Fire Side Dancer

[Josu_T]

Rahn reigned in his horse and stopped next to Tan. He noticed Tora who seemed very happy. Everyone was cheering and running over to them. Rahn smiled over at Tan as he congratulated him on a good race. "Yeah, you too. Nice finishing sprint. If the course was just a little shorter I would have beat you." Rahn just hoped that Tan had not picked up on his speed change near the end, and if he did, he didn't think Rahn had done it on purpose.

 

[Angeltears]

Tan smiled at Rahn and his remark and then turned to see Ash and Sol approching. Tora let herself be pushed slightly towards Rahn and his horse, until she was out of sight of the others and hidden slightly behind the horse. Reaching up her hand up to Rahn's horse as if to stoke his neck she smiled and whispered knowing that only Rahn would be able to hear her. "I know what you did, that was very noble of you," she ran her hand down over the horses neck and then along until she reached Rahns leg. "I will keep your secret," she winked at him. She had seen the change in speed and being a good rider herself she recognised what he had done, but she really doubted that any one else had.

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn noticed Tora get closer to his horse as Tan got distracted by his brothers and people congratulating him. He smiled down at Tora as she reached up to stroke Rain's neck. He heard her whisper to him and his smile brightened. As her hand reached his leg he placed his hand on top of hers. A moment later he forced himself to move his hand again. He smiled one more time at Tora and quickly whispered a thankyou to her. He then called out to Tan. "So, what is the next game? Maybe I'll have a little more luck with it."

 

[Angeltears]

She continued to smile as she felt his hand over hers. The feel of his hand on hers felt good, and as he moved his hand away she stepped back and away, from both him and the horse. She heard him whisper thank you as she slipped back into the crowd, moving to the side so she could watch all of them.

"Acutally you should have more luck on this one, the next competion is archery," Ash said as he slung himself off his horse, patting his neck and then leading the horse off to the stables.

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn smiled as Tan told him what the next competition was. He leapt from his horse and sent him back toward the stable. He then went to his tent to get his bow. He emerged from his tent and followed the crowd to where the next game would be held. He felt very confident in winning the competition. All he needed to know was the rules. He waited for everyone to assemble and then listened for the instructions.

 

[Angeltears]

Once the horses were stabled and the man that fell of his horse was seen to every one dispersed to gather there stuff for the next compation. Tora joined the women and others that came to watch as they settled themselves on logs and on the ground. Targets had been set up and a line marked where they would be aiming from. When the men had gathered the same women who had explained the rules for the horse race explained the rules for the this one. "Two men per target, when your ready take a turn each and fire at the target. Those that hit the target move on to the next round. After each round the targets are moved further back, until we have one winner."

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn nodded at the rules and set himself up in front of one of the targets. Another man stood next to him and Rahn wished him luck. He then looked around until he spotted a piece of cloth being disturbed by the small ammount of wind. It was enough to show him how much he needed to adjust his aim to hit the targets. He lined up his first shot and released, sending his arrow into the very center of the target. The man next to him noted how much Rahn had adjusted his aim for wind compensation and then hit the target as well. The next two rounds Rahn hit dead center of the target while the man sharing his target also advanced. In the fourth round Rahn placed his arrow just to the left of the center of the target. Unfortunately the man next to him missed and was eliminated. Rahn did not worry about any others in the competition until a few rounds later when there were only a few men left and the targets were getting fairly far away.

 

[Angeltears]

The three brothers each took a different target each, each pairing up with one of the village men. Tora watched as they slowly made there way through the rounds, cheering each time they made it to the next one. Sol was the first to miss the target out of the brothers, making it to round three. Shrugging she shoulders he retreated to the crowd and stood by Tora. "Good try," Tora whispered to him as he sat next to her. "I gave it a try, you know I have never been much good at this stuff," he said touching his bow. Tora nodded and smiled at him turning back to watch the others.

By the seventh round Tora could tell that Tan was struggling, his aim had been slowly getting further and further from the middle of the target, so it was no surpise that his arrow missed the target compltly. Tan moved to join them, Tora heard a couple of people congratulate him for coming this far. One voice in particular caught her attention and she looked up and to the side where she saw Kara standing and smiling slightly at Tan. Tan didn't even seem to notice his attention back on the compation, so Kara looked away and noticed Tora looking up at her. Kara went bright red and Tora only smiled and patted the ground next to her. Kara sat down and still blushing whispered hi. Tora had spoken to Kara a few times, her family were good weavers and some times the two family's would travel to the large market together. She had seen Kara looking at Tan the was she had just been before and knew that she had a thing for Tan but was to shy to act on it. She might have to do something about that Tora thought with a smile on her face as she whispered hi back.

Turning her attention back to the competion, she saw that both Ash and Rahn where still in and three other archers. The targets seemed so far away now.

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn nodded to Ash, who he noticed was still in the competition. He then returned his attention to his target which was in place. He took a couple deep breaths, made sure his wind correction would still work, asked the distance to the target and figured out how high he would need to raise his aim. He pulled back the string of his bow and calmed he breathing. He held his arms as still as he could as he aimed his bow. He then released the shot. He watched the arrow arch through the air and slam into the target. One of the other men was eliminated in that round.

Rahn followed the same procedure the next round, the arrow hitting the target close to the middle. One more man was eliminated. It was down to the last three. Rahn smiled over at them and an idea struck him. "I'm sure we could all go a few more rounds, but we are running out of room for the targets to get moved back. Lets make this one based on the range and accuracy. Closest shot to the center of the target wins. We will shoot all at the same one, one after another, so there is no doubt of who is closest." When they agreed he let the unknown man shoot first. His shot landed a small space from the left of the target. Rahn then went second, leaving Ash to shoot last. Rahn prepared himself and drowned out all noise. He focused and released his shot. The arrow flew through the air, landing about three arrow widths from the right of the center of the target. It was enough space that if Ash had a chance at beating him. Rahn was happy with the shot though when the report came back of where exactly it had hit. He then waited for Ash to shoot and to see who would come out the victor.

 

[Angeltears]

Ash returned Rahn's nodd, happy to see him still in the compation. He had competed against the other three men before and had bested them all. To him Rahn was the one to beat today. Ash turned and focused on his target and taking a calming breath he let his arrow fly. He watched as it hit just a little of center of the target. Smiling to himself he turned to see how the others had gone.

The next round was basically the same, knocking another man out of the competion, one that surprised him, he had thought that that one would have made it further. Shoving it from his mind he smiled at Rahn and the other man that was left. When Rahn spoke up Ash listened and agreed, it was a good idea. Ash waited his turn watching both men have there go before him. When it was his turn Ash stepped forward and closed his eyes for a second and then opening them he focused on the target. Pulling back he let the arrow fly, holding his breath as it soared.

The shot fell just a little short of where he had aimed. Ash sighed and then turned to Rahn. "I guess that makes you the winner," Ash smiled at him and held out his hand to Rahn, "Congratulation." Every one started clapping and cheering went up around them.

 

[Josu_T]

As Ash took his shot, Rahn unknowingly held his breath. He saw it hit the target, but it was close. The report came back soon that it had hit farther away than Rahn's shot. Rahn took a deep breath and smiled. He looked to Ash and grinned. He took his hand and shook it. "Congratulations to you as well. That was close. Any of the three of us could have won. I just happened to have a bit of luck on my side." He then looked around at the clapping crowd, smiling. He waited for people to finish congratulating him and to tell him of the next contest.

 

[Angeltears]

"You will have to spend more time with me, maybe then your luck will rub off on me," Ash said with a laugh. Tora, Kara and Sol stood the four of them including Tan stood back and out of the way of the crowd congratulating Rahn. As the clapping and cheering started to subside Tora took Kara's hand surpriseing her. "Come lets got help with lunch," Tora said tugging Kara's hand slightly. Kara smiled and let herself be pulled along, throwing a quick glance over her shoulder at Tan.

Some one announced that they would be having a break for lunch and the women started slipping away to go prepare it. Tora dragged Kara with her veering towards Rahn and Ash before heading after the other women. "Congatulation both of you!" she said as she stood before them both. Turning to Ash she poked a finger at him, "What was that you said this morning about new meat. Well the meat just beat you." "Why you cheeky thing you!" Ash remarked as he made a grab for her, but Tora just laughed and dodged out of the way pulling Kara helplessly along with her. "See you both at lunch," she said and then they both vanished in amongst the tents.

Ash shook his head and smiled, "Sisters. Come one lets go get ready for lunch."

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn thanked people for their congratulations, but escaped the crowd with Ash. As they started to walk away he noticed Tora and another girl being dragged along behind her. He smiled at Tora as she congratulated Ash and himself. He grinned and laughed as Tora and Ash joked around. He waved at Tora as she left with the other girl. He grinned at Ash as they walked off to prepare for lunch. "I'm somewhat glad I don't have a sister. Seems they can be a handful."

 

[Angeltears]

Ash laughed, "Yeah and this is on a good day. You don't want to see her when she is in one of her bad moods. The three of us keep out of her way when she is in a bad mood or hasn't had enough sleep." The other two brothers joined them, "Are you talking about our darling sister?" Sol chimed in and Ash nodded. "I feel sorry for poor Kara, it looked like she had no choice but to be pulled along then. Like Tora's rag doll when she was little, poor little thing ended up tattered. At some point some one might have to save her," Sol looked at Ash sharing a smile behind Tan's back. They both knew that Kara liked Tan, there brother was a little blind to that fact.

Soon both Tora and Kara where working with the other women preparing lunch. All of them gossiping and laughing.

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn laughed with him, but it started his mind working. He would have to talk with Tora at some point and let her know his idea. As the other two brothers arrived, Rahn smiled. They started talking about the girl who had been with Tora. He had noticed her staring at Rahn at one point. When he saw Ash and Sol smile behind Tan's back, he felt he knew what was going on. He would have to build up some evidence for Tan and help open his eyes to the fact that the girl liked him. In the mean time he followed the three men to wherever they led him. He still carried his bow and arrows and would need to drop them off in his tent at some point.

 

[Angeltears]

Tan turned to face the others and Sol and Ash looked away from each other. "I am going to put my stuff in my tent I would recommend that the three of you do that and I will meet you by the fires." Tan headed off and Ash and Sol nodded and followed after Tan. "See you at the fires, thats if you want to join us for lunch." Waving at him they vanished in to the tents into the direction of there tents.

With so many people working on lunch it didn't take long, for lunch to be ready. Tora stood with Kara to the side, waiting for every one to gather. The women started hearding the men and elders so that they all sat around the main fire pit. With a spot left for when Rahn and Tan turned up, this was to honour the two men for there wins.

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn nodded to Tan and walked to his tent. He placed his bow and arrows inside and then walked to the main fire. When he arrived he was led to a specific spot. He was told it was because of his win in the archery competition. He sat and waited. A short while later Tan joined him. The meal then started and Rahn waited to see if there were any other customs that would happen, or if it would be a normal meal from that point on.

 

[Angeltears]

Tora smiled as Rahn was led to his spot and then again when Tan joined him. Turning to Kara she nodded at her and both girls grabbed a plate and went and stood before the winners. Then they kneeled before them both, Tora in front of Rahn and Kara infront of Tan. "For the winners," both said in unison, smiling at the two winners, Kara's cheeks bright red. Nobody would eat until the two winners had started. This was the womens idea when the men had started these competions days. Who ever one in the morning would be served lunch by one of the women and who ever won after lunch would be served dinner. Tora had volenteered herself and Kara as Tan was her brother and her family had been spending time with Rahn today. This was also part of her plan to help Kara and Tan, but this was only a small part.

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn smiled at Tora as she brought him his food. He noticed it was Kara, the girl who like Tan, who brought Tan his food. He took his plate from Tora and thanked her. He smiled at her once more and then started to eat. as soon as Tan also started eating, everyone else did, and he picked up on the custom. He did feel a bit strange being in that position though. Before Tora left he smiled once more at her. "Why don't you two join us here to eat lunch?"

 

[Angeltears]

Tora was happy when Rahn smiled at her and thanked her. She remained quiet as both men began to eat and then smiled at Kara as they stood to go get there own. Just before she left with Kara's hand back in hers she heard Rahn offer for them to join them. "Thank you, I beleive we will," she said with a smile and a curtsy and headed to get a plate for herself. "He smiled at me," Tora heard Kara whisper behind her as she grabbed a plate. "Who?" she said though she knew the answer turning to Kara she saw that she was bright red again. "Did I just say that out loud?" Kara whispered. Tora laughed and nodded and swore that Kara went redder. Taking up a plate of food she past it to Kara, "Come on, lets go join them for lunch."
"I can't," Kara stummered as she took the plate.
"You can, it will be alright." Tora gave Kara a reasureing smile and headed back to the boys. "Oh there is something I need your help with later and your the only one that can help me with it. But we eat first talk later. "As she looked over her shoulder at Kara as she followed her with out much choice.

Tan smiled as the two girls joined them, happy that Rahn had made the offer. Kara was a nice girl and had a nice smile and a lovely singing voice. Tan liked when they traveled with her family, it ment that Tora had some one female to be around. As the two girls sat down he noticed that Kara was red in the face, he hopped that she was okay, she had seemed a little red before when she had offered him his lunch.

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn was happy when Tora agreed to join them there. She and Kara went off to get some food. When they returned, Tan seemed happy. Rahn wondered if Tan had picked up on any of the signs that Kara liked him. If not, he would have to talk to him about her later. His brothers seemed to only grin behind Tan's back when it came to the subject of Kara. As the girls sat he focused more of his attention on Tora. He smiled at her and longed to talk to her in private for even a moment. It was hard keeping his feelings for her a secret. He wanted to yell it out to the whole village how much he cared for Tora. He wanted to be able to hold her hand and kiss her without hiding in the shadows to do so. He just hoped that soon he would be able to.

 

[Angeltears]

Tora let all thoughts of her plan with Kara as she focused on eating and Rahn. She couldn't help but smile at him, she wished she could sit closer to him. Tonight she would help Kara and Tan, the next couple of days Sol's girlfriend Lia would be back and well Ash was Ash. This means that the next couple of days should be good days to talk to him about Rahn. Looking at him as she slipped a peice of food in her meat, she made the decision that no matter what they said she would be with Rahn and she wouldn't hide it. But first she would talk to them and try. "How about you join us by the fire tonight, Rahn?" Tora asked.

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn thought about how nice it would be to spend time with Tora. He imagined all they would do together. It would be great, they just needed to get through the time apart because of her brothers' protective nature. When Tora asked him to join them at the fire that night he smiled. "That sounds great. I'd love to join you at the fire tonight."

 

[Angeltears]

"That’s good," Tora smiled at him and then at Tan as he looked over at her. With a curious look at her. "Kara is joining us as well aren’t you?" Kara looked at her startled but nodded her head. Tora said and then focused on eating, it would be good that Rahn sat with her brothers, then he would be able to share the surprise that she had planned.

((OOC: Did you have any idea's for games the only other one I had was wrestling?))

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn smiled at Tora and then at Tan. Kara was also invited. It seemed Tora had a plan to do with Tan and Kara. That was even more than he had. He would add to it though by pointing things out to Tan if Tora's plan seemed to not be going well. As he finished eating he looked at Tan once more. "So, what games are happening this afternoon?"

((OOC: hmmm, well, I was thinking wrestling as well. Aslo maybe a quick footrace around the village. Then maybe a challenge of putting something together, or taking it apart, or both. Maybe a tent, they have to take a small tent and some gear and pack it up, move it to another spot and put it back together again. Then maybe a fire building competition. Those seem like possible competitions because they are things the villagers would have to do fairly often. The tents involved would be ones made just for the games, simple one person sleeping tents, not someone's actual living tent. Maybe the running race could be incorperated into that. They have to pack everything up while someone times them. Then they have the running race where they all leave at the same time with the stuff on their backs and that is an event on its own. Then they time them putting the tent up and setting up the gear as it was before. Then both the take down and put up times are added together for final scores. Something like that?))