(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

[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]

[chemex]

[He wobbles, briefly tips forward into Goro's collarbone, and then rights himself, but doesn't let go of where he's grasped his forearms.]

[murderingjustice]

[The wobble is just a little concerning. He really hopes that Akira's coherent enough to actually make the walk to the spring. If not.. guess he could carry him on his back. It's not the ideal but doable.]

Wait, I'll just -- [He mumbles, turns around and picks up the disregarded gun from the ground. It stings is mind a little but there's no way he's going to just abandon his weapon here. Even if having it would risk Akira's discomfort. He pockets the gun and turn back to Akira, hand grasping on the other's arm.]

Are you okay?

[chemex]

[He just closes his eyes and stands still, figuring Goro would need to reclaim the gun-- he doesn't want to risk freaking out again. It wasn't even the same gun. His face pinches.]

...little nauseous, but yeah.

[murderingjustice]

Okay. [He nods, fingers curling around Akira's forearm.]

Tell me what do you need? Should we just head back to home so that you can rest or do you would fresh air help?

[chemex]

[He steps closer, looping his arms loosely around Goro's middle and putting his face in the side of his neck again.] Just you.

[murderingjustice]

[Goro takes deep breath in, lower lip twitching a little. But he does not rebuke the gesture, allowing Akira to seek comfort from him again. His own hand finds its place resting behind the back of the other's neck as a sign of acceptance.

"You can't have me here", he almost says. But he knows that wouldn't be very helpful. Akira is currently in the state where he can't make decisions for himself, so it's ok. Goro exhales the air through his nostrils and let's them both stay still there for a moment before pulling back. He searches for Akira's eyes with his own and takes a tentative step back.]

Ok. Let's walk for a bit, alright? I don't know about you but I could use a drink.

[chemex]

[He lets Goro draw back after a moment and meets his eyes, but he's still a little dazed. He nods, looking past Goro in the direction of the spring he mentioned. Water actually sounds... very good, right now.]