video;

[hardwearing]

[ When Wash appears onscreen, it's obvious he's upset over something and trying and failing to hide that. Although he's got his helmet off for the sake of the video he's still wearing the rest of his armor, the grey metal reflecting a bit of sunlight. Anyone looking closely will notice a splatter of blood on his shoulder that he missed when he cleaned himself up for this, and his hair is still mussed from the helmet. Really, he should have taken the time to go home and change and make sure he looked presentable, but. He's not exactly thinking things through well right now. No, he just knows that Kyna wouldn't want him to withdraw like everything in him is screaming to do, and that training himself to exhaustion will be much easier with help. So here goes, before he loses his nerve. He'll keep it short, don't worry. ]

I need sparring partners. The monsters aren't enough of a challenge. I don't care if you've got armor, or what weapons you want to use, just that you won't hold back. And there are probably a dozen offers like this already but if anyone wants to learn to fight, that's sorta what I was in charge of back home. I'll take as many people as are interested, I just really need to keep busy right now.

[ He starts to lower the phone to turn it off, because awkward as that felt at least it's done, but the pile of monsters he's killed catches his attention. They shouldn't go to waste. ]

Oh. Right, uh. I guess if anyone wants monster meat, I've got a ton here.

Comments

video;

[redwinekindofgirl]

Don't think sparring with me would be a fair fight, but I could learn. I mean, I'd like to learn.

[She looks at him for a few moments longer, then, her eyes narrowing just a little bit. Julie doesn't know this guy very well, not yet, but he isn't exactly managing to hide that he's not feeling his best.]

Um... are you okay, Wash?

Re: video;

[hardwearing]

You could get there. Most of the women I've known back home could beat the shit out of me. I'll teach you.

[ It's something to do, and he does like Julie. She'll be a good student, he thinks. But then she asks if he's okay, and. Well, he's always been a really shitty liar. ]

...I'm fine.

video;

[redwinekindofgirl]

Great. Just tell me when and where and I'll be there. Um, as long as I'm not in the clinic.

[Squiiiiiiint. Her lips twist slightly.]

... You sure you're fine?

[Video]

[requiemshark]

[His expression is carefully neutral.]

Send 'em my way too, if you get any takers.

[Ephemera isn't going to suggest that they try sparring. That wouldn't end well.]

Re: [Video]

[hardwearing]

[ Fine. He can share students. But what he's really looking for is a good fight, and one's right in front of him. It's a terrible idea. They shouldn't go there. ]

You're not gonna take the opportunity to fight me?

[Video]

[requiemshark]

Don't think that'd be a good idea.

[Video]

[imhisaunt]

[It is not lost on Delmar that this young man is very handsome and as such his cheeks might look a bit more pink than usual, but he's hoping Wash will just assume that is a product of the sun.]

But how do you know the meat isn't poisonous? You really shouldn't just eat strange things...

Re: [Video]

[hardwearing]

[ They'll match, then. In just the brief time he's had his helmet off to make this post and talk to Julie, there's a dusting of pink over his freckles. Sigh. ]

They're not venomous species, and you're something like a thousand times more likely to be poisoned from plant life than animals. It'd be pretty low risk even if I didn't know these specific monsters had been tested in the labs here already.

[audio; private]

[aroundthecoroner]

[Voice on the network is rare for Michael, and usually only for people he trusts. But he's a Mess right now and he doesn't have time for text.]

Where are you? If you want to fight somebody I'm up for it.

Re: [audio; private]

[hardwearing]

[ Wash's voice is a little muffled when he responds, since he's put his helmet back on. But he answers pretty quickly. ]

I'm coming back into the city now.

[aroundthecoroner]

Good. Meet me somewhere. I don't have any of that armor, but I have a knife, I guess.

[His speech is impatient. He just wants to do something already.]

private video;

[restinglichface]

She's gone?

[It sounds more like a statement than a question, but she is looking for his confirmation. Wash would know better than anyone.]

Re: private video;

[hardwearing]

...she's gone.

[ He confirms it solemnly, his jaw working with tension. Lup was the first person he'd thought of after Tucker and Harlan -- who he'd then immediately discovered were also gone -- and he'd considered messaging her when he told Lance, but. Didn't.

Fuck it. He should have told her right away, no matter what their relationship is. ]

I'm sorry, Lup.

[ For not telling her, yes, but mostly just because she's going to feel the loss too. ]

[restinglichface]

Fuck.

[She knew it had been completely useless to keep hoping that she was wrong, that Kyna was just hiding out somewhere, out of the way but entirely safe. But Lup knows Wash is speaking the truth. They may not have the strongest connection to one another, but they are bound by both loving the half-elf girl.

He wouldn't lie about Kyna to her. ]

Fuck, [The elf repeats with a sigh, ears drooping just slightly.] So what? You're looking for someone to fight with? Count me in. I'm there.

[bythewaves]

I am healing still or I would offer but ... if you do not mind blades, I would suggest you ask my brother Maedhros - you will have to ask him privately, as he dislikes moving in public, but... I have never known a finer swordsman. You could also ask my cousin Fingon, although of the two of them, Maedhros is the better.

[hardwearing]

Thanks. I'm great with knives but I've never used a sword. I bet I could pick it up... there are plenty at the armory, anyway.

Lol and Mae-mun has just gone on hiatus oops

[bythewaves]

My kin and I can teach you, if you wish it. Blade and bow, spear and lance, axe and mace...we did not know of guns until we came here! An exchange of skills, perhaps?

video;

[paragonbrosca]

Sure, count me in. I know how to fight, and it'll be a nice change to spar with someone that doesn't hold back.

Re: video;

[hardwearing]

[ Oh hey, Wash recognizes her. She'd looked pretty tough... and he's used to women totally kicking his ass. He nods gratefully. ]

It's Aren, right? I'll meet you wherever you want.

[ And then, just because he's curious: ] How's your dog?

[paragonbrosca]

[She grins, always pleased when Barkspawn is taken into consideration.]

Right now, he's chewing the absolute shit out of one of those 'beanie babies' I got him from the colosseum when we were there. I might have to go get another, soon.

Hm...the armory? If you want to spar outside, I'd like to do it when the suns have set. My skin's still a little sunburned, and I don't want to bring that back.

video

[am_i_a_monster]

I don't spar. But if you ever want a hunting partner, I'd be up for that.

[She gives him a slight smile]

Not that we'll need to hunt, it looks you've got plenty. I'll take some meat. And some bones if that's okay.

[The smile fades]

Are you okay?

Re: video

[hardwearing]

[ If he's being honest, he wasn't exactly hunting... he'd just wanted a fight and the monsters fit the bill. Until they didn't anymore. ]

Have you been hunting here before? And you can have as much as you want. Where should I bring it?

[ Shit, it must be written on his face. He should have just left his helmet on for the message but Kyna always told him people hate talking to a visor. Kyna... ]

I'm fine.

[ He is not fine. ]

video

[am_i_a_monster]

I've been hunting a couple times. It's different than it was back home, but at least it still feels like I'm doing something. Can you bring it near the sorrow pool?

[Abigail knows that fine. She's answered fine when she wasn't, faked being okay for the benefit of doctors and FBI.]

Is your shoulder fine too?

video;

[theflea]

[ Eleven might not be very good at reading people, or well, reading in general but she'd like to think that she knows Wash by now. He was her father figure, her brother and most of all her best friend. She couldn't ignore his cry for help, even if she didn't know how to respond. ]

We can fight.

[ Wash knew what Eleven was capable of, he would find her a challenge... If he'd actually agree to fight her that is. ]

Teach me.

[ Tapping her temple. ]

Without this.

Re: video;

[hardwearing]

[ The concept of a battle with Eleven isn't any more appealing than one with Lup is -- he wants an actual fight, not to be crushed inside his armor. But then she asks for him to teach her, and Wash nods slowly.

She can't rely on her powers all the time, right? It's just a good idea for her to know how to handle herself otherwise. ]

Okay. Meet me at home?