text; un: feal (forward-dated to the 17th)

[noblegarnet]

[Ferran has had some thoughts about the fallout of the Circle's experiments, and how he wouldn't have been able to do much to help that night even if he hadn't been occupied with something else. He's lucky that neither of his bonds were hurt in any lasting way, but... what about the next time danger shows up? Is he just supposed to cower at home and wait because fairies are a fragile species, especially against the Cwyld? It doesn't feel right to him.]

I'm looking for some suggestions on learning to fight. Long-range, if at all possible. I can't use magic, and none of the powers I have access to can be used offensively.

[He'll get some ideas on that later, but it's not really a weapon, per se.]

I was thinking about archery, but I don't know how easy it would be to pull a bow out in an emergency or anything. Do they have collapsible bows here? [Better not ramble too much on his thoughts, though.]

I'm basically a beginner with any kind of weapon, but I'm willing to put in the work. If anyone has ideas or can point me to somewhere I can learn, I'd appreciate it.

Comments

[noblegarnet]

Well, I've never used a firearm before, so I wouldn't be able to judge any teaching skills.

[He'd just appreciate the willingness to try. It's not like he couldn't ask around for more tips, anyway.]

Can you tell me more about the kinds of enchantments you usually do for ammunition?

[gunsmithed]

Well I've only just begun with those, so it's more like experiments for the moment. Fire, ice, lightning, that sort of thing.

[noblegarnet]

That makes sense. Things to hit certain weaknesses.

[It sounds like an RPG when he puts it that way, and Ferran doesn't know that he likes that.

It feels stupid and out of the realm of likelihood to ask about nonlethal options, so he doesn't. If he did, anyone would be right to lecture him on how he'd need to accept the idea of hurting others, if he's going to pick up a weapon.]

I've been trying to work with enchantments myself, lately. Protective charms and things like that. I hadn't thought about enchanting weapons, but it does seem like a good idea, as long as it's stable.

[gunsmithed]

Or just to give things an extra boost. I've had weapons enchanted before, just not by me. It takes a bit of getting used to.

[noblegarnet]

I think that goes for the whole experience of being here, honestly.

[Has anyone gotten used to it? Can you get used to it? It seems nearly impossible from his perspective.]

But do you mean the enchanting part, or using enchanted weapons?

[gunsmithed]

Quite.

Enchanting. I'd never much been one for magic, previously.

[noblegarnet]

Magic is a lot to adjust to, even if you're familiar with the idea, so I think I get it. Coming here and becoming a witch kind of forces your hand with that, I imagine.

[What with the exploding and whatnot... and especially with how allergic to bonds so many people here are.]

At least it's useful.

[gunsmithed]

Forced hand is a good way to put it.

[ In many ways. Not that Percy isn't still slightly cranky about the whole bonding thing or anything. ]

I made do without. I suppose it's only fair that I learn to make do with.

[noblegarnet]

The more tools you have at your disposal the better, right?

[Thus his own attempts to broaden some horizons.]

I wasn't fond of my abilities at first, either. [He's still not fond of the transforming part, but the rest he can learn to live with.]

[gunsmithed]

I suppose.

[ He does like learning things, generally speaking. Its just being forced into anything is a good way to make Percy extremely contrary. ]

It's less a lack of fondness than not understanding the need. But this place does have a way of making things necessary.

[noblegarnet]

It definitely does. I've been able to avoid danger so far, but I have no idea how long that luck will last.

[Though part of his success has been thanks to his illusions. Why worry about being kidnapped when you can simply keep people from seeing you in the first place?]

I just wish this world was a little more predictable.

[gunsmithed]

Predictable in that you can generally expect something new and bizarre might happen. It's something.

[noblegarnet]

It's like "expect the unexpected," which is about the most useless piece of advice ever.

[It's accurate and also infuriating.]

[gunsmithed]

It is, yes. And yet.