weaponry [thad/bubby]

kap
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weaponry [thad/bubby] Jun 8, 2021 20:25:04 GMT -5

Post by kap on Jun 8, 2021 20:25:04 GMT -5

"Stand up
or die on your knees."
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District Four. That's where this kid was from. I could make some assumptions just based on that, but who knew if I'd even be right? Typically, the guys from four were careers. They were also usually strong swimmers. I took some mental notes on what this guy could be, and then decided that perhaps I should learn some more. Learning who he actually was as a potential future opponent was probably important to do.

"Hey," I said to him as I approached. "Wanna practice with some weapons? See who's better?" I asked.

Obviously, if this guy was a career tribute, he'd be better at the weapons than I was, but I figured I'd still try to find out how good he was, exactly.

"We could do some throwing knives, or javelins, or bows... or if you'd rather do some close-up stuff, maybe a sword or an axe or something..."

I realized I was rambling again.

"Anyway, I'm Thad. What do you say?"

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lyrics: "One of Us" by Fever 333

d4 Panda Scope [Gayton]
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weaponry [thad/bubby] Jun 8, 2021 20:40:37 GMT -5

Post by d4 Panda Scope [Gayton] on Jun 8, 2021 20:40:37 GMT -5

Bubby Caro

My, my love had been frozen
Deep blue, but you painted me golden

I guess I should have been grateful? At least the Capitol gave us some time to train before the games. They could’ve just thrown us all in the minute we were reaped and watched us struggle. I’ve begun to wonder if they only let us train to keep us occupied in between their outlandish pr events.

But I hadn’t felt like I’d learned much of anything. Mostly I was just trying to look busy for the peacekeepers, but imperceivable to the other tributes.

Add that to the list of my failures.

The boy from nine—no, ten. Either way, he approaches me, cockily. Asking to spar, I assumed he saw me struggling and figured he could make himself look great by humiliating me.

“I uh.. um..”

Before I can respond in full he started offering activities before eventually introducing himself. Thad. How the heck could I get out of this one?

“I’m Bubby,” I awkwardly giggled out. I didn’t know why I giggled, nothing was funny. “That’s not a silly nick name or anything. My mom thought it was cute and my dad didn’t mind. They didn’t know it’d be embarrassing to introduce myself.”

Shut up, Bub.

“Um, uh, yeah I guess. How about bows?” I’d never shot a bow before. But I’d been swinging swords for hours and I know I’m worthless with those. Who knows? Maybe I’m a natural with a bow.

You said there was nothing in the world that could stop it
I had a bad feeling

"I've been the archer, I've been the prey" -Taylor Swift, The Archer

kap
Retired Staff

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last seen Jul 4, 2024 19:59:43 GMT -5

trans rights are human rights <3

weaponry [thad/bubby] Jun 10, 2021 8:29:29 GMT -5

Post by kap on Jun 10, 2021 8:29:29 GMT -5

"Stand up
or die on your knees."
-----
The guy tells me his name is Bubby, but he seems exceptionally nervous when he does. It's like he's struggling to get his words out, at least at first. He introduced himself as Bubby, and explained where his name came from with a slight laugh. I gave him a small smile in response. He seemed friendly enough. Hopefully I wouldn't have any problems with this guy later on, as I didn't exactly want to kill someone who'd been nothing but nice to me.

I'd do what I had to, though, in the end.

He suggested bows at an option for us to practice with. Or, as I suppose would be more correct to say, compete with. I had suggested seeing who was better at it, after all. I expected it would be him, as I'd never shot a bow before.

"Alright, sounds good." I said to him. "Let's get started."

I headed over to the bows, assuming Bubby would follow me, and picked one up. I faced the target, and nocked an arrow on the bow. I had no idea how to really shoot this thing, but I'd try my best. I'd seen others do it, so I just had to model it after them, right?

I aimed at the target, drew the bow back, and fired.

I missed completely. That was just pathetic. My face turns bright red with embarrassment.

"Heh, well, I guess that didn't go too well," I say, lowering the bow down and turning to Bubby. "Your turn, then?"

-----

lyrics: "One of Us" by Fever 333

d4 Panda Scope [Gayton]
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weaponry [thad/bubby] Jun 11, 2021 0:24:22 GMT -5

Post by d4 Panda Scope [Gayton] on Jun 11, 2021 0:24:22 GMT -5

Bubby Caro

My, my love had been frozen
Deep blue, but you painted me golden

It should have excited me. Firstly, Thad went first, meaning I got to observe before I had to figure out how to work a bow. Next, he missed. Meaning I’d either match him or do better. There was no possible way I could do worse than that, right?

Wrong.

I picked a bow, a long sleek looking metallic arc that I think I’d seen some cool action with in games prior. I picked an arrow and I latched the groove onto the string and then I pulled.

Nothing happened. I pulled again, harder, and the string wouldn’t budge.

“I think there’s something wrong with this one.” I chuckled off, awkwardly. I selected another one. It looked similar, but black instead of silver.

I firmed my stance, and pull back hard, determined not to fool myself again. It was at this moment I learned bows could be weighted to fit the strengths of different users as this time when I pulled, the string launched back and the arrow fell from my grasp and onto the floor. My force wasn’t met with any resistance so I lost my balance and stumbled face first onto the ground, losing grip on the bow in the process.

“I, uh,” I stuttered as I scampered to my feet, “Um, I uh. Well. I think, I should uh. You should go again. I’ll watch for a second. And uh, please don’t, you know. Talk about that. Please”

You said there was nothing in the world that could stop it
I had a bad feeling

"I've been the archer, I've been the prey" -Taylor Swift, The Archer

kap
Retired Staff

6,037 POSTS
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last seen Jul 4, 2024 19:59:43 GMT -5

trans rights are human rights <3

weaponry [thad/bubby] Jun 12, 2021 8:06:56 GMT -5

Post by kap on Jun 12, 2021 8:06:56 GMT -5

"Stand up
or die on your knees."
-----
When Bubby said that he thought there was something wrong with the bow he'd picked up, I genuinely thought he was joking. Then I realized, as his muscles strained to draw it back, he was struggling. It was too heavy for him, like a two-year-old trying to move their big box of toys. He couldn't quite do it.

He ended up switching to a different bow, but didn't do much better with this one. He'd managed to draw it back, but this one was a lot lighter, so his arrow fell to the ground, as did he, dropping the bow when he'd pulled it too hard. The first bow was too hard, the second too soft. What was this, Goldilocks and the Three Bears? I guess he'd have to find the one that was just right, if that was the case.

He suggested I go again, and asked me not to talk about what had just happened. I wasn't a total asshole, so I nodded in agreement.

"Of course," I told him. "Just try not to mention that I can't really shoot either, yeah?" I let out a chuckle as I spoke.

I readied the bow I had again. Maybe I was just lucky to find the one that was the right weight for me immediately. I had just guessed, after all. I just wasn't a good shot.

I aimed at the target, and tried my best to guide the arrow in the right direction this time. Maybe I could actually hit the target.

Firing the arrow, I watched it fly. It grazed the top of the target, and stuck into the wall behind it.

"Well, that wasn't great either," I laughed. I looked back to Bubby.

"Your go," I told him.

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