(Archery Range) See, Aim, Fire! (Open)

by **Aiven** on July 17th, 2011, 4:29 pm

47th of Summer, 511 A.V.

Archery Range

Aiven had been preparing for her Archery Practice all week, hoping to get in some really good training. She had stocked up on arrows, and had been keeping her bow as well kept as she could, in hopes it would help her on the field. Today, she had planned to work on three different archery shots: Sight Shot, Blind Shot, & Running Shot. These three shots would not only train her shooting, but also her senses and agility. In all, she was ready to get started on the targets.

Walking out into the training yard, she noted the few other archers who had each taken place at their own target. Smiling, she made her way across the grass, picking one close to the end, farther away from the people so she would not get distracted as much by the other arrows flying around her. She set her bag down on the ground, a few steps back from where she would be shooting, before returning to the invisble line she had drawn for herself.

She positioned herself carefully behind the line, reaching back into her quiver, she smoothly retrieved an arrow, and placed it on the string of her bow. She eyed everything around her, making sure there was nothing to stop her from making a good shot. When she was satified there wasn't, she began to pull back on the arrow.

Aiven stanced herself knowingly, lining up her bow with the center of the target, now all she would have to do it make sure that she had enough power behind the shot to make it reach the target. She inhaled deeply, everything blurring except for the center of the target. 'See the target,' she though to herself, 'aim...' She exhaled, releasing the arrow, and watching it fly toward the target at high speed.

It hit the wood with an audible thud, but unfortunately it was a ring away from where it was initially supposed to hit. She frowned, letting out a sigh. Of course, she can never hit the center, but that would not stop her from trying! She reached back once more, repeating her earlier actions, and setting up for another shot.

by **Risa Moontide** on July 20th, 2011, 6:43 am

The outdoor archery range seemed emptier than she expected as Risa stepped upon it, after be warded off from several of the private archery ranges deeper in the city. Both she'd tried had tons of Inarta practices within. She'd as happily taken her unused slingshot out to the woods and practiced, but it was the principle of getting to know the Inarta that led her here. Regardless her pouch was heavy with bullets and she was going to use this chance to get to know this culture's strange fascination with the bow.

Fala was down in Thunder Bay with her ship, not by her side as usual, and it definitely did not make her footfalls any easier through the grassy region. His wings were tired and he didn't want to make the trek back up the stretched paths just to go shooting. Risa'd hardly been apart from him in years; it was strange to be away now. The few people here didn't seem to notice her entrance, as far as she could tell, but Risa was getting used to the Inarta's indifference or distrust for outsiders.

The wind was nearly still today, less than a bare breeze blowing. Awful for sailing but the way the Inarta crowded the other archery ranges, it must be fine weather for shooting. She eyed up the location, choosing a location near the end to practice. The short girl at the end had the same fiery hair that was becoming all too common in Risa's eyes. This is a curious tradition, she thought as she watched another string of arrows fly.

Risa pulled her water skin and ink vial from her pack, looking at the target down her lane. She grinned over at the archers around and grabbed a few metal orbs from her pouch. Pulling the top off the vial, Risa quickly dipped a drop of the black substance into her hands and ran them over the ammo. Finally she set the vial and ammo on the ground to splash some water on her hands. The complicated ammo ritual complete, Risa grabbed the first bolt and began to load it into her slingshot. Let's do this.

by **Aiven** on July 22nd, 2011, 10:36 am

Aiven had managed to make five more shots, none of them hitting the center to her dismay, before she had noticed the girl who had taken place next to her. Taking a quick moment to analyze the girl she found several things odd about her. First off, there was the immediate detail that she was not an Inarta. Not too odd, but still, in the archery range? Second, was the weapon she had. It was some odd sort of...slingshot she guessed. She felt an amused smile creep up to her lips, that wasn't something you see everyday.

Thinking it best to not be rude and stare, she turned back to her target. Oh, the cursed target. She positioned herself ready again, drawing an arrow from her quiver, before lining it back up with the unhitable red dot. Breathe, aim, focus...shot. Once again came the thud, and once again came the annoyance. Still one ring off from the center. She stared at the damned arrow with eyes set to kill for several long moments, before grumbling and walking up to the target to retrieve her arrows.

Placing her hand on it's surface, knowing it would take a bit of effort to remove it from the wood, she pulled back on the arrow, dislodging it with seeming ease, though it showed some resistants. She placed the arrows back into their holder as she slowly returned to her place. Her normal shot was not that bad, but now to practice the blind shot.

As she took her place behind the invisble line she had set, she stopped to watch what the girl next to her was going to do with that slingshot. She crossed her arms, examining her form, not judgementally, just...curiously, and waited to see the results.

by **Risa Moontide** on July 22nd, 2011, 5:21 pm

Risa grinned, her craftsmanship complete. The archers around her looked so noble, and the trader she'd gotten this from assured her the process was no different than shooting a bow. Having not shot a bow either, Risa felt less than fully confident in the procedure. Risa watched the woman next to her make several close shots, not hitting the target's center. She paused for a moment. Is that the goal here? Are you supposed to hit around the center? Judging by the woman's angry demeanor as the shots hit off-target, Risa guessed not.

Risa placed the blackened metal bullet into the slingshot's pocket. She could feel her heartbeat now, the slow pound in her eyes. She glared down at the target, a smile toying on her lips. She could imagine a shark breaching a serene swell, the shot in her hands poised defensively. She grabbed the slingshot firmly, pulling back on the string. The elastic stretched back and time seemed to slow. This was her shot. Exhaling she let the string fly, firing out!

There was an underwhelming lack of change as she fired. RIsa tried to see where the shot flew, but saw nothing. Hm. Risa reached down to grab another bullet, but that's when she noticed the first one. Apparently it had fallen out before the shot fired! Risa grumbled and grabbed the shot again, loading it into the pocket. As she grabbed the slingshot firmly again, she saw the shot roll out, leaving another black spot on the dirt below. This is going to be harder than I thought.

by **Aiven** on July 22nd, 2011, 5:38 pm

Aiven smiled to herself, comforted by the fact that she wasn't the only one lacking perfection. She had never really used a sling shot before herself, but by the looks of it, it didn't seem too easy. Facing forward, her fingers felt a little awkward as they retrieved another arrow. Blind shot. It always made her feel off. It was unnatural to shoot anything with your eyes shut, and quite frowned upon. Luckily, frowns did not stop this Inarta.

She set herself up again, shutting her eyes, aiming the arrow at the spot she prayed was the target. She took a breath, and released. She smirked when she heard the expected thud, but the position was all that mattered. She cracked open her right eye, the arrow was two rings from the center, verging on three. "Well..." She spoke quietly to herself, "It got closer than last time." She walked up to the target, and failed to notice the sudden dip in the ground. The next thing she knew was she was falling to the right, and as if time had slowed she watched the girl prepare her next shot.

by **Risa Moontide** on July 22nd, 2011, 10:42 pm

Risa was frustrated. Her other bullets were starting to dry and there were already black spots of ink dotting the ground from each failed attempt. At least the people around her were hitting their targets. Risa had tried holding the wrist-locking slingshot and a bunch of angles and points, but each time either the ball fell or she'd mess up. Maybe it was a mistake to have bought a slingshot. I should have gotten a bow or something like these other people. That tricky trader...

Risa tried to focus now. The weapon couldn't be that complex; it literally was made from three parts. But Risa never tried anything like this, her coordination was undeveloped. Her eyes were still locked on the weapon itself; she paid no heed to the girl walking up towards her arrows as she was preparing to fire. In fact she didn't look at the target either, more worried about getting the shot to just go than the place it hit. Cupping the pocket this time Risa stretched the shot back and fired.

The ball soared finally, perfectly in time with the unlucky fall ahead. Risa glanced up, eyes wide, but could not see her shot. Oh no! The redhead was on the ground far in front of her. Risa made out the soft thunk of her bullet connecting with either flesh or dirt. Did I hit her? Laviku, don't let me have hit her! Regardless she took off running down the range towards the girl.

by **Aiven** on July 27th, 2011, 2:17 am

Aiven hit the ground hard, not as quick on her feet as she was in the air. The whole left side of her body began to ache at the horrible landing, especially the muscle that stretched from her shoulder blade to her elbow. It all felt sore. She let her head loll on the ground for a moment, drowning in her own self loathing for not avoiding that hole. Not only that but, she could have sword something had hit her lower lip.

She groaned, moving her hand to lightly press against the wound. As soon as she touched it, it began to throb and pulse painfully. She jerked her hand away, cursing her own stupidity. She licked her lips, tasting the coppery flavoring of her blood. She frowned, 'oww.' How had that happened?

Then the sound of approaching footsteps reached the small Inarta's ears. She perked up her head a bit, eyes darting to the sound instinctively. It was a girl running toward her. By the look on her face, she seemed quite paniced. Aiven continued to poke at her lip with her tongue, unable to stop herself, as she slowly came to sit on the grass.

by **Risa Moontide** on July 27th, 2011, 8:17 am

Risa's legs hurt as she ran. Hiking was really getting to her, her calves were sore. Regardless her concern wasn't for her own legs or the shots she left behind. The rocky cliff at the back of the archery range still seemed so far away, like she would never get to this girl. Risa raced ahead, just getting downrange. Please be alright! Risa almost stumbled herself in the loose dirt, but caught her own nervous footing, trying to move as fast as her legs would allow her.

The first thing she noticed was the blood from the girl's mouth. Her eyes were wide, terrified. Risa knelt over the girl in the dirt, hands shaky. "Oh Gods, are you alright?!" Her mind was running rampant now, thinking about her shot lodging in this girl or something and causing the blood she now saw. The red stained the ground in drops and Risa felt the red as though it were on her hands. "Don't move, I'm going to get you a healer or something! I can't believe I did this!" Risa looked back towards the mostly empty rows, biting her lip. I have to get help quick!

by **Aiven** on July 27th, 2011, 11:24 pm

Aiven couldn't help but laugh a bit at the girl's reaction. Poor thing. She thought she had mortally wounded her. Aiven cast her a smile, though, it didn't last long when her lower lip burned as it was stretched. "Ow." She placed her hand back on the wound, feeling the blood starting to lessen. "I'm fine," She raised her hand to stop the girl from doing something...rash. "Just a little off. But nothing to be worried about."

Her eyes caught glance of a glimmer on the ground next to her. She eyed the shining mystery. A small metal bead lay in the ground, a bit of blood and dirt covered it. Aiven raised a brow, 'so that's what hit me?' She reached for in, and rolled it in her palm, bringing it to her shirt to wipe off anything foul that might have been left on it's surface.

She smiled, a very small smile so not to strain her lip, and held up her hand to the girl. "This is yours?" She questioned, regarding the bead.

Once the bead was back in the girl's palm, she lazily brought herself to stand. She looked around as she dusted herself off. "It's not often I get hit by the shots of..." she eyed the girl, "others on the range." She spoke humorously. Wiping away any blood remains onto her dark shirt. "I am Aiven," She grinned a little with a wince, as she held her hand out to the other girl, "your target. And you are?"

by **Risa Moontide** on July 27th, 2011, 11:47 pm

The sound of laughter hit Risa with more fury than an ocean storm. It was so out of place in this obviously tragic scene. What kind of person would laugh at someone getting hurt?!? She whipped her head about for a second before she realized it was the girl herself laughing and not some malicious outsider. Rise froze, looking down at the bleeding girl as her words floated back up.

Risa couldn't help it as laughter boiled the stress she just put on herself out. She tried to stop herself but the giggling escaped, her laughter like a repeating chime of a bell. "I'm sorry," she said between the laughter, "I just thought I nearly killed you or something! This is so relieving!" Risa took in a deep breath but still wore a goofy grin.

Risa looked at the small bullet as it was handed to her, the ink all but gone from its surface. "Yeah, this is mine. These can actually hurt more than they look, I've heard of them easily knocking out teeth." Risa let the ball roll in her hand for a moment, the bead heavier than it looked. As if hearing the words she had just spoken Risa looked up at the girl's lip real quick, her face showing nothing but concern again. "I'm still so sorry I hit you!"

She held out her hand as well, fingers dyed a pale black from the small amount of time ink covered them, and shook Aiven's. "My name is Risa. I guess I'm not much of a shot." She looked down at her hands now, but then replied, "Oh, sorry, the ink is dry on my hands, if you were worried. So are you a hunter?"