ura_no_ura | [IC] Appointments

[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)

Not all vehicles can get through thick forests or steep mountains, though.

[ Both of which Luceti has in abundance. And really, what Kakashi wants most right now is information. Even if he can see Barnaby's point, he still values information more than tools or machinery which most likely, none of the ninja will actually use.

It's really more an issue of personal preference, here. ]

I still think information is more valuable.

[There was a main point that lingered underneath all of the layers that Barnaby had laid on top of it. As a city boy, he was naturally inclined to vote for the vehicles. He liked his Chaser, he liked his NSX...even if they were massively impractical.

He took them around the other curve, gently pumping the gas to keep their velocity going.]

You're missing the point, Kakashi-san.

[He silently lifted a hand and pointed at the garage.]

There needs to be a way to get them in and out.

[Think about it. There was potentially something far better than information lingering on the otherside of that door.]

...you mean a large elevator and a sliding door?

[ Because really, that's all that would be required. And Kakashi's mostly picturing a large garage door with a card entry lock that activates a garage door, underground. He still doesn't see the value of it, other than a purely practical one that would actually be completely impractical for shinobi of Konoha. ]

That's right.

[It may not have been practical to someone from a military-like system, but it made sense to a person who was used to non-lethal force and had a burning desire to have 'words' with the management.]

I don't see how there's any point to that.

[ Flatly, or as flatly as he can possibly deliver that, over the rushing wind. ]

[It figured. Barnaby wasn't going to press the argument in this instance.]

Many here do agree, but they also just want to get out. I'm just curious about where it could lead.

[And he had other reasons, but those were his own to deal with.]

I see the practical use of these vehicles, but I can't say they'd be of any use to me or my comrades.

[ So really, it would be sort of pointless for Kakashi, and therefore not something he'd actually consider to begin with. ]

...

I see.

[It threw his lack of knowledge about other worlds into sharp relief. He hadn't spoken about the differences too often with anyone so far, and even then it was only tangentially with Jade and Pascal. Barnaby suspected that his world was one of the minority representations, even if it did follow some parts of the same timeline of these other Earths.

It would be something to ask about later on. For the moment, He just liked feeling the rush of the wind.]

...especially since none of us know how to operate them.

[ He adds on after a moment.

Maybe they could be more useful if they learned how to use the vehicles... Though Kakashi's not entirely sure why they would need to use them. ]

[There wasn't a need for vehicles if Shinobi could indeed travel through trees, but Barnaby was admittedly biased. Without his armor and his power inactive, vehicles were among the quickest transport for him.

But that didn't mean that any Shinobi couldn't use a bike for fun.]

It's possible that someone does. Who knows?

[A pause in consideration...then, softer:]

Did you want to learn?

[ Oh, let him consider that for a moment, as they take a sharp curve. ]

...I have to admit, this motorcycle is kind of... fun.

[Smirk.]

Oh, is that all?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject