Duplicity Inbox

[cleptes]

You've reached Bela Talbot's voicemail. Sorry I can't answer your phonecall; please leave a message and I'll get back to you later.

video | text | voice | action

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text; un: f.s.

[fortitudosalutis]

Tracked down a baton.

[ He may or may not have stolen it in an opportunistic moment. ]

Still up for that self defense primer?

un: Lugosi

[cleptes]

[ She would be delighted if he did steal it. Good for him. ]

Absolutely. Thank you for reaching out to me about it, Carver.

[fortitudosalutis]

Said I would. What’s a good time? 

[cleptes]

I can meet up with you in a few hours. That good with you?

[fortitudosalutis]

Yeah. Your place?

[cleptes]

Sure. I can make some space in the living area.

[fortitudosalutis]

I'll be there.

--> action?

[cleptes]

See you then.

[fortitudosalutis]

[ He shows up when he says he will, having dodged the majority of the SIN guards and other prying eyes, and raps his knuckles against her door. ]

Hey, it’s me.

[cleptes]

[ Bela opens the door after Carver makes himself known, giving him a smile. She's dressed appropriately for the training, wearing some workout gear. ]]

Hey. Come on in.

[ As she said, Bela did clear some space for them to train in and made sure there was nothing breakable close by. ]

[fortitudosalutis]

[ She’s moved the furniture out of the way, which helps. This probably - probably - won’t get out of hand, but wrecking shit isn’t Carver’s idea of fun when there isn’t a real fight to justify it. He inclines his head slightly and steps inside. ]

You wanna wrap your hands? You don’t have to, but it’ll protect your knuckles.

[cleptes]

That's a great suggestion. I have bandages.

[ Closing the door behind him, she moves to the kitchen and gets out a first aid kid, taking out the bandages that should be fine to use. Bela comes back over to Carver, then pauses. ]

You mind showing me how to do it?

[fortitudosalutis]

Yeah, I got it.

[ Carver holds his hand out for the bandages. They’ll serve. ]

Right hand first. Spread your fingers out.

[cleptes]

Thanks.

[ She gives him the bandages and then follows his instructions, spreading the fingers of her right hand apart. ]

I'm glad to have someone who knows what they're doing around.

[fortitudosalutis]

It’s easier to learn from someone rather than going about it alone.

[ He winds the bandage around her palm, wrist, then between her fingers, and then, finally, over her knuckles before securing it. ]

Make a fist. Not too tight?

[cleptes]

[ Clenching her hand a few times into a fist, Bela tests it out. ]

Not tight at all. It feels fine.

[ She holds out her left hand, parting her fingers like before. ]

[fortitudosalutis]

Good. Sometimes people wind it too tight. Cut off their circulation.

[ He works on her other hand, securing the wraps. He has her flex again, make sure it's not going to constrict. ]

I wear gloves, so that helps. Easier in the long run. But, people tend to notice those and this is practice anyway.

[cleptes]

Wearing gloves makes sense. [ Protecting the hands. It also probably explains the rest of the clothing that he has. ]

Yeah, no need for me to put on some gloves if we're only practicing.

[ She tries to psych herself up, feeling a little nervous. ]

I'm a fast learner, but this is still new to me.

[fortitudosalutis]

[ His eyes flick to her. ]

I've done this before. Been an instructor.

[ He helped train Matthew. They all did. ]

You'll pick it up quick.

[cleptes]

I hope so.

[ She rolls her shoulders to loosen them up. ]

Should I be doing any warm up stretches?

[ Just in case. ]

[fortitudosalutis]

Get limber. You'll want your shoulders loose.

[ He steps further into the room, checking how much space he has to work with. Enough. Good.

Then he nods, and takes out one of the two batons he stole. He snaps it out, then offers it to her. ]

Get a feel for the weight.

[cleptes]

[ Bela continues to roll her shoulders, then slides into general stretches before shaking out her limbs to loosen them as much as possible. She feels ready.

When he produces the baton and holds it out to her, Bela takes it in her hand and tests the weight for a few moments, looking back at Carver. ]

I'm good. Feels fine.

[fortitudosalutis]

[ Carver watches silently as Bela stretches. She knows what she's doing, so there's no need to step in and offer suggestions. He rolls his shoulders and snaps out the second baton. ]

Good. First thing is, they're weighted at the end. See the knob? That'll help you control the swing, make sure the blow lands. But you don't need a lot of force if you aim it right. Knuckles, joints, face. Hit someone once, and hit 'em right, and they'll go down.

[cleptes]

Okay. [ Bela nods to show that she understood the instructions. ] Makes sense to hit them in those spots.

Last time I shot someone, I hit their shoulder. It was more of a warning than anything else, but I've never had to shoot anyone fatally.

[ But she probably would if she had to. For protection. ]

Want me to show you a swing? Then you can tell me if I'm doing it right.

[fortitudosalutis]

Shoulder shot will still fuck 'em up.

[ But the fact she was able to do it on purpose is impressive. Means she's got good aim, that she worked at it. ]

Yeah.

[ He inclines his head slightly. ]

Aim for my face. I'll block.