Late's better than never, yeah? on Quidditch Pitch

Jake Santoro

September 14, 2007 8:04 PM

Teppenpaw Try-outs, all welcome. by Jake Santoro

Jake stood in the middle of the pitch with a slight frown on his face. As far as he was concerned, the Tepps didn't need any try-outs. They only just made seven players as it was. He was slightly annoyed that three of his players from the year previous hadn't signed up this year. Though, he knew of various reasonings as to why.

Tally had explained that she needed time for her studies if she wanted to get into a good University. She would play only if he absolutely needed her to. Hikaru hadn't been seen at all this year, so Jake took that to mean he wasn't at Sonora, and Gil... Gil hadn't been around much at all in the last two years, so Jake could only assume, like Hikaru, he wasn't around any longer.

So, basically this would be a practice for them. There was no point in diluding himself into thinking others would walk onto the pitch. In the last five years of him being the Captain, he had always struggled with numbers. Last year he had had three reserves, the first time ever. This year...he was lucky to have a team at all.

He waited until everyone from the list joined him before he began. Once they arrived, Jake cleared his throat. Others were more than welcomed to join him, but these seven obviously had first pick for the team. He wouldn't turn anyone away though as reserves were always necessary and great to have. "Alright, everyone who was on the team, thanks for coming. Dalila, you're head chaser now since Tally hasn't the time to play. She's decided to be placed as reserve." Jake informed her. "Kaylie, let the snitch out and get some practice going. Lexi, I trust you to handle a bludger. Dalila, go ahead and get some flying in. I'll send up the others for you to practice with in a moment. Hannah, Law, and Pepper, if you three could crowd me for a moment, that would be great."

Once the three of them closed in, Jake spoke directly to them and didn't hold anything back. "Gil and Hikaru are MIA. I have no idea if they have any plans of joining, which leaves our team in a predicament. I need two more chasers. Hannah, I know you had originally signed up to play chaser, so I was hoping you wouldn't mind going back to that." Jake asked her. "If Kaylie's ever taken out of the game, I'll substitute you in, but we really need some chaser. That said, this is what I need help from you, Law. Well, both you and Pepper." Jake stated, now turning his attention onto the other two.

"Pepper, I trust you most as Keeper, you've been doing splendid and I know you'll help Law out enormously for that position. However, Law, do you think you wouldn't mind picking up chaser as well? I figure, if Pepper is ever taken out, you'd fill her shoes, but otherwise would play chaser. I'd need the both of you to work together with the chasers to make it possible though. Think you're up for it?"

OOC: For anyone who decides to come to the try-outs, just post below and Jake will send you off to one of the other players to see how well you do. Or, you can just tag Dalila, Lexi, Kaylie, or Pepper and work directly with them. Anything is fine and we love new recruits!

Subthreads:

Chasers (Tag: Dalila and Law) by Hannah Laurent with Dalila Bastet, Law Cooper, Hannah

Late's better than never, yeah? by Gil Idoya and Red Aarden with Jake, Lexi Stafford, Red

Into the wild blue yonder... by Kaylie

6 Jake Santoro Teppenpaw Try-outs, all welcome. 42 Jake Santoro 1 5

Hannah Laurent

September 15, 2007 12:31 PM

Chasers (Tag: Dalila and Law) by Hannah Laurent

Last year, Hannah had tried out for the team and only made it as a reserve. Though, she had gotten to play in one, very disappointing, game, as the Seeker. It had been really cool until the other Seeker had caught the Snitch, but she supposed that it was nearly a given from the beginning with her lack of experience. Now that she had more experience, she was hoping to gain a regular spot on the team.

While waiting for everyone to show up, Hannah hopped from one foot to the next, anxious to show what she had learned from her first year. Luckily, she didn't have to wait long until Jake was able to begin. It was rather a short speech, which she didn't mind, before he began sending the team to practice in their various positions. However, she wasn't sent immediately, along with two others, the regular Keeper, Pepper, and Law, another reserve. She gathered around the Captain, curious as to why they were asked to stay behind.

When Jake asked her to play as Chaser, Hannah nearly jumped for joy. Playing Seeker had been a lot of pressure and it was all on one person. Playing Chaser meant working with others, something she could totally do, and a near guaranteed regular position, which looked like Law would be as well if he chose.

"I'm completely up for it," she had told Jake, then had gone up on her broom to join Dalila.

Once up in the air, she gave a grin to the older girl, "Hi, Dalila. Look's like I'm going to be a Chaser. So, where do you want to start?"

0 Hannah Laurent Chasers (Tag: Dalila and Law) 98 Hannah Laurent 0 5

Gil Idoya and Red Aarden

September 15, 2007 2:42 PM

Late's better than never, yeah? by Gil Idoya and Red Aarden

OOC: Both the Dutch and the Spanish in this entry are very, very bad words, so I don't suggest using them in real life. ;)

"OW!"

"Kak!"

"...pinche chi..."

Red, wincing and rubbing her forehead, looked over at the boy she'd careened into. He, too, was rubbing his head, messing up the dark locks of hair; they'd both been in such a hurry to leave the dorms, it seemed, that neither had seen each other. Red was pretty sure she'd tripped over his broom at some point during their brief tumble, too, and there was a bruise blossoming on his cheekbone.

"Sorry," he said, stumbling to his feet, one hand still clapped against the back of his head. He offered her the other and pulled her to his feet, before stooping to retrieve his miraculously unharmed broomstick. "Quidditch tryouts... I forgot they were today, I'm late..."

"Me too," Red mumbled, sticking out her free hand; he fumbled with the broom before shaking it. "Red Aarden."

"Gil Idoya," he said, grinning as they both hurried out through the common room, straightening their clothes. "You're a third year, right?"

"Yeah; transferred halfway through last year from Salem Academy, up in Massachusetts. Aren't you in my Potions class?"

"I'm thinking I'm in all your classes," he said, flashing her a grin that looked very white in his brown face. "What position are you going out for?"

"Beater," she replied, yelping a little as he pulled her down a side corridor with a muttered comment about a shortcut. "I was reserve for Sal Salis my first year... you're what, Chaser?"

"Dead on," he grinned, then glanced up at a clock. "Chingao! Hurry, we're gonna be late!"

Red grabbed her robes in handfuls, revealing her pale legs under the shorts, and sprinted after the taller boy; by the time they got to the Quidditch Pitch, he was panting and her lungs were burning painfully. "Jake!" he bellowed, as Red paused, hands on her thighs, to try to catch her breath. "Jake, I'm sorry I didn't sign up--still got a place for me in the tryouts?" he offered the taller boy his most charming, self-effacing grin. "Oh, and this is Red, Red Aarden--she's a third year, out for Beater."

"Played... reserve for Sal Salis," she gasped, pressing her hands against her red cheeks. "Don't have a broom though. Whadaya say, Coach?"

0 Gil Idoya and Red Aarden Late's better than never, yeah? 0 Gil Idoya and Red Aarden 0 5

Dalila Bastet

September 16, 2007 2:17 AM

Chasing the chasers? by Dalila Bastet

She was apprehensive. Excited, but apprehensive. For the first time since finding out that Jake had a girlfriend, she was going too see him face to face. But she could do this. She had had a whole summer to get over him. And she was over him...mostly. Adam helped. Dalila grinned at the thought of Adam. She sorely wished they were in the same house because this whole separate houses thing had made seeing him rather difficult. Of course, it made seeing Jake that much easier.

Shaking her head, as though trying to push all these thoughts out through her ears, she pulled her hair into a ponytail and headed out to the pitch.

Grabbing a broom from the shed, she caught up with the rest of the team and settled to listened to Jake's beginning of the term speech. So Tally wasn't coming back. Dalila frowned. Tally was good. She didn't like their most senior chaser just leaving the team. But what Jake said after put Tally out of her mind. Head chaser? That's right. Dalila was now the oldest chaser. She grinned and saluted Jake. "Aye, aye, Captain Jake!" She picked her broom from the ground and launched herself into the air.

The wind hit Dalila full on. Merlin, it felt good to be back on a broom, somewhere where it wasn't 110 degrees. She did a few laps around the pitch, enjoying the freedom of flying before one of the other chasers flagged her down. Dalila reluctantly stopped next to the girl. Dalila remembered that she had started as a reserve last year, but she couldn't remember her name. Dalila tried to bypass this.

"Where do you start?" Dalila looked around and saw the quaffle down on the pitch. "Hold on a sec," she said to Hannah before she swooped down to the ground, gathered the quaffle her her arms and came back up to playing height, but about ten feet from Hannah.

"Catch!" Dalila said with a grin as she threw the ball to Hannah. Let's see how good she was at the basics before trying out other things.

0 Dalila Bastet Chasing the chasers? 60 Dalila Bastet 0 5

Law Cooper

September 16, 2007 2:26 AM

Kind of like a Bludger by Law Cooper

Despite the fact that Law was almost sure he wouldn’t be getting a starting spot (some, particularly his cousin Ronen called this pessimism, but really he thought he was just being realistic with himself) he was still excited to go to the Quidditch Pitch anyway. The schoolwork hadn’t gotten any easier this year, and he still had to put in almost twice as much effort as most people. It wasn’t like he was any sort of Quidditch protégée, but that wasn’t important. The important thing was that, unlike schoolwork, Quidditch was fun.

He was so excited; he ended up waking up an hour before his alarm charm was set to go off. So he read some dog-eared Quidditch magazines he had brought with him from home. Sure, he had read them before, and probably would read them several times more. But what else was there to do this early in the morning?

Once he had gotten bored with that, he got ready for practice and threw on a red t-shirt and pair of old black sweatpants. Comfort was always preferable over style, especially when it came to sports.

He all but ran down to Cascade Hall for breakfast. He would have skipped the meal altogether, but his conscience got the better of him. He downed two glasses of chocolate milk, a bowl of oatmeal, hash browns, a green apple, and a plateful of scrambled eggs before he was full. Hey, he was a growing boy; Mom said he needed his nutrients and all that. Besides, he was taller and broader than most kids his age. Logically he had a bigger appetite than most of them as well.

Broom in hand and riding gloves and goggles stuffed into his pocket, the curly-haired boy had to make himself walk very slowly, so that he would only arrive ten minutes early. He took the extra time to secure the new black riding gloves on his hands – they’d been his birthday present from his brother, Zane. His youngest brother, Teddy, had bought him the goggles, and the broom was the same Cleansweep he’d had for years now. Dad said that Law could save up for a new broom if he liked, or wait for his parents to get him a new one in fourth year. But while his old Cleansweep might not be as fast as the other brooms, it was still reliable, and there was still that sentimental attachment of it being his very first broom.

He paid loads of attention to Jake’s speech, trying not to get too impatient to get up in the air. Really, he didn’t mean to be rude, but he hadn’t been on a broom in over a week!

Law was okay with not being starting Keeper, he had been expecting that all along. But Jake wanted him to work as a chaser, too.

He didn’t have a problem with it, really, before coming to Sonora he used to play pickup games at home, in which there were no clear positions at all. The keeper could head down to the opposition’s goals and score if they wanted, the beater could pick up the Snitch and hand it to the Seeker. That is, they could if the opposing team’s chaser didn’t “borrow” a beater’s bat and hit a bludger over in the seeker’s direction. In short, playing Quidditch at home was a form of organized chaos.

But did he have what it took to play as only a chaser? Sure he would work hard, Law worked hard at everything. He was a strong Quaffle handler – passing and catching had never posed much of a problem for him. But he didn’t have the speed, couldn’t make the sharp turns that others could, and his aging broom didn’t help his case.

“I’m up for it,” Law nodded, adding sincerely, “I’ll work real hard, promise.”

So maybe Quidditch wouldn’t be just pure fun, as he had hoped, but that was alright. As long as he got to fly, he’d try his very best to make the team proud.

Mounting his broom, he kicked off the ground and followed Hannah up into the air. He grinned, as soon as he was up in the air, all his worries about not being a good enough chaser melted away. What had he been thinking? Quidditch was never ever work, no matter how much effort it took. Quidditch was always fun.

Law was about a foot above Hannah, and two yard to her left. He figured it was best to give the other girl her space when she caught the ball; nobody needed any accidents during tryouts.

0 Law Cooper Kind of like a Bludger 0 Law Cooper 0 5

Hannah

September 16, 2007 5:37 PM

Pesky things by Hannah

When Dalila threw the quaffle towards her, Hannah caught it neatly. She hasn’t been a reserve Seeker for nothing. The ability to catch a ball was key. In that case, it was a very small one, whereas, this one was rather larger. Tucking the Quaffle into her side, she started zooming towards the goals. Her broom wasn’t as quick as some of the newer ones, but it wasn’t terribly old either. Her dad had found it for a steal at a local shop just as a special gift for how well she was doing in school. Addie had gotten one too, because it was her first year, and had picked a stunning barn owl.

Hannah had been a little jealous, but Addie promised to let her use Lyre if she ever wanted to write a letter. Unfortunately, other than their parents, she didn’t really have anyone to write to. Maybe after this year, she would. Hannah wanted to make better friends with those she had met in classes. Plus, there was also the possibility of her teammates. Dalila was older than her, so she didn’t think they would have much in common, but Law was around her age and they must have something in common. Otherwise, why would they be in the same House?

On the thought of Law, Hannah looked around for him and Dalila so that she could pass the quaffle. Just flying around on her broom wouldn’t do in the least. Being a Chaser was about teamwork and being able to be relied upon, something Hannah was determined to prove. Spotting one of her fellow Chasers, Hannah passed the quaffle, hoping that her aim wasn’t horribly off. When playing softball with the children that lived near to the restaurant where her family worked, she had always had a tendency to have the ball curve. Hopefully, it wouldn’t now.

0 Hannah Pesky things 0 Hannah 0 5

Dalila

September 17, 2007 1:07 AM

Only when they're out of their box by Dalila

As soon as Dalila threw the ball, another kid flew up to meet them. She couldn't really remember this kid's name either. She'll fake it, until someone mentions a name. She ignored the boy, preferring to watch the girl catch the ball nicely and fly off around the pitch with it. Not bad Dalila thought. The girl swerved back and threw the ball back to Dalila. Well, she was the closest person to where she had thrown it. Dalila had to fly directly off to the side about eight feet, but caught the ball easily.

Dalila got back to her previous position and looked at the girl. "Not bad, so far...we'll work on aiming with you, though. It's really important for a chaser." Dalila gave the girl a wide grin to show that she shouldn't be too hard on herself and without warning tossed the ball towards the boy, but a bit off, so he'd have to work for it.

Let's see how he did.

0 Dalila Only when they're out of their box 0 Dalila 0 5

Law

September 17, 2007 3:06 PM

Thank Merlin for beater's bats by Law

Law’s brown eyes followed the Quaffle instinctively. If there were any advantages to playing the chaotic pickup games back home (in which most of the other kids were perfectly comfortable lying, cheating, or stealing in order to win) it taught you to expect anything. Anything might include the sudden appearance of three Quaffles instead of the usual one. Or that the ball you thought was a Snitch was really a golf ball painted gold that somebody had thrown across the field to confuse the opposing chaser.

So when the older girl, Dalila, passed him the ball without warning, that didn’t particularly irk him, though he was a bit surprised. They were all on the same team, so weren’t they supposed to communicate? Or was this all part of the tryout, to see how he would react? Well, he’d ponder over that later, right now, he had a Quaffle to catch.

He was still about ten feet below Delila, which worked to his advantage, because it gave him more time to catch the ball. The red leather ball was falling at about a sixty degree angle to the left away from him, but it wasn’t going extremely fast or anything. Leaning forward for extra speed, his right hand guided the broom on a slight upwards incline towards the ball. Left arm out in front of him, he got closer, closer.

He wasn’t going fast enough. That was always the problem, he was naturally cautious, plus because of his weight, flew slower than most kids did. Leaning further forward, his grip around the broom tightened as he picked up speed. The next part should be easier.

Law was just able to reach the ball with the finger tips of his left hand, but that was more than enough. His left hand curving around the Quaffle, he let go of the broom entirely, allowing his knees to direct his broom into a sharp swerve right in order to come to a near stop. His hands worked quickly now, and his left hand pushed the ball to the right. Quickly his right hand caught the other side of the ball, so that he had a more secure hold on it, before bringing the ball close to his chest. It was held in a locked position, kind of the way an American football player would hold a ball, right arm above the ball, left arm cradling it from below. This action was almost an instinct now, to keep the ball close, so that it wouldn’t fall and that so nobody else could take the Quaffle away from him.

There was no need for a recovery, he was already stable. Figuring there was no reason to hold onto the ball any longer, he called to his year mate, “Hannah!” Both hands pushed the ball out away from his chest, directly towards Hannah. His aim was accurate, but he had thrown the ball a little harder than he had intended.

“Sorry!” he grimaced, apologizing in advance. Law knew he would have to work on that, next time he got the ball.

0 Law Thank Merlin for beater's bats 0 Law 0 5

Dalila

September 17, 2007 11:37 PM

Amen. by Dalila

Dalila watched the boy go after the ball. Her broom twitched beneath her as though it knew that it could have caught up to that quaffle faster than the boy, even though he was closer. She sighed. He at least caught the ball nicely, but she had to help him work on the slow factor. It just wouldn't do.

Instead of telling him what they were going to be working on for him, she stayed silent and watch the ball go from the Law to Hannah. They weren't bad, but she had a feeling that they weren't used to chasing. She would have to change that.

Being in charge of the chasers and helping them out was going to be fun. Dalila grinned and returned her attention to the trainees.

0 Dalila Amen. 0 Dalila 0 5

Jake

September 18, 2007 6:07 PM

Definitely. by Jake

Jake was able to relax with the knowledge that Hannah was willing to play Chaser and backup Seeker while Law was willing to play Chaser and backup Keeper. Of course, during a game if something were to happen to both Kaylie and Pepper, they would only be on one chaser and that was only if Dalila managed to keep herself from getting knocked out of the game.

He was focused on the practice going on above him in the sky and wasn't aware of anyone else arriving until he heard his name being shouted. Turning, Jake noticed a familiar face near him and it took him a moment to realize it was Gil. He hadn't seen the kid in so long that Jake hardly recognized him (although that may have been partly because he had a terrible memory in general). With Gil was some girl Jake had never seen as far as his recollection could take him.

Jake frowned at the two of them momentarily as he looked them over. Gil was good at being a chaser, that Jake knew for sure, but he was as unreliable as Kaylie was and that wasn't something Jake wanted to have to deal with. However, if Gil remained on the team, the Teppenpaws would have an advantage once more of having reserves.

He didn't know who or what Sal Salis was nor did he know Red or her skills as a beater. Lexi was his second at hand when it came to someone being a Beater, but they could always do with another Beater. With Lexi's reputation, the Coach is bound to keep a close eye on her and the other teams will want to take her out swiftly. Jake nodded slowly at the two of them. "Go ahead and head up to Dalila, Gil. She's the head Chaser now." Jake told him, deciding not to explain why because that would take to long.

Turning his attention on Red, Jake pointed to the shed. "The school brooms are in there. Until you get your own, you'll have to use those. If you need a Beater's bat, extras are located in there as well." Jake informed her. "Grab a broom and anything else you need and head up to the redhead. That's Lexi, she'll have you run rounds." Jake explained before turning up to the flyers above him and shouted, "Oyi! Lex! Got one coming your way. Give her things to do!"

6 Jake Definitely. 42 Jake 0 5

Hannah

September 18, 2007 6:59 PM

Agreed by Hannah

Hannah was glad that Dalila caught the ball, regardless of the curve tendency. Though, it was a given that she and Dalila would be working on it, as it was rather important. In truth, the only person that didn’t need to have good aim was the Seeker. She wondered if she adjusted for the curve, if it might go straight. She would have to try it next time she got the ball.

She followed and watched on her broom while the ball went from Dalila to Law back to her. The angle in which she caught it wasn’t very good, because it hit her stomach. “Oof!” was the sound that came out with the air that was knocked out of her. She gave as much of a grin as she could manage at Law’s apology. Hopefully, he learned to throw the ball a bit lighter or she was going to have to get a stomach guard or else he might take her out of the game instead of an opposing team member.

Still clutching the quaffle to her stomach, both to hold he ball and in instinct to the discomfort. She held onto the broom with her other hand, she forced herself up slightly to throw the ball, wanting to know if the wrist adjustment did anything. Rotating her wrist in the opposite direction, she threw the ball towards Dalila, as she would be the best judge.

The quaffle was still slightly arched, but seemed better than before. She was either going to have to turn her wrist more, which might not always be an option, or learn to throw straight, which might not be an option at all. It all depended, but the only thing to do was try. On the bright side, she wasn’t in any more pain, but that was to be expected playing Quidditch.

0 Hannah Agreed 0 Hannah 0 5

Dalila

September 18, 2007 9:57 PM

As long as we all agree... by Dalila

Dalila cringed as the quaffle hit Hannah hard in the stomach. But Hannah recovered quickly and threw the ball to Dalila. This time the ball curved towards Dalila rather than somewhere ten feet beyond her. Dalila barely had to move to reach for the ball. Good.

"Much better," Dalila called out, grinning. She thought about the girl's throwing. It might not be a bad idea to use the curve thing to their advantage. She'd have to talk to Jake about it. She sighed. She really didn't feel like a one-on-one with Jake, but she'd manage.

Dalila tossed the ball to Law and called out. "Try flying while you throw the quaffle."

0 Dalila As long as we all agree... 0 Dalila 0 5

Kaylie

September 19, 2007 4:24 PM

Into the wild blue yonder... by Kaylie

Kaylie fidgeted slightly. She really didn't feel all that comfortable around the older Teppenpaws these days and she was still embarassed about letting them down last year, even if Kaylie really couldn't help being ill. It hadn't been any fun for her either, really and she was sure Hannah had done a perfectly fine job even if they'd lost.

She felt lucky to be Seeker, that meant she didn't have to interact with the rest of the team too much. It wasn't that Kaylie was afraid of people like Adam was at all. However, the rest of the team included Jake, who she was certain disliked her from last year and Lexi...well enough said. Hopefully, Kaylie could at least trust them to keep her from getting hit by Lily or the Cravens and taken out of the game. It wasn't for the best to lose a seeker and one was supposed to protect their teammates no matter what they thought of them, like Lily had to do with Earl. She wasn't even that comfortable around Dalila, knowing how she was such good friends with Lexi.

Kaylie went and set the snitch free. She kicked up on her broom and sped off into the air after it. She had to admit it felt good to be off flying in the air, almost a freeing, tension-reliving feeling. It was something Kaylie had never been able to convince her next two youngest siblings of, not that she'd even tried. Adam and Chelsea were who they were and should be accepted as such, and not forced to be into things they didn't really like just because that was what everyone else did.

On the other hand, to her there was just something incredible about soaring into the blue sky. Kaylie's ocean blue eyes searched for that golden snitch glinting in the sun.

11 Kaylie Into the wild blue yonder... 43 Kaylie 0 5

Law

September 20, 2007 4:49 PM

Let's agree not to get hit by bludgers? by Law

Law winced again once the ball actually hit Hannah. He'd have to be more conscious about that, and he added that to the growing list of things he needed to work on. Come on, he thought to himself, he flew much faster than this at home. It was never a good idea to take things too seriously - he just had to relax, do the best he can, and leave the rest up to fate.

Keeping his elbows in and leaning his chest forward, Law gained speed. Lifting his head only when Dalila called out to him, he kept his head down. The narrower he made himself, the faster he could go. As the height difference was smaller than before, and he had coaxed himself into going faster, he didn't have to worry as much about actually getting to the quaffle in the first place. Reaching out his right hand, he snatched the Quaffle and pulled it under him, to his chest.

He was at about the same height as Dalila now, and he began to sit up a bit more, in order to slow down and throw the ball. This time he wasn't going to go with the chest pass and change it up as he aimed the ball towards Dalila.

Tossing the ball up with his lefthand, he brought back his right arm, and proceeded to hit the ball in a similar fashion to the way one would hit an overhead serve in volleyball. Hit with the same great procision as the first pass, it had slightly less speed on it.

Leaning to his right, he turned almost all the way upside down as he made the plunge downward. After about a yard, he leaned to the right some more, until he had fully rolled over, causing him to slow down and become stable. He hoped they would get to shooting soon, so that he could put the power behind his throws to some use.

0 Law Let's agree not to get hit by bludgers? 0 Law 0 5

Dalila

September 22, 2007 4:02 AM

Well...yes. I woulds prefer we didn't by Dalila

Dalila reached up her hands and grabbed the ball that got to her about two feet above her head. Well, at least she's not doubled over on her broom. It was an improvement. Dalila tossed the ball back and forth between her hands, thinking. Maybe they should put some shooting into this practice. She glanced at the goals and smiled.

"Okay, new game plan. How about the next time I throw the ball at you, which ever one of you catches the ball, go for a goal." Dalila tossed the ball in the air towards the two other chasers, and made her way to the goals to try and block them. Dalila wasn't going to be a big obstacle for most people; she wasn't that great a keeper, but it was something.

0 Dalila Well...yes. I woulds prefer we didn't 0 Dalila 0 5

Lexi Stafford

September 23, 2007 11:33 AM

Excellent, a minion by Lexi Stafford

OOC: for the sake of continuity, I’m going to assume that Red went and did what Jake told her to. BIC

Well, Jake certainly wasn’t going to beat around the bush for this first practice. Not that Lexi disagreed with the succinct way he seemed to be handling things. After all, it didn’t look like there was anyone new here, so there wasn’t a point in him going on about everything. Besides, he was right. She knew what to do with a bludger, so there was hardly anything that he needed to tell her after all these years.

So Lexi went off for what was certain to be an uneventful practice, at least on her part. She got onto her broom and into the air, actually had gotten to her normal flying height right about when Gil ran up with some girl, and, a few minutes later, Jake called up that the girl (at least, she assumed it was the girl, as there was no reason for her to do anything with Gil) was heading her way.

To let the girl catch up to her, Lexi stayed put, hovering in the air while the younger student went and grabbed a broom and bat out of the shed. Curiouser and Curiouser. She couldn’t have been a first year, since they weren’t allowed on the teams now, but most people who’d played before at the very least had their own broom. Well, she’d have at least a few answers in a second (like what the girl’s name was).

“Hey, I’m Lexi Stafford,” the red-headed started once her apparent trainee for the day had made it to her. “Are you new or something? Because I don’t recall seeing you on the team before, and you’re not a first year. Or were you just introduced to the lovely wonders of quidditch recently?” She grinned, having fond memories of that happening forcedly the summer before her second year. “Anyway, before we start, if you could tell me how much you’ve played before, if any, I’d appreciate it. Unless Jake says otherwise, I’m going to be tailing you once we start, so he and I can see what you can do without interference, but, should something go wrong, which happens to the best of us, theoretically no one on the team’ll get injured at the start of the season. What’d you say?”

0 Lexi Stafford Excellent, a minion 0 Lexi Stafford 0 5

Red

September 25, 2007 6:55 PM

Minion? I protest! by Red

Red waved a quick goodbye to Gil and hurried to do as her new Quidditch captain bade, eager to show that she knew what it meant to work on a team and trust the leader. The girl he had pointed to--Lexi, right?--she found hovering above the field, waiting for her. Red threw her leg over the broom and after a little situating, launched herself upward. The broom was a little wobblier than the one she'd usually used at Salem, but compared to the old broom Godewyn had dug out of storage for her to use this summer, it was right on par. She only fumbled a little as she joined the older girl.

"Hey," she said, greeting the redhead as Lexi began to speak. "Red Aarden. No, I'm n--well. I guess I am sort of new. I transferred from Salem Academy, up in Massachusetts, halfway through last year, but I was wicked busy last semester with... other things. Wasn't around a lot."

Red returned Lexi's grin and tucked a strand of auburn hair behind her ear as the other girl continued to speak. "Oh, I was reserve Beater on Sal Salis team at Salem--seems to me Sal Salis is 'bout halfway between Teppenpaw and Pecari, here, tho' I could be wrong--so I got to practice with the team, but I never played in any games."

She hefted the bat experimentally; it had been a while since she'd held one of these. "I didn't get to play any over the summer," she said, "so I'm really out of practice--but I did play tons of stickball."

0 Red Minion? I protest! 0 Red 0 5

Law

September 29, 2007 7:40 PM

As you can tell, I'm out of subjects by Law

OOC: I meant to wait for Hannah, but... BIC:

Glad he hadn't killed anybody with his passing yet, he nodded at Dalila's directions, to show he understood. Shooting the Quaffle should be fun, he wouldn't have to worry about throwing too hard. Actually, the harder he threw, the better.

Catching the ball, he kept it close as he flew in the direction of the hoops. He may not fly fast, but an opponent would be hard-pressed to get the ball away from him, he held it so tightly. When you were used to about five other kids poking and swatting at you for the ball, you learned to hold onto the Quaffle for dear life. Veering off upwards and to the left just as he approached the hoops, he made an uncharacteristically sharp turn right as he hurled the ball at the center hoop as hard as he could. If Dalila had been thrown off by his flying, or was too afraid to risk herself trying to stop a Quaffle thrown so hard, he was pretty sure it was going to go in.

Grinning at the thought of success, he made a wide turn left. Excited as he was, he could find out if the ball had gone in later. Right now, he had to get ready in case the ball was caught or deflected, and he had to try for the rebound.

0 Law As you can tell, I'm out of subjects 0 Law 0 5