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[Billy has never thought of himself as one of those obsessive stalker boyfriends who needs to be attached at the hip to his significant other at all times. Really, he'd always figured they were pretty good about mutual space. A two-month separation with the potential of spending years in this place without seeing Teddy again is, however, apparently the trigger he'd needed to become one, so after one too many looks from Teddy - some patient, others not so much - he'd officially gotten himself banished from the apartment for the afternoon after too much worried lurking. Which is... not the greatest thing ever on a hot day like today, but ten minutes down the road he realizes that, yeah, he'd been a little ridiculous, either blowing off his responsibilities or dragging Teddy along for the ride. He's happy and eager to have Teddy here, but they'd lived separate lives at least half the time back home; no reason for that to not continue here as well.
It's just hard to let go after you've missed someone for that long.
Still, that's how he finds himself out and about for around five hours today, doing the following (in no particular order):
- a late lunch at Seventh Heaven
- searching around the library for comic books
- combat practice in the Battle Dome (with or without his trusty new teacher)
While at the library, a few sketches find their way into his journal, more or less like the following: this, this, and this. Some time afterwards, a scribbled message appears below.]
What are some good ways to deal with bad dreams?
[Once he's finished all his daily stuff, he'll be bringing groceries home around dinner time, in the hopes that he's allowed. Feel free to run into him at any time.]
It's just hard to let go after you've missed someone for that long.
Still, that's how he finds himself out and about for around five hours today, doing the following (in no particular order):
- a late lunch at Seventh Heaven
- searching around the library for comic books
- combat practice in the Battle Dome (with or without his trusty new teacher)
While at the library, a few sketches find their way into his journal, more or less like the following: this, this, and this. Some time afterwards, a scribbled message appears below.]
What are some good ways to deal with bad dreams?
[Once he's finished all his daily stuff, he'll be bringing groceries home around dinner time, in the hopes that he's allowed. Feel free to run into him at any time.]
[Action at the Dome]
I expect you to try archery, no more.
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Sometimes I wonder if these sessions are just to set us both up for disappointment.
[Action at the Dome]
[He watches Billy carefully for a beat before speaking again.]
Do you need help getting started?
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[Clearly he will just have to demonstrate how bad an idea this is with his incompetence. He glances cautiously at the bow, then shrugs his shoulders.]
I did some archery last year in gym class - which I almost failed, I should point out - so I guess I know the basics, but...
[A helpless look. He doesn't know what he's doing, man.]
[Action at the Dome]
[Viral steps up just behind Billy without warning, his extra height giving him the advantage to take Billy's hands in his and guide them along the bow.] Here, I'll show you how to do this. [If Billy really was that unskilled, they were going to do this the quick way.]
[Action at the Dome]
For now, anyway.]
This just seems overly complicated...
[Action at the Dome]
[He's on full military mode. As a vice-commander, he's had to deal with trainees and soldiers of all levels. While he is notorious for being impatient himself, there was a time and a place.
Besides, Billy was someone he didn't want to see injured that badly.
Slowly but steadily, he guide's Billy's arms into position. His own strength was barely being used for more than a support--it was all on Billy.]
The trick is to calm your breathing and stay focused. Your aim can waver if you're not, and you'll miss your target.
[Action at the Dome]
[It's muttered under his breath, though, and he does move obediently to match Viral's instructions, lifting the bow and drawing back on the string. He barely gets it halfway before his arm starts trembling a little.]
Geez, it's heavy.
[Action at the Dome]
[He bolster's Billy with his own strength now, but only enough to keep the arrow steady and the line taut.]
You've taken classes, so you know the basics. You get close enough to touch the line and you keep your arms steady. But remember, this is just mental practice right now. Focus is important.
[Action at the Dome]
...
Well. He can't say that was entirely unexpected.]
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Not bad for a first try.
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That wasn't bad?
[Because it sure looked like a colossal failure to him.]
[Action at the Dome]
[Boy needed a confidence boost badly, but Viral wasn't just saying that. He's seen worse beastmen, and is learning the limits that humans have.]
[Action at the Dome]
Uh... guess I'll give it another shot, then. ...No pun intended. [He takes another arrow, giving his arm a quick shake to try and release the stiffness, and practices pulling back the bowstring a few times before he lifts it again. Now that he knows what kind of resistance to expect, it's a little easier, though not by much.
The second shot still misses, though not quite as badly. Honestly he's as surprised as anyone.]
Are you sure this isn't all about luck?
[Action at the Dome]
[He folds his arms, quietly pleased with Billy's second attempt. The young man really was more skilled than he thought.]
It's about patience and practice. Luck has no place here.
[Action at the Dome]
I can see where the patience comes into play. Hey, is this actually some kind of ancient form of torture? Because my arm's starting to look like it's getting whipped here.
[He lowers the bow, turning his arm to show it: a streaking red mark where the string is hitting his arm when he releases it. He got this a lot in gym class, but Kate never has that problem, so he knows that something's off.]
[Action at the Dome]
Take a break for now--it's not torture, but we need to get you better gear. It's easy for me to forget that humans can be so fragile sometimes.
[Billy was going to need a jacket, gloves, and a draw-ring to protect himself and give him a better grip. They shouldn't be too hard to find.]
[Action at the Dome]
[That's what "get you better gear" translates to him, anyway. And that just sounds like the worst idea ever.]
A full month of gym class didn't cause any miracles to happen, this definitely won't.
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I hope you're right about this actually helping, then... I thought we'd just be doing hand-to-hand or something.
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Okay, then... so what's next?
[Because archery is clearly a bust.]
[Action at the Dome]
Viral pauses for a moment in thought, considering the limitations that they both faced. Clearly hand to hand training was off because of his burns...however...]
We're going outside.
[Action at the Dome]
[Please don't say he's going to climb a tree, because he really doesn't want to demonstrate his falling technique.]
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Birds.
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