Flying in Wellington with James

[piwakawaka]

As they step through the door, Tiwa pulls her light anorak from her pocket and pulls it on as the city is spread out before them,

"Can just leave from here. I'll make sure we don't get in trouble."

Comments

[notthatpotter]

"That they are," he agrees.

Pause.

"It looks nice on you."

[piwakawaka]

"Thanks."

They're currently just above the university and she smiles at him, she'd forgotten how much she likes how he makes her feel,

"I know, there's a really nice field in the Botanic Gardens that should work for playing around and also get us a good way to head over the city."

[notthatpotter]

"That sounds brilliant."

[piwakawaka]

"This way and if you want to take off your robes, just carrying them will make them seem like just a jacket or uniform."

Its not too far and Tiwa knows exactly where she's heading, down the street, into the gardens and into the lovely, twisting paths.

[notthatpotter]

"I suppose they are a bit obvious," he remarks, shrugging himself out of them. Beneath it is a simple navy blue polo t-shirt.

"And I can't hide behind the guise of Halloween either, this time."

[piwakawaka]

"Nope, but that way, they don't look that odd."

The Gardens are fairly busy as the nicer weather has brought people out, they pass a family where the kids are all trying to pull their parents a few ways. Also there's a picnic of students, all celebrating their last finals with some cheap beer on the grass.

[notthatpotter]

It's a very nice atmosphere, one that's relaxed and carefree.

"It's getting colder back home," he explains to her. "Summer's nearly ended."

[piwakawaka]

"Then have to make sure you can soak up some Pacific summer."

[notthatpotter]

"I am definitely up for that."

He grins.

[piwakawaka]

"Good, maybe we'll end up near a beach later."

After all Wellington does have a lot of them and they're reached the field,

"Here we are."

[notthatpotter]

It's ... a little faster than he expected, but he'll do this.

Totally.

He just needs to remember the fun part of flying, and not how this is sort of what should have been putting bread on the table.

[piwakawaka]

Wellington's not that big a city and she sees the not quite frown on his face so perches on her toes to kiss him lightly on the lips before ducking behind him,

"Catch me if you can."

Then she's gone bird and is flying up and away, dancing with the blustery wind.

[notthatpotter]

Really, it's the kiss that motivates him to get on his broomstick. Otherwise, he would have hesitated for a moment longer than he does.

It's a familiar feeling - everything about flying is - but the enjoyment bit doesn't really start to appear until he's got Tiwa in his sight as a little bird, the one he's got to catch.

[piwakawaka]

She's having a wonderful time, catching the wind and doing lots of acrobatics so that when he finally gets close enough she does a few loops de loops around him before flying ahead.

[notthatpotter]

He keeps Tiwa in his view, attempting to mimic the way she moves on his broomstick.

And for what feels like the first time in years he lets out a genuine laugh.

[piwakawaka]

She sings back at him as he laughs and starts doing more tricks so he has to work at flying.

[notthatpotter]

And work, he will.

This is really giving him a chance to do the free-form techniques he doesn't often get to use in his skill-tests.

[piwakawaka]

Also its just more fun. To twit him slightly, she flies right up to land on his hair before flying off again.

[notthatpotter]

He laughs, nose scrunching.

"Tease."

Quickly zipping forward, he bends low, practically reclining into his broomstick to increase his speed.

[piwakawaka]

A bird can't stick out its tongue enough to be seen up here so Tiwa waggles her tail feathers at him and does a very impressive change of direction.

[notthatpotter]

James follows closely.

He's had years of experience; he's practically lived upon a broomstick all his life.

And he's been a Chaser for just that long. So, he does exactly that: he chases the little bird.

If she turns a direction, he can match it.

[piwakawaka]

Which just makes it more fun for her as she uses all of her tricks and her small size to lead him about.

[notthatpotter]

"Not tired yet?" he calls out to her, laughing contentedly.

[piwakawaka]

He gets another tail waggle though she is starting to slow a bit because after all she is a rather small bird.

[notthatpotter]

- which just means it's easier for him to catch up to her.

"It's amazing up here," he says.