A Contest of Arrow Skill
Characters: Merrick, Tagenen/Tagger, Wilco/Coby, Dina, Rowan, and many spoofs.
Location: Ferravale: Outside the Gates
The sun hangs lazily in the sky, a nice cool breeze almost echoes the call of spring. But its nowhere near that time yet. The tree branches have either collapsed with snow, or have given them up. Leaving bare brown, leafless sticks. Its a perfect time for games. Over by the gates, there seems to be a group of beasts gathering. Mulling, and watching. Lots of murmuring. There seems to be some sort of game going on. The sound of A bow being released, an arrow whistling through the air, and the telltale thunk of an arrow hitting its wooden target. And a crowd cheering mixed in with loud booing. Looks like a simple bar-bet has turned into a full fledge contest of Arrow skill. Beasts gather around, watching as the next beast walks up and takes aim.
One particular shooter is a tall ferret, still young, entering his prime. He wears a dark colored tunic, and has a bow grasped in his paw, a finely woven quiver over his shoulder, full of good-looking arrows. His fur is dark, and his eyes an icy color, but he doesnt seem vicious in any way. His simple felt boots crunch in the snow as he straightens one of the gloves on his paws. He mingles in with the crowd, watching the shooters, waiting for the time to take his turn.
There is another shooter, right behind that ferret, who wears a long cloak covering most of his body. Also waiting his turn. But this beast has to be sneaky today. Mostly because its fun. He can never pass up an archery challenge. And they most likely wont let him play otherwise. This beast, who you can only see from the neck up. Looks like a really stretched out stoat. With a smudged in face. His fur is a very dull yellowish color. Almost cloth like, and His face is splattered with dirt and mud. Also, three hoop earnings hangs from his right ear. A right terror to be sure. He carries a really long stick, his wizards staff, and on his back a green quiver with thick red arrows.
The beast up right now, a rat, draws back the arrow and holds it right up to his face. Aiming at the simple round painted target about 30 meters away. Its obvious that he is no archer as his paws shake and shimmy. He pulls it back a little farther before a drunk beast in the back yells, "Farfenuggen!" and the rat loses his concentration and pulls back, sending the arrow way off course. The crowd jeers loudly, laughing up a storm, and a passing of money is made. One of the FV guards, who has decided to oversee the game points to the ferret, "Oi. Your tun'." He points to the target, "All ye hav to do. Is hit the red sput" the red spot is in fact, the bulls eye.
Wilco had followed the crowd along with some other young beasts. She pushed and jostled with the others to try and get closer to the front so she could see what was going on. She doesn't pay much attention to the larger beasts around her except to doge any attempts from beasts to keep her from being in the front. She misses seeing the rat's shot and nearly walks into the tall yellow stoat, before find a spot to get a good view of the proceedings.
The ferret nods and smiles gratefully as he makes his way through the crowd to stand at the shooting line. He reaches back and slides his quiver down his arm. He rifles through it, choosing an arrow. He pulls out a perfectly fletched arrow. Clearly someone with skill made it. He stands up straight again and pulls the quiver back over his shoulder. Raising his bow, he pulls it all the way back, lining it up with his face. He takes a breath in as he aims- and a breath out, slowly, as he releases the arrow. It wizzes straight to the target. With a thunk, it hits the red circle- not dead center, but close. He brings his bow down, surveying his work. Here is a beast clearly in tune with his bow. A faint grin tugs at the side of his mouth.
The guard nods, "bout time some 'it it..." Its true. They haven't been removing arrows from the target, and the ferrets is the only one in the red. And only a few actually stick in the target itself. He then motions next to him, "Stand 'ere till all the beasts are done..." he then points to the yellowish stoat and motions for him, saying the exact same thing as he did to the ferret. After the stoat, there are only two more beasts.
The tall ferret ducks his head in acknowledgment of the guard as he accepts his arrow from the rat who fetched it. He reaches back and slips it into his woven quiver. He moves to where the guard directed him and eagerly watches the remaining shooters.
"That's how you do it!" Wilco cheers loudly when the ferret hits the bullseye. She has no idea who he is, but it's very clear he's the best that's competed so far.
The yellow stoat nods and walks forward with his stick. Some start to snicker and laugh, as he doesn't even have a bow with him. Or does he? As quickly as he steps up to the spot, and the guard finishes the rules, the stoat pulls out a long string from his pocket and wraps one end of it to the bottom of the stick, and then leans on the stick, curving it and tying the string to the top. Making a huge recurve bow. Taller then anybeast here. The crowd then goes silent as he pulls out one his red arrows/spears. Each one looking brutal with barbed tips. He tilts the bow slightly and rests the arrow on top and pulls back the string. The bow creaks loudly as he pulls it back making a huge semi circle. He then takes breath and releases. There is a buzzing like bee as it flies through the air and plunges through the target and halfway through the otherside. He makes the red, but its further from the center then the ferret. The stoat growls with glee as he unstring his bow.
The ferret applauds loudly and gives a sharp whistle between his teeth, with the help of two claws. Wow- he has never seen anybeast do that. He gives the guard a sideways look as he walks up to the yellow stoat, leaving his spot. "You are quite good!" He compliments, hoping that this archer is one of the nicer beasts in Ferravale- so far, he has met only one nice creature here. There is a hint of a hidden accent in his voice.
Coby had been one of the beasts laughing, but is impressed by the stoat's gigantic bow once it becomes clear that that is what his stick was for. The rat dibbun is silent as the spear cuts through the air. She cheers as it goes throught he target. Her ears droop a little when she notices that it didn't hit the center of the red spot. The dibbun watches the ferret talk with the stoat, but doesn't seem too intested in their conversation. Wilco looks around for the last contestant. She was sure there was another one that hadn't gone yet.
The guard nods again and asks the same thing again he said to the ferret, though the stoat laughs when the rat retrieving the arrows cant get it out, "Leave it. Ill get it lata..." he grumbles. Leaning on the wall, and resting on his stick, tipping his head at the ferret, who he can tell a real archer then these numbskulls, "Thank ye. Not bad yeself!" he winks. The next one up, a regal looking fox. The fox pulls out her shortbow and, with a yawn takes aim and shoots. It flies through the air quickly and silently. It hits the red spot. DEAD center. She turns around and bows to her audience. The guard laughs and points, "Oi. It fell out..." The fox looks and is shocked, as there wasn't enough power to penetrate the wood. She grumbles and leaves in a huff. The next one, a weasel takes aim and hits the target, but doesn't hit the red. He yells and brakes his bow on his knees, yelling many obscenities. Then guard then points to the stoat and ferret, "Here are ye finalists! What be ye names?" the stoat waves and says, "The name is Tag.... Errr Ah. Tagenen" He gulps. The guard looks to the ferret.
The ferret grins. "Thanks!" As the others shoot, he chuckles slightly, though not maliciously. The fox seems so uppity, and the weasel was just vulgar. The colors of the creatures in this town! Such language! This is quite a strange place, he thinks. As the guard asks for his name, he turns to the crowd, also giving a bit of a wave and a slight, indulgent smile. "Merrick tis my name!" Whoops, bit of that odd accent came out! He blushes slightly- hoping no one noticed.
The stoat does catch the accent and he blinks. No way. But remains silent. The guard nods at them and says, "You were da only beasts to hit the close one. But i got somtin a little harder for ye!" he looks to the crowd, "Do we want ta give em somtin harder!?" the crowd goes wild. Drunk beasts will do that. The guard laughs as he is loving this, "Aight! You twos. There are three more targets thataway..." he points toward the crowd who move like a single blob. In the trees you can see two targets hanging from the branches. One at 30 meters. Another at 60 meters. Can just make out the colors in the circles. He then points between two trees that make a v, "And the last one... is WAAAAAAAAY over dere." It looks like a dot. He points to the ferret, "You gotta hit all three. However gets da closets on all three. Wins da prize!"
Coby had started to cheer for the fox when her arrow hit, but begins to laugh when it falls out onto the ground. The whiney weasel's tantrum doesn't seem to phase her much and she giggles at him behind her paws. The dibbun cheers for both finalist but she cheers louder for Merrick as he seems the better archer in her eyes sor far. When the guard asks if the pair should be given a harder test she hollars, "Yes!" along with the crowd.
Merrick nods to Tagenen. "Good luck! may the best archer win!" He heads off, following the crowd, going to the first target, at 30 meters. He follows the same steps he did the first time. Picking the right arrow, regulating his breathing as he lines the string up with his jawbone, aiming. Breathing out as he lets the arrow go. It twacks into the red. Easy.
The stoat nods at the ferret, "Aye. Good luck to ye" he goes wide eyed as his natural accent cames out. But he doesn't expect the ferret to see though his clever disguise. When the ferret makes the red he claps along with the crowd grining, "Oi! good job!" he then gets nodded forward by the guard. The stoat strings his bow, though he seems to make a little more time twisting the sting to his liking. He pulls out another spe-arrow and notches and takes aim. He is a little faster the the ferret. But it shows. The loud buzzing, with the loud shattering of wood. The guard looks through a looking glass, "First round goes to Merrick! Whose arrow was closer to the center!" the crowd goes wild as the stoat bows, "Very good mate, But im not out yet!" he chuckles.
Merrick grins. "Oh, i should hope not!" He winks, then goes to the 60 meter target. He takes a bit longer- the loud crowd is annoying, and slightly distracting. Again, the same steps at the first two. A good arrow. measured breathing. Just a few seconds longer to aim. He lets the arrow fly as his breath whooshes out- the catcalls from the crowd served their purpose. The arrow is on the border of the red circle, in it, yes, but not near the center.
Tagger claps loudly and whistles though his fangs, "Wowie. Haven' seen a shot like that in seasons!" He grins and now its his turn. He unstrings his bow, and gives the string several good twists before tying it back in. He licks his claw and digs his paws into the snow. He draws an arrow, and pulls back the string. He waits. Almost twice as long at the ferret, he takes a long breath before turning his bow slightly to the left and lets it fly. Buzzing and crashing. Most beasts cant tell what happened. The guard looks through his glass and yells, "The round goes to Tagenen, who was closer to the center!" the crowd yells loudly as the stoat fist pumps the air, looking toward the ferret, "I guess its time for the final target eh?" he lets his southern accent in full swing now. Not caring to hide for the talented beast.
Merrick claps for Tagenen, faintly surprised that his odd looking arrows made it that far. But with the size of that bow, it isnt all /that/ surprising. He steels himself for the last round- there is one beast in mind he wants to win this for. Silly, yes, but still. He takes another minute to choose his arrow. Takes a moment to center himself with the bow drawn back. He aims carefully. Breathes out as he releases the string. Closes his eyes as the arrow shoots past. He stands for a moment, then looks where the arrow stuck in the target. Not dead center, no, not from this distance. But close to it. A good shot. He grins. Even if he doesnt win, the one he is doing this for would be proud.
Tagenen squints off into the distance before shooting his eyebrows straight up, "Holy moly mate! What a shot! Nearly hit the center!" he nods in admiration before the crowd, hearing what he said, cheers loudly and starts chanting, "Merrick! Merrick!" Followed by a bunch of other beasts booing, then cheering for the other beast, "Tagenen! Tagenen!" The stoat waves at the crowd before steeping up and unstrings his bow once again. Twisting it tightly before plopping it back on. Doing the same routine as before, then notches an arrow and pulls the string back. But this time he lifts his thumb claws in the air like little antennae. Tilting the bow up quite a bit, and then lightly to the left. He takes quite a bit longer the the ferret before letting go and letting it fly.
Another arrow whistles through the air, this one from behind the crowd. It seems to have a rather unique spin as it makesnits way-thunking loudly as it hits the target. The arrow itself is unusual as well, its shaft white with a trim of ivory feathers. Then, with a loud thump, Dani drops out of the tree behind the group of onlookers. "How about we make this party a bit more interesting." The otter says cooly to the group of vermin. "No creature can outshoot an otter, and I am damn better then most." The arrow, though shot from a further distance, just nicks the center circle. "What say you vermin!" Dina puts on a devilish smile.
walking down the well beaten path to Ferraville the otter kept a look about the area. It wasn't the first time he had headed to the bar for a large bowl of hot root soup. Even still the area still made him a bit nervous. Of in the distance he could hear a loud commotion, curiosity getting the best of him he worked his way to the area where it soon became apparent there was an archery contest. Seeing the the female otter drop from the tree he walked out of the cover of the woods "Whats the wager going on here?"
The guard looks through the scope and watches the red arrow hit the target. And he was just about to yell the winner when the next white arrow comes and pretty much obliterates the target with a loud shattering, as it sits right next to the yellow stoats arrow. Tagenen looks toward the target before his eyes go wide. Dear god almighty. Not again. He looks quickly behind him and sees. Oh god he was right. He gulps and puts back on his fake northern accent, though now its obvious that he is nervous. As he tries to hide his red arrows. A favorite of his true self. The crowd jeers at the otter, and some even throw snowballs at the otter. All of them miss, because they know what otters can do. Then there is a second otter appear. And the crowd goes absolutely silent. The guard, not flinching at all, nods toward the target, "Just a bit of archery ere otters." He then looks to dina and spits next to him, "I'm sure ere Merrick And Tagenen can bet ye anyday." He pulls out a bag that clinks, "The prize was 10 Gold coins. but im gonna sweeten it..." he pulls out another, bigger bag, "100 coins say the vermins winz!" The crowd just explodes.
Merrick grins at the compliments, rather flattered. He waits with baited breath for the yellow stoat to make his shot. As the white arrow comes whizzing past and shatters the target, he flicks his ears back, startled. Even more so when Dina appears, with something that doesnt look like very good intent. Maybe coming to this town was not a very good idea on his part. He isnt a warrior, not a fighter in any way, even if he can shoot a bow a good long distance, he has never killed anybeast. He promised someone he would never. He smiles wanly at the sound of the bet, and shakes his head, wondering how on earth he is going to get out of this- it only started out as a bit of fun, and now it is a contest between vermin and woodlanders- how much worse can this get? He grips his bow tighter.
The female otter nearly struts as she walks through the reluctantly parting crowd. The snow balls don't seem to bother her in the least. that is, until one knicks her cap askew. She turns to the offender, and gives the ratling a very dark look. "You wouldnt like the snow I throw lass, best not to do it again." She walks past the crowd, and stands next to the ferret. "Well ladies, why don't we get a move on? I'd hate to be on the reciving end of an angry mob.." She turns to the stoat, and flashes a smile. "That would be hard to explain to the misus.." Then turning back to the targets, she pulls a arrow from her quiver, "rules?"
Rowan pulls the long bow off his back as he draws a plain arrow from his quiver. If anything the arrow looks like it was made by hand with nothing except plain oak, stone and feather. While stringing his bow he looks around the group of vermins with a cold eye as he waits for the rules to be announced. He may be better with the spear but that didn't meen he wasn't good with the bow as well.
Tagenen pulls at his cloak, tapping his footpaw appreciably. 'I hope she doesn't figure out my disguise' He thinks to himself. Then Dina looks right at him and he closes his eyes, crud. Must keep up the charade of course. Cant let the verminy types down. That thought makes him chuckle as he steps away from the target. The guard steps up toward the first target and calls forth his minion. They have a short convo before the little one, Geor, runs off toward the guard house. He soon returns with a dummy that, if you squint your eye, looks like an otter, "This training dummy will be placed a little over 100 meters thata way. But 'ere is the catch..." he smiles evilly, "Turn around in a row facing the wall. Geor will hide it in the trees but it will not be held up. On my mark, you will all turn around and the first one to hit it, will make it fall. Thus will be the winner... Sounds like fun eh?"
Merrick takes a step to the side as Dina comes to stand near him. Um...personal space? And did he just get called a lady? Never mind. He leans back on his heels, crossing his arms. He sucks on his teeth gently, thinking as he watches the male otter prepare his shot. Well, this is coming to be more complicated than he wanted. Than he really needed. Ah well- nothing he can do about it now! He accepts his two arrows from the first two targets in this series from the rat-arrow-fetcher. Slipping them into his woven quiver on his back, he gives a nod of thanks and looks the female otter up and down. Wasnt there only supposed to be one otter in this town ? And now there are two. Odd. Anywho! He listens carefully to the instructions. Well, bloody /whatever/. Warriors and spies are good sharpshooters- not him! At least he can try.
Closing her green eyes, Dina takes a deep breath. For the most part, the ottermaid is collected. But simmering elow the surface she is still, very, very angry. She was never one to take rejection well.. Opening her eyes, she turns to the ferret. "Good luck.." She looks at him coldly, having recently discovered her new loathing of the entire species as a whole. The stoat she ignores for the time being, as she turns around to face the crowd as the dummy is hidden. She pulls out another arrow, running its feathers under her whiskers.
Rowan hearing the rules he fits the arrow onto his bow string as he joins the line and turns around while the target is hidden. He keeps his string drawn back to it's full draw in anticipation. He had done something similar to this before but this time pride was on the line. closing his eyes till the time came to turn around he would lower his heart rate as he took deep breaths in preperation.
Tagenen gulps at this game. He is a marksmen for the camp. But not for quick shots! He gets into the row. Standing between the otters as he looks toward the wall. He does his normal Bow treatment. Unstringing the bow. Twisting the string tighter and placing it back on. He takes one of his large red dyed arrows and runs it over his paws. The arrows were meant to pierce armor. Not for fun and games! He takes a deep breath and notches the arrow on the string. He knows Dinas arrows are much faster then his. Much faster. But his is stronger. Maybe he can use that to his advantage... as he comes up with a plan.
When the guard nods at Gero, the little one runs off toward the trees. Chanting begins for the two vermin types, "MERRICK! TAGENEN!" before the little one returns and nods. The guard smiles and rubs his paws, "Alright! The dummy is set!" he holds up his paws to silence the crowd before continuing, "Now... I will count to three. And on Three. Turn around and fire when ya see it!" he grins, spitting to the side again, "Righto... One... Two... thr-"
"To you, too."The ferret nods to Dina. Merrick takes a deep breath, and steels himself as he turns and joins the line. He closes his eyes- not that he needs them open anyways now. He has his bow ready, his best arrow ready. Thoughts whirl through his head. How is he going to win this? Or at least do honorably? Does killing a dummy count as killing a creature? Dont be stupid, Merrick- of course not! Calm down, he warns himself. You cant shoot while you are a bundle of tied up knots and nerves. You can do this. He tunes out the crowd- no trouble there. He hears the guard beginning to count, and as he says three, he spins and draws back his arm. But doesnt shoot. Not yet. If he can get a direct shot, maybe that will count as much as the first arrow hit.
After giving her arrow its blessing, she too strings it to her bow. In the tense quiet around her as four critters wait for the word Dina says quietly, "If I get shot somehow, I would suggest that you do it from a distance. My greatsword has quite the reach." As the counting starts, he quiets herself. This is something she has done many times before, and can do again. This should be a cakewalk.
For Rowan, The count come after what feels like an eternity, when the count reaches three his eyes dart open as he turns with a whirl of his cloak. His eyes dart around the area as he searches for the dummy. He had done this many times except it was slavers he was fleeing not dummies. His eyes picked out something that was out of the ordinary peeking from the side of a tree. Taking aim at it he pulled at the string till his fingers slid from the string so he wouldn't ruin the shot as he let the arrow fly.
Tagenen takes slow breaths before having to lift the bow over his head, up and over, pulling the string back and taking aim at the trees. He spots to dummy pretty much immediately. It appears to just be a colorful dot in the distance. He can make the shot. But it would take him to long to aim for it. But then an idea pops in his head and turns his shot slightly to the right, letting the buzzing arrow fly.
The arrows fly in the air like loud buzzing bees and hornets. In a matter of seconds, the arrows left the beasts, fly loudly, then there is a loud splintering crash before the dot clearly falls to the ground. The guard looks through the spyglass and hums loudly. The crowd eagerly awaiting his verdict. The guard spits and says, "Ah. I crn't see it. I cr'nt tell..." he closes the spyglass in a huff before walking toward the fallen dummy. The crowd soon follows with quiet murmur. When anybeast gets into view, the guard is scratching his head. In the tree, where the branch and the trunk met is, Tagenens arrow. Stuck. Which has splintered the branch that now lays on the ground on top of the dummy. The dummy has no arrows in it at all. And in a tree just behind it are three arrows, all in close proximity that would have hit, if the branch hadn't broken.
Merrick had searched and searched for the dummy. The loudest thing had been his thoughts. Suddenly, a memory of his first lesson. A calm, clear female voice, juvenile. "Hold it like this, Merr. Wait. Breath in, breath out. Let go. Thy mind should be as silent as thy breath, thy breath as silent as thine paw upon the string." His mind cleared. The dummy. There. As he breathed out, he whispered. "Thy mind is silent. Thy breath is the breath of thine bow. Thine arrow is thyself. Work for it, Merr." He blinked hard, aimed, and watched the arrow fly with solid determination. Now he follows the crowd, curious as to the results. He takes in the fallen arrows, the broken branch. Clearly, it was deliberate. But why? He gives Tagenen a curious look- no one else has arrows like him. Why did he do it? Something crosses his mind, and he gives the dummy a hard look before drawing an arrow from his quiver, raising his bow, and, standing right over the dummy, he shoots it, easily spearing it in the center of the red. Easy. He looks around- will it be considered cheating? He was, after all, the first to hit it.
"You know, I wasn't sure before." Dina mutters to the stoat. "Thought those crimson arrows were knicked. But now.." She turns to him, baring her fangs slightly. "i would of hoped you would have grown out of being such a spoil sport, /stoat/." She takes another arrow and draws it. With a bit of aim, she lets it fly. She watches as the white arrow cleaves the red one on yonder branch in two. That arrow won't live to piss her off again.
Rowan frowns as the results become clear as the beasts approach the dummy. The stoat had dropped a branch on the bloody thing. He looked as the other vermin shot an arrow point blank. It seemed he was a similar mind, if only he had gotten to the dummy before the darn ferret. "Well thats a darn cheepshot, dropping a branch and all"
The yellow stoat approaches the fallen dummy. Though from afar he can already tell that his work was done. He hides a smile as he rubs the back of his neck, looking at the tree. Trying to look like it was an accident. Though not a very good one. He looks to the ferret who gives him and odd look. And just kinda, shrugs. Then the femotter gets all up in his grill, he holds ups his paws in front of him, watching her slice his arrow. Damn. Those are hard to make. But he doesn't say anything to her, he just backs away slowly, nearer the verminy crowd. Doesn't antagonize. Will not fall for her bait. As for Rowan he just shrugs, at. but still remains silent.
The guard looks at the dummy and rubs his head, "Well maybe..." before the ferret comes up and shoots the dummy at point blank range. WELL! That's good enough for him! He then yells out, "And we have a winner! The first one to hit the dummy is... MERRICK!" the crowd explodes with enthusiasm as they mob the ferret. Patting him, saying all sorts of congrats to him. And the guard just smirks joining in.
Merrick is NOT used to this kind of attention, and he sort of just blushes, grinning slightly, standing there. Then he catches sight through the crowd of an open space, and he fights to go towards it. Air is a must have, and for Merrick, so is personal space. Being crowded doesnt bring him any good memories. He thinks about that shot, wondering just how fair it was, but hey- he did a good job anyway. That ambiguous creature on his mind would be proud, he is sure. He halts his slight progression towards empty space, then goes the other way towards Tagenen. He has questions to be answered. He smiles at the yellow stoat, very friendly, and waves slightly. He means to indicate that he wishes to talk to the stoat.
Rowan closes his eyes a moment as he unstrings his bow and places it on his back. There was no doubt, he would of died if this was for real, he hadn't shot fast enough. He looked down at the otter dummy with a frown before mumbling under his breath. "Would hate to be you matey."
The yellow stoat ducks into the crowd as they mob the ferret. Maybe this will let him loose sight of the femotter and make a clean escape. He ducks out the other side, unstringing his bow quickly, stuffing it in his pocket, and using the bow as a walking stick. He walks quickly toward the gate when he epies the ferret. The ferret is calling him over? The stoat quickly glances back and sees that the mob is still being a giant mob. So he shrugs and walks over toward the ferret. The otter wouldn't attack him now anyway. Too many vermany types around, even with rowan, it would be suicide. He walks up to the ferret and semi puts on his northern accent, "Eh. That was a good shot there! Glad it was you" he winks and laughs.
The mob doesn't notice the ferret leaving so they are still saying their congrats to each other. Like an unruly mob should. The guard on the other paw sees the ferret leaving and tosses the bag of coins toward him, "ere you are mate! Have... Many drinks on me!" as he walks toward the gate. The bag is filled with the entire purse of 110 gold coins. After awhile the unruly mob begins to disperse. Some of them walking over to congrats both the ferret and stoat. Some going over to the targets and looking at the damage. And some are just drunk enough that they are sleeping head first in the snow.
Merrick shrugs off the last few creatures still congratulating him as he nears Tagenen. He reaches one paw up and catches the winnings, calling out a thank you. He holds out a paw to the yellow stoat. "Thank you, Sir! You are very good, yourself! Why glad it was me? And why did you knock the branch down instead of the dummy? I dont think that was an accident." He conceals his own accent, hoping his questions are not taken in an insulting way. Maybe, just maybe, in this strange little vermin town, he has found somebeast who will be his friend. IF the stoat doesnt kill him- but he seems friendly, so why not take a chance?
And one onery female otter finds herself alone in the snow. Dina lets her shoulders sag, and her whiskers droop as she watches the crowd disperse. She does not follow the stoat or ferret for now, all she does is keep a keen green eye on their progress.
Tagenen leans on his stick/bow as he looks around then back at the ferret, still trying to have a northern accent, but its pretty bad. He looks at the paw, he hesitates a second before reaching out. Making sure to keeps his webbed parts inside. Good thing he lost the webbing between his thumb and foreclaw, "You are very welcome pal." he clears his throat and pulls at his collar, "Well... Uh. If it wasnt me. I wanted... Another vermin to win it!" he grins then quickly hides his ottery fangs before looking around again, tapping his claws getting nervous as it seems he is getting caught, "Err... I missed. It just... Happened to go like that..." he now whispers dropping his accent all together.
As the group disperses some Rowan heads over to the female otter. It wasn't every day he saw a female otter around here, far to many vermins. When he is close enough to see the whites of her green eyes he reaces out his paw in greeting. "your a fine shot mate, names Rowan, What about yerself?" He takes the spear from his back and leans against it like a walking stick.
Merrick thought this stoat would be nice, and he has not changed that thought yet, but now he is getting suspicious. "So you dont have an accent, either?" Well, that was a stupid question- Merrick has an accent, but has learned to drop it! So that means nothing. "But you seem to be even better than I am! Why did you doubt thy-"he coughs. "Yourself." Thinking about accents too much! He shakes the paw firmly. "Are you even a stoat?" That yellow color suddenly seems phony, and that female otter /did/ seem to know him, and called him a stoat in an odd way...
"Dina." The female otter replies shortly, just noticing the ranger for the first time. " Sorry mate, but I don't shake hands." She says softly, still watching the two vermin converse at a distance. In her hands, she still holds the bow, arrow notched and ready.
Tagenen is now really nervous, "Ah jeez. Um." he scratches his head, accidentally showing his webbed paws. He glances toward the other otters and gulps. Hoping that Rowan can distract her just enough. He turns away from the otters and holds a paw to his muzzle and whispers, "Listen mate. I would love to shoot the breeze with you..." Now he has a southern accent. What the hell? "But i might not... We might not like it if the otters decide to ask questions as well. If you want to know me more, and are hungry. Just head toward the river and and and take a left at the bridge... thats where i live..." he tips his head toward the ferret before making toward the gates, "Have a good evening...."
Rowan follows Dina's glare at the Stout curious what is going on. He doesn't miss the fact that her bow is at the ready. Deciding it is best to avoid bloodshed today he begins to walk towards the yellow one. "Ello mates, fine shots, both of you I mean after all you did rival us otters." He extends a paw to see if they will accept the shake.
Merrick reaches out a paw, wanting to talk to the yellow stoat more. "WAit, please!" Great. Now the only nice creature in this stupid vermin town is leaving. At least he gave directions- maybe this won't end so badly. "uh. ok. Thanks!?"He calls, giving a sort of grimace smile as he turns back to face the town. Where to go? Oh thats right- going nowhere! He follows the stoat out of the town. He isnt prepared to sleep in this town, and he is rather used to being alone in the woods. Then Rowan comes up. The lanky ferret shakes the proffered paw, smiling. "Thank you! You have some talent with a bow, yourself! I call myself Merrick. You probably gathered that, though." He withdraws, giving a nod as he turns to leave the village. "I must go- things to do. It was nice to meet you!"
