoire of spells. His failure to be of use during the attack on the dorm still stung.@Henry Knight
This thread is intended to result in detention for both participants however we request that we get a few rounds in before we are caught in order to further our plot development.
He made his way across the grounds to a private spot he had discovered not too far from the school, just off the path to the lake. It was secluded enough that he felt comfortable practicing out of view of the other students. Though the duelling hall was available for practice, he wasn’t fond of the potential for an audience yet. While he had no doubt in his ability to eventually master the spells, he wasn’t interested in letting others see the not-so-masterful learning process. Discarding his hoodie, he pulled a medium-sized stuffed fox from his back and set it on a nearby tree stump. Pulling out his wand, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
Magic wasn’t hard for him. Though it may seem mysterious to muggles and muggleborn, there had always been magic in his life. Magic had rules, logical methods and patterns. All he needed to do was understand those rules. At Hogwarts, the methods they taught involved a phenomenally confusing mixture of languages as verbal components to channel the magic. If he’d been able to use Japanese for the incantations, he would have no doubts in his capabilities. Yet his experiences had shown that his greatest weakness was his ability to pronounce the names of the charms. It was frustrating and it was embarrassing.
He opened his eyes and focused on the stuffed animal, executing a flawless wand movement.
“Furipendo!” His accent turning what his classmates no doubt thought to be an easy word into endless frustration. He grimaced but continued, repeating the spell over and over with a success rate that hovered around the fifty percent mark.
Don't confuse my attitude with my personality. My personality is who I am; my attitude depends on who you are.
5 Apr 2021, 15:53
Practice Makes Perfect
Date: 4/12/2021
Dm me if you would like the date change
Interacting:@Kazuo Shimada
Mentioning: N/A
Languages: English | French | Italian | Arabic | Russian
Outfit
Spring has arrived at Hogwarts, the months for frost bitten weather has past and the days seem like better ones to go outside and hang out with friends.
Henry stepped out onto the ground and held a hand up a moment to shield his face from the blinding light as his eyes adjusted. Normally the nearly thirteen year old would have been at the library reading away the hours of day either alone or with his best friend; Logan Baird. Yet that day felt different so instead of sitting inside surrounded by books, the second year was outside surrounded by others laughing with friends.
Dressed in a pair of second hand jeans and a rather thin sweater, the second year walked alone on the grounds since his orange feline; Loki remained in his dormitory that day.
Hands in his pockets as his eyes scanned the grounds, thinking to himself perhaps he'll find Rose or Scarlett or Alexa or Paige or Henry Llewellyn to hang out with that day.
Unfortunately for the twelve year old, he couldn't find any of his friends so the second year figured that he'll head to the library and read a few books till dinner that was.
However barley a few feet in front of him was the Asian looking boy whom he remembered from the hockey game and later found out that hid name was; Kazuo Shimada.
Henry approached him and stood a bit off to side as his eyes watched the first year try to cast the knockback jinx at a stuff fox toy but the pronunciation was wrong.
A small smiled faded over the second year's mouth as the test of his face shown no emotion as he spoke"perhaps you should try practicing the pronunciation before casting the spell."
Last edited by Henry Knight on 23 Jun 2021, 15:54, edited 2 times in total.
"There's no such thing as strange creatures, only blinked people" - Newt Scamander
7 Apr 2021, 06:15
Practice Makes Perfect
Kazuo wasn’t entirely happy with his hit rate but succeeding half the time was a far cry better than his dismal record closer to the beginning of the year when he was still struggling with understanding English much less trying to utter bizarre Latin words while waving a stick in the air. It was only a matter of time, though. Time and repetition. Eventually, he would close the gap. He just hoped it would be in time for the next round of duels. With that goal in mind, he would continue to push himself.Interacting with @Henry Knight
”Perhaps you should try practicing the pronunciation before casting the spell.
A voice broke his concentration and his current attempt fizzled as he paused mid-cast. His lips thinned to an irritated line briefly as he turned his head, seeking the speaker. Upon landing on one Henry Knight, irritating Slytherin second year, they narrowed a bit. His lips twitched upward into a mocking version of a smile, a twisted smirk.
“Mmm, yes, how silly of me to not have thought of that myself.” The phrasing was polite enough but the tone was laced with sarcasm. “Thank you kindly for your advice, Knight-kun.” He casually twirled his wand in his hand, tilting his head slightly. “I’m sure in a duel or an emergency when my life is on the line, I will be able to stop and practice my pronunciation a few times before I cast.”
He turned and faced his fluffy orange target and, without hesitation, let out a firm “Flipendo!" His wand movement was smooth and even though his accent was still heavy in his voice, he managed the correct pronunciation, just barely. The fox flew backwards and Kazuo grinned at the success.
ReducioDice roll
“I saw your duel, you know. In the last round, against Ravenclaw. First out. Not that your partner lasted much longer.” The smile he gave Henry was brazen challenge. "What other advice can you offer? After all, we might be facing off in the next round."
Stamina 5
Evasion 7
Strength 5
Wisdom 6
Arcane Power 6
Accuracy 6
Perfectionist
Don't confuse my attitude with my personality. My personality is who I am; my attitude depends on who you are.
7 Apr 2021, 17:20
Practice Makes Perfect
Interacting:@Kazuo Shimada
Mentioning: N/A
Languages: English | French | Italian | Arabic | Russian
Henry held his hands in his jean pockets and show nod line of emotion or reaction on his face, from events before Hogwarts has trained Henry how to control his emotions and let others see nothing. So they couldn't predict anything or second guess him.
The first year that stood across him didn't seem to have expressed much emotion either at least from what Henry could tell but he didn't put that past the black hair.
“Mmm, yes, how silly of me to not have thought of that myself.”
Henry didn't make a move nor show a reaction to the others comment, the twelve year old could identify sarcasm which was currently in used from the Hufflepuff who seemed more like a Snake at least to Henry. Which made him wonder how he even got into the house of yellow and black, threaten the hat maybe or perhaps a small part of him did belong in Hufflepuff...
“Thank you kindly for your advice, Knight-kun.”
Alright so the boy wasn't one to engage in childish banter or arguements but he couldn't help himself to reply to the boy's comment. No reaction or emotions could be seen on Henry's face as he spoke" well when I see another struggling, I just must help them," a thin smile lined his lips for a moment with a sarcastic but rather polite tone before the smile disappeared.
Another comment from black hair and Henry actually found this one quite amusing, probably because he figure any duelist would know that when it came to a duel or a attack then pronunciation and wand movements should already have been memorized long ago.
The slytherin showed no emotion or reaction on his face as he spoke" any true duelist would know that when a duel or emergency is presented to you then things like pronunciations and wand movements should already be second nature," the second year had a tone that showed politeness but also something else that wasn't exactly sarcasm.
Henry watched as the other cast a nearly perfect knockback jinx on the stuffed fox toy something that the second year might have been jealous of however didn't show it in his face and remained silent.
“I saw your duel, you know. In the last round, against Ravenclaw. First out. Not that your partner lasted much longer.”
When the next words would hit his ears, Henry may have shown no emotion or reaction visible in his face but his mind started to work on overdrive mainly thanks to his anxiety while the twelve year old bit his bottom lip a bit and took his hands from his pockets to cross them over this chest.
I won my first duel and no time at all! Many others won one then lost another... and practiced for hours each day and night! Skipping meals to improve my skill and perfect my craft! So he has no rights to tell me anything about the duel I lost against ravenclaw, he hasn't even been in a duel yet... and by the pronunciation of before may end up losing his first official duel... so relax you have nothing to prove Henry... just take a breath and walk away...
But what he shouts something or believes that he won? Or what if he thinks that he's right and that I truly am bloody awful at dueling? What if we do go against each other and he gets in my head and I lose again... what if... what if...
"What other advice can you offer? After all, we might be facing off in the next round."
Henry look at the other and felt a strand of hair blow down over his eyes as his mind spiraled with thoughts.
Walk away... just take a breath and walk away.. there's nothing to prove here... but what if he starts to spread rumors that I'm bloody awful at dueling and shouldn't be on the slytherin team? It doesn't matter and you just need to walk away... alright take a breath... in and out... now walk away....
But... what if he shouts something or jinxes me when I turn around? Or lies to a professor to say that I used magic outside of class? Or makes up lies about me being awful at dueling? Or... or... ugh... relax Henry... take a breath and leave... but..
Henry was going to leave but a part of him couldn't go without proving to Kazuo and also himself that he was good at dueling and deserved a spot on the team.
The second year would pull out his wand from his back pocket with his left hand and take a few steps closer to Kazuo before pointing it at the fox toy and speaking in a rather quiet voice, " Accio," the pronunciation and wand movement was done flawlessly as the stuffed fox toy came flying toward him and landed on his right hand.
Reduciot!rolls 1d20+10
[d20:12] + 10
In the end, the result was:22
Spell Successful
A look toward the black hair before Henry would walk toward the stump and place the stuffed fox toy back on top. The second year then walked back to next to the first year and faced the toy as he drew a dueling position with his wand out in front.
Henry then spoke in a low voice, " Ventus," the pronunciation and wand movement again was done flawlessly as a bust of wind shot from Henry's wand to the toy and blew it a couple feet back to the ground again.
Reduciot!roll 1d20+10
[d20:18] + 10
In the end, the result was:28
Spell Successful
The second year would turn toward the black hair first year with a thin smile on his face after casting two third year spells as he spoke quite calmly, " the wind jinx and summoning charm are just two rather useful third year spells used in dueling."
Stats: Stamina 5|Evasion 5 |Strength 5|Wisdom 10|Arcane Power 5
|Accuracy 6
Abilities+Race: Prodigal Charms Learner+Werewolf
Last edited by Henry Knight on 21 Apr 2021, 16:51, edited 2 times in total.
"There's no such thing as strange creatures, only blinked people" - Newt Scamander
11 Apr 2021, 03:31
Practice Makes Perfect
Henry didn't rise to the bait of his sarcastic rejoinder and, in fact, replied in kind. Help him. Kazuo snorted at the response, giving Henry an amused look. "How uncharacteristically kind of you, senpai. And what help, pray tell, can you provide me with that my Professors cannot?" He arched a brow at the older boy, watching him with a mixture of suspicion and amusement. It wasn't that he couldn't believe Henry might be helpful. It was simply that he questioned what motive Henry might have to be helpful to him. For unfathomable reasons, it was obvious the older boy didn't exactly like him.Interacting with @Henry Knight
As Henry offered his opinions on being prepared, it drew a soft chuckle from the Hufflepuff. "Is English your first language, Knight? Do you think in English? Is it English words that come to mind first when you form a thought? A polyglot, when put in stressful situations, will revert to their native tongue. Accents get stronger, words get forgotten, replaced by their native language, thoughts get slower when they try to process the foreign language." He twirled his wand in his hands absently as he spoke in an almost lecturer's tone, a mimicry of the words his tutor had imparted to him when he'd first started to learn English. "I have practiced the pronunciation of all my spells on their own. The same with wand movements. They are as second nature as rote memorization can make them. What I do not have, yet, is practical application. The stress point test, if you will."
He watched Henry execute two spells in sequence, both from the third-year curriculum and he had to admit it was impressive. He could respect dedication to learning and clearly, Henry had put effort into his spell repertoire. His eyes narrowed in consideration, giving Henry a slow nod. “Studying ahead? A good tactic. Take your opponents by surprise as they won’t be expecting you to know those spells. If you can get the chance to cast, that is. As I recall, though, Accio isn’t a duelling spell. Wouldn’t it be smarter to learn the Healing Spell?”
Reducio
He turned his gaze to the toy fox. “Wingardium Leviosa.” He levitated the fox back to the stump, setting it down with precision. He gave Henry another smirk, “If you’re so willing to show off your skills, how about a little friendly match?” He knew he probably shouldn’t challenge Henry. Duelling outside the club, without supervision, was definitely against the rules and guaranteed detention if they got caught but he wanted to see what the older boy would do. Would Henry risk it to prove himself? If he did, Kazuo might be able to learn more about Henry’s duelling style and thought process.
Stamina 5
Evasion 7
Strength 5
Wisdom 6
Arcane Power 6
Accuracy 6
Perfectionist
Don't confuse my attitude with my personality. My personality is who I am; my attitude depends on who you are.
21 Apr 2021, 17:08
Practice Makes Perfect
Interacting:@Kazuo Shimada
Mentioning: N/A
Languages: English | French | Italian | Arabic | Russian
Henry concealed his emotions and held in hands in his pockets as he watched and listened to the haired Asian boy, surprised they he didn't rise to any bait and wondering if he was trying to get Henry to react or rise to the bait which would unsuccessful.
"Nothing really, I just thought you would appreciate some advice before your first duel so you don't make a fool of yourself," Henry replied calmly as his eyes lingered on the hufflepuff who chuckle about his comment before starting on his 'rant' about foreign languages. Which Henry may a point to remain emotionless and even give a slight yawn before looking back that boy calmly watching him twirl his wand.
When he heard the black hair hufflepuff finish, Henry would take a few minutes before replying calmly in French, " perhaps you shouldn't judge a book by their cover Shimada," before the second year would look at the first year for a moment and continue in English, " despite what you think, English isn't my first language but a second. I learned it the same time I learn French but after a incident I mainly speak English now."
The second year wasn't about to reveal to this boy everything about about him so he chose specific words as he continued" but perhaps once yours attack then you'll be able to pronounce the incantation in english simply, " was Henry hoping that he would get attack... yes, yes he was but he also didn't wish that he would get hurt. More like slightly traumatized or something.
When Henry heard the black hair speak again this time referring to his spells, the second hear remained emotionless as he calmly spoke" the summoning charm is useful for more than just dueling but thank you Kazuo for that piece of advice," Henry wasn't about to start anything and was waiting for the black hair boy to make the first move so he could simply mention that all he was doing was defending himself.
Henry watched the toy fox float back to it's spot before turning his eyes to Kazuo who was suggesting a duel. Dueling outside of the designed room was aginest the rules and the boy wasn't sure if he wanted to break any rules but he also didn't want to walk away so Henry spoke" a friendly match to test our skills for academic reasons sound good to me," before the boy would take a few steps away and turn to face Kazou, drawing his wand and talking a dueling stance.
Last edited by Henry Knight on 7 May 2021, 15:27, edited 2 times in total.
"There's no such thing as strange creatures, only blinked people" - Newt Scamander
26 Apr 2021, 05:39
Practice Makes Perfect
Kazuo tilted his head slightly, wand twirling lazily in his hand as he listened to Henry speaking in French. He arched a brow, smirking. “Despite what I think? I did ask if English was your first language. And now I know that it isn’t. French and English, being Latin root languages, share more similarities than differences. Japanese and English are worlds apart.” There was amusement in his voice as he responded. Was Henry’s decision to speak in French some attempt at proving something? If so, the only thing it proved to Kazuo was that he had managed to provoke a revelation.Interacting with @Henry Knight
“Yes, I imagine it would be.” Kazuo acknowledged Henry’s comment on the summoning spell. “If nothing else, it must be wonderful when you need a book that’s across the room and you don’t want to get up…” He added as a bit of a joke. As Henry agreed to the duel he also moved back a bit, grinning. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other in excitement, eyes shining brightly at the opportunity Henry presented. “I’m honoured by your acceptance.” He replied with a half-bow. He took his own duelling stance, wand resting comfortably in his left hand as he raised it.
As a first year, he knew his range of spells was smaller but he had faith in his ability to cast. The question was what would be most advantageous. He had learned by observing the other duels that tactics were just as important. After a moment of thought he unleashed his chosen spell.
“Tarantallegra!"
Reducio
Stamina 5
Evasion 7
Strength 5
Wisdom 6
Arcane Power 6
Accuracy 6
Perfectionist
Don't confuse my attitude with my personality. My personality is who I am; my attitude depends on who you are.
7 May 2021, 16:08
Practice Makes Perfect
Interacting:@Kazuo Shimada
Mentioning: N/A
Languages: English | French | Italian | Arabic | Russian
Tarantallegra
ReducioAccuracy Check: 22
Evasion Check: [d20: 12] + 5 = 17
22>17 - hit
Finite Incantatem
ReducioWisdom DC 9
Wisdom Check: [d20: 19] + 10 = 29
Spell success
Expelliarmus
ReducioWisdom DC: 10
Wisdom Check: [d20: 9] + 10 =19, success
Accuracy Check: [d20: 14] + 6 = 20
Henry heard his comment about languages, a part of him wanting to speak in Russian as well since the boy had to learn it has a child mainly since it was his father's ethnicity or one of them. Instead the boy nodded a bit as he calmly spoke" I know the history of the Japanese and French languages, so the similarities and differences is something I memorized." It was true that the boy learned about both languages, neither really interesting him that much well at like Arabic did anyway.
Henry remained calm and collective as he nodded toward the hufflepuff's comment, giving him a slim smile as he noted that the summoning charm was useful in other situations and even gave a example, one that the boy himself actually did before.
"Well yes, that is one of the main reason why the Summoning charm is my favorite spell," Henry replied calmly since it was but summoning books weren't the reason why. It had to do with something from his childhood and watching his elder brother and mum produce the spell multiple times which brought curiosity to him which was why it was his favorite.
After he agreed to a practice duel, Henry would take a few steps from the stump and face the first year. Drawing his wand and taking his dueling postion with knees slightly bent and eyes forward.
The boy would move left but still be hit by the dancing feet charm which was impressively casted, he would admit. Although it wouldn't last long since the boy would point his wand at his own feet and mutter, "Finite Incantatem," bring the charm to a stop.
The teen then quickly went over what spells he should cast before deciding to start off stage with the disarming charm, point his wand at Kazuo and muttering"Expelliarmus," in a low whisper voice so the hufflepuff could hardly hear him. The boy learned why shout spells when you could whisper them instead to almost throw your opponent off.
The spell was a success as usual but Henry kept his guard up as he faced the hufflepuff.
Last edited by Henry Knight on 18 May 2021, 18:10, edited 1 time in total.
"There's no such thing as strange creatures, only blinked people" - Newt Scamander
11 May 2021, 21:49
Practice Makes Perfect
Reducio
Kazuo smirked when his spell successfully hit Henry, watching the Slytherin’s legs start kicking up a lovely fuss. Though it was one of the ones whose pronunciation he often struggled with, he was still fond of using the spell. It reminded him of the original telling of the Snow White fairy tale, where the witch was punished by being strapped into burning hot iron shoes that caused her to dance her way off the edge of a cliff. A gruesome outcome to be associated with a spell that was no doubt meant to be relatively harmless, a reminder that sometimes the most harmless appearing things can be weaponized and intentions can be twisted. He waited, wand at the ready, for Henry’s response, arching a brow when the other boy chose to cast Finite Incantum. In an official duel, he would have considered Henry’s spell choice to be tactically wasteful, an action better spent on offence. Tarantallegra was annoying but not overly harmful.
“Lovely performance. Too bad you ended it early.” He teased Henry with a grin.
Henry’s next spell, however, was a solid choice. There was nothing quite so deadly in a duel as disarming one’s opponent. However, Kazuo had been on high alert, waiting for Henry’s attack, and managed to dodge the oncoming spell with relative ease. He considered his next attack, eyes narrowing as his lips curved into a vicious smirk. “Mucus ad Nauseam.” He spoke the incantation, also feeling it unnecessary to yell though he also didn’t whisper the way Henry chose to. With a flick of his wand, he aimed the most disgusting of spells at Henry, watching the sickly green of the Curse of the Bogies spell shoot from his wand. Though the cast was solid, his aim appeared to be a bit weak and he grimaced, hoping it was enough to hit Henry.
Stamina 5
Evasion 7
Strength 5
Wisdom 6
Arcane Power 6
Accuracy 6
Perfectionist
@Henry Knight
Don't confuse my attitude with my personality. My personality is who I am; my attitude depends on who you are.
18 May 2021, 18:35
Practice Makes Perfect
Interacting:@Kazuo Shimada
Mentioning: N/A
Languages: English | French | Italian | Arabic | Russian
Curse Of The Bogies
ReducioAccuracy Check: 8
Evasion Check: [d20:17]+5=22
8<22 - miss
Singing Jinx - Cantis
ReducioWisdom DC: 11
Wisdom Check: [d20:17]+10=27, Success
Accuracy Check: [d20:20]+6=26
If Hit then...
Round Check: [d6:1] = 1 round
1d6, 1-3: 1 round, 4-5: 2 rounds, 6: 3 rounds
Henry ignored Kazuo remark and focused on casting the disarming charm toward him which the hufflepuff dodged. Henry blamed himself a little for missing his target, even if it was purely the hufflepuff's skill in dodging that cause it.
The second year was use to blaming himself when he failed and that moment was no different as he took aim and took less than a minute time narrow it down between two spells.
The knockback jinx or the singing jinx.
One was a classic and one that the boy practiced multiple times during dueling practices that the movement and pronunciation was almost second nature to him. However the second was a third year spell that while he might have practiced it less, it was still rather a spell that was a bit more fun then flipendo.
Henry watched the sparks of the curse of the bogies coming toward him and rather swiftly he step to the side to avoid it.
Thank Merlin
Henry was pleased that he avoided that one since the effects of the spell was rather annoying and miserable especially in duels, however luckily he never experienced it firsthand minus that hockey game.
Henry kept a emotionless face and took his stance, wand pointing at Kazou as he finally decided what spell he would cast before whispering"Cantis," watching the sparks of the singing jinx successfully fly from his wand toward the hufflepuff. The stood on the balls of his feet and hoped it was enough to hit the black haired boy across from him because a part of him wanted to see him sing even just for only a moment.
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Last edited by Henry Knight on 19 May 2021, 00:38, edited 1 time in total.
"There's no such thing as strange creatures, only blinked people" - Newt Scamander