Somewhere on the mainland, Sunday afternoon

[sharp_as_knives]

One of the best things about having a multiplicity of worlds to choose from was that you could find nearly anything if you were willing to look long enough. In this case, a hang-gliding school that ran through the entire course in one long day.

It had more to do with the fact Hannibal was a fast learner than that he didn't want to wear jeans any more than he had to, honestly.



[For the one mentioned! NFB for distance.]

Comments

[furnaceface]

//So... don't show me prices,// Jono replied. //It'd be easier if I didn't look at prices anyway. And not all shopping has to be out there in person, does it? Most of the reason I hate shopping is because I can feel people staring at me when I do.//

... Admittedly, not all. But yes, most.

//That said, part of the wedding planning involves music too, doesn't it?//

Jono was still Jono. The sky was still blue. Water? Still wet.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal chuckled. Music, yes. And we can do some of the planning online, although most of it will require shopping. We can go to the library's world, if it's easier. And Emma's. And the more money we're prepared to spend, the smaller and more exclusive the shops will be, and the smaller the crowds.

Consider it a trade-off, Jono.

[furnaceface]

That was a trade-off that made Jono's brain twitch, Hannibal.

//Now I'm just going to assume that any time we walk into a shop that's quiet for any reason, we're going to be walking in to spend an obscene amount of money,// Jono noted, though he was still amused as he did so. //But the library's world is a good start, at least for days I'm not feeling up to putting in extra effort to make people not freak out. Emma's world isn't much different from my own, though. Little earlier, is all.//

[sharp_as_knives]

No, but Emma might be willing to help, Hannibal pointed out. And I suggest not thinking of the money at all. It's a luxury you have now; indulge it.

[furnaceface]

Luxury was scary, Hannibal. Jono was never going to be better about this! At least, not without a lot of work, first.

//Eugh,// he mumbled, though he wasn't going to argue, either. //Right, fine, I won't stress about something that is really not even an issue anymore. At least, not while we're planning the wedding. If we can't indulge for that, what can we indulge for? And Emma would be an excellent help. Maybe I'll give her a call too, even though she's apparently the only one in the multiverse who knows we're engaged.//

Well, not any more, since he'd told Dinah and Momoko. But still.

[sharp_as_knives]

Fortunately, Hannibal was prepared to put in as much work as might be necessary.

Emma has excellent taste, not like that! and I wouldn't mind her input, Hannibal said. He dove a bit, using the speed of it to catch up closer to Jono, though careful to keep enough room for them not to collide.

[furnaceface]

Colliding up here would be... bad. Jono might even survive the fall, but the end result wouldn't be pretty. Fortunately, Hannibal was careful and Jono was cognizant of that fact, so he wasn't really concerned in the first place.

//I definitely can't deny that she knows what works,// Jono allowed. //Not sure she's had much to do with weddings before, but she knows to avoid kitsch when she sees it. I don't think either of us want a kitschy wedding.//

[sharp_as_knives]

Definitely not, Hannibal thought firmly. Although, he added with a laugh both physical and mental, I doubt we want an all-white wedding, either.

Emma did have her preferences.

[furnaceface]

She did, but then, Jono had been made to wear a red and yellow uniform once because of those preferences, even if it wasn't the same White Queen picking the costume. White was an Emma thing.

//She generally has a good eye for what does and doesn't work for other people,// he noted, amused. //For a start, I think she recognizes that white and I wouldn't play nicely. Not unless the goal is to actually make me look dead.//

Not a good wedding goal, for the record.

[sharp_as_knives]

At least it hadn't been black and fuschia, Jono.

No white for you, Hannibal promised. He hadn't entirely ruled it out for himself - perhaps a white and steel-grey ensemble, with saffron and black touches? He set that aside for a later thought; focusing on flying seemed prudent at the moment.

[furnaceface]

Black and fuschia had happened only once, and it had really only been in their heads. A scenario that Jono would be very happy to not repeat.

People who had worn the black and fuschia weren't doing so well, these days. Somewhat worse off than the red and yellow group.

//Good,// Jono decided. //I'd be willing to go red, at least. Or even black and white. But I suppose that's what the shopping is for.// A pause. //I did like the effect on that sheer shirt I wore to the dance.//

[sharp_as_knives]

I'm pleased to hear it, Hannibal thought. I did as well. I was thinking white, grey, black, and saffron.

They had quite a bit to use for that dye, after all.

[furnaceface]

//So... sedate, sedate, sedate, yellow,// Jono replied, amused. //I like it. Yellow and I go way back.//

See above Re: uniforms, after all.

//Means I don't have to worry too much about whether or not I match things.//

Maybe? It was his fire. He could only shift the colours of that around so much.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal sent Jono a wave of affection tinged with amusement. At your wedding, everything will match you, he promised. It's supposed to make the couple involved shine. Metaphorically, usually.

Theirs might be a tad more literal, was all.

[furnaceface]

Well, they didn't do much of anything by half measures. Why start now?

//Are we going to have to find some way to light you up to match, then?//

Creative spotlights or something, Jono was thinking. Not so much anything as gauche as little blinky lights in his coat or anything.

[sharp_as_knives]

I'll find my own way to shine, Hannibal assured him. Most assuredly metaphorically. Although perhaps if there were bright silver threads in his suit, to reflect Jono's fire…

It was another thought he set aside for when he wasn't flying.

How does the concentration needed for this compare to flying with the collar? he asked.

[furnaceface]

//It's a trade-off,// Jono replied, after a moment. //This is a touch more intuitive much earlier on. You can get to a point with the collar where you're practically not thinking about what you're doing at all, but it takes a hell of a lot of work to get to that point. And if you mess up here, there's no catching yourself and hovering. It's parachute or bust.//

...

//In hindsight, I should probably install some kind of parachute in the collar.//

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal winced. Not a traditional one, please. Avoiding a fall only to break my neck would be undesirable.

To say the least.

[furnaceface]

//What? No, of course not. The collar's made specifically to support all your body weight. Most of it's in your shoulders, actually. Hard-light and sonic tech, nothing that can be seen or even really touched, but there's a reason you can take off and fly using something you wear around your neck in the first place,// Jono replied. A beat, and then he added, //I still want to stress how important it is to not let somebody yank on that thing too hard, though. Don't go pissing off any Hulks. Or Magneto.//

That would end so badly.

//I'd probably have to rig it up to give you further shoulder support if I did put something like that in, of course. Or see how compact a parachute pack can be, to be put on as extra safety gear, without being too cumbersome.//

Another pause.

//Honestly, it's a wonder I've never actually seen any of the flying types wearing them before.//

Himself included.

[sharp_as_knives]

Honestly, if Hannibal ever met Magneto, they would probably get along famously. Or not. Depending on what mood they were each in.

Either way, Jono's world should probably be afraid.

It's been my experience that many of the 'flying types' in your world seem to believe themselves invulnerable. He paused. Even the ones that aren't. Your world, Jono.

Also, they tended to think fashion was more important than their lives, but Hannibal wasn't throwing stones there.

[furnaceface]

Well, yes. But was anybody going to point that one out to, say, Storm? Jono was calling not-it.

//I suppose with all the other things they go up against, they figure the last thing that'll take them down is gravity. Even if that's exactly what gravity does. Hell, I've needed somebody to catch me a few times, I'll admit it. But I've only ever fallen after losing consciousness. Not very conducive for pulling a parachute cord, either.//

He paused for a few seconds too long before adding, //If I ever get the opportunity to fly again, I'll bring a chute.//

[sharp_as_knives]

I would appreciate it, Hannibal answered. He'd be unlikely to be able to catch Jono, and gravity wasn't often inclined to argue.

But you are flying now, he pointed out. Still enjoying yourself? It was definitely a tease; Jono hadn't made any secret of his enjoyment, after all.

[furnaceface]

//It still isn't quite the same,// Jono was quick to point out. At least he knew better than to leave it at that. //But yes, I am. I wouldn't mind making this more of a regular thing. At least, once the weather is a bit warmer.//

Being on fire did not mean he didn't feel cold.

[sharp_as_knives]

We could visit Australia at this time of year, Hannibal suggested. He let the initial comment pass, since it seemed more a note than a complaint.

[furnaceface]

//Just a quick jaunt down to the southern hemisphere, avoid winter by leaping directly into summer?// ... //I like it. You know, I don't think I've ever been to Australia?//

This is something you'd think he'd remember. The glamourous life of a former X-Man.