Quidditch: Ravenclaw v Gryffindor Spectators

No need for a roll. You have my hand which I gave to you. There is no logical reason to believe that I could or would behave. Also a better scene if I got launched across the stands as it was my hope anyways. You are truly a benevolent monster. *Bows*

Interacting with: @Zykeal Lane
Mentions: @Rafael D'Spacito & @Valencia Deathstout
I am not closed to interactions but if there are many I might not be able to submit a viable response within a day.

This was where Zyk was wrong. Mathias was shit when it came to fighting, a consequence of being raised with a proverbial silver spoon in his mouth. The point was never to beat his senior in combat, most first-years could take him out in a blink of an eye as even the bookish-appearing Mr. Valentine was more than aware of. Of course, his plan did not involve a flippendo immediately following a salutation. He expected a verbal tirade as a prelude at first, maybe a push or a shove followed by a meal primarily of knuckles. He had however wanted to be struck, a curious pattern considering adolescent pride and hormones. One might have mistook his willingness to 'stand up' to this hector as a testosterone-driven display for the pretty dhampir's affections.

Not a wholly wrong presumption, but think a bit more general. Also, ponder the consequences of being seen as the victim rather than the aggressor or instigator. Yet there was more than social responses to situations, there was a learning exercise in play here. he was assessing, learning about Zykeal Lane in a 'safe' (a bit of a stretch one could say) circumstance.

Mathias would extend his hand in polite yet firm greeting. It was simply how things were done, then a name. Everything had an order. Even inquiries which when between strangers is often lightened with a trace of humor. Humor Mr. Lane certainly did not share. There was a determination in Zykeal's eyes and intention in the second-year's grip. One that Mathias realized too late, his eyes widened slightly as he was pulled forward. A slight stumble in his feet, hardly in response to the youth's disarming smile that caused the boy's heart to hasten.

Indeed mistakes were made. The first of which to believe that there was order in this chaos. The second, to be vulnerable in a situation with a reputed bully. Or so it would seem.

No, the boy was not foolish enough to believe that this would go well. That a conversation with a potentially aggressive stranger with friends of similar rumored concern. Yet he did it all the same. He got up and he approached the ginger after parting with a girl a bit too pretty to be anything less than part Veela. Yet there would still be a look of surprise, there would still be that same biochemical response of trepidation as the wand filled the space that parted them.

He was after something, the question that would remain would be: was it found?

Mathias would emulate the smile offered to him by Zykeal, a strange glint in his eye. The Slytherin would say no more as the Gryffindor cast the Knockback Jinx directly into the boy's chest. Like he was kicked in the breastbone by a mule, he would be launched back. Zykeal would feel a slight tug, that spare moment between his cast and Mathias' own grip being overpowered. Also, a slight, audible *crack*. Mathias would be sent back several feet, his shoulders landing first on the ground behind him. His head whacking the ground thereafter with an distinct bang like a hammer impacting wood. It left Matt seeing stars, flashed of bright lights on an otherwise dreary, cold day.

He would land at Valenica's feet. For whatever reason the stands were moving. Did they always wobble and spin? He was not entirely certain as he let out a low groan. "Merlin," he complained "I guess those rumors were true?" The tone of a question at the end of his statement was not because he still wondered the validity of this new fact but rather he was wondering where up went.

He would learn two things: One, Zykeal does not play fair. Second, he is a formidable caster.

He would look over, well more likely up at Valencia signing his own death warrant. "He hurt my everything, can you both kiss it and make it better?" Fully expecting a fresh assault and deserving it he would feebly shield his very sore head from flailing purses or hands if either should fall on him as he let out a self-disparaging laugh and struggle to his feet. He would accept assistance with a shaking nod and a mouthed 'thank you' in gratitude.

The stands gave a bit of a spin underfoot, Mathias would wobble back towards Zykeal. If Valenica had not run away or murdered him for his terrible in both timing and employment pick-up line, he might run into her before diverting his direction back towards Lane. "First time shaking hands I see," he let out an exhale that had traces of an expired laugh. "Should we try this again?"

A sailor's gait of course, a serpentine motion not intended for evasion as he meant to walk a straight line he would traverse the several feet that had separated them. Again he would extend his hand towards Zykeal.

Action: Get launched by Zykeal's Flippendo. Poorly hit on Valencia (and hope to not die). Stand up, attempt to walk straight (fail). Try to shake Zykeal's hand once again.

Kels wasn't exactly the biggest Quidditch fan in the world. He certainly never joined the team in the past, though he had seen quite a lot of games in his time. Specifically, Gryffindor games! Of course he was a Hufflepuff through and through, but one of his best friends had a Hogwarts career as a Gryffindor Chaser, and he had never missed his games. No one watches that many games of Quidditch without getting a little invested, so he couldn't help but wonder if the current fledglings matched up to his expectations. After all, Gryffindor had been known for Quidditch excellence for a long time. It seemed Hufflepuff was now the team to beat, but Kels didn't have loyalty based on houses. Loyalty to a team was watching it grow, feeling a part of it, and nostalgia, in his case.

Most of his time since being hired had been mired in nostalgia, he almost felt 16 again. He even wore his lucky red shoes-- a guaranteed win for Gryffindor! It was a good thing his stunted growth meant he didn't have to throw away any of his old clothes. Well, at least until they were too worn out to be decent. Along with that he had on a cap and warm coat. This time around he got to be in the special staff seats. He expected there to be something cool up there, but as it turned out it was just regular seats. The disillusionment of the superiority of adulthood continued ever further.

Without his bro to root for, he started wondering if he had made a bad choice to come. It wasn't like he had somewhere else to be, though. In his school days, he had a ton of friends that he could bother and play around with. Now... he was expected to be mature and civilized. He never signed up for that. The excitement of returning to Hogwarts had been bolstered by the many joyful memories he had created there, yet now all of his friends had grown up and moved on. Happily enough, he didn't have much time for any wanton loneliness to set in, as his name was being called.

"Heeeeey, it's bird boss!" Upon recognition, Kels clapped his hands together loudly, a face of delighted surprise. "Just call me Kels, man. Or wait, if we're picking names I want to be called Hawkeye!"

Marcus sat down next to him, despite his heightened sense of smell no doubt able to recognize that his coat was in dire need of a cleaning spell.

"You cheerin' on yer bird babies?" Kels waggled his eyebrows, overjoyed to have someone to talk to.

Quidditch was something the Ravenclaw was mildly interested in. Not personally knowing anyone on the team she didn't know why she went to watch. However, deciding to go and support her own house the brunette made her way into the stands. Wearing an army green jacket with various patches on the arms, a black t-shirt, blue jeans, and her signature black combat boots, the girl found a seat a minimum distance away from everyone. Not one to interact having little experience and bad memories of past friendships the female kept her gaze on the players.

Long hair tied up in a ponytail exposing the six piercings on her left ear, the silver sparkling whenever the light hit just right. A blue sapphire stud adorned her nose, it was such a hassle keeping the piercing a secret from her Aunt, who would not approve. When the woman found out about Eri's many ear piercings she almost fainted and lectured the young girl on how important being a proper lady was.

One downfall in trying to not draw people's attention was her height and build. Being 5'9" at fourteen and being a girl caused her to stand out. Especially since it was obvious that the girl was an athlete involved in some very physical sport. Many years of martial arts was the reason her muscles were defined. It was also her passion. The only thing that her aunt let her do that wasn't lady like.

Every now and then her dark brown eyes would wander to the other's around her and the cold was starting to get to her a little, for she undressed not expecting the weather to be so cold. Shrugging the jacket closer to her body, trying to hide the shivers as her eyes went back to the game being held.

Open for interactions.

@Cade Darkbound | @Valencia Deathstout
February 6th.
#b76e79
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sta 6 | eva 7 | str 0 | wis 7 | arc 4 | acc 6
seer

With a light playfulness in her tone, twisting the Gryffindor scarf in her hands, Everly spoke in response to Cade's greeting. "Of course, it's my pleasure," she said, tossing her hair in a flaunting motion. "It's good to see you again! How are you holding up?"

Everly turned to look at the red headed Ravenclaw, quirking her lips in a smile. She could recognize her in the back of her mind, but she couldn't fully grasp it right now. Perhaps the memory would resurface soon. What was her name again... Valentina? Valencia? It was Valencia, wasn't it? "Nice to see you again too!" she said, by way of introduction, now flailing mentally, trying to remember when she met the girl.

Everly cast her gaze over the field, noting that the game seemed to have yet to start. Players both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw were arriving at that time, taking a few minutes to allow the last-minute players to catch up. All she could hope for was the same luck that Gryffindor could use to win against Ravenclaw. Yes, this was all friendly and such, but Everly couldn't help the little competitive spirit inside of herself. She squinted, trying to recognize some of the figures and their brooms down below.

A spell's incantation and bright blue light caused her attention to avert, left wondering what the heck was going on now. A Slytherin student had been knocked down, no less, by an older Gryffindor student. With a tight-lipped smile, Everly muttered under her breath, "Great, perfect, just what we need," she said, an amused smile on her lips as she watched to see how Valencia would react. This thing just got a whole lot more interesting.

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INTERACTING WITH: @Mathias Pride xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx⥼ Owl if you wish to interact. ⥽
MENTIONING: Zykeal Lane & Everly Charlton

However much she'd like to say she was surprised at Zykeal's outburst and casting of Flippendo, she just couldn't. She knew from the moment Mathias walked over there he would surely regret it, his headstrong attitude and arrogance just foreshadowing disaster. Her delicate features remained unamused, eyes slightly narrowed to indicate disapproval. What was his gain anyway? To prove something? She didn't need someone to fight her battles for her, especially when the 'battle' in question hadn't even been a problem. Though perhaps it wasn't a chivalrous act in attempts to impress her, and instead just a boy being a boy, trying to show his masculinity or something of the sort by engaging in a fight in front of the entire student body to see.

As he flung backward and now lay at her feet, she glanced down with a smirk. What had he been expecting? Her thoughts wandered for a moment in contemplation if she'd help him up, and she very well might have if not for the comment that followed.

"He hurt my everything, can you both kiss it and make it better?"

She scoffed, eyes avoiding his as she flushed a shade of crimson. Not for the fact that she was flattered by his poorly issued pick-up line, but because it felt condescending in a way. Was he.. was he taunting her? He proved himself to be ten times more full of himself than she'd imagined, almost shocking her. Yet still, she grabbed him roughly by the sleeve in the act of 'helping' him up. She attempted to exchange glances with the girl along with Cade, wondering if it was only her who had taken Mathias' flirting negatively.

Though if he was going to put up a show, Valencia might as well do the same. Besides, she did tend to have a flair for the dramatic. Before she would shove him forwards and signal to go finish what he started with the second year, she quickly stood on her tiptoes and leaned in to give what appeared to be the opening for a kiss on the cheek. Though it was anything but, and instead just a way of getting closer to his ear to whisper. "Outta yer league, Pride."

And however harsh that statement may come across, she didn't really mean it. Valencia wasn't fond of vanity, nor did she classify herself as anything other than "conventionally pretty". That wasn't just the self-esteem talking, either. It was more of just taking a jab at him, almost in a joking way. It wasn't like he was hitting on her out of seriousness, was he? If he was, well. Her oblivion prevented seeing it any other way.

"Off ya go then." She said with the forwarding motion of her hand, an eyebrow raised as she watched him perform the same exact introduction as before. "What a bloody fool.." She whispered quietly once he was out of earshot, a mumble that was practically inaudible if not standing directly next to her. With the flick of auburn hair over her shoulder, Valencia glanced down at the pitch once more, eyes glued on her housemates as a worthy distraction.

Outfit

One of the biggest differences that Ami had noticed over the years between Hogwarts and Chicago was everyone's weird obsession with last names here.

It wasn't like Ami hated her last name, or anything- in fact, she had always been proud of who she was and who her ancestors had been. She wore the Procoppio name with pride rivaling that of a Gryffindor, and even if it was kind of a pain to spell, she took delight in knowing that it had exactly 300% the number of letters in her first name. 300 was a nice number. But here, at Hogwarts? People always liked to call you by your last name and not your first, for whatever reason. What was wrong with just calling people by their first names? Obviously, it was a big no-no for teachers, but they were all kids. Why was calling everyone by their last name such a normal thing to do?

Despite her sentiments on the whole surname versus forename situation, when she heard a rather recognizable voice call her name, it took all of her self control not to shove the body of the voice off the Quidditch stands right then and there.

"Tommothy," she quipped coldly in response, shuddering at the sudden chill in the air that was Thomas' mere presence. Even if he had only been bantering with her, she was still more than sore about his comment that may or may not have been belittling her intellect during the detention. Was she mad that he'd given her detention? Not really, she had tackled him, after all. Was she mad that he had put her in a room with a bloody boggart, of all things? Sure, a little bit, but it was a forgivable offense. It was his snipe at her intelligence that had truly wounded her pride, even if a part of her completely agreed with him. "Looking horrible, as always," she said casually with a sneering smile in the Slytherin boy's direction.

However, her facade of cold, rude apathy slid away as he offered her coffee, and an expression of pleasant surprise replaced it as the Slytherin offered her coffee. How on earth did he know that the caffeinated beverage was one of her many vices....? Oh, right. How many times had she asked Erin out for coffee in his presence? Too many, apparently. But her sneer returned as Thomas immediately withdrew his offer, even going as far as to curse at her. What was she even supposed to say to that? "Watch your language, young man," she grumbled, shooting him another glare. "And joke's on you, I don't even know what a supreme complex is."

Ami shielded her notes from Thomas self-consciously as he seemed to peer at them, hiding the dozens of times she'd written Alexx's name in hearts or Ami Séverin-Procoppio on the page already [up to you if Thomas sees them, either way it doesn't matter much] even though literally nothing had happened yet and Alexx wasn't even playing today. "My M's and my N's are doing wonderfully, thank you very much," she snapped back at him, quickly turning to her notebook to scrawl a giant M across the page. I know my M's and N's, she thought to herself, still glaring daggers at the Slytherin boy.

And then he offered her candy? The lion, the witch, and the audacity of this bitch! "No thanks," she muttered darkly, staring at the candy in his hand that was clearly not an M&M. "I'm vegan, and that is... definitely not vegan. You know," she continued, slowly removing her wand from inside her jacket as subtly as possible, "We're really discriminated against in the wizarding world, us vegans. Like, there's nothing that's very vegan-friendly, you know. I don't even have a vegan wand core! I feel like so oppressed-" said the white girl, "-and don't even get me started on Potions." Too late, she had already started, and now she was on a roll. "What's with all those animal and creature ingredients, you know? Like, come on! Aren't there a crap load of magical plants we can use? Why do we need to kill a bunch of animals just to make, like, I don't know... what's a potion that uses animal products? The boils one? Like, Jesus Christ!

"But thanks for the coffee. Wingardium leviosa."

Thomas, are you okay? Are you okay, Thomas? You've been hit by, maybe even struck by a smooth criminal. Somewhere in that long-winded and wholly unnecessary rant about the non-existent oppression of vegans in the wizarding world, Ami had fully removed her wand and aimed it at Thomas' thermos. With the air of someone who'd had to practice the spell thousands of times just to be able to cast it semi-normally, the Hufflepuff waved her wand with a swish and a flick that would make Hermione Granger proud. Unfolding her spindly arm like a daddy-long-legs, she grabbed the floating thermos out of thin air, sniffing at its contents with the practiced air of a vegan sniffing for dairy. Deciding that there was none present, she took a swig of that good stuff, swishing it around in her mouth disgustingly before swallowing it loudly and obnoxiously.

However, apparently, a separate ruckus would come along to ruin their good fun and banter, much to Ami's dismay. Her gaze would drift over to an unfortunately familiar Gryffindor, and her smirk hardened into an exasperated stare. "For the love of... Jesus Christ!"

At first, she completely ignored the first year that Zykeal had sent flying (he seemed to have landed somewhere rather opportune, he needed no help there), and she marched over to the trigger-happy Gryffindor. "You again," she snarled, her features morphing into a mask of disappointment, exasperation, and rage. "I don't know what the hell he did or said to you, but this is what you get for disturbing my note-taking."

Had she been taking notes? Hell no. Was she going to regret her next action? Absolutely. With a completely deadpan expression, Ami would reach out with the hand that was holding the thermos of piping hot coffee that she'd yote from Thomas just moments earlier, emptying the dark contents onto the blond Gryffindor's head. Zyk's evasion is [d20: 11] + 2 = 13, Ami's accuracy is [d20: 14] + 12 = 26

"You better play nice with the other little boys and girls, or you'll get something a lot worse than just a coffee shower. Capiche?"

If Thomas chooses not to follow Ami over to Zyk:

Interacting with @Valencia Deathstout @Mathias Pride @Everly Charlton
Mentioning @Marcus Iwasaki @Zykeal Lane

Cade smiled as Everly asked how he'd been. "I'm doing well, thanks. Were you on that crazy train ride at the start of term? I never expected the Hogwarts Express to be targeted in such a way." He was glad to see the girl again. The last time he'd seen her had been on his first day traveling to Hogwarts. They had shared a compartment with a handful of other girls. Now that he saw her face, his thoughts were back to the horrifying train experience that took place only a couple of weeks back. Cade's dark thoughts were disrupted when Pride stood up from the bench.

Cade looked on in bemused interest as Pride made his way to the heckling Gryffindor student. "Pride, what on earth are you playing at?" Cade shook his head at the Slytherin. The Gryffindor boy didn't look like he wanted any company. But Pride obviously wanted to make himself known. Known as a complete pratt or smooth social butterfly, the Ravenclaw didn't know. Cade couldn't hear what the two were talking about from where he sat, but he saw the Gryffindor press his wand into Pride's chest. Then suddenly after some bright light, Pride flew back to Valencia's feet. "You alright, mate?" Cade asked immediately, eyes wide in concern. Although he'd just met the boy, Cade felt responsible for his fate.

He rolled his eyes and shook his head when Pride asked for a kiss. "I dunno about Valencia, but I wouldn't kiss you even if I had to decide between you or a hag," Cade chuckled as he noted red-faced Valencia being somewhat annoyed and embarrassed at the same time. It was obvious the question was more targeted towards her than himself. But he wanted to take the tension off her if all possible. It was then that she helped him up and drew him in close. For a shocking moment, Cade thought she'd kissed him anyway. After the brief exchange, Pride went back to the Gryffindor boy.

"Is he thick?" Cade asked Valencia as she settled back down next to him. Cade looked back onto the pitch wondering what on earth just happened and why Pride had the courage to go back. Was he a fool? And had no one just seen the jinx being cast? Cade's eyes drifted along the stands to see his head of house sitting further down. Cade found the Ravenclaw head very intimidating. Every time Cade saw him the man looked as though he'd heard someone had just set fire to his favorite pair of socks. Upon further inspection, Cade noticed Iwasaki had only just settled down. It was possible he didn't see the knockback jinx. And it wasn't Cade's business to report a student in distress. Especially since the student in question was not at all phased by being attacked.

Closed to Interactions

"Bird boss." That was a new one. The most creative one he'd heard so far was "the Birdfather." It quickly became apparent to Marcus that Kelsey Brumby was one of the more charismatic staff members - one who did not shy away from feeling comfortable around people he had hardly spoken to. Marcus was wary of that, but not exactly put off. He was pretty familiar with the upbeat attitude given his friendship with Browne of all people, but the instant familiarity was a bit much for the man who had grown up in such a honorific- and respect-centered country.

"Hawkeye, eh? I heard you were a Hufflepuff, though. Are you secretly a bird at heart, then?" Marcus replied, offering a slight grin in response. The name Hawkeye rang a bell, but he couldn't pinpoint the reference, so he assumed it was some sort of bird (hawk) reference. "How about Healer Hawkeye, then?" It was a joke, a lame one at that, but at least the title attached to the nickname indicated his respect for the man. Healing was no easy profession, so the fact that Kelsey had been hired for a castle as riddled with injuries as Hogwarts already instilled a certain instant admiration that Marcus had for him.

"Something like that," Marcus answered when asked if he was cheering on his "bird babies." The term had made him grin a bit wider, finding the humor in it. He tried to cover that by taking another sip of his coffee. The scent of the drink is what he focused on, rather than any smells coming from nearby. When it was cold like this, his nose was a bit sensitive and he tried to focus solely on one scent. His amber eyes lowered to the field to look at his "bird babies." He only properly knew the captains - one being a former Prefect (@Cecily Quinn) who was now the current Quidditch Captain, and the other being the Prefect who replaced her (@Sylvain Wyllt) and was now the team's Co-Captain. Funnily enough, they had both been attendees of the welcome party that had been thrown for Marcus.

"You're a Quidditch fan? I figured most healers wouldn't have a taste for the sport, given the violent nature," Marcus said, gesturing to the field below where the teams were flying around waving before the start of the match.

Being in the staff section of the stands, Marcus and Kelsey would not notice what was happening in the student section unless they specifically looked or were verbally alerted to it. Marcus was purposefully not paying the students any mind, uninterested in being dragged into whatever chaos was stirring. He assumed the commotion he was hearing related to the upcoming match, plus the cheers of other (NPC) students were drowning out the sounds of spells being cast.

@Kelsey Brumby

Next time he might have to ask Cade for a kiss. Valencia gypped him! No matter, her face changed thrice since the start of this exchange, if anything he should be terrified.

There was a process. There were rules. He looked around, the bystandard effect was in full swing. As expected, the greater the concentration of people at the site of an incident where someone might need aide, the less likely it was for someone to intervene. Someone else would. It was not their problem. Passiveness becomes a perversion rather than a passtime. The Professor not an exception, nor the duo he sat with, even the upperclassmen from the varied houses. Not that he demanded aide, that he was some beautiful damsel.

However, he would approach with the intention of repeating however many times it proved necessary to garner a reaction. To see what breeched their limits be it of decorum, justice or curiosity.

The bully, Zyk was not curious. He excepted the world as it was presented before him. He would not ask the right or the important questions. However, he was a finite being, there was no boundless wellspring from which he would derrive his wrath. There might not be much beneath the surface besides a cliche, not yet in any case. There is nothing gratifying about mere existence. Yet that is what most do, they exist. They allow time to pass them by like a breeze, hardly noticing or interfacing with the world that they are a part of. Weeks, months even years pass them by in a blink of an eye. Yesterday was 2 years ago, surely he is but a boy of 9, no 11, make that twelve. Time lost and squandered, forgotten and underutilized.

It would be the awe-inspiring Ami, too old, near ancient, to offer a kiss. She would rescue Mathias from this red-headed brute with... a cup thermos of coffee. An odd choice, a warm bath in the cold. Mathias would simply stand there like a putz with his hand still extended to shake and his maw agape. Uhhh-- Unexpected most certainly, he would take a delayed step back from the coffee puddle. "Thank you pretty lady..." He almost inserted 'old' but reason had overcome his moment of near-stupidity.

She was what he was looking for. The anomoly among the normals. The one that defied convention. But alas, she was engaged with her probable boyfriend. He gave off this smarminess he could not quite pinpoint but perhaps that was just distant impressions, a resting bitch face, or something more sinister.

Mentions: @Zykeal Lane, @Thomas LeStrange, @Ami Procoppio, @Cade Deathbound, and @Valencia Deathsprout.