Drawing sidewinders and bullseyes.

## Content Information

Xander wandered through campus, just taking in the sights for the first time.  He didn’t have a destination, he just wanted to walk.  He felt better for having been able to talk to, and apologize to Didi earlier, but there were still the other looming threats he had to deal with.  Even just going for a stroll to clear his head had him on edge, given those monster haters looming around on campus.  But he couldn’t focus on that now, this was meant to be relaxing for him, and he was going to enjoy it.

Xander, finally looking up from being lost in thought, saw across the field he was approaching and noticed a lone individual still practicing.  Her familiar form notching an arrow and loosing it into a target.  Xander could make out that it was Iva, and began making his way over to greet her.

*Thunk!*

Another arrow struck the target clearly from a distance away from the line where a lone lady was standing. She wore a set of jogging pants and tank top that wouldn’t normally be seen on this individual.  She had kept her complex composite bow as she loose another set of two arrows against that target which was several feet away to be a recreational shooting. Outdoor targets were also a bit more tricker to hit as she had to take into account the air flow of the area. There was erratic wind blowing on the field, which she was secretly taking to account though a certain aspect of her hair that couldn’t stay down, but kept itself hidden.

The Collegiate Archery Team (or CAT) was a group that meet during the weekends to talk about various competitions, but Iva had been taken a backseat to it. Team understood the turn of the events, and of course, they were rooting for her. However, she hated missing meets and focused herself to go to the meeting this time. March was best for challenging outdoor archery, and Iva needed this time away to remember that she’s a student, and someone who should enjoy her own activities. The meeting had concluded roughly an hour ago, and she had volunteered to clean up...after she got some makeup practice down.

The events these past few weeks stirred into her mind. She was relieved that some of her friends are in good hands and concerned for several others. Her mind wandered into deep recollection, enough for her to hear the *thunk!* of a recent arrow. Her face frowned as she missed the center more than a feet compared to her consistent hits previously.

“Damnit..” She muttered.

Xander, finally able to get to the range, noticed her off center shot.  Now that Iva no longer had a notched arrow, he thought it’d be a good time to chime in and say something.  “It was still a much better shot than I could’ve managed, for what it’s worth!”

The bow was lowered before hearing someone speak to her. Her thoughts on how she missed calculated that previous shot, until she heard Xander’s voice.  The comment about her shot was ignored because she was still fussing over her mess-up, but instead. “Hi Xander. It’s a lot to figure out at once, but once you loose an arrow, it’s all over from there. . .” Iva said, not completely addressing him yet.  “....Sorry, I have a lot of my mind today. How are you?”

“It’s kind of like fencing, once the decisions made to strike you can rarely if ever hold back.”  Xander approached to stand next to her looking at the target.  “Well I’ve been through hell the past couple of days, but I’m still kicking, so I guess I’m good.  I’ve got a lot on my mind as well,” Xander paused, shifting his eyes to Iva, “So at least you’re in good company in that regard, future miss student government president.  So how’ve you been lately Iva?”

“So far, okay...okay is the honest answer.” Iva set the bow against her side, looking at the Xander, “The events of the job fair and what those guys said to us after we tried to help Joseph had bothered me. Then I would have to take SGA campaigning seriously after this weekend, then well...let’s just say I had to think about some bad memories this week. However, I had some good moments as well. Met some people in the Hellfire today, they seem pretty cool. Had some friends to hang out as well...so okay is the honest answer.”

Iva paused, realizing she rambled, “Looks like I have a lot of my mind as well, but at least Joseph hasn’t given you a heart attack with all your worries!”

“Oh yeah… Joseph…” Xander’s eyes flashed for a second as he tried to decide how much to divulge.  “We’re uh… we’re having some… difficulties to say the least.  Honestly I haven’t even see him since Tuesday afternoon.”  Xander rubbed the back of his neck and gave an awkward smile.  “But yeah, that’s somehow been the least of my problems this week.  What with getting screwed with by Fae, getting stuck in my other form for awhile, having to go through a painful ass ritual to get myself to turn back, watching one of my good friends get mauled… then coming to realize it was for her own good, and on top of all that my grandmother is coming to keep tabs on me.”

Xander, realizing he too had rambled extensively, gave a sheepish grin to Iva.  “Oh, but I’ve got a girlfriend now, and I really like her, so that’s a positive.”  He gave a weak thumbs up.

Iva wanted to question about the good about his friend getting mauled and messing with the Fae, but she kept it to her herself for now.

“There is a long take about the part of someone getting mauled for their own good, but since we saw someone’s suit jacket smoking during a job fair, I won’t press the issue. The grandmother sounds just as crazy”  Iva fiddled with her bow’s string and pulley, making adjustments, “A much better subject is the fact you got a new girlfriend now. That’s good for you. I told ya already that you have that natural charm about you. That you wouldn't need much effort for someone to come to you. Something about those eyes of yours.”

Xander’s face turned a bit red, “Thanks Iva, though don’t feed my ego too much, the last thing this campus would need right now is a cocky Xander strutting about.”  He wanted to speak further with Iva about the mauling issue, but he was honestly just happy to be having a normal good conversation, no reason to ruin it by pressing further on a depressing subject matter.  “But yeah, it’s honestly a strange and wonderful feeling I get when she’s around.  I’ve… I don’t know, I’ve never felt like this before about anyone.  Anyways, I don’t want to gush about her too much.  Tell me about this encounter with the Hellfires, I’ve heard so much about them and Selene, yet I know so little at the same time.”

“Well, they seem nice enough. They sure as hell know how to drive some unpleasant people out of a gazebo.”  The memory of that ruse that one of their members came up with was fresh in her mind, along with every ounce of control she had exerted to not laugh at the moment and the fact that it worked. “We talked about a bunch of things, and from the looks of it, they’re supporting my campaign, which is a relief on my end. They know how to throw a mean picnic as well.”

“This campaign effort for SGA president is presenting a lot more work than I usually carry on me, and I tend to carry a lot…” Iva let her mind linger on that thought. She had gained quite a bit of support, but it was obvious that she was worried whether or not she could execute all this planning to her own standards, and that part alone was frustrating.  Frustrating enough that she loaded an arrow into her bow and prepared for another shot.

“Well like I said on twitly, the fencing team and our fans are behind you too.”  The gears turned in Xander’s head, and he came to a realization.  “But perhaps I could offer more than just the team's endorsement.  In fact I know just the thing to help take some of the load off your shoulders.  Let me help your campaign personally, I could join SGA and be your campaign manager!  Or if you’ve already got a manager I can start leading a fundraising effort for events for your campaign.  I’ve got quite a few high profile student connections from the fencing team, and I’ve got the funds to back it all!”

“Thanks, my funds haven’t seriously been an issue thanks for everyone’s contributions. I think my real problem lately has been putting stuff together. I...never campaigned for anything like a school president before. There was not much of that when I went to school,” Iva finally admitted. “I do understand the gist, but the concept of a campaign on a popularity contest is a new monster. I think you probably would make a perfect campaign manager, compared to Bar-.” Iva paused and chuckled, “At least, I actually confided with you better than most. Never took you for someone interested in the SGA though, with your family’s business always down your neck and all.”

“That’s honestly where I must admit my selfish interests come into play.  I need my grandmother to see and believe I’ve been a model student here beyond what I’ve already been doing.  Getting involved in SGA is the perfect way to show her that.  Don’t get me wrong, I want to see you win because I genuinely believe you’ve got not just the best interests of monsters, but of the student body as a whole, at heart.  Not to mention I’ve wanted to join SGA to make a difference here on campus for my kind for a while now.  However, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have that personal stake in my offer as well.”

Xander shifted awkwardly on his feet.  “But, if you’re ok with that, then I’d have no issue taking on those responsibilities.  My schedule outside of classes and fencing is very flexible and open, so I’d be able to spend plenty of time organizing and rallying.”

“That would be helpful, but I don’t want you to take the full burden. I need to learn some things about the experience.”  Iva smiled as she pulled the arrow back on the string and aimed, “Well, as far as best interest, I just do what I believe is best with it all, even decisions with no one likes to make. You remember how ruthless I was as one floor’s RA?” She released and the arrow was just a few inches from the center, an improvement from the last shot.

“Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind helping you get your grandmother off your back. From your story, she seems to be quite a snake and tends to try to want you to keep an impossible standard. There is not much I can do with that one except help you prove this to her.”

“Oh trust me, Granny’s about as ruthless as they come.  I never realized it before I came here, but she’s a bit of a… for lack of a better term… monster.  I want to focus less on her though, and more on the helping you get elected.  If I’m right via skulking social media and the general observations of the student body I make anyways, you’ve got a bit of a lead over your opponent at the moment.”  Xander took out a phone and opened up a spreadsheet with tons of data on it.  “With the endorsement of The Hellfires, the Fencing Team, a few other popular factions around campus, and of course your complete stranglehold on the monster portion of campus, you’ve got about a five percent edge on her.  However, you’re lacking in three key demos that your opponent has been surging in recently, the fraternities, the honors societies, and the freshman.  It especially seems like she’s got an iron grip on the frats, which is very surprising given the endorsement of The Hellfires… I’ll need to look into that further.  Regardless, I feel like the first demographic to focus on, and the easiest to sway, would be the freshman.  Adding me to your campaign team though should help there, but perhaps holding a few events that are veiled as open to any student, but appeal specifically to the freshman, could drum up support in that regard.  I can handle all the above board activities, but what could really seal the deal with them is a rager that they’re actually allowed to go into.  If my data is right, and it usually is, freshmen have been getting turned away at frat house parties in droves recently for seemingly no reason.  If we can give them a party of their own, and expose the frats practices to the general student public, that may just seal the deal right there.  Of course these are all hypotheticals at this point…”

Xander looked up from his phone and laughed nervously.  “Oh gods sorry, I just babbled at you there so hard, I didn’t even give you a chance to weigh in.”

Iva realized a sharp sigh, realizing some adjustments to this arrangement, “Let’s start by not using the term ‘monster’ anymore for this campaign. We don’t want to cause any misconceptions among the student body or out anyone in particular. Luckily, no one is listening in right now. There are hidden dangers around carrying conversations about those unique among us.”  Iva would have to give Xander the full information about the dangers that he witnessed in the job fair in a more safe location.

“Next, would be your assessment of the honor societies. You're correct on that part. I haven’t made an attack on those yet as campaigning hasn’t officially started. The SGA made it clear that no official campaign efforts are required to be made during midterms back then, so I have been putting a pause on it for the sake of keeping my high GPA. That alone and my appearance in the job fair would appeal to those groups rather quickly. I expect a notable change once I get through with them.”  Iva had shot another arrow that she loaded while listening to Xander’s full assessment. It hit closer to the ninth score ring with a distance *thunk*.

“As for the freshmen, that’s a trickier beast than you realized, than exposing frat houses. There is a bit of mix ruling between allowing freshmen into full-on frat activities, not out of meanness, I’m afraid.” Iva said, “You see, the school had issues with freshmen being ‘hazed’, for the lack of a better term, due to certain groups taking advantage of the freshmen’s inexperience to the school’s social order.  Of course, I would have loved a fair to introduce me to the various clubs and orders during my freshman year, which is something I wouldn’t mind implementing within reason.  I believe a better solution is to discover ways to improve the student body's ability to assimilate freshmen on campus norms instead. There are methods to show my interest in improving this. As for the fraternities, those are a coin flip whether or not I can appeal to them...I’m not good with ragers, as you figured. I will have some attention to them, but there is a limit to what lengths I will go though.”

“Well then,” Xander said far more thoughtfully, “adjustments are indeed needed to reflect this information.  I suppose numbers can’t account for everything when it comes to matters like this, apologies.”  Xander began adjusting the numbers in his spreadsheet. “This though, this is why you’d make a good president.  I was woefully uninformed, while you’ve got the pulse of this campus down.”  Xander’s furious typing stopped for a second to turn his attention away and back to Iva.  “For now though assimilating freshman into campus norms is a great place to start.  They’re a significant portion of the student body, and they’d be the most willing to listen to your point of view.”  Xander shook his head and fiddled with his hands.  “Sorry about the uh, M word, I forgot how,” Xander looks around, “unsafe it is around here recently for us…”

“Don’t worry about it.  I disliked that idea of having to deal with this kind of danger as much as everyone. Perhaps, even more so considering my bad experience with people that have persecuted those with different natures.” Iva sobered in her voice, thinking about that talk with her therapist yesterday. “Give yourself some credit. The fact that you precured this information so effectively and had it ready, even for an impromptu meeting with me is a positive in my book. Despite what anyone thinks, you have the strongest showing for a campaign manager that I have seen, and I would double down on my decision if anyone doubts you.”

“Oh uh, thank you,” Xander’s voice cracked slightly as he looked down at his feet quickly. He re-composed himself a bit, and coughed lightly.  “But yeah, campaign management, yes I would love to do that… I’ve already said that… it’s been a long week.”  He laughed a bit awkwardly, kicking some dirt.  “Anyways, I’m definitely looking forward to meeting the rest of the campaign team, and collaborating with them on this.”  The fire in Xander’s eyes that had been missing for a while returned a bit.  “And of course crushing the competition!  In a professional and completely above board way of course.”

“I’m sure they will happily receive you. I have only started handpicking people to handle campaigning affairs, so you wouldn’t have many to meet. In fact, you, along with Sebastian, will probably help me screen though people for this team.” Iva’s confident voice showed that she had recovered from the somber mood brought on by mentioning the threats in the school. With her growing confidence, she had shot another arrow and hit the outer edge of the red circle on the target.

“Yknow watching you loosing those arrows gives me a terrible idea.  ‘Vote for a Straight Shooter, Vote Iva Mavros for SGA President’.”  Xander laughed a bit, “It’s terrible, I know, but it’s a place to start for a good campaign slogan.”

Iva had stopped pulling back on the arrow, almost lost in a chortle that the previous statement. “I will have to respectfully decline on that slogan because I’m wonderfully a pan in that department, thank you very much.” She chuckled, knowing that the slogan meant no offense.

“Another reason is that arrows don’t shoot that way.” Iva explained in a more dignified tone, “An arrow flies at angles and mostly parabolas, especially out here where the March carries a lot more wind. It's even worse back home with sea currents, in fact.  An archer knows how to take those factors into account before releasing an arrow. In fencing, you might be able to make last minute movements in your footwork and hand as you strike, however in archery once you let go, you can’t take it back. You have to let it fly with the changing winds and hope for the best.” With that Iva pulled back on the arrow, aiming towards the target but held her shot for now, “I intend to do the same as I campaign.”  She says with an arrow still notched in her bow ready to fire, gauging Xander for understanding her meaning.

“Give it your best effort, let it fly, and let winds change as they may.  At the end of the day the students will decide who the better candidate is, regardless of how much work and prep the campaign has.”  Xander nodded along, quickly picking up her intent.  “No underhanded tactics, no position shifts just to appease certain demographics, just uncut, unabashed, unfiltered Iva.  Your beliefs and strengths will either guide you to victory, or leave you off target.  Message received, loud and clear.”

“Close enough. I do have some trick or two...and a good archer knows a thing or two about tricking an arrow into the goal cleanly when the need arises, like adjusting the strength of the draw. Another one of those tricks is to get the winds to work with you as if it was their own goal...” With that, she released the arrow. With a distance thunk, Xander could see that the arrow had hit cleanly into the center red circle.

“...and all within the rules of the game.”  Iva finished her statement, perfectly satisfied with that last shot. She turned to Xander, “With that last arrow, I think it’s time to start cleaning up the field.”

Xander, impressed, gave Iva a small round of applause.  “You’ve got a flair for the dramatic future miss president, I’ll give you that.  Let me give you a hand, I know how annoying clean up can be for big equipment like this.”

“Thanks, I would appreciate it.” As Iva said, while collapsing the bow and placing it in her case.