Determination Quidditch Gryffindor v Hufflepuff

mentions huffle teammates

may 2nd, 2021

It had been a long day for Lindsey. She wasn’t sleepless last night - she was never someone that was heavy hearted, yet she wasn’t frightened of those Gryffindors. Even though they had won two matches in a row, the badgers were close to victory last time against the Slytherins. She confided in her teammates - she knew that they could do really well. But herself? That’s another question.

She was hardly listening to Ami when their co cap was kindly cheering for them. Protect Ethen well, and send some bludgers to them. Like what you did last time. She told herself, finally gathering the left spirit and smiled brightly at her teammates. Gryffindor was on a winning streak, and it was their task to stop it. Lynn took a deep breath and mounted her broom. Time to shine. It shouldn’t be so hard…should it? Well, at least it wasn’t raining or freezing cold today.

Stats: sta 7 (+3=10) · eva 6 (+3=9) · wis 7 (+3=11) · arc 6 (+3=9) · str 8 (+3=11) · acc 9 (+3=12)
Abilities: statistically relevant (+2 acc) | lovely creature
Broom: silver arrow (+3 to all stats)
Action: as strategized

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The night was short and Haley was more than excited. This was her first Quidditch game that she was not only watching, but also a part of the team. She knew that she was highly unlikely to play and that was okay, but the nervousness was still there. But she was also happy and the short night didn't make itself felt.

It was a warm day, probably one of the warmest yet the sky was slightly overcast. On the way to the Quidditch field, the excitement kept rising inside her and she really hoped that they would win today's match against the Hufflepuffs. However, she knew that they were strong opponents. Arriving at the field, Haley remained quiet. There were too many things going through her mind, too many things she was quietly taking in, and she greeted the team with a quick smile.

Just as the players walked onto the field, she wished them all good luck, sat down on the bench, and kept her fingers firmly crossed for her team.

Position: second string chaser
Broom: School Broom
Abilities: /
Stats: Stamina - 5 | Evasion - 4 | Strength - 5 | Wisdom - 6 | ArcPower - 5 | Accuracy - 5

[font=century gothic]INTERACTING WITH @Gryffindor Team | MENTIONING @Hufflepuff Team[/font]

The arrival of the last game of the year had left Evelynn's stomach in knots. It was an unusual experience. While no novice to nerves, the creature that had taken up residence in the redhead's stomach this morning was a beast all unto itself. Gryffindor had entered into the finals in very good standing. Their performance had racked up a good lead and a respectable number of points. Enough to pad the walls, but not enough to clinch the cup. The outcome of the previous day had served to alleviate some of her worry, but only in the sense of clearing up one aspect of unknown. She knew exactly how many points were needed to maintain a lead over Slytherin and Ravenclaw, but Hufflepuff—despite being down a win—could easily overcome them.

A shiver ran down the length of the Gryffindor co-captain's spine as she stood at the ready to enter into the pitch. She knew this day would be an inevitable eventuality. In theory, there had been ample time to prepare for it. And slacking certainly hadn't been on the agenda. Even had she flown all day and every day between the last set of games and this one, however, Evelynn doubted she'd be able to feel in any way prepared. Even the fact that Hufflepuff's winning streak had been broken had done little to alleviate her unease. The fact remained that the badgers were an undisputable powerhouse. Theirs was the team with the greatest number of victories under their belts, the higher average player year, and the most distinguished star players. Not only that, but their strategies had shifted significantly over the season. They were unpredictable. Plus, fresh from their first defeat in over a year, and with Ami and their head, they would be thrashing for a comeback.

There was no doubt about it. This was the match of the year that none would want to miss. Claws were about to clash.

Chest rose and fell as the fresh scent of dew and ozone of cloud cover filled her nostrils, releasing the breath through slightly parted lips, slow, steady, and forced to its expiratory peak. In an uncharacteristic motion, palms lifted to slap clap to either side of her face in an attempt to snap herself into a state of focus as she had seen her mother do on countless occasions. This was no time to wander precariously close to hopelessness. While the Hufflepuffs were surely a force with which to be reckoned, that didn't mean that Gryffindor were house cats to flop at the first sign of a challenge. Brave. Bold. Determined. The words of her House made their presence known, echoing through Evelynn's thoughts, clamoring to silence her insecurities.

Even still, the weight of burden bowed her shoulders and it was everything she could do to keep face and maintain a proud posture. There was no denying that the memory of a bludger's impact shadowed the peripheries of her mind, darkening what little excitement she still held at the notion of taking flight. She'd seen firsthand time and again the damage that Healy could do, and Ami had proven herself beyond a doubt in their last game. Evelynn would have to play a game of cat and mouse where the roles of rodent and feline would be reversed. If they so much as clipped her, she doubted she'd maintain a hand-hold. And with her eyes over her shoulder at every moment just trying to survive, only God knew how she would catch a break to hunt for the snitch. If they could take out the opposing seekers, that would alleviate the need to clinch a fast win. More than ever, this would be a team effort. And she had best not let them down.

As D'Spacito had always been the one to take initiative—as well he should be given his Captaincy—between the two of them to inspire their team, Evelynn usually left the speech making to him. This time, however, she wouldn’t remain silent. In a rare show of solidarity, she collected herself and retreated to stand beside him before the team, offering to them her own words.

"At the start of this year, the majority of us were new to the team. We had little experience working with each other, and many of us were still learning to fly. Few expected anything of us. The Headliner threw us little more than a bone, publishing Slytherin as the projected cup victors. We were green, but eager. Novice, but determined. What we lacked in experience, we made up in talent. Look how far we have come. We took off, and clinched two victories. Today, we face off against Hufflepuff. Yes, they are big. But we are quick. Yes, they had a five game streak. But they have shown they can fall like the rest of us. Yes, they have changed up their game, but so have we. Expect a physical game. Prepare for their blatches. Brace for their body blows. Steel your resolve. This is going to be a tough game. But we have proven ourselves, and you have all worked tirelessly to get to this point. That cup is ours.

Let them hear us ROAR!"

The strike of her broom handle against the stone accentuated her punctuated conclusion, and with one last sweep of her own steeled gaze across her team, Evelynn turned on the spot to make her way onto the pitch and into position. Let the game begin.

[font=century gothic]ACTION: Doing as strategized

STATS: ‎ ‏‏‎‎ ‎ STA 9(12) | EVA 10(13) | STR 2(5) | WIS 10(13) | ARC 2(5) | ACC 10(13)
ABILITIES: Keen Eye, Fearless | BROOM: Silver Arrow | POSITION: Seeker[/font]

It was the final match of the season and they were going up against the current undefeated team and possible champs. It would be so exciting to dethrone as Slytherin had done to them. As a fellow quidditch player, and more importantly the captain of the hufflepuff quidditch team. He felt responsible for their loss and wanted to make up for that. It'd be a good match and it'd be difficult but deep down he held out hope and confidence in his team that they'd come out on top. Even if they didn't, his team would not make it an easy victory for Gryffindor.

The massive bearded lad entered the pitch, getting onto his broom and flying up to meet the rest of his team after making a lap around the stadium. Particularly stopping by where the spectators of house Hufflepuff were. Pumping his fists he smiles and attempted to get the crowd going in a spirited cheer before passing by the bench to flash each member a warm smile. "We've got this team! Keep those cheers up and when your time comes go out there and give em a good one!" He confidentally and excitedly said. "And no matter what anyone says. I'm happy and the whole team is happy to have you back with us little badger." He was of course referring to @Annie Morgan.

With that out of the way he roared excitedly and joined the rest of his team. Ready to give it his all. He was so going to enjoy this!

Action : Doing as Strategised~

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@Griseldis Edelhardt @Lindsey Springhall

Scarlett was ready.

She also wasn't ready.

But she was mostly ready.

At least she hoped so. This was the final match of the year, and so many hopes and dreams were riding upon it. Dreams of winning the cup? Yep. Dreams of calling herself an 'accomplished student Quidditch player'? Yep. And hopes of not letting her team down? Double yes.

She didn't let any of that show as she strode the pitch. Hufflepuff was a hard team to beat. They had had a huge winning streak last year, as well as a Part-Giant Beater that her and Gris had to play against. As well as this, Lindsey was playing as well. Scarlett had played against her friend Cash before, but not against Lindsey. She was curious to see how good the Hufflepuff was.

Anyway, the Hufflepuff line-up was decent, but no matter how 'decent' their team was, Scarlett was determined to take them down. Figuratively and literally. Gris approached her, with the facts she already knew and the inspiration she needed. "Yeah, I know," said Scarlett in response. "We've done a ton of training, but so have the Hufflepuffs. Anyway. Like you said, try our best eh?"

Scarlett wasn't one for nerves, but said nerves were whizzing through her at high speeds at the moment. She tapped her foot on the ground, waiting for one of the captains to say something so she could take off into the air and forget everything riding on the game and just play. Decipio's speech was greeted with a smile from Scarlett. It was...oddly inspiring. Inspirational words had never really appealed to Scarlett, but now she got the hype. "Yep, I'm prepared for a visit to the Hospital Wing," said Scarlett jokingly, ignoring her buzzing anxiety, choosing to focus on actually playing the game instead. "We've so got this. Let's go!"

Action Arriving, doing as strategised
Broom Nimbus 1500

Reducio

In the role of Beater, if you hit an opponent with a bludger the bludger will then ricochet off that user and target a second opponent of choice (must be declared, if not declared the target will be random and can be an ally but not yourself).

Abilities Prodigal Charms Leaner, Fearless
Stats Stamina | 7 | Evasion | 6 | Strength | 6 | Wisdom | 6 | Arcane Power | 9 | Accuracy | 8

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Broom: Silver Arrow

After his arrival on the pitch and the great speech provided by Evelynn, the fourth year felt energized and ready to take on the probably scariest game of Quidditch so far. A lot of his friends were on the other team and he knew of their strength and determination. Alan still was confident enough in his own team, to believe that they had this game in their bag. After all they had come so far and trained this hard, it should at least pay off. So Alan would take off with his broom, as he took on that new challenge and hoped to master it alongside his house mates. Alan too was determined to win, how awesome could it be to win all three games of the season? He wanted to make this possible and help his team to victory.

Action
Doing as Strategized

Ethen had an eagerness that he had not quite felt for the other two games. An eagerness for redemption. This would be his only change in the year to gain redemption for his failure in their previous outing. His inability to secure the snitch in their previous game had given him a new determination to not let his team down again. He wouldn't let nerves or other distractions blind him to his task for the game. As the seeker he felt crucially responsible for their last game's outcome and he knew that he shouldn't be so hard on himself. But if he was able to redeem himself here, he would be able to fully move past the blunder.

Despite the pressure he felt, Ethen was feeling energized and ready for the game. He felt confident in his team to perform and just wanted to get everything going. He felt loose and ready to put everything on the line. If he just remained confident, he knew there was nothing he and his fellow flying badgers could not accomplish. His comrades were as ferocious as flying badgers came and he knew that they would all be looking to bounce back from their last game. With a grin, Ethen readied himself for the start of the game.

Mentions (briefly): @Anastasia Beckett | @Evelynn Decipio | @Scarlett Aden | @Haley Rose

Gia couldn't get the excited grin off her face as she walked into the Quidditch Pitch. Eyes wide, she took every single little thing in: the warm breeze blowing through her hair, the slightly cloudy grey sky above, the numbers on other players' outfits in front of her. . . everything. It was a day she didn't want to forget. Her first ever quidditch game as part of the Gryffindor team!

Okay sure, she was definitely overreacting a tiny bit. The first year knew that she would probably just be sitting on the bench the entire game instead of being up in the air where all the action was, but still. How could she not overreact? It was definitely still a big day, no matter what her position was. Having kept up with the previous games of the season Gia knew that this game was a big one - probably one of the most important games of the season! This sort of made up for the fact that she had only gotten onto the team at the end of the year, she supposed, thinking to herself as she made it to the area where all the other players were standing.

Giving a small, excited wave to Scarlett, who she knew from multiple meetings in the past few months, Ana, someone she'd seen very recently at the Quidditch Scrimmage, and Haley, who she hadn't been aware was on the team, Gia tried to pay attention to the speech Decipio was giving. It was hard, though, and the Gryffindor found her attention wandering away as she scanned the crowd that had gathered, searching for any familiar faces. Seeing none at the moment, she turned back just in time to hear the conclusion to what the second year was saying. "Go Lions!!" the first year called, sitting down on the bench with a few others as she waited anxiously for the game to begin.

We can do this, she thought to herself, repeating the phrase over and over in her head as if it would help their team in some way. We can do this!

Action: Entering and sitting down on the bench

Position: Second-string seeker
Broom: Silver Arrow (+3 to all stats)
Stats: Stamina 8 (11) | Evasion 6 (9) | Strength 3 (6) | Wisdom 7 (10) | Arcane Power 5 (8) | Accuracy 6 (9)
Abilities: Evasive Maneuvers