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]

It did seem pretty small for three people, so I don't blame you.

[Even if he didn't go for the largest of the available housing, he still picked something way too big for one person alone to use, so he wouldn't really question it. It'll give them plenty of room to spread out and have their own space! He can appreciate that.

He can see a deflection from personal topics from a mile away given how often he employs similar techniques himself, but he has no intention of pressing the issue right now anyway—especially not over the network. That's the kind of thing he'd want to ask about in person. Instead, he has something else to bring up.]

Thank you. By the way, you mentioned back then about someone who could help with teaching swordsmanship, right? I won't be using one, but I know someone who wants to. Do you think they'd be willing to teach him?

[He links her to his conversation with the person in question.]

[chaoticbeauty]

I never intended for that space to house three people.

[ Another peek behind the curtain into the mess that was her life, especially when she'd first arrived and had been so in denial that she hadn't even thought to plan for the future. As if she'd remain too far from Geralt after being forced to remain in the same city with him. Hard to keep him out of her mind when he wouldn't stay out of her sight.

Speaking of that particular Witcher-- ] Yes, one of my bonded. Geralt.

[ She takes a moment to read the conversation, already deciding she is not the correct person to teach a child. But, it was at least something Geralt had experience with. Not that the history of Witchers and the age they normally start at was something she was going to volunteer. ] I'll speak with him and let you know, but I'm sure he will be willing.

[ They might not always see eye to eye, but they were both extremely practical when it came to making sure someone was able to defend themselves. Especially after the mess with the Circle. ]

[noblegarnet]

[Can anyone really think about long-term plans when they've just arrived in an unfamiliar world with a brand new set of rules? Ferran would be surprised if the majority of the Mirrorbound didn't at least consider a change in living accommodations after being here a while. Either way, it's nice to know that she has people close enough to choose to live with, whether they came later or not.]

I really appreciate it, thank you. Both of you.

[Geralt... Ferran commits the name to mind. Although he's sure Asriel will show his gratitude in his own way, maybe he'll consider how best to thank the stranger too.

... maybe, says the Fae part of his brain.]

I'm sure we'll all feel better knowing more of us are prepared for things like this in the future. [Maybe it's only a small comfort, but still worth noting.]

[chaoticbeauty]

[ Sometimes a quick adaptation to the new surroundings can be a matter of life and death sometimes. But, choosing housing often isn’t always as dire. That can change, especially when distracted by everything else going on and her rush to get rid of the Wish before she possibly died from her refusal to bond.

If Ferran knew how much they had to go through just to hit a point of being able to comfortably share a space, it’d be quite a momentous occasion. ]

Of course.

[ She leaves off the ‘don’t mention it’. But, it’s there. Partially. While she was fine with helping those who might not be able to help themselves, she had enough going on that she had no interest in making a habit of it right now. ]

As long as there are those willing to learn, there will be others willing to teach. [ And if they weren’t interested in learning how to defend themselves, then it wasn’t going to be her problem to try and save them when something inevitably goes wrong. ]

I’ll reach out next month once we’re ready to receive guests.