🏹

he is not too prideful to take full advantage.

at her praise, he nods, the gesture a pointed, sharp acknowledgement as he does not mean to lose focus with words. the stance she's given him to practice is... certainly different than the way he's grown used to planting his feet. and yet, it doesn't feel wrong. in fact, he feels strangely grounded. how interesting... at that, he's making a note of the way it feels as she circles him once more.

then, he finds himself momentarily frozen, surprised by the suddenness of her approach, her purposeful touch. blinking, he listens, watches as she looks him over, making adjustments... and he, of course, allows thus, his entire body steady but notably pliable.

when she steps back, looking pleased, he makes certain not to move, to take a mental note of everything again. then, blinking, he manages to glance over to her for approval. " you think? "

and then, at her acknowledgement, he lets the bowstring loose. " huh... ! " he says aloud, seemingly pleased. " that feels... better. i had no idea. you outriders really know your stuff, it seems.

SHE COULDN'T HELP but cheer as the arrow flew–––– a far distance & a straight trail. clearly the adjustment to his stance had paid off. she thrust a fist into the air, jumping as she did. ❝ yes! good shot! ❞

THERE WAS A strong feeling of pride welling up in her chest. part of it was certainly the recognition in her skills in archery as an outrider. she couldn't help but stand up a bit straighter, shoulders back & probably a bit haughty as she nodded. ❝ i told you before, archery are an outrider's specialty! well, archery & gliding. ❞ but, that wasn't the only place her pride was coming from.

THE SUCCESS OF her newest student was certainly a reason to feel so proud. he was a quick study & he had picked up her adjustments rather fast.  ❝ you should be really proud! taking corrections & implementing them isn't easy! but, here you are, handling it all like a pro! ❞

＃ＲＥＢＩＲＴＨ ． ／／ In the fields, she stopped and took a deep breath of the flower-scented air. It was dearer to her than her kin, better than a lover, wiser than a book. And for a moment she rediscovered the purpose of her life. She was here on earth to absorb its wild enchantment.       

IT TURNED OUT that there was someone so foolish. the outrider weighed her options before she gave in with a sigh. there was no getting out of this predicament

    ❝ lisa...❞

AMBER KEPT HER distance, her arm extended as far as she could manage as she whispered & tapped the librarian on the shoulder. it was clear that she knew that she was poking the sleeping bear as the saying went.

he's quite comfortable in his own skill with a bow, but he's a botanist first and foremost and a researcher at heart, not a knight. she, on the other hand, is a trained professional. and he's eager to see the differences in her methods. thus, he crosses his arms, watching with genuine interest as she sets her feet steady, right.

she doesn't take her eyes off the target once she turns toward it, aiming her bow. she's strong, he notes, obvious in the ease with which she draws it. and at the invitation, he doesn't hesitate. stepping forward, he pulls out his own bow, look her stance over for a good, long moment and then—

he does his best to copy it.

SHE SHOOK HER head to clear it, as if she could physically brush off the feeling. she'd just have to ensure that his first experience working with an outrider as unforgettable as possible!

AMBER TURNED HER head to watch him, nodding her head at his observation. her smile only grew as she did, & she complimented his realization as she lowered her bow again.

       ❝ good catch! ❞

FOR THE MOMENT, her full attention was on him adjusting his stance, & she hummed her approval as she circled around him, beginning to study the rest of his stance.

    ❝ oh, your grip! ❞

SHE MOVED IN a bit closer, personal space temporarily forgotten as she reached out to help him hold the bow with one hand & the other reaching out to take his own. gently, she turned it to adjust his hold.

    ❝ turn your wrist just a little more. like that! ❞

AFTER ENSURING THAT he had a proper hold, she took a few steps away, giving him a thumbs up after gave him another once over.

" let's see what a knight of favonious can do, then. "

       ❝ i’m not just a knight, i’m an outrider. archery is our specialty! ❞

      &, WITH THAT, she stepped forward, pulling her bow back & aiming at the target they’d set up. she didn’t move her gaze away from it, even as she spoke.

‘ how about i take you home? ’

‘ who do you fight for? ’

‘ you can relax. we’re safe here.’ 

‘ are you threatening me? ’

‘ i told you to leave me out of this. ’

‘ i guess it runs in the family, huh? ’

‘ you’re leaving already? ’

‘ that sounds dangerous. i’m in!’ 

‘ what do you wish for? ’

‘ you look like you just saw a ghost.’ 

‘ don’t look at me like that. ’

‘ we can just sit here. we don’t have to talk.’ 

‘ you can’t get rid of me that easy. ’

‘ do you want something for the pain? ’

‘ can i have some cash? ’

‘ i know you’re dangerous, but i also know you won’t hurt me.’ 

‘ that’s quite a scratch you’ve got there.’ 

‘ when was the last time you slept? ’

‘ i know who you are. i know what you’ve done. ’

‘ you’re being followed. pretend you know me.’ 

‘ you never should’ve left. ’

‘ i think i’m getting sick. ’

‘ snap out of it! ’

‘ yes i killed them, but i did it for you.’ 

‘ don’t treat me like a child. ’

‘ how does it feel to be in love? ’

‘ surprised to run into you here. ’

‘ how many people have you killed? ’

‘ i didn’t want to come, but i need your help. ’