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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Jun 8, 2009 20:52:08 GMT -5
I laughed at Faolan's observations of City life, but her last remark brought a frown.
"Really?" I asked, looking her over. "I find that hard to believe. Are the men in this City blind?" I was serious, too, Faolan was beautiful. The wildness of her nature only made her seem more attractive to my eyes, but I wondered if some D'angeline men might be threatened by a woman who so obviously could take care of herself.
I watched as she pulled her bow and quiver from her back, amazed at the size of the thing. I was beginning to wonder if I wasn't about to make a colossal fool of myself, once again.
"Ready as I'll ever be." I answered, making a bit of a face.
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Post by Faolan mab Ceallach on Jun 11, 2009 14:43:43 GMT -5
I smiled at her compliment, feeling my cheeks heat at it, remembering how Sandrine had called me her beauty time and time again that night we had shared together.
"Well, it doesn't seem to attract them," I said with a soft laugh, "come, stand beside me," I said, motioning her towards me with the wave of my hand, "and mimic my stance," I said as I stood, placing my left foot forward and pointing it straight towards the tree while my other foot fell behind me, though not spread too wide, and angling my body also towards the tree. "We begin with posture. You are right-handed, yes?" I said with a laugh, thinking on how I probably sounded like some matronly piano teacher who was bitter and far past her prime.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Jun 13, 2009 14:57:57 GMT -5
"Well, there is no accounting for taste, I suppose." I said, shaking my head at the foolishness of men before coming to stand beside Faolan. I did my best to copy her stance, trying not to tip over when I inadvertently placed one leg too far behind me. I corrected myself with a slight laugh.
I shook my head at Faolan's question, holding up my left hand. "Actually, no. I am the only left-handed person I know." I wiggled my fingers and smiled. "I hope that's not a problem? I could probably learn with my right hand, if I tried harder."
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Post by Faolan mab Ceallach on Jun 16, 2009 13:27:51 GMT -5
I smiled as she stumbled with the pose a bit but righted herself. She was determined, and that was always important when teaching anything -- to have a ready and willing student.
"Ah," I said with a short laugh, "then I fear we will have to switch the sides," I said as I walked to the other side of her so that when we switched, she would be able to see me better. "I have learned to use both. But for now it's best to learn with the hand you use most," I said with a smile, taking up the same stance as before but in opposite and waiting for Sophine to do the same. "It seems I should have gotten you a bow and some arrows for your natale instead," I said with a light chuckle.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Jun 16, 2009 22:49:59 GMT -5
I grinned at her words, shaking my head. "Let's see how I do first!" I followed Faolan's example and got in what I hoped was the correct stance. Her easy grace and the size of the bow were a bit intimidating, but since coming to the City I had lost that part of me that as so worried about looking foolish when trying new things. Everything I did these days seemed to be something new, and I had begun to thoroughly enjoy the sensation.
"All right, I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
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Post by Faolan mab Ceallach on Jun 18, 2009 9:33:33 GMT -5
I smiled as she took the stance, doing a much better job this time around, mayhap because it was the stance used for her dominant side.
"Alright," I continued, a smile on my lips, my voice light and merry, "what you are going to want to do is raise your right hand like so," I indicated, bow in my hand, holding around the leather that encircled my grip, "and hold it at shoulder level," I continued, raising it and holding my arm stead and straight. "You will want to make sure that the inside of your eelbow faces towards the bow otherwise you coudl end up in a great deal of pain," I said with a chuckle, looking to her and waiting for her to adjust before going on.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Jun 21, 2009 16:33:16 GMT -5
I copied Faolan's stance, adjusting where necessary so that I was in the same position as she was. Looking over at her, I laughed.
"I probably look ridiculous in this position with no bow!" Still, I kept my arms in the position she had indicated, making sure my elbow was turned correctly. The last thing I was interested in was being in pain!
"How's this?" I asked, smiling.
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Post by Faolan mab Ceallach on Jun 22, 2009 9:07:32 GMT -5
I looked over at her, moving out of my stance for a moment to circle around her, bow in hand. I smiled.
"Yes, that's great," I uttered gladly, moving back to stand beside her. "Now the hardest thing about this is holding the pose, you always have to wait for the right moment, especially when hunting, game or humans," I said with a snicker. We didn't hunt humans, especially not for the sake of food, but it was funny, at least I thought it was.
"With a bow, it will be harder. But you must not waver, keep your arms straight and your head up, do not look down, do not look around, look only where you want your arrow to land."
There was a notch in the tree and I nodded my head towards it. "See that notch there? That would be our target," I said with a smile. "The motion for drawing back the arrow is like so," I said, indicating that she should look as I showed her how the right hand would be holding the arrow steady as it drew back in a straight line. The tension was obvious, though I did not waver at all, holding the stance. Then I thought to myself and had to fix what I had said.
"Well actually, its best to load the arrow like so," I said with a chuckle, forgetting that I was working with a beginner. "Point it down and away from yourself, that way if something happens and you let it go too soon, you do not hurt yourself or anyone else, then you draw back, raise the bow and arrow and align it with the target," I said with a smile. "Am I going too fast?" I asked.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Sept 17, 2009 22:38:53 GMT -5
"No, I think I have the idea." I said, attempting to mimic the motions she was making with the bow. I looked to the target we had agreed upon and wondered if I would be able to focus so completely on the target. Well, we would see.
She seemed so graceful, her motions so fluid, that it seemed as if archery was quite an easy task, but I knew that was probably deceptive. Faolan had likely been doing this since childhood, which accounted for her natural ease with the bow. For myself, I could only hope to achieve a fraction of her proficiency.
"So, point the arrow down and away, then draw back and aim at the target." I repeated, nodding. "So far, so good."
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Post by Faolan mab Ceallach on Sept 20, 2009 20:39:25 GMT -5
I smiled as she mimiced, doing well, and at her repitition of the instructions.
"Exactly. Then," I said turning back to focus on the target, "breathe deep and slow, and don't release until you are ready. Then release," I murmured as I released and hit the notch dead on. I smiled, looking to her. "Would you like to give it a go?" I asked as I walked to the tree, pulling the deeply lodged arrow from its trunk and walking back to her.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Sept 20, 2009 21:38:22 GMT -5
"I would love to." I said, though I was somewhat apprehensive. I had a sudden vision of shooting my new Alban friend and I shuddered slightly. That would be both tragic and humiliating! Still, I wasn't one to shy away from a challenge, and I was willing to bet that Faolan knew enough to stay out of the way.
I grinned and said, "Here goes nothing!" then held out my hands for the bow and arrow, pleased to see that they weren't shaking at all.
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Post by Faolan mab Ceallach on Sept 21, 2009 3:56:42 GMT -5
I stepped over to her with a smile. It was good to see a woman eager to learn something outside of her realm, or outside of what most thought she should. I placed the bow in her hands and held onto the arrow until she was ready.
"Alright, so you remember how to hold it?" I asked, though it had only been moments ago.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Sept 22, 2009 0:01:27 GMT -5
I nodded, taking the bow from her gingerly. Concentrating, I attempted to mimic what Faolan had shown me moments before, getting a better grip on the weapon, and keeping it pointed at the ground the way she had told me. I looked to the tree that was our target, and wondered if I would be able to keep it in focus once I had the arrow raised.
I took a deep breath and raised the bow, even as I concentrated on the tree. I pulled back the arrow, finding it much more difficult than it looked, and I had to strain my muscles to keep ahold of it. Faolan did make it look easier than it was!
I needn't have worried about concentrating on the target, for as soon as I had the arrow nocked and ready to fly, I found that a sort of calm had descended over me. The rest of the woods and even Faolan seemed to fade into the background, while the tree remained in sharp relief. I could feel my heart beating almost in slow motion as time seemed to still ... there was only me and the target ... and all the time in the world.
I let the arrow fly ... watched it speed through the air toward the tree ... and miss. It landed nearby, thunking into the ground. I sighed, shaking my head as I lowered the bow. "I thought I had it..." I lamented, turning to Faolan to see what she thought.
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Post by Faolan mab Ceallach on Sept 23, 2009 7:12:36 GMT -5
I smiled at her lament, though she had done far better than she had thought. "You were there, weren't you," I said with a smile. "The calm, I saw it settle on you like a cloak!" I exclaimed, clapping her back with a thud. "My girl, you have no idea how hard that calm is for some to muster. I think you have chosen your weapon.. er... a um... suiting hobby, well." I said with a laugh, almost bursting. "The rest will come, and your aim was true. Look at where it landed, right under the target, short of the tree. I know the strain on the string can be terrible, it's rather difficult to keep steady and draw back enough to have enough power, but you will get there." I said with a grin, pulling out another arrow. "Here," I said, handing it to her, beaming, "try again. This time pull back farther."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Sept 23, 2009 21:16:24 GMT -5
"The calm? Yes, it was odd ... as soon as I decided to focus on the target, it was all I could see." Faolan's excitement was contagious and soon I was smiling widely. I might not have hit the target, but obviously I'd done well. I felt the thrill of success, which I decided I liked much more than the sting of failure. Here was something that, with practice, I would be able to do well.
I took the arrow from Faolan and followed her instructions, pulling back further this time. I made a mental note to work on strengthening my arms for future practice sessions, feeling the strain in my muscles. I took a deep breath and looked for the target, feeling the calm settle over me just as it had before. This time I waited before releasing the arrow, taking time. When I let fly, the arrow sped true, and hit the tree with a loud thunk. It wasn't exactly where I had been aiming, but it was a marked improvement.
I lowered the bow and turned to Faolan with a grin. "You're right, I think I have definitely found my 'hobby!' " I exclaimed, laughing. "I shall have to get my own bow and arrows, and we can practice everyday!"
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Post by Faolan mab Ceallach on Sept 24, 2009 5:40:21 GMT -5
WIth the rudimentary skills she was obtaining she was doing very well, far better than I had anticipated for someone who had never picked up a bow and arrow in her life. I beamed, proud of her ability as I walked to the tree to remove the arrow from it, and skipped back to her. We must have been an interesting sight, should anyone have passed by and sighted us, but who cared. We were enjoying ourselves, and I had helped my new friend find a hobby that even matched my own.
"I know of a place, I think, that we could get you one," I said with a smile as I made my way back to her. "And I am glad you like it," I said with a bright smile, "and I would love nothing more than to practice with you."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Sept 24, 2009 21:50:56 GMT -5
I was glad that Faolan seemed amenable, since I hadn't even asked her if she was willing to train with me! I wondered what my brother and sister would think of my taking up archery, but honestly I was hardly concerned. Guy would probably find it amusing and Dyan unladylike and beneath me. They were both so predictable it made my teeth ache.
"When can we go get my own bow and arrow?" I asked, bouncing lightly on the balls of my feet. I really wanted some of her Alban clothes as well, but I wasn't sure if it was culturally acceptable of me to ask for something like that. Imagine what Dyan would say if she saw me in such a getup! Still, it did seem imminently more practical than my summer dress and sandals. I settled for adding, "And perhaps I should find something better to wear while practicing?"
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Post by Faolan mab Ceallach on Sept 25, 2009 9:02:55 GMT -5
I smiled twice as brightly as before. I think... that I was making a friend! It was so new to me, having been surrounded by family, and friends in the Alban way always become something akin to family. Twas different here.
"Anytime you like!" I said with a giggle. "We could even set out now if you want," I smiled as I touched her shoulder in a friendly manner. As I did though, that feeling came over me, my expression became blank and I saw nothing, then everything at once. It was too strong to fend off like the other times, like I was slowly learning to on my own. When it was done, I gasped, coughing slightly and stepped back from her. "I.... I am sorry," I whispered, feeling the colour come back to my cheeks. She must have thought me odd... insane even. I looked away from her and then cleared my throat. "Um... something tells me your sister will not be pleased about this..." I said, sighting what I had seen in my vision. She was arguing with someone, a female authority figure, and judging from our earlier conversation, her sister, over this whole situation.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Sept 25, 2009 18:25:38 GMT -5
"Could we?" I said, excited all over again. Next to my new pastime of archery, shopping was a favorite of mine. I started to hand Faolan back her bow when a blank expression came over her face and she seemed as if she might be ill. "Faolan?" I said in alarm, wondering what had caused her sudden bout of malaise. "Don't be sorry," I said, even as she already began to regain her color. "But perhaps we should go sit in the shade? It is a bit hot out today."
When she mentioned my sister, which seemed to come a bit out of nowhere, I just laughed softly. "No, no she won't, but little I do ever seems to please Dyan, so I am quite accustomed to her tempers."
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Post by Faolan mab Ceallach on Sept 27, 2009 9:00:09 GMT -5
I smiled a little sadly at her words. "She is your sister, but do not raise her ire too often," I said sadly. "And, yes maybe a seat before we head out shopping might be a good idea, we can head back now if you like," I said, avoiding answering the question that was no doubt in her mind, of what had happened to me, and how I knew anything about her sister. Then again, maybe she didn`t pick it up as anything but a mild bout of sunstroke, if I was lucky.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Sept 27, 2009 14:20:15 GMT -5
I heaved a sigh, but smiled. "I suppose you're right. She means well, I suppose." I took Faolan's arm in mine, leading her to a nearby bench. "Would you like me to go and fetch you some water?" I asked, mentally retracing my steps to imagine where I might actually find some water, not being very familiar with the palace grounds. Still, Faolan did look peaked, and if she was having a problem with the heat, water was the best thing for her.
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Post by Faolan mab Ceallach on Sept 29, 2009 8:34:42 GMT -5
"Oh, no no 'twill not be necessary," I responded with a smile as I sat, "just a few moments to regain my faculties and we can start on our way. I promise, it's nothing terribly serious." I hated lying, but it held some truth. Mayhap I was making too big a deal of these visions. Then again, thinking back to the first one, I would have to retract that feeling. I knew why I hated them, and would always hate them. "And as for the proper things to wear when practicing... well I am guessing that some d'Angeline women hunt. There must be some sort of attire for that... right?" I asked, looking to her hopefully, then laughing a bit.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Sept 30, 2009 23:28:31 GMT -5
I laughed lightly, shaking my head. "Well, women do hunt, but they usually wear things like divided riding skirts or some such. I'd like to find something more comfortable." I thought about the sorts of things that my brother wore when he was practicing his forms. "I might have to go for some small men's breeches and a tunic or something." I glanced down at my very slender form and made a face. "A very small men's tunic."
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Post by Faolan mab Ceallach on Oct 3, 2009 18:40:32 GMT -5
I laughed softly, patting her gently on the shoulder. "We will find you something more... feminine but not too... overbearing... I think it is possible though it might take some custom tailoring. Mayhap we can try Eglantine House, they have some wonderful visionaries there, or any of the lovely shops in the City," I said with a smile. "It will be fun!" I said laughing softly. "Though I warn, I am terrible. Utterly terrible, at shopping. Mayhap you can help me kind of ... find something more.. feminine?" I asked, looking down at myself.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Oct 3, 2009 21:05:02 GMT -5
"See, we can do for each other." I laughed. "You teach me archery, and I am an expert at shopping." I looked down at her, seeing all of the curves that her attire did manage to show off, though not in a D'angeline fashion. "I'm sure we can find you some lovely things." In fact, I found the idea of shopping for her much more interesting than shopping for myself.
Excited, I rose from the bench and offered a hand to Faolan. "Shall we, then?"
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Post by Faolan mab Ceallach on Oct 4, 2009 22:39:03 GMT -5
I smiled and took her hand. "Yes, we shall. Should we walk or take a carriage?" I asked her as I started to make my way out of the wooded area.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Oct 5, 2009 11:55:56 GMT -5
"Well, I prefer to walk." I said, smiling. "Otherwise I would never get any exercise and the next thing you know, I should be as big as a house." I followed along, content to be led back toward the garden proper by Faolan, who probably knew exactly where she was going, whereas I might wander round for hours if left to my own devices.
"We can have lunch while we're out, if you like." I added, wondering if she would be quite bored to death with me by then, because in my mind her life was thrilling while mine could hardly get duller. Even with Luc in my life, which was thrilling, I still did not do much more than idly while away my days, waiting for some unknown excitement to appear and whisk me away from it all. Perhaps this was it?
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Post by Faolan mab Ceallach on Oct 6, 2009 9:19:01 GMT -5
I smiled as we walked. "I prefer to ride... a horse... not carriage, or to walk because really," I said as I walked beside her, "as much as the City is lovely, and it is, I wonder how so many women keep such slender figures with everything at your fingertips," I said with a giggle. "Or maybe I am oversimplifying. Either way, yes a walk would be good, I think, and lunch would be even better," I said with a smile as I looked to her. "Have you anywhere in mind? I ... well I haven't really been many places... one.. really, aside from the Palace," I said with a laugh.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Oct 6, 2009 15:13:49 GMT -5
"Oh, I love horseback riding too. There is nothing better than galloping along a shoreline during a storm..." My voice trailed off as I recalled my days in Kusheth, the pounding of the sea in my ears as Maric, Lilli, and I tried to outrun the rain. I shook my head to bring myself back to the present, and Faolan's voice.
"Well, I think you are right, it can be too easy to have everything done for you and to become lazy, but we D'angelines do seem to be able to overcome that, even if it is just by walking about the City."
I thought about where we should go, and then chuckled. "Let's pick a place while we're out, I'd love to try something new." By now we were back in the garden proper, walking past the ladies and gentlemen who were also enjoying the sunshine, though in my mind none could be enjoying their day as much as I was.
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Post by Faolan mab Ceallach on Oct 13, 2009 17:03:56 GMT -5
I smiled as I felt I had found a kindred spirit and friend in Sophine. "We should go riding someday in the future," I said with a smile as I looked at her. "And I like the idea of picking something while were out.. spontanaiety is always welcome," I said with a laugh as we walked past people who sat and meandered around the Palace grounds. With my bow and arros strapped to my back, I was still an awkward sight to some, but most just glanced and glanced away. "I hope you don't mind getting stared at," I whispered with a sly smile to Sophine. "It tends to happen a lot with me."
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