Completed Don't Lose Your Head! PV Avery Chen, Hui Ming, Cassandra Ironwoods

─────This was a dream come true at this point. Being taught how to fly by a real Quidditch player? One of the Slytherin ones, with the ins and outs of the whole Hogwarts Quidditch system? How thrilling. Maggie Hawkins felt phenomenal. She felt like she was a professional Quidditch player. Cash Ironwoods was a saint. A godsend. Maggie could hardly believe that she'd stumbled upon someone like them on nothing but pure luck.

"Of course. You owe it all to me, Avery, owe me every ounce of credit," Maggie Hawkins was just wonderful, full of cheeriness and encouragement. And it was very obvious her support was what spurred Avery Chen on to victory.

Watching Avery catch that plush from her own place in the air was just what Maggie needed to feel the true confidence and competitive energy to join into the festivities. Playing with the plush and training for Quidditch. The games were upcoming for certain, in the month of October, and Maggie was eager to train and practice, try her hand at the sport that was loved and adored by so many.

Maggie grinned and swung her broom around to grab the plush, prepared to absolutely murder the competition. Metaphorically, of course. She would not be killing Avery Chen. At least not today. "Don't mind if I do. I'm gonna make this goal so good that you, like, cry in your bed tonight," she called, steadying herself on the broomstick. Balancing was of the essence. Utmost importance, because otherwise, Maggie would be taking a one-way trip to the hospital wing, extreme embarrassment, and a nasty plummet downwards. With that, she reared up, held the plush steady in her hand, and let it loose at the goal.

Hex Code #4B0082 - English #000080 - French #C71585 - Latin #006400 - Spanish

Interact With @Avery Chen @Maggie Hawkins

Mention(s) N / A

The Outfits Reducio

Round 2

w

Maggie's Calming Presence [d10 : 5] 5

Maggie's Accuracy [d20 : 19] + 7 26

Avery's Evasion [d20 : 17] + 6 23

Note • 1 - 5 ⇢ unsuccessful • 6 - 10 ⇢ successful

As Cash tried to score a goal, AVERY managed to blocked it with his head. The plush hit him straight onto his face. Not only that, he also manages to grab hold of the plush ball before it bounced off to the ground. He was dazedly for a second, clutching the plush in the crook of his arm towards his torso.

"Wow, did you see that?"Asked the soon-to-be second-string Keeper for the Slytherin Quiddich team still beaming from his successful attempt to both Cash and Maggie. "I saw that but one victory means nothing. Do not celebrate it too fast"Cash replied to Avery's inquires. While the green respond in an almost condescending way, his year mate took a more positive approach to his question.

"Of course. You owe it all to me, Avery, owe me every ounce of credit,"Maggie said full of cheeriness and encouragement. Her support for her fellow first-year is palpable. After a moment, Avery finally dared to grab the plush with one hand and toss it back to Cash. The Cuban descendant catches the plush with ease.

"Maggie, maybe you want to try shooting at my goalpost too?"He asked with confidence. "Let's see if you can make it!"He expressed. "Don't mind if I do. I'm gonna make this goal so good that you, like, cry in your bed tonight,"The short-haired brunette said to the Goal Keeper. Cash waited until Maggie flew and hover beside them.

Once MAGGIE was right in front of Avery and beside the young Ironwoods, they tossed the ball to her. "Give him hell!"They said to the other girl. Once MAGGIE found her balance, she reared up, held the plush steady in her hand, and let it loose at the goal. Cash watched the ball soar into the air.

AVERY was just a tad bit late blocking the incoming attack of Maggie's and the ball easily passed him. The young socialite did not know what comes over him. He could be nervous about it or maybe the great heights from where he hovers above the ground finally register to him. "It is an easy block. Are you for real now?"They sarcastically asked.

"You could block my attempt but not hers?"Cash could not believe what they have seen while pointing in MAGGIE'S direction. Cash may be a bit harsh towards the soon-to-be Quidditch player (Avery) but they could care less about it. In a real Quidditch match, the opposing players and teams will give you no mercy. They also care less whether you are a seasoned player or a newcomer.

Cash just prepares him for what he might face. This is why the reasons Cash has been harsh towards AVERY. They know that AVERY has potentials. "I know you could do better than that. Come on mate, shake it off! Prove me wrong that you are not just some Quidditch player wannabe"They said to AVERY after they fetched the plush from the ground.

They tossed the plush back to MAGGIE. "Again! and do not let me down this time"They zeroed in their green eyes to AVERY. Hoping their little threat shake Avery off of whatever bothers him.

Through out the thread I will act as moderator. Permission to slightly godmod
Avery and Maggie have been given by the players.

Well now, did he owe Maggie Hawkins every ounce of credit? He sure did not! Was his friend a little in over her head now? C'mon. He huffed at this point. "Well not every ounce of credit, Maggie. Surely, this face speaks for itself how photogenic it is," he retorted. Okay, his face wasn't as objectively handsome as @Hui Ming's, he would admit, but wasn't it quite gorgeous nonetheless? Maybe Cash could weigh in on this. He needed a third party to help him make his case. "Cash, on a scale of one to ten, how handsome would you rate this face?" he asked, confident he could score at least a solid nine.

However, before long, his gorgeous, precious face suffered quite a blow. He shook it off like it had never happened, even though the amount of impact came as a surprise. Luckily, the plush was soft and no real damage was done. He decided in an instant that he would never use his head to block a goal again.

Anyway, it was a victory -- first goal blocked! He was on his jolly way to becoming a professional Keeper now.

What was that? Maggie was going to score so well that he'll cry in his bed at night? Yeah, right! He was the manliest of men and no girl was ever going to make him cry. "Give him hell!" Cash hollered. Hey now, were the two ganging up on him? Well, he was gonna show them.

The ball sailed through the air, and Avery watched as it came closer and urged his broom towards it. Refusing to use his head this time, to protect his face, he allowed one hand to loosen its grip on his broomstick, but it was too late. He lost his balance briefly as he reached towards the ball with an extended arm, and the plush ball sailed through the hoop. He watched it land on the ground with a pout.

"It is an easy block. Are you for real now? You could block my attempt but not hers?" Cash retorted. Well, they were a tough coach, weren't they? He held up his nose and sniffed, as if he wasn't completely distraught by the fact that he missed Maggie's shot. It was really a roller-coaster of emotions to make his first block and then fail the next one. He mustered up his determination and swallowed his chipped pride. "I'm just warming up, that's all!" he hollered back. The words were also a way to reassure himself so that he didn't completely lose confidence. "Trying out some super pro blocking methods and such. Y'know, like the Bally Bats do." Surely, he couldn't use his face in a game with real quaffles -- those things looked like they were made of much harder material that would break his perfect nose.

No, he was not just a wannabe, he was the real deal! He practiced tilting on his broom, from one side to the other, letting a hand off the broomstick with each tilt, feeling the flow of his body as he leaned to each side but maintained balance and gained confidence with each lean. "Again! and do not let me down this time," Cash said, and Avery felt his determination soar once more in preparation for the next shot. "Yes, coach!" he shouted back. "Give me your best shot, Maggie! If you don't make it, it means your plague of cooties are getting the best of you."

@Cassandra Ironwoods @Maggie Hawkins

♡

MAGGIE HAWKINS

♡

interacting with: @Avery Chen | @Cassandra Ironwoods mentioning:

September 19, 2021

XXXXPractice makes perfect, that's what they always said. And Maggie guessed there was probably some merit to that, some truth in the words, but honestly? She didn't think she needed to practice much after all! In fact, she was probably the world's best chaser already. Her first goal had her doing a victory lap, jeering and bobbling her head in a self-made dance of assurance. A bit presumptuous, admittedly, but did it harm anyone? No! Except perhaps Avery Chen, who was faring much worse than Maggie herself. Maybe he was just nervous. Maggie knew she would be if Cassandra Ironwoods were looming behind her and on her hide for the duration of their friendly little practice. But, alas, Cash seemed to have an affinity for Maggie already, cheering her on and encouraging her much more kindly than Avery. Maybe because Maggie already displayed a good deal of accuracy in her strides and tosses than Avery did. No matter. It took a while to become adept at anything, she figured, and there would be plenty of time for Avery to make it up. Their first game was in a month, and, while that wasn't exactly the most advantageous, it sure was enough time to get the tips of older, more experienced players. Maggie was certain that through meeting the other players and gaining their insight, Avery and herself would both prove to be skilled and dangerous opponents to whichever team butted up against them. For now, though, it was practice. Tossing a little plush through the air, watching it soar and glide, proving themselves to the upperclassman. "I've told you a million times, Avery," Maggie reared up, clutching the plush in her palms and hovering over the field yards away from Avery. She had to shout to make herself heard, but then, Maggie Hawkins never had an issue yelling, did she? "I don't have cooties!" With that, she threw the plush full force at the hoop that rose menacingly above Avery. That hoop was her master, her captor, taunting her from its position yards away. She'd do anything in her power to make it bow.

Hex Code #4B0082 - English #000080 - French #C71585 - Latin #006400 - Spanish

Interact With @Avery Chen @Maggie Hawkins

Mention(s) N / A

The Outfits Reducio

Maggie's Calming Presence [d10 : 6] 6

Maggie's Accuracy [d20 : 7] + 7 14

Avery's Evasion [d20 : 7] + 6 13

Note • 1 - 5 ⇢ unsuccessful • 6 - 10 ⇢ successful

There was a little conversation between Avery and Maggie that Cash had no interest to part take on until their name called out by AVERY. "Cash, on a scale of one to ten, how handsome would you rate this face?"The first-year asked the third. Cash looked at AVERY. "Do I have to answer that?"They answered Avery's question with another question.

The green eyes knew that AVERY just making small talk between the three of them. Perhaps it was his way to shake out the jitters or nervous or whatever he felt. Cash sighed. It seems they had to indulge the soon-to-be second-string Keeper. "Fine,"They said. "On a scale of one to ten, I gave you a seven or maybe an eight"They uttered.

"Your face is not that bad so take it as a compliment"They added. After Cash lightly berated AVERY, he held up his nose and sniffed. Cash knew how that single mistake could affect you in some way. The green eyes had their fair share of missed attempts during Quidditch games but that failure did not deter them. The Cuban descendant only hoping that AVERY will do the same.

"I'm just warming up, that's all!"He hollered back. "Sure you are"This time Cash used a tone that implies 'it is okay that you make that mistake. Do not discourage just yet'. Being a strict coach would not do. But if Cash is a tough one and yet supportive of their fellow Quidditch teammates, maybe just maybe there is still hope for AVERY.

"Trying out some super pro blocking methods and such. Y'know, like the Bally Bats do"The Chinese boy replied to Cash. It seems he is one of their fans. Then after Cash said to Avery do not let them down and prove them wrong that he is not just a Quidditch player wannabe, the young Ironwoods saw AVERY practice his tilts from one side to another.

He even let a hand off from the broomstick with each tilt. It is not an easy feat to maintain your balance, Cash learns that every time during their practice for the upcoming Quidditch matches. The young socialite gave AVERY some time to acclimate to what he just did. "Yes, coach!" he shouted back.

Cash heard the underlying confidence and determination in AVERY'S voice. "Give me your best shot, Maggie! If you don't make it, it means your plague of cooties is getting the best of you"AVERY taunts his fellow year mate. "I've told you a million times, Avery,"The short brunette-haired girl shout from the distance seeing how far she is from the goalposts.

"I don't have cooties!"Maggie added. After that, she zoomed from crossing the field and when she was close enough with the goalpost, she throw the plush in full force at the hoop. Cash hoped this time AVERY could block the incoming attack but like last time, he did not. It was a close call. AVERY managed to rose one of his hand to attempt to grab the plush but the plush sailed above him, grazing softly at his fingertips.

Cash sighed at his poor attempt. It looks like he did not even try. Cash almost wants to stop this poor excuse of practice but again Cash needs to remind themselves that both of their counterparts are fairly new to the sport. The plush yet again managed to pass AVERY. "WHATEVER MAKES YOU NERVOUS; SHAKE IT OFF, CHEN!!"They yelled out their frustration and a headache starts forming in Cash's head.

They looked down where the plush landed on the ground. They flew down and grabbed the plush. Once Cash flew side by side with MAGGIE. the green eyes tossed the ball back at MAGGIE. Without any words exchanged with MAGGIE, Cash gave a signal for MAGGIE to throw another shot towards AVERY. Hoping on the next rounds of plush tossing, AVERY could guard his hoops.

The nippy wind was a bit stronger than he imagined at this height as the afternoon wore on. The chatterbox of a boy felt that some light conversation would help him ease his nerves as he steeled himself for another goal save.

Seven? Maybe an eight? Was that really all his good looks were worth? He scrunched up said definitely more handsome face with indignation. "Your face is not that bad so take it as a compliment," Cash said. Well, surely his face wasn't bad -- at least Cash recognized that, but they ought to get their eyes checked if they thought it was only a seven. He resolved that once he was in his teens with a stunning quidditch reputation and an equally stunning face, no one would say that his face was less than a nine.

Perhaps his taunting of Maggie Hawkins only made her more determined to score a goal and prove that a plague of cooties never existed within her. His friend threw the plush towards the goal. Not only did it come at a great speed, but it was also cleverly dipped at the very bottom of the hoop. Avery willed his broom to drop so that he could catch the plush, but instead, his broom lurched too far downwards and well past the bottom rim of the hoop. The plush sailed over his head and through the hoop, missing his outstretched hand by some inches. His heart skipped a beat as he felt his stomach fly up to his chest with the sudden downward drop that demonstrated less control than he had hoped.

Wow, a keeper really had to make quick dashes and hard brakes: left, right, up, down, every-which-way, didn't they? Not only did he have to manage his broom, he also had to calculate how much to extend his limbs or lean his body alongside the broom movement, and coordinate how the many movements added up together and when to brake. All the things he needed to feel the flow of to make this work suddenly seemed quite overwhelming.

"WHATEVER MAKES YOU NERVOUS; SHAKE IT OFF, CHEN!!" Cash yelled at him, bringing his swirling mind back into the present. He took a deep breath and calmed himself. He could do it! He just needed the practice, that's all. Once he got the feel of the broom and his body all in one, the feeling of moving together with his broom was sure to come more naturally. The boy willed himself to focus on the task at hand. Soon enough, that broom was going to be a natural extension of himself. They just needed to get to know each other a little better, become friends if you will.

"Ready, coach! Let's go, Maggie!" he called out, eyes honing in on the plush clutched within Maggie's hand and watching her movements.

♡

MAGGIE HAWKINS

♡

interacting with: @Cassandra Ironwoods | @Avery Chen mentioning:

September 14, 2021

XXXXNow this was team spirit. Cash, Maggie, and Avery, engaged in a friendly repartee that encapsulated a surely positive, teasingly competitive relationship for years to come. If this little practice game was any indication, the three of them would work well as a team. In Quidditch, in school, in whatever life threw at them! Maggie smiled softly from her perch on the broom as she watched Avery and Cash argue back and forth. Argue being used loosely. There was nothing vindictive or impolite about the way they were talking, not genuinely. Nothing genuinely hurtful or meant to cause an issue. Just good old-fashioned banter. "Come on, let's go, Avery! You gotta keep your eye on the ball!" Maggie shouted, the wind in her face whipping her voice away at record speed and making her words harder to hear with every inch that she rose. This was what life felt like, wasn't it? Flying and floating up, up, up, higher and higher, until you were high above the ground. Of course, there was still that layer of fear that blanketed Maggie, the fear that she would fall onto the ground, tumble to her untimely demise at the unfortunate age of eleven, but she didn't much mind it. What was the point in fearing this when it felt so good to just get over that fear? "If you keep this up, I'll have to knock you off your broom entirely!" Not really. Not genuinely. Never, would Maggie do something like that, kick her friend off his broomstick in good and sound mind and body. With the plush in hand, Maggie soared to her left with the ball clutched against her side, cradled into her body. "Aye aye, captain!" She yelled right back and swooped down and right to shoot her shot.

Hex Code #4B0082 - English #000080 - French #C71585 - Latin #006400 - Spanish

Interact With @Avery Chen @Maggie Hawkins

Mention(s) Koko Riddle

The Outfits Reducio

After Maggie] throw the plush back at Avery and the boy broom's lurched to far downwards, Cash felt like they had a small heart attack. From Cash's vantage point of view, Avery seems almost fell out from his own broom. If anything happened to Avery, the green eyes surely will be the one that the Professor blame at.

They were being the oldest out of the three and had more experience regarding Quidditch. Sure being Keeper had their own fear and risk but Cash never thought that it could be that dangerous. The Beater had their fair share of training with their house teammates. Watching Koko Riddle guarding the hoops with ease.

But it was Koko. She was a seasoned player in Quidditch. Meanwhile, Avery was still new and still learning how to balance everything out. Cash gulped the evening air that seem getting colder and colder bit by bit to calm their racing heart. Once their heart calm a bit, they flew up to Avery. "Are you okay, mate?"They asked.

The near death fall experience could traumatize anyone if they did not have good reflexes. The green eyes waited a bit for Avery to answer them. When the Chinese boy answered Cash back, Cash would resume their position to oversee how this little Quidditch - training turns out. Maybe it is not a wise idea to yell Avery after his almost untimely doomed but what was done is done.

In Cash's opinion, it was better for Avery to get yelled out by the young Ironwoods than he did not get any proper training at all or whatsoever.Cash tossed the plush back to Maggie. "Come on, let's go, Avery! You gotta keep your eye on the ball!"Maggie said to her fellow first year after the plush sailed over his head and through the hoop, missing his outstretched hand by some inches.

"She's got a point there, Chen. Get your head in the game!"Cash change their tactics. No more yelling as the cold air prevent them to do so. Being high up like this with a cold Scottish Highland air surrounding you, make your teeth clattered and once in a while makes your whole body shudder. "If you keep this up, I'll have to knock you off your broom entirely!"Maggie threatens her friend.

"Hey now, there is no need to get violence"They chided Maggie softly. Cash did not know whether what Maggie had said was serious or not. Cash let go of their hands from the shaft of their broom to rub it against one another. Hoping the friction gave enough warms albeit only a little. The third year gave both Avery and Maggie time to adjust.

"You guys ready for the next round?"They inquired both of their trainees. "Ready, coach! Let's go, Maggie!"Comes Avery answer from the question that Cash had asked. "Aye aye, captain!"Is what Maggie replied to Avery. Once both of them were ready, Cash gave the go signal to start the last round.

The green eyes thought Avery would fail again and Cash need to stick around a bit longer. But when Avery managed to finally block Maggie's attempt, Cash could not help themselves as a smile rose on their lips. "That was what I am talking about, Chen"They stated as they swing their fist up in the air. Clearly happy that Avery finally finds his balance and block Maggie's attempt.

The young Ironwoods make a mental note. In the duration of their time training their potential teammates, Avery had two failed attempts and two successful attempts. And for the Cuban descendant, it was enough to prepare both of them for the upcoming tryout. Cash hoping both of them will get into the team.

Both Avery and Maggie have the potential for the positions they wanted to try. "I guess that is enough for today,"Cash said to both Avery and Maggie. Their throat was dry and their lips starting to chapped from how cold the air around them was. Cash then flew towards Avery who held their plush. They reached out their hand, asking for their plus to be returned.

When their plush back on their hand, Cash slowly descent. Once both of their feet were on the ground, they looked up to where both Avery and Maggie were situated. "Good luck on both of your tryouts,"They said half-shouting through the wind. "Both of you have the potentials. Just keep practicing and both of you will do great"Cash advises both Avery and Maggie.

"See you at the next match"Expressed Cash. After the green eyes said that, they bring their broom back to the Slytherin's locker room again to store their broom and walked out from the pitch.

Cash has left the thread

The downwards lurch was not what he expected. His heartbeat quickened as he realized that could've gone terribly, terribly wrong. "Are you okay, mate?" Cash called out, for once her voice was tinged with a bit of concern. Avery took a deep breath before he answered, knowing that his voice might quaver if he spoke too soon. "Yup, all good! Just getting a bit too excited here!" he called back, sounding a lot braver than he felt. Gosh darn, brooms needed a refined touch, didn't they? It wasn't good to be too eager. He needed to figure out how to fix the jerking movements.

At Maggie's encouragement to keep his eye on the ball, and Cash's advice to keep his head in the game, Avery resolved to get it right this time. Right, maybe he was just too focused on what his broom was doing -- too micro-focused without seeing the big picture of where everything was around him.

Soon enough, he was gearing himself up for the next round. He glanced around the field. There was the chilly wind in the air, tousling his robes, blowing from the north. Here were the three hoops behind him, and he took note of their size and position. There was Maggie, on her broom holding the plush and ready to fire. And here he was, up in the air, breathing in the cold but clean air, hair whipping in the breeze. It was good to be up here, where he could see the mountains in the distance, and the sun on its steady climb downwards. He was right here, right now. Present.

The ball came to towards a hoop with speed, and he urged his broom to the side, reaching out with an arm. The soft ball barreled straight into his chest, and he clamped his hand around it in a successful catch -- an actual catch! Not a headblock! He braked upon impact and spun around in a circle, whooping joyously. "YES! I got it!" he called out, raising the plush into the air. And it felt wonderful, like he had finally learned to ride a bike for the first time. Now, replace 'bike' with 'broom'. "Wasn't that amazing? Maggie, we're on our way to becoming quidditch stars, for real!" he exclaimed.

"I guess that is enough for today," Cash said, flying up to him to retrieve their plush. Avery handed it over as Cash wished both of them luck during tryouts. "Thanks a bunch, Cash," he said. "Seems like you gave us the encouragement we needed." Okay, so he did get yelled at a lot, but it seemed worth it in retrospect. "Bye Cash!" He waved to the upperclassman as they departed.

He glanced a bit at the setting sun. It seemed like they'd have just a bit of sunlight left, and they had the entire pitch to themselves. "Hey Maggie, want to stay for a bit? Want to fly around a little more and play tag or something?" Without waiting for a response, he zipped away, only to swing around in an arc, headed straight towards his friend. He reached out a hand, slowing at the last second and barely missed slapping Maggie in the face. "Tag! You're It!" He laughed heinously as he smacked her shoulder or something instead, and zipped off again, enjoying the freedom of the skies.

♡

MAGGIE HAWKINS

♡

interacting with: @Cassandra Ironwoods | @Avery Chen mentioning:

September 14, 2021

XXXXOh, to feel the wind whistling in one's face and zip about high in the sky without a care in the world. How could she care, when she was soaring above the hustle and bustle of the castle below? How had nobody told her, said anything at all about what it felt like to fly? Of course, prior to this, Maggie hadn't the faintest idea that flight was at all possible without the aid of an airplane or something of the sort. Flying on a broomstick had seemed like the stuff of legend, a stupid child's bedtime story and nothing to be taken seriously. Except that it wasn't. It wasn't fake, it wasn't all make-believe. How could it be, when Maggie was aloft on the shoddy school broomstick that she was certain would lead her on to victory, whatever that looked like. Opposite Avery, Maggie could put it all into perspective. In the short time she'd spent at Hogwarts, life had become too good to be true. A real miracle, honestly, to be soaring like a bird high in the clouds. Friends, friends where she had none in the muggle world, made it all better. Was this her future? Was Maggie destined to be great, just as she'd always dreamed? Because this felt just like becoming great. When Avery finally caught it, blocked Maggie's shot from sailing through the hoop, Maggie grinned and threw her hands up in the air in celebration. Fireworks, of sorts, made from jazz hands and wiggling fingers. Of course, this wasn't the best venture as she very nearly fell off of the broomstick as a result and those hands came right back down to grip the stick, steady herself. "Yeah, Avery! You got it!" She cheered, tipping forward on the broomstick just so. Just slight, in as much support as she could muster from the position she was currently in. Looked like they were on their way to becoming regular Quidditch masters, weren't they? "We're gonna be the best Quidditch players there ever was!" Cash's statement, dictating them done for the day, brought down some of the residual energy that was still bouncing around in Maggie's head like a ping-pong ball. Phew. Time to calm down. "Yeah, thanks, Cash!" She called as she watched the upperclassman depart. Tag, though, pulled her back from the reverie she'd steadily begun to drift into. "Woah, hey, that's not fair, Avery!" Peals of laughter rang through the air like bells as Maggie sped off after Avery, who had gotten a totally unfair headstart. All was right in the world. Nothing, not a single thing, could possibly go wrong. And that was how Maggie was content to keep it. Leaving the thread