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Post by Evangeline on Jun 9, 2008 16:33:27 GMT -5
"Jenna and I spoke with her a few days ago." Malcolm replied, "She's just about to race at Reno right now, and I was going off to pick up some things for her when I came across you again. Like I said, Anita's been all over the place trying to find out what happened to you."
And I'd be keen to find out as well, went the unspoken part of the sentence.
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Post by Orca on Jun 9, 2008 17:18:23 GMT -5
Ari didn't doubt that Malcolm was telling the truth there. Anita had always been a tenacious kid, in every sense of the word. It made total sense that she would have been trying to locate him in all three fourths of the year.
Unfortunately, Zelda did not appear to appreciate the nostalgia. She veered even closer, regarding him with dangerous green eyes. "Remember our accord, Raid."
That reminder, however cryptic, snapped him out of his pitying mood. He bit his lip, thinking, grasping for what he hoped would please both fighters. Much as he wanted to, he couldn't explain himself now, not with Zelda at his flank.
"Next you hear from her," he called, going for short-and-sweet, "tell her not to worry; I'll contact her as soon as I can. She will get her answers then."
Leaving it hang there, the Mustang climbed, banking up and away toward the northeast. Zelda turned and did likewise, prudent to keep herself in-between all the while. The twins wordlessly gave up their tailing position on Malcolm and followed.
Putting themselves a good distance from here was the gestalt's prerogative now.
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Post by rizahawkeye on Jun 9, 2008 17:45:53 GMT -5
Todd continued flying on his way. He couldn't help but be shaken up by the whole ordeal, but slowly and steadily, he came out of the fear that seemed to envelop him like the clouds.
"Man, what was with those guys...?" he couldn't help but wonder silently, but then shrugged it off... there was no answer he'd get any time soon.
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Post by Evangeline on Jun 9, 2008 17:54:47 GMT -5
Malcolm pursed his lips as he watched the gestalt depart. At least we know he's still alive.
He was faintly aware of the Cessna making his way out at a lower altitude, but was not especially anxious to freak him out even more. As soon as he was back on the ground, and he did need to top off eventually, Malcolm would check on Jenna's progress at the races. An airport beckoned in the distance, a reasonably sized facility with a fuel bar, shopping plaza and residences. After all this, he was due a break. He radioed in to the tower and waited to be assigned to a place in the holding pattern.
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Post by rizahawkeye on Jun 9, 2008 18:06:52 GMT -5
Todd flew until his wings ached (which didn't take long) and his head hurt. Seeing a nearby tower, he feebly signaled as his mother had taught him, and he headed towards a much needed landing.
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Post by Evangeline on Jun 9, 2008 18:28:37 GMT -5
Malcolm watched as the small Cessna, obviously in some physical distress, was given priority over the others in the holding pattern and cleared to land. He wondered if he should check on on the kid - he seemed quite young to be out on his own. After a spell, his own clearance came and the Spitfire peeled out and approached his assigned runway.
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Post by Orca on Jun 9, 2008 18:32:09 GMT -5
"Please enter your security code." Six digits later: "You have no new messages at this time. You are at the main - "
Anita closed the connection before the synthesized voice got any further. Figures. Her cell-unit's inbox was usually reliable in situations of semi-boredom. But not at the moment. Besides sipping from a kiwi-strawberry fuel malt (and making sure those Airacobra boys continued to keep their distance) she had little else to do.
It was nice, in a way, to relax and simply enjoy the sights and sounds of the rest stop.
The clouds were still out in force, obscuring the view of aircraft circling the perimeter of the compound. Engines of all various pitches and tempos served as an appropriate ambiance, a backdrop to the conversation buzzing around the fueling station.
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Post by rizahawkeye on Jun 9, 2008 18:36:20 GMT -5
Todd, once his wheels hit the ground, seemed rather content and he rattled his trunk to make sure his books were safe. He didn't know why he had brought them, but his mother had always told him to "Be prepared".
It always had a good way of getting that song from the "Lion King" stuck in his mind, but his mother's advice was less menacing, and had no hyenas.
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Post by Evangeline on Jun 9, 2008 18:54:11 GMT -5
Malcolm came down on the second runway, seeing the Cessna already taxiing out. He allowed his engine to run down and transitioned to his hidden undercarriage motors to take him over to the apron that lay before the public areas. An ARFF truck stood vigilant not far from the fuel stop, casting dark, watchful eyes over the runways and taxiways, moving aside slightly as Malcolm passed. The spitfire flared his nose vents, sniffing the air.
I'd swear that Anita's somewhere about...
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Post by Orca on Jun 9, 2008 19:13:57 GMT -5
Anita absentmindedly ground the straw between her teeth, musing over her next move. It was either go north or west from this establishment - the old, disused air fields scattered over the countryside provided ample bases for the lower rungs of aero/helo society. She let her gaze wander, taking in the various patrons. They paid no mind to her, a stranger to their eyes, in their midst.
As such, it came as a peculiar surprise when she detected a familiar set of scent molecules. She glanced at the gathering of latest customers, scrutinizing the black paint upon one, standing up straighter when full recognition set in.
"Hey, Malcolm, funny coincidence meeting you here." Last they had spoken the possibility of crossing paths was brought up, however vague at the time. Though by no means tight beaus, this wasn't the first Anita had seen of him since her investigation began.
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Post by rizahawkeye on Jun 9, 2008 19:17:08 GMT -5
He looked around the runway, and he went down the paved surface. It all seemed new to him, and the fact that there were so many large buildings and the first paved runway (instead of a dirt one), impressed him. He couldn't believe it.
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Post by Evangeline on Jun 9, 2008 19:32:35 GMT -5
"Hey, Anita." the Spitfire glided up to Anita's station. "What brings you here?" He wanted to break what he had learned gently to Ari's sister. Dumping it all in one gush wouldn't do either of them any favors. He was aware of a few disappointed sighs behind him, and snorted dismissively at the Aircobra youths.
A forklift was waiting for the Cessna at the end of the taxiway, waving a set of marshalling wands to indicate the direction that he should go. He seemed a little impatient with a youngster who was just caught up in the wonder of it all.
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Post by rizahawkeye on Jun 9, 2008 19:36:37 GMT -5
Todd, spotting the forklift gave a nod and followed like an obediant dog. He gave a sheepish grin and rolled towards him. "Uh...sorry about that." he answered.
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Post by Orca on Jun 9, 2008 19:39:05 GMT -5
"Oh, nothing besides what constitutes 'usual' nowadays," the silver Mustang replied, with a nonchalant flick of her bright blue wingflaps. "My asking around just might finally be paying off. What about you?"
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Post by Evangeline on Jun 9, 2008 19:45:25 GMT -5
The forklift marshaller rolled his eyes. "You really ARE new here, aren't you? OK kid, just follow me to the apron."
"I'm running a couple of errands for Jenna while she's occupied in Reno." Malcolm replied. "She wanted me to pick up a package of seeds for her folks, that I was supposed to meet someone to get." He leaned in closer. "Anita, can we go somewhere private for a few minutes?"
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