002 ➳ audio + action.

[sinuosity]

​Who: Nyssa.
Broadcast: Fleetwide audio.
Action: On the planet.
When: When the Fleet makes planetfall.

[ Briskly, ]

I am leading a hunting party. One companion is ideal; I will take no more than three. Bring your own weapons and dress for the cold. We depart at sunrise, from the lodge at the foot of the mountains, and there will be trips every other day beginning tomorrow.

​[ Beat. ]

If you wish to come and learn, you are welcome, but if you cannot keep up, you will be left behind.

​[ ooc: action prompts in comments. let me know if you'd like a custom starter. ]

Comments

HUNTING.

[sinuosity]

[ Come across Nyssa in the early morning pacing before leaving, during the day already hunting, or at night, having made camp. She has a spear and a full quiver of arrows with her. ]

SALT MINES.

[sinuosity]

[ She picks one with less tourists roaming through it, preferring to examine the formations on the rock. It's quiet, less oppressive, the wind is barely felt down here. ]

It's beautiful, isn't it?

ENJOYING THE MUSIC.

[sinuosity]

[ Okay, so the music is in the background and she is watching someone demonstrate the different kinds of materials and local metal alloys they use for the spears and arrowheads. Technicalities. ]

video!

[grounds]

[Octavia makes a heh sound.] This sounds promising. I'll join you, if not tomorrow, the next one.

video

[sinuosity]

[ Yes, good. Nyssa is smiling when the video feed opens. ]

They have decent steel available. I have not yet acquired a sword; these creatures are better subdued with spears and nets.

video

[grounds]

I've got a sword from a friend, and it's pretty nice. I can bring that, but if we can somehow get me a spear, I could try and work with that. Don't have much experience, though.

[reconstitution]

[ Well, nothing gets Winter's attention quite like hearing the word 'hunting'. He talked very briefly with Nyssa when she first arrived, but nothing past that. If she's leading any kind of party, then she has some sort of background in it.

If not, it will be easy enough to go off on his own. Regardless, he meets her at dawn as instructed, dressed in his combat attire and a dark green scarf wound around his neck. He gives her a nod. ]

Are there more coming?

[ Honestly, he hopes not. ]

[sinuosity]

[ He's much more intimidating in person, if Nyssa was the type to be intimidated by size. She eyes the metal arm, then looks past him. ]

If there are, they are late, and I have little need for those who are not punctual. Come.

[ She slings the quiver securely over her shoulder and starts walking, expecting that he'll fall in line. ]

video

[sinuosity]

There is a shop next to the lodge where you can buy or rent weapons. They also trade for the creatures' heads and meat.

Do not worry, I will teach you. By the time we are through with this planet you will be even more formidable.

[reconstitution]

[ He doesn't take Nyssa for someone easily intimidated, her words only solidifying that notion. It doesn't escape his notice that she's armed with a bow and arrow, internally wondering how long that will go on before things go wrong.

A hunter is only as good as their weapon, after all. He falls into step behind her, vigilance high as ever. Winter's not sure why she thinks she cacan trust him at her back, but he won't do anything to disprove her thought.

At the very least, she's not at his back. ]

If you can get by with that thing, we will be fine.

[ They'll be fine, anyway. ]

[sinuosity]

[ Because she is always vigilant, and only a fool attacks an al Ghul with malicious intent and expects to survive. ]

This thing requires years of training to master. I am unmatched. Can you say the same, Winter?

[reconstitution]

Anyone with a weapon can claim skill. [ A pause. ]

Survivors are not allowed when I am involved.

[ If he were an angrier person, he may try to prove her wrong. For both their sake, he isn't. ]

[sinuosity]

Then I will simply prove you wrong later today.

[ There is no smugness, only fact. She is the best, that's that. ]

There are none when I am involved, either. [ a pause ] I will allow time for us to become acquainted with our prey's habits, but I foresee little trouble subduing them.

[reconstitution]

...Then it's good to meet another ghost.

[ He has no doubt that they'll have time- that's all anyone in the fleet will ever have. ]

[sinuosity]

It is good to have another shadow.

[ She nods at him, the only acknowledgement she will offer of kinship. ]

What are your preferred weapons? [ her eyes flick to the arm ] You have brought none with you but your own body.

[reconstitution]

[ Some distant part of him swells with pride. It's good to be someone's shadow, again.

The James Barnes that may still be buried somewhere deep down screams that he's not following the wrong person, but the feeling is a start.

The next step can come later. ]

I use whatever is put at my disposal-- firearms, mostly. Knives and hand-to-hand when a target is in close proximity.

I don't need weapons to be a threat, they make it quick.

[sinuosity]

I have been trained to use firearms, but we do not. They are considered a coward's weapon: they teach no discipline nor care in their use.

I prefer the bow. On occasion, swords and daggers.

[reconstitution]

None of those were ever practical for my missions.

[ That's not to say that he wouldn't like the experience with them, though. Maybe at some point. ]

So there are more of you?

[sinuosity]

[ She actually chuckles. They start hiking up the real mountains, the rocks don't crunch under her feet. Nyssa is silent. ]

There is only one of me. There are others who have been similarly trained.

[reconstitution]

[ He follows behind her, just as quietly, taking in the scenery. This is not the fresh air he asked for, but he'll take it.

It's too damn cold, but this is far more tolerable than the lack of warmth on the Heron. Here, there's at least a reason for it. ]

There is only one more that I can remember that got some of the same training. There could be more.

[sinuosity]

You imply there should not be. Why?

[ Small talk has met Nyssa al Ghul, clearly. ]

[reconstitution]

I'm the one they pull out when someone is in the way. If there were more like me, it wouldn't be good.

[ Best at talking club, right here. The mountains make more sound than they do. ]

A lot of people would die.

video

[takeabow]

[ Katniss is still on her ship—for now ]

I'll join, but do you know if there are other places to get weapons? Just because I can use the ship's weapons doesn't mean I want to.

video

[sinuosity]

There are several here on the planet, they sell and rent. Whether they will be to your satisfaction I cannot say.

[sinuosity]

I am the one who is sent to deliver a message.

[ She hums. ]

Death is as natural as life. What truly bothers you?