fandomhigh | Archery 101 [Friday, Second Period]

As usual, Clint was grinning as everyone filed in today. The bows and targets were out again, and now there were a variety of loaded quivers as well.

"All right, so you guys have got your stance down, and I think you're figuring out which kind of bow you each prefer," he said. "Now it's time to strap on some arrows and put everything together. Where you put your quiver is entirely personal preference. Most of the time, you're either going to strap them on your back, or around your waist at your hip. I keep mine on my back, but I also shoot on the move most of the time, so I need to keep everything more secure. You just need to make sure you're comfortable, okay?"

Once everyone had their arrows and bows, Clint waved at them to get lined up in front of the targets and stood back to watch the fun. "From this point on, it's all about getting better at shooting. If you're missing the target, try making sure you hit it. If you hit it all the time, try getting all your arrows clustered in the same space. If you can do that, get that cluster closer to the bullseye. Whatever you think is improvement is up to you."

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"Maybe he's thinking whatever he's doing needs to be done alone. Sometimes, dragging other people in only gets them hurt. But if he's the only one who gets hurt, then you can help afterward."

It was possible Clint understood that mindset.

It was possible Natalie did not. She brushed her hair away from her eyes. "He thinks he's protecting us by leaving," she said, mildly. "From himself."

"Oh," Clint said, thinking about that for a moment and what the right response might be. "Well, is he dangerous?"

Edited 2013-06-01 00:45 (UTC)

"He's having a rough time." That was a diplomatic way of phrasing things. "He lost control of his powers once but I don't consider him dangerous, no."

"Is there a chance he'll lose control again?" Clint asked. Why did it always have to be people with powers who couldn't control themselves?

Natalie shrugged a shoulder. "He seems to think he might. Hence the running away." Goddammit, Sam. "But I know he doesn't want to go evil, so I'm pretty sure there would be better ways to make sure of that than by running."

"I guess having friends around might help with that?" Clint said, sounding mostly certain. "I know my first instinct when there's trouble is to run but... you're probably right that he'd be better off here."

"In Seattle," Natalie corrected, although the point still stood. "He lives in Seattle, now. Of course, here would really be best. But he's got... other powered types at home too. I think he thinks we're more fragile than we are."

"Well, we all make that mistake in the beginning," Clint teased gently. "Maybe you should kick a few people in front of him, then he'd know you can defend yourself. Or defend him, if needed."

Natalie just glanced away to retrieve another arrow from her quiver. "He knows. He just doesn't believe."

"I'm sorry," Clint offered. "I know I should tell you to hunt him down but I have a feeling I know how he feels, and that probably won't help. Is the distraction of shooting helping?"

"A bit." As were other things, not smart though they may have been. "My focus comes and goes."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" His terrible advice probably wasn't doing the trick. "I'm glad you came to class and all, you can skip if things are really crappy."

Archery 101 [Friday, Second Period]

Re: Talk to Natalie

Re: Talk to Natalie - NFB from here please!

Re: Talk to Natalie - NFB from here please!

Re: Talk to Natalie - NFB from here please!

Re: Talk to Natalie - NFB from here please!

Re: Talk to Natalie - NFB from here please!

Re: Talk to Natalie - NFB from here please!

Re: Talk to Natalie - NFB from here please!

Re: Talk to Natalie - NFB from here please!

Re: Talk to Natalie - NFB from here please!

Re: Talk to Natalie - NFB from here please!

Re: Talk to Natalie - NFB from here please!

Re: Talk to Natalie - NFB from here please!