[ 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

[twinpeak]

[ He freezes in his steps the moment he's called out to. Then, nonchalantly as ever, he turns back around again on his heels, left to wondering if this means Koltira wants to talk after all. ]

Nope—I'm on track as ever. Just... you know, seeing the sights, getting the lay of the land. That sort of stuff.

[respired]

[ Koltira hefts Byfrost onto his back, though he doesn't take any steps toward the boy. Rather, he pulls his Stetson low, such that the wide brim obscures his already impenetrable expression. His temples throb. ]

It is dangerous to walk about alone.

[twinpeak]

So? You're out here by yourself, too.

[ Which is like the most childish comeback ever and not even the same thing, but whatever. ]

[respired]

[ Oh, honey.

Koltira raises an eyebrow, though it comes off more like a wince. Pain spikes in his nerves, and he grits his teeth slightly. ]

Yes. I am part of that danger.

[twinpeak]

[ Dipper frowns. Guess that answers what he was wondering. ]

I take it that means nothing's changed since last time, huh.

[respired]

[ If anything, his warning feels ever more dire. Koltira pinches the brim of his hat between his thumb and forefinger, keeping it low and in place.

Abruptly, he rumbles. ]

You must promise me something, Dipper.

[twinpeak]

[ The subtle actions are easier to catch in person than they are over a small device. Ones of continued avoidance? He's only left to guess. ]

... What is it?

[respired]

[ He doesn't answer right away. His grip tightens on his hat; a wracking spasm makes his spine go rigid, his jaw tighten. For a moment it's difficult to see, to think. He exhales, a false breath meant to steady himself. ]

When you see me next--

--run.

[twinpeak]

—Huh?

[ Dipper's head snaps up, brow furrowing further in confusion—and a touch of concern. No, maybe that isn't avoidance like he assumed; it almost looks... pained?

His mouth purses into a flat line. ]

Why? What's wrong now?

[respired]

[ It's the same thing that's been wrong. The thing he's been trying to warn Dipper about--warn everyone about, in fact. The reason he pushes them away.

He had wanted Dipper for a pupil. He still thinks the kid could use some instruction--in swords, daggers, something to defend himself. But there's no time, now.

He speaks in a growl. ]

Why must you ask so many questions? Why can you not simply listen?

[ I'm trying to protect you. ]

[twinpeak]

[ It's far from the first time that Dipper's demand for answers only ends in annoyance, but he's genuinely surprised when Koltira barks back. He flinches, taking a small, instinctive step back; he bounces back just as quickly, however, fists balling up at his sides. ]

Because— 'cause I just want to know! Is there something wrong with that?

[respired]

[ No, it's not wrong. Koltira knows this, too, on a rational level. On an irrational level, though, he's frustrated, in pain; his thoughts are an angry jumble that he can't sort through without overwhelming effort. Effort which is, by this point, nearly spent. He rubs his temples.

Might as well put it plain. ]

I have gone too long without satisfying this curse. My mind slips from my grasp more quickly by the day. By the minute.

[ He grinds his teeth. ]

Soon there will be nothing of me left.

[twinpeak]

—A curse?

[ In all the time he's known Koltira, it's the first it's mentioned, and Dipper blinks up at him in surprise. As expected of him, this only gives him more questions he's tempted to ask, but he manages to settle with one. ]

... The kind that's gonna get someone hurt?

[ Granted, that's the point of curses; some are mild, yet others, not so much. Dipper can only presume it's more along the levels of the latter. ]

[respired]

[ He hisses through his teeth, though he's not mad at Dipper. It's just another lance of pain, slicing through his temples. He must leave soon, he knows, but he so desperately wants Dipper to understand. Someone to understand. ]

Yes.

[twinpeak]

[ Several beats of silence pass, and Dipper's eyes lower towards the ground. Until: ]

Then—

[ Without warning, he drops his backpack onto the sandy patch below, and Dipper falls to a kneel. ]

—Then there's gotta be something we can do before that happens! Just give me a second– [ He fishes out an old, red leather bound book, cracking open over his knee worn, yellowed pages before any protest could be made. While thumbing through the pages, Dipper skims over the paragraphs of words and illustrations, among odd symbols and ciphers. ] What kind of curse is it? Do you know what caused it? There's a chance I'd have something in here that could break it, or a method to alleviate it, or—or anything at all!