Flying lessons, Take One

[Aesir MacLeod]

It was a warm day outside as Aesir checked the equipment thoroughly before students arrived. He'd be teaching only first years, unfortunately, but he hoped that some of the Quidditch players would approach him later for coaching.

Teaching first years might drive him insane if he wasn't careful.

Most of the brooms were in wonderful condition; in comparison to the outdated Thunderstrikes, these Cirrustratus' were godsends. The equipment, already used but still useful, were piled off in several bags being carried by a carrying broom, floating almost three and a half feet above the ground.

He wore his usual flight gloves, an old, worn, tattered green t-shirt with the faded words "Flo g ng M lly" on it, and a longer sleeved white shirt beneath it. He wore the regulation school pants that were tucked into black combat boots and his goggles were perched atop his forehead, pushing his red hair back. He saw them coming now, and smiled.

Here goes, Aesir. Remember; they're not as dumb as ye think.

[Neoma Tsylence]

Neoma walked quickly towards the field. It had taken her some time this morning to realize that, she would not need any books of any sort for this class. For that reason she had feared she was going to be late, but there weren't that many people in the field with the Flying Instructor.

Neoma recognized him from the ball, but up close he was quite different. Neoma blinked, and then titled her head as if wondering if from a different angle, the puzzle would solve itself.

[Aesir MacLeod]

The students were arriving and he began to take attendance, occasionally warning some of the first years away from the equipment and brooms. He talked to a few, trying to keep them calm and not run off towards the brooms. He caught NEoma staring at him.

What the bloody hell is she lookin' at?

He quirked an eyebrow towards Neoma as she looked at him, clearly puzzled. He flashed a goofy, toothy smile at her with one hand scratching his head. "Erm, ye'd be who, Missy?"

[Stevie Copeland]

Stevie walked up to the field, excited about his flying lessons. Sure, he didn't expect to be flying right away. 'Course not. But, there was always a hope. And plus, they might learn something cool today. Either way, he was there and he was excited about being here.

Stevie was one you would think would run toward the brooms immediately. But, surprisingly, he wasn't. He was also surprised he wasn't late. It took him a while to find this place, he didn't know why but it did. Probably because it was a huge, open field. Point was, he was here.

He looked around at his classmates, spirit lifting even further when he caught sight of Neoma. So, he WAS in a class with her. Awesome. Maybe they'd end up being able to talk, eventually. Now, all the places he knew came down to two. This place and the library. That was always a good thing for Stevie, he would use the library as a study hall, if it wasn't used as such already. He'd have a place to get his homework done. Yay.

Turning his attention back to Aesir, somewhat, he waited for further instruction.

[Neoma Tsylence]

It took Neoma a moment before she realized the Instructor was talking to her. Missy? Who's he calling Missy?! But she kept her objection to herself as she stood up straight and looked at him straight on.

"I'm Neoma. Um... Neoma Tsylence."[/color] She hoped there were no complications with the absentee list he was holding.

Neoma felt the familiar feelings of having been spotted. Glancing about, she saw the one and only Stevie. Her eyes communicated her own hello to him, as she was a good 8 student bodies away from him. Maybe they could sit... uuh... or stand... by each other in class. Neoma realized she had no idea how this flying lesson was going to be...

[Aesir MacLeod]

Alright, Sassy McGee, how the bloody hell was I supposed ter know?

Aesir gave her a quick nod. "Right." he said, checking her off on the attendance list. He looked around again. "Well, class'll starting right about now in the castle, so why not out here. Me names Aesir MacLeod, I'll be yer flight structor' fer the next few months. What'll I be teachin' ye? Most of ye are probably thinkin' how ter fly right?"

Most of the eleven years olds nodded eagerly, some sensing a trap.

Ah, youth.

"Wrong. I'll be teachin' ye on how ter avoid falling from great heights, how ter avoid ending up broken and bruised in a heap of pain. If I'm makin' ye worried and scared, good. Then I be doing me job. I'd rather ye understand what flying really means; to remain in the air. If yer scared or anxious, good. I don't want any of ye ter be thinking ye can fly."

He paced along students, most of them looking a sight paler than they normally were. "Ye can't. I don't care how much sickles or galleons yer Pappy spent on yer broom, but the fact remains; you're all as aerodynamic as bricks."

He wheeled around and looked to the closest students.

Stevie.

"You. What're ye good at?" he asked, unexpectedly. "Come on, don't be shy!"

[Stevie Copeland]

A few Gryffindor students recalled his show in the common room the night before, but surprisingly, Stevie didn't. He thought Academics-wise, and he was good at the skill anyway.

"Memorizing things." A couple Gryffindors were faintly surprised, but Stevie thought nothing of it. Stevie wasn't expecting him to want to know about anything that he does in his spare time.

Stevie knew everything Aesir said was true. He couldn't fly. And he was slighty more glad. He thought it for the better to know how not to end up with fifteen broken bones from falling from a height. That was probably no fun.

[Aesir MacLeod]

"Memorizing things, huh? I hope that everyone else in the class is as lucky as you in that respect, because I'll be teachin' ye all lots ter keep in mind. And ye all better remember it." he said, somewhat sternly but still keeping an informal air about him. "What else? Come on, there've got ter be a few things ye can put that memorizing ter good use. Ye do any actin'? What?"

Please, I don't need no actors in this class. It'll be nuff with eleven year old attitudes, I don't need drama queens.

[Stevie Copeland]

"Playing guitar." He said it after thinking on it for a bit. he DID ask about acting, and he didn't HAVE to know about that, so what harm would saying that do? Stevie assumed he was trying to make a point or something. He'd better go along with it.

Stevie never liked acting, and neither did his parents. Sure, he loved movies. But he thought a lot of highly paid actors were arrogant and stuck up, throwing pennies at charities and being praised for it. Though, there were exceptions to that definitely. But there were a bunch of actors that just got on Stevie's nerves. How does someone SPEND all of that money, anyway?

[Aesir MacLeod]

Aesir's eyebrows shot up. "Acoustic, electric or bass?" he asked, sincerely and quickly intrigued. He shook his head.

Now's not the time, MacLeod.

His hands waved around as though he were trying to swat a fly. "Nevermind. Minor details. Tell me, are ye good at flyin'?" he asked again.

Remember, they aren't as dumb as ye think.

[Stevie Copeland]

"Ac-" Stevie started, but was asked another question. He didn't bother finishing the one word sentence, he may get it. Quickly, he was asked another question. This one he knew the definite answer to.

"Nope." He responded simply. He had never tried before, but even if he did he'd probably lose control over the broom and end up with a bunch of broken bones. That would be a pretty horrible way to start off the year. Though, there was always an unseen possibility of having a natural knack about it, and this Stevie was considering. Though. he didn't change his answer. He would probably interrupt his flying teacher.

[Neoma Tsylence]

If Neoma had been puzzled before, she was more or less utterly baffled by now. Every word seemed to be a trick question, or appeared to be more, or less, than it seemed. She thought it best to keep her wits about her, to avoid from looking foolish or less that she was.

She stood as tall as she could, paying attention. She smiled when Stevie seemed to be on top of things, and appreciated his humbleness. None of them could fly, that was for certain. Looking down at the brooms that had bee laid out before the first years, she honestly questioned whether these sticks would help in that regard at all.

She had a sinking feeling this would not be one of her best classes this semester.

[Aesir MacLeod]

See, not as dumb as ye think.

"There you have it; a good student. Everyone hear what Stevie said? He said nope. Thanks Stevie." he said pleasantly, grinning towards the young Gryffindor, before adding sternly. "See me in my office after class, young man."

"Now, I hope that I will not have too many complaints when I say that you will not be tasting wind for a few weeks. We'll be going through the most basics of basics, and if you're all doing well by the end of the year, I'll be teachin' ye Quidditch."

[Stevie Copeland]

Stevie blinked instantly once he said that. What did he do? Normally, a student would start to shiver. Stevie didn't shiver unless he was cold. And he was fairly warm right now. So... What DID he do?

Stevie didn't complain at all. In fact, he was still actually pretty glad. He WAS learning how to fly. And he needed to have the basics down before he could do anything in the air. But still... Why did he have to og to his office? The look in his eyes stated clear confusion, but nonetheless, Stevie still listened. Of course, he didn't know a thing about Quidditch. He assumed it was a game of some sort, so that, at least, made Stevie glad.

[Aesir MacLeod]

Aesir strode on over towards the brooms and extended hisright hand above where his rested.

"Anyone ever seen Star Wars?" he asked jokingly. Most of the students seemed at a loss. Aesir, crestfallen, simply said "Up."

The broom leapt upwards into his grasp. He turned around and walked over towards the students.

"This is a broom. Not just any broom, mind ye, but a broom nontheless." he said, holding it out so the students could take a look. With it's sweeping curves and fine straw end, leather wrapped handle and strap, this broom looked built for speed. "I'll be showin' ye how ter hold it properly afterwards, but first things first. Ye'll be taught how ter summon yer broom from its prone position. Alright? So, move on over, grab a broom carefully, please, and come back into yer lines."