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Who: Karl Aurion/Richard Locke and Neku Sakuraba
When: 01/07/14
Where: Shooting range!
What: Neku thinks Mr. Locke still doesn't have his memories. This is not the case.

School had just started up, which... made a certain chemistry class really awkward. Neku knew that Mr. Locke had forgotten about the numbers and the network, which very likely meant that he forgot about anyone from the network. That reduced Neku to the status of 'kid caught vandalizing who's in that one class,' which isn't really a good jumping point for a conversation.

He's not sure exactly what takes him to the shooting range- probably a mix of curiosity and the knowledge that him even holding a gun would piss off his grandparents beyond reason- but the moment he spots a familiar teacher he regrets his decision. How easy would it be to leave with Mr. Locke noticing...?

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Nothing could compare to the relaxation that being at the shooting range could provide. The feeling of the gun in his hand, of the noise-canceling earmuffs on his head and protective glasses on his face, of seeing the target ahead of him and of the nostalgia of watching his father do the same: it soothes him like no other. After dealing with losing his echoes (not fun), getting modified (odd, to say the least) and then getting the echoes back (even more not fun), something calming like this is more than deserved.

Once having fired off one more round (a good round, at that), Richard decides it's high time for a break. While pulling off the earmuffs, a chance glance off to the side reveals a familiar face staring right at him. He blinks before raising an eyebrow. An advocate of learning how to properly use firearms he may be, but safety likely had little to do with why he'd come. "Neku."

Shit. "Oh, uh, hi Mr. Locke." This is probably the first time since Neku'd heard he lost his memories that they've actually spoken- most of the time in between was winter break so there wasn't much of chance of them just running into each other. Basically this was really awkward on Neku's side of things. "Uh... how are you?"

That awkwardness doesn't get lost on Richard. It isn't surprising all things considered. For the last month, Neku had amounted to any another student except one with a graffiti hobby.

He moves to take off the protective glasses but stops himself at the last minute. No, best to keep some sort of eye wear on. "Well enough. My shoulder is healing nicely and I've finally remembered a few things I'd forgotten, including the not-so spontaneous combustion of a desk." Hint hint. "Yourself?"

The hint is more than enough. There's a huge wave of relief crossing over Neku's face, and he even goes so far as to smile a little bit. This is actually probably the best news he's had all day. (Probably not great for Mr. Locke, who might have been happier as is, but.)

"I've been pretty good. Winter break was nice." Sort of. He'd mostly been trying to stay out of any major trouble. "Not a lot happened, and Christmas is always kind of... boring." Since he doesn't celebrate it and his parents always want to use it as a date night but he has no one to hang out with.

That small smile almost gets one out of Richard. Having someone actually smile thanks to him just being him? It's nice. Smiling may not happen, but there is a visible softening to his expression. Remembering hadn't been all that fun, but this slightly makes up for the discomfort.

"You're not a fan of the holiday season?" Not that Richard much is himself cause of the whole family togetherness and his family being, well, dead or purposely estranged, but just curious why Neku isn't.

"We don't celebrate it, really." Neku shrugs. "In Japan it's supposedly one for dates or hanging out with people, so my parents go out and since all my friends are with their families I kind of... end up by myself." He's gotta used to it over the years, but it's still a little depressing.

Ah, maybe Richard can't relate to being from a culture that doesn't celebrate it, but he can relate to being alone. It's something you get used to after a couple years or a decade or so. "There are things do even when by yourself on Christmas."

...The fact that Mr. Locke knows things to do when alone on Christmas worries him a bit. "Like what?" He's assuming you mean other than playing video games or drawing, since. That's what ends up happening.

"Walking." No really. Walking. Before Neku could question Mr. Locke's sanity, the man continues speaking. "It may sound dumb, but you've never seen the city when the streets are empty and you can truly see the city."

"...Huh." That's actually kind of interesting. "I'll give it a shot. Next year, I guess." Hell, maybe he could get some drawing of landscapes and building without a thousand people in his way. "How was your break?"

"Uneventful for the most part, another student inviting me for Christmas dinner aside." That fact STILL surprises him. To think someone, a kid, would invite him despite knowing that the guy he's asking to dinner didn't remember anything and could arrest you. Oh yeah and he was modified the whole time, too.

Further fun thoughts on the subject get derailed when Richard realizes something. He raises an eyebrow, "Why are you here?"

Edited 2014-01-20 06:01 (UTC)

"Oh, really? That was nice." He's guessing it was a network person... Danny maybe? He knows there are more network people at his school than he talks to, but.

Neku shrugs, messing with his hair. "I was just kind of wandering around and realized I'd never been in here." And, because they're being honest: "Also my grandparents would freak out if they knew I went within twenty feet of a gun."

The honesty gets a definite look of approval. Really, the first part alone is feasible enough. Missing this place happens super easily if you're not actively searching for it.

As for the second part, it almost gains a sigh from Richard. "Your grandparents are the sort who believe nothing good can come from guns?" Guns can kill people, yes, but the ones who advocate that tend to be the ones who know nothing and don't ever really want to learn.

"They're illegal in Japan, so... yes." Basically. Neku has been in the States long enough to know it's not that simple. He's never actually held a gun or really even seen them real up close, but he knows there's safety... stuff.

In other words, Neku likely has zero clue how to use one. Not a good thing when you're technically hunted by people who not only know how to use a gun but will use it. "Would you like me to teach you how to use one?" Teach some of the basics and basic safety, anyway. Giving full-fledged lessons takes way more than just an evening.

Not what he'd been expecting, which is probably clear by his expression. But it made sense, when he thought about it. The situation they were all in certainly meant you needed to know how to defend yourself and others. And right now, Neku just has pins that look pretty brittle.

So, he nods. "Yeah. If it's ok."

No verbal reply comes to that. Instead, Richard takes hold of the barrel and holds out the grip for Neku to take. The gun had just gotten emptied so no danger of any one getting shot exists.

Neku takes it, the intent being to look over it since he's never actually held one. What actually happens is that his heartrate speeds up and his eyes get very far away-- an unmistakable sign of an Echo.

It's not a long one, but when it dies down, Neku doesn't say anything. He glances at the gun, before wordlessly handing it right back to Karl.

The odd expression coupled with the wordless handing back of the gun raise a good deal of concern. Had that been a pulse/echo/whatever? And what could it have been off to elicit this sort of reaction? Richard frowns as he takes back the gun. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah. Just... give me a second." To process that, because that was... wow. So apparently he was in a duel with someone, but then he dropped the gun before the countdown was over. What the hell does that, not to mention the overwhelming feeling of betrayal and despair, mean...?

As per Neku's request, Richard waits wordlessly and patiently for the boy to calm down. Whatever just happened wouldn't get asked about. It had to be something fairly intense to gain this sort of a reaction and something that intense had to be personal.

Neku takes a minute to process what happened- it's actually pretty straight forward, in a bizarre way. So... he was in a duel. With someone. But he dropped the gun? It might make sense on its own, but without context he has no idea what it means.

The boy takes in a deep breath. He can worry about this later. "...Ok. I think I'm good."

The comment doesn't succeed in fully easing Richard's worry, but does somewhat. Talking is less worrisome than silence, at any rate.

"You're sure?" Better to make sure than to have Neku pass out or the like. Driving him to the clinic would take no effort, but his grandparents would likely worry if their grandson were out for so long without warning.

"Yeah. Just... remembered something." That should be clue enough to what exactly about this is bothering him. He's not sure he wants to talk about it in public, though.

"I see." Nothing more needs to be said. He's not about to pry, either. The only question remaining is if Neku feels up for staying here longer or, if not, if he'd like a lift home. "Do you want to give holding a gun a second try?"

Neku takes a moment to weigh his options before nodding. "Yeah. Ok." He already got the one Echo; holding it again shouldn't give him another one. (He hopes.)

As long as he's sure, Richard doesn't mind. The gun gets held out for Neku once more. Please don't let the kid get another echo or faint or whatever else.

Neku takes it, breathing a sigh of relief when nothing else happens. He'll just look over it for real this time. Still no Echos... that's a good sign.

Once it becomes clear no second echo is coming, Richard visibly relaxes. So far so good. "It isn't loaded so look it over as you please."

Neku nods. "Ok." There's not too much to look at, since Neku knows nothing about guns so he doesn't know what he should really be looking for. Other than the trigger.

"The proper way to hold it, one which permits for good aim and with the lowest recoil, is this." A nice explanation on how to properly hold that follows. Guns and how to use them is obviously something Richard knows a lot about.

Nelu is not sure how he feels about his teacher knowing this much about guns. But he'll listen intently, still thankful no Echos seem to be popping up. If given the chance, he'll try and hold the fun as instructed.

The hold isn't perfect, but definitely not bad for a first try. It gains a nod of approval from Richard. "Good." There's a lot more that could be said about the grip and the like, but another thought comes to mind.

"I have some blanks left over if you want to give shooting a try." Letting a novice try shooting would normally not be something he'd do, but Neku may not get a chance to shoot one again any time soon. Not to mention, being able to even vaguely know how to shoot could help in a tough situation. Plus, he was a kid ones. He knows getting to shoot it, even once, is the best part.

"Really?" Neku's kind of surprised- as a perfectionist by nature, he's pretty sure he doesn't have this grip exactly right, and usually he'd want to get whatever he was doing perfect first before moving on. Not to mention... if he got an Echo from holding a gun, what would happen if he shot one?

On the other hand, he does kind of wan to shoot the gun. "That would cool." Yes, Neku. Go ahead and try to hide any excitement. Your teacher probably knows better.

Teacher may know better but student is still good at hiding it. "All right. Wait here a moment and I'll get you some protective gear." Richard walks off for a few moments before returning with protective glasses and ear covers. A quick explanation follows involving putting those on and how to load the gun.

Neku is making sure he's listening carefully, because... yeah guns are kind of dangerous. He's a little nervous with it, but he'll follow all directions given, glasses on and headphones off enough so he can hear Mr. Locke as they get the gun loaded.

Protective gear? Check. Explanation about usage? Check. Adult supervision? Check. Time to give this a whirl, though honestly, if Lloyd could shoot guns without accidentally blowing off someone's ear, Neku would be fine. Neku's just a bit more trustworthy than the kid who ran out into oncoming traffic all for a quarter. Now if only no further echoes come as a result, that'd be perfect. "Ready to give it a try?"

Neku nods. "Yeah." Admittedly, he's a little nervous, but this is also kind of cool so like hell is that going to stop him. He'll just have to hope and pray he doesn't get another Echo off of this.

No worries, Neku, Mr Locke has your back and is keeping a look out for anything potentially echo related. On the upside, nothing resembling concern or the like is visible on his face, a sign of just how much Neku is trusted with that weapon. "Just remember what I told you."

Neku nods. "Right." He's been very careful, at least, holding the gun at the correct angle and making sure his grip is right. He aims for several seconds, and then shoots.

He doesn't hit exactly where he wanted on the target, but there's no Echo. Thank god.

No echo is good. Very good. Richard watches Neku closely after the shooting and is relieved when no bad reaction follows. This permits him to give a proper critique of the shooting attempt, which in all honesty had not been bad. Better than some beginners who miss the target by a mile. "You hit the target, good work."

"Right on the edge, though..." Neku's a little disappointed he didn't do better than that, but Mr. Locke seems to approve... but maybe he's just being nice.

"Most people tend to miss the target entirely on a first attempt." Nice has nothing to do with what Richards says; it's all based on what he knows. Aim and keeping your hands steady on a first shot doesn't come naturally to people.

"Oh." Well... ok then. Neku is just setting the bar too high, apparently. What else is new. Though it kind of bothers him a little that he doesn't know if it came from the Echo or not. ~~It didn't.~~

"So I mean it: good work." He doesn't give out praise when it isn't deserved. Neku deserves it. Easy enough. "If you'd ever like any in depth instruction then come see me."

Neku smiles slightly, nodding. "Ok. Thanks." Maybe not right now... the adrenaline from the echo and firing a gun is probably a little too much.

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so if neku even holds a gun, he's going to get an echo. B)

have fun with the echo~

8D

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