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Post by Leda on Aug 8, 2008 0:44:08 GMT -5
 It's bad enough when you don't enjoy an activity in the first place, but it manages to become even worse when you're in a bad mood. Espio trudged along the worn path in the Oak Forest floor to the antagonistically familiar archery range, a dreadful place he knew all too well. Honestly, he didn't see how Rob could stand the damn thing. But then, Rob seemed to be some sort of wizard or other with some of the stunts he pulled off. Maybe he just wasn't mortal or something. The unenthused chameleon dragged both his bow and quiver along the dirt, leaving a pair of thin lines in his wake. The journey was much more dreary this time due to the lack of an immediate end in sight. At least when he'd been booted to the range other times, Espio had had a set number of arrows he had to shoot before he could leave. In this instance, it was basically until he either had to work or sleep. He could be there for hours. The teen shuddered slightly. This really wasn't going to be a pleasant evening. Despite his attempts to elongate the trip as much as possible via taking extremely tiny steps, Espio deflated a bit as the hay bales began to peek into view through the trees. Idly shuffling to the far end and squirming into the straps of his quiver, the sullen chameleon vaguely tried to recall when the idea of learning to be an archer just like Rob had sounded appealing -- even exciting. Now, however, the entire process was little short of a nightmare. It was shocking how something that had once filled him with so much vigor now made him want to barricade his scaley hide inside his lodge. Espio pulled an arrow from the quiver, and released a preparatory breath. Please work this time, please work this time... The teen notched the arrow's feathery end to the bowstring and raised the weapon. It was easy to aim down the shaft and to the bullseye, yet he hesitated to pull the bowstring back. Espio's hands began to sweat within his gloves, and the boy's mouth scrunched with dread. Please work, please work!! The nervous tingling of butterflies in the stomach invaded his abdomen. Sweat pricked at his brow. The chameleon tightened each hand's grip and tugged at the bowstring with all his might. Work!! Work!! Please, just work!!With the sound of a loud SNAP, the arrow had been released -- and careened off-target into an adjacent haybale. Espio never noticed, however; he'd already doubled over with a sharp yelp, having dropped the bow to the ground. The teen's eyes welled with intense pain; a fresh welt had already started rising on the inside of his left forearm where the bowstring had whipped against it. Espio whimpered and struggled to find a way to deaden the sting, but attempts to treat it brough on at least as much agony as doing nothing. After all, this problem had been going on for quite some time. Espio's arm was deep-tissue bruised practically to the bone. How long do I have to do this before all the nerves in my arm die off? the teen wondered with a defeated sigh, reluctantly picking the weapon back up from the ground. At least then I can just focus on my aim and get back to at least where I started. Espio reached into the quiver for a new arrow, and stood frozen in that pose for several minutes. It was a frequent enough occurrance; sometimes the knowledge of what was about to happen resulted in his body flatly refusing to cooperate. The chameleon clenched his eyes and forced his resistant muscles to obey his will, and soon another arrow appeared notched at the ready on his bow. Espio gulped and glanced at the setting sun. If it didn't disappear soon, he would probably resort to simply stuffing his unshot arrows into the haybales and sneaking home again. Rob never knew the difference anyway, and it spared extra trauma to his arm. Actually, after the day he'd had, he was tempted to jump the gun and just pull the trick now; his other punishments were bad enough without stinging welts to go with them. "Hunngh..." the teen grunted in dismay. No answer really seemed to be the right one. Truth be told, he didn't really like lying or cheating -- not about important things, anyway. And he knew Rob had started teaching him archery to help him. Shirking the training when it was clearly a big deal really did make him feel awful... In one fluid motion, Espio raised the bow and fired again... And sadly, he was rewarded with the same injury as before. The teen dropped to his knees and carefully cradled his swollen arm against his abdomen. " I'm sorry, old man," he mumbled to himself, his posture slumping. " I just can't do it." |
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Post by Jamie Lee on Aug 10, 2008 22:47:18 GMT -5
 Awhile had passed since the wayward teen began his arduous task, and not far away the person responsible his currant ire was swiftly approaching. But Rob hardly had that on his mind at the moment, for glowing softly in his palm he smiled widely at a catch far more precious than the day's meat slung in a sack over his shoulder; a power stone. It was small, only the size of a pebble, but it glimmered in light blue radiance from its own power source. He had never seen anything so pretty before, and counted himself fortunate to have found it at the riverbank. Most importantly, however, was that Rouge was going to love it. It seemed as though nothing could ruin his good mood at that moment. Not his residual headache, not any thoughts dealing with Manic and Nik, not Espio's temper tantrum... Ah. Speak of the devil. Choosing to make a shortcut through the archery range, Rob stashed the power stone away in one of his pouches when noticed the chameleon ahead, deciding to pause long enough to watch him for a few minutes. Unfortunately, Rob's supposedly good mood took a sudden nose dive over what he found himself witnessing. Not the boy practicing as he should have been... not even standing around doing nothing like he might have expected. No. He was stuffing the arrows into the targets. At first all Rob found himself able to do was stare with his mouth gaping slightly in surprise. So THIS was why the boy never showed any improvement! Gritting his teeth slightly, Rob dropped his sack beside him and marched out onto the range. "ESPIO!" he barked from directly behind, grabbing him by a shoulder. |
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Post by Leda on Aug 10, 2008 23:23:17 GMT -5
To his credit, he really had tried to hold out as long as he possibly could. Espio had simply gotten to a point where he just could not handle any further impacts on his arm. It had not only grown tender and swollen, but a couple of the blisters had broken open after repeated snappings. Unwilling to continue the abuse, the teen had opted to instead plant the rest of his arrows and sneak back to his lodge to spend the rest of the night recovering. At least, that had been the plan. The chameleon was so startled he probably would've jumped several feet in the air had Rob not snatched hold of his shoulder. With his pupils constricted down to pinpricks, Espio glanced quickly at the hedgehog before camouflaging and darting out of his grasp. "I-IT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE!!" |
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Post by Jamie Lee on Aug 10, 2008 23:26:21 GMT -5
"Really?" Rob asked, folding his arms and glaring off in the direction he'd felt Espio dart. "Then just what were you doing?" |
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Post by Leda on Aug 10, 2008 23:42:17 GMT -5
Under normal circumstances, he probably wouldn't have even stopped despite the stern address... but in his panic, Espio miscalculated, and ended up tripping over his own feet -- with the assistance of a raised tree root, that is. Not only did he successfully knock the wind out of himself, but the fall further aggrivated his tender arm, despite being relatively minor. The chameleon gasped and coughed on the leaf-littered ground, and swiftly dragged himself around to the far side of the trunk without answering. Then again, he probably COULDN'T answer just yet. The only sounds that eventually floated back to greet Rob were a few wheezy whimpers. |
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Post by Jamie Lee on Aug 11, 2008 13:33:16 GMT -5
Following after the less-than-graceful racket, Rob easily managed to spot the poorly camouflaged chameleon between bits of dirt and patches of shedded skin that still clung to him. Approaching Espio, Rob crouched down in front of him and frowned. "Are you alright?" he asked. |
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Post by Leda on Aug 11, 2008 13:48:42 GMT -5
Well, escape wasn't really much of an option with Rob planted directly in his path. He'd already embarrassed himself enough lately with his attempts to run away, anyway. Opting to instead attempt impressing him with resilience, Espio's chest swelled in what he undoubtedly thought was a tough way. "It'll take more than that to get me down!!" ...And then he abruptly had another coughing fit. |
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Post by Jamie Lee on Aug 11, 2008 13:53:02 GMT -5
"Right," Rob answered flatly. "Now if that wasn't 'what it looked like' care to explain what it was you were doing?" |
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Post by Leda on Aug 11, 2008 13:56:27 GMT -5
Espio's cringe was visible, even despite his (poor) camouflage. "U-Um... I shot them but they didn't stick?" Meanwhile, the teen's stomach churned. He really, really didn't like lying for real, but he liked failing in front of someone he respected even less. |
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Post by Jamie Lee on Aug 11, 2008 14:02:31 GMT -5
Rather than respond, Rob just gave a very flat, and very familiar look of disbelief. Standing back up to his full height the archer pinched at the bridge of his nose and looked away, muttering an, " What am I going to do..." to himself. |
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Post by Leda on Aug 11, 2008 14:07:32 GMT -5
The chameleon felt his heart sink, and his invisible features reflected his horror. Sitting on the ground with Rob towering over him sure made him feel like a little kid again, and he didn't like that face from down there anymore than he did at eye-level. Ditching his useless camouflage, Espio partially rose and grabbed at the hedgehog's cloak. "W-Wait, Rob!! I swear, I really did shoot most of them!!" |
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Post by Jamie Lee on Aug 11, 2008 14:17:50 GMT -5
"I..." Rob's face scrunched. "... I'm really not in the mood to deal with this right now. I need to get that meat to the kitchen," attempting to turn away to leave, the archer's agitation swiftly rose when he found teen refusing to release his cloak. Pursing his lips, Rob shot a glare at him. "Espio, let me go." |
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Post by Leda on Aug 11, 2008 14:30:01 GMT -5
" WAIT!!!" Espio implored, quite literally begging on his knees and refusing to release his grip. He looked in the midst of panic, and accurately so; this was much worse than their fight this morning. This was something that looked like it was going to affect their relationship long-term. In desperation, the teen suddenly blurted out, "Look, I'll-- I'll-- I'll reshoot those arrows!! Okay?!" |
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Post by Jamie Lee on Aug 11, 2008 15:24:54 GMT -5
Rob stared him down with a look of frustrated exhaustion. Though a part of him just wanted to insist on going, he found himself unable to simply leave things as it were. With a heavy sigh he leaned his head back. "Alright. Alright, you can 'reshoot' them. But I'm going to watch you - and I can't have all day." |
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Post by Leda on Aug 11, 2008 16:13:00 GMT -5
Espio gulped. He... wasn't quite sure if he'd helped things or not. It looked like he would have a chance to redeem himself, but failing right in front of Rob's face wasn't exactly what he would call redemption. Either way, he'd pleaded for this opportunity, and he wasn't about to slap it away now. The chameleon nodded and rose to his feet, idly dusting off as he went to retrieve the handful of arrows he'd gotten caught planting. At least there were only a few of them... That was good news. Between having stopped and now having to finish, he ought to have recovered enough to withstand four more shots. Espio traipsed his way to the shooting end, and found himself stalling. The teen's face scrunched with worry. I'd better make at least ONE good shot, he realized, glancing over at the hedgehog sternly observing. Rob's angry enough without knowing that I'm actually worse than when I started... The would-be archer gulped again, and found his mouth uncomfortably dry. Espio raised the bow and drew the arrow, and held his breath. WORK THIS TIME!He clenched his eyes and released the arrow, and despite the searing pain shooting through his arm, the chameleon refused to double over and tend to it. The only obvious evidence he couldn't suppress was the slight welling in his eyes and a quiet grunt. (For where it lands on the target. As with a bullseye, higher numbers are closer to the center.) [dice=10][rand=55718084943935672146070567438233831643690093965407400327771735071] |
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Post by Jamie Lee on Aug 11, 2008 16:48:37 GMT -5
To what might have been the chameleon's surprise, it wasn't the target Rob was looking at, but rather straight at him. From the moment Espio set his arrow the hedgehog had immediately noticed something wrong with his form, which only caused him to wince at the outcome. After a few seconds he finally glanced over toward the target. "... Not a bad shot for having your eyes closed," he commented at length. |
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Post by Leda on Aug 11, 2008 17:05:54 GMT -5
"Thanks," Espio replied quietly, sounding almost embarrassed. It was a relief that the shot hadn't gone astray, but shooting with his eyes closed wasn't something to be proud of. Or at least, not at his sub-par level. He'd have to suppress that reflex for the rest. Reaching for another arrow, the teen felt anxious sweat beginning to dribble down his forehead, and did his best to nonchalantly flick it aside. Just three more. I can last for three more. Three more, and then I can just go home. Espio carefully pulled a fresh breath as he notched his arrow, then slowly let it back out while drawing the projectile back. His palms grew clammy, and his heart thumped in his chest. Pressing his lips into a thin line, the chameleon prepared himself to again let go. |
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Post by Jamie Lee on Aug 11, 2008 17:21:19 GMT -5
"Wait, wait, stop!" Rob blurted quickly, throwing his hands up. Once again he had noticed that same mistake. |
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Post by Leda on Aug 11, 2008 17:35:55 GMT -5
Even if the outburst hadn't startled him, Rob was still too late. Espio glanced aside in surprise as he released his hold on the arrow, but his attention was abruptly ripped away from Rob by the recoil of his bow. The teen whimpered and turned his back to his mentor, desperately hoping there was still some way to save face. (Rolling again to see his shot just for the hell of it XD) [dice=10][rand=61298282305437930200896869069328021007505266564648973347249688514] |
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Post by Jamie Lee on Aug 12, 2008 15:41:38 GMT -5
Once again the hedgehog found himself subconsciously wincing. With a swift approach toward Espio, Rob held his hand out expectantly and looked him over with concern. "Are you okay?" |
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Post by Leda on Aug 12, 2008 21:26:28 GMT -5
With his back still to his mentor, Espio scowled at his wounded limb. This day had just been horrendous from the very start! This morning he lost some very important privileges, and now he was in danger of losing pride -- far more important in the chameleon's eyes. Sucking in a deep breath and blinking back the moisture, Espio's posture straightened as he faced the hedgehog, a cocky smile forced across his face. "Why wouldn't I be okay? I'm not all old and rickety like you!" |
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Post by Jamie Lee on Aug 12, 2008 21:34:57 GMT -5
Rob lowered his eyes half mast and frowned. "Show me your arm." |
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Post by Leda on Aug 12, 2008 21:40:08 GMT -5
Never one to successfully keep a poker face, the teen's arrogant features shifted to anxiety, and quite opposite of the command, he quickly folded his arms behind his back. A second later, the boy smiled sheepishly and extended his arm -- his right arm. |
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Post by Jamie Lee on Aug 12, 2008 21:42:01 GMT -5
This only spurred the hedgehog to close his eyes and pull in a long breath. "The other arm." |
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Post by Leda on Aug 12, 2008 21:48:09 GMT -5
Espio shrank back as his admittedly lame diversion crashed and burned. " D-Didn't you say you had to get the meat taken in?" he mumbled quietly, lowering his eyes and keeping his left arm locked behind his scaley back. |
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Post by Jamie Lee on Aug 12, 2008 21:52:36 GMT -5
Rob gave him a hard glare. "Yes. And I also said I can't have all day as I recall." he opened and closed his hand expectantly. |
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Post by Leda on Aug 12, 2008 22:41:53 GMT -5
The chameleon released a defeated sigh, and hung his head. Rob wasn't letting him out of this without seeing just how big of a failure he really was. After one more moment of hesitation, Espio finally slid his left arm from its hiding spot and reluctantly placed it in Rob's waiting hand, backside up. |
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Post by Jamie Lee on Aug 13, 2008 0:38:37 GMT -5
Humming to himself, mostly over the boy's immaturity, he flipped the arm over and examined it carefully. Nothing. The arm looked fine. Rob looked back up into Espio's face with an unamused look before glancing back down. Knowing he was dealing with a chameleon the lack of visible bruise hardly swayed him. Instead, he pressed a thumb down firmly onto the spot and held it there. |
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Post by Leda on Aug 13, 2008 0:45:22 GMT -5
" AH-AOOWW!!" the boy yelped and immediately jerked his arm away, his expression twisting with pain. Espio turned his back to the hedgehog for a second time, feebly attempting to hide just how much the experiment had hurt. "...That grip of yours just gets tighter and tighter!" the chameleon commented with a weak chuckle. "I th-think you're starting to not know your own strength!" |
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Post by Jamie Lee on Aug 13, 2008 0:47:49 GMT -5
"Enough childishness," Rob frowned sternly. "How long has this gone on for?" |
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