Closed [Archery Range] Just Breathe

[Loggan]

----- FAll 22nd, 513 AV A soft groan escaped her maw. Eyes the color of a storming blue sea opened and stared at the ceiling above her head. She stared intently at the grainy walls for a moment before the voice in the distant caught her ears. "Come on you lazy Yasi! Let's get the day started." That was when another groan sounded from Loggan as hands ran over her face. It was time to get up and get ready. Was there ever a day when she could really just lay in bed as long as she wanted and rest? No, for that was not the Inarta way. It was work or die; and she had no intentions of dying. Pale legs dangled over the small bunk as Loggan shifted to a sitting position. She was vaguely aware of the other youths rising from their beds around her, but she was too tired to wish any of them a good morning. Reaching underneath her bunk her long ginger locks fell down her shoulders and in her path of sit. With an impatient huff Loggan quickly shoved the uncontrollable mass away from her face as she pulled out her boots and the clothes for the day. Slipping on only her Brydas the young Yasi shuffled over to the small basin before any of the other girls could get out of their bunks. She did not want to be having a fight over the wash bin like yesterday. Splashing the bone chilling water on her face, arms, pits and neck she ignored the goose dumps rising on her pale skin. Throwing her Vinati over her small torso, and snatching up her Katinu just in case, Loggan made her way out of the sleeping corridors and followed the sleepy mass of Yasi as they shuffled to the kitchens for breakfast. Loggan slipped through the many Yasi and adults spilling into the kitchens and rummaging around for their breakfast. Her blue eyes scanned the figures who were begging and haggling with the cooks to fix them something and those banging the pots around making their own meals. She did not want to beg food out of a cook, that would include talking and it was still to early to try for any of that. Cooking would require work, plus she was not very good at that; so her best bet was to hope that- Ah! Stopping in her tracks Loggan watched intently as on Chiet placed some cooked rice and fish into a bowl leaving a good amount behind in on one of the counters; knowing full well someone else would clean up his mess. Quick as lightening Loggan was over there and scooping the remains into a wooden bowl and hurrying away with the hot food already going down her throat. Well, she got it easy today. Being one of the older Yasi Loggan did not have to shuffle off in a class for group training as the younger ones did. She had her mandatory classes in the afternoon, the morning was left for training in the occupation of her training. And for Loggan that was hunting. Making her way through the warrens the young redhead was joined by a few other youths around her age who too had chosen to train in hunting. Of course that included a multitude of skills; but Loggan was not quite awake yet, so that meant going to her favorite task, archery. Too the range it was. ---- There was a wooden quiver resting at her feet. In her long fingers she dripped a short bow. An instructor stood a few yards behind, watching her and some of the other youths practicing with the various instruments. Gripping the wood tightly Loggan placed her arrow making sure the knock was placed properly. Lifting it up vertically she dripped the string with her right hand, fingering the arrow just right with her three fingers placed. She couldn't help but wiggle a little as she stared down the target. Her elbow came back, holding her arm alongside her nose. Blue orbs glared almost angrily at the target off int the distance. Her chest rose a little as she in took a breath, and........ Fingers released like a eagle spreading it's wings for take off. Arrow went flying through the air like a graceful, deadly missile, perfectly straight and with such speed; landing on the mark with such speed. "Damn it." Loggan cursed under her breath glaring at the arrow she had just released. It had landed on the target, but barely. Hitting just the outside of the wooden circle. Not a good shot, not a good shot at all. She glanced over her shoulder to find the instructor giving her a nasty glare. Failure was not an option here, failure meant death, she must do better. "I hate this. Don't know why we practice so early." Loggan muttered angrily to herself, but she caught the wry smile of the Yasi next to her as he overheard the harsh words. Grabbing another arrow Loggan angrily loaded it and aimed for the target. She released this time with less grace and precision and more anger. The arrow hit closer towards the center of the mark this time, but through flight it had been all wobbly and off course. "Loggan! You best shape up this moment or I will find you a pot to scrub!"[/color] The instructor barked. Was he being cruel and overly strict. No, not really. Loggan was brilliant with a bow, just not the long ones. She could do very well with a short bow and the instructor knew it, but you needed more then one skill to survive, hence this practice. Biting the harsh retort that was rising inside of her Loggan closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. Just breath, relax. Her lips parted for a moment, releasing the air built up inside of her. Reaching down and grabbing another arrow from the quiver the young Yasi placed it in the practice bow and rose it to eye level. Her blue eyes glared at the target down the shaft of her arrow, intently watching as if it would leap out of the way. Breath in.....pull back. Breath out......release. A soft thud. And there was her arrow just a few inches from the center. With a wry smile Loggan turned with a smug look on her face to find the instructor now barking at some other poor lass. "Turd." Loggan muttered bitterly as she grabbed another arrow. -----   Skills Skill EXP Total Proficiency Hunting 10 SP 10 Novice longbow 5 SP 5 Novice Falconry 9 SP 9 Novice Persuasion 5 SP 5 Novice Husbandry 5 SP 5 Novice Short bow skills 10 RB, 16 SP 26 Competent   Possessions 1 Set of Clothing -Simple Vinati -Simple Bryda -Simple Sontav -Simple Undergarments/ linen -Simple Katinu -leather ankle boots 1 Waterskin 1 Backpack which contains: -Comb (Glass) -Brush (Bone) -Soap -Razor -Balanced Rations (1 Week's worth) -1 eating knife -Flint & Steel - Short Bow - 1 quiver - (20) short bow arrows - (20) Game Arrows   Ledger Purchase Cost Total Starting +100 Pinions 100 Pinions Quiver -20 gm 80 Pinions Arrows -1 gm 79 Pinions Game Arrows -4 gm 75 Pinions

[Azira]

   

After being trapped in Water Reach during the storm a few days previously, Azira had been thinking a lot. Her defeat to Erade had stung bitterly but she'd managed to get her nerve back. One comment that Kovac had made kept niggling at her though, that some of the Yasi were very good archers. Almost as if to prove it to herself, she'd found herself down in the range today, not the Avora one but the place that the Yasi used. She was just curious, wondering if what the hunter had said could be true. 

She supposed that her own skills were novice but she'd be interested to see if there many Yasi who were steady enough with a bow to be that much better than her. Sure they might be good but they wouldn't hold up in the field, she was confident of that now but she couldn't be certain.

As she entered the range, the huntress saw that the instructor reacted noticeably. He began barking at a Yasi near him as he watched Azira approach. Although she was small there was no mistaking her for a Yasi. She walked with the confidence of an Avora and the bow across her back showed her for what she was: a hunter.

The teen nodded in acknowledgement to the man and then ignored him, focusing instead on the girl that he'd snapped at. He was either worried that she'd show him up or else the girl had made an uncharacteristic mistake that he didn't want the Avora to see. 

She looked at the girl with appraising eyes, noting the speed of her deliverance and the fair accuracy of her shots. The girl was obviously good, better than Azira perhaps. She shook her head in disbelief. The girl must be coming to the end of her Yasihood yet she obviously wasn't apprenticed, otherwise she wouldn't be shooting with this rabble. 

While hunting was important for Wind Reach not all hunters were willing to take on apprentices unless forced to. It was a huge responsibility and some hunters figured that it was hard enough to look after themselves without having to worry about the safety of an apprentice as well. Others were just plain lazy. Azira wasn't inclined towards the idea of taking on an apprentice either but her reasoning was that she was still too young and inexperienced to be much use to a youth. She could still see the waste of letting talented youths to slip through the cracks.

"Who's that girl there?" she asked the instructor quietly, not taking her eyes off the girl. The youth probably heard her but she didn't particularly care.

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[Loggan]

----- "Whose the girl there?" "Her name is Loggan. She has a good hand at the short bow." The chiet said with a small nod towards the Avora. It was his job, as well as the others caring for the Yasi, to make sure that they got somewhere with their training. Of course that occasionally meant bragging about them to potential mentors Her ears rung with the words, her senses becoming hyped. Chills went down her spin and she had to fight every instinct in her body not to spin around and see who it was that was watching her; but she kept her composure. As smooth as the wind itself Loggan bent down to grab another arrow from her quiver. Hair falling over her face she was able to steal a look towards the curious Avora. That had to be what she was. Why would a common Chiet ask about a Yasi, they did not take nor needed apprentices. Straightening up she loaded the arrow trying her best to focus on the task at hand. The hairs on the back of her neck were standing up for she knew now that both eyes were likely on her. Her tongue rolled around in her mouth as she tried to refrain from biting her lip; something she did when nervous. Pulling back the arrow she aligned it as before with her nose and glared down the target with her blue grey eyes. Parting her fingers the arrow flew straight and true and landed even closer then before to the center of the marker. Loggan allowed herself a small smile, bending down to grab three more arrows. Time to show off. As quickly as her long fingers would allow her Loggan loaded an arrow and released. The first one was still flying for the target when she speedily released the second one. The first one had landed as she released the third. All landing nearly in the same spot every time. Was this her chance? ----- Skill EXP Total Proficiency Hunting 14 SP 14 Novice Falconry 10 SP 10 Novice Persuasion 5 SP 5 Novice Husbandry 5 SP 5 Novice Short bow skills 10 RB, 16 SP 26 Competent

[Azira]

   

The Avora had to stifle a laugh at the man's words. He sounded so hopeful as if he thought that she might take the girl on as an apprentice. Surely he could see that she was too young herself, she was scarcely past her own Yasihood! Yet he still tried to sell this Loggan's abilities to her. If she'd been interested then the Yasi's skill would have spoken for themselves. 

I have eyes, you petching idiot, she thought at the Chiet, rolling her eyes as soon as she'd looked away from him, returning her attention to the Yasi.

The girl must have heard their exchange because it was obvious that she was showing off, trying to impress the young huntress. She was very good, certainly but that meant little to her. It proved Kovac right but that was all. Perhaps she could suggest the girl to her fellow hunter as an apprentice but she wasn't sure if the man would be willing to do such a thing. He hadn't had anyone with him during the storm so it was likely that he didn't have an apprentice already but she couldn't be sure.

Azira was very tempted to tell the girl that her display was pointless, that there wasn't any way that she'd take her on and there was more chance of someone else taking her on. Maybe when the girl was done she could give her some advice about gaining some hunter's interest. Then again she needed to go hunting and she was already later than usual at starting.

Sighing, the teen reasoned that a few more chimes wouldn't make that much difference. She looked at the man's hopeful expression and sighed again. Perhaps she should just get this over with.

"You're right though good is an understatement," she remarked. "Any chance of me talking to her?"

x

[Loggan]

-----

"Oh! Yes, please do!" The chiet said in obvious excitement, taking a step back and waving her forward. "Loggan, come here!"

Loggan herself was now down the archery range standing near the target. She was pulling her precious arrows out of the target and placing them back in the quiver. Her blue eyes flickered back toward the two older ones who spoke. How she wished she had the ears of an owl and could hear what they spoke of. Pulling the last of her arrows out of the target and placing it in her quiver she lifted her things over her shoulder, heading back to where she was before. That was when she caught the Chiet calling for her to come over. Quickening her pace Loggan jogged over towards the two. An odd feeling formed in her stomach at that moment, as if someone was twisting her stomach with their bare hands. She wanted it to stop. What was there to be nervous about? Sure, this was an Avora, but she didn't look old enough to want an apprentice. So why be concerned? Perhaps she was looking for an older one? Really for Loggan she was nearing the end of her training, if she got no offers and had to become a Chiet, or even her greatest fear a Dek she would just die. Probably throw herself off of the nearest cliff edge.

"Yes Kiam." Loggan said as she took a halt before the two of them. She brushed some of her red locks out from her face by habit as she tried to swallow and make the air go down her lungs. Just breathe.

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Skill	EXP	Total	Proficiency
Hunting	14 SP	14	Novice
Falconry	10 SP	10	Novice
Persuasion	5 SP	5	Novice
Husbandry	5 SP	5	Novice
Short bow skills	10 RB, 16 SP	26	Competent

[Azira]

   

The girl, Loggan had been busy retrieving arrows when the Chiet called her. It was no surprise that she hurried over as the eagerness and excitement in the man's tone were highly evident. As the Yasi moved towards them she seemed to scrutinise Azira, noticing her youth and perhaps gauging whether or not she was interested in her. Hopefully the man's tone hadn't planted hopes in her head that she was going to be apprenticed by someone. Seeing as the girl was nearing the end of her Yasihood it was probably a source of great anxiety to her that she hadn't been apprenticed.

The huntress had never had to entertain the same fears that this girl no doubt had. She had never been left without an apprenticeship as time ticked away. She had been lucky to show some talent at a young age and come across a huntress who was eager to help her. Perhaps Azira could take Loggan under her wing, parade her around a bit until the other hunters sat up and took notice. It was certainly a possibility but she wasn't certain whether or not it was a wise choice.

When the Yasi was in front of her she could see the hope and anticipation in her eyes and the girl's breathing was uneven. The huntress doubted the uneven breathing was a result of the jog. It had been very short and the girl didn't appear unfit. She was expecting some sort of offer and she was nervous about it. Maybe it hadn't been such a good idea to stay as long as she had to watch the girl. She'd only put her hopes needlessly.

Turning to the man, Azira addressed him, "Kiam, is it? Why don't you leave myself and Loggan to talk privately. If for whatever reason I need you for something, I'll call." Assuming that the man would obey her, she turned back to Loggan and managed a small smile.

"Hello Loggan. I'm Azira. I've been watching you shoot. You're quite good you know but it's a shame that no one has taken you on as an apprentice. Are you disappointed about that?" She didn't know why she had asked that. Of course the girl was disappointed but the older teen had no idea what to say to the other. She was nervous herself.

x

[Loggan]

-----

The chiet gave a small head nod as he was obviously being dismissed from the area. Loggan's cheeks grew red with embarrassment as she caught the look her instructor gave her before shuffling away towards another young one. Fiddling with her thumbs she glance up at Azira for a moment, the redness in her cheeks dying down. He just wanted what she did; a chance. She didn't like this at all, being on the spot like this. She remembered seeing other Yasi, some younger and older then her talking with Avora and others. Some times they were then gone from the Yasi training and corridors obviously being chosen. While others......well, she did not want that heartbreak at all. Loggan almost wanted Azira to just blurt out why she was here and get it over with. For someone so young could not possibly want an apprentice. What was it?

"Nice to meet you Azira." The young redhead said simply, tiling her head to the side. The Avora's next words kind of hurt. She flinched a little as if someone had jabbed one of those arrows right into her side. Now that was not a question she wanted to hear. Blue-grey eyes narrowed a little as they shifted to the ground. "Thank you; and yes it is a shame. I would assume you know the know the answer to your own question. What Yasi would not be? It is what we live and dream for." Why else would she train everyday if not to be given an apprenticeship? It was the whole purpose of her living.

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Skill	EXP	Total	Proficiency
Hunting	14 SP	14	Novice
Falconry	10 SP	10	Novice
Persuasion	5 SP	5	Novice
Husbandry	5 SP	5	Novice
Short bow skills	10 RB, 16 SP	26	Competent

[Azira]

   

When the instructor had left, Loggan had become markedly more nervous. Azira should have taken that as a hint that she ought to just say a few kind words and leave. The huntress definitely didn't take it as a sign and so she'd barrelled on and said something extremely stupid. 

Flinching, the girl's entire countenance seemed to change after that idiotic question. The Yasi visibly deflated, obviously having gotten her hopes up only for the Avora to cruelly squash them. The woman tried to think of something to say that wouldn't cause more damage.

"Well yes that's true," she replied awkwardly, watching the Yasi carefully before she continued. "I only came here out of curiosity. I just wanted to see if something somebody said to me was true before I went hunting. I didn't expect to find someone of your calibre going to waste because nobody could be bothered with an apprentice." She paused, trying to work out what the girl was thinking. She couldn't tell so taking a deep breath, the teen came out with the offer that had been forming in her head.

"I can't offer you an apprenticeship or guarantee that you'll get an one out of it but perhaps I could bring you out some time, hunting I mean. Then I could point you out to the other hunters, tell them that you have experience in the field and how you fare under pressure. It might get you somewhere. What do you think?" 

The offer sounded stupid to her own ears so she wondered what the Yasi would say to it.

x

[Loggan]

-----

Her head tilted a little to the side, shifting her red curls as the older girl spoke. Honestly, she just wanted to get back to her shooting now. What was she here for? To chat it up with a bored Avora who had nothing better to do then torment an aging Yasi. It's rather sad if you think about it. How the young ones can fear getting older at such a young age. Loggan started to fiddle with the arrows in her hands. Shifting her gaze up to know meet the older girls she held them there. Did she have to keep rubbing it in?! Loggan already knew all that! She knew she was talented. She knew she was going to waste. She feared she would just be thrown to the dogs in a year or so. Azira did not have to say a word more.

"Well, if you do not mind I would like to get back to my practicing." Loggan said with an obvious strain in her voice. It was like she was on the spot being poked and teased at this moment. Sure, Azira did not mean to be saying the wrong things; but Loggan didn't know that. Nor would she care much either way. It angered her to be standing here, having to be as polite as the rivers and spoken about this way. Her blue-grey eyes could have been on fire with her obvious irritation.

Then there was Azira's offer. Her eyes widened a little in shock and then confusion. Well, that was not what she was expecting; neither the good or that bad. It was not what she wanted exactly. If she worked at this though it could be a blessing. She just had to show the other hunters she knew enough of what she was doing and was willing to learn. A crooked smile peeked around her soft lips. "Are you being serious?" She asked as cautious as a wolf stalking it's prey. "If you are then I would be very much grateful for such an offer. At the very least it would give me a sense of happiness before I am dumped with some silly task for the rest of my life."

-----

[Azira]

   

The girl had evidently thought that Azira was just poking fun at her or that she'd just called her over to rub her lack of apprenticeship in her nose because she'd asked to be allowed back to her shooting. The strain in her voice had been obvious but the huntress wasn't sure if the tremor came from anger or upset. It was hard to tell but it was probably a bit of both. Azira and her big mouth but the girl brightened at her offer.

Loggan was looking at her with animal caution as if she wasn't certain if this was some sort of a trap. The Avora found herself smiling despite herself. The Yasi was hopeful but at the same time, she didn't dare hope, not sure of the offer would be snatched away from her without any notice. Poor girl. Living on the edge of adulthood must have been a nightmare for her.

"The offer's genuine. Honestly it is. Like I said it'd be a waste not to try to get you apprenticed and you aren't going to make much progress in here shooting at targets. Believe me, live animals are nothing like targets. One wrong move and they're gone. You need practical experience," she explained, watching the girl closely. "I don't know when I can arrange it, it'll have to be sometime before winter anyway but I'll get back to you, all right?"

x