Moving Targets ((QSC Keepers))

[Lacey Parkin]

Lacey snapped the gum that was in her mouth as she walked onto the Quidditch pitch. It was another day for one of the skills cup challenges. Lucky for her, she had the smallest group. Apparently not many people were interested in the position of Keeper. Perhaps it didn't come with as much glitz and glamour as the other positions, but she didn't care. To be a good Keeper, you had to be focused, quick, and willing to throw yourself in front of the Quaffle at any cost. And, while you may not add to the scoreboard, you could certainly keep the opponent from adding to theirs. In her eyes, offence won matches, but a good defence was what won you a championship.

Today though, the Keepers would be working on an overlooked skill in the realm of hoop-defending. A mistake that so many rookie Keepers tended to make was their bad passing. And, when you're a Keeper, you can't afford to make a bad pass. "Wright, St. John, and Manning!" she shouted, gathering her trio of trainees. "Five targets, hit them all. The idea is to make quick and accurate passes. We all know that a flubbed pass near your own goal posts can be detrimental. Therefore, the first one to make their five accurate passes and hit each of the targets will win this challenge." She tossed them each a Quaffle and pointed them to their own individual group of targets. "Oh, and one more thing. You can't move once you've found your spot in the air. You can only spin in place. Any questions? No? Good. Then go!"

((Since Keepers need to be most accurate in passing (since an intercepted pass near the goals can be detrimental for them), this challenge has them fly in a stationary position while 5 enchanted targets fly all around them. With an unlimited amount of Quaffles at their grasp, the Keepers must hit each of the moving targets. The Keeper who hits all five of them the fastest will win. Their Concentration, Handling, and Agility will be added to 5 D6 rolls. The overall highest total will be the winner. You have until Aug. 11 to make your post.))

[Seth Wright]

Despite the fact that this was his final task for the Quidditch Skills Cup, Seth was just as nervous as he had been the first time he had walked onto the Quidditch pitch, mentally and physically preparing to take on two competitive Slytherins he was not confident he could beat. Looking at Adalia and Drake now, standing in close proximity to him, Seth did not feel anymore confident, despite the fact Adalia was over a head shorter than him and looked perfectly innocent, and Drake's concentration seemed furthest away from flying, with the near-constant distant gleam in his eyes that indicated his attention was focused on other things - or people. Seth did not take note of this, however, because he was too busy psyching himself up to perform for the Quidditch Skills Cup one last time. He would be glad to get it over and done with.

Seth didn't even like competition, and the results of the Keepers' activities so far reflected his nerves and lack of confidence. However, Adalia and Drake were not frightening Slytherin bullies, which had helped calm Seth considerably since the first task. Still, Adalia was a prissy princess and Drake moody and simmering, and Seth made a conscious effort to keep his mouth shut around them, lest he rouse anger, annoyance or a violent beating. He could probably take Adalia, but Seth would never hit a girl; and there was no chance in a fist fight that he would against Drake. Seth was keen to remain on the neutral side of both Slytherins. His goal in this competition was to make it out alive, therefore no mindless babble and no blips of concentration.

Seth was all ears as Lacey Parkin, the Keeper of the Wigtown Wanders, explained the task. It sounded simple in comparison to what they had done so far, but Seth gave an inward groan. As a Keeper, his best move was defending hoops, not passing or shooting. His aim wasn't the best, and it had taken practice of his reaction times for his goalkeeping to be up to scratch like Kael's. "I am going to suck," he mumbled to himself darkly, but nevertheless mounted his broom and flew towards his position. "Here goes." With his first Quaffle in hand, Seth took a short breath and began, flying towards the first target.

[Drake Manning]

Drake made his way quietly to the pitch. Another challenge, and another chance for him to get some fresh air. He wasn't really concerned with doing well at this point, but since he'd signed up for the Cup, he knew he was obligated to make it to the challenges. He hardly wanted Mary coming to fetch him from the common room because he had skipped out.

His mind was in a million other places though, and so when the Keeper from the Wanderers was giving instructions, he was thinking of other things. Things like India, of course. But beyond her, he was thinking about school ending soon. He'd be graduated, which meant he'd need a plan. But, being Drake, he hadn't even the slightest plan for his life after Hogwarts.

At the command to go, Drake wasn't really sure still what they were doing. He took to the air though, following the lead of Adalia and Seth. When they were all in place, he realized that there were a dozen or so magically floating Quaffles beside him. And then, swirling around him, he saw half a dozen targets. It seemed common sense at that point, but Drake was somewhat confused why Beaters would be throwing Quaffles at targets. Sure, they had to pass on occasion in a match, but shouldn't this primarily be a skill for Chasers?

Wanting to just get it over with, Drake took the first Quaffle and threw it at the whistle. It missed. Great. Taking another, he threw it and managed to hit (just barely) the one target. That was better. Drake continued the process, though without much enthusism, until he had hit each target. At that point, he wasn't really sure if he had finished in a decent time or not. Frankly, he didn't care. What was a trip to the States for him anyways? Aside from another new place to hook up with different women and get drunk. Phfft, he could do that anywhere else in the world. He didn't need a special trip to do it.

[Lacey Parkin]

Lacey watched with a keen eye as the three Keepers began hurling Quaffles at the targets. It was an amusing feat to spectate, and she noted that the largest of the three (the male Slytherin) was having the most trouble. He seemed completely out of his league as the other two were having much more success. It seemed though that the girl was having a bit more luck than she was demonstrating skill. Some of the successful hits surprised Lacey. However, in the end, it was the Hufflepuff male who won the challenge by inching a victory as he hit his fifth target just seconds before the Slytherin female.

"And that's that!" Lacey yelled, calling them down. "It seems Mr. Wright here is our champion, earning three points for today's match. Ms. St. John came in second with two points, and Mr. Manning finished third with a point. Adding those to the previous round, it seems that Ms. St. John is our champion with 5 points. And, Mr. Wright will be the alternate Keeper. Well done to the three of you, and I'm sorry Mr. Manning that you will not be joining the team in the States." Lacey couldn't help but notice that he didn't seem too bothered by this. At least the two that wanted it the most seemed to have advanced to make the team. For this, she was pleased.

((Con+Han+Ag+D6+D6+D6+D6+D6= Total
Adalia did not get her stats since she did not post.

Chace Seth!: 5+3+1+1+6+3+1+3=23
Drake: 1+3+3+3+2+3+3+1=19
Adalia: 0+0+0+4+6+1+6+5=22

Previous points:
Adalia- 3
Drake- 2
Seth- 1

Points this round:
Seth- 3
Adalia- 2
Drake -1

Total Points:
Adalia- 5
Seth - 4
Drake - 3

Thus, Adalia is the starting Keeper for the all-star team and Seth is the alternate. Thanks for participating! ))