milliways_bar | (no subject)

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William loves the Milliways' stables as they're big, most of the horses are friendly and he can always finds some space to himself. Their barn at home does what it needs to and he has a spot for hiding stuff in it, but his responsibilities are more there.

Today he's taken care of a few chores around the barn and has been introducing himself to a beautiful mare that recently arrived. Horus is exploring and William's not too concerned about him as the forge cats keeps an eye on him when they're here.

Once he's done checking on all the horses, he plans on sitting on the back porch of the Bar with a book and enjoying it feeling like Spring.

(OOC: Catch him in the stables or on the porch.)

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"Outlaws and assassins."

Mary shakes her head.

"Perhaps you spoke sense when you said I should know how to hit people."

She'll never have cause to need such a skill at home. But here? She feels safer in Milliways than she once did, but there's no denying the fact that there are less than savory sorts here.

"Yeah, and you've also got the folks who can enchant you. I don't know how to stop magic but if you know enough to get away, you'll be safe. I can show you some things now if you'd like. Just how to get away. Its what I teach my brother cause better I get hurt than he does,"

Mark does know how to fight but William would rather see him safe and away while he get hurts.

"Oh, I know how to do that!"

Mary smiles confidently and reaches into her apron pocket. She triumphantly pulls out an iron nail.

"I never come to Milliways without it. All the old stories say that witches and fairies hate it."

It's not often that she has any sort of knowledge to impart, especially here. And she looks very pleased with herself.

As for the rest, she is still a bit uncertain. But she did say she'd learn.

"I suppose we could try now."

He grins at her before taking off his jacket,

"Oh yeah, that'll help, but it might not work against everyone. I'm goin' to try and catch you and hold you and I want you to get away from me. Don't worry about hurtin' me."

"Um.....all right."

She will not be a coward. She will not.

"But.....how do I do that?"

"Well, its pretty simple, you figure out what will make me loosen my grip. Hands and feet are a good place to start. I'm goin' to come up slowly behind you and not hold you tight just enough that you can see. Then try different things,"

It only works if she's willing to try things and he moves behind her and comes towards her, if she tells him not to, he'll stop.

Mary nods.

"All right, then."

This is just practice. She'll work out a strategy as she goes along.

"If you get scared and want me to let go, I will,"

He makes the movement slow as he reaches around her from the back to hold her arms, his grip is solid but not tight enough to hurt.

Mary takes a deep breath. She knows nothing about fighting, and knows she has no great strength to her credit. But there is one thing she might have as an effective weapon.

The breath is expelled as an ear-splitting shriek.

The horses do not approve, if the drumming of hooves against stall walls is any indication.

But will it have any effect on a potential attacker?

It does as William automatically lets her go to cover his ears which hurt as he says,

"Shit, that's loud."

Mary turns around. She's actually grinning a bit.

She may even bounce on her toes for a moment. And she doesn't even lecture him on his language.

"Like that? I know it's not fisticuffs, but..."

"It'll work and get everyone wonderin' what's wrong. We're goin' to need to calm the horses down,"

He's glad she's happy, he's feeling a little stunned.

"Hmmm. I'm out of apples."

But the horses seem to be settling. A few are hanging their heads of their stalls as if to ask what on Earth these mad young people are doing.

"I suppose I should know what to do if no help is forthcoming though, shouldn't I?"

"Yeah, that'd be best. This'll do a lot of good but addin' a kick or a punch will help too cause if they're not off you already then they will be,"

They are and William pats a few of them to reassure them that everything's fine.

"I didn't mean to scare them," Mary says, sheepishly.

Screaming in a stable full of horses. She hadn't thought that one through.

"Very well, Mr. Evans. How does one punch appropriately?"

"They'll be fine, most of 'em are used to noises and such. Like this,"

He comes over and shows her how to make a good fist.

"Well. I imagine even horses have to get accustomed to Milliways."

Mary regards her fist. It feels awkward. Her thumb isn't where she would place it.

"And you just do like....so?"

She extends her arm and lightly taps him on the shoulder with her fist.

"You have to get more behind it, one moment," There's a cot in the stable room and he grabs the pillow of of it then hangs it on a hook.

Once its set up, he gives it a good punch, "Like that, with your body behind it."

Mary eyes up the pillow and tries not to feel foolish about the fact that she's about to do battle with a bag full of feathers.

But she gamely balls up her fist again and strikes out.

She overbalances a bit, because there's nothing really to stop her momentum. The pillow spins wildly.

Mary staggers back to something resembling balance.

"Like that?"

He reaches out to catch her so she doesn't fall,

"Careful, there, sort of. Here, I'll hold it instead, it works better when you can feel that you're hittin' somethin'."

Once she's set, he takes the pillow, braces himself and holds it towards her.

"Very well."

Mary squares up to the pillow again, balls up her fist, and punches.

It's actually a fairly powerful punch, at least coming from her. Unfortunately the pillow is braced a bit too well, or possibly she catches one of William's hands, because rather than appreciating her own handiwork, Mary is left jumping around in a circle saying,

"Ow! Ow, ow, OW!"

She shakes out her jarred hand.

"How is this possibly effective?"

She does hit his fingers and he winces before shaking out his hand, which is now a little numb,

"Cause it hurts them worse. If you're wearin' boots, kickin' will do a lot of good too."

"I don't wear boots."

Mary rubs her hand, wincing.

"Well, I suppose if it hurts them worse, that's some comfort. Although that means that I've now hurt you."

"Not that bad, no scrapes or anythin'. The hope is that screamin' works and gives you a chance to get away and find someone better at fightin'. Here if you yell, yell Security and they'll come help. If I hear you, I'll help. Come on, let's go inside and get some ice for your hand, it hurts the first few times you do it."

"Does that mean it stops hurting with practice, or one becomes accustomed to pain?"

Mary follows him.

"Perhaps it would be better to hit them with something...."

Her mind is already thinking of options.