entrancelogs | [OPEN] She don't wait to begin, she bets on long shots;

Entry tags:

[OPEN] She don't wait to begin, she bets on long shots;

Who: Jo (Harvelle) Lauchlan & you!
Where: The bar, the shooting range, the training center.
When: 1/17
Rating: PG for now.
Summary: Spring is still a ways off, but Jo has contracted a bad case of cabin fever.
The Story:

[Weeks have now passed, but the events that residents of Wonderland had experienced over the holiday season are still weighing heavily on Jo’s mind. She’s always been one of the most insistent residents when it comes to defending staying in Wonderland as being a valid choice, but Christmas had left her shaken. As much as she wants to stay, she doesn't want her future to look like that-- empty and with no memory of what made her who she was.

She spends the first part of the day in the bar as per usual, heading in early to take care of some so-called housekeeping-- salt beneath the floorboards in front of the doors and windows are a must, and she makes sure that all of the usual supplies are still in place behind the bar itself. Wonderland, after all, is home to all kinds of people, not all of them necessarily human, and while circumstances have forced her to be a little more lenient on who walks through those doors than she would be back home, she doesn't believe in leaving the people who help her run the place unprotected. The bar has seen enough bloodshed over the years, and she refuses to leave any blatant openings for an encore. Holy water, vervain, salt rounds and other various hunter stand-bys are all topped off and put in their place as necessary. Once noon rolls around, she'll be serving people as needed, doing what she can to keep herself busy, but eventually the itch to throw herself into something more involving takes over, and she lets the bar go self-serve for the afternoon, or at least until Simon or Cami make their way there to take over for her.

The first place she heads to is the shooting range. The last time she'd been down here, she'd mostly been spotting for Clint, though she'd gotten in some time with her rifle. Truth be told, she didn't have a whole lot of opportunities to use it these days, although she always made sure it was fully loaded and well-cared for in the even that she did need it. Today, however, she opts for something different-- she shows up with a recurve bow and a quiver full of arrows. It's been a long, long time since she's given archery much thought, but it's a skill she doesn't want to fall out of her repertoire. More than that, with all of this thinking about memories and how they contribute to who a person is, archery reminds her of her dad, and spending countless hours in the field out behind their house, shooting at the straw-stuffed targets he'd put together for her.

She'll stay out and practice until her arms start to grow stiff and the cold starts to feel more miserable than it's worth, at which point she'll head in. The evening will find her in the training center, mostly working over a couple of dummies and one of the hanging bags to keep herself in fighting shape, but she'll be happy to spar with anyone looking for a partner-- just don't expect her to pull punches. In addition, she'll make herself available to anyone she's discussed doing a little hunter training with in the last few weeks, more than happy to put all of her focus into helping someone else rather than dwelling on what's bothering her.]

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[It's pretty early for a guy who's not actually old enough to drink to be in the bar, but hey, Naoki's got no where better to be and today seems like a good day to take up drinking. Not for any particular reason.

The salt at the doorway doesn't seem to have much effect on him as he comes in, though he is a demon. The horn and the glowing markings might give that away. He glances around, and when he spots Jo, heads over to the bar. He's got his hands tucked into the pouch of his hoodie as he takes a place on a stool there.]

Hi.

[Naoki just might be in luck-- drinking age doesn't mean a whole lot in Wonderland, though Jo and Simon both take maturity into account. Nothing's going to stop underage drinkers from grabbing things from the closet if they want them, and Jo would rather they drink where she can keep an eye on them, much like her parents had done with her growing up in the roadhouse.

She looks up from her spot behind the bar when she hears the door open, offering a smile-- and only going very slightly tense at Naoki's appearance. Nothing about him screams 'demon' the way she's used to identifying them, but he's definitely otherworldly, and while a lot of the time that doesn't mean much? Experience has taught her to be warm but wary, just in case.]

Hey. You're a new face around here.

[Even though she's only been here a few days shy of two months, Wanda has started making a bit of an effort to train herself further -- especially since she's without that year of additional training with the Avengers, thanks to being behind in the timeline in comparison to the rest of them.

There had been a time last month when she was with Clint here, and telekinetic archery was definitely A Thing that happened. It's something she's tried on her own a time or two since, and she's here to do it again today. So, whole Jo is getting started on her own work, Wanda is setting up her stuff at another. Which is just a handful of arrows.

She flings (carefully flings) one of them at a target nearby; instead of a bow, visible red wisps are twisting around her hands and the arrow. It doesn't hit the center of the target, but at least it's better than her first couple of tries. That's the idea, though -- practice (eventually) makes perfect. A few more attempts, more or less the same result. She takes a pause for a moment, and in her break, she starts to watch Jo's attempts with a bow. She knows it's harder than it looks, and most of her experience with watching an archer - what little experience she has in this - has been the short time she's been around Clint.

So, when Jo is at a good break point, she speaks (she waits so as to not startle or disrupt her too much), finally: ]

Very impressive. [A simple, but genuine, compliment. Also said with a small smile. See, where Jo might not have given all that much thought to archery in a while, she's still miles ahead of Wanda. ~~So many miles ahead they're probably in different galaxies.~~ Archery (done with a bow, and not sorta cheating like Wanda was doing) still looks impressive to her, okay?]

Yeah, I guess I am. I've been here since...I think it was October when I got here.

[He pulls his hands out and puts an elbow on the bar, propping his chin on his hand.]

I haven't met that many people, though.

[Clementine shows up exactly on time for her training session with Jo. She may know how to fight Walkers, and she's tangled with more than a few humans, but there's way more to fighting and surviving and defending herself than that. Jo seems like she really knows what she's talking about, and also, she's really, really cool.

She walks up to Jo and then waves once she's close enough.]

Hi.

I'm ready.

Now there's somethin' to see.

[Rocket doesn't usually go to the range when he wants to shoot- it lost its appeal after awhile, so he moved on to bigger and better things, like trees and disarming bombs in the hedge maze.

Sometimes, though... sometimes he goes for the simplicity, especially after last event when he had to get used to those stupid six-shooters. after awhile, they were kinda fun. inefficient, but fun. good for a lark anyway. so he's got two of them in hand as he walks in on Jo doing her best Katniss Everdeen impression.]

Seems like a downgrade from that rifle o' yours though.

[The wine Kay's drinking will look unfamiliar. It's sold in Sakia as Estancian wine and the Ancient Library agreed with that. But considering that the Ancient Library lied and that Estancia doesn't actually guess, Kay doesn't know where the wine actually comes from. He does know that this is good quality wine, worth far more money that Kay could have afforded.]

[For such an influential organization, the Ancient Library really is stingy.]

[Drinking is supposed to be a social activity, though, so it isn't long before Kay tries to engage in small talk.]

Hey. Don't think we've met. I'm Kay.

[ Clint's still slightly surprised to see other people at the shooting range. Before he fixed it up it hadn't been too popular but there were some regulars who trickled in. Now it was hard to find it completely empty. Jo however, was a regular and they had struck up a friendship being two of the only people who seemed to use the place regularly. He was surprised to see her with a bow in hand though and not her rifle. ]

Well, well, well look who finally decided to use a weapon that has some class.

[ His grin is teasing as he leans against one of the wooden beams in her lane, watching as she gets ready to shoot. ]

[Spike hasn't been here very long, but he's easily bored enough that he's got cabin fever already. The training center seems like a pretty good place to start, since he probably shouldn't punch Angel in the back of the head for no reason. Yet.

When he shows up, there's a blond beating the hell out of a punching bag and it makes him... well, nostalgic. He knows she's not Buffy, of course. Even if he can't make out her face immediately, he'd know the smell of Buffy anywhere and this isn't it. But he can't help the memories that crop up. Or resist calling out to her when she comes to a break in her routine.]

Fancy hitting something a bit more interesting than a bag, pet?

[ he's a consummate regular to the bar at this point and while he's certainly seen and heard of jo, he's yet to actually meet the young but fierce blonde that has insofar eluded him. (with good reason, as he's heard.) klaus has little (see: no) remorse for his past transgressions and not only because it was not technically him. it was the way he did things and still would, if necessary.

for now however he has no diabolical intentions. he hardly could, barring time and/or blood-letting, if the sweet scent of vervain in the air is any indication.

he's looking for camille, of course, when he enters the bar so early. it's easier to say hello and grab a quick drink in the morning these days; he's avoiding lux and night crowds for a time. clearly this isn't the blonde he's looking for.

klaus slows in his tracks, his brow lifting as he stops. ] Jo, is it?

[From some prodding from Jo's husband and a need to stop feeling sorry for himself, John finally makes his face known at the bar for the first time in a long, long time. He forgot how it helps him, he finds, how the low chatter and movement stimulate his brain and make thins seem a little less awful.

He picks a stool in front of Jo, aiming to surprise her when he turns back around. She'll fine his usual sadly smiling face, a little more bearded that she's probably seen before.] </small Hey kiddo. How you been doing?

A lot's happened since then. I know a lot of people haven't been feeling particularly social.

[October and the months that followed had been peppered with difficult events, along with several people she knew experiencing jarring losses or particularly emotional reunions. She props a hand against her hip, tilting her head to one side.]

I'm Jo. What's your poison?

[Jo lowers her bow once she's loosed her last arrow of the current set, offering Wanda an appreciative smile in reply. She recognizes her, vaguely-- she knows that Wanda belongs to the same crew as Steve and Clint, the latter of whom she's more than passing familiar with by now.]

Thanks. You're Wanda, right? Do you shoot?

[What she'd gotten a glimpse of Wanda doing a few minutes earlier had certainly been impressive in its own right, regardless.]

[Clem's excitement is definitely infectious, and Jo grins from ear to ear as the girl approaches her, waving in reply.]

You sure are. Right on time!

[Gotta love a student who's punctual.]

So, before we figure out where to start, we have to talk about what you already know how to do.

[If it isn't her favorite furry friend. Jo smirks at him in reply, propping a hand against her hip as she lowers her bow, letting it hang at once side.]

Just trying to get back to my roots. Rifle is still a favorite, but there's something nice about the artistry of a bow.

[She nods in his direction.]

Been awhile since I've seen you out here. What're you up to?

Thought I'd change things up a bit.

[She grins back at him, offering a shrug in reply before firing another shot, nearly hitting a bullseye in the process. She lowers her bow afterwards, lifting her chin in his direction.]

I first learned on a bow, you know.

[Jo looks up from where she's been wiping down the back counter of the bar, offering a smile. She's seen him around a few times, making a practice of taking note of new faces in Wonderland, but he's not wrong-- they've never spoken until now.]

Don't think we have. I'm Jo. You've been here a few months, right?

[Jo takes a step back after slamming one last punch into the bag, sending it swinging, extending a hand to stop it from coming too far in her direction. The voice is vaguely familiar-- they've met before, but not since his re-arrival in Wonderland. She raises an eyebrow, curious.]

You sure you know what you're signing up for?

[She's no pushover-- and she knows what he is.]

Most vampires don't want to go up against a hunter.

[Her stomach turns when he says her name, her fight-or-flight instinct threatening to kick itself into overdrive.

He's been back for quite some time. She's known that, just as she's known that actually engaging one another was inevitable, but damn if she hadn't managed to dodge him like a pro so far. She'd always made sure to have something else to do, or slipped out when he made his way in, letting Simon or Cami handle the bar instead, but the length of time that this dance had gone on?

Honestly, it was starting to get ridiculous.

She exhales, bracing one hand against her hip. She's not armed, though she wishes she was. Knowing that a weapon is within reach is calming to a degree-- but more than anything, it's the fact that she trusts Cami that wins out here. Cami wasn't worried about Klaus. Jo shouldn't be, either.]

Klaus.

[Their history, of course, was much more complicated than the two of them, even if he didn't remember. Elijah was a part of it, too, but that was a name she didn't dare say out loud these days for fear of causing Simon to let out a very real growl.]

Figured we'd find ourselves here sooner or later. Was kind of hoping for later.

[He succeeds in surprising her when she does turn around, a damp towel in hand, but it's the pleasant kind of surprise-- she smiles wearily at him, taking note of the fact that he's a bit scruffier than she remembers.]

Keeping busy, or trying to. Good to see you-- I thought maybe you'd given us up for the competition.

[The red tattoos under his eyes certainly make his face memorable.]

Huh. [He mutters under his breath. He knows a guy called Joe - his friend's father - back home. It's a funny coincidence that Kay's found a female Jo here.]

Yep. I think it's been around seven months now. Maybe I'll reach a year.

That long already?

[Wow, she's really behind on her social game.]

Sorry I haven't said anything before now, then. I usually try to get out and meet most of the new arrivals as they come in, but-- it's been a rough year. Haven't been myself for some of it, or at least that's what it feels like.

Eh, it's not really a big deal. I'm not the sorta person to go out of my way to make friends.

You feeling better now?

You think I'd ever ditch you guys for them? Naw. [He waves the very notion away, like it's a particularly obnoxious fly.] You can't get service much better than Harvelle service.

[Plus, you know, he always lives in fear Ellen will somehow show up and kick his ass again. You know.]

I've been spending a lot of time in my rooms. I can get booze up there, but it's just not the same. Turns out I like the people around here, too.

I'm Naoki.

[He leans forward against the bar, peering around.]

And...I don't know! I've never had anything alcoholic. Any suggestions?

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[OPEN] She don't wait to begin, she bets on long shots;

bar c:

c:!!!

@ shooting range

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@ training center /vibrates w/ emotion

shooting range

bar

Shooting Range because of course

training center

the bar, to no one's surprise

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IT'S TIME.

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This is their clubhouse. <3

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