Action & Video | Never Stop Trying

[skilledwithwords]

Video

[She flicks on the screen looking a little more shy than usual. She isn't going out of her way to see people as much, sticking to home and work but this is her way of trying.]

So I don't know if this is a good idea or not but I'm planning to have a writers event at my bookshop in Fayren. Where amateur writers can bring their work and talk about it and maybe get them turned into books to sell at my shop.

I want everyone to come, writers and non-writers. Anyone who likes books.

It'll be funded by me so there isn't any need to worry and I'll have light snacks for those who stop by.

[As long as they keep away from the books.]

It'll be in about a month or so. I'd like to know who's interested so I can have a rough head count or if you'd prefer the venue to be somewhere else.

Action

[Levy can be found anywhere that isn't out in the open: inside her home, behind her home, behind any of her bookshops and generally anywhere out of the way of foot traffic. There is a wooden sword held lightly in her hand and a sad expression on her face. She doesn't know what do to exactly but she wants to try. She'd been practicing with Blaze but now she'll have to start over.

Unless she takes David's offer.

She feels like she's stuck. She wants to take his offer but being injured feels easier some how. Levy isn't one who often runs away, not when it really counts, but it's hard to pick up the pieces of her confidence. She swings the sword down and takes the stance that Blaze had shown her before signing and dropping her arm.

Levy's always had a constant battle with her confidence. The only thing she feels confident about is books which is why she's thrown most of her effort into her stores.]

Maybe I should just stick to magic.

[She doesn't have to learn to use the sword but that isn't really the problem she's having.]

Comments

[youfool]

[Video]

Certainly, I'd like to attend. I fit the qualifications perfectly, in fact. [He did like books. Though he is disheartened at what stock she carried in the Everglade branch.]

[Action]

Every so often, Ted spent an hour of morning in Everglade, usually in moderate disguise. Just to help get him used to the city he used to spend so much time in. If only for friendliness' sake, he went round to P&P to checkup on Levy and see how she was progressing, health-wise. Imagine his surprise to find her wielding a practice sword.

"I'm surprised to see you with one of those; then again, you are a bit of a tomboy. What's the occasion?"

[skilledwithwords]

[Video]

[Levy looks relieved.]

I'll count on seeing you. Let me know if you have any friends coming.

[Action]

Levy turned and stared at Ted, the wooden practice sword slipping from her finger tips. She jumped when it clamors to the ground and swiftly turns to pick it up. It's a little awkward with her new depth perception but she managed to grip the sword's handle with relative ease.

"No, I've been practicing but it isn't doing the trick." She hadn't been able to protect herself when the time came.

"I still don't know. I want to be safe." It sounded really lame when she said it like that.

[youfool]

[Video]
[Did he know anyone else that liked books? Strength, Justice, Star, Luke...but everyone's so busy nowadays. He'll ask if she wants.]

Would you like me to invite the ones I know?

[Action]
As always, Ted found a lot funny about this, in differing degrees, chuckling softly. The way he surprised her, the harmlessness of her in contrast with her stated aims. All topped off with something he was certain couldn't be the truth.

"Heh, some advice? A gun would be easier. They're called 'equalizers' for a reason. But if safety's your aim, I'd certainly stay your blade. 'Live by the sword, die by the sword'." He said all this lightly enough, before turning slightly more serious.

"Would you be upset with me, if I said I didn't quite believe you?"

[skilledwithwords]

[Video]

Yes, I'd like that.

[Action]

Levy listened to Ted before shaking her head. "Not upset." She rarely got upset at Ted anymore. Sure he was annoying at times but that was true of everyone. They were friends and it was hard for her to remain mad at her friends.

"Why don't you believe me?"

Her expression was calm and her words curious but soft.

[youfool]

Lucky him, cause he's about to get a lot more annoying.

Ted eyes looked up and to the side. "Not to say you're not telling the truth, but it's not...the fullest truth. It's as though you said 'I want food' or 'I want air to breathe'. Everyone wants those things; there's no need to say it. So then why..." A thoughtful "mmm" came out, trying to figure good phrasing.

"I've got a good head for stories. I haven't forgotten any of the ones you told me about Fairy Tail, you know. There's a lot of words one could use to describe that motley crew. If we ranked them from most to least applicable, I'm sure 'safe' would sit near the bottom.

To put another way, there's another story I like. A group of children are off to visit a king to help them on their quest. None of them have ever seen him before, and all they've heard are legends. They're cold, and tired, and truthfully the adventure they're on isn't the pleasantest. So, they ask their host, one who's telling them another legend, whether the king is safe. 'Safe,' the host replies, 'who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the king, I tell you.'

Is this...making any sense?"

[skilledwithwords]

Levy listened in silence, her dark hazel eyes reflecting her thoughts. "It does but I don't know if it really helps me."

She assumed he had more to say so she waits and listens.

video;

[thorons]

What an excellent idea, Levy. I'm afraid I'm not much of a writer myself, but I'll gladly assist you if you get a lot of entries.

video;

[skilledwithwords]

Thank you, even if it's only a few it'll be good to have some help.

video;

[thorons]

I mostly want to see just what sorts of things people will be writing.

video;

[skilledwithwords]

Me too. I hope people show up.

action;

[deadcenter]

[well- he just keeps running into her, doesn't he?

when senji walked around the corner he noticed her practicing with a wooden sword, and he couldn't help but scoff at what he saw. really? training alone with that old thing? senji shook his head and then walked over to her. he said he would assist her with her eye, and he meant it. this would be a good training exercise for her at least.]

If you wanna learn how to fight, just swinging that ain't gonna cut it. [senji decided to show her his own abilities, and he activated the razor rings on his thumbs. he slid the razors along his forearms, cutting deep into them and suddenly tendrils of blood began to swirl around him.]

Only way to learn is by doing. So, how about you come at me?

action;

[skilledwithwords]

[Levy's head turns towards him and her eyes widen at the stream of blood. She knows it on sight.]

O-okay.

[She doesn't sound so sure but she knows that arguing with Senji doesn't always produce great results. He reminds her a little bit of Gajeel in that regard.

Levy raises her sword and clumsily swings at Senji. It's obvious that her lack of sight in one eye is throwing her off.]

action;

[deadcenter]

[....really?

senji doesn't even get into a proper fighting stance, he just steps forward and instantly forms a long blade at his arm. he slices her sword in half, part of it falling to the ground dramatically as he glared at levy.]

Do you usually fight with a fuckin' stick? You're weak as hell with that thing, even if you had two eyes.

action;

[skilledwithwords]

No, it's just what I had.

[Now she has nothing.]

I thought it'd work well for practice.

action;

[deadcenter]

Wha-?! So you're not used to that style at all? How would that be good for practice....?

[he shakes his head.] Can you fight with anything else at all?

[Action]

[enchantressofore]

Miss Levy?

[ She wheels into the store, a little hesitant as she knows that now, in Fayren, she sticks out like a sore thumb. The automail and her texts are in the bag at the back of her chair, and she pushes herself forward to the counter once she meets the girl's eye. Unfortunately, Adela probably doesn't look anywhere near as energetic or happy as she had been. Not that Levy looks much better. ]

I hope I am not interrupting you.

[Action]

[skilledwithwords]

Huh...

[Levy looks up and then tries to smile. She has good days and bad days so she understands Adela's predicament.]

Of course not. Is that your automail?

[Action]

[enchantressofore]

It is.

[ She wants to be excited, really, and she can even think of how enthusiastic she normally is when she's talking about it. Right now though, she just doesn't have the energy to fake it.

Adela still doesn't waste time though, reaching back to pull out the metal and wired skeleton of what will be her leg. It's a little more complete, though still no where near ready for use. ]

I still have to install all kinds of cords and hydraulics before it will be ready, but it is coming along quite nicely. Some tests have shown that it should power properly once connected, so I only need to worry about doing the rest of the construction correctly.

[Action]

[skilledwithwords]

[Levy looks down at the leg. It's impressive and by looking at it she's able to recognize some of the parts. Not that she's able to build anything like it but she's proud she remembers the parts from the books she's read.]

You don't sound as excited as before.

[Levy offers her a weak smile.]

What is wrong Adela?

[Action]

[enchantressofore]

[ Big sigh. She just slumps a little in the chair, looking down at the leg as it's just easier right now. ]

... Two of my friends met, instantly hated one another, and... I have trouble thinking of much in the ways of how it could have gone worse. It feels like my presence only made things worse at the time as well.

action;

[strawberrypenguin]

[Nagisa had been on his way from one job to the next. But because of that his clothing of choice wasn't exactly what one would imagine. Tugging at the maid skirt, he was planning on going to check on people, not even caring much if he looked dumb. So he headed to the bookshop he was certain Levy was at.

It wasn't long until he caught sight of her.]

Levy-chan~ What are you doing with a wooden sword?

action;

[skilledwithwords]

[Levy turns her head and has to process what she's seeing.]

What are you wearing?

[His outfit is to distracting and she hadn't even realized he asked her a question.]

action;

[strawberrypenguin]

You didn't answer my question.

[He wasn't even hiding it really.]

But I'll be nice and answer by saying this was for work. Now you answer my question.

action;

[skilledwithwords]

I was practicing.

[Or she is trying too. It isn't working well and she doesn't think it's going to work. Losing an eye is to much of a disadvantage after all.]

But why are you wearing that for work? I thought you worked at a candy store.

action;

[strawberrypenguin]

I work two jobs. The other is a theme cafe, so you can figure it out from there.

[he smiled slightly, hands behind his back as he leant over to the side.]

Practicing with a sword, huh? Are you that worried?