ura_no_ura | [IC] Appointments

[Ten minutes was barely enough if he kept his speed up. The entire town separated Community House 1 from the Battle Dome, making it a sizable walk under normal circumstances. The summer heat made the trek uncomfortable, but it was far from being unbearable. But, even with his leather jacket left neatly hanging in his apartment and his thick curls pulled back into a short tail, it was hard to keep an appearance of composure.

It was only his pride that stopped him from using his power.

Instead he set off down the quicker path, across the bridge and through the woods, at a brisk pace. He arrived at the Dome in the timeframe he gave-- barely.

Hey. He was only human.]

[ ...if only he knew that Kakashi has a problem with chronic lateness.

Because it takes far more than ten minutes for Kakashi to get to the Battle Dome. Actually, more like twenty-five. And he certainly didn't rush or anything, because it's not like the world is ending or there's an emergency or anything like that. A nice, leisurely stroll works just fine in his favor.

So here's Kakashi, an entire fifteen minutes late. Acting like there's nothing wrong at all. ]

Yo.

[At least the time lag gave Barnaby a chance to recollect his cool and composure, even if it did frustrate him enough to go inside and get a couple bottles of water for himself and Kakashi while he waited.

All he could do was stare at Kakashi for a beat before he tossed the spare bottle at him.]

I take it you don't know what a watch is either.

[ Kakashi catches the bottle with a nod of thanks, shrugging a little apologetically. ]

Iyaaa~ Sorry I'm late, I got sidetracked rescuing a cat out of a tree~

That isn't-- [He caught himself mid sentence and shook his head.] Nevermind. Come on, we're going inside. I'll be able to show you what I'm talking about in there.

[Barnaby waved for him to follow. Kakashi at least wasn't any weirder than other people he's met, although he questioned the man's sanity. That many layers couldn't have been comfortable in this heat.]

[ The heat is a bit oppressive, but Kakashi's used to it after so many years. He might roll up his sleeves a little more than normal, but other than that? Well, it's not too bad.

...okay, it's pretty bad, and Kakashi'd much rather be somewhere where he doesn't have to wear very much at all, but he's still staying with Minato's family at the moment and that limits his options. And it's not like he knows where there are any secret swimming holes. Even if he'd very much like that.

He follows Barnaby into the Battle Dome as he opens the bottle and takes a sip through his mask. ]

I guess you're going to run a simulation to show me what a ... car... is?

[~~did that guy just take a sip through his mask??~~]

That's right. We can also go through what a motorcycle is, and other things that go in a garage while we're at it.

[He stopped in front of one of the simulation chambers and motioned for Kakashi to go inside.]

Edited 2013-07-18 04:54 (UTC)

[ ~~YEP HE SURE DID.~~ ]

Alright.

[ Kakashi nods and then heads into the chamber that Barnaby gestured at. ]

[Barnaby quickly tapped in a few commands into the console before following Kakashi in and shutting the door behind them. Not even a moment passed before the simulation went live-- suddenly the barren room was transformed into a paved drive that had a large white line painted onto it not far from where they stood. Lights and flags were mounted on either side of the pavement, and a utilitarian building stood not far in the distance.

He glanced at Kakashi, curious about how he'd react.]

Someone programmed this race track in the system a while back, and they left it open for public access. I admit, a few laps can be a nice way to kill time when it gets too quiet at night.

[Or when he's awake well before dawn, and is tired of listening to his own thoughts.]

[ Kakashi looks around at the surroundings, at the asphalt that stretches before them, the lights and flags in the distance. A race track meant for a "car" or a "motorcycle". He doesn't see one anywhere near them yet, so he supposes this must mean that Barnaby has to program it in. ]

I guess we can start with the car.

[ What the hell, right? ]

[Barnaby smiled at the man, a little light of mischeif in his eyes.]

No, we're not. [He pointed at the utilitarian building across the way.] We're going to the garage.

[ Oh, so no programming cars or motorcycles. Maybe they're already programmed and in the... garage. Well, Kakashi supposes he gets to find out what a garage is now.

He makes a hum of acknowledgment, then starts heading towards the direction of the garage, hands in his pockets. ]

[Barnaby led Kakashi in through the side door and flicked the switch that was mounted on the adjacent wall, flooding the spacious interior with the violently bright flourescent lights that dangled overhead. Inside it was a small selection of cars of various sorts, including a nostalgia piece that was his Honda NSX. There was also a motorcycle-- the lack of selection was because motorcycles, by and far, generally had similar designs.

He turned around and gestured around the open room, opening the forum for questions and commentary.]

So, Kakashi-san. What do you think?

[ Kakashi looks around him, unsure which is a "car" and which is a "motorcycle." He supposes that the bike-looking thing is probably the "motorcycle" since that would make sense, and the other strange metal boxes on wheels must be "cars." Interesting.

Kakashi makes a soft sound at the back of his throat, something that sounds a bit like a hum of consideration. ]

How do they work?

[ He's not entirely sure how they run, just looking at them. But he supposes this must be a "garage," where they store such vehicles. ]

[His guesses, if Barnaby knew them, were spot-on, but the question was just as tricky for Barnaby to explain. As the son of a pair of renowned robotics engineers, he had a native interest in mechanics that disposed him to knowing more than the average layman. But, as a wholly untrained layman with questionable patience and a lack of knowledge about what all Kakashi knew, an actual answer would be difficult to find. He turned around himself, bringing a hand to a chin as he hummed in thought.]

Cars are a little complicated and, frankly, they're so common back home that most people don't bother learning. But, I think we can go over the basics.

[As with the garage, a demonstration might be in order. He glanced over at his motorcycle and motioned for Kakashi to follow once more.]

I'll show you. Motorcycles and cars have the same basic propulsion system, even though one is based off of a wagon and the other is based off of a bicycle.

[He goes on to explain the principles of what makes automotives work. The engine, the fuel, the fact that there is a 'switch' that revs the engine and, ultimately, makes it move.]

...there's also ways to maneuver it, like angling the boom of a sailboat to adjust your course, but we can go over that in a minute.

[He stops in front of his Chaser. Please kindly ignore the fact that his name is stenciled on the exterior in large, friendly letters. Barnaby glanced over, expression completely neutral. This wasn't as bad as explaining the science of rainbows.]

Do you have any questions?

Edited 2013-07-24 21:50 (UTC)

Yeah. Can we test that one first?

[ Kakashi points at the motorcycle with "BARNABY" stenciled on it. Unlike the cars, which are covered, the motorcycle is exposed, and the sleek design makes it look rather aerodynamic which probably means it goes rather fast. Or so, Kakashi hopes. Because it'd be a bit of a disappointment if it didn't have any sort of impressive speed. ]

[The Chaser was fast alright-- he wouldn't use it on duty otherwise, nor would he have given his compliments to the engineer responsible. He wasn't terribly surprised by the request for a demonstration, but he hadn't expected it to come so quickly. He easily slid into the seat and revved the engine, casting a glance and a smile over at Kakashi.]

I hope you don't mind a close fit. This wasn't meant for two riders.

You want me to sit there?

[ Kakashi points at the small space behind Barnaby. Really, he had originally just meant for Barnaby to show him, but it seems Barnaby wanted him to get on the motorcycle as well.

...it sure does make loud noises. ]

Would you prefer sitting on the front?

[Completely. Flat. The answer should have been obvious.]

Actually, yes, but since I don't know how to use the motorcycle, I guess I'll just have to settle for this.

[ And with a sigh, Kakashi squeezes in behind Barnaby (wow, that is really a tight squeeze right there, two grown, tall men squeezed into a tiny little seating arrangement on a motorcycle). He's not entirely sure what to do with his hands. ]

[Barnaby sighed, now regretting his idea of a proper demonstration. He wasn't accustomed to close contact on this level, but he took comfort in the fact that it was at least temporary. This was an intellectual demonstration, that was all. It would be over after the show and an explanation of his reasons for his choice regarding the tunnels. He could deal...at least, for the moment.]

Just hold on in whatever way is the most comfortable for you.

[He was taking extra precautions because he wasn't used to a passenger, and his concerns fueled his awareness of the situation at hand. Although he suspected that there would be no problems, he stayed alert for any possible adjustments to their speed and course that they would need because of the change in weight and level of torque.

Physics were at once a boon and a bane to all calculations.

He clicked a button on the remote and opened the main door of the garage-- see part of his point now, Kakashi? --and shot out the opening without warning.

Kakashi wanted a demonstration. Ever the showman, he was going to give one.]

[ Kakashi had originally begun by holding onto the back of the motorcycle, but when the vehicle had lurched forward, engine vibrations rumbling through his entire body, wind picking up with a sudden blast from the force of the acceleration, he quickly adjusts, hands flying to grab onto Barnaby's hips. Then after a moment of consideration, he just twines his arms around the other man's waist and holds on, because well, falling off the vehicle at high speeds probably would not bode very well.

Just as a precaution, he gathers some chakra to stick himself a little more firmly to the motorcycle, then adjusts his position so he's more flush against Barnaby's back, careful not to get a faceful of pink wings in the process. This way, if there are any sudden turns or movements, he'll be rather firmly anchored.

Hopefully the other man won't mind too much. It's either this or risk having Kakashi thrown off on a steep curve. ]

[He knew the risks from the outset, and had expected Kakashi to hold on so tightly as soon as he set off onto the track. The clear, smooth road made acceleration easy. Forty, fifty, sixty miles per hour and above were hit within moments. The machine could clock one hundred and twenty miles per hour before the engine stalled out, but he didn't feel like risking that particular velocity for the moment. His glasses kept the wind from whipping his curls into his eyes as he rounded the first turn at breakneck speed.

Then, he lifted his foot from the gas. There was plenty of time to continue the show.

Never taking his eyes from the track, he raised his voice above the wind to continue their prior discussion.]

Now do you understand my choice?

[ They're going very fast, the velocity and rate of acceleration rather impressive. At top speeds, ninja can go up to sixty miles an hour (and shinobi like Gai and Lee can go even faster in short bursts) but it takes up a tremendous amount of stamina. Normally, on long distance treks, they end up clocking around thirty or forty. He could see how a vehicle like this might be advantageous, as it would not eat up any stamina and could shorten travel time significantly, as there would be no need to take as many breaks while traveling.

But at the same time, a vehicle like this is limited to traveling on roads, while ninja can take shortcuts through the trees.

Either way, Barnaby had said that equipment is more valuable than information, but Kakashi's not entirely sure if he agrees that this kind of equipment would be, in fact, more valuable. Especially considering that there aren't plenty of nice, paved roads throughout the entirety of Luceti. ]

I think I'll have to disagree.

[ He calls out over the wind. ]

There aren't enough roads.

[It was an obvious misunderstanding here, primarily because of the fact that Barnaby needed to explain more of his ideas.]

You really think that these are the only things there? [Honestly.] Tools are also kept there. Machines that are used frequently.

We could find a use for them or their parts ourselves.

-- and you don't understand. There are all-terrain vehicles.

Edited 2013-07-24 23:13 (UTC)

Action; July 15, after conversation on the Luceti Locked post

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well the thread with tony is still going but i dont want to leave this too long

hey, it happens

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