Fourteen failed shots

[eatshootsnleves.livejournal.com]

[Muffled scuffing.]

Ow!

[Quiet, angry muttering; the mocking cries of Paradisan parrots not too far off.

Abruptly there's a loud, discordant twanggg. The sound hovers in the air for several seconds, and above it there rises the voice of a young man cursing in heartfelt tones.] -- stupid -- sonova -- low-down dirty -- piece a'JUNK!!

[A clatter of wood on rock. When his voice comes again, it's sullen.]

Prob'ly broken anyway. What good's a shootin' gallery with nothin' good that shoots?



[At the archery range, Roy is rediscovering his permaloss. Which means right now he's nursing a long gash across his thumb, where the bowstring got him. 8( There's an unstrung bow thrown against the flagstones, and a dozen arrows or so sort of pathetically flopped into the dirt between him and the nearest target.

Closer to him, really.

He's hunched over and avoiding anyone's eyes, his whole bearing full of shame and undirected malice. Approach at risk.]

Comments

[fiyapowaa.livejournal.com]

[That's not sanitary. :(] I have not felt so alone since before I joined the Titans. It is so odd, I...[She'll shake her head.] I confess I do not know what to do. It has been a long time since I have felt this way.

[eatshootsnleves.livejournal.com]

[Like he cares. :\]

... Well, that stinks worse than a week-old pair a' socks. [Reaches out to her shoulder.] I'm about done here anyhow, you wanna go grab a bite? Let's talk. I ain't growing too fond of this as a vacation spot myself.

[fiyapowaa.livejournal.com]

[Another little smile, you humans have the oddest expressions.] Please. If you are sure you're finished with your training?

[eatshootsnleves.livejournal.com]

[TCH] Some training. [Waves disgustedly at the arrows that haven't got three yards from him, the empty targets. Turns away; you coming?] Might as well call it what it is: Failure with a capital F.

[Hands-in-pockets slouch, go.]

[fiyapowaa.livejournal.com]

[Oh dear. :(] Perhaps you just need to find your balance again. The equipment is not yours, is it?

[eatshootsnleves.livejournal.com]

Shouldn't make a difference. [Kicks a pebble.] One time, with me and Shortpants, we--

[Cuts off. Glances over at her. You wanna hear this?]

[fiyapowaa.livejournal.com]

[Is all :0! Stories of Dick! DO GO ON.] Yes?

[eatshootsnleves.livejournal.com]

[Blink. Slightly perked up!] Well we had to take out a chopper before the bad guys got away, see, only my bow wasn't gonna take. So we whipped up a quick ballista - that's kind of like a giant crossbow, only out of trees and saplings and whatever we had handy. Robbie rigged it all together and I aimed it, took out the tail no sweat. [Measures a bow as big as his outspread arms.] A giant couldn'ta handled that one better.

[fiyapowaa.livejournal.com]

How amazing! That must have been very quick work! [Surprised, she is!] How did you manage the recoil? And the balance? With the force required to hit such a target it must have been very great; you were not injured?

[eatshootsnleves.livejournal.com]

[It was the sixties, Kory, there were no physics] Nah, I braced my feet against the base and sorta drew with my whole body, you know, [gesturing vividly,] and besides I gotta hard head. [Sheepish grin.]

[fiyapowaa.livejournal.com]

[She'll smile back, almost grinning. :>] That is something I've noticed, yes.

[eatshootsnleves.livejournal.com]

[Cocky] Well gee, didn't realize you were lookin'. [Brushes shoulders.]

So what're you on for lunch?

[fiyapowaa.livejournal.com]

[She smiles. 8) Silly Roy, she's always looking.]

I do not have a preference. [Earth food is Earth food and therefore always interesting.] What would you like, Roy?

[eatshootsnleves.livejournal.com]

Mmmmmm, somethin' hot. A burger maybe. [Stretches -- ngh, bad day for his shoulders. Brushes by her again on the way down.] Or, hey. You ever had a chili dog with the works?

[fiyapowaa.livejournal.com]

The works?

[eatshootsnleves.livejournal.com]

Everything on it. Sauerkraut, pickles, onions, everything but the kitchen sink.

Wonder if there's a place like that around.

[fiyapowaa.livejournal.com]

Oh! [Yum! 8)] Let's take a look! There has to be something like that somewhere; perhaps in the town?

[eatshootsnleves.livejournal.com]

Couldn't hurt to look.

[Mood sufficiently buoyed by this prospect, he links arms with Kory and goes a-restaurant hunting with a lighter heart. 8) She's alright.]