video; @damen

[goldcuffed]

[The video clicks on to the face of a young man with dark olive skin and unruly dark curls, damp from a shower. It's strangely unfocused, and shifts around for a moment before he realizes how to hold it best to get the right angle - he clearly isn't used to technology like this.] Is this- Yes, the flashing light means 'recording'... [He mumbles to himself, eventually setting the device down on a table in front of him.

When he smiles, it's brightly, pleasantly.] Hello. I'm Damen, I'm... newly arrived, within the last couple of weeks, as many others are, and I admit I am not quite used to this city yet, nor all it has to offer. Back home, I'm a soldier, but here...

I keep remembering when I was young. I cheated once, when my tutor was to test me on my history lessons. My friend Nikandros gave me all the answers beforehand, so that we could go to the training yard sooner. My tutor was very impressed with my knowledge, but my father knew immediately. I could never trick the King.

He said to me, Damianos- [And here, he says something gravely in a language that has similarities to Greek, in the nouns and verbs, though a different grammatical structure. After, a translation,] Only a fool pretends to know what he has the opportunity to learn.

[His smile takes on a slightly sadder note, but he banishes it quickly.] So, I am searching for a combat instructor and sparring partner, one who can teach me the things that my world has not yet discovered. There are so many weapons here I do not recognize, and I'm sure techniques I have never seen before. I am no beginner, however, and so I would prefer someone experienced. You will be adequately compensated for your time. Thank you.

Comments

video » castironbitch

[redoublement]

Advertising for this and you did not think to invite me? For shame.

[ Laurent doesn't look particularly put out, though. In fact he looks amused- and, well. Painted is the only word for it. Striking blue eye shadow and delicately applied glitter highlighting along his cheekbones. He's on the set of a photo shoot, but between sets there is always time to hassle his fiance. ]

[goldcuffed]

[Damen's expression softens immediately when he sees his fiance on the other end. He got out of a gym photo shoot about an hour ago and has already showered back at their apartment. He's sitting in the living room on the floor, hair still dripping a bit onto his tanktop.

Laurent must still be there. The blue shadow brings out the color of his eyes, but Damen can't help but smile in amusement.] I thought you hated paint.

And who says you are not invited?

[redoublement]

For one, it isn't paint. It's some sort of powder. [ Laurent's smile curves a little further, becoming something smugger. He knows he's splitting hairs, but that's what makes it all the more amusing. ]

And I do. But my client doesn't, and I am here to take pleasing pictures for them, am I not? I'll endure.

[ Laurent waits a beat, leaning back and revealing his throat, where a band of silver and delicate lace encircle his throat. His shoulders seemed bare, but with his features as close to the camera as they were, it was hard to tell. ]

Oh good. Then it shall save me the trouble of inviting myself, and crashing regardless.

[goldcuffed]

How ridiculous. You're even lovelier without all that. [He fights down the brief flash of jealousy that someone else gets to see the bare curve of his fair shoulders. It's just a job, the same way it's just a job for Damen to pose shirtless or in the thin, comfortable 'athletic' clothing they put him in, but still. Laurent is his.] If you aren't having a good time, you can come home. [Damen can endure this, so long as he knows Laurent wants to be there.]

Your presence is never unwelcome. Lessons would be good for both of us.

video; un: GraveMistake

[hellshot]

Experience is one of the things I take pride in. Given I've been in the military for over thirty years, and a mercenary now for another ten.

I come from a place that I've come to discover is considered 'extremely futuristic'.

Could use a sparring partner myself. Starting to feel lazy.

Might feel up to teaching you about pulse weaponry, and how to use high-tech firearms as well.

[goldcuffed]

[Mercenary. Considering Damen's experience with mercenaries in the last three months... He tries to keep his expression neutral, but it's hard to hide all the distaste. Mercenaries are dishonorable, in his eyes, and theirs certainly isn't a lesson he wants to learn.]

Even the laziest man in my army could claim thirty years of military experience just by surviving as long. I do not know what pulse weaponry is, but if you only 'might' feel like teaching me things, I think I will have to look elsewhere for a trainer. [What's the point in hiring someone fickle enough to have an attitude like their lessons are a privilege, instead of freely offered?]

video; un: sg.rogers

[livingsymbol]

Hello again. [Hey, Damen. It's that derpy blond dude.]

It's good to see you settling in. This place is nice, but I personally like taking my time to get adjusted.

[The way Steve says that suggests that maybe he's also being stubborn about acting like everyone else.]

I'd be willing to train with you and anyone else, your majesty.

[goldcuffed]

[Damen brightens a little, spotting the guy he'd shared an ice cream and a nice conversation with.] There isn't much else to do than settle in. My fiance is here, that makes it a little easier. And they say we will be returned to the moment we came from. [Which lessens any real pressing worries from home, at least for the moment. Their kingdoms won't go on to ruin without them.]

Please, just Damen. I'd love to spar with you sometime soon. Does work keep you very busy?

[livingsymbol]

I'm glad to hear that. It's easier to settle in with someone close to you nearby.

[When they first spoke, Damen seemed to be alone. Maybe they had just gotten separated, which Steve is relieved to find out. He likes Damen so far.]

Not too busy. I'd be happy to spar with you any time. Honestly, it's something I could use too. I can at least show you a few new weapons. We can train together.

[goldcuffed]

Easier still to know that I have not left my kingdom to ruins on the other side of a portal. [He says with a soft laugh. Honestly he's surprised at how easy this is for him to accept.

He seems pleased at the thought of a sparring partner, though, especially one like Steve.] I would love that. Do you have a preferred place and time? I usually have time in the mornings and evenings, depending on the schedule of my shoots.

@Morgan.Knight; video

[morganknight]

I can help if you like. My specialty is martial arts, but I know weapons and firearms too. I'm getting the impression the latter is what you mean by what you don't recognize?

[goldcuffed]

Thank you, but my weakness is not in hand-to-hand combat. I would prefer someone well-versed in the things I am currently lacking in.

audio, @m.murdock

[trustinthedevil]

[Matt doesn't get much use out of videos, but he likes to listen to what people say, and this caught his interest.]

It's funny, because I was just about to come on here and ask if anyone would do the same for me. I'm not sure what I can do to help you, though. I'd think my specialty is American boxing.

Though if you ever need someone to help punch boredom away, I'm your man.

[goldcuffed]

I've never heard of America or boxing, I'd love to see what that entails. [He sounds pretty enthusiastic about it, at least. Nothing wrong with a little cultural exchange.] Do you wrestle? It's a big sport in Akielos, I could show you that, or some swordplay in return.

[trustinthedevil]

No kidding. I'd be happy to show you. [Matt laughs, but he also sounds pretty pleased.] I'm not sure how good I'd be at wrestling, but swordplay sounds intriguing.

[goldcuffed]

Anyone can wrestle. It also comes in handy after being disarmed, if you know how to get your opponent on the ground. I'd be happy to show you both or either.

What does your schedule usually look like?

@dodger/audio

[smokedout]

Was your full backstory really necessary information?

[He says, like he isn't writing himself notes on Damen as he speaks. Just in case it comes in handy.]

I can spar with you, but I don't use weapons and I'm used to fighting dirty. You might be at a disadvantage. [Which is absolutely a challenge.]

[goldcuffed]

[Wow. Rude.]

As... charming as your offer is, I'll have to pass on putting you in the dirt. I'm looking for some sparring partners whose company I would enjoy.

[smokedout]

Pretty narrow-minded of you. Or are you just worried you can't back yourself up?

[Fuck sparring, Dodger wants a street fight. As usual.]

@user.name; text

[advanced]

[Maybe it's Clark and Ellie's influence, but Bucky is trying not to immediately see everyone as a threat on first impressions, as well as get a little more involved in things that aren't being a loner hobo out in the abandoned city.

He's still paranoid about the network, though, which is why he sticks to text and no identifying remarks.]

I might be able to teach you something, but I need to know why you want to learn first. There are a lot of other things besides weapons that you could learn.

[goldcuffed]

[Thank god for voice-to-text, his thick fingers are so clumsy on the little phone screen keyboard. He has to think about answering this for a moment - there's a little bit of 'why do you care', but he realizes it's a valid question. Such training could be put to malicious use, and so he tries to be honest.]

For one, I enjoy the exercise, and the company. I don't wish to go entirely soft during my time here. I am trying to learn other things as well, such as cooking, but I feel restless, without some sort of physical pursuit.

As far as weaponry goes, I mostly want to know what I am dealing with if I encounter it. We do not have... guns, and the like, where I come from. I did not know what one was capable of until a guardsman explained it.

[advanced]

[It's good that the answer is honest, because he probably would have just hung up right there and then if any sort of argument or excuse had been given. It seems a legitimate enough excuse, and he's really trying not to see the worst in every situation.]

I can teach you under the following conditions:

1. If I think you're going to misuse what I teach you at any time, it gets stopped immediately.
2. We do this out of town so nobody gets accidentally hurt.

voice; @j.wick

[adiuvio]

I'm a specialized combat tactics and firearms instructor for the Perimeter Guard. I'd be open to teaching a civilian in my free time, provided they have previous combat experience.

You said you were a soldier. Was that on reserve, or have you seen action?

[goldcuffed]

[Oh, someone working with the perimeter guard as an instructor. That is fortuitous, honestly - it means, presumably, he at least knows how to teach, and won't just try to goad him into a street brawl like certain other respondents.]

I have seen action, yes. More in the past few months than I would have cared to otherwise, but I took my first command at seventeen and have been on the field when needed since. I promise you, I can keep up. [There is a certain arrogance to it, but also earnest sincerity that says he doesn't know how to do anything but tell the truth.]

I wanted to join the Perimeter Guard, actually, but... Well, I thought it ill-advised, considering I haven't caught up with what's considered modern here.

[adiuvio]

That makes sense. It's always best to know what you're up against. Never go into a fight unprepared.

What's your schedule like?