Flying lessons, take 2

[di_intraining]

WHO: Greg and Norman
TONE: Fun, learning.
RATING: G
WHEN: Backdated before the shadow event.
WHERE: Quidditch pitch
WHAT: Greg's teaching Norman how to play some Quidditch for the first time!
STATUS: Ongoing

[Greg stood up and stretched his arms, wincing at that crack sound before he shook his arms and finished the rest of his warm-ups. He was down early at the pitch, waiting for Norman to appear so that he could teach the first-year some basic Quidditch and flying. Next to Greg is a line-up of different brooms, all school property of course, but different brooms had different advantages and disadvantages, and it was important to find one that Norman was comfortable with riding.

The morning mist had just disappeared, leaving a trail of dew drops wherever Greg stepped as he looked out for the bitty Puff, that familiar thrill starting to appear as the appointed time neared and it was soon to be time to fly.]

Comments

[brokethecycle]

[Norman had been pretty hesitant about the idea of playing Quidditch. Sure, it looked fun from the bleachers, but it also looked pretty dangerous and he didn't know if he was quite up to snuff to take a hit from one of those bludgers, yikes.

However, his upperclassman insisted on at least giving it a shot and, while he was kind of worried, he did want to try. He wasn't bad at flying- he was still in the beginner classes obviously, being a first year, but he'd yet to have any bad accidents or fall off his broom.]

[He made his way into the pitch with urgency, taking care that he not be late. He didn't want to have Greg wait on him when he'd been nice enough to offer to teach him.]

[di_intraining]

[Greg greets Norman with a grin and a pat on the back.]

Good to see you here Norman. I'm glad you're on time! It's a good thing to start earlier in the day, when the sun's not too high up yet.

[Steering the smaller boy towards the line-up of brooms, Greg starts to point them out to him, one by one.]

That's the Comet, the Clean-sweep and the standard Shooting Star. Hogwarts also has some of the older models; the Tinderblast, the Swiftstick, and even the Silver Arrow, now that's an old broom. You probably rode the Shooting Star in your Flying class, so we might start with that first and see how you like it. Each broom is different after all, so we need to find the one you're comfortable with.

[brokethecycle]

[He smiled, if a bit nervously when Greg greeted him.] I didn't want to be late.

[He walked with him over to the line of brooms which he hadn't seen as he ran over. Wow there sure was a lot more to brooms than just getting on one and riding. He supposed he wasn't surprised. Quidditch is a popular sport so there's probably even sporting good stores for it.]

[He nods.]

Yeah, that one definitely looks like one of the brooms we used in class.

[He moved to stand over by it, holding his hand out.]

Should I go ahead and...?

[di_intraining]

[Greg takes a step back and nods.]

Show me what you can do.

[brokethecycle]

[He nodded and looked at the broom again. He narrowed his eyes in determination.]

Up!

[There was a pause, and it didn't move. A moment later it shot up into his hand. He grinned triumphantly and looked up at Greg.]

[di_intraining]

[Somewhat shaky, but it's a good start. Greg nodded encouragingly at Norman before he gestured at the area around them.]

Can you fly? If you could, kick off and do a round for me. It's ok to slow down if you feel like you're getting off balance, and if you need help at any time at all, just ask.

[brokethecycle]

[He nodded and quickly mounted his broom. He hesitated a moment tapping his fingers on the handle while he mentally prepared. Okay, just like in class.

A moment later he kicked off the ground and shot off into the sky. Once he ascended high enough he hesitated again, hovering in the air. His balance shook slightly before he commanded the broom forward and off he went. He did have to slow down a few times, especially when turning corners. When he looped back around to Greg, his balance shook again while he tried to brake.]

I'm not very good at landing!

[di_intraining]

Keep calm and take her down slow. There's no need to rush this, but it's important to not lose your cool. Don't be afraid to hit the ground either!

[Not too shabby; he could use a little polishing but he's got a good grasp on basic flying. Landing clearly needed work though.]

[brokethecycle]

[Norman really didn't want to hit the ground, but he nodded. He took a deep breath, gripped his broom handle hard and carefully tried to ease back down. Once he was about three feet away his broom suddenly dropped and he tumbled to the ground. He picked himself back up and grumbled.]

Dumb broom.