sometimes, it's hard to see what's right in front of our eyes

[justsookie]

With the gun laying right out in the open for all to see, Sookie Stackhouse was almost surprised that no one had taken it into their possession earlier. Wrapped in a length of pale lavender ribbon, it was a lighter model than the one that had graced the Stackhouse parlor, easily balanced in Sookie's arms as she picked it up from where it leaned against the side of her hut, several boxes of rounds resting by its base. The amount of detail on its side made it almost a piece of art, however morbid Sookie felt at the thought. She hadn't held a shotgun in her hands since the day Rene attacked— Sam had been the one to replace the shotgun she'd abandoned in her desperation to escape. It felt so long ago, now.

"Well," she breathed, practically speaking at the weapon as she leaned down to pull it away from where it rested, feeling the weight with a toss or two. "I may not be a member of the NRA, but with all the stuff that happens 'round here, it'd be ungrateful if I didn't take you in, wouldn't it?" Her brow furrowed as an eggshell-colored tag revealed itself, her name written in fine gold script. Ripping both it and the ribbon off, Sookie checked the barrel of the gun, leaning her back against the wall of her hut as she cracked open a box of ammo and loaded it in record time.

Her lips curved into a wry grin, mirthless, if firm. "Still got it."


[ This post is dated January 23rd, but will be linked to the main comm in February. ST/LT welcome, no limit on tags, open to all. ]

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[hereandnow]

Wolf doesn't really like guns, even though he knows there are lots of people on the island who have them and use them. Jack was a coppiceman back home, he used a gun and he never hurt no one who didn't deserve it, Wolf is sure of this. But he still doesn't really like guns. They remind him of all the bad things Morgan of Orris was going to do.

And they remind him of how he died.

But he smiles anyway when he sees Sookie, because he knows, no matter how much he doesn't like guns, she would never hurt him with one. She's nothing like Morgan, nothing like those bad boys in the Sunlight Home and Wolf knows he doesn't have a thing to worry about.

"Whatcha doing?" he asks when he approaches Sookie's hut, his hands pushed into his pockets.

[justsookie]

While she sees the movement from a distance, it isn't until Wolf's familiar voice calls out that Sookie finally looks up, breaking into a smile. Quickly, she pulls the rounds out of the shotgun, disarms it as fully as she can without dissembling the whole thing, and rests it by the side of the hut. "Hey, Wolf," she greets once done, holding her arms out for a hug. Although her life feels like it's sliding back to normal as of late, it still isn't often these days that she feels genuinely happy. Wolf, somehow, always manages to change that.

"How's my favorite wolf in the whole entire world?" she asks, pressing a kiss to his cheek and pulling back just enough to rest her hands neatly on his shoulders, getting a good look at him. "Don't mind me, I was only taking a look at the present that the island decided to leave with me. But what're you doin' out here, huh? Did you come out to visit little old me?"

[hereandnow]

"Hey, Wolf got a present, too!" he says excitedly, hugging Sookie in return and being careful not to squish her too hard. Sometimes he knows he gets too excited and hugs people too much and it can hurt them, so he's careful. Always very, very careful. Especially now, on the island, when not everyone is a Wolf.

"And, yeah, came to visit you, right here and now!" he adds. He wants to show her his present and he wants to tell her all about Jack coming, but he knows that it's rude just to visit someone and talk about yourself. So instead he grins and asks, "How come you got a big gun for a present? Do you like shooting?"

[justsookie]

She hugs tighter when the strength of his own hug seems to waver, like he can't decide exactly how strongly to hold her, or whether or not to lift her off her feet. And while Sookie appreciates that he's making that effort for her, there's a part of her that also wants him to know that he doesn't have to tiptoe around her or treat her like she's some type of delicate vase that might crumble if held too tight. Sookie knows she's hardier than that, and probably more than she looks on the whole.

"Well, you'll just have to tell me all about your present," Sookie grins, hands lingering by his cheeks when she pulls back to get a better look at him. "Anyway, I think the big gun just came over to me because I like... feeling safe, I guess. I don't really care to shoot for fun or anything like that, but as you can see, I'm not exactly the tallest or strongest girl around. Sometimes it's just nice to have something to lean on in an emergency."

[hereandnow]

"Wolf would protect you," he says, a frown crossing his features briefly as he wonders if there's any reason for Sookie not to feel safe. It isn't often that he feels this way on the island -- strong and capable and like a Wolf again -- but when Sookie says that, he feels it. Just like before, just like with Jack.

Which is what reminds him of the important news he has to tell Sookie. "Jack's here!" he says, his hands still on her shoulders. "Jack came and he's a big person now, not little like he used to be, but he's here!" This is important to Wolf. It's more than just getting his friend back, which is a big part of why he's excited, but it also means that Jack lived. Jack saved his mother and he saved the Queen and Wolf knows his quest is over. He doesn't have to worry anymore.

[justsookie]

"Oh, I know, honey," Sookie replies quickly, feeling her chest practically burst from his words, and from the earnest tone that they take. She's had promises of protection before, and this isn't the first time by a long shot, but whereas most other men would have Sookie all up in knots from wanting to prove herself, Wolf only says it as a matter of course. No suggestion that she couldn't handle herself, just a promise to add in his own hand to keep her all the safer. "I know. And I'm just the luckiest girl in the world to be protected by someone like you. But sometimes it just makes me feel better to think that I can do it myself, too, if I have to."

Fortunately, the explanation isn't one that she has to linger on for long before Wolf opens up about Jack being on the island, Sookie's eyes widening in happiness for her friend. "Jack's here? Your Jack? Oh my God, Wolf, that's— that's wonderful. I'm so happy for you!" She wraps her arms around him, quick as can be, giving him a tight squeeze.

[hereandnow]

"He's not so small anymore," Wolf says, hugging Sookie in return, his face hurting a little from how wide he's smiling. "Wolf can't carry him horseyback like I used to. He's almost as tall as me now, it's really strange." But he likes it, too. And he knew, in just a second, that Jack's the same as he's always been. People change, Wolf knows that happens, but he's still Jack.

"He's moving in close to me and... he's here and he's alive," he says. It's the first time he's said to anyone, even indirectly, that he was afraid Jack might not make it. That the quest they were on might have been too much for someone so small, especially without someone like Wolf to look after him. But he should have known. He should have always known that Jack would make it and that he'd go on and become a coppiceman and save lives. That's what Jack has always been meant to do.

[knowthyexits]

Sarah's seen shotguns. She has one under her bed in her hut, but this is something far more elaborate than she's used to seeing. Sarah's glad for the return of the weather and with it, her normal clothes. She's been out walking to try and keep her body active and she stands back to watch Sookie load up the gun. "Not bad," she appraises.

Maybe it's not the most impressive thing she's seen, but she's been around too many machines programmed to do this. It makes a girl biased.

[justsookie]

With a lock of hair falling in front of her face, Sookie catches nothing but the sun when she first glances up, quickly shifting the shotgun to a single hand as she brushes her hair out of the way and behind an ear, grinning when she's able to see who it is coming her way. "Thanks," she replies with a shake of her head and a shrug, feeling almost sheepish for the way it actually does please her to have her way around a gun acknowledged.

Not because she likes them, but because it helps her break away from the image everyone knows her for. Just some blonde, dark-eyed floozy.

"I'm a bit outta practice, but I always made sure to know how to use one of these," she remarked, sliding the rounds out and slipping them back into the box of ammunition. "For self-defense. Especially when it just became us girls at home."

[knowthyexits]

"When did that happen?" Sarah knows that she ought to pay more attention to the goings-on of the island. She's become lax lately, but she supposes that it's a bit of a reward for her. She doesn't always have to be the vigilant one. Sometimes, she just gets to be herself.

[justsookie]

"When did what happen? My being able to use a gun? Sarah, I've been able to point and shoot ever since... well, ever since high school, actually," Sookie considers, brow furrowing at how long ago it feels now, just a distant memory ever eroded away by the serenity of the island. "Jason moved outta the house and into our parents' place once he turned eighteen and could legally take care of things himself, but we went shooting now and again when I was still a high schooler. It's just one of those things you learn if you want to make absolute sure that you can defend yourself. There was a whole lot of other stuff too, like thrown chains— I'm not the best fighter in the world, but I can handle myself better than a lot of people think."

[knowthyexits]

Sarah can't help but smile at the misunderstanding. She's glad to hear about Sookie's abilities, honestly, because it makes her feel reassured that she can take care of herself. "No, the moving into a place just you girls," she clarifies. "Though, now I'm going to definitely keep you in mind next time I get attacked, especially if there's a set of chains nearby."

[justsookie]

"Oh, like I said, that happened when Jason was old enough to take up my parents' house all on his own. And here, I've been living on my own since... since pretty much around when Walt disappeared," Sookie muses to herself, shaking her head at how long ago it feels. "Mitchell used to stay over all the time, obviously, because some things are... easier without roommates around. But he doesn't stay over quite as much these days." Her eyes skirt over, and Sookie tries hard to calm the beating of her heart, and to keep a blush from rising to her cheeks. If anything, she's sure that Sarah probably doesn't approve of the two of them getting back together. Some part of Sookie can hardly believe it, herself.

But it feels right, and more so the longer they're together.

[little_moons]

"Well damn, Sook," I say, leaning against a tree nearby and watching her load the shotgun with a practiced hand.

"That's a pretty impressive looking piece."

It's not at all like the ones locked up tight at the Tree. The mean looking automatic that was Mike's, and Tom's efficient glock. This one, there's something... almost feminine about.

[justsookie]

"And for a second, I thought you were gonna say that my skills with the gun were impressive," I call out, nose wrinkled in dismay, kinda. Ever so slight. Really, more playful than anything else. "'Cause complimenting the gun might mean twice as much if I actually, y'know, chose this for myself. Which I didn't."

I nod on over at the ribbon that's by my hut.

"Just arrived this morning. I'd thought about borrowing a pistol or something from the Council a few times when things got rough around here, but I guess the island got tired of waiting for me to act on that."

[little_moons]

"I'm not surprised or anything," I admit with a shrug. She knows how to handle herself, and if nothing else, she's not the type to get all weird and helpless whenever there's a gun around.

"Anyway, you just loaded the damn thing. I haven't seen you shoot, yet."

[justsookie]

"Well, now I'm trying to figure out if I should take that as a challenge," I consider, even as unload the rounds and toss them back over at the box, setting the safety on the shotgun and simply tossing it from hand to hand to grow accustomed to its weight. "I did go shooting once with Aidan, when I was off-my-head drunk, and I'm pretty sure he encouraged me to have a little more at times."

I wave my hand, not sure how much of that night I really want to remember.

"Anyway, point being that I am totally capable of shooting, Mr. McCormick, if I've got a good reason."

[little_moons]

That story's got more to it, but instead of asking outright, I just arch a brow at her, leaving it open for her to say more, or leave it be.

From that look on her face, I'm pretty sure she wants the latter.

"That's great, Sook, but I'm kinda hopin' you don't ever have one." Still, I guess it's good to know she's prepared.

[justsookie]

"It was when Mitchell and I were still broken up and there was radio silence between the two of us. So sue me for being miserable and, apparently, open to the idea of shooting targets," I shake my head, trying to wave the memory off. It probably makes me sound like I'm violent as all get, and maybe I am, but really, I'd just wanted to blow off steam. And, in my defense, it hadn't been my idea.

"Anyway, I... I know," I sigh, glancing at the shotgun. "Believe me, I know that I'd rather never have to use that thing either, but. You know, I have had so many things happen to me, mostly back home, which would have been easier to deal with had I a loaded gun. So, who knows if I'll ever need to use it here, but having one makes me feel safer. I guess that makes me a stereotype."

[oscaroscaroscar]

"Are you sure you should be playing around with that thing out in the open like that?" Felix asked, rushing over and casting conspiratorial glances over his shoulder, as if Sookie's actions were in crucial danger of being scrutinized and judged by anyone other than himself. She obviously knew how to handle the thing -- which was a whole different matter, worthy of its own proper reaction once his more immediate concerns were dealt with -- so he wasn't too worried for her sake, but it still seemed rather excessive. "Think of the children!"

[justsookie]

Sookie held up her index finger for Felix as her lips curved into a grin, quickly unloading the gun and securing the safety before glancing up at him, just managing to hide a laugh. "Okay, Felix, next time you see a girl loadin' a shotgun, I want you to remember that rushing over and suddenly calling out to her might not be the best idea," she pointed out. "I mean, fortunately for you, I'm not very jumpy and I've been around guns for a long time, but it could get ugly real fast."

Shrugging, she allowed the shotgun to rest against the side of her hut, crossing her arms over her chest and tilting her head. Maybe it was just her background, living in a town that didn't think too much of guns being kept where they could be seen, but she didn't see what all the ruckus was about.

"Anyway, I don't think there's anything wrong with me loading a gun out in the open, under the sun so that I can properly see, and if any kids wander by, I'll just take it inside real fast. I agree that kids probably shouldn't be too close to them, but I don't hear any kids nearby."

[oscaroscaroscar]

"Haven't you ever heard of lamps?" Felix sputtered, but it was mostly because he had difficulties stopping these things once he'd gotten going. She seemed to be agreeing with him, though, which placated him enough for the time being for him to drop the matter, or at least tone down the haranguing somewhat. Happily, this left him the chance to be suitably impressed over her handling of the gun itself, if not the locale for it. "I guess it's never too early to witness proper safety, especially in a place where anarchy too often reigns. Just where did a girl like you learn to do all that, anyway?"

[justsookie]

"And I've also heard of blown light bulbs, which become much more likely when you use your lamp so often," Sookie pointed out in turn, eyes widening as she pursed her lips for emphasis. "Look, I know, relative safety and privacy of the house whenever possible. Granted. But I really won't think people will be too overly scandalized if I just put this away when asked. And assuming that's what you've done, look." With a tolerant smile, Sookie quickly stepped up the short staircase that led to her front door, opening it and sliding the box and other materials inside. Once finished, she turned on her heel with a flourish. "See?"

Stepping back down to Felix's side again, Sookie tucked an errant tuft of hair behind her ear. "As for where I learned it all, it was... kind of a thing that a lot of people in my area learned, I don't know. Just kind of standard knowledge, no matter your age or gender. People felt safer when they knew how to protect themselves that way."

[oscaroscaroscar]

"Ah, the down-to-earth, rough-and-tumble, homey wisdom of the south, I should have guessed as much," Felix said, nodding approvingly. "Although I have to point out that you should never assume."

[justsookie]

"You're right," Sookie grinned, shaking her head. People made assumptions about Southerners all the time, which was just part and parcel of living in any well-known region, Sookie thought. God only knew that she assumed enough about people living in New York, or overseas, even if some of the stereotypes there were nothing but positive. And she'd learned to grow used to all the assumptions that people made, but there was no doubt that it still bothered her when people said things based on her accent, or her hair, or her job, even. "You shouldn't assume. But guessing's fine, I think. Just always be prepared to find out that you're wrong, that's all."