First Shot

[tank_sniper]

[There is yet another new and confused face wandering around Mac Anu today. This time, it is a petite Steam Gunner. Currently her attention is split multiple ways; sometimes she is checking her Relic with a look of frustration, others she is looking intently at her surroundings as if it may clue her in on some big secret. And on some occasions, she will stare directly at your character, almost expectantly. At any rate, it is clear she will not be the first to approach, so that will be up to the other to initiate.

However… once approached, she is quick to fire off a question before any pleasantries can so much as begin.]

Where is this place? It isn’t GGO… But it can’t be SAO, either.

…Is it?

[Her voice is calm with only a slight tinge of suppressed fear. Whatever it is she’s saying, it must be some cause for concern. Why else would someone work so hard to control the tremors in their voice?]

Comments

[resipiscence]

Pity. I've never held a gun before, so I was hoping for some pointers.

[tank_sniper]

It's not that hard. You can probably figure it out on your own.

[She inwardly winces once the words leave her mouth. There wasn't really any reason for her to be this rude, even if it's just online. But she's also not really in the best state of mind at the moment, either.]

[resipiscence]

If I wanted a hole in my foot, yes.

[ and he takes this in stride. the situation must be a taxing one, so a little abruptness doesn't faze him. ] But I thought that might be a little counterproductive. You do know how to use one, right?

[tank_sniper]

That's only a problem if you have your finger on the trigger when it shouldn't be.

[Her mouth quirks at the second bit.]

...Sort of.

[resipiscence]

[ he notes the quirk-- hm. ]

Well, then. According to your expertise, when is a good time to put my finger on the trigger?

[tank_sniper]

When it's aimed at what you want to shoot.

[resipiscence]

And what's the best position for aiming?

[tank_sniper]

That depends on the gun.

[...But this kid probably won't let her get away with just that much, so she takes a better look at the gun, eventually settling on a stance that allows her to peer over the top of the gun while still holding it parallel to the ground.

...It's also at this point when she realizes just how much the designers strayed from the typical gun designs for this game. How the hell are you even supposed to use something like this?]

It should be something like this... I think.

[resipiscence]

[ ah, he notices that she's realized that he's not going to let her alone. which makes things easier for him, really. he watches her demonstration carefully, taking in the way she holds her gun. watches the expressions on her face carefully.

it might not be the standard way to hold his particular gun, but it should suffice. unclipping his gun, he gives it a try, fingers and stance attempting to emulate hers. careful to not put his finger on the trigger, though. it kind of feels strange, but... he figures that he'll have to get used to it in time. ]

Like this?

[tank_sniper]

[She drops the stance before looking over to him, checking his posture before nodding.]

Yes, like that. You should be able to see the enemy over the top of the barrel. Normally there's a sight to help you line it up, but...

[That doesn't seem to be the case with these, much to her displeasure.]

Although... The game mechanics for this place may be different from what I'm used to, so it might still be wrong.

[resipiscence]

Mmmm. Bang.

[ cocking the gun slightly, he mimics firing it with an amused expression on his face. then, putting the gun back in its holder, he laughs a little bit, sheepish. ]

Or something like that. I think you're right, though-- the grip feels natural, even though I've never held something like that. All that remains is to test it out, and see if the theory holds water.

[tank_sniper]

[She stiffens slightly at the sound effect, but shakes it off. Nerves, please stop messing with her. She, as Shinon, should have gotten over that.]

Just be careful when you try it out the first time.

[resipiscence]

[ ah, there it is again. she's awfully jumpy, isn't she? he thinks about this for a moment. ]

Say, this isn't the first game you've been a part of, is it.

[tank_sniper]

No, it's not.

[resipiscence]

Was the other game much like this one?

[tank_sniper]

...That one was more sci-fi in style. No classes, just character builds based on what kind of gun you wanted to wield, and how.

[resipiscence]

It was more free-form, then. You weren't a gun user?

[tank_sniper]

I was. Besides guns, the only other weapon was a beam sword. I only knew one person who actually used that in the entire game, though.

[resipiscence]

Ah, so you are a veteran. It looks like I found the right person to ask for tips.

[tank_sniper]

Guess so.

[She sounds far from thrilled.]

Is that all you needed?

[resipiscence]

Could I also ask for your name?

[tank_sniper]

...Shinon.

[resipiscence]

I'm Aphrodi. It's nice to meet you-- though I suppose you won't be saying the same, huh.

[tank_sniper]

I have some things I need to do. I'll be getting back to that if that's all.

[Namely, figuring out what's going on here.]

[resipiscence]

That's too bad. It looks like my distraction didn't work, after all.