6 Apr 2018, 20:09
Table Manners, Anyone?
Cel propped up her book on her knee and the side of the table. She nibbled at a chocolate-dipped celery stick in her right hand, fiddling with the edge of her table knife with her other. Honestly, she wasn't all that interested in the book. She had never really liked history, whether it was muggle or magical, even if the History of Magic classes were generally interesting and did hook her in like some stories did... All right, it was interesting, but this book was about muggle history. It was something about Japan's this-or-that period of feudalism, but she was honestly just using the book as an excuse to linger.
After all, she hadn't been paying attention to anything going around her for quite a while now. It was a habit to tune herself out when she felt uncomfortable, and being new to this strange school of magic certainly didn't encourage her sense of belonging, even if the new topics were fascinating and the magic, well, enchanting. Cel had been eating swiftly, backing away from others as soon as possible, and spending nearly all her time reading, which had kept her mostly out of trouble... other than, well, jumping out a window and such with Kaegen, the strange boy she had met some time ago, but that was different. Besides, it was another way to show what happened when she didn't tune out: memories.
Now, though, she used the book to eavesdrop. Anyone could believe someone so absorbed in a story that they couldn't stand to move somewhere else, especially a Ravenclaw, right? So while her eyes darted this way and that, they did so before always returning to gaze at the lines of fascinating text printed neatly in the pages of the tome to avoid suspicion.
After all, she hadn't been paying attention to anything going around her for quite a while now. It was a habit to tune herself out when she felt uncomfortable, and being new to this strange school of magic certainly didn't encourage her sense of belonging, even if the new topics were fascinating and the magic, well, enchanting. Cel had been eating swiftly, backing away from others as soon as possible, and spending nearly all her time reading, which had kept her mostly out of trouble... other than, well, jumping out a window and such with Kaegen, the strange boy she had met some time ago, but that was different. Besides, it was another way to show what happened when she didn't tune out: memories.
Now, though, she used the book to eavesdrop. Anyone could believe someone so absorbed in a story that they couldn't stand to move somewhere else, especially a Ravenclaw, right? So while her eyes darted this way and that, they did so before always returning to gaze at the lines of fascinating text printed neatly in the pages of the tome to avoid suspicion.
Reducio
Here we go 
Last edited by Celynne Gray on 29 Apr 2018, 16:15, edited 3 times in total.
6 Apr 2018, 20:23
Table Manners, Anyone?
Kaegen had thought this through, now was the time. He would use the dull table knife, and see just how good that girl actually was. She seemed to know a little about knives, how much was anyone's guess. The young boy's eyes darted back and forth as he mentally checked the positions of the other students at the table. He didn't want to be hit in the back, and while that meant he couldn't totally focus on the fight, he didn't think that it was going to matter. He was just testing the waters, seeing where he stood in the food chain. Seeing who he would want as an enemy, and who he would want to fight alongside him.
But the most important reason, the cardinal reason he was about to do this, was because he thought that it would be interesting.
Grandfather had taught him how this worked, grabbing his table knife, and one from the plate next to him, Kaegen leapt onto the table, and issued the challenge. He was not trying to kill the girl, or even hurt her. This would be formal. "I, Kaegen Deathmote, fens-born scarf-wielder who was called fat tadpole as a babe, suicidal idjit as a toddler and achieved the title of Eeh before arriving at hogwarts do hereby issue a challenge to you"
But here he encountered a problem, he had forgotten the girl's name, until the food she was eating reminded him. Solving the problem as soon as it had appeared, the boy continued
"The challenge is issued to you, Celery."
And then he crouched, hiding half his face in his scarf, holding one knife by the blade in between his pointer and middle finger, and the other by the handle, on in each hand.
But the most important reason, the cardinal reason he was about to do this, was because he thought that it would be interesting.
Grandfather had taught him how this worked, grabbing his table knife, and one from the plate next to him, Kaegen leapt onto the table, and issued the challenge. He was not trying to kill the girl, or even hurt her. This would be formal. "I, Kaegen Deathmote, fens-born scarf-wielder who was called fat tadpole as a babe, suicidal idjit as a toddler and achieved the title of Eeh before arriving at hogwarts do hereby issue a challenge to you"
But here he encountered a problem, he had forgotten the girl's name, until the food she was eating reminded him. Solving the problem as soon as it had appeared, the boy continued
"The challenge is issued to you, Celery."
And then he crouched, hiding half his face in his scarf, holding one knife by the blade in between his pointer and middle finger, and the other by the handle, on in each hand.
Shade-Beacon, Master of the Castle of Avarice
7 Apr 2018, 02:38
Table Manners, Anyone?
Cameron heard Kaegen challenge a student as he avoided such talk. He entered the Great Hall from a long day of classes. Collapsing at the Gryffindor table, ready for dinner. He listened in on the conversations that were taking place around him. Not wanting to engage in such talk he picked up a copy of the Daily Prophet and flipped through the first few pages. "Geez! Another magical creature was spotted." Shaking his head at the title that was in bold in front of his face he started to read the article written by Rita Skeeter. A lot of the students didn't like her due to her past treatment of disliking Harry Potter when he went to school here. He was surprised that she was still writing for the Daily Prophet, after all these years. Cameron's eyes kept moving to the moving pictures on the newspaper and it was hard for him to go back to the line he was reading. He scanned the other stories that the Daily Prophet reported about not finding any of them an interest. Placing the newspaper down on the table he began to grab the food that was before him and scoop some onto his plate.
Cameron Harper
8 Apr 2018, 04:05
Table Manners, Anyone?
The girl tilted her head up ever so slightly at the mention of the nickname, one that she wasn't sure how Kaegen had guessed... perhaps because she was seen eating her favorite food so often? Or perhaps someone who did know the nickname told him. Cel's mask betrayed none of the laughter and slight confusion bubbling up inside of her. Her eyes shifted up when the boy spoke--leaping on to the table, dear gods-- and sparkled as she closed the title with a loud thump.
Certainly, she'd never be able to beat him. Cel only knew enough to defend herself back on the streets, and even then, she had never needed particular finesse to escape from situations against opponents unskilled enough to need to ambush her for money. Perhaps being self-taught would be an advantage because of her, well, less than orthodox style, but from what it looked like, Kaegen was probably trained-- and really good, too. If jumping out of the West Tower and surviving with nothing worse than bruises was any indication, he was likely experienced as well.
However, she'd been looking for a little fun. Even if she lost and ended up in the hospital wing again, at least Cel would get some exercise. Besides, fighting with dull table knives shouldn't hurt her as much as her first few times fighting with combat knives.
No, she was sure Kaegen shouldn't wish to hurt her. If he had, he would've gone for the powerful slingshot resting at his side or one of the many blades hidden beneath his school robe. Why he was challenging, she didn't know, but she didn't care much, either.
Well, she and Kaegen were both going to be in big trouble for this.
The girl dropped the book onto the section of tile beneath her place on the bench, hoping that nobody would ruin it or cause her to lose it in the chaos that was sure to come, carefully slipping off her shoes before standing in her long white socks. Perfect-- the one day she needed to move, and she wore a skirt. At least she wasn't wearing jeans.
"Challenge accepted," she replied at last with a grin. The table knife she had been fiddling with had been shifted into a grip: Her fingers were wrapped around the handle, her thumb on the side of the blade, but she didn't make a move.
Certainly, she'd never be able to beat him. Cel only knew enough to defend herself back on the streets, and even then, she had never needed particular finesse to escape from situations against opponents unskilled enough to need to ambush her for money. Perhaps being self-taught would be an advantage because of her, well, less than orthodox style, but from what it looked like, Kaegen was probably trained-- and really good, too. If jumping out of the West Tower and surviving with nothing worse than bruises was any indication, he was likely experienced as well.
However, she'd been looking for a little fun. Even if she lost and ended up in the hospital wing again, at least Cel would get some exercise. Besides, fighting with dull table knives shouldn't hurt her as much as her first few times fighting with combat knives.
No, she was sure Kaegen shouldn't wish to hurt her. If he had, he would've gone for the powerful slingshot resting at his side or one of the many blades hidden beneath his school robe. Why he was challenging, she didn't know, but she didn't care much, either.
Well, she and Kaegen were both going to be in big trouble for this.
The girl dropped the book onto the section of tile beneath her place on the bench, hoping that nobody would ruin it or cause her to lose it in the chaos that was sure to come, carefully slipping off her shoes before standing in her long white socks. Perfect-- the one day she needed to move, and she wore a skirt. At least she wasn't wearing jeans.
"Challenge accepted," she replied at last with a grin. The table knife she had been fiddling with had been shifted into a grip: Her fingers were wrapped around the handle, her thumb on the side of the blade, but she didn't make a move.
10 Apr 2018, 06:34
Table Manners, Anyone?
Shifting slightly to one side, so smoothly you would have thought a breeze had wafted the boy, Kaegen threw the knife he was holding by the blade, in a spinning motion it launched at the girl. It wasn't a overly powerful throw. It might leave a bruise if it hit, but it was a pretty easy block if the girl knew what she was doing, and he was betting she did. His goal here was one of interest, find out how this girl fought, what kind of positions, stances and such she used.
Following up the throw, Kaegen's foot touched a plate, hooking it with his toes and then spinning it at the girl across the table. Obviously, the boy was not trained in throwing plates across tables with his feet, but his aim was alright. The goal there was simply to do something odd, unexpected. To see what she would to when another attack came at her so soon after the first, and from someplace he guessed she hadn't thought he would attack from.
Immediately after the plate attack, Kaegen moved back across the table, just a little. He didn't want to be too close. Most of all, he didn't want to be grabbed, or pinned. He had to make sure that didn't happen, or his experimenting was over.
Following up the throw, Kaegen's foot touched a plate, hooking it with his toes and then spinning it at the girl across the table. Obviously, the boy was not trained in throwing plates across tables with his feet, but his aim was alright. The goal there was simply to do something odd, unexpected. To see what she would to when another attack came at her so soon after the first, and from someplace he guessed she hadn't thought he would attack from.
Immediately after the plate attack, Kaegen moved back across the table, just a little. He didn't want to be too close. Most of all, he didn't want to be grabbed, or pinned. He had to make sure that didn't happen, or his experimenting was over.
Shade-Beacon, Master of the Castle of Avarice
10 Apr 2018, 22:48
Table Manners, Anyone?
As the two projectiles whirled towards her, the girl exhaled slowly, timing her natural respiratory pause for balance. If she didn't do this right, she might be hit, and Cel wouldn't stand for humiliation in the middle of the Great Hall.
As the knife approached, Cel narrowed her eyes, whipping out an arm to catch the blade. Her fingers closed around the handle of the spinning blade just before she pivoted on the ground, using the natural slip of her socks to slide and whirl in a curve. She threw out her other arm, blade tilted to catch the ceramic platter in the center, and the saucer shattered on impact into myriad tiny pieces, each glinting as the scattered around her. She winced as one piece sheared across her skin, drawing a thin line of blood, long but not deep.
By now, if they hadn't seen the 'Fens-born scarf-wielder" standing on top of the Ravenclaw table, several students were beginning to take notice, standing up from their seats at the plate's loud crash, especially those nearest to the table. Sooner or later-- preferably later, though it likely wouldn't matter too much-- Cel knew that they would catch the attention of a professor, but for now, she was having too much fun.
As the knife approached, Cel narrowed her eyes, whipping out an arm to catch the blade. Her fingers closed around the handle of the spinning blade just before she pivoted on the ground, using the natural slip of her socks to slide and whirl in a curve. She threw out her other arm, blade tilted to catch the ceramic platter in the center, and the saucer shattered on impact into myriad tiny pieces, each glinting as the scattered around her. She winced as one piece sheared across her skin, drawing a thin line of blood, long but not deep.
By now, if they hadn't seen the 'Fens-born scarf-wielder" standing on top of the Ravenclaw table, several students were beginning to take notice, standing up from their seats at the plate's loud crash, especially those nearest to the table. Sooner or later-- preferably later, though it likely wouldn't matter too much-- Cel knew that they would catch the attention of a professor, but for now, she was having too much fun.
11 Apr 2018, 00:51
Table Manners, Anyone?
That was not supposed to happen.
Kaegen stumbled backwards, trying to protect his face from the flying shards with his sleeves, somehow making the stumble look graceful, smooth, on purpose. Recovering with no noticeable injuries, Kaegen shot forward, low to the table, at the girl. Reaching to the side, grabbing a fork as he moved, he aimed the tines at the blade of her knife, trying to get her weapon caught in between the points. Using the knife he was holding with his other hand, he targeted her chest in a simple thrust. Nothing too bad. He kept a loose grip on the knife, prepared to jerk out of the way and vanish if she tried to grab his wrist. If she just blocked, he would probably keep going. He still wasn't putting very much effort into it, not wanting to hurt the girl. But he had put on a little more speed. Enough to be a challenge, at least if he hadn't totally misread her. Which he admitted was very possible. It's not like Kaegen was especially good at gauging someone's skill level. He may have gone a bit under, or a bit over. As Kaegen was thrusting, he did make sure to not lean into his thrust. He wasn't going to fall into momentum's cruel trap.
Kaegen stumbled backwards, trying to protect his face from the flying shards with his sleeves, somehow making the stumble look graceful, smooth, on purpose. Recovering with no noticeable injuries, Kaegen shot forward, low to the table, at the girl. Reaching to the side, grabbing a fork as he moved, he aimed the tines at the blade of her knife, trying to get her weapon caught in between the points. Using the knife he was holding with his other hand, he targeted her chest in a simple thrust. Nothing too bad. He kept a loose grip on the knife, prepared to jerk out of the way and vanish if she tried to grab his wrist. If she just blocked, he would probably keep going. He still wasn't putting very much effort into it, not wanting to hurt the girl. But he had put on a little more speed. Enough to be a challenge, at least if he hadn't totally misread her. Which he admitted was very possible. It's not like Kaegen was especially good at gauging someone's skill level. He may have gone a bit under, or a bit over. As Kaegen was thrusting, he did make sure to not lean into his thrust. He wasn't going to fall into momentum's cruel trap.
Shade-Beacon, Master of the Castle of Avarice
11 Apr 2018, 05:02
Table Manners, Anyone?
Words flashed through Cel's mind as her vision narrowed to the two glints of metal shooting towards her. Get out of the line of the attack first. She pivoted on her foot, minding the bits of shattered plate littered around the table, to face the opposite direction, then slid back gracefully and flung an arm out to lightly graze his trailing elbow with and extended finger as she tried to skim his wrist, knife tucked in her thumb. Cel cursed at herself mentally. Clearly, the Scottish boy's speed far surpassed any of her own, but at least she had found out that much.
The girl flipped the other, formerly-Kaegen's knife into a reverse grip in her left hand, cutting edge in. Disable the hand and arm first before moving onto the rest of the body. Doing so maintains your own safety. Well, safety wasn't the biggest issue here, but her goal was the same.
She sprang forward swiftly, slashing experimentally with her right hand, making her first offensive move. The blow wasn't aimed towards his chest, arm or stomach, but right towards his collarbone. It was a location that would get anyone's warning bells pealing but wouldn't do as much damage as, say, the direct neck or face.
Honestly, she was sure he would block the stroke or at least dodge it. The thrust had no real drive behind it, Cel was only trying to find how he fought. In usual circumstances, she would never do such a thing: knife fights were never, ever to be drawn out. Swiftness and simplicity were the most valued, as more time equaled more chances to be injured and bleed out as the heart pumped faster when fueled with adrenaline. But with table knives and an opponent she was at least fairly sure wasn't trying to kill her, Cel deemed it safe. Besides, if his goal wasn't to subdue her, it could only be to test her, and why not test him a bit too?
The girl flipped the other, formerly-Kaegen's knife into a reverse grip in her left hand, cutting edge in. Disable the hand and arm first before moving onto the rest of the body. Doing so maintains your own safety. Well, safety wasn't the biggest issue here, but her goal was the same.
She sprang forward swiftly, slashing experimentally with her right hand, making her first offensive move. The blow wasn't aimed towards his chest, arm or stomach, but right towards his collarbone. It was a location that would get anyone's warning bells pealing but wouldn't do as much damage as, say, the direct neck or face.
Honestly, she was sure he would block the stroke or at least dodge it. The thrust had no real drive behind it, Cel was only trying to find how he fought. In usual circumstances, she would never do such a thing: knife fights were never, ever to be drawn out. Swiftness and simplicity were the most valued, as more time equaled more chances to be injured and bleed out as the heart pumped faster when fueled with adrenaline. But with table knives and an opponent she was at least fairly sure wasn't trying to kill her, Cel deemed it safe. Besides, if his goal wasn't to subdue her, it could only be to test her, and why not test him a bit too?
12 Apr 2018, 06:22
Table Manners, Anyone?
Kaegen didn't move as the knife came towards him. He had seen enough to know how the girl fought, and was pretty happy about it. The knife moved across his collarbone, leaving a long red scratch behind. But the boy's smile only grew. It grew and grew until it was looking positively maniacal in appearance. She would do, she would be perfect. He had founded a group, he had made the preparations. Now all he needed were people who wouldn't stab him in the back, who were decent in a fight. And she was decent in a fight. Now, to see if she was fast, or would even pursue him.
Ducking down and back, moving like a stray leaf that was blown by a persistent wind, the Ravenclaw took off across the table and leaped across the gap that separated it from the adjacent Gryffindor table. Landing on the red tablecloth, he leaped in the air again, aiming for about the center. He wasn't going to go as fast as he could go, that would be stupid. What if she turned out to be slow, and he lost her? But he was still going pretty fast. Fast enough to be a challenge.
Ducking down and back, moving like a stray leaf that was blown by a persistent wind, the Ravenclaw took off across the table and leaped across the gap that separated it from the adjacent Gryffindor table. Landing on the red tablecloth, he leaped in the air again, aiming for about the center. He wasn't going to go as fast as he could go, that would be stupid. What if she turned out to be slow, and he lost her? But he was still going pretty fast. Fast enough to be a challenge.
Shade-Beacon, Master of the Castle of Avarice
13 Apr 2018, 00:54
Table Manners, Anyone?
He was running?
The black-haired boy had only grinned at her as the knife thinly sliced across his skin, and then he had taken off. It was a knife fight. You couldn’t just run from a knife fight, especially one that you challenged.
But then… none of the speed he used now matched that of what she was sure he could do. Kaegen’s head was turned slightly to the side, as if he was about to look backwards, as he flew across the long tables like a whisper on wind. No, he couldn’t be on the lam; if he had been, he would be going a lot faster. This was far from the acme of his skill. Then why?
In a split second’s time, Cel made a decision.
She sprang forwards, landing on an empty spot on the row of benches facing the Gryffindor table, and pushed off of the edge to touch down on the table behind Kaegen, still moving. As her feet lightly touched down between plates and silverware, Cel flipped her right knife in her hand, launching it forward at his back, not worried about maiming him-- the boy was much too fast for that. As she did s0, she used her falling foot to flick a passing knife up and into the grip of her waiting hand in another modified saber grip.
As she neared, Cel raised the two knives in her hands, her left hand higher than her right, and lunged.
The black-haired boy had only grinned at her as the knife thinly sliced across his skin, and then he had taken off. It was a knife fight. You couldn’t just run from a knife fight, especially one that you challenged.
But then… none of the speed he used now matched that of what she was sure he could do. Kaegen’s head was turned slightly to the side, as if he was about to look backwards, as he flew across the long tables like a whisper on wind. No, he couldn’t be on the lam; if he had been, he would be going a lot faster. This was far from the acme of his skill. Then why?
In a split second’s time, Cel made a decision.
She sprang forwards, landing on an empty spot on the row of benches facing the Gryffindor table, and pushed off of the edge to touch down on the table behind Kaegen, still moving. As her feet lightly touched down between plates and silverware, Cel flipped her right knife in her hand, launching it forward at his back, not worried about maiming him-- the boy was much too fast for that. As she did s0, she used her falling foot to flick a passing knife up and into the grip of her waiting hand in another modified saber grip.
As she neared, Cel raised the two knives in her hands, her left hand higher than her right, and lunged.
Last edited by Celynne Gray on 14 Apr 2018, 05:40, edited 1 time in total.