[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/cd6fc343-6dbd-4ce9-9493-e893103813a0.png[/img][/center][right][sub][/sub][/right][center][i]During training…[/i][/center]
[hider=Poking Hornets’ Nests]Jorah’s face was twisted into a sympathetic grimace at the sight of Kellens inaccurate-enough-to-be-dangerous shots, though he yanked it into a smile just in time for the boy to turn back to him. [color=63a2e4]“Maybe not yet.”[/color]

Yeah, maybe not. For everyone’s safety. 

A few thumps coming from his target diverted Jorah’s attention from the pitiful display, revealing a much more interesting result as three arrows sank into the same holes as his own. 

[color=lightsalmon]"That would certainly provide more of a challenge,"[/color] said the culprit, tossing her hair and giving him the side eye. Jorah raised an eyebrow in response, an inquisitive grin tugging up the edge of his lip. Oh, so that was how it was going to be? Count him in; Clarissa could attest, he had a lot of fun with ladies on high horses. 

[color=FFAB66]“Very nice!”[/color] he congratulated her, rising from his squat. He sauntered over at a leisurely pace, buying a bit of time to remember her name. She was the… Adrestian…? Right? Yeah, yeah, that had to be it; hair that black and looks that bitchy only came from one country. And only the highborn could afford that “lazy” mindset, as Michail so boldly pointed out. Oh, duh; she was the prince’s [i]intended[/i], wasn’t she? 

[color=FFAB66]“And here I thought the royal ladies preferred promenades over hunts,”[/color] he teased, brandishing his bow. [color=FFAB66]“I’m impressed! Although, it seems your target is still unaccounted for.”[/color] He tapped the arm of his bow on his chin in mock contemplation, but drew it after a moment, tossing Ver… Vera… Veronica! Tossing [i]Veronica[/i] a smile. [color=FFAB66]“But please, allow me.”[/color]

Jorah nocked an arrow and took aim, but paused. Winking at Veronica, he suddenly pulled his bow high upward, aiming into the sky, and loosed; the arrow flew up and out of sight, and lingered in the sky long enough for Professor Lysander to notice, make a face, and duck under the roof rimming the arena for cover. After a few seconds, the arrow finally whistled back down, sticking vertically into the top of Veronica’s target with a satisfying [i]thump[/i].

Veronica rolled her eyes at Jorah’s words, though she decided to watch before speaking. She openly scoffed, whisking up another arrow as she looked at her target. An idea came to mind, and she let out a long breath, looking at the man wearily.

[color=lightsalmon]“The worthy ones can do it all,”[/color] She stated simply, pulling back the string. [color=lightsalmon]“Anyone that claims otherwise is useless.”[/color]

She narrowed her eyes slightly, though she adjusted herself, clearly intent on putting power into her next arrow. Once she released it, it zipped through the air, striking Jorah’s arrow and cleanly snapping it. What remained of his arrow fell to the ground, and the girl flipped her hair over her shoulder.

[color=lightsalmon]“You didn’t ask permission,”[/color] She told him cooly.

Jorah raised an eyebrow once more at the display, as well as the spot where Veronica’s arrow struck a stone pillar at the edge of the arena and fell to the ground, a few feet from where the professors stood. Ah, there was that highborn Adrestian charm. He could have sworn they all carried on like vipers assessing a threat - except Kayden, who apparently chose to rebel by being a danger to everyone around him. 

He couldn’t help but chuckle, though. He’d recognize that tone of voice and the hair flipping a mile away: this was a woman who was accustomed to having the last word. They were a dangerous game, but a fun one; some hated to be challenged, but some secretly craved it. He’d never know until he poked a little at the hornet’s nest. 

[color=FFAB66]“I prefer to beg forgiveness,”[/color] Jorah excused with an exaggerated bow, before shrugging as he looked over to his own arrow-ridden target and back to Veronica. [color=FFAB66]“But you didn’t ask either, so I’m happy to call us even.”[/color] 

Smiling, he did point to the spot where Veronica’s arrow lay, a dirty look from both Lysander and Euphemia just beyond it. [color=FFAB66]“Maaaaybe don’t shoot at the teachers, though. They don’t seem too pleased,”[/color] he teased, holding up a finger. [color=FFAB66]“First rule of shooting: know your target [i]and[/i] what’s beyond it.”[/color] 

The brunette paid little attention to his advice, though she slung the bow over her shoulder so she could cross her arms. [color=lightsalmon]“I’m shocked you care about where the arrow lands,”[/color] She mused out loud. [color=lightsalmon]“So long as no one was hurt, there’s nothing to fear. Or do you truly doubt me so?”[/color]

Jorah almost cringed as the voice of his childhood archery tutor rang in his ears, repeating the gospel of shooting safety that had almost literally been beaten into his head. But he refrained, more interested in what that exceedingly ignorant comment said about the speaker. Veronica had either been so spoiled growing up that she’d never been scolded for this sort of thing, or she was the latter type of queen bee: the type who definitely didn’t like to be challenged. In fact, it very likely could have been both. 

Fun!

[color=FFAB66]“Ah, but how brutally true is your aim at the hearts of men!”[/color] Jorah loudly lamented, stumbling back and clutching at an imaginary arrow stuck in his chest. Yanking it out, he approached the girl quite closely, leaning toward her and directing her gaze at the teachers on the edge of the sands. 

[color=FFAB66]“But of course, it isn’t [i]you[/i] I doubt,”[/color] he explained less-than-sincerely, running his finger along the path surrounding the arena. [color=FFAB66]“It’s the people beyond who might stumble in behind your target and get themselves stuck.”[/color] He backed up a step, putting his hands on his hips. [color=FFAB66]“Now, me? When I shoot, I just want the arrow to stick into something impressive, and the last time I bagged a servant on a hunt it wasn’t well received.”[/color]

Raising an eyebrow, for a moment, Veronica didn’t seem to follow. [color=lightsalmon]“It sounds to me like your aim isn’t as good as you think it is,”[/color] She stated. [color=lightsalmon]“If your arrow doesn’t land where it is intended, then the blame lies on the archer.”[/color] In the distance, Euphemia let out a very heavy sigh. The brunette ignored it and continued with, [color=lightsalmon]“If your servant was hit, then you either did it on purpose or he got in the way. So which was it?”[/color]

Jorah was tempted to sigh too, but he settled for a playful shake of the head. The way this was going, Veronica was turning out to be one of the queen bee types who simply wasn’t any fun. [color=FFAB66]“We call it a joke, my dear. Perhaps my friend Clarissa can arrange to have some shipped to Enbarr.”[/color] 

Veronica’s eyebrows flattened over her eyes. [color=lightsalmon]“Do make sure to send the humorous ones, because your material isn’t working out for me,”[/color] She replied dryly.

Taking a step back, she supposed she may as well get an arrow on her target. She took a look at Euphemia, who was watching the pair, though she wasn’t interested. Instead, she simply drew the arrow back, eyeing the target, and let it fly. As expected, it hit its target, and as Veronica gave Euphemia an expectant look, the blonde seemed exasperated.

Veronica scoffed. [color=lightsalmon]“We could have at least rode on horseback if they wanted to see what we were capable of,”[/color] She muttered.

Ugh, okay, fine. Jorah knew when to admit defeat, and Veronica simply refused to be any fun. In hindsight, he’d have been better off soliciting the Lion boy for conversation, although the scatter of his shots still made Jorah feel much safer standing a little farther away. 

Returning focus to his own target, he set about leisurely shooting his way around one of the target’s painted circles, but paused when he heard Veronica’s comment about horseback. He had to agree; he’d have loved a good morning ride and some shooting to boot. Stationary targets, especially at this paltry distance, were way too much of a bore. But he couldn’t hold himself to ending his conversation with Veronica when something came to mind that was too good to let pass.

[color=FFAB66]“I didn’t know Adrestian women rode horses,”[/color] he commented absently, loosing an arrow and nocking the next. [color=FFAB66]“They never want to open their legs wide enough.”[/color] 

The string that Veronica had been pulling back nearly snapped at her gasp, the arrow clumsily spinning off and landing with an abysmal thud. She was in complete shock for all of two seconds, though it was quickly replaced by irritation. She threw down the bow in frustration, turning on her heel and grabbing Jorah by the collar, pulling him down to her level.

[color=lightsalmon]“In what Leicester sinkhole do you come from to make you think it’s appropriate to joke about such matters?!”[/color] She practically yelled in his ear, clearly furious.

Though he flinched at the screeching in his ear, Jorah burst into laughter, stumbling over Veronica’s dropped bow as the iron maiden dragged him down. Wait, did that response mean that what he said had some truth to it? Maybe Veronica could be fun after all!

[color=FFAB66]“Hey now, did Clarissa teach you that?”[/color] he asked between breaths, prying Veronica’s fingers from his collar. [color=FFAB66]“And that would be Derdriu; I can give you the address if you’d like to visit,”[/color] he added with a wink. 

Veronica scoffed once again, crossing her arms tightly as she glared at him. [color=lightsalmon]“Clarissa this, Clarissa that, have this [i]Clarissa[/i] teach you manners!”[/color] She snapped. [color=lightsalmon]“Goddess help that girl, she clearly has her hands full with you!”[/color] 

[color=FFAB66]“But she handles it with such grace,”[/color] Jorah mused. He could feel Clarissa yanking his ear off now. Spreading his arms, he gave Veronica a performatory smile, adding, [color=FFAB66]“But there’s no need to be jealous, gorgeous, there’s enough Jorah von Riegan for the both of you.”[/color] 

She handled [i]what[/i] with such grace? Veronica’s question ended up dying in his throat as Jorah approached her, and every hair on the back of her neck stood. Was he mocking her? No, it was worse, he thought he had free reign to just approach her! And he was getting closer! Veronica backed up every time he stepped closer, though eventually, she realized how cowardly she looked. In a fit of rage, she stood her ground, though she ended up outright pushing him back to reclaim her space.

[color=lightsalmon]“Jealous? Me? Do you have any idea who you’re talking to?!”[/color] What should have been an indignant snap was little more than a squeak. 

Jorah gave Veronica an incredulous look as she shoved him with all the force of a brisk wind, taking a step back for the sake of it. What was that for? [i]She[/i] came up to him and yanked him close! He was no stranger to a shove from a lady, but usually it was at least [i]him[/i] who did something to deserve it!

This girl was growing too hard on the ears to even be fun to poke at anymore, so he was considering leaving it there and putting Kellen back between them. However, her last comment was just too enticing; one more, he promised. Just one more jab and he'd be done, cross his heart. 

[color=FFAB66]“...Vera..?”[/color] He replied cheekily, emphasizing his uncertainty with a stroke of his beard. [color=FFAB66]“Ah, but what do names matter anyway.”[/color] 

The final nail in the coffin had been struck, and as to add more to Jorah’s confusion, Veronica stomped up to him, jabbing an accusatory finger onto his chest. [color=lightsalmon]“It’s Veronica! Veronica von Gerth, future princess consort of the Adrestian Empire!”[/color] She likely thought herself calm, but her voice was basically little more than a screech at this point as she practically shook with fury. The nerve! The audacity!

After a few seconds, she scoffed and backed off, turning her back to him once and for all. With bow in hand, she made sure she had as many arrows as she possibly could before beginning an assault on her target, likely imagining it to be an idiotic Leicester noble.

Jorah’s veil of confusion cracked at the comical sight of a skinny little noblewoman stomping at him, and once she started yelling again, he outright dissolved into a fit of giggles, hunching over with laughter as she stormed away. 

[color=FFAB66]“I… I'll keep that in mind, Highness,”[/color] he stammered out between breaths, scooping up his bow from where he'd dropped it at his feet and snickering back over to his own target. Oh man, okay, he took it back; that was [i]so[/i] worth the ringing in his ears. And probably the tongue-lashing he'd get from Clarissa when she heard, too. [/hider]
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