(no subject)

[mcleod1592.livejournal.com]

Date: April 15th, 2003, afternoon
Status: Public
Setting: The grounds
Summary: Duncan is bored


Duncan was feeling restless. He had planned on taking a few days off, just relaxing, doing nothing at all but eat, sleep and have some fun. 

It wasn't working out like that, though.

For one thing, the thought of those winged swordsmen wouldn't leave his head. He had dealt with demons before, so he assumed he shouldn't be too surprised by the idea of angels. Whether or not they were harmless was subject to debate, though.

He had spent part of the day before prowling the town, checking out alternatives to the hotel where he and Joe stayed and found none. He would just have to make do with that somewhat aggressive angel nearby. 

The second problem with doing nothing for more than a day was that he was getting bored. He wanted to work out, but the whole town of Lower Tadfield seemed to have not a single dojo. Well, he'd make do with that, too.

Some parts of the hotel were in sole need of renovation. It might be fun to help with the work there sometime. Right now, he was headed outside. The place where the angels had started their fencing match seemed like a good enough place to go through some martial arts patterns. They worked like meditation for him, clearing his mind and helping him reach decisions and sort his thoughts.

He put his sheathed sword on the ground and carefully covered it with his jacket, before launching himself into a complex unarmed combat pattern.

Comments

[cattygabriel]

"You did get a message from me, Duncan McLeod, but not regarding holiday destinations."

Earl Grey shifted in his arms, and he let the kitten jump out of his arms and proceed to sniff Duncan's feet.

"And he's far from being a bad teacher, too. He's trained almost the entire Heavenly Host, and there's a reason he's the Warrior and their leader. Don't tell him I said so, though," Gabriel grinned. "There's a reason he's a little rough with Aziraphael, which I don't agree with, but he'll train him well."

[mcleod1592.livejournal.com]

"Jus' because he's able to beat some drill into recruits and soldiers doesn't make him a good teacher." Duncan insisted. "Tha' boy is no soldier. Besides, learnin' t' fight with fear in yer heart is a sure way t' get yerself killed."

He bent and scooped up the cat. "No sense of self-preservation at all, this one."

[cattygabriel]

"Boy? Aziraphael?" Gabriel stifled a laugh. "He's much older than he looks, and was once a member of the Host before being demoted for something that had nothing to do with his skill. I think he'll surprise you. And I've trained under Michael for a very long time; I have always considered him a good teacher, even if I don't say so."

He shook his head as Earl Grey allowed Duncan to carry him, mewing inquisitively and reached out to bat the man's nose, claws safely sheathed. "None indeed."

[mcleod1592.livejournal.com]

"Ye've been sayin' nothin' but," Duncan pointed out. He dropped the cat into Gabriel's arms.

"When ye're living# among immortals, ye notice that some that look young are actually quite grown up. Some stay boys forever, in a way," Duncan observed. "I imagine it's not all tha' differnt fer you. An# I tell ye, tha' boy's no soldier at heart."

[cattygabriel]

The grey cat snuggled into Gabriel's arms, giving a small yawn, and he smiled down at it.

"No, it's not all that different," he responded, amused. "We all look young, but we're far older than you can imagine. And even if he isn't a soldier at heart, he has to be able to defend himself, for various reasons." Gabriel would not risk Beelzebub choosing to ignore Adam's rules and coming after Aziraphael when the others were not around. "I do appreciate your concern, though, and I'm sure he will as well."

[mcleod1592.livejournal.com]

"I can imagine a lot," Duncan said. "An' while I certainly agree that anyone should be able to defend himself, there's ways of teaching without humiliatin' the student. Respect is the most important principle in any martial arts, an' it goes both ways."

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel inclined his head. "You have a good point. I suppose I'm just used to Michael; he wouldn't teach Aziraphael if he truly had no respect for him, I think. I'm not too sure about Aziraphael himself, but I can tell you that most, if not all, of our soldiers respect Michael. I do respect your morals, though."

[mcleod1592.livejournal.com]

"I've met generals that had their men's respect, and generals that had their men's fear. That one strikes me as the latter," Duncan announced. "I would like to challenge him to a duel, though."

What he had seen of the other's fencing had been good, even though not adapted to his weaker 'training' opponent at all. it would be a challenge, fighting that one.

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel shrugged. "Perhaps some of our other soldiers may arrive, and then you can judge for yourself. I've always thought of him as the former."

He smiled at that. "I'd like to see that, if he does accept."

[mcleod1592.livejournal.com]

"Well," McLeod said, gathering up his jacket and sword. "What are we waiting for then? D'you have any idea where he's t' be found?"

[cattygabriel]

"Not right now, but it's easy enough for me to find him." Gabriel turned towards the Manor, trying not to wake the snoozing cat. He could sense Michael's Presence nearby, but it would be easier to find him once he was a little closer to his general location.

[mcleod1592.livejournal.com]

"Okay," Duncan said. "Call him. Tell him I'm here, sword an' all."

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel blinked. "Call him? Well, he could probably hear me if I shouted, but it would be disruptive to the others."

[mcleod1592.livejournal.com]

"Oh." Duncan said. "I thought you were going to, y'know," he lifted his hand to his ear to indicate a cell phone.

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel laughed. "Oh, no, I don't own one. I'd have no use for it, I think."

Still smiling, he jerked his head towards the Manor. "Are you coming? Or should I lead him out?"

[mcleod1592.livejournal.com]

"I'm coming", Duncan said, following Gabriel and his cat to the house. "What did you think? And how do you manage to live without a cell phone? Or a mobile one - we're in Britain here after all."

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel paused, looking back at him. "Duncan, you do know who and what I am, don't you? If I need to find someone urgently, I know where they are. And I'm not sure the others I'm in regular contact with know what mobile phones are."

[mcleod1592.livejournal.com]

"What ye are?" Duncan asked. "A guy with wings an' a sword. I'll call ye an angel if ye wish, but I'm unlikely t' drop t' my knees and worship ye. I fought demons an' left Fitz again t' continue t' fight for what's good an' right. I've bloody well earned the right t' look you in the face."

He had given that representation calmly, neutrally, with a very straight face. Now he offered a hint of a smile.

"If ye'll take the advice of one who's gone a few centuries among mortal's, immersed in their lives and tryin' not t' get caught by them: Get yerself a cell phone. These days, people tend t' find a man without a cell somewhat stranger than a man with wings."