[ He's smiling now. He could have taught her with his old CDC sword. In fact, he probably will teach her with that, but that's not what he wants her to use. Ordinary steal is nothing compared to what the Materialki can create. He wants her using Grisha steel.
He wants her using the best. ]
I want you to learn how to swordfight.
I already know you're going to tell me it's useless when you have a gun. It's not; I've never found that. Guns aren't ideal weapons for every fight. It helps to be versatile, and I want you to have the option.
Not to mention that I think you'll need it, for Valentine. You said you'd need hand to hand for that.
Actually --. [ She wraps her hand around the handle without speaking any further, silent for a few seconds as she tries to sort out her words. The sword feels nothing like the gun and she knows that it sounds stupid when she thinks about it that way. But the way it makes her feel is different. When she grips it, it feels natural.
She doesn't tell him about the one hidden in her locker now. The one with stars along the blade and the sharp edges that belong to the Morgenstern family. She doesn't want to explain how it called to her in the shop she stole it from and how upon realising whose it was, she felt sick. Because she never wants to think of herself as his, as a Morgenstern. So instead she focuses on this blade and on how Sturmhond's been so good to her and here he is giving her another opportunity to better herself. ]
It feels right.
[ She looks up at him, a hesitant smile on her face as she does so. ] Valentine prefers them.
[ An inhale. ] When I kill him, it should be with a sword. [ Because she will. She wants to. He has done nothing but hurt everyone she loves and while she doesn't want to be a murderer, Valentine is less than a person. He is the figure that took her mother and poisoned babies in the womb. He's evil. ]
[ Sturmhond nods, thoughtful. The truth is, he can appreciate an enemy who prefers a sword. There's something more real about it, more visceral. Guns bring with them a certain detachment, and from one point of view, that's a good thing. Death is never easy.
But he doesn't believe that death should be easy. Someone who kills ought to take responsibility for what they do, and when the sword is in your hand and you feel the weight of it as it enters another person, it forces you to do that. It holds you to account. ]
Well then. That's the answer.
I'm an excellent shot, Clary, but I'm better with a sword. It's always what I preferred. Let me teach you, and I'll make you lethal.
Of course I will. [ She lets her fingers brush against the steel of the sword, her attention on it and it alone. It feels good to have something like that in her hands.
But then she looks at him. ] I didn't get you anything. I mean you can have my super epic whip if you want? You'd look like a total scene kid wielding it though.
[ Sure. She's a particularly kinky virgin ... Not really. ]
No. I just grabbed what I recognised basically. A whip, some sword things, a box of throwing stars. [ She shrugs. ] I also managed to get the Grey Book. You know the ones with all the runes? I'm thinking I might be able to amp up the power of everything I've gotten. I know we're not fighting demons, but surely adding strength to anything is worth it.
[ Sturmhond’s already nodding. He lifts his shoulder in a
shrug. ]
Anything that gives you an advantage is worth having. Your runes will
certainly do that, and you said you hadn’t learned all there is to know
about them.
I just hope I don't accidentally set anything on fire. [ She pulls a face, a frown crossing her features. ] Normally there's a tutor that's supposed to check you don't get anything wrong. If I use the Grey Book I'm learning something I don't actually understand.
[ A pause. ] Maybe we should buy a fire extinguisher from the shopping channel. You can set me out if I burst into flames.
[ Sturmhond nods, looking thoughtful and serious. ]
Possibly. Or, to save on delivery, I could dump you into the nearest snowbank. I’m here to help, Clary, don’t worry. I’ll not let you burn your own hair off.
Now. [ He stands up, touching his hand to her shoulder. ] I'm going to have to excuse myself, at some point. I have some other souvenirs to deliver, and I'm going to get an earful from Alina if I'm not quick about telling her I'm back.
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He wants her using the best. ]
I want you to learn how to swordfight.
I already know you're going to tell me it's useless when you have a gun. It's not; I've never found that. Guns aren't ideal weapons for every fight. It helps to be versatile, and I want you to have the option.
Not to mention that I think you'll need it, for Valentine. You said you'd need hand to hand for that.
no subject
She doesn't tell him about the one hidden in her locker now. The one with stars along the blade and the sharp edges that belong to the Morgenstern family. She doesn't want to explain how it called to her in the shop she stole it from and how upon realising whose it was, she felt sick. Because she never wants to think of herself as his, as a Morgenstern. So instead she focuses on this blade and on how Sturmhond's been so good to her and here he is giving her another opportunity to better herself. ]
It feels right.
[ She looks up at him, a hesitant smile on her face as she does so. ] Valentine prefers them.
[ An inhale. ] When I kill him, it should be with a sword. [ Because she will. She wants to. He has done nothing but hurt everyone she loves and while she doesn't want to be a murderer, Valentine is less than a person. He is the figure that took her mother and poisoned babies in the womb. He's evil. ]
no subject
But he doesn't believe that death should be easy. Someone who kills ought to take responsibility for what they do, and when the sword is in your hand and you feel the weight of it as it enters another person, it forces you to do that. It holds you to account. ]
Well then. That's the answer.
I'm an excellent shot, Clary, but I'm better with a sword. It's always what I preferred. Let me teach you, and I'll make you lethal.
Particularly if you use Grisha steel.
Will you keep it?
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But then she looks at him. ] I didn't get you anything. I mean you can have my super epic whip if you want? You'd look like a total scene kid wielding it though.
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[ And then he pauses, looking at her strangely. That reference, of course, is over his head. He arches a brow. ]
What whip? There's really no need for me to know about your bedroom habits. There's such a thing as too much information, you know.
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It's made of electrum. Demons hate the stuff. Though I guess people who aren't demons wouldn't like being strangled with it either.
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Interesting little tool.
Have you used it before? I didn't think you were the strangling type, somehow.
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No. I just grabbed what I recognised basically. A whip, some sword things, a box of throwing stars. [ She shrugs. ] I also managed to get the Grey Book. You know the ones with all the runes? I'm thinking I might be able to amp up the power of everything I've gotten. I know we're not fighting demons, but surely adding strength to anything is worth it.
no subject
[ Sturmhond’s already nodding. He lifts his shoulder in a shrug. ]
Anything that gives you an advantage is worth having. Your runes will certainly do that, and you said you hadn’t learned all there is to know about them.
You’ll never have a better time to start.
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[ A pause. ] Maybe we should buy a fire extinguisher from the shopping channel. You can set me out if I burst into flames.
no subject
Possibly. Or, to save on delivery, I could dump you into the nearest snowbank. I’m here to help, Clary, don’t worry. I’ll not let you burn your own hair off.
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I hate you.
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[ He's smiling back, though. ]
Now. [ He stands up, touching his hand to her shoulder. ] I'm going to have to excuse myself, at some point. I have some other souvenirs to deliver, and I'm going to get an earful from Alina if I'm not quick about telling her I'm back.
#
[ She grins at him, prodding him in the side before making her way to his rover door. ] God, you're the worst guy. I'll see you later.
no subject
[ He smiles at her, while moving towards Alina's dresses. ]
I'll see you soon, Clary.