Forrest blinked at Tobias. "I haven't, yeah." But he didn't need to fly to know he was horrible. He just felt it. Tobias wouldn't understand it, though. He was a pureblood, and was significantly better at magic. Forrest did his best not to feel bad about being a muggleborn again, and focused on Tobias' words instead.

You know what? They seemed to work.

No offense Minerva and Ella, but hearing encouraging words from the best mate was far more effective than hearing it from older people. Forrest smiled faintly and watched curiously as Tobias got on his broom and took off. He knew how to take off, he'd read it in a book. After a few seconds of hesitation, he threw one leg over his school broom and hit the ground lightly with his feet. Wow.

WOWOWOWOW. HE WAS FLYING!

He wanted to turn to view Hogwarts too, but he couldn't. Right now, he was busy with freaking out. He was barely two metres off the ground, but it felt like miles. His heart was beating far faster than what was healthy, and his feet just dangled from his broom. He was afraid he would fall if he tried to put them onto the foot-hold.

"How--how did you put yout foot there?" He was both frightened and thrilled. This was actually better than he'd expected.

Hearing Forrest's voice again, and becoming slightly confused as to what he was on about (foot? what?), Tobias turned himself back around, and what him saw gave him the widest grin. BRILLIANT! They were flying! Together!

But the question made sense. First time Tobias ever climbed onto a broom, he was absolutely convinced that something would go wrong and he would drop out of the air, or that the second he shifted position he'd slide sideways and either fall off or end up clinging on to the broom upside down like a sloth. Forrest's nerves were totally understandable.

"You can just move your foot until you find the foot hold," he explained patiently. His left leg was still dangling, but he left it there. "The broom won't shoot off or anything if you just shift around on them. I bounce on them all the time," Tobias added, trying to kind of make Forrest seem a little more comfortable. "We're not that high up, so unless you have a real problem with heights-" Was that likely? Considering they were flying? "-you can look down and find the foothold. It's a bit quicker that way. It gets easier once you're used to the broom a bit." Everything was, you know?

Tobias paused a minute and looked at Forrest. Here. Flying. He'd worried that he'd never get his best mate up in the air, but this was brilliant. He raised his own foot and rest it on the goblin-made ironwork footrest of his own broom and pushed himself up a little straighter. "What do you wanna try first?" Fly up and down the pitch at this level, hover where they were for a bit longer, or have a race to see who could fly through the highest goalhoop first? Errr... maybe not the last one.

badger people
 

Ella could tell that Forrest was nervous and as Tobias was doing a ridiculously good job of helping him feel comfortable, the blonde simply stood back and watched. She was there in case anything went wrong but yeah, bouncy badger could help out the bestie.

Mounting her own broom finally, she kicked off gently and hovered several feet about the ground, smiling to herself. It was SO good to be back in the air. SO GOOD.

And Captain was still watching, yeah? Hopefully not too obviously but she was interested and found the whole Tobias teaching Forrest thing kind of adorable. Just saying.

Whistleeeee.

Move foot, got it. Forrest started to move his left foot higher slooooowly as he kept eyeing Tobias. If he fell off, his best mate would catch him yeah? Especially with his new, fast broom?

...bounce? What? Was he required to bounce too?!?!?!

Good thing Tobias was speaking fast, because if Forrest wasn't distracted, he would have a heart-attack. His foot had stopped its journey up although it was only a few centimetres away from the foot-hold. He looked better now as Tobias talked, though. "I'm not, really... I've never been." But he'd always been on concrete buildings too, whereas this was only a thin, wooden stick.

Tobias had mentioned precautions on brooms themselves? Just WHAT kind of precautions, exactly? Like those in jet-skis? Would he look stupid if he tied his ankle to the broom?

He peeked down at his feet, and finally--slooooowly though--managed to put them on foot-holds. PHEW! He grinned at Tobias, although the latter would probably think it wasn't an achievement at all. Well... as for what to do...

"Um... what do you usually do?" He only knew the basic broom controls. Tobias was the one who knew tricks and pastime broom activities.

*squints* we seeeeeeee you ella :3
 

Tobias didn't believe for a second that anything would go wrong whilst Forrest tried to find the foothold thingamajig, but he paid attention and made sure he was ready just in case that DID happen or in case Forrest freaked out a bit. But he was doing pretty good now that he was actually IN the air. Result!

Beaming widely at his best friend when he'd found the footholds, because it WAS a big thing when you were flying for the first time, Tobias bounced a little bit. He couldn't help it, y'know. His broom stayed still, for the most part, though.

"Well," he said finally, maneuvering the broom slightly so he could see more of the pitch a bit. "Usually when I practice on my own, I try to do as many laps of the pitch in about ten minutes. Or I like to see how fast I can go."

It was a moment or two before Tobias realised it might sound like he was suggesting they start with that, so he hurried on. "Do you want to try flying around the pitch at this level first, just to get the hang of it? Then you can speed up a bit, and maybe try flying a bit higher if you like."

Tobias had no idea that Forrest had put his name down for tryouts, and therefore had no idea just what KIND of practice Forrest had in mind. He glanced around again and his gaze fell upon Ella. He gave here a wide, toothy grin and a wave, before looking back to Forrest, wondering if, once he'd mastered flying a little, whether he wouldn't mind if they flew with Ella (and was that Minera over there too? Awesome!) too.

Us toooo, Ella and Minerva!
 

...as many laps as... go fast...

Forrest honestly didn't think--oh, they didn't have to do those, of course! He breathed and smiled in relief.

"Yes, please." Fly at this level, then maybe a bit faster. Maybe. Did he really need to fly fast for Quidditch? He'd seen Alec fly awfully fast. Hmm... he couldn't be sure whether he really wrote his name down for try outs or not, though. It might have been just a bad dream. Yeeeeah... he had to check the list. And hide in Forbidden Forest if his name was there.

Tobias had been helpful enough already and Forrest didn't want to tire him more, so he simply leaned forward a little and started going at a nice, SAFE speed away from the castle. Tobias was coming, yes? YES?!

"Ella Minerva loooook I'm fly--woooow!" He'd raised his left hand to wave at them, but the broom shook only a liiiittle at that moment as if it warned him.

Both hands on the broom. Got it.

Epic Fail.. so sorry.. The badgers!
 

Minerva kicked off and followed Ella flying around watching Toby and Forrest. Smiling at them both. Forrest was doing really well.. See.. see Forrest Minerva knew he would be great. She just knew. She gasped as Forrest lifted his hand and it looked as if he might fall. "Nice save kiddo.." She beamed at him. "You are doing wonderful"

She leaned forward and headed across the pitch a bit giving Toby a wave as she passed him. It was nice to get back up in the air she couldn't wait for tryouts and all that jazz. Watching Forrest closely making sure he didn't get hurt she was proud of him for doing so well. She knew he was super nervous, but look he was doing it.


Smiling towards Ella again she hoped they were alright now, but also knew it might take time for her friend to really be happy with her again. Leaning to the left she started back across the pitch closer the the group.

We see youuuuuu!
 

Ella smiled back at Tobias, returning the wave. He was doing a really good job of making Forrest feel comfortable, it seemed. She was glad to see it and took the opportunity to fly a little higher, speeding up a bit as she went.

And then there was an excited Forrest and the captain GRINNED, giving him a thumbs up. She stifled a giggle when he tried to wave, knowing that this wasn't the best idea. It was good for him to learn, though. He'd know to be careful next time. BEAM. "You're doing brilliantly, Forrest!" True story.

Minnie got smiles too for reasons. She wasn't mad, not even a little bit. She just wanted the older puff to take care of herself, is all.

So why was the pitch so crowded anyways? High above now, West could see there were just a whole heap of people down below, and it was odd. Usually it was pretty well empty this early in the term, which was part of why he liked coming here. He pressed the back of his arm against his eyes and then angled his broom downward and began hurtling directly toward the ground below.

Was that a bird? Was that a plane? PFFT NO! It was WITCH EATER!

Little Miss Campbell watched as the figure on a broom came zooming closer towards her. The broom was what really had her attention though, till Alice hung upside down from it. Then her eyes went straight to the red badged captain girl.

What a witch! Like seriously! Brooms. Could things get any more witchy?Abbi sighed. She wanted wings not brooms. Oh well. If this meant she could fly then so be the broom. It would do. Cause guess what?

FLYYYIIIIIING. Anything was good enough to make her fly!

Therefore nod, nod. "Yesums, Witch Eater!" She pulled a tough face at Alice. "Do I get a witchy broom, that's really not fairy-like?" EXTRA emphasis on the fact that it wasn't fairy-like because that MATTERED. Yep.

how did this get so long o__O
 

Oh. Okay. Forrest was eager, it seemed.

Tobias turned his broom around and caught up the short distance he needed to go, and then flew alongside Forrest. He had just opened his mouth, as Forrest waved, to mention that maybe kind of getting used to just flying was a good idea at first before going hands-free, but Forrest seemed to work out that much on his own.

He GRINNED as the girls shouted their compliments out to Forrest. As a Best Friend (hopefully), Toby automatically felt awesome when Forrest was the one doing the things that warranted feeling awesome. It wasn't something you had to do BECAUSE you were a Best Friend, but it was one of the things happened naturally that just kind of led to that friend status, y'know? Or maybe it was more how to tell when someone ELSE was your Best Friend... it was difficult, and Tobias decided to stop being so Ravenclaw about it.

"Awesome," Tobias nodded, commenting on the flying from both of them so far, synchronised and whatever. "You just speed up when you're ready, yeah? And I'll follow." Okay? Because Tobias was prepared to be patient. He was improving at the whole 'patience thing'.

Aaaaaaaand were the girls gonna follow too, or join in later when it got a bit higher up and stuff and Forrest felt confident. More confident than he did NOW that is, 'cause Tobias had to admit, he didn't foresee things going this smoothly, mainly because Forrest was usually quite anxious. But he was NOT going to argue; this was ideal.

As they flew, Tobias could hardly fail to notice that Slytherin, West Odessa. The pukey one from the match he'd commentated at, and various classes and such since then. He considered waving to the supah tall boy, because he'd claimed him as a friend during the commentating fun timez, but Toby realised it was probably best not to possibly distract West. Even if he did seem like an amazing flyer, distractions could still HAPPEN.

Happened to Toby all the time.

puffs as well still.. Grabbed West though b/c we never RP..
 

Minerva was watching her puffs, but wasn't really talking much. They seemed to be having fun and Toby was giving great advice to Forrest. Shew as so ready to see him at tryouts, she knew he was better than he thought. Flying around alone a bit she let her mind wonder off. Thinking of term and what had been going on so far.

Looping around the pitch a few times she was beginning to get lost in her flying and having fun with it. Still watching Ella and the boys she smiled towards them. "Forrest you're doing great! Toby and Ella seem to be great teachers for you." Yep they were doing an amazing job and no need for her to butt in at all.

Looking up she almost fell off her broom as she saw someone barreling towards the ground. What on earth.. She pulled her wand to help stop them if they were out of control. Just as she lifted her hand she noticed the person had his hand over his face. He was doing this on purpose. Well that was interesting. Tucking her wand back into it's holster she chuckled a bit when she saw it was West. He was a great flyer wasn't he. She couldn't help but clap at his little trick or practice whatever he was calling it. "Bravo" She was still chuckling over the panic she first had now knowing it was someone that knew what they were doing.

He was great.

He was GREAT!

Forrest grinned from ear to ear at the girls. He didn't bother to think whether they 'just said it' or meant it. He was GREAT either way. He kept his hands firmly on the broom this time, but managed to look sideways at Tobias and grinned too as his hair got inside his eye. He had to get that out. To move his hand or not? He hesitated, then resolved to shake his head vigorously. There. Better. He could now look at Tobias better.

"Yeah, let's speed a little then."

And he leaned sliiightly forward and sideways away from Tobias to turn around. The pitch was going to end soon and he didn't want to get too far away yet. Hopefully, Tobias would turn with him too. The wind was stronger now as he went faster--Tobias was following right?!--and his hair was all thrown back by it. Good.

"Race?" he called out. Hopefully, the wind would hide the anxiety in his voice. Flying with Tobias was great, but his friend was already amazing at flying and Forrest was sure he was about to die out of boredom. He had done something for Forrest, and now it was Forrest's turn to do something he enjoyed.

Race. Yes he could.

Great teacher. That was HIM.

And FORREST was a great FLYER.

EVERYTHING WAS COMING UP HUFFLEPUFF.

Tobias was flying alongside Forrest, just like he'd said he would. He WAS getting a little bit bored, but not so much that he wanted to stop flying with his best friend, and he didn't want to say so either. You know, MANNERS.

But then FORREST brought up the idea of having a race, and Tobias' practically face lit up. They were still close to the ground so it was quite safe. If Forrest fell - if EITHER of them fell - it wouldn't be fell. It was roughly this sort of height that Tobias had got used to braking on his Firebolt and that had turn up a couple of truly spectacular falls. Fun though.

Still. Not the point.

Point was they were having a RACE.

"Yeah, race!" Tobias said, and bounced a little bit 'cause he couldn't H E L P I T. Going fast sounded fun. "Okay... let's wait until we've turned at this end of the pitch, then race back to the other end, yeah?" That way there were no turns involved in the race 'cause fast turns might not be a good idea.

Yeah? COOL?

Toby waited until they had indeed made that turn, and when they were both hopefully straightened out, he put on a burst of speed to get to the other end quickquickquick.

Forrest grinned at his friend and nodded enthusiastically. He really meant racequickrace. He was a little bit worried--okay maybe he was so worried he couldn't breathe only through his nose--but the points were:

1) Tobias was excited.
2) Ella was here.
3) They were only 2 metres up in the air.

So racing it was.

"Alright," he agreed to his suggestion, and followed him till the end. Then he turned, and glanced sideways at--empty air.

WHOA WHAT RACE WAS ON.

Forrest leaned as forward as his waist would go. The broomstick was slow to speed up, but after a while it felt like he was doing 37902702 km/h. Was he catching up? Because he was way too fast for his own good and his stomach was all too willing to point it out.

What was the worst that could happen if he closed his eyes?

For West, all flying was fun flying, whether it was for practice or for sheer enjoyment, or for some more personal reasons like escapism and needing to have a moment for himself.

Today it was almost all of those things he had in mind, given he had a game to play this weekend, his first one since he got signed. It wasn't a league game, obviously, since the under seventeen's league ran during the summer months, but it still mattered and he was kinda nervous. Excited though because he was going to go to Armenia, which was kinda different and all.

He headed out to the pitch wearing his practice robes and mounted his broom. He had noticed pretty quickly that he wasn't alone, but it didn't matter. People could share the pitch easily without getting in each other's way. He did look to see who... that was Aidan. Definitely. West recognised the Ravenclaw's flying style. It was distinctive, did he know?

........ maybe he'd be up for a race. West flew over without saying anything. Air bonding, yo.

A few of 'hello's and smiles here and there FINALLY got Léa a pretty face human to hang out with. Sure she had French people to be friends with, but this was also a cultural trip and she wanted to interact with a Hogwarts student to see HOW they were. And their first meeting was on the Quidditch pitch.

He was clearly very fond of Quidditch.

Picking the best-looking broom with his help, she walked to the pitch and side-eyed him.

"Zank you for flying with me," she said with a small smile. It was best to thank him before she forgot.

So... it was weird meeting someone from one of the other schools. It was bound to happen, sure, he just hadn't expected this small encounter with one of the Beauxbatons girls. Not... that he was complaining, of course. The girl seemed nice and it seemed like she was a fan of Quidditch. Who said that getting to know one of the other competitors was a bad thing?

Exactly.

After helping her pick out the best school broom -- he... wasn't exactly going to let her ride around on a not-so-great one -- the boy walked by the French girl's side onto the pitch. "Anytime!" he said, grinning over at her, "Thanks for saying you'll fly with me." Since... he was the one who had asked and she was the one who agreed.

"So... Lea..." Nice name, that was. He... probably shouldn't mention anything along those lines, though. Just in case. "You want to get competitive or... just fly around for a bit?" Her call, this was. Nodnod.

Léa considered continuing thanking by stating he asked her to, but decided against it in the end. She had other means of flirting making a friend/whatever, and she simply looked at him pleasantly while he tried her name out again.

She smiled with a glint in her eyes. "Only an eediot would challenge such a talented seeker," she started her sweet compliments, "but I am also a leettle bored." So he should take care of that too. "Let's get competitive. You call the rules." Or no rules. His call, this was.

Flirting though XD
 

She had a nice smile, Lea did. He did notice the slight glint in her eye too. Were people really happy when that glint happened? Who knew. As for her compliments, the boy raised his eyebrows, slightly taken-aback. "You... you think I'm talented? Really?" Did that mean she had seen him playing?

... Try not to look too happy, Summers.

That ended up diminishing on its own when she mentioned that she was a little bored. If they were going to hang out, that was something he'd have to adjust. "Okay!" he said, looking away from her and up and down the pitch, "What say... we have a race? We fly from that end..." He nodded over towards the left side of the pitch. "... all the way round the goalposts on the other end and then back again?"

... "The winner... can make the loser do whatever they want?"

You're giving her ideas.
 

Léa smiled and nodded. "Really." That Ravenclaw seeker got it in the end, but she still thought Alec was better. She pretended not to notice the happiness, but it was a girl's job to notice emotions. She was happy, consequently. If she acted nice, life here would get better soon.

Her blue-green eyes followed the borders he pointed at in a serious manner. Race was serious.......especially if....that bet.....

It was going to be a hard decision between trying to really win or to lose on purpose.

Her lips curled into a small smile. "Game on," she said and without warning whatsoever, got on her broom and sped to the starting point. She wasn't going to wait for him there either, she just had to start from there. He should have stated that they start with a sign or something too. If he lost this race, it was his fault.

I'm not even sorry XD
 

Really. She said really. Which did make him happy, even if he was currently trying to hide it. Trying... and failing, it seemed. Not that he cared because she thought he was a good Seeker. This... was something he was going to wear on his chest for a while now.

... Ahem.

And did she like the idea of the race? GRIN. "Awesome!" See, maybe he wan't as boring as he-- HEY! Was she...? Before he could give any indication of starting, the girl was zooming off! Fumbling a bit, the boy swung his leg over his own broom and kicked off from the ground. He tried to catch up with her, even bending down over his broom and speeding off, but the head start must have been advantageous to her.

... Girls!

... Could he end up losing on purpose just to see what she'd end up making him do? Except... he didn't like the idea of losing. Decisions decisions.

Zoooooooooooooooom!

Léa didn't glance back because she knew PHYSICS which stated that turning her head to look back would make her lose some velocity, even though it was the broom going. But she figured she had a great start ahead of him, which would make her only slightly adventageous comparing both of the brooms. She smiled to herself, hoping he wouldn't see it. Just how much 'anything' did he mean? Judging by his manner.....she bit her lower lip. It was dangerous. But....she was going to win this race, because he might be a chicken whereas she had nothing to be ashamed of here, afterwards.

Leaning as forward as her waist would go, the smile vanished from her face and she just looked ahead to the spot where she would turn around and race back to WIN it.

Alec was really starting to regret the deal and it had a lot to do with the fact that she was currently winning. What if he actually did lose and she made him do something horrible like... like make him eat spinach? Or put on some sort of hair care product that was likely to make all of his hair fall out? See? There was a lot to be scared about. And he was a little scared. Or nervous. Whatever.

... Was she a Legilimens? Please don't read minds, Miss Lea.

The boy shook his head as he neared her. He was close behind her, now; the nose of his broom was almost close to the tailend of hers. Almost being the key word here. He also had half a mind to distract her by the use of magic and birds but... that would be considered cheating. And Alec Blake Summers was not a cheat.

So... he continued flying, copying her motion of bending over the broom. ... He... had questions he needed to ask her. Quidditch related questions.