Shot 04 - written / audio

[easierdonethansaid]

[The neat, precise script reveals little, except, perhaps, that the writer is applying more pressure to his pen than is actually necessary.]

It seems I've got a window that's broken. Damage from the storm.

[Which he has iignored for a few days in the wake of the draft.

He's fought wars enough, but that... was new. To say the least.]

Could someone direct me to some supplies to fix it up? I can do the labour myself, but an extra pair of hands or two wouldn't go amiss.

Col S. Moran

[Now, he switches to speaking into the journal.]

Sharpe. [Friendly enough, though perhaps with some personal strain in it. Man to man, not colonel to sergeant.] Care for some shootin'? Jus' good target practice.

[He needs to shoot something to silence his thoughts. He doesn't have the patience to hunt today, and picking off fellow villagers won't do him any favours.]

Comments

[greenjacketed]

[ the major has a few issues to work out -- namely a stinging betrayal from a close friend -- and so: ] Christ, sir. I thought you'd never ask.

[ sir, still. despite the man-to-man tone in moran's voice. old habits die the hardest. ]

[easierdonethansaid]

[With the mood he's in... Sharpe could have gotten away with calling him Sebastian, long as he'd agreed to go shooting

Sir? Well, that helps lift a barely concealed black mood just a touch.]

Down south, by the creek and past the houses? Don' want to go 'bout disturbin' the fine folks here. [How much he doesn't care is in his voice.] Afraid I don' have a proper way to launch 'em, so nothin' movin'.

[Hell, maybe after a few shots at stationary targets, they'll move to hunting.

Pity there aren't tigers here. He could damn well use one.]

just watched moran's film last night eh.

[greenjacketed]

[ it'll be nice just to shoot, he thinks. the hurricane had got in the way of sharpe's sniping -- he'd battled most of the days with his sword.

and as for tigers? well -- some day sharpe might hav the chance to share HIS tiger story. ]

Just shooting'll be nice. I'm not the best shot of my 'talion but I make do.

[ it's an understatement. he's a damn fine shot and second best of his chosen men -- it's just that hagman is inhumanely good. ]

Villains are the best of it. /totally unbiased

[easierdonethansaid]

Need to see 'bout some kind of launcher 'fore next time. Get some movin' targets.

I'll see you in half an hour, then.

[True to his word, Moran's waiting about a dozen yards from the southern end of the housing line.

He's set in inconsequential clay and glass targets, things that will make a satisfying sound when struck with a bullet. He has a bolt-action rifle slung over his shoulder. It's not his custom sniper rifle-- which he checks the shops for daily-- but it's reliable.

A good bout of shooting with a fellow soldier? Was a damn good balm for most non-physical ailments.]

[greenjacketed]

[ sharpe only has his trustd baker. today, he's left his more customary officer's pistol at the apartment; however, a sword that would be laughably inconvenient for a shorter man is still at his side. it swings with a soft, metalling cling on its slings -- the point of the battered steel and leather scabbard brushing tall grass and short shrubs as he ducks past the houses and makes for their meeting spot.

upon approaching moran, he offers the other soldier a curt nod. while sharpe is hardly brimming with social graces or officiousness, there is a sort of natural formality to his stiff movements and his grim demeanour. years as a private has done more to shape him into a straight-backed army man than his commission ever could. ]

Decent day for it. [ a lukewarm greeting. however, lukewarm is a quality that positively shines in the rifleman's tone. ]

[easierdonethansaid]

[Lukewarm is fine with Moran, especially from Sharpe. Two military men are able enough to get along without excessive fondness.]

Not much of a shootin' range. But it'll do for now.

[He takes a moment to admire the Baker rifle the other man carried. Before his time, certainly, but it was remarkable to see.

Perhaps he could negotiate a swap for a shot or two, just to try a Baker.

Moran smirked slightly as he surveyed the targets.]

Y'know, might be somethin' to do. Build a proper range.

and now that i'm back home....

[greenjacketed]

[ trust, it won't take much negotiating. sharpe gently unslings the well-loved baker and runs his fingers skillfully over its mechanism. ]

A good day's work. [ he agrees. ] All the better if we find a blue coat to string up like a dummy.

[easierdonethansaid]

Bet we could.

[He laughs, warm and friendly.]

We'll see 'bout gettin' one before next time.

[greenjacketed]

[ almost casually, richard grabs a cartridge from the pouch on his belt and bites it open. he pours the powder. ]

How was your bit of war, then?

[easierdonethansaid]

[Moran, the gun loaded and ready, just raises his rifle, aims, and takes a shot.

It's a very satisfying thing to hear glass shatter.]

Chaotic.

Never seen anythin' like that before. Those things they want us t' fight? Have methods I wouldn' have believed if I hadn' felt 'em.

[voice]

[cop_an_attitude]

Just your window, huh? My flat was left mostly unscathed, but I've seen some buildings practically torn to shreds.

[voice]

[easierdonethansaid]

Got lucky it seems. Just have to replace one window. Not too much trouble.

Re: [voice]

[cop_an_attitude]

Only reason I didn't offer to help right off the bat is I've no idea how to replace a window. But if there's anything I can do, you can call on me.

[voice]

[easierdonethansaid]

Don' much know m'self, why I'm askin' for the help. So I'll keep that in mind. Hopefully someone 'round here knows a thing or two about it.

Re: [voice]

[cop_an_attitude]

Someone's bound to. The only thing the Malnosso did right was collecting a diverse group of people. We've all got different skills.

[voice]

[easierdonethansaid]

Sure I'll find someone who knows wot needs to be done. If not, I figure I can work it out.

[A pause, then:]

Holdin' up? [He sounds mildly concerned, not overly so, and sincere about it.]

Re: [voice]

[cop_an_attitude]

Well, I'm not dead, am I? It's a start.

[She tries for a chipper tone of voice. Having a sense of humor about it is...well, probably all anyone can really do.]

Yourself?

[voice]

[easierdonethansaid]

Don' fine.

[Which is why he's eager to shoot something, of course.

All things considered, though, he has handled it well.]

Had enough of guns? Or-- not today, mind, but soon-- want me to keep teachin' you to use one?

Re: [voice]

[cop_an_attitude]

If you'd be willing...I've a feeling this won't be the last time I'll need to use one.

[voice]

[easierdonethansaid]

Glad to. When would y' like?

[Voice]

[broji]

Your window? Well, that's no good. I don't mind helping out, if you're still looking to get it fixed.

[Ginji's been running about ever since the storm started to die down, offering to clear debris away and repair whatever's broken.]

[Voice]

[easierdonethansaid]

I'd be grateful for the help. Not too familiar with this sort of thing m'self, 'm afraid.

[Voice]

[broji]

It's not too hard. Though, depending on what kind you've got and how it's put together, it really might be beneficial to have a few people helping out on both sides.

As for tools and supplies, they aren't a problem, but we'll need to figure out how big the window is. What floor is it on?

[Voice]

[easierdonethansaid]

Seventh floor. [By his count. Including the ground floor? Eighth floor.] Community House Six.

[Voice]

[broji]

Okay, got it! I'll head on over with the ladder first. Might take a couple more trips depending on the damage.

[In any case, unless he's stopped, he'll be getting on that right now. Gathering up tools and measuring tape, and fetching a ladder - the tall one. The sounds of metal shifting against metal and items being shuffled around is easy to make out over the journal.]