So, mingling was happening. More or less. The less part being that Sabel couldn't help but feel that some students had missed the point of the instructions. The more being that it seemed to rub some nerves the wrong way. A heavy breath left him, and he drowned his bit of irritation in a good swig of coffee, before reassessing the situation.



Sabel's attention once again snagged on Prince, who seemed to be doing a sort of lawn-mowing with his fingers. Couldn't really blame the kid, given the activity didn't really involve those who hadn't participated in the duel. It turned a cog in Sabel's brain as he took another sip of coffee.

At least the kid was finding something productive to do in the intern?



He had to shake his head a little bit at Maggie. Of course, shake with a grin. At least the girl had a chipper attitude about things. Almost more than enough. Especially with that PDA, with Mr. Browne. Well then.

Zeke got the arched eyebrow out of the two, when his well understood grin came Sabel's way. Dear Merlin. These kids grew up fast. At least, it was a quick gesture, and not too lingering. Though the place and timing of it had a right to be questioned.

At least Lynch had the decency to be relatively productive with the comments she provided.



Speaking of productivity, it seemed he had another grass mower on his hands. It was strange seeing Hyland so down and glum. And nothing about the boy's personal appearance seemed to be muffed. So, what then was eating at him?

Sabel cast a small frown in the kid's direction before deciding it was best not to call attention to it.



Instead, he would address Rehman's choice of response. With a rather arched eyebrow and disapproving frown. "Who told you I was nice?" The lies. He'd have to stamp them out sooner or later.

Still, he couldn't stay reproachful for long, and he let his gaze soften just a little bit. Enough to give an acknowledging nod back to the kid on this thanks.



And then.....there were the three musketeers. At first, Sabel didn't pay the group much mind. Charlotte was an energetic little thing, Blaise had a bit of spunk and well, Rooney he didn't yet know too well. What he did notice, was when the later took to slapping the middle-man's hand away. And all manner of non-duel related conversation sprung up.

And it didn't dwindle or die away either. It just kept getting watered by all sorts of nonsense. By the time Sabel was done his cup of coffee, his mind was made up. Thankfully, so was Rooney's. Walking away, even though he was the one that started it.

Letting out a breath, Sabel clapped his hands together and pushed himself to his feet. "Rooney, Blaise, Zeke, Maggie, Daxton. All of you, up front please."

And while he was waiting for them to get themselves organized, Sabel started towards the refreshment table, speaking to the rest of the class. "Ms. Lynch brought up a good point, that focus is a key factor of these duels. Not just focus on what you are doing, but why you are doing it. Who you are doing it against."

He paused, considering the assortment of things he had before turning and walking among the students. Every now and then, he would pause and ask for a mug that was still rather full. "It was apparent in two extremes this time around. Some of you were reluctant to cast on your fellow classmates, or be harsh in your spells on them. One of you went so far as to undo your own spells during the duel. This, is admirable in knowing your limits and not getting caught up in the moment."

Another pause, another cup. Thank you. "Others, knew the risk of leaving any opportunity of opposition to chance, and negated all possible retaliations. Commendable, in knowing where to brace your limits and how far one should and can go."

Two more cups? Yes please. "What we are going to work on today, is replacing that hesitation and over-thinking, and worrying, with the mindset of what needs to be done." Oh was that a half-finished cookie? Very tempting. "Of course, excercising due restraint and evaluation."

He moved back to the front. "Keep in mind that while today you are dueling friends and colleagues, tomorrow, or several years from now you may be dueling dark wizards, or friends who are no longer so. It's important to maintain an objective distance from your target, no matter how subjective a place they hold in your past, or in your heart."

Stopping up front with his volunteers, Sabel held up the mugs he had gathered. "Here is what we are going to do. Rooney and Blaise will pair up, as will Zeke and Maggie. Rooney, you will be protecting Blaise and Zeke, you Maggie. Daxton, I'll be protecting you. You will each also have one of these, atop your heads." And, without waiting for protests, Sabel moved to each student and placed mug atop heads with a bit of a sticking charm, also providing a cooling charm for those that still had hot liquid in them. The last mug, he put on his head, doing the same.

Then, he turned back to the rest of the students. "Now, your task is simple. You are to try to knock these mugs off each of our heads. If you manage to knock it off the head of the protected, Maggie, Blaise or Daxton first that pair is forfeit. If you knock both mugs off, that pair is forfeit. Forfeited pairs will join the class and attempt to remove the mugs from the remaining pairs. For those of you 'attacking', do so one at a time. You may throw off a maximum of three spells at a time to try and dislodge one, or two mugs, or knock down the pairs. Once you've tried attacking one pair, you may go try another. You must rotate through all pairs before attempting the first pair again."

Simple enough, right? "Maggie, Blaise, Daxton, you are allowed to assist your partner in so far as ducking and dodging the spells that come at you, but you must remain within five feet of your partner and you cannot cast to defend yourself or them. You may however, cast a maximum of one spell per attack, at the student who is opposing your pair. Attackers, keep in mind that you might get knocked off your feet if you aren't paying attention."

"Zeke and Rooney. Your job, as is mine, is to defend yourself and your partner. You may cast up to a maximum of two spells per attack, to defend only. Consider how you might do this, and choose your spells and your tactics carefully."

He turned back to the rest of the class. "The point of this? Practice. Aim. Decisiveness. Resolution. Commitment. And judgment."

Did they all understand? Clear as mud? Good. "Begin!"

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OOC: Alrighty, so this might be a bit confusing XD

Here's how it's gonna work. There are three pairs:
Zeke (protector) & Maggie (protected)
Rooney (protector) & Blaise (protected)
Sabel (Protector) & Daxton (protected)

The rest of the class are the 'Attackers'.

Each 'Attacker' picks a pair to attack. They may use up to three spells in their attack (this may be all in one post, or over several posts), but a total of three. The goal is to knock the mugs off the protected's head (will eliminate that pair) or both the protector & the protected's head (will eliminate that pair). Once you've made an attempt (successfully or unsuccessfully) on a pair, and once the defenders have had time to respond (i.e. you've completed your attack & defenders are not returning fire) then you can try another pair.

Defenders, your job is to keep the mugs on your heads. Protectors can cast up to 2 defending spells (total) to protect themselves/their partners. Protected's can cast 1 attack spell at the attacker, and can only physically move (while remaining in close proximity to the protector) to defend themselves.

The number of casts are PER attacker.

Please be realistic. Please let your opponents decide the outcome of the spells.

Once a pair has been forfeited, they disband and join the attackers.

We've got until November 30th for the club. I'll wind down the activity on the 29th, and we'll end on the 30th. So please enjoy until them

Also, if you are interested pairings for next duelings have been determined. I'll be working on getting the threads up, and duels will open on October 30th Please review the Q&A before STARTING your duel, as there will be some new information on there by October 30th