[Cal] Ride

Caliah and Vandre are issued motorcycles for travel through Middleverse. I liked this rp for some reason.
Characters: Cal, Vandre
*edit* Added the char descs and will be doing so for other chars making first-time appearances from now on. (*bonks Yasi for the loss of her old bike* XD)


Gaia6 - Vector Garrison

A set of large iron gates bars entry into this place, which is usually restricted to Imperial soldiers and upper levels only. These days, the garrison has been especially busy, since the attack of the Heartless, and the occupation of Heartless within the Vector capital. Beyond the gates are large brick walls surrounding the perimeter of the garrison, and long narrow steps lead up on either side to walkways that continue all along the perimeter behind the walls, allowing people to gaze upon the outside without being seen; A perfect strategic point. The rest of the base is quite simple, the main square somewhat empty other than a few small buildings here and there which house some basic supplies such as food, blankets and first aid as well as an armoury with both simply and more sophisticated weaponry. Towards the back of the walkway is a bridge which leads towards a mysterious cavern..

Contents:
Vandre
Obvious exits:
<East> [leads to 'Gaia6 - Esper Cave']
<West> [leads to 'Gaia6 - Northern Desert Range']

[Vandre:]

Within the garrison the inner courtyard spans out some distance, giving way to bustling military, commanders and anyone else, all who seem to be busy. Off in one corner is a training area, a space designated by chalk outlining a large square in the sand. Inside stands Vandre, the young SOLDIER and another SOLDIER, who seems younger even moreso. They seem to be sparring.

The young SOLDIER lunges forward, lashing out with a right hook. Eyes focused, Vandre pivots on a heel, dodging while grabbing onto the assailant's wrist. With even movements he merely kneels, shifting the momentum and causing the other to be thrown over his shoulder, landing on his back with a grunt. Vandre rises and eyes the fallen SOLDIER. "Again."

[Caliah:] Metallic echoes ring hollowly into the vast, empty deeps of the cavern that yawns beyond the extended walkway, swallowing the thin iron railings hungrily in jaws of stone; whispers of a draft drift up from within the bowels of the cave, warm and damp as a dragon's breath, with the same pungent, acrid smell of sulfur. Oppressive and dank, laden with the murmurings of shadow and shifting noises, the cavern mouth might deter even the most intrepid who dared venture beyond it; if that thought had crossed the minds of more than one soldier who'd manned this garrison, especially at night, it might be seen in the furtive manner the newer recruits pass the gap in the mountain's face, the sidelong glances they cast into it as they walk by.

But a few paces from the lip of the cavern, seated casually along the walkway with her legs dangling carelessly over the edge, a bleached-blonde SOLDIER sits, a bit of canvas stretched out beside her, oblivious to all, it seemed, but the field-stripped weapon she was in the process of inspecting and cleaning. A cigarette juts from her closed mouth, what little of it that remained sending a thin wisp of smoke trailing into the sunlight.

[Vandre:] The SOLDIERs again commence their sparring. This time the younger one feigns a punch towards Vandre before falling into a pivoted side kick. The booted foot impacts against Vandre's exposed stomach, shirt and jacket removed as sweat streams down the rivulets of his musculature, trickling down revealed and defined hip bones and disappearing beneath black pants.

The stunned Vandre takes little time to recover and quickly advances, aiming a palmstrike at the younger SOLDIER and creating some distance. Distance that he exploits, with a leap toward his opponent, stepping up along the body as he finds footing on the other's thighs before turning and delivering a back kick to the young SOLDIER. Vandre's opponent grunts and tumbles back, coughing as blood trickles from his nose.

The look of combat fades from Vandre, features softening as he approaches and kneels before the fallen SOLDIER. "Are you all right?" He questions, offering his foe a tender touch of the cheek, thumb wiping away blood from the nose. "Go get that fixed," he advises and moves to stand upright, dusting himself off.

<OOC> Vandre says, "all for you XD"
<OOC> Caliah says, "laugh"
<OOC> Vandre says, "hipbones and mantouching sob"
<OOC> Caliah says, "@_____@"
<OOC> Caliah says, "what are you trying to do, derail my train of thought XD"
<OOC> Vandre says, "omg xD sob I won't do it anymore XD"
<OOC> Caliah says, "O_O"
<OOC> Caliah reads that pose again >.>
<OOC> Vandre dies.

[Caliah:] Reassembling the rifle with a final 'snick' as the composite pieces slide smoothly together with the ease borne of long experience, Caliah turns at the sound of flesh hitting flesh, an eyebrow arching expressively at the kick the other soldier delivered. "You didn't just break his nose, did you?" she inquires blithely from where she's sitting, returning her attention to the rifle and sighting along it. Pulling the cigarette from her mouth, the female soldier glides a hand over the well-kept gun as if satisfied with its cleanliness, and gets to her feet, rolling up the tool kit she'd laid out on the walkway beside her, flexing muscles cramped from sitting. "It wouldn't be the first time someone's...slipped, that way."

[Vandre:] Pausing, Vandre glances over his shoulder, waiting for the other SOLDIER to enter a building, presumably a medical facility. "Just bruised it...we're SOLDIERS, Liancourt,we can't go easy in our training. Unless you were taught otherwise?" He questions, perking up an eyebrow as he wipes sweat from his face, picking a towel from a small pile nearby as another pair of SOLDIERs enters the arena and begin their spar.

[Caliah:] Rolling her lightly-muscled shoulders in a shrug, the pale-haired SOLDIER saunters down the walkway, rifle in hand, her boots sending muted vibrations down the metal spine of the walkway as she descends the stair. "It's one thing to hone your abilities and another to know what you're capable of." Grinding out her cigarette, she passes him by with an easy stride, the cleaning implements and canvas tucked under one arm. "Unless you can't tell the difference?" she smirks over one shoulder, mimicking his earlier tone.

"If you're not doing anything in particular besides beating the crap out of your juniors, perhaps you'd like to come with me on an errand. I'd forgotten we were supposed to look over the new motorcycles they're giving out to everyone who'll be stationed offworld for some time. I don't particularly like trips through Middleverse on foot. Or chocobo."

[Vandre:] Slanting his eyes, Vandre bites his tongue, eyes darkening briefly. "I was teaching them," he says, voice tensed and thick. "Very well, let's go see these motorcycles, it's been a while since I've been able to ride one," comes his voice again, a bit softer now, the idea seemingly entertaining him as he follows suit, breaking into a quick pace to catch up to Caliah and to walk alongside her.

[Caliah:] "Not long enough to have forgotten a few crucial points I hope," murmurs Caliah, her pace swift despite the relaxed manner in which she moves, long legs making short work of the distance. There's but a few guards posted at the gate leading into one of the small garrison's other sectors, and they wave both Vandre and Caliah through, the reinforced doors sliding shut behind them. Another door, another gate, and both of them exit into what functioned as the garrison's hangar, the electric light from fluorescent lamps still insufficient for the vaulted space. "Motorcycles were never my strong point, but I can handle them well enough. I prefer something with a little more...weight."

[Vandre:] Eyes widening briefly, Vandre glances around, studying the area momentarily as he turns to look at Caliah. "Like?" He says, his tone now casual as he walks ahead, exploring the area and examining various parts of it

[Caliah:] A man dressed in overalls bearing Imperial insignia approaches Caliah then, necessitating a pause in which she takes time to review a few documents, signing a digital notepad offered her. Beckoning for them to follow him, he turns to head into a corner of the hangar marked off for storing other vehicles rather than the larger craft within the other recesses of the building.

"Civilian cars, land buggies, transports...prototype airships." The slim blond follows in the man's footsteps as they approach a line of canvas-convered motorcycles, her eyes fixed straight ahead, dispassionate. "The only vehicles I have no extensive experience in piloting are the company submarines. I've had to learn more since the merger with the Empire; needless to say, our technology may be superior to theirs, but it doesn't eliminate the possibility that we may have to resort to such vehicles in an emergency."

[Vandre:] Craning his neck, Vandre follows close behind, eyeing the various vehicles as he wrinkles his nose, mildly interested. "I suppose so...as long as it has something to make it go and turn, I figure it'd be easy to get around in" he comments idly.

[Caliah:] Unfastening the tarpaulin sheet covering the low-slung silhouettes of the motorcycles with quick, sure movements, the uniformed man draws it back to disclose a good half-dozen armoured machines, bending to insert a key into the mechanised rack keeping them secured. The rack's clamps fold away with a mechanical hiss, and the sandy-haired man stands back, motioning for the pair of SOLDIERs to choose their own rides from the uniformly painted military bikes arrayed before them. "You're lucky you get to choose," he drawls, giving Caliah the key, as well as a chain containing all the keys to the bikes in the rack. "Please lock the rack after you're done testing these babies."

Twirling the keyring around her finger, the tall woman motions for Vandre to take his pick, already moving to assess one of the motorcycles closest to her. "Give me the number of the one you want to road-test," she informs him, pulling her chosen bike out.

[Vandre:] Eyes widening briefly, delight fills them as Vandre teeters excitedly on his heels. He does this a bit and then calms, quick to mask such expression from the other SOLDIER. "Hm, lucky number three," he says, moving forward to the bike in front of him as he pats its handlebars lovingly. "She'll do be good."

[Caliah:] Laughter then issues from Caliah as she tosses Vandre the key to his motorcycle, affording him a fleeting, if genuine, smile. "Most times a good vehicle won't fail it's rider, and more often than not it's the rider's fault when something happens. All these have been pre-inspected and tested so you don't really have to worry over their condition. Just see which one feels right for you. The ride might be a little stiffer than you're used to."

The man who'd stood aside in the meantime crosses the end of the hangar to get a pair of helmets from a nearby shelf, handing one to the female SOLDIER on his return, and the other to Vandre. "Have fun," he grins. "If either of you have any problems I'll be in the office." A side door meant for vehicles opens then, daylight breaking into the dimly lit recesses of the building.

<OOC> Vandre says, "she laughed! *SNAPS PHOTOS*"
<OOC> Caliah says, "...SOB"

[Vandre:] Stunned, Vandre blinks, taken back by Caliah's seemingly out of the ordinary reaction. Regardless he breaks free of his trance and returns the smile. "I suppose so...well might as well get used to it. Better a stiff ride than tired legs, especially if we're in a hurry," he says casually, the smile lingering still as he bends down and scoops up the keys, having failed to catch them before.

Swiftly he hops onto the motorcycle, allowing his legs to accomodate the vehicle as he stretches them out and positions himself. With a free hand he slides the key into the ignition and turns it. The engine revs to life before falling into an idle purr. "Ready?" He says, slipping on his helmet as he looks over at the other SOLDIER.

[Caliah:] "Go ahead if you like, I can catch up." Slipping the helmet over her head and fastening the clasps with deft fingers, Caliah slips the key into the ignition, tilting her head to listen to the engine's revs as she feeds it more throttle, the smooth hum of its machinery thrumming high and resonant in the high-vaulted space of the hangar. She steadies the bike with one extended leg, then releases the clutch, the motorcycle slowly and smoothly gliding forward, picking up speed as she angles for the exit. "I suppose I don't need to tell you what to watch for."

Raising two fingers in an affirmative gesture, half-salute, half-wave, the other SOLDIER motions for Vandre to precede her through the wide hangar doors, lowering the visor on her helmet with one gloved hand.

[Vandre:] Rising on his feet, Vandre allows himself to fall, foot pushing the bike into gear and removing the brake. Clumsily he applies more throttle and with a loud "Watch out!" speeds off, swerving left and right, catching his balance before snaking towards the opening in the hangar, waving a hand after as if to beckon the other SOLDIER.

[Caliah:] Bringing her own motorcycle into gear as the machine's speed and momentum builds, bearing down on the heels of the other bike before her at a much less frenetic pace, Caliah allows the machine to spurt forward, leaning easily into the first turn on the lane leading from the hangar. She appears less bent on catching up to Vandre than keeping on his tail, with just enough distance between them to avoid any mishaps; the helmeted and supple form atop the motorcycle betrays little excitement, but a flash of the bike's headlight seems to urge Vandre to adopt a swifter pace.

[Vandre:] Revving the engine further, Vandre glances over his shoulder, the visor of his helmet gleaming with daylight. "With a slight nod, he throttles the bike more, boosting his speed further as he zooms out the exit and down the garrison, forcing a few soldiers to jump out the way as he yells out a shout, one of excitement. A trail of dust gathers as he sidewinds out of the garrison and into the outside.

[They travel to Traverse Town.]

Traverse Town - Main Square

The main square of Traverse Town is a lively place, even at night, although people are fewer and far between and only the truly brave will venture out into the dark streets which are often overrun by the Heartless. Beyond the main square, there is a large wooden door to the east that heads towards the business district, and a set of wide stairs heading to the upper level of town. There are also various nooks and crannies leading towards back allies and other dark areas where creatures of the night like to lurk. Towards the west is a small yet inviting cafe next to an alley, and above that is a small inn. To the north are more stores such as Cid's item shop, as well as a weapons shop and even candy shops. Fluorescent lamp posts emit a soft amber glow from every corner of the town, lighting up a large map towards the upper right corner of the square, next to the stairway. There is also a bright red post box located here, and a post office not far away..

Contents:
Vandre
Obvious exits:
<South> [leads to 'Traverse Town - Outskirts']
<East> [leads to 'Traverse Town - Business District']
<North> [leads to 'Traverse Town - Upper Level']
<Cid> [leads to 'Traverse Town - Cid's Workshop']
<Cafe> [leads to 'Sidewalk Cafe - Traverse Town']

[Caliah:] The deep thrum of engines carries on the night air, the luminous beams from the motorcycles' headlights lancing the darkness. On the square's fringes the two bikes slow their pace upon entering, the slighter of the two SOLDIERs still bringing up the rear as she had when they had started out.

Flipping up her visor, Caliah brings her bike smoothly alongside Vandre's, applying the brakes and letting the motorcycle glide to a halt. "That went better than I expected," she murmurs, keeping the bike balanced with a leg, one hand resting on the metal flank of the machine. "I'm keeping this one, though I believe they're a little heavier-handling than I expected them to be. Not a good thing if you're going to be running from Heartless in Middleverse."

[Vandre:] Following suit, Vandre applies the brakes, halting next to Caliah as he flips down the foot brake and allows his bike to rest on it. "Maybe, but it was sort of comfortable riding them, didn't get sore legs or what have you." He comments, dusting off a part of the motorcycle. "The bikes move faster than we do, that's more than enough to escape any Heartless" he adds, in afterthought, removing the helmet from his head and allowing his hair to be free, tousled by the wind with parts of it matted to his face by sweat.

[Caliah:] "Although some -do- have wings, I was thinking more in terms of getting ambushed." Doffing her helmet and smoothing a hand carelessly through her tousled, jaggedly shorn hair, the female SOLDIER cuts the engine of her machine, keeping the key in the ignition. She sets the helmet upon the curve of the motorcycle before her. "I've seen some strange things...though if what I've read on your squad is true, you've battled your share before you were transferred here."

[Vandre:] Silence befalls Vandre, as he only offers a slight nod. "Not everything...was true, we fought bravely, but we're not laughing stock" he says, carefully, voice softer now. "But you're right, I've had my share. The Heartless are a bit different, they tend to evolve maybe, whatever's making them makes them stronger over time, no?" He adds, tapping his helmet idly before placing it on the motorcycle. He dismounts and brushes himself off.

[Caliah:] The platinum-haired young woman merely watches Vandre minutely for a few moments, one hand resting on her hip, the other loosely clasping her helmet. "The whole manner in which they're invading the worlds is evolution in a sense. Fewer survive, more are becoming Heartless day by day. Maybe the time's come for us to be replaced, though like every species, we won't die out without a fight," she observes matter-of-factly. "Though on the battlefield no-one has the luxury to actually deliberate on the reasons." Dismounting from the motorcycle, she pushes the machine lightly, guiding it alongside her as she walks. "Are you satisfied with your being reassigned here, Vandre?"

[Vandre:] Chewing his lower lip, Vandre follows suit, guiding the motorcycle as he guides it some feet near Caliah, tracing her own movements. "I'm just glad to be doing something now. Though, you seem to know what you're doing, which is always a good thing," he says idly, offering a half-smile after as he moves to steady the two wheeled vehicle.

[Caliah:] "I only do what I see needs to be done." Caliah's crisp accents seem to denote that less a statement to inspire confidence than a statement of fact. She directs her steps northward, not hurrying in particular. "I do miss working in an environment I'm more accustomed to, even if it was difficult and dirty work at times. Part of why I asked to be assigned offworld was because I thought I could be most useful here. I won't dissuade you from asking to be transferred later on if you come to feel that your talents are wasted here, or you don't find it to your liking. I don't believe in forcing anyone to like their place so much as letting them find it."

-----
Character descs:

Vandre

Hair, abundant in quantity and both thick and full, cascades down and around this human's head, acting as an intermingling mass of silky strands hued a deep shade akin to red wine's own color. Bearing a natural sheen it flows freely from its source, descending in a straightforward design before cutting off near the chin, cropped with jagged tips as if cut indiscriminately. Eyes, crafted into a faint almond shape, dot his face just above the nose. A deep hazel colors the eyes that have been burnished, almost unnaturally, somewhat with an added rich gold shade to form a mixture of a gilded, yellow brown. Unmarred and unblemished, the human's face is set upon a canvas of fair skin that provides the foundation for his finely carved facial features. Slightly pronounced cheekbones stand to either side of his faintly angular nose, a nose not too angular as to grant a pointed tip. Supple lips are placed beneath, full and hued a healthy shade and a round chin has been set beneath, while all around stubble cloaks the lower half of his face - a blanket of soft, red-brown short hairs that shade his face in a slight manner.

Built with a sculpturesque form, the human bears sinewy legs, muscular arms and a somewhat lean torso. Broad shoulders crown the sides of his torso with deltoids of worked muscle that give way to wiry arms and thick forearms. Thick leather boots, color of night, clad both feet and lower leg. Above, form-fitting pants covers the rest of his legs and in their tailoring help accentuate movement. Wrapped around his waist is a thin leather belt set with a small buckle, more utilitarian than stylish. A long-sleeved shirt, light in construction covers his torso fixed with obsidian buttons that seemingly blend into the clothing's dark hues. Over this he wears a jacket, trimmed to his figure and thick in its design. The collar is slight and the rest of the jacket unfolds in a military style. Black leather gloves sheathe his hands and a thin chain of gold hangs from two belt loops at his side, supporting a small red orb set within a metal crest.

Caliah

Slender and blade-lithe, this might seem a handsome youth of stark-edged beauty, a slim and long-limbed waif; despite her slightness, her stance is straight-shouldered and razor-edged, the lines of her slight frame honed and graceful.

Youthful features, finely cast, are composed in sharp, aesthetic elegance, crystalline beauty limned in frost, pale and cold as purest ice; catlike eyes of brilliant violet, exotic and tilted, barely softened by their fringe of black lashes, glitter beneath arched, thin eyebrows of jet. Shining platinum hair, startling against the snowy whiteness of her skin, is cut jaggedly short and sharply layered, parted rakishly to her right, sharp locks left long where they frame the sides of her face, framing high, sharply defined cheekbones. Her nose is straight and fine, mouth full-lipped above a pointed chin. A long neck finely boned segues into lean shoulders, a narrow torso, a waist wasping into slim hips; her legs are slim and long, lithe with muscle. A stud of silver pierces the lobe of her left ear, dangling a tiny sliver of diamond from a fine platinum chain.

Attired in the tatters of clothes seeming nothing more than utilitarian rags, she nevertheless evinces the unyielding steel and silent bearing of a soldier, her luminous skin a sharp contrast to the threadbare cloth of her garb. A thin, tight high-necked shirt of black fits her slimness tightly, long sleeves nearly hiding her black-gloved hands, cutouts worn through at her shoulders to bare lean, sharply delineated deltoid muscles. A wide band of black military-issue polyfiber canvas is cinched tightly about her narrow torso, clasped with rivets and steel; her extraordinarily long legs are clad in sable breeches, tucked in knee-high boots of faded synthetic leather. A necklace, crafted of delicate metal links, hangs about her ebony-clad throat.

---

<OOC> Caliah says, "XD *needle needle*"
<OOC> Vandre says, "*sob*"
<OOC> Vandre strangles Caliah in her sleep. T_T
<OOC> Caliah says, "Cal is just trying to see how he'll react :P"
<OOC> Caliah says, "she doesn't usually do things out of meanness sob"
<OOC> Vandre says, "sob lies"
<OOC> Vandre will have him go shirtless and then slide his thumbs down his hipbones before hooking them in his pants...xD!
<OOC> Caliah says, "making use of OOC info ic XDD *dies*"
<OOC> Vandre says, "no!"
<OOC> Caliah unzips his pants. XDDD
<OOC> Caliah says, "kidding sob"
<OOC> Vandre says, "omg xD"

*edit* Why do people think that wearing a bulletproof jacket will make them proof against /all/ guns? I'd like to spray them with Cal's MP7-type (which happens to be able to pierce through 0.6 inches of titanium with 20 layers of kevlar at 656 feet according to H&K) and see if they can hold water after that.