Bernie was ready. She was ready to beat the h*ck out of Claudine. Ever since Claudine had shouted at her at the opening feast, she had been determined to hit her back where it hurt: right in her gut.

Bernie peeled off her boots and socks, first of all, and left her wand tucked carefully into her boot. She set these by the Headmaster with a careful nod because she was sure he'd watch out for her wand, he always had, in all the many times he'd taken it from her so far, and she wasn't even worried that he seemed distracted today. He'd be fine. They'd all be fine. THIS WAS FINE. She was going to get revenge on Claudine for defriending her! FINALLY! Her face set to a determined scowl, Bernie then hopped on the beam.

Now, Bernie's feet were a little bit sweaty from always wearing boots around the castle no matter what the weather was outside, so she had a decent grip on the beam. She curled her toes around the edge of it and stood in a fighter's stance, one foot slightly behind the other, foam hot dog pole clutched like a spear. She started moving forward, spear hot dog held out in front of her to nudge Claudine backward.

MOVE, witch, GET OUT THE WAY.

Aboli was a little confused because A. She didn't quiiiiiite get what they were playing and B. Were they supposed to be partnered up with someone from their OWN house or someone from the other house? In her mind, she thought she had to pair with a Gryffindor, but she saw so many people trying to pair up with people from their own houses that now she was like...whaaaaat?

Hmphh.

And here was a little Gryfffffie girl asking to be her partner. Well, okay! "Sure - do we need a pole thingy yet?" she asked, glancing around. "I'm Aboli by the way. You?" Would she now have to try to like.....hit the other girl around with the pole-thingy? Seemed so RUDE in a way, but Abol ALSO thought it looked like fun.

Okay but the thing was, the whole purple sky thing mixed with the Nem theorizing thing created this nervous ball of energy that was Cecelia Summers and the third year found herself pacing a little as she watched Bernie volunteer to kick Claudine's behind in the first battle of the day. It didn't help that Headmaster Trent was now exhibiting symptoms forgetfulness too, only adding to the uneasiness the blonde was feeling.

The magical energy couldn't actually be eating their brains, right?

RIGHT?

She looked from Nem to Professor F-T to Headmaster Trent and back again, hands on her hips. Nope. Noooope. This was all in Nem's head. She didn't believe a word.

...

"I'm going to grab us some pole things, I'll be right back." If she could whack Nem around a little, she'd feel better about all these ideas he'd put out into the universe, she'd decided.

Sooo they were partnering up and then what? Were they meant to watch Grantham and Blaze? Was one of the professor head people going to explain some ground rules? They both seemed a little off, but Carsyn somehow trusted that they would end up repeating each other like five times.

Nodding at the girl's question, she answered simply, "I think so. I can't be tooo sure but I'm pretty sure Headmaster said to get a partner and a pole thing." She smiled when the girl introduced herself. "Nice to know your name, before i knock you into the foam pit." She grinned. "I'm Carsyn" Since apparently introductions were in order and the girl was new here.

Headmaster not tate Trent had told them that they hadn’t needed to participate when this was all announced…so here she was standing there looking around. Did she want to play around and go all ninja-warrior on people? Or did she want to not even POSSIBLY hurt anyone.

She gave dancer-boy Minjae a wave as he was standing there, before looking around. ”anyone want to duel me?” she asked and gave a kind smile, seeee she wasn’t going to hurt people on purpose.

SPOILER!!: <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

Bernie was ready. She was ready to beat the h*ck out of Claudine. Ever since Claudine had shouted at her at the opening feast, she had been determined to hit her back where it hurt: right in her gut.

Bernie peeled off her boots and socks, first of all, and left her wand tucked carefully into her boot. She set these by the Headmaster with a careful nod because she was sure he'd watch out for her wand, he always had, in all the many times he'd taken it from her so far, and she wasn't even worried that he seemed distracted today. He'd be fine. They'd all be fine. THIS WAS FINE. She was going to get revenge on Claudine for defriending her! FINALLY! Her face set to a determined scowl, Bernie then hopped on the beam.

Now, Bernie's feet were a little bit sweaty from always wearing boots around the castle no matter what the weather was outside, so she had a decent grip on the beam. She curled her toes around the edge of it and stood in a fighter's stance, one foot slightly behind the other, foam hot dog pole clutched like a spear. She started moving forward, spear hot dog held out in front of her to nudge Claudine backward.

MOVE, witch, GET OUT THE WAY.

Was she afraid or nervous now as she watched Bernadette’s scowl? No. Did she even want to beat the living daylights out of the other girl? Maybe. But the anger and resentment that she had felt at the start of the term had been gone for a while now. Claudine was happier than she had been in a very long time since she had career goals set now.

Still. She wasn’t about to pass up this opportunity to show Bernadette how much she wasn’t needed or welcomed in Claudine’s life. What was that Trent had said? No hitting in the face? Darn it. She would love to hit those stupid bangs out of place. It was at this point Claudine felt her temper starting to rise. Her eyes narrowed, she gritted her teeth and aimed to bat Bernadette’s pole away with her own. Without stopping, a blow with all of Claudine’s strength was aimed at the Gryffindor’s left shoulder.

The words I hate you, Bernadette Grantham resounded in her head. See? The Lioness wasn't even Bernie to her any longer.

Bernie's blue eyes were LASER FOCUSED on Claudine. Number one, she wasn't afraid of falling off this thing; she'd had wrestling matches and played rugby as many times as she could with her big brother before he moved out, so she could take a punch. And number two, she was fine with going down swinging as long as she at least got ONE HIT on Claudine first.

When they go high, we go low, her brother's advice echoed in her head. Specifically, Bernie knew it was important to keep your center of gravity low to maintain your balance. So when the Slytherin went high, Bernie kiiiiiiiiinda saw it coming, and she dropped to one knee to dodge it, lowering her battering ram hot dog too and shoving it forefully at Claudine's feet to sweep her off the beam.

That wasn't all; Bernie ALSO shoved all her weight behind her toward Claudine in a shoulder-shove. That's right, she glanced that blow AND shoved at her. FALL DOWN ALREADY, YA SNAKE!

Okay not good. Not good at all. Why had the professor sirs allowed Bernie and Claudine to go in a headed to head pole duel match near the foam pit? Was the foam toxic? And really what was up with the two of them Cole wondered. It was unlike both of them to forget anything, but they we're not perfect either. He had of course been doing the stretches with the others as instructed.

After picking up two pole thingies he shot a question the profs way. "Professor, Headmaster the foam in the pit is harmless right? We won't get hurt if we fall into it?" Safety first and common sense like Trent lectured constantly in lessons. Blue eyes darted around as Cole watched his peers partner up. Not sure who he wanted to duel he decided to just leave it up to chance as he raised his voice. "Does anyone want to be my partner?"

Cheerleader? Morgan helped himself to some snacks as he eyed up Minjae. "For Gryffindor, right? That's cool then." Not that the lions NEEDED any extra support, but he welcomed anyone who wanted to cheer them on.

"Cool! Let's do this!" He was pleased that Isla agreed to partner with him as he was VERY eager to play fight on this foam pit thing. "Get one of those foam sticks and maybe we can go after Bernie and Claudette." He'd already gotten one for himself so he was good to go.

And while he waited for their turn, he watched Bernie and Claudette from the sidelines. "KICK HER BUM, BERNIE!!" he yelled as he cupped his hands around his mouth. "GO GRYFFINDOR!" But he gave a wave to Claudette too. No hard feelings, right? It was a competition and house pride thing, even if they were technically related. Not always room for family when you were trying to win a game because he'd probably do the same if Gunnar was still here and playing for Slytherin.

HA. Aboli smirked a bit. "You think you'll knock me in? You've got another thing coming, Ms. Prefect," she said with a wink. "Carsyn...got it." She held out her hand to shake hands like you SHOULD before properly beating someone with a foam pole into a foam pit.

"So...when do we go?" They were standing around looking like lugs currently! "I'm ready to win. Everyone knows since Slytherin RHYMES with win, that it's destined to be." NODNODNOD.

Isla side-eyed Morgan. NOPE. If Minjae was going to be here eating up all their food, he was going to be cheering for the SNAKES. Forget about the fact that he was apparently Noah's BFF. Isla expected a cheer for the green team here and there. Ya got it, Minjae?!

Well, see ya later, Minjae! Morgan was ready to GO, and so was Isla. WHAAAAT. He wanted to go after Claudine (Claudette??) and Bernie?! "Claudine." Not Claudette. But meh, who cared! LET'S DO THIS! "You know what might be fun? We could poke Bernie in the back really hard and make her think it came from Claudine!" she said. OHHHHH the fun that would come from that one!

She hurried up the pit where Morgan was already cheering for Bernie. Personally, Isla would rather see a Bernie win, too, but since this was Gryffindor versus Slytherin, Claudine it would be! Isla reached into the pit with her foam stick, poked Bernie pretty good in the back, and then scooted away. "Did you see Claudine get 'er in the back?!" Isla said. HAHAHAHA. *eggs things on*

Claudine was always fairly pleased with the fact that she was able to zone out and concentrate only on the task at hand. It came from her being an introvert and wanting to drown out the useless chatter of extroverts around her when she wanted to. It was for this reason that her concentration was fully on Bernadette’s movements. Claudine had no experience in ‘fighting’ moves so she depended on her focus to help her out. Also, her stubbornness at refusing to at least go down without a fight was a huge motivator.

Unfortunately, Bernadette seemingly expected her attack. Was she that predictable? The Snakette hastily backed away from the offending hot dog, the front part of her back foot dangerously tethering off of the edge of the beam. Hastily, she stepped back properly onto it. That was done just in time to see Bernadette charging toward her. Claudine stood her ground, anchoring her back foot steadily into the beam. She held out her own hot dog like a knife before her. Let Bernadette continue charging at her. The dog would stab her right in the chest. When the impact came, Claudine was jerked violently and even thought that she’d fall into the pit. But her balance was good enough, as was her stance. Tough luck, Grantham..

Without hesitating, she eased her weight to her front foot and put all her upper body strength into pushing the pole into Bernadette’s chest. And she continued doing this, taking a step or two forward with each push.

Also, what sense did it make that Isla was poking Bernadette in the back and blaming it on her? Claudine and Bernadette were facing each other. How the heck was Claudine supposed to have reached around to Bernadette’s back? Do people even think? If Claudine weren’t being so focused, she would have thrown the second year a disgusted, judgemental look. It also occurred to her that Isla was trying to distract her so that Bernadette could get the best of her. It made sense seeing as the two were apparently BFFs.

It was a pathetic attempt, really, because if any of them knew Claudine, she could be stubborn and determined.

More than fashionably late, Blake had at the very last second decided to come to this shingdig. Is that what people still called these things. He had decided this year to be more confident, that was his mantra he kept spouting to himself so it was necessary for him to get it together and make new friends and join the Hogwarts world. More than just Bernadette, Isla, and classes.

It was brought to his attention once again he had no male friends .. and though he adored Bernadette and Isla, they were after all girls and often talked about things he didn't care about ... or didn't want to just horse around. So here he was, very very very late to party, but here non the less.

"Yeah, that's what I said. Claudine," Morgan nodded, his eyes still on the battling girls. Sometimes he chattered away too fast, but he always knew what he meant. "Huh?" He turned to give Isla a strange look. "But they're facing each other.." he started, confused on why she'd think Bernie would think that would come from Claudine, but she was already doing it!

"Hey, that's cheating!" he told Isla after she poked his housemate. "Bernie better not fall in now." Because it was not fair to get outside help like that! But otherwise, he was on the edge of his figurative seat! Who would fall in first? And better question, when would it be his turn?

You know, Isla, if Bernie could have been down there on the ground instead of up here on this beam, she probably would have DELIBERATELY broken rules, and in front of the Headmaster, too, to smack Isla in the face with a hot dog. Because her idea was a real dumb idea. A real dumb idea. It didn't even make SENSE for Claudine to hit Bernie in the back; that was DISHONORABLE and ILLOGICAL.

As it were, she was up here, Isla was down there, MF was cheering them on, Claudine had apparently cast a stickfast charm on her feet, and Bernie was still trying to push her off the beam. She was still on her knee, so she wasn't budging. Claudine could attempt to push Bernie by stepping forward, but Bernie was half-kneeling on the beam. Where could SHE go? Not to mention, Bernie was still jabbing at Claudine's feet with her hot dog beam. So how was Claudine walking forward if Bernie was swiping at her feet? Again this did not make sense.

But when Isla started her dumb pushing (somehow getting not only into and out of the pit, but also up? by? the? beam?), she actually pushed Bernie INTO the Slytherin known as Claudetteine. "Is SOMEONE CHEATING?" Bernie yelled, her bangs in her eyes as she huffed and puffed and tried to knock Claudine down. "I FELT SOMETHING HIT ME!" It hadn't been a heavy hit, but it had made her feel more wobbly, and so with the poke from Isla, Bernie collided with Claudine, both of them tumbling off the beam and into the pit.

Isla just shrugged when Morgan replied that he'd said Claudine, not Claudette. It'd been Claudette that he's said, but whatever. That was water under the bridge. There was FUN to be had! She vaguely paid attention to the fact that he'd mentioned how Bernie and Claudine were facing each other. Who cared?! When people were in the heat of a competition, who knew what they would see coming and what they wouldn't. Besides...it was just in good fun anyway!

...and then he yelled out to her that her idea was cheating. Well, she hadn't seen it that way, but she supposed it could skew the competition a bit. "Nah. I'm just trying to get them wound up. I don't mean to cheat," she assured him. He didn't seem very happy about it, though, which disappointed Isla seeing as she was just trying to add to the fun.

GRYFFINDORS.

Then the two of them went tumbling into the pit like a stack of dominoes that had suddenly been pushed. OOPS. "Sorry, sorry everyone," she mumbled. "I was just trying to add to the fun." SORRRRRRRYYYYY.

She was going to LIVE in detention for the entire duration of her second year, wasn't she?!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mell

Well someone was a little touchy.

Drew was not bothered by the other guy's attitude he had dealt with worse, he had gone to Beaubaxtons for three years. He merely shrugged his shoulders, "Nothing. It just looked more interesting than what was going on over there." He glanced back at the group just in time to see the Headmaster gesturing for them to move closer to the group.

Were they doing stretches?

Well now things had just got interesting over there, oh man now he was torn between seeing what the Snake was up to and going to join in with the stretching, because there were girls...stretching. He gave himself a shake, maybe he should give himself a break from hitting on the girls at least for an afternoon anyway.

"Do you need help with anything?" He asked finally dragging his gaze away from the exercising group and turning back to the Slytherin.

It truly was remarkable how often his blunt honesty was taken for him being touchy or with an attitude. Almost funny...almost. Though Eiji more often than not failed to find the humor in it even if Nina was often tickled.

"Because it is." Again, blunt honesty with his own opinion. He would take his little projects over watching people and their anatomies stretching any day of the week. "I do not." No attitude and just a slap of honesty. That is unless there were gnomes or Pogrebin lurking around...in which case the Gryffindor could go Gryffindor with those while he got to harvesting.

...only it seemed as though he plans were being thwarted by his own Head of House. Eiji would have laughed if he had known the man thought him to be in a fight - those required so much effort. Effort he would not willingly exert on someone he did not know.

The reminder to stretch again had not been lost on the seventh year - still, no thank you - but he assumed it was to do with the man's stress in dealing with his son.

Grab a pole and find a partner. Great. Eiji really just wanted to harvest and leave. Though if he could partner with his own Head of House he may be a little more compensating. The mechanics of it all reminded him a little of kendo, which he was rather proficient in considering mum's side of the family had a dojo dating back for decades aaaaaaaaand Uncle Ryu ran the kendo club at Himitsumahou which he and Rebecca attended during the school's summer semester. It was unlikely he would be bad at this, but he still lacked an actual want to participate.

The whole sky situation too was overlooked...in favor of being salty.

"Will you be participating as well, professor?" he inquired of Professor Fuller-Thompson as the Slytherin still made no direct effort to gather any supplies. He supposed in a pinch he could partner with the Gryffindor bloke beside him. Maybe that way they could pseudo battle and he could still fetch the herbs and toadstools he had come out to collect.

Though he wouldn't mind a few whacks at his own Head of House. For reasons.

"OH NO!" Morgan shouted when both girls tumbled into the foam pit. But he was more excited than disappointed to see them fall, and laughed a little in jest. It looked fun! And now it was his turn!

But... "Who won?" He glanced over his shoulder to look for one of the professors, to see if one of them would make the call, since they both fell in.

That wasn't the important part though, what was important was that he got to go next! "Come on, Isla! It's our turn!" he said grabbing her hand to pull her towards the beam, forgetting all about the cheating incident. This was nothing to hold a grudge about, they were here to have fun!

He let go of her hand to reach out towards the girls in the pit. "Anyone need help getting out?" Or was it fun enough to stay in there?

Everyone was actually doing the stretching. But why? They all really wanted to be involved in this? Charlie was absolutely not going to be a part of the whacking and shoving into a foam pit. Sure jumping on a trampoline and falling in, or doing gymnastics wasn't uncalled for with a foam pit. But doing this. That seemed absolutely ridiculous. Yet, so far she was absolutely the only one who wasn't participating.

Oh! Noticing Kale roll upon the group she couldn't help but admire his track suit. She hadn't gone that bold but she absolutely looked like she would not be participating. Moving around the group she tried to figure out if it would be safe to stand by the couple non Gryffindor and Slytherin students would be the place to go.

However, the two who had started whacking each other had other plans. She heard people asking if someone was cheating, if someone had won. Stopping in her tracks she turned to try and figure out what exactly was going on.

....

It was a fun day...he would not take points. It was a fun day...he would not take points. Malachi shot Bellchant a disapproving look before he spoke. "We don't help or hinder. Our housemates can fight their own battles." He thought that had gone without saying but apparently not.

In any case, the demonstration was over. "That point goes to Gryffindor for Slytherin interference." Need he say more? Would they need to lose more matches by default.

"Now then, if you've got your partners, wait your turn then give it a whack, or enjoy the food and your friends. The music." Whatever had brought them out onto the grounds today.

"Let's start!"

He accio-ed a cup of iced tea from the table and sat in one of the two chairs he'd conjured for him and Piers. An amused brow rose when Rasting asked if he'd be participating. That he'd nearly pay to watch. "I think you should."

OOC: You don't actually have to wait your turn, if you have a partner, you can go ahead and whack away, just pretend you're up next. ^^

Honestly, Isla had only meant to give Bernie a little bump just to stir things up. She hadn't meant to 'give a Slytherin interference' and knock them both into the pit. Siiigh. Okay, no more interfering. It was fairness from here on out. "Sorry, Sir," she said to the Headmaster. At least he didn't toss her out of the match altogether. She could handle a little disapproving look here and there.

Isla forgot all about it when she felt Morgan grab her hand and tug her toward the beam. "YES!" she called out, giving a little fist pump as she got into place on the beam. "Prepare to MEET THE FOAM!" That was just a little battle cry for Slytherin, but honestly, Isla hoped to meet the foam, too. Just...after Morgan? Because she was already responsible for the first point for Gryffindor. No way was she giving them another.

She paused as Morgan offered to help Claudine and Bernie out the pit. She should just knock him on in there now while he was being caught off his guard.

Claudine had had enough of this ‘socialising’; she wanted to be back somewhere alone with her sketchbook, crayons, Samm and perhaps a mug of caramelatte. But here she was, trying to purposely get this match over with. Bernadette’s hot dog was like a nuisance to her feet. Maybe Claudinde could purposely fall into the pit? Be tripped by the offending hotdog if Bernadette was going to remain stubbornly on the beam.

Oh. Strike those thoughts.

It was all that went through her mind as she suddenly found herself falling into the pit. Claudine landed on her belly and face first among the cushion-y stuff. Her own hotdog had escaped her grasp when she had tumbled in. Ignoring Bernadette and her outburst, Claudine shuffled and swam {with great difficulty} her way to an edge of the pit where Morgan was. There was hesitation before she took his hand and heaved herself up before she climbed out. Little Miss Perfect Isla had cost Slytherin the point, and Morgan wanted to know who won.

“I think it’s a draw,’’ Claudine told him with a shrug. But that was it; Claudine’s social battery had run out and she needed to get away from this crowd. “May I be excused, Professors?’’ she asked quietly of Trent and Fuller-Thompson. “I don’t feel that well.’’ Either of them ever had their social batteries run out? Huh? If they did, then they'd know how draining it felt.

As soon as one of them gave the okay, she was out of here.

Ooof. Bernie had fallen on the other side of the beam, AWAY from Claudine. But unlike Stone Face Blaze, she was determined to swim her way out of there WITHOUT Morgan's help. Even though, y'know, it was MF, and she didn't have any beef with him. She had beef with BLAZE and BELLCH--

Oh! Hey, never mind, she had no beef with Bellchant, since Isla inadvertently gave her the first point. "Thanks, sir," she nodded seriously to the Headmaster, trying to hide her proud grin as she made her way to the snacks. Wait, was Minjae here? Why??? Eh, whatever, she was hangry now and not in the mood to talk. Bernie started to stuff her face without more ado, totally and completely ignoring Claudine now that their fight was over.

Could SHE get one of those lawn chairs, to watch the McCarthy-Bellchant match? "GO MOORRRRRRRGANNNNNNN," she yelled out loudly as they got started.

"RICK 'EM, RACK 'EM, ROCK 'EM, RAKE! STICK THAT STICK IN SLYTERIN'S FACE!!!!!" Kale cheered. Loudly. He was a good cheerleader. He was shiny. And his voice CARRRRRRRRRRRRRRIED. Which was basically all it took to wiggle from the sidelines.

Talent? He had it.

And he could be louder, too. The third year went in for another round of shouting. Ahem. Cheering.

"BE AGGRESSIVE. BE-E AGRRESSIVE!!"

You know, Piers had been blissfully unaware of the tension that existed between Bernie and Claudine... until they got into that pit. The looks they were giving each other were not of a friendly manner. Now that he thought about it, he hadn't seen them sit together in class... or spend time together like they had last term... And now that he thought about it, putting them together in a sparring match probably wasn't a GREAT idea.

But at least no one was bleeding.

Bernadette came out of the pit just fine, but Piers noticed his snake emerge with a long face. "Oi," he called after her as she asked to excuse herself, but he just sighed and gestured her along. It was a voluntary activity anyway, so he couldn't make her stay. Poor kid. Teenage drama.

Piers plopped into his chair beside the headmaster with a sigh and took a drink from his water canteen. "How badly do you think Recard will hate us if we send a few bloody noses her way?" Hah.

"COME ON ISLA, WHACK HIM!" he shouted from his chair. Why was she hestitating???