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Diary, 24th August – To shoot, or not to shoot….

It has come to my attention that Babbage is a place where nearly all citizens are armed in some fashion on a day-to-day basis. As a pacifist I find it … unsettling to think of arming myself, but as a woman alone with interests to protect I do believe it is time I consider some form of defense.

But what form should that defense take? In general I detest firearms, though they are perphas the easiest weapons to conceal and operate. The idea of wielding a katana makes me fear for my own limbs. And walking around with a bow slung over my shoulder just will not do – my sense of style recoils at the idea.

So what form of weapon shall I take up? Or shall I continue to rely on my wits to avoid unpleasant people and unpleasant scenes?

((OOC: I’d like to hear about your weapons and why you like them! It is time Grace began training in something at least.))

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16 Comments

  1. Melonie Menges Melonie Menges August 24, 2010

    Miss Toussaint,

     

    I am a recent arrival to this fair city of New Babbage, but I would like to offer you my assistance or at least thoughts in this matter. In my travels throughout this world I have had the pleasure to meet a great number of persons of varying degrees of civility and I, like you have always used my beauty and wit to extracate myself from many a sticky situation, but unlike yourself I do not fancy myself a pacifist as this world does not allow such weakness to walk side by side with evil without suffering the consequences.

    I will give you a list of weapons that I hold in my arsenal, any of which you may decide to use or not.

    1. You number one weapon against a would be assailant is your beauty, wit, and your charm as a person of the fairer sex. Never doubt your ability as a women to render a member of the opposite sex down right dumb. Use this weapon at every opportunity only resorting to the others if you are left no choice but to defend yourself with the utmost violence.

    2. Poison in a liquid form held inside a small capsule best consealed in your garments. Easily administered at a time of your convenience. Please ensure not to use a lethal dose on your intended victim. Use just enough to render your assailant shall we say incapacitated while you make good your escape or call for help.

    3. Small very sharp knife or blade best consealed in the sleeve of your garments or strapped to the inside of your leg. This weapon should only be used if you feel yourself to be in grave danger. Such a weapon administered properly can lay your victim incapacitated at your feet with a few well placed cuts or stabs. Make sure to hit vital but non life threatening areas such as tendens of the legs or the unmentionable nether regions of the male anatomy.

    4. Last but not least a small calibre pistol which is easily concealed in the inside of your sleave, strapped to the inside of your leg (same as the knife) or inside your handbag. I must mention now that the pistol should only be used if you feel you life is in absolute mortal danger and you see know way out of your perdicament. Do not aim to scare your assailant at this point. You must aim for the centre of your assailants chest holding the pistol firmly in your grip, pulling the trigger without flinching. This will avail you of your predicament right smartly.

    I must apologize if this all feels somewhat frightening to you Miss Toussaint, but I have on occasion been called upon to use these methods myself and I find they have worked quite well in my favour. If they had not I would not be writing to you now.

    Yours,

    Melonie Menges

     

    • Verlia Bilavio Verlia Bilavio August 24, 2010

      1. You number one weapon against a would be assailant is your beauty, wit, and your charm as a person of the fairer sex. Never doubt your ability as a women to render a member of the opposite sex down right dumb. Use this weapon at every opportunity only resorting to the others if you are left no choice but to defend yourself with the utmost violence.

      I tend to rely on this above all else and still don’t own a weapon.

      • Aiden Martiel Aiden Martiel August 24, 2010

        Though Ms. Verlia has a somewhat a good point, I wouldn’t rely on that since if the assailiant is a blind assasin or female that care not for your…fairer nature…your elegant demeanor would mean nothing on the end of their knife.

        My two pents…have a good weapon that you are comfortable carrying and that is suitable yet deadly. A weapon that is intimidating to you, doesn’t bode well when it needs to be put into action. Something small and powerful is not hard to find…but like all things, I would shop about and test often.

        Best of luck my dear!

        • Ashe Randt Ashe Randt August 25, 2010

          Mr. Martiel is correct. Someone looking to do you bodily harm is not going to wait to be swayed by womanly wiles. You are just offering that person, man or woman, a stationary target.

          But if you are going to carry a weapon you had best be prepared to use it. I can think of nothing worse than being killed by your own means of defense.

  2. Tepic Harlequin Tepic Harlequin August 24, 2010

    well, Miss, i don’t usually carry any weapon more’n my flute, but when some kind person did leave knives stuck in doors all over the city for any passing urchin to pick up, i did.  most of the time i leave it at home, cus you can hurt yourself easy if you put it in your pocket.

    if i do get in any trouble, there are lots of small stones all over, an you can sling em nice an hard, drives most trouble away.  there are some horseshoes around as well, after Mr Slenderman was giving trouble, and one of them in a handbag can be a real discoragement to trouble….

    Hope that helps :-)

  3. Jimmy Branagh Jimmy Branagh August 24, 2010

    Oy carry a noice Le Mat noine-shot revolver Oy traded some crumpets faw back durin’ Th’ Eliot Affair.  It’s almost as big as me leg but never fails.

    An’ a few other things too.

    Yeh, Oy got one’a them knoives too Tepic!

  4. Mr Underby Mr Underby August 24, 2010

    I always carry knives on my person, and though I am not fond of firearms in general, I keep a rather large gun under the bar in the Bucket.  Just in case.  It came in handy a few weeks back.

  5. Gabriell Anatra Gabriell Anatra August 24, 2010

    Knives and daggers are as easily hidden as a derringer, but require rather more skill to use and one must get in close to do the dirty work. This can be problematic in some cases. Size does matter somewhat, even with knives, and I find bullets to be better for persueding malcontents to back off.

    I recommend a derringer or a small-calibre pistol. There are several available through the usual channels and they are generally small enough to be easily hidden in even a suit. Dresses give one a few more options as anything up to a sawed-off shotgun may be hidden under most skirts.

    I have several dealers who can provide you with a large assortment to choose from should you wish it. Mr. Kiergarten sells pistols and rifles in the canal district as well.

  6. Grendel Footman Grendel Footman August 24, 2010

    Usually I am equipped with my pistol ((have to recheck the creator when I am in world next))

    or my new cane, with it’s concealed blade.

     

    when dealing with threats of a more supernatural nature though, my lightning pack is my weapon of choice

     

    if I’m doing something for the militia, it’s the standard militia issued Kiergarden rifle

  7. Valice Davi Valice Davi August 24, 2010

    I myself don’t go armed around town that often, but when I do I often carry my katana, some soot bombs, and an old single shot pistol just in case. But mostly I just like to use a bokken or Iron rod for self-defence, as a good knock in the kneecap or temple will take care of most people.

    If you don’t want to Carry a weapon, just use whatever is nearby. Don’t be afraid to throw a bottle or swing a plank of wood if you have to.

  8. Doctor Obolensky Doctor Obolensky August 24, 2010

    Armaments are, of course, a matter of personal taste.

    That being said, some are more tasteless than others.   Hauling about a great hand-cannon and waving it about at the drop of a hat is quite impolite, and definitely dangerous to yourself and others.

    Personally, I prefer something more stylish….say, guns that fire mind control rays, or beehives… these are items that distinguish you from the common rabble.   As for shorter range, a sturdy walking stick, sword-cane, pointy umbrella, or electric goon prod are far more fashionable than carrying about knives, cudgels, or other unsubtle implements.

    Some sort of diversionary device is often a good idea, as well.   I tend to carry a supply of smoke bombs in my cape, which has proven useful more than once.   Note that said devices should be small, as to not ruin the lines of your garment.

  9. Sheryl Skytower Sheryl Skytower August 24, 2010

    I haz a potatoe gun and a flamethrower and an electric zapper and a water gun and a music box…

    … all in my throat.

    your mileage may differ.

    *snorgles*

    ;)

  10. Melonie Menges Melonie Menges August 24, 2010

    Miss Questi how could I ever forget the wonderful Ordinal Amethyst Hatpin.  What a wonderful way to take your assailants mind off of his/her task at hand.

    I applaud you.

    Melonie Menges

  11. MichaelD Mannonen MichaelD Mannonen August 25, 2010

    I would recommend consulting Sky Netizen, a woman of formidible abilities and experience in armed conflict. She teaches classes in self defense, especially for women, and I am certain if you tell her of your particular concerns, she can help you develope a plan for defence tailored to your needs.

    Personally, i own a collection of weapons based on Tesla technology, and a shotgun i have modified myself; also a cheese gun, courtesy of Kimika Ying.

    • Sky Netizen Sky Netizen August 25, 2010

      Indeed, I’d be happy to discuss this topic at length with you or anyone else for that matter. Also, all of the opinions and wisdom given here are worth taking to heart!

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