The garrison courtyard lies hushed, moss softening the old stone. Lo sits on a weathered bench and unfolds the warrant, the torn notice crackling faintly in his paws.
He studies the brute's likeness, then works the light crossbow's limbs and string with careful, practiced pulls. The weapon answers with a small, steady rhythm.
Above him, Stray lounges on a crumbling wall, tail flicking once. The cat watches Lo in silence, yellow eyes tracking the warrant and the bow alike.
The Stray Cat
You handle that like it matters.
Lo adjusts the tension again, slower this time, settling the mechanism until it feels right. The courtyard gives him room to breathe.
The Stray Cat
Want to read me what you see, or keep your thoughts to yourself for a while?
✓ Quest Accepted
Master the light crossbow's loading rhythm
“I work on the rhythm and say, ive got a bounty”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled -1)
Lo slows his hands, lets the string settle, then works the draw once more until the motion turns smooth and quiet. The crossbow answers without a hitch.
Lo
I got a bounty.
The words land plain in the hush. Lo turns the torn poster just enough to show the face on it, then folds the warrant back down against his knee.
The Stray Cat
So you do. That changes the shape of your evening.
Stray lifts their head, interest sharpening, but not in alarm. The courtyard stays still around them, old stone and moss holding the late light.
The Stray Cat
Show me the motion again, slower this time. I want to see where it stops being effort and starts being habit.
Lo repeats the loading rhythm cleanly, and this time the steps fall into place like counted beats. The bow settles in his paws as if it belongs there.
The Stray Cat
There. That's the kind of steady I was asking about.
Quest Complete
Master the light crossbow's loading rhythm