genessia | 004 🏹 | Drinks, Bows & Nonsense

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004 🏹 | Drinks, Bows & Nonsense

🏹 01. Early Evening Drinks

[For those who are old enough to come into a bar, they may find Hanzo seated alone, a setup of sake sitting in front of him as he peers down at the cup full of the clear liquid in his hand. It's been an introspective night for him, now that he's had some time to think about a few of the arrivals from his home— most particularly his brother, Genji. For the most part it has resulted in Hanzo withdrawing from most social interaction, trending towards more introspective moments like this. It's almost as if a heavy cloud has settled around him, but it's not one that he's going to very easily open up about.

Instead, if someone approaches the bar where he's currently seated, he scoots over to make room for them, a slight nod coming from his direction to otherwise acknowledge their presence. He doesn't say much more before throwing back the rest of what's in his cup.]

Another, please. [he requests from the bartender, since he's almost out of his favored drink.]

🏹 02. Old Fashioned Bows

[With everything in the works storefront wise, Hanzo has taken some time to play around with a more old fashioned bow, made of mostly wood and metals. He's currently stringing the bow and being rather meticulous about it, seated at a bench near one of the many parks in Nova City. He's in a fairly good mood, all things considered, so approaching him might even wind up in a conversation rather than a glare and dismissal.

Once he finishes stringing the bow he turns to bits of metal he intends to carve into arrow heads. Apart from th It's a hard job but one he finds rather relaxing in the repetitive nature of it. Should someone approach at this point he won't notice them at first, his attention focused on the task at hand. That is, unless they make a noise or touch him, then in that case he will whirl around and fit them with a sour or irritated glance, depending on just how much of his personal space has been invaded...]

Do you mind?

🏹 03. Wildcard

[[you know how these work, hit me if you've got an idea that you'd rather do! If you want, hit me up on discord or pp me on plurk if you wanna plot. I'm easy.]]

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In my world most are at least passingly familiar with archery. If you step outside a town you are liable to be killed by any number of beast or bandit without some form of protection.

[ It's something she still hasn't grown accustomed to even after nearly a year - being able to walk so far without being attacked by something.

Era does take the proffered arrow after a moment of looking it over from afar. It's... incredibly well balanced, though what's most surprising to her is that the fletching isn't made from feathers but something else entirely. Her curiosity outweighs her desire to be respectful of the man's weapon and she brings the base of the arrow closer to her face, inspecting the way the fletching moves under her finger up close.

She kind of really wants to shoot it. ]

...Are there laws here that forbid loosing arrows in public places?

Unfortunately laws like that are necessary. If you wish to fire the arrow it would be best for us to go to an archery range. [He considers for a moment, starting to pack up the arrow heads he's carved by putting them into a plastic case in a rather meticulously careful manner.]

I am actually in the process of opening a storefront that would serve those who have an interest in bows and ammunition. It would be beneficial to have someone besides myself try out the arrows I make.

[so, in all, it turns out to be a win win sort of situation. The way she takes time to look at the arrow, inelegant as it seems shows that she is particular about her ammunition, at least that was the impression Hanzo got.]

[ How annoying - if there's no one around she should be able to shoot a few arrows. But new worlds have new rules, and Era will just have to adjust accordingly.

She stays a respectful distance while the man packs his things, swallowing any protest that he not inconvenience himself. Era gets the feeling this man is not the type of person who would inconvenience himself unless it was something he had made up his mind about. He also brings up a reasonable point. If he's working on building a store for such things it only makes sense that a variety of others test his wares. ]

Do you make bows as well, ser?

[ Era turns her upper body to look at her 5 o'clock where she can sense her Carbuncle snuffling around, doing whatever it does when it's given free reign. It pops its head out of some shrubbery in the distance, one ear twitching in attention before it hops out of the leaves and begins prancing over to follow at a distance. ]

[Era, sometimes rules are important. But Hanzo could perhaps commiserate. It IS a pain in the butt to put everything away. He does it without complaint however, and it's for the best that Era doesn't object. It would have been met with a stern answer, since in this case her assessment of Hanzo is right on the nose.]

Yes, though it has been a while since I made a weapon. The technology is different where I am from, and makes the need to make a bow from your own hands obsolete. [he picks up the handcrafted bow from before and slings it over his shoulder. His own handiwork, but far from being ready to be used.]

If you are ready... [it isn't until now that he notices the young woman's glowing companion, and his brows raise. If he hadn't been so used to the pokemon that showed up here (and the ones he has at home, hopefully behaving themselves) he might have been more off guard.] Your creature?

I am not overly skilled in carpentry, but I am able to make adequate short and long bows from wood and fibres if ever you need assistance creating bows less... technologically advanced.

[ It was satisfying, making her own bows when she was first learning archery. It helped her understand her weapon all the more and speed along her training. There are only so many hours in a day, however, and soon enough she ran out of the time to spare on crafting. If one tries to master all forms of combat available to them some things just have to fall to the wayside, unfortunately.

Having been formally acknowledged, Emeraldd bounds closer with impressive speed for something with such short legs. It wiggles its butt a few times where it squats near Era's feet, preparing for its jump onto her shoulders. The woman, for her part, is clearly used to being crawled all over by her unruly Carbuncle and shifts ever so slightly so that it can make the jump more easily.

Emmy lands on Era's shoulder with surprising grace, then promptly sprawls across the back of her neck like an awkward, fluffy, glowing scarf. ]

Emeraldd, or Emmy for short. It is my Carbuncle. The last world we were in altered it, so now it is more of a pet than a summoned companion.

[ Era moves closer to the man, falling in step beside him. It's only after she introduced Emmy that she realizes she hasn't introduced herself - ]

And I am Era Ra. Or Era de Borel, I suppose. Both are accurate. [ Era has never planned on taking Aymeric's name and likely never will, but it feels nice to say it - a way to stay close to him while they're apart. ] My apologies for not introducing myself earlier.

Hm... [It certainly seems comfortable with her. Hanzo sees no reason why it could not tag along, as long as it didn't do anything too rambunctious or make a pest of itself.]

Interesting, very well. [They're doing introductions now too? Hm. He makes note of her name with a nod.] Hanzo Shimada. You do not need to apologize. [he turns on his heel and takes a step or two forward.] There is a range not far from here. It will be much more acceptable to practice with arrows there.

[and luckily they probably know him on sight at this point, as Hanzo has a tendency to go there when he wants some time to himself.]

Hanzo Shimada. Your name sounds similar to one that would be found on the Eastern continent of my world. [ It's a nice bit of familiarity, if Era is being honest. It makes her wonder, briefly, how her companions in Doma are doing - she has been so focused on her allies in Eorzea...

Era nods at his statement, then follows behind him at a steady pace. Despite the difference in height Era has no trouble keeping up with him. When your best friends are two feet taller than you you grow accustomed to a faster stride. ]

Is there a fee?

Normally, yes. But it will not be something we need to worry about today[But Hanzo has a running deal going most likely. Not a tab, but something more akin to a membership. They wouldn't begrudge him a guest for the afternoon.]

Curious that names can be so common across worlds. [Or at least the sound of names. Appearances too, since most of the people he's met here are humanoid more or less. Era is one of the few with more unique features that he's met.]

[ That brings up a concern she'll have to address later on. She's yet to find somewhere she can train freely without worry of payment or authorities, and if she can't keep up with her training... Era can't help the frown that mars her face, nor the way her brows furrow enough that the scales there rub together.

She notes that there is a building not too far away from them now, right in the path that Hanzo has been leading her on. Era assumes that is their destination and decides she may as well prepare accordingly. Reaching into the pocket of her jeans, delving into her inventory space, Era grasps her Soul of the Bard and activates it.

Faster than an eye's blink she goes from faded jeans and a navy hoodie to her Bard gear set. Her Carbuncle isn't bothered by the change at all, except to shift slightly to avoid the brim of her hat and the giant bow and quiver now strapped to her back. ]

[Even with his presence in this place having spanned several months by now, Era's sudden change in appearance with nothing more than flash and a blink is something that causes Hanzo's eyes to widen in actual surprise.]

...Interesting, what sort of skill is that? [If she doesn't mind him asking. The gear she's wearing now is substantially different, far removed from the clothes that fit in to the world around them from before. From the look, Hanzo comes to the conclusion that it must be something to do with the world where she's from -- it was likely the most logical assumption.

The question has them stopped at the entrance to the archery range however, and the quiet "thiwp" sound of arrows being loosed and landing can be heard in the background.]

It's just a change of equipment. I have different equipment linked to different crystals. When I activate one it changes my gear set instantly, though cannot be done during combat situations. It's commonplace among adventurers.

[ Era closes her eyes as they reach the archery range, enjoying the familiar sounds emanating from insided. She can almost pretend she's back in Old Gridania, just outside of the Archer's guild.

She doesn't allow herself to reminisce for very long. There are more important things to be done, and there's no use making herself homesick. ]

[Impressive. Even with as technologically advanced as Hanzo's homeworld was, they didn't have anything near as remarkable as that. He'd have to ask more, but for now the focus was definitely on archery.]

Impressive. [he motions for her to follow after allowing her that inward moment, and then hands over several of the arrows he uses himself as well as a few of the more prototype oriented ones he'd been fashioning earlier.]

The range is yours to use. [He has to admit, as eager as she is to begin, he was actually eager to see another archer's ability. It had, after all, been a while.]

[ Era says nothing, but gives Hanzo an eager nod and a smile in thanks as she takes the arrows offered to her. She's never been to a range like this before, but assuming she's limited to one target...

She draws her bow (nearly as large as herself) and nocks the first of the arrows. The weight of it is different and it seems more perfectly balanced, likely due to not being made of wood with natural variances. Era takes time to consider her shot, then sets her stance to take aim and it's obvious she's more than just a casual archer just by her form alone.

Loosing the arrow, Era is pleased to note it hits precisely where she wished it to - just within the edge of the target in the twelve o'clock position. She's quicker with her next draw, hitting one o'clock in half the time. Quicker still are the following clock positions of the target, right along the edge, until she hits the center with one final arrow.

Reluctantly turning away from the target (she still has more arrows of her own to use) to face Hanzo, Era offers her honest opinion: ]

I like them.

[If hanzo was one to whistle, this would be where he would do it. However, since he's not, his silent approval comes in the form of his rapt attention to her style and ability, his chin inclining ever so slightly with interest.]

They seem to have served you well. [He looks out at the target and back towards Era] This is not merely a hobby, is it?

[it really wasn't a question he ACTUALLY needed her to answer, the answer was clear as it was already. He is, however, eyeing her bow at this point, the sheer size of it must make it extremely cumbersome, yet she manages to wield it with ease.]

Would that it were so, but no - combat is a necessity of life.

[ If one doesn't know how to fight, one had better have the money to pay for someone to fight for them instead, otherwise blood will be spilt as it commonly is in Eorzea.

It's especially necessary for Era, the Warrior of Light, to be well trained is as many methods of combat as possible. The versatility has saved her life more often than even the Echo has. Being able to heal, attack, or defend has been a great boon even when she's limited by her soul crystals.

In terms of actual hobbies she supposes the only one she really has is botany. Perhaps music if she's being generous. ]

Bard is one of my favourite non-magical disciplines. A mixture of archery and support in the form of music.

[ She looks at Hanzo curiously, because while it seems that archery is a hobby of the man's she has the feeling he is no stranger to combat. ]

Archery is no mere hobby for you, is it?

No, it is a discipline. [A skill he puts to use more often now that he has given up the sword.] I do not have time for something as trivial as hobbies.

[Drinking's a hobby Hanzo as much as you don't really consider it one. You do that.] I've heard of bards before, but not in the context of being used for battle.

[old stories, singers, you know the drill. He has to admit however, that Era's concept of a bard already looks and sounds formidable.] Interesting that archery would be supplemented with music.

Not even while you're here, away from your home? [ Not that Era is really one to talk. The days where she was unable to train in Xistentia had been miserable - there had only been so many documentaries about Earth she could watch before she desired nothing more than to draw a weapon and practice her form.

If places to train are as limited in Genessia as it seems - whether by location or finances - Era has a feeling she'll need to start looking for a real hobby soon enough. ]

The first bards were archers who sought to ease the pain of their comrades by plucking songs on their bowstrings. It evolved from there over time, using the magic inherent in music and song to provide beneficial effects to allies, or detrimental effects to opponents.

[ There's more to it than that, of course. A bard is not truly a bard if they cannot feel the music themselves. Era had never considered herself musical until the legendary Jehantel took her on as a pupil, teaching her poetry and verse. ]

It seems a natural progression to go from archer to bard, though many archers who seek only fame scoff at the idea.

I find ways to keep myself busy. [Not that he really had much left to keep him busy at home. That happens when you throw everything away on purpose. Here, it's the arrow crafting, archery practice and general navel gazing he is kind of predisposed to engage in.]

Magic is something I am not familiar with, but anyone who is foolhardy enough to discard potential for fame likely is not worthy of the title.

[but it sounds as though the connection of archery and song has had a chance to grow quite naturally, given the aid of magic that just isn't present in his world. A discipline like that is worthy of mastery.]

Unfortunately there are many in Eorzea that have sworn to protect who seek only glory.

[ As someone whose entire life and existence has been dedicated to protecting those in need of it, it definitely rubs Era the wrong way.

She draws her bow once more using one of her own arrows, old-fashioned in make but none the worse for it, and aims at the outer edge of the bullseye. While before she was focused more on aiming, testing out the unfamiliar arrows, this time she's more focused on putting power behind her shot.

It flies the slightest bit off of where she intended - within the second ring rather than just in front of it - but her arrow buries itself right up to its fletching. Era lets out a small, considering noise. It's somewhat disappointing how easy a mid-range, stationary target is to hit. ]

I imagine these don't provide much challenge for you, either. Are there any long distance, mobile targets? I should like to see your skill with a bow, if you're amenable.

[He's pretty sure that sort of attitude is commonplace nomatter where someone is from or what kind of world it is. He lets out a impressed hum at the sight of the arrow she's loosed into the target in the distance.]

No, this is the best this range offers. I've yet to find one that offers a challenge.[for better or for worse. He laughs a harsh bark of a noise, amused in any case] I've had to get creative. [throwing a curve into the arrows to shoot a target off at strange angles, multiple shots in rapid succession, etc.]

Perhaps it's something I will bring up with my business partner. [he could run a range, probably, one that offered more challenge than the one here. It would be a shame to offer competition to a business that he'd become quite chummy with, but if there was a need for something more advanced...]

[ Era sighs and her shoulders slacken somewhat at that, spine curving with her disappointment. It makes her seem a bit smaller - or, more accurately, her true height - but she recovers quickly enough. She'll just have to find somewhere else to get her fill of training. A shooting range would be no good for her to practice her magical combat anyway. ]

I shall need search for an area brimming with hostile beasts in that case.

[ She does wonder what creative methods Hanzo used to challenge himself, but doesn't ask. She has a pretty good guess after all. ] Would this place not welcome the suggestion for improvements?

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004 🏹 | Drinks, Bows & Nonsense

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note to self: make a 'shooting an arrow' icon...

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