Dated: Jan 21th, day-time Lolol, Lilin be awkward? 8D Wrote as if the trading had already happened between Lilin & Ulilohi because it is convenient. To me 8D
How she relished the feel of her bow. It had been stuffed away at the back of the Town Hall, unloved and in the dark. She held it comfortably now, as if no time had passed since she last used it, when in truth it had been many moons. She was a warrior by training, but her tribe was not to have any warriors at present. For this reason, she had not honed her skills, even if she feared they might suffer for it. The muscles in her arms ached now, from not being used. How fulfilling it would feel in the evening, when they ached because she had used them. The flaming red ornamental cloth flew from the bow's top, and she studied its pattern for a moment, thinking she ought to freshen up the colors. Just then, as she gazed at its tip, she spotted in the movement of the market further away two familiar faces.
The brown-coated female put her arrow down gently before moving the bow over to her other hand and walking towards them with the other hand lifted. "Osiyo!" She knew that they were at the festival and had suggested they stop by her tribe's archery practice, and their timing couldn't have been better. There were few participants just then, and plenty of bows available for use. "Come, try the bow with me," she urged, waving one hand as if she coudl somehow physically pull them towards her. What better way to spen a day than to practice the arts she liked with her new-found friends?
gjdskla;fjlaw; Sorry about the wait ;-; PP of Lilin approved XD
A small personal flock of domesticated fowl was one hell of a prospect. Anything that autonomously took pests in and (literally) shat fertiliser out was worth its weight in gold to the gardener. As an added bonus, their feathers could be used in bedding and their eggs could be eaten or sold. He could whip up a chicken coop in no time, too, and the modestly sized structure wouldn't even require a substantial foundation, unlike Jøren's stable. Were it summer, he would've forked over a pretty penny right then and there for the rooster and several hens — but alas, in these cold winter months, most bugs were inactive and underground. With no backup food supply, the birds would perish before the growing season could even begin.
Next year he would be ready. Hilsburn would be getting its most significant upgrade since Anselm expanded Maserati's gardens and erected the first greenhouse: for the first time, crops not intended for direct canine consumption would take root and flourish. The potato and wheat crop for vodka production was only the beginning. Now alfalfa, carrots, and ryegrass would fuel his living engine, Jøren. The Fjord horse had already proven invaluable for gathering supplies — soon he would aid in ploughing, harvesting, and milling. With seeds freshly procured from Sydney, he would grow corn, sunflowers, and other vegetables for the chickens.
It was a grand plan, perhaps, but with all the extra hands available, he couldn't help but look brightly toward the future. He was explaining all of this to Lilin after they rendezvoused outside of the merchant's tent. Although she initially seemed a little perplexed (if amused) by his preoccupation with the chickens and vegetables, she now seemed to better grasp his ultimate vision. It was just as well they discuss business — he still felt a little awkward after their earlier run-in with Ulilohi. Lilin was different than Ariadne; she seemed to take greater moral offence to his promiscuity. Whatever gig he had going with the earth-toned AniWayan, he didn't want it to be over just yet.
Fortunately, as confirmed by her impish grin in response to his incredulous Are you blackmailing me?, his two-toned companion seemed willing to keep her mouth shut — so long as she could keep the beads she'd frittered his nail and screw money away on. ('Nail and screw' seemed to take on a new meaning here.) Looks like you're learning well, he chided, though he quieted as Ulilohi herself called out to them from the AniWayan tent. With a shrug and a casual glance to his blue-eyed companion, he nodded and made his way over. Looks fun, he remarked, selecting one of the bows for examination. Any tricks? he wondered, peering at the chocolate woman with a strange glint in his eye. She was the expert — and in some odd way, that turned him on.
With a considerate amount of provided explanation, Lilin could somewhat grasp the general idea behind adding fowl to the property. It was interesting, how their presence could trigger multiple phenomena and not only benefit Barrett but every resident too, including herself. However young and reckless he was, his in-depth knowledge of certain things was astonishing. Their subject of conversation was not nearly as interesting as his dedication to his future game plan. It was admirable, in a way. Lilin had never really undertaken such a colossal task of her own and she doubted she ever would, considering the fact that her knowledge revolved mainly around religious hearsay and a long-dead cult.
She now understood the importance of obtaining construction material and not ornaments. It was insignificant now though, seeing as they'd covered that with their little agreement. She had her own morals and although she didn't necessarily agree with Barrett's customs, the last-born Soulstorm wasn't hypocritical enough to dictate his life's path. If she could keep her beads, he could have however many women he wanted without her interfering- as long as his nocturnal adventures were kept behind closed doors. Her mischievous smirk morphed into one of pride when her landlord's praise rang clear. The moment was however short-lived when a familiar voice and foreign tongue announced Ulilohi's presence.
Lilin hadn't been sure if the invitation had been directed to Barrett specifically at first. It was only when she met her comrade's gaze that she too, moved ahead and seized a bow. She wasn't quite sure how this would pan out. If things got weird and a little too flirty for comfort, she would likely take her leave. But as things stood, she liked the Aniwayan and archery seemed like an interesting activity to try. Perhaps she'd even get to beat Barrett in the end. "I'm in!"
The councilwoman was pleased to see that they both agreed to join her by her target practice lane. They both picked a bow each, and Barrett threw her a saucy look and line, and she smiled at him and winked. "Oh, nothing you can't handle." She said it to the both of them, but they all knew it was meant differently. As a warrior, the female was used to instructing through demonstration rather than words. The elders had always asked that she speak with them about the art of war, about her thoughts and what it meant to their tribe. Reflect on these things, they had bid her. She never had seen the use of this. Why should she reflect on everything, when the elders and the council and the chief could do so? She listened to her body, did things instead of spoke of doing things. Now she was a councilwoman herself, and the time when she had to begin thinking of things had come, but in this situation she could relish simply demonstrating, using her body and feelings its responses. This was a communication with greater value to her. Bodily communication.
She held the bow correctly to show them, back straight and arms outstretched, holding the bow firmly in one hand, and the other hand holding a not yet notched arrow. "Hold it like so," she said, positioning herself semi-sideways in relation to her target, a wooden plate with markings and zones ahead. The field held many of them, and the two target spots to each side of the brown-pelted woman were available. A wooden bucket held arrows between each spot. She motioned towards her standing position and waited for them to copy it, smiling. The longbow was heavy, but it felt good in her hand.
