Outdoor Adventure Time!, part 2, Tuesday, period 1

[vdistinctive]

Class today met at the docks this week, with the usual heads up to wear bathing suits and bring sunscreen. There was a large number of brightly colored personal watercrafts just off the end of the dock.

"For our last class of the summer, Parker and I wanted to do something special," Eliot said. "You guys have been enthusiastic and willing to try just about anything. We couldn't have asked for a better group."

“You really have.” Parker was so glad nobody was graduating and leaving or anything. “So you get to zoom around on the water! With motorized skis!” She beamed at them. “And then barbecue!... Try not to run over each other, okay?”

"We'd prefer not to end the summer with injuries. Which is why you're all gonna be wearing life jackets, too." Eliot would accept no negotiations on that. "You can double up or go it alone, but not more than two people per jet ski. And no going out so far you can't still see the docks. We've got some buoys set up out there if you want to try maneuvers. Otherwise, just have fun, yeah?"

“And remember to sign up for our next class!” … whatever that was going to be.

Comments

Talk to the teachers

[vdistinctive]

Who are not talking about what they were doing last week. Nope.

Re: Talk to the teachers

[vdistinctive]

Eliot's keeping close to the docks, serving as home base and keeping an eye on things.

Re: Talk to the teachers

[spin_kick_snap]

"So, this is the outdoors," Kathy said, trying to keep a straight face while talking to him. "I understand this might be bright and rather unfamiliar after your week-long sequester."

Re: Talk to the teachers

[vdistinctive]

Eliot snorted. "What, you think I didn't drag them outside on occasion?" He had a whole backyard and roof for them to make use of, after all. Eliot seemed to notice who he was talking to and cleared his throat. "I mean -- dunno what you're talking about. We had a job."

So that was what they were calling it these days.

Re: Talk to the teachers

[spin_kick_snap]

"Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight," Kathy said, nodding. "I completely believe you. Were you this believable on your job, too, or did you step up your game for little old me?"

Re: Talk to the teachers

[vdistinctive]

"I got absolutely no complaints," Eliot said with a faint smirk. Then had to clear his throat again. "Anyway, thanks for coverin' the class for us. We really appreciate that."

Re: Talk to the teachers

[spin_kick_snap]

Kathy couldn't help but snort at that. "Way to really sell me on the 'job' thing," she said, trying her hardest not to laugh. "And you're welcome. It's my solemn duty as a TA to cover class when you can't...for whatever reason."

Re: Talk to the teachers

[vdistinctive]

"I wasn't really tryin' very hard," Eliot admitted. "We ain't discussin' the actual details of the week, though. Not 'til you're at least Hardison's age."

Re: Talk to the teachers

[spin_kick_snap]

"I'll have to wish him a happy birthday," Kathy noted, before quickly adding. "And I'm really good without the details. The last time we almost overshared, I drank my weight in moonshine and methanol."

She didn't need Eliot to give her details when she and Raven could just make them up later, while giggling over ice cream and making horrible faces at one another.

"Err, how old is he? How old are you?" She glanced over to where Parker was whooping on her jet ski. "How old is Parker?"

Re: Talk to the teachers

[vdistinctive]

"That was whisky, darlin'. I've had moonshine. It's worse than that stuff was." Eliot followed her glance towards Parker and smiled. "I dunno how old Parker is. Somewhere between me'n Hardison. Suppose she'll tell me in November if she's got a mind to. Hardison's a new-minted 28. I'm -- 39."

It sounded worse when he had to say them back to back like that.

Re: Talk to the teachers

[spin_kick_snap]

Hey, Kathy wouldn't judge! She'd spent a few years nursing a crush on a guy about a decade or so her senior.

...It was probably a good thing that she was only hearing about Eliot and Hardison's age gap now that she pretty much over said crush.

"You know, you must have had a birthday sometime since I've known you and yet I don't remember hearing anything about it," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. Because obviously he'd want his students to come to his birthday. Obviously.

Re: Talk to the teachers

[vdistinctive]

Eliot shrugged. "Back in April. There were other things goin' on at the time, so we didn't do anything." He looked over. "How 'bout you? I haven't heard about any swingin' parties for you or anything."

Re: Talk to the teachers

[spin_kick_snap]

"My birthday's not until December, so it usually gets wrapped in with Christmas," Kathy said, grimacing slightly. Maybe one day she'd throw a birthday party for herself. One day. "But I'm not really the swinging party type. Thinking about maybe having a slumber party or something kinda soon? I've never had one of those, either, and they always seemed like fun on TV, you know?"

Re: Talk to the teachers

[whoisalicewhite.livejournal.com]

Jet skis were pretty damn fun, even if they did not involve Hardison and Eliot and sun tan oil.

Re: Talk to the teachers

[spin_kick_snap]

Kathy didn't tease Parker the way she did Eliot, but she was still glad to see her out and about. She waved as her jet ski intercepted Parker's path. "Hi!" she called to be heard over the motors. "Good to see you!"

Re: Talk to the teachers

[whoisalicewhite.livejournal.com]

"I got you a present," Parker said, with her customary lack of introductory segues. "For being a great TA all summer."

Re: Talk to the teachers

[spin_kick_snap]

"I--oh--you did?" Kathy asked, so surprised she nearly lost control of her jet ski. "You didn't have to!" she added, once she got it back under control. "I have fun just being your TA!"

Re: Talk to the teachers

[whoisalicewhite.livejournal.com]

"Well, yes. But. You went above and beyond. And that needs more recognition than snacks." Although snacks were awesome, don't ever let anyone tell you any different, Kathy.

It had taken some thought, but Parker had... acquired, a pair of nice things (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71A631tw4TL._UX385_.jpg) that Kathy might enjoy wearing as she bounced around.

Re: Talk to the teachers

[spin_kick_snap]

Oh no. Kathy firmly believed in the power of snacks. They were what kept her going between meals!

"Oh my gosh," Kathy said, jaw dropping. "Parker, these are gorgeous! They almost look real!"

Re: Talk to the teachers

[whoisalicewhite.livejournal.com]

"Of course they do, silly." Parker snickered, then reconsidered. "I mean, they do, don't they? I had to find you nice ones! And I figured any other kind of jewelry might hit you in the face. Well, maybe not a bracelet...."

Re: Talk to the teachers

[spin_kick_snap]

Oooh, sneaky! Sophie would be so proud!

"Oh my gosh, Parker, I can't even thank you enough," Kathy said, holding them up and watching them catch the light and sparkle. "You know I never expected anything at all, I mean, I wouldn't, I'm just happy that you trust me to stand in for you..."

Re: Talk to the teachers

[whoisalicewhite.livejournal.com]

"You haven't let us down yet, at all. Why wouldn't we?"

Kathy, Parker is just going to keep saying Nice Things until they sink in. Because you deserve Nice Things. Like those anklets.

"And we know you didn't, but especially with you covering for us last week..." Ahem.

Re: Talk to the teachers

[spin_kick_snap]

Kathy shot her a big smile about that. Yeah, she shipped them and she didn't care who knew. "No problem," she said. "I didn't mind stepping up to take care of class. I just hope you guys didn't mind it was in the Danger Shop? But I didn't want to bring people to parkour in real life."

Plus, you probably needed, like, permits or something for that and Kathy'd had maybe an hour to get class ready.

Re: Talk to the teachers

[whoisalicewhite.livejournal.com]

"Naaah. Better the Danger Shop, with safeties, than someone getting hurt when they do something stupid." Parker grinned. "Although, I am sad you did parkour without Parker. That's just wrong."

Re: Talk to the teachers

[spin_kick_snap]

"I guess that means we'll have to do parkour ourselves sometime," Kathy said, lighting up even more at the prospect of hanging out with Parker than she had about the beautiful, beautiful jewelry. "I mean, then we wouldn't have to hold back or anything!"