18 Sep 2020, 05:00
Training Ambush
The day was clear and well past noon but the sun had yet to fully creep its way beyond the horizon. The air had begun to cool already and moving outside was refreshing as a light breeze pushed caressed the field. Despite the fine weather and absence of any ominous Scottish clouds, the training pitch was mostly empty beyond a few small groups or pairs of students either chatting off on their own or flying happily well above. The ground felt soft as Ethen slowly meandered into the training pitch and he wondered if had recently rained. It seemed like a couple of days since he had last had the chance to actually go outside as he tried to catch up on his, admittedly, neglected schoolwork.
When he did have a chance to go and do something, the heightened competitiveness of his best friend invariably led them to practice Quidditch for the coming year. Already over summer, Atlas had become obsessed with practicing and getting as good as possible for the team. It seemed crazy but Ethen couldn’t argue with the progress she seemed to be showing and he enjoyed seeing how excited she would get about her growing skills. The moment Ethen was also added to the team, he knew the woman would not allow him a moment to breathe unless he was on the Quidditch pitch getting as ready as she was.
To be fair, Ethen had far less experience than Atlas with Quidditch. He had only seen it for the first time when Atlas originally joined the team and he hadn’t even held a quaffle until Atlas wanted him to help her practice. His knowledge about the curious support was in dire need of aid and it seemed like Atlas was more than happy to thrust as much knowledge and time into helping him out as well. They were always close but now it seemed like every spare moment was spent together as the girl had some new strategy to show him or technique to practice.
Despite his general lethargy and hunger, Ethen was deeply enjoying the time with the girl and had grown used to her intense competitiveness. His own laidback and careless attitude was perfect to get under her skin and prod at her as he would act as though he didn’t care about getting better just to get a rise out of the girl. In truth, he desperately wanted to prove himself as competent especially after the incredible year the team had in the previous year.
Taking a seat in the stands, Ethen rest his new broom carefully down beside him. He still couldn’t believe that one of his Quidditch Quomrades would give him something so nice but he knew he needed it would take some getting used to. His old dusty school broom had been the only one he had practiced with and it wasn’t exactly the most impressive. But that was only slightly the reason he had come down to the Quidditch pitch. Placing a small box beside him, Ethen could smell the fresh warm sugar cookies hiding within.
It was taking every ounce of his energy to not open it up and eat one of the soft cookies but he had got them specifically to give to Atlas and wasn’t about to fail. He was uncharacteristically nervous about giving the girl the small gift but continued to try and convince himself that it was nothing. He had given her plenty of gifts in the past and knew it shouldn’t be a terrifying experience but that didn’t keep his heart from crashing against his chest with each passing moment as he waited for the girl. While a normal box of cookies would have been nothing for Ethen to be nervous about, this was a special box. A box of wonders and a message that Ethen had struggled to write for days.
Several times he had talked himself out of giving her the box but he knew he had to just swallow his nerves and go for it. On the bright side, if it became too uncomfortable he had a nice broom that he could hop on and vanish from the world forever. It seemed like a better plan by the moment as he sat alone in the expansive stands.
When he did have a chance to go and do something, the heightened competitiveness of his best friend invariably led them to practice Quidditch for the coming year. Already over summer, Atlas had become obsessed with practicing and getting as good as possible for the team. It seemed crazy but Ethen couldn’t argue with the progress she seemed to be showing and he enjoyed seeing how excited she would get about her growing skills. The moment Ethen was also added to the team, he knew the woman would not allow him a moment to breathe unless he was on the Quidditch pitch getting as ready as she was.
To be fair, Ethen had far less experience than Atlas with Quidditch. He had only seen it for the first time when Atlas originally joined the team and he hadn’t even held a quaffle until Atlas wanted him to help her practice. His knowledge about the curious support was in dire need of aid and it seemed like Atlas was more than happy to thrust as much knowledge and time into helping him out as well. They were always close but now it seemed like every spare moment was spent together as the girl had some new strategy to show him or technique to practice.
Despite his general lethargy and hunger, Ethen was deeply enjoying the time with the girl and had grown used to her intense competitiveness. His own laidback and careless attitude was perfect to get under her skin and prod at her as he would act as though he didn’t care about getting better just to get a rise out of the girl. In truth, he desperately wanted to prove himself as competent especially after the incredible year the team had in the previous year.
Taking a seat in the stands, Ethen rest his new broom carefully down beside him. He still couldn’t believe that one of his Quidditch Quomrades would give him something so nice but he knew he needed it would take some getting used to. His old dusty school broom had been the only one he had practiced with and it wasn’t exactly the most impressive. But that was only slightly the reason he had come down to the Quidditch pitch. Placing a small box beside him, Ethen could smell the fresh warm sugar cookies hiding within.
It was taking every ounce of his energy to not open it up and eat one of the soft cookies but he had got them specifically to give to Atlas and wasn’t about to fail. He was uncharacteristically nervous about giving the girl the small gift but continued to try and convince himself that it was nothing. He had given her plenty of gifts in the past and knew it shouldn’t be a terrifying experience but that didn’t keep his heart from crashing against his chest with each passing moment as he waited for the girl. While a normal box of cookies would have been nothing for Ethen to be nervous about, this was a special box. A box of wonders and a message that Ethen had struggled to write for days.
Several times he had talked himself out of giving her the box but he knew he had to just swallow his nerves and go for it. On the bright side, if it became too uncomfortable he had a nice broom that he could hop on and vanish from the world forever. It seemed like a better plan by the moment as he sat alone in the expansive stands.
Stamina: 7/ Evasion: 7 / Strength: 5/ Wisdom: 13 / ArcPower: 6 / Accuracy: 8
Broom: Silver Arrow
29 Sep 2020, 07:30
Training Ambush
Walking back from her second class of the day, Atlas could feel the weight of her sleep-deprived eyes. Regardless of the amount of sleep she had at night, she was never quite alert until the afternoon. The prior night though, her hours had been consumed by reading through different quidditch strategies and tactics from a book her father had sent her.
Neither of her parents had ever played the sport, but they had always enjoyed watching it, even taking Atlas to games over the years and they both had written her numerous letters expressing their excitement from learning she was moved to 1st String Keeper for the Hufflepuff team. As proud as they were, they were also probably relieved to have her back at school as she had forced them to help her train all summer with any free time they had.
Rubbing her eyes, Atlas adjusted her satchel on her shoulder as she stumbled into her room and collapsed on the bed only to feel paper flattened under her head. Pulling the letter out from under her, Atlas opened it only to be pleasantly surprised by her best friend asking for an impromptu training session.
Sitting up in full alert, Atlas quickly changed out of her school uniform and into her favorite jeans, her Quidditch team tee-shirt, rolling the sleeves up, and her worn-out yellow hightops. Running to her full-length mirror, the young girl adjusted her clothing and hair as she pulled her messy locks into a half ponytail leaving the rest to fall at her shoulders. Rushing over to her nightstand, Atlas shuffled in the drawer til she found a link pink lipgloss applying to her lips as she took one last look at herself scrunching her nose as she decided her look would have to do.
Grabbing her broom and satchel, Atlas raced out of the room and out to the training pitch as she hoped Ethen hadn't been waiting for long. The brisk run had awoken her as the gentle breeze danced through her hair. Fall was filling the air and with each day the sweltering heat diminished improving her mood.
Entering the pitch, Atlas tilted her head up as she slowly spun in a circle trying to spot her best friend. The sun framed itself directly in the middle of the sky blinding her as she rolled her eyes placing her broom under her as she kicked off the ground. Rising into the air, Atlas inclined til she was level with the seating as her eyes immediately locked on Ethen.
There you are. She thought to herself a smile already growing on her face as she swooped over to him sliding off her broom as she hovered close enough to reach the seats with her feet. "It is rare you are the one asking for more practices." She joked as she slid next to him on the bleachers. "So what will it be today? Hoop drills....uhhh catch the pickle at the end of my broom...oo OO or uhm Suicide Sprints on brooms?"
Atlas had always admired Ethen's unconventional training tactics but if she was being honest with herself she was elated just having him ask to spend time with her. She savored every moment they were glued at the hip as the wacky boy never failed to make her laugh and forget the stresses of life and school.
Stamina: 15 / Evasion: 18 / Strength: 4 / Wisdom: 10 / ArcPower: 7 / Accuracy: 22
Broom: Varapidos
30 Sep 2020, 03:22
Training Ambush
Arriving in the pitch with considerable dramatics, Atlas seemed in good spirits as she hovered in the air beside him. Gracefully she slipped off the broom to join him and Ethen greeted her smile with his own. He would have to remember her broom to seat dismount, it seemed like a solid way to enter any situation. Despite the growing nerves, Ethen’s mood immediately brightened at the girls arrival.
“Well, if I wasn’t afraid that I would crash the new broom I wouldn’t be adding more practice,” he assured her as he gestured to the broom beside him. But he was suddenly caught off guard by a mention of pickles. Catching pickles on a broom was likely the most effective and well thought out idea that had ever been devised. Suicide sprits on the boom on the other hand sounded like a hellish way to train.
“Actually I had been recently thinking about blindfolded seeking to really sense the snitch…” Ethen caught himself before he began babbling about his absurd training strategies. He had invited her for a reason and he wasn’t going to keep dancing around it. “Well, I thought you might be hungry after class. I know you get hungry and then ahh! Well not like ahh in a bad way but like you know…. Um here,” Ethen said feeling an increasing level of awkwardness with each word that left his lips. He had no idea why he felt so awkward but he forced himself to scoop up the box of cookies and thrust it over to Atlas.
Other than a particularly delicious batch of cookies cooked to soft perfection, a small scribbled note also sat within reading:
“Well, if I wasn’t afraid that I would crash the new broom I wouldn’t be adding more practice,” he assured her as he gestured to the broom beside him. But he was suddenly caught off guard by a mention of pickles. Catching pickles on a broom was likely the most effective and well thought out idea that had ever been devised. Suicide sprits on the boom on the other hand sounded like a hellish way to train.
“Actually I had been recently thinking about blindfolded seeking to really sense the snitch…” Ethen caught himself before he began babbling about his absurd training strategies. He had invited her for a reason and he wasn’t going to keep dancing around it. “Well, I thought you might be hungry after class. I know you get hungry and then ahh! Well not like ahh in a bad way but like you know…. Um here,” Ethen said feeling an increasing level of awkwardness with each word that left his lips. He had no idea why he felt so awkward but he forced himself to scoop up the box of cookies and thrust it over to Atlas.
Other than a particularly delicious batch of cookies cooked to soft perfection, a small scribbled note also sat within reading:
Dear Atlas,
Hey there, it is Ethen… You probably thought that since I am the one giving you this but you know I just thought I would cover all my bases. We have known each other a really long time, way before we started our chaotic time here. I probably don’t really ever say this but I care a lot about you. Like a lot. You are my best friend and whenever I think of my good memories, you are there.
You are really incredible and you know I think about you sometimes. When planning pranks and stuff you know. But sometimes I also think that you are really pretty and whenever you smile I can’t help but smiles also. I am always looking forward to when I get to see you next. So I thought that if you weren’t busy doing...um training or something. Maybe you would like to go with me to the Autumn ball as my date. There is no one I would rather spend the night with,
Ethen
P.S. If I disappeared while you were reading this, I promise it is not because I was terrified to give you this.
Stamina: 7/ Evasion: 7 / Strength: 5/ Wisdom: 13 / ArcPower: 6 / Accuracy: 8
Broom: Silver Arrow
6 Oct 2020, 06:17
Training Ambush
Sensing Ethen's energy, Atlas was nervous as to what Ethen was going to bring up, but as he pushed a box of cookies to her she stood startled for a moment not prepared for his gesture as she slowly sat down on the bench next to him.
Opening the letter on top, Atlas looked to Ethen briefly before turning her focus back to his note. With each thought that he had adorably put to paper, she could feel her cheeks turning red as she bit down on her lip hoping to quell the emotions building in her stomach.
She had never seen Ethen in a romantic way growing up but something changed last year after the two of them had endured unimaginable horrors in the basement of Hogwarts fighting for each other. They had barely survived and recovered together helping to keep each other's humor and good spirits intact. A few weeks later, the two had met up at the Secret Blossom Ball and it was in that moment that Atlas saw Ethen in a different light.
Not only was he a person she now trusted her life to but he had made her mind go fuzzy just by smiling at her or asking to hang out. Then she read it. He was asking her out officially to the Autumn Ball. As his date. Feeling her throat go dry she knew all her emotions were plastered on her face as she could barely hear anything except her heart loudly pounding against her ribcage.
Folding the letter back down, Atlas looked to Ethen as her smile failed to stay concealed. "Yes, Yes! Of course, I'll go to the Autumn Ball with you!" She replied breaking the silence. "Didn't uh know you liked dances, but it is supposed to be an amazing night or so goes the rumors flying around school...not that I pay attention to that stuff but uhh yeah I think you and I will have a really great time together as uh dates."
Could you be any more awkward? As uh dates? Oh god....stop while you are ahead...
Taking a cookie from the box, Atlas smushed it into her mouth to avoid more word vomit as she stared at Ethen wide eyed before breaking eye contact as she looked down at the box of cookies.
"Tha uh ruhlly guh!" She mumbled her inner thoughts screaming at her for making a romantic situation a disaster.
Stamina: 15 / Evasion: 18 / Strength: 4 / Wisdom: 10 / ArcPower: 7 / Accuracy: 22
Broom: Varapidos
7 Oct 2020, 23:05
Training Ambush
then could feel his heart pounding uncomfortably as his friend scooped up the box of cookies and unfurled the letter he had prepared for her. Too uncomfortable to watch her reaction, Ethen watched the field with mock interest trying his best to keep from awkwardly babbling or flying off. Ethen grit his teeth as the girl continued to silently read.
Stealing a quick glance at Atlas, he could see the girls cheeks were red but didn’t know if that was good for him or bad. They had a pretty terrifying year the past year but they had only grown closer and Ethen had developed feelings for the girl even before the secret ball but it was the first time he had even made his horrific attempt to compliment her. He hadn’t made an attempt to bring it back up over the summer but another ball had seemed like the best possible chance.
The lingering silence seemed like an eternity growing only longer as he waited for even the slightest response from the girl. He almost said a joke to break the silence but he was pretty sure that would not be advantageous. Instead, he let his heart continue to try and escape from his chest in the unyielding quiet. When the ‘yes’ finally left her lips, Ethen let out a deep breath that he hadn’t realized he was holding in.
A smile became plastered over Ethen’s face as the girl reiterated that she would go with him. “Yeah well you know. I wasn’t even going to like... go. Dances are stupid. But I thought maybe this one there wouldn’t be as many giant bugs,” Ethen said still trying to hide his happiness. Hearing her to refer to them as dates fell awkwardly off her tongue as she said. He almost blurted out that they didn’t have to go as ‘uh dates’ but he reminded himself to have at least some confidence.
Seemingly to silence herself, Atlas shoved one of the cookies in her mouth and grumbled something mostly incoherent. Again the smile returned to Ethen’s face as he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her. “It will be fun,” he said with a smile as he tightened the brief hug.
Stealing a quick glance at Atlas, he could see the girls cheeks were red but didn’t know if that was good for him or bad. They had a pretty terrifying year the past year but they had only grown closer and Ethen had developed feelings for the girl even before the secret ball but it was the first time he had even made his horrific attempt to compliment her. He hadn’t made an attempt to bring it back up over the summer but another ball had seemed like the best possible chance.
The lingering silence seemed like an eternity growing only longer as he waited for even the slightest response from the girl. He almost said a joke to break the silence but he was pretty sure that would not be advantageous. Instead, he let his heart continue to try and escape from his chest in the unyielding quiet. When the ‘yes’ finally left her lips, Ethen let out a deep breath that he hadn’t realized he was holding in.
A smile became plastered over Ethen’s face as the girl reiterated that she would go with him. “Yeah well you know. I wasn’t even going to like... go. Dances are stupid. But I thought maybe this one there wouldn’t be as many giant bugs,” Ethen said still trying to hide his happiness. Hearing her to refer to them as dates fell awkwardly off her tongue as she said. He almost blurted out that they didn’t have to go as ‘uh dates’ but he reminded himself to have at least some confidence.
Seemingly to silence herself, Atlas shoved one of the cookies in her mouth and grumbled something mostly incoherent. Again the smile returned to Ethen’s face as he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her. “It will be fun,” he said with a smile as he tightened the brief hug.
Stamina: 7/ Evasion: 7 / Strength: 5/ Wisdom: 13 / ArcPower: 6 / Accuracy: 8
Broom: Silver Arrow