crystal

[pathlit]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Jayce
RECIPIENT: All
NOTES: Some vague time a week after timeline convergence but before departing to Tevinter in early Kingsway

Hey. Jayce Talis here. In Research. I was, um… one of the casualties in Granitefell. I want to thank all of those involved in rewinding time and giving us another chance. What you’ve done is nothing short of incredible. So… thank you.

[ A brief pause. Then, a little cautiously, ]

…because of what happened, I’d like to learn the basics of combat—if anyone is willing to teach it to me. I’m… I’m a metalsmith. I can swing a hammer, if that helps? I’m not looking for a fight. I just… need to learn how to defend myself.

[ More effectively. ]

Comments

[notathreat]

I can probably help with that.

Not for your style of fighting, exactly. But when it comes to knowing what your weak spots are, where to cover? Sure.

[pathlit]

... did you learn all of that here?

[ What kind of world did you have to live in? is the ghost behind that question. ]

[notathreat]

[A small laugh bursts out of her before she can keep it back, oops. That's rude of her.]

Fuck no. My world's shit, I just got good at staying alive.

I got even better at it here, though.

[pathlit]

[ Yikes. ]

Well, that's the goal. Stay alive. Don't think we'll get lucky enough for a third chance.

[heorte]

Bring your hammer to the training yard in the morning. I can help you put it to use.

[pathlit]

Oh, that's-- that's great. Okay. It's not mine, the hammer, it's Riftwatch's-- [ is a little flustered, because if Viktor happens to be listening then Jayce does not want him to think Jayce has obtained his own personal warhammer--

--but it strikes him just as quickly how he's jumping to conclusions, his trepidation surrounding the subject of violence with Viktor still clinging.

He clears his throat. ] Sorry, semantics. Yeah. I'll be there. Thank you.

[ And Ellis will learn that he isn't as much a stranger to melee combat as he sounds. ]

we can yada yada past actual tutorial content if u wish also!!

[heorte]

The training yard is more or less emptied when Jayce arrives, making Ellis easy to spot.

A lone figure wielding a formidably-sized mace; someone somewhere had made a fine weapon for him, viciously spiked head, leather-wrapped haft, longer than a man's arm. Ellis brings it around, swing aborted, to rest at his shoulder as Jayce approaches.

His welcome is muted; an inclination of his head, a tip of his hand beckoning Jayce forward. There's no effort to obscure his frank appraisal, assessing Jayce and his choice in weapon.

[tender]

[ gently— ]

Which basics? Have you had to fight before?

[pathlit]

[ He recognizes her voice as belonging to the woman in Forces who took the time to discuss the divisions and other ilk with him so soon after landing in the Gallows -- Derrica -- and he breathes a sigh of relief. She was patient and wholly nonjudgmental, see. ]

Yeah. Uh... In a rougher part of town, back home, [ is not a lie. ] But it was a rare occurrence. As far as basics, really whatever will help me disengage or disarm enough to run. I'm not... [ a killer. (But you are.) ] I just need a better chance at keeping myself or whoever I'm with safe.

[tender]

We all want that.

[ More so now than ever before, perhaps. ]

I'd like to help you. If you'd like to practice what you've been taught with a partner between your lessons.

[laruetheday]

You think just knowing some self-defense is going to help you?

[pathlit]

You think it won't?

[ Not challenging, though there's a hint of dread. ]

[laruetheday]

No.

[ Look, dying traumatically has really effed up Clarisse's friendliness journey for right now. ]

But if you want to spar just to get your mind off shit, I'm down.

[elegiaque]

I can share what I've been taught. But I think Granitefell had the last word, already, on how completely meaningless it is to not look for a fight in a war.

[pathlit]

Right. So I need to be ready when it comes.

[ Ambessa's voice haunts him. Slaughtered with your eyes closed. ]

But thank you. I'll save your offer, if you don't mind.

[elegiaque]

I don't mind. Others probably have more particular skill in teaching, but I might be helpful in — I wasn't a soldier. Everything I've learned, I learned here.

[prelest]

[ Ooh. ]

What can you do with metal?

[pathlit]

Here? It's pretty limited by the equipment and material available. I've done a few repairs, but not much creation. Some tools for that expo in Orlais...

[ If he sounds a little bit wistful then it's because he is; he misses his forge in Piltover, even as the visits decreased as his responsibilities pulled him elsewhere. Never thought he'd be without it. ]

[prelest]

[ She nods as she listens. ]

Are you better with some materials than others? I knew someone once that simply couldn't do anything with copper. I never really understood why, but that's what he said.

[ Yeah, she thinks he's talking about doing metal-related magic. ]

[heirring]

Much as I'm sure you will find no end of encouragement and teachers happy to put a sword in your hands, it must be said that Granitefell was something of an outlier. Personally, I have had great luck for a good many years with nothing more than a stout pair of boots for running away in and a certain willingness to hide in wardrobes.

[This paranoia had better not inspire anyone to renew their efforts to give her lessons in the training yard, so help her!]

[pathlit]

[ ... so he considers the presence of a prosthetic left arm more related to the agonizing pain searing up the nerves of the still-present organic arm in the overseen memory he still has not divulged over an accident or violent trauma. He wonders why that might be; had she spent too long a time away, thus invoking the consequences of the warning given at intake? ]

Might be a close fit for me. The wardrobes.

[heirring]

Grouching behind a sofa or hiding under a large table with a cloth draped over it, then. Come now, Mister Talis. I would hardly credit you with an inability to get creative.

[thereneverwas]

Should you need additional coaching on swinging heavy shite about, I’m your man.

[pathlit]

Is this-- I'm sorry, I don't remember your name. You were at Granitefell, too -- singing at the fire, fighting with a warhammer?

[thereneverwas]

Ay, that's me. Barrow.

[we're just not gonna talk about what Else happened at Granitefell that they have in common ok]

Been training recruits for some years now, especially in close combat. Out in the yard most mornings, and happy to spar or supplement whatever Warden Ellis doesn't teach you first.