video; u/n lynx

[jadedlynx]

Once I get the space together, I'm starting a self-defense class.

[ The video starts showing Ash in front of a simple apartment wall. ]

Shouldn't need a lot of explanation. You pay me, I'll teach you how to fight. It doesn't matter how big or small you are, if you're a man or a woman. There'll be handgun lessons, too. Not at the same time; if you can roundhouse while firing a gun, you're not there for the class.

Payment can be chroma or demichroma. If it's chroma, it has to be transferred through our hands. If you know what you're doing and looking for a place to pass that along, I'll take on a few more teachers and a nurse or two. I'll have to see your stuff first.

Comments

text; un: faust

[spectralsnipe]

I already know how to fight but I've never used a gun. I'd be interested in that.

text;

[jadedlynx]

Have you ever held one?

[spectralsnipe]

No. Guns aren't easy to come by where I'm from.

[Especially for a terrorist group who has to rely on the black market or stealing to get their weapons.]

But I've fired crossbows.

[jadedlynx]

Guns have a bigger kickback, but you have an advantage over somebody who's never fired anything.

I have some guns good for beginners. I'm not going to bother going into too much detail because it probably won't mean a lot to you. I'll get into that after you have some practice under your belt.

You said you fight. What's your style?

[spectralsnipe]

I can handle the details.

I don't really know if I have a "style", I learned from lots of different people. Mostly basic self-defense and I can use a knife if I need to.

[jadedlynx]

Would Springfield 9mm mean much to you? It's an average-sized handgun, uses the most common bullets, and it's a good place for a beginner.

Interested in showing me? If you're good and want to teach, we can work something out for lessons and some kind of demi/chroma.

[spectralsnipe]

I know about different ammunition and the general differences between firearms, like shotguns or pistols. So it means a little bit.

All right.

i.e. i have to wait a month to use the license

[jadedlynx]

Handgun. Pretty common. It's a good starting point. A lot of other guns require you adjust for recoil or special priorities the bullets contain. A lot of them trade accuracy for power too unless you know how to make up for the difference. Guns are about aim, but it's also about knowing how to hold your body. It's easier to show in person. It'll probably take me a month to get a place and get everything set up, but since you might be working there, I want to see your style before then.

[spectralsnipe]

I see. I don't have any problems with aim so as long as you show me the rest I can do it.

When do you want to meet? I don't do anything really so it doesn't matter to me.

[jadedlynx]

Aiming changes with the gun since kickback can really affect it.

If you're free around 4 today, we can meet then.

[spectralsnipe]

I can do 4. I'll bring my crossbow too.

[jadedlynx]

[ Ash smirks. The guy likes his crossbow, huh? ]

I'll have guns. If I think you'll be a good teacher, I can give you a couple of lessons leading up to the opening. We can talk about the demi/chroma payment.

[spectralsnipe]

All right. Where's the location?

[Even over text he's a man of few words. Faust knows he could give more qualifications but still doesn't exactly trust the network's privacy, and going into the full extent of his resume might get too many questions. So that's for in-person.]

[jadedlynx]

[ The next text provides a location. ]

It's one of the buildings I'm looking at. I have it for the day. Come dressed to fight. We'll go someplace quieter for the gun lesson.

[spectralsnipe]

I'll be there.

[... Oh. Right.]

My name is Faust.

[jadedlynx]

Then I guess your user name wasn't referencing the play.

Ash Lynx.

[spectralsnipe]

No.

I'll see you soon.

switching to action;

[jadedlynx]

[ Ash arrives before they're designated time as he really does need to look over the space. Once his walkthrough is finished, the wall seems as good a place to relax as any. With his device in hand, he idly kills time but looks up when he hears someone else enter. ]

Faust?

[ Though his very blond hair and green eyes were something that stood out back in his home world, it's hardly the wildest coloring in a world where blue hair is common. Despite that, he's easy to spot considering he's the only other person in the building. ]

[spectralsnipe]

[Faust has actually been around the area for a few minutes before coming in as well, casing the building and surrounding area. Not that he exactly thinks this is some sort of trap, but... Old habits and all.

Between the scales dotted over his cheeks and the snake-like tail visible flicking behind him he could almost look like a native Prismal, moving further inside as he spots the man.]

You must be Ash Lynx.

[jadedlynx]

Yeah. Ash is fine.

[ Standing up, he slides the device into the pocket of his jeans. Faust is half a foot smaller than him, but that's not a bad thing. If he knows what he's doing, it'll help those of small builds.

However, he has some additions that aren't typical to humans of Ash's world, which might give him an advantage humans won't have. ]

Before we get started, you got any skills you want to disclose? I'm good, but I'm also completely human.

[spectralsnipe]

[Faust tilts his head slightly.]

That I want to disclose? Not really. [Which more or less indirectly answers the question. But really he didn't come into this planning to use his Arts much, what with it being a drain on Chroma that he already isn't the best at replenishing.]

But I don't play dirty, if that's what you're worried about.

[jadedlynx]

If you do, and it's something you can teach, that can be another talk. Using whatever skills you got isn't dirty, but it's not what we're testing today. It's hand to hand combat.

[ He'll have to allow a certain amount of trust. If Faust has super speed or strength, that should be disclosed. Since it's not, Ash will be careful but assume his extra abilities lay elsewhere.

With a push off the wall, he approaches. ]

So, show me.

sorry I'm the worst at writing fights but I'm trying

[spectralsnipe]

Some of it I probably could, but not all of it.

[While he might have been trained in fighting because of his own determination to learn all he could and be able to be a good guardian his skillset is more geared for infiltration and ranged combat. It's actually been a while since he's fought someone hand to hand, the prospect stirring up all sorts of memories that he pushes right back down. Now isn't the time.]

All right.

[He nods and watches Ash move closer carefully, deciding that a direct approach would be best in order to gauge what the other can do. He lowers himself into a stance that Patriot taught him before charging forward. Given the height difference he opts to try and aim a punch at Ash's midsection, prepared to dodge away if he misses. And if he doesn't get caught.]

<3 You're doing well. We can summarize if it you want?

[jadedlynx]

[ Despite his age, Ash is trained to the extreme. With military training behind his skill and with no supernatural skill to bolster his abilities, Ash has focused on using his body against a variety of opponents. While he is capable of losing, it's really only happened against his teacher. Otherwise, he's even managed to take out groups of men.

Of course, he's already accepted that being skilled in his world doesn't translate to being on the same level in this one. There's no way of knowing how impressive Faust can manage to be.

The moment his opponent moves, so does Ash. Faust is charging, likely moving into position to land the first blow. That plan was based on his distance from Ash as well as Ash's position. Most people would assume he'd dodge or block; block, probably, considering his larger body. Few would expect him to launch a counterattack instead of waiting. Offense really is a good defense.

His own goal is simple enough: a sweep kick when Faust is within distance and should it land, a quick movement to press his forearm to the other man's neck without applying pressure. This isn't a fight to the death. ]

I'm fine with going a little more and seeing what plays out, but whatever's easiest for you!

[spectralsnipe]

[Despite being more accustomed to ranged tactics Faust is ultimately no stranger to being hit by people much larger than him. And by people much stronger than Ash.

But while he's good at taking blows he's still less experienced than the blonde when it comes to fighting like this, so the sweep of the other's leg does catch him just enough to make him stumble. Where he lacks in fighting he makes up for with quick reflexes though, and just before Ash can grapple him down he abruptly just... Vanishes into thin air.

In a normal situation it would be so easy to just use this moment to take the killing shot but that isn't the point of this. Even with his harsh upbringing and pessimistic outlook he's not interested in killing or even actually hurting this person. So Faust doesn't remain invisible for long; just enough to let him move behind the other man to try and grab him in a headlock.]