[Flashback: Skram] A Little Competition Never Hurt

[Caoin]

Date: Spring, Day 72, 502 AV OOCThey'd be around fifteen at this time.

Caoin stood outside the entrance to her family’s pavilion, her fifteen-year-old pubescent body raging with hormones, as evident by the way she was shifting back and forth with less patience than usual. Her quiver was strapped to her back along with her shortbow, and the feathered ends of a bunch of arrows could be seen sticking out of the top of the quiver. Caoin’s backpack hung off of one shoulder, some supplies for the day nestled away inside it. With a slight huff, she shifted her weight again, the bag swinging away from her body before falling back against her. She was waiting outside the tent for her Cousin, Skram, as the two had planned the night before to get in some archery practice that day. For once, she was the one who had gotten up and gotten ready on time, considering how long it usually took those of the female persuasion to prepare in comparison to those of the male variety.

Putting one hand to her forehead, Caoin shielded her eyes from the bright, early morning rays of the sun as she looked up at the sky. The sky appeared clear, fluffy white clouds stretching as far as the eyes could see across the vast expanse of the dawn sea. It was like looking up at piles of sheep’s wool, and the sight seemed to calm her a bit as her body stopped swaying and she let out a satisfied sigh. It was a warm spring day with just enough of a breeze to keep a person cool under the heat of the sun, and so long as the weather didn’t turn sour, it was sure to be an excellent day for some outdoor activity. In fact, when they were finished with their practice, she might suggest that the two find a nearby watering hole or creek to cool off in. A little swimming was always good exercise.

No longer as concerned with waiting for Skram as she had been, Caoin turned her attention to the thrumming pulse of Endrykas as it came to life. All across the moving city, animals and people were rising to greet a new day. She could hear the sounds of dogs barking and horses whinnying for their morning meals, and these sounds mingled with the din of Endrykas residents bustling about their chores, some singing songs while they worked and others chatting with their family and friends about whatever came to mind. She imagined the hawkers that would soon start calling out to foreigners and locals alike, peddling their goods to anyone who would listen and had the coin.

Stretching her arms skyward, Caoin sucked in a deep breath of fresh air before leaning easily against one of the wooden beams that supported the Silverstrider’s living pavilioin. The air smelled like livestock and leather; it smelled like the sweat of hard working men and the blood of fresh kills and justly earned wounds. All of it mingled with the scent of the spring flowers and grasses of the Cyphrus sea. It smelled like the world should smell, like living and dying. And it all welled up in Caoin’s chest, filling her with a sense of excitement. Life for the Drykas was something to be enjoyed and cherished, especially since life could end rather abruptly in the Sea of Grass. She was still young and there was much for her to learn and to look forward to, and like the rest of her people, she hoped that she would have plenty of time to do it all in…

If only Skram would hurry up…

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[Skram Silverstrider]

Skram had unfortunately woken up a little bit later than he had planned. Excited to spend some time with his cousin and maybe show her just why she did not have to fuss over him so often because of his safety. He took out his bow and ran the strings in between his fingers to feel if there was anything off. Skram might have used it a few times before but not too much to actually get used to how the bow actually worked. After that he looked at the bow itself making sure that the wood was actually still sound. Giving it a little tap here and there, Skram mimicked the actions of actually using the bow. Plucking the string as though he had an arrow he pulled it back and looked forward to where he would want to hit. After he let go he pretended that he succeeded and went to do it again continuing on through the night until he was satisfied that he would have something to show to Caoin the next day.

Waking up thinking that he still had time, Skram took his time picking up what he needed. He took his shortbow, some arrows and of course put on his clothes. Typically the sort of preparations the females would go through. They would of course have weapons of their own even if they will not admit it. Men might be the pillars of strength here in Endrykas but everyone knew that the women were just as dangerous as any beast you might encounter in the Sea of Grass. Skram was hopeful that in the event he was late his cousin would not show him first hand why this would be true.

His cousin was already outside which came as a surprise as to "why are you out here so early?" Skram actually planned to get a meal first. Any practice with a weapon would be exhausting physically and he did not want to show that sort of weakness to his cousin and give her more excuse to suffocate him with her attentions. Trying to get her attention away from the Endrykas lifestyle for a few moments, Skram would offer her if "you would like to join me for breakfast?" They could begin right after he had some energy in him.

If Caoin was still sore about him being late and try to punish him for it, he would remind her that "compared to you, the times I have been waiting can be counted in dog years." Skram knew that his cousin had a natural affinity with the animals like dogs and horses. Something that he even in the Amethyst clan lacked. But he is learning the other side of the clan's specialties and that is navigating the grasslands. One day people will learn to rely on his skills. People like his cousin who he in turn would have to rely to take care of his horses. But even with the roles they have chosen, they still needed to learn how to fight. The Sea of Grass after all was a dangerous place.

[Caoin]

Caoin had managed to lose herself in day dreaming while waiting for her cousin and so she didn’t notice him approaching until he spoke to her. Why was she already outside waiting? What was that phrase her father always tried to drill into her head in the mornings when she woke up late. Something about a bird and a worm? Oh yeah, “Father always says that the early bird gets the worm,” whatever that really meant, it seemed like the appropriate response. Now, she didn’t know about birds getting worms, but getting breakfast with Skram before trekking off to burn off energy sounded like an excellent plan. She hadn’t bothered to grab much to eat on her way out, so a full belly sounded like good to her.

“Sure, breakfast sounds good. Lead the way, cousin,” She almost stopped there, in fact, she might probably have stopped there if it were any other time of the season. Caoin kept talking instead, “Though, we could have gotten breakfast earlier and been well on our way if you’d been up earlier.” It could be heard in her voice that she was still slightly annoyed, though most of her impatience seemed to have dissipated since he had shown up and they were doing something. And a full stomach was certain to make her less cranky as well. Of course, his retort also reminded her that she had indeed left plenty of people waiting on her, on numerous occasions, with very little excuse or no good excuse at all.

“Yeah… well…” the girl began before trailing off. Man, why were comebacks so hard? Unable to produce a suitable retort to match Skram’s, and being the young, prideful adolescent that she was, she could not just admit defeat. So, the girl did the next best thing. Caoin drew her right hand back, balling it into a fist, and took a wide, heavy swing at her cousin’s nearest shoulder. If said fist connected… well… she was a fifteen-year-old girl, and despite the fact that she was fit, it would still likely feel like a love tap to her larger, and brawnier cousin.

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[Skram Silverstrider]

"That is only when the worm did not have to stay up late because of his cousin" Skram reminded Caoin about the night before. While she might not have forced him to stay up, the suggestion that she made for what was coming next stuck on his mind and caused him to be a lot more motivated for it. That was actually a strange expression for her to give him though. "Are you saying that there is only worms for breakfast today cousin?" This better not be one of her ploys to get back at him as she always did everytime he did something that she did not approve of. Skram was just too hungry to be worried about what he would have to eat and maybe even worms might taste good. All that waiting must have made Caoin hungry too because she agreed to go along with the idea.

Skram yawned loudly. He really did stay up quite a bit and Caoin does not seem like she is going to let forget about it despite hers far overshadowing his. The more important thing on his mind however is whether he is still capable of controlling a bow in his sleep deprived state. Even hitting the targets would be considered as lucky but Skram would take a miss just in case he accidentally shot something else when he is is not able to tell them apart properly. A full stomach can remedy all that doubt. Together Skram and Caoin headed into the pavillion where the rest of the family members might be eating if Skram was not as late as his cousin thought.

Just as they were about to leave, Caoin did the unthinkable for a girl like her who was expected of a lot of things but as Skram's cousin he knew it was to be expected. He listened to her words and watched her face which matched the emotions so well before suggesting that "we should go-" Skram saw the fist coming straight for him but still half asleep and hungry he could do nothing against it. He brushed his arm aside hoping to throw the blow off but he mistimed it missing the fist completely. So he tried to make the fist miss him, leaning his shoulder backwards away from his cousin. He did not do a good job of it because it threw him off balance and even if Caoin was not that strong, it was enough to push him and force him to drop on the ground on his bottom.

Not wanting to anger his cousin anymore Skram admitted defeat that "you got me. Now can we go and get some breakfast?" holding out his hand hoping that his cousin would still have the decency to pull him up. If she did Skram was going to pull hard on her hand to bring her down as well. As much as Caoin would not admit defeat, Skram would not either.

[Caoin]

Skram talked as if it were Caoin’s fault that he’d been up late doing the gods only knew what. She frowned at his accusation that she was the cause of his tardiness, shaking her head. And then she further shook her head when he misinterpreted her statement to mean that they would be eating worms for breakfast. “No cousin, no worms for us today, unless you fancy eating some,” she responded with a chuckle. No, she intended for them to eat a real meal, she was in quite the mood, but she wouldn’t do her cousin like that. Besides, she didn’t particularly care to eat worms herself, though she knew they were just as edible as most other insects.

Skram had intended to head into the pavilion to seek out some breakfast when Caoin had thrown her punch at his shoulder, delaying his ability to retrieve his morning meal. She watched his arm come up in an attempt to brush her attack off, but his timing was off and he missed so that her fist kept going. That plan having failed, Skram countered by leaning his shoulder away from her, which wasn’t exactly his best move in a half-sleep state. Caoin watched her cousin go down, landing on his ass in the dirt and grass. She kind of felt bad at that point, seeing him on the ground, though there was also a sense of satisfaction as he admitted that she had gotten him.

Her cousin reached out his hand so that she could help him up from the ground, and because she did feel slightly apologetic, she took the offered hand and started to pull. Caoin felt Skram counter her tug with an even harder one of his own, and because she was already bending forward, she felt herself lose her balance and fall forward. Her free arm moved hand, her hand hitting the ground to help her catch herself and cushion her fall. She didn’t bother to try and hold her arm straight, knowing she’d only hurt herself that way. When the dust had settled from her fall, Caoin pushed herself up with her free hand and turned her head to look at Skram. Her eyes were narrowed slits. “Cousin… this isn’t over.”

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[Skram Silverstrider]

Skram just shook his head on his was up because he knew that "it is not." After all that they still had to get breakfast of their own and hopefully it will not be worms. He wanted to go and help his cousin up as well knowing that she might try the same trick he had just done and so be braced himself but it seems like that she could get up just fine on her own. "Come along then" he invited her and started off back into the pavilion where other members of the clan were.

Unless Caoin had anything else to say, Skram will just concentrate on eating his food. It was nothing too fantastic as it was only cheese but it is enough to get a person through the day with what they needed to do and today meant practicing with the bow. "Do you have any idea what you want for targets?" Since the both of them were not good at using the bows at all they should start with something simple. Big and immobile would suit them the best but after what had happened earlier there was no telling what Caoin might want. With a chuckle Skram asked if "we are not going to be each other's targets are we?" just in case she was in the mood for revenge.

Once they were finished it will be up to Caoin to "lead the way cousin." In the end she was the one who suggested the practice the night before so she should already have something proper in mind. If not a little motivation for her to decide might be when Skram gave the joke that "we can always try tracking down some animal and hope that we get to kill it before it kills us." They might be able to find one with their webbing but how they would deal with it is another thing entirely.

[Caoin]

Caoin sat across from Skram, watching him eat nothing but his cheese and she shook her head. Was that all he was planning to eat? That was a terrible meal. She pulled down on the end of the small loaf of bread she had in her hand and watched the crack appear in the middle as she broke it in half, and pulled it the rest of the way apart. “Heads up,” she said as she tossed one half across the table at him. “I suggest some fruit and a little bit of meat too,” she offered, knowing he would need a well rounded meal to be properly prepared for the day, at least, that’s what her mother told her. Man, her parents were actually rubbing off on her. This was terrible. She frowned a bit as she took a bite from her half of the bread, chewing rather viciously in her state of general irritability. As the Drykas girl was chewing, her cousin asked about the targets they would be hunting for the day and she rolled her eyes and shook her head as comment about being eachother’s targets.

“Of course not…” she started before trailing off so that she could consider what their target for the day would be. Big and immobile was always the way to go if you weren’t very experienced. But training dummies were so… boring. They just sat there, posing no challenge at all, and Caoin wanted a challenge. What would be the best challenge? Something small. Something that moved fast. Something like, “Rabbit. I think we should see if we can find some rabbit.” It was the perfect challenge. “If you want to try tracking it with webbing, you can do that,” and after some more thought she added, “and I can bring one of the dogs in case that doesn’t work.” Yes, it sounded like the perfect plan to young Caoin. “I’ll meet you at the edge of our camp, by the stables. Let me just get one of the hunting dogs,” she said as she reached down to pick up the things she’d packed earlier that morning, including her bow and a quiver full of arrows.

Caoin was out of the tent and heading for the family’s kennel before Skram could say much anything in either protest or agreement. She wanted to get to the hunting hounds to see which ones were left and whether any of the better trained dogs were available. Caoin wanted a dog of a particular breed, a silkena. Hunting dog breeds all had particular qualities that suited them to hunting down particular types of prey and the silkenas had the qualities that Caoin was looking for. She knew that they were good sight hunters; they were built for speed, agility, and stamina as well. These qualities suited them to hunting quick, agile prey, such as the rabbits she and Skram would be seeking. So, when Caoin entered the kennel she made a beeline across it to the area where the silkenas were kept, strolling along the runs to look at the available hounds. The girl picked out one female that looked particularly alert and untied her from the stake that kept her from leaving the run. “Come on, girl, let’s go do some hunting,” she said as she slipped a lead onto the animal’s collar and walked her out of the tent and towards the edge of the Silverstrider’s camp.

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[Skram Silverstrider]

Skram caught the piece of bread which headed right for him. As always his cousin was treating him like some sort of child even when he was the older of the two by a few days. She was worse than his parents and hers combined. He was a drykas and he could take care of himself so his pride only allowed him to grunt to acknowledge that he heard what his cousin said but he was not going to listen and stuffed the cheese into the bread. As for the fruit and meat, "I will eat those once we are done since I will still have to get back my energy."

That would have been interesting to try and hunt down his cousin as she tried to hunt him down but she did not want it. Instead she came to the conclusion that they should hunt some rabbits. As much as Skram knew that would be a meal which would beat bread and cheese anyday but to get it was hard. "A rabbit is small enough to stay hidden in the tall grass and fast enough to outrun us cousin" Skram said confirming if "are you sure you want those?" Their bows could easily ignore any distance that the rabbit would try and put in between them but Skram is not good enough to use it only knowing how to ready the arrow and fire at the front.

But tracking with webbing he knew that he could do. "Alright, you get your dog and I will meet you when I am done here." As soon as Skram was sure that Caoin had left he went towards the stockpile and took out a fruit deciding to eat it on his way. When he neared the next meeting at the edge of the camp, Skram started to lean against the tents and pavillions peeking out to see if the coast is clear of Caoin before continuing on as he had only half eaten the fruit. If Caoin caught him now he would not hear the end of it. Shuffling against the last tent and peeking out he caught sight of Caoin and took back his position finishing off his fruit.

Instead of making his way straight to Caoin, Skram decided to circle around the tents to make his way behind his cousin. He already knew where she would be so the amount of tents between his destination was not difficult only time consuming forcing Caoin to wait a little while longer. Taking a deep breath at the end, Skram moved his feet slowly as he tried to sneak up on Caoin. Once he could he would ask her as if he was the one waiting for her, "what took you?"

[Caoin]

Caoin made her way to the appointed meeting spot with the female silkena, the dog’s tongue hung gently from the side of her mouth as her dainty figure trotted along at the human’s side. As they approached the point where Skram should have been waiting, Caoin could see no sign of her cousin, which made her frown. Was he making her wait again? She was the one who should have arrived last, since she’d had to go to the kennel to pick out a dog to hunt with. Where was he? It was the dog that provided her with the answer to her question. The animal’s ears perked up as she stopped in her tracks, her body turning slightly and her head swinging around to look behind Caoin and herself. The Drykas girl turned to see what had caught the dog’s attention and she scowled at Skram, rolling her eyes at his efforts to sneak up on her. It was easy to sneak up another person; it was not so easy to sneak up on another person when they had an animal with them. The animal would almost always notice the person doing the sneaking. Caoin had to give him points for trying though, it was a good effort and she was sure he’d have succeeded if she hadn’t had the hound with her.

“I had to pick out a good dog, didn’t I, that takes some time,” Caoin responded to her cousin’s question, “And technically, since you left and went around again, that makes me the first to be here and you the second.” It was terrible logic and could in no way help the girl to one up her cousin in the friendly war that had pretty much been started by Caoin, and which probably only mattered to her. If she bothered to stop and think rationally about it, like an adult might, she would realize that she was being silly. But, that wasn’t going to happen, because she was thinking like a child, a child who wanted to best her cousin for no real reason. But that was one of the best things about being a child; you could do things without reason and not have to worry about it. If you wanted to start a silly competition with your playmates, why not go for it? Competition, after all, helped to motivate growing children to strive to better themselves in a way that other methods couldn’t, like the nagging and encouragement of parents when it came to doing what was considered to be in the child’s best interest. Competition made things fun, competition made things more entertaining and worthwhile in the mind of a youth. Caoin spun on her heels and patted the hand holding the silkena’s lead against her thigh as she called back to Skram, “We should get going. We’re burning light.”

Caoin led the way into the grass around the city of Endrykas. They wouldn’t go far into the Sea, just far enough to run into some of the wildlife, which wouldn’t be too hard. Plenty of the animals could be found close enough to camp, where they picked off scraps or scavenged what the Drykas people grew for themselves. There was also their own safety to consider, they were too young to venture too far into the Sea, so it was best for them to remain as close to the city and help as they could, in case they ran into predators. Caoin kept her eye out for any sign of trails that may have been left by the fauna of the Sea and also on the dog’s behavior, looking for any signs that she might be alerting to the presence of prey. The girl wanted to find any sign of the passage of animals before she asked Skram to seek out their intended prey on the Web. She knew it might be easier for him to locate their target if it was more likely that the target had been nearby or passed through the area recently. Either way, they needed something to go on before they could really do much hunting. “We’ll find a clearing that crosses a prey trail and you can try searching the Web from there,” she spoke quietly to Skram, “I think that’s going to be the best way for us to find something.”

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