[closed]

[allinvein]

Who: Alex And John
What: Lessons on firearm usage.
Where: The shooting range.
When: August 9th, Friday afternoon

[It had seemed like such a good idea in the truck. Someone was clearly out for their blood, and as he hadn't exactly been gifted with anything that promoted his safety or survival, it looked like it was up to him to do something about it. John had seen people talking about offering martial arts lessons, but something like a firearm just seemed so much easier and practical. After all, John didn't really like the idea of having to punch anything alien--who knew what sort of things could happen if flesh touched that stuff?

Now that he's actually here at the shooting range, though, he's starting to wonder about the intelligence of his choice. John's never held a gun in his life, and that target? It's looking awfully tiny and far away. Is he even going to master this thing fast enough to make use of it?]

Comments

[amberhearted]

[ it's john's inexperience that makes this a good idea. better he familiarize himself with a rifle here than find himself in a situation where he needs it but doesn't know jack shit about firing.

they've got a rental for john to use. eye and ear protection, too, though the latter is currently resting around the base of his neck. gotta be able to hear john speak and all. ]

Don't worry about it. You can bring the target closer-- [ a flip of a switch and the target is, indeed, moving forward. he flips it again to make it stop. ] See?

But you're not gonna shoot yet. Hold your gun.

[allinvein]

[It's with no small sense of relief that John watches the target come closer, and he's grinning when Alex brings it to a stop.]

You might have to bring it even closer when we get started.

[That said, he lifts the weapon in his hands and just... sort of stares at it for a moment. The weight and shape of it is alien, even if he's got a very basic (and probably improper) idea of how to use the thing; it's not like John's never seen a rifle used in a movie before.

His eyebrows lift, and John looks at Alex expectantly.]

I'm going to guess that we won't be shooting from the hip.

[amberhearted]

Nope on both counts. [ without asking for permission, Alex starts adjusting John's posture and hold on the rifle. ]

You gotta remember-- what you're holding has the power to take a life. It can take it swiftly or it can take it slowly. It doesn't have to take it at all, but all of that depends on how you use it.

[ one last adjustment, then he steps back. ] Like a car, you know?

[allinvein]

[Hearing Alex say that strikes a bit of a cord in John, and his hold of the gun tightens just fractionally. Sure, he's always known that guns could kill, but it just seems so much more sobering when he's actually got one in his hands. John nods slightly and then subtly adjusts his positioning--just to make it feel a little more natural to him.

He breathes out, and as he looks down the sight, his mind goes blank for a moment. For a brief second, John is struck with the fear of wielding a gun while experiencing a pulse, but strangely enough, the sensation makes him feel more comfortable about it than not.]

Aim for the center then?

[amberhearted]

Yeah. Safety's on, so you gotta take it off. [ he taps the button so john knows what he's touching. ]

Remember recoil, yeah? And this. [ he says, lifting john's ear protection up to cover his ears, since his hands are full with rifle. alex does the same with his own, then flashes john a thumbs up. ]

[allinvein]

[Safety off and ear protection in place, he just nods his head slightly so as to not jostle the gun, and since they both have ear protection on now, there seems to be little point in trying to say anything anyway. John gives Alex a quick, "Wish me luck!" look and then focuses his attention on the target.

It doesn't seem as far away as it had before, and when he squeezes the trigger, it all feels a little more natural than it should. One by one, John empties the magazine, only stopping and switching the safety back on when he's all done.

As for his aim? Well, not every shot is bull's eye, but... it's eerily centered for someone who's never touched a gun before. With a grin already pulling at his lips, John sets the rifle back down on the counter and pulls the ear protection off.]

Huh. Would you take a look at that?

[amberhearted]

[ UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM those are not beginning shots!

alex likewise pulls off his ear protection and shoots john a skeptical look. ]

You had me with the positioning.

[ obviously john had been pulling his leg about not knowing how to use a rifle! ]

[allinvein]

No, no! I really haven't done this before.

[He looks pretty giddy about his, uh, "beginner's luck," and after a moment, John leans a little closer to Alex, pitching his voice low so that only he can hear what he's saying.]

I think I just had a pulse.

[His first useful skill? Yeah, okay, he's pretty excited.]

[amberhearted]

[ brows rising, his mouths opens in a silent 'ooooohhh.' he likewise lowers his voice, though doesn't lean any closer since john took care of that. ]

That's pretty sweet. [ then, at a normal volume, ] Let's try it again.

[ he switches the old target for a new one and sets it further back. ]

[allinvein]

Right? Something I can actually use.

[--and is human in nature. That's rather reassuring, all things considered. Sure, if he overthinks this, John's going to be pretty damn confused about what the hell he is becoming, what with all of these mixed signals, but for now, he'll just relish the good news.

He's all smiles as he pops his ear protection back on, switches out the magazine, and then waits for Alex to get ready for the second round.]

[amberhearted]

[ alex would argue that black eyes could be useful in scaring the pants off of someone, buuuuut inherently more risky, yeah.

like the first time, he steps back and gives john a thumbs up when his gear is order. he'll actually be watching john's stance rather than the target. ]

[allinvein]

[This time, there's an easy confidence with the way he gets settled with the rifle, body shifting comfortably into a squared stance. It's like having his muscle memory kick in all of a sudden, and his movements to release the safety and fire are calm and sure.

He's not really sure where his other self learned how to shoot, but hey, he's not complaining. That target doesn't stand a chance.]

[amberhearted]

[ dang, yo, this is the real deal.

useful echo indeed. without quite realizing it, alex grins widely. this is actually really fucking exciting -- someone else who will be able to defend themselves with a firearm. when you've got corrupt policemen and corporations working in the shadows burning down homes and leading people to their (hopeful) deaths, you gotta take your safety seriously.

that's alex's thought, anyway. so it's refreshing to have one more person at ease with a modern weapon.

he slaps john on the back when he's done, meeting his eyes, still grinning. hand still on his back, alex pulls off his ear protection. ]

Looks like I can leave you to it, then, huh?

[allinvein]

[When the rifle's safely back on the counter and his ear protection's off, John turns an exhilarated smile on Alex.]

I... I guess so. [The breathless note in his voice suggests that he's still amazed by all of this. Without any hesitation, John pulls Alex into an one-armed hug.]

Thanks for bringing me here.

[Because, really, even if no teaching was really involved, he never would've gotten that echo in the first place if it weren't for him.]

[amberhearted]

Hey, man, anytime. We got the hour, so I'm gonna use it. You can...

[ he points his finger at the rifle on the counter, swirls it around. ]

... get reacquainted, yeah?

[ SOOOOO CLEVER, ALEX. ]

[allinvein]

[OH HOH HOH! Very nice, Alex. Very nice.]

I think I will.

[And then, after that, he can deal with this "how to get a gun" business.]