tinstar | Text Overflow: It's just a flesh wound

[Malcolm dropped the big axe and held out his hand.]

Let me throw that one. It might give you a better idea, if we throw the same one.

[Once he had the smaller axe, he tested the heft and then stepped in and heaved it overhand. It stuck between the branches.]

[Handing the smaller axe over, Raylan hooked his hand on his hip as he paid more and somehow less attention to Malcolm's form. A.. more specific focus on his form, and the ways and when he let go.

He'd even go and fetch the axe before walking to his spot and hefting the axe again.

He pulled, he flug and his axe stuck this time, though not on mark and not vertical in the wood. Raylan glanced at Malcolm for his opinion.]

[He smiled when it stuck.]

Most people are lucky to stick one on the first dozen throws. But you have some relevant experience. I told you you'd be a natural. [He was pleased.] Throw it again.

[He could take that. After fetching his axe again, Raylan swung it up, stepped forward and got his axe vertical and still a good half foot off center.]

Shit. Your turn. We're taking turns, [It was an Announcement and would broach no argument. He was stubborn and motivated, but the pause and watch was good for him. This wasn't that much different from learning how to swing intelligently. But much like that, he figured his body would Figure It Out.]

[Definitely part of it was about feel. You had to do it until your body felt where the sweet spot was.

Malcolm gamely picked up the big axe again, hefting it up over his shoulder and throwing it. It hit the centre again. He smiled, pleased with the result.]

I do practice this. [There was a reason he was still accurate.] Helps stave off quiet moments. I have a whole set of antique bearded axes that I use.

[The long handled axe throw got more impressive the more he saw it, though that might have been due to his attention on the man throwing it.]

I'll pretend to know what that is. You do this in your apartment?

[Raylan stepped back up, shifting the axe in his grip again before lining himself up and throwing it again with his strong step forward, accidently knocking hit hat off in the process, but he got it mostly vertical and closer than before, but he was still a long way away from 'good'.]

[It was very good for a beginner. But he had the arms for it. Oh. He was still looking at them. He looked at the axe.]

A bearded axe is an axe where the bottom of the blade is extended. They were popular with Vikings. [He glanced over with a grin.] You know the wall where my TV comes down from the ceiling? Above the fireplace? I have a wood target board I can mount there. Because my loft is really long, I can stand as far back as I want.

[Leaning down to pick up his hat, Raylan slipped it back on his head and walked over to gather his axe.]

You stand this far back? [he asked with a gesture at the spot they'd been standing.]

Or further?

This is about standard for competition, but sometimes I stand further back. You have to throw harder. Helps deal with frustrations. Like if I don't have a case and I did something stupid like visit my father.

[Malcolm held up the larger axe.] Want to try this one?

[Raylan bounced his eyebrows with a look that suggested he agreed seeing Martin was generally a stupid idea, even if he did understand why Malcolm was compelled to go. Ambling up towards Malcolm, he held out his axe in trade.]

What's competition gauged on? Form and not stepping over the line?

You might have to take a few steps back in your next throw - You're too good to be this close. [As Malcolm answers, Raylan will step back into his place, trying to get feel for the different point of weight.]

If you step over the line before your axe finishes traveling, you get no points. But mainly scoring is based where in the target you hit. It's got concentric rings like darts or archery and you have to try to hit as close to centre as possible. [He gestured towards the tree.] You would have gotten points on your last two throws.

Huh. I'll take it..

[For some reason, the heft of the long handled axe felt better being hoisted by two hands and Raylan did so, chucking it fairly well and landing a decent hit.]

This is.. just as fun as Baseball. I'm a little surprised. How many years have you been doing this?

That was a good throw! [Exclaimed with a grin.]

I was about sixteen when I stumbled on it in a magazine. But I didn't really compete until I was in my twenties. [He looked at Raylan sidelong.] I played baseball a couple times at school and once in the FBI in a rec league game against the ATF. Picked last every time. I only played on the FBI team that time because one of their players was sick and if they didn't have enough people they had to forfeit. Played left outfield. Never got to bat. Tell me it's more fun than that for you. [Otherwise, it's not a ringing endorsement of axe throwing.]

[He almost dared to look proud as he rolled his shoulder, ambling over to collect the axe and return to Malcolm's side, making a face at the story being retold.]

Batting is the most fun of it all. I'm gonna have to take you to the batting cage. Swinging and hitting balls coming forty plus miles an hour at you isn't not fun. Helps vent some of that steam too. The positions are fun, if the game is gettin' played well.

Edited 2020-05-06 14:54 (UTC)

I batted once at school, but the kid pitching threw the ball at my head on purpose and then I had to sit out the rest of the game with ice on my face. [He looked at Raylan.] I know you're getting the impression that I was really popular at school and you're right. Does a machine throw the balls in a batting cage?

[He backed up several feet, then turned and threw the smaller axe hard at the tree. It landed in the centre with a 'thwump'. He walked over to get it.]

[Raylan's jaw said all he needed to say about that, but still, he added:] Assholes.

[But all high schoolers were.]

Yup. You set it and it goes. A ball every 10 or so seconds. If you get hit in the head there, you did it to yourself.. Even though we are supposed to wear gear in there.. [Raylan was not the type to wear it.

He spun the axe in his hand again as he moved to the throwing spot, waiting for Malcolm to get clear before he tried again, this time a little more confident in a one handed throw, though the throw itself would argue the point. Raylan tsked softly as he went to collect it.]

I'm going to end up practicing this when I'm alone out here now. Thanks for that. [It was a little dry, but his lips curled in a smile.] Like I didn't have enough on my eventual to do list.

[Malcolm grinned.] This is more fun than painting siding, though. [And maybe it was something to remember him by when he was back in New York, throwing axes at his own wall, trying to make himself not text Raylan at three in the morning.] And you'll have a terrifying new way to startle intruders. [He moved back a few feet more and threw his axe again. It hit a little low this time. He shook his head.] Didn't give it enough of what my coach referred to as 'oomph'.

Nah, the tree moved, I saw it. [Raylan grinned back.]

I suppose it is. [It totally was - House cleaning and painting were boring, responsible tasks.] It'll be a nice change of pace to make a guy shit himself via axe and not gun. Don't think I'll be replacing my service weapon though.

[There was no way to miss the slight dampening color on Raylan's shirt as he started to sweat under the exertion and effort but he liked it. He stepped up again, swung again, and hit again, same as before which was progress, in his opinion.]

Little sad I didn't think to grab a beer or something before heading out here. We'll have to go back soon and hydrate. The sun out here does weird things to a body.

[Malcolm's shirt was also suffering the consequences of heat and sun, but he'd done worse to full expensive suits than sweat through them and this was just the shirt.

But it wasn't what the sun was doing to his body that was distracting him.]

Mm. How about one more throw each? I'll try to put enough 'oomph' on it from back here.

[He raised the axe and gave it a good, hard heave. It hit that time.]

Yeah, that's what I call 'quitting while you're ahead'. [Joking as he retrieved it.] Do you want the small one or the big one for your last throw?

[ Raylan nodded to the suggestion and stood back, watching the way Malcolm's suit shirt clung to him and noting the lack of undershirt underneath - the kind of thing you might wear into a lawyers office but not out here.

He had to admit it; he liked watching Malcolm work, as strange as it was for the everything that Malcolm wrapped himself up in.]

I'll take the big one. Might as well see how hard I can throw it - maybe it'll help.

[Taking off his hat, he tossed at Malcolm with a 'Catch' in warning as he steps up to the 'plate', feeling more and more like he's pitching again. Maybe that'd help too. The axe head was brought up over and past his head with both hands and Raylan took a breath that was caught halfway out as he stepped and snapped his arms forwards. The axe landed in the crotch of the tree, however crooked, and Raylan let out a little 'Yes' of self affirmation.]

Quit while we're ahead, right? Before my arms figure out what we've just done with 'em.

[Malcolm caught the hat and put it on his head as he watched the throw, grinning widely at Raylan's success.]

Your arms.... will probably be okay. [He was looking at Raylan's shoulders again. It was their fault for being shiny and capable-looking. He lifted his gaze to Raylan's face.] A break well earned. [He took off the hat and handed it back to its owner.] Maybe I'll have a beer with you.

[Once the axe was collected and Raylan had his hat back on, he lifted his eyebrows in surprise.] Its the throwing things, isn't it?

[Smirking, Raylan headed them back towards the house, axe propped over his shoulder.]

If I wake up tomorrow and am sore, I'm blamin' you... And then getting you back when we hit the cages.

[He laughed.] No, it just seems like a nice afternoon break. Though, in the interest of full disclosure, it will take me three hours to drink it.

[He looked over eagerly when Raylan mentioned the cages.] Do they have some around here? [Then he remembered where they were and who shouldn't be seen around (him) and amended that.] Or... better yet: somewhere we have to drive a long way to.

Taste goes down, warmer it gets, [he warned, lips curling again at the laugh and the eager look at greeted him.]

There's some decent ones in Lexington. We can go back a day early, hang out in the motel and wear out your shoulders before we send you home. [Frankly, Raylan was looking to get Malcolm out of Harlan as soon as he could, without panic, but it wasn't urgent enough to spirit him away this minute.]

If you can stand to be out here for another two nights.

[Oh right. Going home. But that was a good plan and he nodded.

Until 'If you can stand to be out here another two nights.' He huffed a self-conscious laugh.] I'll try to persevere. [It was clearly no hardship. He looked over at Raylan.] I'm having a great time. [Completely sincerely. There was obviously one notable exception, but Raylan was aware of it, so he was fine with letting it be. Raylan still wanted to spend time with him. He found Raylan's presence comforting and warm. He'd have still been having a good time if all they did was sit and talk. All this? More than he expected when he got on that plane.]

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