RP:Target Practice

Part of the The Whisperer In Darkness Arc

Summary: Khitti works with Meri on her archery skills.

Abandoned Archery Range

“Okay, so,” Khitti said as she let loose an arrow towards a tree several feet away, “I know you’ve not exactly gotten enough time to practice, before we had to deal with Aedrebyrg. So, that’s why we’re here. This is actually where Brand and Onyx brought me, when I was relearning how to use a bow, when I still had amnesia.” And somewhere nearby, Khitti realized just as she was saying that, might’ve been where Dominic was conceived. Whoops. Awkward. She makes sure to leave that part out. “First we’ll start with stationary targets, then we’ll move on to moving ones. I don’t have Onyx’s illusion magic, but I’ll make do.” After some time spent in Frostmaw, dealing with Rorin’s reappearance and more or less keeping to herself, Khitti was quite happy to be back in the warmer parts of Lithrydel. She was back in one of her many sleeveless, knee-length dresses and her favorite sandals whose straps wove up and around her calf, and it helped to put her somewhat at ease. “And…”, she hesitated, then sighed, “We should probably talk about Aedrebyrg… and the other byrgs.”

Well...! Maybe if Khitti were talking to Callum, it might have been awkward, were the subject broached. Meri, on the other hand, had a very different view of the body and thus sex. It would not have served her well to be a blushing tattoo artist! Either way, the subject is not brought up so Meri is none the wiser. "Yeah, I haven't really had too much practice." She was just sort of thrown into things, trying to use the training bow Khitti gave her where chance presented itself. "We'll make do, yup. I don't think it will be too hard to muster up a moving target." They would have to come up with some sort of device so that Khitti is not stuck trying to chuck things up in the air for some target practice. That would not do. Khitti's shot is landed on a tree several feet away and Meri assumes that it is her turn to hit the target. Her bow is readied, aim is taken, and an arrow is released but the blonde's arrow lands no where near Khitti's. It finds it's resting point on a complete different tree. "And yeah, we should probably talk about what is going on out in Venturil. Any updates?"

Khitti made a motion for Meri to continue with the archery as she sighed, opting to play retriever for the moment and pick up the arrows that didn’t quite hit their mark--and avoiding any that might come near her. “It’s pretty much not good and even worse. When I was up in Frostmaw for a bit, I found Encara and we talked a fair bit. I even asked her to join the guild, heh. But, yeah. We decided to make Lionel and Valrae come out to Venturil--the main part of Venturil, that is. I had Camina, my new assistant, check out the other byrgs and for her to report back. It’s not good, but it’s a lot more subtle than what went on in Aedrebyrg.” She frowned, eyeing the arrow’s tip carefully, “People are sacrificing their first born children in Berendebyrg, to try to rid themselves of this plague of locusts and flies and such that’s been eating away at their crops and livestock. Denubyrg has been overrun by the local wildlife and minotaur--and normally, the minotaur are good people out there, but Camina said she saw one rip someone in half. And Diernebyrg has a bubble, much like Cenril, except it’s made of powerful dark magic.” Crimson brows furrowed as she finally shifted her attention back to the blonde, a frown creasing her lips, “It’s a mind flayer, Meri… and me telling Lionel that didn’t exactly phase him. He must think it’s like the ones we found in the desert, when we were hunting those bugs. It’s really not. And I can feel it.”

"Oh. You saw Lionel. And Valrae." her voice does not entirely betray her thoughts on that matter, though she has already confided her concerns to Callum. Some of those sentiments have yet to be swayed. Another shot is taken before Meri continues on, this one getting a little better, but not quite. "Well whatever is going on, the cause of that trouble is probably at the byrg with the bubble, isn't it?" That seems to make the most sense to Meri, it was the only byrg that was shielded in any matter, as far as Khitti was explaining. The practice continues between sentences, Meri tries to line up another shot. As Khitti retrieves her missed shots, Meri would tuck them away for safe keeping until she cycled back around to that arrow in her during the practice session. "I don't like that Lionel seem bothered by this mind flayer thing." Khitti seemed to be concerned, and there was not much in the way of beating-up-bad-guys that usually had her concerned. Beating up oversized bugs is usually her idea of a good time. So if she says this one is serious...? Meri sighs, lowering her bow for few sections. Her eyes are narrowed on the target during those few seconds, and even after she takes aim once more. This time when she looses her arrow it hits quite close to the target set by Khitti.

Khitti nodded slowly as Meri basically took the words right out of her mouth. “It is definitely the bubble. That blood… from Aedrebyrg. I’ve had that happen to me before. Just before Amarrah and I were fused together. I didn’t know it then when we were there, but I started having dreams again, but they’re not dreams. That guy Gabriel, our minds are linked now because of it, because of the flayer. It’s been getting stronger over time, since then. I didn’t want to tell you guys right away, but if it is a mind flayer, it’s not something I want to keep secret.” There was another heavy sigh, her demeanor shifting to a slightly more irritated look, “Lionel’s so fixed on Kahran, none of it seemed to phase him. And Valrae, I should not have asked her to come there. I only did so because I need more help, in addition to you and Encara. But, she’s not like us--I could tell that even after all the whiskey I’d had. She is, in the sense that she’s a fighter and she’s strong-willed, but she should not be anywhere near combat, despite what Lionel thinks. I almost didn’t tell them about the flayer, but I’d hoped it would wake him up, to see what’s going on, that there’s more evils than just Kahran… but I think he’s a lost cause at this point.” She watched as arrow after arrow was shot by the blonde, a faint smile finally forming as Meri’s last arrow nearly hits Khitti’s own target, “You’re doing really well. As well as I did when I was first learning.”

Meri does not spend too much time dwelling over Lionel, which should in itself express her sentiments about what they should do. With the compliment paid, Meri does lower her bow and this time is it for a prolonged period "Thank you," she says first and foremost, because sister or not she saw no need to dismiss an honest compliment. "That is not a connection you need to have, we need to break it." Obviously. "As for Valrae, I believe that if are mindful then everything will be okay. For starters, she is going to need to have some light armor. It might not be something that she is used to, but I think it will be for the best. And in addition to that, maybe we'll have to make sure she is paired with someone. Encara is good with range, she might be great to guard Valrae. If not her then your resident psion would also be a good choice. We will obviously have to make sure that she does not go running into the thick of battle, keep her in the back where she can do her witchy thing..." Long story short, it sounds like Meri is in agreement with Khitti. Valrae would be an asset but an asset that will need to be guarded. Especially considering that the heat of battle may not be something that Valrae is used to facing. Valrae will have to learn to grow accustomed to that if she means to stick with Lionel.

Khitti picked up what Meri was putting down with regards to Lionel and didn’t say anything more about him. “The link needs to stay… for now. Neither of them can hear me now. I’ve gotten too good at blocking out people in my head--we only manage to cross paths when one or the other is asleep. If they mean to control me somehow, they’re taking their dear sweet time. Which is why I’m going to use that time to come up with a plan. Gabriel clearly likes to hide, both in that human disguise and in that byrg. I need to find a way to draw him out. But I want to focus on the other two byrgs first. I can’t help what’s going on in Diernebyrg and I know for certain that they’re sacrificing people there, but I’m not willing to risk anyone going into that bubble yet. So we bide our time, clean up the other byrgs, and make out way there.” She nodded at her own words, as if she needed to hear it too to give herself a bit more confidence. “And you’re right about Valrae. I will talk to her soon. We need to have a bit of a one-on-one conversation about a lot of things--without Lionel there--and that will be one of them. If she’s not keen on actually fighting, then she can help clean up the mess afterwards. We may not have to fight anything in Berendebyrg. They weren’t hostile whatsoever towards Camina when she went to investigate. If it’s an enchantment, that should hopefully be right up her alley.” Khitti studied the tree and both of their arrows for a moment, then gave another nod, “Let’s move on. I have an idea.” With a whisper, Khitti summoned the circlet from Seika’s rose gold armor and pulled it from her head. “We’ll use this as a target.” The headpiece was tossed into the air and hovered there above them, but far enough in front of them that Meri could actually hit it. “Try to hit it up there first, and then I’ll start moving it.”

Meri frowned at the notion of keeping the link in place for now, but she did not argue much because she could see the use in having such a connection with the being that ultimately needed a good beat down. Khitti goes on to further explain that the situation in Berendebyrg was not a hostile one as far as her scout had experienced, so maybe they would not need to fight there at all. Meri bobs her head in a nod, this was a thing to definitely consider. And Meri could definitely not see Valrae picking up a sword and fighting, not that the witch did not have a willful-spirit. It was complicated, but Meri is certain there was plenty Valrae could do in many scenarios without even having to pick up a sword. "I guess all we can do is try and analyze, predict, and prepare....and then go in and hope for the best." It's what they have always done. Meri sighs at this thought and lifts her bow, setting her sights on the headpiece that is now airborn. Lips are pressed together thoughtfully as she assesses the angle of the shot and the distance the head piece is from her, taking her time with this first shot. Moving was going to be far more challenging, Meri was still getting used to a lot of the nuances of archery.

Khitti chose not to move the circlet just yet, letting Meri take a few more shots while it was stationary. She wanted to tell Meri the things that Gabriel had told her. He knew she missed having her own magic. She missed being able to do the things Encara can do with the shadows, and more. She wanted to feel useful again, instead of this autopilot lifestyle she’d been on since Onyx left them. Gabriel said he could help her, if she’d only come to him in Diernebyrg--and gods it was tempting. “I won’t go too fast, when I do move it.” Khitti managed a smile for the psion, “Onyx was quite the little jerk when the three of us were here. They summoned up these giant bat illusions that not even Brand could take down and Brand ended up yelling at him.” Finally, Khitti did move the circlet, a bit to the left and then a bit to the right--like those targets you can shoot at, at a festival.

Meri should ask, but she doesn't think to. What were they talking about with this mind link in place? Meri just assumed that it was probably not much of a pleasant conversation. What could Khitti have to say to someone that is having people sacrificed? She also assumed that is was a good source of information, gave Khitti a view and maybe them an advantage. It does not help that Khitti is currently presenting a challenge to Meri, shoot the target a few more times because soon it is going to start moving! If Meri had asked, she would be livid. She would want that link broken sooner, despite Khitti's instance that it should stay for now. A couple more shots are taken, not stopping until Khitti decides to make the headpiece move. Between those couple more practice shots, and before any movement of the headpiece is made, Meri breaths out a sigh and says. "Onyx, became more of an enigma to me once I learned more about them." Even though Khitti seemed to understand why they were so salty toward her after what Meri explained, Meri was still confused. "But I hope one day you get the chance to talk with them again." There were many things Khitti wanted to say, ask, and do, Meri could only assume.

The gears in Khitti’s head started to turn carefully in a direction they probably should not have been turning in. She certainly planned to use this predicament with Gabriel to her advantage… but in addition to trying to stop the mind flayer’s plans, maybe Khitti could get something out of it too? What if she could get Gabriel to bring Onyx back? Dark magic was dark magic--it didn’t matter if it was from a mind flayer or not. Meri’s words drew Khitti back from her thoughts, to which Khitti nodded, “I hope so too. I have a lot of things to apologize for… even if not all of it was specifically my fault.” It -had- been her fault. Sort of. A different her, but her nonetheless. “And Onyx being an enigma isn’t really a surprise to me anymore. If they really -were- my child from this other time, then it only makes sense.” Khitti was a bit of a conundrum herself after all. “Here’s to hoping Dominic ends up like his father.” She paused. “Except the drinking part.” Another pause. “And the being grumpy part.” There was one more pause to allow her to consider if there was anything else about Brand that Dominic should not acquire from the blonde. “Speaking of babies… How goes Operation: Babymaker?” She smirked, letting her thoughts wander towards Meri’s life, instead of dwelling on the schemes she was coming up with in her head.

Meri was blissfully unaware for now. Khitti's best friend was never the sort to have a sound understanding of magic, not like the redhead herself. Dark magic being dark magic did not even cross Meri's mind, the alarm bells were just not ringing, and it's not for a lack of caring. "Oh stop, no one is perfect that is for certain, but you have plenty of characteristics that Dominic would be blessed to have." Meri smirks. "You are not nearly as grumpy as Brand, for example." Inquiries about operation babymaker are given a shrug, non-chalant only because she is still half-concentrating on firing at the airborn headpiece. The first couple shots were missed, but Meri is progressively making more and more of them. "Oh..." Meri does manage a chuckle, a sincere one. Poor Cal. "I have puppies now, Cal's goal is to distract me." Meri smirks. "You should come see the babies soon! And bring Dominic!" Meri is not going to tell Khitti -which- puppies were adopted. That would be a surprise for a later time. "I get the sense he'll come around eventually though, honestly. It'll just take some time, he's not there yet. And if he decides that he does not really want kids? Well I can accept that."

As Meri was clearly getting better and better at this, Khitti pursed her lips together innocently as she snapped her fingers and the circlet set aflame. Okay, Onyx might definitely be her kid -somehow- (she’s still not as much of a jerk as they are though!). “Oh, that poor guy. It’s funny how naive he is, thinking you’ll just forget about it.” Khitti couldn’t help but snicker at this, and then a lightbulb went off in her head, “Oh! I speaking for forgetting things, I saw Alvina in Frostmaw. Apparently she had another baby. I guess Hudson’s wolfiness helps pregnancy along or something, so it didn’t take anytime at all. But, more importantly, she wanted us all to catch up. I told her we could meet her some time up there? I know it’s cold, but we won’t have to stay up there too long.”

Meri has been shooting for awhile. Even wearing the little tab to protect her finger from the string of the bow, her finger is starting to feel sore. As well as her shoulders and forearms, not that Meri was out of shape! But repeating the same motion over and over again does that, some call this thing 'working out'. A couple more shots are taken just because Khitti has thrown in a new level of trickery for Meri to try and master, but eventually the bow is lowered. There is a moment of consideration, Frostmaw was not one of her favorite places to go. But she did go up there with Khitti for the fight, so why not for Alvina? Besides, it seemed relatively calm up there (for Frostmaw) when she -did go up there for the fight. No shenanigans with some creepy being speaking to her in her mind, etc etc. "Sure, yeah. Whenever is good for Alvina. Was she pregnant again? Dang. It's been so long." Meri felt bad, she always means to catch up with Alvina more frequently, but she is a hard catch. "All the more reason to go see her and catch up. Anyway. I think it is about time I head home to Cal." Meri smirks. "And yeah, I won't forget. He's cute though." In a hamstery sort of way. "You know where to find me, and you'll let me know when we are going to meet with Alvina, yeah?"

Khitti managed to forget that those that aren’t used to archery, can start hurting rather quickly. The realization that Meri was tired would hit her and confirmed when Meri said she intended to go home. Had time passed by that quickly? She tried hard not to frown, masking it the way she’d been lately with that faint smile of hers, “Yeah. I will.” There’d be no hug this time, the redhead allowing her sister to leave and go to those puppers and that incredibly naive fiance of hers. The smile would gain a little more warmth, as if to further show that Khitti was alright with this, and then her attention would be on tree in front of her, the circlet now gone, as she raised her bow and started firing anew.

Meri could not make heads or tails of that smile. She had been concerned about Khitti for awhile now, now would have been a good chance to talk -- yet they had a lot to talk about and time had passed by pretty quickly. Khitti might try and skirt away without giving Meri a hug, but Meri was not going to allow that to happen. If only because she was still sensing something was a little off. "My door is always open to you, yeah? Don't you forget that. Seriously though, I want you and Dominic to come by soon. Before we see Alvina, after we see Alvina, I don't care. I have a surprise!" Meri's hope is to offer some reassurance to Khitti, maybe cheer her up just a little bit, before she did actually head off for the night.