2022, Stage 1 Day 2 SPECTATOR

"Hm." Colin was momentarily lost in thought. "I wonder --- was Sam actually looking at me before? I mean --- doesn't she know? I mean, they are housemates!"

Colin realised that he wasn't the only one lost in thought! Poor Sam seemed to just stand there, befuddled! She'd better wake up! he thought. Regina taunted Sam. That was brilliant! Try and knock your opponent down with words as well as wands! Colin chuckled. "Yeah, right! Give up while you can still walk Salwis!"

But of course, the Ravenclaw wasn't about to give in quite that easily. Colin certainly had to admire her pluck. She'd go down in flames, but would never surrender. Colin nodded. That's exactly what he would do --- never surrender. Of course, in stead of gabbing, he'd've responded with an actual spell! But, perhaps the Ravenclaw girl had some brilliant plan in mind that involved standing very still while facing two formidable opponents!

"Stop playing with yer food, Regi lass! Just cook her and put her out of her misery!" Colin called out to the Pride.

"WHOA!" Almost as if he'd read Regina's mind, she cast incendio straight at Sam! A hit! "WOOOO! REGI! REGI!" It wasn't her most powerful: he was fond of incendio duo himself, and knew that Regina was as well. He wondered at her choice of the less powerful fire spell. Again, Colin considered that there must be some subtle strategy going on there!

It was something he'd have to think about. He was a werewolf, and had fought wolves before. Strategy for him largely boiled down to go for the throat and rip it out as soon as possible. Unless it was a friendly fight, in which case, assert dominance was the go to!

As the fire hit Sam, Colin cheered his team on: "You got the birds by the tail! You set her up, now knock her down Lions!" It seemed to Colin that Sam really had no choice but to forfeit or be knocked off her feet.

@Regina Miller | @Bubba McGarry | @Samantha Salwis

Afternoon Slot - 12:30 - 13:30, Match 11

Blue in English, Red in Korean

This was hopeless. Kim was truly doing his best but Everly made no effort to help. Eun-ji would have understood a momentary hesitation if it was her first duel but that was not the case. She already secured two wins for the Gryffindor team before. What is she doing? If anyone had the right to freeze, it was her teammate for whom this was the very first official duel. And yet…Kim was dodging bravely and throwing spells whenever he could. Essentially fighting two against one. It was truly unfortunate way to start his duelling career. He would lose this one for sure. Eun-ji frowned unhappily. Losing the first battle would be hard blow for any duelist but it was all the more frustrating when it wasn’t your fault.

There were still two rounds left but the Ravenclaw doubted they would get to finish the duel. In fact, she had the utmost respect for Kim to even last this long. Right now, he was at the end of his rope. There was no energy left to fight that much was clear. Still, even when he was left to fend for himself he would eventually go down whilst protecting his unreliable teammate. Eun-ji found that she had no sympathy for the girl. She would have in the past but after being constantly let down by people, she had no capacity to try and understand others as much as she used to. Bridget seemed to be skittish about the possibility of a spell hitting Everly since she wasn’t doing much to avoid it however Eun-ji almost wished it did. Why did the second year have to bear all consequences by himself?

“Stop!” The duel was finally cut short once the young lion hit the ground. The Ravenclaw winced and sighed. The boy would be okay of course. The duellists were always quickly tended to in the hospital wing. She herself had the pleasure to experience their care after she’d been burned several times during her first duel...although back then, she was able to walk there by herself. Well, I should go and check on him. Thank god Charles wasn’t here to see this.

Mentioning: @Kim Sato٭ @Everly Charlton
Eun-ji leaves the thread

"I'll never forfeit!" Colin heard Sam yell back at her opponents. There was no doubt that she was a brave duellist! She'd fought hard, but the Lions were stronger. Well, he was certain Regi could have stared old Tom Riddle down into a puddle of trews wetting jelly! Colin reckoned that there must be something almost magical about Regi's very presence in a room. It's like she could just walk into a place and command the entire room.

"Whoa. That's mighty brave Sam but you're going down!" he said as the two side exchanged brief words. Colin knew well he'd never surrender unless there was simply no other way, and especially if the alternative would be death anyway. But this was a school duel. Surrender was okay, especially since the end was now near for the birbs.

"The only way you will win is if I can't move anymore."

Colin couldn't help but laugh at Sam's bravura! "Lass that's exactly what the Lions have planned! Might as well lay down now!"

"Is that so? Be careful what you wish for." Regi's retort was curt and to the point. Colin could sense that she was done playing with her prey. She'd go in for the kill soon. It was quite amazing to watch. As the duellists prepared for the inevitable, Colin thought he might ask Regina if she could teach him anything. He really had fallen in love with duelling, and thought it would be cool to study under a strong duellist!

"WOOOOOHOOOOOP!!!" Colin cheered as the Pride of Pendrast set up their casting! Poor Sam looked like a mouse frozen to the spot! Why didn't she cast anything? "Must be Regi," Colin said under his breath. "They've got her."

And with three words, cast almost simultaneously, it was over.

Sam was slammed with a knock out knockback jinx and engulfed in Regi's terrible fire! The other spectators knew that Sam wouldn't recover from this, and frozen to the piste, she wouldn't be able to dodge either. Colin was on his feet before anyone else! "THAT'S THE WAY LIONNNNS!!!" The Ravenclaw was blown off her feet and thudded to the floor. "REGI REGI REGI!!" Colin chanted. "PRIDE OF PENDRAST! SMASHER OF RAVENEGGS!! Now that's how you play with the birdies!"

Colin was proud of Regi. She really was a powerful duellist. She didn't revel in her victory, though, Colin noted. He was impressed. He liked that about her. Leave the cheering and the exultation for the fans! No, that wasn't Regina Miller's way. He'd recognised in her a fellow predator. And at the end of the duel, he knew she was a sister for sure. The chase got the hunter's heart thumping fast. The hunt was the elongated moment of eternity that pivoted between life and death. The hunter and the prey became one, balancing each other for a brief moment. Sometimes the prey won, and the hunter starved. Other times, the hunter had the victory, and in that moment the Pack exulted. But the hunter stepped aside quietly. He'd done his job. He had no reason to gloat over his fallen foe. Regina seemed to know that, to understand that on a deep level. That was what made Colin proud of the older Gryffindor.

No, she spoke only once more before she stepped off the piste, words that Colin would remember for the rest of his life. Take this as a lesson on the consequences of silencing a Lion.

@Regina Miller | @Bubba McGarry | @Samantha Salwis