Quote:
Originally Posted by
sweetpinkpixie 
As satisfying as it was seeing so many younger students gathered for Gobstones tryouts, Nyle couldn't help the more somber hang of his shoulders.
One last time.
Nyle lingered near the back of the line for a moment, hands tucked into his robes as he looked over the hopeful faces around him. Some he'd spent time mentoring over the past term or two — showing them how to judge a shot, when to take an extremely calculated risk, and most importantly... how to laugh when a perfectly reasonable strategy ended with a Gobstone splattering someone directly in the face.
He hoped he'd managed to kindle something in them. Something that would remain after he was gone from these stone corridors. An interest. A fondness for the sport. The sort of spark that made someone want to keep playing and not give up even when the odds were stacked against them and they were covered in foul smelling goo.
It certainly helped that the Junior Firecrabs had ended his final season with the team victoriously. He glanced toward the arena, where the familiar triangular arrangement of marbles waited beyond the line. It would be nice to graduate with Hufflepuff in first place.
Assuming, of course, that he made the team again.
His stomach gave a small, thoroughly unhelpful twist that, thankfully, did not encourage his pre-tryout banana to make an appearance.
The lanky blond exhaled through his nose and gave himself a full-body shake. There was no point worrying about it before he'd even picked up a gobstone. The seventh year was always particularly good at giving advice... and not the best at taking his own.
He stepped forward when the line began to move, rubbing his palms together once before reaching into the box. His fingers moved through the marbles until he selected one at random, lifting it into the light for a brief inspection ― though he really was not sure what he was looking for, if anything.
With a faint smile, Nyle tucked it into his palm and waited his turn ― and quietly cheered on housemates Beatrice and Miguel, of course. When it came, the Hufflepuff stepped over the line and rolled his shoulders once, Gobstone nestled carefully between his index and middle fingers. He studied the arrangement ahead of him for a few seconds, gauging the distance and angle before drawing his arm back. With one final breath, he released the stone with a smooth, confident flick of his wrist ― more fast-growing vine that may or may not have ransacked the Hufflepuff common room than a seedling beginning to poke out of the soil ― and watched closely as it skimmed across the wood toward the clustered marbles...
An expert, this one. The presentation. The subtle and smoothness of the marble as it rolled ahead. It curved with the edges before sinking towards the middle.
COLLIDE
The marbles went into every direction within the circle before falling into the hole... all but one. The lone marble was on the edge of the hole. It looked to be just a breath away from falling in. You got this?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Nordic Witch Watching how her marble shot forward, and hit the marbles where 4 of them actually fell down into holes made Mira beam with pride as she started to jump up and down on the spot, and chiming out totally exstatic "I did it! I hit 4 marbles." Yes, she knew she hadn't hit all of them, but this was her first ever attempt at the sport so give a girl some credit.
There were still 6 marbles on the court, still scattered about, but Mira felt a little more confident that she would at least be able to hit maybe 3 of them into holes with her next marble toss. It required aiming and thought she knew as she studied the challenging pattern of marbles.
When it was her turn again, Mira picked another dark blue, and silvery marble from the chest. It was best not to change a lucky marble. Going up to the designated line she aimed carefully again, and released her new marble with a little more force this time. Maybe more force would help with hitting more marbles in one turn?
This shot had more force in it for sure. A little too much, but the intention was there as it rounded the remaining marbles.
Four seemed to be their number, as two remained for them to hit now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
FearlessLeader19
Nebula’s words jolted him out of his thoughts, most of which were about strategy. “You should definitely choose the prettiest marble of the bunch. Like I’d tell your dad, the prettiest marble for the prettiest girl.” And then enjoy watching Mr. Curious’ eyes flash and Grandma Sterope looking like she wanted to hex him into oblivion. But he did mean it when he told Neb she deserved the nice looking marbles. “Ignore you? Please, who can ignore you with your loud mouth?” Laughing, he nudged her with his shoulder. She’d know he was teasing her. “Yup, thanks.’’ Harv did a little hair flip. “You too, maybe more than me.” No one should ever underestimate Nebula Curious. Now he took the time to look around at the hopefuls. There was a lot more now that there had been when he initially showed up at the arena. He flashed them all a chill smile.
And now that he had taken that shot…
Harv was truly unsurprised that he had hit seven. He eyed the three unlucky ones, attempting to brainstorm how he would have possibly hit them all with another shot. True, he’d have to join the line again but still…. maybe the next time he’d have better luck.
Anyway, at least for now while he waited, he’d get to watch the others - particularly Neb and Saina. He knew both girls were keen on moving up from being reserves.
Then, before he knew it, it was his turn again. After selecting another marble, he stepped up to the starting point. Eyes on the prize, the Ravenclaw took another well-aimed go.
Well-aimed, more like well intended... no wait, it actually was good. The marble at first hit the edge of one of the three. But the momentum caused the other two to spin the opposite direction.
One down... two down... three.
The marbles reset, this time in the shape of a Diamond.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
QueenPhoenix OWL year behind her and it was time for Kara to focus on Gobstones again and perchance bringing the Gobstones cup back to Gryffindor. Or perhaps it was merely a fluke that her house had won early in her education? Not seeing any familiar housemates, her eyes went to the arenas wondering if Diego was there?
Maybe it was a good thing with no friends watching. She could focus on her form, something that was severely lacking in her last few matches with both Gryffindor and the Junior Hippogriffs. She still needed to make time to meet with her new Head of House. Something she was seriously dreading. It wasn't anything against Professor Voss, but Kara was a creature of habit and it had taken her five years to feel comfortable with Professor Feirgrund.
Stepping forward once it was her turn, she observed the arrangement for a split second but being how she was never the overthinker, she tossed it without too much more thought and waited, not even realizing she'd been holding her breath.
Overthinking has its strengths and its weakness. What would win out today? Let's see...
The toss didn't have any well intention, it skipped a few times hitting one of the marbles before going out of bounds. The marbles reacted from the impact going down the hole...
Leaving just one remaining. 9 out 10 completed, not bad. Care to try again?