[Top Notch] Where Avora Fear to Tread (Kiran)

by **Kovac** on January 30th, 2013, 5:05 pm

Timestamp: 60th Day of Winter, 512 AV
Location: Top Notch Archery Range

Kovac's access to the Endal's elite archery range was restricted to instructing, and only at the invitation of a Rider. The Avora archer had frequented the range more often when he was the Endal Shayth's 'personal trainer', but after that torrid relationship ended, his access to the Aeries and the Top Notch had been curtailed considerably.

The mongrel entered the spacious cavern, the space immaculate and adorned for the upper class of Wind Reach's population. The Eagle Riders meandered about the place, the beautiful upper crust of the Inartans, and the most disliked by Kovac. The feeling was mutual with most of them, and they all but ignored the Avora, aside from a few unfriendly glances. Deks too skittered about, fetching arrows for the Endals and doing their bidding.

Kovac had come to the range at the behest of one of the Endal, a rather new one, a young woman whom he had seen a time or two, but had not worked with. A dek had simply come with a message to meet Kiran at the Top Notch at a specified time. Not particularly fond of being at the beck and call of the Riders, Kovac knew his place, and he showed up at the range with bow and quiver in hand.

Walking further into the cavern, Kovac scanned the ranges and the open areas for Kiran, not wanting to venture into the Sky Hunter room, the Endal's private lounge, to look for her.

by **Kiran Pelyna** on January 31st, 2013, 1:20 am

Kiran was trying her hardest to get her arrows to hit the target, she hadn't been at it long enough but it had been long enough for her to need to wrap her hand in a cloth she ordered a Dek to get so the feathers wouldn't tear her skin any further than they were doing currently. Kiran was an Endal, she should be able to hit the bulls eye every time. but she didn't, her arrows rarely got that close, if they even hit the target.

Her skill had gotten to the point that she had finally decided to get an Avora to help her. She couldn't ask another Endal, they would, laugh at her and lord it over her the whole time. But an Avora was under her, he wouldn't be able to insult her or try to pretend he was better than her. Because no Avora was better than an Endal.

Kiran was ready to break her prized bow when a Dek rushed up to tell her the Avora she had requested was here. Kiran nodded to the Dek, a clear dismissal, and tried one more shot before she'd go see this teacher. It missed the target. Kiran let out a small shriek that sounded more eagle than human, all Endal picked up traits form their eagles after awhile and Kiran had been with Pelyna for years.

Kiran turned, her hand tight on her bow, she had to restrain herself from throwing it to the ground and stomping on it. That would be markedly childish and she was no longer a child. She could not do things like that in public, it would give the other Endals something else to make fun of and exploit. So she kept her temper from turning into anything physical.

Kiran looked out over the range, her eyes skimming the Endals. Even if she didn't know most of them they would be obvious, they were the ones who radiated confidence. He eyes landed on him, he was obviously a half breed. Something she didn't personally mind, nor did too many Inartans. New blood was always good, half breed children were rarely ever disformed at birth.

He was also handsome. For an Avora. Kiran felt a blush rise on her face, something that seemed to only happen around attractive men. And more so recently than ever before, she had no idea why this was and it was frustrating her to no end.

Kiran strode up to the Avora, what was his name? Koda? Kodan? Kova? She sighed, like it truly mattered. Whether she knew his name or not would have no effect on this. He would teach her how to use her bow properly and to hit a target.

Kiran shot him a smile, she hadn't planned on doing that, she had wanted to just order him to show her how to use her bow. Now. But no, when she caught his eye she had to smile. He had nice eyes, they weren't the green she usually saw all around. They were a dark brown. It was nice, like Pelyna's feathers.

"You are the one they sent to teach me Archery?" she asked of him, wanting to be sure he was the right person. How embarrassing would it be if he wasn't?

by **Kovac** on February 1st, 2013, 8:24 pm

Kovac wandered a bit, eyes alert for the dark readhead. He was pretty sure he could spot her, even among the other redheads, the hunter had seen Kiran a couple times from a distance. Then, out of nowhere it seemed, Kiran appeared before the Avora. Kovac was a bit surprised. The Endal was much younger than he had thought. The times he had seen her before, her air of authority and confident demeanor had given him the impression of someone older. She was barely beyond the age of the Yasi.

Nevertheless, Kiran was very attractive. Golden eyes, like that of a mountain cat, looked into him without hesitation. She was a small framed girl, but her figure was lithe with lean muscles, and well into the transformation to womanhood. Kiran offered the Avora a smile, one Kovac did not expect from an Endal, and she asked if he was her instructor. Kovac replied with a nod.

"Yes, I'm Kovac."

His eyes darted to the bow in her hand, a trained eye making a quick assessment. It was a weapon fit for an Endal, a longbow taller than the woman made of wood and horn laminated together for strength, much the same as his short bow. Approving of the weapon, his deep green eyes returned to look down at the petite woman.

"Do you have a lane you prefer to use?"

Until he could gauge the temperament of this Endal, Kovac would stick to a business-like demeanor. Some Endals spoke very little during training, some socialized, some flirted, some became downright abusive. Those kinds usually got Kovac in trouble, or rather, his mouth got him in trouble. Soon though, he would determine what kind Kiran was.

by **Kiran Pelyna** on February 1st, 2013, 9:52 pm

Her instructor seemed a little shocked when she appeared in front of him. Which in turn surprised her, she was never that good at sneaking up on people. She wasn't that good at hunting either, although she was better than the average person who had never stepped outside of the city before . But sneaky was not something people usually called her. The fact that she had been able to sneak up on anyone brought a slight, pleased smile to her face.

But then she saw the look in his face when he looked over her, the customary once over everyone gave someone new they were meeting, she had given it to him. The looks of surprise at her. Her age. She got that often, she wasn't that old. Old enough to be an adult but young enough to still be considered a child by some. It irked her, but she was used to it by now. She had gotten used to showing others through her actions that she was their equal rather than arguing it and acting like a small child and yelling at them.

Kiran looked up at him, and up, and up. She was used to doing that as well, she was short even by her own races standards, and the man in front of her was almost a foot taller than her, she came up to his chest. Barely. But there were benefits to being small.

Kiran didn't feel the need to introduce herself after he confirmed his identity, after all he should know who she was. She was an Endal. It never occurred to her that he wouldn't know he name, as it wouldn't for most Endal.

When Kovac's eyes flicked down to her bow she smiled proudly. It was her baby really, she loved it. Even if she wanted to break it in half sometimes because she couldn't hit a target.

Kiran nodded and offered him another smile, she wanted to curse herself for that. She didn't want to smile at him but there was something about him that made her smile at him. Maybe it was his eyes, or that silver earring that was peaking out of his ear. Shining brightly whenever a light hit it. Or maybe it was the foreign skin tone. Whatever it was it made her want to smile at him. Which annoyed her, she was supposed to be a strong Endal. Not a smiling, foolish girl.

She nodded to his question an motioned with her head the direction she was going to be going in. She turned on her heel and walked off, knowing he would follow behind her. She was heading towards a lane that faced a simple bulls eye target. She could barely hit that one, if she couldn't hit it a moving or animal shaped target was out of the question. She stopped in front of it, there were only a few Endals in that section, they filled three of the five target lanes before the head high stone wall separated them from the others.

"Not too many of the other Endals use this section." she felt the need to explain it, she wasn't sure why. The targets in this lane were only bulls eyes and two animal targets. nothing that moved for this lane, which was why it wasn't as popular. She shot a look at him, quick. She blushed slightly and let her hair fall forward to block the blush. But her spine stayed strong an her chin high, she might not like that she was blushing but her confidence would not be diminished by an Avora's looks.

by **Kovac** on February 6th, 2013, 5:26 pm

The Avora and Endal made the obligatory mutual examination, the few ticks of observation and assessment that occurred with any first time meeting, especially between a male and female. He had to look down at the woman. Kiran was small in stature, even for an Inartan girl, but the half-breed had met enough of the petite Endal's of Wind Reach to know you never underestimate them. In fact, they could be the most fiery and intimidating.

Kovac did not sense such formidabiility in the young Rider in front of him. Maybe it was the smile she had flashed several times. Not a lot of Endal smiled at him. Not that the woman did not possess the air of authority and privilege afforded the city's upper caste. With confidence Kiran gestured in a general direction and spun on her heels, striding off without looking back. Yes, she expected the Avora to follow her. And with a small sigh he did.

She had selected a range with more basic targets, and fewer occupants. Kovac did not ask Kiran why, she just voiced that her choice was based on the scarcity of users, which the Avora preferred as well. The less Endal's around the better.

Looking down at the redhead, Kovac cleared his throat, preparing his 'professional' voice. "Alright, is there anything specific you want to work on?" He inquired, laying the groundwork for the lesson. Once she offered her input, Kovac gestured to the firing line. "First of all, why don't you line up and take a shot, so I can see your form and performance. Then, draw your bow and hold it, so I can review your stance."

by **Kiran Pelyna** on February 10th, 2013, 2:08 am

Kiran fingered her Osage bow nervously, the long bow was taller than she. Smaller than a man's long bow though because she'd never have been able to pull back a six foot long bow. The wood was warm from her hands presence on it and she finally showed a little bit of nervousness. What if he ridiculed her for her lack of skill? Others did. The other Endal liked to make fun of her for it, not all of them mind you just the meaner ones. Endals like Aidara didn't pick on her. But not all Endal were to their own caste.

But she was young, she couldn't very well be competent at most things yet, she hadn't the time to perfect her skills as others had. But still she didn't want this handsome man making fun of her lack of skills. The young Endal turned to look at him, her eyes fierce but a little bit of nervousness flickered in her gold-green eyes as she spoke to him.

"Do not laugh at me." it wasn't a request, it was an order. The way she spoke made that clear, her voice strong and authoritative. She didn't consider the fact that he might not obey her order, he was in an archery range full of Endal. They might make fun of her on occasion but they would not permit an Avora to laugh at one of their ranks. "I need to work on everything, my aim is awful, I can barely hold the bow back long enough to aim so I'd like to work on that as well, I'd like to be able to aim and fire rapidly, or faster than I am now. When one's out hunting you don't have time to take forever sighting."

Looking into his eyes Kiran noticed something she hadn't the first time, his eyes weren't brown as she had first assumed, they were a dark color of green. She was suddenly very glad the man did not have the ability to read minds otherwise he would have seen her mistake. Kiran turned her head sharply back to the target, her loose curls swirling with the glass beads in them sparkling as the light caught them and clinking together at the sudden movement. Just earlier that day she had had a Dek braid them into her hair, as an Endal she did not have to pay for the hair ornaments.

Kiran pulled out an arrow and knocked it into her bow, not pulling it back yet she set her shoulders parallel to the target, her feet close together but not touching she pulled back her bow string, her bow was slightly too strong for her and she could not yet pull it back as far as the bow would allow. Her muscles quivered lightly at the pull on them as looked at the target. The strain on her muscles made her grip shake very slightly, which would mess with the aim of the arrow although she wasn't aware of this. She let out a breath and the arrow flew, the fletching going over her left hand as it left the bow with a resounding twang from the string.

The arrow hit the very outer edge of the three circled target. And that was one of her better shots. Typically she hit a few feet from the target. Kiran smiled slightly at this accomplishment although this was far from a great shot. But to her it was something.

She looked over at Kovac, looking for the pity or the amusement at her lack of skills. Whatever she found she complied to his second request and knocked another arrow pulling back the bow as far as she could, the fletching tickled her cheek as she waited. The longer she waited the more obvious was the strain the bow caused on her. But it would take her muscles completely giving out on her before she would drop that stance before told she could, she had something to prove. Or at least she thought she did.

by **Kovac** on February 13th, 2013, 8:04 pm

Kovac met the young Endal's gaze as she commanded that he not laugh at her before honestly explaining where her skills lacked, without any apology for weakness in he fierce glare. Yet, he caught a hint of apprehension in her gold flecked eyes. Certainly, she did not want to reveal flaws before an Avora.

The half-breed took a few steps back as Kiran readied her first shot. He observed her movement, the stance she assumed, the position and angle of every joint and limb. The woman released her string and the missile struck the target near the edge. When the Enal spun her head around to gauge the archer's reaction, Kovac held a flat countenance, arms crossed over his bared chest. He was in his element now, the archery instructor and expert. It was a sweet indulgence to see the proud Endal woman glance at him for approval as if, for a moment, Kovac was the superior caste.

The petite Inartan continued to complete his request, nocking an arrow and lifting the longbow again to the firing position. Kovac strode over next to the redhead. "Hold that stance." He instructed, plucking the arrow from the string. "I didn't say nock an arrow." Kovac slipped it back into her quiver.

The Avora studied the hold her fingers had on the taut string, the elevation of her chambered elbow. A skilled hand rested on her bared shoulder, the fingers running across her upper back to the other shoulder, feeling the depth and contour of her musculature. There was a bundle of muscles along the top of the shoulder that he pressed his fingers into for a moment. He could see how she strained to hold the strong bow bent, and her limbs began to quiver beneath his touch. "Just a moment longer, " he promised.

His hand slide down her extended arm until it reached her wrist, then wrapped his larger hand around hers as it held the bow grip before letting go and stepping back. "Alright, you can drop it." He moved to face her, looking down at the attractive young woman. "Your upper body strength is weak, too weak for this bow. But it can be improved, if you do what I say."

Kovac grabbed his bow, holding it up and pulling the string back, then slowly leading the string back to its resting position. "Do this every day, ten times, three rounds. Hold it to the count of ten each time. Also, do you know how to do push ups? Start with ten, go up ten every three days until you are doing fifty a day."

"Now...for the rest of it. You have a lot to work on Endal." He put a hand on her left shoulder. "Keep this shoulder down, you are changing the whole line of her arm by hunching up. It will also get better as your strength increases." Kovac raised the bow in his left hand for her to see. "Also, you are gripping the bow too tight." He demonstrated by squeezing his bow, then loosening it. " Let it rest between your thumb and forefinger, just stabilizing it. Squeezing too tight rotates the bow and throws off your shot. Now, try another shot."

by **Kiran Pelyna** on February 17th, 2013, 10:43 pm

Kiran was pleased when the man didn't mock her lack of skills. To be mocked by someone she found slightly attractive would have hurt. To be mocked by someone of a lower class would be a severe loss of face. She could scarcely handle it coming from her own caste.

His face showed no expression at her obviously pathetic skills. Something that brought a slight smile to her lips, no emotion was better than amusement. Which she was getting from the Endal on either side of her, a target over. They weren't the best either but they were better than her and in between shots they shot the young Endal girl amused, superior smirks. Kiran ignored them as best she could but her eyes flashed with anger at it.

One day she'd show them all she was not someone to scoff at. For now though she focused on her teacher, to become someone they couldn't make fun of she'd have to learn.

Kiran didn't let the strain show on her face, she slipped a mask on in it's stead. Mustn't let the Avora see her weakness. She couldn't. She let him take the arrow away, at least when she let the string go there wouldn't be another missed target.

Skin on skin made the Endal draw a swift breath through her nose, her mouth was clenched tight. She knew her bow was too much for her, but being too proud to admit it she had taken this one, another Endal had taunted her telling her she couldn't handle a long bow with such a strong draw. She had wanted to prove him wrong.

Her muscles quivering now were not only caused by the strain on them, it was the unfamiliarity of a man's touch on her skin. She was rarely touched by anyone. She was Endal, but young. She had not begun to explore the wonders of a relationship with someone else. And she usually kept away from others unless it was to go on a hunt, so she was really just used to being with Pelyna.

As Kovac slid his hand down her arm his back brushed against her own bared one and she felt the heat rise to her cheeks. If Pelyna knew a man was touching her he'd likely rip the Avora to pieces. Kiran moved her head slightly so her hair would shield it from Kovac's eyes. She couldn't let the Avora know he was having this effect on her.

She focused on his hand wrapped around her own small one, was she really that small? She forgot sometimes her own size. She didn't take her size into consideration most times, especially when she went out to do stupid things like fight a Cougara or a Zith.

Kiran slowly released the bow string, not letting the relief show she kept a hand on the bow, setting it on the ground. Her other hand went to her hip as she looked up at the man, her cheeks still slightly flushed but mostly under control.

Her eyes flashed with anger and indignation when he told her she was too weak for her bow. She knew that, but being told she was too weak only made her want to prove him wrong. She didn't say anything though, something surprising. She wanted to learn though and angering her tutor wouldn't be a good idea. So she listened instead.

Kiran watched with eyes as intent as a hunting raptors as Kovac showed her what to do. She put it to memory. Everyday. She had no idea what a push up was though.

She shook her head, eyes showing clear confusion and curiosity."What is a pushup? Can you show me?" she inquired, head tilted like a curious bird.

Kiran forced herself to not look at the hand on her shoulder and tried to figure out if she should shrug it off or leave it be. She wasn't sure how she felt about being touched, it being so unusual for her. She nodded as she listened. Left shoulder down, loosen grip.

Kiran brought up her bow again and knocked an arrow. She pulled back the bowstring as she raised the bow, trying to keep her left shoulder down. It was hard though, the moment she stopped thinking about it it raised back up instinctively. She loosened her grip as well, that was easier than her shoulder but still she wanted to tighten her grip. Her mind flicked between the two and she hoped that this would become natural and easy as Kovac said it would as her strength increased. Kiran lined it up as best she could and keeping her left shoulder as far down as she could she let go of the arrow. A reassuring twang filled her ears and then the arrow was buried in the target, an inch or so closer to the center than her first. The best shot she had made in a long time.

Her wide eyes turned to Kovac and she let out a smile, it wasn't a good shot but to her it was.

by **Kovac** on February 27th, 2013, 3:42 pm

OOCSorry I have been so long delayed!

The slight flush of her cheeks was all the discomfort Kiran was willing to show the Avora, but Kovac saw it, and stifled a grin. It pleased him in a twisted way. But his job was to teach and encourage improvement, not to mock or belittle. Sure, when training Yasi, they needed some eye-opening truth about where they stood in the world. But with an Endal, it was not wise to ridicule them, no matter how bad they really were.

For her part, the young rider was attentive to Kovac's instruction, willing to submit to the tutelage of an inferior for her own good. When Kiran requested a demonstration of the exercise he had recommended, Kovac lowered himself to the floor, into the plank position, holding himself up by his arms.

"A push up is just that...you push up from the floor." The bare-chested half-breed lowered himself, his body straight as a board, until his nose almost touched the ground. Then, he pushed himself upwards, the corded muscles in his arms and back, honed from the continual use of his bow, rippling as he did. Once his arms were straight again, he added, "That is a push -up." Then Kovac pressed out a couple dozen in rapid succession before vaulting again to his feet. "Those will help give you the strength to use that bow."

With that cleared up, Kiran returned to the firing line. Kovac observed her carefully, making sure the girl followed his instructions. She struggled with keeping her slight shoulder down, but it would come, so he did not harangue her about it. Kiran let her arrow fly, and the missile struck the target with marginal improvement...but it was improvement.

To Kiran, the shot was not just marginally better, her girlish grin and widened eyes revealed the small victory she claimed with the shot. Kovac gave her a small smile and a nod of approval. Stepping again up to the petite Endal, the Avora lifted his bow, pretending to pull back the string and releasing it, keeping the weapon raised as he spoke. But his gaze returned to the golden-eyed girl.

"Now, once you let that arrow fly, don't drop the bow. Wait until it hits the target. You are dropping the bow too soon, not following through. It can throw off your shot."

"Now...add that into the mix and try again. And Kiran, pay no mind to the others, no matter how well they shoot, then don't look as good as you when you make your worst shot." Kovac could not help the back-sided compliment, it was intended to lighten the mood. He had no designs on the young rider, but he was a hopeless scoundrel, and did not know when to keep such comments to himself.

by **Skerry** on January 23rd, 2014, 10:06 pm

Grades

Kovac

Skill	XP
Flirting	1
Observation	3
Teaching	1

LORES :

Notes:
Kiran: If you make a reappearance, PM me and I’ll sort out a grade.

I liked this and it was really going places. Shame that it just went poof!

Remember if you have any questions or problems with your grade then feel free to PM me.