1209/How do you Kyudo
From Radiant Heart MUSH
| How do you Kyudo | |
|---|---|
| Date of Scene: | 29 February 2024 |
| Location: | Sports Pavilion |
| Synopsis: | Luke and Hitomi try out for the kyudo team. It goes really well for one of them! |
| Cast of Characters: | Bow, Hitomi Kobe |
- Bow has posed:
The Kyudo club meeting is held on one of the more secluded spots of the sports pavilion - better to keep participants form launching arrows downrange at possible dangers. With it's platform set up and target dummies, the coach is currently walking new members through the use and care of the 'Yumi', the traditional bow of the group. While the ones that the school supplies are made of fiberglass and synthetics, the more traditional students have bamboo ones made for them.
Luke is currently looking at the very tall yumi he was given and eye-balling it. "This is way way different than the ones I'm used to using..." he admits. Because there is a major difference between Etherian and Japanese bows, after all. There are a few patricipants, upper classmen, dressed in the traditional uniform, decorated with the school's crest, as part of the team, and try-outs have been happening throughout the day.
- Hitomi Kobe has posed:
"Did you do archery at your old school?" comes a quiet voice.
Behind him, a moderately shorter figure is walking into place, using one of the fiberglass and synthetic yumi that is easily two heads taller than she is. She has dark circles under her eyes, her short brown hair Dutch braided to keep it out of her face and affixed with green barrettes. Unlike the team members, she's wearing just regular gym clothes, but has an archery guard on.
"Kyudo is a little different if you're from the West." she states. Her nametag?
KOBE, HITOMI
- Bow has posed:
Luke is tall and dusky. Even if he wasn't tall, he'd esily stand out among the other students. His hair is worn in a small for on the top that fades into a shave along the sides and his dark eyes seem bright, even with as dark as they are. Thankfully, for him, Japanese and Etherian share a lot of qualities, so understanding people has not been a problem.
"I did!" he says with a chuckle. "But that was in America, so the bow was much... ah... shorter?" he suggests. "This seems like it would have a much easier pull than what I'm used to."
Peering at her nametag, he offers a greeting, "Hello, Hitomi. I'm Luke. Luke Armbruster." He's learned by now not to offer his hand in a shake and instead tucks his head down a little in a bow. "I'm in grade 10, just transferred here."
Over to the side, the latest shooter is just finishing his round and the judges are taking note of the scores. "I thought I'd try out for the team, but now I'm not so sure." he admits with a small chuckle.
- Hitomi Kobe has posed:
"Ah, so you're used to gripping in the middle, right?" Hitomi asks, her eyebrows drawing up a moment. And at the introduction, she gives a bow of her head back to "Luke".
"Good afternoon Luke-senpai. I've also just transferred. From Osaka." she states in explaination, and she watches some of the upper classmen.
"No, no, you should be sure. You should come into this expecting to win it. If you come into a fight expecting to lose, you certainly will get your expectation." she states, and she taps Luke's shoulder with her bow, from a respectful distance away.
- Bow has posed:
"Yeah, I was taught the middle was where the strength is, and I'm watching and trying to learn from the others on exactly how to grip it." Luke admits, eyes narrowing a little as the next archer takes their mark and gets started shooting. "I've not been to Osaka. Is it nice?" he asks curiously.
But then she goes into trying to inspire him to be confident, and the young man's face splits into a bright grin. "Oh my gosh, I'm usually the one giving the inspirational speech!" he says with a warm laugh that briefly exposes his abs because he keeps his shirts cut short. The tap on his shoulder gains a grin. "I will definetly be trying to win!" he comments as he hears his name called.
Moving into position, he takes up the yumi - and his first shot proves he needs more practice. It goes wide of the target and it draws a few little laughs and giggles from the group watching and a few murmurs about the American trying their art - when the next arrow strikes true. Followed by the next.
The last two land near the target, but not on it, and the general conscensus seems to be that he had beginners luck. "Seems I need more practice." he comments as he returns to the group. "I'll get it next time."
- Hitomi Kobe has posed:
Hitomi does not laugh at Luke. She gives quiet encouragement, and also *stares daggers* at the people who are laughing. So disrespectful! And to a new student.
Hitomi braces herself. The bow is held at a slight angle, the top tilted forward and in front of the bottom of it. She squares her stances. And she loosens her first arrow.
THUCK. Head.
Her second, third, and fourth arrows are tightly grouped in the stomach of the target.
Her fifth? Squarely between the legs, and firmly set.
It vibrates before coming to a stop.
She turns to the other members of the team, and gives a bow.
"For your consideration."
- Bow has posed:
When Hitomi takes the stage, Luke watches her stance and the way she uses the yumi. And it's clear from watching her, what he's doing wrong. His short composite bow is tight, easy to manueveur and is used to being manhandled. The yumi... he should be treating more like his violin than his bow.
Each shot taken is elegant and easy as Hitomi draws silence from the try-outs with her shots and then applause from them as she has easily impressed the group. She's easily a shoo-in for the school's varsity team.
Luke is among those applauding and grinning widely. "You've must have been doing this for a long time! That was pretty amazing!"
The team that is judging is making their notes and comparing them as well, excited little murmurs between them.
- Hitomi Kobe has posed:
Hitomi looks to Luke, and she gives a small, embarrassed grin, and shakes her head "Ah, I have six older brothers. We used to use our grandfather's bow all the time. I've had a lot of practice." she admits to the dusky-skinned, taller boy, the Osaka transfer student letting out a breath and deflating a little bit, like a blanket was pulled over her personality.
"You just need to change your hold a little on the bow, and use its force Luke."
- Bow has posed:
This might be the first clue that Luke may not exactly be all that he claims to be.
Because that line? Even to the most novice human, should be recognizable, especially to an American.
For Luke? It flies further over his head than that first shot he took. "Yeah, something to practic on, that's for sure!" the young man admits with a rolling shrug of his shoulders. Even if his chances of making the team are dim, it just seems to roll off his back like a duck to water.
There's a few more shooters before the team captain stands up. "If there's noone else, we want to thank everyone for coming out and putting forth their best effort and we'll post the scores on the school's bulletin board!"
"Welp, that seems like that's that!" Luke offers with a grin, going to put back the borrowed yumi that he used. "I think I shall go celebrate my failure over some good food in the cafeteria. You want to celebrate your success on making the team?" he asks Hitomi with a chuckle.
- Hitomi Kobe has posed:
"There's no guarentee I'll make the team." Hitomi points out quietly as she puts her own equipment away, and picks up a light jacket. "They could decide that a transfer student can't make the team. Or that my low-shot was an insult. Which it was." the dark-haired girl with the light spray of freckles gives a soft hum.
"Let me go change into regular clothes and I'll meet you there?"
- Bow has posed:
"Oh." Luke says, glancing back at the targets. "I thought you were just showing off your percision." A rolling shrug of broad shoulders, before he nods his head, agreeing with her meeting at the cafeteria.
"Sounds good. I should probably do the same. Need to grab something anyway. See you there!"
