2021, Stage 1 Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw: Match 2

Round 2

Alec Mason vs Dealla Prince

Reducio

Alec Mason cast Knockback Jinx at Dealla Prince.

Wisdom DC: 9
Wisdom Check: [d20: 16] + 7 = 23
23 > 9 → Success

Auto-Dodge: [d10: 3] → No Auto-Dodge (Dealla's Evasive Maneuvers)
Accuracy Check: [d20: 9] + 9 -2 -1 (Dealla's Charmer) = 15
Evasion Check: [d20: 3] + 0 + 5 (Dodge Bonus) = 8
15 > 8 → Hit

Damage: 100 + 7 × 10 = 170

Rose Moon vs Dealla Prince

Reducio

Rose Moon cast Fire-Making Spell II at Dealla Prince.

Wisdom DC: 12
Wisdom Check: [d20: 18] + 9 = 27
27 > 12 → Success

Auto-Dodge: [d10: 10] → Auto-Dodge Success (Dealla's Evasive Maneuvers)

Dealla Prince

Reducio

Dealla Prince actively dodges.
Active Dodge: 5 + (0.25 x 0) = 5 Bonus to Evasion.

Samantha Salwis vs Alec Mason

Reducio

Samantha Salwis removes Dealla's blindfold
Effects: Dealla is no longer blindfolded

It took all that Jake had to not put his hands over his eyes as Alec laughed right in the Ravenclaw's faces. Hadn't Alec seen that look in Dealla's eyes before?? Jake had never found Dealla to be very scary before, in fact she'd been quite nice to him, but that was before he'd seen her on the duelling stage, and the intensity that had been in her eyes.

Still, even Jake knew that dueling wasn't just about the spells you cast - the game was mental just as much as physical. Maybe Alec turning his own tickling-induced laughter into taunts would get under their opponent's skin and make them make a mistake. Or maybe he'd find himself on the wrong end of a painful jinx. Only time would tell, but for now, Dealla didn't take the bait, and decided to keep a cool and focused head.

Even so, being blinded was quite a severe disadvantage in a duel. And Alec's team-mate Rose, encouraged by her success in the previous round, was also beginning to gain confidence. Maybe she was sensing that the momentum was swinging into Gryffindor's favor in these early goings, or maybe it was because she was the only duelist to remain untouched in the last round. Her face broke into a smile (and unlike the others, it wasn't because she was being tickled). As the two Gryffindors encouraged each other, they turned their sights on Dealla.

On bated breath, Jake watched the Ravenclaw girl. She must have known too that she was about to become a target. As soon as she heard the casting, she began to dodge and weave, trying to evade the spellfire coming in her direction. The Gryffindors both cast almost at once, spells flying forward that she couldn't see. A flipendo from one direction, an incendio duo from another! Jake gasped as the first fire spell of the duel was broken out. A bead of sweat broke out on his own brow at the sight, but he couldn't let a fear of fire deter him - he was a co-vice-captain now, and co-vice-captains didn't get scared.

But the fire did NOT light Dealla, luckily, green fire momentarily pluming where the girl had once been. Perhaps the heat in the air would alert her of how narrowly she escaped that fate, but despite her best efforts she couldn't avoid Alec's knockback jinx, a quite powerful casting that would send Dealla stumbling backwards, needing all of her efforts just to stay on her feet.

Jake wondered if Samantha was going to use this opportunity to attack the other team again, like she had before, but she had another plan in mind. The girl was frustrated by the tickling sensation that she couldn't shake, the laughter that she couldn't control. Realizing that Dealla dueling blindfolded made this essentially two-on-one, she quickly rushed back to unblind her team-mate, slipping the blindfold off of Dealla's head and restoring the other Ravenclaw's vision.

Ravenclaw had been on the ropes, but now Dealla had her sight back, and Samantha's laughter was beginning to subside (though not quite died down yet, bursts still striking at the worst of times). The tide could turn at any time, and Jake watched closely to see what they would do next.

Information

1. You have 96 hours (4 days) from the time of this post to post at least 50 words and owl me (Jake Morris) your moves.

2. Please don't hint at your move inside of your RP, as it gives the other team an advantage.

3. If you don't post before the deadline, your move will be void.

4. If you have any questions, or notice anything wrong in the mod post, please don't hesitate to send me an owl!

5. Your stats, abilities, and spells have been locked for this duel. Any new abilities added to your trunk after this duel started cannot be used.

6. For your convenience, here are the duelling rules, the duelling spells, and the latest patch.

7. Good luck!

The spectator thread for this duel can be found here
This duel takes place during Day 1!

Hex code:#A0A9B8

It was a game he had to play at, if he wanted to win. A balance between rising forces. The need to win was about more than he was willing too admit, and even while under the effects of Rictusempra the upper parts of his face hardened in a more serious way. His jaw was set. The odd episode of the almost taunting laughter had set in. Having been settled only a minute after it had happened. His eyes turned to the spectator stands. He wasn't looking for anything specifically, he was set on making sure, his laughter hadn't drawn too much attention. He didn't want that to be his marking of the duel. Whether he had gathered that there was any actual interest or notice in it or not he would turn. Looking at Dealla's blindfolded eyes. Trying to peer through her, they were smart, they knew what would happen as both the Gryffindor's went at it. Casting Spells Dealla's way. Alec focused, on his own, “Flipendo!” They'd had strategy worked out for far too long to let it fail now. Even if there was other things he was tempted to cast Dealla's way while rather heated. Alec was still laughing randomly here and there since under the effects of the earlier spell.

He caught the last of Rose's spell, as it was narrowly avoided by Dealla, but just as his head had been there. It quickly turned upon hearing the gasp coming from the person supervising their duel. Of course he was scared of fire. Alec rolled his eyes. He was allowed to do internal freak outs or whatever this kid wanted, but there was no reason to be dramatic about a little bit of flames. Was he scared of campfires as well? Alec should have guessed however, the other looked like the sort of type. Too breakable to even involve in watching duels let alone be supervising them. Besides if this was the way it was going to be he was going to become far too much of a distraction. If he gasped at every fire spell he was going to have Alec thinking each and every time that something bad had actually happened. Like the spell somehow going crazy in an he knew impossible way and setting a spectator on fire. It wasn't good press and they certainly wouldn't be coming to the duel after that.

Though going through the people he'd seen there, at least one he'd been able to recognize with a quick glance. Maybe he wouldn't have mind. Someone needed to set a certain person(@Henry Knight) in their place. It was better for Alec if whatever happened was an unfortunate accident. Although, as he thought about it, and who else he'd seen(@Cassandra Ironwoods), maybe he wouldn't mind a lesser incendio hitting another person as well. Was privacy and a little bit of secret-keeping not a commodity he deserved? Was he not privy to just a little of keeping quiet as for what had to do with his private life. . ? Apparently not, at least not to them... His eyes traveled back to his partner. “Your spell-casting work is incredible, I know we can do this.” He needed to instill something that was unwavering in his teammate, if constant praises would do the trick he'd work with it. He needed her to do more than believe, or have confidence in the fact that they were going to win. He needed her to know it. It had a better chance of becoming set in stone then.

“You can't even take a blindfold off yourself?” It gave them the free hand, and chance to hit both of them, but they seemed to play in a different direction. They knew Alec wasn't capable of holding back on Dealla, maybe that was the problem. “Your poor teammate has to pick up the slack though it very well could have caused her downfall. Someone isn't playing it safe~”

“Do you like to living on the edge?”

“Of course with no repercussions, who wouldn't like living on the edge... Everybody is always there taking the fall for you and your just letting it happen. Your always using other people to get ahead, I'm not surprised.” Alec was speaking as if he knew her. Spoken with her. Spent time with her. As if that was the real her. As if his knowledge of her went beyond duelling and the other little menial events with possibilities of noticing her at.

“Someone smart enough, will notice eventually. Don't be surprised when your teammate switches sports. Your holding her back from her potential.” The words were sharp, though it was a hit or miss and he knew it. There was a chance they were duller when they didn't hit the right person. Alec was going though the lists of insecurities. A general one that applied to nice and typically normal people. Something he would say eventually had to secure more of a vibrant reaction out of her. He wanted her to see red. His eyes wandered back to that of who was supervising the duel, getting ready outwardly, though absentmindedly wondering how much he could get away with saying before someone tried to knock him upright in the head. He was satisfied at least laughter didn't get in the way of making his words clear.

Action: Doing what was/will be owled~
_{A general rp note (mostly meant for those in the spectator thread who might want to react): It can be assumed that Alec's voice is too quiet for people besides the duellers and Jake to hear. His laughter every so often can be heard while under the effects of Rictusempra but that's about it. This is because otherwise it may conflict with certain story-lines that have been already made and dated as after this point. I can be owled for more info, if needed.}

Obviously, being blindfolded would make Dee a target. It was a strategy she had used herself often enough, so with her vision taken from her, she knew what was coming. If she managed to dodge at least one of the two, the blindfold would have been pretty much a waste, no different than if she had been hit by another spell to begin with, so that was the goal. A voice from the audience caught her attention as she tried to listen for the spells coming her way, and her lips twitched into an unexpected, amused smile. Listen to the winds? Good thing that she was usually the one giving Hanako advice rather than the other way around, clearly she was much better at it than him. Still, that he'd come to support her was oddly touching, and hardened her determination into something clear and sharp.

Thankfully, Samantha and herself had talked about this scenario, so she knew that she wouldn't stay blinded for long. So now she just had to make herself as hard to hit as possible. Ducking to the right after she heard Rose cast her spell - truly, Dee did not fancy being set on fire, it was a rather unpleasant experience - she could hear the rush of flames going past her, could feel the warmth. Sadly, this put her right in the path of Alec's spell, and Dee gritted her teeth against the pain as she stumbled back, trying to regain her balance. Of course his had to hit. Perhaps she would have preferred the fire after all.

A burst of gratitude rushed over her when she felt Samantha's fingers on her blindfold, and a moment later, Dee's vision returned. She blinked a little against the light, then gave her partner a quick, tense smile. "Thank you," she said softly. "Now back on track, let's turn this around."

Turning her attention back towards the Gryffindors, Dee's features twisted into a sneer at Alec's taunts. "It's called strategy, darling, and has nothing to do with ability, beyond the ability to think," she called back, not even trying to hold back the condescension in her voice. There were many things she'd call failures, but letting her partner take off her blindfold when it was the smart thing to do was not one of them. "Maybe you're lacking that ability? It would explain why this surprised you, and why your strategy is so painfully transparent."

His next words were even further off-mark. Dee had worked hard to get where she was, and didn't really care enough about one pathetic Gryffindor's opinion of her to get worried about his words, not when she knew better, down to her bones. No, if he wanted a rise out of her, his insults would need to contain some truth, like his first ones had. They'd need to find a weak spot, and this wasn't it. He did, however, manage to solidify her dislike of him even more. Yes, Alec Mason doing an impressive job of making Dee his enemy, well and truly.

"I don't know what being on the Gryffindor team is like," she replied, derision in her voice. "But just because that kind of thing may be common over there, doesn't mean we're as pathetic. If that's what you immediately assume of someone you don't even know, with no base for it, maybe Rose should be watching her back, hm?" A quick glance and a grin at Samantha. "And, luckily, you don't make the decisions for Samantha. If she wants to leave us for an inferior sport, that'll be her call."

Perhaps, she thought as she readied her wand again, someone should take the time to shut him up, it would benefit the atmosphere greatly.

@Hanako Tone | @Alec Mason | @Samantha Salwis

@Alec Mason | @Dealla Prince | @Samantha Salwis

Rose aimed her wand for Dealla, whispering, "Incendio," and sending it towards the Ravenclaw. She watched the spell dart towards the girl, but it missed her, just barely. Alec's spell, however, hit its target, and Dealla was sent stumbling backwards. "Yes! That was awesome, Alec!" she said, glancing over to her partner. She had finally been able to relax, take a step back from overthinking. And she was actually doing alright. He called over to her that her spells had been incredible, and she smiled gratefully. She appreciated his words, though she wasn't sure if they were genuine or meant as a strategy to boost her confidence to help him win. Either way, it did the trick, reminding her to keep her head up high. "Thank you."

Rose trained her eyes on the Ravenclaws, a lioness. That's what she was.

Samantha reached over to pull of Dealla's blindfold, and Dealla tried her best to dodge the spells shooting towards her. Rose wondered if this was something they had agreed on before-hand or if it had been a spur of the moment kind of thing.

Alec seemed to find the fact that Dealla didn't take off her own blindfold highly amusing. It put Sam at a disadvantage and her at an advantage, which didn't seem quite fair, since Samantha was already a year younger than the other three duelists on the stage. Rose found his words amusing as well. They started getting a little bit rambly, however, when Alec commented that Dealla just used people. It sure did seem to look that way, but wasn't that just a little preachy in the middle of a duel? Dealla seemed to like preaching, too, however, so they made a great team calling across the platform insults to each other.

Dealla mentioned Rose, saying she might have to watch her back because of Alec, if Alec was assuming things of Dealla he didn't even know. Rose's brow furrowed. She didn't really want to be brought into this. Would Alec assume things about her? Her worry was quickly pushed away. Even if he did, why should she care? She was sure most of the reason that Alec was taunting the Ravenclaws was to make them make more rash decisions. The lions wouldn't be fooled as easily.

"You're holding her back from her potential."

Alec wasn't really wrong, was he? After all, it almost looked like Dealla had pushed the girl into a position under her, as if Samantha was her sidekick or something. Samantha should have been her equal dueling partner, even if she was a second year. After all, Samantha was the one who had actually landed a spell so far, even if she had little bursts of giggles now and then.

Rose steeled her focus back on the duel. This was no time for philosophy, and she needed to win.

@Alec Mason, @Dealla Prince, @Rose Moon, @Cassandra Ironwoods

Samantha looked at the audience when she heard somebody yell something to Dealla about listening to the wind, whatever that was suppose to mean. Her eyes quickly scanned the crowd, still under influence of the Tickling Charm. To her surprise she saw the familiar face of Cash, what were they were doing here? Did they come to watch her? Cassandra probably wanted to see her fail, but she wasn't going to let that happen. Samantha wasn't going to make a fool of herself in front of them, or so she hoped.

To win this dueling she did need Dee to be able to help her, she couldn't do this alone. Samantha hurried to remove the blindfold, like she and Dee had discussed earlier. The young girl listened to the bickering between Dee and Alec but didn't interfere. She had come her to duel, not to talk.

Apparently Alec didn't know how to stop talking, because he kept doing it, which made Samantha very annoyed. "Apparently you don't think you can win this duel, because you keep talking. If you would just shut up and stop talking crap, we could continue this duel. Thank you very much." She rolled with her eyes. She hadn't want to join the conversation, but she couldn't keep listening to Alec talking bad about her teammate.

Samantha was happy that somebody thought that she had potential, but she also knew Alec hadn't meant it as a compliment to her. He had meant it to annoy Dee, which frustrated the second year a lot. Of course she wasn't going to change to another sport, she wasn't crazy. Samantha wanted to smile at Dealla, but a burst of uncontrollable hit her.

Once her laughing had calmed down a bit, she replied to Alec. "She doesn't hold me back, she has helped me a lot. So mind your own business and leave us alone, especially if you don't have anything useful to say." She got her wand ready and looked at Rose, who hadn't said anything negative yet, with compassion "I am so sorry he is your partner, you deserve better."

Round 3

Alec Mason vs Dealla Prince

Reducio

Alec Mason cast Blindfolding Spell at Dealla Prince.

Wisdom DC: 10
Wisdom Check: [d20: 7] + 7 = 14
14 > 10 → Success

Dealla Auto-Dodge Chance: [d10: 7] → No Auto-Dodge (Dealla's Evasive Maneuvers)
Accuracy Check: [d20: 19] + 9 - 2 (Rictusempra) - 1 (Dealla's Charmer) = 25
Evasion Check: [d20: 10] + 11 = 21
25 > 21 → Hit

Effects: Dealla is blinded, making her unable to see. Evasion and accuracy are 0 until blindfold is removed

Rose Moon & Alec Mason

Reducio

Rose Moon cast Healing Spell at Alec Mason.

Wisdom DC: 11
Wisdom Check: [d20: 6] + 9 = 15
15 > 11 → Success

Healing: 50 + ( 5 × 8 ) = 90
Healing Sage Bonus: 90 + 30% = 90 + 27 = 117

Effects: Alec is healed by 117 HP at the end of the round

Dealla Prince

Reducio

Dealla Prince cast Blinding Light Charm.

Wisdom DC: 11 + 2 (Rose's Lovely Creature) = 13
Wisdom Check: [d20: 15] + 10 = 25
25 > 13 → Success

Effects: Gryffindor team will suffer –2 Evasion and –2 Accuracy until Dealla gets hit by another spell hit or takes another action

Samantha Salwis vs Alec Mason

Reducio

Samantha Salwis cast Knockback Jinx at Alec Mason.

Wisdom DC: 9 + 2 (Rose's Lovely Creature) = 11
Wisdom Check: [d20: 14] + 8 = 22
22 > 11 → Success

Alec Auto-Dodge Chance: [d10: 2] → No Auto-Dodge (Alec's Evasive Maneuvers)
Accuracy Check: [d20: 15] + 7 - 2 (Rictusempra)= 20
Evasion Check: [d20: 20] + 7 = 27
20 < 27 → Miss

The momentum that had been swaying towards the Gryffindor team was obvious, and with that their confidence was only continuing to rise. Alec spoke words of encouragement to Rose, who had started the duel a bit more unsure. Jake hadn't realized at the time, but now, seeing the way she held her head up higher he could see the difference.

If only Alec's positive words of encouragement could have been given to the other team as well...Weren't games about sportsmanship? Jake thought so at least, but the duelers seemed to be thinking very differently.

Alec's words got increasingly sharp and his taunts more and more personal. Saying Dealla used people to get ahead. That she held Samantha back. Just because Samantha helped Dealla with her blindfold? It seemed to Jake that even Rose seemed surprised by her partner's words. Dealla responded back, stating that Alec couldn't think, that the Gryffindor team was pathetic, and that Rose should be watching her back. Samantha didn't seem to take Alec's words to heart, defending Dealla, and just wanting the duel to continue.

Jake watched it all with increasing discomfort. It wasn't just tense now. It was starting to get mean.

This wasn't how this was supposed to go....

He couldn't let this become a fight. This wasn't a place to insult each other. It was a place to play a game. A dangerous and scary game yeah, but a game still, where you tried to win, not hurt.

But things were getting out of control, and nobody had ever coached him on this part.

Was he supposed to stop the duel?

"G-guys..." Jake began to caution, "Th-this isn't..."

But the next round of spells were up before his small voice could carry. Talking seemed to give way to actions, perhaps neither team wanted to be the last one to strike.

Alec shot a blindfolding spell at Dealla, its accuracy completely on point. The boy could clearly back up his words, and not even Dealla's significant agility was enough to dodge the spell. At the same time, Samantha went to wave her wand, but a burst of giggles would strike at the worst moment. The delay was only momentary, but it gave Alec the second he needed. Her knockback jinx shot in the Gryffindor boy's direction, but at the last moment, he dodged swiftly out of the way.

Jake looked at Dealla with a pang of sympathy as once again her eyes were covered. Perhaps, however, she had another plan in mind. Her wand raised into the air and suddenly emitted a ball of bright and blinding light. If Dealla wasn't going to be able to see, it seemed she was going to make sure the Gryffindors had trouble with their own eyesight. Was it a desperation play by Dealla, or a calculated move?

Rose had not tried to cast at the Ravenclaws however. Jake realized she had instead turned her wand to her partner and cast Reparifors. And though Alec was still subject to bursts of random laughter (though they were becoming further and further apart, the spell's effects close to wearing off now), he would feel much of his strength returning from Rose's expert spell - she was truly a master at healing.

The Gryffindors stood now, most of Alec's strength returned. Perhaps it gave him a reason to laugh besides the Rictusempra spell. Three of the four duelers were now fighting with impaired vision, and Jake still watched the proceedings with a worried eye, not sure if the fighting was stopped or was only getting worse.

(Note: Line about stopping the duel just IC flavor, if you'd like to taunt each other please have at it)

Information

1. You have 96 hours (4 days) from the time of this post to post at least 50 words and owl me (Jake Morris) your moves.

2. Please don't hint at your move inside of your RP, as it gives the other team an advantage.

3. If you don't post before the deadline, your move will be void.

4. If you have any questions, or notice anything wrong in the mod post, please don't hesitate to send me an owl!

5. Your stats, abilities, and spells have been locked for this duel. Any new abilities added to your trunk after this duel started cannot be used.

6. For your convenience, here are the duelling rules, the duelling spells, and the latest patch.

7. Good luck!

The spectator thread for this duel can be found here
This duel takes place during Day 1!

Samantha jumped in to defend her, and Dee couldn't help feeling a little touched, her partner's unexpected words calming some of her anger. She threw Samantha a quick, smile, then focused back on what to do. What to do...

It was time to change the pace of the duel, Dee decided with a deep breath. Rather than casting at her opponents again, she raised her wand upward. She'd seen before the effects this spell could have in tipping the scales, and if all went well... "Lumos Maxima!"

But of course, all did not go well. At the same time that a blinding bright light exploded from the tip of her wand, Dee's own world went dark. "Son of a flobberworm!" she cursed, angry at herself. Considering how predictable this move had been, she should have been able to dodge. It appeared that Alec was a one-trick-pony, but that didn't excuse her own sloppiness.

Hex code:#A0A9B8

Words were flying, there weren't stopping just yet. “Painfully transparent?” He asked, his features seemed to pick up slightly as he raised his brows. The condescending smile reached his lips once more. “Unlike you, our strategy doesn't get in the way of the other teammate.”He would have laughed at her. He was also tempted to go on. They had strategy, but they were Gryffindors. When it came down to it, who cares what it had been? It was going to be thrown away in the moment, and at the very least he knew that. He had to debate on whether it was good or bad, but it didn't matter if it was, because it was. It was there, it wasn't going to be inherently good or bad, and his impulsiveness would add onto it. He needed to figure out how to work with it and hone his skills. He thought he was doing rather well so far. Some of it was holding back, but he was convincing himself he was saving the perfect time to strike with the temptation for certain spells later.

“Actually it's quite the opposite,” Alec gestured to nowhere. “-there'd be no pointing in "talking crap" or as it really is, stating the truth. If I didn't know we were going to win.” Alec stared Samantha down, looking her in the eyes. “It's a show of skill, that I am able too still speak, and yet land all my spells.”

His lips curled, he looked at Samantha inquisitively. “It's adorable that your saying falsities to yourself for her. Your excusing it all. You can't really be blamed though, your supposed to look up to her. She's a year older, and a captain...” His voice trailed, it was all general information. What a bore. There were some people that would never be that interesting though. “It would really be something of her to lose, don't you think? She's bound too. The least you could do is find someone more suited to coax those abilities and let them flourish.”

Alec hadn't responded to the last of her words as the round would begin and spells were fired. Both Rose and Alec's spells landed, Samantha was trying to knock Alec back, and Dee was trying to blind them. Neither succeeded, but merlin was that light so bright. He was surprised by the use of the spell, but should have expected it at that point. As soon as he'd cast his own spell he went to cover his eyes for a second. He felt like he was waking up all over again. This was when the moderator's attempt at speaking up seared through his mind, now that he had the chance to acknowledge it. The attempt at speaking, Alec knowing at least somewhat the point he was trying to get out. It did the opposite of what it was supposed to do. It only fuelled his actions more. It was a stutter. It was a stupid thing, but every time he heard somebody else. he couldn't help but think of himself. He had a pretty big stuttering problem back in his first year. Most of it came down to the fact that he wasn't used to being around kids his age. The fact that he was on high alert because it was a new place. His house and not feeling like belonging, and just the people he'd met. He'd met good people, great people in fact. But certain impressions of people were lasting, and at points in reviewing memories Alec couldn't help but wince.

It hadn't been great, but it was better then most things. The smile fell as he stared on for a moment at his opponents, before his eyes fell on Rose. She'd healed him. What?! Okay that was not apart of the discussed strategy for the duel! Or- ... Maybe it was? He was confused and unsure, and what? This was one of the worst times ever to even think of doing that. He'd been getting up on the Ravenclaws about removing blindfolds, healing was better..., but still not all that great. Rose was making them the same as the Ravenclaws, was she not able to catch a hint?

Alec looked away, to side, back at the stands and huffed, kicking at the ground very gently one of his feet. He turned back and nodded Rose's way. “Great casting, thanks.” He whispered. He inwardly rolled his eyes. Come on, seriously?

Whatever.

“I see you needed something to brighten up the room a bit. Too bad someone turned the lights off.” He could work under these conditions. He'd show them all.

“Rose, we've got this. Your spells have been cast so well this far. We will beat them.” He had to work with Rose for this, and not against her, he was going to have to cut down. He knew that she was going to want him to listen and ease off the insults a bit. Honestly a bit of break would do him some good, at least until she managed to mess up a spell. “and um... Thanks again, for the healing spell, I don't know if we planned that but-eh it was-er-thanks.” Alec whispered. -Agh! No. This wasn't really happening was it? Did he really go all nice on her like that and actually mean it? He did actually appreciate being healed, it was just, it was ruining what he was trying to do. Stop that Alec. Okay obviously he needed to hold his tongue for a while. Alec took a deep breath. It was about time he focused on the duel.

Action: Doing what was/will be owled~

The comebacks of Alec frustrated Samantha a lot. She wanted to say something back, to let him know she didn't agree with him. She wanted to make such a clever comeback that he didn't know what to say back, but she couldn't come up with anything. Besides, if she would say something she would do the exact opposite of what she wanted to do, which was to stop talking and start dueling.

Samantha heard the voice of Jack, but she didn't pay much attention to him. She was way to annoyed at Alec to take the time to listen to the Hufflepuff. She had thought of the perfect spell to teach Alec a lesson, but a tickling feeling messed up the plan. The burst of giggles made it harder for her to aim and her spell missed its target.

She was close to exploding out of anger when she noticed that her spell had missed and her partner was blindfolded again. When Alec decided it was time to open his mouth again she couldn't keep calm anymore. "You shouldn't talk, it looks like you only know 2 spells, so just stop talking. And at least Dee doesn't need her partner to heal her little wounds, because she isn't a little baby like you!" Samantha talked really fast and was clearly frustrated. She needed somebody to calm her down, because this wasn't good.

Maybe Alec tactic was trying to get inside her head and make her anger. If it was he had succeeded, she was furious. He hadn't missed a single spell and she had just failed one in front of a whole audience, which included the person she disliked the most at Hogwarts.

It was unusual for Samantha to lose control normally she would come back with a even sassier comment then last time, but she couldn't this time. This was her first official duel, this was suppose to be fun, they were suppose to be friendly towards each other, all her spells were suppose to hit, she was suppose to win, this wasn't suppose to happen!

@Alec Mason | @Dealla Prince | @Samantha Salwis

Rose shook her head and chuckled, as Alec repeated the words of his opponent. "If our strategy was so painfully transparent, why do y'all keep getting hit?" she grumbled. She wasn't fully committing to the argument, but it was just loud enough for all three of the other duelists to hear, if they were paying attention to her at all.

Samantha then looked Rose in the eye and told her that she was sorry that Rose had a partner like Alec. The redhead froze, unsure of how to react. On one hand, Samantha probably actually felt bad for her. Why? Rose didn't feel bad for herself. On the other hand Samantha was pitying her, and that hurt her pride deep. She didn't need anybody feeling bad for her. She didn't want anybody feeling bad for her. She could do just fine on her own without them worrying about it.

"Alec isn't a bad partner," Rose said thoughtfully. "He just likes having passive-aggressive chats. I can handle some passive-aggressive chats." She smirked, letting them know that it was a joking understatement, of course. She wasn't going to really engage in the argument. Alec was being a little bit mean, and Rose wasn't sure why, but as long as it didn't interfere with their dueling as a team, she wouldn't come down hard on him or anything. Maybe in private she would suggest that he wouldn't shoot insults at the other team so much, but definitely not in public, during their duel. They were meant to be a strong and united front, and that's what they were going to be.

Rose looked over to Alec as the next round started. He sent the Blindfolding Spell towards Dealla, and it hit her, blinding her again. "Nice work!" she exclaimed. Alec seemed to be looking a little bit weaker than he had been when the duel had started. It wouldn't hurt to help him a little bit, right? She would rather help him now than as a last resort right as he was about to faint. Rose pointed her own wand at her partner. "Reparifors," she murmured. The spell worked. Rose had always been strangely good at healing spells, after all.

It wasn't soon after that a bright light obstructed their vision. Rose shielded her eyes a little with her left hand, keeping her right steady. Dealla. She pressed her lips together.

Alec didn't seem really happy that she had healed him. That had been her own choice, and if the Ravenclaws were going to come down on them, she would take the criticism. It had been her own decision. That's what teams were supposed to do. He thanked her anyway. She shrugged. "No problem."

Samantha was getting way too worked up over jabbing comments that could easily be ignored. Alec didn't even know them, they didn't need to take actual offense. "I didn't heal him because he's a baby," she said. "You guys seem extremely worked up towards him, casting all your spells at him. If he's gonna take the spell, then I can at least help," she said, shrugging casually. She didn't seem very phased by all this. Plus, Samantha hadn't used more than two spells herself, so it wasn't like she had any place to talk.

Rose grinned. "You haven't been doing too bad yourself, Mason," she said, teasingly using his last name. "I think we've got this so far, but I wouldn't get too cocky," she said. Considering the luck and skill she had in her last duels, which were just about zero, she wasn't going to straight out say that they were going to win. She didn't want to jinx it.

The redhead really, really couldn't figure Alec out. He thanked her, sincerely, and he was stuttering? She smiled at him. "You're my teammate. Don't worry about it."

She leveled her gaze, halfway shielding her vision with her hand. "Come on, come on, we got this," she whispered, halfway to herself, and halfway to her dueling partner.