Way of the Bow (Late Afternoon-Embassy-Openish)

[Ikoma Hikaru]

Hikaru pulls them out with care but still manages to break a few of them with a frown. He takes them all back to Kachiro and says

"Well obviously these two wont fly strait."

[Rixy]

The older man chuckled, "That's very true, though you can salvage the head to use again when it's not notched. Here, now."
Lifting one out of the quiver, the picked out three arrows, their fletching looking a bit worse for wear. "These here are still usable, if you're a good enough shot, but they won't fly as straight. Give them a go to see how different it is."

[Ikoma Hikaru]

Hikaru lets the arrows fly and frowns as the first two are steps back in his progress. However the last one hits closer to center. He nods.

"They are much harder to control. There flight threw the air is not strait and it is difficult to see how they will react because they are all damaged differently."

[Rixy]

"Exactly so. Now, if it was use them or die, you could make do. Experience lets you read the tears in the fletching but as a novice, you're better off just getting new arrows. Now, fire one more round of those and then I'll let you have a go with the Armor Piercers."

[Ikoma Hikaru]

Hikaru continues to fire the arrows untill the quiver is dry. WIth each arrow his aim seems to improve a little bit.

[Rixy]

"Good." The Tsuruchi smiled. "Now, here. These will feel a little point heavy, don't get discouraged.

He handed over five oddly shaped arrows, long and narrower than the willow leafs.

[Ikoma Hikaru]

As Hikaru shoots these ones, they aim is more centered, however they seem to dip lower perhaps due to the heavier tip. Looking at the target a little trail of arrows marches up from the bottom edge to the middle where the last couple arrows hit.

"I can see why these are called armor piercers. They seem to pack quite a punch. That being said I would think the narrow point would cause less damage to the target verse the flatter, wider willow leaf's."

[Rixy]

"Yes, but you'd be glad of them if you were facing off against, say, a regiment of fully armored Hida." The Tsuruchi pulled five more arrows out of the quiver. "Here, now, these are flesh cutters. They're quite the opposite. They catch the wind due to the broader head and you have to account for that when you shoot them. Still, there's nothing better when it comes to matters of unarmored foes."

[Ikoma Hikaru]

These ones Hikaru seems to have better luck with. Only after 2 arrows he is sticking them in the center of the target like a champ.

"Hai, I can see why. It seems like they would tear flesh upon entering and even more so if pulled out."

[Rixy]

Indeed. Here." Yet another set of five was passed over, these a peculiar pronged shape. "These are for snapping ropes, which is very useful in naval battle."

[Ikoma Hikaru]

Hikaru takes his shots with those, his aim while not that of a master bowmen, has already improved since they started. Most of them hit the towards the center of the target.

[Rixy]

Taking all the peculiar arrows back and tucking them away again, Kachiro passed the first quiver back over. "Here. These are for you. Any other questions for now?"

[Ikoma Hikaru]

HIkaru accepts the arrows and nods no.

" I do not think so. It is a matter of practice now."

[Rixy]

"Just so, Ikoma-sama." He smiled winningly. "Have at, then, and I'll chime in as need be."

[Ikoma Hikaru]

Hikaru nods and goes to work. He empties the quiver again and again and again. Not every shot is perfect. All hit the target but after the 5th or so quiver, it is clear his arms are starting to get tired. However the young man does not complain and continues to drive arrows home.

[Rixy]

The Tsuruchi coughed, tactfully giving reason for the Ikoma to cease before his arms were doomed to be useless.

"Standing about and shooting is something I could do all day but my Duty soon comes on. Let's see our drawing hand...you might need salve."

[Ikoma Hikaru]

Hikaru blinks and turns his attention to his sensei and then looks down at his hand. It was indeed raw and would be in need of some attention.

"Of course Tsuruchi-san. Thank you for all your time. This has been most enlightening."

[Rixy]

Tsking, the older man dug a jar of salve out of his pouch. "Here. You'll need this, after you wash of course. It'll ease the stinging. You might ask about gloves for a time as you build up your callous."

[Ikoma Hikaru]

Hikaru accepts the jar with is other hand and bows low.

"Thank you Tsuruchi-sama. Your lessons have been most invaluable. I hope that we get the chance to speak again before the legion leaves."

[Rixy]

"If not, Fortunes' carry you, Ikoma-sama." The Mantis smiled. "If so, we'll see about teaching you some of the amusing tricks I know."