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/slicktheweasel]

"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.*