2025/26, Stage 1 Slytherin v Hufflepuff, Match 2

>> this is telepathically said to @Jack Burnett due to binding mark ability<<

He told her. He told her not the celebrate too early. Gawd- this was beyond embarassing, and it showed on his face. Highlighted by the dizzyness and newly formed injuries from taking what should've been Jack's injuries. While the other healed well thanks to Mahlioz, the weariness in Hanako's demeanor was starting to show. He was alright with losing. Even to hufflepuffs sure. Even to the girl that is definitely going to be happy she got her some taste of revenge since Hanako stole her first kiss. But it was the aftermath of the duel that he was already starting to dread. How was he even supposed to explain why decided that instead of doing very possible damange to the Hufflepuff, like usual- he was saving their new teammate. The headache wasn't exactly helping. God- he felt more like a shield than a duelist by now.

"bangarang" he briefly muttered under his breath. He briefly glanced at his other peer, wondering if he would be way too shaken up at this point. Seeing someone get brutally knocked out the stage was a hard thing to watch for the first time.>> " The nurses are really good at patching up"<<, he said in between batted breaths. Hopign to express he was referring to himself as well- knowing Jack was not going to be happy Hanako got in his way - again. >>"Just keep uh swinging - swerving- slinging- sshhh.. yeah- <<" wow was his brain starting to get fuzzy or what it just him? Did that make any sense? >>" anyway - let's finish this, for the overly optimistic junior we have - or had, over there" <<

_.

Banner by Prat Pass

Somehow, Jack wasn't the first one out.

No, not somehow. Hanako was how. Hanako and Mahlioz, who had been working to protect and heal him because he was something of a glass cannon. And yet poor Mahlioz had been knocked out first.

The redhead grit his teeth, knowing he would have to work extra hard to make up for Mahlioz's absence, especially after all she had done to help him. And Hanako! He was nearly as battered as Jack was now, and he had twice the hardiness Jack did. All because he had been so stubborn in body blocking him.

<Why have you been such a freakin' idiot the past couple rounds?! You should have just let me get knocked out first! What if you get knocked out and I'm left alone?! There's still so much I don't know about duelling!!>

He would definitely owe Hanako at least two favor tokens after this duel, but he was still more interested in understanding why his dormmate had protected him so fiercely in the first place. And he had a feeling Hanako was avoiding the subject on purpose.

Well, if not then and there, they would definitely be having some words later. Hanako could bet on that.

@Piérre Marchonné, @Hanako Tone, @Mahlioz Evethisawe, @Lea Hirsch, @Haven Bohannon, & @Jake Morris

"Hey guys," Haven wheezed, hands on her knees for support. "You know, I'm not feeling so great... there's splinters all in my shins and it feels like three waves of DEATH have come to destroy me. I might take a nap... you think I can just lay down here right now...? No...? No nappy time for Haven?" Haven made a noise that was a mix between a grumble and a gurgle. "If I die, Lea, you're in charge of feeding Marcus. And making sure he gets enough cuddles. And if he doesn't get a treat before bedtime, he'll be grumpy and he might poop on your pillow. Or in your shoes. Be sure to check them in the morning."

So. Many. Explosions.

Why did duels have SO. MANY. EXPLOSIONS??

Ok, Jake was just as much a part of the problem - he knew why there were so many explosions. Explosions were effective. He hadn't used to do those types of spells when he was younger, since he hadn't wanted to hurt anybody. Now, he knew that most duelists were tough enough to handle it. Now, he was one of the many duelists that often used those explosive spells, and had done so in this very duel. But man, when everybody started doing it, things got crazy up there on the piste. Jake tried to keep his composure and fight the instinct to duck away as a blanket rule from the onslaught of sight and sound - In the end he wasn't even singed, but he couldn't say the same for many of the other duelists.

Haven was hurt...she looked ready to go down (In fact, she sounded ready to write her will). Jake looked nervously at her, wondering if she was going to be alright - always trying to make the quick decision on whether to go for offense or defense - heal Haven, or try to fight the two Slytherins?

Surprisingly, Hanako made HIS decisions on that one clear, as he once again blocked a spell meant for Jack. Looking at the look on JACK'S face, Jake was pretty sure he'd rather be knocked out on the platform than have had Hanako step in front of him twice.

Right before the fourth round could commence, Mahlioz heard a familiar voice. Use him as a meat shield, Burnett! Functionality! While the fourth year knew quite a few people that seemed to hate Hanako, there was only one person this could be. Mahlioz looked over to the spectator stands to find Ara Villa, the person she'd been missing for the entire beginning of this duel.

She grinned in recognition - of course Hanako wouldn't be getting away from the bantering, even if he wasn't in the same team as Ara this time. Better yet, right next to Ara was another duellist Mahlioz had had the honor of fighting with, Pea Elena Fowl, holding a banner that said "Loser Hanako". While Mahlioz didn't totally get why the seventh year got the hate he did, they did have to admit it was incredibly entertaining.

But of course, it had to end there. Perhaps it was the distraction, perhaps just bad luck. After a great reparifors, Mahlioz found themselves unexpectedly targeted by the Hufflepuffs, and the healing turned out not to be enough - everything went black.

october 19 2025 | morning slot banner by aiden choi Reducio @hanako tone @jack burnett @ara villa Reducio action: ded (late post because it doesn't matter anymore lol)

english | french | thoughts gif by ava winchect Reducio the outfit Reducio sta 9 | eva 10 | str 4 | wis 11 | arc 9 | acc 11 wandmaker (5% auto-dodge) | perfectionist | calming presence (allies: hanako tone and jack burnett) | spell spread

Round 5 ─ END

It seemed that with crimson in the water from the first blow against the Slytherin team, it was a matter of mere cleanup of the remaining two for the bloody-toothed badgers. Four streams of aircurrents cut across the stage from the two gentlemen that remained, but to woefully little effect: Hanako's lucky split blew one another off of their own targets, and Jack's marvellous spell spread could not find purchase on Lea. It did, however, manage to ensorcel Haven, whipping her off of her feet and sending her crashing to the ground entirely out cold.

But before Piérre could have the chance to call for a pause, cacophony and retaliation from the Hufflepuff team came, and came quick. The last sputters of Haven's last spell--a firecracker jinx--scorched the remaining boys as a very terrifying and skrunkly little creature with matted purple fluff for fur (who looked absolutely rabid and... was it maple syrup in that fur that was making it stand like that...? Haven perms for Marcus reference for Nat 1 Evasions given) darted between their legs in a highly distracting pursuit of reaching his master, and just they could find a moment to blink clear their visions, Jake and Lea had already sent their finishers: a Flipendo and a Confringo at Jack and Hanako, respectively.

Lea was simply on a roll: like the spell cast just prior in this duel this particular Confringo had teeth. Perhaps one could even consider it overkill, as the concussive blast would blow Hanako backwards and likely inflict some level of joint injury from the sheer whiplash it produced--not to mention the concussive soundwave that came thereafter. Jack had it only slightly more merciful, Jake's simple but effective knockback jinx would clip him in the center of mass--his abdomen--and take his legs out from beneath him in a resultant crash onto his stomach that after causing his head to spin would relegate him to a condition of blissful unawareness until he came to again in the Hospital Wing.

The girl threw both her hands in the air before pressing the tip of the yew wand to her throat. "Stop! The duel is over! With no more Slytherins to punch out, Hufflepuff comes out on top as your Stage one, Match two victors!" He golf-clapped politely for them before overseeing the movement of the battered Slytherin team out of the duelling hall and off to their recovery beds. Flicking his head to nowhere in particular, he gesticulated towards the other matches. "You guys got done early. Go get something nice for yourselves... and why don't you cheer on some of your friends while you're at it, hm?" There was that half-smile again, alongside the deep-seated glitter in those amber eyes.

Leaping down, the moderator then quickly vanished into the crowd. Strange, though, she was seen again on the opposite side of the room no longer than a minute later... in an entirely different outfit, a different hairstyle...

... and no greenish jewelstone pendant around her neck to be seen.

Information

1. You have 96 hours from this post's timestamp to owl your moves to me (Piérre Marchonné) and to make your 50+ word post.
2. Do not hint at your move in your post, as this can give an advantage to the other team.
3. Remember to send your move and make your post before the deadline. If either of these are not completed in time, your move will be void.
4. I will try to moderate early if all actions and posts are in before the deadline. If you do not wish for me to do this, please owl me.
5. Your stats, abilities, and spells are considered locked for this duel. If any are added to your trunk since 13 October 2025, they may not be used.
6. If you have any questions or feedback regarding this match, please feel free to owl or DM me.
7. Handy links: Duelling Rules, Duelling Spells, and the most recent patch.
8. Good luck and happy duelling!

The spectator thread for this duel can be found here.
Come cheer for your House and friends!

Eligible for Rewards:
To be eligible for rewards, your team should have won the duel and you shouldn't have been disqualified.

@Lea Hirsch
@Haven Bohannon
@Jake Morris

Please link to this post in the trunk updates if you are eligible for rewards and wish to claim your +1 stat point from this duel.