Champion Tent Jitters (champs, judges, guests)

[Regina Curry]

Regina shrugged. "I don't know, but he gave me a necklace. I'm supposing it's like a good luck charm?" She was new at this. What did it mean? She wasn't sure and she was pretty sure she wasn't going to find out anytime soon. Maybe Sam was right. He had said something sort of like that, hadn't he? Regina pushed that from her mind, and began to focus on the task. "Are you nervous?"

[Samantha Montgomery]

She smiled as Regina contemplated her love life.

When she asked her question Sam's answer was immediate, "No." she said stiffening her spine, but one glance at Regina she let out the breath she was holding and laughed once, "I'm hoping that if I say that a million times it'll be true."

[Augustus Rookwood]

Augustus had been near the back of the tent, simply watching. So far, he hadn't said a word. He had rolled his eyes at Moody, once or twice, however. Ever the dramatist. Honestly, it wasn't the tasks they needed to worry about... but the darkness that had managed to sneak into the castle. He was confident with Bellatrix Black around, and there might be hope yet for his young intern.

The first task, in his opinion, was a joke. A waste of time. But the forest did provide a certain amount of... privacy. He'd have to consider his options, and since he couldn't very well disappear, he needed someone else he could trust.

All of the boyfriends had gone, finally, and his interest piqued. Let the games begin.

[Regina Curry]

Regina smiled. "I wasn't too terribly nervous before, but now it's getting worse I think. The only thing I'm really worried about is tripping and not being able to finish the task because I did something stupid." She sighed. "Although, I'm going to try to not think about things like that."

She ran a hand through her hair. "I just hope that it's not going to be something too horrible, like dragons or something."

[Samantha Montgomery]

"I'll tell you a secret..." she said liking the girl more and more for her insecurities and the way she was able to open up. The truth was if they were at Beauxbatons Sam probably couldn't afford talking to someone like Regina without her mother finding out and punishing her for it, and she'd be looking at those insecurities as weaknesses instead of what they were and that was part of Regina's character.

"I was terribly clumsy and awkward as a child, my mother even had to hire tutors to make sure I stopped tripping over myself."

[Regina Curry]

Her eyes widened slightly. "Are you serious?" It was sort of hard to believe that Sam tripped over herself when she was younger. Although, it was nice to know that there was someone else out there, other than her and Hallie. "My friend Hallie and I are the same way. Although, Thane has been helping me not trip over myself. It's getting slightly better than what it had been."

[Samantha Montgomery]

She nodded although her mother had her in heels since she was seven and they were difficult for a wobbly little girl, but she managed to learn grace as it was beaten into her.

"I'm sure you'll do fine, and if you think about it every task is like a dragon...they're symbolic I think...when we go up against whatever it is we go up against we're like George about to slay the dragon. If it happens to be a dragon then just tell yourself that the dragon is no match for you."

[Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva walked into the champion's tent to check on the four girls and ensure the judges were ready as well. Dumbledore was already about to announce the begining of the task to the spectators and she'd decided to come and give a similar speech to the champions and judges while he was busy. She looked around and was the only one who managed to see Augustus Rookwood standing in the back shadows. But that was probably because she was looking for him. The only one she couldn't find was Carlisle Macrae. So she said hello to the girls and went to talk to Moody until Macrae showed up.

[Maxi Borale]

Oct 4, 2008 21:07:04 GMT -5 Alice Prewett said:

Alice turned to talk to Maxi, "So Rystain told me that Seth is supposed to ask you to the dance?" Alice had no idea if Seth had or not, nor did she know if they were fighting or not. All she knew is that Seth had been there today in the tent with her and Alice just assumed she had. She still had moments where she and Rystain talked, but it was few and far between. They were just too different of people to hang out on a regular basis.

Maxi blushed. "Yea, Bek said the same thing, but he hadn't yet," Maxi said. She really hoped he would ask her soon though, the ball wasnt that far away. "Has Frank asked you yet?" Maxi asked with a smile. She always thought that Frank and Alice were just the cutest couple.

[Alice Prewett]

Alice grinned when Maxi mentioned Frank. "Yes he did, yesterday actually. Right after he told me he loved me." Alice blushed. She had this feeling that she and Maxi would somehow become good friends over this year. It was a shame she'd never really taken the time to get to know the girl who was two years younger than herself. "And I'm sure that he will, if Frank is any indication... he is just waiting for the right moment... or getting up the nerves." She chuckled softly.

[Regina Curry]

Regina raised an eyebrow at Sam. Think of every task like she's going up against a dragon, and think that they're no match for her? Sam had a lot more self-confidence than Regina had. Sam could more than likely handle a dragon. Regina would probably trip and then get stepped on! She shook her head. Maybe this task wasn't going to be too terribly hard. Maybe she was just psyching herself out.

"I don't know if I can think real well like that during the first task, but thanks anyway."

[Samantha Montgomery]

She smiled, "Okay, then think of it as a big lizard." she said jokingly, she had self confidence but really it was a matter of doing everything to win, that instinct had been taught to her very early in life, if everything was a life or death situation...not even that, if everything were a life or tortured endlessly until someone has mercy on you and then you die...well you learned to win real quick.

[Regina Curry]

Regina laughed this time. "A really bit lizard. I think I can do that. I actually like lizards, even if that sounds strange, but let's not go spread that through school." She didn't need to be picked on for liking lizards AND tripping. There would never be any end to it. Maybe she just needed to tell herself that she could do it more than she did. Thane had told her once that people are going to regret for picking on her one day, and she hoped that she could make that come true. She was going to work harder to get through each task.

[Samantha Montgomery]

"You're right." she paused, frowning, "That is strange." she smiled then to show she was teasing then shrugged, "I like dragons." she confided, she liked challenges and she liked winning.

"But that aside you must remember that the Goblet chose you for a reason. You're Regina Curry, a Champion, not only that, but of Ravenclaw. You have a wealth of intelligence and something else that is going to get you through this contest...not to win mind you" she winked playfully considering Regina was still an "adversary" but nodded, "But definitely get through it, and with pride all the same. You never know what you're capable of until you're caught in the ring, that's when your true colors come out. The goblet knew what your true colors are and is waiting for you to show the rest of the world."

[carlisle]

Pulling the entrance flap of the tent open, Carlisle stepped inside. He was late, he knew. But there had been a bit of an issue with his youngest daughter Clarissa and he felt awful leaving her when she was upset. She was very attached to her father, and Carlisle both enjoyed that and knew it could be a bad thing. Currently, it wasn't the greatest scenario as it had made him the last judge to arrive. "Ah, Professor McGonagall. How are you? So sorry I'm late."

[Regina Curry]

Regina laughed again. Sam was not as bad as most girls made her out to be.

She blushed as Sam hinted at Thane. He was just her friend, but to her he meant so much more than that. And maybe she meant a fraction more to him than what she thought she did. Who knew? She was going to fight hard during the tasks and show everyone that she wasn't just some klutz. She had to do it for herself. Plus, maybe it would show Hallie that she's not just a klutz either. If Regina could do it, then Hallie should be able to.

"You're right," she said. "I can do this, even if I mess up. It counts that I recover and continue on where I left off."

[Samantha Montgomery]

Sam smiled and it felt oddly good to encourage another contestant, she didn't dare do the same to the other two but Regina was nice, and had made the first move, so Sam reciprocated congenially. "Believe me you'll do a lot better than you think, taking a punch isn't as bad as it seems it's having the strength to get back up again that's important, just like you said."

[Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva turned to see the charms professor enter the tent finally and nodded to him. Her normal expression in place but a hint of relief shown in her eyes. "Oh good you've made it Professor. Come in, come in." She motioned for him to join her and then looked towards the other judges and contestants to join her as well for them to begin the task.

She waited until everyone was nearby before she began speaking again. "I will repeat what Professor Dumbledore has instructed of the tasks. Each of you will pull a number from this bag and determine the order in which you will begin.

For the first task, each of you must one at a time, enter the forest and follow your appointed path until you reach a cave. Inside that cave is a box containing four jewels--one for each house. Each of you must find a way to retrieve the jewel that corresponds to your house color and bring back. The path will not be easy and may be frought with dangers. It is up to your wit, hard work, cunning and courage that will determine how well you succeed or fail. I wish you each luck."

She held out a small red velvet bag with stones each carved in a number for them to draw.

[Samantha Montgomery]

Sam glanced between the other girls while Minerva made her speech and nodded towards Regina, she waited for one of the other girls to go first but since no one was exactly stepping up Sam moved towards the bag, dipped a curtsy as was her custom to the professor then reached in for her number.

"Two." she read, "I'm second."

[Regina Curry]

Regina glanced from Sam to Professor McGonagall. She rose after Sam did and stood beside her. Picking numbers, just great. For Regina's luck, she would more than likely be first to go into the Forest. Of course, that would make her nervous all over again. Although, maybe that would give her a chance to think a little more before the other girls joined her.

After Sam picked her number, Regina reached in the bag and gave a half smile to Professor Mcgonagall. She finally peeked at her number as she held it in her small hand. The number one showed up at her. "One," she read out. "I'm first." She gave a small nod to Mcgonagall before stepping back.