The first step is s doozy

[Rekha Kaarde]

She nodded, "you may regret those words cookie" just then a shadow passed over turned and entered the hangar.

Large graceful slightly shaggy the thranta emitted a low sound close to a mew. Rekha walked over stretching out her hand to stroke the creatures nose.

"Hello baby. I missed you. You look good" she moved over and leaned down to put her forehead on the creatures nose. A soft sigh of contentment, "ok baby let's fly"

She looked at [member="Akabane"] "want to say hi?"

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

She smiled again he did sound very sincere interesting. "Miss Rekha hmm I like the sound of that." Many of those who associated with her either called her Cap'n, or Rekha so Miss Rekha sounded pretty good.

As she finished talking there was a sudden shift in the air as the great beast sailed into the hangar, a full grown thranta hovered before then trilling at Rekha. "hello baby" she walked over with her hand outstretched. "It's me promise" She stepped slowly till the palm of her hand rested on the thranta's face. She moved over and put her forehead the side of its face. "I have missed you." She began to stroke it's nose.

"Shall we go riding today? Hmmm.. I brought a friend." She pointed to @Akabane ,"see he's a friend." She wiggled her fingers inviting Akabane to come closer.

"We will sail on the currents, buzz cloud city, and skim the atmosphere...doesn't that sound fun" She spoke as if the creature understood in her mind it did, but who knew if it did or didn't.

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

Despite how he dressed and acted sometimes Akabane thought himself to be a proper man. He tried to be a gentleman but it seemed he lacked some qualities. Akabane still attempted to pursue that lifestyle. In the least, he could always retain good manners. Those, he had; be it eating, socializing, etc. She must've appreciated his gentle choice of words due to her reaction, or he hoped so.

The beast appeared and christ... it was amazing. This was the creature that rode the currents like a god? Woah - that's what popped inside his head. Rekha looked as if she really loved the Thranta, treating it as she would her own child. Akabane watched in awe, once again surprised by the woman. She motioned for him to come closer to her and the beast. He didn't fear any animal and most people, but remained a little cautious. Rekha talked to it again, this time giving some commands it sounded like.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Rekha looked over, "Come closer [member="Akabane"] let him smell your hand it will help with any reservations he has about you." Rekha continued to stroke the creature's nose

"He's just a big baby really. I was concerned that the velker might have killed him by now. Though he does corner with great precision." If pride could be reflected it was there in her green eyes as she spoke.

"He won't bite you."

Rekha looked up for a moment towards the ceiling the saddle she needed was there. She didn't really need Akabane to hold her baby in place it would stay, she wanted to be sure if he had any fears of her baby that he realize baby was harmless.

Then of course if Akabane could stand near him she would go hit the lever to bring down the saddles.

She couldn't help but feel her anticipation growing, she loved flying.

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

He approached the beast cautiously, not trusting it anymore than it probably did him. Those bright red eyes he was kindly born with were filled with a craving for deceit. A traitor... he always wanted to become one. To feel the hatred everyone sent his way for betraying them. That most likely wouldn't happen in the near future though. Even though he'd went through so much to allow him his one spurt of ecstasy, he was a good guy in the end. Serving evil had become a favorite, as it subsided that strange mind of his. None of this really mattered at the moment but he could only think about it. Two minds, man and beast were bound to collide after all. Why not compare the intent of both parties, right?

Akabane stepped over into the thranta's bubble and held out his hand, slightly open revealing his palm. He held it only a few inches away from the beast's nose. Rekha showed her concern for it by saying she feared for it's safety. She also went on to say it wouldn't bite him. Akabane chuckled after that. "I don't mind losing one hand." The thranta proved to be no threat and simply acted like Rekha said it would. That was relieving, letting him relax a little more. He was a type of man who didn't scare easy, especially when death came into the picture. Death was for resting and he loved rest. Why would it bother him? "It's ironic. I know many people with a soul similar to that of a devil, and yet... this creature gets hunted everyday and it remains pure." Akabane didn't moving his hand, not out of fear but due to his new found respect for it.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Rekha reached over and wrapped her fingers around his wrist [member="Akabane"] slowing guiding it until he could press his palm to baby's nose.

"See look beneath no feet not legs it mere hovers even in here the bit of air that flows through he can maintain his position." Rekha looked at Akabane, "so..now make nice and I will be right back." Rekha smiled pat the baby and then stepped away walking over to a wall to press a button that would lower the saddle down.

"Many riders like to sit up high, I don't like it. I like sitting low where my knees can rest on his back, the reigns help to guide his direction. You will sit behind me in the same position." Creaking noises filled the air with a hum of the crane as it lowered down the saddle. Baby's eyes looked up and his trilling got louder if anything he was excited as much as Rekha was.

She watched until the saddle was within reach.

"I have to secure it under his wings and across his back and under his belly. Just stroke his nose he will take in your scent." Rekha walked around her hand gliding along baby's back and wings depending on where she was standing. She started to wrangle the saddle down. Baby's eyes watched her when he could otherwise his eyes were on Akabane. Baby was taking deep breaths filling his lungs and slightly shifting back and forth waiting.

Having done this a number of times Rekha was finished quickly.

"Ready to ride Akabane?"

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

Akabane was still in awe when Rekha helped him become more friendly with the thranta. He was a little spooked at that moment, jumping instantaneously. The reaction didn't last long as he felt the creature's nose. Interesting, it was. He'd barely ever gotten this close to an animal, not that he looked down upon him he just had no interest. Akabane listened to her words as she described the thranta's appearance. The thing was hovering? He tilted his head quite dramatically to get a look at beneath it. She told no lie, it was literally using the airflow to hover. "Amazing."

Their contact remained as Rekha went for the saddle. Akabane continued to listen throughout her whole explanation of the importance of the saddle. It seemed excited just as much as Rekha was with the upcoming ride. He wasn't too excited which was strange... he felt as if he did something similar before but he couldn't recall that time. Akabane also used wind shaping to somewhat fly by himself. It felt similar to actually flying in a way. She asked if he was ready to ride and he nodded with a smile. "Yes, I'm ready."

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

"OK..." Rekha exhaled, she reached out.."OH..I almost forgot" she turned and ran over to a container pulling two pair of goggles out, and two flight jackets. She moved back, "bugs, speed, cold deterrent." She slipped the goggles on, "like this" then slipped into the jacket. Everyone know how to put on a jacket.

She then hefted herself up onto baby's back waiting a moment while he adjusted to her weight then she held out a hand, "OK..come on up." She was ready to get him secured then she'd get herself situated.

"It will seem a bit weird at first but once he gets the idea of what we are doing its' all good...we have to stay on the level where it's liveable. If we go outside the band, it will be painful. "She had tried it once and nearly died cause she's an idgit that way. But she would never do it with someone along with her. Because that's just cruel and unusual punishment for a stranger.

And [member="Akabane"] was a stranger.

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

Akabane tilted his head when she offered him a jacket a goggles. His coat would be just fine so he only took the goggles. Was it that cold at that speed though? He would soon find out the answer to that question. Taking the jacket might've been a good move. "My coat will be good, hopefully. I'll take the goggles." Akabane definitely knew a little about flying but that was on normal planets. This place was new to him so maybe he'd be making a big mistake. He strapped on the goggles and put on his hood.

Rekha explained the next part and told him how things would go. Simple enough. When she said the stuff about the different atmosphere levels, he grinned. Akabane was an odd man who loved the sensation of pain. That was definitely strange to most people. After he hopped on, allowing the young lady to help him along the way, he got the most comfortable he could. It was a little awkward in a way, riding with someone he'd only just met today. Akabane leaned forward close enough to whisper in her ear. "But don't you know? I like pain." He was hoping to get a good reaction out of her.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

She turned looking at him now how the feth is she to take that remark. He liked pain. What guy admits to that? She half smiled

"Well I gotta admit that's a new one on me. I'll see what I can do to accommodate that for you" She had folks say don't scare me and don't do anything too quick but not they liked pain

She checked everything I again then made a clicking noise to get him going.

It was quick one moment inside then out where they dropped quickly Rekha leaned forward taking her passenger with her.

The wind shushed past them as the cool current whirled around. Baby needed an updraft till then it was free fall. Free falling. Down. Down. Till that moment when.

The current hit the thranta wings shoving them upwards. It wasn't painful but it was exciting.

[member="Akabane"]

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

Akabane smirked when she looked at him as if he was a strange beast much like the thranta, but in a way that he knew the comment messed with her. That was a great reaction in his opinion. Not many people in his line of work cared enough to pay any mind to his strange acting. Her reply made him chuckle, Akabane was sure she took him seriously. Well, he was serious in saying that but random bursts of pain wasn't his cup of tea.

The sudden takeoff was very unexpected even though her movement should've warned him. He held on tight around her waist, being careful not to do anything that'd get him thrown off. Akabane would probably be alright for a little bit until he ran out of energy. Hovering through the use of wind shaping took great energy in the moment. He'd surely fall eventually.

Everything about the flight so far was interesting. The sudden dive was the best part because he didn't expect it and it was swift. When the thranta hit the current he laughed. "Wow. I didn't expect something quite like this from the start. Do you always do that move first?"

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

She laughed, "always it makes the heart pound and it gives baby a chance to catch the current." she looked up to make sure nothing was tracking them. "

She sat up, "ok," She reached down for one of his hands, "take the reigns and just hold them light don't yank, now...gently pull it towards you" She tried to stay sitting up, "this will tell him you want to turn." then she saw the beldons, 'look over there" when he pulled the reign they would begin to glide to their right around towards Cloud City.

Her hand held the other side of the reigns, "they are harmless. What hunts them though..not fun. That would be painful." She looked back at him, "were you serious about that by the way?"

She knew she had fired too many questions at once but she was like that, talk too much. The wind whistled around them rushing in their ears and making small talk sound like loud shouting. But what else was there to do when gliding along.

[member="Akabane"]

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

She told him it was a move she always did for the excitement and practicality. Then she appeared to be looking for something based off of her head movement. Perhaps she feared an attacker, be it an animal or even a humans. Both were very possible in the massive galaxy they lived in. Akabane suddenly gained control of the thranta, or half of it at least, and started to get reminiscent vibe. He really did feel like he had flown before on an animal. That creature though.... he couldn't recall what it was normal could he believe it to be a real experience. Dreams were always a thing after all. However he felt too comfortable for it to be a dream.

Akabane looked at the other beasts of the sky when she mentioned them. She went on to describe their deadliness. He wasn't concerned even if they were a threat. That sounded fun if anything. Rekha asked him if he was serious about his love of pain. The young man grinned at her question. Answering with such a face was certainly not a great way to confirm it. Mainly because he probably grinned the first time, making it seem like he was joking. He kept one arm around her waist, still, for balance and the joke with the other hand keeping ahold of the rein. "Oh? You can always get the answer by trying it yourself." That could be taken different ways and he kept a grin to add to the trouble.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

She stared at him for more than a moment when she knew she should have been paying a attention to everything around them. Green eyes bore into his as she tried to determine truth or dare.

She wasn't one to ignore a dare at all, not once. She smiled instead and dropped her gaze she pat baby on the neck. "Ok cupcake." She turned putting her back to him, she took the reigns, "hold on" She waited a few breaths, one.

I'm being crazy she thought

two

Could be a big splat on the ground.

three.

She dropped the reigns and dug her knees in, "down we go!" she check first to make sure [member="Akabane"] had two arms around her waist, didn't want him flying off though he had two lines attached he wasn't going anywhere.

The sound of the air began to build
whhhhhooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooossssssssssssssshhhhhhhh

The air pounded against their face and skin, they were nearing the boundaries between what was inhabitable and what was not. What would kill them if they lingered too long. She had to time it in her head.....1 2 33

She held her breath as baby dipped between the boundaries suddenly choking away all the air too long and their lungs would burn suffocating them all then they'd fall to the surface. No one would find them untll they sent ships that they hadn't returned but it wouldn't matter there would be enough left to recover. She didn't look back.

She was once again counting in her head to pull them back up...waiting....she would find out what he liked.

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

At this point he wasn't sure whether he made her mad or if she was just eager to find out the answer to her own question. Akabane could see something had caused her to get a little crazy, be it him or a sighting of another creature. Probably him. When she suddenly went straight down, he almost puked until laughter replaced it. He figured her reply and change of direction was the consequence of not telling her his tastes. Either that or the karma from being a flirt. Akabane couldn't help but laugh in this situation. She even called him cupcake and said "down we go" on the way down. It was too funny.

It was only funny for so long though... they were piercing the lower area where most people didn't go. Miss Rekha wasn't one of those people apparently. Everybody had a crazy side it seemed, even a pretty lady such as herself. He could slowly feel his impending death. This planet was a hell of a place for adventure, if that's what you'd call this. An adventure into hell. The moment they entered that part of the planet, his eyes glowed a brighter red. A half grin forming while he closed his eyes and leaned his head against her back, holding on tighter than ever. In this little chaos that had appreared out of nowhere he remained calm. Akabane felt the pain and wasn't too excited about it, but it mattered not. He was dying with a beautiful woman. It was peaceful.

Of course that's what he thought. Akabane never would've imagined it to be a test.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

She couldnt see his face but she felt his head against her back a signal to take baby back up which she did immediately.

She shook her head as soon as she could breathe, "I'm sorry I thought that's what you wanted. I was mistaken Mr. Akabane. "

Baby trilled as if agreeing. "I wanted to give you an experience. I'm afraid I may have just convinced you I'm a lunatic." She wasn't but even she had to admit sometimes she wasn't wrapped too tight.

"I can take you back. If you want. But. I'm hoping you will let me show you Bespin the proper way." She had done a fool thing and regretted it.

She would give him the reigns, which she offered to him. Both of them. She was offering him control a gesture that said he would guide baby go where he wanted. She would just provide directions.

She learned a lesson.

[member="Akabane"]

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

The young lady seemed to think he wasn't enjoying himself during her little stunt. That was not the truth however. Akabane was close to entering a state of pure bliss. The lack of oxygen was probably giving him some sort of high, and paired with the lovely lady he was happy. She offered to take him back to the restaurant if he desired. That sounded unpleasant though. He was enjoying himself quite a bit despite what she thought about his experience. When he inhaled some air again he frowned. All the fun had vanished.

Akabane stopped holding on so tight to her waist and sighed in relief. Getting to breathe again was a pretty great feeling so he couldn't help but be relieved. He enjoyed the fun while it lasted but it was time to calm down. "Lunatic? You make it sound like a bad thing, love." Akabane was a bold man in the way he acted around women. He decided to throw a few jokes out there since she felt bad about the maneuver. When he was offered control of the thranta he declined. "I trust you to fly, Miss Rekha. I am not inconvenienced in any way so please continue."

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

[member="Akabane"]

"Man am I ever getting all of this wrong." She laughed holy feth and mother of a mynock she was doing it right. "Well maybe we'll finish up with a trip up rather than down." She scratched her head, "you're a bit of mystery Akabane and I'm almost at a loss." She turned her head to look at him, "So am I save to say we are both adrenaline junkies?" She knew she was but she didn't meet too many others that would agree or admit it.

She guided baby towards Cloud City, "up ahead Cloud City its I don't know beautiful in its own way. Since you are visiting there are fine dining restaurants there, fine shops, all the comforts anyone could want, even a cozy warm bed for the night."

She was always in wonder of it just hanging there. "It's always there, always someone coming and going."

​

​

There were a few ships now coming in around them as they headed off to Cloud City, Rekha perked up and waved to the pilots. "They think they know flying they really need to do this." He was trusting her she was glad after it all.