A Crash Course in Training PV Closed

january 8th 2024; interacting with @Madison Bennett, @Landon Matthews, and @Annie Morgan

Alyssea was no Quidditch player but she was a new broom racing co-captain (it's been two months since she got the position!) and broom racing was another sport that involved brooms and flying. Historically, Flying was her worst subject, so you could imagine the irony in her getting captaincy in a flying-related sport. Maybe it was better that she wasn't a racer yet; duelling seemed to be a decent fit for her and she was still getting her head around racing.

But since becoming a captain, she figured the best way to know the sport to strategize better was to be in it, even if she wouldn't fly in the official matches. So, when Madison asked for help in Quidditch training, Alyssea jumped on the opportunity. No questions. Maybe a few lessons in Quidditch could help her in future race strategies.

Alyssea came down to the pitch with her Silver Arrow and the same racing attire she wore a bit ago. She didn't exactly know what Quidditch gear is supposed to look like and she didn't own some herself. Her racing attire would have to do. She gave Madison a smile. "It's no worries. I'm happy to help." She had no idea how to play Quidditch but she could definitely follow instructions. And if she could follow instructions, then she could probably be a decent player.

Alyssea also gave a wave to Annie. They hadn't interacted much after the Halloween party in October but it was always nice to see a familiar face.

After listening to Madison explain the training structure, Alyssea nodded and got on her broom. "Chaser sounds good to me. What are we doing?"

Flying around, grabbing and scoring quaffles sounded easy enough. Alyssea fumbled around with the balance on her broom. Hopefully her aim would be as good as her racing accuracy.

Stats: STA - 6 (9) | EVA - 7 (10) | STR - 6 (9) | WIS - 8 (11) | ARC - 6 (9) | ACC - 8 (11)
Abilities: Prodigal Transfiguration Learner | Evasive Maneuvers I
Broom: Silver Arrow (+3 to all stats)

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
Outfit: Quidditch Training Uniform | CC: #1f5cc6 | Words: 609 | Graphic by Helena Rose
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─────Landon was still surprised that he had been given the position of second string Keeper for the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. He had tried out with the hopes that maybe he would be chosen, but he hadn't been the most confident in his abilities. But the team had seen potential in him, and he wanted to live up to their expectations. He was honored to be chosen, but he was very grateful that they had wanted him for Keeper and not one of the other positions. Landon just couldn't see himself playing the other positions, at least not yet.

Landon felt excited and nervous about the girls wanting to help him work on his Quidditch skills. He got the main concepts, of course. Quidditch wasn't that hard to understand, at least not the basics. It was just about him being confident in what he did on the pitch. He wanted to be a good asset to the team, not a hindrance. He didn't want them to regret putting him on the team. He followed the girls out to the training pitch quietly, as was his nature, but he had a nervous smile on his face. He didn't know the girl they were meeting at the pitch really, other than knowing of her, and having seen her play, but he didn't really know her well at all. He knew Alyssea really well, and was getting to know Madi well too, but Annie was new to him.

"I'll be okay," he said as Madi told him not to be nervous, even though he was definitely nervous. "I'm always nervous, but I'll relax," he observed. He tended to warm up to other people a little more slowly, but he was always happy to make new friends. He just hoped he wouldn't make a fool of himself during the training that they were doing. The only way to work through his nerves was to push through them and just shake them off. He wanted to do that. He wanted to be a good player, and a good teammate. He just needed to keep his nerves in check.

Landon watched as Madison approached the other girl and introduced herself, looking a little curious at first before slowly realizing that Annie must be blind or at least unable to recognize faces in some way. He definitely wasn't judging anyone, and he was a bit amazed that someone who had trouble seeing could play Quidditch, but he didn't doubt her abilities. If there was something Landon had learned from attending Hogwarts, it was that almost anything was possible. He smiled, as he normally would, and looked toward Annie. "Hey," he said softly. "I'm Landon," he added. He figured that she would assume he was Landon when the other people had more feminine names.

Landon listened as Madison and Alyssea discussed the plan, and nodded. "O-Okay, I can do that," he said. He climbed onto his Shooting Star and kicked off to fly into the air. He moved toward the goals, hovering there a little nervously. He knew Alyssea didn't play Quidditch, but she was fast, so he was going to need to be prepared. He had also seen Madi play before, and she was really good too, so he just wanted to do his best. He was sure he would mess up sometimes. He was human after all, but he had to make mistakes to learn how to shake them off, if that made any sense. If he made a mistake in an official game, it wouldn't do for him to get lost in his head, beating himself up for the mistake instead of getting refocused.

Stats: STA - 8 (9) | EVA - 6 (7) | STR - 6 | WIS - 7 | ARC - 6 | ACC - 7
Abilities: Wandmaker
Broom: Shooting Star (+1 Stamina, +1 Evasion)

It was quite a delight when Annie had been asked by one of her fellow Quidditch teammates, Madison Bennett to help teach the new student who would be taking her previous position as second-string keeper the ropes. It was a good distraction, from Winter Break and a great way to get back into shape for their next upcoming match. After clasping her Quidditch gloves over her hands, she had made her way down to the Quidditch Training Pitch, popping her head into the lockers to momentarily grab her beloved Silver Arrow.

It was a common thing for players to switch around positions, join or leave the team as other important events came and went. It was a miracle she stayed on the team as long as she did given emotional rollercoasters, homework and now OWL and NEWT preparations. As she entered the pitch, she was greeted with silence, which gave her enough time to get some stretching it. The cold air made her cheeks burn and her nose wrinkle as the bitterness nipped at her exposed skin. Madison's cheerful voice entered her ears first. Then a second one. Slowly connecting the dots to what Madison had said, she'd decidedly match the voice to whom else was a younger player on the team. Alyssea Brown, who was very enthusiastic (and she had the pleasure to meet her outside of the sport at a not-so-secret party), was mentioned by Madison that she was going to this training session of sorts. And lastly a new voice, one that was pitched slightly lower and full of nerves, one could tell that much by the shakiness that quivered from his lips.

She'd nod her head slowly as Madison greeted her and explained what she had in mind, and honestly Annie figured it was a good idea. Hearing everyone agree to the terms set, she'd swing her leg over the broom, rolling her shoulders to get comfy. Drifting to the far edge of the pitch, she'd reach her hand out, feeling one of the hoops, and a small swish of wind signaled Landon had followed her to the position.

"Greetings Landon, I hope you stretched." She joked lightly. Her attempt at easing the tension. "I don't suppose Madison told you this, but I also played as Chaser my first two years." Annie rolled her eyes at the idea of her now getting the chance to play the third, of four possible positions on the team. She definitely had been around the pitch quite a bit and knew the ins and outs. Now it was time to reassure and teach the newbie a thing or two.

"Oh and some advice Landon? I'm going first, so watch, learn, and use all of your senses." She'd gesture with her finger to her cloudy eyes. A small grin slipped onto her features before she spat into both of her hands, rubbing them together and hollering at the two girls.

"Alright Madison, Alyssea, let's do a play or two. Don't go easy on me, it's not like we have bludgers to watch out for as well, thank goodness."

She'd toss her head back over her shoulder to Landon who was probably hovering a few feet away in the air. Perhaps her attitude was a bit much. A small smile replaced her egotistical grin. "Hey kid, I believe in you, we all do. That's why you're on the team. Now start believing in yourself." The worst that could happen is losing and ending up in the hospital wing for a few days. Is what she wanted to say, but she cut her thoughts short and gave him a quick thumbs up before turning back to facing outwards from the hoops, attention honed in on the game as if it were an official match.

Date and Time: January 8th 2024 Around 3pm

Interacting with: @Alyssea Brown @Annie Morgan @Landon Matthews

Outfit: Quidditch Training Uniform Hairstyle

Damn Annie, maybe you should go a bit easier on us, at least let us try and get the quaffle into the hoops" Madison says with a giggle. She and Alyssea had tried five times to get the quaffle into the hoops, and each time Annie blocked it. She flies over to Annie and whispers into her ear "do you reckon we should give Landon a go on his own and us three run a play, or do you think he's still too green?" Madison asked. Annie was a sixth year and so had much more experience and knowledge than the second years did, though with her training, Madison wasn't too far behind.

She turned to Landon and smiled, "alright Landon, you've seen Annie protect the hoops, do you think you're up for giving it a try?" Madison asked in a light an friendly way. She knew he was nervous so she went over to him and smiled. "You don't have to if you're not ready, Alyssea and I can run another play and Annie can protect the hoops again if need be, but you'll never be ready for the game if you don't give it a go. I know it's scary, I was nervous before my first game too, granted I have quite extensive experience with Quidditch, but you can do this Landon, like Annie said, you've just got to believe in yourself and trust your instincts, the real thing will be much harder than just us four flying on the pitch I can tell you that" Madison said with a honest smile.
She turned back to Alyssea and smiled, before facing Annie and Landon too, "alright Landon, what do you want to do? Do you want to give keeping a go, or do you want to watch Annie once more before doing so? Just remember, there's no wrong answer, just pick the one you're most comfortable with, but we will get you in front of those goals either this play, or next play, either way it can be a simple play if that makes it easier" Madison asked him with a smile.

Stats:
Stamina- 7 (10)
Evasion- 6 (9)
Strength- 6 (9)
Wisdom- 9 (12)
Arcane Power- 5 (8)
Accuracy- 7 (10)
( )= stats with broom
Abilities: Lovely Creature and Charmer
Broom: Silver Arrow (+3 to all stats)

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
Outfit: Quidditch Training Uniform | CC: #1f5cc6 | Words: 387 | Graphic by Helena Rose
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─────Landon listened as Annie gave him advice on using all of his senses. He knew, from looking at her, that she wasn't able to see, but she still was able to participate in Quidditch and stuff, so if she could do it, he may be able to to do it too. Right? Not that he thought that people were lesser because of disabilities. He would never think that. But he knew that she must be really good without her sight if she was able to play all of the positions on the Quidditch team that she had.

Landon moved out of the way of everything to watch the girls run a few plays. He watched Madison and Alyssea at first but then turned his attention back to Annie because she was the one who he wanted to emulate. "I'll try..." he said when Annie told him to start believing in himself. He had proven he was worth trying on the team, but he was just nervous about all of this.

His mouth hung open as he watched Annie block every attempt that Alyssea and Madi had made. How would he be able to match up with that. "Are you sure you don't want to be Keeper still, Annie?" he said uncertainly. She was really good and Landon just wanted to do a good job with what he was supposed to be doing. He looked at Madison when she suggested he give it a try. "I..." he started but then trailed off nervously. He wanted to do it, wanted to give it a go, but he was so nervous. He hesitated before taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. He turned toward them again, lifting his head and jutting his chin out determinedly. "I'll do it. I'll try," he said, his voice a little shaky but he was certain that he needed to do this.

Landon flew so he was next to Annie and took another deep breath. "Just... start a little easy on me maybe? I just need to make sure that if I do miss, I don't let it get me down. I need to get more confident," he explained. He knew that his main issue was confidence, but he wanted to get better. He wanted to prove to himself that he could do this.

Stats: STA - 8 (9) | EVA - 6 (7) | STR - 6 | WIS - 7 | ARC - 6 | ACC - 7
Abilities: Wandmaker
Broom: Shooting Star (+1 Stamina, +1 Evasion)

Annie could practically hear Landon's mouth drop open as he questioned her decision to change positions after she nailed all 5 block attempts. It was a spur of the moment decision in all honesty. She only had one year left on the team after her current year, so why change something she was good at? Well, she was one of those people who couldn't take no for an answer. The opportunity presented itself and she hopped on board, letting her curiosity get the better of her. But she knew she was capable of whatever she set her mind to, Landon on the other hand still had to believe it first.

She'd circle back to Landon's height after wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead. The two girls made her work for it. Even if it looked effortless, it never was. Madison began to suggest Landon take a turn at it, to which she nodded her head in approval.

"Landon, one more piece of advice. Don't let others see your nerves. It makes others doubt you, but then again it could be a strategy. Oh, and uh something less cryptic, don't lean forward too much, you'll slide right off your broom!" She'd give him a small pat on his back before turning to get some distance from the hoops.

Letting out a small whistle, she'd call back Madison and Alyssea's attention. "Hey, you two continue doing your thing first, I want to see how he handles you before I hop in. Evens out the playing field and gives you two more practice time as well. I'll listen from afar and join in later if he feels comfortable?"

Kicking off with her broom, she'd hover so that she could still hear them chatter. Did she know her skillset was a bit more advanced? Yes. Was she going to go easy on the kid? No, but she also didn't want to scare him immediately off the team. He was one of those younger students who needed to adapt first before having everything thrown at them, hence the practice. She'd lean back on her Silver Arrow, rubbing her hands together to warm them up under her cold gloves.

" 'Atta boy Landon, show the girls what you've got!" Annie cupped her hands to her mouth to holler, what she was used to doing at Quidditch games, being benched.

january 8th 2024; interacting with @Madison Bennett, @Landon Matthews, and @Annie Morgan

So, that was not expected. This was her first time trying Quidditch, after all, and everything she was doing was with a little bit of hesitation. But when she found herself in possession of all five quaffles (none of which made it through the hoops because of Annie but that's not the point), her face went red. Maybe it was her racing luck?

Alyssea chuckled. "Well, I was not expecting that. Sorry," she said to Madison. And no, she was not considering moving from duelling (and racing) to Quidditch; she was absolutely terrified by the prospect of bludgers and falling hundreds of feet from the air. Racing was a little less fatal and duelling kept her on the ground.

She listened to Madison's instructions and Annie's advice for Landon. She offered him a smile. This was his training, not hers. Alyssea was just here for the vibes and as moral support. "You're gonna do great, and I'll go a little bit easy, promise."

(A little voice in her head told her 'We all start somewhere'. She was close to saying it out loud but refrained. Maybe later.)

With a sigh, she set off higher and wiped her sweating palms over her clothes. "Maybe that last time was a fluke. There's no way I got all five quaffles," she chuckled.

Stats: STA - 6 (9) | EVA - 7 (10) | STR - 6 (9) | WIS - 8 (11) | ARC - 6 (9) | ACC - 8 (11)
Abilities: Prodigal Transfiguration Learner | Evasive Maneuvers I
Broom: Silver Arrow (+3 to all stats)

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
Outfit: Quidditch Training Uniform | CC: #1f5cc6 | Words: 352 | Graphic by Helena Rose
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─────Landon took a deep steadying breath as he flew up to position himself to guard the goalposts. He was fine, at least that was what he was going to tell himself. He needed to relax so he could do a good job. He didn't want to be a bad keeper, even if he was nervous. He felt a little shaky as he watched the girls get ready to start running some plays toward him. He took another deep breath and got himself prepared to try and block things.

Landon missed the first two attempts by Madison and he looked a bit defeated for a few moments. He was worried that he wasn't going to be any good at blocking anything that came toward him. But then he managed to block the third attempt by Madison and he looked at everyone in shock as he held the Quaffle in his hands. "I... I did it!" he said, unable to hide his surprise. Landon smiled and relaxed a little more as they started to run more plays. He couldn't let himself get too comfortable. Madison was coming back toward the goalposts with the Quaffle and he moved to try and block her throw.

Unfortunately, Landon missed, but he was trying not to get upset about it. He knew that if he lost confidence now, he would only make more mistakes. He flew around the goalposts as he waited for the next attempt. This time it was Alyssea, and Landon moved quickly to block her attempt. He grinned as he looked at the girls again. "I just need more practice," he said. He felt a little less nervous about everything now that he had successfully at least blocked two attempts. He knew he needed to do better, but he was able to relax a little more and see that he wasn't as bad as he thought he was. "Thank you. I just need to try and relax more," he admitted. He didn't want to let anyone down and it was nice to know that he could at least sometimes block the Quaffle from the goals.

Stats: STA - 8 (9) | EVA - 6 (7) | STR - 6 | WIS - 7 | ARC - 6 | ACC - 7
Abilities: Wandmaker
Broom: Shooting Star (+1 Stamina, +1 Evasion)

Date and Time: January 8th 2024 Around 3pm

Interacting with: @Alyssea Brown @Annie Morgan @Landon Matthews

Outfit: Quidditch Training Uniform Hairstyle

Madi smiled and cheered as she got three goals out of her four attempts, with Landon blocking one of them. "Landon, that was an awesome save you did, great job. Don't sweat about the other ones, you'll get better the more practice you get" Madison said with a smile. It wasn't game day so Madison didn't mind having one of her goals blocked, and besides, the main point of this practice was to help Landon gain confidence in front of the goals.

After her four goal attempts, getting three out of four felt pretty good to Madison. She didn't want to waste too much cause she had Quidditch in a few weeks, but getting a bit of practice in was always good. Madison sat and loosened her body up, making sure she didn't get too stiff whilst playing, even though Quidditch was a very physical game, with the fact that this was just a practice, Madison was a lot more stationary, though playing with her friends made it even more fun.

She went over to Alyssea and smiled at her, "How are you feeling after this Lys? I know you won't be joining the team anytime soon but I really appreciate you being on board to help us out and doing a few plays with us, I think we'd make a pretty good team as chasers together" Madison said. Alyssea was her 'badger bestie' since they were both in Hufflepuff, their second year and they'd met on the train in September. Madison remembered how much fun the two of them had experienced on the train, getting to know each other and sharing sweets, they'd even had their first sleepover and had so many other adventures.

Madison then flew over to Annie and smiled, "Hey Annie, it's Madison. I think we should get off our brooms soon and head back up to the castle" she said, turning to Landon and Alyssea, "What do you guys think? I'm ready to head back up to the castle and get changed before dinner, plus it's getting pretty chilly" Madison said, even though she was rugged up it was still cold, though being in Scotland, the cold was no surprise.

Stats: STA - 7 (7) | EVA - 6 (7) | STR - 6 (7) | WIS - 9 (10) | ARC - 5 (5) | ACC - 7 (9)
Abilities: Lovely Creature and Charmer
Broom: Silver Arrow (+3 to all stats)