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

[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.

[sharp_as_knives]

Jono hadn't been dead enough to go to Australia with the X-Men.

We'll have to plan for it, then. Hannibal swooped a bit and settled to the left and behind Jono. I wouldn't mind a repeat of this myself.

Maybe he could plan something similar for the honeymoon, even. Although not Australia; he had a definite destination in mind.

[furnaceface]

//Once we land, we can schedule it in for... sometime. When neither of us is teaching or pretending to run a functional record shop,// Jono decided. //Doing more of this seems worth making time for, to me.//

[sharp_as_knives]

The only answer he was getting to that was a distinct sense of amusement. Trust Jono to make time for flying. For sometime, then.