Like a Duck to Water
RPing as Cyrus Alexander Darsel (Ilvermorny iNPC)
The 'fit: a white T-shirt with a duck, a duck and a goose. blue jeans. black-and-white chequered vans.
It was the middle of summer, and Cyrus was still in the UK. He had thought he might get bored of it, but the longer he stayed with his aunt and her Irish family, the more he actually thought he might one day be able to call this country home – that was, if he and Haven stayed together. Just thinking of Haven made his heart swell with intense warmth, and a smile spread across the young American man's features.
He smiled often, of course, and today for more reasons than just the fact that he had the most amazing girlfriend ever. He had somehow managed to set up a booth, with his aunt's help, just outside of Diagon Alley. If he were accepting currency, he would accept both Muggle and wizarding; however, the most important part of International Rubber Ducky Day was that the ducks were to be free. Given that, atop his table was a gigantic overflowing bucket of rubber ducks.
He had a large sign on the front of the table, painted in a tie-dye fashion, and the words INTERNATIONAL RUBBER DUCKY DAY!!!!!! were written in big, black, Sharpie letters. The sign was somehow legible. Perhaps a bit more personable was Cyrus himself, though. To each passerby, he would hold out a rubber duck and try to explain the importance of the otherwise inexplicable duckalicious holiday. It grew difficult, but the duck-loving young man persisted, his wide grin never fading.
When a young man with red hair came near, Cyrus held out a duck with a Santa hat. 'You there, my good sir! I'm Cy. I'm handing out rubber ducks in celebration of International Rubber Ducky Day, which is... today! Are you interested in partaking in this wonderful joy?'
He smiled often, of course, and today for more reasons than just the fact that he had the most amazing girlfriend ever. He had somehow managed to set up a booth, with his aunt's help, just outside of Diagon Alley. If he were accepting currency, he would accept both Muggle and wizarding; however, the most important part of International Rubber Ducky Day was that the ducks were to be free. Given that, atop his table was a gigantic overflowing bucket of rubber ducks.
He had a large sign on the front of the table, painted in a tie-dye fashion, and the words INTERNATIONAL RUBBER DUCKY DAY!!!!!! were written in big, black, Sharpie letters. The sign was somehow legible. Perhaps a bit more personable was Cyrus himself, though. To each passerby, he would hold out a rubber duck and try to explain the importance of the otherwise inexplicable duckalicious holiday. It grew difficult, but the duck-loving young man persisted, his wide grin never fading.
When a young man with red hair came near, Cyrus held out a duck with a Santa hat. 'You there, my good sir! I'm Cy. I'm handing out rubber ducks in celebration of International Rubber Ducky Day, which is... today! Are you interested in partaking in this wonderful joy?'
Date: 18 July 2025
Time: Midday
Location: Just outside of Diagon Alley, London, UK
Private to: @Dennis Tumberton
[pc] koko riddle · 'i was raised up to be admired.'
'hey! bom bom bom. got any grapes?' · cyrus darsel [inpc]
Like a Duck to Water
Dennis, still miserable from parting ways with his one and only girlfriend…well…now ex-girlfriend, was in a mire. His father, Quint Tumberton, had suggested he go early to Diagon Alley to see if any of his friends were buying their school supplies for next year. For the first few days in July, the now-but-rarely melancholic youth just kind of sat in his room and let his siblings bounce on him and mess with his stuff, something he would have previously not tolerated. What did it matter anymore! It was not going to be the same, he was secretly looking forward to shopping with her this summer. The thought simultaneously made his heart flutter and then sag to his toes. “Ugh…fine…” he said one morning at breakfast, his family looking around as no one had asked any questions. “I’ll go to Diagon Alley…but I don’t want to just go to buy supplies…”
“Well,” his younger brother, Seamus beamed, “my tutor said that today was International Rubber Duck Day! You can buy me a duck!”
His sister nodded vigorously but Dennis protested, “You are going to Hogwarts this year, why do you need a rubber duck? Also, you can come with me and help me carry some stuff.”
The sour expression on the young lady’s face said that that was not going to happen and that’s when his mother piped up, “We actually have plans with some of her friends to go together later. You go and enjoy yourself. Pick up some of those delightful ducks for your siblings, hmm?”
If looks could cause one to vomit he wished for all the world his would make them all wretch. When they all stared back at him both innocently and expectedly he guessed that wandless magic was not in his future. “If I must…” he grumbled into his breakfast, not looking up to see the synchronized curt nod his family gave each other.
One flo network trip later and Dennis was by himself in the Leaky Cauldron. The usual suspects were here and the grim and musty smells no longer surprised him. He shouldered past a few students and adults as well, having gained some height since he was here during his first year.
He winded in and out of shops collecting various trinkets and doodads that the school said was essential for his their year. At Flourish and Blotts, he picked up his Study of Runes book and scrunched up his nose. Along with Divination they just seemed to be piling on filler classes to make it look like they were learning. Despite his rather vapid mood, he already felt the prick in his heart to crack open the book. He would ignore this feeling until he finally read his first pages the first day of school. But for now, Runes was just another obligation.
With a bag of books and another of assorted goods, Dennis reached the end of the alley to find a rather blinding display. Squinting through all the colors, he could only make out a boy cheerfully handing out…what was it? Focusing on the bucket, he finally found the one thing that would make his family happy, otherwise it would be like he came back empty handed. Rubber ducks! The boy’s loud and quirky behavior made his heart hurt. He remembered when he was that happy about life. He doubted he’d ever be that happy again.
As he got closer he realized it wasn’t a boy at all but a full grown man! The next thing he knew a rubber duck with a Santa hat was thrusted in his hands. He quietly said, flabbergasted, “International Rubber Duck Day” at the same time as this Cy character. He blinked several times and something ignited inside him. The man’s grin, his demeanor, the freedom he had, Dennis wanted that again. If this old dude could do it, he could too! But how?
“Sure!” Dennis said, his own smile widening ever so slightly against the despair he felt all summer. “What do I need to do? Do I like…have to swim with them?” He asked pointing to a nearby fountain. “Or like…what?"
“Well,” his younger brother, Seamus beamed, “my tutor said that today was International Rubber Duck Day! You can buy me a duck!”
His sister nodded vigorously but Dennis protested, “You are going to Hogwarts this year, why do you need a rubber duck? Also, you can come with me and help me carry some stuff.”
The sour expression on the young lady’s face said that that was not going to happen and that’s when his mother piped up, “We actually have plans with some of her friends to go together later. You go and enjoy yourself. Pick up some of those delightful ducks for your siblings, hmm?”
If looks could cause one to vomit he wished for all the world his would make them all wretch. When they all stared back at him both innocently and expectedly he guessed that wandless magic was not in his future. “If I must…” he grumbled into his breakfast, not looking up to see the synchronized curt nod his family gave each other.
———————————
One flo network trip later and Dennis was by himself in the Leaky Cauldron. The usual suspects were here and the grim and musty smells no longer surprised him. He shouldered past a few students and adults as well, having gained some height since he was here during his first year.
He winded in and out of shops collecting various trinkets and doodads that the school said was essential for his their year. At Flourish and Blotts, he picked up his Study of Runes book and scrunched up his nose. Along with Divination they just seemed to be piling on filler classes to make it look like they were learning. Despite his rather vapid mood, he already felt the prick in his heart to crack open the book. He would ignore this feeling until he finally read his first pages the first day of school. But for now, Runes was just another obligation.
With a bag of books and another of assorted goods, Dennis reached the end of the alley to find a rather blinding display. Squinting through all the colors, he could only make out a boy cheerfully handing out…what was it? Focusing on the bucket, he finally found the one thing that would make his family happy, otherwise it would be like he came back empty handed. Rubber ducks! The boy’s loud and quirky behavior made his heart hurt. He remembered when he was that happy about life. He doubted he’d ever be that happy again.
As he got closer he realized it wasn’t a boy at all but a full grown man! The next thing he knew a rubber duck with a Santa hat was thrusted in his hands. He quietly said, flabbergasted, “International Rubber Duck Day” at the same time as this Cy character. He blinked several times and something ignited inside him. The man’s grin, his demeanor, the freedom he had, Dennis wanted that again. If this old dude could do it, he could too! But how?
“Sure!” Dennis said, his own smile widening ever so slightly against the despair he felt all summer. “What do I need to do? Do I like…have to swim with them?” He asked pointing to a nearby fountain. “Or like…what?"
@Cyrus Darsel
Staff: Makaio Kāne | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida
Like a Duck to Water
RPing as Cyrus Alexander Darsel (Ilvermorny iNPC)
The 'fit: a white T-shirt with a duck, a duck and a goose. blue jeans. black-and-white chequered vans.
Watching a smile spread across the boy's face made warm fuzzies fill Cyrus's heart. Making someone smile, causing their happiness, was his life's mission, he'd decided, and every time he got to see the positive results of his actions, that drive only solidified. The red-haired boy had, to Cyrus's surprised, seemed to recognise International Rubber Ducky Day! And even more than that, he was... wanting to participate?
Oh, sparkling stars! This was great. This year, it really seemed like the joyous holiday was taking off. In 2024, it had been more difficult, but still rewarding – Cyrus had taught quite a few wizard folk the joys of ducks! But now that people seemed more receptive to ducky happiness, he was pleased to find he could still find the same happiness in sharing the holiday, just in a different way!
'Oh, um! It depends! Sometimes they're decoration, so you could put them on a shelf or something and start a collection, which is super cool.' Cyrus took a few ducks and lined them up on his table to demonstrate. 'I suppose you could swim with them! They float in water, after all. N – Muggle children use them in baths sometimes, I hear.' Cyrus had to stop himself from using the North American 'No-Maj' and switch to the British 'Muggle' for fear the boy might not understand what he was getting at. People were usually a bit nicer towards non-wizards here in Britain, he'd noticed, but he still kept a bit hush-hush about his heritage for fear of potentially running the boy off. 'I actually think they were mentioned in my Muggle Studies class, too.'
His gaze travelled to the fountain the boy pointed at. 'Hmmm. Maybe we could put some in the fountain. I could make a sign pointing to the table, too, proposing that even more youths celebrate the holiday! Great idea, Mr...?'
Oh, sparkling stars! This was great. This year, it really seemed like the joyous holiday was taking off. In 2024, it had been more difficult, but still rewarding – Cyrus had taught quite a few wizard folk the joys of ducks! But now that people seemed more receptive to ducky happiness, he was pleased to find he could still find the same happiness in sharing the holiday, just in a different way!
'Oh, um! It depends! Sometimes they're decoration, so you could put them on a shelf or something and start a collection, which is super cool.' Cyrus took a few ducks and lined them up on his table to demonstrate. 'I suppose you could swim with them! They float in water, after all. N – Muggle children use them in baths sometimes, I hear.' Cyrus had to stop himself from using the North American 'No-Maj' and switch to the British 'Muggle' for fear the boy might not understand what he was getting at. People were usually a bit nicer towards non-wizards here in Britain, he'd noticed, but he still kept a bit hush-hush about his heritage for fear of potentially running the boy off. 'I actually think they were mentioned in my Muggle Studies class, too.'
His gaze travelled to the fountain the boy pointed at. 'Hmmm. Maybe we could put some in the fountain. I could make a sign pointing to the table, too, proposing that even more youths celebrate the holiday! Great idea, Mr...?'
Date: 18 July 2025
Time: Midday
Location: Just outside of Diagon Alley, London, UK
Private to: @Dennis Tumberton
[pc] koko riddle · 'i was raised up to be admired.'
'hey! bom bom bom. got any grapes?' · cyrus darsel [inpc]
Like a Duck to Water
Even though he just met this man, who just so happened to be here the very day his family guilted him into coming, he felt like he has known him for an infinite time longer. He bobbed his head while Cyrus talked about using ducks as decorations, looking from his Santa duck, the one he still held in his hands, to the ducks lined neatly in a row. “Actually, It’s my brother and sister who really wanted ducks. One of them starts at Hogwarts this year. Maybe she would like some to decorate her room with,” Dennis said cheerily, his past woes that were so prominent a moment ago now seemed a distant memory.
He continued in his funny accent to talk about N-Muggles. He wasn’t really quite sure what a Nemuggle was but it sounds horrific. But with the mention of Muggle Studies he knew what the man was on about. Muggle studies wasn’t a course he took before. If rubber ducks were muggle, then he supposed that’s why his family had such an intense interest in them. His dad could be quite obsessive about muggle culture.
“We could move the stand over to the fountain. It might be a nice chance to demonstrate what the ducks can do?” Dennis offered as he took some ducks over to the nearby fountain and sat them on the ledge. “You know, good advertising?” Wasn’t he supposed to be getting home to give these ducks to his family? Suddenly, the young redhead wasn’t really concerned about those things anymore.
He continued in his funny accent to talk about N-Muggles. He wasn’t really quite sure what a Nemuggle was but it sounds horrific. But with the mention of Muggle Studies he knew what the man was on about. Muggle studies wasn’t a course he took before. If rubber ducks were muggle, then he supposed that’s why his family had such an intense interest in them. His dad could be quite obsessive about muggle culture.
“We could move the stand over to the fountain. It might be a nice chance to demonstrate what the ducks can do?” Dennis offered as he took some ducks over to the nearby fountain and sat them on the ledge. “You know, good advertising?” Wasn’t he supposed to be getting home to give these ducks to his family? Suddenly, the young redhead wasn’t really concerned about those things anymore.
@Cyrus Darsel
Staff: Makaio Kāne | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida
Like a Duck to Water
RPing as Cyrus Alexander Darsel (Ilvermorny iNPC)
The 'fit: a white T-shirt with a duck, a duck and a goose. blue jeans. black-and-white chequered vans.
Cyrus's eyebrows lifted when the boy mentioned his siblings liking ducks. Immediately, his interest was piqued – goodness, he couldn't imagine what it must be like to have siblings! It must have been awesome. If he'd had someone to bounce his crazy ideas off of growing up, he would have loved it so much. However, the focus wasn't on him; it was on this boy with red hair and a hint of whimsy. 'You know, if you think she'd like some ducks for décor, I'd say go for it.' Cyrus stared down at his collection and furrowed his brow. 'So, uh, do you think she'd prefer a specific type? Maybe a glow-in-the-dark duck?' He held his hands over one duck to create a shadow, hoping some of the neon-green of glow-in-the-dark paint would come out, but the sunlight of this strange day seemed to work against him.
This boy had to be a genius. Cyrus didn't know a whole lot about IQ or whatever, but the suggestion of putting the ducks in the fountain had him beaming. 'Dude, that's such a good idea! Let's do it!' He followed the boy to the fountain, some ducks in hand, and he did his best to carefully arrange them in the water, paying careful attention to the ones the boy had set on the side. He nodded, pleased, when the ducks began to 'swim'. 'Good advertising indeed, my young protegé. Very good choice. I don't suppose you have any advice for my sign?' Perhaps his all-caps, Sharpie-written 'INTERNATIONAL RUBBER DUCKY DAY!!!!!!!' could be spruced up.
This boy had to be a genius. Cyrus didn't know a whole lot about IQ or whatever, but the suggestion of putting the ducks in the fountain had him beaming. 'Dude, that's such a good idea! Let's do it!' He followed the boy to the fountain, some ducks in hand, and he did his best to carefully arrange them in the water, paying careful attention to the ones the boy had set on the side. He nodded, pleased, when the ducks began to 'swim'. 'Good advertising indeed, my young protegé. Very good choice. I don't suppose you have any advice for my sign?' Perhaps his all-caps, Sharpie-written 'INTERNATIONAL RUBBER DUCKY DAY!!!!!!!' could be spruced up.
Date: 18 July 2025
Time: Midday
Location: Just outside of Diagon Alley, London, UK
Private to: @Dennis Tumberton
[pc] koko riddle · 'i was raised up to be admired.'
'hey! bom bom bom. got any grapes?' · cyrus darsel [inpc]
Like a Duck to Water
Dennis looked at the man called Cy as he offered a glow in the dark duck. He thought for a moment. The idea seemed cool enough. He nodded and took the glow in the dark duck with him as he shuffled his way over to the fountain. When the ducks were in the water, he took out his wand and softly said, “Depulso.” The ducks scattered as if a gentle wind pushed them in various directions with enough force to make it look like they were swimming on their own. He turned back to the blond with a grin at his own progress. “Cute, huh?”
The funny talking guy came over with the rest of the ducks and stand and appropriately praised him which earned him a fist pump by the boy. Dennis, to no ones surprise, responded well to words of affirmation. He blushed slightly when he was endowed with the title protege. No one every at that point had thought him talented at anything let alone gifted. He was pleased that someone noticed him in what felt like a real way. It made him feel one less pang of loneliness.
That didn’t last long though as Cy asked Dennis about his sign. The world came crashing down again. He made signs and t-shirts and banners all the time for his girlfriend. His lips puckered as he fought back some tears. The sign was kind of sad looking, hopefully Cy would mistake his sudden mood change for critique of the sign and not a sudden onset of chronic lonely heart syndrome. He cleared his throat of whatever betrayal it was planning, probably some bitter sob over a certain werewolf, and mustered his best normal voice, which still probably sounded quite pathetic, “You could draw some cute duckies…” the last was word was made with quite a bit of effort as he only saw the poster he made rooting Meyra on at her quidditch game last year.
The funny talking guy came over with the rest of the ducks and stand and appropriately praised him which earned him a fist pump by the boy. Dennis, to no ones surprise, responded well to words of affirmation. He blushed slightly when he was endowed with the title protege. No one every at that point had thought him talented at anything let alone gifted. He was pleased that someone noticed him in what felt like a real way. It made him feel one less pang of loneliness.
That didn’t last long though as Cy asked Dennis about his sign. The world came crashing down again. He made signs and t-shirts and banners all the time for his girlfriend. His lips puckered as he fought back some tears. The sign was kind of sad looking, hopefully Cy would mistake his sudden mood change for critique of the sign and not a sudden onset of chronic lonely heart syndrome. He cleared his throat of whatever betrayal it was planning, probably some bitter sob over a certain werewolf, and mustered his best normal voice, which still probably sounded quite pathetic, “You could draw some cute duckies…” the last was word was made with quite a bit of effort as he only saw the poster he made rooting Meyra on at her quidditch game last year.
@Cyrus Darsel
Staff: Makaio Kāne | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida
Like a Duck to Water
RPing as Cyrus Alexander Darsel (Ilvermorny iNPC)
The 'fit: a white T-shirt with a duck, a duck and a goose. blue jeans. black-and-white chequered vans.
All Cyrus could think was Yes!!! when the boy took the glow-in-the-dark duck. He still had no idea if wizards had glow-in-the-dark paint, but this had to be as good of an introduction as any! But what was even more exciting was the boy's inventiveness. Cyrus watched with wide, glimmering eyes as the boy cast a well-done Depulso. 'Oh, whoa.' He paused, leaned forward. The ducks bobbed along as if pushed by gentle breezes. 'Dude, that's legit.' He laughed softly as he saw the little guys float about. 'I hadn't even though of that! So cute.'
Cyrus looked back at the kid, but was quickly saddened to see that something he had said had upset the boy. He hesitated, his stomach twisting as he tried to think of what might have caused such tears! 'Uh, yeah, cute duckies for sure...'
Even Cyrus's usually-peppy voice lacked a bit of its usual pizzazz.
'I mean, it can wait. I think more showy stuff like what you did with the fountain would be cool. Like, self-propelling rubber ducks! Who would've thought!' He chuckled and would attempt to gently, playfully, elbow the boy. 'Have you ever thought about becoming an inventor or something? You've definitely got the brains for it.'
Would that help? Did it count as changing the subject enough? Cyrus sure hoped so. He shot the boy a conspiratorial grin, hoping for the best.
Cyrus looked back at the kid, but was quickly saddened to see that something he had said had upset the boy. He hesitated, his stomach twisting as he tried to think of what might have caused such tears! 'Uh, yeah, cute duckies for sure...'
Even Cyrus's usually-peppy voice lacked a bit of its usual pizzazz.
'I mean, it can wait. I think more showy stuff like what you did with the fountain would be cool. Like, self-propelling rubber ducks! Who would've thought!' He chuckled and would attempt to gently, playfully, elbow the boy. 'Have you ever thought about becoming an inventor or something? You've definitely got the brains for it.'
Would that help? Did it count as changing the subject enough? Cyrus sure hoped so. He shot the boy a conspiratorial grin, hoping for the best.
Date: 18 July 2025
Time: Midday
Location: Just outside of Diagon Alley, London, UK
Private to: @Dennis Tumberton
[pc] koko riddle · 'i was raised up to be admired.'
'hey! bom bom bom. got any grapes?' · cyrus darsel [inpc]
Like a Duck to Water
Dennis couldn’t help but look quizzically at the old guy. He…never thought to use magic? And he wanted to spread the duck-joy to wizard kind? He gave a quick look around to make sure they were still in Diagon Alley and he hadn’t accidentally performed magic in front of a muggle. However, his look was one of approval and not one of shock. What grown ass wizard adult was he talking to? Stranger danger flashed as a warning sign in his mind momentarily but he was reasonably confident if he hadn’t thought about casting depulso on a duck he could probably take him in a duel. He wished a Gryffindor girl would be this easily impressed. She probably would be since she barely knew what magic was…like this guy. His heart sagged a bit to ruin whatever momentum he was handed.
However, Cyrus’ praise was just enough get him out of the funk that was constantly threatening to consume him. Instead something suddenly ignited inside his chest as he stared down the fountain. “Inventor, huh?” He said, his eyes seeming to unfocus as if he was looking at something that wasn’t there, or rather wasn’t there yet. “Watch this,” he said taking a deep breath. “Glacius!” (Arc - 1d20+8 = 24) Dennis commanded whirling his wand around with a flourish and then flicking it at the pool and swinging his wand arm in wide arcs, an ice trail leading from the pool swirled around them with the same flourishes he added. A wintery rollercoaster for the duckies.
“Depulso!” He casted again, pointing his wand at a gaggle of ducks that had clamored together near his ice ramp. The spell sent the rubber ducks flying around the ice track he had created before splashing back where they first took off. The sudden influx of magic and inspiration left him breathless and hardly believing what it was he managed to do. He looked to Cyrus as if he really did actual magic not a little party trick with the moving ducks. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to replicate it but surely and adult would have enough power to do something with what he created. He ended with a bow as if he was receiving a standing ovation.
However, Cyrus’ praise was just enough get him out of the funk that was constantly threatening to consume him. Instead something suddenly ignited inside his chest as he stared down the fountain. “Inventor, huh?” He said, his eyes seeming to unfocus as if he was looking at something that wasn’t there, or rather wasn’t there yet. “Watch this,” he said taking a deep breath. “Glacius!” (Arc - 1d20+8 = 24) Dennis commanded whirling his wand around with a flourish and then flicking it at the pool and swinging his wand arm in wide arcs, an ice trail leading from the pool swirled around them with the same flourishes he added. A wintery rollercoaster for the duckies.
“Depulso!” He casted again, pointing his wand at a gaggle of ducks that had clamored together near his ice ramp. The spell sent the rubber ducks flying around the ice track he had created before splashing back where they first took off. The sudden influx of magic and inspiration left him breathless and hardly believing what it was he managed to do. He looked to Cyrus as if he really did actual magic not a little party trick with the moving ducks. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to replicate it but surely and adult would have enough power to do something with what he created. He ended with a bow as if he was receiving a standing ovation.
@Cyrus Darsel
Staff: Makaio Kāne | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida
Like a Duck to Water
RPing as Cyrus Alexander Darsel (Ilvermorny iNPC)
The 'fit: a white T-shirt with a duck, a duck and a goose. blue jeans. black-and-white chequered vans.
'Brooooooo.' Cyrus grinned as ice began to form in the fountain. He watched, cerulean eyes wide, teeth on display, as the landscape changed from a peaceful little waterway to the most coolest, lit ice race course ever. 'That's sick! A racecourse? Super super creative, dude.'
Even though Cyrus really wasn't all that competitive, it kind of sucked to be getting shown up by a kid so much younger than him! But what was it that they said – kids always had so much creativity? Something like that, yeah? Well, he was supposed to be an artist. His nose scrunched up as he tried to think of something totally epic to bring to the table. Wait! He had gum!
Cyrus grinned as he reached into his pockets and produced a pack of minty fresh gum. He unwrapped a few pieces and popped them in his mouth, chewed a bit to make sure his incantation wouldn't be garbled, and he would offer the pack to the redhead. Whether or not the boy took any gum, Cyrus would pocket the pack again and then get to work. Although the wrappers were tiny, he had plenty of experience making paper boats. Plus, now they were slightly smaller than the ducks – did that mean the ducks were terrorising the boats a la King Kong and New York? Well, if they weren't before, they would be now, Cyrus thought, dropping three boats into the fountain. 'Let's try this – Velifico.' Wis: d20: 14 + 11 = 25, success. Arc: d20: 18 + 20 = 38. he is magic man!
The boats started to zoom around the ducks, managing to join the duckies on the ice course as well as in the water. With the remnants of the boy's cast, Cyrus's had only added some extra fun. It looked as if the ducks were chasing the boats, and vice versa. 'Good. Bullarum Immortalem.' Wis: d20: 18 + 11 = 29, success. Arc: d20: 17 + 20 = 37. magic man for real Iridescent bubbles sped into the fountain, reflecting the sunlight and shining brightly as the boats swerved about.
There was one last thing to be done. Cyrus moved with the finesse of a conductor as he incanted, 'Lubricus!' and spread the spell to the ducks. Wis: d20: 19 + 11 = 30; Arc: d20: 5 + 20 = 25. Now that they were slippery, as the ducks and boats zoomed around, their course of motion zigged and zagged, sometimes making them collide into one another or into the still-shimmering bubbles that dotted the racecourse. 'I think that's pretty okay,' Cyrus said, sighing contentedly and wiping a bead of sweat off of his forehead. 'I can't believe it took me that long to think of that! You're a creative natural.'
Even though Cyrus really wasn't all that competitive, it kind of sucked to be getting shown up by a kid so much younger than him! But what was it that they said – kids always had so much creativity? Something like that, yeah? Well, he was supposed to be an artist. His nose scrunched up as he tried to think of something totally epic to bring to the table. Wait! He had gum!
Cyrus grinned as he reached into his pockets and produced a pack of minty fresh gum. He unwrapped a few pieces and popped them in his mouth, chewed a bit to make sure his incantation wouldn't be garbled, and he would offer the pack to the redhead. Whether or not the boy took any gum, Cyrus would pocket the pack again and then get to work. Although the wrappers were tiny, he had plenty of experience making paper boats. Plus, now they were slightly smaller than the ducks – did that mean the ducks were terrorising the boats a la King Kong and New York? Well, if they weren't before, they would be now, Cyrus thought, dropping three boats into the fountain. 'Let's try this – Velifico.' Wis: d20: 14 + 11 = 25, success. Arc: d20: 18 + 20 = 38. he is magic man!
The boats started to zoom around the ducks, managing to join the duckies on the ice course as well as in the water. With the remnants of the boy's cast, Cyrus's had only added some extra fun. It looked as if the ducks were chasing the boats, and vice versa. 'Good. Bullarum Immortalem.' Wis: d20: 18 + 11 = 29, success. Arc: d20: 17 + 20 = 37. magic man for real Iridescent bubbles sped into the fountain, reflecting the sunlight and shining brightly as the boats swerved about.
There was one last thing to be done. Cyrus moved with the finesse of a conductor as he incanted, 'Lubricus!' and spread the spell to the ducks. Wis: d20: 19 + 11 = 30; Arc: d20: 5 + 20 = 25. Now that they were slippery, as the ducks and boats zoomed around, their course of motion zigged and zagged, sometimes making them collide into one another or into the still-shimmering bubbles that dotted the racecourse. 'I think that's pretty okay,' Cyrus said, sighing contentedly and wiping a bead of sweat off of his forehead. 'I can't believe it took me that long to think of that! You're a creative natural.'
Date: 18 July 2025
Time: Midday
Location: Just outside of Diagon Alley, London, UK
Private to: @Dennis Tumberton
[pc] koko riddle · 'i was raised up to be admired.'
'hey! bom bom bom. got any grapes?' · cyrus darsel [inpc]
Like a Duck to Water
Dennis grinned at Cyrus’ compliment. It was exactly what he needed to hear. If the boy’s grin could grow any wider in that moment it was huge. That this old dude believed in him meant more than he realized it would. What’s more is he saw the fire he lit in the man’s eyes. It seemed that indeed he found a kindred spirit.
When Cyrus reached into his pocket, Dennis was sure he was going to pull out his wand but instead he produced…a stick of gum. How could one person both impress and confound him? He blinked at the offered gum and at Cyrus and then at the gum again before slowly taking it.
The excitement the boy felt previously was beginning to evaporate when the blond haired man finally decided to do something. First he shaped the wrappers into…what was it? Dennis leaned forward to see and to his surprise they were boats and to even greater surprise they floated! Then, in a blink of an eye, the boats sped through Dennis’ track, the ducks giving chase. Next there were bubbles and the it looked as though the ducks and boats were playing bumper cars!
Dennis couldn’t help but clap and cheery by the end of the demonstration. This little show had also finally drawn a crowd. “That was absolutely brilliant!” Dennis shouted, with many sounds of approval and agreement from the small gathering as well.
When Cyrus reached into his pocket, Dennis was sure he was going to pull out his wand but instead he produced…a stick of gum. How could one person both impress and confound him? He blinked at the offered gum and at Cyrus and then at the gum again before slowly taking it.
The excitement the boy felt previously was beginning to evaporate when the blond haired man finally decided to do something. First he shaped the wrappers into…what was it? Dennis leaned forward to see and to his surprise they were boats and to even greater surprise they floated! Then, in a blink of an eye, the boats sped through Dennis’ track, the ducks giving chase. Next there were bubbles and the it looked as though the ducks and boats were playing bumper cars!
Dennis couldn’t help but clap and cheery by the end of the demonstration. This little show had also finally drawn a crowd. “That was absolutely brilliant!” Dennis shouted, with many sounds of approval and agreement from the small gathering as well.
@Cyrus Darsel
Staff: Makaio Kāne | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida