Tash and Noriko Practice Archery

[Tash Il'nishin]

7th of Immanis, Winter

Tash hoped Noriko understood that she needed some time to become comfortable getting to know her. Already she was so conflicted. She wanted with her whole heart to be able to trust someone but it was hard. As they walked out to the archery range, Tash smiled and said, "I am sorry I was so abrupt, but I am just overwhelmed this day. Things have happened so quickly, I just need to think of something concrete, like archery. I have never had to talk about myself."

She put her archer's glove on, waiting for Noriko to show her where to shoot.

[Badb]

Noriko led the way out to the practice yard. "Don't worry about it. It's your first day. I think we'd be more disappointed if you weren't overwhelmed by the Vermilion," she said with a grin as she strapped on her leather archer's arm guards and pulled on the gloves. The tall Kemite stretched as she walked, and tossed the thick, red-ribboned braid as she went first to a supplies shed, taking out an extra two quiverfuls of arrows. One of those went to Tash, and Noriko held onto the other set. She moved the recruit over to a row of targets. They stood about 15 yards from a row of round targets. Noriko was set at the maximum range, and wanted to see what Tash could do. Behind the targets was the wall of a building, and a heavy looking board protected the wall from the arrows that missed the targets.

She unhooked her black and red bow from the quiver on her back, testing the limber wood while getting out a coiled string. She looped the string around one end, and bent the wood to get the loop around the other end, bringing her bow up into position quickly, setting her feet, and testing the string, drawing it back the full twenty inches by her ear before slowly bringing it back into position. One had to keep the bow limber, after all.

She stood on Tash's left, and motioned to the third target in front of them. "You shoot for that one, and I'll aim for the one to its left. We'll see how we do, eh? Ready?"

[Tash Il'nishin]

Tash had been carrying her bow for several days over her shoulder. She first tested the string to make sure it was not frayed or damaged. Upon inspection the string looked good, so she tested it to make sure the bow was flexible.

Even though it was a new bow, she had kept it polished and practiced flexing it to make sure it was broken in. Finding the bow ok, she pulled an arrow from her quiver, then nocked it in place. She focused on the center of the target as she pulled the string and arrow back until the arrow was flush with her ear. She was left handed so (assuming Noriko was righthanded) her back was to Noriko's back. She released the arrow, time taking her eye off the circle in the middle of the target.

[Badb]

Noriko grinned with satisfaction as first one arrow, then another, hit the bulls-eye in the middle of their respective targets. "Nicely done. Next." The Satinishi stretched her arms a bit to relax the muscles before getting another arrow out of the quiver, glancing over her shoulder to eye Tash with interest and perhaps a new respect.

She got the next arrow nocked on the bow, changed her stance, drew the arrow back, and let the next arrow fly. "How long have you been practicing archery?" Noriko inquired, keeping her bow arm steady until the arrow was long gone. She wasn't entirely certain if it was beginner's luck or actual skill. Sure, the Esh had a good arm from one shot, but--?

[Tash Il'nishin]

Tash was glad to see her eye was still good. For some reason the bow felt good in her hands. She listened to Noriko and decided to tell her something about how she had decided to learn the bow and arrow, an unlikely skill for someone who was training for a religious vocation.

"Where I lived there was a boy I grew up with. He became an archer because he felt he was destined for the military. He taught me the basics of Archery, and I found that I was good at it. I never thought I would pursue a military career also, I thought I would become a Sister at a monastery. It was just a sport, or hobby, I guess you would say. I wanted to be near him and you know how it goes." She blushed. She had been very near to falling in love with Jason, that is before he went to Prime and joined the Imperial army.

She was a little embarrased to have revealed her former aspirations to be a religious sister. What if she asked more questions. Tash stiffened for a minute and then said, "I am enjoying practicing, its been an era since I practiced."

She turned and nocked in another arrow, trying to keep her attention from wandering, she concentrated on the center of the target again and pulling the bow back she released her arrow.

One thing I know for sure, Noriko. I do not know how to handle a bow and arrow in combat. I have a long way to go, and am looking forward to learning how to shoot at a moving target. I don't know what it would feel like to kill someone. I hope I never do. But I know now that this is my chosen vocation and it is very likely that someday these skills will have to be used to defend Zinn'Sunn. It is the nature of society that some will always want more, take more, and some even fight because they love the thrill of battle. My friend was like this. He wanted to go where the action was, where he could fight. I didn't understand that then, but I understand it now. There will always be evil and evil must sometimes be stopped.

She turned and smiled at Noriko. "But today we are only damaging targets with our arrows, and I must agree that it is fun to hit the target."

[Badb]

Noriko listened to Tash's words, smiling a bit and nodding. She did know how it went. She was certain she had far less eras to her than the Esh'lahier, what with their much longer lifespans, but she was sure that she knew how it went. "I enjoy the military life. My brothers did, and now I do. Like I said before... it's an honor to serve in the Vermilion and do our part for our city."

"A Sister at a monastery? Somehow I can't see you enjoying it as much as this. Then again, I'm biased," Nori winked. "But not to worry. You'll learn. You'll get practice at a moving target. Usually, you see, we shoot to wound. Thieves, troublemakers, whatever. People that can be brought before the law for their own punishment. We are not judges. Nor are we executioners... until the city is attacked. When it does, then we deliver death on Zinn'Sunn's behalf." She watched approvingly as Tash's arrow went a bit wide of the center of the target as the afternoon wind picked up, but struck the target nonetheless.

"I've never killed beyond hunting, either," Noriko confessed to Tash. "But that's different. The most I've done is shoot a man in the back of his leg, right here," she tapped a few inches above the knee of her right leg. "Turned out to be a vagrant passing through. He'd assaulted a citizen and tried to flee. Then we apprehended him and brought him in. After that, it was out of my hands." She brought up another arrow, much more quickly than she had before, and fired it. That's what she had to be ready to do on the walls and the roofs, and taking it easy wasn't going to help her own skills any.

"It's fun to hit a target. I like hitting a stuffed bag when practicing zinn'ka, too, though. I find it's a great way to work out frustration," she stretched her arms again, frowning when her own arrow went wide of the bullseye. That would not do. More practice. "You've told me a lot about you, but I haven't told you much about me, have I? I'm the youngest of six. I have five older brothers. My father is a retired military officer. Much to my mother's dismay, I decided to follow my brothers into the Guard when I turned 16 eras. I've been here for three eras now. It'll be four eras this coming summer. Remarkably simple and uninteresting, isn't it?"

[Tash Il'nishin]

Tash listened to Noriko talk about her service in the Vermillion. It was something Tash knew she would be doing, dealing with citizens. She was glad there wasn't much fighting. Tash did not look forward to injuring or killing anyone either. "I hope I learn martial arts well enough that I don't have to shoot an unruly citizen" she said. "I would much prefer not to injure someone in doing my duty, but I know I have to be ready to do so to protect citizens of Zinn'Sunn."

She thought that Noriko's idea of practicing Zinn'ka on stuffed dummies was interesting. Maybe she would do that, also. "I like the idea of practicing on stuffed dummies. When I finish basic training maybe we could work out together practicing Zinn'ka."

You sound like you have a close family. It must be nice to have siblings. I had a brother and sister. Now I do not know if they are even still alive.

She nocked another arrow and this time paid more attention to the target, aiming for the center which she had just missed. She released the arrow.

[Badb]

"Well, zinn'ka works if you can catch them. The only problem is is that sometimes they've got a head start, we can't subdue them that way if we can't catch them, you know?" Noriko let loose another arrow, quick-drawing it like she had before, and was closer to the bullseye this time. She nodded with some satisfaction.

"And I'd like that. It's fine to practice with a real person, but sometimes, you just want to practice endurance and stamina, and the people whom you normally practice with are busy, and no one really wants to spar with you, then you can practice with a dummy. Like I said, sometimes just to beat the frustration out is very, very satisfying, and you don't really hit to harm your brothers and sisters in arms. You hit to practice, but I found it added to the frustration instead of relieving it."

"We are pretty close, yes. Interesting family dynamics, though, from time to time," Noriko admitted. "I don't like trying to figure out familial politics... which is another reason I like the Vermillion. You know where you stand and ranks are earned." Tash's arrow struck the bullseye solidly.

"Well, maybe one day you'll find out. I hope, for your sake, it works out for you, and them."

[Tash Il'nishin]

Yes, I plan to go back to Eth'gantor some day and try to find them. I wanted to make sure though that when I went back I was skilled in combat so that I could really help them if I found them.

She was pleased to see the bullseye. "Well it seems that I am paying attention in spite of our talking. I am glad to find a friend. It has been a long time since I had such a nice conversation, or even had fun, at least not since my friend left for Prime."

Maybe we should move back a little from the target and I'll see if I can make it. I'm sure you can, Tash said.

They moved back another 25 feet and Tash nocked another arrow. She aimed at the target trying to gauge the strength it would need to launch the arrow another 25 feet. Then she released her arrow.

[Badb]

"Good idea to prepare," Noriko nodded approvingly. "And I'm glad. It's nice to have someone to talk to," she grinned at Tash, and followed her back another 25 feet, stretching on the way. They'd gotten pretty close to the maximum range for a shortbow, and while the Satinishi was used to practicing anywhere from where they'd started to back a few feet further still, she was interested in seeing how well Tash did with the targets at this range, and held off her own arrow until Tash's hit the bottom of the target at an angle.

"Close. Tends to take some time to build up to it," she offered with a slight grin, drawing her polished bow back to almost maximum length before loosing the nocked arrow. It slammed into the middle of the target, just shy of the bullseye on the left while the soldier shook her arms out a bit. Using the long ranges like that could take something out of your arms, no matter how long and how often you practiced it. "Took me a month or two to build up to the maximum range, and I've been practicing archery since I was young."

"Still, give it another shot. That's how we learn, eh? If we don't get the next one, we'll move forward a bit and try again."

[Tash Il'nishin]

Wow I was surprised it even hit the target. I've never shot a shortbow that far. But we should probably move up 10 feet or so, Tash laughed at herself. "I like to test myself, that's why I'm hoping to go back prepared. When Noriko hit the target Tash was astounded, "Great job," she said. After she moved up 10 feet, she nocked another arrow and pulled it back a bit farther than usual. The tension on her arms was muscle straining, and she knew she'd be sore tomorrow. She held for a moment and then released the arrow.

[Badb]

Noriko grinned at her. "Might be a good idea to move up, yes. Back another six feet or so and we would've been at the maximum range of these poor bows, and might very well strain or break them trying to get enough give into the string to hit the target," the Satinishi shook her head, tossing her braid.

Tash's next shot went better, landing in the third ring instead of the last one.

"You know, one of my older brothers did that," she told Tash as she followed her up and put a bow on her string. "He was having a challenge with a new soldier, and they were seeing who could shoot the furthest from the target and still hit it. He won, but he wrecked his bow to do it. My father, needless to say, wasn't thrilled, because that bow had been a coming-of-age gift to him from my parents. Needless to say, he missed it terribly until he saved enough to get himself a new one. But oh..." she shook her head and released the arrow, making sure to follow through with the finishing movements until the arrow thwacked solidly into the target.

"How are your arms feeling?" she asked the Esh as she windmilled her arms to stretch and relax them out.

[Tash Il'nishin]

Well that wasn't too bad, but it is harder, and much more work on my arm than I have had in a while.

As Noriko told her the story of her brother, she winced a little having not seen her own brother in so long a time. She didn't say anything, however, she had already spoken more than she felt comfortable with.

Her arrows were hitting the target but off the mark. When Noriko asked her how her arm was feeling, she answered, "I'm a little out of shape I guess, my arm could use a little rest. Are there any good exercises to do when you get these little muscle cramps. She was definitely feeling some cramping in her arm and hand muscles.

[Badb]

"Not too surprising," Noriko told her. "Like I said, you need to build up to it. Not to worry, though. You will. Daily practice will do that for you... as for stretches, there are, yes." She strapped her bow to her quiver to stretch her arms a little more without the encumbrance. "Might want to set your bow down or up so that your arms are free," she advised.

"As you know, you should always stretch before, during (if you can), and when cooling down after practicing. This helps to prevent damage to the muscles, joints, and tendons, and can help increase your flexibility," Noriko explained. "Remember, don't hold your breath while stretching. You might get really dizzy, and that won't help any, would it?" the Kemite grinned at the Esh.

"Alright, first one loosens up your upper arms and chest muscles," Noriko interlocked her fingers, palms out, and moved them high above her head, stretching upwards. "And hold it for ten seconds. Don't lock your elbows. Then relax," she counted to ten, her breathing steady and easy. She let Tash practice it.

"Next one helps relax your upper back muscles. Cross your arms in front of your chest like so," Noriko demonstrated, "and place your hands on your shoulders. Try to stretch as far back towards the middle as you can, though, but don't hurt yourself doing it," she turned to show the recruit what it looked like from the back as she grabbed her own shoulders, her limber arms reaching for her spine. "Again, hold for ten seconds, and relax," she counted to ten.

"This third one is a bit more advanced, but I'm sure you can handle it, yes? Watch," she turned her back to Tash again, explaining as she did the exercise. "Bend one arm over your head and down your back. Then bend your other arm around and up your back. Grasp the fingertips and hold, again, for 10 seconds, then switch. Remember, keep backbone vertical during this exercise. That's important."

[Tash Il'nishin]

As Noriko taught her stretch exercises, Tash did them. She interlocked her fingers, palms out, and moved them high above her head, stretching upwards. Then she held it for ten seconds. She tried to relax and not lock her elbows. She counted to ten, while keeping her breathing steady and easy.

For the next one, to relax her upper back muscles. She crossed her arms in front of her chest, then placed her hands on her shoulders. She tried to stretch as far back towards the middle of her body. She did this slowly so she wouldn't jerk her muscles but slowly stretch them. She held it for about 10 seconds. After doing those excercises she tried the final exercise.

She bent one arm over her head and down her back. Then she bent her other arm around and up her back. Then she grasped her fingertips and held them for 10 seconds, then switched keeping her backone vertical throughout.

That feels good. I even felt my back pop a little where my muscles were so tense.