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[detectivewonder]

Who: Crew of the First Breath & Visitors!
Broadcast: Video: First Breath/ Open To The Fleet!
Action: On the First Breath!
When: Right after the shuffle.

[First Breath Only]

This is your captain speaking. Apparently. I'll try not to give any orders you don't want to follow - key to a good commander, right?

We should establish a chain of command. Talk about goals. And maybe see if we can manage fancy uniforms as a ratings stunt.

[Fleetwide]

So. How seriously am I supposed to take my new rank?

Comments

[proteusmoon]

[ Hm. Not a perspective she disagrees with, but it is something she didn't expect from someone who agreed to training with a much more easily abused weapon. She gently stops him from trying to hit the cup anymore and tries to take the firearm from him. ]

How do you feel about the probability of us having to fight against a threat at some point? Truly, honestly. And I don't mean against rats.

[treasureling]

[ He surrenders the gun without trouble. ]

I think I don't want to be helpless. And if a weapon is what it takes, then that's what it takes.

[proteusmoon]

And you're not simply doing this because I suggested it?

[treasureling]

I don't want to be helpless.

[ He repeats those words.

No, he's not doing it because she suggested it. He gives off the impression of that kind of obedient - he's worked at it, in fact, in the past - but in reality he fits poorly into that mold. He wishes he fit better. ]

[proteusmoon]

[ She seems to believe him— or at the very least, chooses to trust him. She relinquishes the firearm to him again. She doesn't help him with his stance or his grip on it this time, interested in seeing if he's remembered how she placed him herself earlier. ]

Hit the cup and you can go. Then meet me back here every day at six in the morning. Same expectation applies— you'll stay here practicing until you hit the target.

[ The softness of her tone is almost entirely gone now, replaced with the firm and serious mannerisms of an old instructor who's taught many students before in her life. In spite of her young age, she is entirely accustomed to this role. ]

[treasureling]

[ He does remember. He settles into that position carefully, someone who is very aware of his body and how he has to use it. Posture can change the strength of a strike, after all.

He aims.

This time, he grazes the edge of the cup. ]

[proteusmoon]

[ That makes her smile with just a little bit of pride. ]

[treasureling]

I liked - I liked the doorknobs.

[ He glances to her, knowing it was a little random. Smiles a little, tentatively. ]

The really rich women on Poleimachmanei - and their husbands - liked small, ornate touches. They didn't mind if the doorknobs were strange shapes, or were inlaid with leaves or geometric patterns. They thought it was a delight if the handle were a cat's paw, and the cat curled up against the door.

That was my favorite.

[proteusmoon]

[ It is a little sudden, but then again so was her question about his feelings on them having to fight. She listens to what he has to say attentively, remaining quiet until it's clear he's finished. ]

Why anyone would mind something so pretty is beyond me.

[treasureling]

You don't know how pretty they were.

[ But he's smiling a little, because, in a way, she does know. She's seen a little bit of what he holds inside himself. Only a little. ]

[proteusmoon]

[ She chuckles softly herself, glad that he seems to be growing comfortable around her. Come to think of it, that's the first genuine smile that she's seen him really make. ]

Maybe we'll find some place with the right tools so you can show me.

[treasureling]

I hope so. [ These words are a little more serious; he really doesn't know what to do with himself if he can't craft. ]

Thank you for the lesson.

[proteusmoon]

You're welcome. Tomorrow, we'll start again of course.

See you at dinner.

[treasureling]

[ He makes a little bit of a face, thinking of the paste and solid format that dinner will take. ]

I'll see you then.

[ And he ducks out, leaving the firearm to her. ]