4th Check-In; Dictated

[holyrabies]

So, does anyone know if there's a place in this castle where I can learn to use weapons or just to fight?

[NOT MENTIONING THE KISSING INCIDENT. She managed to get away with only one run-in so far, and she still has no idea what happened, except for the fact that she is the worst.]

Comments

[originalcopy]

What are you a psychiatrist now? Seriously, it's fine.

[he gives a dismissive grunt. Chicks can be so damn stubborn.]

Do you want to go learn to shoot shit or what?

[holyrabies]

No, I just-

[Another sigh.]

Nevermind. Shooting stuff sounds good. When and where should I meet you?

[originalcopy]

Good.

I've heard there is a shooting range around here. Guess, that's as good a place as any.

Whenever is fine with me.

[holyrabies]

Sounds good to me, too. Is it okay if I meet you there after I find some lunch?

[originalcopy]

That's fine, I'll see you then.

[since Church doesn't have to worry about eating, he'll just start looking for the shooting range and try to get set up.]

[holyrabies]

[Mavis not only waits until after she eats, but until after she has very carefully washed her face of any red stains from the blood substitute she had. She's totally comfortable openly being a vampire in the castle, but there's no need to make her new teacher think she just killed someone.

Eventually, though, she does turn up, with a wave and a small smile.]

Hello!

[originalcopy]

Jeez, what took so long?

[He's hoping she realizes that he's not being mean. People around here don't really seem to appreciate his sense of humor much.

...and she isn't quite what he was expecting to see. Not that he really knows what he was expecting... He's not sure she'll even be able to hold a gun she's so skinny.]

[holyrabies]

[Fortunately, though Mavis has lead a shut-in's life, she lived the life of a shut-in who had many, many visitors. Most with a pretty taunting sense of humor, too, so she laughs a bit and shrugs.]

Like I said, I was eating! But now I'm totally ready to get started... Unless there's like, a rule about not shooting on a full stomach.

[originalcopy]

Not that I know of... but you're not going to be shooting yet anyway.

[He pulls out a very large pistol]

Sorry, this is the smallest gun I have. I'll see if I can find something more your size for later.

First things first, this is the safety. It's to be on at all times when you aren't actually going to fire the gun. You never leave your finger on the trigger and you always point it down and away from yourself and anyone else around you. Unless you plan on shooting them.

Understood?

[holyrabies]

I'm not?

[But dang it, once that gun is out, she can just feel that things are serious now, even before he starts talking. When he does, she stands straight, listening with attentive eyes.]

Let's see... Yeah! Okay, I've got all that. Don't worry, I'm not planning on taking this lightly at all. I know those things are really dangerous.

[originalcopy]

Good. If I ever see you forget one of those rules... this is over.

I really fuckin' hate being shot.

[He shows her the various parts of the pistol, how to load it and how to check it to make sure it's in working order.]

Have you ever seen or been near a gun being fired?

[holyrabies]

[She has 118 years to go through in her memory at that question, after nodding and listening carefully through his demonstration.]

I think... A musket, once or twice. Does that help?

[originalcopy]

...
not really...

[He shrugs]

Anyway, guns are loud. Some are louder than others... this one is pretty loud, but not as bad as my sniper rile.

You're going to see a gun fired before I let you do it.

Always check the firing range to make sure it's clear before you fire. Always use two hands to start with, this isn't like the movies. Two hands let's you control the gun better and that let's you aim better. The gun kicks back in your hand and that can make you miss or injure you if you're not ready for it.

Plug your ears if you don't like loud noises.

[He checks the shooting range to make sure no one is in the way and to give Mavis some time to get ready if she's going to plug her ears. He then fires off a couple of rounds at the nearest target. (Thankfully he's not shooting at a person, so his odds of hitting are pretty good.)
He does a pretty good job of not acting surprised when he hits the target.]

[holyrabies]

[She nods and listens carefully. Loud noises aren't really a problem for her... Monsters are a noisy bunch! And indeed, she's quite fine, and watches with a grin as he hits target.]

Wow! That was really impressive!

[originalcopy]

[He can't help but chuckle a bit at her enthusiasm. That had to be the most unimpressive shot in history.]

Ok, come check this out. Bullets come in different sizes and can do different amounts of damage. All of them do enough to kill someone with a single shot.

[He shows her the little hole that the bullet made in the target. Then he shows her the huge mess the bullet made of the straw behind the target]

Even if you don't kill someone with your first shot... you will be maiming them. My sniper rifle can kill a guy in armor like mine at 600 yards. Closer range... it's a lot messier.

[holyrabies]

[...Ah, the part about killing and maiming others. That makes her visibly uncomfortable, but she nods. She'll only be using these things if she absolutely needs to, after all.]

G-Got it. I'll make sure I remember all that...

[originalcopy]

[Good, Church wants her to be uncomfortable. She was way to eager to play with toys that can kill people. He's seen enough people die, Including some of those eager young people.]

Ok... Well, I'll see if I can find you a smaller gun and we'll go over how to shoot next time.
I'm pretty sure the kick back on mine would knock your teeth out or break your nose or something.

We'll work up to the larger guns later.

[holyrabies]

[Well, she does perk back up pretty quickly, though. Still, it's not her usual lovely of pep as she nods obediently.]

I'll see what I can find, and then I'll get in touch.

Thanks, by the way.

[originalcopy]

If you do get one... don't mess with it until I'm around. No trying to load it or shoot it on your own... Alright.

[this is one of those moment he wishes he had a face, so he could smile or something. Instead of just having a blank visor for a face.]

Like I said, if you're going to learn, I want to make sure it's done right...

...you're welcome.

[holyrabies]

I promise! I'm going to take this really seriously, like I said. You have noting to worry about, guy.

[She smiles despite the fact that he can't. His words, considering his attitude at the start, are close enough to a smile for her.]

So, I guess I'll see you around, huh?

[originalcopy]

Church... my names Church.

[realizing they haven't actually "met" before now and that is really kind of weird.]

Yeah, I'll see you around.

[And that also feels weird to him... he's not sure if he means it or he's just saying it to be nice. He's spent the last fourteen months completely alone and he liked it. And now he's here, meeting all kinds of people... and things... and people-things.]

[holyrabies]

I'm Mavis. And thanks again, Church.

[The feeling of someone warming up to her is wonderful.]

[originalcopy]

[at least until Church starts to be a total jerk because he can't let himself like people too much... and that is the best way to push them away.]