Mr Sunshine teaches a person to defend themselves in a very dangerous polity. -- BKF
The hunter surveys what should be his prey. Timid and twitchy. Hunched as if to hide. Keeping close to the walls and the shadows, much like a mouse hoping to remain unobserved and thereby unattacked.
That sort of behaviour drew in predators like honey drew in flies.
Mr. Sunshine could tell that his host, Raf, knew that Sunshine was a dangerous man. It was all in the way Raf froze whenever Sunshine moved. So much like a prey animal hoping it would not get pounced on.
Sunshine had far more interesting targets on his agenda. A far more challenging hunt. The stalking of which took some significant time to arrange. Raf, alas, was an unfortunate distraction from that goal. About the fifth time Raf froze in Mr. Sunshine's distracted gaze, the Pax Infernus agent had had enough.
"No, no, no," he cooed. "You're making yourself a target." He put his research down and moved to stand by Raf, who flinched. "Stand tall. Stand firm. If you duck in anticipation of an attack, you will get attacked. Here. One hand curled as if you're going to make a fist. Back straight. Most of a fight is won with attitude."
"But they'll attack anyway," Raf quavered. "They always attack anyway."
"Of course they will. That's why I'm going to teach you how to back up the attitude with action."
More shaking, but at least Raf was taking the posture advice. "Your assignment..."
"I'm not on a strict time limit. These things never are. You're a fast learner and that is beneficial." Mr. Sunshine began with the basics. Showing Raf how to punch through his targets rather than stopping the blow on contact. The vulnerable points of the human body. Areas to strike that would hurt, impair, and otherwise slow down a foe. And definitely how to make them regret attacking in the first place.
"What if I make them angry?" protested Raf.
Mr. Sunshine sighed. "You're never going to make them happy. Not to the point where they stop hurting you. Placation is invitation. Resistance is offence. Striking back... that is strength. Once they see you as strong? They'll find another victim to torment."
"So... make them attack someone else."
"If you wish it to stop there, yes." Mr. Sunshine went back to sharpening his favourite blades. "You also have the option of finding out who their next victim is and teaching them the same lessons. And my, how they howl when they run out of victims." The blade slid over the whetstone in smooth, easy strokes. "They tantrum better than toddlers, and go away to sulk. Whining about their lives to people who are just like themselves." He admired his work in the light. "What a pitiful show."
Raf shuddered. "Oh, that sent a chill right down my spine. In any other circumstance, they'd call you evil."
"But not for long," Mr. Sunshine agreed. "At least, not for long in my hearing. They're all very lucky that I prefer... civilised methods."
[Photo by Joseph Van on Unsplash]
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