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Post by Nuriko Elsywth on Jul 27, 2011 16:49:28 GMT -5
The July wind blew warm against her face, but the sky was partly overcast and the sun hid in the clouds. Nuriko Elswyth floated in the air, eyes closed. She was settled back comfortably on her broomstick, for the moment just enjoying the peace. It had been several weeks since she’d flown last, and she meant to savour this. Certainly after that misadventure in Russia she felt this was earned, though nothing had happened to take the sky from her in the first place.
Opening her eyes, she squinted as they adjusted to the understated glare. The inexperienced would suppose that overcast meant no glare. Nuri knew differently. She surveyed what she’d deemed a pitch. It was merely a large field outside of town, newly shorn and raked, piles of hay drying in long rows. Swooping low, she landed near the middle of the field, where she had left a small chest and three of her favourite bats.
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Post by Theo Bowre on Jul 28, 2011 18:24:28 GMT -5
His new ride perched happily on his shoulder, Theo crossed the pitch towards his young and vivid friend and pointed towards the sky, shouting out his approval of her selection.
"THIS IS BLOODY PERFECT! LOVE, NURI. LOVE. WELL DONE." He began to jog towards her. "IT'S NOT TOO HOT EITHER." Closing the distance between them, Bowre gave his beater-sister a fist bump and dumped his gear on the green. Sight of Nuri's bat collection caused an excited exhale.
"Oooooooo. Shiny. I like your style, friend. It's a disease isn't it? They keep upping the model and we're left with no paycheque. So who's all coming today?"
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Post by Ralin O'Faerlun on Jul 28, 2011 22:51:02 GMT -5
[[ This sounds like fun! Can anyone join in, or did you have plans? ]]
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Post by Nuriko Elsywth on Aug 2, 2011 21:06:16 GMT -5
((Absolutely, Ralin! Anyone is welcome to jump in!))
"THIS IS BLOODY PERFECT! LOVE, NURI. LOVE. WELL DONE." He began to jog towards her. "IT'S NOT TOO HOT EITHER."
Turning, Nuriko felt her jaw drop. She absently returned Bowre’s fist bump, staring at his new broom. And it was quite new, a sleek black with long, tightly bundled twigs.
“The Squall!” She managed, her normally deeper voice becoming squeaky as she admired it. “Theo! That just came off the line! How’d you get one??”
She looked at the bats leaning against the box. Each had worn spots on the handles, all were shiny with use and good care. Also the wood wax. It gave her a better grip and the bat a better purchase on the ball before she sent it flying at an opponent.
“They’re a little worn, but still good.” She grinned.
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Post by Theo Bowre on Aug 2, 2011 21:29:11 GMT -5
(Bring it, brother! We need a chaser to pummel.)
"The Squall! Theo! That just came off the line! How’d you get one??”
"Begging." Theo winked and dropped to his knees, inspecting the immaculate craftsmanship of Nuri's beater bats. In truth, his last broom had been destroyed in Hogsmeade and Nimbus' sponsorship of Wales had really come to the table. It helped that he had sworn by their products all his life and spoke openly of his love for them. "These are amazing. Where did you get your bats? I've never seen anything like them. Let me guess...America?"
With a boyish grin from the ground, Theo popped to his feet and released the hatch on his bludger box. The set of misfit spheres rocketed in to the sky, making huge arcs and tight circles before hovering in the middle of the pitch.
"They like to stretch. Don't ask. So, is the Headmistress coming? Having an actual keeper would be all-star. Not like last time when we suspended the freaking branch. It broke the first time Ralin smacked it with his Quaffle. He ate twigs for a week. Hmmmm. Maybe we could suspend Curse...he's lanky like a keeper. He'd probably whip our ass."
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Post by Ralin O'Faerlun on Aug 4, 2011 0:13:43 GMT -5
"Sheesh! Coulda warned me you were lettin' the wee beasties...an' I mean BEASTIES out t' stretch, bro!" A red-haired streak slowed down on approach to his brother and their friend.
"I'm not yet warmed up!" Ralin was hanging upside down from his broom, as if a dodge to avoid the bludger had gotten him stuck. But he grinned and circled them slowly, showing off cheekily.
"So, Nuri's our beater, Theo's our target practice, who's Keepin' th' ole hoops?" Wearing his trusty leather boots over jeans, Wales jersey and England scarf, Ralin had been stoked to hear about the fun planned this morning over dinner last night in the [massive] Great Hall with Theo and the few staff that were at Hogwarts already.
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Post by Theo Bowre on Aug 4, 2011 23:13:29 GMT -5
"WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA. Whoa. I'm nobody's target practice, bauy. Those beasties have only one thing on their minds, and that's chasers. Wee Irish chasers. So you can take your shiny little bottom and start running." Theo mock-scowled at Ralin, following up with a wink. Then, turning to Nuri...
"Chasers. Give them one Quaffle and they're talking smack like a jack-o'tack." Theo pulled out a roll of wrap and began to address his hands, offering the same to Nuri. He had a habit of holding his bat with more gusto than necessary and blew through his leather gloves by mid-season. "Si's invited," he called out over his shoulder to Ralin. "We put feelers out there but most are still on holidays. Maybe you can bring your English brother so we have more bugs to swat."
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Post by Elle Callahan on Aug 5, 2011 17:32:48 GMT -5
It was a warm summer day and Elle Callahan was actually outside, Merlin what was the world coming to? Having heard of the pick up game of Qudditch, Elle had snagged her camera, her ever present bag of emergency medicine and her wand. Where ever there was a game of Qudditch injuries, mostly minor, were never to far away. While not much of a player, because of health not choice, she loved watching the game. There was something about seeing people on brooms doing aerobatics in the air that was fascinating. It could be barbaric but there was something almost therapeutic about watching the teams beat on each other.
Elle carefully entered the clearing that had been designated as the field on the outskirts of Hogsmeade. A small pang of disappointment rushed through her when she noticed that a certain lanky auror hadn't arrived. Well, he said he might come, which probably meant her wouldn't. Oh well, best not to be caught drooling...
Elle smiled cheerfully as she caught the silly banter between the players. She knew Ralin and Nuri through mutual friends and helping out at Hogwart's infirmary and she'd followed Qudditch so she of course knew Theo.
"Hello darlings, I was wondering if I could just watch?" She asked keeping a wary eye to the sky. Bludgers, as rule, tended to have it out for her. It was like they could smell her tendency to bleed and bruise.
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Post by Theo Bowre on Aug 6, 2011 12:48:54 GMT -5
"Hello darlings, I was wondering if I could just watch?"
"Absolutely!" Theo smiled brightly at the young woman, extending his hand. "I'm Theo. This is Nuri." He pointed to the sky. "That little bundle of red-haired joy is Ralin. You're welcome to play if you like, we have some extra equipment. Watching's cool too. Whatever your pleasure."
Theo quickly caught Elle's apprehension at the bludgers. He'd never known one of his "beasties" to hit a spectator but bludger-fear was not uncommon, even for the most seasoned fliers. He felt a bit guilty and wanted to reassure her.
"They won't bother you, love. I can reign them in if you like? I really only have them out right now to give Ralin a hard time."
Theo whistled in to the air. His duo of bludgers banked sharply and raced for the green, landing with force inside their mobile storage locker.
"They're kind of like dogs, only slightly more fatalistic."
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Post by Eden Fletcher on Aug 6, 2011 20:11:50 GMT -5
The Fletcher household was in an uproar that morning. House elves were rushing about, neighbors were visiting, a few stray law enforcement popped by. Emery Fletcher was still missing, deemed a run away no one was sure where the nearly seventeen year old had run off to. A couple of days ago, Eden had been at the Kameren's waiting for her brother to pick her up. Rule number one, Eden wasn't allowed to go anywhere alone, that included walking the few short blocks home. It wasn't because she was a small child, but because of her "talent". It had the tendency to happen when least expected or opportuned. Her powers did not care that she was crossing a busy street, or in the middle of a busy shop. When a vision came, it often over powered her, sometimes causing her to block out. Not always, but about half the time. In rare occasions she even disappeared just to reappear somewhere else, like Hogwarts. Thus, she wasn't allowed to go anywhere without an escort. The lawmen said Emery was just sowing his wild oats, testing his independence. Any young man would do so if he had all the responsibility Emery had. Eden wasn't so sure but she hadn't any visions. No, her power had been dormant since the night she had found that book and "locked" her powers away. At the time it had seemed like a good idea. She hadn't been much a seer and the lure to be normal was strong. No matter how much she wished to catch a glimpse of her brother she saw nothing. Even felt nothing, except that he wasn't dead.
Eden had been staring through the keyhole trying to listen in on the conversation when her starch grandmother found her. The grand old lady nearly screeched when she saw her youngest grandchild spying like a common vagabond. The little impertinent chit, even had her ankles showing. If her mother had seen her when she'd been Eden's age in such a away she'd be banished from the table for a month. Young people these days, no sense of propriety. Grandmother had scolded Eden, telling her to go off somewhere. Anywhere, even to that dreadful boy's house. A bit happy to have permission to play with Max, Eden had taken her favorite house elf, Tuffet with her. Max hadn't been home. Plan B, was the hogsmeade's game she'd heard about. Begging the little elf to take her, Eden had raced home to snatch the custom made nimbus she'd received for her eleventh birthday. Grandfather was a stanch believer that every true witch or wizard should learn to fly. Thus Eden got a small broom, perfect for her petite frame. She wasn't very good at flying, not having very much practice but she was fearless and loved the rush. She hadn't yet had a vision of Qudditch accidents and thus believed she had nothing to fear.
Dressed in her own specially made flying clothes, her fashion minded grandmother's insistence, Eden strolled onto the field. Oh, she was worried about her brother but there was nothing she could do for the moment. Emery had been acting strange lately, and well he did seem to want to get away from everything. So she decided to enjoy the moment.
Eden smiled when she saw Nuri, her brother's friend. Maybe she knew where he was. "NURI! Have you seen Emery?" She practically screamed at the older girl. Then Eden noticed Elle and she frowned slightly. Did the little healer play? She looked too small and didn't have a broom...and well she wasn't entirely healthy right?
"He's missing, the adults say he's run away...but where to? I mean he isn't with you and that hufflepuff girl he's been mooning over hasn't answered his owls this summer...so...?" Eden asked tilting her head to one side. She then realized she'd been rude, ruining the game, or whatever was happening with all of her questions. Turning to the pro, Eden asked, "Can I play? I'm not the best flyer but I have my own broom and it's quite good." She said in a small but serious voice as she held out the expensive, carefully proportioned balanced broom. Sun light gleamed off the oak handle, not a scratch to be seen.
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Post by Ralin O'Faerlun on Aug 7, 2011 1:19:22 GMT -5
Ralin grinned at Theo. "Well as a matter o'fact..."
With timing befitting a Wronski-Feint move, a lean man trotted across the field towards the growing group. Fawn hair styled up in a distinctive fauxhawk, a bright smile on his face, and a pro-quality broom slung across one shoulder, Dash Fairborne practically bounced across the grass, exuding energy and cheer. "Someone call for another Chaser?" He called, waving with his free hand.
"Hey bro!" Ralin finally landed to pound his other brother on the back. "Just in time, I was about to be lunchmeat for these Beaters!"
Dash turned and gave Theo a hug and a slap on the back. "I've got your back, Luckster. We need jerseys for this team. Serious. Nuri!"
She too got a hug from Dash before he turned and smiled at the group, clapping his hands together. Then a petite voice called out to them. "Love, you can play anytime! You look like a Seeker to me. Fast as a sparrow!" he welcomed Eden, and Ralin grinned in agreement.
"Nice broom lass, ye'll be flyin' circles around Nuri here." Ralin winked at the young woman cheekily.
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Post by Theo Bowre on Aug 7, 2011 18:32:54 GMT -5
"Your brother's missing?" Theo gave Eden a sympathetic and concerned look, finding himself quickly pre-empted by the presentation of a rather immaculate Nimbus broom. The oak ride glistened in the sun and made his look worn, despite the fact that it was practically new. "Are you serious? Now that's impressive." He didn't know what else he was expecting. Eden's fine flying robes were perfectly tailored and exact. Not that he was one to judge, but he considered that her family likely had money. Most kids started on a wee Firebolt.
He was about to welcome Eden to the game when a familiar English lilt chirped in from the field. Theo spun around to see Dash Fairborne, a celebrated Chaser from the English National team. Ralin wasn't kidding about bringing out the big guns (Ralin being included in that category). Theo accepted Dash's hug and returned it. They were opponents on the field and mates off of it. Ralin had introduced them years earlier and a friendship quickly formed, mostly from a mutual love for their little Irish friend.
He agreed with Fairborne's suggestion of playing Eden as a seeker.
"Nice broom lass, ye'll be flyin' circles around Nuri here."
"Hey, watch what you say about Miss Elswyth there, flyboy. She's got moves you've never seen and there's a whole world of hurting in it for you." Theo winked at Ralin and Fairborne, taking to the sky on his Nimbus Squall to stretch out a few kinks in his muscles.
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Post by Siara Brightweather on Aug 8, 2011 18:55:15 GMT -5
"Any more chatter and the day will be over before you know it!"
The lean figure of Hogwarts' Headmistress shot towards them. She landed gracefully, her short silver hair windswept, golden eyes bright with anticipation. "Keeper reporting for duty!" She said, saluting Nuriko. "Sorry I'm late, had to deal with a shipment of quills that ended up being dried newts instead."
Siara was quite casual in an outfit of worn jeans, tshirt, and sneakers. But her hands were covered in Keeper's mitts, and she had leather pads on her shoulders, chest, and legs.
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Post by Ralin O'Faerlun on Aug 10, 2011 23:05:23 GMT -5
Ralin grinned and took off after Theo, waving to the Headmistress as she arrived. "Aye she's right! We've got enough to start, how about it?"
Dash gave Elle a firm one-armed hug and pointed to a little knoll across the field. "How about you watch us from there, it should be a good view." Then he snagged a quaffle and hopped onto his broom, pushing off from the springy ground smoothly.
"Hey Luckster, heads up!" The bright red orb of the quaffle arched towards the Irish young man, which he snagged deftly with one hand.
"Yo Nuri and Theo, where's our markers?" Ralin called to his friends. "We can conjure a glowing circle for the hoops. How about those trees over there for the boundary?"
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Post by Nuriko Elsywth on Aug 11, 2011 21:05:59 GMT -5
Nuri snorted at the image of her awkward potions teacher playing quidditch. “HIM?” She laughed, shaking her head. “Naw, he may be becoming head of house but he’s s-- sure to fall off a broom.”
She shook her head, long blue-bronze hair sprouting and whipping past her ears. Riko captured the flyaway strands and started braiding them into a thick rope. She twisted the ends expertly, tying it off with ease. “Hey Elle!” She greeted the healer with a smile.
Beater was hard work, and she often ended up in the infirmary after a tough match. She touched her slightly crooked nose with a wink at the healer. She lay her broom down and started her stretches.
"NURI! Have you seen Emery?"
Nuri’s braid whipped around her and she fell flat on her butt. “Oww.” She complained, feeling the unexpected stretch in her hamstrings. “No, I haven’t.” She said in a more reasonable tone than the child had used as Eden moved closer. She resumed the runner’s stretch she had been doing when Eden startled her, switching to the other leg.
"He's missing, the adults say he's run away...but where to? I mean he isn't with you and that hufflepuff girl he's been mooning over hasn't answered his owls this summer...so...?"
“So, that’s not like him…” She frowned, standing. She swung her arms, the muscles feeling comfortably warmed. Suddenly an arm dropped around her shoulders and she looked up into the a familiar blonde face. Familiar because she had often seen it on posters and in photos and at games, but never in person.
Nuri knew Theo from a quidditch camp last summer, but she was still in awe of his professional skills. Now, faced with another professional quid player, who was addressing her quite as if he knew her, her mouth opened and stayed open. She stood like that until Theo snapped her out of it.
"Hey, watch what you say about Miss Elswyth there, flyboy. She's got moves you've never seen and there's a whole world of hurting in it for you."
“Right on!” Riko whistled up her own broom, worn but still serviceable. It was an old Nimbus 3500, but still an excellent broom and she found the increased drag from its age often useful in the sky. She hopped onboard and shot upwards, returning the strange woman’s salute.
“Yeah, sounds good t’me.” The hayfield was almost exactly the right size for a quidditch field, another reason why she’d chose it.
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