[Crimson Tiger Compound] On Shooting Straight (Basic Crossbow, AGM Lostwalker)

[Janis Windrough]

The second cycle of Cryxatum, in the Season of Summer, Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum, the Second Era of the Regency of Milo L'Evienne.

Dorah had told Janis that should he want any training he needn't hesitate to ask and find it. Well for some eras now Janis had been hauling his light crossbow around with him with no real training in how to use it. Indeed this weapon could be an effective tool if he learned how to wield it correctly. The ability to strike undetected from a distance was a good tool to have in anyone's arsenal. Knowledge of the crossbow would aid him in doing such. He would indeed take advantage of joining a military style organization and better himself with his weapons. Soon enough he could take his dagger training to the next level as well, perhaps even learn a bit of Zinn'ka

But that was all in the future. At this very moment, Janis found himself in the range of the Tigers compound. He had his light crossbow in hand and was dressed in his red Tigers undershirt and a pair of brown pants. No need for full armor when one was just walking around the compound.

Janis looked for whoever it was that was working the range that day and presented himself. "New Recruit Windrough. Sergeant Dorah told me I could fine someone to teach me how to use this thing," he said holding up his crossbow in his right hand.

[LostWalker]

Sergeant Sona Stillwater turned and looked the new recruit over and the crossbow which was outstretched in his hand.

Sergeant Sona Stillwater looked like a kind-hearted female at first sight and depending on the type of setting she was in she was. But, when it came to military affairs a different side to her emerges. Sergant Stillwater stood about 5'5 and had shoulder length hair which was dark brown in color. She was slim but her arms and legs showed greater muscle than most normal females walking around. Her skin was tanned from all the affairs she carried on outdoors and on her left arm just below the sleeve the tail end of a scar could be seen.

Without a word to the new recruit Stillwater took the crossbow from him and harnessed it to her back. She turned away from him and started to walk away. Taking notice that he was to dumbfounded to follow she called to him and told him to get his lazy hindquarters moving. Then she smiled and took off running at top seed toward the barracks which were at least 2 miles from where they first stood. "Keep up recruit! If you make it withing 45 seconds of me then we will being your lesson in this here crossbow! " Were the last words he heard before being left behind.

[Janis Windrough]

Well, it seemed women were just plentiful here in Nexus. Rather par for the course that his crossbow instructor would be a woman as well. Janis wasn't his usual self in the suns, however. This would be a test, as the sergeant wasn't half bad looking but he had to be a professional in the Tigers. This was to be...professional. He offered no resistance when his she reached for his weapon. It seemed rather ordinary that the teacher would want to inspect the equipment of the student, make sure it was proper and sturdy, however what Janis didn't expect was her to take off.

In a rather sly move, she had quickly put the light crossbow unto her back and then taken off, shouting after Janis his directions. Indeed, she had caught him on his toes. He was not expecting this at all. Rather he thought this would be a rather mundane fire, reload, re-aim, fire session. But it seemed like things were going to be a bit more interesting then that. He hesitated into a bounce for a slight second once he was fully aware of what he had to do and then took off after her. A quick groan was replaced by a slight grin on his face and with his arms swinging he did his best to trail the woman. It looked like he would be going for an unexpected tour of the compound that day. No doubt he would be a sweaty mess by the time this was all over but he figured he could make it within 45 seconds. Janis did his best to keep himself fit and it seemed the good Sergeant did so as well.

He would be a liar if he said he didn't think about what exactly would happen if he didn't make it within 45 seconds.

[LostWalker]

Sergeant Stillwater took long strides the whole way. She even mocked the recruit by slowing down and allowing him to close up some of the distance then speeding up once more just to leave him far behind. "Come on recruit, Breath deep recruit!" She called to him as she ran backwards. She even had the nerve to take the crossbow off her back and wave it around in the air for all to see.

Finally Stillwater was getting closer to the barracks. She smiled big and sprinted the last half a mile. She stopped at the stairs of one of the barracks, took a deep breath, and then breathed normally. Stillwater was not out of breath at all and then she turned and called "45...44...43...42...Come on recruit, can you not run faster than that? 38...37...36...35...If you keep running that slow you will never get your bow back. 23...22...21...20...19...18...It is getting awfully close recruit. 10...9...8..."

[Janis Windrough]

Janis kept on going, when things got closer to the end he pushed it as hard as he could, trying his best to take up a sprint when the woman did so as well. She was faster then him, there was no question in that. Probably in a bit better shape then him as well. Jansi was no slouch though. He always tried to keep himself active and was by no means out of shape. He was not, however, the toned and in shape woman was indeed faster and making it known as she would slow down then speed up.

So when she stopped, Janis knew he had 45 seconds. He was happy he wasn't wearing a bunch of things that would hinder his progress. Taking up a sprint to the end, Janis heard the woman counting down. He pressed ahead, his legs starting to burn just a little bit. As the numbers got lower, Janis tried to give it his all, go forward with more of his might. Feed off of any adrenaline that might be pulsating through his veins.

Soon the numbers were lost, Janis was in a sprint. He wasn't really sure what the whole point of this was but he wasn't about to be in want of finding out what happened if he didn't make it. As he rolled up next to the woman, breathing a bit harder, he bend over for a second to collect his breath then stood upright with his hands on his head. He looked the woman in the eye awaiting the verdict. Did he make it before 1? She was the judge. He waited rather then say anything himself...eager to know the outcome of the challenge.

[LostWalker]

"Well well, what do we have here? Are you a bit tired? You should learn to breath better or you will never be able to shot straight with this crossbow." Sergeant Stillwater said as she handed the crossbow to the recruit.

"I am Sergeant Sona Stillwater, you will address me as Sergeant Stillwater each time you speak to me or you will do extra work. You are recruit and you will be recruit until you can shot properly with that crossbow. Understood?" Not really waiting for an answer she continued on.

"Your first lesson will be in breathing. As I said before if you can not control your breathing ever time you shot that crossbow then you will never be able to master it. Now go get yourself into some proper training clothes and meet me right back here in exactly one candlemark. I wouldn't be late if I were you. Oh and wherever you go that crossbow goes, I don't want to catch you without it." She finished giving her instructions and left without another word.

[Janis Windrough]

OOC: Just for reference, this is how i picture Janis's crossbow as far as size and mechanisms go, obviously not as modern looking though. Technically its "light" but a more fitting word might be "hand"

IC:
"Yes Sergeant Stillwater!" was of course the instinctual response Janis produced based in this woman's repetition of her name and her to-the-point delivery of her orders. She was already turned away and walking by the time Janis had digested it all.

Apparently he had made it in time, as she agreed to train him. That was good. Apparently his breathing wasn't up to par however and that must be bad. Her last order confused him the most. He figured he's go change into most of his uniform...minus some of the excess armor. That seemed reasonable enough. Proper to train a weapon in one's official attire he would be wearing in combat.

So by the time Janis had gotten back to the barracks, changed a bit and returned to the spot by the barracks, about a candlemark had passed. Janis made sure he was on time, even early if possible. He awaited Sergeant Stillwater and would immediatly greet her with a "Hello Sergeant Stillwater" the moment he saw her along with his attempt at some sort of a salute. Silly, but the way he had seen her before, it seemed necissary.

[LostWalker]

Sergeant Stillwater only looked at the recruit when he spoke to her. She was only halfway pleased that he was early. She was hoping to have a little more fun then she had planned but her word was her word so nothing major was to happen to the recruit.

"Everything you do with a crossbow starts with your breathing. So what we are going to do is make sure you can control your breathing in stressful and peaceful situation. And since you are a recruit in the military you will also be gaining some physical exercise as well. A simple work out, let's see if you can keep your breathing controlled with exercise." The Sergeant gave a smirk before running in place for moment, switching to do 30 push-up, then standing once again to run in place. "This is the drill, the running is for breathing control and the push-up for you arms. Breath in through your nose and out the through your mouth and you will find it fairly easy. Do twenty of these." With that Sergeant Stillwater proceeded to do the same drill. She never gave a drill that she herself could not do along with the recruit. Plus she had not done her daily training for the day so 600 push-up would do her some good. "Keep up the best you can recruit, and if you have a question don't be afraid to ask." She said with a chuckle.

[Janis Windrough]

Ask a Question...she says Janis could barely talk. His cocked his head a little to the side and scratched the back of his head in part amazement and part fear of the pain he was about to be in. Some quick math showed that indeed this was going to be 600 pushups and what more 20 movements from laying down to standing upward...never stopping, always moving. Who knows what the heck he would have done had he been late. Good heavens that was a bridge he didn't want to cross. It didn't take Janis long to take the hint that he should start and after a less than exuberant "Yes Sergeant Stillwater" he hit the deck.

He counted a set of 20 push ups which was easy enough, but tainted by the mental counter that told him he had another 280 left. Ugh. He was up on his feet running in place and trying to match the pace (the best he could) and the timing of his superior officer. It's a shame he had met her in this setting. In a different time and place meeting a fit and dominating lady might have been right up Janis's alley as far as recreation for that night was concerned. However the time for such thoughts was certainly not now and before he knew it Janis was pushing out the next 20 reps.

Janis realized quickly to what end this was all for. This woman was focusing on breathing. That is what he was supposed to take away from the gruesome task. His breathing was wrong during his run yesterday and it needed to be corrected. He tried his best to be conscience of his breathing and put it in like with the woman's as he figured she was breathing correctly and therefore worthy of emulation.

And he was up on his feet running in place again...only another 240 to go....Ugh!

[Crimson]

 

Peer Moderation. This Thread has been approved for Peer Moderation, assigned to Peermod Godah under the authority of Game Master Crimson, as per the accepted Modplan. Participants are advised that conditions and circumstances may be adjusted to ensure fairness and balance.

[Godah]

Sergeant Stilwater watched her newest recruit burn whatever energy ever was left in his already strained body; it had always been her secret pleasure to test her domination on new recruits and see where the frame of a soldier stood in the society ladder. When Janis could not remember the ordinal he reached, sweating like whale thrown on a desert rock, she clapped with her hands.

"That's good, recruit. You are willing to give the needed effort, but it is not this brightening that you will do six hundred push-ups. But remember: if you want to become master of your weapon, you will need to make those push-ups and even more"

She was smiling, without being sarcastic and without the intention of hurting; her smile radiated the inner strong soul she had. She stood straight, cleaned a bit her garb and made a sign to Janis to do as well. She wouldn't be too happy with a dusted dirty recruit after all.

"Now, that you're warmed, we'll start our first lesson. Your formation will be an alternation of principles that will help understand how to perfect your skill and practice sessions on your weapon. Understood?"

Barely leaving the man answer her question he moved toward a bag that was put against a wall. She put her hand in and took three small rocks. She turned to face Janis, who's hair have decided to give him a "Why did I come here?" look.

"The main task of a crossbow is to hit. The primary goal is to target and shoot. Now you will first learn the basics of targeting. Take one of these and hit with it that column"

She handed himtwo rocks, keeping one for herself, and showed him a wooden pillar planted along with three similar ones at the limit of the yard where the two stood. To show the example, she took the stone in one hand, placed it to her shoulder height and with a slight inflexion of her knees, she threw the stone in a direct path that met the wooden target in a noisy impact. Sona then turned to Janis to see him at work. A malicious smile was hiden behind her serious mask.

[Janis Windrough]

Somewhere in the midst of that whole horrendous routine Janis was called to a halt by the Sona. Thank heavens. He breathed deeply and at a quickened pace trying to refill his lungs and calm his pounding heart down a bit. His extremities were quite numb. He heard her say something about having to do that whole thing if he was to master his weapon...but even if that was Janis's goal, it would be a long way off.

He was just starting to recover when Sona moved on to the lesson after the "warm up." Indeed he barely squeaked out an audible "Yes Sergeant" before she began explaining the situation. He listened and watched as Sona explained what he would be learning and hoe he was to start with aiming. To Janis, this seemed a lot more simpler and tangable then "breathing" which was definitely good. After the loud thud of the rock thrown by the Sergeant radiated through the yard Janis prepared for his own attempt.

His arms were still a little strained. This would honestly probably not be Janis's best throw however he was gunna try his best. Lifting up the rock and taking a look at the post Janis tried his best to size up in his mind just how far away the post was. With a good fix on the post and a look around for any unfortunate passer by who might get in the way of the rock Janis let it rip. He kept is eye on the post as he brought his arm back and fired it in an overhanded throw doing his best to follow through with it but truly not having high hopes in the success of this attempt.

[Godah]

As the new recruit released the tension built in his arm and catapulted the rock toward its final destination, a smile curled on the sergeant's face. To tell the truth, she didn't expect him to succeed and it would have been a miracle for Janis to actually hi the goal. One reason to that was his lack of training, dexterity being a basic prerequisite to any martial art. Stilwater released her crossed arms and approached her recruit.

"You see now the danger of tire on your efficiency. Remember: if you want to be accurate, you need to take care to keep your arms in good shape. You must know your limits and only engage in battle when you have chances of actually reaching your target"

The woman was in fact basing her training courses more on the understanding of a weapon's use, advantages and weaknesses. She knew well that physical practice was a key point on the road of mastery but a logical understanding was too a primordial trait.

"Now to let your arms have some rest, I want you to describe me your weapon. Tell me what are its parts and what do you think their use is"

It was time for some theory. Janis, who was close to his instructor could see that she was very athletic and quite 'proportionate'.

[Janis Windrough]

Janis wasn't surprised at all when his stone failed to hit it's mark. He was expecting it in fact. If it had happened to hit the stake he was sure it was by no talent of his own. No that would have been freakish luck. But he was not lucky today and the stone meandered off elsewhere in the yard. Janis shrugged it off and looked over to his teacher to see where they would be going next.

So after a little lecture about how much staying in shape was...really driving that point home this one was, Janis heard words that were music to his ears. let you arms have some rest Thank heavens. It was a welcome relief to work out his mind instead of his arms.

Janis removed his hand crossbow from it's holster on his belt. The device would of course not do very well in a large battle or war, but for precision at close ranges the device could do exactly what Janis needed it to. He would gladly give up range for mobility and transportability and that is what he did.

He grasped the crossbow and secured his right hand around the grips. He began to talk his way through what he knew of the crossbow as best he could pointing and referencing various parts and his understanding of them. "Well, the strings are taught for tension i believe...thats whats givin' me my power...then we got the loadin' mechanism and the trigger for firin'...and well...I guess that'd be all." Said Janis. He felt he was probably woefully ignorant as to the finer intricacies of his instrument and was about to be informed of such by his very athletic and very good looking instructor. It's not like Janis didn't know what it was to have a very sexy weapons instructor...or boss...or... well maybe it was best to say that Janis's charm and good looks often got him into great (or awkward...or bad) situations. But right now Janis was focused on the crossbow and what his sergeant had to teach...and maybe only slightly on her very nice figure.

[Godah]

OOCI'm always on this, just a bit delayed :p

Stilwater nodded to her student's explanation, thinking that he at least had good observation abilities. Many of those who went after mastery of weapon unfortunately forgot to use their most powerful arm. The instructor's eyes dragged on Janis' legs and following his body frame, pausing a moment, then reaching his chest and fixing his face. Their mind of course, the most powerful weapon was their mind.

"You have a good guess there. The crossbow has three important parts."

She took the weapon and put her finger along the part that extended to form the main body of the crossbow

"This is the stock, upon which you will put the bolt. This is the part that, if broken, would force you to buy a new crossbow"

She then showed Janis a small cylinder at the rear of the weapon.

"This is the nut. It has a slot to receive the bolt, another to retain the cocked string and a last one on which the tickler, a trigger you called it, rests"

She showed her trainee the trigger and how it actioned the mechanism to release the string.

"You must know how your weapon functions if you want to repair it in the heat of a battle. There is also an important point"

With that she handed him again the crossbow and with a grin on her face she said.

"Try to draw the string"

Stilwater knew well that most average crossbows required a draw weight of 300 lbs.