They were overnight in Japan. Flora was sharing with Arthur, Douglas with Carolyn and Martin had the luxury of a single room.
Flora and Martin were in the bar with Douglas and Arthur; only the stewardess and the captain had been drinking since check-in. Flora was giggly and Martin was trolleyed. "How-how are you not... not drunk?" Martin slurred in Flora's general direction.
"I can drink anyone under the table," Flora giggled.
"That must be a useful skill," Douglas drawled.
The vodka and cider Flora was drinking finally began to take effect, "But you two can fly!" She announced.
"So will you, soon," Douglas reminded, "When is your exam? A week now, isn't it?"
"Yeah, but I won't pass..." Flora mumbled.
"Which Annex to the Chicago Convention covers dangerous goods carried in aircraft?" Douglas asked.
"Annex 18," Flora answered.
"What is each contracting state of ICAO required to provide?"
"Facilities for SAR operations to be undertaken in its airspace."
"For aircraft flying over the high seas, which rules shall be in force?"
"The rules established under the Convention of international civil aviation."
"All correct, you'll be fine," Douglas assured, "If you know the answers drunk, you know them perfectly well."
"I'm more amazed you knew them," Martin laughed.
"I took someone's advice," Douglas smiled softly at Flora, "I read the manual."
Flora smiled back for a moment before her gaze turned down to the table. "It... It's not that," She frowned, "It's cousin Mike, he'll change the results so I'll fail... Oh karaoke!" Flora immediately brightened. Douglas made a mental note to ask about 'cousin Mike' later.
"Brilliant!" Arthur beamed.
"I want to sing!" Flora announced.
"Come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away," Martin sang.
Flora's jaw dropped; she loved boys that could sing! "And I want Martin to sing with me!"
"Can I sing too?" Arthur asked before singing(?), "Up! Down! Flying around -"
"Arthur, I think they'd rather keep it a duet..." Douglas interrupted.
"Aren't you singing Douglas?" Martin asked with an easy smile.
"No, I think I strained my voice a little," Douglas cleared his throat, "But you two go ahead." There was a... Look on his face that Flora couldn't make sense of, but in her drunken haze she ignored it.
"Ok. Come on Martin!" Flora dragged the, still uniform-clad, hat included, captain away to pick the song, both of them giggling.
"Are you alright Douglas?" Arthur asked, "It's just you're showing the signs of grief, loss heartbreak and... Sadness."
"Ipswich?" Douglas asked, Arthur nodded. "She has him twisted around her little finger, and I think he has her pretty enthralled as well. The better man won. The sad thing is... I don't think either of them realise it..."
As the music to Maroon 5's Moves Like Jagger began, Flora glanced at Martin. They mutually wanted to sing this, so it'd be ok; she just didn't know how the song would... effect her.
Just shoot for the stars
If it feels right
And aim for my heart
If you feel like
And take me away and make it OK
I swear I'll behave
Martin pouted slightly on the last line, sending the audience into cat-calls.
You wanted control
So we waited
I put on a show
Now I make it
You say I'm a kid
My ego is big
I don't give a shit
And it goes like this
Flora snapped her hips and the audience wolf-whistled and cheered. Douglas felt like he was tied to his chair (Oh, the mental images...), Flora was a great singer. Considering they were both drunk, the pair made quite an act.
Take me by the tongue
And I'll know you
Kiss me 'til you're drunk
And I'll show you
Flora and Martin took the microphones off the stands.
All the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
Flora turned to Martin, taking a step towards Martin.
I don't need to try to control you
Look into my eyes and I'll own you
Martin came closer to Flora, they were both in each other's personal space.
With them moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
Flora turned to the audience, breaking the tension, but she glanced at Martin quickly out of the corner of her eye.
Maybe it's hard
When you feel like
You're broken and scarred
Nothing feels right
Martin came behind her, putting a hand on her waist.
But when you're with me
I'll make you believe
That I've got the key
Flora backed slightly into Martin.
So get in the car
We can ride it
Wherever you want
Get inside it
And you want to steer
But I'm shifting gears
I'll take it from here
Oh! Yeah yeah!
And it goes like this
Martin ran his hand over Flora's waist, her hips.
Take me by the tongue
And I'll know you
Kiss me 'til you're drunk
And I'll show you
Flora shimmied down over Martin's torso, like she'd seen the female dancers do before.
All the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
She traced his jaw.
I don't need to try to control you
Oh, yeah
Look into my eyes and I'll own you
With them moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
Yeah yeah
I've got the moves like Jagger
You wanna know how to make me smile
Take control, own me just for the night
And if I share my secret
You're gonna have to keep it
Nobody else can see this
So watch and learn
I won't show you twice
Head to toe, oooh baby rub me right
But if I share my secret
You're gonna have to keep it
Nobody else can see this
Ay! Ay! Ay! Aaay!
And it goes like this
Take me by the tongue
Take me by the tongue
And I'll know you
Kiss me 'til you're drunk
And I'll show you
Yeah yeah yeah!
All the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
Oh, yeah
I don't need to try to control you
Look into my eyes and I'll own you
With them moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
"That was brilliant Flora, Skip!" Arthur beamed as the stewardess and captain stumbled towards them, "You even danced like singers!"
"That was the point Arthur," Martin informed, "But Flora's the great one!"
"No, you are," Flora giggled, tapping his nose.
"We'll leave you to it," Douglas excused, dragging Arthur out.
"Bye Flora! Bye Skip!"
They were alone in the bar.
"What was all that about?" Martin turned to Flora and their eyes met.
The air felt charged with electricity as their lips came together. This is what they needed.
Flora's lips tasted of vodka and pear cider as well as a hint of strawberry from her flavoured lipstick. Martin's tasted of just neat vodka; but they were perfect.