text | j.barnes | warden filter

[counterstep]

we're getting a lot more inmates lately, now with some of us getting double bookings. seems like a really good time to start combat training/review. not sure who all has had even basic training, but i'd like to share what i know since fighting is one of the things i do best, and even on a simple level, self defense would be good. to avoid what happened with mr velvet. before he left us.

anyway, i've found and prepped a room down the hall from the pool. last door on the right. matted floors and walls. MWF at 8pm for an hour or so, based on the ship clock. we'll start with hand-to-hand and shift to simple weapons later on. if you've never fought before and aren't interested, i can separately prepare a defense-only regimen, but i'd have to know beforehand, so let me know.

best to wear your regular clothing too. yes, it's physical activity, and you'll definitely break a sweat, but i doubt the inmates are going to wait for you before attacking if they get the chance.


oh and if you're already familiar with fighting, then i could use a good sparring partner (or two). reading is fine, but i need my exercise.

Comments

[counterstep]

there are things to help with that
strengthening your muscle for one

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Strong men help with that, but Claire keeps that to herself.]

I'm a little past my prime to start building any real muscle. Not for defense, at least. Maybe just general health purposes, but I wouldn't waste your time with that.

[But she ain't stepping into the gym, either.]

[counterstep]

that's just patently false
you can build real muscle at any time it just requires the dedication for it

if you're really squared up on your biology, you already know that though
so i'd appreciate a real answer

> private to james

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Real answers are tough. So, he'll get her sliding into his DMs.]

I've lost count of the the number of times I've been held with a knife to my neck or a gun to my head. I can't imagine ever being strong enough or skilled enough to protect myself if an inmate really wanted to hurt me.

> private

[counterstep]

self-defense isn't a fight of strength
it's about using your opponents strength against them

[nineteenfortyfive]

And if I'm terrible at it?

[counterstep]

it's your decision to make
i'm not in the business of making people do anything
that's not who i am anymore

if you don't want, then don't
i'd just prefer you were honest about it with me instead of making excuses
i thought we were beyond that

( apparently not. )

[nineteenfortyfive]

It's just not something I'm accustomed to, James. I'm used to having my husband, my son, my nephew. And if not one of them, a massive wolf-dog at my feet when they're away. I'm not good at physical endeavors.

But if you think I can do it, I'm willing to try.

[counterstep]

let me reframe this for a sec

don't you still help your family do other things?
cooking, cleaning, darning, all the usual homemaking suspects
you're a homesteader too
what about the animals? crops?

do you stop bothering with a task just to find one of them if it starts feeling too difficult, or do you push through it until there's no other option but to ask for help?

[nineteenfortyfive]

The latter. For better or for worse. [Why is everyone calling her out today...]

[counterstep]

people like to look at fighting different cause there's usually someone out there better at it
but it's a functional tool or process like anything else in life

it's taxing though yes
i don't expect most people want others seeing them sweating up a storm
or doing something they think is foolish or embarrassing in front of other people
wouldn't that happen anyway though, if we're all under threat?

[nineteenfortyfive]

I tend to look foolish either being kidnapped or attacked. Suppose I might as well look foolish learning something.

Maybe I'll end up rescuing you one day instead of it being the other way around.

[dealwiththe]

You should do it.

Both of you.

[ But he's not going to address Grace directly, since she doesn't want him to!!!! ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

Is that concern I detect over text?

[dealwiththe]

Yes.

You're the only medical doctor here.

Inmates currently outnumber wardens.

And you can never seem to resist mouthing off to the dangerous ones.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Claire is usually pretty prompt with her text replies, because what else is she doing, so there is a very POINTED silence here before she replies.]

I resist sometimes.

[dealwiththe]

[ He doesn't miss that pause. It's okay, Doctor Claire, he likes the mouthing off! It's not like he wants you to stop. ]

I'm not saying you should resist. I'm saying you should let the man teach you how to dodge a punch, and maybe throw one.

[nineteenfortyfive]

Suppose I can't always call you or James when I need muscle.

[dealwiththe]

I certainly don't mind being at the beck and call of a lady, and I'm sure James feels the same.

But no, we can't always be there.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Another tell-tale pause.]

Fine.

If only to make you feel better.

[The things she does for Satan.]

[dealwiththe]

It will, thank you, Doctor Claire. 😇

[expectaspectre]

isn't it better if they continue to wrongly assume i'm defenseless

like you've just done

[dealwiththe]

I don't think you're defenseless. I don't think Doctor Claire is, either. I just think what James is suggesting is a good idea.

And inmates can continue to think whatever they like. 😉

[expectaspectre]

[ eugh, even his emojis are smarmy. ]

congratulations we agree on something

try not to let it go to your head if that's remotely possible

[dealwiththe]

For someone who likes to claim I'm making so many assumptions about you, you sure are making a lot of them about me.

You've made your opinion of me clear, Miss Gibson. There's no need to keep repeating it.