An Attempt at Archery (Kovac)

[Feyra]

She watched curiously as Kovac walked closer, but turned back to the target when he ended up behind her. She nodded, and once again Feyra positioned her bow in her hand, trying her best to replicate what her fellow Avora had demonstrated before. She raised the bow properly, pulled back the string and held it. She didn't move, but her eyes did, her gaze following his hand as it guided her own into place. She made a quiet noise that she intended as a verbal nod. She almost overbalanced as he pulled on her left shoulder, but she relaxed the muscle at the last minute to avoid falling over. Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly at the archers words, but she bit her tongue, and kept her position steady, save for her arm. It was starting to shake slightly form holding the string back for such a long period of time. Again, she bit her tongue at Kovac's words. He was helping her after all, and she hadn't even asked him to. She settled instead for grabbing a new arrow with slightly more force than she would normally have done. She raised her bow and nocked it to the string, this time paying attention to the position of her hand, making sure it grazed her jaw rather than her cheek. She also made sure that her shoulder, her feet and everything else was positioned the way she had been shown. This time when she let her arrow fly, it hit the target with a dull thud. It had landed right at the very edge - a centimetre further right and it would have missed again. But she particularly care, she had hit the target! She lowered her bow and turned to Kovac with a smile.

[Kovac]

A tightening of her jaw muscles, the rather fierce way she picked up her arrow, revealed some agitation in the woman. Kovac allowed himself a small grin, seeing in Feyra's reactions that his verbal barbs were hitting home. He got a sick pleasure out of goading newbies...it kept them humble. It was also a good way to gauge someone's temperment, their patience and if they had a sense of humor. Feyra managed herself well, biting back what surely would be a piece of her mind. The glassblower had followed his instruction well as she nocked her arrow and raise the bow. Kovac glanced over her form, made a few quick mental notes. She released the string and the missile streaked towards the target, or to its edge at least. She was learning quickly and Kovac was impressed. His wry grin turned to a smile. however, when the girl turned to show her own beaming grin, Kovac's had already vanished. No sense in giving her too much confidence. "Not bad half-breed..." He had to stifle another grin,"...you managed to hit the target this time. Just a few more things. Hold your breath for a moment before releasing the string, even your breathing will throw off your aim. And you are still squeezing the grip." The archer snapped up one of her arrows and set it to his bow, raising it level. After a breath he released and the shaft sunk into her target at the edge of the bullseye. "There, if anyone comes by, they won't think you are a total incompetent." This time he did smile, obviously teasing the girl. "Now, get another arrow and try again."

[Feyra]

It's safe to say she was slightly disappointed when she turned to see Kovac's otherwise indifferent expression. Only slightly though. She raised her brow ever so slightly at "half-breed", but since Kovac was one like her, the words had a completely different effect than if her were a full-blooded Inarta saying it to her. She nodded at his next advice. She didn't pay too much attention to her breathing when she was shooting, or attempting to shoot arrows, so that was something new to her. As for her grip, she was sure that she had loosened it, though perhaps she had instinctively gripped it tighter without realizing. She watched curiously as he grabbed one of her arrows and loaded it to his bow without saying a word. This shot obviously wasn't for teaching, and that was further reinforced when he turned to her with his comment and a smile. She feigned taking offense. "Gee, thanks." Though she then grinned, and reached down for another arrow. This time, after positioning herself how Kovac had showed her, and after she had nocked her arrow to the string, she paused for a brief moment. She first focused on her hand, and found that she had, without realizing it, tightened her grip again. She loosened it before taking a breath and holding it before releasing the string. This time her arrow hit a little closer to home. It still wasn't near the bullseye, but it was a significant way further into the target than her last arrow. She slowly lowered her bow, still looking at the target. She was slightly amazed at how adjusting a few things a little had made her aim that much better. She turned to look at Kovac again, not grinning like she had done last time, but all the same, a smile did tug at the corner of her mouth. "How was that?"

[Kovac]

Feyra was easy to teach. She was not arrogant or resistant to his instruction as a lot of full-blood Inarta had been. Nor was she a overly intimidated by him, which took the fun out of teaching. She showed some spunk, but kept it in check. Overall, she listened and applied what he taught her and was achieving results. The archer caught her grin, his little joke with his arrow a kind of reward for being a good student. He stepped back as she nocked her next arrow, again watching her take the time to get into the proper stance and form. He shivered a bit in his Katinu, noting the reddness of Feyra's cheek brought on by the cold, even his own olive skin taking on a ruddiness. The girl launched her arrow, and with a satisfying thunk it sank into the target well in from the edge. Kovac allowed a broad smile to crack his face, especially after seeing how Feyra tried so hard to supress hers. "Good job kid...you are getting the hang of it!" He clapped her firmly on the back. "Now...do it two or three more hundred times, learn to adjust for wind and distance and you will be ready for the back of an eagle." He winked at her, nudged her chin gently with his finger and returned his lane. Picking up his bow, Kovac resumed his practice.

[Feyra]

End Thread

[Mercury]

Feyra Skill(s) Weapon: Bow +5XP Lore(s) Right Eye Dominance The Apple does fall far from the Tree Method to my Madness: Feyra's fails were well written. Kudos on masterfully avoiding any Mary Sue moments. The apple lore is for sucking at your father's trade. Kovac Skill(s) Teaching +5 XP Weapon: Bow +2XP Lore(s) Reluctant Teacher Tough Love Method to my Madness: Even though Kovac was gruff at first he taught Feyra pretty well. If you have any questions or concerns, shoot me a PM