Chapter 2: Interest
Dusk shut his eyes, cutting out all other distractions. At least, that was the plan. But even though he couldn't see it, he knew the others were still there, watching his fidgeting. It was one thing to close your eyes and meditate. It was another thing entirely to pretend you're the only one that exists when everyone else insists on making so much... Noise...
"Wooooo..." He heard Sylvia mumble. Although he couldn't see it, he knew her well enough to know she was doing something dumb to try and get his attention. "You're getting veeeery distraaacteeed... OoooOOoo! Monnie, join me. You have no idea how much fun this is."
Dusk willed his eyelids shut tighter. And then wished his ears were also manually controlled. He sensed something brush against the hair in front of his face and flinched. His entire body wobbled as he struggled to prevent himself from smacking whatever or whoever away. But the true challenge was maintaining all of this while Monica shook a metal sheet back and forth. The warped audio only made him more uncomfortable and confused.
Like a beam of light parting the clouds, Ash's voice rang out above it all. "Aren't you guys going too far?" At last, a voice of reason in a mindless, chaotic room.
"Nowhere near enough! Get in here, Ash! Take this metal sheet!"
Dusk whimpered as the Faunus demonstrated the proper shaking techniques. Sylvia blew cold air down his neck, forcing him to shudder. The soldier began inhaling bigger breaths. All a futile struggle in passing Sylvia's lesson. Though he had to admit, he didn't expect to last this long considering what he's up against.
And now the question that hung in his mind was whether Sylvia did this out of concern for him and his supposedly weak 'Flow'. She did pull the lesson out of nowhere after being confronted about homework. In that case, the only thing Dusk is learning is to let Sylvia off the hook and goof off. For a minute, everything felt clear. It was time to put his foot down.
The door creaked open and Coal popped his head inside. "Hey, Dusk, mind if I-" In a heartbeat, everyone froze. Locked in their positions surrounding the soldier, everyone cocked their head towards Coal. Coal himself looked as bewildered as everyone else. The twisting of his face told Dusk he was unsure whether to quietly leave or laugh. Or scream. "Am I interrupting something?"
"No!" Dusk cried, standing up and pushing aside Sylvia. "No, not at all. You needed something?" Without wasting any time, Dusk ushered him outside and slammed the door shut. With a heavy sigh, the soldier leaned back against the door. "Please tell me you need more than to chit chat."
Coal was still focused on the door at Dusk's back. The questions never left his face. "Oh... K...? Uhhh... I was just hoping to get your advice on guns or suggestions-"
Dusk perked up. "You're interested in firearms? Brilliant!"
"I mean, it's just an interest in 'em. You seemed like you were busy-"
"No, no! Let's go, right now!" He blurted in a hurry, already making his way down the hall. As per habit, Dusk began a mental list of duties they would need to see to. First would do well to examine his weapons, obviously. We must discover what form of range is available. Next, we can hit up the firing range. As I recall, they should have multiple firearms to choose from, as well as bullets. Ooo, how exciting!
"Sooo... I'm tempted to address the Goliath in the room, and I've never been one for subtlety. What the hell kind of ritual did I break up earlier?"
Oh. That. Dusk's childlike smile vanished. "Just another one of Sylvia's stupid pranks. Please don't pay it any mind. On to actually important matters, why the curiosity for firearms? You never augmented your claws before, so I assumed you were satisfied with them alone."
"Meh. I've realized that a lack of range is really crippling. Was wondering what options were available for-"
"Well, you've got to consider the kinds of situations you'll find yourself in as well. Handguns, for example, have a decent, yet limited range. Ease of concealment and carrying, the works. Bigger guns with more extensive barrels can strike accurately from a much longer distance. Then you've got to decide on whether manual action is more your style, or whether semi-automatic, or even fully-"
"Holy, I just said I was interested in guns!"
"And I'm telling you, it's not that simple. Ah, yes, there is another matter the needs to be covered as well. As with any ranged weapon, skill and accuracy is required. Which usually boils down to practice. Have you used firearms before?"
Dusk watched Coal with eager impatience, noting the aspiring Hunter's change in expression. Hesitation and discomfort riddled his face, though Dusk refused to consider that this was due to him being pushy. "Once? There was that time, on my first mission with the others."
"And? Any kind of attachment? Any spurring feelings or exhilaration?"
Coal chuckled with an uncomfortable laugh, trying to ease the atmosphere. "You're taking this very seriously."
"Of course I am. This is my area of expertise, after all." Dusk's chest swelled with pride, then he barked "Now answer the question."
"Sheesh... Ok, maybe? There wasn't much of anything I felt back then. Just... Convenience? Maybe a little impressed, but that was about it. I think."
Dusk frowned. "You're not making this very easy. If guns aren't your thing, there's other forms as well. Bows, crossbows, slingshots, or other thrown weapons."
"Look, I'll be blunt. I'm looking for something that's low maintenance and offers something that lets me hit things from afar."
But the soldier shook his head at Coal, opening the doors to the workshop. "Weapons are anything but low maintenance. You should know so by your own. Of course, your Semblance, once discovered, might offer some ranged assistance."
Coal's expression twisted, and he looked away. Dusk wondered if the topic was touchy for him. Indeed, a Semblance was like another limb. A literal extension of themselves. There are situations where others are worse off, but for those that practice Grimm Hunting, not having a Semblance was like fighting barehanded. Without a word, Coal uploaded his weapon's schematics onto a large screen.
It showed two variances; the clawed form and the shield form. Dusk committed every detail to memory. It was configured and woven together quite masterfully. Specially crafted to fit only his thin, long fingers, he bet. Though such a trait would be rather common, it did personalize the paired weapons a touch. The length of the claws and the shields were greater than he expected. Dusk made an estimated guess on how far from the fingertips they stretch, but his assumption came quite short. The claws doubled the length of his hands.
"The main problem is that these modifications were for compressing. To make them as light as possible while still utilizing as much of the material as possible, leaving no room. This means you can't reconfigure them into a third, ranged form. At best..." Dusk's mind explored the options he was familiar with. Guns were out. So were bows. "A slingshot mount?" Even his tone felt deflated when he blurted that.
"A slingshot's a kid's toy. No thanks."
"Then that leaves only a carried firearm as a possibility." Dusk studied the diagrams again. It was possible, and quite common, to modify the knuckles or wrists to fire bullets. But there wasn't any room for such implants. And if they were applied, the added weight would offset and impede Coal. One of the boons of Coal's claws was low range in exchange for high speed.
His eyes trailed to the shield formation. They coiled around his wrists and palm to stay attached and centered. But aside from that, his fingers were bare. "Hmm. Yes, a side firearm would be suitable. What do you say we head to the firing range?"
(-)
Lessons ended for the day. Dinner was hours away. The perfect time for a little treat, Sera exited the tea shop with a bagged prize inside. Several tea bags inside that she may or may not have stolen. Nothing they can prove, anyways. She manipulated the clerk to hand them to her directly. Alongside instructions she memorized, she should be able to reproduce the enchanting teas from the other day.
Another prize in tow. Bubble tea, as it was called. Chilled and quite sweet. Perhaps a little too sweet for her tastes, but it was scrumptious all the same. The psychic relished every sip as she strode past strangers. The murmuring of the crowds tempted the psychic. She recalled her promise to Coal, her deal to renew their bond.
Her Semblance was primed, ready to strike and invade. All she needed was to submit. But to do so would put their standing at risk again. Oh, but she loved it so, to dig around and uncover hidden secrets... But they were strangers. Surely he won't have any qualms about such a hobby on a passerby. Besides, it wasn't work related. Just a taste, then.
"Sera?" A girl chirped behind her. Her telepathic grip retracted as she spun to see Sherry wearing oversized sunglasses. "I thought I recognized you! What's up?"
"Ah, Sherry." This will do. Sera smiled at her, relieved inside. Now she could dig around all she pleased. Even better, she didn't need to bother using her Semblance to know what's on her mind. "Out guy-spying again?"
Sherry shrugged in a coy manner. "Guilty as charged. What about you?" She eyed the pack in Sera's hand. "Tea? I think I heard about that place. Is it any good compared to the others?"
The psychic blinked. "There's more than one?" I must tour them all. "You simply have to take me next time."
"Well why not now?"
"Mm, tempting... But didn't Professor Vidal give us plenty of homework?"
Sherry shrugged again, this time looking bored. "I'll get Naddy to help me with it. She loves schoolwork, anyway."
"You sly fox." The two marched down the sidewalk, side by side, back to the Academy. "So, does Atlas sport any good looking men, or are they all exclusive to the Academy?"
"And here I thought I was the only one that noticed." Sherry admitted with a skip to her steps. "It's, like, hunk central in there."
"Having a background of physical activity is also a bonus. In school, you know already of their valiance and courage."
"I'm so glad Plum talked me into coming here. And to think, I wanted to hit up Shade in Vacuo."
"Let me guess; dangerous men make for sexy partners?"
"Honestly, it was the lack of dress code." Ah, that explains her outfit. Seraphina noticed earlier how she wasn't wearing her school uniform outside. Instead, she sported oversized, tinted sunglasses, a crop top jacket over a white sleeveless top, and jean shorts. "Vale's uniform isn't bad, I liked the red ties and black suits. Who isn't crazy about a sharp dressed man? But the skirts just weren't my style.."
The psychic laughed. "Haven's black was too bland and stiff."
"Finally, somebody gets it!" Sherry threw up her hands. "I knew Atlas would have it the worst, but it's not so bad since we get out of those clothes for combat and after classes. And some guys look quite dashing in uniform."
"Ah, but Sherry, we're here to learn." Sera chided in a playful manner.
"Pshh, learning is second on my priority list. Oh! All this talk reminded me. You're close to Viridian, aren't ya?"
The psychic pretended to hesitate on the subject. "We are partners, and all, but I wouldn't say we're very... acquainted."
Sherry let out a sigh of relief. "I was always worried you had a thing for him."
At this, Sera could no longer contain herself. She burst into laughter, even dropping her bag while she bent over, clutching her gut. She may have put a little too much into her performance, but the subject itself was too funny for her. Sure, the psychic acted like she was head over heels for him. But that was only because he was so easily annoyed.
"Ahh, I needed that..." She muttered, picking up her bag again. "No, no, nothing of the sort. He's all yours, if you can play your cards right."
"That's a load off my mind! But that's something I wanted to ask about. I need to know more about him..."
Seraphina shook her head. "I know as much about him as the next person. He hasn't let his guard down around anybody. Tell you what, if I can help you set up a private situation with him, then you have a chance to get close and personal with him. Here's what you do..."
(-)
The firing range Atlas Academy sported was nothing but the best lien could buy. Regularly stocked up on the best for ammunition, Dust, and most of all, firearms. Even half of the Academy's armory would fill the deep trench below the arena. Coal figured it was necessary, assuming both the students and faculty restocked from the same source. Maybe even part of the military force stationed here. Atlas Academy served not only as a training facility, but a fortress as well.
He flushed all thought of the topic out of his head, focusing on the iron sights. The bullet exploded forth from the barrel, barely nicking the target not far from where he stood. The recoil made the weapon almost bounce out of his grip. Coal scowled as he lowered the carbine. The weight was something he wasn't fully used to either.
"Not bad." Dusk remarked after removing his ear protection. "It's not great, either, but at least you're hitting the target. Remember that you can rest the gun on the railing there for added stability. It will reduce the recoil and increase accuracy." After his explanation, both students donned their ear protection again. Coal focused on the target again, ensuring the the iron sight lined up with the point at the tip of the barrel.
He fired, feeling the inertia of the weapon shoot into his shoulder again, but with less power this time. Coal lowered the weapon and glanced up again. This one didn't even hit the target. Annoyed, he decided to try again, this time waiting for his nerves to settle. Concentrating and waiting until he felt ready, his finger hit the trigger once more.
This time, he didn't stand up to see if it hit. He planned on unloading more of the magazine before seeing the results. He fired again after another delay. Then again. But the fifth time, a few more bullets came out. In a panic, Coal released his hand and tried to pull the barrel away, as if his could prevent more bullets from firing that way. Dusk smacked him up the back of the head.
"Stop. Activate the safety, remove the magazine, move your finger away from the trigger, then lower the weapon. This isn't rocket science."
"Yeah, yeah..." Coal complied despite being angry about being struck. Really, he was angry over having failed again. After everything was done and the magazine was placed on the countertop where it could do no more harm, he groaned.
"Two shots into the fourth ring on the torso, one in the third. Two more on the outer ridges of the head. Two more at least hit the frame." Dusk recited Coal's progress, before jotting it down in a notebook. "You seem to have difficulties with the fully automatic feature."
"Dumb trigger fires over the simplest touch..."
"Such a feature can be augmented to better suit your preferences." More jotting and scribbling. "How about a handgun? I still think you should avoid manual mechanisms until you're more familiar with guns in general."
"You're the boss..." Coal muttered, handing back the ammo and gun. The world of firearms was one he almost regretted tumbling into. On one hand, he was glad to consult an expert on the subject. On the other, it's so much more than just point and shoot. It was like a new class in school.
"I commend you for wanting to try something new." Dusk said with a smile, handing Coal a pistol and magazine. "It's not easy to admit to a problem and overcome it." Well, at least I've got that going for me. Coal tested the weight of the handgun. It was easy to load, as well. Next to no manual work needed. Just cock it and pull it.
He fired, both hands wrapped around the handle. Then again. Each delay longer than the last until all six rounds were fired. They removed their ear protection and examined the results. "Two in the chest, third ring. One in the head, second ring. One in the torso fifth, one in the sixth as well. How do you feel?"
Coal switched on the safety and emptied the cartridge. His hands weren't shaking, but something was different. The results were different, too. The handgun was light and small. He couldn't stabilize it on the railing, but with his arms locked in place, he didn't need to. Coal lifted it with one hand, poised. It didn't seem too awful to one hand, either.
"I'll take that as a good sign. So, what is it that you want out of a firearm?" Dusk asked, taking back the emptied magazine. Coal stared at the gun, then the claws at his side. What the hell did I want out of a gun? To hit stuff that's too far? But if it's too far, then Grouch is better suited. What is our team lacking...
"I guess I want something that'll let me burn away at something before it attacks someone. I'm fast, but not fast enough. If I can't get there in time, then I'll want something that can get there ahead of me."
Dusk pried the gun from his hands, humming in thought. "But not impeding on your pacing? Hmm... I've seen how you fight, as well. Give me a moment." With Dusk gone, Coal stared back at the targets on the firing range. Accuracy wasn't his thing. When he thought he was gonna hit it, it would miss, then when he tried to move it to where he thought it would go, it would overshoot again.
The doors opened, and Dusk returned with another, bulkier pistol. Coal recognized the wire frame part behind as a stock. The magazine was in the middle of the gun rather than inside the grip. "This is a submachine gun, also known as a submachine pistol for obvious reasons. I know you don't like fully automatic, but the lack of power means less recoil."
Coal tested the weight of it. It wasn't as heavy as the rifles or carbines, but not quite as light as the pistol from earlier. It didn't seem all that bad. Coal undid the safety and readied it, holding it with the stock against his shoulder. It fired like crazy, but in bursts that he could control after a bit of practice. The range and spread was pretty crazy, so it seemed like luck would be needed more than skill.
Once the clip was emptied, Coal prepped another. There was a nice feeling sitting in his gut about this one. "You can remove the stock if you'd like." Dusk reminded. Coal nodded and did so, readying it once again. It felt nice like this, held out in his outstretched arm. He tested whether it felt odd in only one hand, but found it to be only a little different. "So, do you mind if I ask you about Seraphina?"
The bullet storm that spewed forth struck the target and sprayed into the ceiling. They both recoiled from the sudden noise ravaging their vulnerable ears. Coal managed to loosen his grip on the trigger after losing control for a moment. "What?!"
"I was just curious about the situation between you two. There was no need to go ballistic like that..." Dusk answered, rubbing his ears. Coal sighed, activating the safety once again. He decided to test how it felt to aim it while they discussed the abhorrent topic.
"Things are fine, everything is fine." He answered defensively.
"I mean, you didn't let her join us for game night for five nights straight. You wouldn't even give her the time of day."
"Things are fine now. There was... A bit of a falling out, but it's resolved."
"Oh." Oh? Is that it? You wanted to give me tinnitus for that? Coal rolled his eyes and regained his focus. "Do you know if there's anything between her and Viridian?"
"Grouch? As far as I'm concerned, they're mortal enemies." Coal didn't like where this was going. "Why're you asking about her?"
"Well... I was kind of..." Dusk's face flushed with color. While Coal waited for an answer, the soldier scratched the back of his head and couldn't look him in the eye. "I was thinking of asking h-her... I was... Do you know the kind of guys she's into?"
"I see." Coal stated. He lowered the weapon, then placed it in Dusk's hands. Then he cleared his throat. "Excuse me for a minute."
