[His eyes draw up at Claud's approach, eyes practically sparkling with approval. Immediately setting his tools aside -- he got through about three more arrows -- Chiron stands to his feet starting from his hind legs, pushing himself off the ground with the effort.
And then he takes the bow by the middle like it's a golden twig. Centaurs are jacked (or at least this one is).]
You've got that right. (What? Did you expect him to say it was no big deal? Have you seen the size of this thing!? It's definitely a big deal. Literally.) Actually... seeing how I've done you a pretty big favor and all, I wouldn't mind a little something in return...
[So yeah... the centaur is not particularly easy to bully. Though he does look amused that Claude has the nerve, and his features slide into a slight grin while he trots back to his original spot by tree, grabbing one of his arrows.]
(Don't let anyone tell you Claude isn't bold! He's pretty shameless about asking, keeping his head up and his back straight like some guy he's definitely ready to make a deal,)
An archer isn't much without his bow and arrows. I have my bow and it's not that I can't make more arrows... but I figure if I can save myself the trouble, it doesn't hurt to ask.
(He's making his shot,)
I see you've made a few more while I was gone. It's a fair deal, don't you think? Your time for my time.
[And then without pause, Chiron... points to a tree that's nearby, closest to the riverbeds.]
If you can shoot one of my arrows through a single leaf of that tree. Your previous shot was permissible, but I've no interest in handing over my gifts to brazen youths who cannot back up their efforts.
[He says all this smiling, not particularly goading but his eyes still bright with interest, head tilted slightly]
(Sounds like something a teacher would say. He takes the arrow! And readies his bow. He doesn't fire right away but it also doesn't take him long to find his target and--
Fwip!
He releases. It hits the tree! And the strike seems to have knocked a few loose leaves off but from here, it's easy to tell that there's no leaf at the end of the arrow. He holds out his hand again!)
(Second shot! This one is made a little more quickly than the last. He aims for the same spot! The second arrow hits close to the first one by a few inches. It lands in a small cluster of leaves growing close to the trunk but it looks like it just went through them instead of actually piercing a single one.
He'll try a third time if Chiron lets him. It'll land close to the second but again, not a single leaf is struck.
In the end, he lowers his bow. Is he disappointed? Of course, but not terribly. It'll take more than this to really get him down,)
Admittedly, I would have been more than impressed had you succeeded, though I think with your current skill you could master my request in a few weeks.
[He's only one arrow left, which means he's off to fetch those that have been shot, bounding over on strong legs within the span of a second. Thankfully, the arrows aren't too damaged (save the one that hit the tree trunk, which is chipped and will either need to be abandoned or sharpened). All go back into his homemade arrow pouch, and then he will slowly trot back over to where Claude stands]
Regardless, thank you for indulging me. As you did grant me a favor, I'll allow you one question that I'll answer freely.
(He might laugh a little at that. Hah! A couple of weeks? Optimistic.
He looks up at Chiron. He might have lost the challenge but he hasn't lost any of his spirit. If anything, the offer just seems to spark something more. His eyes are bright and his smile is nothing but cheeky,)
Only one. I better make it count then. (But it actually doesn't take him long to come up with one,) "Archer of the Black." Sounds more like a fancy title than a real name.
And he just. Laughs. A short, amused sound in the back of his throat, though it's without malice or offense. He'd make quite a Greek hero]
You're correct. That was a title given to me during war.
[Arching his brows.]
However, my True Name I'll be keeping to myself for a little longer. I must first check to ensure revealing it won't cause me or the people I've sworn to protect any harm. Come back in a week, and you'll have your answer.
(His voice trails slightly towards the end, a glance to the side as he seems to recall... well, something. Actually, there's a lot here! Even his reasons for not revealing his "true name" strikes something in him and Claude, who is usually quick to speak and with plenty to say is quiet and thoughtful.
And then he recovers, bouncing back quickly,)
Alright, keep your secrets. (He speaks lightly,) I'll hold you to it.
... Though I do feel duty bound to allow you one more question, seeing as I've half gone back on my word.
[Honestly, it's all in the reaction. Had Claude moaned and beg for a fairer reaction, Chiron knows he would have been tempted to leave the kid waiting on principle.
[Because given his manner, the centaur doesn't seem to be in much of a rush for anything. His expression tips into bemusement at most, eyes lifting up and trailing the treetops]
My place is not here, and so I have no desire to stay for long.
... But I can't deny my curiosity, either. I would prefer to remain until certain questions have been answered.
(And Chiron's answer is no exception! He feels like he can gauge a little more information about his new anonymous friend. He's a calm and patient person, able to roll with the circumstances and Claude's personality. He's also thoughtful, Claude notes, focused but willing to stick around for something like curiosity...)
I admire your thirst for knowledge. If I didn't have pressing matters of my own, I would feel the same. (He won't deny that he isn't also curious! Because he is! But there are things he needs to do and all he can do is sigh dramatically and make a huge show of how hard his life is right now,) Duty trumps curiosity this time around.
(L a m e. Could he elaborate some? Absolutely. Will he though? No because he's going to quickly move on with the conversation,)
Anyway, I've got to come up with another scheme to get out of this place. Thanks for the arrows... even if I couldn't keep them.
[Even if he hadn't moved the conversation along, Chiron has no interest in asking questions that will likely not grant him answers, and he's made his own opinions about the type of person Claude is.
For this reason his head tilts in assessment, but afterwards there is a nod. He will not offer any arrows given what the conditions were -- and Chiron keeps his word -- but still:]
Come back if you'd like to try again, or even pointers. I did not lie before; you could likely do it in a couple of weeks with proper training.
Huh, you're a real teach, aren't ya? (Color him amused.) Alright, if we're still around, you'll see me.
You owe me some answers anyway.
(He won't let him forget it, either!! And with that, Claude is just going to take his bow and head off. He's had his work out for the day. Time for some leisure,)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[His eyes draw up at Claud's approach, eyes practically sparkling with approval. Immediately setting his tools aside -- he got through about three more arrows -- Chiron stands to his feet starting from his hind legs, pushing himself off the ground with the effort.
And then he takes the bow by the middle like it's a golden twig. Centaurs are jacked (or at least this one is).]
I'm in your debt, truly.
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You've got that right. (What? Did you expect him to say it was no big deal? Have you seen the size of this thing!? It's definitely a big deal. Literally.) Actually... seeing how I've done you a pretty big favor and all, I wouldn't mind a little something in return...
(He's taking the shot.)
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[So yeah... the centaur is not particularly easy to bully. Though he does look amused that Claude has the nerve, and his features slide into a slight grin while he trots back to his original spot by tree, grabbing one of his arrows.]
Go on. State your case. I will hear you out.
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An archer isn't much without his bow and arrows. I have my bow and it's not that I can't make more arrows... but I figure if I can save myself the trouble, it doesn't hurt to ask.
(He's making his shot,)
I see you've made a few more while I was gone. It's a fair deal, don't you think? Your time for my time.
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[And then without pause, Chiron... points to a tree that's nearby, closest to the riverbeds.]
If you can shoot one of my arrows through a single leaf of that tree. Your previous shot was permissible, but I've no interest in handing over my gifts to brazen youths who cannot back up their efforts.
[He says all this smiling, not particularly goading but his eyes still bright with interest, head tilted slightly]
Do you accept the challenge?
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(Rude. He should have known it wouldn't be that easy. It's never that easy. His expression drops and he puts a hand on his hip, looking at Chiron,)
When you put it like that, it sounds like you have no intention of giving me anything at all.
(A single leaf? He looks over at the target and at the leaves on the branches. Hitting the tree? Easy. Actually piercing a leaf? A little trickier.)
Alright, I accept.
(He's unslinging his bow and holding out a hand for an arrow)
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[Spoken like he truly believes this, but seeing Claude rise to the challenge puts an immediate smile on his face.
... It's probably unfair, given who the youth reminds him of, but sometimes even Chiron can't help himself from being meddlesome.]
The lack of wind favors your chances. Shoot well.
[Handing over one of his arrows]
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Hah! You would say that.
(Sounds like something a teacher would say. He takes the arrow! And readies his bow. He doesn't fire right away but it also doesn't take him long to find his target and--
Fwip!
He releases. It hits the tree! And the strike seems to have knocked a few loose leaves off but from here, it's easy to tell that there's no leaf at the end of the arrow. He holds out his hand again!)
You never said I only had one try.
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But he'll reward it this time, silently handing over another arrow. Take another shot! He can wait patiently until Claude either succeeds or gives up]
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He'll try a third time if Chiron lets him. It'll land close to the second but again, not a single leaf is struck.
In the end, he lowers his bow. Is he disappointed? Of course, but not terribly. It'll take more than this to really get him down,)
... Well, it's not like I had anything to lose.
(He gives.)
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[He's only one arrow left, which means he's off to fetch those that have been shot, bounding over on strong legs within the span of a second. Thankfully, the arrows aren't too damaged (save the one that hit the tree trunk, which is chipped and will either need to be abandoned or sharpened). All go back into his homemade arrow pouch, and then he will slowly trot back over to where Claude stands]
Regardless, thank you for indulging me. As you did grant me a favor, I'll allow you one question that I'll answer freely.
no subject
He looks up at Chiron. He might have lost the challenge but he hasn't lost any of his spirit. If anything, the offer just seems to spark something more. His eyes are bright and his smile is nothing but cheeky,)
Only one. I better make it count then. (But it actually doesn't take him long to come up with one,) "Archer of the Black." Sounds more like a fancy title than a real name.
What is it?
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And he just. Laughs. A short, amused sound in the back of his throat, though it's without malice or offense. He'd make quite a Greek hero]
You're correct. That was a title given to me during war.
[Arching his brows.]
However, my True Name I'll be keeping to myself for a little longer. I must first check to ensure revealing it won't cause me or the people I've sworn to protect any harm. Come back in a week, and you'll have your answer.
no subject
(His voice trails slightly towards the end, a glance to the side as he seems to recall... well, something. Actually, there's a lot here! Even his reasons for not revealing his "true name" strikes something in him and Claude, who is usually quick to speak and with plenty to say is quiet and thoughtful.
And then he recovers, bouncing back quickly,)
Alright, keep your secrets. (He speaks lightly,) I'll hold you to it.
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... Though I do feel duty bound to allow you one more question, seeing as I've half gone back on my word.
[Honestly, it's all in the reaction. Had Claude moaned and beg for a fairer reaction, Chiron knows he would have been tempted to leave the kid waiting on principle.
But that's not what happened. Intresting.]
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A bonus question, huh? Lucky me.
(He hadn't expected it. Keep this up and he might think his charms worked.)
How badly do you want to leave this place?
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[Because given his manner, the centaur doesn't seem to be in much of a rush for anything. His expression tips into bemusement at most, eyes lifting up and trailing the treetops]
My place is not here, and so I have no desire to stay for long.
... But I can't deny my curiosity, either. I would prefer to remain until certain questions have been answered.
no subject
(And Chiron's answer is no exception! He feels like he can gauge a little more information about his new anonymous friend. He's a calm and patient person, able to roll with the circumstances and Claude's personality. He's also thoughtful, Claude notes, focused but willing to stick around for something like curiosity...)
I admire your thirst for knowledge. If I didn't have pressing matters of my own, I would feel the same. (He won't deny that he isn't also curious! Because he is! But there are things he needs to do and all he can do is sigh dramatically and make a huge show of how hard his life is right now,) Duty trumps curiosity this time around.
(L a m e. Could he elaborate some? Absolutely. Will he though? No because he's going to quickly move on with the conversation,)
Anyway, I've got to come up with another scheme to get out of this place. Thanks for the arrows... even if I couldn't keep them.
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For this reason his head tilts in assessment, but afterwards there is a nod. He will not offer any arrows given what the conditions were -- and Chiron keeps his word -- but still:]
Come back if you'd like to try again, or even pointers. I did not lie before; you could likely do it in a couple of weeks with proper training.
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Huh, you're a real teach, aren't ya? (Color him amused.) Alright, if we're still around, you'll see me.
You owe me some answers anyway.
(He won't let him forget it, either!! And with that, Claude is just going to take his bow and head off. He's had his work out for the day. Time for some leisure,)
See you around, Teach.