Ana had been in Syliras for long enough to finally know her way around. It hadn’t been as easy as she had thought to become acclimated to the place. It was almost unbearably warm and the number people was almost intimidating for the outspoken Vantha girl. Her eyes were constantly swirling with color as she explored and learned more about the city, and yet she still felt as if she knew nothing.
On this particular day, she was trying to find some place to work. Money was going to get short and eventually her supplies were going to run out. She thought that she might try and find a doctor or herbalist or someone to assist or apprentice under, or simply carry messages. She was willing to try anything at least once; even if it meant doing random odd jobs for people.
As she walked through the city, she noticed a little shooting range she had never seen before. There were a few people there, shooting their bows, arrows flying wildly through the air to land on the ground or imbed themselves in the target. Her eyes flashed orange with curiosity and she approached the range, taking a place next to a large man who was one of the few who was actually able to hit the target. She pulled out her own bow and fitted it with an arrow. Raising it up slowly, she aimed and shot at the target in front of her. The arrow whizzed through the air and with a low thud imbedded itself just below the center mark of the target. She’d never been quite able to hit right where she aimed and sighed that this attempt was the same.
“It seems you are rather skilled for a girl.” the bulky man next to her said with a low grumbling noise that must have been a chuckle. “A little bit off though.”
Ana’s eyes flashed red with a sudden burst of anger. “What does me being girl have to do with shooting?” she said, her soprano voice almost taking away from the anger in her tone.
“Oh nothing, nothing!” he said quickly, waving his hands, “You are better than most of the men here right now! Just a complement.” Another grumbling chuckle emanated from the man’s throat. Ana blinked rapidly a few times before her eyes slowly began to switch between a dark green and blue.
“Skilled is hitting the center.” she said shortly, wrinkling her nose as she retrieved her arrow. Upon returning she noticed the man scratching his chin, looking oddly pensive.
“Have you tried switching your aim up or down?” he said, the thoughtful look still on his face.
“Up or down?” she responded, a look of disbelief on her face and her eyes frozen mid color switch. “It is not aiming at the right thing then.”
“No no, try it! I hear it works sometimes if your short ‘cause your shoulder ain’t even enough with the target.”
Ana just sat there and stared momentarily. Did he actually expect her to do something so idiotic sounding? The man just stood there, as if waiting for her to give it a try. Blowing air through her lips to make a rumbling sound, she turned to face the target once more. She fitted an arrow and aimed again, this time slightly below the center mark. When she released it, it whizzed through the air and barely nicked the bottom of the target.
“Well that didn’t work. Try aiming somewhere else.” the man said. A crowd was starting to form around her and it was a little nerve wracking, especially since it didn’t seem like this man’s suggestions were helping in the least.
Instead of retrieving her arrow right away, she took another from her quiver and fitted it in the bow. This time she aimed above the target. The arrow missed again but this time it was above and to the right of the center. Before she could hear the man speak she had another arrow fitted and was aiming again. This process continued until after several failed attempts, she aimed about a centimeter above and four centimeters to the left of the center. She released the arrow and with a solid thump, it landed right in the middle of the target.
Ana stood in disbelief for a second, just staring at the bit of wood and feathers sticking out of the hay filled target. The crowd was silent momentarily as well. Then with a sudden up roar the crowd of archers cheered. The man who had helped her yelled above them, “See! It worked! Congratulations kid!” He then clapped her on the shoulder, nearly toppling her over. A grin formed on her face as she rubbed her now slightly sore arm and her eyes swirled with multiple colors. She did it! She hit the target exactly in the middle! That had never happened before!
A couple of the archers ran forward and handed her the arrows. Around the arrow that had hit the center, someone had tied a little red cotton cloth to make it stand out from the rest. With thank yous to the men, especially the one who had given her the tips, she left the archery practice grounds, already planning her next visit. But it was time to be off on the job search again.
OOC: Next post will be Job related.