fandomhighdorms | Behind the Dorms, Tuesday Afternoon

Zack was in a darn good mood, in spite of a pair of slightly blackened eyes and a tender nose that was a little on the crunchy side, but was totally hard-earned.

Why was he so chipper?

Because it was Rookie Day at the reserves, that was why! New people on the island meant that there were probably going to be new people here today, and Zack was totally happy to take the reigns and lead the troops!

"Okay! So, we've got a new term, and ~~possibly~~ a few new faces, so we're going to do our introductions over again! Names, fighting experience, and weapons proficiency, as well as any other skills you think might come in handy in the case of an invasion, if you please!"

Arthur shot him a slightly sideways look. "Before we get to that," he said, scraping his throat, "I am Prince Arthur Pendragon, leader of the reserves, and these are my," sidekicks, "fellow commanders, Lord Leto Atreides the Second, and Zack Fair, SOLDIER Second Class. We're willing to help you if you are in need of any further combat training, as are your fellow reserve members, I'm sure." Look, he was being good.

Zack blinked. Ooooh, right. Introductions for them was probably important too, huh?

"That's right! Come and see any of us if you're looking for help with..." Headtilt. Ponder. "Anything, really. Oh! And we have maps of the island, too! We're going to hand those out, and if the seasoned members would be so kind as to show the rookies what to look out for around here, like areas where the terrain might grant a tactical advantage, or training areas, or things to watch out for, that'd be great!"

"As for the rest of you, if you find anyone who might be interested in joining us, spread the word," Arthur called, "I know you lot think you're good, but you can always use another kick in the arse." This was what passed for humour, clearly. "Work well today. We'll see come next week."

[Open! Newbies, feel free to stumble in and get involved, too! This is behind the dorms, so it should be easy to find even if you haven't been informed IC about what's going on. Of course, everyone is welcome, not just students. Co-written with

bitch_prince, who is awesome like pie.]

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"Good to see you both here," Zack said, as wiggly-puppy as ever as he took a moment to nod once to each of them. "I guess it would be silly to ask either of you how long you've been working with your fangs, huh?"

He grinned sheepishly.

"How about the bow, then? I'm not very familiar with them. How far can an arrow fly?"

Firekeeper shrugged. "Have seened some men stand on top of walls and loose arrows to hit far away people," she said. Don't ask her to estimate distances, because counting? Not her strong suit. "I prefer to use when I can see what I am to hit." The impersonal nature of human warfare still bothered her, sometimes.

Zack nodded, getting some vague notion of a visual from her explanation, and then he offered her a smile.

"I prefer the same, honestly. A sword still suits me just fine."

"Too," she frowned, trying to think of the word, "impersonal, this far away shooting."

"There's no fight to it," Zack agreed. "No chance to so much as look your opponent in the eye."

He reached backward for a moment, thoughtfully fingering the hilt of his sword.

"No honor, really."

Firekeeper nodded. "Fighting is a thing wolves know well. Is many times when you must fight, or die. But war- I not learn of war until humans teached me of it."

"My job is war," Zack confessed, frowning a little and looking at the ground. He gave his shoulders a shrug. "Part of it is, anyhow. But I don't just... sit around with guns, waiting for people to walk by, or anything."

There was some distinction, there, to Zack.

Firekeeper totally got that distinction. "I not think war is wrong, exactly. But-" the hot, coppery stink of blood drenching the battlefield, the arrow meant for King Allister slaying Lord Tench instead, Prince Newell raising his sword to pin her to the ground... "I seed many who fight for reasons that not make sense to me. This," she gestured to the gathered reserve, "here, we fight to protect where we live. Is nothing wrong with such." Even if she still didn't understand the reverence humans had for places. A good den was an asset, true, but there were always others if one was driven out.

Zack smiled a little as he looked up at her again. At both wolves.

"This is survival," he decided, nodding. "So we do what has to be done."

A pause, while he glanced around at the other people gathered, and then smiled back at Blysse and Blind Seer.

"You and I, we can stick to our steel and our fangs. They've worked for us up to now."

Behind the Dorms, Tuesday Afternoon

Re: Introductions!

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