[ open ] swift as the coursing rain, with all the force of a great typhoon

[flashbanging]

CHARACTERS: McCree; Koltira; yOU
DATE: First few weeks post-arrival in Perdition's Rest
WARNINGS: somebody might hit somebody else
SUMMARY: TRAINING DAY(s)



MCCREE

[ McCree's set up near the northwestern border of the town. He's constructed a line of targets--six flour sacks tied to poles, facing the expanse of desert beyond--and he's spinning his revolvers in his good hand. He's got a mess of other guns piled on top of a nearby barrel, some borrowed from Riza Hawkeye, some purchased from the local munitions shop. Attached to the barrel is a sign:

SHARPSHOOTING
(OR HAND-TO-HAND)
HERE. ]

KOLTIRA

[ Koltira's on the southern outskirts. Anyone conducting business in the town proper can see him just beyond the edges of the last buildings, giant sword in hand, black coattails fluttering behind him as he paces. He has no targets, and no sign, either. He has the sword in his hand, the knives on his belt, and a scowling expression on his face. ]


[ OOC: TRAINING, with either Koltira or McCree. Obviously, totally separate from one another--I just combined the log so as not to spam the community needlessly. If no actual training was discussed on record, but you'd still like to have your character learn something, feel free to handwave that discussion.

McCree offers: sharpshooting; brawling.

Koltira offers: weapons training; magic if you're capable; hand-to-hand also.

McCree is a friendly and patient teacher.

Koltira is not.

Of course, if you'd just like to bother them while they are holding deadly weapons, that is also fine. Please comment to either subheader below for a custom starter! Please specify what you're here for! ]

Comments

[fateality]

[Suffice it to say, it sounds as if he can't do anything about that, and Koltira is taking the time to explain expectations.

He offers a smile, a little softer than he's made before.]

But it'll pass? Before it comes back, I reckon. Way you explain it, sounds like it never really goes away.

[respired]

[ The tips of his ears perk forward slightly, unconsciously, in reaction to that smile. ]

It will pass, or I will tear myself apart. Either way, I must try to ensure that you and the others are safe.

[ He glances down, staring at the cloudy ring, at his bare hand. He could swear he sees a blood stain blossoming over his palm already. ]

It never truly leaves me. I fight it. And sometimes I lose.

[fateality]

[Carefully, he takes Koltira's hand from his face, bringing it around to press his lips lightly against the knuckles. An echo from the last time he encouraged a kiss, and Koltira paid this to him.]

I'm a bettin' man, as you know.

You'll see the end of this. And I'll see you at the other side, whenever it's done.

[He thinks, briefly, of the last time he saw Malcolm: ready to kill Twisted Fate, even as they were surrounded and ready to be taken by pirates. ALASTAIR had good timing, ensuring Twisted Fate's escape, but it's not the first time he'd technically abandoned his ex-partner.

He'd like to think he won't make that same mistake here.]

[respired]

[ Koltira's ears go rigid, standing straight upright as TF kisses his knuckles. He, too, is unused to softness of any kind; certainly he's been shown precious little of it since his undeath. There are people in Audentes who have been kind to him, even inexplicably affectionate. Even lascivious. But not romantic.

And as for this confidence in him--well, that's pretty new, too.

He doesn't really know what to make of it.

So he just goes formal (not that he ever isn't formal), bowing his head slightly, trying to hide his bewilderment. ]

I can only hope, Fate.

[ And he does have some small hope. Death knights were not always entirely lost to despair. He thinks of what his commander used to say: 'All is not lost.

Not yet.' ]

[fateality]

[Koltira's hand is gently released, and Twisted Fate looks up at him, keeping his smile.]

Hey now. That's almost positive sounding from you.

[A careful remark, meant lightly.]

For right now, if you aren't busy, I can buy you another drink. After that, I'll keep what y'said in mind.