curling lessons, now (finally) happening

[moraldyslexic]

Now that Lennox was finally feeling better and he knew he wouldn't get into trouble from Stephen for going into the rink and actually curling, he'd thrown up a sign on the bulletin board a few days ago, announcing that the first curling lesson was finally going to happen that Tuesday. If he was completely honest, he wasn't sure how it was going to

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[moraldyslexic]

With his broom in one hand, Lennox surveyed the people who had arrived, trying to figure out how the hell he was going to do this. He wasn't a teacher, that much was certain, but this had been his idea and now he figured maybe he should take charge.

"Okay, so," he said, raising his voice to be heard above everyone. "If you want to learn how to throw a stone, come here." Maybe not the best way to start, but it was the only thing he figured he could do.

[chris_cutter]

Chris stood beside Lennox, his hands on the top of his broom, leaning on it a bit as he looked over the small crowd. Not really a bad turn-out, he thought and he gave the practice ice a nudge with his foot.

He turned to look at Lennox as he spoke and a slow grin tugged on his lips. "You sure you should be teaching that?" he asked, his voice teasing. "Maybe if they want to learn how to catapult it."

[single_digit]

"I think maybe that should be my job," suggested Eddie, a little dubious about throwing people to Lennox right off the bat. It was little bit like throwing them to Gordon, or just as confusing if a bit less intimidating. "Nice and easy to start with, right?"

[moraldyslexic]

"Teaching them to catapult it?" Lennox asked, looking over at Eddie with a confused, wide-eyed expression. He expected that from Chris, but he sure as hell didn't expect Eddie to agree with him.

[ooh_lily]

Lily and Emmy were sitting in the stands, watching the lessons going on. Lily had decided that it was a good idea to keep Emmy off the ice on this particular occasion. Emmy was reading a book and Lily was brushing her hair.

"Curl!" yelled Emmy, and Lily raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, kidlet. Curling."

[single_digit]

"Are you sure you don't want to be down there with us, Lill?" said Eddie. "I'm sure we can find someone to watch Emmy, and you could get back on the ice again."

[ooh_lily]

Lily grinned and shook her head.

"I'm okay for now, honey. You've got your hand full of learners. You definately don't need an old hand screwing things up, eh?"

[single_digit]

"Yeah, but you're a girl," said Eddie, "and if we want other girls to play, then maybe we need a girl on the ice who knows what she's doing."

[holdthebucket]

Gordon Cutter, Brier Winner, Lord of his Realm, and currently high as kite on the moon, stood on the bleachers and observed his realm.

What fertile fields to be tilled, these tyros were! Ripe with ignorance, brimming with the possibility of untapped talent, bumbling and stumbling though they were. Out of twenty they may be able to cultivate into a player of decency, but one was enough to build a team on.

In his mind, Gordon has visions of leauges.

"The first rule of curling is sportsmanship. Honor. It is an examination of the soul, a Judgment." He tilted his head up nobly, briefly marveling at the starbursts and rainbows suspended a few feet off the ice.

"The rest...the rest is just drilling and resolve. If you think you have morality enough to touch the ice then step forward. Otherwise...I invite you to turn heel and run."

[cryptogam]

The old man was either a deep old file, Stephen thought, or else he was raving mad. Either way, his speech was intriguing.

"Pray, sir, why is morality required to play this game?" he inquired with great interest.

[holdthebucket]

"You best pray," Gordon advised, grunting as he stepped down off the bleachers. "For luck or talent - this is a game of a chosen few."

"It requires honor because we are sportsman, my boy. Sportsman to our core. The celebration of another's loss is abhorrent, and we as players call our own fouls."

He clapped the young man on the shoulder. "It takes a dedicated spirit to exist under such conditions. Do you suppose you'll test your mettle with us?"

[cryptogam]

At the ripe old age of 38, Stephen would have been rather surprised to be thought of as a "young man" (though perhaps rather flattered).

"But is there some quality to curling which is lacking in other sports?" he asked. "Or do you merely speak of sport in general?"

[single_digit]

After watching Lennox and Cutter and Cutter's dad, Eddie decided he was going to be the quiet and not scary one. Even without a little kid in his arms - Lily had her safely off the ice for once - Eddie figured he looked a little bit less intimidating than everybody else.

"Uh, hi," said said, giving a little wave. "I'm Eddie. So, uh, anybody want to try this?"

[t_emmagen]

After her discussions with Chris about the sport, Teyla decided she would like to try it. It was unlike anything she knew, but her balance and aim from years of bantos and other things were useful.

Managing to not fall, she spent her time practicing throwing a rock, amused at how different it was from what she'd imagined.

[waydowndark]

Beth sits in the stands watching Teyla curl. She's declined a go with a rock, and she's content to just lean her chin into her hand, smiling like a fucking goof, watching Teyla on the ice.

"I mean, I know fuck old, but that looked like a pretty good shot to me."

[t_emmagen]

Teyla smiled as she looked up at the woman, watching as the rock travelled down the ice, stopping short of the line at the other end. "I am not throwing them hard enough it would seem. Would you like to try?"

[waydowndark]

"Maybe not, but at least you look pretty good doing it?"

Beth raises a dubious eyebrow.

"Maybe not, no. I might break something...or someone."