[MA] Archery practice (Open)

[Daidoji Hayabe]

*thunk*

An arrow strikes a tree, cracking the bark in a clean line five inches high and to the right of a koku sized mark on the trunk.

*sigh*

"Always high and to the right." He said cursing himself.

Hayabe climbs over the low mound of dirt he was ducked behind and went once again to retrieve his arrow. He had another in his hand already, tucked between his last two fingers he held it like someone ready fire two arrows quickly but he never used it; instead making the thirty foot walk each time.

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

A creepy Scorpion passed by, seeing the Daidoji struggle.

Maybe he should stand closer?

The notch in the tree was rather small.

Hikimasu leaned against a different tree, surveying the area, or maybe he was watching the Crane practice.

[Daidoji Hayabe]

Hayabe reaches the tree and plucks the arrow from it before turning on his heels and studying the way back. His twists and turns his body like an owl, looking at things from many angles before letting out another *sigh* and beginning to walk back to his hole. If he noticed the Scorpion he did not betray it as his focus seemed singular and it's only upon drawing closer that he offers a polite 'good day to you' bow towards the Scorpion as he hops back behind his hide and takes a moment to examine his arrows.

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

Hiiimasu is keen to watch. Curious as to what the issue really is. He takes a moment to study the target at a distance after returning the bow. He doesn't interrupt yet though.

[Daidoji Hayabe]

The Crane crouches down, his back pressed to the earthen mound. Though the mound is small he compacts himself enough to be reasonably hidden, especially if it were night. He takes up his arrows, once again gripping them for a rapid double fire. He nocks the arrow and closes his eyes before taking a deep breath and letting out a steadying breath.

His eyes open and he is up in a blur. Bracing one knee on the mound he lifts himself up and back; ensuring his arrow clears the hill but still giving him some cover. The draw is smooth and the release clean but the combination of his momentum along with him prematurely trying to switch to the next arrow once again pulls the arrow high and to the right.

*siiiiiiiiiiiigh*

He begins to retrieve his arrow once again.

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

Ah. I see.

Hikimasu wasn't particularly skilled with a bow, he would be more hard pressed than this man to make the rapid shots he was plotting out, but he did have a fair bit of knowledge when it came to attacking from concealment. The man seemed too anxious about getting the bow out into firing position quickly.

He just wasn't certain he should advise this other samurai on that.

Yet he could say something else, at least.

"Samurai-san", he called out as Hayabe walked back to his firing nest. He raised his hands as if he were holding a bow, then pressed his arms against himself, leaning back slightly. "Keep the bow closer to your body while you're at rest. When you spring up, your elbows will come naturally into firing position as you keep balance."

[Daidoji Hayabe]

The Crane stopped and considered his words.

"Perhaps Scorpion-sama, and thank you for your input. I may have simply made things to difficult for myself but that is what training is. If you step down here you will the full dilemma."

He gestures for the Scorpion to step down into his hole alongside his quiver and nagamaki. He then turns and with two fingers points at the target. "First shot." His fingers track to another tree, about seven feet to the right and a bit further back; a charcoal circle right about the height of a charging samurai's throat. "Second shot."

He nonchalantly offers up the bow. "I can do it with focus and slower timing but I seek do it with no mind."

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

Hikimasu waved away the bow and crouched at the dug out to get a better look at it. Scratching his chin somewhat he gave a nod and stood up straight.

"Seems to be as I said, in order to leave the mind behind, the body has to know the movements. The matter seems to be your arms tensing to gain balance, you're forcing the bow into position too quickly. While instead your whole body can move as you rise, more like a whip, if you hold your arms close to your body and loosen your shoulders, standing as swiftly, as you do, combined with your grip on the bow, will help create the natural motion of your arms rising to the firing position."

[Daidoji Hayabe]

The Crane nodded along, absorbing the Scorpion's advice an watching his movements carefully. Once the hole was clear again he drops down into position; once again taking a moment to center himself before swiftly rising and taking the shot. He follows the Scorpion's advice to the letter and his movements remain graceful despite the adjustments and this time the wide head of the arrow grazes the charcoal bullseye rather than missing it by inches; though it was still high and too the right. He carries his momentum cleanly to the second target and draws but does not take the shot.

"Well advised Scorpion-sama." He lowers the bow and offers a proper bow. "I am Daidoji Hayabe, assigned to the fifth Kaisha; You have my thanks for this moment of growth."

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

A bow is returned. "Shosuro Hikimasu", the Scorpion introduced himself. "I also find myself assigned to the fifth. And don't worry overmuch, Daidoji-san, the throat is a difficult target at the calmest of times."

[Daidoji Hayabe]

"You have a keen eye, is archery a focus of yours?' He squats down beside his quiver, slotting the arrow in his hand back into place with others while peering up at the Shosuro. "Eyes like those will be useful where we are going."

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

"No, I'm afraid I'm mediocre at best with a bow", the Shosuro replied with a slight chuckle. Something about the laugh is telling of that as a truth, or perhaps he's simply uncomfortable talking about his talents. "Though it's a necessary skill for fighting from a horse."

[Daidoji Hayabe]

"Mm. Horse archery is a complex skill to master, I'm lucky my duties do not ask it of me." He picks up his nagamaki, resting the tsuba on his shoulder and setting the bow down. "This is not the most comfortable of spots but I invite you to sit with me." He scoots to the side, offering the low embankment as a seat.