RP:S1, E4 Arrows & Lessons
Summary: Larz shows Taly what he knows of archery - a favorite pastime of his.
New Forest
This area has been totally renovated in the recent weeks. Where once lay desolation and corrupted earth, now lies the lush greenery that belongs in such an enchanted place. The recent revival of the Pixie kingdom heralds this sudden change, the Master Druids? powerful magics spreading like roots of magic throughout the surrounding lands. The dark scars of the terrible fire that ravaged this area remain, deep scorches along the earth, a horrible reminder of the malicious destruction unleashed here. Of the vegetation itself, all is once again lush and fertile, some of the ash from the fires serving as fertiliser to feed the new trees as such is life's way. The new boughs seem to glisten and shimmer slightly in the warm sunlight, retaining a new aura of majesty, a symbol of natures power. From the corner of your eyes, you catch a faint glimmer and upon turning you are confronted with a sight of true wonder. Nymphs, Fairies and Pixies wok together in unison to repair the lands they call their home, weaving powerful magics to help heal the remainder of damage. To your west is the path that leads back to the tree town of Kelay, the Pixie kingdom lies in a southerly direction and east takes you further into the new forest.
Largakh put some space between him and the elven camps this day. Even though he has his own place in Gualon - where he is also a little more respected, he’s been coming around a little more with the plague affecting Sage which is causing his grandparents to work overtime under the table. Secrecy is key with them because they are still shunned by most of the elven community as well for raising an orc in their village. So here’s the orc, practicing his archery in the seclusion of the forest. He’s tall, but moves quietly and is dressed more of a ranger in soft brown colored leathers. This attire mostly covers his skin even though there are a couple spots on his hands showing his skin condition. Feet planted and centered, pulling free an arrow and pulled the bowstring taught, held his breath and let the arrow soar to nearly bullseye. A sigh let out with a common, “damnit.” Pulling another arrow free he centers himself again to try this for the hundredth time. It seems he’s been switching between a hunting bow and longbow because as with everything he doesn’t really find one that fits him or belongs.
Talyara makes a habit of wandering all around Sage. Partly to search for sick, injured, or abandoned animals that need some nursing back to health and can either be released back into the wild or adopted out. The other was to gather supplies whether it be flora, herbs, or any other a variety of things. Another habit of the witch's is to hang out in trees, which is where this particularly mischievous elf happens to be parked at the moment. Taly dresses similarly to the last time, a pair of leggings, a green cotton shirt, and her worn leather boots; only this time her hair is untamed, loose wavy chestnut locks curtaining her face and falling to her mid-back. She had been wondering when she might spot her orc friend once more and today seems to be her lucky day. The witch lazes in a bough, back pressed against the trunk as she watches him take aim with the bow and miss the bullseye. "Ya know," she calls down, swinging her leg idly. "Your shots always seem a little off to the right of what you're aiming for. Perhaps try going a little more to the left."
Largakh was startled and let the arrow go, it soared high and stuck in a branch, but because he was using his longbow it harnessed more force and caused the branch to wobble which in turn sent a bunch of birds fleeing from their perch. Tuscan colored eyes look up at the tree he was under, where the voice came from, it was that lady who lied to the guard. He wasn't used to someone openly talking to him around Sage and after he glanced around to make sure no one else was with her he spoke clear elvish up to Yaly, although it does not sound as pretty coming from his harsh voice, “I’ll give it a try.” He's quite adept at using a bow and arrow, at least he used to be when his grandmother instructed him. Maybe it was his willingness to learn that they decided they would keep him because it was touch and go at first… He shouldn't think about that now and just focus on Taly’s advice, but now she was watching him and that's not good for his concentration. Focus, pull back, holding his breath he aims and hits… an outer ring and nearly the trunk of the other tree. He cusses again in common and it sounded more tired than angry. Looking back up at her, “I've been doing this for a while. I should probably just give it a rest.” He walked over to the opposite tree and retrieved his arrows in order do put them back in his quiver, but he was glancing around again because surely she was up to something and this wouldn't be the first time someone tried to ambush him this way. After making his way over to the tree she was in he set his things down and rested at the base of the tree, one long leg stretched straight out and the other bent at the knee so his arm could drape over it. If the elf had climbed down the tree to join him he would pull two apples out of his bag and offer one to her.
Talyara offers an innocent smile down to Larz, her green eyes seeming to glow like an owls from her perch on a branch. She shifts on her bough, shimmying away from the trunk so she can get a better look at his attempt. When he misses she wrinkles her nose and begins her ascent down. Her movements are a little more clumsy than normal due to her still sore side, but at least she doesn’t fall out. The little witch invites herself to sit with him, her legs crossing under her body as she graciously accepts the apple. Taly bites into the crisp, red flesh and relishes in the sweet, tender insides of the fruit. “You shouldn’t give it up,” she informs Larz after she swallows. “You just have to keep at it. I was never a bow user myself; however I sort of learned out to use knives with practice.”
Largakh sat quietly while he ate his apple in pretty much three bites, but still glances about every so often - not entirely trusting that another elf could be this friendly to him without it being about something else. A nod as he mentions, “I was pretty good once, I will be again. I’ve just been doing this since sunrise,” he glances up and by now it must be midday. “Shaking off the cobwebs,” at her mention of using knives instead of arrows he looks at her out the side of his eye. “Yeah? That would be interesting to see sometime. Once you are healed up, that is,” then he remembered his rather hurried departure, “sorry about the other day. I was late for my gr-” he changes his excuse, “for my appointment.” Not being the best liar, he wouldn’t be surprised if she called him out on it, to which he would then be truthful. He notices a squirrel eyeing the core to his apple, but it definitely won’t be going near the half orc because it can smell the evil in his blood. Larz tossed the core into the brush beyond the squirrel and it darts off for it. He goes to try and change the subject, but has no idea what to talk about because he’s used to being ignored and alone or playing dumb for his fellow orcs in Gualon.
Talyara nods about Largakh being good once. “It’s similar to magic. You have to keep and use the craft regularly otherwise you lose touch with it.” It takes Taly a bit longer to finish her apple but when she does it also gets lobbed into the woods for the little critters to enjoy the core. “I’m still not great at it,” she admits with a smile, turning to face Larz. “I lost my teacher so my lessons have ceased.” Taly shifts her body, tenting her knees and hugging them close to her body. She didn’t buy Larz’s excuse, she saw through the lie. But she wasn’t going to call him on it either. “Ya know,” she suddenly says in a quiet voice. “I used to live up in Frostmaw. There was a time there that elves weren’t welcomed by the giants. I was called horrible names, had things thrown at me. They even came and destroyed my home.”
Largakh wipes his mouth on his sleeve, which was just a simple cotton long sleeve shirt in a shade of green to blend with the forest. He looks thoughtful when she was talking about her hardship and he imagines that if elves tried to live in parts of Gualon the same thing might happen. “I don’t know much about throwing knives, but if you want I can show you archery?” He knows what it’s like to be unwelcome, but he gets the feeling she’s sharing this information because of that. “I live in Gualon. Out there I don’t get at much prejudice. Only when they see my skin mutilation and the fact I’m not as large as them, but that’s more of a curious staring rather than pretending I’m not even there.” The shirt he had on seemed to have to be specially made, but it did cling a bit which showed he was rather thin for being an orc, build more like an elf and tall like and orc was odd. Once he slipped the sleeve up his forearm, he’s toned, but that wasn’t the point - she would see his pine green skin was contrasted against spots of prussian blue. Some sort of vitiligo.
Talyara feels her lips curve in a smile and she nods her head. “I would like to learn archery,” she agrees with the kind smile she almost always wears. “I can teach you something in return but I don’t know what skills I have that you’d be interested in.” The witch falls silent as he speaks of living in Gualon, her head leaning back to rest against the trunk of the tree. She is quite petite and lithe, perhaps a little too thin at this moment because she was in one of her “moods”. When he speaks of his skin she leans forward and boldly runs her cool fingertips along his green and blue skin. “Well I think it’s lovely,” she says decidedly. “It reminds me of when I lay back and look through the canopy of trees into a clear sky.” She chuckles softly. “At any rate it could be worse.” Taly shifts again, turning her back so it faces Larz before reaching down and pulling up the hem of her shirt to reveal the severe scarring on her back. Perhaps it isn’t immediately noticeably but when touched one can clearly feel the raised skin and see the lash marks. “You could have this,” she says with a slight humor in her voice clearly trying to make him feel better.
Largakh’s skin was on the thicker side than an elves or humans yet sort of soft. His arm is a little hairy on the opposite side of the part of his arm she was feeling, he doing shy away, but he did sort of freeze up when she touched him. It's not that it's never happened before, it just usually takes someone a lot of warming up to him to willingly engage with him like this. Surely it was no big deal for her, she's cute, she probably gets ample attention without effort. Larz feels fine, he's used to being an outcast, but when she turns and looks as if she's going to undress he looks alarmed before averting his eyes… What heck? What was this lady trying to do?? If someone saw them, he would surely get blamed and arrested again. Her words hit him and he chances a glance, oh… okay, nevermind. This is fine. His brow knit together which made him look angry or concerned and without thinking he traced his hand gently over the area. His palm would also feel surprisingly smooth aside from a callous or two where the bow left it's well used mark on him. He remembers himself and quickly pulls his hand away, “I'm sorry…” Awkward pause, “what happened?” his tuscan eyes scan her for a moment as if measuring something while he occupies his hands with the hunting bow, undying and retiring the bow string so it would better fit Taly. She seems to have his attention though in whatever the next part of her story holds.
Talyara’s eyes pulls shut for a moment as Largakh’s hand moves down the uneven surface of her back. When he pulls it away she tugs it down and leans back against the tree. She’s quiet for a few moments; it’s not that she doesn’t trust Larz with her story, but rather it’s a hard one for her to tell. “I lived in a small village far away from here, although similar to Sage, except it was almost always autumnal. We were a coven of witches, close knit. My mother was the high priestess.” Taly swallows hard. “One day the drow showed up. Killed my mother in front of me. I found out later I was supposed to be killed, too. But the patron couldn’t resist taking me as a prisoner. What better way to get the coven members who survived to obey him and his fellow drow than to take the daughter of the high priestess, hang her in the square, and whip her mercilessly?” Taly’s voice had fallen quiet, breathy, as she recounted her story. Her eyes were fixed on a spot across the way but they seemed unfocused.
Largakh isn't hard to read, his jaw tense, brow low and that fire flickers in those yellow eyes during his silence for her story. Orcs are short tempered, but for this one it's a selfless temper - putting all before himself. There was quite some time of pause between them until the half orc took a deep breath, “Taly… I've been pushed around, knocked down, mocked and ridiculed all my life, but I could not imagine what you've been through.” Under his breath he curses the drow race, but something dark was in his tone, a touch of that evil in his blood boiling. He barely knows this woman, but something genuine just seems to resonate off her and he knows she doesn't deserve such treatment. Suppressing the urge to ask any further questions like ‘where is this guy now?’ so he could beat up on him or them. Instead he attempts to turn that rage into showing her how to shoot an arrow. After standing up he holds out his hand down to her to help her up and then guides her hands with his on where her placement should be. Taking her shoulders and positioning her, surprisingly gentle for the strength in his race, he centers her. The fact that the touching or being so close to a stranger had left his mind for the moment, attempting to soften his tone, “become one with the roots of the trees. Plant yourself. You are immovable.” He spreads her feet apart with the tap of his boot to her heels, “channel all of what you are feeling now.” Pulling her arms up when he now positioned himself behind her and for a half a second the smell of her distracted him, but moving on with the clearing of his throat, “close your left eye,” he adjusts her elbow up more and bends to lower his head next to her own respectively. “Put those feelings into the arrowhead. The target is that drow and the bullseye is the space between their eyes.” He curbed her back a little with a soft push of his hand so her chest wasn't in the way for her and fingertips on her stomach, “deep breath here. Focus, then let it soar.” He stands back in wait for her to try.
Talyara gives her head a small shake when Largakh begins to speak, bringing her back to the present, and gives him a sad sort of smile. “That doesn’t make it right, what happened to you. What happens to you,” she amends thinking back to their previous meeting and what transpired with the guard. Taly blinks up at him when the orc stands, not hesitating to accept his hand as he helps pull her to her feet. She arches a brow when he begins to position her body but easily gives into his melding and molding—spreading her feet apart, holding her stance, straightening her posture, elbow raised. Her left eye disappears behind closed lids as she hangs on his every word, imagining the drow patron as her target as opposed to a bullseye. There is a long pause as the witch centers herself before letting the arrow fly. She misses the bullseye; however, she’s not too far off and the arrow sticks hard. Taly lowers the bow slightly to examine her shot and gives a half grin.
Largakh looked surprised, but shortly reminded himself of elves and their natural ability for this. When she grins it made him feel good to have given her that moment where she felt strong and in power. He had grinned as well and his teeth imperfect, but white and with hiding his underbite it made his smile a little crooked. Loud clapping echoes in the nature sounds around them. “Very good Taly. When I tried the first time I nearly got my grandfather in the thigh,” he let that slip, orcs aren't archers - so if one were to deduce, he's half elf too. He gets behind her again and if she caught it he would smell of old leather and a hint of a warm campfire, “again, when you breathe in here,” his fingertips over her abdomen again, “once you are on target, breathe in and hold it. It helps me sometimes.” He secures another arrow for her. It's odd how he froze when she touched his arm, but he's having no issues touching her back, shoulders and arms. Educational purposes! Once he has her all set he stands back again, “if you hit the target this time, I'll answer any question you want - honestly.” Maybe a little bribe is in order?
Talyara chuckles and even has the sense to blush slightly when he praises her skills and claps his approval. “Probably just beginners luck,” she says with a small shrug. She allows the half orc to help her into position once more and this time she truly allows herself to feel the weapon, feel the wood, the string, the taught pressure when she draws back the arrow. Her eye closes once more, inhales, holds her breath, and let’s her arrow fly. It seems Larz’s advice and perhaps his bribe worked because she lands her target. “Aha!” She cheers herself with a small laugh before turning to face the orc. Without any preamble she asks, “you’re part elf, aren’t you?”
Largakh cheers as well as if some proud soccer mom encouraging her little ‘Timmy’. Her smile was contagious again and his crooked grin shows once more. “Very well,” and her question blurted out got a winged brow, “half, yes.” He goes back to sitting at the base of the tree and pulls out some delicious bread his grandfather makes, it used to be sold in the local village when they were more accepted by the community. He offers her half and a seat, “my grandmother on my mothers side is an elf priestess and my grandfather is a healer, they used to be well known and celebrated until I came along. My mother, beautiful and spunky, but she was a rebellious one in their eyes. She found my father, an orc monk and they eloped, but she was shunned by all of the community and my grandparents. Then, she had me and passed during childbirth due to complications. No one knows where my father went and my elvish grandparents reluctantly took me in, but I guess I grew on them eventually.” It was probably more of an explanation than she wanted, but there it is.
Talyara falls quiet as she listens to Larz explain his story, the elf leaning the bow against the trunk of the tree and joining him in a seat and partaking of the bread. She picks off a piece and pops it in her mouth—the witch in one of her “fasting” stages. “It sounds like you’ve had to deal with a lot, I can only imagine. Do the orcs treat you well at least?” Taly breathes out a heavy sigh. “I hope you know not all elven folk are cruel. I don’t think I am.” Still feeling she ought to give something she gently nudged him with her shoulder. “Okay, you ask me something now.”
Largakh doesn’t nag her about eating more - it’s not his place and it’s her body, she’s no child. Slowly his usual walls start to come down, “I may have, but it’s made me stronger… More patient.” That smile that is different, but his own spreads across his face, “I used to get into a lot of fights when I was a kid and my grandparents had a lot to teach me. It wasn’t easy for any of us and I think at first they planned on giving me to the orphanage, but my willingness to learn elvish and archery hit home with them.” The bread is now gone and they are just sitting under the tree while the birds and wind pass them by, “the orcs are either too stupid to care or smart enough to respect the struggle, but I don’t really fit in there because I’m not as large or strong and of my skin condition.” Larz wasn’t prepared for her to offer up that and at first he didn’t know what to ask. Those yellow eyes set on her in a moment of thought, “why is it you pretend to be happy?” He wasn’t even sure what that meant, but he had a feeling she had her own wall up in a way.
Talyara continues to pop small pieces of bread in her mouth, not wanting to be rude. She quietly chews as she listens to Largakh’s tale of overcoming adversity, and the struggle he had within his own family. She winces slightly, familial drama is not unknown to this particular witch. Whatever question Taly was expecting from the orc, this was not it and he is met with a stunned little witch. Her emerald hued eyes widen and her mouth slightly parts. “You get right to the point, huh?” She asks with a half smile, rubbing the back of her neck. “I guess it’s because my sadness, my unhappiness is my own. I don’t want to bother people so it’s just easier to smile and pretend everything is okay.”
Largakh watched her carefully and gave a small shrug, “the first question that came to mind.” Now he turned a bit more towards her, “I felt like that for a long time, but the simple truth is that no one is okay.” A sort of scoff slash chuckle, “then I realized - for once. That was what made me apart of it all. I am out here living my struggle. I put my mind to something and do it,” he points to her perfect bullseye shot. “Just like you did there,” those fiery yellow eyes set back to her own green ones, “you’re stronger than you think and… If I am wrong, let me know, but I sense a shadow over you.” He takes out a canteen from his bag and takes a drink of the spring water within then hesitantly holds it out to her because he’s just waiting for that rejection, “something or someone is making you feel like you cannot shine. You deserve to,” another small shrug.
Talyara considers Largakh’s words, her fingers tapping idly against her thigh. “I generally won’t lie. And those who are closest to me know my ticks about when something is bothering me and can see right through it.” Krice was certainly one of those people who could read her as if she were transparent. Her gaze follows the line towards her bullseye and she gives the half orc a shrug before accepting the canteen graciously and taking a long pull on it. “I’ve been hurt a lot in my life. Must like the calluses on your hands, that hurt has hardened me. I still love and care about people with all of my being but being on the receiving end of that? It’s something I shy away from.”
Largakh puts the canteen away when they are done with it. This conversation took a turn he did not expect and wasn’t want he meant, but if it is where she’d been lead to then so be it, who is he to ponder on it. She mentions she has been hardened, “that’s okay too.” He started stowing away some things he was using back into his bag, “I think there really is no predetermined shape for everyone to bake into. We are all filled with chaos and our own paths…. Love, I would know nothing about. So, you lost me there,” he attempts a casual short chuckle as if what he just said was no big deal… Sure you can be in your nineties and have never gone the distance! He tries to change the subject, “how tall are you? I think I’ve got an old bow laying around that will fit you even better… That’s if you want to keep on practicing.”
Talyara suddenly feels like she’s shared to much and clears her throat, turning her face away for a moment as her cheeks flush a fair pink in embarrassment. “Sorry,” comes her quiet number as she fusses with the laces of her boots to give herself something to do. She doesn’t comment on his supposed lack of love, not really sure what she would say anything. “Oh I’m barely above five feet. Maybe like five feet two inches.” Yeah she’s a petite little thing.
Largakh gives her that crooked grin once more when she apologizes, “don’t be. I don’t mind talking about it, but I just don’t have any insight on it. I am of no use for advice in that area,” sure he’s been someone’s dirty little secret before a few times, but he knew that wasn’t love and didn’t even try for it. He stands back up with his tall lanky seeming self before offering her a hand again, “is there a certain day or place you wish to practice? I feel like this a good place for none to see you around me,” it wasn’t a sad thing to say the way he said it made it more matter of fact. He’s already sullied enough of her reputation with her little stunt at the bell.
“I don’t care if people see us together,” Talyara counters as she takes his hand to stand up once more. It was true, Taly couldn’t care less about what other people thought about her or assumed about her hanging out with Larz. “This place works for me if it’s convenient for you. I don’t want to bother you, though if it’s too much. If not is there something I can offer you in return for teaching me?”
Largahk gave a sigh, “you should. I wouldn’t want to get you shunned, too. My grandparents had a tough enough time - that’s why as soon as I got a job as a Guard in Gualon, I moved, so they would be better accepted once more. This plague business though, I don’t let them out the house unless it’s necessary.” Total grandma’s boy. His brow knit in confusion, “bother me? Of course not…” Then she’s offering something - he won’t accept it, but he was curious, “return, what?”
Talyara arches her brow. “But I don’t,” she says stubbornly again, actually crossing her arms over her chest this time in a physical show of it. “I never knew my grandparents...” Taly winces. “Well not really. I indirectly knew my grandfather.” The witch coughs before continuing. “If you ever need someone to look in on your grandparents while you’re in Gualon I’d be more than happy to oblige.” When he questions what she would return both her eyebrows arch. “I don’t know your kindness? Your willingness to teach an elf you just met how to shoot a bow?”
Largakh chuckles and it was loud and hearty, “I don’t know, my grandparents might get the wrong idea and get too excited if I bring an elven lady like you around.” Larz gave a look of realization, “oh… You’re asking me.” Easily shaking his head before leaning in close, looking down at her… Maybe it was a charged moment, but he was only reaching for the bow she rested against the tree which was now behind her. He slipped the bow over his head so it held itself to him, “I want for nothing Taly. I'm not a complicated person that only does things for something in return.”
Talyara finds herself soon laughing along with Largakh because she knew how parents could be when their children brought people home, she could imagine it applied to grandparents as well. “I mean my offer still stands regardless.” Taly looks up at Larz curiously when he leans in close, but it is only to grab the bow behind her. “I didn’t say you were that type of person, Larz. I just would like to return the favor. So you can either tell me if there is something you would like or that I can do for you, otherwise I’ll do something on my own.”
Largakh put up his hands as if surrendering to the wrath of Taly. “I was just making you aware.” He thinks for a moment, “I would like you to arrive on time and be ready to train and learn, but maybe have fun. Archery is a good outlet or hobby. That's all,” a longer shrug, “I don't want anything.” If she was too stubborn to accept this then so be it, he doesn't do well with taking from anyone or asking favors. “I don't mean to offend, but that's just how I am.” He slowly grins crookedly, “see you, here. Same time. In a week then?”
Talyara, as Largakh is probably learning, is incredibly stubborn so her hand finds purchase on her hip as it juts out slightly. “Well, this is just how I am,” she had although there is a small smile on her lips to show she doesn’t mean any offense by it. “Okay, I’ll see you next week then. Same time.” Taly was traveling sans anything so she swings her arms awkwardly. “Thank you for the lesson, Larz.”
Largakh watches her go for a moment with an amused grin before heading the opposite way. Back to the swamps and sinking city where his kind belong.