2023, Stage 2 Hufflepuff vs. Gryffindor: Match 2

AngelFyre had done more than an admirable job of calming her nerves before her dueling match against Gryffindor was to begin. She had spent years doing Tai Chi with Grandma Ruth, so she had decided to sequester herself near a part of the Great Lake no one really visited much and went through a favorite routine. She focused on her breathing and the fluidity of movement and let all else leave her. She was looking forward to the match while feeling just a little bit petrified all at the same time. Not petrified about losing; never that. This was going to be an act of will to be up there and face her fear, but if she did not do it now, she knew it might get the better of her altogether, and that was simply unacceptable. She could do it. Others before her had. Besides, she knew Simon would be in the audience and that helped to calm her nerves as well.

Best of all, she was partnered again with Emma. They had made a great team in the Fall against Slytherin so she had every reason to believe they would work together just as smoothly this go around. Taking her place on the piste, she first bowed her head to the moderator and then to both of her opponents. She did not know the boy at all, but she recognized Lily Brown as Colin's cousin and, most unfortunately, as the poor girl attacked by the murderous "Chucky" doll that had come to be known on campus as the "Real Girl". Real Girl Wannabe was more like it, but she shook her head. Focus now, AF.

Nodding her head to each of her opponents and offering up a friendly smile to each, she wished both of them a most sincere "Good luck." Looking at them, she could see the nervousness and excitement written all over them, so she followed her well wishes with something else she hoped might help them. "No matter how this turns out, for either side, I promise you the sun will still come out tomorrow. No worries, yeah? Just try and have some fun. You only get one, first duel. Enjoy it."

Then she turned her attention over to her partner, Emma, and smiled widely. Oh, the difference a duel can make. Emma looked strong and excited, a far cry from the timid, scared duellist who stood on the piste not long ago for her first match. AngelFyre walked over to her smiling, and turned her back to their opponents. Whispering in a low tone that only Emma would be able to hear, AngelFyre told her to look at them, not as if they were caged-animals-at-the-zoo sort of way, but just casually at some point before it all started. "See how nervous they look? That was you in the Fall. Are you not glad to be over at least that initial hump?' Then stepping back and heading back to her position, she told Emma over her shoulder, "We have this, partner. And if we actually do not... the sun will rise for us tomorrow as well," and she winked at her before getting into standard duelling position.

Taking a moment to reach up and rub her good luck charm, the badger pin that Simon had given her, she thought happily to herself, Let the games begin.

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Interacts with @Emma Wynn @Taizu Miyashiro @Lily Brown @Adelaide Barlowe

Credit to Lucia Fox for my awesome banner!

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Emma felt more prepared for what was to come, and her bearing showed that. She stood tall, her hand loosely wrapped around her wand as she readied herself for the duel. Honestly some of that could be attributed to her first win in the fall, but another part was that she was already familiar with Angelfyre's style and would hopefully not need to worry about making adjustments on the fly. It also helped that they had won as a team so she knew they could do it. Either way, she felt ready and loose for the duel that was to come while the other side looked a bit nervous.

Emma wasn't surprised at Angelfyre's comments to the other team, smiling quietly at the other side, but not adding her own words, feeling that Angelfyre's was better than anything she could come up with. She couldn't help but giggle at Angelfyre's side comment to her though. Nodding, Emma said "You're right, we've got this. I'm definitely more ready than I was last time." Blowing out a breath, Emma smiled serenely waiting for the duel to start.

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Round 1

Taizu vs AngelFyre

Reducio

Taizu casts the Fire-Making Spell at AngelFyre.
Wisdom DC: 9
Wisdom Check: [d20: 1] + 8 = 9, critical failure

Duration: [d6: 3] -> Not aflame
Damage: 50 + 11 x 10 = 160 damage
Effect: Spell backfired and Taizu takes 160 damage

Lily vs AngelFyre

Reducio

Lily casts the Dancing-Feet Spell at AngelFyre.
Wisdom DC: 9
Wisdom Check: [d20: 15] + 6 = 21, success
Autododge Check: [d20: 4] -> No autododge

Accuracy Check: [d20: 17] + 5 = 22
Evasion Check: [d20: 9] + 7 = 16
22 > 16 -> Hit

Duration: [d3: 3] -> 2 rounds
Damage: 50 + 3 x 5 = 65 damage
Effect: AngelFyre takes 65 dmg, -1 acc and -2 eva for 2 rounds

AngelFyre vs Taizu

Reducio

AngelFyre casts the Blindfolding Spell at Taizu.
Wisdom DC: 10
Wisdom Check: [d20: 8] + 7 = 15, success
Autohit Check: [d20: 16] -> No autohit

Accuracy Check: [d20: 17] + 8 = 25
Evasion Check: [d20: 6] + 8 = 14
25 > 14 -> Hit

Effect: Taizu is blindfolded, eva and acc are 0

Emma vs Taizu

Reducio

Emma casts the Bubble-Producing Charm at Taizu.
Wisdom DC: 9
Wisdom Check: [d20: 3] + 9 Comprehend Languages = 12, success

Accuracy Check: [d20: 19] + 7 = 26
Evasion Check: [d20: 16] + 8 = 24
26 > 24 -> Hit

Effect: -2 eva until nullified

The duel had only just begun, and yet it seemed the Duellists were showing no mercy. Taizu would attempt to send an Incendio at AngelFyre, but whether he had lost concentration halfway through or was hit with a last minute bout of nerves, the spell had backfired and he would be the one to take the hit. Ouch. Not a great start to the duel for him. Lily would also target AngelFyre with a Tarantallegra, one which the poor Hufflepuff would not be able to dodge. AngelFyre's legs would start moving of their own will, dancing a very inadequate representation of what Adelaide thinks is meant to be an Irish dancing jig, though it just seems like AngelFyre is jumping all over the place.

The Gryffindors were solely targeting AngelFyre, leaving Emma luckily unscatched for now. But it seemed the Hufflepuffs would have the same train of thought, and AngelFyre sends a well aimed Obscuro at Taizu. The boy would soon find himself unable to see as the blindfold wrapped around his eyes. That certainly would not be fun, but Adelaide had to admit it was a smart idea by AngelFyre. But it would not end there for poor Taizu, as Emma would cast Bullarum Immortalem at the Gryffindor, which would likely make it difficult for Taizu to dodge the next round of spells if it wasn't for the fact he was already blindfolded.

What a rather chaotic first round. It seemed these Duellists had prepared well for this duel, and Adelaide was rather eager to see what would come next.

Information

1. You have 96 hours from the timestamp of this post to owl me, Adelaide Barlowe, your actions. If you do not post within the allotted time, your action is void. There are no extensions.

2. Word count is 50 words minimum, but feel free to write as much as you like. Do not hint about your actions in your post.

3. Your stats, abilities, and spells have been locked on 26th January for the duration of the duel. Any spells added after that date cannot be used.

4. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to owl or DM me.

5. If you haven't already, please familiarize yourself with the Duelling System, Duelling Spells, and the latest patch.

6. Most importantly, good luck and have fun!

@Emma Wynn @AngelFyre McCubbin @Taizu Miyashiro @Lily Brown

[Spectator Thread: Day 2, Morning]

Edit: Updated to rectify an error I made with Taizu's Incendio spell. It was a critical failure so would've backfired on him. I apologize for this error.

Credit to Lucia Fox for my awesome banner!

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Emma knew things could heat up quickly and it seemed like that was the plan this round. She didn’t even know who Taizu had been aiming for but unfortunately for him it backfired. She winced in sympathy, remembering how painful Incendio could be from the last duel she participated in. She turned to Lily only to realize her spell had already been cast, her mouth started to form the words watch out to her partner but too late, it already landed. Emma’s eyes widened, grinning when she recognized what might be an interpretation of the Irish Jig. “Sorry you’re dealing with it, but I mean luck of the Irish I hope?” Emma threw to her partner, hoping that she took it in the lighthearted nature she meant it rather than a jab. Even though they had minimal interactions after or even before their duel, Emma felt comfortable enough for the moment to pull it off.

She cheered when Angelfyre’s obscuro blinded Taizu, happy to see that it would inhibit the boy for at least one round. Next she took a breath, and then cast Bullarum Immortalem at Taizu, even knowing that it wouldn’t do much for depleting the boy’s evasion considering the blindfold. But it might come in handy later.

Well, that had gone mostly well, although poor Angelfyre was still doing her dance and jumping around. But the other side had come out a little worse for wear than them at least this round. She could only hope the rest of the duel went as well.

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Well, unlike their first duel together, spells flew and spells landed.... most of them anyway... in the first round. Things, at least for now, seemed to be favoring the badgers and that was fine by AngelFyre. She felt great when she pointed her wand at Taizu and let loose her "Obscuro!" Her trusty and faithful wand began to warm her hand with no wobbling, so AngelFyre knew immediately this would be a successful casting. All that was left was to see that her aim was true. And it was! No matter how many times she had practiced it, the sight of a blindfold sailing across the piste was just such an amazing sight to behold. It flew quickly across and wrapped itself around her target's eyes in no time flat. What a relief!

Buuuuut... AngelFyre was not the only one on stage casting, let alone casting successfully. A smile had begun to turn up at her lips when poor Taizu was also bubbled by Emma's amazing cast. yes! Yes!! YES!!! Their plan had actually gone as planned. That was something they had gotten to enjoy too infrequently in their first duel, so she was happy to revel in the moment.

That was a mistake.

Both her focus and Emma's focus had been on Taizu. When he lifted his wand at the same time AngelFyre had raised hers, it was obvious he was gunning for her, too. A lump of terror momentarily stopped her heart from beating when she saw the fire emit from his wand, but that terror evaporated when it backfired on the boy himself. She took absolutely no joy in his having to go through that. Fire hurt. Badly.

She still had nightmares about it... when she did manage to sleep. Luckily for Taizu he did not set himself aflame. That was her last thought before being hit squarely with Lily's 'Tarantallegra!' It did not hurt in the least, but - well, that was not entirely true. Her pride may have quite possibly been tweaked. The girl knew she would not be able to sing a song, even if for some bizarre reason she could not conceive of in the moment her being able to do so meant saving Simon's life. But dancing?

That she could do, and she could do it beautifully! Or usually she could. It was the strangest feeling to have her legs suddenly begin to move with no direction from her whatsoever. And because the rest of her was not clued in to what the next moves should be, her arms and torso were moving in a most erratic fashion as well. She was aware Emma had said something about luck of the Irish, so whatever this mess was, AngelFyre figured it must look a little like an Irish jig. What it felt like, however, was that she was being controlled by some maniacal marionettist who had managed to get the strings completely entangled.

It was embarrassing, yes, but more than that, she now worried how it would affect her casting in the next round. She looked up from her "dancing feet" and smiled at Emma. "Right now I will take all the luck I can get... good luck, that is," and she smiled though she doubted Emma would have been able to see it with all of the bouncing and twisting and turning.

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Interacts with @Emma Wynn @Taizu Miyashiro @Lily Brown @Adelaide Barlowe