closed; and i grew a hairy skull

[wolfssegen]

Who: Ches Fields and various
When: January
Where: various
Summary: A catch-all for various threads!
Warnings: tba in subject lines

Starters in the comments.

Comments

for katrina; shooting training

[wolfssegen]

Ches is actually excited about this one. Not so much because of training someone to shoot, which he's done dozens of times before. Mostly it's the fact that he's going to be teaching a mermaid to shoot. A warrior mermaid, even. He's never even met a mermaid, let alone had the chance to talk to one for a while.

Maybe she'll teach him some kind of water fighting in return, that would be super cool.

So at 4 pm, shortly after he gets off a training session for staff development, he shoots Katrina a text message.

Hi Katrina, it's Ches. Meet me by the elevator on floor B3. There's weapons training rooms there.

slides in here late with starbucks for both of us

[twicelost]

The instructions are clear, so Katrina arrived with no issue. The humans who work at ADI seem... not comfortable with her around, but unperturbed. Maybe a few are unsettled by her near constant glare, but all in all, there's no incident. It probably helps that she's wearing her security personnel uniform. Guards should look tough, okay.

"Ches." That's all she says by way of greeting. She doesn't owe him the respect she owes Ryn, or any other mermaid alpha. He's a stranger.

Still, because he is also not human, she gives him a nod.

"Here for learning."

welcome!

[wolfssegen]

Frankly, Ches is more comfortable around non-humans than he is around humans. Back home, the humans were the ones who'd be looking to hunt him down, the humans who were the unsafe ones, who wanted him and his kind gone. He has very little love for humans as a whole, though he does tend to like them on an individual basis.

The people he deeply cares about, who he sees as his people, are those who are supernatural. The dryads and witches and banshees and necromancers and now, hopefully, the mermaids.

"Katrina. Nice to meet you in person." he says, offering her a hand to shake. He doesn't necessarily expect her to take it, and will drop it after a moment if she doesn't, but he doesn't want anyone to say he was rude on his first meeting with a new species.

"Thanks for coming. They have some shooting ranges in here, so I can show you how to safely use a gun. Been doing it my whole life."

Opening the door, he holds it and gestures for her to go in, "After you."

[twicelost]

Because he's like her, an outsider among humans, she engages in this human greeting custom. She's seen it done enough times that she does it well, if a little stiffly. Her grip is firm, but she holds back her strength. He's not a threat. They're all on the same team, and he's the most like her out of anyone she's met so far.

Katrina looks through the door a moment, always on the lookout for a threat, before she walks in. Observation and signage lead her to the ranges. She goes into the first free space and speaks as soon as Ches is there with her.

"How you learn to use gun?"

[wolfssegen]

Her grip is firm and solid, just like his own, and he finds himself liking her well enough already. She shakes hands like an Alpha, and that's familiar and comfortable. He knows how to deal with Alphas, generally.

Katrina is intelligent, though, he can tell that much from how she navigates in what must be an incredibly strange world to her, providing she probably lived in water back home. For a moment, he wonders what happened to her tail. Then he wonders if his perception of mermaids is correct at all and if she even had a tail.

Who knows? Seems rude to ask right out of the gate.

"Well, first thing you need to do is get familiar with the gun. Here, let me show you what all the parts are and tell you what they do..."

It takes a few minutes, but once he has the gun comfortably in his hands, the explaining comes easy. He points out every part and explains in a casual tone exactly what they do, how they contribute to the firing of the gun, how the gun works and what it does.

for yelena; memory work and surveillance training

[wolfssegen]

Memory work isn't the height of interest for him, but it'll definitely come in handy, and he's not going to turn his nose up at a chance to learn that or surveillance. He'd picked up a surprising number of people willing to train him in things that he has no experience in, or only a passing experience with, and it had been a pleasant surprise.

It had been a good way to get a feeling for what the people here are capable of, what they're like as people after all, just as he'd expected.

Tuesday evening at 7pm, he's right on time just outside the canteen in ADI, waiting for Yelena to arrive. Leaning casually against the wall beside the door to the canteen, dressed in jeans and work boots and a plaid flannel over a tank top, he wonders if she's going to look like how he imagined her to look.

[musicdied]

He doesn't have long to wait before two women come down the corridor, heading out from somewhere deeper in the building. One of them is older, hard-faced and tense, her short, brutally straight iron-grey hair and charcoal pantsuit somehow giving off the impression of armour. The other is shorter, round-cheeked and youthful, somewhere in that nebulous territory between late twenties and late thirties. Her golden hair is braided and pinned close to her scalp, and she's dressed in tan cargo pants and a sapphire blue sweater, a pale violet coat tucked into the crook of her arm.

It's the latter who pats the former on the arm and murmurs something about cards on Saturday, then angles towards the entrance to the canteen. She flashes Ches a slightly-crooked grin. "You're punctual. That is a good start." And that's definitely a noticeable Russian accent on the words.

(If she is, perhaps, watching the entire time to see where his attention tracks, gauge his reaction and how well he splits his focus, well - it's all a part of the process.)

[wolfssegen]

Chester notices the two women approaching right away, and his gold eyes flick between the two of them, trying to work out which one might be Yelena. The skills she'd mentioned would suggest the older woman with the pantsuit, a powerful woman with a lot of experience. He wouldn't have suspected the cute, round-faced young woman with the blue sweater and the delicately braided hair.

But the older woman doesn't look like a Yelena to him, so he's not entirely surprised when it's the young woman who veers over to him. Lifting a hand, he gives her a little wave, eyes flicking after the older woman as she splits off into the canteen, then back to Yelena.

"Well, glad to hear I'm meeting expectations already. Here's hoping I keep doing so."

[musicdied]

"Has Winter been telling stories?" she asks, and shakes her head slightly. Judging by the glint of amusement in her eyes, however, the exasperation is mostly feigned.

"Do you have a coat? The training rooms are all booked, so we're going to have to take a little walk."

for meredith; admin training

[wolfssegen]

While the administrative skills she's offering will definitely come in handy here and there, Ches has to admit to himself that he'd been more interested in meeting up with Meredith because of her personality. The attitude had been appealing right off the bat and he's always been drawn to competency, so he's interested in meeting this badass office lady.

So he's actually looking forward to training, dressed in a henley and a pair of plaid lounge pants, shoeless and sockless. He'd texted Meredith his unit number at Bonnie's, made a pot of coffee and put some cookies on a plate as snacks just in case, and now he's there and ready to answer the door whenever she shows up.

[henchgal]

The rap on the door is a little louder and harder than if it were made with a fist. When Ches opens the door, the reason for this might be obvious; Mere knocked with the brass handle of her cane. She has a laptop case slung over the other shoulder, and a bag from a local donut shop in hand. Because you don't show up to someone's place empty-handed. She's a woman of about average height, with short blonde hair (shaved sides, longer on top was the result of fixing her attempt to try to do her own hair), wearing an oversized cardigan over a t-shirt and pink pajama pants with unicorns and rainbows on them.

Like a proper adult.

"Ches? I smell coffee in there. We're going to get along great."

[wolfssegen]

Ches had been expecting something very different than what he's greeted by when he opens the door to Meredith. He'd been expecting one of those high-maintenance looking women with long sleek hair and a face full of makeup, even her pajamas carefully chosen to make her look perfect. Instead, she has a blonde undercut, she's wearing real person pajamas and a cardigan that reminds him of Dusty's, carrying a cane.

He finds he likes the reality a lot more than the imaginary version.

"Of course. I basically live off the stuff. How do you like yours?"

Turning, he pushes the door open a little more and gestures with his free hand toward the inside of the tiny apartment slash room he's been staying in, "Come on in, by the way."

[henchgal]

Oh, in the office that's exactly who she makes herself into. Red lipstick, perfect mascara, hair just so. But that's all a mask, something she fits herself into because she knows it's necessary. Ches will see her at some point, polished and primped and working like sharp diamond office goddess she is.

But it's Saturday, and they agreed on pajama pants, so that's how she showed up.

"I'll drink anything but decaf, but two sugars and a splash of milk's my preference." She sets the donut bag down on an appropriate surface, using the cane for stability as she walks. It's clear she's been using one for long enough that it's just another limb for her, rather than something she's only picked up here in recent months.

for winter; russian ex-military training

[wolfssegen]

Meredith hadn't been joking when she'd suggested bringing some ice along when getting trained by Winter. It's been a pretty brutal session, and Ches is feeling the burn in his muscles, his skin just a little sweaty as he steps back from the last volley, chest rising and falling heavily, hair damp, just a little flushed from the exercise.

But he's grinning, and it's a wolf's grin.

Gold eyes bright, he steps up to Winter and holds a hand out, his voice a little hitched with his heavy breathing, offering a handshake.

"Damn, you are really good." he says, speaking slightly stunted Russian. It's not perfectly accented or perfectly grammatically correct, but certainly understandable.

[worthallthis]

As his serum is no longer reliable, Winter is not even as impressive as he could be. He's sweating, too, especially as he's working in long sleeves, though he did shed the top layer of the two early on in the session. "I have been very rigorously trained," he answers in clear but slightly old-fashioned Russian, giving Che's hand a brief and almost wary look before taking it, shaking once, and stepping firmly back again.

He had no qualms about throwing Chester across the room, or wrestling him into or out of a hold, or hitting him with (pulled) kicks and punches (flesh hand almost exclusively). But a handshake has him looking uncomfortable. Weird, right?

[wolfssegen]

No matter how much more impressive Winter might have been previously, Chester is certainly impressed by him the way he is now. Mere hadn't been exaggerating when she'd said he should bring ice because Winter would kick his ass around the training room. Frankly, he's relieved to find out she wasn't because it's exactly what Jasha would've done.

Leaning over, he rests his hands against his knees and breathes heavily for a few moments, feeling winded for the first time in a long time. He notices the awkwardness with the handshake, but it doesn't strike him as too weird - it's just another way that Winter reminds him of Jasha, more comfortable expressing himself through fighting than through anything friendly or affectionate. It's just a way that some people are, familiar and comfortable.

"So you were in the Russian military, huh? What was it like?"

[worthallthis]

"HYDRA. Russian branch." Winter lets him breathe a moment, watching critically for the moment when he's ready to move again, for a cooldown walk. Because they will both need that, he thinks. "Secret multinational organization, originally founded by the Nazi party. I was made and kept in Siberia. Then sold to the Americans after many years."

He wishes, briefly, that he had some kind of timeline. He has literally no idea when he was in operation for, only that it was a very long time. "Walk," he adds, motioning for Ches to straighten up and start loosing up again.

for kate; sewing

[wolfssegen]

Kate seems like an interesting person, from what he'd learned about her during their first conversation, and while sewing isn't the top of his priority list for things to learn, he figures it'll be worth it both to hone what skill he has and to get to know her a little better.

This place has a lot of very interesting people, and more friendly than he'd been expecting, honestly.

The day after his network post, at 4 pm, he shoots a text over to Kate.

Where do you want to meet up? Is there a fabric or craft store in town?

[bossyboiler]

In front of ADI HQ? There is! We'll have to take a bus though. Is that okay?[ Because not a one of them has a car or even a proper license for one, just a state ID. ]

Ches seems a decent enough person. That he actually wants to learn how to make clothes is a good as any to teach him. Besides, he's going to teach her gun safety. It's only right to return the favor.

[wolfssegen]

Fine by me. Be there soon.

And he is. Leaning up against the wall beside the main entrance door to the ADI HQ, dressed in a pair of beat up jeans and work boots, a plaid shirt over a white tank top, he waits until he spots a person he thinks might be Kate.

Waving, he speaks up, "Hey, Kate, is that you?"

[bossyboiler]

"Hi. It's me." She waves back. Kate is bundled up a proper, green winter coat complete with hat and gloves. If she gets too warm she can take off layers. If they are out late and the wind picks up, she'll be prepared. "Aren't you cold?" Of course she's going to ask, she can't help herself.

for jack; saturday night fights

[wolfssegen]

[Today is really shaping up to be a good day. Between what had happened with Meredith and anticipation of teaching a few rounds of fighting to the other party to one of the more interesting conversations on his network post, he's feeling light on his feet, relaxed, in his element. Ches has always been better at teaching than learning.

Just before the time comes around for the two of them to meet up, Ches shoots off a text to Jack to meet him at the training rooms, where he's managed to find a punching bag and some mats. After that, it's just a matter of getting changed and warmed up.

When Jack arrives, Ches is already having a bit of a go at the bag, dressed in a pair of sweats rolled down once at the waist and a tank top, fists enclosed in big fat red boxing gloves. He takes a couple quick jabs before realizing Jack is there, and then turns, tugging off a glove to expose a wrapped hand that he uses to push back some of his hair.]

Hey you. Jack, right?

[stations]

( If he's completely honest, that's not what he expected Ches to look like. It's just the whole fighting lessons thing, mixed with the werewolf thing. He was expecting some thick MMA fighter looking guy covered in too much beard and an uncomfortable amount of body hair. Ches just looks like... a dude. Just a normal, good-looking, lean dude. Not as slender as Jack, of course, but enough that it seems promising — fighting at his size is different than fighting at two hundred pounds.

He doesn't exactly own a lot by way of athleisure, and somehow he figured jeans wouldn't make the cut, so he spent like thirty minutes at the store staring down at work-out clothes. It was like trying to read a foreign language. Finally he just said screw it, grabbed a pair of black basketball shorts that were hopefully his size, paired it with a black t-shirt and some shoes that... probably wouldn't pass on a gym floor.

It's a lot more exposed than he typically is from the thighs down. Normally he's in jeans or sweatpants, and his whole leg situation isn't all that noticeable. Right now it's on full display, starting just below the knee and ending in something reasonably foot-shaped he's stuffed into a shoe for good measure. He feels practically naked. It's weird.

As if the leg thing wasn't enough, it's rounded out with a wave of a four-fingered hand. )

Hey... you? ( He returns uncertainly, because he's awkward as fuck and terrible at introductions. He pulls a face, self-aware and clearly judging himself, and then rolls right on past it. ) Cool... punching bag.

[wolfssegen]

[Fighting is certainly different at his size than it is at a larger size. It was one of the first things that Jasha had taught him, that he would do better to punch fast than hard because of his build, and it's something he intends to teach Jack too.

The guy is awkward but in a cute way, and he's at least dressed for the gym unlike the last student he'd had at a punching bag. Ches spends the time while Jack crosses the room getting a feeling for his gait and the way he moves on his prosthetic leg. He's never trained someone with a prosthetic before, which is frankly surprising considering the number of people he's helped train, but he thinks he knows well enough to work with it. He'd meant it when he said everyone can fight.]

Hah, thanks. It'll do the job alright. Good to meet you.

[He wipes off the hand he'd used to touch his hair on the thigh of his sweats, then holds it out in offer of a handshake.]

We should probably wrap your hands up and do a bit of stretching first. Maybe while we do that, you can tell me how comfortable you are on the prosthetic. You know, balance, speed and all that.

[stations]

( Oh. Okay. He's a handshake guy. It's been a while since he's had one of those, but he can do that. There's definitely not about a two second period of overthinking it where he tries to find the right grip strength that isn't weaksauce, but also isn't testosterone fueled overcompensating. He's not really sure if he hits the mark by the time the shake is over. )

Okay. ( Hand wrapping makes sense, he's totally seen that on TV. He'll follow Ches's lead there — he may not be an athlete, but at least he's a pretty quick learner. He answers while he wraps. ) I just got it two or three weeks before I showed up here, I spent a few months on crutches before that. I didn't really... get the chance to learn how to run on it before everything. I've been meaning to figure that out, but I... Okay, I can't think of a good excuse in a reasonable time limit, so honestly I just don't want to look stupid in front of strangers.

( It's been weird thinking about jumping on a treadmill at a gym in public and doing his best to pirate-walk at increasing speeds. )