The Third Arcanum

[inababanchou]

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[ IV. Action » Rec Center » Archery Range]

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa is looking a bit lost as it is her first trip to the rec center. She is carrying a bundle of something wrapped in kitchen towels. ]

Wow, been years since I've seen an archery range.

[inababanchou]

[ Souji looks up. ]

Hey there.

[ooeeooahah]

You're the scoutmaster?

[inababanchou]

A very bad one.

[ He winces. ]

I'm just a boyscout leader.

[ooeeooahah]

At least you're willing to lead instead of just pointing the way.

[ Ilsa watches him shooting a few more arrows before speaking again. ]

I don't know how the rules are here, but for the scout troop I was in, the leaders were allowed to bring in experts for badges, if local experts were available.

[inababanchou]

That's a good idea.

[ He stares at his handiwork. It's not pretty. ]

I want to achieve some level of proficiency, regardless of how poorly I'm shooting. I will consider an expert when I'm meeting the children.

...

Are you an expert?

[ooeeooahah]

If I ever was, that's about fifteen years ago - the last time I was on an archery range. I'm likely incredibly rusty.

I would be happy to help out with first aid and cooking badges, though. I have degrees for those.

[inababanchou]

I don't think they give badges for cooking in the boy scouts.

[ He steps to the side, gently offering the bow and arrows. ]

Please.

[ooeeooahah]

Ah, that's right - boys don't cook yet.

[ Ilsa tilts her head, then sets he bundle on the floor (did it just clink?) and takes the bow. ]

It's been a while, but standing behind me should be safe.

[ Nocking the arrow while lifting the bow to level, she pauses a moment and hits the 4 point ring. ]

Hm, very rusty, and rotten on combat terms.

[ Smiling brightly, she turns to him, ] But that's why I'm here, to practice.

[inababanchou]

Cooking would be an easy badge if that were the case.

[ He is curious about the clinking bundle she sets on the floor, he watches her notch an arrow and hit the 4 point ring on her first go. ]

Rusty is spades better than beginner.

[ Souji points out several arrows wedged into the grass and dirt several yards over and past the target. ]

You're here to practice archery?

[ooeeooahah]

[ She chuckles. ] Not originally. But I was hoping to practice.

[ Scanning the area for drones, she hands him the bow. When it seems to be clear, she crouches to open the bundle. It's an assortment of kitchen knives. ]

My instructors at the culinary academy would have kittens if they saw me treating even bad kitchen knives like this.

[ She steps forward a pace, and throws a paring knife, a chef's knife and a carving knife. No bullseyes, but these are closer to it than the arrow.

[inababanchou]

[ Souji is impressed, but he doesn't mention much. Ilsa should meet one of his friends Yukiko. She fights with oriental folding fans effectively. ]

But you're finally putting those chef knives to good use.

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa shrugs, and goes to retrieve the knives and the arrows. ]

Considering I found out I had the talent for this with the trash knives they use at the Ren fair games, these kitchen knives aren't that different.

My kitchen knives at home are a whole different matter. Much better balance, but I prefer to use actual throwing knives, if I can. I only tried it once with Daddy's knives, but he was really upset that I abused them.

[inababanchou]

[ Souji moves one target down and picks up the bow after some of the arrows and knives were recovered. He nocks an arrow, aims carefully in the stance she was in earlier and hits the edge of the target. It's a vast improvement! ]

Have you tried throwing stars?

[ooeeooahah]

Yeah, it's a little different motion, though - I'm not as accurate with those, but that's likely a practice issue as well.

[ She watches him shoot a few more arrows before speaking again. ]

You might want to make sure your feet are a little wider apart, so your ankles are as far apart as your shoulder joints.

[inababanchou]

[ He does just that, relaxing as he spreads his feet a little further apart. He feels a lot more level suddenly. He lets another arrow fly and hits the 6 point ring. ]

!!