[video]

[littlecousin]

[Nita's at an anonymous cafe console, chin propped on one hand with a cup of something steaming at her elbow.]

Something occurred to me during all that rioting. A lot of us are from civilizations that don't really do sword fighting anymore, right? But that and arrows are pretty much all they've got here. If anyone wants to learn how to use a sword--or a knife or a staff or whatever--I can teach you. I come from a civilization that still does a lot of sword fighting.

[That sounds more dry than boastful. Atlanteans are warlike douchebags who enjoy a bit of stabbing each other over disputes, and that's not Nita's scene. She pauses for a second before giving fair warning:]

But, uh, it's hard to learn? Not like with guns. You're going to have to practice a lot to get tolerable, never mind good. So don't say I didn't warn you.

Comments

[littlecousin]

[Sorry about your life, Clint.]

I could probably get some made in Wood Sector, huh?

[Wood didn't actually occur to her, since they don't have it where she grew up.]

[arches]

Probably. If you want anything in particular though, I could probably help you out.

[littlecousin]

If you wouldn't mind? I don't actually know what I'm looking for. Training swords where I'm from are metal.

[WHAT IF THE WOODEN ONES SHATTER OR HAVE SPLINTERS OR SOMETHING]

[arches]

That's kind of intense.

But it's really not a problem. It depends on who's going to be using them, though. For length and balance. _{( but he's good at things like that. and spends a stupid amount of time fletching arrows, so. )}

[littlecousin]

They're not sharpened or anything. It's just that we don't have trees.

[Nita shrugs, but since Clint never uses anything but audio, he can't tell.]

I dunno, I guess we can just get a few of each basic kind? Short sword, saber, long sword, hand-and-a-half...

[She's ticking them off on her fingers, again unseen by anyone but her.]

[arches]

If you can teach with all those, you must be some kind of expert.

[littlecousin]

Oh sure, I'm a sh'vk tah master. I wouldn't be offering if I didn't think I was qualified! I mean, I wouldn't want to take on an advanced student in anything besides trident or long sword, but I can teach the basics of just about all blade combat.

[This would all be less unbelievable if she didn't sound and act like a chipper 18 year old.]

[arches]

Uh-huh.

Am I allowed to ask where you learned all that, or is it a secret?

[littlecousin]

Lemuria, mostly.

Why would it be a secret?

[arches]

Never heard of it.

And most people don't advertise things like that. Ruins the element of surprise, or something.

[littlecousin]

It's pretty close to Midway?

[lol Marvel geography. Hawaii is literally in the wrong place on the official map.]

Okay, you're totally just saying that because I don't sound like a gruff old guy, right?

[arches]

Hey, the last thing you need to convince me of is that little girls can kick ass.

And even some gruff old men keep stuff like that under wraps.

[littlecousin]

[ONLY NAMOR GETS TO CALL HER "LITTLE" ANYTHING]

Look, buddy, I have not been a "little girl" for a long time.

[arches]

What, you'd prefer to be called an old woman?

[littlecousin]

So not the point, dude.

[arches]

So what is, then? The point?

[littlecousin]

[The point is you suck.]

I don't for one second believe you don't know why a woman might object to being called a little girl.

[arches]

You know if I had a name, this wouldn't be an issue.

[littlecousin]

You first.

[Unless Clint wants to be called "that jerk," in which case Nita will happily oblige.]

[arches]

Fair enough. It's Barton.

[littlecousin]

[Waaaaait. The turtle is lousy with Avengers, so...]

Clint Barton?

[arches]

Uh, yeah. That's right. _{( why is he even surprised by this anymore. )}

[littlecousin]

[She laughs, but it's Nita, so she's not really laughing at him so much as the situation.]

Guess you're not my Hawkeye.

[Not that she and 616 Clint have exchanged more than 10 words ever, but you learn people by reputation and this Clint's given no sign of recognizing her.]

I'm Nita Prentiss.

[arches]

I'm pretty sure I'd know if I was, yeah.

Okay, Nita. That works.

[littlecousin]

[She's suddenly back to being pleasant. Being friends with Cap takes you a long way in Nita's eyes, even if it's not entirely the right Cap.]

Can you teach me archery?

[IT SEEMS COOL.]