[OPEN]

[noble_son]

Who: Nathaniel & YOU
Where: In the grounds
When: Far too early in the morning (4am - 6am), April 1st
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Nathaniel finds his way outside with a rudimentary archery target and a couple of lanterns. In the dark.

The Story:

He found it chilly when he stepped outdoors, but not enough to make him shiver. The cool air prickled through his clothing and nipped at his fingers for a few minutes before the mild exertion of walking warmed his blood enough to drive it off.

Carrying a large, round archery target under one arm and two lanterns in his hand, he moved far enough from the mansion to not be too much at risk of hitting anyone with a stray arrow (though close enough to be seen should someone peek out of the door or glance through a window) and carefully hung the target on the lowest bough of a tree. Beneath it and slightly behind, he set one lantern, retreating with the other and putting it down by his feet some three hundred yards away from his target.

THUNK

The first arrow hit with a satisfying sound and swung the target back, making the tree branch bob up and down.

He could be found there for the next couple of hours, long after the sky began to turn light and the lanterns became little more than ornaments. He paused briefly to turn them off when they were no longer needed, setting them together not far from where he stood. Almost anyone venturing near would find themselves easily spotted, the bow in his hand lowered and a small nod given to allow them to pass without danger.

[while Nathaniel is not overtly affected by the event in this post, I welcome anyone who is :D]

Comments

[bowsniper]

Sometimes Clint found it difficult to sleep, or to stay asleep. He's spent years working as an undercover spy, an assassin, an Avenger, and that wasn't even taking into account the years prior to that. Sleeplessness was almost like a familiar companion some nights, which is why he was up on the roof just as dawn was breaking looking out over the grounds. It was hard to miss the guy shooting arrows at a target and Clint grinned. It wasn't often he found someone else who knew how to use a bow, most people back home preferred guns...or a shield or a hammer...

He made his way down until he was about a hundred feet behind the guy and he notched an arrow and let it said right passed him easily hitting the bullseye.

When Nathaniel turned around it would see Clint standing there with a cocky little smirk on his face, the ass.

[noble_son]

The smirk may not be so firm on Clint's face when Nathaniel immediately turns on his heel, an arrow nocked and ready to fly directly at his neck. This archer uses no modern bow but a single piece of carved wood, and three hundred yards is a modest distance to expect his arrows to travel.

His eyes narrow briefly, the tip of the arrow lowering only by a fraction.

"You are lucky, ser, that I am well trained in telling friend from foe," he says gruffly, easing the arrow loose in the bow. "That kind of game might have cost you very dearly."

[bowsniper]

Clint's not really bothered by Nathaniel pointing the arrow at him, he's used to people trying to shoot him. It's the bow that draws Clint's attention though, that is archaic, which is awesome. His smirk morphs into a friendly grin and he moves forward.

"Sorry, I don't find other people who appreciate a good bow, couldn't resist." He hooks his bow onto his back as he walks. "You're a good shot." He figured a compliment would help smooth the ice a bit, it's always a good thing to compliment an archer.

[noble_son]

There's a pronounced pause, during which the rogue weighs up the possibility that this man is just trying to get his guard down against the idea that he might be serious, then he lowers the bow entirely and makes a small 'hm' sound in the back of his throat.

"Thank you," he grunts in response, glancing over his shoulder. "So are you."

Compliments never hurt.

"Your bow is.. interesting. I don't believe I've seen its like."

[bowsniper]

Clint grinned and walked forward until he was standing just opposite the other archer. "Yeah, it's....well you've heard some people are from different points in time right, and worlds, this is probably from your future." He's trying to say that tactfully, and not call him old or anything. "You want to try it?" He doesn't let just anyone use his bow, but he figures if this guy tries to steal it he can't get far.

[noble_son]

"Or a different world entirely," Nathaniel muttered, mostly for himself. No offence was taken, though, and his expression instantly cleared at the offer.

"Ah? I'd be honoured."

Of all the technology he had seen in this place, this had to be one that interested him more than most. He couldn't think of any archer from Thedas who wouldn't jump at the chance of trying a bow that looked like that.

Oh god all my terminology is going to be wrong lol.

[bowsniper]

Or that too, which was more likely, but Clint didn't say anything, but stepped closer and offered up his bow. He let Nathaniel take the bow and look it over. "How long have you been shooting?"

That's okay I know nothing about archery :v

[noble_son]

"Since my early twenties."

He takes the bow, weighting it in one hand. It feels.. strange, if he's honest. Nathaniel rubs his thumb along the material, brow furrowing in a faint frown.

"What is this made of?"

/makes things up

[bowsniper]

Clint nods watching as the other archer inspects the bow.

"It's mostly wood and aluminum, which is a type of metal." Its probably a lot lighter than he is used to.

"So, how long have you been here? In this place, not out here shooting."

Yeaaaaaaah \o/

[noble_son]

"Aluminium? I've never heard of such a metal." He says the word with care, like it's foreign, but takes a moment to examine the metal sections of the bow. "It's light. A bow made of metal in Thedas would be impossible to use."

Not to mention impossible to draw. He offers his own bow to Clint.

"This is ancestral heartwood. It belonged to my grandfather."

[bowsniper]

Clint nods. "Its a light metal, use specifically for things like this, or buildings or forms of transportation."

Clint takes the bow when it's handed to him, examining it. "Its a beautiful bow. I have some wooden bows back home too, none look like this though. I don't think we have ancestral heartwood in my world. It's study."

[noble_son]

"It should be. We pass bows down for generations, when they're well made." The thought of turning his back makes his neck itch, but he turns towards the target and draws the string of Clint's bow back without an arrow nocked against it.

It's so easy to draw that he almost drops it.

"By Andraste," he curses quietly, easing the bow slack again. "It feels strange."

[bowsniper]

Clint lets out a quiet laugh as Nathaniel tries the string. He can imagine it's entirely different that using the bow Clint is currently holding. "Can I try this out?" He wouldn't be surprised if he was told no, people can be protective of their weapons, especially one that is passed down from family, but he has to ask because he's itching to notch an arrow in this and try it out. Some people feel out about cars or computers, Clint Barton geeks out about archery and bows.

[noble_son]

It draws so easily compared to his own that he can't quite believe it holds any level of effectiveness at all. He lowers it to examine it again, giving a small double take to the question.

"If you would return the favour," he replies after a moment of thought. He draws an arrow from his own quiver and offers it to the other archer - it hasn't gone unnoticed that their ammunition differs considerably.