Flying isn't Just for Birds [Closed]

[Kari Muffin]

"Oh well. If you do it slowly could they complain? I mean like...." he leaned forward, he didn't want to be heard by anyone else. "If you make Aces equal to the general public, could the nobles fight back? It wouldn't really effect them that much would it? I imagine you'd have to worry about them the most since they have the armies and all that." The raccoon's wings twitched with discomfort. The thought of war was awful, so many people would die. Was it really for the right cause? Well, he thought it would be, but not everyone would.

"Don't be scared though. You can do it. Really. I think you're strong enough to do anything you set your mind too, it's just going to take a lot of work, isn't it?" Rocky shrugged returning to his normal tone of voice, "I mean if a raccoon can fly anything should be possible."

[danishweasel]

"I guess it's just because...well, seeing as I've been getting closer to what I've set out to do, I've been trying to draw more conclusions through my research, and well...they're not the happiest scenarios."

She still kept her voice low as well as her head.

"When a disease enters the body, it isn't forceful or anything like that. It has to be in a disguise and blend in with the rest of the organisms in the body before it tries to replicate itself. It isn't until the body's immune system catches on with what's going on that it kicks into gear and most of the harshest symptoms of the illness come into play. Though, I'm afraid...when it does get out what I'm trying to do...I'll be seen as a disease and not a panacea."

She shook her head, trying her hardest to regain that happy smile she had walked in with. How selfish she was, she thought. This wasn't the time or the place to be talking about this.

"But really, enough of that. This is supposed to be a happy time, a celebration! I shouldn't be talking about such things. So, now that you've succeeded in your research, what are you going to study now?"

[Kari Muffin]

That was distress, but he was willing to follow the change of subject. It was easier this way. "I don't really know actually. I think I may go into therapy or something. Help people with wing problems fly again and stuff like that. I guess I want to help people using my research as much as I can."

His goal was very different from Ataxia. It was no where near as great. He couldn't imagine something "great" like her. Helping a few people would be good enough for him. He was still helping Mori, and he was quite successful so far. If he could help others... well that would be fantastic.

"I love flight so much I don't think I could ever not do something with it. It would just be boring," He said with a weak shrug. The food was placed in front of him and Ataxia by a smiling server. He thanked her, and she skittered off. He looked down at his soup, water and sandwich. He wasn't very hungry anymore. Still he picked up the spoon and sipped a bit. Well, maybe he really was hungry.

[danishweasel]

"Therapy, huh? Hey, great way to apply that research while helping others in the process. Spiffy idea! It'll mean a lot to the winged people, I'm sure. I don't know too many experts out there on flight or the structure of wings. Then again, if it doesn't have anything to do with some kind of disease, I'm kind of useless, really."

It wasn't completely true. She knew a bit of first aid and anatomy, but that was needed for her research as well. Rocky would do great as a therapist. Not only did he really know his research, but he was just a nice person overall, very supportive, and that was important for people who needed to get better. He would be bringing people that same happy feeling he must have felt while in the air.

"That reminds me, how was it, flight? How did it feel to be up there?"

The conversation paused as the food was brought to the table. Ataxia thanked the server and was about to turn to her food and continue the conversation when an idea struck her mind. She quick called the waitress back and whispered something into her ear. The server nodded with a smile and went on her way.

"Okay, back to flight. Tell be all about it!"

[Kari Muffin]

Rocky puffed up with pride. "It was amazing! I don't think I can describe what it's like to be that high in the sky and see everything! Everything!" He almost squeaked when he spoke. He understood why his father like flying so much. It really cleared the head when one was stressed, and it made everything seem better.

He ate a bit of his soup with a grin still on his face. Happy didn't describe what he was at the moment. Down right joyous couldn't even describe how happy talking about flying was. "I really wish I could show you, but you know. It's a bit hard to carry someone. I couldn't describe a sunset from the sky, or the way the buildings look in words. It's just to hard to describe other than "joy." I've never been so happy in my life."

[danishweasel]

Ataxia smiled as she listened to Rocky, eating a bite of her sandwich as he radiated joy and pride. It sounded too amazing, flying through the air. I made her wonder...what if she...? No, no. She already had enough work to do on her main project. Besides, reality already butted into that daydream before and left her with an imaginary headache that lasted a good couple days.

"Oh, no worries about that. I wouldn't want you trying to carry me on the ground, let alone up in the air, and that's not because I doubt your strength either. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the type that's light as a feather. I'm probably best on the ground anyways. Really though, I'm so happy you made it. I can't think of anyone else who deserves that success more than you. You proved all those doubters wrong."

[Kari Muffin]

"At least you're lighter than me, but thank you, so much Ataxia. It really means a lot to me that you're here," The raccoon smiled. Rocky was blushing a bit under his fur, thankfully she couldn't see that. It really felt wonderful to be appreciated. He didn't have pipe dreams anymore, because they were all reality. He could make a dream come true. It was the most satisfying feeling, and it was more satisfying sharing with friends.

He took another bite or two out of his meal before speaking again. Talking at meals was probably a bad thing, but he didn't honestly care. "Maybe one day I'll figure out how to show you what it's like to fly. I really wish I could carry you. I wish I was better with words at least so I could describe things properly." Chemical symbols and muscle charts made more sense than words.

[danishweasel]

"It's nothing, no problem at all, Rocky! What'd I tell ya? You'd be able to fly and be as great as you strove to be. And you'll be dodging clouds and riding thermals. It wouldn't make a lick of sense if I wasn't here celebrating with you! I told you I'd be there, and here I am."

Rocky's success wasn't just something that brought her warm fuzzies, but some inspiration as well. How many stumbling blocks had Rocky hit before reaching his goal? Even when it looked its bleakest with that experimental slip-up, he didn't give up on his goal. And now, he was going to help others. If he could reach his dream, she wouldn't give up either.

"Oh, don't worry about that. I wouldn't be surprised if some Corvie someday invented a flying machine. Until then, I'm just fine with looking up at the sky and imagining. Though I am kind of curious about how clouds taste."

She smiled sheepishly at the thought. While she could technically make clouds containing the same chemical components, it didn't seem quite the same as sampling them 'in the wild'.

[Kari Muffin]

"It tastes like fog," Rocky chuckled and gave her a wink. Well, that was the closest comparison that he could think of for "taste" of a cloud. He knew what she meant of course. The raccoon could careless about being serious though. He grinned as he continued to eat his lunch.

"Do you have any plans this afternoon?" Rocky asked. His wings twitched with anticipation for her response. He had nothing to do for the rest of the day, and he wasn't sure what to do period. He could check out a few stores or start studying to open a new practice, but he honestly didn't want to. He would eventually find something to do, he was sure. His tail twitched again as he took a sip of his soup. "I was wondering if you wanted to have some ice cream with me again. It's kind of depressing when I go alone."

[danishweasel]

"Never would have guessed that one."

For a moment, Ataxia turned her face away with a fake pout before turning back, sticking her tongue out at him and grinning wide. Sure, it wasn't the answer she was looking for. Even so, it was better than a weird look or asking why it should matter.

She nipped up a few bites of her sandwich as Rocky asked about her afternoon plans. Her ears twitched a bit at the mention of another get-together over ice cream. Tail wagging, barely keeping in the chair, she nodded before swallowing to answering.

"A-course! Don't have to ask me twice. Though, ya think we'll have enough room?"

From the side, she could see the waitress returning with what she had asked for: a small cake with vanilla icing with the words "Happy Flight Day" written in yellow. With the new delivery, her tail wagged all the harder.

"Sorry, couldn't resist it. Felt appropriate enough. What's a celebration without cake? Happy Flight Day!"