video

[wipedclean]

[The soldier is usually pretty stern, intimidating, all that jazz, but right now he's downright grumpy. And... snarly. Clearly he's not in a good mood.]

Why. The fuck. Are these fucking fireflies everywhere?

[Speaking of, here's one fluttering against his shoulder right now. His hand slams down on top of it, squashing it. He growls.]

They are getting in the way and they are making Steve forget he has to eat. Is there a way to stop them other than crushing them one by one?

Comments

[wipedclean]

I don't... I don't know him. I'm just ordered to kill him. I'm not a threat to him here because... he's not the one I was sent to kill.

[Maybe it's nitpicking, maybe it's semantics, but by god he's sticking with it.]

They made me. It's all I am.

[It's all they let him be.]

[barbarus]

But if that's true, he's easier to kill now.

Younger. Less experienced. Weaker. A simpler target, unless it's an honourable match you seek.

[ Which he doubts, honestly, if Steve is nothing more than a mark. Damen doesn't believe he is, though. If he had been, he'd be dead already. That much is obvious. ]

You can choose. You're choosing now. You choose every time you look at him, and let him live.

[wipedclean]

[This conversation is hurting his head.

He's shaking his head, no, no, no, clutching the sides of it and closing his eyes.]

Please stop.

[He can't... he can't process this, not right now. If he thinks about it too much... he doesn't know what will happen.]

[barbarus]

[ Damen watches him, brow creasing with confusion.

This is more than being given orders that aren't agreed with. He holds up his hands. ]

All right. I'll stop.

I said that I would teach him to fight. I still mean to, just so that you know.

[ Perhaps more now than ever - just in case Bucky's resistance to those orders happens to fail. ]

[wipedclean]

[He takes a breath, and slowly, his hands come down and he looks up again. He does his best to move on from the previous train of thought.

This Steve is not his target. This Steve needs protection, needs to learn to fight.]

Good. He needs to learn.

[barbarus]

He will.

[ He will have training and protection, should he need it. Should it come to that. ]

Now, tell me what it is that you need. What will make this easier for you?

[wipedclean]

[He's quiet for a long moment.]

I don't know.

[Another pause.]

I would like... to learn to use a sword better.

[He's good with knives, daggers. But swords, not as much.]

[barbarus]

[ And that would make it easier? Damen lifts his eyebrows.

It might. Discipline and training helps Damen to work through a great deal, when less than pleasant feelings are pushing at him. He values that. ]

Train with me, then. When I know your skill, I'll see if there's something I can teach you.

[ Damen is the best swordsman he knows, but he's dealing with an assassin here. That's not a threat he'll underestimate. ]

[wipedclean]

[He nods. Training would help. Training would keep his mind off of impossibilities and paradoxes. Training would help him stay here and now.]

Thank you.

[barbarus]

[ A careful nod. ]

Whatever helps.

Do you have a sword? The armoury here is well stocked, and the blades well made. You'll find something to suit you there.

[wipedclean]

[He nods again.]

I've been there. I haven't chosen a sword yet.

[barbarus]

[ Damen nods. He’s actually glad. ]

I could help with that, then, if you like. Choosing the right weight and balance is important. So is your own strength. Are knives what you prefer?

[ It’s all too easy to slip back into these practicalities. ]

[wipedclean]

Yes. I'm very familiar with knives. I've handled swords before, but not to the same extent.

[barbarus]

We can work with that. If you can use a knife, it's a good start.