I guess my game face wasn't needed? on Quidditch Pitch

Geoffrey Spindler

November 28, 2008 9:18 PM

Crotalus Try Outs by Geoffrey Spindler

OOC: Argh. That is all. BIC:

Geoffrey had arranged the Pitch a week in advance, as he'd watched the list of names grow in the Crotalus Commons. He felt quite smug as he booked it, noting that none of the other teams had made a booking yet. It definitely made up for the fact that he had been the last to have his notice up.

Of course, then Anne had beaten him to the punch and arranged for the Aladren Training to happen earlier. He almost kicked himself for putting it off, but with the news Professor Powell had given him, he had other things to think about. He'd sent a note to Helena Layne the night before, asking her to come down a little earlier.

"Helena," he said, as she arrived. He had the school brooms, and the practice balls in their bag nearby, ready for when everyone else got there. "Sorry about the cloak and dagger business, but I wanted to have a word with you before everyone else got here. And I hadn't managed to see you around lately. They're stepping up with the CATS courses, right?"

Merlin. Was he nervous?

"Look, I should probably cut to the chase, right? Ha. Chase." The was a beat of silence. "I've been hanging around with Stephen and Darren too much. Nevermind. Point is, you're going to be my new Assistant Captain." He tried a beaming smile as he tried to work out what she thought of the news. "Look, it's alright. Um, I mean, I heard your brother is the Assistant for Aladren. So.. hey, it's running in the family. Except he's an Aladren, and not a Crotali. I should just shut up, right? Yeah. Yeah, I'll give that a try."

Geoffrey bent down, and unzipped the bag, using the action to cover his embarrassment. He just didn't know what to say, really, and he wasn't quite at ease with girls, for all he didn't share his mother's opinions. Even with Jennifer there had been that problem, escalated by his hopeless crush... For a wild moment, Geoffrey wished he could have Stephen's easy charm. And then he came back to earth.

He withdrew a beaten-up old quaffle and tucked it under his arm as he straightened back up.

"So, the way I see the team this year, you, me and Oliver will keep the Chaser spots. Earl will stay on as Keeper. I don't see any reason to change that up, especially considering there aren't any challengers for Chaser spots, and well, Earl has been Keeper forever. Lutece can work on her form, ready to step into the spot next year. The Warren twins get the Beater spots they've wanted to both have since first year," he smiled a little at the memory of their boisterous enthusiasm. "And then we pray that this," he patted his pockets until he found the list and checked it to be sure of the name, "Alexis can catch the snitch. Or there'll be even more pressure on us that usual," he smiled crookedly at Helena. "Not that we're not up to the challenge, of course."

There were voices coming from the opening of the pitch, and Geoffrey looked over that way. It looked like other members of the team were starting to show up.

"We can talk more later, if you like," he said awkwardly, with another flash of a smile. "Time to meet the team now, though."

Geoffrey fiddled with things, greeting the other Quidditch players as they showed up and checking over the brooms. He frowned at one of the school brooms, noting one that the twigs were looking in bad repair and put it aside, even as the last of the Crotali hopefuls arrived.

Or not hopefules. They were certainties.

"Hello!" He said brightly to the assembled. "As I said on the notice, preference will be given to those who have served their time for Crotalus, so Helena, Oliver - you're staying on as Chasers - Earl, you'll remain our Keeper. Sorry Lutece, you're going to be backup one last year. But don't think that means you'll be getting off lightly! I'll want you at every practice, getting in lots of training so you'll be ready and set to take over from Earl next year. Josh, Renaye; you two will be our Beating team. I'm looking forward to seeing your twin powers on the field. Which leaves you." He looked the newcomer over. "Alexis, right. Wait one moment while I get these guys working, and I'll be with you."

Tossing the quaffle to Helena, he pointed at the nearest goal post. "Helena, can you take Oliver and the Keepers over there and get some practice started? Helena is the new Assistant Quidditch Captain, guys, so listen to what she says." He looked at Earl particularly as he said that, remembering the older boy's reaction to his own elevation to that position. "Make sure you've all got your eyes still in since the holidays. Josh?" he bent and dug out a tired old bludger from the bag. "I know this old thing won't seem like much to experienced Beaters like you and your sister, but ignore that for now. What I want is you two batting it back and forth, working on your aim and precision; Beating is too often just mindless bashing, and if we can get some real aim happening you two will be a real asset to the team. Work up that end, away from the others."

He watched the others move away and then turned back to Alexis.

"You ever played Seeker before?" he asked.\r\n\r\n

Subthreads:

I guess my game face wasn't needed? by Renaye and Josh Warren with Oliver Abbott, Helena Layne

Seeking a position... by Alexis Ashwood

39 Geoffrey Spindler Crotalus Try Outs 79 Geoffrey Spindler 1 5

Renaye and Josh Warren

November 28, 2008 11:40 PM

I guess my game face wasn't needed? by Renaye and Josh Warren

Renaye had her game face on. She hadn't spent the summer training to get put on reserve. She had woken up semi-early after a good night's sleep. She was dressed in her red shorts and a random comfortable white shirt and her long blonde hair was pulled into a ponytail. There wasn't much left to do until it was time for tryouts. Raye was determinded, but that didn't block the crazy nerves running rampid through her. Everyone had their off days, but Renaye was praying that today wasn't hers. Though she would never admit it, she was feeling a bit bitter towards her brother and his advantage for the team. But nevermind that.

The blonde girl snatched up her broomstick, her beloved broomstick, and ventured down the stairs to the common room, where the black haired boy was waiting. Josh was always cool, calm, and collected. Except for last years tryouts. They had shared the nerves for that particular day. This year, however, he looked ready to go, even excited. Renaye gestured towards the door and the two twins made their way to the Pitch, without a sound.

*****

The sky was gleaming blue, the clouds were scarce, and the grassy lawn of the pitch was greener than ever. Josh's blue eyes looked over the stands, picturing the day where they would all be full once more. Game Day was the best day of the year, no matter what stuff was going on in June. Quiddith always trumped everything in his book. Beside him, Renaye was staring straight ahead, her green eyes fixed on the small group of people gathering for the tryouts. Josh's own blue eyes followed the direction of hers and saw mostly framiliar faces. There were the seventh years that were gone, which left the team feeling oddly rearranged. Josh also spotted Alexis. Though she was a reserve last year, he hadn't been completely sure she would try out again.

Geoffrey, their shiney new captain, stood before the group now. The twins raised a hand in greeting as he did so to the group. Renaye was taken a bit aback as he began to tell them how he was seeing the team. Wait, were they going to be trying out? What was going on-- Did he just say her name? Renaye's eyes widened in a bit of surprise before comprehending what had just occurred. Josh had discretely elbowed her said, a small smile on his face. Renaye returned the gesture, her features bearing a wider smile. She was on the team!

Josh raised his head at the sound of his name being called. "...I know this old thing won't seem like much to experienced Beaters like you and your sister, but ignore that for now. What I want is you two batting it back and forth, working on your aim and precision; Beating is too often just mindless bashing, and if we can get some real aim happening you two will be a real asset to the team. Work up that end, away from the others." Josh recieved the battered old bludger and gave a small salute to the new captain.

"Let's go," he said, snatching up a bat and his broom and nodding towards the sky. Reanye grinned, her broom and bat in hand. The two kicked off, this time as teammates rather than opponents.

0 Renaye and Josh Warren I guess my game face wasn't needed? 0 Renaye and Josh Warren 0 5

Oliver Abbott

December 03, 2008 11:58 AM

Not so much a try-out by Oliver Abbott

Quidditch tryout morning arrived and Oliver headed down in what had become some sort of tradition. He'd already prepared for not seeing Jen there, so it wasn't any shock to find Geoff captaining instead.

All in all, there didn't seem to be much of a try-out going on. Lutece would be stuck as reserve Keeper (Oliver was surprised to realise a stab of pity for the girl), but she would be able to take over from Earl next year. After the Warrens - Oliver grinned at them in greeting - the only open spot was Seeker, and some second year girl was trying out for that.

Other news was that Helena was assistant captain. As he followed her up the pitch, Oliver gave her a thumbs up. "Good job," he told her. "With any luck the team will hold for a few years and you won't even need to train us," he said with an almost cheeky smile. That would be a while yet - until then, Geoff would make a pretty decent captain, Oliver thought. Once he relaxed, anyway.

Pulling a bandana round his head (he wasn't sure they suited him but it was far easier to play Quidditch with than trying to wear a hat) Oliver flew up to game height to practise as they'd been instructed.

0 Oliver Abbott Not so much a try-out 99 Oliver Abbott 0 5

Helena Layne

December 03, 2008 9:24 PM

Well, more practice is always good. by Helena Layne

As she walked across the Pitch, Helena was surprised to see that it was empty except for her and Geoffrey. The note she had gotten hadn't specified much, but she hadn't expected a completely private conversation. She didn't know what she'd expected - the only reason she could think of for sending a note was his sudden desire to profess undying love, and she thought that was just a little far-fetched - but she knew it hadn't been this.

"Hi," she said, then stopped, not quite sure what she ought to say.

Luckily, Geoffrey started talking. Unluckily, he sounded a little...off, somehow. Almost...nervous? There was no good reason for him to be, but that was the impression she got, and it made her feel awkward, too. It was almost to the point of asking him what was going on and proper shows of respect for his position be hanged when he finally told her what he considered the point.

For a moment, she wondered if the way he was smiling meant she was supposed to laugh. After that, she remembered that they weren't nearly well-acquainted enough for Geoffrey to go to such lengths for a joke, not and have it make a lick of sense. "Me?" she said. Or squeaked. She wasn't entirely sure which it was.

Mention of her brother made her think of the comments she'd have been in store for if she'd acted like such a fool when he was around, and that was enough to put her head straight again. She couldn't say it hadn't occurred to her that this could happen, because Oliver, the only other player she had thought had a reasonable chance, was only in fourth year to her fifth. Helena honestly thought Oliver was better at the game than she was, but the administration evidently thought seniority should take precedence over skill.

He became slightly more normal when he began outlining who would have which spots. She smiled and nodded, careful not to look as though she was giving her consent or that Geoff needed it. She couldn't blame him if he was a little upset about having his own replacement thrown in his face before he was steady in his new position, but she wasn't going to hand him excuses for taking it out on her. CATS put enough stress in her life without that.

"Of course," she said when he asserted that they were up for the challenge of the pressure added by a Seeker with little to no experience. "We'll be fine."

Another problem presented itself as the team arrived, and that was where she should stand. Since the other players, as far as she knew, had no idea she had been selected for the position, she finally decided to step back after they all arrived. If Geoffrey, the captain, wanted everyone to know she was his Assistant, he would tell them. It wasn't her place, not yet. Her job was to make Geoffrey's life a little easier, not to try to glorify herself.

"Just tell me when," she told Geoffrey, then smiled at the rest of the team as they came up. She caught the Quaffle - to her relief - easily when the captain tossed it over and nodded.

"Sure thing," she said, then smiled again automatically, this time as if in front of a camera, when her position was announced. It was odder than she would have expected to hear people told to listen to her. "C'mon, y'all."

She was surprised to realize how she'd spoken, and chalked it up to being worried about how she'd do and how well the others would respond to her. Earl in particular could be a problem; he was a seventh year and not always the Crotalus team's most pleasant member besides. Hopefully, not having Lily around would sweeten his temper a bit. She laughed at Oliver's comment about not having to train a team in a few years.

"I can always hope," she said. "Thanks, Oliver." She tossed the Quaffle up in the air and caught it nervously. It was a little harder to exert formally given authority than Helena would have thought. "Ring in the air," she said. "Please. I know we don't all have many opportunities to get in the air during the summer, so a little pass-and-catch practice will do us all good." She turned to the two Keepers with a small smile. "The two of you can be in front of the goals, like a game. It's probably for the best if you don't just pick one of us to throw the ball to, though."

That sounded all right to her. "I guess we can get started, now," she said, then kicked off and almost immediately made a pass. After the travesty of a game against Pecari back in her fourth year, it had become very clear that she needed a lot of work in that department.

OOC: Yeah, I fail for taking so long to get this up. Sorry, guys!

16 Helena Layne Well, more practice is always good. 88 Helena Layne 0 5

Alexis Ashwood

December 07, 2008 11:11 AM

Seeking a position... by Alexis Ashwood

Alexis Ashwood woke up, almost dreading the day. Quidditch try outs. This was the day that she went through with playing the sport and hoped that no one would rat her out to her parents. Josiah, though, seemed to manage it really well, so maybe she could too. She sat up, hearing Renaye starting to move around. Pulling her red hair into a ponytail and putting on a red t-shirt and black sweatpants, she headed out to the field, broom in hand.

She arrived a couple minutes after the Warrens did, sending each of them a small, nervous smile. She was expecting try outs, really, she was. She was ready for all these trials and tests and such. But Geoffrey began talking and it turned out he had already placed them. And Renaye was Beater with Josh! Alexis tried to hide the smirk on her face. Hadn’t she told Renaye she’d get the spot, no problem?

“Alexis, right. Wait one moment while I get these guys working, and I'll be with you."

Alexis looked at him curiously. Why couldn’t she just practice? Had she done something wrong already? Geez, she had been really good since she returned to Sonora! She hadn’t even fought with Josiah yet, hadn’t even spoken to him. So what did she do wrong this time? She listened to him give the others instructions and waited until he turned to her. She waited for whatever horrible thing he was about to tell her.

"You ever played Seeker before?"

Oh, that was it! She nodded, then realized she should probably vocalize that. “Yes, I’ve played seeker before. I played with my cousins over the summer, and I was on reserves for a small bit of time last year.” She shrugged, looking at him seriously. “All in all, I believe I’m pretty capable.”

0 Alexis Ashwood Seeking a position... 117 Alexis Ashwood 0 5