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Post by Orca on Nov 30, 2006 17:38:15 GMT -5
Ari's smile widened, intrigued. He instantly recognized the type he was dealing with. Warbird Way was a community founded largely on the basis of giving vets a place to retire in peace. All of his neighbors, the parents of his friends out east had once served. No matter what fame air racing may have brought him, he held that class of aircraft in the highest regard.
"Hey, to each their own," he said easily. "Just a year ago, huh? What division, if I may guess? Air Force?"
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Post by Evangeline on Nov 30, 2006 18:18:37 GMT -5
Blanche answered, "Air Force. 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Cannon, New Mexico. I was one of the first. Saw quite a bit, especially in southeast Asia in the 70's. Try to visualize doing night missions over North Vietnam in the middle of the monsoon season, without tankers or any other support. Five or six who started out with me aren't around today."
<<< We can presume that in this world, gender isn't a bar to combat service and isn't the factor that it is amongst humans. "Caste" would matter more.>>>
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Post by Orca on Dec 1, 2006 8:14:56 GMT -5
((Sounds good to me.))
Ari had long ago learned not to gape in the presence of one who has seen combat and lived to tell about it. In the place of that gape, a somewhat grim but respectful expression took its place.
"I'm sorry to hear that," the Mustang replied, not as upbeat as before, "But at the same time I trust they served their country with distinction."
Then, realizing the somber mood created, and he didn't even know this F-111's name. "Oh, I'm sorry. Forgive me for not introducing myself first." He straightened up, dropping the Spanish smart-aleck greeting for the time being. "Ari Wright, at your service, ma'am."
*
At the back of the security hanger, Jack had little else to do but slump down against the wall and hope Dad came back soon. The elder Pave Hawk had said nothing about being back at lunchtime. Jack had made that part up.
Could they blame him for being a little bored? Since he was 7, the year had become divided. April to September was time to spend with Dad, wherever he could find work to keep them both in a decent state of living, while October to March was time to tolerate Mom and those prissy powder-puff airshows she always went to.
Suffice it to say young Jack didn't want to waste time waiting for his prefered parent to show up again.
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Post by Evangeline on Dec 1, 2006 17:15:07 GMT -5
"I'm Blanche Woodman." The F-111 smiled, dipping her head momentarily. "I'm pleased to meet you, Ari. Blanche was not inclined to flash her last rank in front of people, the Lt.-Col. designation across her "cheek", with the gold retirement bar underneath, was obvious enough.
Leslie didn't really know what to say to this kid any more. She herself had lost her mother at the age of eight, and found herself wondering whether it was worse to have a parent die on you or be divided between them.
"Jack, your dad will be back at some point. I know it's not easy when there's so much going on outside."
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Post by Orca on Dec 2, 2006 8:28:29 GMT -5
"Likewise, ma'am, it's nice to meet you," Ari said with a nod, before he turned his attention to the display, and the various aircraft besides Blanche that were attending it. "Here on a fund raising campaign, huh?"
*
He had settled down and was calmer than before, but Jack was still absentmindedly flicking a blade once and a while, or standing up to turn around and face another direction every few minutes. It wasn't that he didn't like Leslie. She was borderline strict, though nice. That was more than he could say for those adult males who had 'watched' him the last few days.
"I've only seen him during breakfast and dinner for the last three days," the young Pave Hawk mused, more or less talking to himself now, "Why can't I go on patrol with him? I'd promise to not get in the way."
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Post by ebonyviper on Dec 2, 2006 12:00:17 GMT -5
(((((OOC: I'm sorry. I can't be in this RP because it's not working out for me. I'm going to pull out.)))))
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Post by Evangeline on Dec 2, 2006 15:19:20 GMT -5
<<< Awww. sorry to hear that, Ebony. It's just that my chars are tied up in their locations right now. >>>
"That's the idea," Blanche nodded. She indicated, with a slight head-thrust, the old Corsair gentleman and the F-100 Super Sabre behind her. "We're raising funds for a retirement home and hospital in Utah. We're hoping for a good week here."
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Post by Orca on Dec 2, 2006 16:36:34 GMT -5
((I'm sorry to see you go, EV. If at any time you want, you're free to jump back in.))
Ari studied the display a moment more, pondering to himself the idea it represented and the people behind its purpose. "Do you need an extra set of wings on the job?" he offered, deciding he may as well get involved in his aircraft gathering by more than just the aerial racing aspect. He understood the basic idea of sponsorship, and the small businesses he promoted back east could be found on his performance resumé. "I could help spread the word, if you like. My schedule is fairly empty at the moment, and it's been a while since I've come across a worthwhile cause of this type."
Although what Jenna had said about the course was still on his mind, the Mustang was of a determined sort, and looking forward to proving himself in a mostly-new field. If he could help someone out in the process, that was a bonus for more than just him.
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Post by Evangeline on Dec 2, 2006 17:02:45 GMT -5
"Why... of course." Blanche seemed a bit surprised, but also pleased that someone in the younger crowd was interested in what they were doing. "We've got some flyers that we were going to put around in the various places, especially at registration. If you could take those around for us, we'd appreciate it very much." She shifted her head back towards the Corsair and the Super Sabre. "These are Craig and Molly, by the way." The other two veterans smiled and nodded.
"Security work isn't as simple as it seems." Leslie told the boy. "Sometimes people don't always take a hint, and can get pretty froggy. You're not ready for that kind of stuff yet."
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Post by Orca on Dec 2, 2006 17:23:28 GMT -5
The Mustang smiled back at the other vets, nodding respectfully. This would make the transition from eastern competitions to those in the west easier. Knowing a few friendly faces made him feel at ease.
"I need an activity, as a way to stay loose while I'm here. This seems like an ample opportunity to make myself useful," Ari explained. "Flyers? No problem, ma'am. I'll make sure there's one for every other bulletin board and/or hanger that's here."
*
His expression sulky, Jack pursed his lips at hearing that. Everyone was always saying he was still too little or too young to do anything useful. Guess they were right... Some of the things Dad had said about those who came to airshows just to create trouble did frighten him somewhat.
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Post by Evangeline on Dec 2, 2006 19:02:24 GMT -5
Leslie smiled sympathetically at the Pave Hawk boy. "Maybe we can find something to do while we're waiting, maybe play a game or something. What games do you like?"
"Why, thank you Ari." Blanche smiled. "There's a pack of flyers over here." she went to a low table and nosed one over. "We really appreciate what you're doing, and good luck with your racing."
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Post by Orca on Dec 2, 2006 19:59:49 GMT -5
Ari delicately picked up the pack, pausing only to get a look at the one on top, before lightly tossing and catching the bound pile of papers on the broad area of wing closest to his body. "In turn, thank you for allowing me to help. I'll have these distributed before you know it."
Careful not to taxi too fast, with this new task his only duty in mind, the Mustang went on his way. He'd take these down the southernmost display stands, and work his way up from there.
*
Jack's eyes wandered toward the hanger ceiling as he thought the question over. With both his parents being on the go most of the year, he had never really been able to sit still long enough to enjoy the odd board game. He only knew the simpilest of them.
"I played checkers with Dad, once, a long time ago," he finally admitted, "And sometimes I play Tic-Tac-Toe by myself if there's dirt and a stick I can use."
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Post by Evangeline on Dec 2, 2006 20:35:55 GMT -5
Leslie thought for a minute. "There's just a deck of cards here, but maybe we could play "Concentration" with them." She hauled out a large aircaft-sized deck off a shelf and spread out the ground sheet that came with them. She used her forewheel to shuffled them off and place them in an array, face down. "Now pick a card."
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Post by Orca on Dec 2, 2006 22:18:50 GMT -5
Though he wasn't quite sure this would be a game he'd learn easily, he was intrigued, so Jack went along with it. He looked over the row closest to him. With one of his two front wheels, the younger helo decisively tapped the second-to-closest one. "That one."
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Post by Evangeline on Dec 2, 2006 23:29:29 GMT -5
Leslie used a mouth-stick with a suction cup to turn over the card. "Now you have to try to find one other card that matches. You can only turn one other card over. If it matches, you get another turn. If it doesn't, then it's my turn."
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