[pcs] horse dad

[arkitect]

Comments

[antaressnipe]

There is only so much practice I can offer myself shooting at falling leaves.

[And frankly, after that debacle during execution... even though Chiron believes he could have hit Kano if necessary, he should have better prepared for the obstacles presented.

Namely so many frustrated children willing to throw themselves in front of him -- and he can't have that.]

So I need help with my archery for a moment.

[arkitect]

If you are requesting a better target, I do hope you expected my refusal.

[his tone is dry as ever, there.]

[antaressnipe]

Certainly not.

[He's a little high-strung for jokes, how dare you]

It is a simple exercise, but I need someone else to throw objects at me.

[arkitect]

... I suppose I could do that much.

[he pushes himself up from where he's sitting with a sigh.]

Well, choose your targets, then. We will take them to the forest.

[antaressnipe]

[And because it's Chiron --

He picks up a handful of tiny pebbles from the ground, testing their durability between his fingers before nodding in satisfaction.]

These will do.

[Turning around to head into the forest at Emet's prompting, then]

... I suppose we can expect the executions to reflect any new areas we come across.

[arkitect]

So it seems-- though it still took much the same form. A disposal rather than a conflict, despite the boy turning it into one.

[not a duel but another simple execution, or what should have been one.

he follows, taking up some of the pebbles himself.]

[antaressnipe]

Do you think the Realm would have interfered in some way had he not been the one to die?

[Because Chiron thinks he and a few others were the only ones willing to think in those terms -- that perhaps even if Kano had been innocent, letting the "guilty" leave would have led to uglier consequences for the group as a whole]

[arkitect]

It is possible, though it may have been satisfied so long as one of them perished. We may not know for a certainty unless anyone succeeds in attempting the same.

[antaressnipe]

... Imagine we catch a murderer, only for them to walk because the one called to execute was not strong enough to see it through.

[Which, of course, they would need to catch a murderer first before this hypothetical can be observed, but it still makes a small part of him weary]

[arkitect]

Well, that would be taken care of soon enough, would it not? I cannot imagine all would suffer them to walk free for long.

[antaressnipe]

[Mmmmm. He wonders... he wonders a lot.

But all Emet gets is a hum in the moment as he finally comes upon a suitable area in the forest. It's rather dense, not the best place for a ranged weapon, but that's the point. Chiron isn't here for leniency]

Throw the stone wherever you like.

[He already has his bow gripped in his hand]

[arkitect]

[he can't say he's entirely surprised, that chiron doesn't seem to want to talk about that-- and he doesn't press the topic for now. he simply nods, readying one of the stones in his hand.

the first throw is off to their left, followed up with a second tossed quickly to the right.]

[antaressnipe]

[-- Huh.

Well the first one is quickly dispatched, Chiron already had his arrow drawn and was tracking it, but that second one...

A split-second decision and in the end he decides to cheat, shooting the arrow so that it doesn't hit the stone, but instead the projectile runs straight into the arrow when it's lodged into a tree trunk.]

[arkitect]

Ah, not half-bad work.

[that second shot is definitely cheating, but he did still get it, in a way. it counts enough.]

I anticipated as much, coming from someone [he throws another without missing a beat-] of your storied history.

[antaressnipe]

Oh? There are not many stories of my proficiency with a bow, I must say.

[Shooting that one too, though now he is prepared for Emet's swiftness, and already has a new arrow drawn before either of them can blink]

It is funny how knowledge passes down -- I am only remembered for my bow because of the constellation I became.

[arkitect]

That is enough, is it not? History does belong to those who recall it, for better or worse.

[he tosses a stone in his hand, not throwing it yet.]

And it seems your skill is worth remembering.

[antaressnipe]

Only if I exercise it properly.

[Eyeing that stone with some measure of amusement. He's not going to point an arrow at Emet, thank you, so he's just waiting patiently for it to be thrown]

[arkitect]

Well, I could hardly call this proper. But if it is the best that can be done...

[he finally tosses it, then.]

Then I will keep assisting. It wouldn't do to allow talents like that to have their edges dulled.

[antaressnipe]

[...

He takes a step to the side, purposefully making it hard on himself by screwing up the arrow's trajectory--

And still manages to pin the pebble to a tree. The poor thing just disintegrates.





Show off.]

[arkitect]

Is that truly necessary...

[a huff of a sigh, as he tosses another stone. he'll continue in this way for a few minutes, focused on this in silence, observing chiron as he shoots, before finally-]

I suppose this is an opportune a time as any. As it seems we still cannot be provided weapons, I had considered practicing with a bow as well.

[antaressnipe]

[Lord I'm so sorry but Chiron's head just swivels in barely contained excitement.]

Ah, but of course. You will need a weapon to defend yourself with. Do you have any experience? It will take three days to make you a proper one for your height, but you are welcome to use my bow for practice in the meantime--

[he will keep rambling if not shut up]

[arkitect]

[yeah he's just going to interject into that rambling, don't get so excited about it, yeesh.]

My experience lies more with firearms, but given that... I do believe I at least have the aim for it, if not the form.

[antaressnipe]

... Ah. A firearm...

[Thankfully that does keep Chiron from rambling another half-minute, and he turns his eyes up in thought.

And then, offering his bow to the other.]

Well, let us see what you can do. I still have five arrows on me.

[... his bow is like 70lb so. I have no idea if Emet can carry that, maybe he's a twunk under those robes]

[arkitect]

[I MEAN. he had a military career before being emperor and his oldass self wears a lot of armor so i assume his body is not as twinkish as he looks, actually! he accepts the bow, and while he doesn't exactly handle it like it's nothing, emet-selch can manage.]

I suppose you would need a heavier one.

[please make his lighter than this, thank you, but he's not struggling like he could be.]

[antaressnipe]

Oh? You are the first to handle my bow at all.

[GOLD STAR. Also noting that this probably means Emet can throw a mean punch... Chiron trying not to get excited by the idea of them sparring one day...]

Here. [Also handing over an arrow] Shall I throw a pebble for you to shoot at?

[... Honestly difficult to tell if he's trolling or not]