UPGRADES

02.10.2016: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

brightica:

   “See! I told you! Was that so bad?” Ali cheered him on—exaggerating the excitement. “I promise. We will get back to New York by natural means. No more glowing transportation. Now let’s get this over with. I’m dying to leave you in my dust, Captain.” She playfully teased him, gently punching him on the shoulder. 

“I’ll beat you—I mean race you to the end of the road and then we can go back to New York and continue our lives as city folk without an open road in sight. “ Ali admittedly always enjoyed her alone time with the Captain. For the brief time they were on the team together, they didn’t have as much time to speak. Any time she could drag him into an adventure was the highlight of her month. 

mutant secretly hoped that this race would last a little bit longer than it probably would. “Unless you’re chicken.”

_{★— THE FEELING  resembled that of a child who had just eaten his vegetables ‘that’s not so bad’, so he responded with a short laugh. This was something she’d probably used a lot — and was a GREAT asset to have, Steve was just very stuck in his ways in some things. A TRADITIONALIST at heart.  Now that transportation was out of the way, it was time to race and she seemed as eager as he was — having the gaul to BAIT him, too.} 

_{The feeling about spending time with Ali was mutual. She always seemed so upbeat, and it was contagious, alongside the fact that they had similar interests. Though Steve kept his more hidden, it was nice to have someone to talk to, someone that didn’t hold any strict judgement about him, and someone who he could rely on given their history.} 

  ❛ _{You tryin’ to jab at me, Miss Dazzler? I gotta say, that’s not goin’ to work – I NEVER back down from a challenge. Now we gotta establish a few rules — I hope your bike ain’t fitted with extra rollerblades to make it go even faster, or anytthin’ like that — I’ve seen all sorts, so I’ve gotta double check nowadays! Fair fight and all….}  ❜

_{He decided to tease back, shooting her a comfortable smirk as he rest his forearm across the chrome bars of his bike.} 

brightica:

        Ali could just tell that he was apprehensive and wanted to take that extra step to reassure him. “ It’s just this one time and then it’s a quiet, relaxing plane ride back ! Watch me. It’s fine. “ Without another moment’s hesitation, Ali revved up her bike and flew through the portal. Her blonde tresses wild behind her. 

     “ See ?! “ She called out to him as she watched him on the other side, still in her former location. “ Now you go. Real quick. Close your eyes if you have to. Actually…maybe don’t do that. I don’t think cycles are vision optional. “ Ali teased him, hoping to calm his nerves even just a little. Her eyes, a striking shade of blue, were trained onto him and watching him as if they were a security blanket. “ 

_{★— THE PLANE JOURNEY BACK was what he was looking forward to, as long as it was, at least it would mean that there weren’t any POWERS they would have to rely on —- he wasn’t sure what it was that he disliked about it, perhaps it was the uncertainty, and the bad associations he had in the depths of his mind that linked to it.} 

_{Watching as she ZOOMED into the portal, blinking with surprise at how quick it was — her voice calling through with reassurance, and after a slight hesitation; his hands gripping at the handles he kicked it into gear and jumped through with his bike, landing with a LOUD sigh of relief. The first thing he did was look down to see if he had all his body parts in tact.} 

    ❛ _{PHEW — You’re right, that was quick and painless. Still though, promise about that plane ride? Now y’can’t take that back.}  ❜

brightica:

            Ali had gotten used to teleporting to all kinds of different places and dimensions, so it wasn’t really anything for her to just take a portal. It wasn’t long after she made use of her phone that a portal opened up in front of them and Ali beamed with excitement. She was really going to race the Captain. “ It’s like double dutch, Cap. You’ve just gotta jump in and then you’ve got it before you know it. “ 

Ali’s eyes, strikingly blue, gleamed in the shine of her own light. “ Promise. And when we get there we can just find another way back. Impromptu plane tickets ? Private jet ? Who knows. It’s all about the now. “ 

_{★— HER EXCITEMENT WAS CONTAGIOUS. That at least gave Steve enough courage to jump through the portal as per her instruction — after all, it did seem like she’d used these much more than he did, so that at least provided SOME reassurance. Steve wasn’t much of a SPEED DEMON but he DID enjoy a good challenge once in a while. Besides, the freedom of racing was something that he hadn’t experienced often, and he knew Ali was going to give him a good run for his money.}  

_{With another thoughtful hum, he nodded, grip finally loosening on his handlebars.} 

       ❛ _{I can get the jet arranged —  that’s a promise that I’ll hold you to, gettin’ back without the portal n’ all.}  ❜

_{Azures darted toward the light created by the portal momentarily as his bike made a small inch toward it, there was still uncertainty but the amount of TRUST he had with Ali did override that quite easily. A little away from the portal he stopped and blinked—-} 

      ❛ _{Where are my manners—? Ladies first.}  ❜

brightica:

               “ Steve. I’m an X-Man. I’ve got the hookup. “ Ali said confidently. With a team full of teleporters, she could easily have a transport set up for them. “ I may have been away for a long time but I know I can always count on my mutant comrades when I need them. “ The X-Men have always been there for her, even when she didn’t know that she needed them. Ali would just text Pixie and have her arrange their travel. 

                 “ The bike, anything else. The whole nine yards. “ The blonde promptly pulled out her phone and tapped on it for several moments, clearly communicating with someone. “ Don’t worry about a thing. “ 

_{★— OF COURSE she would—- experts in all sorts of abilities, naturally teleportation had to be one. Steve was used to devices being used, usually one of REED’S new ones. Strangely enough Tony didn’t really push too much in the teleportation department, that wasn’t his idea of hardcore tech despite saying ‘beam me up’ a few times, which he was sure was a pop culture /sci-fi reference of some sort. —— But none of that fancy tech could beat mutant abilities in terms of the efficiency of powers that the mutants possessed. It could be scary, in hindsight, but at least it wasn’t being used against him.} 

brightica:

              Ali contemplated, New York wasn’t the place to go for empty road so she had to think quickly. Where could she go to cycle race with Captain America?   “ There’s an empty road out west where I once was terrorized by a pretty gnarly biker gang. “ She smiled, putting the kickstand on the bike so she could continue the conversation. “ Long story. “  Ali prefaced to avoid any questions. 

 “ We’ll have to teleport to get there. “ Ali said, as if that was completely reasonable and just a normal thing that people did. “ But I promise it’ll be worth it. What could be better than a day with me ? “  Ali’s light flickered brightly, even in the rays of the sunlight. Even the sun couldn’t dim the Dazzler.

_{★— INTRIGUED by the suggestion — and the story that came along with it. All Steve had to do was shoot her raised brow before she replied with ‘long story’ —- clearly, it wasn’t a story that required re-telling. ( and in all honesty the way it was BRUSHED off raised more questions, that he wouldn’t delve into right now ) .} 

       ❛ _{Teleporting?.} ❜

_{Her suggestion to teleport brought about a queasy feeling that he couldn’t quite shake — every time he had been TELEPORTED it had ended up with the sickness or dizziness —- or it had ended up with him in a BAD situation. There was a long pause of histation that followed, before he reluctantly replied with a nod. She was right though —– if anything, Steve enjoyed her company.} 

       ❛  _{I s’pose — wait, can you teleport the bike too? How’s this goin’ to work? .} ❜

brightica:

✦〈 @youusedme 〉

                “ I’ll race you ! “ Ali said, circling the captain with her prized motorcycle. “ I’m warning you, I’m almost a cycle champ. “ 

_{★— ELECTRIC EAGERNESS sounded in her voice as she circled him, fuelled with enthusiasm and POWERED by a competitive nature — needless to say, Steve NEVER liked turning away from a challenge.}

         ❛ _{Don’t tempt me, Ali!} ❜

_{With his hands resting upon chrome handles, he revved his own motorcycle – that he had cared so DEARLY for. Affectionate as he was with his vehicle, he gave her a small nod, attempting to remain calm though that DAZZLING smile was giving away his own competitive spirit bubbling up beneath the star spangled surface.} 

         ❛ _{ALMOST, huh? Okay, so you’ve managed to get me.} ❜ _{It didn’t take much convincing.}           ❛ _{One race — andwe gotta make sure it’s an empty strip. Y’got anywhere in mind to put our skills to the test?}  ❜

                         I’m the BEST there is at what I do. 

                                                  _{And what I do is roller skate.}

_@brightica

brightica:

          “ I’ve never wanted to be grabbed so bad. “ She laughed, even though she hadn’t planned her day to go this way but Ali definitely didn’t regret it. “ I’ll be glad to give you some music tips whenever you want. “ Ali winked, handing his guitar back to him. 

“ I’m glad that I get to see what you’re  like when there aren’t any robot armies or anything to battle. I like this you. . Not that this you is a different person or anything..It’s just that it makes me feel warm to see it. I never thought I would.“ She mused, that sentence alone gave her a dozen different song ideas. This was more fruitful than she had expected. 

★—  ❛ _{I don’t disagree with you there – bein’ on the field, well, it’s a different mentality. Sometimes, I find this with soldiers and heroes – we often forget the HUMANITY of them. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, considering how common of a problem is. And other often dehumanize their enemies or comrades because it makes it easier to DEFEAT them.  But honestly – seein’ folks out o’ uniform, just bein’ who they are – that’s real somethin’ to me.}    ❜ _{Steve admitted, speaking from his heart.} 

        ❛ _{The same goes to you – it’s great gettin’ to see you for who you are.}     ❜ _{He smiled, giving her a gentle pat on the shoulder, one filled with gratitude.} 

brightica:

              “  You just need to follow your heart. “ She smiled, strumming in a pattern. “ One like yours can’t be wrong too often. “ Ali played a slow tune, thinking of lyrics as she went. “ Art is a powerful thing. Stronger than any blast of light I can muster. “ Her lights twinkle to her melody, putting on a performance of their own. 

                 “ Shotgun decisions can be risky but sometimes they lead to something worthwhile. “ 

_{★— THAT ADVICE SOUNDED FAMILIAR – as cheesy at it did sound, he was sure he had said it himself on countless occasions, but at least in this situation it was far more appropriate.} 

       _{How did she make it look so easy? Steve was quite enjoying the soft melody, accompanied with lyrics that had a steady flow. His head tilted, leaning forward to rest his elbow on his knee, and his chin on his hand.} 

      ❛ _{Definitely, like this – for example. I ain’t ever thought’a grabbin’ you for a music lesson. Who’dve thought… Now I’d say this was most certainly worthwhile.}     ❜