A fight and a fiddle (dueling lesson 4th year+)

Clothes and appearance:

When one starts something new, there is always that shudder of nervousness.  Even the bravest feel it.  To some it is a chill, a remainder of the fear we all have of the unknown.  To others, a heat, the rush of pumping blood preparing your body to take on any challenges.  Even to others, it is the silence of clarity.  An infinitesimal moment, that to the mind lasts longer than one would think possible, where the newcomer contemplates within the realm of choices that has brought them here.

Beginning to reach was no different, and as Quinn stood in the middle of the large room he couldn't help but remember the arena.  He could still remember the first time he set foot into a true professional duel.  You could taste the excitement in the air, the smell of smoke, alcohol and sweat wafting through the air to harass the olfactory nerves as an unblock-able opponent.  God he missed it.  

His right hand moved to rub his side.  It had began to feel better.  Perhaps foolishly the cane sat propped hidden away behind his desk.  Yet, he had been moving around with marked improvement since the new salve from the healer.  There was to much to do to waste it on pain and pining for days gone by.  This was a step forward, a step to return to the arena his mind was already competing in.

Licking his lips the quite place was shattered by the sound of so many foot steps outside his door.  Most were passing of course.  His course was not required curriculum like so many others.  Yet, for what it was worth he hoped to only receive the ones who truly wished to be here.  Some would come for curiosity.  Others to learn new ways to defend or bully.  Still more for a shot at an easy grade, such was the case with extra classes.  Yet, opportunity all the same.  He had prepared himself for that, and had taken heed of the other professors he had only just now started to get to know.  

He still however, stuck out quite a bit.  Freshly shaven for the first day and hair slicked back, if one wasn't careful they could mistake him for one of the older class man.   To match this, he had decided against wearing robes.  No one could say he wasn't dapper enough for the occasion, but still he couldn't stand wearing those poor excuses for dresses.  His white pants, and black and white shirt went well with a freshly pressed and magically tied bow tie.  His sleeves were rolled up, and sitting on a desk in the middle of the dueling line one could see his black shoes shining, and black and white argyle socks.

His wand, well it was no where to be seen.  Instead in his lap was a book.  The required reading he had selected for this class.  It wasn't a traditional book, in that it lacked the incantations and performance measures of other textbooks.  Instead it was mostly images of dueling wizards.  The first several chapters expressing rules and typical customs,  followed by a short couple that delved into the differentiation of the key countries that dueled.  As for the rest, it featured the moving pictures of historical duels.  

Flipping through this book he would sit, his eyes only every now and then glancing up to watch for the onslaught of students, and hopefully though it was doubtful, capable duelists.

His fingers played through the pages, the duelists of history stirring over the pages as they realized a living audience had begun to watch. Would his own image make it into these books, a legacy that still had so much to earn that title. Legacy, not something he had gotten into dueling for, yet it had began to nag at the corners of his mind and more importantly his ambition.

As the students made their way in, he was pleased with the turnout. The greetings were appropriate and with each sir he would smile and nod in return. As the bell rang and all the students moved to have a seat he would stand and close the book.

"Good morning all. It's a pleasure to meet you." He would say his eyes moving decisively to each student. Though they may not realize it, he already worked to judge each of them. A danced, moved like a dancer, an academic moved like an academic, and a duelist moved like a fighter. Had he seen any of that in this the shortest of introductions, he was still unsure, though hope springs eternal.

He would quickly call attendance. Moving so fast those who weren't snapped to attention might get left behind only to be acknowledged well after their name had actually been called. Wrapping it up quickly he would pull a desk to the center to be able to sit atop it looking out at the students.

"My name, is Quinn King. I'll be with you this year, and hopefully teach you a thing or two." He would say with a boyish grin. In this more advance class he had confidence they had the basics of spells and enough defense against the dark arts to form a shield and an attack. "Our studies will have three focuses this year. The basics of dueling theory and practice, the differentiation in international styles, and a practical display. A little tournament within the class. Each one given equal weight to your final grade, with the winner of the little interclass tournament gaining special points." He would continue all the while smiling.

"Firstly though I suppose I should tell you a bit about myself." His voice would become more calm and flowing the longer he talked as he gained a level of comfort with the class. His wand seemed to flash for a second only to disappear just as quick, leaving some to question if it had ever been produced. "Currently I am the American champion. Though I haven't been in dueling for as long as others. I started as an amateur well past a time some would consider entering the sport. I tell you that, so that you will entertain the prospect if you can show an aptitude here." He would laugh, though the expectation would seem genuine.

"My medical suspension is over, and I am looking at competing in one or two tournaments during the course of the school year, if your interested." He would shrug. "My biggest focus though is to become an international champion while studying the European styles. You'll get an American education from me, so I'll let you be the judge which is better. Any questions about myself or the lesson?" He would ask looking out at the class.

He would allow questions and answer each as they were presented. Once this was competed he would gesture for the students to stand. Once they all had that same flash would occur as all the desks and books seemed to take up on their own accord and move away. Two additional lines would begin to form as additional dueling lines occurred. A shimmering force moving to be in between them, allowing any person to easily pass through with just a slight feeling of resistance.

"So, for the first day I think a practical demonstration is needed." Mannequins would move to stand at the opposite end of all three dueling lines. "So, this is simple. Just show me what you know and what you can do. They won't try to hurt you, and I'm watching. We build upon a base, though each of ours is a different level."

For the first lesson he would simply have the exercise in a short due of 1 minute or till over with a mannequin. The magical mechanisms where set to just above a medium difficulty. One in which someone who knew little of dueling would find difficult and nearly impossible to actually best, but not be outright humiliated. "My only advice, creativity is key."

The mannequins would each bow and await their opponents. He was excited to see what the class had. It at least was an exciting start to term, more so than the lecture he would have to give on bows and foot spacing later.

(So for this lesson each student squares off against a mannequin. He is mostly looking for creativity. As described the mannequins would be set to just above a moderate level. Have fun and be creative )

Admin Closure of Class.

Thank you to those who have posted in this class - unfortunately the professor cannot finish up the class, so an admin will close it. Points will be given as follows:

10 points for attendance
5 points for any question being answered
Up to 15 points for participation in class

Thank you for your participation - this will still count as one of your three classes.

If you have any questions in regards to the points being handed out (either as a student or professor) please contact myself or another admin via PM to discuss them.

House Points
Maximillian Hollingberry = 10 points for attendance + 10 points for participation = 20 points.
Primrose Seele = 10 points for attendance
Roxanne Förstner = 10 points for attendance

TOTAL:
Gryffindor: 30
Hufflepuff: 0
Ravenclaw: 10
Slytherin: 0