action ☁ dec 6

[clearasil]

[ If there's anything Natalie's learned from her mother - Diana, not Hecate - it's that life is full of highs and lows. She simply does not expect the sudden drop today.

She missed something in her last Iris Message to her dad, something he bypassed in their brief talk because she was so busy filling him in on the actual good things in her life recently. Rather, it doesn't hit her until a week later. Something's happening with mom, with both her parents, and it's not very good. Nothing supernatural, even, because she would transport herself there in a heartbeat and fight off whatever was after them. Their problems are most often human, things she doesn't talk about, not even with people she considers her friends.

It's like she's in free fall, leaving her stomach behind for a moment as the rest of her tightens, curling up into a ball of anxiety because, damn it, she had been feeling so good until today. She's just leaving the archery range, sallow-faced and rubbing her aching, slightly bruised arms because she's been there for gods know how long. Though, her battered targets show that she's actually been doing something productive with her time and arrows. ]

Comments

[commandertoolbelt]

[ Leo's just heading to the forge to look for something when he sees her looking less than stellar and - are her arms bruised? Holy Hephaestus, how long has she been at the range? What'd she do to make that happen? Knowing something's up, he approaches her cautiously with concern in his eyes. ]

Natalie?

[clearasil]

[ The wrist guard on her right arm is crooked, and she hadn't thought to properly put it into place. She rubs her arm absentmindedly, slinging the bow over her left, her dominant arm. Leo's voice pulls her momentarily out of her long train of thought and she turns slightly to face him, pushing her unkempt hair away form her face, the elastic band barely clinging to her curls. ]

Look. [ She half smiles, pointing to the two targets she had been using. They look as if they've been burned by a live wire. ]

[commandertoolbelt]

[ His eyes flick to the targets, charred and maybe smoking a little. It's painfully obvious that they're a distraction, but he'll bite for now. ] Were those some of mine, or did you do something to the arrows?

[clearasil]

[ Idly, she plays with the string of her silvery bow, needing to keep her hands active. ] These are just normal arrows. Now they're kind of like taser arrows, and I was thinking it'd be really cool if they just suctioned into people instead of impaling them. You know, to keep enemies down but not kill them.

[commandertoolbelt]

[ He looks back at the target thoughtfully. ] That's... a good idea. I didn't think about that.

Is that what happened to your arms? Trial and error?

[clearasil]

No. [ She pulls her rolled up sleeve over her forearm, her guard and looks away suddenly turning to reclaim her practice arrows. ]

I wasn't paying attention, I was just - caught up in shit, as usual, gonna improve these right now. Maybe there'll be less deaths and more - I dunno. [ The train of thought has escaped her as she tugs each arrow out with extra force. ] I don't know what I'mm talking about.

[commandertoolbelt]

[ His eyes narrow a little as he hides the bruises, and he looks at her with an eyebrow raised, none of his usual humor in the expression. ]

Nat, you okay?

[habitually]

Hey there Spooky.

[ Walking up next to her and slowing down when he catches up. His breath clouds his face as he exhales. A look over at the targets has him raise an eyebrow. ]

Practicing?

[clearasil]

Hello .... Grantaire. [ Nope, too deep in her weird state to think of a good nickname in retaliation. Maybe she peaked at "Toolbro."

She turns her head slowly to face him, body still angled to take aim with her last arrow. ] Practicing and testing new stuff, that's all.

[habitually]

[ The lack of retaliation naturally heightens the suspicion. ]

Well you're obviously a damn good shot, huh?

[ Stepping back to give her room. The next statement comes off less than innocently, very open for invitation to clarify. ]

Looks like you've been spending an awful lot of time out here just for practice.

[clearasil]

I'm a very serious person most of the time. [ She deadpans but that's a half-joke, honestly.

With a slight nod of thanks, she refocuses on her target and, pulling back and straightening her posture, lets the arrow fly, leaving sparks in its path. As soon as it hits the center, little bolts of lightning spread over the target like spokes on a wheel. And Natalie looks satisfied. ]

And, yeah, I'm okay with the arrows.

[weneedasign]

[Are they taking turns having emotional times at the brooding archery range? Because it sure seems that way.

Enjolras pauses when he approaches the range, seeing first the battered targets and then Natalie, and more importantly her arm.]

As I recall, just a few weeks ago you were lecturing me about wearing an arm guard.

[He can't help the worry that creeps into him, because she really doesn't look alright.]

Everything alright?

[clearasil]

[ The brooding range should be its real name, to be perfectly honest. It's fifty percent of the reasons why they both find themselves here. ]

Y - no. No. [ She shakes her head, still not looking up at him. ]

[weneedasign]

[They should bring it up at the next counselor meeting.

He nods, slowly, frowning.]

What happened?

[clearasil]

It's my parents. My mom's -- she's not doing so well, uh, mentally. I think I told you that. [ Her voice is a low murmur, mostly as she tries to sort through the jumble in her head. ]

I feel kinda distant from everything.

[weneedasign]

Yes, you have.

[Enjolras was still in the dark about some things, but he knew the basics. His brows furrow as he looks at her.]

I doubt I can do much, but if there is anything I can do don't hesitate to ask, alright?

[clearasil]

[ Natalie keeps most people in the dark, honestly, though she does give him bigger glimpses than the rest, save for her brother. She nods slowly, rubbing her arm. }

I - thank you. I think I'll be okay right now.

[wokethedragon]

[She certainly couldn't find Natalie the other day when she was looking for her - no, going to the Hecate cabin only led her toward mistletoe and earning a kiss from Stiles. (That was strange.)

She's on her way to check the Hecate cabin again for its counselor, passing by the archery fields as she goes - and that's when she finds her goal, the girl she's been looking for.

But she's looking worse for the wear, and it's...a little alarming. She raises her eyebrows, approaching Natalie cautiously.]

Natalie? Your arms...

[clearasil]

[ Whoops. Natalie had been hiding out amid the whole mess on the first of the month, but she's out in the open for a moment. ]

They're fine, nothing serious. [ Just the string hitting her skin at the wrong angle. No blood, especially since she's adjusting the misaligned guard now. ]

[wokethedragon]

[Dany should have been hiding out, to be honest, but she'd managed to earn a few kisses of her own - one that was quite enjoyable, actually.

But that's besides the point. Her eyes don't move from Natalie's arms.]

You're hurt, Natalie. Look at your arms.

[Because...how can she not feel those bruises?]

[clearasil]

I mean, yeah, but it doesn't feel that bad I mean it looks worse than it really does. That's all.

[ Her hands have been unsteady but her aim has been as sharp as usual. Once she's made a show of adjusting her wrist guard, she then pulls out another arrow. ]

[wokethedragon]

It doesn't matter. Bruises like that need to be iced, at the very least.

[She looks at Natalie, a little disapprovingly. She knows what it's like to make something had less than it is.]

At the very least, come with me to the Apollo cabin. Eat some ambrosia.

[clearasil]

[ It's a little funny, how awkward and jerky Natalie is in person, compared to the grace she has when she concentrates on the target and lets loose the arrow, her shoulders aligned, the column of her spine perfectly straight with her chin lifted just so. She wasn't always like that. ]

I guess I won't protest that.

[brokethecycle]

[Norman isn't really that great at archery. He tries, but usually he gives up pretty fast. The bow is almost as big as he is, and he was never one for sports. He liked to think he was half-way decent at baseball, but that was kind of a stretch.]

[The arrow goes off, ricochets and probably just barely misses Natalie. Norman's face goes white.]

Sorry!! Oh man, are you okay! [aaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA]

[clearasil]

[ If it weren't for those demigod battle-ready senses embedded into her muscles, Natalie may have had a less than pleasant afternoon in the Big House. Just as she's preparing her next arrow, she sways out of the way, leaning back with a swing of her ponytail.

She doesn't look too upset - not after those struggles she had at the range growing up. ]

I've been better but - [ With a wave of her hand, she sends the lost arrow backwards, slowly levitating it back to Norman. ] - you look more shaken than I am, honestly.