Open Hufflepuff Practice Y36 S1

[Arvel Ayers]

Hufflepuff,Practice
It was pouring with rain. Had the match against Slytherin been any further away, Arvel would have suggested delaying practice, but they didn't have much time, and the team needed to be well-rested before the real game. Besides, if they could play in weather like this, a match in clear conditions would be a breeze - and if it rained for the rest of the week, they'd have experience playing with poor visibility. It was a win-win situation. Still, Arvel did feel sorry for the team as he waited on the pitch, soaked to his skin. His kit clung to him everywhere. Even darker clouds yet rolled in from the east, heavy and bulging. He could only pray it wasn't about to storm.

Out of Character:

Arrivals only please! The practice game will begin in the next day or two.

 

[Abian Hunter]

Abian groaned as he looked out of the window and saw the rain pouring outside. But he knew that they had to practice if they wanted to stand a chance against Slytherin. Abian headed over to the pitch, hugging himself as the rain soaked into his robes. He still attempted to smile at Arvel, though it was a bit weak. "Hey cap, nice weather." He joked to his friend.

 

[Ilija Olaf]

Ilija wasn’t sure how he felt about playing in the rain. Really the idea he could fall of his broom was even more of a possibility so he wasn’t going to need to be extra careful. He made his way down to the pitch with the rest of the team, grimancing as he stood in the rain and just waited to hear whether they’d be expected to play in this.

 

[Analei Westwick]

Analei wasn't usually one that liked being in the rain, but it was just exciting today, to practice Quidditch in the pouring rain. She definitely agreed with the sentiment that if they could play today, they could play anytime! So there she stood next to Arvel, her best friend and co captain, whether shaking with excitement or the cold she wasn't sure, but a huge smile on her face, waiting for the rest of the team to join them.

 

[Elliot Briar]

The weather was dreadful and Elliot had been glad to set aside some time before practice so he could do his best effort at impervious-ing all his gear. It wouldn't keep him totally dry, but he hoped it would make practice feel less miserable and keep the rain out of his eyes so he could see the snitch a little better. He knew they needed the practice, the idea of not trying to squeeze in any more time on the pitch before their game against the reigning champions made his guts squirm, but the dumping rain made Elliot feel a little hopeless about today's practice.

 

[Connor Holland]

Connor had been nervous ever since the team announcements had come, feeling all at once like he had made a huge, horrible mistake. What did he think he was doing, trying out for quidditch? He was going to get killed. He knew Eric was proud of him for getting out there, but it still very much felt like this was going to be how he died. The rain as he trudged across the pitch was somehow strangely calming though. The mud caking his boots reminded Connor fondly of rugby practices, and it centered him, reminding Connor he had done this a thousand times before. Yes, Quidditch was a very different game to rugby, but sports were sports, and this was where he belonged. Somewhat calmed at the thought, Connor joined his new teammates and waited for the practice to begin.

 

[Amy Jewel]

Amy wasn't too excited to play in the rain, but when she thought about the idea of having practiced it, she was a little excited. It was always possible that they'd have to play a match in the rain, and this was a great time to figure out what that was like. She smiled at the team when she got there, hoping that the flying would distract her from the shivering.

 

[Lauren Carter]

Lauren was glad she could practice again. She liked Quidditch it was her outlet valve and she hoped Hufflepuff did better this year. And she could become better. But it was terrible weather. Why did it rain?! Lauren was a bit grumpy when it rained but on the other hand it was just how her life was. Her break had been terrible although there was an tiny piece of light in the dark tunnel. But she didn't knew how to start with finding help. She had to be carefull and observe people and see who she could trust. And that was an big something for the blonde.

The blonde joined the team on the pitch and hoped that they would start soon. This weather was the worst. But they had to practice in this as well. She smiled shortly to the captains and the rest. Lauren hadn't been really opening up to them and she was wondering if they even knew she was in the team. But she tried to open up and make contact with people. But it went on her own tempo.

 

[Analei Westwick]

As the rest of the team arrived, Analei grinned at everyone. She wasn't sure if they could see her through the rain, but she hoped the feeling was there all the same. "Alright guys!" She yelled. "Welcome to our new players! Everyone make them feel welcome, and help them out! If we can play in this, we can play in anything! You know what to do!" Analei called to them, not really having much of a chance to explain more. They would have a friendly team competition practice later in the year, but for now, they just had to hone in on their skills. Analei took to the sky, searching for a bludger straight away.

 

[Elliot Briar]

Elliot was relieved they didn't spend too long going over warm-ups or team stuff before getting into practice. He wasn't even sure it was possible to be properly warmed up with the rain like this, so he just did his best to listen to Analei as she got them started before kicking off hoping the snitch wouldn't be impossible to find with the low visibility.

 

[Arvel Ayers]

Arvel nodded hello to each teammate as they arrived. He wanted to say something more - maybe apologise for what an awful captain he'd been - but he didn't feel like yelling over the rain, so he let Analei lead. And then he was up in air, rain driving at his face like cold needles.

 

[Ilija Olaf]

Luckily they didn’t spend too long standing there in the rain, before suddenly they were off. Ilija took up his position in front of the hoops and braced himself for the Quaffle coming his way.

 

[Elliot Briar]

Elliot was glad the impervious charm was helping keep him a little drier, but it was still miserably cold as he circled the pitch. He was trying to stick with his usual slow, methodical scanning for the snitch but it was hard not to feel like it was a little pointless with the rain making it so hard to see his teammates let alone anything else.

 

[Lauren Carter]

Lauren listened as Analei spoke and she was her fellow beater. She sort of had to make contact with her as they could play together as an team. And Lauren would try to. And speak later or something. Analei was also headgirl and Lauren figured that was an big responsibility. She jumped on her broom quickly as they started and took her beaters bat in her right hand and than flew off to spot bludgers.

 

[Arvel Ayers]

Quickly after gaining possession of the quaffle, Arvel dropped it. The rain was making it impossible to focus on anything, and everything was slippery - including his broom. He squinted downwards, hoping someone beneath him would catch it.

 

[Elliot Briar]

Elliot ducked when he thought he heard the telltale sound of a bludger going past, though he wasn't able to spot anything when he squinted through the rain. Taking a moment to try and brush back his hair from where it was plastered to his forehead, Elliot shook his head, continuing his soggy sweep for the snitch.

 

[Abian Hunter]

Abian was eager to get started even with the rain, and flew over to Arvel once things started. He winced as the boy dropped the quaffle, swooping down to grab it himself. He started moving in the direction of the hoops Ilija was guarding.

 

[Analei Westwick]

A bludger flew towards Analei but she managed to hit it away from her. It came to her as a surprise, it was difficult to see anything in this weather, which made it hard for her to protect her team (or even aim the bludger at someone).

 

[Elliot Briar]

Even with his robes charmed, Elliot could feel the rainwater trickling past his collar and down his back. It was frustratingly distracting and Elliot tried to keep his cool and just patiently scan for the snitch despite his discomfort urging him to find it faster. Part of it was the rain, but Elliot couldn't deny he was nervous about their game against Slytherin. Not only was the team notoriously ruthless, but he was distinctly aware that he would be going toe to toe against Blake this year, which was even more unsettling than any of the other seekers in the school.

 

[Connor Holland]

The rain continued to be strangely comforting to Connor as he kicked off with the rest of the team, bat in hand as he soared into the air. It was difficult to see, but he was used to playing rugby in awful conditions, and mud in the eyes was much more difficult to see through than this. Still, he heard before he saw a bludger nearby, hit by one of the other beaters he would guess from the speed. He shot after it and gave it another hit, pleased to see the ball flying through the air. It was much too hard to really try and target another player, but he was pleased to have at least done the hitting part right.

 

[Elliot Briar]

It seemed counter intuitive to stay still for too long in the rain, but after checking for bludgers, Elliot pulled up to a stop, hovering over the pitch as he tried to peer across the pitch for any sign of movement from the snitch. He was already wet and zipping around the pitch blindly was only going to make that worse. Catching a glimpse of something by the North hoops, Elliot made a move that way, hopeful it might be the snitch.

 

[Amy Jewel]

Amy tried to think again about the positives of practicing in the rain, but after flying for a few minutes and not being able to see anything, she decided to think about something else. When she heard someone hit a bludger, she was amazed they had been able to see it flying towards them. Flying behind Abian, she hoped that when it was her turn, that she wouldn't lose grip off the Quaffle, even though she was expecting it to happen.

 

[Elliot Briar]

Darting over the North hoops, Elliot was disappointed but not surprised to have lost sight of whatever movement he'd seen. If the snitch had actually been here, it was gone now, and Elliot resigned himself to another cold, wet lap of the pitch to get back on track.

 

[Connor Holland]

Connor was having trouble seeing the balls through the rain, flying onwards in the hope of spotting something he could hit, though he wasn't having any luck.

 

[Elliot Briar]

Elliot had paused again to try and wrangle a wet sleeve back off his hands when he saw movement again out of the corner of his eye. Expecting another bludger, Elliot was already preemptively flinching when he realized it was the snitch, seeming to be having as much trouble in the rain as they were. Not wasting another moment fussing with his robes, Elliot shot after it, cursing at the splatter of rain in his face. It was hard to tail the snitch much with the rain, but Elliot had managed to catch it by surprise, feeling the flood of relief as his fingers closed around it and he was able to raise it up in a little victory shake so the captains could see. He didn't expect them to call practice early despite the weather with such an important game coming up though, so after a moment to catch his breath, Elliot released the snitch back out into the rain.