fandomhigh | Outdoor Adventure Time!, Tuesday, period 1

Class met at the Portalocity office, today, where Eliot and Parker waited.

"So we're gonna do somethin' slightly different, today," Eliot said, bouncing ever so slightly on his toes. God, but he loved having two functional legs. "Basically a field trip."

“We’ll be grabbing water, sunscreen, snacks and so on when we get there,” Parker added, looking pretty buzzed. “Hurry up! Last one through winds up in Budapest!”

"That's not true." Eliot really hoped it wasn't true, he was going to take the end of the line and he never much liked Budapest. "Parker, no sending anyone to Budapest!"

Parker snickered. Eliot, you just stay easy.

When they got through the portal, they’d find themselves at the beginning of the Virginia Creeper Trail, with mountain bikes, safety equipment, and extra supplies waiting.

"Welcome to the Virginia Creeper Trail," Eliot said. "One of the longest continuous biking trails around. It's got somethin' for everyone, nice scenery, historic railroad bridges, some easy rides -- and some sharp downhills for you speed demons."

“Okay! Whoever has never ridden a bike before, stick with Eliot. He’ll help you out.” She gave them her most manic grin. “If you have, super. Get set up!”

"That includes helmets!" Eliot noted, giving Parker a pointed look. "For everyone, regardless of skill level. Trust me, you don't want a concussion. They suck a lot."

“If they crack their skull open, they’ll learn,” Parker said with a snort.

"Or they'll die and you'll be sad." They should maybe not talk about students dying. "Which is way less likely to happen if you all follow directions and wear a goddamn bike helmet. It ain't dorky if everyone's doin' it."

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"Nah," Eliot said. "I've just got 'em in case anyone can't nail the balance. Pretty sure you'll do fine."

"Is that what riding a bike is all about?" Kathy asked. "Balance? That shouldn't be that bad..."

She had a couple of benefits in that regard.

"Well, that and pushing yourself forward with the pedals. For most people, doing the one helps with the other."

"So...you just get on and start pedaling?" Kathy asked. "And hope that you build up enough momentum that you don't fall?"

"After the first time you do it, it's more 'know you'll build up enough momentum'," Eliot said. "Seriously, just try it out. You'll be fine."

Kathy gave Eliot a look that said something along the lines of 'I'm trusting you, but if I crash horribly, you're getting the saddest puppy eyes ever.' It was a very complicated--and likely distinctive--look.

"Okaaaay," she said slowly, choosing a bike that was free of training wheels. It was a stupid thing for her pride to interfere with, but there it was. "I just...hop on and go?"

"Start peddling with one foot before the other comes off the ground," Eliot suggested. "You want me to hold the back of it for you?"

He was pretty sure the answer to that would be a resounding 'no'. Especially considering he had a faint smirk going when he asked.

"No!" Kathy said, looking insulted. "Umm, thank you. No, thank you." Because even insulted, Kathy'd had politeness drilled into her. "I'm sure I can figure it out on my own."

It was just physics. Physics and momentum and balance. She was good at those.

She needed to stop overthinking things. Sometimes, she just had to pull a Banzai, close her eyes, and leap. Which, in this situation, meant double-checking her helmet was secure one more time, taking a seat on the bike, and starting to pedal. She could do this--right?

Eliot laughed at her entirely predictable response, then stepped back to let her get on her way.

"See?" he said. "You just haveta try it."

She was a teenager. Being entirely predictable was in the handbook.

"I'm trying, I'm trying," Kathy said. She settled herself, put one foot onto the top pedal--then stopped and put her foot back on the ground, and put her other foot on the lower pedal instead. She knew what Eliot had said, that you should start pedaling first, but she wanted to try something.

Again, probably predictable.

One foot firmly on the pedal, she delicately lifted her other foot up, a few inches off the ground, trying to see if her uncanny balance also worked when she was on top of something else.

It did. For a little over a minute, Kathy sat on her bike, feet resting on both pedals, not moving at all--and most certainly not toppling over. "Okay, so I don't think this has a single useful application in the real world," she said, "but it's still kind of cool."

Yay super-balance!

Please pardon Eliot for staring just a bit, here. "Well hell," he said. "I knew you had skills but that's -- damn impressive."

"I'm not actually doing anything," Kathy said, sounding almost apologetic. "I mean, nothing consciously. It's all autonomic."

She started slowly pedaling forward, picking up speed and confidence in the same measure.

"...Do you think this means I can start doing all kinds of crazy tricks?" You know, fifteen minutes after hopping onto a bike for the first time.

"Maybe just try successfully navigatin' the trail for a bit first," Eliot suggested. "Get the hang of turnin' and such."

Then try out the tricks. Because it wasn't like anything Eliot said would keep her from trying.

"Fine, fine," Kathy said, the closest she'd ever come to being dismissive of an authority figure in her life. She started really picking up speed. "Breaking, turning, then the fun stuff."

"Atta girl," Eliot said. "Then you can go show off for Parker."

Outdoor Adventure Time!, Tuesday, period 1

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