Balance

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Host>

Madelin: *Makes my way over to a counter and grabs a wooden bowl and some utensils after shaking my head no.*
We're within a mountain range and on the northern part of the continent, which is why we can only grow things in the summer. Not many travel through and notice us, which is useful.

<Snipped quote by Balance>

Bret: *Hoists the other side of it onto my sholders and takes the lead, easily navigating through the forest.*

@Stabby

*Follows you carefully, looking around and listening for any unusual sounds*

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Balance>

Bret: Thanks. Most animals are fully awake by now, so it'll be harder to hunt them. *Finds a decent branch or two and ties the deer's legs to it.* We'll avoid taking the route we came to lower our chances of running into that wolf.

<Snipped quote by Host>

Madelin: Th-thanks. It's nice living here.
*We enter the building and it's easy to notice the smell of food in the air.

@Stabby

Got it. *Hoists one side of the branch up onto my shoulders*

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Balance>

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

<Snipped quote by Balance>

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

<Snipped quote by Balance>

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

<Snipped quote by Balance>

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

<Snipped quote by Balance>

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

<Snipped quote by Balance>

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

@Stabby

*Nocks an arrow in my bow*

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Balance>

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*