Jenni arrived at 9:30pm at the range. She paid her cab driver three gold coins and waved goodbye. The building was made of solid iron, and it looked dark and old. There was nothing but a large field around the area. Sounds of rapid gunfire and hysterical laughter rung around the perimeter. Jenni knocked on the door. No answer. Jenni wasn't surprised. She extended her index claw and stuck it into the key lock. She twisted and turned until she heard a click. She pushed open the door with her gun drawn. Inside was dark, dusty, and filled with cobwebs.
Jenni slipped inside, shut the door behind her, and locked it. She moved swiftly across the room, flicking her tail from side-to-side. She reached the door on the other side of the tiny building, only this one was unlocked. More gunshots and laughter. Jenni sighed and opened the door slightly. She saw Serafine and Nico were the ones who were the cause of the laughing and gunfire. Wes was also laughing, raising a glass of yellow liquid. Fish was plugging his ears and whimpering. Mordecai was leaning against a pillar, his back to the door.
Finally, the Savoys had both run out of ammo. "Damnit!" Nico cried, shaking his gun wildly. "Well, that's what happens when you waste your bullets at the expense of your own enjoyment." Jenni said, causing everyone but Heller to jump. Serafine spun around and pulled the trigger to her gun, but it only clicked and spat out smoke. Jenni quickly took a shot at the other cat with her own gun, causing Serafine's weapon to fly out of her hands. The Savoys had a look of shock on their faces as they took a few steps back.
"Impressive shot Ms. Graves." Fish said, staring at her lovingly. "Thank you." Jenni replied, smiling back and nodding. "You nearly took my hand off!" Serafine cried. "No, I didn't. I wasn't even aiming for you." Jenni said, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. "When did you get here?" Wes asked. "A few seconds ago. I knocked and no one answered so I let myself in." Jenni explained, "You guys aren't really inconspicuous. I could hear you from my penthouse. Is this how every one of your marksmanship training sessions go?
"Technically." Heller nodded, "At what age did you start shooting?" "19. Been doing it ever since. Now, it's impossible for me to miss a target." Jenni explained. "So, you're pretty much a natural?" Nico asked, "Let's see about that."
Jenni stepped up to the shooting line and immediately shot at the middle target: Bullseye!
Left target: Bullseye!
Right target: Bullseye!
Targets in between middle, left, and right: Bullseye!
She pulled out her other gun; Three targets hanging from a rope: Bullseye!
Jenni turned back to her allies who were all stunned by her success. "I can see from your reactions that there aren't many good sharpshooters at Marigold." "Whoo!" Serafine cried. "Girl's a queen!" Nico added. Both siblings continued cheering.
"Bet she inherited her shooting skills from her mother." Clyde chuckled. Jenni's claws on her left hand extended but she concealed them behind her other palm. "Mr. Clyde, I understand you were merely trying to be funny, but I must ask you to please refrain from making jokes at the expense of my family...especially my mother." "Oh, hit a nerve did we." Clyde growled. Jenni clenched her hand tighter around her gun. Mordecai held his hand out in front of his protege, "Wes, that's enough. Now, I believe she asked you..."
"Defending your girl Heller?" "She's not my girl. She's my protege. And I won't stand by and watch you belittle her or her family. It's unprofessional." "Besides," Jenni added, "You saw what skill I have with a gun...and I still have three bullets left." Clyde snarled at Jenni but immediately calmed down, "Very well. Ms. Graves. Come on Fish, we have other stuff to do besides stand around and watch people gawk at the newbie. Good evening, everyone." Fish turned to Jenni and bowed to her, "Good night, Jen. Mordecai. Savoys."
Once the two cats left, Jenni stood next to her mentor and whispered, "Thank you." "Never let them see they get to you." he whispered back. Jenni lowered her eyes to the floor. "Whelp, I'm beat! You need a ride back to the hotel sweetheart?" Serafine asked, looking at Jen. "No thank you, I'll just call a cab." Jenni answered. "Aww, come on Cher!" Nico said, "Why waste your money on a stupid cab when you can get a free ride with your new pals?" "I don't want to disrupt anything you guys have going on tonight." Jenni said.
"You think we're going to take you to a field and...hatchet you up?" the Savoys laughed. Mordecai growled, "Don't ask." Jenni eyed him confusingly then sighed, "Well...I guess a ride is better than waiting out in the cold darkness for 30 minutes." "There you go Cher!" Serafine cried. "I'd like to hear more about this railroad business of yours." Nico stated. "It's a long story." Jenni said, "But I'm sure it's more appealing than...whatever you were laughing about." Jenni glanced at her mentor who nodded at her.