Jack had heard through the rumor mill (okay, it was the cooks in the headquarters cafeteria) that Esther had taken on another role. The former trainer of cupid recruits had stepped down without giving a name to be his successor, so Cupid himself had selected Esther to fill in temporarily. While the idea of the woman taking on additional work was concerning, Jack felt that he should at least swing by and show his support…
Once he managed to find the cupid training grounds. He got turned around twice before he noticed the signs that led to the open area, and by the time Jack reached the double doors leading outside, he was feeling foolish.
The cupid training grounds were a large, open stadium that was designed like the theaters of ancient Greece. It allowed for visitors to come and observe while keeping them out of harm's way from skittish recruits. As jack reached the visitors' entrance, he could hear Esther speaking loudly, though he suspected there was an echo. He had never come to observe recruits training before, so he didn't know what to expect.
Jack paused. Would he have come out here if Esther wasn't the trainer? Well…probably not. He felt slightly guilty at that, but also because he hadn't been the most enthusiastic guardian either. Maybe it was time that he put more effort into the goings on of the other guardians, show that he had the propensity to be responsible and considerate of the work others do. And what better way to start than by watching your friend drill new students in the art of becoming a cupid?
The corridor Jack was walking down opened into the stands, and he chose an empty spot in the front row so he could get a good look at what was to happen. It didn't escape his notice that there were other spectators higher up in the stands, nor that most of them were male. The two women, it appeared, were also cupids, not as high ranking as Esther, but had some experience under their belts. Jack set his staff down next to him and did his best not to pay attention to the young men behind him any mind.
Esther had a group of twenty students on the stadium floor, seated cross-legged in across a few rows. The students wore simple tunics with their name and the word "student" embroidered over the left breast.
Jack noticed that ester wasn't wearing her traditional uniform today, either. It was similar, but this one lacked the ornamentation and was built to sustain wear. The tunic was sleeveless with an asymmetrical hemline that crossed the left hip and was tied closed at the right. A simple leather under bust corset was wrapped around her midsection. On her right arm was an elbow-length fingerless glove. The left arm featured a leather guard that extended the length of her arm to her fingertips, with an open palm for better grip. This was attached to a leather piece that sat on her shoulder, connected to a partial chest piece that sat over her left breast and was held in place by a leather strap that was fastened to the right side. In place of her shorts that Esther typically wore under her tunics, today she had dark gray leggings that were easily tucked into plain boots. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, pushing her bangs back with a small clip. It didn't keep every hair pulled back, but it looked efficient enough.
"…As a cupid, you will be required to learn a number of skills," Esther spoke firm, and Jack frowned as he realized that he hadn't heard a word that she had said before. "Regardless of which department you will move on to, you must master the most basic skills. One of which," she held up the bow in her hands, "is archery. Archery is a stereotype with cupids, I'll be the first to admit. However, in my department, it's not a joke that is made lightly, and certainly not within my hearing. As such, I will not tolerate snide comments in this class. If you think that you cannot refrain from demeaning the lesson or the role of a cupid, you should leave now."
It took everything Jack had not to whistle. Esther was firm, and he briefly wondered just how long cupids had been ridiculed for the chubby, bastardized cartoons that were everywhere each February. 'Maybe I should think of a new nickname…' Not one student moved, however, and Jack was glad to see that they were taking this class seriously.
Esther smiled then. "Very well. It should be noted that once you master archery, you will have several possibilities in which it can be used. For example, if you are proficient in enchantments, you can channel one into your arrow for a target that is beyond your reach."
From her hip quiver, Esther produced an arrow. "This is your standard, run-of-the-mill arrow. By itself, there is nothing interesting about it. Now imagine that I need to produce a barrier around that- "she pointed across the grounds, the students and Jack's eyes following "-target. What I would do is channel the spell for the barrier into the arrow."
She fell silent as the arrow in her hand began to glow a faint pink. Over the gasps from a few of the students, she continued. "This isn't a beginner's level enchantment, but it is attainable with practice. Now, I will nock the arrow and aim for the center of the target." Esther got into position, feel shoulder-width apart, with her left side pointed towards the target. "Watch my form. You want to keep your grip on the bow relaxed; the only tension you should be feeling is in the arm that is pulling the bowstring back. With your drawing arm, keep your elbow sideways, don't let it go up or down. When you let go, don't drop your drawing arm, keep it moving until your hand passes the back of your head. Take a breath and hold it for five seconds, only let go when you take your shot. You won't be prone to overthinking this way."
This was the first time that Jack got a good look at the bow Esther was using. It was a compound bow in its most basic form, but it was unlike any bow he had ever seen before. On the limbs of the bow, stretching back across its belly sat wings that resembled the furled wings of a bird. 'Was this Esther's bow? Was it a standard issue cupids' bow?' Jack knew that ester had an archery set in her possession, but he had never seen it. More gasps drew his attention back to Esther as she pulled the arrow back into the string…and the wings of the bow began to spread, almost like they were going to take flight. The arrow began to glow brighter, right as Esther let the bowstring sing and the arrow fly.
Had Jack been blessed with exceptional hearing, he could have made out the faint whistle as the arrow cut across the grounds before impaling itself into the target. Jack watched curiously as the glow around the arrow disappeared, only to grow and surround the target seconds after. Before Jack realized what he was doing, he was clapping right along with the students in the class. Esther looked pleased with her technique, but still smiled shyly when the students began to bestow compliments.
"Thank you," she bowed slightly as the students quieted down. "Each of you are just as capable of reproducing what I just did. With determination and practice, it is possible. Now, what I want you all to do is split into two groups of ten. With the bows over there on the rack, you're going to take turns practicing your form and aim. Go up to the mark, fire your arrow, then move to the back of the line."
One student raised her hand. "But aren't there enough targets? Why can't we all practice at the same time?"
"In time, you will all be working independently. I want to observe two at a time to start with, so I can see if anyone requires additional instruction. I need to know that you have the proper form first, before you move into advanced skills."
That answer seemed to appease the class, so Esther motioned for the students to collect their bows and form rows while she pulled over two bins of arrows. She indicated where the marks were on the ground to stand behind, then proceeded to demonstrate once again the correct form. Esther followed through on her demonstration, before stepping back to allow the first two students to step forward.
Jack tried not to laugh as the first set of students attempted to nock their arrows. The student closest to the stands lost their balance, overcompensated and launched their arrow straight up in the air, making everyone scatter. After that, there was a gap between the person shooting and those waiting their turn. It got…better…after that. Jack had to give Esther's class some credit, they were trying their best, and it was clear who had never shot a bow before. Esther stayed composed, noting which students were struggling and offering small quips of advice. It was with these students she made a point of acknowledging what went well, even when everything was going wrong.
He was impressed. Jack didn't know that Esther had the temperament to teach. She looked…comfortable in the middle of the students, even with the possibility of kamikaze projectiles. It seemed that the students also enjoyed her instruction. They responded well to her comments and took them to heart in their next turn. The few who had a natural talent for archery had been compelled to share their thoughts with their peers. Jack smiled as he continued to watch. He didn't know how long Esther would be teaching this class, but if all her lessons went even half as well as this one, she'd be fine.
The vultures behind Jack, would not.
The comments had started innocent enough, complimenting Esther for her teaching and skill with archery. Then there was a pause, and the next words had Jack tense considerably.
"I wouldn't mind letting her handle my bow anytime," one vulture said.
"Man," the second one scoffed, "Your bow wouldn't be enough to work with!"
"And I supposed yours would?"
"As a matter of fact, yes," the second sounded far too smug for Jack's liking. "I'm almost certain she could handle my equipment."
Jack's hand was reaching for his staff. It wouldn't be good to freeze those two, but damn it if it wasn't tempting… 'Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it- '
The first one spoke again. "You know if she's single or not?"
'Like Esther would ever give you two the time of day!'
"She is," the second replied. "Can't see how. Esther's a walking bombshell."
"Well when she stands next to Delia- "
'There's no comparison!' Jack's mind screeched. 'What is wrong with this guy- '
"They're in two different leagues. Delia has that sultry look you immediately notice- "
'She is one of the Guardians of Lust, after all, dumbass.'
"-but Esther's got that girl-next-door look. She's got the innocent face, but I'd be willing to bet anything she'd be into some kinky stuff- "
'What the fu- 'No one could say it was Jack's fault if he pretended to sneeze and "accidentally" froze someone, could they? 'I gotta get outta here, of I will give these two a new meaning for blue balls.'
He stood up abruptly, staff in hand. Jack knew he had to get out of the stadium before he did something he'd regret.
Possibly.
Kinda.
He doubted it.
Unknown to Jack, the "vultures" just a few rows above where he sat watched him make his exit. The first one, Benny, nudged the second, Mitch and said, "Did you hear that growl?"
"Sounded like a damn grizzly. You sure this is a good idea?"
"Bunnymund told us to see if we could get a rise out of Frost, so that's what we gotta do."
"Well apparently it worked, Benny. Talking about Esther handling your 'bow' had Frost tense up all over." Mitch rubbed his neck and groaned. "I really don't want to get zapped by that guy."
"Yeah, I don't want to either. I also don't like talking about Esther like this. It just doesn't sit right, you know?"
Mitch stood up and dusted off his pants, Benny following suit. Since there wasn't much else to watch, and one less guardian present to annoy, they decided to head back to their respective departments. "Maybe we can think of another way of annoying Jack without demeaning Esther in the process."
Benny nodded as the reentered headquarters. "So, I'll see you for lunch then?"
"Yeah, we can figure out our next plan then." Mitch had started down the corridor when he paused and turned back. "Bunnymund ever tell you why he wanted us to do this?"
"Not a clue."