|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 3:35 pm
Gun were hard. Guns were really, really hard. It wasn't like Junpei where she could just use it as an extension of her body. She couldn't flip the weapon around to have momentum. It wasn't about the tiny radius around her.
Instead it was zooming out, looking at the big picture. You had to focus on a target and aim. You couldn't just shoot the bar out in any old direction, it had to be precise.
It was ******** hard.
Not to mention there was an utter lack of protection. Nothing to block incoming attacks with, nothing to parry, counter with. Sure she'd sucked as a moon, but it wasn't like NONE of the defense training had sunk in. She knew more than the average hunter because of it. Now there was just nothing to work with, nothing to go off of.
It essentially came down to her missing Junpei more and more with each passing day, and getting frustrated because she couldn't do a single thing about it. She had to WAIT. That was was H had said. Just sit there and wait like a good girl, and hope everything worked out.
Another crack split the air as she fired and inevitably missed the target again. This was so frustrating- she had no idea how Kat and Cass did it on a daily basis. A groan left her mouth as reloaded the chamber. ******** guns. She wouldn't touch these things once Junpei was back.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 8:34 pm
Unlike Ami, Lex didn't have trouble with guns. He had trouble with the monster that inhabited his gun. He shot straight, knew how to breathe, all that stuff.
But still, Regal was never truly pleased. Always griping about not shooting straight enough, or getting oil on his wooden handle. All very annoying gripes, and yet the Gryphon still demanded that they train daily, despite Lex's protests of needing to study and do other duties.
Today was a day just like the rest. They'd woken up without Lex falling out of bed, for once. Regal had stopped bugging Lex about grabbing a quick breakfast, thank God.
And now they were at the shooting part of the training fields. He summoned Regal, admiring the gun for a second. Even though he was a selfish, loud, rude bird, the gryphon made for one hell of a pretty weapon.
He let off two quick rounds, hitting Ami's target in where the eyes would have been.
<< Now wipe your hands off, Whelp. >>
An eyeroll, but the trainee complied.
"Morning, Ma'am." Lex said in a singsong fashion, taking a stance about teen feet from the short girl. "Having a good morning?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 8:51 pm
Ami didn't scream like a baby as the bullets went whizzing past her face- after all, she was in combat nearly daily. At first, yes the bullets had scared the crap out of her. Now she just ran out into the field and hoped one didn't hit her.
She'd really just wanted to chalk it up to a rambunctious idiot, give a little scowl and then let the problem lie, but no. No, the trainee had to go and talk to her, which meant she couldn't just leave it alone. Interactions. Ugh.
"Not particularly," Ami said, voice calm and steady. "I was here minding my own business and then a deranged trainee shot his gun inches from my face." She'd yet to turn around and actually face said "deranged trainee," instead opting to load another bullet into the chamber. Add that to the list of reasons she missed Junpei; there were enough dummies that she could train alone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 9:30 pm
Lex smirked a little as he wiped Regal's hilt clean, before aiming the pistol at a dummy's stomach. He pulled the trigger three times, resulting in three loud cracks through the air, and three bright gold energy bullets leaving singes in the dummy.
"Ah, sorry about that." He smiled, wiping Regal's hilt off with the end bit of his scarf, removing the oils from his hands.
<< Good boy. >>
< Shut it. >
"So, I take it you're not much of a gun user." Lex relaxed a bit, resting Regal on his shoulder, barrel facing the sky. "What is your weapon, if you don't mind my asking?" He tapped his finger against the pistol's grip. "This is Regal, Gryphon, Flintlock pistol. Luckily he uses FEAR instead of musket balls."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 9:51 pm
Still not a single reaction from her. "If you think shooting an immobile dummy is going to woo a lady, you've got a thing or two to learn about courtship."
Apparently satisfied with her now loaded gun, she turned to face him. One might think she wanted to interact, but truthfully it was simply weighing the options. Either go back to target practice or talk. Her head chose talk.
"Regal is a nice name," she commented. Not as comfortable to use as Junpei, but really. There were weapons with names like "mrgletta." Regal was a blessing. "Jump- Junpei is a glaive," she said vaguely, without an ounce of tonality to her voice. She turned back to the shooting range, taking aim once more. Apparently that was as much conversation as she deemed neccessary for the moment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 10:07 pm
"No ma'am, I don't think it's going to. You're not a redneck, or a game hunter, from what I can tell, so I highly doubt a little marksmanship is going to impress." His voice was full of mirth, as usual. He enjoyed shooting the breeze, especially when a pretty lady like Ami was his conversation partner.
"Nice enough name, yeah. He's told me all Gryphons have some kind of noble name, due to them either being royalty or associated to it." He shrugged, and took note of Ami taking aim.
"A glaive. No wonder you're not aiming right." Without invitation, Lex took the few steps necessary to close the distance between him and her, and had his arms guiding hers upward. "Aim higher than the target. Gravity makes the bullet fall slightly."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 11:31 pm
Ami was about to say something when she felt two arms lifting her own and a chest against her backside.
She instinctively shoved her way out of his "smooth move," glaring at him from where she stood. The guns were in her hands, but they were pointed at the ground, not him. "Don't," she said seriously, a look of disgust in her eyes.
A battle waged within Ami. She knew it wasn't the guy's fault- he didn't know her abrasiveness, didn't know her reasons. She really hated to do things without explanation, but it couldn't be helped for the moment. On the other hand, he was being way too friendly with her, having only met once.
At her core, Ami wasn't the type to wage a fight with no reason. She didn't hate the guy, merely thought him too touchy, too friendly. Not enough to threaten him though. All Lex got was a frustrated sigh. She very much wanted to punch his lights out, but that wouldn't be the ladylike thing to do.
Best to just abscond. "Sorry. Shooting range is yours," she said politely, turning to walk out the door and leave the situation entirely.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 10:52 am
Lex had totally not seen that coming, whatsoever. More often than not, moves like that at least got a small giggle and a polite 'no thanks' or 'don't be so cheeky.' Hardly ever did someone just abscond like that.
What should he do? Abjure? No, that was too hostile. Perhaps apologize. This was going to be awkward.
"Sorry...um, didn't know you were uncomfortable with touching. My bad." His right hand went to the back of his neck, lips tugging into a slight frown. Great job Lex, make her hate you more.
<< You really suck at this, Whelp. >>
Lex huffed at the gryphon, frown increasing. At his core, Lex was a social creature, and hated to have a bad rap about him. "But hey, if you want to leave, go ahead." No bitterness was heard in his voice, just slight sadness.
He really hated it when he messed up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 1:22 pm
Fantastic. It was nice to know that some people were perfectly reasonable about leaving her alone, not bothering her, and letting her go. Pleasing even. All it took was a step out the door and she would have the trainee out of her mind. Maybe she'd make a cup of tea later.
Yet she couldn't do that in good faith. What was it Junpei would say right about now? Go make friends! No, no- "Awww, he was just trying to help!" It nagged at her, weighed her down like shackles as she walked towards the door.
It was rude. Bad etiquette even. A heavy sigh escape her lips, as though trying to blow away the ghost of Junpei's intentions.
She abruptly decided not to leave, turning around to face Lex once more. "No, I'm sorry," she said monotonously, as though reading from a script. "That was childish." She paced back over to where he was standing, staring up at the taller hunter. "We really must stop meeting like this, ah ..." She searched the air as though the name would appear in front of her magically. Yes, Ami had already put him out of her mind and forgotten his name. Oops. Too bad there wasn't a placard emblazoned on his shirt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 1:44 pm
"Lex." The man finished, giving the small Hunter a little grin. She'd forgotten his name? Ah, well, she wasn't the first - but then, she hadn't been drunk upon meeting him. It stung a little, but he was over it quickly.
She had set him up perfectly with her last line. Too perfect, actually, but Lex would take it. He couldn't resist being a total cornball and a half at times. "Well, Ma'am, how would you propose we meet?" A cheeky grin, and a waved hand. "Really, it's fine. Totally my mistake."
He backed up a little, to a place where they could shoot clearly.
"But I insist, try aiming higher."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 2:41 pm
"Right, Lex," she confirmed. Ami couldn't help it, she didn't have a memory for names. Mostly because she disliked everyone too much to remember.
She blatantly ignored his pick up line, returning it with a sour glare on her face. Then again, that might have just been her default expression. Nonetheless she crossed in front of him to take her shot. It seemed rather silly to her, but she took his advice and aimed a bit higher. The bullet completely missed of course, but this time it hit somewhere around the shoulder, instead of hitting the ground in front of the dummy. Well ... improvement?
She sighed and set her gun down on the small ledge in front of her, not even bothering to grab more ammo from the box she'd set out in front of her. They were just training bullets- no sense in wasting the runics ones. "I really hate guns, you know. I haven't the slightest why Dr. H thought this was a good idea."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 3:43 pm
< Well hey, I'm not the only one that hates you. >
<< Quiet, whelp. She said she hates guns, not Gryphons. >>
< You're a gun now. >
<< I swear if you don't shut it I will reach the highest tenor- >>
< Okay, okay, yikes. >
Lex watched as Ami shot and missed, gently smiling as she set the gun down. "Hey, you did better that time. Remember to hold your breath when you squeeze the trigger. That's what Regal always tells me, anyway."
He aimed at a dummy, a little higher than it's head. "Just focus, inhale." He took in a sharp breath, and sent another round of golden FEAR hurting into the dummy. "Pull the trigger, don't close your eyes, and exhale."
It wasn't a super easy thing, but when you had the help of bonding with a gun, you kind of knew what you were doing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 3:52 pm
"Yeah yeah," Ami said, clearly not impressed. What could you do- one of her best friends shot guns, and was a crack shot too! Ami just wasn't exuberant over a man who could shoot one or two. "I get it jethro, calm down."
She emptied her pockets for a moment, setting her journal and Junpei on the left side of the table- guarding it with her body, so don't get any ideas Lex. Doing so freed up space for her to just set her guns in carefully. The training grounds were close to her dorm, so she hadn't even thought to bring her holster.
"Tell Regal, he's a wonderful instructor." Ami knew it probably wasn't Lex's skill, but the instruction of her weapon. God knows she would've been terrible without Junpei telling her what to do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 4:35 pm
< She thinks you're a d**k. >
<< Lies. >>
"He says thank you." Lex rolled his eyes, and shook his head. "Just figured a demonstration would help you understand more clearly, didn't know if you preferred visuals or were one of those types who could just hear things and do them." He shrugged, grinning again.
"But hey, I probably was showing off a little." He desummoned Regal, noting that Ami had put her guns away. It was probably time for them to get to the labs, or her at least. Lex would get back to studying, or maybe scrubbing the ovens again.
"Going back to the labs?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 5:22 pm
Ami could see the split second of conversation that took place in Lex's head- every hunter had it. Those few seconds you took exchanging a few words with your brainworm, and then you responded to real life. Except all Ami had was an empty silence.
"Is that an offer to escort me?" she said snidely, rolling her eyes and folding the box of ammo to set it back on the shelf next to the range. She picked up her journal and tucked it into her pockets, Junpei still on the table. His runes didn't even glow now; a pathetic shell of what he used to be.
She sighed and put him in her pocket too, now officially weighed down by all the weight in her pockets. She was at least thankful the burns were fully healed. A while ago, having all this weight on her hurt. "Besides, didn't you just get here?" Ami said, pointing out the flaw in his plan. "Don't tell me you came here just to find little old me." She feigned some batting eyelashes, something that she imagine women did for his complimenting charm quite a bit. The sour expression returned to her face, and she gave him a look that said Nice try.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
