06-22-05

Characters involved: Miyrr, Taye, Rahier, Gynyvieve, & Jarril

Miyrr steps out of the runners dorm smoothing her uniform. She moves her arms and shoulders checking for movement not noticing anyone else in the area.

Taye also steps out of the runners' dorm, his headfur still standing up in all directions from pillow-head. He does his best to flatten it down with a paw while peering in a suit of armor opposite for a mirror. "... 'Tis hopeless," he concludes, and runs a paw through his headfur uselessly.

( A closing door and much shuffling from down the endless hallway heralds Rahier's entrance. In a few minutes, that is. But eventually, he comes into torchlit view, picking at a tooth with a claw, mumbling something or others. Ah, look, here's two little hares. ;p "Hullo," he trills, eyeing Taye's hair. "Y'expect t'go on duty like that?" He gives the runner a big grin. )

Miyrr smiles widely at seeing Rahier enter, "Morning" she says while still movement checking the uniform. She scratches the back of her neck and yawns.

Grinning at the sound of Rah's voice, Taye turns to face the older buck. "Nah - just t' trainin' with Majah Jarril." Hehe. He fiiinally takes notice of Miyrr, and his ears perk with interest. /She's/ new.

Rahier moves up to Taye's side, looking interestedly to Miyrr. "Hallo, hallo. Y'mus' be new, eh? Uniform's a nice fit, it is." He turns his head to scruffyTaye, and grins. "Well, Major Jarril won't stand f'hair li' that. 'Ere, lemme help." He slings his arm around Taye's neck, and ruffles his hair with his other paw.

Miyrr chuckles at the jovialness the two are displaying. She stretches one last time, "Thank ye'. It does fit rather nice, it'll be even better once it's worn in a bit." She turn her head appearing to try to find her bearings. "Anyone know where's I'm suppose ta' be?"

... He /didn't/. Taye's eyes widen, and he immediately turns red. "Daaaaaa'...!" Not in front of another recruit, especially not a /doe/... Really. Tch. He ducks from under Rah's arm, and frantically smooths at his headfur with both paws. Not that it does any good, as he sends little adolescent-y scowls in Rah's direction.

Miyrr giggles and gives Taye a long look. Handsome young buck he is she thinks to herself and a runner to boot...

Rahier cackles at the younger buck's protests. Diplomatically (whilst cackling yet still) he allows Taye to escape, grinning in return to these most venomous scowls. Ahem. His ears perk, and he once again turns attention to Miyrr. "Oh, arr. Where y'are supposed t'be? Well..." He considers. "Jarril's th'one who handles y'lot, y'know. Taye could tell y'more 'bout that, he could." Subtly, he gives his son a nudge with his elbow. "Taye knows a lot 'bout th'patrol. An' look, he's a runner jus' like you." Nudge.

... Well, maybe he won't scowl quite so much, then. Taye accepts the nudge from Rah, and takes a hesitant step forward, though at the long look from Miyrr he drops his gaze quickly to the floor, a paw rubbing nervously at the back of his neck. "Ahhh, well... we're s'posed t' be down at the archery range t' meet Majah Jarril." He chances a look up, and offers her a half-smile. "Ya want, I could show ya the way."

Miyrr smiles and nods, "That would be great." she says. Miyrr takes but a few steps till she's next to Taye, "Been here long?"

"S'only a short walk, 'tis. Y'could be there in no time." Rah wisely watches over the two, smiling somewhat lopsidedly. ;p He folds his arms, begins to grin, and looks down the corridor. "'Course, that means y'shouldn't dally. Y'know how Jarril can be, especially if y'are late."

Taye nods, and drops his paws into his pockets as he begins walking, though he glances back to Miyrr to make sure she's following. "... Yeah. Been 'ere since I was little." At Rah's prompting, he looks over his shoulder, and then back to Miyrr. "He's righ'. The Majah's a stickler 'bout promptness. We best hurry."

Miyrr shakes her head, "Actually, never met the beast." She says following Taye.

Taye leads the way, though before he's gone too far he sends a final glance at Rahier, and grins. He then turns back 'round, pointing out the way. "Jus' this way, miss."

Salamandastron: Caverns - Archery Range

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

As the training room cannot fit a truly adequate, large enough archery range, this large room, down in the caverns of the mountain, has been converted into one. It, in itself, is rather cavernous, and is more long than it is wide. The furthest wall from the entrance is lined with archery targets, at least a ten, and they are each separated by a few feet. Along the closest wall to the door, barrels are placed, containing arrows as well as bows, to practice with. Further, the walls are lined with torches, though the ones behind the archery targets are protected by metal grates, of a sort. The room is relatively well lit, and is usually a moderate temperature.

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Visible Exits:

[C]averns

Entering the archery range, Taye stands at the door holding it open for the hare following him. "Here we go..." He peeks his head in, and notices the other trainees but no Jarril, as of yet. He hms, "Looks like the Majah's not here, yet..."

Miyrr walks in right after Taye thanking the young buck for holding the door for her as she continues chatting his ear off trying to get to find out what she can about him. "Looks like he's late this morning." she says chuckling. "So what kinna beast is this Major Jarril?" she asks.

Gynyvieve says, "Yeah. I'm new here, only know a couple 'o hares."

Some of the other bucks wave at Taye for him to come over, but with a small but firm shake of his head, he turns back to Miyrr with a grin. "Majah Jarril? Well... he's a fair 'nough beast. He's a real veteran, like, missin' an eye 'n' everything." The young buck nods knowingly, and then as Gyn enteres into the conversation, he gives the other doe a grin and a nod. "Looks like we've got a coupla new hares, then... How far along in yer trainin' are the two o' ya?" Since they've just arrived at the mountain, and many of the other hares have been in training for a couple of seasons, give or take.

Miyrr thinks, "Oh I'd say about...9 hours give or take..." she says smiling up at Taye. "Ti's my first day here."

In a room page-pose, Jarril poses....

Entering the chamber with several other older hares, Jarril walks in and takes a look about of the younger hares that have gathered about. Not saying anything for the moment, he makes his way over to a table and places down the scroll that he is carrying. One of the older hares sits down at the table and begins to unravel it as the Major calls out. "Alright, get in line for roll call!" Shouting to make sure that he's heard above the normal gossip.

Gynyvieve nods to Jarril. "I started, oh say, maybe a week or two ago."

Taye looks at Miyrr and Gyn with honest surprise. "But... hadn't ya done any trainin' before ya arrived here? Learnin' t' use a sword or a bow or anyth-" At Jarril's call, he snaps 'round quickly and begins looking around to find a place in line. Before he goes anywhere, though, he whispers to Miyrr, who likely hasn't done this before - "Ya c'n just stand anywhere in line... The Majah'll deal with ya when he comes t' you." Then, he drops into line.

Gynyvieve runs over to stand in the line.

Miyrr nods in thanks to Taye's advice and walks to stand next to Taye in the line.

Waiting until the line has formed up, the major begins to start along the line at the far end of the room. From time to time, he asks for their name, rank and in certain circumstances he will comment on the uniform that the recruit is wearing. "Now, I told ya that this needed cleaning." Wriggling his ears slightly in annoyance. "If it's in this mess tomarrow then I am putting ya on report." Moving down the line slowly, each time a hare calls his name and rank, the older hare at the table, crosses it off the list on the scroll. Eventually he gets up to where Taye is. "Name?"

Taye stands up straighter as Jarril nears, but there's not much he can do with his headfur, which still looks a bit messy from the head ruffle he received at the hands of Rahier. As Jarril stops in front of him, he salutes. "Taye, sah. Runnah-in-trainin'."

Jarril looking at Taye for a moment, he doesn't say anything for a few moments and then leans a bit forward towards the recruit. "Forgot ta comb the headfur t'day then?"

Taye nods, and briefly returns Jarril's look before looking straight ahead, again. "Sorry, sah."

Jarril leaning back again. "Bring a comb with ya next time around." Moving onwards he stops facing Miyrr. "Ah, a new recruit. What's ya name?" Looking at the female hare up and down as he awaits her reply, the major's voice not as stern as it is to the others who have been there longer to know to get it right by now.

"Miyrr, sir" She says with a slight smile on her face.

Jarril nods slightly. "When did ya arrive?" The major not taking his look from Miyrr.

Miyrr says, "Last night.""

Jarril nodding his head. "I see, well, t'day ya can settle in but I expect ya ta find out all ya know for tomorrow's roll call. I am sure another recruit will inform ya of what ta do and not what ta do. Any problems, come see me or another major, colonel. Understood?"

Miyrr nods her head, "Yessir. I'll do that."

Moving along the line, Jarril gets to the last hare and looks at Gynyvieve. "Ya another new recruit, yes? Ya name please?"

Taye watches this exchange from next to Miyrr nervously, but as the doe handles it well, he relaxes. He waits 'til after Jarril has passed on to the next recruit to give Miyrr an encouraging nudge on the arm. He mouths, silently, 'Good job!'

Gynyvieve looks forward, trying to copy the acts of the other hares. "Gynyvieve Softtouch, sah! Started a week ago." She is very conscious of her bare footpaws.

Miyrr flashes quick smile to Taye still looking forward mostly.

Jarril nods his head. "Ya understand on what I have said before? Ya get this day only ta settle in and know the rules. If ya can't find the information from the other recruits then please come see me or another major or colonel. I expect ya uniform ta be in good condition t'morrow." Moving back along the line, the major gets to the centre a bit away from the group and looks up and down them. "Right, before we start our training for taday, I need to get a few bits of information for ya so listen up."

Taye follows Jarril's movements, and grins as Gynyvieve too responds in a satisfactory manner. He keeps his attention forward as Jarril addresses the whole bunch, however.

Continuing on, Jarril makes his speech. "First and if I hear one bally moan from any of ya, I will inform the colonel on who did the moaning. Ya all ta report ta the infirmary tomarrow for a checkup. This isn't one of those things ta get out of either." Looking down the line, the major frowns. "Not like last time and ya know who ya bally well are as well. Anyone trying ta evade this will have half rations for a whole week. Do ya understand?"

Gynyvieve nods nervously

Miyrr nods as well.

( As the others nod, a quick reply of, "Yes, sah!" follows, to which Taye adds his voice. He nudges Miyrr lightly, to promt her as well. So helpful, him. ;p )

Miyrr adds in a belated, "yessir."

Gynyvieve starts. "Yes sah!"

Looking more serious now, the major's voice turns to a more serious tone as he walks up and down the line. "The next one is very serious and I have no qualms at all in failing whoever breaks this one. The Halyward Village is off limits. Ya are not ta leave the mountain without a superior officah with ya, for any reason. Ya will all get ta hear about why later on this week when everyone will be summoned ta the great hall. That is all I am allowed ta say at the moment. It won't be long before there is an announcement though." Moving back to the centre again, his tone goes back to a more casual, commanding voice. "Now about training. Who can tell me what we did last time?" Looking up and down the line.

Gynyvieve shakes her head

Miyrr just stands there with a blank expression on her face.

Since no one else volunteers, Taye takes one step forward and clears his throat. "Sah, we were workin' on archery safety. But, ahhh... some of us were wonderin', sah, how Lightpaw's been doin'"? Lightpaw being one of the other recruits currently recovering from what, the other recruits don't exactly know.

Holding a paw to Taye, he nods to another hare who comes in and has a quiet conversation. Nodding his head, the other officer goes and says something to Miyrr before heading off as he turns his head back to Taye. "Lightpaw is doing fine, he should be back amongst ya lot soon enough." Pausing. "Right, correct. Now, today I want ya ta pair up with each other and help each other out with ya target practise. Those that are using bow and arraws, go to the far right of the room, those that are using slings, ta the far left. Get ta it!"

Taye watches as Miyrr leaves, and there goes his opportunity to partner up with /her/. The young buck takes a look around, and upon seeing Gynyvieve, he jogs over to her. "Gynyvieve, righ'? Have ya got a partner?"

Gynyvieve shakes her head. "Nope. Wanna partner up, then?"

Taye nods, and looks to one end of the room and then the other, "Bow, or sling, d'ya think?"

Gynyvieve shakes her head again. "I'm not familiar with either, actually, but the bow looks appealing."

Taye grins helpfully, "Well, I'll show ya how t' use one, 'n' Jarril c'n help ya, too..." He gestures with a paw for her to go first, towards the archery side of the range.

Moving back to the table, Jarril goes over the scroll and nods his head, speaking quietly. "Aye, deduct a point there for that and another for that offence. Hmm, yeah I suppose he's ready, so's she. Okay, let me just sign this and ya can go send this ta colonel zoe. Let her know that we're ready for when the tests are going ta be planned." Looking to the others. "Right, I want ya ta move about and give help as much as ya can." Leaving them, the major goes along the line and stops to talk to a few recruits now, offering advice from time to time.

Gynyvieve walks over to the bow rack, picks one up, and looks at it questionably

Taye walks over next to Gyn and takes a bow for himself, and then gestures to the nearest empty range, before walking over to it. He glances back to the doe, and waits for her to make her way over. He then sets his bow down, and gestures for her to do the same. He then picks up an arrow, and begins explaining the different parts of the arrow to her. At the conclusion, he adds, "And /always/ hold the arrow facin' down if her walkin' with it, so's ya don't poke anyone with it. These practice'uns are dull at the tip, but they'll sting anyway.."

Gynyvieve nods, and does all that Taye told her to do. "Now...what?"

Jarril carefully corrects a recruit on the use of the sling and gives some advice, standing behind him. "Use the wrist, lad. Come on, let's see ya try and hit that target again." Standing back, the major watches as the pebble just barely misses the target. "Ya get it soon enough, keep practicing." Moving along, he nods his head as one doe hare gets a pebble right between the eyes. "Good show." Patting her on the shoulder. "Now that's if ya want ta slain it, now where do ya hit if ya need it alive?" Hearing her reply. "The foot or leg sah." Nodding his head. "Let's see ya hit that area then." Moving back as he watches.

Taye sets the arrow back down, and then picks up one of the bows and passes it to Gyn before he picks up his own. He holds his bow in the proper fashion, looking over at Gyn with overly-arched eyebrows as he does so, to make sure she gets that he's "demonstrating". "This is how ya want t' hold the bow while yer gettin' ready t' shoot."

With a loud crack, the pebble hits the thin part of the leg of the target as it snaps. Smiling, Jarril nods his head. "Good, keep practising." He continues to move on down the line.

Gynyvieve nods, noticing his lead, and holds the bow, and begins placing an arrow on it

Moving along, the major notes anyone else helping another and making a mental note on ti as he moves down the line to where the archers are now. Coming behind Taye and Gynyvieve he just stands there and watches.

Gynyvieve fumbles, and pulls back the bow a little. "Like this?"

Taye watches Gynyvieve, but at her fumble she picks up an arrow for himself, and places it correctly on his bow. He then begins drawing back the bow string, along with the arrow which is held between the knuckle of his middle and pointer finger. "Like this." He then turns, to look to the target. "Now, make sure ya /nevah/ turn while ya got the arrow set in the bow, 'case ya accidentally mis-fire. Wouldn't be very good, righ'? Now... ya pull it back, jus' so, an'... sight it, aimin' jus' a bit highah than ya think ya should, 'n'..." He releases, "Let it fly." The arrow soars, soars, soars, and... thunks into the target. Not /nearly/ dead center, but in the third ring or so, at least. The buck grins.

Gynyvieve nods, and pulls back like Taye did. The arrow flies into the fourth ring

Jarril nods his head approvingly. "Not bad." Speaking behind them both. "But remember, it takes a lot of practise, seasons of it and some have done this daily as well, wot." Nodding his head at Taye. "But I have no doubt if ya train hard, ya pass, that's all we ask."

Looking cheerful as Gyn's arrow flies into the target, Taye gives her a pat on the arm. "Good job, Gyn!" He then looks back at Jarril as he speaks, though he's careful to lower his bow as they were taught last time before he turns. He nods to the older buck, and grins. "Yes, sah. Thank ya..." He pauses. "D'ya think ya could watch 'n' give us some pointahs?"

Gynyvieve lowers her bow and grins. "Thank you sah."

Jarril nods. "As much as I can, yes." He smiles back and moves to picking up a bow himself, padding back. "The main point I have always given is this." Moving to the side as he stretches the string back without a arrow. "Is this, ya have ta make sure ya know that this bow is just another tool or an extension ta ya arm. But always, ta get a better result is ta hold ya breath while ya shoot. It will improve ya performance no end. Always hold ya breath in, never hold ya breath out." Relaxing the bow, the major smiles. "Now, let's try again shall we?"

Turning back to the range as Jarril speaks, Taye picks up another arrow and goes about lining up. He then takes a deep breath... and holds it. Sight, sight... pull back... and go! The arrow flies, and hits the third ring again. Taye lowers his bow, and looks back to Jarril - with a grin nonetheless. "Felt much bettah, sah. Wasn't shakin' as much, 'n' it was easiah t' get m' aim..."

Jarril nodding his head. "Aye, it helps." Moving to the side, the major stays to the right of them in a vacant spot. Bending down to picking up one of the real arrows, the major places it in his bow. Lifting it up, he begins to aim and stays firm. "Ah yes, if ya can, keep ya footpaw behind a bit on the opposite side of the arm that's holding the arrah back. Should help ta stabalise more as well." Concertrating, the major fires off a shot and gets dead on centre. Lowering the bow down again he nods. "Don't worry, I've been doing this since I was a leveret. It takes practise but with work, ya be killing vermin with ease, wot."

Looking down at his footpaws as he again raises his bow and arrow, Taye makes sure it is as Jarril recommends. Then, taking another deep breath and holding it in, he lines up and, pulling back the arrow, releases. It flies, and hits the second ring. The buck lets out a small, "Woop!" and grins.

Gynyvieve cheers. "goood job!"

Gynyvieve looks nervous. "I've nevah used a weapon besides my sitar, sah..."

Jarril nodding his head at Gynyvieve slowly, the major speaks while folding his arms. "Aye, well. It's a bad world we live in, doncha know. It's not the best way of dealing with things but these days call for those ta know how ta kill or be killed. That's the life ya can expect here." Pausing for a moment. "Hmmm, I have ta have ya spend time in the infirmary. Get ya ta see what these weapons can do sometimes."

Gynyvieve nods. "I know what they can do. I'm in training to be a healer, so I've treated a few animales in my lifetime that saw tthe receiving end of these weapons."

Taye makes a small face at the mention of the infirmary, but merely continues his archery practice, and this time, manages to hit... nothing. ;p Letting out a long sigh, he murmurs to himself, "Remembah to hold yer breath... Dunce." He shakes his head, runs a paw through his headfur to keep it from falling in his eyes, and tries again. This time, he hits the second ring. His sigh is a sigh of relief, this time.

Rubbing his chin slightly. "Hmm, perhaps knowing how ta use the bow isn't such a good idea then. Ya be ta busy carrying healer supplies about. I'd speak with colonel zoe on healer protection and see what she thinks."

Gynyvieve nods

Jarril looking at Taye, the major smiles. "Taye, here's something for ya ta work on. Ya need ta start hitting that bull before ya can progress any further." The major winks slightly. "Can't have officahs that can't hit their targets while they need ta out on a patrol, doncha know." Patting the buck on the shoulder. "Ya really should spend more time down here and practise than drinking up in the bar. That's if ya do want ta pass, mind?"

Turning around to seeing another hare come into the room, the major nods his head and calls out. "Alright, I want this room tidied up right away. Ya all ta go ta ya next class in the library and learn how ta read and write or if ya do, learn the way of the land with maps and other things. I am sure the librarian will have stuff for ya ta go through. Training is over here. After ya finished there, ya can go for lunch." Turning around, the major walks back and places the bow in it's place before heading towards the desk again.

Gynyvieve puts up her bow. "Um...where is the library?"

Taye gives a small nod in reply to Jarril, and is about to say something when the major addresses the whole. Lowering his bow and arrow, he returns the arrow to the others and returns his bow to the rack. He then heads over to help the others with clean-up, which involves taking all of the arrows out of the targets and the wall and the floor. ;)

Another buck replies back. "It's on the same level as our sleeping quarters are." Moving past her as he gets on with his business.

Jarril nods his head at the older hares around the table and is having another one of those quiet conversations again with another major. "Well, I can't take any of these on that sort of mission, not ready. I need a fightah. Mind ya, it puts the whole patrol part of the exam right out of the bally window, wot." Pausing. "By the way, I've been getting more reports of stuff being taken from the store caverns. I think we.." He stops as someone gets near and waits until thjey have gone from ear range again. "Got a problem. I am all for this sneaking in for a snack but it's really starting ta get bally well rediculous. Ya think we get enough at meal times."

The other major nods his head. "So nothing been taken from Neville's stores then?" Jarril shakes his head. "Thankfully no, I had enough headache the last time stuff was taken from his stocks. He knows if anything is taken, even a drop. He has this sort of sixth sense on it I think. That or he has his spies, doncha know."

Taye's cleaning takes Taye nearer and nearer to the two speaking majors, as he follows a path of disgracefully off-the-mark arrows. He doesn't mean to eavesdrop, really, but his ears do perk at the mention of a "mission". Stupidly, though, he stops cleaning and stands, looking directly at them while he listens. Mission? Did somebody say "mission"? Apparently that's all he heard, anyway.

Jarril stops talking and looks at Taye for a moment. "Something I can do for ya, recruit Taye?" The majors look at the recruit for a moment expecting a reply from him, the discussion fully ended now.

Taye blinks, repeatedly, and then shakes his head. "Ahh - no! Sah. Sorry, I was jus'..." He looks around, sees the rest of the arrows on the ground and those in his arms, and holds these up. "... Pickin' up arrows?" He hehs, and bends down to collect the rest.

Jarril turning his head back again to the other major. "Hmmm, well. I am waiting ta be called ta see the colonel, when she's less busy mind. Infirmary's been busy as of late. I don't have any other training ta do taday either. So I best get going, ya okay teaching this lot later?" Seeing the other major nod, Jarril smiles. "Good, I be away in a day or so, so ya have ta look after them." The majors go back to talking quietly to each other for a few more minutes and then Jarril starts to head towards the door.

Finishing his collecting, Taye sets the arrows down with the rest of the pile, and heads for the door, off to the library.