The Red Queen's Labyrinth Group 8

Action: Reasoning and helping everyone come to a conclusion
So unless someone’s particularly eager to get poisoned or walk into a pretty little trap, we're going that way.” Tes said. Then I was surprised when someone shot back at her. “Hey, Cadell. You thought about the last four lines in the riddle or did your cracked up mind miss that as well?” yep the girl who I didn’t even know existed. She also completely disregarded my question about who she was. Then Tes fired back. "Careful, too much thinking might hurt you. You mean the part I just used to eliminate the other two paths?” I huffed arguments were not what I needed at the moment. I also had a funny feeling that Angel and I were going to be breaking up lots of fights. "I believe Tina is, well correct.“ Angel said. At least I had someone on my side. And mostly everyone else in the group agreed. Mostly.
whatifwetakeagnomewithus Dido said. I looked at her curiously as dido used wingardium leviosa on the gnome. Dido was green and looked scared. I instantly felt bad for the poor girl. And the gnome. ”Dido are you ok? You look like you’re about to barf. And besides we are going in TOGETHER so we’ll be ok. I’ll go first if that makes you feel any better.” I already had a feeling that Dido wasn’t very pleased with the idea of going down the middle path. “…Stupid” Tes, said sharply. I rolled my eyes. Tes being rude AGAIN. Just to make Dido feel worse. “They’re only ‘locals’ to their path.” Tes said in her usual cold tone, “Take them out of it and they’re just as lost as we are, if not worse.” Gosh how can I hate this girl and agree to some things she says. I wondered. “And things like that don’t tend to like being dragged out of their territory.” I rolled my eyes. She was right, I rolled my eyes because we were procrastinating ALOT. “Right, well since everyone is on board let’s go straight to the middle.” Angel said. I said quickly. I said a lot of things quickly. "Save it when we are out of this maze. We don't have time for inconvenience." Angel said. I agreed. “Welll I don’t want to sound like Tes… but we’ve got to get going if we want to win. And I’m not giving us a choice. We have to win. Ok I’m done sounding like Tes. Dido, don’t worry Angel and I will go first. I turned to Angel and gave her this look of let’s not freak out Dido. And the other group members have been quite quite as in oldest and Jada….

So… fungi, gnomes, or a golden archway. Interesting choices, that was for sure.

The first path looked almost inviting, and he would’ve liked to take a closer look at some of the mushrooms. They were certainly colourful. However, in the context of this maze (and the magical world in general), colourful things, especially ones with spores, weren’t always the safest. Despite Dido being armed with a herbicide potion, they were hardly prepared to go running into that mess.

The second…well, gnomes couldn’t be that bad, could they? Sure, their weird little chant was a bit disconcerting, but the poem said they needed ‘a local’. These gnomes were probably the most local you could get at this point in the maze.

And the third just seemed like a trap, like Tina had said. It was too obviously the nicest looking option (in terms of no creepy little creatures or mysterious fungi), which probably meant it was the absolute worst one to pick.

Interesting teammates as well, clearly. He recognized a grand total of two people. The rest he’d never met.

Of course, there was Jada. He’d spoken to her plenty of times, mostly hanging out around the common room. He had no issues with her, and she was fairly sensible too.
Dido, she’d been the one at the boardgames night, right after the christmas break. Nice enough, if a little awkward. She’d brought a herbicide potion. Suppose that’d be useful later on.
Tina was the only Ravenclaw in the group, so perhaps she’d be helpful. Ravenclaws were smart, weren’t they? And she’d been nice enough to introduce herself, so that was a plus.

As for the others, he knew very little about any of them.
The first one, ‘Angel’, as Tina had referred to her, had cast lumos earlier, which was probably a good sign. Showed she at least knew some basic spells (hopefully more than that, but that remained to be seen).
The second (he was pretty sure her name was Tes), seemed rather on the ball, if a little rude.
The third was a second year. Just as (if not even more) rude. And now bickering with the other one. How lovely.

Felix had been content to just watch from the sidelines for a while. Let the rest of them discuss their thoughts, add in when necessary. He wasn’t much of a riddles fan. They were a bunch of mumbo-jumbo, really. He'd let the others figure that bit out.
This was of very little consequence to him anyway. He was only here at all because he’d been bored, and because he knew Jada.

However, the “cracked up mind” comment from the one girl had been a little excessive, same with everything that followed. Clearly those two had a bit of a problem with each other, and he could respect that. But they really didn’t need two of their teammates bickering back and forth when they were supposed to be focusing on the maze.

Seconding what Angel said, he nodded towards the two girls (Tes and the other one he didn’t know the name of yet). “If you’re gonna argue, can you at least wait until this is over with? If not, maybe just let it go. Shush up and let the adults talk, y’know?” it came out as more of a mumble than he’d intended, but he didn’t particularly care to amend that. They were annoying him, and he wasn’t really fond of Tes’s attitude so far either.

Most of the students here were just trying to have fun, and her negativity was grating on his nerves. Sure, they needed to be a little skeptical here, this whole maze was one big trick after all, but they could at least be a civil team while they did it.

And now Dido wanted to pick up a gnome. You know, why not? It fit the poem, and Felix certainly wasn’t about to do it himself. Maybe the gnome would know something useful.

While they were doing that, he walked a little closer to the first path, inspecting the fungi. He contemplated taking a couple small samples, just to look at. Maybe they’d be good in a potion (or perhaps to try and grow?). He’d brought his bag, like always, and a couple small jars, so carrying them wouldn’t be a problem.

Code by Fawkes Chaos

Banner & Signature by Tes Cadell

WC: 512/200 Interactions: @group Date: 12/04/2026 Time: late afternoon/early evening Reducio Abilites: Charmer Stats: Stamina: 8 Evasion: 7 Strength: 3 Wisdom: 7 ArcPower: 6 Accuracy: 4

Jada approached the rest of her group members already gathered. She already knew most of them. All of them actually, except for two other girls from Slytherin. One of them seemed about their age and the other was a little older. She didn't seem very enthusiastic about our team either. Having no body your age with you. Too bad, anyways she was here now and would hopefully help them win.

She rolled her eyes at the sight of Tina and Angel. Them again. At least she had Tes and Felix on her side right? The two new girls would have to pick their sides eventually. Or perhaps they wouldn't side with any one. Like pathetic Pacifists...

The others were already deep in discussion when she reached them. In front of them lay three paths and a note. The three paths were filled with luminous plants and fungi, buzzing with gnomes and completely peaceful, respectively.

The third pathway drew her eye. The golden archways promising luxury and comfort, but if only things worked that way. It was simply too perfect. There was no way they would make it so easy. Great, fungi or gnomes it is then. For Jada, who isn't much a fan of getting her hands (or any part of her really) dirty, the gnomes seemed like the best option. Besides bright colours on plants or animals are often a warning sign or defensive mechanism to keep others away. Judging by how colourful those fungi were, they were definitely not a good sign.

Luckily, the others seemed to have reached the same conclusion. Most, seemed eager to move on and continue but Dido (as she had been called by others) seemed a little pale. Was she afraid of the gnomes? What was the worst they could do, bite her? She would leave the consolation to the others, she didn't want to deal cowards today.

Angel, the first to take action, had cast Lumos, illuminating the paths in front of them, whereas Dido suggested bringing a gnome with them, based off the last few lines of the riddle:
To brave the jungle
is to have a knowing local in the bundle.
The local part was slightly confusing, she had to admit, but did they really mean bringing a gnome with them? Even if it did, there could be a better way to do it. Maybe some of the smiley, friendly people (*cough cough* Tina) could try asking them politely instead. She smiled at the thought. Back to business, they should leave the gnomes where they are. "Guys, I agree with Tes. Leave the gnomes where they are, we wouldn't want them to turn against us." Because they surely didn't need any more enemies than they already had here.

Speaking of which, Tes and the second year girl seemed to have gotten off on a great start. Already, not-so-subtle bickering rang out between the two of them. The others tried to calm it down before it got too bad, but Jada knew, if it came to it, she would side with Tes.

"Sooo, are we all in agreement that we go down the second path?"

Outfit: Reducio https://i.postimg.cc/8khLLHFT/image.png

Signature:

Mentions: Reducio @Felix Hawthorne@Tes Cadell@Laurie Holmes@Dido Bleaklane@Tina Carille@Angel Dayes

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Laurie rolled her eyes at Tes’ comment.
“Learn to listen to your elders sweetie.”
What did that girl who could pass of as a snail think she was? A leader? For sheep, definitely. And as for the others…..maybe they weren’t dumb. But they definitely weren’t smart. And, sadly, they thought Laurie was as big of a monster as Tes. Let them think that then. At least they could express themselves, and didn’t have to bottle up their emotions every single time. At least they didn’t have to confine themselves to writing stupid songs because they didn’t have anyone else to talk to. At least….they didn’t wish they had a normal childhood instead of being considered an adult ever since they could talk.
As Angel told them to break up the fight, she smirked. Like that was ever going to happen. Keep dreaming Dayes.
"You guys are very compatible you know? Both with sharp tongues and eyes full of red because that's what you guys only see."
Ugh. That dreamy eyed girl just had to say the worst statement shed ever heard. But she hadn’t really done anything to offend her, so….
“Yeah….no.”She ended it with that, two dry words. She didn’t want to go further.
The parrot Didolevitated the gnome. Not a bad idea honestly. But of course, sheephead didn’t like it. No, honestly that was insulting to sheep.
“If you’re gonna argue, can you at least wait until this is over with? If not, maybe just let it go. Shush up and let the adults talk, y’know?”
He wasn’t really setting an example there. Red haired, ear pierced hippie.
She then noticed Dido shivering. Poor parrot must be scared. She put an arm around her. “Hey….it’s ok. You’re not alone.”
Noticing all the others staring at her, she replied swiftly. “Even I’m bound to feel empathetic once or twice.”

Word Count Reducio 410

Action Reducio Already Done

Stats/Abilities Reducio Stamina: 4 Evasion: 6 Strength: 5 Wisdom: 8 Arcane Power: 5 Accuracy: 7

Interacting With: Reducio @Jada Blake @Tina Carille @Tes Cadell @Angel Dayes @Felix Hawthorne @Laurie Holmes

DidoTesTinaLaurieAngel Jada Felix

Tes had called her idea stupid.

Inside, Dido was seething.

Sure, her timid way of suggesting the idea had seemed like she was unsure in the idea, even going so far as to prompt the apparent idiocy of the action. But Dido hadn’t meant that. She was convinced that she was correct. That the maze would be impassible unless they carried a, however horrifying they were, little garden gnome with them.

As it was, which was probably fortunate given the amount of conflict already apparent in the group, she didn’t show this anger. Her blood still boiled up in her veins but, instead of lashing out, the only physical indication of the fury within were the not-quite-tears that bubbled up into her eyes and the almost imperceptible clenching of her jaw. Both of which could easily have originated from her nervous fear towards the gnomes.

And when the Quidditch-girl, Jada, finally spoke up and asked, “Sooo, are we all in agreement that we go down the second path?”, while Dido did feel like hissing the obvious yes at Jada, she let that urge go completely ignored, instead nodding softly and gearing herself up to walk past the gnomes.

So, as Angel spoke to the apparently alive gnome that Dido levitated and the others discussed finally walking down the second path , she stood, still, shivering like a leaf.

Maybe it was in response to this that Laurie, the second-year who had been butting heads with Tes even more than Angel and Tina, reached over to Dido, putting an arm around her in comfort and gently saying, “Hey….it’s ok. You’re not alone.” Dido looked at the second year, speechless for a multitude of reasons: Dido had written Laurie off as another Cadell, the girl herself seemed distant if not actively cold, but most of all? Dido was silent at the overwhelming relief that came from an instance of comforting contact that she had gone so long without. Dido hadn’t been able to hug her mothers since the beginning of the year, wracked with guilt at lying and hiding her apparent Slytherin nature.

Dido leaned into Laurie’s arm for a moment, relishing the feeling of care for just a moment. Then, quickly, she slipped away, turning her face to the side as she wiped the, now prevalent, tears from her eyes. Finally, she turned back to the group, sniffed a little before grinning somewhat madly and saying, “I’m being silly. Let’s go!”

Action: Reasoning and helping everyone come to a conclusion
So Jada has sided with Tes. Surprise surprise. And honestly we've made an overall decision to go down the second path. “If you’re gonna argue, can you at least wait until this is over with? If not, maybe just let it go. Shush up and let the adults talk, y’know?” the boy with red hair said. I covered my mouth to sitffle a giggle. Because honestly, this whole thing is like a roasting show. The Laurie said something I never thought she would say. Based upon what she had already said. "Hey...it's ok your not alone." yes I am guessing that Laurie is a Gemini. Nice and mean. Well now that I admit it I am kind of the same. Yes I can be a bit snappy. "Even I'm bound to feel empathic once or twice." I smiled warmly at her. At least she isn't a carbon copy of Tes because god forbid we have two Teses in here. Sry Tes. Then Dido spoke, " Im being silly, let's go! I knew she would come around."Ok." I said,"Just making sure we're done fighting. And we should continue down the path...Or we'll be stuck here even if we knew what path we are going down. " I tilted my head. Yeah this is going to be interesting isn't it...I thought. I had faith in our group. Correction slight faith in our group. Then I decided to go check on the poor gnome with Angel.

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mentions-word count-ooc note-date-outfit-hex

Reducio tag/s✧.*@Angel Dayes@Jada Blake@Tina Carille@Felix Hawthorne@Laurie Holmes@Dido Bleaklane	Reducio wc✧.* TBA/200	Reducio ooc note✧.*we're cooking w this, sorry mod
Reducio date✧.* 13.04.2026	Reducio outfit✧.* Reducio	Reducio speech✧.* Sissy -, Tina - Felix-Jada-Dido-Angel-Laurie

code by ara villa

Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 4 | Strength: 2 | Wisdom: 7 | Arcane Power: 9 | Accuracy: 3
Abilities: Parselmouth

<sub>It felt really weird how the other Slytherin girl looked at Angel, almost taunting. Yeah they weren't gonna stop were they? At this point as long as they didn't think of using potions at each other they can just bicker and bicker as long as they'd like.

But kudos or credits to the other Slytherin girl she might as well be a bit better than Tes, at least she can smile or have her voice soften once in awhile. What she said was true, she can feel empathetic once in a blue moon Angel laughed to herself.

Dido and the others seem to be lightening up, Tes and Jada of course they're tight. What better than two Slytherins, if another person joined their group Angel would've called them Mean girls, figuratively, rhetorically, hypothetically, and literally.

Unfortunately she hasn't notice the boy with Red hair. Believing that they've met before it was possible that she remembered his face at the courtyard back then. Then Tes of course she has to keep her mouth of a sewer pipe running, didn't need to keep playing peacemaker if she just keep it shut.

Angel just crossed her arms, she just brushed Tes off, then the rest gaze at her.

"Well, what are you guys waiting for? A formal invitation? Let's go!" she said with haste again adding a bit of swiss to her voice her cardiff accent sounded a bit soft, Angel really can't raise her voice, she just rolled her eyes to the Slytherins with a few exceptions to Tina, Dido, and the Red hair boy, the rest Angel didn't bother with.</sub>

“Yeah? Well, you’re not getting the silence” he stuck his tongue out at Tes and moved to stand near Jada. "But I do agree with you, we should just get moving. Path isn't gonna take itself”. He wondered briefly if there was a timer for the labyrinth. Didn’t remember it being mentioned, but perhaps going faster would win them more points in the end?
Honestly, Felix wasn’t sure why they were stalling so much in the first place, and he was glad when Angel spoke up too.

He wasn’t certain about what was going on with Dido either. Maybe it was just nerves, or she was annoyed by all the arguing. Or maybe she just really, really, really hated garden gnomes? That was fair. They gave him the heebie-jeebies (even the fake plastic ones were bad). And there were way too many of them, singing their weird little chants.

Felix pulled a deck of cards out of his pocket. They'd been bugging him, and he had no idea why he'd brought them at all (he completely forgot to clear out his pockets before coming here), but perhaps they'd be useful. He had no idea what to play with them, but he was a little bored, so he just hoped the others would have an idea or two. most games would be too hard to play while walking, but maybe a guessing game? Or not.
“While we do that, do y’all want to play a game? I’ve got cards. And possibly some dice” he figured most of them would say no, but there was no harm in trying.

He looked towards the path. The gnomes seemed no less freaky than they had before, but everyone truly had decided on this path, so there was no avoiding them.

<sub>Deck of cards wouldn't be so bad. But unfortunately Angel couldn't place her head on how since well they were on the move. Angel shrugged and laughed also noticing when he stuck out his tongue at them both. Honestly a odd way to return the energy, but no hard feelings.

As they walked she wanted to know his name, the girl's as well.

"Hey what's your names guys? You're the only ones I don't know yet." she asked raising an eyebrow cocking her head to the side her wavy hair moving sideways.

Hopefully this time everyone can atleast co exist everyone has their right to their dislikes but if anything they should know how to respect each other yes that means no smart remarks or anything that can make blood boil, last thing they want is to be fighting a lot, for all they know the labyrinth had a timer.

Getting somewhere everyone seemed focused on walking or brisk walking to be exact. Noticing how the others are not talking much it really was a nice change of pace, but Angel didn't get too hopeful. Jada and Felix have only said a word but actions are louder. Last time Angel noticed too that the pattern of scanning the group, Angel not guilty but she did wonder how the group would work, with a bunch of Slytherins and one Ravenclaw. Angel bet the others did the same too.</sub>