[Wei Wuxian doesn't know what time it is, though he knows it's some absurd time in the early morning. If there was a sun here, it wouldn't yet have risen. But the sun is as illusive as a full night of sleep for him and after sleeping for a full three hours, he'd risen from the bed in a cold sweat, showered, and made his way to where he is now: the training room.
His new bow is in his hand along with a quiver of arrows and he's relieved to find the training room abandoned at this early hour. It doesn't take him long to get set up around one of the targets. His first arrow is just to the side of the bullseye. His second is closer. His third and every arrow after hit dead center.
Wei Wuxian sighs. The targets here are all still and the distance limited by the size of the station. He supposes he'll have to make do for now.]
（ his routine is as disciplined as anything else he does — he rises at 0340, makes his way to the training room. he spends the early hours of the morning lost in training that is not always individual but mostly is, has breakfast and returns to his room before many of the orbers are up for the day's activities. he is reclusive by nature, and company has a tendency to wear upon him.
but he is not surprised to find another soul present at this hour. one of the new ones, wei wuxian, who seems intent on his practice.
itachi gives him a faint nod, but does not stop to engage. instead, he begins setting up targets of his own. he is still rebuilding his strength after surgery, and that and his stamina are sorely lacking. he has rested enough — it is time to shake off the rust. ）
[Wei Wuxian nods back at Itachi, summoning a smile from the drudges of his sleep deprived body that only has half of its usual charm and then returning to his shooting. He shoots half a dozen more arrows and each finds its mark dead center. With an annoyed sigh, he lowers his bow and makes his way to the targets to retrieve his arrows. He spares half a glance up to make sure he hasn't wandered into Itachi's path and then returns to pulling the arrows from the target and walking back.
He begins shooting in silence for another half a minute before he gives up and sighs again, eyes wandering around the room as if looking for something.]
Sorry to bother you, [he starts, not sounding sorry at all] but is there anyway to find a more challenging mark in here?
[There isn't a hint of smugness in the question, and his expression reveals only genuine frustration. Wei Wuxian has never done well without a worthy challenge.]
（ itachi glances towards the targets and those impeccably-shot arrows, then back to the man before him. ）
The simulation room can be programmed with a variety of training ranges. However, I find that the experience is not always perfectly analogous to the 'real world'.
（ he essentially looks upon it as technological genjutsu. useful, but not perfect. ）
（ he makes the seal for kage bunshin, which causes three other clones to pop into existence, all perfect copies of himself. three is... pushing it, with his current low chakra reserves, but the strain feels good, like stretching a limb after a workout. ）
These are clones, a technique in my world. They are not real, and will dissipate with damage. However, they have all of my knowledge and skills at their disposal. They can either move with targets, or catch the arrows — or throw rings for you to shoot through if you would like. Whatever you are comfortable with.
（ it will be good training for him as well, maintaining three clones at once. he has not done it with any regularity in years. ）
[He's seen plenty of illusions before and the technique isn't a completely foreign concept, but still his jaw falls open at the ease and skill Itachi performs it with. Unlike similar techniques in his world, these clones have matter. They can hold objects and cause damage rather than simply confuse the eye. It's brilliant. When his gaze shoots back up to Itachi, the remnants of exhaustion have faded and he is all wide eyed wonder and intrigue.]
Please, some day, you have to tell me how that works. [Without waiting for an answer, he approaches one of the clones, lightly tapping him on the shoulder. Yep, definitely solid. That's so weird, he loves it.]
Do I tell you or them what to do? [He eyes the clones and gives them a wave. It feels rude to ignore them.]
[His eyes follow Itachi over to where he moves out of the way, and he opens his mouth about to call out to him. He'd come here to train too, hadn't he? Had Wei Wuxian just derailed that entirely? But when his eyes flicker back to the clones, he wonders if maybe this is a kind of training for him too. Well, if that's the case, guilt resolved.
He grins at the clones and addresses them each individually.]
Alright. Itachi One, you toss rings in the air. Itachis two and three, [he turns to the other two,] each of you hold moving targets. Um, I only have so many arrows, so maybe the three of you can randomly hold up your target or toss your ring? If everything's going at once, I'll go through my arrows way too fast.
Oh! One second. [He jogs over to the training room door and rifles through his robes until he finds a talisman that he can slap on the entrance. Now if anyone enters, the corresponding talisman that he sticks up one of his sleeves with immediately alert him.]
Alright. [He jogs back and his eyes flash with excitement.] Let's do this.
（ and so they while away the time like this — it is as much a workout for him as it is for wei wuxian, and by the time his chakra is depleted, the clones disappear, returning both their experience and knowledge to him, but also their exhaustion.
he is still quite weak, after all, so recently come from surgery. mccoy-sensei might be driven to chastise him for the efforts, but he feels... good. better. his body has been too damaged over the years, by illness and his own recklessness, but he is recovering.
seeing the world through his father's eyes is... uncomfortable. but he is still grateful to viveca for the chance.
at the end, he rises, and brings his water bottle over to share, uncapping it for wei wuxian to take. ）
You are quite talented. Have you experimented yet with firearms?
You're amazing, that was amazing! [The words come out between pants as he's still regaining his breath. He smiles gratefully at Itachi and takes a long swig of the water, wiping at his forehead with the back of his arm before passing it back.]
Thanks. I used to be the first disciple of my sect. [It's said proudly and with some nostalgia. He isn't sure if the meaning will translate, but it's probably self-explanatory enough.] What's a firearm?
[Surely it isn't an arm on fire so please tell him, he wants to learn everything.]
It is a small weapon, easily concealed, that fires projectiles at significant penetrative velocity as a result of a combustive response within the firing mechanism. They are commonly used among the crew of the Ximilia.
（ he's not even going to acknowledge that whole... 'amazing' spiel. didn't hear it, don't care, stop praising him literally at all, thank u for understanding his trauma. ）
Finn-san was kind enough to teach me. I will pass on his knowledge if you would like to learn.
[Thankfully, Wei Wuxian is far too distracted with Itachi's information to keep on doling out the praise. He's learned a little about what Itachi is talking about, but not very much and every time he learns about a new kind of technological advancement here, he can't stop himself wanting to know everything he can about it.]
Please teach me. [And because he is who he is.] Itachi Laoshi.
（ the word does not translate — something he knows from experience to be a deliberate effort on behalf of the one speaking it. but he can make an educated inference, and his mouth thins faintly. ）
Just Itachi alone, please.
（ some honourifics he doesn't mind. that one stings. shang-chi calling him teacher once in a dream had been different. to the rest, he simply turns and goes to one of the racks on the wall. he selects a simple .22 handgun, pops the magazine (which is empty) out and racks the slide to ensure there is nothing in the chamber, and then holds it out butt-first for wei wuxian to take.
he walks the man through the care, maintenance, use and safety of a firearm. bullets are stored in a separate part of the training ground for safety purposes, in an area shielded from fire and anything explosive. he directs wei wuxian in how to load it, how to check the magazine, other types of firearms in general (such as the blasters to which finn is accustomed) and at length: ）
The higher the calibre, the more recoil you will experience. This is one of the smaller calibres you may encounter, but do not mistake its lethality against a normal human.
[The thinning of Itachi's mouth is so faint he almost misses it, but Wei Wuxian has spent years reading the micro expressions of Lan Wangji. Unlike Lan Wangji, whatever displeasure Wei Wuxian had triggered does not appear to be driven by embarrassment, and so he acquiesces. Instead of teasing, he refocuses on Itachi, listening carefully to every word.
The weight of the gun in his hand is heavier than expected, and as Itachi explains the way this type of weapon works, he feels less like he's holding a more advanced form of a bow, and more like he's holding a lesser version of his Stygian Tiger Seal. Volatile and dangerous. Lethal in a way most other weapons aren't. And with a mechanism as simple as a trigger, it's a weapon that can easily substitute skill for close proximity. It seems too easy to abuse and all the more dangerous for it.
For that reason, he's nothing but attentive to Itachi's words.
By the time Itachi is done explaining and Wei Wuxian has asked his own series of questions, he is both leery and eager to try it out. Carefully checking that the safety is still engaged on the now loaded weapon, he moves to the area of the shooting range that he understands now is meant for these kinds of weapons.]
（ well, he could. but the question is a formality anyway — he had shown the man for a reason. bows are lethal, but arrows are larger than bullets, more difficult to hide, and the bow itself is the same. as much as he is wary of firearms, he cannot deny their usefulness. ）
But be warned, they are loud.
（ there are earmuffs hanging on hooks on the walls for a reason. he retrieves two pairs of them and holds one out for wei wuxian to take. he'd grab eye protection too if he... realized that was a concern, but while he is quite safety-focused, being a shinobi of his calibre does make him blind (ha) to some of the safety concerns of those that cannot dodge shrapnel, oop. ）
[He takes the earmuffs with a grateful nod. It would probably be a simple thing to engrave a silencing array onto one of the guns, but that is food for thought for another time. Now he raises the gun and lines up the sight like Itachi showed him. When he's sure he's as steady and accurate as he's going to get, he pulls the trigger.
And goes completely wide of the target when despite being warned about it, the recoil jerks his hands up. Ah, so that's what Itachi meant. And this has weaker recoil than most, he'd said. After doing some mental calculations in his head and accounting for the change, he takes a second shot. This one still misses the bullseye by several inches, but it's a much closer shot. After a few more shots, his wrists are aching but he's continued to get much more accurate.
The technique required for this is different, but still the same basic concept as a bow. Probably if he continued to practice, he could get better. For now though, he re-engages the safety and removes the earmuffs, tossing an easy smile at Itachi as he does.]
That's gonna take some getting used to for sure. Thanks for showing me. I bet these are what most people here prefer, hmm? [It would make sense, they seem very convenient.]
（ natural talent is always easy to spot. itachi watches him intently, and when he makes it clear he is finished he removes his own earmuffs. ）
For what it's worth, I believe there are roughly equal numbers of those whose preference lies one way or another, as far as our combatants go. Many use both.
（ and others, like finn, are learning what they did not already know. ）
[He nods, considering that. It's a skill that seems useful in picking up, but it isn't one he feels particularly drawn to. That being said, he should probably keep practicing at the very least, even if he didn't plan on making use of the firearms on a regular basis. It's good to be proficient, especially in something he might have to use one day.]
Thanks for showing me. [He takes the gun apart the way Itachi showed him to and hands the different pieces back.] And thanks for one hell of a workout earlier. [He grins.] Any chance you'd like to do it again sometime?
I am amenable. Barring injury, I am here from 0400 to 0700 every day, and every other at 1900 to 2100.
（ the training room is not the only form of self-improvement he does — he meditates, practices molding his chakra for healing, focuses on increasing his reserves. now that he is... less preoccupied with constant agony and the looming threat of his body's imminent failure, he is surprised to learn what he is capable of. even newly come from surgery, he has strength and energy to him he has not had in years.
Alright then. I'll definitely be here to keep it up. I'm afraid you've spoiled me now and will have immense trouble getting rid of me. [He grins, bright and boyish and then lets out a friendly laugh.]
But for now I am in need of a shower, I'll see you around Itachi!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Action; pre Giva Mission
His new bow is in his hand along with a quiver of arrows and he's relieved to find the training room abandoned at this early hour. It doesn't take him long to get set up around one of the targets. His first arrow is just to the side of the bullseye. His second is closer. His third and every arrow after hit dead center.
Wei Wuxian sighs. The targets here are all still and the distance limited by the size of the station. He supposes he'll have to make do for now.]
no subject
but he is not surprised to find another soul present at this hour. one of the new ones, wei wuxian, who seems intent on his practice.
itachi gives him a faint nod, but does not stop to engage. instead, he begins setting up targets of his own. he is still rebuilding his strength after surgery, and that and his stamina are sorely lacking. he has rested enough — it is time to shake off the rust. ）
no subject
He begins shooting in silence for another half a minute before he gives up and sighs again, eyes wandering around the room as if looking for something.]
Sorry to bother you, [he starts, not sounding sorry at all] but is there anyway to find a more challenging mark in here?
[There isn't a hint of smugness in the question, and his expression reveals only genuine frustration. Wei Wuxian has never done well without a worthy challenge.]
no subject
The simulation room can be programmed with a variety of training ranges. However, I find that the experience is not always perfectly analogous to the 'real world'.
（ he essentially looks upon it as technological genjutsu. useful, but not perfect. ）
Would you prefer a moving target?
no subject
Have something in mind?
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These are clones, a technique in my world. They are not real, and will dissipate with damage. However, they have all of my knowledge and skills at their disposal. They can either move with targets, or catch the arrows — or throw rings for you to shoot through if you would like. Whatever you are comfortable with.
（ it will be good training for him as well, maintaining three clones at once. he has not done it with any regularity in years. ）
no subject
Please, some day, you have to tell me how that works. [Without waiting for an answer, he approaches one of the clones, lightly tapping him on the shoulder. Yep, definitely solid. That's so weird, he loves it.]
Do I tell you or them what to do? [He eyes the clones and gives them a wave. It feels rude to ignore them.]
no subject
You may speak to them directly. They are no less capable than myself, simply more fragile.
( and he will go sit meditatively in a corner to ensure he is well out of the way, and can focus on maintaining his chakra. )
no subject
He grins at the clones and addresses them each individually.]
Alright. Itachi One, you toss rings in the air. Itachis two and three, [he turns to the other two,] each of you hold moving targets. Um, I only have so many arrows, so maybe the three of you can randomly hold up your target or toss your ring? If everything's going at once, I'll go through my arrows way too fast.
Oh! One second. [He jogs over to the training room door and rifles through his robes until he finds a talisman that he can slap on the entrance. Now if anyone enters, the corresponding talisman that he sticks up one of his sleeves with immediately alert him.]
Alright. [He jogs back and his eyes flash with excitement.] Let's do this.
no subject
he is still quite weak, after all, so recently come from surgery. mccoy-sensei might be driven to chastise him for the efforts, but he feels... good. better. his body has been too damaged over the years, by illness and his own recklessness, but he is recovering.
seeing the world through his father's eyes is... uncomfortable. but he is still grateful to viveca for the chance.
at the end, he rises, and brings his water bottle over to share, uncapping it for wei wuxian to take. ）
You are quite talented. Have you experimented yet with firearms?
no subject
Thanks. I used to be the first disciple of my sect. [It's said proudly and with some nostalgia. He isn't sure if the meaning will translate, but it's probably self-explanatory enough.] What's a firearm?
[Surely it isn't an arm on fire so please tell him, he wants to learn everything.]
no subject
（ he's not even going to acknowledge that whole... 'amazing' spiel. didn't hear it, don't care, stop praising him literally at all, thank u for understanding his trauma. ）
Finn-san was kind enough to teach me. I will pass on his knowledge if you would like to learn.
no subject
Please teach me. [And because he is who he is.] Itachi Laoshi.
no subject
Just Itachi alone, please.
（ some honourifics he doesn't mind. that one stings. shang-chi calling him teacher once in a dream had been different. to the rest, he simply turns and goes to one of the racks on the wall. he selects a simple .22 handgun, pops the magazine (which is empty) out and racks the slide to ensure there is nothing in the chamber, and then holds it out butt-first for wei wuxian to take.
he walks the man through the care, maintenance, use and safety of a firearm. bullets are stored in a separate part of the training ground for safety purposes, in an area shielded from fire and anything explosive. he directs wei wuxian in how to load it, how to check the magazine, other types of firearms in general (such as the blasters to which finn is accustomed) and at length: ）
The higher the calibre, the more recoil you will experience. This is one of the smaller calibres you may encounter, but do not mistake its lethality against a normal human.
no subject
The weight of the gun in his hand is heavier than expected, and as Itachi explains the way this type of weapon works, he feels less like he's holding a more advanced form of a bow, and more like he's holding a lesser version of his Stygian Tiger Seal. Volatile and dangerous. Lethal in a way most other weapons aren't. And with a mechanism as simple as a trigger, it's a weapon that can easily substitute skill for close proximity. It seems too easy to abuse and all the more dangerous for it.
For that reason, he's nothing but attentive to Itachi's words.
By the time Itachi is done explaining and Wei Wuxian has asked his own series of questions, he is both leery and eager to try it out. Carefully checking that the safety is still engaged on the now loaded weapon, he moves to the area of the shooting range that he understands now is meant for these kinds of weapons.]
May I try it?
no subject
I cannot stop you.
（ well, he could. but the question is a formality anyway — he had shown the man for a reason. bows are lethal, but arrows are larger than bullets, more difficult to hide, and the bow itself is the same. as much as he is wary of firearms, he cannot deny their usefulness. ）
But be warned, they are loud.
（ there are earmuffs hanging on hooks on the walls for a reason. he retrieves two pairs of them and holds one out for wei wuxian to take. he'd grab eye protection too if he... realized that was a concern, but while he is quite safety-focused, being a shinobi of his calibre does make him blind (ha) to some of the safety concerns of those that cannot dodge shrapnel, oop. ）
no subject
And goes completely wide of the target when despite being warned about it, the recoil jerks his hands up. Ah, so that's what Itachi meant. And this has weaker recoil than most, he'd said. After doing some mental calculations in his head and accounting for the change, he takes a second shot. This one still misses the bullseye by several inches, but it's a much closer shot. After a few more shots, his wrists are aching but he's continued to get much more accurate.
The technique required for this is different, but still the same basic concept as a bow. Probably if he continued to practice, he could get better. For now though, he re-engages the safety and removes the earmuffs, tossing an easy smile at Itachi as he does.]
That's gonna take some getting used to for sure. Thanks for showing me. I bet these are what most people here prefer, hmm? [It would make sense, they seem very convenient.]
no subject
For what it's worth, I believe there are roughly equal numbers of those whose preference lies one way or another, as far as our combatants go. Many use both.
（ and others, like finn, are learning what they did not already know. ）
no subject
Thanks for showing me. [He takes the gun apart the way Itachi showed him to and hands the different pieces back.] And thanks for one hell of a workout earlier. [He grins.] Any chance you'd like to do it again sometime?
no subject
（ the training room is not the only form of self-improvement he does — he meditates, practices molding his chakra for healing, focuses on increasing his reserves. now that he is... less preoccupied with constant agony and the looming threat of his body's imminent failure, he is surprised to learn what he is capable of. even newly come from surgery, he has strength and energy to him he has not had in years.
training alongside wei wuxian was... fun. ）
no subject
But for now I am in need of a shower, I'll see you around Itachi!