nysalogs | open

Entry tags:

open

Who: riza hawkeye (

strictdiscipline) & open!
What: a catchall, basically
When: all month
Where: oot 'n aboot
Warning(s): none yet, will update if necessary

I - SHADES DARKER

[ Work at Shades Darker, despite the customer base, is far more tame than she imagines. For the most part, she completes and files paperwork in the back, tidying up schedules and correcting small mistakes in wages for employees whose names she's slowly beginning to commit to memory.

But sometimes she's expected to put on a good face for the public, especially when information's needed, and so she treks outside to the streets, false modesty and cheer on her face as she flags down passersby. ]

Excuse me, we're looking to gather opinions for our next [ entirely made up, please don't kill me mods ] promotion. If you could take a look at these two photos—

[ At which point she hands over said photos. Both are very revealing, though of entirely different things. ]

Which do you prefer?

[ THE QUESTION: Are you a tits or an ass person, please respond truthfully. ]

[ ooc: feel free to assume some basic handwaved cr if your character also works there. ]

II - SHOOTING RANGE

[ Somewhere between Shades Darker and the gun range, her persona shifts. The polite smile drops from her face, her shoulders straighten, and her stride takes on an almost dangerous efficiency as she collects her equipment and heads out to the back. There's been little use for a firearm of any sort so far, her job now dealing with wealthy clientele rather than criminals, but she's hardly about to sit around and wait for the next emergency to occur.

She's a regular at the range, and if there's anything particularly notable about her, it's the way she never smiles after making a perfect shot (often) and makes less noise than the gun in her hands. It's obvious she means business, though less obvious just what exactly she's training for.

But if you're struggling, or you ask nicely, she'll offer a few tips here and there. ]

III - OUT AND ABOUT (FEAT. DOG)

A - [ Riza's not the only one that needs exercise. Twice a day she grabs the leash hanging by the door and takes Hayate out for a walk around the city blocks. For the most part, the walk's uneventful, halted by a cursory sniff here and an obligatory bark there.

But as it turns out, lengthy periods of stasis and an entirely new environment does no favors for anyone, least of all a dog still partly in the throes of puppyhood. Something - a squirrel, another animal, that tasty sandwich in your hand - catches Hayate's attention, and he bolts, pulling the leash out of Riza's hands as he darts towards the newest thing to catch his eye. ]

Hayate!

[ Better move quick, else there'll be a small dog getting all up in your business. ]

B - [ On her days off, and when he behaves, she takes Hayate out for a bonus walk, but not through the main city area. Instead, they turn off towards the nearest park, meandering until they find an unobtrusive spot by a tree. There, she runs him through drills - sit, lie down, stay, and come to name a few - careful to reward him after each trick accomplished. It's a surprisingly successful session up until the last trick: she lifts her hand and mock fires a gun, but instead of collapsing and rolling over, he merely wags his tail, tongue lolling out one side of his mouth.

Well, she tried. ]

IV - WILDCARD

[ ooc: you know the deal. write a prompt, or leave me a blank comment/comment with any prefs and i'll write you a custom starter! feel free to hit me up via PM or private plurk at speedforce to discuss anything. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ wow rift!!! going wild already…Also maybe Archer's Seen Too Much but has he Done Too Much yet? (Probably. Don't answer that.)

She's changed, swapping out her usual Shades Darker attire for something more sensible: a shirt and pants getup with no dangling bits or cutouts placed in random locations. No point in accidentally killing herself at the range.

Her steps slow at the address, gaze shifting until she spots Archer heading her way. The man's welcome enough, the question less so, and she lets some of her displeasure show on her face. ]

For today. I still have plenty left to pass out tomorrow. [ Emphasized by a quick heft of her bag. ] Are you heading home?

[ what are you implying... he's a very respectable bouncer who definitely keeps his hands off the merchandise. not sure i can say the same about riza...

all the same, he can at least sympathize with her lack of desire to talk about work when she's off. the less he's asked about what he does at shades darker by others, the better. so while there remain some traces of amusement on his face at her dilemma, he'll mercifully drop the issue. mostly. ]

How diligent of you. [ if he'd been given that task, he probably would have dropped half his stack in a gutter somewhere.

then felt bad and came back and retrieved it later, then wasted half a day trying to dry them out and make them presentable again. but anyway... ] Something like that. I have no plans, but no particular need to return yet either. [ when he gets home he'll just have clean after his roommates, probably. ]

[ how dare you, quite honestly

Just because she's a woman that thoroughly does things to completion (insert your favorite sex joke here) doesn't mean she deserves this slander. ]

I need to earn my wages somehow.

[ Preferably in a manner that doesn't require her to hand out photographs of her own naked body. Anything involving her own body, really. If Koralle wants her to hand out fliers, then hand out fliers she will for the rest of time. Or at least the rest of the week, at which point a resignation might occur if she doesn't get a break from promotional advertising.

They seem like they're going in the same direction for now, so she keeps heading in the direction she was before, albeit with a slight adjustment to her step so they're near the same pace. ]

No after work curriculars? Don't most men of your age and station run a few laps around the gym to stay fit?

[ it can't be slander if it's true. ]

A common enough dilemma for all of us now.

[ it's been a long time since archer had to actually work a steady job... actually, it's entirely possible he's never really had to do that, instead choosing to gallivant across the world as a mysterious Ally of Justice. that said, the work of looking after the brothel workers (and to some extent the patrons) comes easily enough to him. though suddenly having to work a regular work schedule is kind of a headache.]

The gym? Hm, well, something like that. I suppose I do need to maintain my skills somehow. [ it's actually a strange thing to consider for him, since the nature of his existence usually doesn't require that he train (millions of qp and ascension materials aside). ] Even the sharpest blade rusts without proper care.

And you? Is that where you're off to now?

[ "Even the sharpest blade rusts without proper care" sounds like some deep philosophical shit, not gonna lie.

But she nods, affirming his assumption. ]

I'm not a soldier anymore, but there's still value in retaining my skills.

[ Skills that need actual time and practice to level up, and not just a hefty investment of $$$$ and materials. If only they could all be so lucky. But, speaking of practicing and gyms and all that: ]

You're welcome to join me, if you'd like. [ Mostly because she's curious about something. ] How do you practice, with those blades of yours?

[ He'd thrown them as as easily as throwing a dart, but she can't imagine there are all that many ranges set up for giant throwing knives. Maybe he just goes to the nearest gun range? Who knows. ]

[ this is just how he talks. everything's a sword metaphor... it's not deep, it's a psychological problem. ]

Working at that establishment is our calling for now, but it's hardly our true purpose here.

[ in other words... yeah, those l33t call of duty skills will probably come in handy one day. better practice those head shots. ]

I received some formal training when I was younger, but the rest is self taught. As for practice... [ really, the only way he can practice with those is actually fighting people, and that's probably not on the table. so he just kind of trails off, shaking his head. ] As I recall, you were a pretty good shot. I wouldn't mind trying that myself.

[ his aim with a bow should translate to firearms, but who knows? ]

[ maybe you should see a therapist about that, archer

His self-taught status has her blinking; it's rare that she sees anyone with that level of expertise having not undergone rigorous coaching or training of some sort. He honestly doesn't look that old either, even if the bleach white hair is a bit strange. ]

You must have practiced quite a bit then. [ If only she knew....Anyway, as for practice— ] Have you used a gun before?

[ She has no qualms with teaching a fully grown adult how to shoot, but an estimated starting point might be nice. ]

[ "my dad implanted a magical sword in me when i was a kid, so now i'm soulbonded to swords forever. what do i do, doc?"

"go join a better canon." ]

I'm... familiar with them. [ they've never been his preferred weapon, but they aren't entirely foreign to him. ] But nothing beyond the very basics. There was never a need to do more.

[ why shoot guns when you can shoot magic arrows? that said, he firmly believes guns are very cool, and is jealous of people good at using them. i wish i was making this up, but this is (fgo) canon. ]

I have always wanted to learn though.

[ is archer seriously jealous of people who are good with guns.....f/go is truly incredible

But never fear, even Archer will learn how to be an ace sharpshooter when he completes his final evolution into EMIYA Archer and horrify the whole world with his design. Here, Riza will even help him out a little. ]

I can't say I'm the most forgiving of teachers, but I can offer some instruction if you truly are interested.

[ Even when her skill in the academy had shot up above that of her peers, she'd stayed reticent, speaking only to offer advice here or correct a stance there. But Archer's not a hot-headed young man ready throw all help out the window in favor of a pretty face. She has more faith in him than that. Especially with his outlook on this whole situation. ]

What do you believe our true purpose is here?

[ Is it really so innocent as 'start a new life'? ]

[ more accurately, he's jealous of the au version of himself that's good with guns. this is a real thing that is true. ]

That's not a problem. In fact, I prefer strict instruction... I don't require hand holding. [ heh...

realistically, his ability should translate quite easily to firearms. he isn't entirely ignorant of their usage, and his class abilities give him some general proficiency with ranged weaponry. at the same time, he's also kind of a gun fanboy... so learning properly seems really cool to him... ]

I can't say. None of this really makes much sense.

[ he doesn't entirely trust the orbiters, though they're forced to rely on them. but everything that happens on this planet... it's hard to make sense of why any of it would matter in relation to the Storm. ]

[ His answer's less unsatisfying than it is merely insufficient - but that's a personal problem on her own end. Transitioning from having a lofty goal requiring every last ounce of her concentration to having nothing at all has been jarring, and she finds herself contemplating the point of her existence on Olympia more often than not. But there's little she can do about any of this now except to adapt and keep a watchful eye out. ]

I suppose we'll have to wait and see them.

[ In the meantime, Archer's inner fanboy is determined to be set free. No point in keeping him locked up any longer. Her preferred location of practice isn't far, chosen for a combination of its proximity and its resources and it's not too long before they're stepping through the door. ]

Do you have a make you prefer?

[ He could borrow her guns if he really wants, but they're probably too small for his yaoi hands. ]

[ while he would never admit it, being able to do as he pleases in olympia is liberating. it's been a long time since he's had any true freedom... he sold any chance at being able to walk his own path long ago, in exchange for a miracle that saved countless lives. while he would never say he regrets that act, the rest... the rest he's had plenty of regrets about. here, though, he's free of any obligations, orders, or duties. he doesn't have to be a counter guardian, tirelessly defending the planet.

granted, even without the compulsion, he is still basically doing just that. ]

A make... true, that would be important. [ he isn't a gun nut, but he is familiar. his father was an expert, and while he never left the tools of his trade lying around, a younger archer likely stumbled upon them here or there. ]

Something smaller would be fine. The kind of a gun a secret agent would use, perhaps. [ tbh he just wants to say walther ppk, but doesn't want to look like a nerd. even though his answer probably made him look even more like a nerd. ]

[ A secret agent...

She looks over at him, her expression half disappointed and half pitying. Is he really just doing this to look Cool™? Of all the reasons to learn how to use a weapon it's at the bottom of her list, and she's starting to rethink her previous offer. (But she's always been touchy when it comes to violence and guns; it's her, not you Archer.) ]

Is that why you want to learn, so you can dress in black and look threatening as you carry a gun around?

[ They're not kid anymore, Archer, please be more responsible. ]

[ he has a more legitimate reason for wanting to learn to use a gun like that; part of it is just about being Cool, but more importantly that is the same style of weaponry his father used. kiritsugu hadn't passed on any of those skills to archer, but that hasn't stopped him from being curious. ]

N, no of course not. Who would learn to use a weapon for such a foolish reason?

[ him... he would... he isn't taking this as seriously as he should, mostly because he already is more than proficient in combat with other weapons, but the idea of learning more about firearms is still intriguing to him. and she seems, for the lack of a better term, instructor-ish. ]

Knowing more about a weapon makes it easier to deal with, if you should ever come up against it. [ that's more likely than him using a gun in serious fight himself. ]

[ every time you talk about kerry i die a little inside...let's move on....

Riza will certainly move on, right after she gives Archer a long assessing look. Uh-huh, sure Jan. ]

Plenty of people I once knew.

[ There'd always been that select few that had enlisted in the academy for the sole reason of showing off and bragging rights; they'd never lasted more than a week, once training had begun in earnest.

BUT they're here to practice and not to needle each other. A couple of words to the owner nets Archer everything he's always wanted: a pistol perfectly sized for his (fine, normal sized non-yaoi) hands. ]

Did you need a lesson on the make-up and build of a gun then, before you move on to actual target practice?

[ okay... for you, archer will stop thinking about his dead dad, as he learns to use guns, so he can feel closer to his dead dad. got it.

though he can't help but smirk uncomfortably at her comment. ]

Yes, I suppose there are people like that.

[ he's mostly just deflecting away... from the implication that he is one of them. mostly because he is. though at least his drive has less to do with bragging than a legitimate desire to learn; if there's one thing he respects, it's weaponry. even if he takes that respect to somewhat unhealthy places. ]

No, that much I have no problem with. [ to demonstrate he... does that thing where you quickly dismantle a gun? before putting it back together. okay actually it would be weird if he went that far, so instead he just cocks the top. ] Firing, on the other hand, is another matter.

[ why are you like this, rift

Better question, why are you like this, Archer? She has enough mindless men to babysit without adding one more to the mix. Though maybe if Chuuya and Archer start officially dating, she can pawn that duty off to Chuuya....

But teaching she can do, at the very least. She owes him that much for saving her life that one time many moons ago. ]

Firing is all a matter of posture. Once you mastered that, the accuracy itself should be easy enough to obtain.

[ She's seen him fling those swords, he shouldn't have a problem with that. ]

[ i'm respecting your wishes...

all smugness his aside, he actually does listen to her words rather seriously. he may be a marksman of literal supernatural skill, but there is something to be said of the advice of an actual soldier. ]

Form above all else.

[ he actually takes aim at his target carefully, though his pose is... definitely off. he's too accustomed to firing a bow rather than a gun, and that's somewhat obvious in his stance. he's also just holding the gun in one hand, because... idk... that's how you're supposed to shoot a gun in his mind?? ]

[ look i'm too tired for cohesion....

Riza, on the other hand, is not. A good thing, since it looks like there's plenty she'll need to correct as the day goes on. Particularly the single-handed grip, the famed grip of action movies across the planet.

But he's an adult, capable of making his own choices. He can explain why he's doing this horrendous thing so early on. ]

Why are you holding it with only one hand?

[ Is he trying to be Cool again.... ]

[ :pepecry:

honestly, he came dangerously close to holding the gun sideways. he wanted desperately to do so, but resisted in order to save face. if riza saw that... she'd be so upset she would never want to hold his hand. and that simply isn't acceptable. ]

What? [ he actually looks genuinely surprised by her question. ] Is this not how it's done?

[ how's he going to hold a second gun in his other hand otherwise??? ]

[ Well it's not like she can hold his hand right now anyway, seeing as how it's full of gun. But no matter, forces handtouching into this thread at least and marks half half a bingo square. Gen kink bingo. ]

Only if you want to shoot yourself in the foot and fall over.

[ Which….okay, she actually wouldn't mind seeing once in her life, but she considers Archer if not a good friend then an acceptable coworker, and Koralle would probably not appreciate it.

Riza steps closer, one hand reaching out to take hold of Archer's free hand and place it around the grip of the gun for extra support. ]

You can move on to using one hand after you've mastered how to shoot using both.

[ it's slow burn handholding... we have to work our way up to it. baby steps. ]

...fair enough.

[ he's still pretty confident he could handle one handed firing, but the visual she's presented is... convincing. so he'll let her guide him into the more acceptable firing stand, firmly placing his other hand on the grip of the gun as well.

shooting like this feels a bit awkward after being so accustomed to holding a bow, but he can see why it's far less... unpredictable. ]

You really do have the qualities of an instructor. [ that said, he'll close one eye as he focuses his aim, steadying his senses and firing.

though it's not a perfect shot, it's still very close to a bullseye. even if his form is a bit off, he's at least quite used to gauging distance and picking off a target. the recoil, on the other hand, is a bit surprising. though he's steady enough not to stumble backwards, his body doesn't account for the sensation either, causing him to lean a bit into her. ]

Er... sorry.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

open

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

why is archer so embarrassing

idk...

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject