Hexwizard Task 1: Beauxbatons v Durmstrang

Basic Rules:

✵There will be a spectators thread, but this spectators thread will be moderated. I will be updating the main post of this thread with links.
✵Players that are "second string" (wait list) but a part of the team, you are free to either choose to enter this thread and sit on the bench. You can interface with other benched users and/or the team's special person. You can also in character tend to the wounds of fallen allies that have been dragged off the chess board.
✵Second strings (wait list) and special people do not have to post every round.
✵Special persons are free to either choose to enter this thread and sit on the bench. You can interface with other benched users and/or the team's special person. You can also in character tend to the wounds of fallen allies that have been dragged off the chess board.
✵Being on the bench does not mean that your special abilities or skills will in any way influence the game.
✵The word count of this thread is reduced to 50 words for the sake of haste. this does include second strings (wait list) and special people.
✵The deadline for posts is the end of Friday (in every time zone). I will be doing the moderations over the weekend. This will be the cycle every week, if this changes there will be warning.
✵Please discuss and tell me what positions your team will take (and in the case of those with second strings (wait list) who is playing).
✵Please note that there are two of certain pieces. Please be clear if you want that Bishop for instance to be in column C or F, if I am not told I will pick for you.
✵The King does not necessarily have to be the champion but the goal is to take down the Champion.

About two hours before the first task a responsible adult had found Erin and corralled her. Erin was not in a state befitting the attention of being anyone's "special person". She did not understand a damned thing they said to her, something about washing and porridge. She begrudgingly complied and was herded to the Durmstrang collective. She did not recognize most of them, worse than that she did not understand what most of them were saying.

"Why am I here?" She would hiss at Yefim in the hall waiting for the announcer to declare his school and call Yefims name. "There are plenty" well 2 "girls here," who he probably preferred and was probably dating. Yes, she was jealous of a relationship she probably did not even have. She would stubbornly extend her hand towards Yefim as if to say (she was saying it, just non-verbally) hold my damn hand!

In the unlikely event that Yefim does not mistaken this for a handshake or a low-five, she would brighten up and happily walk, no skip to the middle board and take her seat on the bench. In the more likely event he did the aforementioned or something previously not considered, he would be dealing with a displeased Erin. The agitation evident from her stomping gait, even in mary jane heels. Her arms crossed against her chest and her carriage not quite erect, rather slightly forward. It was really the Champion's problem, dealing with the needs of a woman was never really on his radar but now he was stuck with one until the year's end.

He really should have just made it a bromance with Niffler.

Benched.

𝙾𝚄𝚃𝙵𝙸𝚃: Reducio Durmstrang Uniform (for now)

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▪ 𝙴𝙽𝙲𝚈 ▪ ▪ FELIX ▪ KOLBECK ▪ ▪ DURMSTRANG iNPC ▪ FOURTH YEAR ▪

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𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙰𝙲𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂: Reducio @Flash Holmwood as Yef @Sylvain Wyllt as Roberta @Erin Ryan

Who in the seven circles of hell had allowed the vendors to sell NOISE MAKERS? An annoyed scowl was already fixated on Felix's face even before their team made their appearance. Perhaps it made him look tough, but in reality his heart was pounding against his chest. He was used to dueling, but not like this. Thankfully he would do almost anything for Yef, including saving or defending his ass against whatever the hell the frilly French school had to offer. He knew they had several capable spell casters; he had been on the same team as one the summer before. If Roberta looked his way he would give her a silent nod as a greeting. Despite their previous status as team mates, he wasn't going to go easy on her and expected the same from her.

"Why is she angry already?" Felix asked Yef, nodding towards his 'special person'. He didn't understand why he had selected her. She was pretty in the traditional sort of way and he knew a lot of guys were into that, but the girl was... Terrifying. Yefim was into something... Odd. "It's not the chicks you should be jealous of, Goldie." Was this true? No. Was he going to elaborate? No. Let her imagination run wild.

In the meantime, he had a game to play.

Action: As strategized.

Well, FINALLY. In Yefim's impatience for this day to arrive, he had been planning and plotting and bullying all over the place, but he could relax now. The sounds of the cheering all around would signify just how crowded this arena was going to be, and that worked perfectly well for him. He was surrounded by his team, and had trained their skills to perfection. No matter what the other team threw at them, his team would be victorious. In fact, this was going to be a sweep. Durmstrang was obviously the best of all the schools, and he himself was destined to win. If anything, it was surprising that more people didn't drop out in fear of him and the Horntail Horde's fearsome power. Right, that was the name they called themselves, after the most dangerous type of dragon known to man. Complete decimation was on the menu tonight, and deep inside his stomach Yefim could feel the joy of carnage rising.

However, his attention would be drawn not by the crowd, but by his special person, Erin. The elusive Quidditch beater normally shrugged off his enthusiasm to add her to his merry band of misfits, but now she was trapped! She would bemoan her required attendance, seeming to deduce that she was only there to 'be a girl.' Felya would also chime in with some commentary, though it was clear he also had a strange idea of Yefim's intentions. Yefim would not pretend to understand the minds of others, nor would he try.

”Here for watch game.” Yefim also didn't know why she was here, exactly, but he was glad she was. With a hand in his vicinity, he would take the hint and hold hers as they went forward. His was a palm baring no apprehensive sweat and with a firm grip that did not waver. Of all the things that could be said about Yefim that were horrible yet true, he was certainly not a coward in any affair. Maybe a bit delusional, but never afraid. ”Have fun.”

With that, he would be shown to the central square, where the black-and-white checkered platform would be his stage. He would let go of Erin's hand to posture to the crowd, wooping and throwing up his hands to what would invariably be boos and screams of derision. He had worked hard to get as many people as possible to hate him, and by now he was the object of scorn across the world. it would be all the more delicious when they would need to eat their words later. Although the win was already in the bag, Yefim would still spare his devoted crew a few words to get the hype going. Turning to face them before taking his place on the white side of the board, his voice would boom as usual.

[”Soon, we will be supping the ichor of victory. Let your hunger fuel your ferocity. We are a horde of dragons descending on our prey, we shall not pity them nor shall we show any mercy.”] Yefim was a great deal more eloquent in his native language, and nothing would lead him to prose more than conquest and savagery. [”They are a banquet, upon which we feast!”]

With that, he would take his place on the board, a smile on his face that could make cold blood freeze.

Mikael's gaze darted about the room his brows furrowed deeply. The boy's walk was stiff, but it had little to do with what lay ahead. In truth, the boy could not get over how many eyes there were. Staring down at him. Ready to watch his every move. Mikael swallowed thickly, the feeling of drowning in the noise from those that screamed and shook their noisemakers overcame him. In times like this, he wished the waves would overcome him and take him under and away from everything. The boy blinked slowly looking up at the ceiling. The thought of going under was as terrifying as it was tantalizing. The many layers of the water above him, and no sounds except the dull sound of movement.

Mikael sighed slowly before bringing his gaze forward once more. What would the dark-haired boy do? Would he be swayed by such grabs for his attention? He found it impossible to read him, and yet here he was. Hoping to understand. Mikael glanced towards Valentin, his eyes locked on to the light. The boy frowned slightly deeper trying to convey his feelings to the other without opening his mouth. Before turning away from the other without another glance. Mikael pulled slightly at his uniform. The bulky armor that encased his body weighed him down, and yet he continued forward. Little discomforts seemed worth it when it came to Yefim. To keep moving forward for him. To sacrifice his being for him. It was something that weighed heavily in his mind and pushed him forth.

| Stamina 10 | Evasion 8 | Strength 12 | Wisdom 6 | Arcane Power 6 | Accuracy 10 |

Lovely Creature - Terrible Presense - Perfectionist - Fearless

@Flash Holmwood, @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood

Valentin had every reason to be happy, joyful even, surrounded as he was by his dearest friends on the day of a glorious challenge, and with the perfect opportunity to help raise them up to new heights. With his keen eyes, Val even spotted Piérre in the audience. Weren’t shining moments like these what Valya lived for?

If only I hadn’t broken my wrist last night, Valya lamented to himself. Furious with his own recklessness, Val wished he hadn’t taken that turn so fast on the Arrow. He was trying to practice his aim for the tournament, or so he told himself. There was a certain point after which it became “overpracticing” and “reckless endangerment,” and Val knew it. He knew it, but wanted to find something he could improve anyway. He wanted to do better, to be better than he was. He wanted to be worthy.

Despite medical care, the delicate hands of the seeker still needed time to heal before they could be asked to do the job that, truth be told, Valentin’s own heart was not yet ready to perform. Now how am I going to aim, he berated himself.

Valentin entered the ballroom at Yefim’s right side (as Mik was left-handed), and the albino tipped his head respectfully at the cranky part-veela that Val considered a person to protect– out of regard for Yefim, mostly. Although, Erin’s comments about their bonfire stories had left a good impression on him. He really didn’t know much about her, however special she may or may not have been to Yefimka. Still, even if Val was not in the best of moods either, he was not one to needlessly stray from tradition. From his pocket Valentin pulled a chocolate frog and, when Erin’s back was turned away from him, he tossed it at the back of her neck in the hope that his delicate aim would not outright splat it against her. Rather, he was aiming for her collar, hoping to get the frog to fall into her shirt and crawl around her back where she couldn’t reach. Immediately after launching the frog, Valentin shoved his hands into his pockets as his face broke into a wry grin. Looking back at Yefim kicking things off with a rousing speech, Valentin proceeded to listen intently… both to Fima and to whatever reaction Erin might make after the frog attack.

Through Valya’s smile, cracks of pain showed through. So this is how it’s going to be, the seeker concluded from his little test. He began to turn his head, and his shoulders started to follow, until Val stopped himself. Don’t look, Valik. Not right now. A jolt of screaming nerves radiated up his arm into the bone of his elbow, a pain spreading like electricity. Nodding to himself, a diffuse pain then washed through his chest– not of a physical wound, but from quite a different kind of fall.

Taking a couple of long strides forward, Valentin looked up to see Mikael looking at him. Locking eyes together, the dark-haired boy’s frown deepened, and Val’s left hand began to hurt as well. It had been since the beginning of August since both of Val’s hands hurt, and then, it was from excessive clenching in an effort to capture and hold in a greater agony belonging to Mikael. Looking at him now, the sense of drowning on Misha’s face once more, Valentin could not help wondering what the boy had gained from his blood sacrifice. It wasn’t as if this match weren’t a special moment with its own unique pressures, and yet, while Valya longed to grasp the boy by both shoulders and inhale all the torment Mikael still carried, Valentin simply stood perfectly still. Gazing back, the albino’s alabaster face froze, smooth as a statue.

The captain in Valentin knew he should give Mikael encouraging words. He wanted to. Yet, hands aching, all Valya did was stare through obsidian-sharp eyes the color of amethyst. Taking one step forward so that it would all be very clear to Misha, Valentin clenched his aching hands and smiled, radiantly, from ear to ear. Taking a deep breath in, deep happiness and tranquility beamed from Valentin’s face, amplified by the pain like by a Fresnel lens bathed in liquid mercury, and Val’s smile broke open to show rows of shining teeth. To be so close up, such a light could have been overwhelming or even blinding. Yet, the light was pure, and true. Mikael turned away and pulled at his uniform, apparently done.

With a heavy sigh, it was Valentin’s turn to move away. The seeker found Felix next, talking with Yefim, and Valentin sidled up alongside them. With a slight one-sided grin, Valentin appreciated the Swede’s jest. Yet, lacking his usual playful spirit, Valentin simply nodded at the pair as if to say ‘carry on’ before walking away. It’s strange, thought Val, crossing his arms as if he were cold. The way I pictured it before, I’d be doing what I always do as captain… talking to people, raising them up. Where have my words flown off to? With a shiver, Valentin stopped wandering when he reached the edge of the arena. Astrid Olsen was in the crowd, and he waved a hand to greet his second seeker. Would she be drawing anyone during the battle today? Surely such imagery would prove quite dramatic. Was that… She was talking to Piérre? Blinking, Valentin’s lips drew into a thin upward bend. At least Romeo’s twin would not lack for company.

Romeo… yeah… Rome. In the end, it always came back to Romeo. Valik, the albino warned himself, please don’t. Yet, keen eyes flicked to the benches to find him there. The black and white plaid– it was pretty cute, like his own little chessboard. Valentin dropped his arms to his sides and began to press his thumb and forefingers together one at a time. Мин синсез сагышланам, кадерлем. Tatar: (I fight without you, dear one.) If only I could give you my place, so that you could be having this fun and glory and growth.

When Valentin had pictured this moment in his mind only yesterday morning, a sportsman visualizing the day of the match, he’d entertained the idea of throwing the boy a white lily and dedicating the match to him. Of course, Valya simply laughed at himself for this at the time. There was no way he could be so ridiculous, especially not when he had to commit such feelings to his inner dungeon, out of respect. He said no. It was over then. It's over now.

Walking to the perimeter closest to the benches, Valentin stopped in front of the Italian nonetheless. What are you doing?! Stop!

“Ti meriti di essere quassù, Romeo.” “You deserve to be up here, Romeo.”

Valentin gave a funny salute and turned to find his place on the board, hoping all the secret Italian tutoring had done something to make him intelligible. Inside, however, Valentin's heart broke in two to see his face here now.

Stats: STA 8 ✦ EVA 14 ✧ STR 2 ✦ WIS 15 ✧ARC 1 ✦ ACC 15 - Ency
Abilities: Keen Eye ✦ Charmer ✧ Evasive Maneuvers ✦ Fearless

Languages Valentin speaks: English, Russian, German, Tatar, novice Italian

Doing as strategized.

@Piérre Marchonné, @Winnie Harper, @Flash Holmwood, @Percival Rainwood, @Erin Ryan, @Anastasia Varney

english | russian

This was amazing! The cheering crowd, the parade into the ballroom, the noise, the excitement! Amina loved every second of it. She would proudly follow the horde and the blonde Hogwarts student as they entered the center of attention. Adrenaline pumped through her veins although she was not even a real participant. But she felt as a true part of the team and thus her heart was with them.
To show off her pride and support, the girl had painted her cheeks with flags in yellow and red. On top of that she had prepared a giant banner with the symbol of their school.
She soaked up the noise of the crowd and joined them in their cheers as they entered the battlefield.

A broad grin crossed her face as she took her place near the bench on the side of the assigned color.
She planted the banner next to her, not caring that it would block the view of anyone sitting next to her on the bench (possibly @Erin Ryan).
Her eyes rested for a moment on Felix (@Winnie Harper), and when he would look at her, she would make a face at him and then stick out her tongue laughing.

Valentin was too distracted, but that was okay. Today was about the team. About the horde. About showing everyone what they could do. And what she couldn't bring as support in battle, she would make up for with loud encouragement and shouting from the sidelines. No question about it.
She listened to the words that Yef addressed to his team and goose bumps of the good kind covered her arms. When everyone was getting in position, she joined in the cheering again. Now it was time for some motivational words. The most important thing is to have fun? Being part of this is everything? "Don't you dare lose! You'll win this easily!” Her Russian hopefully wafted to her comrades.

With a joyful sigh, she sat down on the edge of the bench, the banner firmly in her hands. When would it finally start? If Erin sat next to her Amina would offer the girl a grin and a friendly nodd.

Interacting | whole Durmstrang Team & Erin

Action | Benching

wonderful banner made by Sylvain Wyllt!

The first task was something Cassie had been both looking forward to and dreading. On the one hand, obviously Beauxbatons was going to win, and Cassie would be a part of that, and it would all be brilliant. On the other, though... Cassie couldn't shake the nerves which accompanied her as she headed to the ballroom. It was irrational to be anxious: Beauxbatons would grind these Durmstrang pretenders into the dust. Cassie wasn't used to this feeling. But this was an important event. The stakes were high. She couldn't afford to mess up.

Roleplaying as Greta — img placeholder

The day of the first task was upon them! Greta still couldn't believe when she had been asked to join the team. A giddy little smile still tugged at her lips whenever she thought about it, flattered that someone as competent and capable as Yefim would seek to add her to their numbers. Over the course of the past half year, the Horntail Horde had really become something of her family. Among their numbers, she had come into her own, challenged and pushed to better herself and reach for confidence. They'd trained so hard for this. Countless exercises, several camps, always striving forward to bring out their best capabilities. Was she ready? Greta couldn't entirely be certain, but as she strode to her place on the board, it would be too late to do anything about that. She definitely hadn't slacked. At least that much was true, and she was driven to prove herself to her new brothers and sisters. Together they would stand strong against their opponents.

Action: Doing as Strategized

Calming Presence affects Durmstrang Team