New Years Joy Festival - Archery Contest - RPLOG
Participants
Date
10/1/482
Log
It's a pleasant morning. The sun is rising above the horizon, the air is starting to warm, and large festival-tents have been set up near the tournament grounds. Everything is well-organized, with solacious guards making sure the peace is kept, and merchants setting up stalls where food and drinks can be gotten, warm and cold.
And then, of course, there are those preparing for various games to be played throughout the day, from archery to a full-on joust... Freesword for a day.
A small ocelot steps up in through the archway into the tournament grounds, unaccompanied. Dressed in a well-fitting tunic and with well-groomed fur, he looks more like he's about to try to impress a noble than engage in a day of physical activity. He looks up at the posted schedule, tail flicking inquisitively, and looks around for someone he can follow along to where he's supposed to go.. or the face of someone he knows.
Seldom does an archery competition around Firmament go down without Cassidy making an appearance. Today was no exception, her love of the sport of it drawing her like bugs to a flame. Dressed in thick dress to keep out the (relative) winter chill, and a sun hat on her head, she stood by to size up the range, and mingle a little with other participants.
Lyas enters the tourney grounds with his siamese companion at his side, looking around with interest. Such a large event would draw the tabby's attention under any circumstances - there's mischief to be had in a distracted crowd - but considering the focus of the events... well, the Cat is... rather eager to be a participant, actually. Life, Freesword work, and... less savoury activities have left him fairly confident in his fighting ability. And any decent cat loves a chance to show off!
The tabby reaches out to his companion, pulling her hand up to his lips for kiss while he gives a mocking bow. "Where to?" he asks, tail flicking. "We get to be 'Freeswords for a day', did you hear?" His eyes crinkle in mirth. Stepping out in the interest of fairness to the common folk doesn't seem to be on the table for the Cat... "Where d'you think we should try our skills?"
Leighton was making her way around the grounds, if only to visit every trader selling sweets and baked goods to the audience. The satchel she was carrying was bulging by now with various foods. She looks like she's rather enjoying herself too, humming incomprehensibly as she sucks on a sweet of some sort. Her eyes are of course drawn to the contestants, idly looking them over, as if picking on to support.
Oh, the smells. The smells that waft through the festivities are exciting and wonderful, drawing Kris in despite some reservations. The shark carefully moves amongst the those that mill and meander, and when she catches wind of archery, her frills perk. Smoothing down her skirt, Kris heads towards the event, interest peaked and attention fertive. Even if she'd grown more used to firearms, she still had a bit of experience with the bow, and a contest tickled her fancy!
Much like her companion, Aleera is wholeheartedly drawn to events like these for a... variety of reasons, really! A love of revelry, a love of mischief... and, in this instance, a love of showing off. She moves at Lyas's side, her eyes surveying the crowd, the vendors and, of course, the people who are already taking up positions at the archery range. Still, as he kisses her hand, the siamese's gaze flicks back to Lyas and she flashes him that familiar, toothy grin of hers, "It's been ages since I held a bow," she glances back to the range, "...but I wanna try my hand at it."
With that, she takes the other feline's hand and tugs him right on over to where the other competitors are setting up, although once they do reach it she twirls around to face him, brings his hand up to give it a kiss just like he had done ot hers, and quickly asks, "Do you want to join too or will I see you after the game, luv?"
Those wanting to participate in any of the games are quickly ushered towards a small training-grounds, where bows, wooden swords, and lances in various sizes are provided, to hold, to test, and to practice with. There are even a few targets to practice with, although with already a dozen beings from all walks of life being present, they'll have to share those targets.
"In the interest of fairness, bows will be provided," offers one of the assisting beings, gesturing towards a rack of simple longbows, before rushing over to a rather inept noble, holding his bow the wrong way. "No magic, and above all, the goal is to have fun. You've got a good few more minutes to practice, before the first archery competition starts. If you need any help on how to use the bow, let one of us know, and we're happy to assist."
And of course, at the same time, many other beings are being ushered towards the stands, set safely -behind- the archers, away from the targets... Just to make sure a stray arrow doesn't wind up creating a tragedy.
"I know how to shoot," Lyas shrugs, digging his thumbs into his belt. "I'll join, all right." He steps in close to Aleera, invading her personal space. Nearly nose-to-nose (if only he was tall enough!), he gives her a challenging, yet playful look. "But then, you'd best sign up to the melee, too. I fancy a good tussle." Thumbs still securely tucked away, the fingers of his left hand inch towards the hilt of the sword at his hip. He has his daggers too, of course - but those aren't on show.
As the participants are shown towards the archery range, Lyas slinks after them, smirking at the bumbling noble. "Arrow-head /towards/ the target," he mutters, to Aleera. "Very important point, that. Don't forget." The Cat grabs a bow for each of them, running his hands over his selection to check the weight and flexibility of each.
Cassidy was delighted, truly, to see so many people taking an interest in the bow. The small vixen walks to and fro, watching people, encouraging some, and occasionally offering tips to others if they needed it. Fun indeed. For her, winning was hardly a priority compared to the chance to promote the artform that was archery. Especially with the production of firearms.
Leighton makes her way to the stands, still gawing away at her haul of tooth rotting consumables, though as she spots one of the contestants, Lyas specifically, her smile faulters, and the squirrel tries to hide in the crowd for a moment. While not looking afraid, she does look rather embarrassed. None the less, she follows the crowd to the stands, wriggling her way to the front the best she can.
Terry steps up towards the archery range. The ocelot inspects the bows provided and selects one for himself, preferring one with a weaker draw. He peers around at the other participants, still not recognizing any of the others. He offers a smile on seeing Lyas and Aleera take playful jabs at each other, but returns to the matter at hand by taking a few test shots at the practice targets.
Heading over to one of the longbows, Kris feels along the cord, lightly bowing to feel at the pull. Heading to the alleys for archery practice in the grounds, she pulls up one of the arrows, and, with some reservation, takes a practice shot. When it hits the target, though not a very straight shot from her intended aim, Kris gives a little nod to herself before taking a few more practice shots and familiarizing herself with the feel of the particular bow to get its bearings and leanings.
