#disclaimer he just gets the one shot though; provided they do continue w this unspoken lil practice bout he will doubtlessly lose it | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

ulircursed · 2 years

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Brigid wants to say coming across him at the training grounds is a surprise, especially considering the last time they both found themselves here. But on some level, she expected it. Expected to see his face at some point. Ever since she woke up, knowledge of the day tugged and nagged at her mind.

Andrei's birthday.

Edain had mentioned it, though Brigid had never truly forgotten it. The protectiveness she once felt over her crybaby brother, the small cries of 'Lady Sishter' as he followed behind Brigid and Edain in the grand halls of Yngvi's manor―though faint, memories of that distant childhood were more prevalent today than any other.

...What a bother.

The thunk of an arrow striking a target echoes in the distance, and she lingers near the training hall's entrance, a hand running through her hair.

The last time she attempted civility, the man damn near tripped over his own feet to run away from her. And it wasn't as if she was willing to simply forget everything that transpired between them, to swallow it all and smile as if they were the family they had been all those years ago.

But she had come to train, and she wouldn't waste her time running or hiding from him―no matter how awkward the ordeal, Brigid would face it with her head held high. She had nothing to be ashamed of.

(Pirates. So many lost years. A stain upon family, upon Ullr's honor―)

Nothing.

She pulls out her bow (not Yewfelle, she wouldn't debase such a holy weapon on simple training drills), and nocks an arrow where she stands, aiming it at the target positioned next to his. With a whir and a satisfying thunk, she strikes the bullseye, announcing her presence in a way only a Yngvi can.

"Don't mind me." Brigid says as she steps deeper into the training hall, prepping her gear for a few more practice shots. "Keep going. I'm just here to train, like anyone else. Not trying to run you off, not here for a fight... not today." She draws an arrow, mumbling. "Even I'm not that cruel."

Several rounds in, his arm has yet to show signs of pain. The tautness of the new bowstring begins to feel natural after dozens and dozens of shots, and standing in the now torchlit grounds, Andrei allows himself a brief moment of respite.

Edain’s bow is as well made as it had seemed at a glance, with a steady draw that allows for the arrow’s smooth trajectory. While it is hardly the most powerful bow, there is something almost comfortable, in making use of it. Perhaps it is the natural inclination of a healer’s hands, or perhaps... because it is for him. Andrei doesn’t attempt to make his guesses.

One more round, he decides, before fingers pause on the bowstring at the sound of footfalls behind him. Today’s impromptu training session is later than his usual plans, and it’s entirely possible those at the monastery who had finished an early dinner might be headed out to make use of the grounds. The internal debate of whether it would be more prudent to depart from the training grounds had barely begun formulating in his mind when an arrow flies past, and his head whirls around at the sudden movement.

Ah.

If he already hadn’t expected anything of Edain, it would be an even greater shock if Brigid, of all people, takes note of the date. He moves to gather his things ― surely she would object to his presence ― when her words stop him in his tracks.

Not today. Did she mean...?

No, it couldn’t be. Why would she know, or care? The memory of their previous meeting is enough to tempt him to leave anyway. Not that she had followed to see him at his lowest, but the mere act of fleeing the scene like a coward is shaming enough. How much lower can he wear her opinion of him down, before she decides he is better off dead, once more, by her hand?

(Is that not what you’ve wanted? No, no―)

‘What I’ve always wanted...’

She had told him to keep going. Willing his fingers to stop shaking, Andrei plants his feet back into position, nocking the next arrow onto the bow and drawing back with an eye aimed on the target.

(A pair of hands guide his smaller ones, correcting his stance as he draws back the toy bow with characteristic solemnity. The guiding hands fall away, and he aims, all by himself, under her watchful gaze. He can’t mess this up, not for his Lady Sister!)

Some part of that sentiment, it seems, has never changed, even with the passing of years and the differing paths that they had taken. Andrei releases his arrow.

Thunk.

He lets out the breath he had been holding, lowering the bow as his gaze lingers on the arrow that had flown neatly into the center of the target. Despite himself, he finds himself sneaking a glance in Brigid’s direction.

‘I’ve gotten better at the bow again, Lady Sister.’

However uncertainly, however much he’s aware he no longer deserves it... he still holds onto that impossible wish. Perhaps, on this day of all days, the fates would allow him to take a small step closer to it.

#ulirblessed #thank you sadlkfjasdklf #if dm had told me to be cruel i'd have made him roll a d20 to see what he hits but dm was kind today :relieved:#disclaimer he just gets the one shot though; provided they do continue w this unspoken lil practice bout he will doubtlessly lose it #but getting one bullseye in front of brigid is a present enough for him... :')#also things i looked up for this reply: how many arrows shot per average training session; do new bows need a break-in period and how much #my answers (for him) are: 1) 120-150 or so; 2) yes and it takes about 100-200 arrows shot #so here he is boldly challenging his sister with a bow that's not even done being broken in yet ahaha

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