Shooting range: early Tuesday morning

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Tuesday. Jack had no classes. Even if he had, he wouldn't have gone.

The rules were posted --

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.

-- and he had a line of clips laid out in front of him. Aim, empty the clip, eject it, slip in a new one, repeat ad infinitum.

His hands were starting to hurt, so was his shoulder, but he was still smooth and quick, completely lost in the action. Not thinking.

It was even better than drinking for blocking thought, and it came without the attendant stupidity.

[open, of course.]

Comments

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

"Hello, Jack," Irulan greeted, noting his posture something told her that it would be far more somber today than their usual interactions.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He'd just set down his gun, was rubbing his hand, when she walked in.

He'd completely forgotten that she was why he'd come here in the first place. "Morning, Irulan."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

Irulan searched his face and took another gun, she's become quite versed at slotting the bullets in. "How have you been?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack watched her carefully. "Don't forget your safety gear," he told her, pointing at his own. "I've been better. You?"

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

"The same," she said with a shrug, she took the ear muffs and the glasses, she checked the safety before assuming position.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Shift your left foot back. And tighten your grip." Jack rearranged her hands slightly, touch impersonal, and stepped back. "Okay. Shoot."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

Irulan obeyed without qualm, it was unusual yes but she was used to this bit of teaching. And it was obvious something was bothering him.

She aimed for the target and fired repeatedly until the sound of gunfire drowned the silence and the tension she could feel emanating from Jack.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack was itching to get back to shooting, but he stayed where he was, watching where she hit. "Good," he called over the noise. "That's good."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

Irulan stopped shooting when she heard Jack speak, she inclined her head, "Thank you." She put on the safety and reloaded her gun, she noted Jack's restlenss but didn't comment.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"You're a quick learner." Jack slowly moved back to his alley and his gun. He rolled his shoulder, wincing slightly, then glanced back at her. "You still enjoying it?"

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

Her smile was genuine, "Yes, very much so."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Good." Jack nodded, and pointed at her gun. "You should keep practising. We both should."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

"Agreed," Irulan said with a nod and faced the paper target again. She was somewhat disappointed that Jack didn't seem more engaged.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Even as self absorbed as he was this morning, Jack noticed her disappointment. He sighed as he picked up his gun, slipped in another clip, and fired smoothly at the target. He'd make it up to her later.

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

Irulan emulated Jack's movement and proceeded to shoot the target. Maybe she should go out and try to buy a new headdress. She wondered if Parker would mind accompanying her.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

When the clip was empty he glanced over at Irulan, flicked on the safety, and went back to stand behind her. No point in making anyone else unhappy. "You're doing really well," he told her when she'd finished shooting, and squeezed her shoulder. "I'm proud of you."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

Irulan felt the squeeze and boy, it wasn't fair that she'd just fairly melted at both his kind words and his touch. Irulan flicked on the safety and fought off the blush and beamed at him, "Thank you."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"You're welcome." He looked around the range, at his target that was practically shredded, and realised it had lost some of its appeal. "Look, I know we were supposed to practice. And I'll stay if you want to keep going, but I've kind of lost my taste for it today. Maybe I could buy you breakfast or something instead?"

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

Irulan looked to her own target as well and smiled, "Breakfast sounds lovely."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Thanks." He half-smiled and pulled off his gear, storing it away before retrieving his gun to clean. "Come on, clean that," he said, pointing to hers. "And we'll go. I'll make the shooting up to you another time."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

Irulan did so, took off her glasses and ear muffs and proceeded to cleaning the weapon. "Turtle has introduced me to cereals, they are strange but delicious."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He chuckled at that and put his gun away. "You can have cereal, you can have waffles, you can have anything you want."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

She smiled, hearing his chuckle, "Let us go then, you and I."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Lets." He offered her his arm, feeling - at least for the moment - lighter than he had. "Come on. I'll escort you to breakfast."

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

Irulan took his arm and followed him.