(Flashback) Count all of the Auras (Solo)

[Aello]

Timestamp: 5 Summer, 508 AV Location: Shinyama Peak Aello had returned to the range where she had met Una the day before. The range was the same as the girl had left it: four targets to shoot at, all stationed at different distances from a thin white line, where everyone was supposed to shoot from. The first target was set at ten yards, the next twenty, the one after that thirty, and the final one that rested at the far right, was stationed at fifty yards from the shooting line. The targets were relatively large, and from where she was standing at the line, appeared to be perfect circles. They appeared to be both three feet wide, and three feet high, and were resting against a wooden frame that reminded Aello of a painter's easel. The targets themselves were made out of a thin cloth that had been tied tightly around a large circular bundle of hay. Each target was painted with nine larger rings surrounding a central bulls-eye. The bulls-eye and the ring directly outside it were a bright yellow. The two just outside those rings were bright red. The next two a dark blue; which reminded Aello of the night sky. The next two were white, and the two outermost rings were black. The outermost rings of the targets were the most worn- they had the most arrow holes anyway, and the edges were sagging, giving the appearance that they were melting down the side of the frame that held them up. Aello had been practing for most of the day, and had finally decided that it was time for her to attempt a target that was farther out than twenty yards. Now that she had retrieved all of her arrows, the girl walked over to the space in front of the thirty yard target, which was still empty. She knocked an arrow onto the serving of her bow. Slowly, Aello raised her bow to the shooting position, and closed her left eye. The three middle fingers on her right hand wrapped around the arrow as she slowly began to pull the bowstring back. Aello raised the bow a little higher, now that her target was farther back from the shooting line, she may have to adjust her aim accordingly; to ensure that the arrow didn't drop to soon and skid through the grass. The three middle fingers of her right hand were growing sore as they pulled back more and more tightly on the string. Aello's heart was pounding as she slowly tilted the bow up and down, left and right, trying to perfect her aim. It was difficult to do so, now that the golden-yellow sun was so high in the sky. It seemed to cast its rays across the range, and into Aello's eyes, bathing her in a pale yellow light. Deciding that she wouldn't be able to do much better now that the sun was in her eyes, Aello let go of the bowstring. The arrow erupted out of the bowstring, and flew through the air. It started off straight, but soon began to descend the farther and farther it flew. Soon enough, the arrow was doing the one thing Aello had hoped it wouldn't: it was skidding through the grass, ripping up the occasional green blade, as well as clods of dirt as it dug itself further and further into the ground, before coming to a halt. Aello lowered her bow, and quickly reloaded. Well that sucked, Aello thought, as a satisfying thwack, rang through the range. It was coming from the ten yard line, where a single male archer with long black hair was still shooting. Everyone else had left hours ago. Aello sighed, perhaps she worked herself far harder than she thought. But she didn't care, excessive practice ensured her actually becoming good at something. Aello lifted her bow to the shooting position again. She began to pull back on the bow string, as she sighted down the arrow, this time, she aimed a little higher, and when she let go, the arrow shot through the air. It flew relatively straight, although it seemed to waver at the end. When it landed, it pierced the wooden stand that supported her target. It hovered uselessly, an inch above the ground. The peacock feathers swayed lightly in the wind, taunting her. They seemed to say: is that honestly the best you can do? The edges of Aello's cheeks grew to be a light pink shade, as she lowered her bow again, and reloaded. She had eight arrows left to shoot. Eight chances to do better before she called it a day. Her stomach rumbled, merely reminding Aello just how much she ignored her body's needs when she was trying to practice. Much like now, she knew she should go retrieve her arrows and call it a day this instant, not having eaten this morning. But she was in no mood. She was going to grapple the thirty yard target and show it who was boss if it was the last thing she did before the sun set. OOCPlease note the description of the range is the same as the one I gave for the day before. I didn't think it would have changed much.

[Aello]

Slowly, Aello lifted the bow, and aimed down the length of her peacock feather tipped arrow. As of now, it was pointed about a foot above the target. Aello stood silently for a moment, calculating. Given the distance between herself and the target, as well as the slight breeze that blew in front the west from time to time, she would have to aim high. That was a given. As for if she needed to aim to the left or the right of the bulls-eye was another story. Aello's breath had caught in her throat. The wind was rustling her hair, pushing it behind her, and then back onto her shoulders. It seemed to curl around the girl's neck like a noose. Some of the strands, like the frayed coils of a long rope; tickled the pale skin beneath the girl's chin. She closed her eyes and allowed her senses to flood her. Her fingers were beginning to hurt again as the bowstring dug into her flesh. Her palms were sweaty, and her palms felt cold. Off in the distance, the girl could just made out the sound of birds chirping merrily. They sounded so very happy. The air carried the scent of grass, and perhaps some sort of meat. Smoke, was someone cooking? Aello breathed in deeply through her nose. Would she be invited to taste whatever that marvelous cooking meat was? The girl doubted it, but it was nice to hope. The wind blew against Aello's face again. It wrapped around the girl's body, reminding her of its presence, its soft and fleeting embrace. It took only an instant for her to realize that the air was moving from right to left, so she should more than likely aim a little far to the right. The wind would carry the arrow to the target, right? As long as it runs through at the same time as your arrow. Aello opened her eyes, and inched the bowstring farther and farther back, past her ear. She closed her left eye again, and sighted down the arrow. Too far left. Aello inched the bow and her arrow to the right. The feathers were tickling her fingers as she adjusted her aim, waiting until it was just right to let go. The arrow was pointed towards the target's outer ring would be if it were a square. It was pointed at little more than air, to the northeast of the bulls-eye. Perhaps then the wind would guide it, as would gravity, and the archer would hit her mark. Hopefully. Aello pulled the string farther back as she planted her feet firmly in the ground. Slowly, her fingers unwound themselves from around the bowstring. It began to vibrate quickly at first, and then slowly, around and around in circles as the arrow shot out of it and towards the target. The arrow sliced through the air in a straight line, and then started to dip as it inched closer and closer to the target. Finally, it landed. Twack! It had pierced the farthest edge of the target, the outermost ring. One of the dark twins. Aello lowered her bow. Well that still sucked, but at least you hit the target this time, her brain whispered. Aello twisted her bow so that the wooden frame started on the left side of her body, and ended at her right. She lifted her right leg, and allowed the bow to rest on her knee. Her fingers gripped it tightly, as she extended her right arm over her shoulder, and pulled another peacock feather tipped arrow from her quiver. Aello laced the arrow through the bowstring with the tips of her fingers. She heard a slight click when the arrow took. A second later, Aello planted her right leg firmly back on the ground, and resumed her natural archer's stance. Slowly, she lifted the bow again, and shut her left eye. Her left hand was beginning to sweat, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the wooden frame more tightly. Her thumb was nudging the arrow lightly, guiding it, as she wiggled her feet into the ground. Left before right, each turned towards the ten yard target. You can do this, as long as you concentrate. The girl breathed deeply in through the nose, before letting the air out slowly through her mouth with a sigh. "You just have to be patient Aello," she told herself as she began to pull back on the bowstring again.

[Aello]

A second later, Aello had let go of the bow string, the arrow shot through the air, and landed in the outermost white ring, to the south west of the target. Aello sighed, she was getting better, but it still wasn't good enough. The young spiritist quickly reloaded, and lifted her bow. She had six more shots. Slowly, the girl guided her bow to the right, so that the arrow was pointed at the outermost ring of the target. That plan seemed to work out relatively well last time, so why not try it again? The girl squinted, as the sun began to fall from the sky, ever so slowly, it would be gone soon, she knew. Only a few more hours of light left. A few more hours to finish her practice session. Aello inhaled deeply and let go of the bowstring. As soon as the arrow had left the bow, Aello exhaled with a deep sigh. She watched as it flew through the air, thwack, the arrow pierced the inner red ring. Much better, but there is still much work to do. Aello head a slight shuffling of feet upon the grass. She lowered her bow and looked to the only other remaining archer. He seemed to smile at her. "Going in for the night. Enjoy the rest of your practice," the archer called to her. "Thank you, and good night," Aello called as the archer rounded a large grassy hill, and disappeared from sight. The girl sighed. Five more shots. Aello reached over her shoulder, and plucked another arrow from her quiver, she laced it onto her bow. There was a slight click. As soon as she had heard the arrow click into place, the girl raised her bow, and closed her left eye again. She sighted down the arrow. The wind had stopped blowing, so she decided to aim for the outer-most red ring. She would aim just above the bulls-eye, allowing room for the arrow to fall during its flight. As of now, the arrow was pointing a little too far right. Slowly, Aello inched her bow to the left, until it was aligned with the bulls-eye. As soon as Aello was certain she had perfected her aim, she let go of the bowstring. Her eyes followed the arrow's path in silence. The girl lowered her bow just as the arrow made contact with the yellow ring just outside the bulls-eye. Yes! Finally! It's about time! Aello's brain cheered as she turned to face the target head-on. The sun was sinking far more rapidly than she had anticipated, and thus, she was forced to make the following decision: retrieve your arrows now before you lose them all to the starry night. Reluctantly, the girl strode forward. Aello could just made out the sight of her arrow in the grass. As she walked, she plucked it out of the dirt, and wiped it off on the grass quickly before continuing onto the thirty yard target. She slipped the retrieved arrow back into her quiver just before she reached the target. Gingerly, Aello placed her bow on the ground, she would require the use of both hands in order to pull her arrows out of the target properly. The first arrow Aello removed was the one that she had lodged in the wooden frame that supported the target. As soon as she had, she placed it back in her quiver. The next arrow the girl went after was the one that landed closest to the bulls-eye. Aello braced the target with her left hand. Her palm was resting against it, the arrow was poking out from the space between her thumb and index fingers. The rest of Aello's fingers were pressed tightly into each other. With the right, Aello got as close to the bottom as she could. She wrapped her fingers around the arrow, and wiggled it, until it came out. Delicately, Aello put her arrow back, before moving onto the rest of the arrows she had pierced the target with. She started with the center of the target, and then worked her way out to the rings farthest away from the center. When she had retrieved all of her arrows and tucked them safely away within her quiver, the girl took a step back and looked up at the sky. The sun was just beginning to set behind a far-away hill. It was casting the sky in a mixture of deep colors- oranges, light purples, pinks and a fleeting blue. It was beautiful. Deciding that she didn't have time to watch it however, due to her rumbling belly, the girl picked her bow up off the ground. She held it tightly in her right hand as she turned abruptly on her heels, and began to walk off the archery range. When she had reached the edge of the range, Aello turned right, and walked down a small hill, when she reached the other side, her stomach growled again. The edges of her cheeks turned a bright pink shade, even though she couldn't see anyone else around who would matter. "Perhaps it is time to eat." The girl's legs folded, and soon enough, she was sitting cross-legged on the ground. Aello placed her bow to the right of her body, before she slipped her bag and her quiver off her shoulders as well. She placed her belongings next to her bow. As soon as she had, she began to rummage through her bag for something to eat. A moment later, her fingers had wrapped around a small green apple. Aello pulled it out of her bag, and shined it on her shirt. Aello shrugged, it's better than nothing, Aello told herself as she lifted the pale fruit to her lips. She took a bite. The apple crunched beneath her teeth as the pale flesh and a chunk of smooth green skin crumpled into her mouth. A sweet juice rolled around her tongue, as did the semi-masticated apple flesh. It was crisp; refreshing, a lovely treat, despite its inability to satisfy the girl's hunger. Aello had finished within minutes, and soon found herself looking for more. But she had nothing to give herself. Frustrated, Aello threw the apple core away from her. She watched the shadow fall with her eyes, before it landed with a muffled thud. May as well have not eaten a thing, we're as bloody hungry as before, Aello's mind complained, but she ignored it. There was no point in reminding herself of her discomfort, of how she hardly knew her way around, and wouldn't even know where to look should it still be light enough out to find something to eat. Realizing, however, that it was too dark, Aello decided to resign herself to sleep, at least that way, she wouldn't have to suffer through her hunger. Aello leaned back, and rested her head on the cold ground. The green grass weaved its way through her long brown hair as it fanned out around her head. The sky had become a dark blueish-black color. A large, silver crescent moon hung in the left-hand corner. Sparkling silver stars were scattered throughout the night sky. "It's so very beautiful Zintila," Aello whispered as she folded her hands beneath her head and looked up at it. Now was her time to relax; to enjoy the beauty that surrounded her.

[Aello]

Aello stared silently up at the sky. The stars seemed to form a large, smiling face with the moon. The girl, feeling tired, as well as strangely young and innocent, couldn't help but smile back. Her eyes passed back and forth, from left to right over the darkening night sky. It felt like she was reading a book, when in reality she was reading the stars. Sometimes, they seemed to form pictures, that all together, would tell a story. Yet as the young spiritist squinted her eyes and looked up at the sky with every ounce of her concentration, all she could see was a kitten sitting up there. It seemed to mock her: you can't tell an entire story with only one piece of the puzzle now can you? As she stared angrily up at the starry creature, its tail seemed to swish back and forth amusedly, as the edges of its body began to blur. Aello opened her eyes again fully, and simply stared. Stupid kitten in the stars, ruining the entire story. Now one doesn't even want to look for the rest of the pages. Aello sighed heavily. A wave of exhaustion was beginning to wash over her. A slight stinging sensation seemed to lick at the edges of her eyes. Perhaps it would be best to try and rest. Aello leaned back and closed her eyes. She lay there for several minutes. Sleep seemed to claw at her, to begin to drag her off and into the dream realm, and yet, she couldn't quite complete the journey there. Aello reluctantly opened her eyes. Now why can't we sleep this time? Aello wondered, she felt tired after all. She had been working all day, and knew her body would want to rest, and yet, she simply could not. Aello sat up slowly, and looked around. There wasn't anything that seemed to be making too much noise. Nothing that would keep her up. Unless the stars and the moon are shining too brightly for you. Aello smiled weakly, perhaps that was it. Well what can you do? You still need to get to sleep, otherwise you're going to be one, super cranky bitch come morning. Aello giggled. It was true, as soon as she lost the slightest bit of sleep, she got a little cranky. But, counting sheep had never worked for her as a child. Ahhh, but you have never tried counting auras. "Counting auras?" Aello whispered. Yes, just go from one object to the next. Explore each of their auras. "That's not really counting them," Aello commented. Would you stop getting so technical! "Sorry," Aello muttered. Thank you. There was a slight pause. You could always count them, IF you insist. But, that's not really the point of the exercise. It's good practice, and the magic always makes you tired. The girl smiled weakly. She had made a good point. Auristics always managed to make her sleepy. Aello began to breath in through her nose, and out through her mouth. She was concentrating deeply on her surroundings. She could just make out the sound of crickets off in the distance, when the first aura came into view. It was surrounding a piece of grass just a few feet ahead of her. The aura was rather thin, maybe a quarter of a centimeter at most. It curled into the blade of grass it was a part of, like a rather loving shadow. It seemed to undulate, to move around the blade of grass in a circular, clockwise motion. The misty aura was a pale green color, and did little more than accentuate the blade of grass, and make it seem slightly fatter. The best she could make of it was that the green signified its being a naturally occurring entity. Or perhaps it could be used in medicine or something. Greens had to do with healers most of the time, right? Aello scratched her head confusedly as her pupils dilated and the first aura began to fade away. Aello found it interesting that plants had auras, even if they were so small, that they could easily be missed. Much like human auras, they tended to be comprised of a single color, perhaps two. They seemed to hover around their entity like a forgotten mist, an unseen shadow. Yet, they were so much smaller, and clearer too. Was that in any way significant, or simply the nature of the beast? Was the plant's aura like that simply because it is smaller than a human, so by default, its aura had to be too? Or was it something else? Aello sighed, perhaps you should look into finding someone with a little more knowledge on auristics than you and ask. Or perhaps, get yourself a good book. Books are always good. Aello nodded sheepishly as another aura came to light. This aura was a pale grey shade. It looked to be little more than a rather thick fog hovering close to the earth. It belonged to a field mouse, who must have been scurrying along on its way home. Grey means it is a mysterious creature... or perhaps it means that the poor thing is sick. Who can honestly remember what every single nuance of every single color means? Aello nodded weakly again as the mouse disappeared behind another low, rolling hill, and the aura disappeared into the night. The girl's eyes were growing heavier, and she knew that if she kept it up much longer, she would more than likely fall asleep. Of course, this was a good thing, she really needed the sleep. Aello yawned once before her eyes narrowed and she caught sight of another aura. This one surrounded a firefly. The one that was hovering just before her eyes. The creature glowed from time to time, as it rapidly beat its wings in order to remain suspended in space. The bug's aura, was simply an extension of the light it gave off from time to time. Or perhaps, it was whenever it wanted, which wasn't much it seemed. Aello smiled, the aura was a radiant yellow that seemed to keep the creature permanently lit. "Keep it up, and the sky just may make you an honorary star," Aello whispered as it buzzed around before her, from left to right, as though it were showing off. The girl giggled. Guess that means we have a night light. The firefly finally flew away, leaving Aello all alone beneath the stars. Aello waved to it. "Good bye little thing," she whispered as the aura disappeared from sight. Her eyes were growing heavier and heavier as she sat. You see, now you should be able to sleep. Aello nodded as she leaned back onto the hill. Her long brown hair fanned up around her as she looked up at the smiling stars one last time before she closed her eyes, and Nysel claimed her for the night. OOCYes, Aello does converse with herself on a regular basis. (The stuff in bold are her thoughts).

[Ophelia]

Aello: +1 Observation, +4 Archery (Shortbow), +3 Auristics


Aello: Impact of Wind on Aim (Archery), Stories in the Stars, Arguing with Self, Auras of Plants and Minor Animals


I love how realistic you are. Not many people rp something and fail at it. Your archery writing is very indepth. I love the little conversations that Aello has with herself. Keep up the good work! PM me should anything arise. Thanks Aello!