March 24th, 1890 — A Broomstick Fair

It was the sort of event to gather everyone involved with the Quidditch industry. A Broomstick Fair to showcase the newest models of the classic wizardly mode of transportation. There were works of established broom makers, as well as new and international talents.

The Chuddley Cannons always had the best broomsticks that the Gallivans could afford for them. If there were better ones out there, Cee wanted to know, so then they could go about updating their gear. The event being open had another positive thing: they could see what the competitors were considering for their teams.

She arrived with her brother but soon they were separated since they wanted to have a better look at different models. At some point, Cee ended up in front of one of the showcased models with the sponsor of the Montrose Magpies, Mr. Abbott. They had been introduced to each other at a different event, so Cee felt comfortable enough to start some polite conversation.

"This one would be a great fit for a beater. It looks really stable, don't you think?"

William Abbott

  

Miraculously, the Montrose Magpies were on track to partake in the play offs this year. William knew his team were rarely winners (even less so when pitted against the likes of Puddlemere or the Howlers) but it didn't dim his excitement in the least. With buckets of luck and perhaps a leprechaun or two, he might even be able to say he had sponsored the victors of the season.

Unlikely, but a man could dream.

He roamed the fair idly, pausing to inspect brooms occasionally before continuing on. Changing out any equipment mid season wasn't likely to happen, what with his superstitions and all. Still, he had no qualms against investigating for any players of his who happened to make the world cup team.

Will was distracted when Ms. Gallivan greeting came, causing him to jump slightly in surprise. "Yes. The base of it seems particularly sturdy."

  

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Amazing Set by Lady <3

It was funny how Cee had startled him, though she had had enough composure not to show it.

"Are you considering getting one of the broomsticks?" Cee asked vaguely. She could mean getting a broom for his personal use, or for the Magpies. She didn't want to sound like she was trying to fish information out of him.

  

The Cannons were also in the playoffs, a fact Wjll knew Ms. Gallivan had to be aware of. Was she here to scope out information on the competition? Or simply to investigate brooms as he had? Will maintained his composure despite his growing doubts of her intentions. He had little desire to unwittingly spark a new rivalry.

"Only browsing." He corrected politely. "The Magpies are set with their equipment for the year."

  

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Amazing Set by Lady <3

The Magpies wouldn't surprise them with new, extra fast broomsticks this season if Mr. Abbott was to be believed. Cee wasn't that antagonistic but she still obviously wanted the Cannons to win the cup. It would be a great success for them, it would prove the more established sponsors that Theo could handle sponsoring a team and it would bring prosperity to the Gallivan bank account.

She nodded. "That's wise, Mr. Abbott. The best broomstick is the one you're used to playing on. I see some sponsors who constantly change their team's equipment and their players always seem so uncomfortable on the pitch."

She had senses that Mr. Abbott had been hesitant to answer her, so she changed the subject: "Will you have anyone trying out for the national team. Or perhaps, yourself?"

  

The obvious fishing for information unnerved William. Montrose's run in the playoffs was highly dependent upon being cast off as the underdogs. Sharing information about the skill of his team or their preparations for both the local cup and the World Cup was a surefire way to call attention to their skill. Will wouldn't do it, and he certainly wouldn't share with Ms. Gallivan of all people.

"A few, I would think. We're having a meeting on it tomorrow I believe." The meeting was yesterday and at least five of his players were trying out. "And the Cannons? Is that seeker of yours trying out?"

  

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Amazing Set by Lady <3

She could sense that Mr. Abbott was uncomfortable. Cecily would probably be too if she had more experience in the Quidditch world. She knew that some folks in their industry would be happy to tear you apart if they knew what your weaknesses were. Cee was still innocent about those things. She had no reason to suspect, for example, that Mr. Abbott was lying about his team's meeting.

And she very readily replied: "Yes, he is! He is so talented, it would be a shame if he didn't make the team. That will cheer him up a bit too, I believe. We didn't have the best season last year." Theo had mentioned that Cassius Lestrange had been really moody recently. Since Cee didn't know anything about his personal life, she assumed it was Quidditch anxiety.

"And our keeper and our captain are trying out too!" she continued. "I'm really excited about all of them."

  

Was there something wrong with their seeker? The Cannons were set to compete in the playoffs and their star player was moody? How peculiar. Already his gears were turning on how Montrose might use this to their advantage. Surely, some trash talk during the game might cause some moody reaction? A slip of the fingers?

"I wish them luck." He said earnestly. So long as England prevailed against the international players Will didn't quite care what local team they belonged to. "I would hate to see us lose again."

  

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Amazing Set by Lady <3

Cecily nodded. The World cup put local rivalries to the side. There would be no Chuddley Cannons, or Montrose or Puddlemere United when they were playing as a united British team against the other countries' teams.

"I am most afraid of Japan," Cecily said. "They have it in their culture to be so disciplined and hard-working. I believe they produce some of the best players. I'd like to get someone Japanese on the Cannons."

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While the Japanese were a formidable foe, it was the French who most concerned Will. The French had played in the final round the last time Britain hosted, a feat his team hadn't been able to accomplish. If they were as formidable as they were last time they would be a challenge to best. (Thus marked the foremost reason Will hadn't tried out himself. Having not played professionally in over four years he no longer felt he had the abilities he used to possess.)

He looked at her oddly. Why the Gallivan's would prefer a foreigner on their team than fostering local talent he wouldn't ever understand. "An individual is only as disciplined and hardworking as they're trained to be. I wouldn't say that's a trait of every Japanese player." He shrugged.

  

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Amazing Set by Lady <3

Cecily noticed his look, as well as the tone in which he'd made his comment. It was bound for people to have different opinions, she supposed. He had a point, but she also thought that the Japanese had the sort of culture that made its people more disciplined and better team-players.

"I would say that the Japanese are very successful at training their players. Perhaps the secret is in their coaches, then, rather than their players."

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Did she have doubts in her family's favored team's capabilities, he wondered. The Cannon's coach was respectable as far as Will knew, but something had to be off if the girl was considering bringing in foreign talent. (Also, how much power did Ms. Gallivan have over such decisions? Wasn't it her brother who was the official sponsor of the team?)

Again, he shrugged. "I would argue our coaches are just as dedicated if not more. One's culture doesn't dictate their dedication to their passion."

  

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Amazing Set by Lady <3

Currently, the Chuddley Cannons had only one "star player" and that was Cassius Lestrange. And he had been more of a star player in the beginning of his career. He had become difficult to work with lately, from what Theodore had told her. Cecily didn't get to attend practices as often as he did. It wasn't exactly the most ladylike thing to do.

Cecily believed that their coach could become more exciting. It seemed to her that, since her father left, he had become lost himself. Theodore had told her of instances where there would be passionate disagreements between the players and the coach was unable to calm them down. Perhaps someone more disciplined and better at commanding respect would be better.

In any case, Cecily only made assumptions based on what Theo was telling her about the practices and what she saw on the Quidditch pitch. She also believed that she knew a thing or two about coaching, seeing that it was part of her duties as Ravenclaw's Quidditch captain.

"I am not saying we don't have good coaches," Cee defended herself. "I am simply praising the Japanese's ability to coach teams."

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Wonderful. His dissenting opinion had somehow insulted Ms. Gallivan (as he certainly hadn't voiced any of his questions about the Cannons) and now he was going to have to apologize to Mr. Gallivan for insulting his sister. Will had far more pressing matters to focus on than reassuring the family of an improper debutante that he meant no harm.

As he was convinced this conversation would serve only to upset Ms. Gallivan's sensibilities, Will took a sharp step back and bowed in farewell. "I meant no harm with my opinions. I'm sure the Cannons will fare well in both the playoffs and the World Cup. Good luck to you."

  

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Amazing Set by Lady <3

From Cecily's point of view, it was Mr. Abbott who had been disagreeable and easy to offend. Was he taking a way out just because she had dared to disagree with him? It wasn't the first time where Cee would disagree with an older man on the matters of Quidditch and feel as though they didn't take much merit in her opinion. Still, it always left her peeved when it happened. Would he have been that quick to dismiss her if she had been a man?

"No offense taken, Mr. Abbott," Cecily replied cooly and curtsied in return. "Good luck to you too."

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