Air treks, they were every kids dream and every adults nightmare as they took the world by storm. Ironically enough Storm Riders were exactly what they called themselves. Riders who went past the norm, who defied the rules and regulations just for a kiss from the ever teasing wind who caressed their skin with each ride. They were those who dared to put their health on the line, to fashion wings on their feet and attempt to fly all so they could test if they were true genuine appendages capable of flight, or generic mockeries fashioned from wax.
They hit the American market a year ago, spilling over from Asia and Europe and by now they were a global commodity, a house hold brand with multiple products springing from the line. From Roller-blades to robots, everyone could find a product introduced from an overseas corporation whose name was so hard to pronounce that the general populace referred to them as Wingdom, a mystical kingdom that changed the world and introduced a new dream that would stretch for generations. But dreams weren't cheap, and A-T cost times more than a high schooler's budget would allow. After an eight months of pinching pennies, of overtime in the shop and skipped lunches one teen was about to get his wings as a the city bus pulled to a stop.
The two childhood friends were still together, Decius and Elvira who made small talk about the school day as they headed into D&T's auto shop with the greetings of the workers behind them. They bypassed the employee lounge, waved a hello to some of the lucky workers that got to leave for the day, and into the general managers office where a man who looked so much like Decius that were it not for the slight difference in height and years they might have been twins."Hey dad, it's PAY DAY~" He sang the last part, a tuneless song that earned him a chuckle from his female companion and a sigh from his father.
"Yea kiddo i know it. How many months you been saving for these things, seven? Eight? You know if you could do that with everything then college wouldn't be so hard on us."
"Aww come on dad. You're the one who told me to enjoy my youth when i got the job right? Well what's more youthful than blowing money on something i don't need."
"Now you start listening?"
"Better late than never right?"
It was cheerful banter, an only son having a family moment with a supporting father. They hugged like men do, roughly and for only a moment before separating as the father clasped his son on the shoulder with one hand before reaching into a drawer to retrieve what they both knew he would come for. "Well here it is son, two hundred and fifty smackers to add to the pile. You sure you have enough pal?"
"Ha i'd better dad. If not i might just take you up on that paying for college thing. Come on Elvira, let's get to the bank before they close. Thanks dad, i'll see ya soon."
"Don't break nothing on those things! Elvira you're responsible, so i'm asking you to look after my boy. You don't want him to die before you get him to the alter right?"
" you make that joke so often that i don't even get flustered anymore."
only grinned, an expression his son often mirrored before giving the Russian girl a small wink, "That's the idea." That time she blushed.
Not bothering to stick around for the teasing Decius was out the door, waiting from her at the entrance before they started down the street. Los Angels was almost always bustling with activity, from hustlers selling of touris traps or wanna be actors rushing to their side gig the sidewalks and public transportation always seemed to be full. Above them on rooftops and scaffolds were Storm riders, avoiding the thick crowds with only their cries of excitement and the whirling of their wheels giving any indication that they were there. Decius had always looked at them with envy, but soon he would be with them making a grab for the sky while building his wings.
The bank wasn't far and from that they took another bus up town towards the one of the few local malls. It was beyond crowded for a Friday afternoon, excited kids, rowdy teens, and exhausted parents all jammed into one place and Decius had to push through several times before he finally reached Gazer's Place a nice little that was quickly becoming well known for quality A-T equipment for low prices. The shelves were lined with parts of all kinds from springs to gears they shinning with metallic brilliance that could blind a man and rob him of his senses along with his money. In the back behind the counter was a black haired man who looked to be in his mid-twenties with blue eyes tan skin and a ivory smile that disarmed even the fiercest of misers. It was this smiling face that greeted Decius and Elvira over the roar of several potential customers his voice alight with humor as his eyes seemed to shine with mirth,"Well if it isn't my favorite window shopper. You here to look around again or are you finally ready to buy a pair?"
"No Frank, today is the day I become a rider." He'd said it with such conviction that it felt a little silly, of course Elvira was laughing behind him so Decius assumed he sounded just as silly as he felt.
Frank gave a mock salute his face turning into a blank slate as he spoke with utter seriousness, "Sir yes sir! What kind of Treks were you looking to get Sir!?" By now he was smiling, and Decius could help but let out a few laughs of his own as Elvira continued her fit of giggling. By now even Decius was chuckling at his somewhat foolish antics, "Ok Ok, less serious i get it. I..uh..well what kind of Treks are available?"
"Well we've got the stock in so I'm pretty sure we've got them all. S-type if speed is your pleasure, A-type which is the standard really. They get pretty fast but they grab alot of air unlike the S. We've got ballrollers, but i doubt you want those. Even the pros say their awkward and almost impossible to utilize in a good ride but there have been a handful that do some amazing things with those bad boys, not for jumping of course but all other areas are good. Between you and me kid i'd take the A, your just starting so the S-type isn't something you'd be able to properly use anyway and of course you could chose the rollers since you have no previous experience, but you might be biting off more than you could chew."
"Hmm well when you put it that way it sounds like an easy choice." Easy or not Decius was afraid that he wouldn't get a second chance to decide, this pair alone took months of saving and if he decided that they weren't for him he'd be hard pressed to get a refund.
The worry must have shown on his face because Elvira clasped him on the shoulder, her slender hand radiating assurance as she leaned in close to speak, "Hey don't sweat it Decius. Worse comes to worse we can find a tuner modify them. I started with the S-type thinking they'd be my style but after a tuning i found myself with something a bit more advanced than the A's. Just pick what you want and worry about the details later."
"Yea you're right. Alright Frank, I'll take the S-type i think i'll be able to handle them after some practice." They exchanged a few more plesentries while Decius paid for the very expensive Treks, small talk about the increase in riders of late and the hype that was coming from the East as talks of their A-T League expanding onto a Global scale. Decius didn't know it at the time, but in a relativly short amount of time, when the chaos started and the lines drawn with blood he would look back on this day with a certain amount of fondness...and an even greater amount of pain.
(Author's Note)
Hey i know it's been a while, life has been hectic as ever but somehow i endure. This story isn't dead, not by any means and i do want to give credit to the people of Eight Roads the rp site that I've rped on in the past for giving me a place to play while i did so. I'll try to update on a regular scheduel and be sure to review and check out the site if your interested in an active non-cannon Air Gear rp. Thanks for reading.
