Aim for the High Score!

[Seraphina]

A nervous smile offered to Circe.

“Awww! You’re too sweet Mary! But don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.” She teases her friend with a light laugh.

Turning to listen as Circe spoke of her first attempt, she nods, taking in what was said. “Could have been worse.” Could have been better, but this was something completely out of her comfort zone. Something she never pictured herself doing. “Well, I’m not one to shy away from learning, and now that I know what they feel like, maybe I’ll have better luck my next try!” trying to be positive. This was something she was going to have to keep working at. It wasn’t going to overnight. A nod, “Exhale then squeeze? Ok, I’ll try that.” Then as Circe shows the aiming, Sera will try to mimic what the other Fairest does. “That might make things a bit smoother.” She almost said easier, but this was not going to be easier.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-11-08 20:14:33	Seraphina rolls 4 to Shot a gun?(Dex+Firearms+Aim)-1 Unskilled +1 gun (10 Again)	3, 4, 10, 10, 2, 3	2 successes

So, she does that, aims like Circe showed her, exhales as she squeezes the trigger. And low and behold, she hits it! Now, usually, the Nix would celebrate when she was successful at something, but this didn’t feel like the place to do that.

Instead? She puts safety on, puts the gun down, and looks to Circe with a proud smile. Then goes through the motions of the magazine from before, then takes the ear protection off. “Clear!”

Looking to Alice, “What can I say? I love to learn new things.” The proud smile still on her face. “If you’re going to give your teacher one hundred percent, why waste their time?” asks the angelic voice.

[Circe]

"All who encounter me before coffee would shout objection, oh ho ho ho!" She laughs with Seraphina. Then nods, a lot, when Seraphina says it could have been worse. Circe had dealt with worse. "It is one of two schools of pistol shooting Sarah. Precision: one shot one kill. The other is dakka. More fun, but harder with pistol. In Cali, it is kind of restricted to stuff that isn't legal outside of Hollywood, and we can't rent here. We'd have to go to Texas," she jerks her thumb towards the door. "Could shoot a BIG stuff too. Arizona is closer, but they prefer big irons on their hips."


Yes, Circe starts humming a song after that line. She can hum a tune and pay attention to Seraphina.


Circe observes as Seraphina takes the time to aim before shooting. A grand success. "Excellent Sarah!" She praises her friend. "The longer you take lining it up, the more effective it is. Good way to learn. Start slow, then go fast. And no, I won't teach you dakka today. Doing it manually is an advanced technique. We have to master the basics first." Which was just common sense. "And I don't think they rent assault weapons here," Circe actually pouts at this fact. What, they were fun!


"Yes it is Alice," she nods in agreement. Though the Summer wouldn't call herself a brilliant teacher, she did not just edu-mah-cate on the street. "She is such a good student! I'm glad she doesn't need the school of hard knocks. Such terrible students, they never learn," she cuts herself off from mentioning the broken muggers. Not something to admit to doing amongst so many witnesses.


"Good handling on the pistol Alice. Your preferred option?" It is nice to talk to a fellow gunner. Even if she can't go all in on the talk, due to well, gun running. Circe can get some stuff in.

[Phoenyx]

The Arrow nods appreciatively as the lesson beares fruit and Sarah hits the target. Mary clearly knew what she was talking about.

Something about the voice of the statuesque woman feels like talking to a model. her voice had a very melodic quality that was hard to define. "That is an admirable quality. It is something one only develops when you get older. I was never good at it when I was a child." She smiles a little at Mary. "Yes... I learned to fight in a similar way."

Phoenyx smiles at the compliment, and nods. "Thank you. It is. I have more experience with them than anything else, though I did not bring my Baretta today. When you know all the quirks of the weapon you're using, it takes some of the challenge out of things, so I like to use range weapons. I find I appreciate my own more after using the range weapons." She looks at her guns. "Do you have a preference? or is this more to help Sarah learn with a low caliber?" She looks between them, tugging her sleeve down where it rode up on her forearm.

[Circe]

Seraphina was learning and shooting, so this was a good start for the day. Though the mortal is distracting her, but Circe can deal.


The Larcenist laughs, "Alice, if you were this good as a child, I'd think your real name is Annie Oakley, oh ho ho ho."


Then looks to Alice, a little confused by what she means. "Okay, might be distracted by the gunfire. Did you learn slow and steady or rapid fire? The latter is the dakka method. And yes, it is from the Internet meme."


Talk of pistols draws her interest. "I agree, it is good to spice things up now and again. Also Alice, I do approve of the Italian designed niner," she nods as that is brought up, "I have worked in the gun props repair, so wide variety have I tried," that would excuse her gun running familiarity with various illegal guns. "But personally? I prefer John Browning's classic .45 caliber." Not least because that extra punch could really matter in the Hedge. Also, it was her only legally owned caliber to talk about. "Might not have as much shots, but that just means accuracy is more important. Good mid-range on the punch versus capacity. Patriotic. That and I have gotten rolled by big game in the past," Circe winces and rubs her arms. Well, it'd been a wooden deer statue that animated to attack her, but still close enough. "45 has the punch to make big animals stumble than a nine or smaller does not.."


Circe then points to Seraphina, "22 however is the classic training bullet. I COULD have lent Sarah my 45s," then shakes her head with both hands up in a shrug, "But then she'd maybe not know how to shoot lower calibers. Got THAT concern from a movie's plot twist."

[Seraphina]

Chuckling, “Well, I’d rather not have to shot at all, so I’ll just learn the basics and how to properly use one in case.” That was why she was here, the just in case. “No need for me to get fancy or anything. But maybe we can take a road trip to Texas and you can show off! Now that would be fun!” and road trips were fun.

“Question, what if you don’t have time to aim? Is there a trick to that? Or is it just try and aim and hope for the best?” because the plan was to have the gun at her house. She had a security system in place, and her Hollow.

“I’ve done the school of hard knocks, it’s not fun and I don’t want to go back. So I decided to become a better student.”

Stepping back up to try another shot, because that was the only way to get better, “I was a model student as a child, then rebelled for a couple years, then learned that I well, loved to learn.” And spending time with a Keeper will also teach you a thing or two, but that wasn’t to be shared here. Among mixed company. “Ah fighting, one of the more difficult things for me to learn, but I keep trying.” She was certainly determined. Put her in a Dream and there was little she couldn’t handle and take down. But a physical opponent? It was a challenge she struggled with. But refused to give up on.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-11-13 15:20:15	Seraphina rolls 4 to Shot a gun?(Dex+Firearms+Aim)-1 Unskilled +1 gun (10 Again)	8, 6, 8, 4	2 successes

Ear protection on, she holds up the gun, takes a moment to aim it, lets out a breath and fires. A satisfied smile appears on her face as she goes through the safety protocol once again, “Clear.” And steps away from the gun, still quite proud of herself. She didn’t have the ego of a Fairest, but damn it felt good to hit the target.

[Phoenyx]

Mary's joke flies well over the petite Arrow's head and she looks confused at the sassy Italian. "I don't get it."

Phoenyx has a look of realisation. "I meant the school of hard knocks. I learned to fight with my fists in several classes there." Arid delivery but Phoenyx is smiling, which widens as her choice of weapon is complemented. "Some find it too light but the slimmer grip makes it easier for my hands." She looks curious at the mention of repair. "That sounds fascinating. Do you have any tips from that I might not have heard?" There was always the chance to learn something new. "The Browning is functional. I just find it... dull? I find the Barretta smoother, though i have less of an All-American view on things, I suppose." She says with a small shrug.

There's an amused look as Mary mentions big game. "You went hunting with a pistol? That's a little unusual." She nods as suggesting the benefits of training with a lower caliber, letting Mary and Sarah continue their next shots.

As Sarah discusses her thoughts, Phoenyx nods in agreement. "Better to be prepared than have no idea. If you cannot aim, it is often better to fall back than shoot and risk a shot going astray."

There's another nod as Sarah takes more shots. "You certainly seem to have the basics. Beyond that, like anything, it is all practice."

[Circe]

Circe's smirk flattens at the lack of gun history on the part of Alice. "Child prodigy of gun. Look her up online later," as it seems Wild Bill's famous trick shooter was getting forgotten. Oh well.


She turns back to Seraphina. "Usually you don't even have to shoot Sarah. Most will be like bullies, they flee from those that can fight back," she assures Seraphina before frowning, "And no, I don't run them down, anymore. They drop common loot, oh ho ho ho!" She is joking. The loot is sub-common at best. "Woot! Road trip! Texas steaks!"


As for the trick to shoot and not aim, there was a simple one. Alice gives advise on avoiding combat, which Circe nods to. "Yes, but if you can't withdraw point at the torso," she pokes her thumb into her chest, "Bigger target, less aim do you need. Most folks seek cover when shot at. Scatter shot wouldn't help as pistols, uh, hmm," Circe rubs her chin in thought as her face goes through a few expressions. Thinking, gasping with a smarmy smirk, humming, frowning, sagging, shrugging. The Italian Larcenist is quite animated, "Nope, snake don't count." Circe doesn't acknowledge any concerns about stray gunfire. A criminal doesn't care.


But a good skill to learn. Circe was a lot more comfortable with her less martial Spring friend having something other than a knife to defend herself with. Hedge Side, contracts could be done but Iron Side required discretion. "Ah, I am amongst fellow alums of knocking around, grand! I found it to be a fine school myself. Taught me the most important rule that school has: a battle is not a spar."


Alice seemed curious about her skillful hands. Well, who was she not to brag. "Preventative maintenance and treatments cut down on a LOT of problems building up, though everybody has probably heard of that. The right multitool is a good idea, especially one with a needle plier that can crush brass tubing," she nods as she gives this advise. "A great way to unjam a miss-ejected cartridge. That is one. Hair care is the second," she waggles her eyebrows as she brushes her hair, "You can buy an expensive gun part heater for getting rid of moisture when cleaning. Or just use a hair dryer."


Circe wasn't going to recommend her concoction for replacing WD-40. It really made the gasmask a useful purchase but it stank. Something that Seraphina's shooting did not for a beginner: "Good shot Sarah. Your progress is stellar."


Though she did find the need to defend her choice of 45 over 9. "More bullet has its uses Alice, but like I said. I've found an actual need for the extra power. Even if just going for the knees, it'll stagger an elk." As for the hunting part, she shakes her head, "No no no Alice," and waves her hands. "I'd need at least a Deagle's power to TRY hunting with a pistol." Circe wouldn't be that gun crazy to hunt with a 45. "I had a rifle, but antlers and melee meant that was better to parry than shoot." In truth, she'd run out of bullets for the wooden elk from the rifle. The 45 was faster to use and reload. "Backup Colt got it to back off. Hence why I KNOW a .45 can stagger an elk."


A truth of sorts. It did buy her some distance though the flaming effigy fell apart before the rifle could be used again.

[Seraphina]

Laughing, light and musical, “That’s ok, I don’t always get her jokes either.” Shrugging.

Aquamarines blink a few times before a gentle smile was offered, “I understand what the school of hard knocks is.” Just because she has a pretty face doesn’t mean she’s had an easy life. But if that’s what people are content to believe, so be it. The talk of guns went over her head, it was a topic she knew little about. Well, except what the class and Circe had taught her today. And that was, well, basic.

“Fall back? Hmmm, not very good at doing that, Mary can attest to that. But then again, I never thought I’d be here, learning to shot a gun. I’ll try and keep it in mind though.” It would probably keep her alive longer. Then again, she had some tricks up her sleeve that could tip the scales in her favor if the gun didn’t help.

“Thanks! Truth be told, shooting a gun isn’t too high up on my list of a good time.” She didn’t expect to see herself here all that often.

Shrugging, “I could always try to be charming!” she says with a laugh, “But no, I don’t think I would be running anyone down. But my house has some pretty damn good security.” A female living alone needs to have good security. “Road trips are the best!”

A single nod, “The torso. Got it. Aim for the torso.” She could do that, maybe.

“Uh, I’ll just stick with a hair dryer.” And that was all she could add to that conversation. "No hair dryer and my hair is this huge frizzy mess." it's a thing.

“What can I say? I hate to fail.”

[Phoenyx]

Something about this felt like Arrow training. It was like Mary was teaching Sarah to prepare to kill. It did mean Phoenyx saw nothing out of the ordinary in it, at least. She nods in agreement about the centre mass, but says nothing else.

The Arrow looks thoughtful as Mary offers some tips. "Thanks. I'll look into that. I do preventative care but don't have many tools."

She looks relieved when Mary does some clarification. "I'm not debating it's power. I've just never seen the need myself. I was more concerned you were hunting with it!" she laughs.

Phoenyx nods as Sarah agress about missing her friend's jokes. "That's a relief. I thought it was me."

Sarah seemed to have taken her reply to Mary aas a point to her. The Arrow looked confused. "Um. I meant that because I learned to fight with my hands, not guns; I didn't mean to imply you didn't know what it was, Sarah." She sounded apologetic.

However, she nods in agreeement as Sarah talks about using a hair drier. "Mine too." She didn't admit it but she made sure she was always presentable, if not with makeup. "I can understand that. I also hate failing. Especially if anyone can see me doing it. Everything is expected to be perfect so often." It felt safer to admit to people she was unlikely to see again.