WEEK 4.

[trustwellness]

WEEK 4 Three more have died this past week. Milla Maxwell was killed for breaking a rule, Chiyuki was murdered, and you all had a hand in executing Yoshikage Kira. It seems like this isn't going to stop any time soon. How many more will join them this week? Saturday is given to regrouping and rest; on Sunday morning the clock chimes as it always has, but at least there are no bodies to find today. It seems you're safe for now. The night before wasn't necessarily a peaceful one, however; you'll probably feel a bit groggy when you wake up, and it seems you've regained something that you didn't realize you'd lost... Despite the Wordsmith's reaction to the last trial, it seems as though you've been rewarded once again for a job that was...well, it was done, even if he didn't explicitly say it was well-done. Another door has opened in that stairway, it seems, leading you further down into the building; once again, there are more rooms down there, more things to occupy yourselves with. Or perhaps just more means to get creative with regards to how you take initiative with your fellow Apprentices. APPRENTICES REMAINING: 23 APPRENTICES REMAINING: 22 APPRENTICES REMAINING: 20

SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY

[OOC: Welcome to week four of Trustfell! Feel free to make as many top levels as you'd like and tag out to other characters! This post is for all of your interactions this week... at least until the weekend. Don't forget to save those threads for coins and the activity check!

If you'd like to get in contact with the Wordsmith, you can do so through letters or the switchboard!]

Comments

[officerhops]

[Once she's sure she's got a good grip on the bow, Judy walks out of the workshop ahead of Varric so they can head for the dojo. As they go, she looks back at him over her shoulder.]

Have you seen anyone else messing around with the bows yet?

[neverheardofhim]

I think Estelle has been in and out of here a few times. [She wasn't always playing with the bows either, but he figured Judy didn't need to know that. He was certain that the astute officer had noted the presence of bullets by now.]

Most of the warriors I've talked to here prefer their fists or blades. I suppose that's their preference, but distance would be mine. Plenty of time to retreat of something goes wrong. [He moved toward the stairs, working slowly downward to the newly opened floors.]

[officerhops]

I was going to say. I'm sure having the advantage of distance would be preferable in almost every circumstance. That's a lot of the reason why people use guns nowadays, too. You don't have to get close to use one.

[She nods, her ears flopping forward a little as they walk up to the dojo.]

[neverheardofhim]

Guess I can see the merit in that. [It didn't make him feel any better about the whole thing though.]


[Stepping into the room, Varric motioned for Judy to stand a fair distance back from one of the dummies. Taking his position, he shifted his own crossbow off of his back and set it on the ground, for later.]

Alright, Officer, I have to admit, it's been a long time since I've done this kind of thing manually. Just bear with me, alright?

[officerhops]

No problem! You just tell me what to do and I'll follow. You're in charge.

[Judy chirps, flashing the dwarf a quick salute.]

what the fuck what a cute icon judy stahp

[neverheardofhim]

[Wow. You're killin' him Judy. Got him smiling and everything.]

First thing's first, you need to get used to how it feels. Just practice pulling back on the bow string for right now.

cant stop wont stop not sure how to stop

[officerhops]

[The rabbit nods, taking hold of the string carefully so she can pull back on it. It takes some doing, but she's got a surprising amount of upper arm strength thanks to her training at the academy.

Her form's a bit off, though.]

Like this?

i'm honestly dying at this hdu

[neverheardofhim]

[Varric moved in a circle around her, observing her stance quietly. Occasionally, he reached out, using a calloused hand or rough finger to push her form in the right direction. He straightened her back and tucked in an arm, then stepped back and nodded.]

Good. Now loosen up and try it again.

;)

[officerhops]

[Judy lets Varric guide her into the right position until she's holding the bow the way she needs to, and the she pulls back on the string again as far as she can. Her arm shakes just a little from the strain, but otherwise she could let an arrow fly. Whether it would actually hit its mark is another story.]

How about now?

[neverheardofhim]

[Varric's look was approving, but otherwise he remained silent. Instead, he reached down and picked up one of the arrows he fashioned for her. Turning back, he held it out to her.]

Release, and try it once more. This time, we're going to see if you can hit that target right over there. [He pointed to the dummy.] Don't worry if you can't.

[officerhops]

[Judy nods a little, taking the arrow carefully in her paw.]

...and if I hit something other than the dummy?

[Like the wall...or ceiling...]

[neverheardofhim]

[Varric smiled, chuckled even. He motioned to the extra arrows, then shrugged.] ]

Then you try again. And again after that. If I have to make more later, so be it.

[officerhops]

[Well, the only thing to do now is to do it, right? So Judy shifts the arrow in her paw and lines it up, notching it in the string so she can pull back. It takes her a minute since the arrow keeps slipping down, but eventually she gets it.

She holds her position for a half-second before letting the arrow fly, clipping the upper right corner of the dummy with the arrow.]

[neverheardofhim]

[It may not have been a solid hit, but it was a hell of a lot better than he'd seen a lot of first timers do. He gave her a small round of applause, wearing a grin that might have been more befitting of a proud dad than just a friend.]

[He has a problem.]

Damn good shot. [He held out another arrow.] Want to try it again?

[officerhops]

[Judy grins wide, taking the second arrow from Varric.]

Told you I might hit the ceiling. But at least I'm pretty sure I won't accidentally shoot backwards.

[neverheardofhim]

Wouldn't be the worst shot I've seen. Some of the warrior-types I hang out with -- soldiers and what not. They wouldn't be able to tell their arrow from their asshole. [He grinned.] Just be sure to take a deep breath and clear your head, alright?

[officerhops]

[That gets a little snicker out of the rabbit in spite of her best efforts.]

You got it, sir.

[And then she's lifting her bow again, aiming while trying to steady the arrow. Steady...

She pulls it back and lets it fly, this time without hesitating or thinking about it too much. The arrow sinks into the dummy, pretty low beneath the actual target, but it does make contact.]