Well, now this was a bit of a predicament for Regina. Was she going to be on Team Hogwarts or Team Ilvermorny? Being the headmistress of the hosting school, it was her duty to support the school. Though there was a part of her that was screaming Ilvermorny. She had gone to school there, she had taught there, she had a history with the place.

So Regina just stood at the end of the paintball field, waiting for those that wanted a go at it to show up. Whichever team had the least amount of people on it would be the team that she would go to. And what a lucky team that would be. Being a former curse-breaker and Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, this woman lived and breathed constant vigilance. Needless to say, she was actually looking forward to taking part in this. Though that may or may not have been because she was allowed to splat students with paint. She would be lying if she said she didn't have a few names on her hit list.

Bring. It. On.

Kitty had changed into a simple black turtleneck and jeans for this activity. No way was she making her stylish outfits covered with paint. And black turtleneck and black jeans could still be considered Gothic! (She had the prefect badge pinned on the front anyway.)

"Hello Headmistress," she greeted the headmistress cheerfully. "Are you playing? Please say yes!" Wouldn't that be awesome?

While she waited for more people to show up she began doing Yoga stretches.

Ultimately deciding on releasing pent up stress from the past few weeks, (month, actually), River subconsciously trudged towards where the Paint Ball War area was and gave polite nods towards the Headmistress and the Ravenclaw prefect. "Ladies." Hello.

Decked in his black trousers and purple shirt, River clearly was going to support his old alma mater. River looked around, his hands stuffed into his pockets wondering if there would be others joining. He'd been planning a similar activity for last term, but due to the monster incident, he had to pull that plan back and decide to go for a more relaxed challenge.

Anyhow, he too waited on the side of the field and waited for the others to arrive. Should be fun to stretch his muscles and get on with his target practice.

THIS. WAS. GAME. ON.

There weren't enough sports at this school, so if paintball was being offered, Brent was totally in. He was a little intimidated by the fact that the Headmistress was over here and ready for war, but he seriously doubted she'd try to kill him. He hoped not, at least. So did he have to play for Team Hogwarts? Could he just volunteer himself for whatever side Hawthorne was on?

"Psst," he said to the Headmistress, shooting her a grin. "Team Hogwarts/Ilvermorny transfer? What do you say?" So it might end up being a team of two, unless he could round up Kane, but they could easily take 'em down, hmm?

There was a prefect and one other staffer, so it looked like a two versus two to him.

THEY HAD PAINTBALL!!!! HOW AWESOME WAS THAT?

Emma was there the moment she heard this was happening. She'd dressed in an old t-shirt and ripped jeans for the activity,
not that she cared about getting dirty because she didn't, like at all! But she knew her mom would be mad if she got any of her good clothes all covered in paint. She saw some other people already here and headed over. "Hello, Headmistress Hawthorne," she said, giving the Hogwarts head a polite smile.
She always seemed a little scary to Emma, but maybe the headmistress would be nice to people who were nice to her. Who knew?

Another smile for the other adult she saw. "Hello, Mr. Healer!" She hadn't really talked to him before, so she couldn't quite remember his name. Sorry!

She waved at Brent and the other Hogwarts student whose name she didn't know (Kitty). "Hi! I'm Emma," she introduced herself. Nothing wrong with being friendly toward the competition, right?

Now where were her Ilvermorny people at?

Paintball.

Camilla Stewart headed directly that way the moment she arrived. Showing some house spirit would indeed be a good time. With all that had been happening with the competitors and in her own situations these last several weeks had been rough. She was honestly hoping that a day outside in the fresh air showing some school spirit and having a good time was what she needed...what everyone needed. Not to mention getting to hit some staff members and students with paint...come on but who wouldn't like that?!

"Hello, everyone," the Transfiguration professor greeted them all. A warm smile sent towards each of them. "You are going to be playing, Regina, right?" The students were sure to love seeing their Headmistress and professors and Healer covered in paint.

"Is there enough players for even teams?" If need be she could play on either side.

*****

Samara had been searching for several people, that's how she ended up this way. There was so much going on in the different areas and a lot of people. The fourth year had lost Ciara nearly right away the girl probably going to be with her boyfriend or something. Her twin had disappeared nearly moments later leaving her alone...again. More and more lately she had been left on her own which was fine. It had allowed her to make a few friends. None of which she had seen.

Drawing closer to the small group that was gathering up for a game of paintball her blue eyes scanned the area for Zep...maybe he would be here. He wasn't. A small sigh left her lips and rather than say anything she stood there. A game of paintball could be fun even if her friends or siblings weren't here to join in.

Following suit of her boyfriend, Skylar made her way out to the paintball field and surveyed who was out there as he whispered something to the headmistress. Wait, what? She definitely heard the words 'Ilvermorny' come out of his mouth? Was he being a traitor? But of course it hadn't really crossed the fourth year's mind that the Ilvermorny kids probably viewed him as a traitor to them, which is probably why he got some resentment.

The Healer and Professor Stewart were here and Skylar wondered if they were supporting any particular candidate from the Hogwarts side. But of course, she was still wondering about Stewart's house affiliation since a transfiguration lesson a couple months ago. She wondered if she could convince them both to done 'Brent buttons'.

Also, why were there only two Ilvermorny kids present? Did Americans not like paintball? And why was there no paint flying yet? Were they just strategizing first? They probably did need to wait for more people to show up.

Even though Louise was over the fact that she had not won the competition, she wasn't about to become a sore loser. She was theoretically an adult, which meant setting an example. Of course she had absolutely no idea who she was supporting to win the competition now, because if it couldn't be her, she would have probably wanted someone like Aurora to win. Supporting a Hogswartian seemed to not sit right with her, but perhaps she would wait to make her decision until the actual challenge began.

For now though, as she made her way from the Beetle in the direction of where activities were set up for the Pep Rally, she was going to just have fun. No more stress of the competition looming overhead, but just enjoy her final few weeks she had remaining abroad and somehow knowing she might be back here. Not here, at Hogwarts per say, as she was graduating. But in the realm of this country, mostly due to a certain dark haired wizard's presence who seemed to have captivated her attention.

Seeing the paintball field, Louise Hamilton headed there first, because it seemed like a prime location to get out some frustrations. Not that she had many, compared to her peers, but being active was just appealing right about now. "Hey Emma," she greeted of her younger housemate, hoping she hadn't been too disappointed that both her of housemates had lost the competition in the same round. While she couldn't speak for Jesús, she was over it.

Also, it seemed as if Hogwarts had the majority right now, but that didn't mean anything.

"Pingo Cranberry" Louise said, figuring she might as well start and shooting painting towards the brunette Professor woman (Camilla Stewart) who seemed undecided over which side. They needed more older Ilvermorny people, as it was just her and a fourth and second year.

So it kind of looked like his plan to include himself on whatever side the Headmistress was on was slowly starting to fail. A few more Ilvermorny kids showed up and then his girl showed up to fight for Hogwarts, and so Brent was now Team Hogwarts. He eyed the headmistress out of the corner of his eyes. Surely she would be Team Hogwarts/Ilvermorny Traitor with him. He was sort of, kind of, probably terrified to be on the opposing team.

...but there were a few Hogwarts staffers that had shown up, so they'd be on Team Hogwarts for sure, wouldn't they?! They had this!

Brent didn't greet his girlfriend, because they'd literally walked over here together. He did, however, wink her way. This was about to be GAME ON. Did they have to wait for the headmistress to say GO or something? Looking up again, Brent caught sight of one of his fellow IMPS competitors. Hmm... He'd never really seen Louise in action other than in replay on the IMPS screens. Was she one to look out for?

...

... ...

APPARENTLY SO. "Duuuude. It's on!" he called out, alerting as many of his teammates as he could. There was a cranberry splash of paint heading straight toward Stewart, and no freaking way was Ilvermorny taking out one of their most experienced players right off the bat. Brent's eyes widened as he dashed across the grounds and right in front of Stewart. "Protego!" he exclaimed, pointing his wand toward the blasted blob of paint.

SPOILER!!: Sam! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyander

Samara had been searching for several people, that's how she ended up this way. There was so much going on in the different areas and a lot of people. The fourth year had lost Ciara nearly right away the girl probably going to be with her boyfriend or something. Her twin had disappeared nearly moments later leaving her alone...again. More and more lately she had been left on her own which was fine. It had allowed her to make a few friends. None of which she had seen.

Drawing closer to the small group that was gathering up for a game of paintball her blue eyes scanned the area for Zep...maybe he would be here. He wasn't. A small sigh left her lips and rather than say anything she stood there. A game of paintball could be fun even if her friends or siblings weren't here to join in.

What was this?

A game between Ilvermorny and Hogwarts? This looked like Jer's kind of thing! It was the sound of spells being cast that attracted him and so he had wandered over. He stood there observing, trying to figure out the game. It seemed as though it were a version of paintball. How cool!

There seemed to be loads of Hogwartians there but he could see Louise and Emma. There was Regina Hawthorne. Would she be playing for Hogwarts? And his sister! "Sam!'' Jer jogged over to her. He couldn't help but feel guilty about not hanging out with her much lately. Most of his time had been spent with Aurora but today he was going to dedicate some time to his sister. "Hey. You going to be playing?''

One second, Camilla Stewart was talking to the other professors and students and the next there was paint flying her way. What had the game even started?! Pulling out her wand and fully prepared to toss up a shield there was no need to. There was a shield in front of her cast very clearly by a student. "Amazing reliefs there, Mr Westwood!" The boy was not only fast on his feet but with casting the shield as well.

"Looks like the game has begun," she laughed. With her wand still firmly held in her grasp she flicked it in the direction of a young Ilvermornian (Emma). "Pingo Violet!"

*****

Pulling out her wand, Sam kept her eye on the game that was clearly starting. Paint was already flying overhead when she heard someone shout her name. Huh? "Jeremy!" she grinned at her brother. Where had he just come from? Was she going to play. She smirked and nodded . "You know I am. I always do back at home." Nearly all sports were given a chance at home. "You and me...like it always is?" She'd have his back and he would have hers.

Samara was ready to play and she gave the twin a smile. Right then it didn't matter that he hadn't been around lately, what mattered was he was here now. Him playing some paintball alongside her would make up for it all.

Sam was always up for a challenge and this was one of the reasons she and him got along so well. And need she ask? "You bet all the hot dogs in the world that I'm game! We've got this. Ilvermorny's got this!'' They would show Hogwarts who's boss. At least Sam seemed to be at peace that he wasn't ignoring her. He felt bad for not being around as much but he knew she would understand.

Following her lead, he didn't mention anything about that. Instead he focused on the game. "Here goes! Protego!'' Jer's wand was focused on Emma whom that Hogwarts Professor (Cami) had targeted.

"Hello guys," Kitty said cheerfully as several people joined their side. She had currently wrapped her arms around herself and dipped her head inwards; this was her final Yoga pose before the match began. 'Hello Emma, I'm Kitty!" she directed this to the friendly Ilvermorny student who'd greeted her. "Good luck!"

And then the match was started! At first she hung back and watched. Then she took out her wand and aimed at Louise. "Pingo Violet!"

Emma hung back, hoping some of her classmates would show up soon. She wasn't supposed to take on the entire Hogwarts team by herself, was she? Because that sounded hard, especially when they had so many adults on their team! Luckily, she didn't have much time to wait. She saw Samara coming, and Jeremy appeared soon after. "Hey, guys!" she said, waving at them both. She overheard what Jeremy said and couldn't help but smile. He was right; Ilvermorny was going to dominate! Bring it on, Hogwarts!

Whoa, Louise Hamilton was talking to her?! Best day ever! "Hey, Louise!" she replied, trying not to stare at her favorite competitor like a starstruck idiot. "What's up?" And, no, she wasn't disappointed. Sure, she wanted her housemates to win, but they gave it their all and that's what counts.

Emma smiled at the friendly Hogwarts girl who spoke to her (Kitty). "Nice to meet you, Kitty," she said.Then the other girl wished her luck. That was a little unexpected but still friendly.
"Thanks! Good luck to you too."

And there was another Hogwarts girl (Skylar). Emma waved, but before she could speak to her, the game started. She drew her wand as one of the Hogwarts professors aimed at her, but Jeremy reacted first. "Thanks," she said, looking back at him with a smile. She took a moment to decide who to aim at before pointing her wands at one of the Hogwarts girls (Skylar). "Pingo cranberry!"

Brent didn't linger around Professor Stewart too long. After all, she seemed to be the target, and thanks, but no thanks, to sticking around the target. He did, however, give her a grin and a thumbs up sign as he dashed off. He was ready to blast some paint! Especially since more of the Ilvermorny kids that had gathered around. joined them. Nobody knew for sure which team the headmistress was on, and Brent found it as even more of a threat with her just standing there. It was like she could just GO OFF at any given moment, and nobody knew whether violet or cranberry would spring from her wand.

Glancing up, he saw a blast of cranberry paint head toward his girl. He was across the way now, though, so his best bet was just to warn her. "LOOK OUT, SKYLAR!" he called out. Then he set his eyes on some dude named Jer that he thought Aurora Chae was dating. "PINGO VIOLET!" he said, sending a blast of violet paint straight at the guy. This was COOL, and it'd be even better if Jer was wearing the paint any second now.

Heh.

"Headmistress Hawthorne!" he called out. Well? Which one will it be? Please say Hogwarts.

Samara was very relaxed and easily got into the zone. "Always with the hotdogs, Jer." She laughed giving the twin a smile as she readied herself gripping her wand. Paint was flying around and it was instant chaos filled fun!

There was paint heading right at one of their team mates the little young one, Emma. Lucky for her that Jer was there and created a shield for her. What was this though? Violet paint was flying straight for her brother. HER BROTHER. This wasn't allowed.

"Protego!" she cast quickly tossing up a shield to hopefully keep Jeremy from being hit with paint. It was a good thing she wasn't far from him yet.

What Louise hadn't expected was for a student to be protecting the professor from her paintball shot? What happened to protecting oneself? Feeling slightly dejected after that miss and seeing her cranberry paint splatter to the ground, she did have to admit that grass was going to look lovely after this battle.

... And it wasn't just any student though, but one of her fellow competitors whom she did recall vaguely when he was a student two years ago although it was a distant memory. He was a wampus, after all, which was one of those houses that while she was familiar with its residents, she didn't know them very well. Seemed kind of ironic when one thought about what the Wampus stood for versus the Thunderbird, but perhaps too close to comfort.

....

Despite her thoughts about the former Ilvermorny student, Louise was surprisingly feeling rather vigilant, with a swift, "Protego," from the violet paint shot by that badged Ravenclaw (Kitty). And then a "Pingo cranberry!" was aimed right back at the girl, because who would expect you to aim for the person who aimed at you, right?

Also, why had Emma seemed so stunned when she greeted her? She wasn't a snob, especially not towards the future of her house. "Strategy. Vigilance." She whispered nonchalantly to the younger girl as she sent a lovely paint spell towards a Hogswartian girl in green. It was a beautiful shot and well aimed, but would the girl defend herself or perhaps her beau would as he did during the third challenge? Except he was too far away and simply shouted to her.

And the game had started, with paint flying back and forth and shield charms from people defending their housemates. It wasn't as if anyone was incapable of a basic shield charm, were they? As she was observing the paint flying, even though she wanted Hogwarts to win because of Hogwarts pride and all, she simultaneously felt bad that only the grass was on the receiving end of color.

Maybe she should ping violet paint upon herself? Just then she heard a 'look out, Skylar' from her boy except despite her ordinarily fast reflexes, the fourth year found herself not ducking out of curiosity. Sorry to disappoint you, Brent. But hey, you got to wear cranberry robes for three years and it was a rather pretty color.

Smiling at the cranberry that had splattered on her shirt, she grinned at the way it meshed so well with the green. So that meant she was Team Ilvermorny now? She supposed she could go with that, but first things first ... "Pingo cranberry!" she blasted paint towards Brent, because surely he wouldn't want her to be the only decorated person.

Would she be playing? To answer your question, Miss Valentine and Camilla, yes. The headmistress gave them each a simple nod of her head. Who would opt out on an opportunity such as this? On the plus side, it was fun. Believe it or not, Regina wasn't always a fun sucker.

The woman returned Brent's grin with one of her own. "Perhaps. We'll have to wait and see though." The side she would be taking would be a total surprise, not just to everyone else play but to her as well. She'd let instinct decide the moment a side needed to be taken. She then inched closer to the boy and whispered, "Of course. Got to keep everyone on their toes, don't we? Always be vigilant."

Emma's greeting to her earned her a friendly wave. "Hello," she said, leaving it at that as she didn't know who she was exactly. She was too young to have been one of her students when she taught Defence at Ilvermorny.

Suddenly, a blob of cranberry paint whizzed past her in pursuit of Camilla. What in Merlin's beard -- oh, of course it would be Louise starting things before she even had the chance to say go. Regina didn't look at her with a scowl though as Brent's shield went up to save the Transfiguration professor from being hit. No, the seventh year Ilvermornian received a grin. She had taught her well.

Always be vigilant, everyone.

Without a word, the woman dashed out into the paintball field, trailing not far from Brent. Regina turned around just in time to hear Brent yell at Skylar to look out and watched as he casted violet paint toward Jeremy.

But why was he calling out her name? Oh. Right. She had to pick a side.

A little smirk played on her lips as she watched Skylar point her wand at Brent, shooting cranberry paint at him. She waved her wand as if she were going to cast a shield in front of him, only no shield went up. Oops?

"Pingo Cranberry!" she shouted, flicking her wand at Kitty.

So the game was pretty much underway now, which both excited and terrified Brent. He loved games such as this one, but at the same time, the very woman he was terrified to be up against was standing around, waiting for an attack. Which side would it be? Apparently, only time would tell.

The fifth year frowned as his attack on Jer was brought to a halt. Oh, come on! He just wanted to splash paint ALL OVER somebody! Oh, well. Moving on to the next victim. He frowned a second time as his gaze landed on his girlfriend...with a fresh splash of cranberry paint all over her. So much for warning her... Although, he had a sinking feeling she might have just wanted to get splashed.

Sounded kind of fun.

Until...DID HIS GIRL JUST ATTACK HIM?! Okay, it was game on. GAME. ON. He thought about letting her hit him just for fun, but it seemed like even more fun to get back at her! "Not today, Miss Sarcastic!" he said. He dodged the paint then wasted not even a single second sending the spell right back to her. "PINGO VIOLET!" he exclaimed.

WHOOOOA. Hold on. The HEADMISTRESS had jumped ship and gone to ILVERMORNY?! His worst nightmare was coming true. Although...this could just mean war.

Next one's for you, Headmistress.

Not so fast, thought Kitty as she threw up her wand hand and shouted, "Protego!" to Louise's fire back - allowing it to splatter off somewhere on the ground to her right. Whew close one!

Off to her side she saw Skylar being hit with paint and switching over. It was probably a good thing that Kitty wasn't close enough to throw up a shield to defend her teammate, because this was Skylar after all and she wasn't sure if she'd have appreciated it.

Kitty twirled around and was just about to take another shot at Louise when -

"GAA!!!" Her black turtleneck shirt was covered in cranberry paint - from the Headmistresses wand.

"I guess I'm Ilvermorny now," she said, grinning and feeling weirdly honored that Headmistress Regina was the one to bring her over. She took out her wand and aimed it at Professor Camilla Stewart. "Pingo Cranberry!

Her attention was drawn momentarily from her boy person at seeing the Headmistress finally in action and she was curious; was she going to attempt to win her back over to the Hogwarts side or would she be playing for her alma mater? A moments later, she sent a sprig of cranberry paint at the Ravenclaw prefect and she nodded approvingly. Excellent; she had the Headmistress on her new team.

Only, Brent was paying attention and said 'not today, Miss Sarcastic' which made her smile. Well, as if she expected any differently. She knew them to both be very competitive and he was an IMPS Competitor, which made him rather skilled with the wand and runes. Ah, of course he would try to win her back to the Hogwarts side of things, but was it so wrong that she didn't want to just yet? He had three years in cranberry robes and she wanted more than just two minutes.

"Protego!" She deflected the violet paint away. "Ditto, Westwood. Ditto" She grinned, thinking she needed a better nickname for him.

Maybe she should try hugging him to get some cranberry paint on him instead. Would that even count?

Meanwhile Kitty's double attack by both Louise and the Headmistress, well it seemed to have some effect, because while she dodged the first spell, the second struck. Yes! She wasn't the only one covered in paint now! Now, to double attack on the Transfiguration Professor or back to attempt to get the boy to cross over? She still wasn't against the hugging either and doubted he could refuse a hug from her, especially if she caught him off guard.

"Pingo Cranberry!" she said, feigning an attack on C Stewart, but quickly shifting her aim towards Brent. How was that for vigilance and being unpredictable?

Looked like quite a few people were playing in the paintball game right now, which made Rula quite happy. Of course she was happy seeing people at the other areas of the pep rally too, but the paintball fight was the one she had been most looking forward to.

Which side was winning was already difficult to tell with the purple and cranberry paint everywhere, but either way, she was determined to help Hogwarts win!

Go Hogwarts!

"Pingo Violet!" she cast, aiming for Louise Hamilton.

Emma didn't know what surprised her more: Headmistress Hawthorne returning her greeting or the fact that the Hogwarts head had joined the Ilvermorny team. That was pretty awesome, though! With her on their side, they'd be unstoppable!

She watched the globs of cranberry and violet paint flying back and forth. Had her spell worked? Did she take out the Hogwarts girl she'd aimed at earlier? Yes! WHOO! GOT HER! This was so fun! She smiled at the older girl as she joined the Ilvermorny side. Her smile only grew bigger when Louise offered her some advice. "Thanks! I'll keep that in mind," she whispered back. She decided her strategy was going to be sticking close to her housemate for the rest of the game. Although she'd been practicing, her shield charms weren't that good, and there was safety in numbers, right?

Speaking of which, Emma saw a blob of paint headed for her housemate. "Louise, watch out!" Nope, that wasn't happening! Not if she had anything to do with it. "Protego!" she exclaimed, aiming a shield at the older girl. Please let that have worked!