Quiet reading time?

[luvs-scimitars.livejournal.com]

With things related to the SEs coming to a fairly happy end (Devon and Laura's return especially), Azrad can finally afford a little rest. He's recovered since his last mission, but is spending a good amount of his time in the small library of the Chalice instead of the Arboretum. Though the books here are mostly donations, it'll still take him a while to go through all of them...

Then again, it's not like he has anything better to do for now.

Besides simple reading, he also seems to be focusing on the subject of firearms (specifically handguns) more than others. It's a good thing that most of the books here are military-related too.

Bother him or maybe give suggestions?

Comments

[punches-vamps.livejournal.com]

...reading up on guns?

Aw, man. Put the books aside: I gotta show you the real thing.

[luvs-scimitars.livejournal.com]

[Well, he figured reading up first might be a good idea, but cue a slightly raised eyebrow.

Whatever you're gonna show him, he at least seems ready for it. Show away, or lead on!]

[punches-vamps.livejournal.com]

[Roads starts leading Azrad down to that impromptu firing range the ship had set up.]

Okay, so...what sort of guns are common where you're from? Flintlocks, matchlocks, wheelocks...muzzle loaders or breech-loaders? Have cartridges become common, and is the repeating rifle around yet? Oh! And smokeless powder. Do you guys have that yet?

[luvs-scimitars.livejournal.com]

[He takes a moment to recall things. Late 1800s, maybe early 1900s...]

...The only firearms I am familiar with are repeating rifles and revolvers. Most of the weapons featured in these books are new to me.

[punches-vamps.livejournal.com]

Aw, man. This is gonna be awesome.

[Cue one montage of Roads running around retrieving things, and there's a fair sized arsenal laid out in front of Azrad at the firing range.]

Okay, so...let's start with the handguns first. As you can see, revolvers are still around, but these newer weapons...well, the thing you have to realize is that people figured out how to the make the recoil of the weapon drive the same reloading mechanism that a repeating rifle has. So instead of having to pull a lever, the act of pulling the trigger fires a shot and loads the very next shot into the chamber.




...Want to try one out?

[luvs-scimitars.livejournal.com]

[Azrad notes the explanation, trying to picture how that works, then nods in response to the question.]

Aa.

[Looking at the arsenal though, even this wizard gets overwhelmed.]

...Which one would you recommend?

[punches-vamps.livejournal.com]

Well, you're kind of new to firearms, right? So...here we go!

[Roads picks out one gun from the stack-one of the smaller ones, at that.]

It's a 9 millimeter semiautomatic; pretty basic stuff. Of all of these, it'll be one of the easier ones to control.

[He hands it over to Azrad, keeping it pointed at the ground as he does so.]

For now the safety's on; just try lining it up on the target down range.

[luvs-scimitars.livejournal.com]

[And line it up he does. It's easy to tell this is something new to him, yet he's trying to adjust himself to it while steadying his aim.]

...This is...nothing like what I expected.

[punches-vamps.livejournal.com]

Really? What did you expect?

[Roads walks around Azrad, and flips a small switch on the side of the gun.]

Safety's off now; if you pull the trigger, it'll fire.

[luvs-scimitars.livejournal.com]

A lighter version of the Spell Helix. This requires finer adjustments...

[It's the closest thing to a firearm in his arsenal, so yeah...

When given the go-ahead, he slowly nods, then fires thrice. As expected from a gun rookie, his aim is way off.]

Hm...

[punches-vamps.livejournal.com]

Ah, not bad!

You'll get better with practice.

...What were you doing the research for, anyways?

[luvs-scimitars.livejournal.com]

Firearms would make a good addition to my available options.

Once I understand how they work, Al-Azif will be able to replicate them to fire magical rounds.

[punches-vamps.livejournal.com]

Ah. What me to take one apart for you, then?

[luvs-scimitars.livejournal.com]

[Nods. That would help the process, yes.]

I would appreciate that.

[saikyocivrobo]

Somehow, I'm not surprised that a wizard likes reading.

[luvs-scimitars.livejournal.com]

[Azrad gently places a book back on one of the shelves. He reminisces as he speaks.]

I do this now out of necessity; to keep up with this world...but I won't deny that it used to be a hobby of mine.

Well...perhaps, part of me still finds it enjoyable.

[saikyocivrobo]

You might want to take a look at the ship's databases as well, then. Especially when we're in an area with a local network again and connect to it. That's a good way to get recent news... As well as other things. If you know what I mean.

[luvs-scimitars.livejournal.com]

Databases...and networks?

[Yeah, this is still uncharted territory for him. He furrows his brow a little, looking frustrated.]

...Most of this technology is still beyond my understanding...even though others make use of it often.

[Well, at least that 'database' might explain how Samus was reading books on that small screen she had with her...]

[saikyocivrobo]

Remind me to show you how to use a computer terminal one day.

In the meantime, I have another offer you might be interested in.

[luvs-scimitars.livejournal.com]

[At this point, he turns to face Werter.]

...Another offer?

[saikyocivrobo]

We have a library on the ship... But other than it, lots of people have personal books. The problem is, few know what exactly other people have, so looking for books others could lend to you requires a lot of hassle.

Me and Laura are starting an association that'll change that.

[luvs-scimitars.livejournal.com]

[Azrad takes up a thinking pose for a while, but he does find the idea amusing.]

Interesting...

...How do you plan to approach the others about this?

[saikyocivrobo]

Ship network announcement. Heck, I am almost done with the database for members already - just a press of a button, and it starts.

[luvs-scimitars.livejournal.com]

[Pause.]

Would one be required to contribute to this association to be able to borrow from its members?

...The only book I have in my possession is...

[He cuts off there, as if someone had nudged him in the back and told him "Don't even think about it."]

[saikyocivrobo]

Well, it is better if you have some books to lend, but I'm not going to say no to people who don't have anything and just want to borrow from others. Spreading the joy of reading and all that.