Shooting Range, Thursday Evening

[withoutverona]

Romeo found his way down to the range after dinner, and pulled out both of his handguns as well as the targets and safety equipment. (He winced at the latter, but he supposed it wouldn't do to have Chuck shoot his eye out.)

He cleaned both guns, loaded the 1899 one he'd be using -- whether he was angry at Ino or not, it was irreplaceable and he wasn't loaning it out to someone else -- and idly fired a few practice shots as he waited for Chuck. His aim was good, but it could stand to get better.

[For Mr. Bass, but open range!]

Comments

[rocksthescarf.livejournal.com]

Chuck hadn't even been to a shooting range before so he was taking the time to look around at his new surroundings when he got there. He really hoped he didn't end up killing himself here.

He waited until Romeo had actually stopped shooting before making his presence known. "You're good."

[withoutverona]

"I learned when I was small," Romeo answered, turning toward Chuck and putting the safety on as he lowered his gun "But thank you. It's a good thing to be able to do, even when no one's going after our brains."

[rocksthescarf.livejournal.com]

"I suppose so," Chuck said as he moved closer. "I can't really see me having to use that sort of skill back home but I've still got a year left to go here."

[withoutverona]

"You can't know," Romeo said flatly. "In Verona, we have years of peace, and then years where having my last name will get me killed if I'm not careful. Things change."

He cleared his throat a little and retrieved his spare gun, a handgun with religious art on the handle, from the place where he'd stashed it. "Anyhow, this is my gun. Here's the barrel, the trigger, the clip ... you know most of this from TV. Hold it. It's not loaded."

[rocksthescarf.livejournal.com]

Chuck was a little hesitant to take the gun at first but tried to not make any nervousness visible. He took the gun into his hand and spent a couple of seconds getting used to the feel and weight of it.

"I like the art on the side. It's...nice," Chuck said. He wasn't the most religious of people but even he could appreciate art when he saw it.

[withoutverona]

"They like painting Madonnas and saints on everything," Romeo said, a little weary and a little sad. He missed the way things looked in Verona. "It wouldn't be home, if they didn't."

He gave Chuck a moment to get more comfortable. "Do you feel ready to load it?"

[rocksthescarf.livejournal.com]

"I think so," Chuck said. "Is it like it is on TV or is there some special trick to it?"

[withoutverona]

"More or less like on TV," Romeo said, "The clip goes in here, and you need to keep the safety on while you load. It holds six bullets before you have to reload."

[I know nothing about guns so forgive mistakes and handwaviness.]

[rocksthescarf.livejournal.com]

"I think I can manage that," he said. Chuck thought he could manage that but he still kept a little bit of distance from Romeo and the gun pointed in the opposite direction of the both of them when he loaded the clip in. He didn't want to accidentally kill someone he'd leave that to Serena.

He actually looked pretty proud of himself when he managed to do it iwthout screwing up. "And they say TV doesn't teach you anything."

[withoutverona]

If he hadn't kept the gun pointed away, Romeo would have yelled, so that was good. "TV helps. You learned well," he said, rolling his eyes just a little. "Now, don't point it at anyone or anything unless you want to kill it." Not that he always stuck to that, but it struck him as a good rule.

He pointed toward the targets on the back wall. "Try pulling the trigger and shooting at the one at the end of this lane."

.... he'd remember the safety gear sometime.

[rocksthescarf.livejournal.com]

"Okay," Chuck said, turning to face the lane. He made sure the safety was off (he knew that was important) before holding up the gun towards the target. He waited a couple of seconds before pulling the trigger.

Okay, wow, he didn't expect there to be that much power behind that. Chuck kind of started at the target (that he didn't hit) for a second before turning back to Romeo. "That was pretty cool. And loud."

[withoutverona]

"And strong. And you ought to wear earmuffs," Romeo said, almost apologetically, as he gestured to the safety gear. "I tend to forget them -- I'm used to the noise."

He looked at the target (that Chuck didn't hit). "Try aiming the gun a bit higher up."

[rocksthescarf.livejournal.com]

"I'll get used to the noise," Chuck said, not wanting to wear the earmuffs if Romeo didn't have to. Call it a pride thing.

Chuck turned towards the target again and this time aimed a little bit higher before pulling the trigger. Again, it was loud as hell and Chuck still jerked back after he fired it but this time he managed to at least hit the target.

He tried not to look too happy about that since he had barely hit it.

[withoutverona]

"Better," Romeo said thoughtfully, since at least it hit the target. "You jerk back, when you fire. Try holding your arms still."

[rocksthescarf.livejournal.com]

"Hold my arms still, right," Chuck repeated with a nod. He was the type who liked to something right when he actually did it so he was quick to pay attention to Romeo's instructions.

He aimed again and fired, this time doing his best to keep still. Chuck didn't jerk back nearly as much this time. His aim still sucked but he did hit the target again. "You've been doing this since you were small?"

[withoutverona]

"I have," Romeo confirmed. "It's just one of those things you learn at home, like swimming. You don't go outside after you're 13 or so without a gun, unless you're much braver or stupider than I am, and I learned well before that."

He gestured to Chuck. "Try a few more times."

[rocksthescarf.livejournal.com]

Chuck was so glad he wasn't from Verona. He would have been dead long ago.

He lifted up the gun again and this time emptied the rest of the clip. He was actually getting better at this. He grinned over at Romeo. "Okay, I can see how some people go to the range for fun."

[withoutverona]

"It makes for good stress relief," Romeo admitted, also smiling. "It makes more sense to me than going to the gym and hitting a bag full of sand, anyhow."

[OOC: Annnnnd I sleep now! SP or FTB, whatever works for you.]

[rocksthescarf.livejournal.com]

"Oh it's way better," Chuck agreed. "I might have to do this more often."

The look on Bart Bass' face when Chuck said he wanted a gun would be well worth it.