MY HEART IS LIKE AN OPEN HIGHWAY

[rassera]

WHO: Kaneda rassera and YOU!
WHERE: The streets of Nonah, Heropa, or De Chima
WHEN: Early August before the swear-in, from 9pm (ish) - 2am (ish)
WHAT: Open/Catch-all post for early August! Kaneda lives the night life, and that means some intense biking is going on the streets of Nonah, Heropa, and De Chima. Feel free to run into him for crazy nighttime shenanigans/bike rides. If you have something specific feel free to PM me!
WARNINGS: DISOBEYING TRAFFIC LAWS AND SPEED LIMITS COME GET HIM COPPERS

Nonah

Ah, Nonah. Kaneda had gotten familiar enough with his surroundings here. It hadn't taken all that long. You usually memorize the streets within your first week. But that didn't mean he enjoyed them any less. There was something about them, maybe how easier it was to turn there, or he felt he could push the limits a bit more. Either way, it made for a therapeutic bike ride, looking back as his bike lights trail behind him like a tail. He was so used to there being other bikes behind him, like a pack he was responsible for. There was a certain loneliness that came with this flavour of going out for a ride.

But he tried not to think of it like that. He preferred 'nice and quiet'.

Peaceful.

That doesn't discourage him from making a few stops, though, to either stretch his legs or to get a better look at his surroundings. Maybe see if there's a bar (You can't drink, asshole) or late night eating spot. Burgers weren't his favourite food, but they did in a pinch when he didn't feel like going out to De Chima.

Heropa

Heropa provided a different kind of atmosphere (and it was a drive for Kaneda, meaning he could zone out a bit as he headed there) than Nonah had. It was more humid, enough for him to not even wear his jacket. The traffic was a little more than Nonah tonight, but that gave him more practice. Weaving in and out of cars was something he'd always done in Neo Tokyo, but he had way more going for him here. With his powers, crashes weren't the end of the world, and if luck was on his side, he could--

Ah, there. He leans into a turn suicidally, wheels pratically parallel to the pavement. Any normal rider should have wiped out...technically he would have if he pushed it any more. But luck...seemed to be on his side tonight (something that will remain as just 'luck' too, if asked) and he pulls back up and straight down the street again, doing the same for a couple more blocks before skidding to a stop.

Putting his bike in park, he practically bounds out of his seat, doing a little victory hype as he just...lets that adrenaline run through him. His hand reaches up, slinging the goggles off his eyes as he leans against the brick wall of a building.

His heart beat almost enough to burst out of his chest, and it felt great.

De Chima

Sometimes Kaneda drove all the way out to De Chima. If any place felt like home, it was here, and it wasn't just because of the takeout (Although to be fair, that was the main reason he was going tonight. He's not driving at the moment, deciding to take a break from all the speed racing he's been doing (heck, he pretty much sped over from Nonah for this. His bike's parked outside one of the many takeout restaurants that De Chima has to offer, Kaneda himself only just exiting with two bags of takeout.

One sits in the seat as he leans against the windshield of his bike, one hand holding chopsticks and the other supporting one of the cartons. This...this was the closest to home he could get, and man did it work like a salve on a worn down kid's heart. Not that there was much of a home to go back to, but he missed it all the same.

Before everything fell apart.

The other sits untouched, despite Kaneda's vicious appetite. That was for something(one) else.

[ooc: if you want something else, feel free to let me know! These are just prompts if you need them!]

Comments

( 8/5 | de chima )

[boobwindow]

Peej loves takeout. If she could she would likely live on it, but takeout costs money and she has bills and employees to pay. However, since her month-long port out nearly all the food in her fridge had gone bad and needed to be thrown. So until her fridge is packed with the necessities, she's been treating herself to some of her favourite (but reasonably priced) places. Besides, after stopping a truck from veering off the highway and into a dozen cars she feels she's earned it.

Some of the locals have seen her around enough, but it's still an odd scenario when a woman in a red cape and white costume appears from the sky without warning. Once her feet have touched the ground, Peej gives her arms and back a stretch before glancing over at the restaurant.

"Hope they've still got something left." She's addressing Kaneda, even if she isn't looking at him. She's checking the restaurant's hours of operation before she decides to waltz in.

[rassera]

Well, she's right on one thing--actually, a good many things. The first being that a woman in a red cape is certainly going to get his attention. The colour scheme's a little too close to home as it is, although seeing it on a woman (definite improvement, to be completely honest) slowly calms that slight heart attack. Oh yeah, and she flew down.

His head shakes to get back to reality as she lands, although is eyes don't divert for a second. Sorry, a really attractive woman just descended from the sky you'd stare too.

"Uh."

Great conversation. OK FOCUS.

"What I meant was, you like this place too?" And cue the smile, reaching into his own bag and pulling out one of the four cartons left in there. "Because if you want, I can save you the mystery."

[boobwindow]

She's not unused to that sort of attention, especially from men. It still manages to get a slight eye roll from her, but her buttons haven't been pushed. Her attention instead quickly falls on the fact this young man is offering up his food to her. Now that doesn't happen often unless the other happens to be working as a vendor and is trying to get an imPort to promote their business.

"For real?" she turns to face him properly. She's solidly built and fairly tall for a woman, but those boots of hers give her an extra inch or two so she towers... non-threateningly, at least.

"I could go inside and grab myself something. I figure you bought extra for yourself."

[rassera]

Well, she's got him there. It was originally for himself, but then again, he hadn't planned on company. His legs push off of leaning against that bike, noticing just how short he is in comparison. Kaneda's average for his age, but not exactly winning any height contests at 5'6''.

"I'm here enough as it is, you don't even want to see the fridge back home." He smirks, giving the carton a little wiggle as he extends it to her.

"Takeout's better with two, you know?"

[boobwindow]

She feels slightly bad despite the fact it's a lot of food he has on him, but she catches the wafting scent of hot takeout coming from the carton and can't resist for long. With a delighted hum she takes the carton into her hands. After taking a quick peek at it, she lifts her head to offer Kaneda a smile.

"Thanks... really. It's pretty nice of you to offer food to a stranger." She picks up her chopsticks with a free hand, wielding them without any difficulty. "So then, what are you doing out here by yourself if dinner's better with two?"

As far as she can see there's nobody else heading their way. Is this he by himself?

De Chima | 4th

[glitchinthesystem]

Glitch was heading to this particular food place because he didn't feel like cooking tonight and he's heard good things about it. He's rounding the corner when he see's a very red motorcycle outside the food place with some kid leaning against it. Glitch takes a moment, taking in the boy's face when he realizes that, yes, he's talked to this guy before.

Then his eyes trail to the food the guy has on his motorcycle and, welp. In he goes.

He heads over, acting casual and leans against a mail box behind the bike. His hand just slips into that bag of take out and grabs a carton. Of course, he's not totally rude as shit because he speaks up "Yo, taking one of these. I'll pay you back."

Hi, Kaneda is what he means.

[rassera]

At first, Kaneda didn't notice Glitch approaching. For someone so used to being on the streets, he certainly wasn't perceptive. Then again, when it comes to a guy and some good food, who knows what could happen without him noticing. But what he does notice is someone reaching their hand into his bag and taking a carton because excuse you.

"Hey! Just who do you think you--"

He stops himself when he sees who it is, that look of grump now replaced with a little smirk.

"Son of a bitch, I almost decked you."

He digs into the bag for some chopsticks, handing them over. "You're definitely paying me back."

[glitchinthesystem]

"I think I'm that guy who's starving."

Is the answer Kaneda gets to his unfinished question. Glitch gives a smirk in response at the thought of Kaneda thinking he can deck him. "Funny joke, but, it wouldn't have happened," sounding a little bit cocky at that. He's fought way bigger guys than Kaneda and with the added stuff of Archangel? Pretty sure he could take motor head.

Well, if it came down to it. Which it hasn't. So, he'll just snag those chopsticks and start digging in...he'll be doing a poor job at using them though. Who eats with these things?

"Yup, sure. I'm good for it." Then he makes a glance down to the motorcycle giving a low whistle. "So, this is the thing you were swooning over."

[rassera]

He likes Glitch's response, if anything. It reminded him a bit of Yamagata, with the cocky, self assured attitude. "You never know. I've gone through some shit." But he leaves it at that, digging into his carton. He does watch Glitch's attempt for a moment, before silently lifting his hand up to show to only move the top one.

But when the atetntion goes to his motorcycle, he changes hands and puts the carton in his left, running his right over the orange ceramic frame.

"Yep. Told you, it's like it's a part of me. And she looks pretty good too."

[glitchinthesystem]

"Same here, Kans." He won't get in too deep. Barely know each other and all, but, you know, Apocalypse kids is a good enough reason to stay friendly. No one really quite got that kind of stuff around here. Sure, sympathy was a thing but they didn't really get it.

He takes not of the way to use the chopsticks and attempts to copy. He does it poorly but it's effective enough to get the food in his mouth.

"Hm, yeah, I get it. I mean, sort of." A sweater you can't really take for a ride. Just wear it wherever you go. "Guessing jacking a car for a ride around the block doesn't really compare?"

Nonah

[cartesianspidertank]

Seeing a large blue spider tank driving down the street was probably enough to get anyone's double take. Probably a triple check when it pulls it at the same burger joint as you and orders a #3.

"With a side of extra ranch please!!! Oh and a side salad."

[rassera]

This face is honestly the most accurate representation of how to react to a giant blue spider tank, in his opinion. At first, he didn't think anything of it--this town was full of strange things.

It's when the tank pulls up to the desk and orders something that gets an eyebrow. A massive eyebrow.

...

Cue a finger point.

"Does this belong to anyone? Someone leave their really large service droid or something?"

[cartesianspidertank]

"Hey, I object to being categorized as a service droid, especially since its pretty obvious I'm specialized for combat operations!!!" She crosses her arms above her grenade barrel in irritation.

"Also I think the label 'droid' is rather reductionist!! How would you like it if I went around saying 'has anyone lost their hominid??'"

[rassera]

...

A look to the tank, then a look to the cashier/people around, and then back to the tank.

"Did...someone lose their hominid?"

Oh my god, Kaneda.

"But hey, easy there! I...I'm not used to living...tanks."

"Not ones that eat burgers, anyway.

[cartesianspidertank]

"Hey, what kind of vehicle is that??" Tachikoma clambers over to Kaneda to inspect his motorcycle.

Nonah

[bulwank]

Stop light.

He lives here, it's where he usually drives. Drives in that huge Pink Cadillac that is. God isn't it gorgeous? And rides beautifully, no hovering for him, he wants to feel wheels and tar. It really calms him down which has been more necessary than usual lately. Not from anger or frustration, but something a little more depressing.

Still, it helps.

Not that the red lights do, he's not that into city driving honestly. The top's always down (with how massive he is), but with all these stops he can hardly feel the wind in his hair. His left arm dangles out of the car a little, tapping at the siding. Waiting.

He glance to his side- wha-

"Kaneda?" Blinks. Staring over at the familiar ...face.

GLARE. POINTS.

"Where is your helmet!?"

[rassera]

He definitely feels you there, man. Sometimes hitting the road is the best way to lose yourself, and tonight it was no different. Things seemed easier to process, and the feeling of being on the road at such a high speed...it really did something for you.

Kaneda had only just gotten back on his bike when he saw Gamagori at the light, throwing up his eyebrows a little as his goggles snap back over his eyes. Gamagori had mentioned owning a car, but he wasn't aware of just how...sweet it looked. Congrats, buddy, you get a mental thumbs up from him.

"Gamagori?"

OH HEY BUDDY WHAT ARE YOU DOING H--

"A helmet?"

As if the thought had never really occurred to him, he cracks a smile as he starts his bike up, leaning back against the seat. "Helmets are for people who don't know what they're doing."

[bulwank]

Sweet is looked? You are pretty much the first person to think so, he'd be so pleased. He absolutely loves this car.

"Helmets are for people WHO OBEY THE LAW!"

[rassera]

He can appreciate pink! It's his school shirt of choice back home. And the style--while kind of old and a more western make--has as certain charm to it.

That statement gets the biggest smile out of him as he snaps his finger.

"Gosh darn it...there I go again being a delinquent."

That smile becomes a smirk, brow raising.

"Helmets are for people who can't handle the speed they're given."

[bulwank]

Pink is great in all varieties and on all people, it's true. You know, it used to be a colour for boys while blue was for girls. Then things changed, changed for the worse if you ask me, or Gamagori. Judge him not by the colour of his car.

The smile makes his brows raise, furrowed at the center with his forehead wrinkling. This brat!

"You should not be proud! What if something were to happen to you, do you not think ahead!" Gamagori huffs, his eyes slimming, lifting his chin. This is the longest red light ever, jesus christ, how hasn't he noticed this before. This punk better be heading HOME after this to get his damn helmet!

"It has nothing to do with being able to handle it! And aside how you may or may not do so, it is the LAW! And it must be IRON! I will escort you home immediately to get your helmet, Kaneda!"

[burnmetwice]

There were a lot of reasons Kazu did his AT running at night, but the quiet was definitely one of them. Not much was going on at 2am on a weeknight; he could concentrate on his run (and concentrating was a good idea when you were doing shit like leaping across roof tops at 200 kmh on average or scaling buildings at right angles) without, for the most part, having to deal with old ladies tending their roof gardens or cops. Not that the cops stood a chance of catching him, but who the fuck knew what could happen in a city where super powers were the norm.

He was actually winding down for the night, kind of leisurely making his way back home and letting his muscles cool down when he catches something zooming past out of the corner of his eye. Curious, he pours on the speed a little to catch up, just in time to see the bike skipping to a stop and... Wasn't that the dude who busted into Tetsuo's room?

Standing on the nearby roof, he hovers in place a little uncertainly, debating... Geting away unseen wouldn't be an issue, but well, after running all night, he's feeling a little more in his element than he had been in Tetsuo's room and he's wasn't above a little payback. Grabbing the edge of the roof, he tosses himself over and 'stops time': balancing his AT against the lip of the roof and shifting his weight back to feel the motor kick, then hurling himself forward, faster than the eye could see.

For Kaneda all this means is that one second he is totally alone and in almost that same second Kazu's there within arms reach, hands casually shoved into his pockets.

"Yo."

And there's another second—what probably feels like a very long second—that Kaneda probably can't quite move at all. But then it's gone.

[rassera]

That one second was all it took, too. Kaneda's reflexes where top notch--he wouldn't be a good biker if they weren't. But this...makes him question them just a bit. Maybe it was just him, but when he's sitting, bike comfortably idling, he feels...something. That sort of feeling where there's no one around, but you don't exactly feel alone, either.

Only he WASN'T really alone, was he? Because in that one painfully long second, longer than it takes to blink, he sees Kazu in front of him, almost unable to catch him with his naked eye.

And just like that, he was gone.

What the hell was that.

It takes a second, because the aftereffect of being unable to move is both weird and terrifying, he stumbles off his bike, searching for Kazu. He KNEW that guy. That was the guy that was in Tetsuo's room!

"What the hell???"

[burnmetwice]

—Did he see that? That throws Kazu off a little, and he wasn't nearly as calm as he looked, anyway. Stopping on a dime like that after such a short burst of speed was kind of hard, and he'd been trying to lay off the fancy stuff until he knew he could get parts for his AT. His heart's already in his throat with adrenaline.

"Er—" Keep playing it cool, Kazu. Shit. He couldn't say 'yo' again. What do you say after initial greetings. "Uh, nice bike."

[rassera]

Well thankfully, they're both two guys thrown out of their element, because Kaneda's taking his goggles off to get a better look at this.

"Hey...You're Tetsuo's boyfriend, right? Boyfriend-slash-housecleaner!"

Sorry, that's not getting old anytime soon.

"Nice...whatever that was. Into parkour?"

[burnmetwice]

Okay NOW he's disappointed he didn't fuck with him more.

"I just brought him aspirin, don't be a dick."

Kazu's not usually a particularly boastful person, but he's got enough pride in his AR to defend them to the death. He taps the front wheel demonstrably against the ground.

"What? No. Parkour is a million times weaker then having Air Trek. Your bike's maybe, five hundred thousand times weaker."

YEAH he said that.