Shooting range: Thursday morning

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack had left a handwavy message for Irulan to meet him at the gun range in the morning, then left a second equally handwavy message telling her how to find it. And not to wear any headdresses, hats, or other ornamental headgear.

He arrived early and made sure the rules were posted in plain view -

SAFETY RULES:

· TREAT ALL GUNS AS IF THEY WERE LOADED

· KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL READY TO FIRE

· BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT’S BEYOND

· ALWAYS WEAR HEARING AND EYE PROTECTION

· NEVER USE ALCOHOL OR DRUGS BEFORE OR WHILE SHOOTING.

· CHECK IN ALL WEAPONS BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE RANGE.

- then started going through the weapons locker, selecting the best gun for Irulan to start with.

[ooc: Jack's here for irulan_corrino, but open for all your gun range requirements!]

Comments

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack stepped up behind her, close enough so the line of their bodies were touching, moved her arms slightly, lifted her hands, then closed his hands around hers where they gripped the gun. "Close your eyes," he said as he subtly adjusted her stance until it matched his. "Don't fire, just feel how your body is."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

Irulan closed her eyes, she couldn't help tensing but followed Jack's movemnt. She couldn't help thinking if her Sadaukar guard, Rodan, was here he would take offense to Jack's way of training.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Good, now breathe deep and," Jack ducked his head to line up the sights, took a deep breath, and squeezed the trigger, "fire. Perfect." The shot had gone right through the centre of the target. "Open your eyes."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

"I've done it!" Irulan said in tones of surprise, if she was someone else she'd be jumping by now, cartwheels possibly involved too. "I've done it!"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Yup, you did," he agreed with a grin as he stepped back. "Very nice job, too. Want to try again?"

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

"Yes, very much yes." Irulan said, very much pleased.

She turned to the target, breathed deep and squeezed the trigger, the recoil came as expected.

She missed the target by mere inches.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"It's okay," he said reassuringly. "Lower your hands slightly, you want to focus on your front sight, concentrate on it, make a line between it and the target." Jack touched her shoulder. "And remember how your body felt when we hit the target. You want it to feel like that again."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

That could be interpreted in so many ways but Irulan tried to focus her mind, relaxed her stance and lowered her hands.

Focus on sight.

Irulan squeezed the trigger the loud report rang in the air -- on target.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Yes! Perfect! Beautiful, Irulan." Jack was surprised at how proud he was of her. "That's exactly right."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

This time the grin can't be helped, she turned and beamed at him. "All due to your teachings."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

It wasn't the first time Jack had taught someone how to do something new - but it might be the first time it was something practical.

"And due to you being a wonderful student," he told her, grinning back. "One more time, and this time keep firing until the gun's empty."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

She didn't have to be told twice, she assumed position once more, and began shooting one after another, the noise spurring her on until finally it ended in a click and slide pulled back.

Her hands were shaking from the recoil but she smiled when she carefully pointed the gun to the floor and removed her glasses. She didn't say anything, but waited, grinning for Jack's reaction.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack pulled off his glasses and ear covers, setting them on the bench, and beamed proudly at her. "You hit the target every time that time. I knew you could do it." Noticing her hands were shaking, he held his hand out for the gun. "Here, let me take that."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

Irulan handed her gun to Jack and removed her ear muffs. She clasped her hands together to stop shaking.

"Thank you for teaching me," she said, inclining her head. "This was far more enjoyable than I thought it would be."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"It was entirely my pleasure, Irulan." And it really had been, he realised. "And I'm glad you enjoyed it, but we're not quite done yet. We still have to clean it."

Jack quickly showed her how to do so, then started putting the guns and safety equipment away. "How do your hands feel?"

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

"They are still shaking," she confessed, "I still have to get used to the recoil."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"They're going to be a sore for awhile, until you get used to it," he explained, walking over. "But until then," he smiled and reached for her hand, "I can help them feel a bit better."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

With blood constantly rushing to her head, Irulan wondered if it might be a permanent condition if this kept happening.

"That would be nice," she said, shyly and looked down at her hands as he took them.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack held them lightly, working his thumbs gently over the base of her thumb and across her palm, trying to soothe away the shakes and any soreness. "You did great, you know," he said, smiling down at her. "I couldn't have asked for anyone better for my first student."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

"You have been a good teacher," She answered, enjoying the massage. "You're very good at this too."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Thanks, and we're not done. If you want to get good, you need lots of practice, so we'll keep working on it," he said. "And this? Well," he turned her hands, started working on the back of them, brushing his thumbs over knuckles, "I've had years of practice."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

"I look forward to more," Irulan said then thought, 'Your hands should be imperial treasures' but of course said, instead, "Your practice has been well served."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

A quick bit of mental censorship kept Jack from saying anything that would make Irulan blush. Instead he lifted her hands, kissed first one, then the other, and let them go. "And again, thank you," he said with a huge grin. "Shall we go? I'll buy you a coffee before my class."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

Irulan smiled again and inclined her head. "I would love that."