Target Practice [OPEN]

[someonetocarry]

Who: Zoe and OPEN
What: Shooting stationary objects and doing chores
When: Flammedi, 21th of Rosefrucht
Where: Outside the Gazelle and Child and in the nearer environs to it
Rating: PG probably for mild space-western swearing

First on the list of things to do that morning: target practice. Zoe settled herself in at the shooting range beside the Gazelle and Chine, the side meant more for gunners than for rangers, and took aim again and again at the targets there. She needed to keep her hand in, when she wasn't going out targeting living things, and she hadn't enough rank-- or money-- for a horse of her own to go out with, so the moving target range wasn't available.

Plus, she kept trying to get the gun to change shape, like she'd been told it would do, but it so far stubbornly remained a shotgun. She favored shotguns, fair enough, but she sure did wish she could get a shape change in practice rather than out in the field some day when it would take her by surprise.

Then came an early lunch and walking out some of the horses that the more higher-ranked archers had taken out for the morning, and taking them back in to groom. At least that was an easy enough chore; she'd rather have that than mucking out their stables, which she did yesterday. Besides, that let her lead the horses around the nearby streets, and see who might be out and about. After a few weeks here without many friends, she was starting to open up at least a little and greet people.

Just a little, though.

Comments

[buildyourworld]

Having been briefed about how they could all sub into different classes when they reached certain rank, Tieria had been visiting most guilds to look up each class and their specialty to find something suitable for his skills and needs. Archer Guild was the one he visited today. After being told it was fine to look around so long as he didn't cause any trouble, he went exploring the guild's common ground. It probably helped that he was from the Lancers Guild too.

Having read about the Gunners, he was interested in them due to his own profession back home and had went searching for their practice ground to see them with his own eyes. That was when he saw a woman practicing targets with her shotgun. He lingered, watching her from a safe distance to see if he could catch a glimpse of the shape shifting gun. When it became obvious she hadn't mastered it, he sighed, making his presence known.

"Are you sure you're doing it right?"

[someonetocarry]

Zoe, who had been about to take another shot, paused and glanced over at her watcher. She'd known he'd been there, but since he'd just been watching, assumed he wasn't interested in chatting. She was okay with that.

"Doin' what right?" she asked, without lowering the weapon. At least it wasn't pointed at Tieria. There wasn't any malice in her voice, just a kind of bland politeness with a hint of wry amusement. "Shootin'? Pretty sure I know how to do that."

[buildyourworld]

The fact that she wasn't surprised by his calling out earned her point for being alert. Though her question had him raised a brow because he thought it was obvious he wasn't commenting on her ability to shoot. Making no move to leave his spot yet, he continued, "Changing your gun's shape. Weren't you trying to?"

It would be good if he learned something from her about it as well since he was considering subbing into a Gunner. He wasn't worry about being able to shoot but the ability to change his gun according to his wish was something he wanted to understand further. There was so much in this world that made little sense and while he was perplexed by them, he wanted to understand them nonetheless.

[someonetocarry]

"Huh. Didn't realize I was bein' that obvious about it." She offered a slight smile, and finally lowered the shotgun. "If you've got any advice on that, I ain't gonna turn down a little help."

Most of the Gunners so far hadn't been terribly helpful, whether because she was from somewhere beyond this city, because they thought she needed to learn for herself, or some other inscrutable reason. She didn't recognize this fellow, though, except for one of the other "strangers". So she cocked her head and asked, "You ain't one of th'Gunners, are ya?"

[buildyourworld]

He nodded, looking down on the clothes he was wearing and realized he hadn't put his Knight's gear on because it was his off day. Without them, he would be no different than others in the generic clothes he bought from the local stores. "I'm not." He wasn't going to tell a stranger anything else until she prove to be trustworthy enough.

Back to her first question, it wasn't as if he could actually tell if she was really attempting what he suspected her to be. He could be wrong and wouldn't mind being told otherwise. Though, in all honesty, he really did want to try catching the gun shape shift, which was why he talked to her in the first place. "You have no difficulty with your aims, I can only assume your hesitation is due to your effort in trying to change it's shape." Pause. "The person who briefed me said it change according to your will. Perhaps you're thinking too hard." And thus, lost focus but he kept the last part in his mind, finding it unnecessary to elaborate.

[someonetocarry]

"Or maybe it's that I don't really trust that it's gonna do what they say," Zoe admitted wryly, resting the muzzle of the gun on the ground and leaning on the stock. "Pretty far-fetched, a gun that changes shape without havin' any gears or movin' parts to do it with. Or it is, where I'm from."

And even if she wound up accepting that the little monsters were magic, and their arrival here was magic, and other people might wield magic-- all of which were still entirely conditional, since she hadn't quite accepted all of that yet, either-- magic guns were just something she was having trouble with.

[buildyourworld]

That was something he understood and could very well relate to. Ever since the first day, he had been told about magic by people who came from worlds where magic were prevalent. He didn't believe any of them, until he had monsters breathing fire after him in one of the castle's dungeon. He was still skeptical, as he should be when dealing with foreign subject, but he was a lot more willing to consider their possibility than to dismiss them as nonsense now. It helped that the First Aid he was taught weren't entire first aid in the conventional manner either. Even if he didn't believe in magic, everything that happened around him had said otherwise. It would be unwise if he were to continue living in denial about something that could possibly affect his own safety in this strange world.

"Far-fetched and yet you're holding one in hand. It's good to be reasonably skeptical about them but if you don't accept or trust the weapon you're wielding, then you're only endangering yourself." It was no secret that this world wasn't safe, so he assumed she would understand his implication.

[uluithiad]

As the days passed, the fact that he couldn't stay in his chosen guild forever became more and more apparent to Sam.

It was made incredibly easy to stay almost forever; meals were provided, there was enough training and other tasks to keep him at least passably busy, and simply not talking seemed to deter the others in his room enough to leave him to his thoughts. Though it didn't deter Gandalf, he hadn't exactly expected it to, and he was glad for what conversation the wizard provided. But his worry for Frodo - doubtful as he was of Frodo's actual presence - was a constantly fresh thought on his mind. Their separation did not sit well with him, and he had much that he still wanted to discuss with the other hobbit.

And so, the afternoon of Flammedi (Trewsday, to Sam) saw him out and about more then he had been in the weeks prior. In his arms he juggled some bags; one with some apples, a fresh waterskin, a whetstone, a washing-board and various other useful supplies he'd managed to purchase cheaply in town, all carried in a beat-up tin basin. The guild clothed him, but with limited garments, and training never failed to soil them with sweat and the stink of toil.

He was bustling down the streets of Goldvale, just between districts, crossing into Platmoor with his things. Goldvale was not a place built for Hobbits, nor were its people; he earned some strange looks rushing down the road, and for the moment, he was thankful for the weight of the basin he carried. So far, people had noticed that more then they tended to notice him when he left the guild.

Sam's head was bent as he crossed into the green district of Platmoor; eyeing the things he'd bought, deciding on what else he might need and where he ought to get it with his remaining coin, but he was taken from his thoughts relatively easy as the top of his head nudged against something. Instantly, he looks up; he's bumped into the thigh of a human woman, leading a fully-grown horse. The hobbit quickly backed away; his large, bare feet were resilient, but an easy stepping-stone for a horse's hoof.

Samwise remembers his courtesies, and nods, shifting the basin in his hands. "Your pardon, Miss."

[someonetocarry]

It was hard, keeping your eye out for those oddly short people. This one was even smaller than Kili, and Zoe took a step back, using her back to block the horse's path so he didn't do any of that stepping Sam was worried about.

At least the short guy was polite. Zoe offered a little smile, back. "No problem. Shoulda been payin' better attention where I was goin', anyway. You all right?" She was pretty sure no stepping on had taken place, but it was always safer to ask than to assume.

[uluithiad]

People outside of the Shire at home were often unprepared to accommodate to people three feet tall, and this sort of consideration seemed to be even rarer in Goldvale. It was hardly a place suited to Hobbits. Taking a seat on a chair seemed a great ordeal, and navigation was a tough ordeal.

He stayed in place, shifting the basin's weight in his hands, as the woman spoke. She seemed friendly, and unfazed by his appearance. He thought, for a second, it might be possible that she'd seen his kind before.

"Aye." Sam replied, "Unhurt an' all. Hope I've not caused no inconvenience."

[someonetocarry]

His kind? Not exactly. Something like? Definitely. Mostly, though, she was good at keeping her expression neutral. "No harm done on this end, neither," she assured him, "and sometimes inconvenience ain't so bad."

She shoved the horse's nose back with one hand, when it tried to nibble on one flyaway curl, and offered, "Name's Zoe Washburne. Set up with the Archers guild, down that road."

[uluithiad]

"Sam Gamgee," He introduces himself, calmly, and ducks his head, "quite at your service, Miss."

Or he was as at-her-service as he could be. He wasn't very sure what a Hobbit of his stature could offer, and to Sam, Zoe looks more then capable of taking care of herself. He nods curtly at her words, but they don't make him feel all that much better about stopping her. "All the same."

He looks down the road as he's pointed, and quickly back to the woman. Truth be told, he hadn't much looked into the guilds themselves; he'd looked for one based on herbology, or perhaps on cooking. Failing that, he gravitated towards the most completely furnished swordplay guild and avoided the other options. "With the lancers, meself. Nothin' I'm naturally inclined to, so I've picked out what I might trust myself learnin', if you'll follow." He guesses this woman isn't native to Goldvale; she doesn't seem like any of the residents he's spoken to yet, in voice or bearing. He isn't sure if this is cause for reassurance or suspicion quite yet.

[someonetocarry]

Not native, at all, though she might pass if there were more folks of her color here. She's entirely sure he's not a native, though, either way. Too small. Talks funny-- in a way that some backmoon folk do, though with a rather friendlier tone. Idly stroking the horse's nose to keep it distracted from her hair, she nods.

"Considered that myself, but I'm jest better with a gun than I am with a blade. 'Sides, I ain't had the best of experiences with lawmen." Her lips quirk up a bit at that, because really-- the lawmen back where she's from are generally the worst to have to deal with, in her opinion. "Figured gettin' myself involved with 'em was jest askin' for trouble."

I AM HERE NOW wails

[tophat]

Upon the reveal that they could eventually dabble in different classes, with guild playing no restricting role, it was of course only natural that Hirato would put time aside for planning ahead by looking at his available options very, very closely. Today the target was the The Gazelle & Child, though in all honesty he wasn't quite certain if there would be any point in that. He'd never been the type to favor guns or similar weapons, after all, and her performance only served to cement that fact. No, no gunner was he, and thus it would perhaps be worthwhile to give this woman the time of the day.

It wasn't so much out of a desire to be kind as it was out of plain old boredom that he decided to reward her performance with a brief bout of applause´and thus reveal his presence.

well hi there :D

[someonetocarry]

Zoe had been aware of him. It was hard to miss strangers wandering by and then stopping to watch for more than a shot or two. But when he announced himself, she paused to glance at him.

Then, a little amused at the applause, she dropped the gun barrel down, tucked the stock under her arm, and offered him a brief, slight Chinese bow, with her hands pressed together. It seemed appropriate. "Enjoyin' the show, then?" she asked as she straightened and hefted the shotgun again.

sorry this took so long! i've been struggling a bit with prose lately. 8'(

[tophat]

Well, well. It was always a little more fun to be around people who could play along and keep up; it happened all too often that he'd run into those whose attitudes could only be compared to brick walls. A fairly irritating sort of obstacle. But... Never mind that.

"It would be difficult not to enjoy a display of great skill."

if you'd rather go action, we can? my action mostly reads like prose with brackets anyway... XD

[someonetocarry]

Zoe's brows went up a little. Flatterer, huh? She didn't call him out on it-- yet, anyway-- she just inclined her head in acknowledgement. "Well, thanks. Guessin' you're at least a little familiar with these, then?"

If he was going to actually recognize a display of great skill, he'd have to be, or else he really was just flattering her.

yes please ;w; bless you DANG PROSE BEING MEAN TO ME!!!!

[tophat]

[ a flatterer like few others, certainly, but in terms of combat and all things related he rarely utters things he doesn't mean. but of course to hirato it's perfectly acceptable to say earnest things in a manner that doesn't really come across as earnest.

familiar with guns and such? oh, yes. yes, he is. ]

To a certain degree. [ a thoughtful hum. ] It takes a steady hand and a focused mind to use a gun properly.

[someonetocarry]

[Interesting. That is, in fact, Zoe's method. Some people just shot and hoped they got lucky. Not her. She eyes him with mild curiosity.]

Ain't that the truth.

[She slung the shotgun up against her shoulder, a more casual pose that also kept the barrel pointed away from anyone.]

Zoe Washburne. What's yours?

[chittybang]

(Beforrrre Zoe's taking out the horses to the streets? :) )

Satomobiles are more manageable means of transportation than creatures, in Asami's opinion. Not that the doesn't value the concept of horseback—or polar bear dog-back—but given the choice between an engine with wheels and a four-legged saddle, she will always, always readily pick the wheels. More control, predictability, precision, and she insists there is such a thing as bonding with a car.

There are no motorized vehicles around here, however, and the nature of the Gazelle & Child Guild forces her to get along with the horses. Taking care of them is fine. They're cute and interesting and quite fun. Associating with horses just doesn't come quite as easily.

"Steady, steeeady," she softly murmurs to one she's nicknamed Chewy, mostly because she hasn't retained the names of the horses around here. This one, she's found, is particularly fond of sugar cubes, chewing out her hand for any remnants of sugar. Right now, though, she's trying to clean out a hoof. Fruitlessly, of course.

A little frustrated, she drops everything and turns her attention to the noises of milling around the stable. And, go her, she did not realize her own roommate was in here. Asami isn't used to sharing a bedroom with people, nor is she quite used to waking up in weird places... so the past few weeks have been spent trying to adjust and maintain some semblance of privacy. Now that the initial shock and confusion have begun to settle, she's taking more initiative.

"Hey, Zoe! I didn't realize you were here." She waves from her side of the gate and budges it open. "Are you heading out?"

[someonetocarry]

Zoe's plenty used to sharing a bedroom. She's just used to sharing it with a husband, rather than a pair of young women. Mostly she's kept to herself, at least as much as she can easily get away with, but at being called, she looks up and offered a little smile, holding onto the reins of a tired-looking horse that's been stripped of its saddle and bit, only wearing a halter and lead rope now.

"Yeah, some Adviser-level Ranger wants to skip out on walkin' his horse out, so guess who gets called in to handle it?" She rolls her eyes, but it's amiable. As much as she dislikes being at the bottom of the pile, she can imagine it being much worse. And she'll work her way up again.

[chittybang]

"You're a trooper." Asami smiles at her and fidgets with the hoof scraper in her hand. She doesn't really want to keep Zoe from completing her task, but she's also having no luck unassisted. After a quick debate in her head, she gestures with the scraper.

She'll find a way to repay her.

"I hate to ask this of you, but do you think you could help me out real quick before you leave? I've never cleaned a hoof before."

[someonetocarry]

Zoe leans over to peer at the horse, then Asami, then chuckles a little, mostly to herself. Maybe gunner folk aren't usually horse folk. It makes sense. "Sure. Hold on a sec." She leads the gelding she's got outside to the posts there and ties off the lead rope before coming back inside.

"Not really a horse person, huh?" she asks amiably enough, holding out a hand for the hoof pick.

[chittybang]

Asami shrugs as she hands her the pick.

"Not quite. I was practically raised in a car factory, so horseback riding was never really a skill I had to think about until now." As she explains it, she only hopes she doesn't have to explain what a car is. It's a lovely subject, but there's something depressing about being around someone who's never so much as heard of a motorized vehicle. She's long since given up on the name "Satomobile."

"What about you? You seem like you're a lot better at this than I am."

[someonetocarry]

"I was raised on a spaceship," Zoe replied. "But didn't get to stay on it my whole life. Spent some time planet-side, spent some time in the military-- lot of places didn't have any kinda travel but horses or yer own two feet. Here, watch me."

She slid a hand down the horse's leg, and it was much more amenable to lifting it for her to take. "He knows what he's supposed t'do. You just gotta make sure he recognizes it." She braced the hoof against one thigh and started picing mud clods out.