(He rolls his shoulders, doing a quick stretch before he nocks his arrow, arching his back to aim for the sky instead of straight ahead and draws his string back far. His stance is good! Confident and effortless like someone who's been doing this for quite some time.
And he releases his arrow. The angle is so steep, it's practically a straight shot but it starts to curve until... it hits the barrier and comes tumbling straight down into the ground not too far from where they are.
Straightening his back, he lowers his bow to his side and rests a hand on his hip, finger tapping thoughtfully. It looks like the barrier does more than just go lengthwise.
Being about what Archer expected, he doesn't respond as that arrow comes tumbling back to the ground. His fourth arrow is finished, though, straight and even from an hour of meticulous work, so he leans forward and lines it up with the others before addressing the youth again]
And? What shall you do now, having discovered the barrier surrounds us so thoroughly?
[it's just curiosity on his part. That Claude chose to test this so early in the morning tends to be a sign of tenacity, and he can't help but wonder how far it goes]
To be fair, even if it were possible, I don't think I can climb that high.
(He's taking this in stride! And also going to retrieve his arrow. It's no where near as refined as Chiron's but it had done the job and it's nothing Claude can't work on more later.)
I get the feeling digging would just yield the same results. (A beat,) And be a lot more work.
An explosion, maybe? Though, this barrier seems to be more magical than physical... Maybe the ones behind all of this will reveal themselves and we can work something out.
I examined what I could of the barrier yesterday, and indeed, there weren't any imperfections for me to exploit.
[a roundabout way of saying he agrees; an explosion would probably not put a dent in it.]
It's as you've said -- we'll likely have to wait for our captors to come to us. Bedding and resources have been provided, so my assumption is we're meant to be kept alive for the time being.
[which isn't exactly ideal, being forced on someone else's schedule for who knows how long. But that's why he finds solace in being prepared, and after a more thorough examination of his arrows, places them in one of the longer baskets.]
It's the descent that's difficult for me. Centaurs aren't known for their ability to walk down stairs.
[which is more amusing to him than a deterrent. If he'd really wanted to, he probably could have found a way, but why bother when there's a perfectly good forest to occupy? Though:]
If my bow is here and I hadn't realized, I might regret my lack of initiative. It'd save me time from having to make a new one.
I'd like to see how many you can make until I get back.
(Glancing at the arrows he's currently made. He's making a note of how many sees!)
Alright, I'll be back.
(And off he goes! At least now he knows how to get into the rooms so it doesn't take long... but he also really isn't in a rush. It's heavy and he's doing a favor? He can take his time for a little while! Do some stretches before taking it. Enjoy the sights! Marvel how impressively huge this dang bow is... take a break part way through. Honestly, it's not too difficult. He's definitely worked harder before but this isn't exactly easy either.
After a fair bit of time has passed, he comes back, lugging this big ol' bow.)
[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.
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And he releases his arrow. The angle is so steep, it's practically a straight shot but it starts to curve until... it hits the barrier and comes tumbling straight down into the ground not too far from where they are.
Straightening his back, he lowers his bow to his side and rests a hand on his hip, finger tapping thoughtfully. It looks like the barrier does more than just go lengthwise.
Hm.)
... So much for climbing out of here.
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Being about what Archer expected, he doesn't respond as that arrow comes tumbling back to the ground. His fourth arrow is finished, though, straight and even from an hour of meticulous work, so he leans forward and lines it up with the others before addressing the youth again]
And? What shall you do now, having discovered the barrier surrounds us so thoroughly?
[it's just curiosity on his part. That Claude chose to test this so early in the morning tends to be a sign of tenacity, and he can't help but wonder how far it goes]
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(He's taking this in stride! And also going to retrieve his arrow. It's no where near as refined as Chiron's but it had done the job and it's nothing Claude can't work on more later.)
I get the feeling digging would just yield the same results. (A beat,) And be a lot more work.
An explosion, maybe? Though, this barrier seems to be more magical than physical... Maybe the ones behind all of this will reveal themselves and we can work something out.
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[a roundabout way of saying he agrees; an explosion would probably not put a dent in it.]
It's as you've said -- we'll likely have to wait for our captors to come to us. Bedding and resources have been provided, so my assumption is we're meant to be kept alive for the time being.
[which isn't exactly ideal, being forced on someone else's schedule for who knows how long. But that's why he finds solace in being prepared, and after a more thorough examination of his arrows, places them in one of the longer baskets.]
You said your bow was provided to you?
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(That they're being kept alive for now. He can't quite relax though. Old habits are hard to kick.)
Yeah, it was in my room. (He looks Chiron up and down,) I take it you had some difficulty going up the stairs?
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[which is more amusing to him than a deterrent. If he'd really wanted to, he probably could have found a way, but why bother when there's a perfectly good forest to occupy? Though:]
If my bow is here and I hadn't realized, I might regret my lack of initiative. It'd save me time from having to make a new one.
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(That's a lot of work!!)
I'd be glad to check for you, if you'd like.
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[Chiron are you sure that's a bow]
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It'll be my workout for the day.
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He will not forget such a helpful youth.]
Splendid. Here's my device.
[Which he'll pull out of one of his baskets and toss in Claude's direction with a smile.]
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He'll catch it!)
Will you be waiting here?
(He doesn't mind. Its not like there's much in the rooms or anything. Maybe.)
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[Which is why he's already grabbing another branch to start the process all over.]
Return when you've found anything. Hopefully I'm not sending you on a fool's errand.
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(Glancing at the arrows he's currently made. He's making a note of how many sees!)
Alright, I'll be back.
(And off he goes! At least now he knows how to get into the rooms so it doesn't take long... but he also really isn't in a rush. It's heavy and he's doing a favor? He can take his time for a little while! Do some stretches before taking it. Enjoy the sights! Marvel how impressively huge this dang bow is... take a break part way through. Honestly, it's not too difficult. He's definitely worked harder before but this isn't exactly easy either.
After a fair bit of time has passed, he comes back, lugging this big ol' bow.)
Yeesh. This really was a whole work out.
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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.
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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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