((Done in an attempt to get back into the spirit of writing, on my trusty writing unit the ASUS Eee 901. After a year or so of writer's block, this is one of the first pieces I've done where the writing has come easy, willingly and I'm happy with what I've put down. So sit back, relax and prepare for the bromance.))
The call for back-up came clear over Cauter's commslink. With thrusters screeching with flames the gold and red suit of powered armour cut through the air like a knife.
Cauter here, calling in. Lance said into his helmet's microphone. ETA... four minutes and counting, according to GPS.
Received, Lance. Waiting outside the premises. A male voice came through the speakers. Watch out for the billboa-
Cauter barrelled hard out of the way, of a Red Beast advert, muttering a few choice explicit words. It's avoided. Busy morning, Mike?
The usual. Sweeping the docks at Talos Island, had a few Tsoo ink shipments to round up. That should put the squeeze on their operations. Other than that? The usual. Mike chuckled.
Dealing with Eloise then? She getting excited? Cauter smiled as he spoke, happy for his friend's relationship. Easing off on the throttle a little, the power armour started its descent to over street level. Waves were given, as is expected to small children and especially female fans.
Oh yes, though she's fretting a bit. Mother's flying in from home tomorrow.
All the way from the Big Snapple-
Apple. Mike interjected with a laugh.
I prefer my version. Thanksgiving, then?
Not just that. What's a prospective mother-in-law without grilling the bride over details and arrangements? The sigh and weariness at that thought was quite audible. What are your plans?
Scoring a turkey dinner at the tower, fire patrol duty... Resignation seeped into the hero's own voice.
Going to see your mother too?
... Yeah. It was never a time that he relished. Granted, his mother was a big part in his life, but every time he went, her memory got worse. Details of her and his life slipped and blurred and ebbed away. Lance swallowed the lump out of his throat. Coming in now.
I see you. Mike waved from outside Taylor's, Gentleman's Outfitters. The police officer stood in his beat uniform, not the blue and white outfit of the Awakened Division. And if you need to come over at any point tomo-
I know. Lance said out loud, the bottom part of his helmet obscuring his smile. Heat shimmered off his Firebrand armour as various cooling vents opened, fuel nozzles shut and flight systems powered down. This is it, then? He glanced up at the sign, then the window displays full of suits, outfits and tuxedos.
One more step towards marriage. You ready?
Cauter burst out laughing. Easily for this. I should be asking -you- that question. Just let me finish cooling off, and let's do this thing.
Names? A man in black trousers, a perfectly white shirt and a clipboard asked, eyeing the pair up. This isn't Icon, you know. There was mirth at his own little joke in his voice as he asked, peering over his rounded glasses.
Mike Preston, this here is Lance Silverstone. Here to try on the suits for a wedding.
Ah yes, yes... I'll go get them for you. Make yourselves comfortable in the changing area. He gestured with his pen at the door through to a side room.
Cauter's suit hissed with each step, the leg servos working away as he moved into the room. There was a large mirror running along one wall, with curtained-off side areas for changing. Little nervous about this, you know.
Trying on suits? Mike smiled, patting his best man's shoulder pad.
In part... first time trying out some of the modifications and the new undersuit. Cauter carefully lifted his helmet off, shaking his long, auburn hair out as he did so. His reservations were perfectly reasonable, he thought as he started removing some of the inner part of his mask. When your power is sweating a flammable chemical, any open source of ignition was a big worry. It's what kept him confined in his armour outside of his apartment after all.
You mentioned the mods, what exactly is the deal with them? Glancing over, Lance saw his friend unclip the belt with all his police equipment on. He found it strange that someone who could transform into the misnomer-named 'Dwarf form' needed a gun or a baton.
Well, the main part is the undersuit I'm wearing. Has tubing woven into it to act as a spare store of fuel, small ignition trigger on the hands for burning off excess. Plus it's thin enough to look good under a suit.
Unlike those plans BODI came up with, right? Mike grinned at him, mentioning the suit over the power armour design that the Unity Vigil's AI, BODICIA had proffered as a suggestion.
She meant well, and it was looking like a close probability for a while.
So what about your face? Let me guess, some nano-tubing skin to channel sweat into the rest when you get up to do your speech?
... You know, that might have worked. But no, just some anti-perspiration cream. Good idea though, something to work on in the fabricators. Lance chuckled, his armour clunking and clicking as internal locks released and piping shut off. Just going to wander back here though. Got to disconnect the 'plumbing'.
TMI Lance. T. M. I. Mike called out from behind him as he wandered into one of the booths.
-----------------------------------------------
You ready?
As I'll ever be.
Let's do this then.
The curtains separating them from the rest of the room swished back as the two men walked out, grins on both their faces as they turned to the mirror. Both were in black suits, Mike's with a dark blue tie and Lance's with a red. Like amateur models the pair moved through various poses. Glancing at the prospective groom fiddling with his collar, Lance grinned.
That's to be expected, I hear.
What?
The collar feeling like a noose.
Oh hah, hah, hah. I hope the jokes in your speech are better. Mike rolled his eyes. ... Does look good though.
Yup. I feel like some kind of secret agent. Good fit. Easy to move in.
Dancing at the reception is more what worries me.
Speaking of, who's she having as maid of honour?
I'd guess either Jessica-
Stoneberg or Kade? Lance pressed the question. There were a fair number of Jessica's in the city, and when one was a green-skinned mage of very high skill, and the other a cute, if very eccentric nanomachine-fuelled human, distinction was important.
Kade. Or Ellie.
... Damn.
Damn? I thought you liked both of them. Mike was raising his eyebrow at him.
I do, only issue is that... well, it's kind of a tradition to hook up with the maid of honour. The best man that is.
Thanks for the clarification. Here I was about to whisk either or both away for a scandalous fling.
Hope your jokes are better, you know what I mean. Lance sighed. Problem is they're both married. And gay. Are there going to be any available bridesmaids for me to scupper chances of a relationship with?
If not, I'll arrange for guests. Don't play yourself down though. You're a good man. Granted, a bit of a joker at times, but you've got a good heart.
Lance couldn't help but smile at that. Thanks... I don't know. Finding a woman to settle down with that doesn't mind sleeping in a ventilated, ignition proof room and ignoring the fact I'm a walking zippo lighter seems a tall order. Hell, would you?
Would I what?
Would you date me, if you were a woman? Lance covered his mouth as soon as -that- got said. That certain part of his best friend's history was one they didn't talk about, seeing as it didn't matter to him. Born Emily or not, Mike was one of the guys.
Tough question. Would you?
What, if I were a woman? I don't know... hard to think like a girl.
Exactly. Mike grinned. Exactly...
... Don't think I will date someone for a while. Not while I've got Mother to worry about.
Come on. Mike put an arm around Lance. Let's get back in our clothes, and you can take me to that steak house and talk. Grab a few beers, got the afternoon off after all. Plus we can do this while you can keep your helmet off.
Lance could feel himself perking up then. In-Front Steak House it is! Steaks the size of a dinner plate, I tell you. It was one of his favourite restaurants after all. He paused in heading back to his booth as Mike offered a fist out.
Thanks for having my back in all this.
The man known as Lance 'Cauter' Silverstone, the Burning Sensation, tapped his fist against that of Officer Michael 'Storm Sapphire' Preston. A symbol of brotherly solidarity since... well, since a few years now.
Any time, bro. Any time. Now, talk to me about stag nights.
Steel Canyon, Tuesday 24th November, 1054 AM.
((Done in an attempt to get back into the spirit of writing, on my trusty writing unit the ASUS Eee 901. After a year or so of writer's block, this is one of the first pieces I've done where the writing has come easy, willingly and I'm happy with what I've put down. So sit back, relax and prepare for the bromance.))
The call for back-up came clear over Cauter's commslink. With thrusters screeching with flames the gold and red suit of powered armour cut through the air like a knife.
Cauter here, calling in. Lance said into his helmet's microphone. ETA... four minutes and counting, according to GPS.
Received, Lance. Waiting outside the premises. A male voice came through the speakers. Watch out for the billboa-
Cauter barrelled hard out of the way, of a Red Beast advert, muttering a few choice explicit words. It's avoided. Busy morning, Mike?
The usual. Sweeping the docks at Talos Island, had a few Tsoo ink shipments to round up. That should put the squeeze on their operations. Other than that? The usual. Mike chuckled.
Dealing with Eloise then? She getting excited? Cauter smiled as he spoke, happy for his friend's relationship. Easing off on the throttle a little, the power armour started its descent to over street level. Waves were given, as is expected to small children and especially female fans.
Oh yes, though she's fretting a bit. Mother's flying in from home tomorrow.
All the way from the Big Snapple-
Apple. Mike interjected with a laugh.
I prefer my version. Thanksgiving, then?
Not just that. What's a prospective mother-in-law without grilling the bride over details and arrangements? The sigh and weariness at that thought was quite audible. What are your plans?
Scoring a turkey dinner at the tower, fire patrol duty... Resignation seeped into the hero's own voice.
Going to see your mother too?
... Yeah. It was never a time that he relished. Granted, his mother was a big part in his life, but every time he went, her memory got worse. Details of her and his life slipped and blurred and ebbed away. Lance swallowed the lump out of his throat. Coming in now.
I see you. Mike waved from outside Taylor's, Gentleman's Outfitters. The police officer stood in his beat uniform, not the blue and white outfit of the Awakened Division. And if you need to come over at any point tomo-
I know. Lance said out loud, the bottom part of his helmet obscuring his smile. Heat shimmered off his Firebrand armour as various cooling vents opened, fuel nozzles shut and flight systems powered down. This is it, then? He glanced up at the sign, then the window displays full of suits, outfits and tuxedos.
One more step towards marriage. You ready?
Cauter burst out laughing. Easily for this. I should be asking -you- that question. Just let me finish cooling off, and let's do this thing.
---------------------------------------------------
Names? A man in black trousers, a perfectly white shirt and a clipboard asked, eyeing the pair up. This isn't Icon, you know. There was mirth at his own little joke in his voice as he asked, peering over his rounded glasses.
Mike Preston, this here is Lance Silverstone. Here to try on the suits for a wedding.
Ah yes, yes... I'll go get them for you. Make yourselves comfortable in the changing area. He gestured with his pen at the door through to a side room.
Cauter's suit hissed with each step, the leg servos working away as he moved into the room. There was a large mirror running along one wall, with curtained-off side areas for changing. Little nervous about this, you know.
Trying on suits? Mike smiled, patting his best man's shoulder pad.
In part... first time trying out some of the modifications and the new undersuit. Cauter carefully lifted his helmet off, shaking his long, auburn hair out as he did so. His reservations were perfectly reasonable, he thought as he started removing some of the inner part of his mask. When your power is sweating a flammable chemical, any open source of ignition was a big worry. It's what kept him confined in his armour outside of his apartment after all.
You mentioned the mods, what exactly is the deal with them? Glancing over, Lance saw his friend unclip the belt with all his police equipment on. He found it strange that someone who could transform into the misnomer-named 'Dwarf form' needed a gun or a baton.
Well, the main part is the undersuit I'm wearing. Has tubing woven into it to act as a spare store of fuel, small ignition trigger on the hands for burning off excess. Plus it's thin enough to look good under a suit.
Unlike those plans BODI came up with, right? Mike grinned at him, mentioning the suit over the power armour design that the Unity Vigil's AI, BODICIA had proffered as a suggestion.
She meant well, and it was looking like a close probability for a while.
So what about your face? Let me guess, some nano-tubing skin to channel sweat into the rest when you get up to do your speech?
... You know, that might have worked. But no, just some anti-perspiration cream. Good idea though, something to work on in the fabricators. Lance chuckled, his armour clunking and clicking as internal locks released and piping shut off. Just going to wander back here though. Got to disconnect the 'plumbing'.
TMI Lance. T. M. I. Mike called out from behind him as he wandered into one of the booths.
-----------------------------------------------
You ready?
As I'll ever be.
Let's do this then.
The curtains separating them from the rest of the room swished back as the two men walked out, grins on both their faces as they turned to the mirror. Both were in black suits, Mike's with a dark blue tie and Lance's with a red. Like amateur models the pair moved through various poses. Glancing at the prospective groom fiddling with his collar, Lance grinned.
That's to be expected, I hear.
What?
The collar feeling like a noose.
Oh hah, hah, hah. I hope the jokes in your speech are better. Mike rolled his eyes. ... Does look good though.
Yup. I feel like some kind of secret agent. Good fit. Easy to move in.
Dancing at the reception is more what worries me.
Speaking of, who's she having as maid of honour?
I'd guess either Jessica-
Stoneberg or Kade? Lance pressed the question. There were a fair number of Jessica's in the city, and when one was a green-skinned mage of very high skill, and the other a cute, if very eccentric nanomachine-fuelled human, distinction was important.
Kade. Or Ellie.
... Damn.
Damn? I thought you liked both of them. Mike was raising his eyebrow at him.
I do, only issue is that... well, it's kind of a tradition to hook up with the maid of honour. The best man that is.
Thanks for the clarification. Here I was about to whisk either or both away for a scandalous fling.
Hope your jokes are better, you know what I mean. Lance sighed. Problem is they're both married. And gay. Are there going to be any available bridesmaids for me to scupper chances of a relationship with?
If not, I'll arrange for guests. Don't play yourself down though. You're a good man. Granted, a bit of a joker at times, but you've got a good heart.
Lance couldn't help but smile at that. Thanks... I don't know. Finding a woman to settle down with that doesn't mind sleeping in a ventilated, ignition proof room and ignoring the fact I'm a walking zippo lighter seems a tall order. Hell, would you?
Would I what?
Would you date me, if you were a woman? Lance covered his mouth as soon as -that- got said. That certain part of his best friend's history was one they didn't talk about, seeing as it didn't matter to him. Born Emily or not, Mike was one of the guys.
Tough question. Would you?
What, if I were a woman? I don't know... hard to think like a girl.
Exactly. Mike grinned. Exactly...
... Don't think I will date someone for a while. Not while I've got Mother to worry about.
Come on. Mike put an arm around Lance. Let's get back in our clothes, and you can take me to that steak house and talk. Grab a few beers, got the afternoon off after all. Plus we can do this while you can keep your helmet off.
Lance could feel himself perking up then. In-Front Steak House it is! Steaks the size of a dinner plate, I tell you. It was one of his favourite restaurants after all. He paused in heading back to his booth as Mike offered a fist out.
Thanks for having my back in all this.
The man known as Lance 'Cauter' Silverstone, the Burning Sensation, tapped his fist against that of Officer Michael 'Storm Sapphire' Preston. A symbol of brotherly solidarity since... well, since a few years now.
Any time, bro. Any time. Now, talk to me about stag nights.
SUPPORT - IT'S NOT JUST A GROUPING OF ATs
-
More Than a Game
-