Re: Team Punishment Minnesota Training Facility...

Cryonix Sun Mar 06, 2011 5:27 pm

Gabe gets in the driver side of the car and the doors close. He peels off into the L.A. sunset, headed downtown. The iPod in his car is blasting "Them Bones" by Alice in Chains as he drives, drifting corners just like his father and his aunt...

Gabe: So...how was your flight?

Pockets Sun Mar 06, 2011 5:34 pm

Nikki is clearly thrilled with the ride, grinning madly. The question however makes her make a face in disgust.

Nikki: Nine hours next to some greasy old sleezebag named Cletus... ugh, I have never felt so dirty....

Cryonix Sun Mar 06, 2011 5:37 pm

Gabe: Ew...that sounds like hell. Well, trust me...this base jump will clear any thought of that...though...

....what was the guy like? Do I have anything to worry about?

Pockets Sun Mar 06, 2011 5:43 pm

Nikki shudders.

Nikki: Imagine a living ball of grease and old man smell... at least I hope that was old man smell.

Cryonix Sun Mar 06, 2011 5:47 pm

Gabe laughs...

Gabe: So...it's pretty safe to say that um...'option one' is a pretty safe bet, huh? Oh look...

They enter the parking lot of the Staples Center...

Gabe: We're here...

Pockets Sun Mar 06, 2011 5:54 pm

Nikki: Normally I'm not one for the safe bet... but in that case, yes.

She looks over at Gabe.

Nikki: However, I quite liked the drive here.

Cryonix Sun Mar 06, 2011 5:59 pm

Gabe parks the car, gets out and opens her door...

Gabe: A few years while I was in college, I drove for my aunt's drifting team in some Hot Import Night and Formula D competitions. It's the reason I love Nissans now...

Pockets Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:05 pm

Nikki's eyes light up.

Nikki: Really? I've always wanted to learn how to drift.

Cryonix Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:10 pm

Gabe: That can be sorted out. I still get behind the wheel every other weekend or so out here in L.A.

Gabe sees his friend, Josh, holding the base jumping gear...

Gabe: You ready for this? It's pretty intense...

Pockets Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:13 pm

Nikki: Intense, huh?

She takes her gear.

Nikki: Perfect.

Cryonix Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:24 pm

The two of them gear up and take the service elevator to the roof. The view from up here is wonderful, but it is windy...

Gabe: Alright. Now as soon as you jump, count to 5 then open your arms and legs...and I'll see you on the ground, alright?

Pockets Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:34 pm

Nikki nods, blows Gabe a kiss and goes running off of the edge. Jumping, there is a moment of euphoria to be surrounded by nothing but air. She gasps at the view before her, but having jumped so many times before she knows to get her bearings first. There will be plenty of time for the view.

1..2..3..4..5...

She spreads her arms and legs, letting the wind catch the fabric and slow her to a glide. Now, LA, before and beneath her she flies, feeling immortal.

Cryonix Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:40 pm

Gabriel follows her off the roof and complets his count and his wing suit opens to life as well. He speaks into the mic in his helmet...

Gabe: What did I tell you, hon? It's amazing, isn't it?

Pockets Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:43 pm

Nikki had completely forgotten she'd even had a helmet on, much less a mic and headphones built in. Gabe's voice surprises her and she looks around for a moment before she remembers.

Nikki: Oh yes! It's beautiful from up here.

Cryonix Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:45 pm

Gabe smiles...

Gabe: I'm glad you like it. Hey...hang a right...want to show you something...

Pockets Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:46 pm

Following Gabe's voice, Nikki expertly turns.

Cryonix Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:47 pm

The two glide for a little while...until Nikki can see clearly the famous "Hollywood" sign from an airborne view. Gabe doesn't say anything, he just watches her...

Pockets Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:49 pm

As the huge sign comes into view Nikki gasps.

Nikki: Oh... wow....

Cryonix Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:55 pm

Gabe spins under Nikki and looks up at her. He snaps a couple of pictures with his mounted camera. He then flies back on the side of her...

Gabe: Nice little reminder of your time in the sky. We should land, though. Starting to lose altitiude pretty quickly. Ready to pull your chute?

Pockets Sun Mar 06, 2011 7:00 pm

Nikki nods, looking a little disappointed.

Nikki: It would be nice to be able to stay up here like this.

She pulls her cord and jerks up slightly as the parachute blossoms forth and catches the air.

Cryonix Sun Mar 06, 2011 7:25 pm

Gabe does the same and the two float back down the the parking area of the Staples Center. As they land, he smiles at her...

Gabe: So...not a bad first date, huh?

Pockets Sun Mar 06, 2011 7:28 pm

Nikki stares at Gabe for a second, taking off her helmet.

Nikki: So, this has become a date now?

Cryonix Sun Mar 06, 2011 7:31 pm

Gabe: Well, if you don't want it to be...

He looks a little dissapointed as he removes something from her helmet...

Gabe: I guess you won't be needing this....

Pockets Sun Mar 06, 2011 7:32 pm

Nikki curiously stops Gabe's hand.

Nikki: What is that?

Cryonix Sun Mar 06, 2011 7:35 pm

Gabe smiles...

Gabe: It's a high speed, HD camera. It runs on a memory card that can store up to a twelve hundred pictures. It took pictures of everything you saw up there. A souviner of your second base jump...much like your broken leg was your first...

...though this one hurts less, I'm sure...

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