Crotalus Try-outs! on Quidditch Pitch

Captain Alistair Johnson

June 20, 2015 12:20 PM

Crotalus Try-outs! by Captain Alistair Johnson

Having checked the Crotalus Quidditch sign-up sheet on a regular basis since he had put it up, Alistair was hoping for a number of walk ons to save the day. He was not particularly optimistic, however, but tried to push out the negativity in his mind when he looked around and decided it was best to get on with things and hope that more Crotali would wander onto the Pitch shortly.

“Good morning and welcome to the Crotalus try-outs,” Alistair spoke up clearly. “Hopefully we will have more students join us shortly but we ought to get started so we don’t waste our time.” There was only so long he could hold the try-outs, seeing as the other houses would likely have booked the Pitch for later that same day. “If we do not manage to get together enough players,” he knew he had to bring the subject up at some point, “we could potentially combine teams with Teppenpaw as we did last year.”

He wasn’t quite sure where to go from there. Did anyone really need to try out for the team considering how desperate Crotalus was for simply anyone? Yet surely if they had to join forces with Teppenpaw again it would be important that he knew who his best players were… Alistair didn’t show his uncertainty, instead getting straight on with things. “First off, I’d like you all to run a lap of the Pitch to warm up,” not only was it important to warm up properly, Alistair hoped that some more students would turn up during this time. “Once we’ve done that make sure to stretch your muscles before mounting your broom.”

The second year set off round the Pitch at a reasonable pace for the rest to follow. As he jogged, he went over in his mind everything he had prepared for the try-outs. Alistair knew he was going to have to be a bit here there and everywhere but somehow he’d have to make things work.

Once he felt that his potential team were adequately warmed up, he ordered them to mount their brooms. “Fly two laps round the pitch, weaving in and out of the three hoops when you get to each end,” he instructed. “After that we’ll start some ball work - those trying out for Chaser can grab a Quaffle and show off your passing and shooting skills. Keepers can work on saving the Chasers’ shots,” Alistair didn’t think they had any Keepers but he said it all the same, perhaps someone would change their mind and want to try it out. “I’ll release some little charmed balls for the Seekers to collect and as for the Beaters, come and see me and I get you sorted with bats and balls. If you want to try out for multiple positions you are welcome to do so. But first, mount your brooms!”

OOC: Walk ons are welcome - you may assume that Alistair would have taken down their name, the position(s) they are trying out for and instructed them what to do accordingly. Posts should be realistic and creative.

8 Captain Alistair Johnson Crotalus Try-outs! 306 Captain Alistair Johnson 1 5

Arne Reinhardt

June 27, 2015 4:15 AM

Beater try-out by Arne Reinhardt

Arne arrived on the Quidditch Pitch in sort of a grumbly mood. He had run into Tobi at breakfast, and his older brother and Liac had cheerfully wished him good luck at the Crotalus tryouts. He’d mumbled back similar well wishes which had apparently been enough for Tobi and Liac to sit down next to him and carry on a conversation as though nothing was wrong. In truth, Arne had missed seeing his older brother so relaxed as he was in that moment. Walking around school, though Arne generally kept his dark head down and his eyes on his own paper, he had noticed that Tobi was the sort of person to be at ease around family and completely aloof around everyone else. Against his better will, Arne had felt his cold exterior dropping and he had soon found himself laughing and joking around with the two Teppenpaws like nothing had ever been wrong.

However, on his walk from the Crotalus common room to the Quidditch Pitch, he found himself becoming more and more troubled. Why was it that Liac and Tobi were able to get under his skin and through him off his guard like they did that morning? He had been determined to hate everything, so determined, and for awhile it had been working. He still hated Tobi, he reasoned as he started jogging at a slow place, picking up as he went along. He soon found himself toeing up behind Alistair Johnson of the Arizona Johnsons. His pride pushed for him to move past the older boy. His sense of team, however, pulled him back and allowed for the Captain to lead the pack. After all, it would be insubordinate for Arne to actively show his disparaging feelings for Alistair Johnson of the Arizona Johnsons and though off the Pitch Arne didn’t feel loyalty towards him, on the Pitch was a different story—a team was a team.

Once the on-foot and on-broom laps and stretching were done (Arne personally thought they should have stretched first, and though he managed to get in a quick leg one before starting, he said nothing to the Captain), he followed Alistair Johnson of the Arizona Johnsons to get the beater’s equipment set up. He silently accepted the bat and prepared himself for the first swing. The initial contact reverberated up his arm, and the bludger was only just off the mark. He frowned and readied himself. The next swing was accompanied with a crack that Arne didn’t even have to look at to know it was going to work. It was the same sound his bat made when he played baseball with the children from school and the ball was going to the unmarked territory between Samson Beste and Rogan Cain just past the second base line. He felt his anger release and he grinned. The adrenaline rushed through him and he couldn’t wait for the next hit.

10 Arne Reinhardt Beater try-out 319 Arne Reinhardt 0 5