Artemis took a deep breath in as she walked towards the cabin. The smell of pine and cedar became even stronger the closer one got, likely due to the ample amount of sawdust that was frequently found in the area. It was actually really pleasant and relaxing. The dusty blonde student felt the excited nerves that tend to accompany any time she tried out for a new sport team. And this one was going to be new. Not entirely out of her comfort zone, because what sport ever truly was, but the first time she’d done this sort of thing competitively… It might have not even crossed her mind to try for the team if not for the fact that they were having tryouts so soon. Classes hadn’t even started yet and the team was already doing a recruiting event.

As she came up to the large wooden structure, Artemis couldn’t help thinking it was quite impressive. Especially considering she’d heard it was entirely student-built. Almost anyone would be impressed that young adults still in the process of getting their education had created such a thing from their own hands. It was no tiny shack just thrown together with a few nails but a well crafted building with proper doors, windows, and even a chimney indicating a functioning hearth inside. It was large enough for at least a small party of fifty to eighty people easily. The craftsmanship felt like that of a lost art outside of professionals. But today she wasn’t here to go inside, instead interested in what was behind the large log cabin. 

Still she stopped a moment to admire the front door frame with multiple names carved in the wood in various stages of fading. The letters were all crude and simple but obviously intended to last a long time, some of the older ones looking almost smooth to the touch despite still being quite visible. It makes one wonder what one needed to do to add their name to the doorframe with the others. Or maybe people just did so without any sort of permission from others. Like the stereotype of how lovers carve each other’s names in trees. Artemis frowned with that last thought, carving trees as a sign of romance always seemed too weird to her personally. She soon turned and walked around the building to the rear.

One of the older students noticed Artemis coming around the corner and waved her over to the training field. “Are you here to try out or just watching?” She survayed the wide cleared out area, covered in a decent layer of sawdust and wood chippings. Even though this was a sport she’d never done before, the practice area held a sense of familiarity to her.

“I figured I’d at least try my hand at it. I’ve never officially done it before or anything, but it sounds fun so I’m willing to learn.” Was it uncommon for freshmen like her to try out their first year? Or maybe the question had been because she was a woman. She thought they had gotten past times when such biases were so casually displayed and bristled a little at the notion someone would judge her based on that.
“Well, you have to pick at least one event to do for tryouts. Current members will step in for team events if you pick one of those so we can get a fair assessment.” Oh, the student just wanted to know for the sake of being helpful, not because they were thinking she was out of place. Artemis was glad she had been civil instead of entirely jumping to conclusions.

She looked over the list of events and glanced at the other people on the field, whether trying out for a position as well or just practicing she couldn’t tell. She was technically a newbie to this all so maybe it would be best to pick something simple for now. She could always try everything else later down the line if they took her interest. “How about that one, and that one.” She pointed to two different events with a small smirk. “I’ve always been told I’m good at throwing things…”
“The target’s always a popular one for tryouts so there’s a small wait for it. But…” The man excitedly turned to call over towards a far corner. “Hey, Tom! I’ve got someone thinking about joining your toss team. You want to see what she can do?” Not even waiting for the other person to respond, he turned back to Artemis and gestured for her to head that way. “Make sure to be careful making your way over, but Tom’ll explain what to do and answer any questions. He’s the best we have so ends up teaching the newbies for that event.”

Attentively weaving through the sawdust covered field, she soon came up to the man she assumed she’d been directed to standing by a pair of stakes in the ground. He looked her over. “You ever do pulpwood tossing before?” It wasn’t a condescending question and more one someone would ask to assess where another was information-wise.
“No, but I’m interested in learning..” Artemis was always interested in learning a new sport and this event didn't seem very complicated based on the name. Not that she was looking down on it, but at least she could guess what it was just from the title, unlike some of the other activities.

“Well, the rules for competitions are simple enough to explain.” He pointed to four logs the length of an adult arm and a little thicker than a wrist sitting between two stakes identical to the ones near him. “You take turns with your teammates tossing those between the stakes. It’s a point for every log that ends your turn between the two stakes you’re throwing towards. Ready to show me what you’ve got?”

Artemis started to walk towards the pile of logs. “Just toss them from one pair of stakes to the other?”
“Yep. Accuracy is what I’m most looking for, but bonus if you have the strength and energy to keep up the effort for a number of rounds.” She picked up the first one and seemed to be mentally judging the weight, green eyes staring at her target area to assess the distance, before throwing it. And then she threw the other three a little quicker, having gotten a good feel for it the first time… Two firmly in the area with the last a little over and another needing a closer look to see it also would count as a point. “Pretty good. Though, you would have to do it a number of times with short breaks between. You want to do a few more rounds for a more accurate evaluation?”

“Sure.” She watched Tom throw them back between the previous stakes, noting his form for any visual tips she could use.

After a few more times of them tossing the logs back and forth, Tom gave a little grin. “Well, I’ll have to discuss with the rest of the team, but I think it wouldn’t be premature to say welcome to the woodsmen team, Miss… I don’t think I ever caught your name.”
“Artemis, like the Greek goddess of the hunt.” She was proud of such a strong associated name and her introduction showed it. “But most of the sports teams I was on in high school just called me Arty.”

“Well, then, Arty… Any other events you’re thinking about cross training for?” If she didn’t know better, she would assume the goofy grin Tom shot her was flirty. A lot of sporty guys got more friendly with her once they saw her athletic skills, even when they weren’t interested in her romantically. She’d seen it enough that she could tell Tom was most likely in the friendly but not interested category. Which, she was very much grateful for. Among other things, she wouldn’t have been happy if there was even the chance she made the team because of a crush. That would be an insult to her talent.
“I was considering ax throwing too, but the student by the cabin said it’s really popular.” It did sound like a lot of fun.
“Oh, for sure…” Tom pointed to a line of students across from a large wooden bullseye. “Everyone tries out for that one when first starting since it doesn’t require as much strength as most other events. You should still give it a try. If you’re any good, it’s always beneficial to have back up people for events when someone can’t make a meet for some reason.”
“Guess I should get in line, then…” She gave a sigh. This all felt so new to her and while that was exciting, it was odd being just part of the crowd when it came to talent. Hopefully it wouldn’t be long before she excelled at this like she did so many other sports in the past.