Gunslingers

In preparation for the Chunk Ship Massacre of 1995, Dusk asked his guy, Nat Turlough to arrange for a pair of pistols to be delivered to his packmates, Ashton and Noelle. Nat is a kinfolk of undetermined lineage and serves as Dusk's bodyguard and driver. He's also a member of the Blackwood Private Military Company and is available for services that fall in gray or criminal areas that the rest of his staff isn't equipped to handle. Working in combat zones, undocumented weapons are part and parcel for what they do, so getting a pair of heavy revolvers is easy enough. It's made all the easier when a Blackwood is asking and they command the resources Dusk Blackwood does. Really, Nat is all too happy to help the good fight.

Nat is a big man of Hawaiian descent. He smiles a lot and seems to still embrace the Aloha spirit. Today when he delivers the two cases, he's dressed in his Blackwood PMC uniform (black and gray night camo fatigues). He smiles at Dusk as he lays the cases on the counter and opens each. Each has a single heavy pistol, a box of ammunition, and four speed loaders.

Dusk nods his approval, barely looking in the cases. He doesn't know the first thing about guns. He glances over at Noelle and Ashton instead, leaving the main inspection to the two gun birdies. "Will these work, do you reckon?"

Ashton watches the scene from a bit of a distance, but when asked if they work, he steps forward and takes the gun, loads it with ammo, tests the weight in his hand, and nods. "Can we try them out? Like, shoot cans or something?" He looks to Noelle. "Where did you learn how to use a gun?" Curiosity getting the better of him. "A friend taught me. Someone I was working with. I used to run errands for...people." He finishes sort of lamely, realizing he really isn't at liberty to discuss which people he worked for.

Noelle has been excited all day. The promise of a gun in the wake of the Chunk Boat siege is setting her mind at ease a bit, even though there is a long way to go before Ashton and herself will be able to actually fire them in mid-flight.

"These are gorgeous, Mr. Nat. Thank you for finding them in such short notice." She grins at Dusk then and gives him a big hug. "Thank you for buying us such an extravagant gift. Looks like I'l have to buy you a Christmas present this year." She teases him.

Finally she is at Ashton's side and gives him a bit of a pat on the shoulder, trying hard not to startle him with a loaded weapon in his hands. "Looks good on you Ash. Thanks for being my partner in crime with all of this." When asked where she learned, she is forthcoming. "I've been on a lot of stake outs and investigations with the HPD. A couple of guys taught me for my own private safety. So I'm not the best shot ever but I can hold my own."

Nat smiles and crosses his big arms. He glances at Dusk before he says anything about target shooting. Dusk gives him a bit of a nod, so Nat arranges for something to be set up down in the smuggler's cave to give a few test shots.

Nat winks at Noelle. "It's all worth it if you shoot something evil for all us kin, Miss Blackwood. I'm happy to help." He gestures to the little gate house and says meaningfully, "We all are."

Dusk hugs Noelle tightly and lifts her a few inches off the ground to give her a couple of shakes. "A Christmas present? After this many years, I'd die of shock," he teases right back. He considers and hmms. "On second thought, I wouldn't die of shock until I had it a week and you didn't steal it back." He lets her go to join Ashton, smiling as he looks on.

Nat side-eyes Dusk a moment and says softly, "So when are you going to learn, Dusk? We ARE in Texas after all. And all the cool kids are doing it, dude."

Dusk frowns at the big man and gives a huff. "Don't start, man," he says to the soldier. "I'm plenty dangerous." He doesn't sound it and the kin doesn't really seem to believe him, but is willing enough to let it go. He's never seen his boss angry and doesn't want to make today that day.

Nat's radio chirps and the big man listens. "There are a couple of targets set up in the cave. Just don't go too crazy and get the police looking around. Okay?"

Ashton nods. "I was..." He trails off, considering his words carefully. "I wasn't around cops much. They did arrest me a couple times, but..." He shrugs. "I don't think they would have wanted to teach me anything." He doesn't do any sort of showboating, no spinning the revolver in his hands or posing with it or whatever, but by the way he handles it it's clear he does know what he's doing. He's also paying attention to basic gun safety--the safety is on and he isn't pointing it toward anyone. His finger is also nowhere near the trigger. It IS loaded, but the safety will be on until he chooses to fire. He treats the gun with respect. In fact, he actually whispers to it in spirit speech. It may be sleeping, but he's still going to be developing a relationship with it, so he introduces himself and thanks it for its help. Even if that's a bit strange, especially for those who can't understand spirit speech because he may as well be speaking gibberish at it. He nods to Nat. "Thank you."

Noelle giggles as she is lifted up and spun a bit. "It's a good thing you're so loveable." She teases her cousin, and then her eyes widen as Ashton tells of his run-ins with the law. She realises, however, most everyone has had some run-ins and it doesn't bother her a bit. She too picks up the firearm and is also very careful with it. So careful that she doesn't come off as being as confident as Ashton is. "It's actually been a few years. But I mean, it's got to be like riding a bike, right?" She hopes. When she's all loaded up and ready to go, she follows Ashton and Dusk down to the smugglers cave where they can test these suckers out a few times, just so they know what they're doing as Homid. When airborne it will be a whole different story.

Dusk leads the pair down to the secret cave. He can't help but smile pretty big as he opens the secret door and lights the tunnel LEDs. It's Batman enough to make him giggle like a teenager. "I should get some damned tights and do this proper," he says with a laugh.

Down at the base level, a couple of targets were set up along with a few hay bales to serve as a firing line.

On the way down, Nat explains, "These shoot 357 Magnum ammunition. It's not quite as strong as the .44 Magnum, but is still pretty hefty. It shouldn't be as bad for recoil, but still have plenty of stopping power. Too much kick might make flying and shooting more difficult, so I thought this would be a good compromise."

Dusk nods along, just trusting Nat knows what he's talking about.

Nat gestures and smiles. "Throw some shots down-range and see how it feels?"

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Ashton rolls Dexterity + Firearms (Total: 6) vs 6 for 1 successes. => 1 2 3 4 7 10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============-------------> <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Ashton rolls Dexterity + Firearms (Total: 6) vs 6 for 3 successes. => 1 4 6 9 9 10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============-------------> <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Ashton rolls Dexterity + Firearms (Total: 6) vs 6 for 1 successes. => 1 2 2 5 7 8 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============-------------> <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Ashton rolls Dexterity + Firearms (Total: 6) vs 6 for 1 successes. => 2 3 3 3 5 10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Noelle rolls Dexterity + Firearms (Total: 7) vs 6 FAILED => 1 2 3 3 4 5 8 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============-------------> <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Noelle rolls Dexterity + Firearms (Total: 7) vs 6 for 3 successes. => 1 3 5 7 7 8 9 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============-------------> <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Noelle rolls Dexterity + Firearms (Total: 7) vs 6 for 1 successes. => 1 2 4 5 5 6 6 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============-------------> <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Noelle rolls Dexterity + Firearms (Total: 7) vs 6 for 3 successes. => 1 4 4 6 8 10 10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Ashton takes a position and fires four quick shots at the target. All of them hit. One a little closer than the others. He looks relatively please, although he can probably do better given a little more time and practice. "This is good." He says softly. "I'll practice, too. I'll get better, in time. But the guns are good." He looks to Noelle, and watches her take her turn, as he considers the upcoming fight.

Noelle grins a little nervously as she draws the gun up and aims at the other target. BAM! She shoots, and what do you know, there is no bullet whole on the target at all. She sighs. "I... yeah, I need a LOT Of practice." She proceeds to shoot three more times and is happier after that. "Same here Ashton, I'll practice and get better too." She pulls back the gun and aims it at the ground before turning to her cousin. "Here -- don't be afraid. Take a shot or two?" She fully expects him to say no, but it's the thought that counts.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Dusk rolls Dexterity + Firearms (Total: 4) vs 6 for 2 successes. => 1 8 8 9 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============-------------> <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Dusk rolls Dexterity + Firearms (Total: 4) vs 6 for 2 successes. => 2 3 6 9 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Dusk watches the shooting happen and seems pretty pleased with the results. He glances over at Nat and the two seem to share some unspoken conversation and remarks. Whatever it is seems to leave them in good spirits. Nat excuses himself, his job seeming to be done here, until Noelle asks Dusk to take a couple of shots. He turns again and stares at his boss, arms crossing over his shoulders. "C'mon, boss. Show us how it's done. Give me a story to tell the boys."

Dusk might be inclined to say no and not waste bullets, but between it being insinuated that he's afraid and the pressure from his bodyguard, he huffs a dramatic sigh. He lifts the pistol and sights down his arm. "I do not aim with my hand," he murmurs. "He who aims with his hand, forgets the face of his father. I aim with my eye," he finishes before he squeezes the trigger and hits a pretty good shot center of mass. "I do not shoot with my hand," he continues. "He who shoots with his hand has forgotten the face of his father. I shoot with my mind," he says, squeezing the trigger again with nearly identical, if mediocre, results. The gun, empty, is handed back to Noelle.

Dusk gives Nat the most shit eating grin. Nat scowls fiercely, insisting, "It ISN'T easy, Dusk. Jesus, quit.... you know what? I got shit to do," he grumps good-naturedly. "You guys all seem to got this."

Dusk just laughs as the big man retreats.

Ashton considers. "Maybe I'll get a holster...like one that goes under my jacket." He leans back against the wall. "I'll steal one, or something." He decides. "That way I can carry this when I need to, without it being obvious." He mumbles to himself. "Angry metal that rips through flesh...Terrifying thing." He looks to Dusk. "I guess you were referencing something, I don't know what your father has to do with anything. I've never met my father, but...you know...raven." He shrugs.

"Dusk! You Hustler!!" Noelle collapses in a fit of giggles. "I should have known better... you always act so nonchalant about guns and shooting and all. Who knew you were a closet marksman." When she gets over the giggles, her beaming smile suggests how proud she is of him.

Waving goodbye to Nat, Noelle then turns to Ashton. "What an awesome idea! A holster. That's so badass. And of course we're in Texas so... I bet there is no conceal rules here. I should know this but..." She looks to Dusk once more with her eyebrows lofted. "Do you know?" Noelle has voted for you.

Dusk shakes his head and offers, "Seriously. If you need holsters or ammo or... generally anything, just hit up Nat. He can get about anything. He and his kinfolk guys and gals would be stoked to help out. Hell, they'd come along if we let em." He pauses and blushes, pale silk skin turning pink, as he admits, "It's just something from a series of books. When I was in Hollywood, one of the parts I was being considered for was an adaptation. It didn't ever get off the ground though." He wrinkles his nose and moans, "I read all those friggin' books for nothin'. And there were, like, a hundred."

His eyes get wide when he's called a hustler by Noelle. "I am not! It's the first I've even handled a gun! I'm just naturally great at... uhh... shooting. Who knew?"

Ashton nods. "I'll ask him, then..." He decides, and walks off, in the middle of the conversation, to go ask about holsters. And probably trade Nat a shiny for them.