£ 024.

[psychomancy]

[the video flickers on as gemma’s dog nudges it with her nose. gemma herself doesn’t know it’s been turned on. a target is set up about fifty yards away from her. she has a bow in her hands, and a quiver slung across her back. there aren’t any more arrows; they’re all strewn across the ground in front of the target, though sadly, none of them seem to have hit. she has obviously been at this for a while, as her hair is tousled and she is barefoot.

after pausing for a moment, she reaches towards the quiver; half a dozen arrows appear inside, and she easily grabs one. she takes aim, and pulls back on the bowstring. the arrow flies through the air for a moment before skidding to the ground, a few yards away from the target. gemma continues to try, until only one arrow is left in the quiver. she grabs it, and notches; her arm trembles as she pulls back on the string before letting the arrow fly.

it strikes the very bottom, outside ring of the target. even gemma is surprised with herself.

she flops backwards onto the grass to rest, just staring at the target, illuminated by the setting sun. pippa has picked up the comm in her gross doggy mouth and takes it over to her master, dropping it on her dress with a happy bark. gemma squeals, sitting upright and wiggling around until the device falls to the ground. the camera is, alas, facing the dirt now, but the audio is still active:]

Oh, Pippa! That was absolutely disgusting. Your namesake would be appalled. That’s ten bad conduct marks. [pippa gives a reproachful whine. gemma’s voice softens.] Yes, well. I’ll teach you to be a lady yet, you silly brute. Ugh, this is filthy now.

[she’s picked the comm up with her dress; the camera is facing the target. which suddenly disappears, because gemma has finished with it.] And so are you. I suppose it’s bath night, hm? Both of us could use a good wash after this. You know, I didn’t even think about Nell whe—

[and the recording ends after gemma drops the device into a small basket she’s magicked up just for the occasion.]

Comments

[purmoncul.livejournal.com]

I have seen these things come on at far more inconvenient times than enjoying an evening of archery with your pet. No harm done.

[psychomancy]

[recalls the bloomers/corset incident and nods, turning the camera away from her face so he can't see her blush.] Right, I suppose being bad at archery isn't half as terrible as it could have been.

[purmoncul.livejournal.com]

True. You could have shot the arrow backwards. Have you just started at it?

[Sirius, solving problems by making fun of them is not always the best tactic.

[Just 'cause she's blushing...]

[psychomancy]

... No, I learned a bit while at school. My friend Felicity is the real genius at it, though.

[purmoncul.livejournal.com]

Practice up a bit and you can go as Artemis for Hallowe'en.

[He pauses thoughtfully for a moment.]

If you need a silver lining, I can tell you for a certainty that you already have a very good pup, there. She wasn't even tempted chase after the feathery flying sticks.

[psychomancy]

I'll have to consider that.

[gemma smiles, finally bringing the camera to her face as she reaches her home, flipping on the lights and such.]

She is indeed. It's just a lucky thing she likes me, I suppose.

[purmoncul.livejournal.com]

Not at all. Dogs are forgiving animals, not like people. It takes quite a lot to make one dislike you, especially when you're the source of food and safety and affection. As long as you do it with her best interests in mind, she'll love you even if you have to be strict with her.

It's a lucky thing that she has a master who likes her.

[psychomancy]

That's... good to know. I was never allowed to have a pet while I was in India, and certainly not while I was at school. I wasn't exactly sure what to do when Matt gave her to me, but I'm figuring it out.

Well, it helps that she's rather adorable.