Balance

Myriad Reality

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Bret: *Checks the sun through the trees above before finishing to field dress the deer.*
I'd say it's a safe bet. Mind helping me carry this back once I'm done?

@Stabby

Sure. *An owl screeches above us and I look up; then I look out into the distance. After a pause, I look back at the deer and help you out*

Myriad Reality

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Bret: I could tell. You had a good shot lined up even though you hadn't accounted for the arrow and bow themselves.
*We finally catch up with the deer, upon which I slit its throat to put it out of its misery before field dressing it.*
Lucky us it didn't go to far.

@Stabby

Of course. Do we have to head back now, then?

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Balance>

Bret: *Nods.* You'll definitely improve as you learn the weapon if you keep that kind of stuff in mind.

@Stabby

That's my goal. I'll get a feel for this weapon over time, but luckily I'm not new to shooting.

Myriad Reality

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Bret: As Kleid would likely say, "It's better to trust yourself with your life. After all, you won't always have your weapons on hand." Frankly though, I find that trusting a well made object works pretty well.

@Stabby

That's what I mean. This bow's failures are predictable—I could tell the first time I handled it. I can use that, and I know I can use that well. Just got to get a hang of it.

Myriad Reality

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Bret: *Takes aim with my bow and shoots it in the chest as soon as it's head starts to pop up in alarm and pain, my arrow sliding cleanly between its ribcage to hit its heart before the spooked and heavily injured animal attempts to flee, leaving a blood trail to follow as it's life drains away onto the ground.*

@Stabby

*Follows*
*Shrugs when Bret comes aside me* I think I'd trust this bow with my life. As long as I had my knives, too.

Myriad Reality

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Bret: *The deer stays the same, albit shifting it's head a bit farther out to eat more grass.*

@Stabby

*Aims accurately for the base of its neck and then lets go; the bow deforms badly mid-shot and the arrow flies wide, but the wooden shaft strikes a branch and the arrow is deflected, hitting the deer in the side*

Myriad Reality

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Bret: *the deer continues to eat grass, oblivious to your presence.*

@Stabby

*Nocks an arrow in my bow*

Myriad Reality

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Bret: Alright, just try not to spook it, and stay still if it looks your way.
*Moves towards a spot myself to watch carefully.*

@Stabby

*Steps silently closer until I have a vantage point between bushes and a tree*

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Balance>

Bret: *Nods and follows, checking our surroundings and in doing so notices the same deer.* You going to try for a shot?

@Stabby

*Fingers my flute with one hand and the damaged bow with the other* Yes. Let me get a good vantage point.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Balance>

Bret: That should work. Like before, you take the lead.

<Snipped quote by Balance>

Bret: For right now, there's no set rule, though Kleid has said not to wander far from any point of reference, like the mountain.
Why do you ask? *Is still speaking quietly as we move to avoid getting noticed.*

@Stabby

*Also quietly* Just in case. *Takes the route I suggested, continuing to look to the sky occasionally and eventually noticing a lone deer in the distance*