1st Experiment [Video: Near the Bay]

[crabbygenius]

 I wish I could say this isn't the strangest place I've woken up in, but, that would be a lie. 

[Don't ask. Washu's been through some interesting things lately and this was hardly the worst of them. She might even consider this a little vacation.]

Now, will someone be a dear and help a cute little girl like me try to figure out what's going on? 

Comments

[crabbygenius]

Then you're one smart kid. I'll be there in a few minutes so be ready~.

[True to her word, Little Washu would be waiting at the indicated archway. Though.. was that a floating holo-computer at her fingertips? Just what was the petite girl doing?]

[notquitedracula]

[After having spent some time living in Nova, such an apparatus is not exactly new to him - hard light holography is something of an industry, over there. The complete incomprehensibility of the data on her terminal, however, warrants a bit of a brow quirk.

He arrives on a motorcycle, a sleek racing job that looks like it probably runs on pure alcohol - or maybe jet fuel. The whine of a turbine betrays the fact that it's not exactly a stock bike. He handles it pretty well, coming to a stop nearby and dismounting fluidly enough that it's apparent he's done it a few times.]

'Little' Washu, I presume? I'd use the Japanese honorifics, but they're not exactly a common thing here.

[crabbygenius]

[She glances up from her readings when she hears the roar of the motorcycle and then pauses. Well then, he might want to keep an eye on that bike or she might be trying tot take it apart later. Or 'improve' it...

With a soft tap from her fingertips, the computer disappears as she turns to face him with a smile.]

That's me! Aren't I just the cutest?

[She's joking. Mostly.]

I wouldn't worry too much about honorifics I told you what to use so that should be enough for most people if they decide to get uptight about it for no apparent reason.

Now, I very curious about this castle and the archways so shall we?

[notquitedracula]

[Eh, he's a vampire. He can handle it if she does.]

You are indeed cute. Cutest, I think, might be up for some debate - and my girlfriend would probably defenestrate me if I said otherwise. [Slight hesitation on saying that, there - but only slight. Probably still a little embarrassed with the whole affair.]

Let's. ...Oh. Uh. I hope you know how to ride a motorcycle? Otherwise we're walking, as I keep forgetting there are people out there who don't trust a bike...

[crabbygenius]

Then we better not upset your girlfriend~. But, I am still the cutest and one of the greatest scientific minds of my universe.

[On that she's sure. As for riding a motorcycle, Washu just grins.]

I think I can manage riding a motorcycle.

[notquitedracula]

[He grins back. Finally, someone who understands. He grabs a classic skull bucket helmet out of his coat pocket - no way it could have fit in there - and offers it to her. He's notably not wearing one of his own.]

It's a bit of a ride, but I'm pretty sure I can make it quick and relatively painless.

[Once she's taken the helmet - or refused it - he'll mount and nod back at the pillion seat behind him. It's configured for sidesaddle, but she could probably manage a standard mount if she wants. How he got a pillion pad on a racing bike is a question perhaps best left unasked.]

[crabbygenius]

[She's not going to comment on his lack of a helmet as she situates her hair to put on the one for herself. Once that's done, she looks at the side saddle seat and arches an eyebrow. That's definitely not something you see every day on a motorcycle.

But, who was she to judge? Washu settles herself on the seat neatly and grins.]

Ready whenever you are.

[notquitedracula]

[When your SO is a princess from a world that doesn't have motor vehicles, you make arrangements. Of course, he'd given her an actual horse, so the seat was a bit redundant - but still, he kept it for sentimental reasons.

Everglade isn't known for its traffic, so the ride to the archway is pretty much unimpeded. Surprisingly smooth, too, in spite of roads whose condition could charitably be described as 'rough'. There's clearly something going on with the bike's suspension. When they pass out of town into the wooded areas, it gets even rougher, but they never feel a bump - and if Washu's paying attention, she'll probably notice the tires aren't actually touching the ground. The faint whine of a repulsor unit is almost inaudible under the turbine's much higher scream, and the decorative strakes alongside the front wheel apparently serve double duty as steering vanes.

Finally, they come to a stone archway that's just the slightest bit out of place, out here. A swirling mist hangs inside it, and were it not for the midday sun having burnt off the fog, it might have been passable for a normal phenomenon. Not so much without camouflage.]

We have to leave the bike here. What's on the other side of that gate doesn't agree too well with this kind of technology. I trust the ride was smooth enough for your liking?