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shieldacademyauWho: Gale, OTA
Where: Sports field/archery range
When: October 18
Rating: G
Summary: It's not really socializing, but, hey, she isn't hiding today.
Archery was an important part of Gale's life. Since he'd been a child, his father had taught him, showing him everything from which is the best wood to carve a bow from, how to string it, how to take aim and hit a target, and even how to make and fletch his own arrows so they wouldn't have to buy them. It's cheaper that way, and the Hawthornes never did have the money to spare.
After his father died, Gale had to take on the responsibility of keeping them all alive and fed and under a roof. It was difficult, but with his mother's help, they kept the kids going strong. Vick hardly knew what they'd lost. Posy didn't know their dad at all. The only thing they had left of him besides the honorary - useless - medal was the bow and arrows he and Gale had made together, so of course that was the crutch he leaned on when he needed to relax.
Things at school, even this one, are much calmer and far less stressful than they were at home, but it never occurred to him to stop shooting. That's what the archery club was for. Archery was one of the few things that could help him feel normal, so he was out again at the range, gauging just how far he can shoot accurately. Gale may not have been the best shot ever, but he had the strength for distance, and it showed. Some arrows hit the bullseye; others circled around it in a tight enough circle that he didn't bother trying to correct his aim that much. The further out he shot, however, the looser it got, and that was his focus for today.
If anyone asked how long he'd been out here, Gale would not be able to answer. It was too easy to lose track of time when he's going back and forth from targets to shooting position, or reaching for another arrow. It's a pattern, slow and methodical, easy to sink into and forget the rest of the world.
Where: Sports field/archery range
When: October 18
Rating: G
Summary: It's not really socializing, but, hey, she isn't hiding today.
Archery was an important part of Gale's life. Since he'd been a child, his father had taught him, showing him everything from which is the best wood to carve a bow from, how to string it, how to take aim and hit a target, and even how to make and fletch his own arrows so they wouldn't have to buy them. It's cheaper that way, and the Hawthornes never did have the money to spare.
After his father died, Gale had to take on the responsibility of keeping them all alive and fed and under a roof. It was difficult, but with his mother's help, they kept the kids going strong. Vick hardly knew what they'd lost. Posy didn't know their dad at all. The only thing they had left of him besides the honorary - useless - medal was the bow and arrows he and Gale had made together, so of course that was the crutch he leaned on when he needed to relax.
Things at school, even this one, are much calmer and far less stressful than they were at home, but it never occurred to him to stop shooting. That's what the archery club was for. Archery was one of the few things that could help him feel normal, so he was out again at the range, gauging just how far he can shoot accurately. Gale may not have been the best shot ever, but he had the strength for distance, and it showed. Some arrows hit the bullseye; others circled around it in a tight enough circle that he didn't bother trying to correct his aim that much. The further out he shot, however, the looser it got, and that was his focus for today.
If anyone asked how long he'd been out here, Gale would not be able to answer. It was too easy to lose track of time when he's going back and forth from targets to shooting position, or reaching for another arrow. It's a pattern, slow and methodical, easy to sink into and forget the rest of the world.
no subject
Date: 2014-11-13 02:23 am (UTC)“Okay, first of all,” he begins, giving her a flat look, “don’t squint when you aim, and keep both eyes open. You’ve got two; it won’t hurt to use them. Second of all…” Gale looks at Elizabeth critically, eyeing her stance, body structure, and the bow in her hands. “My bow might be too much for you. You should start smaller.” The corner of his mouth quirks up. “And maybe a little closer to the target.”
no subject
Date: 2014-11-13 03:31 am (UTC)"You're much larger than me," she confessed. It was, after all, a very glaring fact. "And- hey!" She wrinkles her nose at him, pretending to look aghast. But he was right.
no subject
Date: 2014-11-14 12:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-11-14 04:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-11-17 11:33 pm (UTC)“Okay,” he said, setting the new quiver down next to his own. “Compound or recurve? The compound has a heavier pull, but it’s easier to hold once you get it back and nock the arrow. The recurve is lighter, but you won’t have that help. Your choice.”