An Old Industrial District, Tokyo, Thursday Evening

[soniaroadsqueen]

One of the things that Ringo really loved about visiting home, besides seeing her awesome sisters, was getting to AirTrek with people who had been doing it almost as long as she had. The scene had continued to evolve since the last time she'd visited, but that just meant that it was possible to get involved in a pick-up match of almost anything. You could even get into a casual game of Balloon, which hadn't really been something she'd ever imagined.

And while she might find it difficult to admit, the public nature of AT gatherings in Tokyo (well, public within the community, anyway) gave her a chance to show off. Sure, Ringo tried not to be too, you know, arrogant or anything, but she knew she was good. Really good. And having people who could recognize that, and appreciate it, was a real thrill.

It just felt awesome to have people clap and whistle appreciatively at some of the tricks she'd spent so much time practicing over and over back at Fandom. The hard work wasn't for nothing.

"This is so much more amazing than last time I came out to one of these!" Ringo declared excitedly as she flopped down on the ground next to her sisters to take a quick breather and chug water from the bottle she'd brought with her.

Comments

[that_oldsaying]

She blinked at him.

"But, why?"

[rebelseekspizza]

Dante shrugged. "There's just gotta be somewhere that's less crowded but still lets you see shit."

[that_oldsaying]

Alluka considered him thoughtfully. It made her feel... happy, to know that he'd move places so that she was more comfortable.

It would probably embarrass him if she said that though.

"I don't think we're allowed on the roofs here," she said, looking over at them. "But I don't think they let us on Fandom either and Ringo and I do that all the time..."

[rebelseekspizza]

"Right," Dante said. "And it's more fun when you break the rules, right?"

It was for him, anyway. "I can get you up there."

[that_oldsaying]

"It's usually not too bad," Alluka said, since she didn't think Ringo would mind, Dante certainly didn't, and what her parents didn't know they couldn't tell her was wrong.

Alluka still hated being considered a bad girl. She worked hard to be good.

"Do you think we'll get caught?"

[rebelseekspizza]

Dante gave another firm shrug as he got up. "I don't think I care," he offered.

And then offered her a hand.

[that_oldsaying]

Startled, Alluka laughed, reaching out to take his hand.

She still held Mr. Bubbles in her other, though, and wasn't inclined to leave him behind, even as she stood up.

"Maybe there's people up there already," Alluka said. "It's fun to travel off the ground that way."

[rebelseekspizza]

"Probably," Dante agreed. "Especially these AirTrek people. They're all about jumping around and shit." He tugged her out of the crowd, towards the edges, near one of the buildings. "

[that_oldsaying]

"You're not into AirTrek?" Alluka asked, skating along with him, not letting go of his hand. "It's fun to jump, though I'm not as good as a lot of them are."

But she was better than a lot of them too, which was a weird feeling.

[rebelseekspizza]

"I like AirTrek fine," Dante said, "But it's not my hobby, it's Ringo's."

Once they were at the side of the building, he turned to Alluka and added, "I'm gonna pick you up now, all right?"

[that_oldsaying]

"That's fine," she said trustingly. "You won't hurt me."

[rebelseekspizza]

Dante nodded.

He scooped her up into his arms. Sure, she had the skates, but he was pretty sure his way was faster and more reliable.

He pushed off the ground, put his foot on a second story window, then leaped onto the fourth floor fire escape, and up a few more floors until his feet hit the roof.

"Ding ding, top floor, penthouse level."

[that_oldsaying]

Alluka laughed, looking around.

"It was like you can almost fly," she said happily. "That's amazing!"

[rebelseekspizza]

"Fly, jump, kinda the same thing, right?" Dante said, as he made sure he set Alluka down carefully.

[that_oldsaying]

She grinned as she got her balance back.

"It is, if the jump is big enough!"

[rebelseekspizza]

Dante grinned at her, and then walked to the edge of the roof.

"Now, look at that," he said, "We've still got a great view."

[that_oldsaying]

She skated over, careful of the edge, and peered down.

"Look!" she said, pointing. "There's Ringo!"

[rebelseekspizza]

"Lookin' a lot smaller from up here," Dante said, as he sat down, legs dangling over the roof.

[that_oldsaying]

"I like it better," she admitted, watching everyone down below. "It's less... everywhere."

[rebelseekspizza]

"Good," Dante said, chipper. He flashed her a quick-- grin. Let's call it a grin. (It was a smile.) "No point in goin' somewhere to have fun if it's not fun, right?"