[Training] we all need a little bit more

dont know where the lights are taking us
but something in the night is dangerous

It’s been too long since she’s held a bow; felt the smooth, polished wood in her hands, the taughtness of the string, steadied herself (an old habit, back from when she used to breathe), and then aimed. Unable to make it a part of herself like her talons, it still feels like a remnant from the old days. Every other pull holds a bit of nostalgia and a reminder of her power - because fucking hell, those arrows can fly like never before.

Releasing the string with a twang, her current arrow zips through the air, quick and deadly and finds itself buried in the trunk of a tree. The end vibrates, waving back in forth like a false branch - or an erection, take your pick - and Wessex smirks to herself in satisfaction before reaching for another arrow and nocking it. For the moment, it remains pointed towards the ground while eagle-sharp eyes amble lazily along, taking the time to choose her next target.

Nikolai

We are only haunted by the things we refuse to accept
-Bridgett Devoue

Nikolai had been out looking for a secluded spot to read when he heard an odd twanging noise. Carefully making his way over, his jaw drops as he watches Wessex masterfully wield her bow. He's about to leave her to her training when he recalls that she owes him a favor. Perhaps this might be his opportunity?

"Hi Wessex." The young Ascended calls out as he approaches. Coming to a stop, he bites his lip nervously. Gathering his courage he gives her a nervous smile. "Would you be willing to teach me how to use a bow?" Nikolai felt odd asking for help, but he wanted to know how to fight. And given his lack of experience, a ranged weapon like a bow probably wasn't a bad choice.

And if he was being honest, Wessex looked like a badass wielding hers. But he wasn't being honest at the moment so he'd never admit it.

Resilience is born even when we feel like we are dying
-Alex Elle

dont know where the lights are taking us
but something in the night is dangerous

“Nikolai.” Warm and bright, the General looks down her arm to the tip of the arrow and then where she wants to put it, letting it loose, it flies just as surely as before, but with a little less oomph behind this one. She watches until it hits the target, and then she turns to the young Ascended, bringing the bow down in front of her.

Not so much surprised as happy to have someone to teach, Wessex eagerly closes the gap between them, holding out the weapon for him to take. “Of course!” she chirps without hesitation. “That’s what I’m here for.” And to be honest, it’s what she enjoys. So, wasting no time - and assuming that he means here and now, she claps her hands together and begins. “First things first - have you ever used one before?”

Nikolai

We are only haunted by the things we refuse to accept
-Bridgett Devoue

The warm greeting causes a pleased and slightly shy smile to appear on Nikolai. The young Ascended still had yet to adjust to the easy affection that seemed to exist amongst the Ascended. The sensation of family, of unity. It was overwhelming and rather intoxicating.

And then the bow is suddenly in front of him, and Nikolai gently takes it from the Demi-god. "Thank you." Running his fingers over the face, he can't help the slight look of awe that appears. The weapon is longer and heavier then he'd originally thought, it's presence stronger. It only made Nikolai admire Wessex's skill will thee bow all the more.

At her question, Nikolai shakes his head, eyes still scanning the weapon in his hands with curiosity. "Never.  I know absolutely nothing except that it involves pulling the string to release the arrow. That's literally it."

A slightly sheepish chuckle escapes him. And although it hurts his pride to be so honest about his lack of experience, somehow he knows Wessex won't judge him for it. Plus he imagines it'll be easier to teach him if she knows just where he is in terms of knowledge.

Resilience is born even when we feel like we are dying
-Alex Elle

dont know where the lights are taking us
but something in the night is dangerous

“Good. That means you don’t have to unlearn any bad habits.” Matter of fact and optimistic, there is something to be said for starting from scratch sometimes. She can mold him into a good archer, if given enough time and repetition, and that is the good kind of challenge she’s looking for.

Pulling an arrow from the quiver on her back, she holds it in one hand and the rearranges the bow in his hand so he can see all the parts. “Let’s start with the parts. You’re right, it isn’t complicated, but it’s good to know the proper names for things.” Pointing from the bottom of the bow and moving upward, she lists the different areas. “This is called a recurve bow because of the slight curve it makes coming back, see? There’s also a crossbow and a long bow, but those are used different. So here we have the nocks on the end. The side facing out is called the back, the side facing you is called the belly. Below the grip, here, is the lower limb and above is the upper limb. Pretty self-explanatory.”

Then she moves on to the arrow. “This is the head of the arrow, the shaft, and the fletching. Sometimes we mark the string with a nocking point, which is where you set the fletched end of your arrow. And this is a bracer,” she says as she taps the leather guard on her wrist. “To protect against string burn. Which I suppose I don’t actually need any more, but it’s habit at this point.”

Looking at Nikolai with a clear, bright gaze, Wessex grins. “Any questions about that?”

Nikolai

We are only haunted by the things we refuse to accept
-Bridgett Devoue

Nikolai listens to the sudden lecture intently, committing  as much of the information to memory as he possibly can. He imagines the only time he'll  need to know the names of each piece of the bow is if he's asking for a repair, but it's useful to know nonetheless.

Once the explanation ends, Nikolai nods with wide eyes. His excitement to learn something new keeping his nerves at bay. "What are the purposes of different bows? Do some hit harder or send the arrow further or something? Are there different types of arrows? And you've been an archer since before you Ascended? That's incredible!" He then freezes, realizing that he practically bombarded her with questions. Giving a nervous chuckle he added, "If you don't mind explaining."

Resilience is born even when we feel like we are dying
-Alex Elle

dont know where the lights are taking us
but something in the night is dangerous

“Oh no, I’ve been an archer since I was a teen and needed to hunt, I only ascended four or so years ago. Then died at the hands of the Spire Monster. Then the Voice brought me back.” So she’s learned some bad habits, discarded them, and then re-learned some things as an Ascended. “Not needing to breathe can really help sometimes.”

But back to what he’d asked - the different kinds of bows. “The longbow is much bigger and harder to draw. Takes a long of strength, but is useful for range. And the crossbow is a trigger-release bow shaped like an arrow or a cross. More of an aim and shoot thing. Both have their uses, but best to start out with a regular bow and learn the basics” So she hands the arrow over to Nikolai and indicates that he should take it.

“Now, try nocking this arrow. Get the feel for the kind of balance and steadiness you need.” At his side, Wessex gives him room to try and do what she’s just instructed, without offering any sort of judgement or adjustments until he’s successfully done it and held it for more than a couple of seconds.

Nikolai

We are only haunted by the things we refuse to accept
-Bridgett Devoue

Nikolai paused, processing Wessex's words. Died? "Ah. I see." He did not, not at all. That sounded horrible. The young Ascended couldn't even begin to comprehend dying and then coming back. Deciding that he was better of not thinking about it, Nikolai instead focused on the explanation on bows. The difference between longbows and crossbows was intriguing and he filed away the information or later.

Taking the bow when offered, Nikolai eyed it for a moment before attempting to nocking the arrow like he'd seen Wessex do earlier. Holding the grip in his right hand he took the arrow and string with his left. Biting his lip in focus, he nocked the arrow and then glanced at Wessex curiously. "Like this?" He doubted he was doing it right on the first try and waited for any corrections.

He found himself enjoying simply holding the bow which was a surprise. Nikolai had always thought he'd be more of a sword or dagger kind of fighter. But the bow felt right in his hand.

Resilience is born even when we feel like we are dying
-Alex Elle

dont know where the lights are taking us
but something in the night is dangerous

Her story isn’t that important. It’s just… details at this point.

It’s not the here and now, and it has nothing to do with Nikolai’s training - not really. As he sets the arrow against the string and tries to put it at the right place on the bow, Wessex steps to one side and gently makes a few adjustments: the tilt of the arrow so it will fly straight, the angle of his wrist, and directing his string hand to chin height.

“There,” Wessex murmurs, stepping back. “That’s a proper stance.” Grinning slightly, she adds, “The key to it is to bring your arm directly back, and stop pulling around your chin, otherwise you risk hitting your chin with the string and the arrow will go off course. And keep your elbow level, not too high or too low.”

She hums to herself briefly, and then puts a hand out for the weapon, casually sending an arrow about thirty feet away, into the ground. “Try and put an arrow past that. Doesn’t need to be close or anything, just beyond it.”

Nikolai

We are only haunted by the things we refuse to accept
-Bridgett Devoue

Nikolai welcomes the adjustments without complaint, doing his best to add them to memory. That way if he finds himself repeating the same errors, he can correct them himself. He wouldn't want to lose progress just because he ended up practicing poor form because Wessex wasn't there to correct him every time.

Listening to the Demi-god, Nikolai takes mental notes and then watches wide-eyed as she once more proves her skill. The ease in which Wessex wields the bow is astounding and Nikolai can only hope one day hold even a fraction of her skill. Taking hold of the bow and following her instructions, the young Ascended takes aim. "Alright." Narrowing his eyes, he lets the arrow fly. Hopefully it'll reach it's mark beyond Wessex's arrow.

Resilience is born even when we feel like we are dying
-Alex Elle

dont know where the lights are taking us
but something in the night is dangerous

His arrow flies, wobbly, but just past her own. Clapping her hands briefly in praise, she has a genuine smile on her face for the kid and his efforts. “That’s the Ascended strength,” she offers half-aloud (and even if it isn’t, she doesn’t feel like offering any other explanation), before once again putting a hand out and asking for the bow.

This time, the general puts an arrow about twenty feet away, giving Nikolai a little more leeway. As she hands the weapon back to him, she gestures towards the arrow buried in the ground and instructs, “This time, try to get it close to that arrow. We haven’t any targets out here, but range and accuracy are two different skills. Both important, obviously, but they work different muscles.” Figuratively and literally, sometimes.

Nikolai

We are only haunted by the things we refuse to accept
-Bridgett Devoue

It's a surprise to Nikolai when his arrow actually goes where he intends. More or less, at least. Still it brings a surge of pride and renews his eagerness in the lesson. It seems that Wessex is a good teacher and hopefully he'll be able to keep up with her lessons. The praise however causes a slight flush to appear. Nikolai does however manage a shy smile and a quiet, "Thank you."

As the lesson continues, he focuses on Wessex's next explanation. When she shoots the arrow once more, he watches intently. Trying to determine the subtle differences in her methods and form that allow for the new technique. Taking the bow back, Nikolai nods. "Alright. I think I understand."

Drawing the next arrow, his eyes lock onto Wessex's marker in the ground. Once he steadies himself, Nikolai lets the string go. The arrow takes off, hopefully to land near the one in the earth.

Resilience is born even when we feel like we are dying
-Alex Elle

dont know where the lights are taking us
but something in the night is dangerous

This time, the younger Ascended isn’t as lucky. Which is only natural, as aiming is far more difficult that mustering up the muscle to send something flying. The arrow’s trajectory seems to wobble a bit and curve away from its target, as if batted away by an unseen hand. When it sinks into the ground, it isn’t far from the target, but it isn’t close either. She shrugs.

“It’s a small target. Good form, though.” Reaching again for the bow, she then hesitates an pulls her hand back. “Let’s try a bigger target. Me.” Offering the young man a mischievous fanged grin, Wessex fairly skips away and places herself a little beyond the most recent target, arms and legs outstretched. “Your goal is to make me move,” she announces. After a thought, she adds, “And my goal is to catch an arrow.”

See? They can both benefit from this.

Nikolai

We are only haunted by the things we refuse to accept
-Bridgett Devoue

Nikolai scowls slightly at his less then stellar performance. He hadn't expected to get it on the first try or anything. Yet he still felt a bit disgruntled, determined to do better. He's about to ask to try again when Wessex skips off. The movement making the younger Ascended's lips twitch. He didn't realize before now that Wessex had such a playful side. Its' so much of a surprise that the compliment goes over his head and only gets a mild flush.

Once Wessex was in position, Nikolai raises the bow once more. "Alright." Giving a nod, he readies to shoot. Assuming they begin, Nikolai will do his best to force Wessex into motion. He doubts he could actually hurt her with a single arrow, so at least there are no reservations. Aiming at the Demi-god, Nikolai focuses on hitting her joints. Her feet, knees, etc., places that would normally require movement to dodge.

Resilience is born even when we feel like we are dying
-Alex Elle