Slytherin v Gryffindor 3rd Game Finished

Being Chaser 1 was no big deal. It wasn't much different than Alexx's usual job, anyway. But now that Elena was gone, she felt like there was a lot more pressure on her. She would act differently in plays when needed, and she was sure this meant they needed her to attempt to score more than she had. Alexx didn't keep up with her own stats or anything, but she also knew that she didn't have any goals this season, and she was dreading having to chat with Dan about that. In the end, those points mattered too, maybe even more so than the Snitch.

As Alexx entered the field, she felt an unfamiliar nervousness and weight follow her out. This was all so different. It wasn't like she had gotten co-captain or anything, and maybe it was good riddance because Alexx was fairly overwhelmed by all of this anyway. Nevertheless, that didn't stop her from shaking as she gripped her broom and flew up, knowing it was only a matter of time before something happened. Quidditch was once the most familiar thing in the world, but what was it now? Nerve-wracking was one word (phrase?) for it. Absolutely nerve-wracking.

Actions: Entering the Field and Preparing

Lions. Lions were brave; lions were strong. They roared in the face of danger, never fearing. At least, that was the stereotype.

Snakes were deceptive and sly, also scared of nothing. That much was obviously a lie; Koko was a Slytherin and she was scared of quite a bit. She thought that there would not be much to worry about, then; Slytherin had a wonderful team, and if the Gryffs were also scared of things, it would be a piece of cake.

A smile crossed Koko’s face when she heard two people saying her name. Thora and Piérre. ”Thanks, guys!” she shouted back, her knuckles whitening as her grip on her broom tightened. It was new. Her aunt had bought it for her when she had visited her in France, and it helped remind her that family was really there for you. Just like a team was.

Koko mounted her broom, shouting a wish of good luck to the Gryffindors - she wasn’t a bad sport! - and making her way to the goalposts, where she was likely to remain for most of the game. Unless something happened. Koko might have been selfish, but the team was her second family. She would not allow any of them to be hurt.

Koko glanced across the pitch once more, smiling to herself. Slytherin was ready.

Her Tinderblast resting against the wall, Nico tightly put her hair up in a ponytail. It was rather warm today and that wasn't necesarrily a good thing. Not to her. Sure, it made flying more comfortable. You didn't feel like you'd freeze onto your broomstick - yet atleast she was sure she wouldn't get any sunburns after a while.

Just as the earlier Quidditch matches, she chose to wear a bodysuit underneath her Quidditch gear. It made her feel more at ease. When her parents heard that she'd be participating in a match once again, they made sure her suit was very breathable and could keep her from overheating. Just in case, she decided to wear a mouthmask aswell. Most students would probably question why someone would cover herself up so much when the weather was so great. Dhampirs have to watch their step if they don't want to get hurt or distracted. She sighed softly. Today, they were up against Gryffindor.

Pulling up her mask and tightening the straps of her gear - taking a deep breath - she picked up her broom and wearily walked up the pitch. She was nervous. So far, she hadn't been taken down from the sky before - the thought of that one girl being instantly hit before she could even do anything, making her hit the ground hard, it kinda let a shiver go down her spine. Eyeing up where a few players were already zooming about, Nico noticed how high up it actually was. Her strawberry red hair gently swayed with every breeze - she swallowed softly. No! There was no reason to panic. It was going to be fine. You've gotten so far without any injuries - this time would be no difference.

Squeezing the wood of her broom, she'd look around at the crowd. Their cheers were encouraging and supportive. A strange experience, everytime. They had no idea they were cheering for a dhampir. Or not all of them atleast. Why did it bother her so much all of a sudden? Swiftly, she shook her head - there was no time to be nervous or scared. It was time to have fun. She didn't give many looks or greetings to her teammates except a nod for 'good luck'.

Quietly, she got on her Tinderblast, and flew up into position.

Action: Doing as strategised.

[font=Bradley Hand ITC][/font]

[font=Bradley Hand ITC]Wren was astonished. [/font]

[font=Bradley Hand ITC]She was so excited to be apart of the game that would determine it all. This was the game they were going to win. They had no other choice. Besides, they were ready. Ready to go out there and crush Slytherin’s ass.[/font]

[font=Bradley Hand ITC]Strapping on her Quidditch gear, she put the jersey with the bright golden 32 on it. 32 was her lucky number so she was hoping that it would help them. They would need all the luck they could get today. [/font]

[font=Bradley Hand ITC]When she heard Rafa announce her name, she flew out there on her school broom waving and yelling as hard as she possibly could. [/font]

[font=Bradley Hand ITC]“GO LIONS!” She returned @Rafael D'Spacito's quick nod before going to the rings, where she would be on the bench for the match. Even being a part of the team was enough for Wren. She had never dreamed she would be where she was today, especially before she had even heard of Hogwarts. [/font]

[font=Bradley Hand ITC]Even though she was confident they were going to win she was still nervous. Slytherin had a really good beater, and if the other girl knocked one of their beaters out, she might have to play. She really hoped that didn’t happen because she felt she wasn’t ready for that.  She calmed her nerves down comforting herself with the knowledge they were going to win no matter what happened today.[/font]

[font=Bradley Hand ITC]She was confident about that.[/font]

Action: Entering the field and cheering on her team

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The moment was nigh. Day had dawned upon what would be the first of many of Evelynn's games of Quidditch. Ever since her arrival at the school, her — often daily — practices had been gruelling and earnest. More than once, she had landed herself in the hospital wing with injuries involving the stray bludger with which she had been honing her skills, or a miscalculated dive seeing just how close she could get before pulling up. It had all been worth it. Or, she hoped so at least. As she made her debut onto the quidditch pitch, however, she had to wonder if it had been enough.

It had been a very different experience making her way to the pitch that day. On each of the other occasions this trek had been made, hearts had fluttered and smiles had peeled wide in excited anticipation. Today, Evelynn had barely managed to stomach a piece of toast and a few bites of scrambled eggs lest her nerves cause it to all come right back up again. It was as though sometime in the night, tendrils had snaked their way into her belly, coiling and writhing uncontrollably. It was a sensation the red head, who was generally quite confident in everything she did, had not felt since the beginning of her jumping competitions.

Perhaps it was to be expected, her trepidation and nerves. Today was, after all, her first game, and she had invested a great deal of time, energy, sweat, and tears to get here. But it wasn't as though she actually expected to be playing today. She was only second string. It was Fillestar who held the first string seeker position and would be the one on the pitch bearing the burden of claiming Gryffindor's much needed win. Evelynn couldn't even imagine the stress and the weight of that particular burden that he must be carrying as they made their ways, broom in hands, from the locker to the open pitch. Well, maybe she could. If he went down, she was the one who would be taking up that mantle, and every time she thought about it, her stomach lurched unpleasantly.

Already, she could hear the chatter from the stands like a backdrop of white noise to the hammering orchestra of her pulse. Now and then, the reverberation of footfalls signalled the tardy arrival of another group of students as they hastily settled into last-minute seats. Knuckles grew white beneath her gloves. Shoulders tensed nearly to the point of vibration with anxious build-up. The waiting seemed to drag on for an era, the pounding in her chest increasing to a crescendo as the moment drew ever nearer. For a moment Evelynn even wondered if the game was ever going to kick off, but just as she did, a hush seemed to blanket the stadium. And then the announcement started.

Right at the edge of the arena, she stopped to stand alongside Rafael, listening for their cue. It didn't take long; Gryffindor's entrance was up first, and her name was called second. Of course it was. She was the co-captain. Yet, somehow, that little fact hadn't yet settled in, and she still considered herself little more than a reserve seeker. As Rafael mounted his broom, she hesitated, wondering if she should say something to the team. She hadn't felt the need to add to the captain's rousing little speech in the locker room right before they'd headed out. But...perhaps she should have? No, she decided a second later. Aside from the feeling that her nerves would come rushing up in an unpleasant display akin to Galton's chocolate expulsion in the common room should she turn around; or the fact that she did not want them to see the fear she was certain was straining her expression; Evelynn hadn't proved herself yet. She was just as new to the team as a handful of the others, and likely with less experience than most. She would have to prove herself in some capacity before she had any right to offer them advice. For now, she would quietly assist the captain from the shadows.

With nothing else holding her back, she mounted and kicked off to race after Rafael's wake. The moment she hit the air, it was as though a weight had been lifted from her back. The crowd flashed past in a blur, their cheers fading into a drone, lost in the rush of wind. Her hair and uniform whipped and thrashed out behind her as she made the obligatory lap of the pitch. Only, it didn't feel obligatory. The rare smile that split to pull at her cheeks was evidence enough to any onlooker of the thrill she felt to be there. To be on her broom in the air. To be flying. The splash of cool air was exactly what she needed to recenter herself, and as she descended to the benches where she would be stationed, she looked forward to supporting her team and wearing the golden 23 proudly upon her robes.

Action: Getting into position ─ Benched

It had been far too long since Marla had been in the filled quidditch field, a broom grasped in her fingers so tight that her knuckles were pasty white. Of course, she would only be playing in the game if one of her teammates were to be injured or worse, and she wouldn't wish that on them, even if it meant she would be able to participate. Even being able to watch the games was fulfilling enough. Especially with one thing in mind: to watch Alexx Séverin's ass get handed to her. She loathed the girl since their first encounter, and being able to watch her painfully lose would be the highlight of Marla's second year of Hogwarts. Was it sadistic of her? Maybe. Was she sorry? Absolutely not.

Glancing at her Silver Arrow, she grinned at the beautiful dark, sculpted wood. To be able to call that her broom was something Marla took plenty of pride in. She had spent a year's worth of galleons on that thing, and it was completely worth it. Not only was it pretty to look at, but the broom rode extremely smoothly and just made her feel like she was on top of the world when riding it.

Marla sat down on the bench, watching a few of her teammates gather in the middle of the field. "C'MON LIONS!" She hollered enthusiastically with a smile. Gryffindor may have had a rough start, but they weren't going down without a fight, and Marla had faith in her quidditch team, as well as her new captain. They had this game in the bag.

Action: Doing as planned/Benched

Doing as strategized.

Although she was benched for her first Quidditch game of the year, it did not stop her excitement. As the new co-captain, she was looking forward to getting to use her leadership skills to learn more about the game of Quidditch, and hopefully help implement effective strategies to keep her team successful in their future games.

Watching the rest of her team warming up and making their rounds around the pitch, she cheered them on from the sidelines! "You guys got this! Make us proud and destroy Gryffindor!" Although she wasn't playing, gearing up for the first time was incredible. Finally she felt as if she was a part of something bigger than herself. It had taken most of her first year at Hogwarts to really start to feel comfortable as she adjusted to a new life and learned how to meet many new people. The various chaotic events had not helped. Still, as she sat there, the number 13 on her back, she couldn't help but feel overjoyed.

She would use this game to learn some more intricacies of Quidditch, and rely on her fellow Captain, Dan Palmer, to guide her. She had to trust that they knew what they were doing. Having brought her notepad and quill, she prepared to take notes during the match to help her when reviewing the game later.

Action: Sitting on the sideline watching her team with pride

Action: Laying sprawled out on the bench.