[ At some point, whenever Ema wanders up to the kitchen, she will find a small tin of cookies (store-bought, sorry) and a small note that says 1) the cookies are safe for consumption and 2) that she should head over to a particular corner of the hangar whenever she has a free moment.
In the specified corner of the hangar is a ship in surprisingly good condition, even if the paintjob looks like it'd been done by a ten year old. Inside the cockpit/driver's seat/whatever is a neatly folded racesuit (she doesn't have to wear it), a helmet with attached goggles (she definitely has to wear that), and a manual on how to operate the thing (she should probably read it). Also a note, penned in familiar handwriting. ]
Try not to crash it right away. There should be enough fuel to last you awhile.
[ The tin of cookies actually does make her quite happy... less because of its quality (it is store-bought, after all), but because Eustace cared enough to give her anything at all. As it turns out, low expectations really are the key to happiness.
The other thing he mentions in his note is more intruiging and alarming, and it's with some restlessness that she heads over to the hangar with a cookie to snack on. When she makes her way in past all the other absurd vehicles people own around here, she stops at what may be the most absurd vehicle of them all — the most absurdly painted one, at the very least. And it's definitely the one she's meant to find, because that's clearly a childlike painting of Eustace's face on the side of it.
She spends a few confused minutes investigating the speedship and its contents before shooting Eustace a text. ]
[ She just doesn't understand?? People aren't given wholeass airplanes everyday?? Or speedships, as he calls it, which sounds at least three times as deadly as normal aircraft. Did he put an insurance policy on her, is that what's happening? ]
It's not that I don't want it. It just feels like a lot? People in my world have to go through a ton of training before they're allowed to pilot any kind of aircraft.
[ She sighs and flips through the manual... She's curious about trying her hand at actually flying the thing, she has to admit, but she is a little overwhelmed. This isn't like reading the instructions on a footprint analysis kit, she will Actually Die if she crashes this plane. ]
A few times is better than no times. Please? I'll feel better knowing I might not immediately blow the thing up. And if I do, you can be a witness and recover the remains.
When pilots add nose art to their planes, it's usually of something that will remind them of home or inspire them to come back safely. Maybe the practice is different in your world, but I'm sure her sentiment wasn't far off.
[ It's almost hard to imagine someone bright and sentimental enough to paint a vehicle this way hanging out with Eustace... but it's nice knowing he had at least one person keeping him in mind. ]
Anyway, it's reading time. See you when I see you.
[ She sets to studying the manual, sinking into the cockpit seat and slowly flipping through pages with enough focus to drown out the infrequent commotion of the hangar. She probably won't notice Eustace's arrival until he makes his presence known. ]
[ True to his word, he shows up some twenty minutes later, carefully weaving his way through the numerous oversized vehicles stored in the hangar before arriving at his destination. It's not uncommon to see Ema deep in thought but it's a cute sight all the same: the pull of her brows, the slight purse of her lips, the way her shoulders hunch together.
He watches her for two whole seconds before finally leaning over to rap her gently on the head. ]
Figured it out already?
[ Maybe he can just stand off to the side and do nothing.... ]
[ She smacks him in the face with the user's manual.
Purely out of surprise, which is probably obvious from the way she jolts in place hard enough to shake the speedship on its supports. A split second later, she registers his voice on top of the fluffy ears poking out from over the manual, and she quickly retracts said manual. ]
Sorry! You surprised me... [ She frowns mildly and leans toward him over the lip of the cockpit. ] You really shouldn't sneak around like that.
At least he doesn't look angry when the manual's finally pulled away, even if one hand reaches up to rub at his nose. ]
I'll knock next time.
[ And not on her head next time, since he clearly needs to put more distance between them to reduce the risk of injury. Next time she might poke out an eyeball and then where will they be? Right back at square one, that's where. ]
[ She skipped to the important bits... more or less... She leans so that she can open the manual between herself and Eustace for him to see too and flips through the pages. ]
There's plenty on how to pilot the thing, but not much on safety features. Is there a parachute? An ejection seat?
[ Bold of her to assume that anyone stupid enough to race speedships cares about parachutes. But it's a valid question all the same, and Eustace goes over what little he knows in order to formulate a comprehensive answer. ]
You shouldn't be high enough off the ground to need a parachute, but I can ask for one.
[ Considering he's the one that got her this thing, it's his responsibility to make sure she doesn't crash and die. ]
I don't recall Beatrix making use of any ejection seat when she crashed [ how promising ] but I doubt it would make much of a difference.
[ He stares at Ema, frowning. ]
What exactly are you planning on doing that you would need both of those things?
[ She rests her chin on her arm and stares back at him. Why wouldn't she be high enough off the ground to need a parachute? Isn't that where planes go?? ]
Flying in the sky? I could... I don't know, run into a bird? Get run over by one of these other things?
[ She flaps the manual around vaguely at the other stupidly large vehicles in the hangar before sighing. ]
But don't get me a parachute. I'm sure there are better things to ask for. If this thing held up for Beatrix, I'm sure it'll hold up for me.
[ She doesn't want to think about Eustace trading an entire sex just for a dumb parachute... He's already giving her this speedship. And why? Because she briefly expressed interest in trying to fly the Grandcypher once? It's almost thoughtful enough to hurt.
She gazes at him for a bit longer, her eyes softening. And then she reaches up and takes her glasses off, only to stick them on Eustace's head. She releases her half-ponytail and promptly jams the supplied helmet on her head (she and Beatrix are mostly the same size, it seems) and turns back to him. ]
How do I look?
[ She assumes stupid... ]
i wish i could put those glasses on his face but he doesn't have normal ears, stupid
If you're about to get run over by one of those other things, a parachute isn't going to save you.
[ Those hulking space machines are ginormous? They are but tiny ants in comparison to the gundams. Also yeah she looks kind of stupid, but in a cute way? He probably looks just as stupid with a pair of pink-tinted glasses hanging lopsidedly off his head so they can match for once. ]
Like you care about your safety.
[ Which is a GOOD thing, thanks very much!! Please don't mind him as he taps his knuckles very gently against the side of the helmet. Heh. ]
Does this mean you're ready to try and fly the ship?
[ She does, in fact, care about her safety, so she will accept that answer. His tap on her helmet confirms that the fit is snug, and she smiles brightly at him. ]
Actually, the control mechanisms aren't as foreign as I thought they would be. A couple extra levers compared to what I'm used to, but I've already looked them up.
[ Being able to drive manual, as they do in Japan California, is finally paying off. Also, she reaches out to adjust her glasses on Eustace's head so that they're nice and level. Do not sport those chic scientific shades in such a sloppy manner, sir. ]
I figure it's do or die, scientifically speaking. Unless you'd like to give me that demonstration after all?
[ He frowns a little as her hands boldly invade his personal space once again, but holds still as she readjusts the glasses on his head. ]
It's all yours.
[ Sometimes you just gotta drop a person in the deep end and let them figure things out on their own. Nothing like good old-fashioned practical hands-on (and life-threatening) experience to really drill the basics into a person. That doesn't stop him from peering into the cockpit one more time, assessing her positioning - fine - and the placement of her hands and feet against all levers and pedals - also fine.
Is he still worried? A little bit, but presumably Ema is practical enough not to immediately jam her foot down on the gas pedal and zoom halfway across the island before he can even blink. ]
Whenever you're ready.
[ He will just...step aside a few feet so he doesn't get caught in the crossfire. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
happy white day
In the specified corner of the hangar is a ship in surprisingly good condition, even if the paintjob looks like it'd been done by a ten year old. Inside the cockpit/driver's seat/whatever is a neatly folded racesuit (she doesn't have to wear it), a helmet with attached goggles (she definitely has to wear that), and a manual on how to operate the thing (she should probably read it). Also a note, penned in familiar handwriting. ]
Try not to crash it right away. There should be enough fuel to last you awhile.
Thanks for sticking with me.
text
The other thing he mentions in his note is more intruiging and alarming, and it's with some restlessness that she heads over to the hangar with a cookie to snack on. When she makes her way in past all the other absurd vehicles people own around here, she stops at what may be the most absurd vehicle of them all — the most absurdly painted one, at the very least. And it's definitely the one she's meant to find, because that's clearly a childlike painting of Eustace's face on the side of it.
She spends a few confused minutes investigating the speedship and its contents before shooting Eustace a text. ]
Explain.
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Explain what?
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Why aren't you keeping this for yourself?
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[ Why is she asking so many questions anyway... ]
If you don't want it you can just say so.
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It's not that I don't want it. It just feels like a lot?
People in my world have to go through a ton of training before they're allowed to pilot any kind of aircraft.
[ She sighs and flips through the manual... She's curious about trying her hand at actually flying the thing, she has to admit, but she is a little overwhelmed. This isn't like reading the instructions on a footprint analysis kit, she will Actually Die if she crashes this plane. ]
Show me how it's done, at least.
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[ Though YMMV on how much constitutes a "ton of training".... ]
I've only flown something like this a few times and it's been awhile. But if Beatrix can learn, I'm sure you won't have a problem.
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Please? I'll feel better knowing I might not immediately blow the thing up.
And if I do, you can be a witness and recover the remains.
[ That's a joke... hopefully. ]
This is her ship?
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[ His eyes are watering at the thought of having to look at it for an extended period of time. ]
But fine. Were you planning on learning now?
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I don't have much else to do.
Come whenever you like. I have this manual to work through, anyway.
The paint job has its quirks, but it isn't all bad. The nose art really speaks to me.
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[ Time to get a headstart on that manual. ]
You mean her scribbles?
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[ She isn't denying that they look like shit... ]
When pilots add nose art to their planes, it's usually of something that will remind them of home or inspire them to come back safely.
Maybe the practice is different in your world, but I'm sure her sentiment wasn't far off.
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[ It's bully Beatrix hours 24/7 with him... ]
More likely she didn't want the two of us to feel left out.
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Unnecessary, I gather, but cute.
[ It's almost hard to imagine someone bright and sentimental enough to paint a vehicle this way hanging out with Eustace... but it's nice knowing he had at least one person keeping him in mind. ]
Anyway, it's reading time.
See you when I see you.
[ She sets to studying the manual, sinking into the cockpit seat and slowly flipping through pages with enough focus to drown out the infrequent commotion of the hangar. She probably won't notice Eustace's arrival until he makes his presence known. ]
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He watches her for two whole seconds before finally leaning over to rap her gently on the head. ]
Figured it out already?
[ Maybe he can just stand off to the side and do nothing.... ]
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Purely out of surprise, which is probably obvious from the way she jolts in place hard enough to shake the speedship on its supports. A split second later, she registers his voice on top of the fluffy ears poking out from over the manual, and she quickly retracts said manual. ]
Sorry! You surprised me... [ She frowns mildly and leans toward him over the lip of the cockpit. ] You really shouldn't sneak around like that.
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At least he doesn't look angry when the manual's finally pulled away, even if one hand reaches up to rub at his nose. ]
I'll knock next time.
[ And not on her head next time, since he clearly needs to put more distance between them to reduce the risk of injury. Next time she might poke out an eyeball and then where will they be?
Right back at square one, that's where.]Any questions?
[ How far....did she make it in that manual...? ]
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There's plenty on how to pilot the thing, but not much on safety features. Is there a parachute? An ejection seat?
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You shouldn't be high enough off the ground to need a parachute, but I can ask for one.
[ Considering he's the one that got her this thing, it's his responsibility to make sure she doesn't crash and die. ]
I don't recall Beatrix making use of any ejection seat when she crashed [ how promising ] but I doubt it would make much of a difference.
[ He stares at Ema, frowning. ]
What exactly are you planning on doing that you would need both of those things?
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Flying in the sky? I could... I don't know, run into a bird? Get run over by one of these other things?
[ She flaps the manual around vaguely at the other stupidly large vehicles in the hangar before sighing. ]
But don't get me a parachute. I'm sure there are better things to ask for. If this thing held up for Beatrix, I'm sure it'll hold up for me.
[ She doesn't want to think about Eustace trading an entire sex just for a dumb parachute... He's already giving her this speedship. And why? Because she briefly expressed interest in trying to fly the Grandcypher once? It's almost thoughtful enough to hurt.
She gazes at him for a bit longer, her eyes softening. And then she reaches up and takes her glasses off, only to stick them on Eustace's head. She releases her half-ponytail and promptly jams the supplied helmet on her head (she and Beatrix are mostly the same size, it seems) and turns back to him. ]
How do I look?
[ She assumes stupid... ]
i wish i could put those glasses on his face but he doesn't have normal ears, stupid
If you're about to get run over by one of those other things, a parachute isn't going to save you.
[ Those hulking space machines are ginormous? They are but tiny ants in comparison to the gundams. Also yeah she looks kind of stupid, but in a cute way? He probably looks just as stupid with a pair of pink-tinted glasses hanging lopsidedly off his head so they can match for once. ]
Like you care about your safety.
[ Which is a GOOD thing, thanks very much!! Please don't mind him as he taps his knuckles very gently against the side of the helmet. Heh. ]
Does this mean you're ready to try and fly the ship?
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Actually, the control mechanisms aren't as foreign as I thought they would be. A couple extra levers compared to what I'm used to, but I've already looked them up.
[ Being able to drive manual, as they do in
JapanCalifornia, is finally paying off. Also, she reaches out to adjust her glasses on Eustace's head so that they're nice and level. Do not sport those chic scientific shades in such a sloppy manner, sir. ]I figure it's do or die, scientifically speaking. Unless you'd like to give me that demonstration after all?
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It's all yours.
[ Sometimes you just gotta drop a person in the deep end and let them figure things out on their own. Nothing like good old-fashioned practical hands-on (and life-threatening) experience to really drill the basics into a person. That doesn't stop him from peering into the cockpit one more time, assessing her positioning - fine - and the placement of her hands and feet against all levers and pedals - also fine.
Is he still worried? A little bit, but presumably Ema is practical enough not to immediately jam her foot down on the gas pedal and zoom halfway across the island before he can even blink. ]
Whenever you're ready.
[ He will just...step aside a few feet so he doesn't get caught in the crossfire. ]
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