5 ✦ video ✦ unseelie lockets

[erythristic]

[when the feed comes on, Grell looks calm, put together, in more practical clothing than her favoured dresses. it's early morning, and the sunlight is illuminating the space outside where she is.]

Right then. The call to arms has been proclaimed once again, and I'm more than aware that there are those of us who either know little about what's expected of us, or who have let their joints rust over in the calm.

That ends today. Preparations at the Ward have been re-established for the month, and if you are uncertain in your abilities, wish to try something out, or need to know which end of a sword to grab, attend the training sessions that will be held there for shardbearers and natives alike. Beginner's sessions are in the morning like always, eight thirty sharp, and that's being generous. Advanced sessions are in the afternoon, but that's hardly an excuse to sleep in too late - if last time has taught us anything, it is that we need to be the sharpest we can.

Those that are confident enough in their skills that believe themselves capable of giving instruction, wherever you are in Allaidh Darach, please make yourself known to me - I can hardly carry out this task on my own. I'll be running on good faith, but if I hear that you can't live up to your claims, you will be ousted and I'll see to it that you know exactly what I think of you wasting students' time.

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[video]

[madeover]

[ For the most part, the video, voice, and text messages which have come through Eggsy's locket thing haven't applied to him. This is the first time that he's gone so far as to respond, because it looks like someone is finally taking charge around here.

Some girl with long red hair and teeth that look like they've been shaved into points, but after meeting Mewtwo, Eggsy hardly blinks. ]

What exactly are you gonna be teaching? Just how to use a sword, or...?

[ Granted, that alone would be enough. Eggsy's all too aware of how limited his supply of weaponry is, and he's going to need to learn some other skills if he wants to be an effective fighter here. ]

[erythristic]

Swordplay and hand to hand combat will be primary focuses, though it's perfectly possible that if you wish to learn other weapons that can be arranged. Magical work would have to be sorted out - I'm not averse to organizing that if there's enough interest.

[madeover]

Hand to hand combat I have down.

[ Marines training is to thank for that. ]

I'd like to learn how to shoot a bow and arrow too, if anyone's an expert at that. [ Projectiles should never be underestimated and Eggsy is doing his best to deal with the sad lack of bullets and firearms around the castle. ]

So anyone here can learn magic? How's that work?

[ If he could figure out how to shoot fireballs or something like that it would make his life. ]

[erythristic]

Depends on what you want to learn. There are teachers for quite a few things, and practice makes perfect - being a shardbearer comes with some perks, you could say. This is from personal experience.

[she grins.]

As for archery, you'll want to speak to one of the Masters at Arms - I know sessions on it will be taking place, so it's best to just show up for the beginner lessons and look for the folk with the arrows.

[madeover]

What kind of personal experience?

[ Eggsy senses that there's more to that comment, a story behind it, especially with that grin. ]

And right, got it. Are these lessons every day?

[erythristic]

Attendance isn't mandatory every day, but it's expected if you want to be any good at it in a month's time.

[just saying. didn't you ever watch a cool training montage, Eggsy? they had to go every day.]

But the perks? The capacity to learn magic, for one. And an extended lifespan, for another.

[madeover]

[ Eggsy's been part of a training montage, but right now he's got to prioritize. Maybe once they're not under attack he can make the lessons a daily thing. ]

What kind of magic? [ Not that he knows the first thing about it, but that's why he's got to ask. ]

And how extended? [ It's not something Eggsy's ever thought about or wanted, but adding a few years to his life doesn't sound so bad. ]

( video. )

[atoned]

[ zuko remembers when he'd tried to train a few people in the drabwurld a year back. he isn't so sure if they're still doing their homework. if they're anything like sokka, they won't be. but he hopes that had been useful, even though he'd emulated the fire nation more than he had the drabwurld. maybe that's what they need, though, a flame burning under their asses to ensure their survival. ]

Hey, Grell.

[ zuko's calm and content, despite the most recent arrival. he thinks to tell grell he can't make it, wanting to focus solely on preparing azula for a battle that's different to the ones at home, but it's not fair of him to do so. if he can help out their people, then that's where he needs to be. ]

I'll be there at eight. [ and he says it with a flicker of a cheeky smile. ]

[erythristic]

I was hoping you'd chime in. They're going to sorely need the discipline only you can provide.

[atoned]

[ zuko smiles widely at that, and he does blush. ] Maybe if they didn't listen to Sokka and followed my suggestions, we wouldn't need to be up so early!

[ suggestions, he says, when he has never uttered the word please when making giving out his homework. ]

We could be meeting at nine instead. That way, no one has to turn their back on the sun rising to come here.

[ that's the complaint sokka had made over and over, having to rise with the sun. he guesses everyone else would be complaining about that, too. (he hopes they are. he misses him.) ]

[erythristic]

That's an entire half hour of the day wasted. The time's already set - they'll just have to deal with it.

[she grins at him, pleased that he's chiming in again.]

Speaking of your suggestions - just keep in mind that we're not all built for summer's heat in the process, hm?

[atoned]

[ zuko opens his mouth and then closes it. he doesn't know what grell could possibly mean! ]

[ the opposite to summer is winter, and that's what zuko thinks of now as he frowns and begins to sulk. ]

If we did anything the way Sokka wanted to, we'd just be eating meat all day!

[erythristic]

We won't be. I'm only asking you to give them small breaks every now and then so they don't collapse in the heat. They're of no use to us if they can't be ready for the Seeile.

[atoned]

[ zuko sighs hard enough his bangs are pushed up by the puff of air. ]

Fine. [ he folds his arms against his chest. he'll concede to a point that's fair. it's not necessarily anyone's fault they're not accustomed to battling literally with fire. he's been graced with light burns for all his life and hasn't so much as blinked or flinched every time azula shot flame his way. the normal for him is the strange and new for so many others. ]

But they should really start training for all conditions, Grell!

[fulminants]

Still in need of instructors, Lady Grell? I can spare a day a week for fire-based sword combat.

[erythristic]

It'd be incredibly appreciated. There's only so many people with both the time and expertise who will speak up, and heaven knows none of us want to know the recruits are lacking. Instructions from shardbearers...it gives them more an idea what they're up against.

[fulminants]

I'm assuming from your tone that there are plenty of newbies who aren't taking this seriously.

[ Johnny was one of them until he was proven terribly, awfully wrong. ]

[erythristic]

Cocksure fools who seem to think they won't be dragged into this and that offering what they can to others isn't going to be what saves their life one day. [she shrugs.] If I had less self control, I would have told them that they might as well give their shards to me and their Majesties and save the Seelie the trouble of taking them out.

video;

[zerotohiro]

Somehow I didn't think of you as the type to teach. [He looks...a little worse for the wear in comparison to when they'd spoken last, but he's still sort of entertained by the thought of Grell barking orders at people.] I can't really act as an instructor but I've been training with a couple of things for the last year. I might be able to help for demonstrations or just practice or whatever if you need an extra hand.

[erythristic]

As long as you feel up for it, I know at least one of the instructors will definitely need someone for demonstration every now and then. [she shrugs.] And I'm full of surprises. Organizing something like this - what their Majesties would of me, I would do.

[zerotohiro]

[He knows why she phrases it that way, but he's quick to assure her.] I'll be fine. I've been finding some compromises. I think I'm in good enough shape and practice now to be an assistant of some kind. Just let me know what timeslots you want me to fill in and I'll head out that way.

And you really, really are. [He doesn't mind though. He likes that about her.] You didn't do this back home, too, did you?

[erythristic]

Goodness, no. I worked in collections.

[she knows how it sounds, but she likes how innocuous it seems, though it had been impulsive to say it to Johnny. it tells someone nothing but everything at once, and it only came out when paired with certain rumours about her.]

[zerotohiro]

[Knowing the few things he knows about Grell paired with the rumors...it's not that hard to really guess what that might mean. He's not going to say it out loud though.]

Hey, you're not the only one who had to change careers suddenly. I'm still getting used to my new job, too. [It's a light tease, but it's true.] Just don't be too hard on your recruits, okay?

[And by don't, he means "please do so I can watch and laugh."]

[erythristic]

Now, why would I take away Zuko's job like that? I'm the kind and gentle hand that makes sure they don't collapse, with occasional touches of discipline.

[good cop, bad cop routine is perfected.]

[zerotohiro]

Oh yeah? [Grell, he doesn't buy that for a second. You've gone on missions with Jason. That says a lot.] This I've gotta see. [A pause.] And I've never met Zuko anyway. Is he actually that bad?