Iskaulit Mingle

[passingthrough]

Who: Everyone!
Broadcast: Nah!
Action: Iskaulit
When: April!

[So many spaces to explore. So little time.]

Comments

[recipio]

If that's what you want to call 'em. Lots of people call them different things.

[ He steps aside with a nod, making room for her. ]

Show me what I'm doing wrong.

[outstandingbalance]

Wrong might be a strong word. [Some of her own teachers might have used it, but they hadn't had room for anything less than perfect. There hadn't been such a thing as good enough in Red Room.

Killing zombies, she imagines, doesn't have any more room for error, but there are other ways to teach someone to have a steadier hand.]

I'll show you again. Slower.

[recipio]

Okay.

[ It helps to hear that from someone he doesn't really know. Not wrong, just needs improvement.

Carl nods and moves back into place. He adopts the same stance as before, shoulders squared, feet apart and arm straight out. His other hand steadies the bottom of the gun as he lines up the target. This time, he only fires once, glancing at Natasha so she can correct him for the next. ]

[outstandingbalance]

[She glances at the target, then back at him.]

Don't let anyone tell you you don't have a good eye.

[She moves to stand behind his shoulder, looking with him.]

Aim again. Take all the time you need.

[recipio]

[ He turns to face the target again, readjusting his footing a bit. Carl's arms come back up as he inhales and gets his shot lined back up.

There are a few moments he waits to see if she's going to change anything about his posture or aim before he fires at the target on an exhale. ]

[outstandingbalance]

Don't breathe. Don't move. Don't even blink.

[Her voice is very quiet, and she goes still herself.]

Feel where you are now?

[recipio]

[ He stills, stopping the breath in its middle, keeping his eyes open. At first he doesn't feel anything, but then it changes. It's a different feeling from before, though he can't explain it. Almost like a bowstring being drawn. The moment right before it's released. ]

Yeah.

[ He goes quiet again, finding that spot again. ]

[outstandingbalance]

Try shooting again, and don't lose that feeling.

[There's a trick to it, and it comes with practice and instinct. He has to be able to stay in that spot while he is breathing, while the target is moving, with all the distractions of an actual battle field around him.

But that's her best advice.]

[recipio]

[ Carl takes his time in finding that spot and chasing the feeling again. He finds it while holding his breath, but takes a few controlled ones to try and maintain it. It's not easy, but he thinks he manages it. Or he thinks he does, anyway. Same feeling, at least.

He fires a couple more shots, and they're almost on top of one another- less than two inches apart. He looks to Natasha, hoping her reaction is good. Hell, he's satisfied with how much better it is. ]

How was that?

[outstandingbalance]

Looks better to me. How's it feel to you?

[She won't say that's what's important, but if it feels good, then he'll be more inclined to do it again. That kind of positive feedback can be a good learning tool.]

The more you practice, the more naturally it'll come.

[recipio]

Better. More in control, I think.

[ The true test will be on a moving target. ]

Anything else I should know?

[outstandingbalance]

Let's practice with that a little first.

[A pause while she considers him, and how else he can improve.]

How are you at defending yourself without the gun?

[recipio]

..Uh.

[ Not great, honestly. He hasn't been bitten yet, so he's better than some. But walkers and people are different. It would probably be a good idea to learn. ]

[outstandingbalance]

Sounds like we've identified the next step to take.

[So he won't have to rely on guns, but also because there are skills he'd learn from martial arts that would carry over.]

[recipio]

Yeah, sounds like it.

[ Self-defense would be good. There wasn't really anyone in their group at home that could teach it. They all sort of.. improvised. ]

[outstandingbalance]

Meet me at the gym tomorrow morning. We'll get started.

[You thought you were full of murder now, kid. Just wait.]

[recipio]

Okay. Do I need to bring anything?

[outstandingbalance]

Yourself. Clothes you can move around in.

[A willingness to be put in a choke hold would also be good.]

[recipio]

[ That's not a thing you should say around children, Natasha. ]

Okay. Tomorrow morning.