(OPEN MINGLE) i wanna be the very best

[skelters]

Who: vash & caitlyn and YOU!
Where: an empty field on the outskirts of aldrip, somewhere out of the way but not too far from town.
What: anytime before the march event - a friendly sharpshooting practice turned competition turned ??? if you want to come and practice or learn or if you just wanna come and show everyone you're the best, or if you want to just come and judge people, open to all!
Warnings: nothing yet, will mark as needed.

[ there are a few ways you'd have found your way to the empty clearing that serves as the impromptu target field for some shooting practice ... there are some hastily drawn posters that you might find pinned up at the common room of the inn or any public noticeboard, that simply says

PRACTICE DAY: we've got plenty of targets!
which ... really, doesn't tell you all that much about just what kind of practice it's meant to be?

or otherwise you might find vash walking past with a cartload of little clay plates - or you might be out on a walk and run into caitlyn critically arranging some empty bottles (and other things, go creative go wild) in neat rows along various points on the field, with little cards to mark out the distance.

honestly, however you made it here, this is just a friendly competition / friendly opportunity to practice somewhere safely without getting in the way of others! feel free to make your own top levels and mingle! teach people how to be gun safe! challenge them to some clay shooting (and welcome to up the stakes by making the throws as difficult as you want for the other person) or do an old fashioned bottle shooting - or come up with a fun competition idea yourself! shoot a leaf out of the air? you don't shoot but you want to stand around and criticise how everyone's forms are totally wrong? go wild! ]

Comments

rip akira, his life is a struggle

[murderingjustice]

[While Goro might be opposed to PDA he's all in for teasing. Especially if it is him doing the teasing. Pushing Akira's buttons is one of his favorite hobbies nowadays. The shudder in the other's body brings a smug smile on Goro's lips, like a cat that had just been presented a bowl of cream.]

Good. Try keep it up by yourself. [And with that he retracts himself from Akira and walks back up to set up another row of targets, using empty soup cans this time.] Now, focus on the targets and try keep the gun on the same line as your eyes.

[He steps aside, making room for Akira.] Take your time and shoot when you're ready. Remember your breathing.

it's so hard to have a hot boyfriend with a great ass

[chemex]

[He honks a hoarse wheeze of laughter at Goro's word choice-- he will not have any trouble keeping it up, buddy, trust him --and lets his head and shoulders drop forward for a moment when he's left to his own postural choices with a sigh. But with Akechi less in his personal bubble, breathing his sinful innuendos down his neck, he can focus a little better. He draws in a slow breath and exhales with his eyes closed, and then raises his head again, squaring his shoulders.]

[He only ever stands straight like this when he's Joker, a resemblance only increased by the fact he so rarely wears his glasses anymore. His eyes track the targets without moving his head overmuch, slowly raising the gun and holding it with one hand supporting the other at the butt of it. He aligns the first target between the barrel and his eyes, clicks off the safety, and...]

[...misses, because the recoil arcs the bullet a little wide to the left. He clicks his tongue against his teeth and readjusts, trying again. This time he hits it, but not square in the center so it just sends the soup can careening off the pedestal. With a reproachful frown, he glances to Goro.]

[murderingjustice]

[Goro patiently waits for Akira to take his time. It'd be lying to say that he didn't feel a little pride in seeing his partner with more focus and taking this seriously, rather than defaulting to his usual jokes and tomfoolery (hah). So, he doesn't feel a need to reprimand the other for missing his first shot. And besides, this isn't a competition.

Not yet, anyway.

Once the can is knocked down, he goes to fetch it to inspect the shot. Hm, seems like he hit on the top of the can. Not perfect but still a solid hit.]

Not too bad. For your first time. [He calls back, a wry smile on his lips. Placing the can back on the pedestal for the second round, Goro walks back to Akira's side.] There should be two shots left. Try again.

[chemex]

[Not yet, anyway. It was only a matter of time, with them.]

[Akechi's proximity makes him pull a little tense, knowing he's liable to try something, but he focuses on the can and aligning his aim. He pulls back the hammer, feels the bullet drop into the chamber, and squeezes the trigger.]

[The can flies backward and ricochets off the next pedestal. A grin pulls Akira's face feline.]

[murderingjustice]

[Hey! This time his intentions are innocent enough! Goro just wants to see Akira's pose from the close as he fires a gun.

Though, alright. They both know that seeing Akira wielding a gun does a thing for him. Honestly, it might just be for the best that he doesn't have his Joker outfit on right now. Because seeing that would rouse Goro's interest, make him thirst for action... of violent kind. (which honestly could mean almost anything when it comes to him...)]

Good job. [He claps his hands approvingly when the can goes flying. Then he extends his hand to Akira, palm up and expecting to get his gun back. ] Maybe we should get you your own gun.

[Just watch him suggest they make this a new couple activity..]

[chemex]

[Praise from Goro is such a coveted thing, and Akira knows he doesn't give it lightly, so it draws his shoulders proudly squared. Just to be a showoff, he spins the trigger guard on his finger before laying the gun neatly in Goro's waiting palm. The gesture wasn't quite as fluid as it would have been in the Metaverse, but he did manage to spin it a couple times!!]

Maybe. I still think I prefer my dagger, but I wouldn't mind practicing with you, just to have the knowledge. [And because if Goro is gonna get like that about it, he certainly won't turn down some new reasons to get spicy.]

[murderingjustice]

[The bravado only earns a (fond) roll of eyes from Goro. Well, he supposes he ought to be happy that Akira managed to last this long without resuming to his need to fool around. Well, he is a Joker for a reason.

Goro accepts the gun. But instead of putting it away he keeps it raised up, extends his arm and effortlessly just shoots a target in the further distance, knocking it down.]

The 'knowledge', I see. [He laughs airily a bit, turning his head to grin at Akira.] It is not too different from the darts, not unless you really want to start practicing for real.

[Remember all those good times at Penguin Sniper playing 701.]

[chemex]

[He's grinning up until he isn't, and despite the fact that he literally placed the gun back in Goro's hand his raising it makes his body react before his brain catches up with him. At first he just goes tense, the shift only a barely visible extension of his spine as he stands straight and leans back on his heels.]

[And then Goro fires, and he sucks in a sharp breath and drops, hunched into a crouch, arms over his head and head between his knees. It's stupid, and it makes no sense, because he was literally just firing the gun himself, and Goro had been prior, but something in the exchange and the closer proximity firing tipped his mental scale off-balance.]

[Worse still, roughly eight seconds after dropping into the huddled position, he starts laughing quietly into his knees.]

[murderingjustice]

[The smug grin on his fades away instantly as Goro turns his head, red eyes freezing right open when he sees Akira's state.

The change had happened so fast, they had just been joking around and doing their usual bit. There had been no warnings. Yet Goro couldn't help but blame himself for... This, whatever had struck Akira's mind.

It must've been the gun. Or more specifically, it was because of it was Goro wielding the gun.]

Akira--! [He calls for him but his voice is clipped when the unnerving laughter starts, making the hair on the back of his neck standup. Goro doesn't like it a bit.

Quietly he drops the gun and crouches down on the ground next to Akira, summoning as much softness to his voice as he can.] Akira. Can you look at me?

[chemex]

[Goro's voice sounds so far away.]

[It quells his laughter, but he stays curled in on himself on the ground, his hands tangling into his hair and pulling slightly. His breathing is shallow, but audible, short gasps like he can't quite draw in a full lung's worth of air.]

[He makes a sound-- it's not words, but it's something akin to a no, and shakes his head in his arms just slightly before he manages to dislodge one of his hands, and extend his arm. He doesn't pick his head up enough to look up at Goro, but he's staring at his feet, reaching out.]

[murderingjustice]

[The worrying frown on Goro's face deepens at the sight of Akira pulling his own hair. But he keeps himself from reprimanding the other. It's a clear panic attack, alright, and Goro's usual "tough love" act will do only harm here.

Will he be able to do anything but damage? After all, this was all his fault..

Swallowing air, Goro bites down on the inside of his cheek when Akira reaches out for him. After a second of a hesitation he removes his glove and takes Akira's hand to his own, hoping that skin to skin contact will be able to soothe the other.]

Akira, [He calls for him again, trying to sound as steady and reassuring as possible.] Akira, I need you to breathe with me. Can you do that? First, breathe in, [He takes deep breath, holds it for a moment and counts to three in his mind.] -- And breathe out. Okay? Let's do that again. In.... Out..

[chemex]

[He immediately tangles their fingers. Even trapped in a panic cycle, he knows Goro will blame himself for this-- he's a catalyst, but Akira doesn't want him to assume full blame. He pulls a little on their joined hands in time with pulling his hair, and tries to focus on Goro's voice.]

[He still sounds too far away to be holding his hand.]

[It takes him a time or two of the instruction to figure out how to comply, and his breath shakes enough that Goro would be able to hear him sucking in an aborted lungful of air and exhaling it with his spoken mantra. Even so, he opts to squeeze their joined hands on inhale, relaxing on exhale, giving himself further tangibility to try and tether himself back in the present.]

[Dully, he finds himself glad they're outside so he can't mistake the walls for closing in on them.]

[murderingjustice]

[There's no way that Goro wouldn't blame himself for this. How could he not? When he knows that all this is born from his past mistakes and actions. In a way he also hates that he's the one doing the comforting. Murderer consoling his victim. What a joke, right.

But this isn't about him, not really. So, he manages to keep himself steady and present. To be what Akira needs of him at the moment and try help him get through the darkness of his mind.

He keeps breathing with Akira, counting slowly and hoping to get his hyperventilation under control. Once he notices the other calm down a bit, he shuffles carefully closer.]

Akira, can you tell me where you are?

[chemex]

[Akira makes an aborted little groan of sound, still not breathing well but doing better than before, and leans forward into his knees farther. He stays very still for a moment, not even squeezing Goro's hand, and then mumbles.]

'tside, [Well, at least he can still be somewhat cheeky?]

[murderingjustice]

[Ok, that response does make him smile a bit as a faint wave of relief washes over him. At least Akira isn't panicking so much that he can't tell where he is anymore. Knowing that he isn't having violent flashback to their interrogation room encourages him to place his other hand on Akira's shoulder, rubbing the fabric with his thumb]

Just focus on breathing. There's a spring not to far away. When you're ready we can go there and get you some water.

[chemex]

[He manages, feeling his heart rate slow from it's thundering in his ears and his throat, and slowly cataloguing things that tether him to reality. Goro's hand helps immensely, and he tips his head in the direction of it like a cat seeking affection.]

Sorry, didn't mean to freak out.

[murderingjustice]

[For a quick beat Goro freezes still and hesitates. But then let's go of Akira's hand to wrap both of arms around his shoulders, pulling the other close to his body and face against the crook of his neck.

He can put his own difficulties with public physical affection to the side for now. Akira needs him more than that.]

Hey. It's alright. I have you. [He hushes into his hair.]

[chemex]

[He makes a withering sound when he's pulled in, but goes easily and fairly immediately boneless against him. His breathing shallows back out and hitches for a handful of seconds, but he never quite actually falls into a crying fit. Eventually, his arms reach up and around, loosely and then fiercely grasping the back of Akechi's shirt.]

[It's not all right at all, but Goro does, in fact, have him. So it'll be all right.]

[murderingjustice]

[Goro moves his hand to stroke Akira's hair, slowly rocking them back and forth in a soothing manner. He keeps whispering words of reassurance to him, and if there are any tears he's there, ready to brush them away.]

It'll be alright, Akira. We're here, not there. [Though he's not certain that's what the issue here. It doesn't matter that they are out of the interrogation room. It doesn't erase the fact that Akira was tortured and nearly killed, all because of him.] I'm here for you.

[chemex]

[He hums, noncommittal, and turns inward to press his face against Goro's neck. His lashes are damp, but that's the extent of it.] I hate this.

[murderingjustice]

...I'm sorry for it. [He says quietly, voice tight and distant. But he needs to put it out there that none of this is Akira's fault, he didn't ask for any of this to happen to him.

Right now he sure is glad that he picked up his own training spot away from the others. It gives both of them privacy to ride this out without having to answer to any worrying eyes.]

Just take your time.

[chemex]

[He hums again, more of a "no" sound, and slowly sits up away from Goro. He moves a bit like the motion hurts, or he's stiff, but fixes Goro with a wilted frown.] Don't be sorry. It-- what you did... I don't fault you for it.

[murderingjustice]

[He stays quiet for a moment. Brows knitted in a heavy frown and lips pressed into a tight line. He doesn't want to have this discussion again. Akira has forgiven him, yes, but it doesn't help with the hateful guilt eating him from inside out. Especially not in moments like these..

Deep down he knows Akira's right, and the only way he'll ever be able to overcome the guilt is to forgive himself. But that's nor here or there.]

Can you stand?

[chemex]

[He doesn't like that you deflected that, sir, but fine. He blinks slowly, looking down at his legs all folded up under him, and nods uncertainly.] Prob'ly.

[murderingjustice]

[it's fine, they can repress it deep down until another crisis awakens.]

Okay, I'm going to stand up. [He nods. Then he counts quietly to three before slowly standing up, carefully pulling Akira with him]