Gryffindor V Hufflepuff Unofficial Game BETA

Mentioning @Rafael D'Spacito @Atlas Reid @Serena Bowen @Quinn Healy

Willow watched the game go on, barely being able to breathe as the match was off to a roaring start. Willow had met the Gryffindor team captain in the owlery during a game of hide and seek long ago, and was excited to see the Thunderbird in action even if he was on the other team. Even though he had grabbed the quaffle, Atlas blocked it with ease. She jumped up from the bench and let out a cheer for her fellow keeper, beaming with pride. The happiness didn't last long as Serena's goal attempt failed and Atlas failed the next block but she knew that they had time to recover.

The last game she had played she had only saw one person fall, and that was her captain Saskia that she was able to save. This time she watched multiple students start to fall from the sky. Willow cringed as she saw Reid fall to the ground, with Rafael not too far behind. She wouldn't wish the fate of falling off the brown to anyone, even the other team. An instinct to run out and help them pulled on her but she stayed on the bench. She was sure they would get help. Otherwise Quidditch wouldn't be a game that was allowed to happen. She shouted out encouragement to Quinn as he took the field to replace the fallen Reid. Hopefully this game would turn around soon and not have too many causalities going forward.

Griseldis wasn't really aware that most Hufflepuff players were affected by their charming Chaser, Charlie and when the game began, the Hufflepuff Chasers used their Hawkshead Attacking Formation to get the Quaffle but their Gryffindor Chaser successfully grabbed the Quaffle from them and immediately went to the Hufflepuff goal post. Of course, official or not, a game was a game. Nothing would go easy. When she watched their Captain tried to throw a scare, the blond Hufflepuff Keeper was able to guard their goal in ease. "OH NO!", she watched as the Quaffle had been passed to a Hufflepuff Chaser and went straight towards their own goal. Luckily for the lions, their former second-string Keeper, Piérre Marchonné finally demonstrated his skills of blocking the Quaffle and caught it into his arms perfectly. Without wasting any time, their keeper quickly tossed the Quaffle to AJ since he was the nearest Chaser beside him. "YES! WELL DONE! GO FOR THE GOAL, AJ!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!", Griseldis shouted in pure excitement. It was expected for their talented Captain but she was very proud of AJ, the Scottish boy she met at the courtyard. She kind of remembered that he did seem nervous when he first joined their team as the new Chaser. This time, AJ surprisingly became a different person at that crucial moment, his eyes were full of determination, and when he threw the Quaffle at the Hufflepuff's goal post...

"GOAL!!!", Griseldis jumped off from her bench and started bouncing but perhaps celebrating was a bit too soon when the Hufflepuff Beaters began their ruthless attacks. Sadly, their Captain had been targeted by another Hufflepuff Beater who looked obviously stronger and more skillful mercilessly knocked him off his broom, and without another lifeguard, they could only helplessly watch him fell to the ground. As if out of revenge, their own Gryffindor Beater, Ariana went to give that Hufflepuff Beater her powerful hit and to her surprise, she did it! Now the Hufflepuff team lost one of their strongest Beaters. Wren, their other Beater did something she didn't expect, instead of giving a buldger she just attempted to blatch the target. What is she doing? Is that part of the strategy? Griseldis thought in disbelief. The Hufflepuff seeker was lucky enough to dodge the blatch and unfortunate for Wren, she now had to do the penalty lap for one round. Their seeker, Evelynn wasn't able to evade the Bludger Backbeat from another tough Hufflepuff Beater and got knocked off her broom. Thank Merlin that they had Charlie, he was quick to react and saved her in time before she hit the ground, looked like having a lifeguard was proved to be useful after all.

Griseldis let out a sigh of relief that at least their seeker was safe for now, she sat back down on the bench, and quietly prayed that Evelynn could get the Snitch as soon as possible.

Action: Benched and praying

Interacting with @Charlie Woodward
Mentioning @Rafael D'Spacito, @Vincent d'Arque

Official match or otherwise, there was no holding back, that much was clear. Right from the get-go, the chaos of the pitch was something else. Although there seemed to be significantly less murderous intent (or perhaps that was a simple state of belief given the recent massacre Gryffindor had felt at the hands of Slytherin), the flying was intense. Evelynn tried not to pay too much attention given her own important task, but that didn't mean she didn't notice the outcome of the first skirmish for the red leather ball. Unfortunately, she was disappointed to see that it was D'Spacito who obtained the quaffle. A brilliant display of flying, she had -- as much as she wished otherwise -- to admit; but he really didn't need the inflation to his ego that would come of scoring the first goal of the game.

Only moment's later, Evelynn snorted her amusement. Miss. It hadn't even been a particularly impressive save. His shot had just been that lackluster. At least that was one for the cartridge if ever he chose to make a snide comment towards her own flying. Granted, this also meant that Gryffindor had failed to gain that initial upper-hand and lost possession of the quaffle to Hufflepuff, which obviously the little lioness could not be happy about. What an unfortunate predicament...She hated to root for her Captain given his egoism, but to do otherwise painted her a traitor. Lips crimped at the annoyance of the matter, and she pulled her attention away from it in search of something else.

The snitch had been released. For a split second, she saw it, her own gaze zig-zagging and flitting with the precise movement of the little ball. But then...she lost it. Even still... she had see where it was going. Flattening herself out, she sped to where she had last seen it, careful to angle herself so that her hunt would place any glint of gold against a contrasting background to make its re-finding no more difficult than it already was. A half lap around the pitch. And a second. Then across to the other side. Down through the midst of the chasers' skirmish, twisting to avoid a barreling player in yellow aiming to swipe at what she could only assume was a toss of the quaffle, then...

Movement from one end of the pitch caught her attention, and surprisingly, not the end of the pitch where the quaffle was currently racing in the steady hands of MacAllister. No, there, just off to the side of the Gryffindor goal posts, was a flutter of movement. Not of wings, however. Not literally, anyway. The Ravenclaw boy who had seated himself there at the start of the match, had taken leave of his perch.

Odd, was the first thing to come to Evelynn's mind. After all, why bother seating yourself in the stands if you were just going to leave them before the match had even really gotten started? Perhaps he hadn't really been here for the game, then? Or maybe who he thought was playing had started benched and this was a protest of sorts? Perhaps he had ventured here on a whim and found it didn't suit his fancy? Or maybe, he'd recalled a prior engagement and was required elsewhere?

Even as the black of his robes disappeared from view to descend the stands, Evelynn couldn't quite help ponder the reasoning for his withdrawal. Or even that of his presence to begin with. Still, even now, she felt the pang in the back of her mind as though she ought to know who he was. But again, she was quite certain she'd never had any encounter with him of any significance. Of course she hadn't... she'd have remembered. So then why....

A sudden whistling drew her from the distraction of her ill-timed thoughts. Panic set in with the realization of her mistake. Not only had she wasted precious seconds focusing on something other than finding the snitch, she had slowed to a hover and allowed herself to be an easy target. That wasn't just any sound; it was a bludger. Eyes widened as she whipped her head around, instincts already taking hold to kick herself forward on the broom in what could have been a lucky evasive maneuver. Unfortunately, luck would not be with her. Despite her quick reflexes, the dense ball of destruction careened towards her with a velocity that the school broom simply couldn't outpace. One last glance back under her arm found her vision almost entirely eclipsed by the demon ball and a second later, pain exploded through her body.

Nothing. For several seconds, she felt nothing. Nothing but an all-encompassing panic as she tried to remember how to breathe. The force of the blow had been substantial enough that the air had been knocked out of her. Her vision blurred as the pitch took on a monochromatic tone of gray. She had difficulty focusing. She couldn't see the players. Or the hoops. Or even the broom underneath her. In fact, as her chest heaved, a sharp intake of air bringing with it the icy grip of life, it occurred to her that she couldn't feel her broom underneath her, either.

She couldn't feel her broom.

Eyes widened with her second realization. That wasn't the pitch; that was the sky. She was looking up, her hair whipping up past her face, her stomach in her throat as the the air rushed past her making it hard to gulp down breaths. She was falling. She was falling Oh God, oh God. She was going to die. Why did she ever think flying was a good idea, she was going to die. A second wave of panic overtook her then, heart racing hard, tears streaming in the wake of her momentum as a shriek of fear split unbidden from her lips and her rationale thought gave way to the singular desire to live.

And then it stopped.

Just as suddenly, she found herself suspended, feet hanging below her and something wrapped tightly around her, her gaze directed perilously towards the ground which was significantly closer now than it had been moments before. But... she had stopped... falling? Obviously, her mind was still several seconds above, falling at a slower rate than the rest of her because it took her a moment to clue in. Another moment later and she felt herself pulled in and around, then the comforting presence of a firm broom shaft beneath her. It was then, her face pressed into a warm and very solid back, that she also realized that the survival instincts within her had already taken hold. That her hands had gasped at the arm that caught her before firmly sliding to clutch tightly at the boy's tunic to hold herself to him once situated safely behind her saviour.

A voice flecked with a southern drawl cut through the void.

And just like that, with the fear of death no longer gripping her thoughts and controlling her actions, Evelynn's mind cleared. Heat that had nothing to do with exertion of flying flashed up her neck to colour her ears as she solidly pushed herself back from the boy. Although her fingers wouldn't quite listen to her mental rejection, still plucking almost gingerly at the fabric of his Quidditch uniform, she kept herself at arm's length.

"I.. w--... N... I'm fine!" Eveylnn stammered, all too aware of her lapse in self-control and the succumbing to her fear in that moment when she had been quite certain she was going to be pancaked against the ground. The shadow of that fear was still very real, and it all felt horribly silly in that moment. Of course she wasn't about to die. No one had died -- as far as she knew -- from any school Quidditch game. Perhaps she'd been just a little too quick on her attempts to create space, however. Pain at her ribs coursed through her and she winced, dropping an arm to brace her side. "I'm fine," she insisted again, taking several steadying breaths. The flush continued to creep forward across her cheeks and nose. "T-than--"

But whatever thanks she was about to offer caught in her throat as something caught her eye. "The snitch!" She hissed. Forgetting all pretense of propriety in an instant as that captivating golden hue consumed her focus once again, Evelynn's face lit up with excitement and desire. Pulling herself back forward to wrap an arm around Charlie, she shot the other out to point in the direction of the ball. "GO!" She urged, knuckles pressing into his back, as though pushing him forward would somehow make the broom go zoom. "Gooooo~!"

Action: Doing as Strategised

M O D E R A T I O N — R O U N D 2

H U F F L E P U F F

FIRST STRING Keeper: @Altas Reid Chasers: - - @Serena Bowen @Annie Morgan @Aaron Jones Beaters: - @Saskia Nicholson @Reid Kovacs Seeker: @Teiki Laurent

SECOND STRING Keeper: @Willow Anderson Chaser: @Donnovan Perrywinkle Beater: @Quinn Healy Seeker: @May Moonstar "Only the gentle are ever truly strong"

G R Y F F I N D O R

FIRST STRING Keeper: @Piérre Marchonné Chasers: - - - @Rafael D'Spacito @Allister-Jameson MacAllister @Charlie Woodward Beaters: - @Wren Caster @Ariana Walker Seeker: @Evelynn Decipio

SECOND STRING Keeper: @Hugh Lowe Chaser: @Kayden Mae Killian Beater: @Griseldis Edelhardt Seeker: @Lamik Fillestar "The only defense against fear is courage"

D E B U F F S
-1 ACC (Hufflepuff) due to Charlie's Charm

It seemed the second string players had been chosen for the teams' respective reserves for a reason. As the game progressed, it became clear that both Hufflepuff and Gryffindor harbored players of great potential. It also became increasingly clear, that -- true to what was quickly becoming the norm for the team of black and yellow -- this could very well be a quick match.

C H A S E R S

───── Hufflepuff ───── Serena Bowen: Quaffle Grab #1: [d20: 6]+ 6 = 12 #2: [d20: 5]+ 6 = 11 #3: [d20: 12]+ 6 = 18 [contested] - STR check: [d20: 9]+ 4 = 13 Aaron Jones: Quaffle Grab #1: [d20: 5]+ 7 = 12 #2: [d20: 10]+ 7 = 17 #3: [d20: 11]+ 7 = 18 [contested] - STR check: [d20: 16]+ 7 = 23 Annie Morgan: Save Duty

───── Gryffindor ───── Kayden Mae Killian: Quaffle Grab #1: [d20: 10]+ 6 = 16 [success] #2: [d20: 19]+ 6 = 25 [success] #3: [d20: 11]+ 6 = 17 AJ MacAllister: Defending Charlie/Eve Charlie Woodward: Carrying Evelynn -

K E E P E R S

Goal Attempt #1

───── Gryffindor ───── Kayden Mae Killian: Goal [d20: 10]+ 6 = 16 [success]

───── Hufflepuff ───── Atlas Reid: Block [d20: 8]+ 4 = 12 [fail]

10 Points for Gryffindor!

Goal Attempt #2

───── Gryffindor ───── Kayden Mae Killian: Goal [d20: 12]+ 6 = 18 [success]

───── Hufflepuff ───── Atlas Reid: Block [d20: 3]+ 4 = 7 [fail]

10 Points for Gryffindor!

Goal Attempt #3

───── Hufflepuff ───── Aaron Jones: Goal [d20: 14]+ 7 = 21 [success]

───── Gryffindor ───── Piérre Marchonné: Block [d20: 4]+ 7 = 11 [fail]

10 Points for Hufflepuff!

───────────── Results ─────────────

With D'Spacito eating dirt, Gryffindor would have to send in their first reserve; quick to the uptake, Killian mounted her broom and took to the skies like it was her only chance. Which, realistically, it could have been for this year. As a waitlisted player, this would be her only chance to impress before next year's 'tryouts'. Clearly, she wasn't wasting any time. The moment the quaffle was sent into the air again on the next opportunity, Killian was there, snatching it from the grasps of both Jones and Bowen. It was a clear streak from there. Speeding down the pitch, she'd take her aim on the Hufflepuff goalposts. Not to allow the shot through without a contest, however, Reid sat firmly atop her broom at her post, ready to defend. While her reflexes were adequate, however, they weren't quite quick enough.

The ring of the post was a clear indication. 10 points to Gryffindor!

Quaffle back to the center, having been reset with the goal, the chasers took up their position once again. It was clear here, however, that the previous skirmish for the quaffle had not been a fluke; there were some chasers missing. Naturally, Woodward was otherwise occupied, having saved his fallen seeker from certain death dismissal from the game; but he was not the only one. MacAllister's presence was likewise missing, the boy having taken up a notable post of flying nearer to seeker/chaser couplet than to the action of the quaffle. Defense, evidently, in the event of any errant bludgers heading in the direction of his teammates. And not without reason! Soon enough, a murderous black bludger would find its way careening towards them. Fortunately, MacAllister would not have to attempt to intervene. Woodward's Silver Arrow proved to be the swifter of the two projectiles, and the chaser's handling on point. His seeker's safety in his hands, he zipped harmlessly out of the bludger's path.

Back in the skirmish, Gryffindor had gotten possession of the quaffle yet again, and in a display of very impressive flying by the relatively unknown Killian. Again, she sped down towards the Hufflepuff posts, again uncontested by bludger or blatcher or interfering opposing chasers. For all intents and purposes, it was a clear shot. Or would have been had it not been for Reid who, despite a little hiccup, waited ready to make the catch. Unfortunately, the save wasn't quite as close this time, and Killian easily outmaneuvered the Hufflepuff keeper for the girl's second, and Gryffindor's third, goal of the match.

Another 10 points to Gryffindor!

Woodward and MacAllister weren't the only absent chasers from the battle of the pocked ball, however. Of the Hufflepuff team, Morgan's action didn't at all indicate an attempt to aid her team's scoring. Instead, she could be seen with her attention fixed towards her seeker, her movements shadowing Laurent's. Here as well it was clear as day that similarly to MacAllister, she had been tasked to save her seeker.

If the previous two goals had done anything to instill a sense of guilt in the girl, however, she could fly easy going forward. Although the team of lion may have gotten used to the feel of the crimson projectile, they would lose it in the next skirmish. In fact, so keen to get their hands on it were the Hufflepuff chasers that both Jones and Bowen managed to snag it from the air, but a brief exchange yielded the quaffle to the former. This time it was Jones, whose performance until this point had been average at best, to break away from the throng. He raced down the pitch towards the Gryffindor goal posts where Marchonne hovered in wait. Poised to strike, he sent the ball careening. Misdirection could not entirely be left out of the equation with the throw as Marchonne fumbled the save rather impressively, letting the red skin sink through the hoop.

The gong was an impressive one, marking Hufflepuff's first goal of the game. 10 points for Hufflepuff!

B E A T E R S || B L A T C H E R S

───── Hufflepuff ───── Saskia Nicholson: Defending Teiki [d20: 16]+ 10 = 26 [fail] vs. Ariana: Bludger @ Teiki [d20: 19]+ 9 = 28 [success] Saskia fails to intervene ───── Quinn Healy: Bludger @ Eve/Charlie [d20: 6]+ 6 = 12 [fail] Eve/Charlie: Evade [d20: 16]+ 8 = 24 [success] - EVA = (7+8)/2=7.5 rounds up

───── Gryffindor ───── Wren Caster: Penalty Lap ───── Ariana Walker: Bludger @ Teiki [d20: 19]+ 9 = 28 [success] Teiki: Evade [d20: 17]+ 8 = 25 [fail] Saskia failed to intervene Damage done: (9 x 100) = 900 HP: 700 - 900 = -200 [KO] Teiki is caught by Annie! [saved]

S E E K E R S

───── Hufflepuff ───── Teiki Laurent: Chasing the Snitch -

───── Gryffindor ───── Evelynn Decipio: Chasing the Snitch Riding with Charlie

───────────── Results ─────────────

Both seekers had spotted the snitch. Both had their eye on the prize. If that tidbit had been missed by any of their team mates or the spectators in the stands, it would quickly become as clear as the sky was cloudy. With Decipio stuck festooned to share a broom with Woodward, Laurent had the advantage. It was much easier to chase a globe of gold when you had full control of the broom. Fortunately, where Decipio lacked absolute dictation of direction, Woodward made up with the speed and maneuverability of his broom.

The chase was on.

Of course, the sudden focused pursuit did give both seekers away to some extent, highlighting the need for each opposing team to rid itself of the other. Neither would disappoint in their attempts. No sooner had Decipio paired with Woodward than would they find a bludger beat heavily in their direction by the newly arrived half-giant Quinn of Healy. Fortunately, in this instance, two heads were better than one and they had amble opportunity to see (or perhaps hear) the arrival of the incoming missile. Fortunately for MacAllister, he would be spared even having to think about sacrificing himself on their behalf as the two dodged expertly out of the way.

Laurent would not quite be so lucky, however. Perhaps it was because of a singular focus on the snitch; perhaps it was the lack of a second set of eyes; perhaps it was just that Walker had yet to miss a target; or perhaps it was just plain misfortune. Whatever the reason, Laurent would feel the excruciating connection of steel to flesh, thankfully dulled by the padding of her uniform. Not even Nicholson's speed was enough to intervene on the nearly expertly struck ball. Thrown clean from her broom, Laurent would feel a rush of air as the sky fell away from her. Fortunately, however, she would be spared the kiss of the ground. Well-situated for just such an occasion, Morgan swooped to catch the Hufflepuff seeker.

The odds had been evened.

S C O R E B O A R D

GRYFFINDOR	HUFFLEPUFF
30	10

Notes: New System Implementations

[1] Quaffle Grabs — now result in 3 attempts to get the quaffle and score
[2] Snitch Chasing — once the snitch has been found, there will be 1 round of chasing in order for the seekers to catch up to their target before a catch attempt can be made on the following round. Similar rules apply to penalty laps for blatching in that a post is still required lest that chase be continued for additional rounds

Serena tried to grab the Quaffle, but a Gryffindor got there first. The second-string who replaced D’Spacito if she wasn’t mistaken. As the game unfolded, it was clear that this girl had some skills. She not only managed to get a hold of the Quaffle twice in a row, but the Gryffindor Chaser also managed to score both times. Wow, if the Lions were smart, they’d definitely want to put her on the official roster.

But now, it was the Badgers’ turn. It was only fair, after all. So at the next chance she could get, Serena made a grab for the Quaffle. But so did her team-mate Aaron and while both had touched the red orb, he was able to grab a firmer hold on it. So, Serena let him have it rather than risking it fumbling to the ground. Besides, after that lousy shot she’d had earlier, the first-year thought that it would be best if someone else tried to score.

And it turned out that that was a good decision because Aaron scored them the first shot of the game! “Great job, Aaron!” She cheered for her team-mate. After all, it didn’t matter who on the team scored the points because well, they were on the same team.

However, the great feeling was short-lived as out of the corner of her eye, Serena noticed a Bludger run straight into their Seeker, Teiki. But then she let out a sigh of relief as Annie caught her, thank Merlin.

Serena then steeled herself for whatever the Lions would throw at them next. And hopefully, score more points for her team if the opportunity arose.

Action: Doing as Strategized

Even getting her sights on the elusive snitch had been an impressive feat. The speed of flying through the air on a broom was snapping her hair back behind her, still rather long even in a high ponytail. Thank goodness it wasn't a particularly windy day- she suspected it would be better if she put it into some sort of elaborate bun and let it slowly unfurl throughout the game. For now, though, she just had to hope that it wouldn't cover her eyes, which were trained on the golden sphere. She didn't know strategy, that it might've been better to play it off, pretend that she was idly flying on her broom rather than chasing a snitch. Perhaps then a bludger wouldn't have flown her way.

Or perhaps then she would've noticed it coming sooner. Blue eyes spotted it just before impact. Her eyes widened before it flew straight into her, pushing her easily off the broom. It took her a few moments to even realize what was happening- a free fall. But it took only a few moments after that to find herself on another broom. Short breaths came from the young girl as she attempted to wrap her mind around what had just happened. It turns out that practice is completely different from a game. Who knew?

"Thanks." It was a small whisper, directed towards the Hufflepuff that had caught her- Annie. A brief pause, and then the girl continued talking. "Okay- getting the snitch. I'll help direct you..."

Action | Doing As Strategized

Mentions: @Teiki Laurent

Action: Doing as Strategized with Teiki on her broom
Ability: Obnoxiously Strong

@Evelynn Decipio & @Aaron Jones

Focus was not a word in Piérre's vernacular. If a goldfish had an attention span of about 0.3 seconds, then the Britalian had one of about a hundreth of it, about 0.003.

The round had gone by a little too quickly for the Britalian, and he watched as his supporting Chasers reclaimed the Quaffle, scoring two in quick succession. That was a bit of a cushion, and Piérre watched as Evelynn flew about, chasing after the Snitch with the gentlemanly Charlie. Part of him wished that he could have been on the broom instead, racing fast and kissing the wind. Daredevil instincts that had never really faded away.

So when he heard the whistle of wind coming his way, Piérre's green eyes snapped to the present, focusing upon a golden rider with a scarlet ball in hand. A small gasp as he realized that he was in the completely wrong place at a completely wrong time, and with a sudden surge, Piérre attempted to rocket to the right place. Green eyes met the eyes of the Hufflepuff Chaser, and fear and anxiety reflected heavily in them. A lunge, a shot, and Piérre watched as the ball skimmed his fingertips....

Neatly falling through a hoop.

A failure. His first as a Keeper. Surely Hugh wouldn't have missed that one... He was so precise, and had such a method to keeping it in front of him...

And he would have never gotten distracted anywhere as easily as Piérre had.

That was it. No more slipups. Piérre was gonna block everything. EVERYTHING. Lazer focus intensify!

Doing as Strategized!

Action: According to strategy. Mentioning: @Evelynn Decipio

Interacting with @Charlie Woodward

Fingers clasped tightly and almost frantically as the broom suddenly zipped from nothing to everything before she could even finish getting out her hissed plea to Gooooo! The sheer burst of speed and power from this broom was unlike anything she had ever experienced before on any of the school provided ones and for a split second, she had the horrible thought that it was going to take off completely right from under her.

"Fast," she breathed, eyes wide in surprise as the air whipped past and out of her mouth. She sucked it in and pulled herself straighter onto the broom as Woodward zipped in the direction she had pointed.

"No!" Evelynn had to practically shout as the wind swept her words right out of her mouth the moment she formed them. "To the left! A littl-- No you're OTHER left!"

Her fingers flew to point first to one side, then to the other. It was like a weird dance of having to swap her grip from one hand to the other while relinquishing enough to point out the path he was to carve. It got old. Fast. She just couldn't keep up while making sure she didn't slide off. And then, out of nowhere — or seemingly nowhere as her focus was wholly on attempting to direct the pair towards the snitch — a bludger struck at them. All she could do was hold, and pray. She did exactly as Woodward commanded, thighs squeezing tight about the broom handle as arms and hands held firm to the uniform of her crimson knight.

"Come on! It's getting away!" Insisted the red head, the urgency in her voice now flecked with mounting frustration. "Ahead. UP! HIGHER! No, lef-- right! Down. Right. Right. I said RIGHT!" She let loose a frustrated sound, brows pinching with a growing sense of helplessness. "Do I need to steer you?!" She asked rhetorically. She hadn't meant to actually take herself up on that suggestion. Not really. Or she hadn't thought that she had. And yet, she found that her fingers had already laced themselves through the blonde boy's gloriously thick mane. If any part of him thought it to be the start of a comforting scalp massage, however, he would be sorely mistaken. Fingers curled, grasping firmly to steeeer him, "to the RIGHT!"

She could see it, the little glint of gold. Further, then closer. Zipping in and out of the other players around the pitch. Close. Almost. Just about... If they could just close the distance a little more... Pressure increased on the top of Woodward's head, her palm urging his face forward as though that were some sort of sign to speed up. She'd lifted herself up from the broom just a bit, thighs doing all the work to keep her in two-point position. This was it. It was like she and Cassie were coming up to a jump. Taking the last arc, approaching the obstacle, reining in, collecting, ready to take the leap...

Action: Doing as Strategized