fandomhigh | Flight and Flying [Tuesday, June 8]

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flight and flying

Flight and Flying [Tuesday, June 8]

"Today we're flying capital ships," he said, flicking his hands toward the screen set up in the corner. "Specifically this capital ship. It was called the Invisible Hand and when I was flying it, half of it had already broken up in the atmosphere, the rudder that steered the ship had been in that half, and the thrusters weren't firing enough to stop us. The equipment was also set up for a species other than human and I couldn't read the controls."

Anakin had landed anyway. There wasn't a pilot in a million that could replicate what he'd done.

"Since I was working under rather...strained...circumstances, we'll do something a little easier to live through," he said. "You'll have the entire ship, and the back half will be on fire. The controls will be set up for your species and you'll be able to read the controls."

Yes, he thought that was cutting them a break. Anakin was odd. "Begin!"

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"Good to know," Leia said, flashing him a smile as she finished the takeoff procedures. She really really really hoped her father wasn't going to embarrass her by busting in at some point during the simulation.

"All right, here we go," she said as the ship began to slowly rise from the ground. This particular ship had lots of windows to see what was going on outside.

Christian leaned toward a window, watching the surroundings become smaller and smaller. "This is amazing," he observed. "I know it's only pretend, but it's exactly how I would imagine birds see things. Can you change what's below us?"

"I could, but I'd have to stop to reprogram the simulation," Leia said. "You should see some of the things my father makes us fly through. I just made our flight look we were going over the island." She guided the ship over the preserve. A pair of teal deer glanced up from the ground then went back to grazing.

"Oh -- and the castle is over there," Christian said, pointing. "No, this is perfect. I can tell where we are this way."

He glanced down at the deer again. "I'm still getting used to the idea of blue wildlife. Do you have them at home?""

Leia shook her head. "We don't have anything that color on Alderaan," she said, "but you can find animals in any color imaginable if you start wandering the galaxy. And some colors you can't even imagine."

She circled once around the island so Christian could see any recognizable landmarks, then began to ease the ship higher, so that the island began to grow smaller beneath then.

"Colors I can't even imagine..." Christian echoed idly, then sang a bit under his breath. "Let me see what spring is like on ... Jupiter and Mars. And in Alderaaan."

He was gripping the edge of his seat in excitement, and his eyes left the landscape below them only to take giddy glances over at Leia.

Oh how she wished she had her own ship. And didn't have a father lurking outside. "Wait 'til you see the stars," she said, unable to not feel giddy herself due to Christian's mood being so contagious.

"Will you show me the one Alderaan is near?" Christian asked, tilting his head toward hers a bit so he could see what she saw more exactly. "I'm sure it's too far to go in fifteen minutes, but I'd like to be able to look into the sky, years from now, and think of where you came from."

"Of course," Leia said, wondering now if she could commandeer the Danger Shop and program it to look like Alderaan so she could show Christian her home that way. The bonus of a non-lurking father did not escape her at all. "I'd love to show you Alderaan if I could. I think you'd love it. We have a great many poets and artists, some of the best in the galaxy."

Fandom was an indiscernible dot now in the blue of the ocean below them, though other larger land masses were still visible. The sky began to darken as they rose higher in the atmosphere.

"You mentioned that," Christian said -- and then didn't manage anything more because he was too preoccupied by the way the ship was going up, up, up. Even knowing it was only simulated, he was grateful to be strapped firmly into his seat.

A long moment later, he remembered he'd been talking and: "Maybe someday it will happen. You're lucky to have such a beautiful place to call home."

"I miss it so much sometimes," Leia said. Hope you were listening, Dad. She looked away from the controls for a moment to look at Christian. "But there are some things I really like about Fandom, too."

They were heading out of the atmosphere now, and the stars were becoming visible in the dark sky.

"I hope the people would make that list," Christian said, gawping at the stars around him. He'd never seen them so big or close.

"People most definitely," Leia said, leaning slightly over the arm of her seat toward Christian. "They're the best part of all."

"Some of the people in particular, I hope," Christian returned, reaching to lightly touch her arm. "I know you are one of the best things in Fandom for me so far."

"The feeling," Leia said softly, "is definitely mutual." She turned the autopilot on -- just for a few seconds, really! -- and leaned over more to close the distance between them. Surely one little kiss wouldn't count as "doing something" in the simulator. Right?

"Leia Organa." Anakin's voice came through the speakers. "Back. Up."

That's not at all creepy, Anakin. Truly.

Christian leaned back, closing his eyes in defeat. It would have been such a nice kiss, too. "Your father is creepy," he whispered. "Did you know he was watching?"

Leia sighed and sank back in her seat. "I was hoping he wasn't," she muttered, but she should've known the odds of that were slim. "I'm sorry." Then a mischievous smile crossed her face. "Do you want to try to fly her yourself?" she offered. "I can show you just what to do, don't worry."

"It's impolite," Christian grumbled, "but not your fault."

He brightened at the girl's suggestion, though. "I'd love to. Will the controls on front of me work, or do we need to trade seats?"

"They'll work," Leia said. "But I'll help you." She got up from her seat and moved behind Christian, leaning over him. If there was any touching as she pointed out the controls he needed, it was all incidental. It was all entirely innocent and her father had no reason to get upset.

It was clearly all entirely necessary contact, though Christian was ... not exactly squirming away when her hands brushed his.

The ship made its jerky way through the stars, and Christian smiled up at her in exhilaration. "Show me how to turn?"

"Like this," Leia said, leaning in more to put her hands over his and guide them over the controls. "The controls are very sensitive, so you just need a gentle touch to make her react how you want to."

"Like this," Christian breathed, and made an only slightly jerky turn with her hands guiding his. "I'm really flying!"

Well. In a simulator.

Leia laughed. "You remind me of the first time my father let me fly his shuttle," she said. "I was so excited."

"It's an exciting thing!" Christian protested, moving his fingers around to try to squeeze her hand. "Anyone would find it so. We're among the stars!"

Flight and Flying [Tuesday, June 8]

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