And off we go on Quidditch Pitch

Amy Fox, Quidditch Coach

October 15, 2006 10:16 PM

Quidditch Match: Crotalus vs. Teppenpaw by Amy Fox, Quidditch Coach

The second match of the year rapidly followed the first, coming a mere two weekends later. Although the sky was clear and it was obviously going to be a lovely day, it had rained the night before, leaving the pitch covered in puddles of watery mud. Fighting the glare of the morning sun, Amy frowned as her boots yet again squished and then stuck in the ground. Plucking her feet from the mud, she moved further down the pitch, waiting for the students and faculty to begin to arrive.

Having had breakfast at a startlingly early hour, at least for herself, Amy had entered the pitch some time ago, taking time to fly by herself. Once the time for the game to begin had approached, she had landed in order to make sure that things were ready to go. She calculated that it would take at least a few more hours for the ground to dry to an appropriate firmness for the game, but that was time that she didn’t have. Instead, she found herself grinning inwardly at the idea of students planting themselves face first in the mud on takeoff.

Soon enough, motion suddenly sprung to life on the pitch. People began filing into the stands in anticipation of the day’s match. Moments later, the players began to make their way onto the field, slowly coming in her direction. The Paws would be playing the Crots. She watched with amusement as some of the players seemed to be trying to contain themselves from going everywhere with once with excitement, and anxiety. She only hoped none of them lost their breakfast during the match, as flying bodily fluids never seemed to please an audience.

Once the teams had gathered round, she motioned for the captains. “Okay, as I am sure you are more than well aware, there are no dirty plays. You will only be wasting my time, and yours, by trying to get away with it. Penalty shots will be called and then the game will move on. Also, should any of your players get injured, make sure that that your replacements are ready to go. I will not stop the game in order for you to switch out your players or to make sure that the injured are okay. The medic is on the pitch and he will look to them. Got it? Let’s see…the game won’t end ‘til the Snitch has been caught, so we’ll be out here until then.” Glancing between the two captains, she waited a moment to make sure that they had heard her before continuing, “Alright, so shake hands and then return to your teams.”

Moving over to the box of Quidditch balls, she soon released the Bludgers and Snitch, watching as they each zoomed off in different directions. “The game will begin once I’ve released the Quaffle. On the count of three:

“One.

“Two.

“Three.” She lobbed the Quaffle into the air, straddling her broom and pushing easily off the ground. She only hoped that the players were able to get off the ground as easily. The game had begun.

OOC: Note to all players, please put your position and team name in the author section, so I can keep accurate account of the game. Also, be sure to have lengthy posts, detailing the game. Finally, good luck.
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Subthreads:

And off we go by Jennifer Zucchero, Crotalus, Seeker with Jake Santoro, Teppenpaw, Beater, Captain, Lily Collins, Crotalus, Beater, Dalila Bastet

Keeping to the goals this time... by Earl Valentine Keeper Crotalus

How essential is the Keeper, really? by Pepper Jones, Teppenpaw Keeper, about to be sick with Kaylie Brockert. Teppenpaw Seeker, Pepper Jones, Teppenpaw Keeper, in name only, Amy Fox

0 Amy Fox, Quidditch Coach Quidditch Match: Crotalus vs. Teppenpaw 0 Amy Fox, Quidditch Coach 1 5

Jennifer Zucchero, Crotalus, Seeker

October 16, 2006 6:42 PM

And off we go by Jennifer Zucchero, Crotalus, Seeker

If was finally time. The first quidditch match of the year. Well, not technically the first, since Pecari had played Aladren exactly two weeks previously, but this was the first one Jennifer cared about. She’d woken up early this morning, and had alternated between trying to relax and pacing back and forth nervously. Then, of course, she had realized that she was only making her nerves worse, and she knew that she wouldn’t be able to focus on anything else, so she just went out to the grounds to wait.

Of all the things she was worried about, though, her team wasn’t one of them. They had all been working hard in practice, even if she hadn’t managed to get those practices up and running as soon as she would have liked, and if there was a bit of anger between teammates, well, she’d let it run its course as long as it didn’t interfere.

There had been times she’d worried about the wisdom of making Lily a beater. It had probably been slightly unfair, when another had signed up for the same spot, and Lily had been a chaser, but both loyalty to her previous team and a strong streak of competitiveness had made her decide to keep the positions “in the family.” And Lily, more than any of the other three, had the violent tendencies that beaters so commonly possessed. And it seemed to be working out well.

The situation seemed just as positive with the three chasers. And, of course, now she had Helena in case the keeper problem ever occurred again. She didn’t think it would, though. If Earl hadn’t gotten the drift by the various people angry with him after the match against Pecari, than having another person with similar qualifications for his position would perhaps get the point across that he wasn’t indispensable.

Just then, the others started to show up, and she got caught up in gathering her team for a last minute pep-talk as soon as they all showed up. “All right guys,” she began as soon as the last person showed up. “This is it. Our first game of the year. Personally, I think y’all,” she winced slightly as she caught the southern slang (Lizzie was obviously rubbing off a bit too much), “are going to do wonderfully. Just keep playing well, stay focused, remember what position you’re playing and what said position does,” she gave Earl a slightly amused glance, “and everything should go well. And, if worse comes to worse, just remember, Teppenpaw doesn’t have the Craven twins, so everything’s already easier than last year. Oh, and watch the ground at kick-off. It’s soaked, and, trust me, you don’t want that stuff all over you for the rest of the game.”

With a final grin at her team, she headed over to where Coach Fox and Jake were waiting. There wasn’t anything new in Fox’s speech, so Jennifer merely nodded at strategic points and waited for her to finish. She was rather excited about playing Jake. Unlike playing Pecari, this meant she got to have a friend on the other team without being afraid for her and her team’s safety. And she was looking forward to having at least some chance of beating the opposing team.

Finally, the coach finished, Jennifer shook Jake’s hand, and she could return to her own side, in position to take off. She tried to track the snitch after it was released, but soon it had flown too far and too twisted a path for even her to keep up with. Right as she acknowledged she had lost it, the whistle blew, and she pushed herself off the ground. She had promised herself that she wouldn’t interfere with this game, and so she just flew above everyone else to try and get another glimpse of the winged ball. There was nothing she could do for her team now, so she had to settle back into the role she did best- searching for a ridiculously small object.

\n\n

0 Jennifer Zucchero, Crotalus, Seeker And off we go 48 Jennifer Zucchero, Crotalus, Seeker 0 5

Earl Valentine Keeper Crotalus

October 17, 2006 1:44 AM

Keeping to the goals this time... by Earl Valentine Keeper Crotalus

Earl raked his hands through his disheveled hair. He hadn't even bothered to spike it this morning. He was too nervous to deal with things like that and it would just get windswept anyways. He then paced the room he had all to himself for the half hour before he had to be on the field.

On his way over to the changing room and all while he was getting into his Quidditch gear, he kept a mantra going in his head. 'I'm the keeper...I'm the keeper...I'm the keeper...

He blamed himself for Crotalus's last lost. He had gotten too wrapped up in the movement of the quaffle and lunged for it himself, leaving the goal wide open. Earl was surprised he wasn't kicked off immediately afterwards. Eavan told him it wasn't his fault, but just luck-of-the-draw that had them lose so badly against Aladran, but he didn't believe her at all.

He huddled with the rest of the team, still going through his mantra, but stopped when Jenny gave him that meaningful look. Earl forced away his blush and mounted his broom. At the appropriate time, he kicked off, sending sprays of mud in every direction, including on himself...not the best way to start a game. He made a bee-line for the goal posts, bent on guarding them with his life if he had to. \n\n

0 Earl Valentine Keeper Crotalus Keeping to the goals this time... 0 Earl Valentine Keeper Crotalus 0 5

Pepper Jones, Teppenpaw Keeper, about to be sick

October 19, 2006 7:34 AM

How essential is the Keeper, really? by Pepper Jones, Teppenpaw Keeper, about to be sick

How Pepper was supposed to play Quidditch when she was having to focus her mind and be very persuasive to make herself just keep putting one foot in front of the other to take her down to the Pitch, she didn't know. Her short, red hair was pulled back into a stubby little pony tail, with the side bits clipped. It made her face, usually framed by it, look strange and even more startled. Every freckle stood out like neon, the remainder of the colour having drained away.

About to face seven people who were going to find various ways to pound and possibly kill her, she found that she had difficulty remembering why she'd signed up. She supposed it had seemed fun, and like a goo idea at the time, but now she was facing her first match, it was all very different. It was against the Crotali as well. Adam was a Crotalus, and he was an absolute sweetheart but the types who signed up for Quidditch tended to be the meaner, tougher ones. And she'd seen what this lot were capable of last year, when they'd nearly killed Saul. She was good at making snacks and doing fun voices in stories and stain removal. They were going to eat her alive! She was good at looking after younger people, which was why she'd spent the morning following Gil around like a shadow, telling him - him, who had grown up flying and played countless matches before - how he would be fine, absolutely fine, nothing to worry about, it'd all be ok, ok, really.

She found herself nearly crying with nerves as she got changed, but she told herself she had to pull herself together. If she got upset, she would unnerve the younger studetns. Student. As they exited the changing rooms, she carried on reassuring Gil, though as they got to the pitch she found herself grabbing his arm with a vice like grip.

"Please get the Quaffle first," she whispered. "Don't let them get near me." She bit her own tongue. Even if she admitted that all her reassurances to Gil had been for own benefit, that had still been a very selfish thing to do, putting more pressure on him right before take off. "Sorry," she said, letting go of his arm.

Although she felt bad for her outburst, it had a slightly cathartic effect, and she made it to the middle of the pitch without hyperventilating. Her stomach was still doing backflips though, and she stared around the packed out stadium, eyes wide, the coach's words fading in and out. She noticed movement around her and, with some effort, pulled one of her feet free from the mud and swung it over her broom. She wiggled the other foot experimentally to see whether it was likely to allow her to take off. As the whistle blew, she made it into the air, although one of her shoes was less fortunate. She couldn't go back, dig it up, put it back on and leave the goal exposed all the time that took, so, with only one foot shod, she flew over to her territory, telling herself - amongst other things - that she had a very reliable broom, and that the only reason it was wobbling so much was because she was shaking. \n\n

0 Pepper Jones, Teppenpaw Keeper, about to be sick How essential is the Keeper, really? 0 Pepper Jones, Teppenpaw Keeper, about to be sick 0 5

Jake Santoro, Teppenpaw, Beater, Captain

October 19, 2006 3:10 PM

May the best man win. by Jake Santoro, Teppenpaw, Beater, Captain

Waking up that morning, Jake was happy to see that the rain clouds had disappeared leaving only the bright sun in it's wake. He was grateful to Merlin for allowing them nice Quidditch conditions. They had practiced in snow and cold, but not the rain. Jake wasn't too sure how they would handle rougher conditions. Not that he didn't have faith in them, of course.

He knew his team had some solid team players and most had been on the team for so long that they knew one another well on the pitch. Kaylie, Tally, and Dalila were the three that had stuck by him for quite some time now and even though he didn't quite have such a great go with Dalila at first, he was glad she had stuck around. Lexi was the perfect girl to have as a Beater Buddy considering she seemed to have a lot of extra energy (though some may claim it as anomosity) running through her, which made her quite the opponent. Pepper, though a sweet tempermental girl, had shown herself worthy of the Keeper position and Dillon had even requested her to be his replacement. Lastly, there was Gil. The newbie of the team. Jake had watched him closely during practice. The boy knew what he was doing and seemed to have flown well with Tally and Dalila. That suited Jake just fine. Hopefully, Gil lasted longer than the others.

Stepping onto the pitch, Jake frowned at the mud. He was glad he was wearing his riding boots, but the mud could be a potential problem for take off...or landing. Especially for those who were still getting used to brooms. "Alright everyone. This is it. I've seen you all work hard for this moment. I know you can do this! Just keep in mind everything we learned at practice and don't forget to have some fun." Jake said to his team before moving off to meet the others and the coach in the middle of the pitch. "Just be careful of takeoff with the mud." Jake said to them as he continued to walk.

Stopping by the Coach, Jake looked up into the stands. He easily spotted Bella and the twins. The three of them were waving frantically in his direction. Jake grinned and waved back. It was easy to see that Bella and Matt were rooting for him, however, Josh being a Crotalus, was having a hard time deciding whom he should be supporting. That was evident enough not only by the multicolors he was sporting, but also with the look of uncertainty and confusion on his face. That only made Jake grin wider.

But soon the Coach began to speak and Jake's grin slid away and a serious look replaced it. He stood in absolute silence as the Coach spoke. If someone was to look at Jake, they would have assumed he meant absolute business. But, in reality, all he heard was a buzzing noise. He just wanted to play some Quidditch. Jake shook Jennifer's smaller hand and gave it a small squeeze of good luck before heading back to his team.

"Good luck and have fun!" Jake said one last time, grinning at them, though the grin faultered slightly as he caught sight of Pepper. He was about to tell her not to worry, but the Coach began her count down, and Jake didn't have the time. He only hoped that Pepper regained her confidence. At three, Jake sped into the air, his beater back ready and waiting for the bludgers. "Remember Lexi, aim for the Keeper and Seeker first!" Jake said to Lexi, flying close to her before spotting a bludger and flying straight for it.

Throwing his Bat back, Jake swung his arm and heard the sweet noise of wood hitting rubber as his bat connected to the bludger. He didn't stay long enough to watch his efforts as the bludger was sent at high speeds towards the Crotalus Keeper.\n\n

6 Jake Santoro, Teppenpaw, Beater, Captain May the best man win. 42 Jake Santoro, Teppenpaw, Beater, Captain 0 5

Lily Collins, Crotalus, Beater

October 20, 2006 1:42 AM

Ack, the things I must do for my team by Lily Collins, Crotalus, Beater

I will not try to hurt my own Keeper, I will not try to hurt my own Keeper, Lily mentally repeated to herself over and over. She had to remind herself of this because, well, the urge to lob bludgers at Earl was just too tempting. However, she knew very well she wasn't allowed to do so. They'd lose...probably. And it was just kind of dumb to take out the Keeper when you had no alternates. (Her own team's, that was. Taking out Teppenpaw's Keeper was perfectly fine. Lily just had no particular problem with their keeper)

She'd been a bit surprised at first when Jennifer asked her to be a Beater. There was a new person on the team who'd signed up. Jennifer could have asked her, but instead had made Helena a Chaser while Lily had taken up the Beater slot. She wasn't all that unhappy about it, since it meant she was able to hit things at people, though unfortunately nobody she wanted to hurt.

Lily snickered as Jen gave the speech. If the captain hadn't said the thing about remembering positions, she would have. She wasn't too worried about playing the Teppenpaws either. How could anyone be scared of them ? Tepps were nice and compassionate by definition. Sure it wasn't as if Kaylie couldn't catch the Snitch or that their Chasers wouldn't be able to get a goal on Earl.(Especially if he forgot what position he played. If he did, she was going to forget which side he was on and knock a few Bludgers his way....or just take it out on him later.) Lily just knew that they wouldn't be too vicious.It wasn't like playing Pecari, with the Cravens on the team.

As soon as Coach Fox blew the whistle, Lily took off into the air. She was pleased to see Earl had gone to the right place...with a bludger hurtling towards him. Now normally, she'd have loved nothing more than to see it knock him unconscious, but unfortunately, she had to her job. Lily zoomed towards it. She swung her club and knocked it out of the way, towards the nearest Teppenpaw Chaser. \n\n

11 Lily Collins, Crotalus, Beater Ack, the things I must do for my team 45 Lily Collins, Crotalus, Beater 0 5

Dalila Bastet

October 22, 2006 4:58 PM

Ack! Bludger! by Dalila Bastet

It was a beautiful day...muddy, but beautiful, nonetheless. Dalia was thrilled that the rain had left behind such conditions for Teppenpaw's first game of the season. She vaguely heard Jake's speech and they moved on for Dalila to vaguely hear Coach Fox's speech, but snapped into attention when the countdown began.

At 'Three', Dalila launched herself into the air and aimed her broom at the quaffle which, as though in slow motion, was heading for the ground again. She urged her broom on a little faster and caught the quaffle easily. Smiling to herself, Dalila made her way to the Cotalus goal, hoping that what's-his-face would forget his position like last time and leave the hoops wide open. But no luck; there he was guarding like he was supposed to.

Dalila had been so intent upon seeing if the other team's Keeper was actually doing his job, she failed to notice a Crotalus beater lobbing a bludger directly at her. It hit Dalila square in the back on the head. She cried out in pain and dropped the quaffle. Gingerly, she felt the back of her head. There was a lump the size of a grapefruit, but she wasn't bleeding. That was good thing. Since she wasn't bleeding, Dalila decided to used her time to regain the quaffle rather than fret about a slight head wound. \n\n

0 Dalila Bastet Ack! Bludger! 60 Dalila Bastet 0 5

Geoffrey Spindler, Crotalus Chaser

October 23, 2006 8:18 AM

A present from above ;) by Geoffrey Spindler, Crotalus Chaser

Having picked his way carefully out to the field, sinking into the mud every other step, Geoffrey was more than ready to take to the skies. His quidditch uniform was now lined at the bottom with mud, his shoes were caked with it and he counted it a small miracle that he hadn't falled facefirst into the stuff. Perhaps though, the weightgain that had occurred again over the holidays had helped. The sinking further into the mud made it easier to not overbalance or something.

Just the thought made him feel gloomy. His mother, so pleased that he had managed to shed a few pounds while away at school had been positively scathing by the time he left again. Being at home had just made him unhappy though, and when he was unhappy he tended to eat. And eat. And eat.

He was thinking about this, and not really concentrating as much as he should have when there was a cry from above and he looked up in fright.

Down came the quaffle, almost gently, landing in his surprised grip as he continued to look up for another half a moment before he realised what had happened. Bludger hit. Quaffle in his hands now. Oh heck.

Geoff leaned down, tucking the quaffle firmly under his arm even as he heard the tell tale sound of the chaser above recover and head in his direction. Dipping further down for a moment, he turned to the right before shooting up, wobbling slightly at the still unacustomed speed.

Bludger in the area. Teppenpaw right behind. Goals too far away. Need to pass.

He finished the turn, looking around for his fellow chasers. His grip on the quaffle was sure, but his flying was suffering. A flicker of red to the side caught his eye, and only barely taking the time to confirm that it was one of the other Chasers, he untucked the ball, leaned back and threw.

The quaffle sailed smoothly through the air, right on target as Geoff straighted himself on the broom, and sped forward. There was still a wobble to the movement, and he was convinced that he looked an ungainly presence on the broom, but what mattered right then was the game. Last year he had scored a goal. His captain had been proud of him. It had been an indescribable feeling.

He wanted that feeling again.\n\n

39 Geoffrey Spindler, Crotalus Chaser A present from above ;) 0 Geoffrey Spindler, Crotalus Chaser 0 5

Gil Idoya, Teppenpaw Chaser

October 25, 2006 6:18 PM

A present from the blue... or red, as it were. by Gil Idoya, Teppenpaw Chaser

Gil had woken up that morning feeling ready to take on the world, despite the nasty weather outside. By the time the Teppenpaw team had reached the Quidditch pitch, though, he was torn between gnawing his own nails off with anxiety or snapping at Pepper, which he really didn't want to do. She'd been following him around all morning, assuring him that he'd do fine and everything would go great--obviously in an attempt to assure herself thus, so he couldn't be too annoyed at her--but eventually, it started to wear on his confidence. By the time he followed the rest of the team out to the pitch, clutching his broom and attempting not to wipe out in front of everyone thanks to the slippery mud, he was gulping convulsively in an attempt to wet his now dry mouth.

It really didn't help when Pepper begged him to get to the Quaffle so Crotalus wouldn't come near her. He intended to get the Quaffle, or intend to, of course--but having the team Keeper plead like that, even out of nerves, didn't help his own gastrointestinal butterflies.

"S'okay," he mumbled as Coach Fox started her speech. "I'll do my best." He endeavoured to give her a reassuring smile, but was pretty sure it just came across as a vaguely sympathetic grimace.

"One... two... three!"

Gil's ascension was less than graceful, as the slick footing caused him to slide too far forward on his broom while pushing off, almost causing an immediate nosedive. He recovered quick enough to avoid humiliation, thankfully, and swooped up to join the rest of the team. Funnily enough, now that he was in the air, his stomach began to settle. He could almost have convinced himself that he was playing at home, and Crotalus and Teppenpaw captains were really his cousins Joaquin and Alejandro...

He shook his head to stop the encroaching wave of homesickness in its path, and slowed down, flying in easy loops through the action as he kept one eye on the Quaffle and another open to the immediate threat of any Bludgers, waiting for when he might be useful.

Suddenly the Quaffle fell into the hands of a boy nearby; Gil fell back to shadow the other Chaser, out of the Crotalus' peripheral sight, and watched as he stared at it aghast before turning to lob it at another nearby red-clad Chaser--who was on Gil's other side. The Teppenpaw could get there first, if he really tried.

Gil winced in concentration and leaned close to his broom, speeding up a little too quickly in his attempt to intercept the ball. A second later, he released the broom with one hand to scoop the Quaffled in against his chest; the broom pitched a little due to Gil's inexperience moving at this high speed, and the awkwardness of the gesture.

He recovered well enough, though he knew Alejandro would have yelled at him for sloppiness, and quickly reversed, speeding back towards the Crotalus hoops while keeping an eye pealed for Dalila or Tally. After a moment he caught a glimpse of yellow, and called his fellow Chaser's name to get her attention. "Catch!" he shouted, lobbing the ball towards her.\n\n

0 Gil Idoya, Teppenpaw Chaser A present from the blue... or red, as it were. 0 Gil Idoya, Teppenpaw Chaser 0 5

Kaylie Brockert. Teppenpaw Seeker

October 25, 2006 9:30 PM

Quite, but don't tell Stephen. It'll go to his head. by Kaylie Brockert. Teppenpaw Seeker

Kaylie had woken up this morning, eager and excited to play Quidditch. She was fairly confident in her flying abilities, more so than in anything academic. She'd thought many times about the different maneuvers she could do but when it came down to it, there was a certain amount of luck involved. The important thing was to have a good time playing though it would be nice to win this year.

Now that she was on the pitch, the one thing Kaylie had to remember was to stay focused. Therefore, she was absolutely, positively, not going to look at the stands to see if Chris was there, watching her. That would distract her. Adam, she knew was there, despite his dislike of Quidditch and fear of seeing her hurt.

The one and only thing that Kaylie was worried about were the two Crotalus beaters. One, Gwen Carey, was known to not be quite right in the head and had nearly killed a Pecari Chaser the year before. The other was Lily . Lily, who was absolutely full of anger that she needed an outlet for. Who had been moved from Chaser to Beater, because of how vicious she was. (Lily had seemed quite amused by-and proud of - this fact)

As the game began, Kaylie noticed Pepper flying towards the goal missing a shoe. Perhaps this could work to her advantage. She took off, flying around the pitch, looking as if she saw and was intent on, catching the snitch. She made her way back towards the shoe, and swooped down, as if to catch the snitch. She picked up the shoe and zoomed towards their keeper. Hopefully Jennifer would have fallen for Kaylie's diversion. "Pepper!" She hissed, hurling the shoe at the other girl, "Catch!" She didn't stop to see whether or not the Keeper had it, for just then, a flash of gold caught Kaylie's eye and she took off after it.\n\n

11 Kaylie Brockert. Teppenpaw Seeker Quite, but don't tell Stephen. It'll go to his head. 43 Kaylie Brockert. Teppenpaw Seeker 0 5

Tally Adams, Teppenpaw Chaser

October 25, 2006 10:50 PM

Such a nice gift indeed by Tally Adams, Teppenpaw Chaser

Tally's mind had been full of many different things since returning to school after the Holidays. First with hardly seeing a glimpse of her father or brother and then finding the yearbooks. Ever since then, yearbooks were what kept Tally going. It amused her looking through pictures of other students and grabbing snapshots of them whenever she had her camera around her neck. She wasn't a photographer, but then again, she hadn't one to rely on. So, for the Quidditch games, she had asked Dillon to take some photos of the players and throughout the game so that they could have a section just for Quidditch.

Now she could only hope that they actually won the game. Jake was a great guy, but he wasn't very competitive when it actually came to the game. He was all about 'having fun' but the other captains were all about winning. At some point, Tally would have to kick him hard to get him on the same level as the rest of them were. Luckily, he had done good by getting Gil on the team. He at least, seemed to know what he was doing.

Walking out onto the pitch, Tally groaned inwardly at the sight of mud. She didn't want to get her boots muddy, it weighed down the broom that way. Still, there was no way of avoiding it as she trekked through the muddy pitch in order to reach the Coach. So far they hadn't had to play Pecaris. Aladrens had been the worst so far to loose to, it ended up being that Anne was a total snob and it showed. And though Tally was now playing against Chrissy, Jennifer, and Lily, Tally had better hopes of winning. And, even if they lost, they wouldn't be wenches about it.

At the sound of the Coaches voice, Tally readied herself on her broom. She would need to get a new one soon, this one was starting to act up, but she would worry about that later. At three, Tally was in the air, kicking off as much mud as she could as she flew. Reaching the level of the goal posts, she steadied and paused turning around to face the center only to see Dalila drop the quaffle into the hands of the pudgy chaser on the other team. "Ugh..." Tally's voiced her frustrations, but looped around the Crotalus posts so that when they came down her way, she would be ready.

It didn't seem to take long either as Gil somehow managed to get the Quaffle. He was definitely a good choice for the team. Tally flew steadily around and glanced in Gil's direction when she heard her name. She had to do a weird manuevor with her broom, tipping it slightly forward and to the side in order to catch the quaffle, but once she had it in her hands, she took off for the Crotalus goals once more.

Halfway to the goals, Tally caught sight of something looming towards her in her peripheral vision. Turning her head ever slightly, Tally recognized the bludger just as it was about to strick. Tally yelped and turned sharply to the left. This only upset her broom which shuddered violently beneath her. Tally let out a curse word as her broom dipped and shot forward. It was shaking and wabbling. Tally curled her body closer together and pulled up hard on the broom trying to level it out. Finally, her broom aimed itself for the goal, but still shook violently and sputtered angerily at her.

With as much strength as Tally could muster without losing complete control of her broom, as soon as she was within range of the Crotalus goals, watching the keeper with steady eyes, Tally shot the quaffle with enough force to force the broom sideways. She hoped the keeper was as big a dope as she had heard he was.\n\n

0 Tally Adams, Teppenpaw Chaser Such a nice gift indeed 0 Tally Adams, Teppenpaw Chaser 0 5

Jake

October 25, 2006 11:42 PM

Where's the game at? by Jake

Jake was flying around the pitch, knocking around the bludgers to as many Red colored players as he could. He aimed them mostly at the keeper. Take out the keeper, and the scoring becomes easy. He would lob one on occassion in the direction of Jennifer, but for some reason he always felt bad about doing that. In any case, he figured Lexi would have taken it upon herself to have fun smacking bludgers at the other team.

The game itself was going rather slowly, but that wasn't much for surprise considering it was only starting. The only mishap that seemed to have happened was that Dalila was smacked with a bludger. Jake flew in close enough to yell out to Dalila, "You alright?" Jake asked, keeping his eyes on where the bludgers were flying. Once he had received his answer, and figured if Dalila was seriously injured, she wouldn't still be on her broom, Jake flew back off again. "Nice job Gil!" Jake called out to his newest member when he saw that he had the quaffle.

Easily, the game progressed. Jake hoped that they ended up doing something decent in this game. He didn't want his team to feel completely like crap having to lose twice. But, that also meant that he would lose against Jennifer, which he wasn't sure how he would feel about that. But, the same could be said about winning too.

"COME ON! LET'S SEE SOME ACTION! KAYLIE DON'T GET DISTRACTED! PEPPER, BE READY FOR ANYTHING!" Jake called out to his players, hoping that once the gamed picked up, each of them would, in turn, be ready.\n\n

6 Jake Where's the game at? 42 Jake 0 5

Pepper Jones, Teppenpaw Keeper, in name only

October 26, 2006 12:59 PM

So I can't leave and go home now? by Pepper Jones, Teppenpaw Keeper, in name only

A Tepp Chaser had the Quaffle! A small wave of relief swept throught Pepper, but not enough to make her feel happy about being here. Two things then happened at once, one which filled her with terror and one with joy. The terror-inducing act was the sudden change of hands that the Quaffle underwent (doubley bad because it was due to a Bludger hit) but the uplifting thing was that Kaylie was already diving towards the pitch. Could she really have seen the Snitch this early in the game? Oh, God, Pepper hoped so! Then it might not even matter that the Crotalus Chasers were coming towards her. The game would be over before they got here and no one would see how terrible she was!

But as Kaylie swooped to grass level, the game didn't end. It was clearly just one of those trick things - a Feint (which, if the Crotalus Chasers got any closer, there might be another of, but of a slightly different nature). As her petrified attention returned to the Quaffle, she heard someone hiss her name and saw Kaylie flying towards her. She squeaked as something came hurtling through the air, and fumbled, trying to snatch at it with shaking, unprepared fingers. It was the most humiliating thing to have to dive through the goal hoop after your own shoe. She prayed none of the opposing Chasers had seen that appalling display, even though the crowd would have, and it would be through the entire school before the match ended that the Teppenpaw Keeper couldn't even catch a friendly throw from her own team mate! At least things had changed again at the other end of the pitch though. She was relieved to see they were going for a goal, as she struggled to quickly get her shoe back onto her foot.

She jumped as Jake shouted at her to be ready. Clearly he'd seen her mistake, and didn't think she should be re-shoeing, when she should be keeping an eye out for enemy fire. She gave the goals a shakey loop, glad the that Quaffle was busy at the other end of the pitch, and hoping that Kaylie (or even Jennifer) went for the Snitch for real soon. \n\n

0 Pepper Jones, Teppenpaw Keeper, in name only So I can't leave and go home now? 0 Pepper Jones, Teppenpaw Keeper, in name only 0 5

Earl

October 26, 2006 7:02 PM

Then why'd you give it to me? by Earl

Earl kept a close watch on the progress of the quaffle,his stomach lurching ever time it started heading in his direction. but all too soon one of the Teppenpaw chasers got close enough to make a goal. She lobbed in towards the center hoop and Earl's heart rose up in his throat.

He had to make this save. Because, in Earl's head, making this save was the only thing that was going to stop Jenny from throwing him off the team and replacing him with a first year.

As though in slow motion, he lunged toward the flying red ball. It bounced off the tips of his fingers, but he had done it. The quaffle's trajectory had changed from soaring into a goal to falling towards the muddy ground.

Earl lunged for it once again; this time he caught it and, flying back up to playing height, he threw the ball to the nearest Crotalus chaser. He watched the quaffle being flown towards the other end of the pitch. Earl let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding and di a victory lap around the goals before putting his concentration back onto the game.
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0 Earl Then why'd you give it to me? 0 Earl 0 5

Kaylie Brockert, Teppenpaw Seeker

October 27, 2006 5:01 PM

In a moment, let me just catch this snitch first.. by Kaylie Brockert, Teppenpaw Seeker

Kaylie could see the way the Snitch was glinting and sparkling. She zoomed after it but she couldn't quite catch it. It seemed so close but she couldn't quite get there.

She heard Jake yell to stay focused. Unfortunately, for Kaylie, such words tended to have the opposite effect. She looked in the direction of his voice and when she looked back, the Snitch was nowhere to be found. Thanks a lot, Jake, she thought.

Narrowing her eyes, Kaylie scanned the pitch. The Snitch came back into her line of vision and she sped towards it. She was only feet away when a Bludger, courtesy of her cousin, came hurling at her. She yelped and flew out of its path, missing both it and the snitch. She would have glared at Lily, but Kaylie knew that was just the way Quidditch was. Besides, glaring would be coming unfocused. It was just that, she could have been hurt .

Something flew up into Kaylie's face. She instinctively slapped at it. As she hit it, she realized it was not an insect or piece of random debris, but something a bit larger far rounder, and shinier. The Snitch! She quickly grabbed it.

Clutching it tight, Kaylie raised her arm into the air, a huge grin on her face.

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11 Kaylie Brockert, Teppenpaw Seeker In a moment, let me just catch this snitch first.. 43 Kaylie Brockert, Teppenpaw Seeker 0 5

Amy Fox

October 27, 2006 6:34 PM

TEPPENPAW WINS! (nm) by Amy Fox

0 Amy Fox TEPPENPAW WINS! (nm) 0 Amy Fox 0 5