Monsieur! I Challenge You to a Duel! PV | A. Morgan as M. Rehnquist closed

[ Playing as iNPC Milosh Rehnquist - More info found here ]

Last time he lost horribly. Going into the Summer Duels, he was ready to take on anything thrown his way. He could've blamed his failure and defeat on his teammates who had succumbed to spells quicker than himself. Perhaps it was their language barrier and not being able to familiarize themselves with each other's strengths and weaknesses. They had taken on the Hogwarts' Ravenclaw team who were formidable opponents that worked together like a well-oiled machine. Whatever the excuse was, he knew he could do better and punished himself for weeks after the devastating loss, unable to enjoy the rest of summer. He'd gone into a sort of rut, Durmstrang was known for having great duelists and he had let himself and others down. His hyper critical approach led him to practicing with anyone and everyone, sometimes to the point he was blinded by rage where the duel would have to be cut short else he'd go past the breaking point and do something he'd be ashamed of.

He'd ruffle his locks out of his face, his usual frown etched on his clenched jaws, features looking intimidating as his dark brown gaze swept the room. He was caught off guard as a boy, similar looking to himself yet with an overwhelming joyous aura made his way over to him with a sugar-coated smile and slight wave of the hand. A shiver ran down his spine at the words that escaped his lips. Milosh's broodish nature turned into that of intensity, the tension could be felt as they stood merely a few feet from each other.

”Is that a challenge? His scowl quirked upwards at the end, not quite a smile, but a smug look now replaced his previously unamused expression. It quickly shifted into a sour look as the boy leaned closer with a desperate look that made him uncomfortable to say the least. Puppy dog eyes were pitiful, much more so on a boy near his own age by the looks of it.

"Very well, if you are that excited to get your ass handed to you. The name's Milosh, and my favorite spell is Petrificus Totalus!"

He'd draw his wand from his robe pocket, directing his gaze and wand tip at the boy across from him. His scowl now turned into a smirk as he'd think to himself.
Let's see what he can do.

Mentions:@Koko Riddle as Cyrus Darsel
Actions:Directing Petrificus Totalus at Cyrus to catch him off guard
Stats/Abilities: Listed above in banner

The boy scared him, just a bit. He carried himself with a sort of dark confidence that almost made Cyrus have second thoughts, but the American boy was brave. He thought he could hold his own, maybe.

The other boy asked if Cyrus was challenging him, and the taller boy shrugged. ‘Uh, yeah,’ Cyrus said. ‘I’m challenging you to a duel.’ His wand was now out of his mouth and was in his hand, which restlessly tapped it against his leg.

The boy agreed to the duel and introduced himself as Milosh ─ a threatening name for a threatening kid. When he said his favourite spell, petrificus totalus, Cyrus was completely unprepared. He flailed about and waved his arms, attempting to dodge the spell. He barely thought about countering, pointing his wand vaguely in Milosh's direction as he stumbled away. Spells, spells ─ aha! His favourite!



'AVIS!' he shouted, panicked, and in his shock, he conjured a flock of mallards. Did they hit their target? No. No, they did not. They flew away peacefully, leaving Cyrus, undefended, to take the brunt of the petrificus.



He was disappointed by how it stung. He'd never been petrified before. It was not a particularly pleasant feeling at all. He lay there, still, a comically panicked expression stuck on his face. He would dislike this even in hindsight; even for the often joyous Cyrus, being forced to look like a cartoon character was too much. He wished his conjured mallards could peck the other boy's wand out of his fingers, but this was not the case. Ugh. Silly birds. He should have brought bread.

He would continue to lay there, frozen, well into the next round. He wondered if Milosh would adhere to duelling conventions and refrain from attacking him, but if he had judged the other boy correctly, he was about to be, metaphorically, kicked while he was down. And he couldn't even do anything to protect himself if he needed to! He wasn't scared, not really, he told himself, but that didn't stop the slight curdling feeling in his stomach. He didn't like not being able to move. He was never still. but here he was...



Setting: Sunday, 8 October 2023. 15:20. Duelling Club.
Interactions: @Milosh Rehnquist @Annie Morgan
Action: casting avis & just laying there (not attempting a strength check for the next round)
Statistics and Abilities:



Cyrus Darsel


Milosh Rehnquist

[ Playing as iNPC Milosh Rehnquist - More info found here ]

Just as he had suspected, the boy's eyes initially lit up in excitement before quickly turning to shear panic, an amusing emotion to witness but perhaps not feel. He'd become bound, stiff as a board, but right before doing so casted Avis. "What are you going to do with birds, have them peck me?" He'd scoff at the choice of spell. Perhaps he liked the prettier things in life. Well, beauty is pain, and the beauty of the spell cost him as it wasn't able to land resulting in him being in pain.

He'd walk over to the boy, his black boots clicking on the ground with each step until he got close enough to peer over the frozen figure. His eyes pleaded for mercy. It was a shame, really. He had wanted to duel, and so it shall be. Milosh kept his wand at the ready, circling him, like a lion to its prey. "10 rounds, until either of us pass out or yield. If both of us are still standing at the end of this, well that's commendable, but unlikely, whoever escapes most scathed wins. That is a duel. I make no compromises for anyone. Shall I shed any pity on you, I would be no greater fool as you could use it to your advantage. Isn't that, right? Duelists always watch their back." He'd solidify his point, placing the heel of his boot on the boy's chest, doing a quick sideways motion as if stomping out a cigarette butt.

He'd move back to a proper distance from the boy. With his wand-free hand, he'd tap his chin in contemplation of two things. One, what spell to use, as out of respect for typical dueling fashion, he couldn't attack the boy until he was back on his feet. And two, reminding himself to not be too egotistical else he'd be in a world of hurt like last time. Finally, coming to a conclusion he'd point his wand tip to himself and mutters an incantation.

"Animosus!"

Mentions: @Koko Riddle as Cyrus Darsel
Actions: Casting Animosus (Bravery Charm) on self
Stats/Abilities: Listed above in banner

Cyrus was not okay. He was beginning to hate Petrificus Totalus so much. He couldn't move. He had never had to be kept still in his life, and he couldn't stay still of his own volition. And now this was a violation of his body's natural desire to move about! He was freaking annoyed!

He was scared, too. Not that the usually-fearless teenager would admit it, but Milosh didn't seem to be the type who would blindly follow duelling rules. Were they even officially duelling yet?

He was even annoyed by Milosh's comment about the birds. What did he know!? Birds were magnificent. Maybe he could aim a well-done ducklifors later... but that wasn't a very Cyrus thing to do. He wasn't vengeful. He was just scared and hurt and uncomfortable.

He watched, still frozen, as Milosh laid out their ground rules. Fine. That was fine. Ten rounds? Cyrus could last that long. He could already feel the Petrificus wearing off, but his body once again went rigid, this time from fear and discomfort as Milosh laid his foot upon Cyrus's chest.

When Milosh moved away and cast Animosus at himself, Cyrus frowned and slowly pushed himself to his feet. At least it hadn't been a strong Petrificus... not that Milosh needed to hear that thought. The spell had gotten its job done, Cyrus supposed.



Cyrus squeezed his fist to ensure his wand was still secure, and he gingerly tilted his head as he made sure that Milosh wasn't attacking him yet. 'The 10 rounds don't include... that.' The usually happy-go-lucky boy did not mask his distaste for the body-bind curse. 'They'll start now that we're both on our feet. There's nothing less honourable than an unfair duel.'

He was spouting poppycock, really, and even still he told himself he would believe that statement if it meant he never got Petrificused when unawares again. He shuddered before raising his wand and staring blankly at the other boy. 'Obscuro.'



Setting: Sunday, 8 October 2023. 15:20. Duelling Club.
Interactions: @Milosh Rehnquist @Annie Morgan
Action: casting obscuro at Milosh
Statistics and Abilities:



Cyrus Darsel


Milosh Rehnquist

[ Playing as iNPC Milosh Rehnquist - More info found here ]

He had managed to strike a nerve. The boy alas all but immobile, still his features twisted to one of annoyance. It was quite pathetic to witness actually. The other duelist's gaze merely followed Milosh as he walked around his body. Beginning to see his muscles relax and slump from the stiff position he had been forced into, he now backed up to give himself some space. Who knows, the boy could've gone feral and lunged at him.

Feeling the Animosus wash over him, a wicked grin split his features as the other boy was back to eye level. "Enjoy your little nap?" A low chuckle left him. He thought of himself as hilarious, no matter even if his dueling opponent didn't laugh, that meant he got the first and last laugh. And of course, that's how Milosh planned it to be.

As expected, the figure across from him was a bit shook up as he righted himself. He defended himself by saying his Petrificus Totalus didn't count. A small cluck of disapproval from his tongue was heard. "How sad, it was such a good cast too. Let's see if I can repeat it, shall we? Kidding, of course." He'd roll back his cuffs from his polo and fasten them by buttoning them up. His forearm muscles tensed as he withdrew his wand once more, doing the ceremonious head nod or bow before positioning himself the distanced 10 feet away. The boy's eyes shifted to a blank, focused look and he drew a sharp inhale before simultaneously casting a spell to counter his. Or was it a counter? Milosh did like to play games after all.

"Fumos!"

Mentions: @Koko Riddle as Cyrus Darsel
Actions: Casting Fumos
Stats/Abilities: Listed above in banner

Sometimes, Cyrus made the mistake of thinking he was a decent duellist. He would tell himself that it was the residual ew of the Petrificus that was putting him off. He had felt that his Obscuro was a good one! His fingers had tingled, or at least, he thought they had. But while he had meant to blindfold Milosh, it turned out that his aim was so terrible he had blindfolded a spot on the wall.

Rolls:


He stared blankly at it and grit his teeth. Poor wall. Poor him.

His other hand found its way into a fist as he bounced on the balls of his feet. This agitation almost reminded him of the time before he had moved in with his aunt and his uncle, when he had gotten into fights mostly for attention but also because he had itched to prove himself to his parents. Now, at least, he didn't care what his parents thought. But he wasn't going to let someone as rude as Milosh beat him.

Cyrus refused to respond to the other boy's words, which he had branded as taunts. Donald Duck above, it would have been nice to blindfold him. But now he had to focus, focus...

The air thickened. If he weren't duelling, he would have been confused, but he recognised a well-done fumos almost immediately. If it hadn't been Milosh's spell, he would have congratulated the other boy. As it was, Cyrus glumly held his wand at the ready. This was just a flipping game, he told himself, but the reassurance the thought brought him did not stick.

Rolls:


Well, if Milosh was playing a game, Cyrus could play, too. He might not have been as smart, or even as accurate, or even as agile, but he could put all of his heart into his duelling. As ridiculous as that would have sounded aloud, it was a bit more motivating inside his head. A small smile fluttered across Cyrus's lips before he pursed his lips and furrowed his brow in concentration.

It was like they always said ─ 'Go big, or go home.' That was exactly what Cyrus intended to do when he put all of his focus into a single spell: 'Confringo.'



Setting: Sunday, 8 October 2023. 15:20. Duelling Club.
Interactions: @Milosh Rehnquist @Annie Morgan
Action: casting confringo at Milosh
Statistics and Abilities:



Cyrus Darsel


Milosh Rehnquist