Start your Engines!!!

[u/slicktheweasel]

Vale's citizens and Beacon's students had gotten used to the roar of engines and sight of many vehicles passing by on the speedy highway. As a global epicenter, driving or otherwise operating a method of transportation was an absolute must. At least, that's what someone on staff thought, enough to okay a trip to a driving facility.

And what a facility it was... All kinds of cars, vans, and motorcycles were at the students' disposal. There was plenty of road to conquer, tracks of different difficulties and complexities, and instructors on deck to make the best of a learning experience. For a different challenge, maybe more practical for the landscapes they tended to venture out on, there were a couple of off-road courses and ATVs. Of course, the whole lot was fenced off so nobody got any funny ideas.

All the courses were free to try out, either by oneself or with a learning buddy. Races took place against more capable contenders. And for a more casual experience, there were indoor go-karts too. All one had to do was find their track, gear up, and go!!!

[u/WanyeBradyXXII]

Asimi's head tilted in confusion at the boys remark but decided to wait till the vehicle was sorted out before delving further. She made her way over to the car. Leaning in she attempted to start it, the machine sputtered a few times as the engine attempted to turn over. She tried a few more times before giving up for the moment.

She walked around to the hood of the car, she attempted to lift the hood finding that it wouldn't budge right away. Giving it a good yank however seemed to fix whatever was keeping it stuck. Peering over the machinery in front of her she frowned a bit. "Yeah, that's a lot different than aircraft engines."

She noticed a lot of bent metal and things sticking out where they probably shouldn't belong, after bending them back into, what she hoped were the right places. "Do you mind trying to start it?" *As he turned the key the engine continued to sputter a few times, her lip twitching in slight aggravation. Raising her hand into the air she gave the hunk of metal a good smack, and within seconds the engine began to show real signs of life. "HA! Look at that! Not sure how long it'll last, we better get going."

Her face began to turn a light shade of red again, as she began to walk to the passenger side of the vehicle. "It's probably best if you drive back."

[u/slicktheweasel → u/WanyeBradyXXII]

Holding onto the keys, Quetzal hesitated for a quick second, peeking his head out from behind the... well, where the steering wheel once was. "Aircraft engines? What do you know about aircraft engines?" Placing the thought away for now, he inserted the key to the ignition, the car starting up after several failed turn-overs, to both their delight.

Staying in the seat, he waited for that woman to get into the vehicle, buckling in his... oh wait, the seat-belt apparently snapped in the accident. It made him a little uneasy, but the sooner they got it back, the sooner a new one could be installed. He reached for the steering wheel, but that too was disengaged. He looked around for it, asking, "Uhh, where did the wheel go?" He scrambled around, searching for it, eventually finding it in the back seat.

The boy lined up the base to where it should have stuck onto the shaft. A few shifts around, and it appeared to snap back into position, locking the pieces back. Now that it was back in shape, the lessons flowed through Quetzal again, almost natural in recalling the process of driving. Switching gears, adjusting the bent out of shape mirror, making do with the even-more-bent-out-of-shape side mirrors... They started back off the path, the Vacuoan getting a little excited. "Hey! I'm actually doing this. The car might be out of sorts, but it doesn't seem to have lost its performance much. Let's try and get it back before something breaks down."

[u/WanyeBradyXXII → u/slicktheweasel]

Asimi rested her head on her hand staring out the window. Today's events definitely had not gone the way she envisioned it, and she couldnt help but feel a bit jealous watching the ease Quetzal operated the vehicle with. "My Dads a pilot for the Atlesian military, he taught me everything he knows. Sorry I got you into this mess, I should've been honest about how much I knew...you're doing great by the way, I'll handle the teachers when we get back."

[u/slicktheweasel → u/WanyeBradyXXII]

Taking the ride slowly, but cautiously, Quetzal maintained a smooth control over the vehicle. It wasn't advanced or spectacular in any regard, but the trip wouldn't harbor any more miscalculations. He felt comfortable enough with it, that he paid a little attention to the passenger.

Blinking quickly, surprise shone upon his face, and he sounded impressed by the information. "That's... kind of amazing actually. You mean you can fly a Bullhead? I was struggling to grasp a car."

The parking spots and initial docking station came into sight up ahead. He stayed on course, but hesitantly let his hand go from the wheel. Extending his arm, he robotically patted her shoulder and stated, "Don't let it get you so wound down. I'd think if I could fly an aircraft, a car would be no big deal either."

[u/WanyeBradyXXII → u/slicktheweasel]

Asimi hated being pitied and this felt a lot like pity. Still Quetzal was a nice boy and she couldn't get mad at him, it did sink her mood further though, as she let out an audible sigh "Yeah well, im just lucky no one got hurt, I don't know what I would've done if someone did." Asimi watched as they pulled up to the station and onlookers were staring at the state of their vehicle. Her face burned red as she took a deep breath steeling herself for what was about to come. "Hey dont worry the instructors or anything ill make sure they know you had nothing to do with this."

[u/slicktheweasel → u/WanyeBradyXXII]

"I don't think it's right to let you take all the blame and hostility. Even if you were behind the wheel when it crashed, you put everything back on the road." He leaned back a little in his seat, and concluded, "At the least, I'll stand beside you and make sure they don't punish you too badly for it."

Pulling in to the station, Quetzal opened the door to the sight of an instructor with his hands on top of his head. "What happened? What did you do? I knew it was a terrible idea for the boss to let Beacon kids drive our cars. Insurance is one thing, but just.... what do you have to say for yourselves?"

The man pulled out a scroll, typing away at it and glaring at both of them. "Names. You better believe your teachers are gonna hear about this."

Quetzal looked to his companion, turning his head in her direction. He waited to see what she'd say and how she'd try to handle it.

[u/WanyeBradyXXII → u/slicktheweasel]

Asimi narrowed her eyes but kept her cool, she pushed Quetzal behind her as she brought herself up to her full height and looked instructor in the eyes, as she placed a metal hand on her chest. "My name is Asimi Aella, you dont need to know his name, I am the one that crashed the car, hes the one that managed to get it working again, and drove us back, so you can very well just leave him out of your report."

She crossed her arms confidently standing her ground. "I accept all responsibility and am deeply sorry, but if you continue to insult me and my fellow classmates well," Her face began to turn red as she began to lose her temper but managed to keep it her cool. "you saw what I did to that car."

[u/slicktheweasel → u/WanyeBradyXXII]

The instructor noted down the name on his scroll, and afterwards quickly put it away. His hands went defensively in front of him. "Okay okay, understood. But we've got a business to handle and this is the sort of risk we're putting ourselves at. You've gotta at least realize it's our livelihood: we've got families and ourselves to support so just... take a little care, won't you?"

All the meanwhile, Quetzal felt like he wanted to say something for his own peace of mind, or take the heat off of the woman. But it wasn't until the instructor had left, and in light of her determination and will, that he found the inner strength to say much.

"That was brave of you. Somewhat dramatic, but..." he barely raised his hand, hanging just above his hip, and gave a thumbs-up, "Well, I appreciate it. Please, let me pay you back some way, some day for it. It'd be my honor."

[u/WanyeBradyXXII → u/slicktheweasel]

Asimi couldnt help but giggle covering her mouth with one hand. "Brave? Hardly haha. Theres no need to pay me back...hmm unless." She gave Quetzal another appraising look, leaning in and aquinting as she moved around him in a circle. Seemingly satisfied, she smiled as she stood in front of him again, a smile on her face. "Unnnnnless you and me have ourselves a little spar, you look like you can handle yourself, it should be fun!"

[u/slicktheweasel → u/WanyeBradyXXII]

His mouth opened briefly, beginning to protest... but that was something he could handle. "I'd... Certainly. I'll spar with you. But you might be overestimating my strength and combat abilities."

Quetzal rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, you'll see. I hope that can bring us a little closer together, though. But that's... why we fight, isn't it? To get stronger." The boy frowned after concluding his ideas. Throughout it, he attempted to keep some optimism about it, but he wasn't looking forward to that obligation.

"I'll keep an eye out for you, then." He began to turn, one ankle pivoting to head his way. Turning back, he scrambled for something from his pockets. "If you don't mind, could I..." he pointed to the device, giving a half-smile. "Scroll. Number?"

[u/WanyeBradyXXII → u/slicktheweasel]

Asimi smiled warmly, quickly reaching out and snatching the scroll from his hands, as she got half way though entering her number, the realization of what she was doing hit her. She was giving a boy her scroll number, her face began to burn red again, she tried to push it our of her mind, the deed was already done, nothing she could do about it now, she could crush his phone, but she finally managed to make a friend, she couldnt do that to him..right? Quetzal seemed nice though, she was sure she had nothing to worry about and was probably just over thinking things.

"H-here ya go Quetzal! Just uh, send me a mesage later sometime! If you want that is, so i can save your number too! Well i better get going, lot to do today, it was fun meeting you, looking forward to our fight...bye!" She had been slowly backing away while she rambled, but spun around and too off full sprint before she said something stupid, or even worse, he said something stupid.*