Early, around seven o'clock on Saturday morning, EbonyAmber, commonly known
as either Amber or Ebony was woken by a gentle shake and an urgent whisper,
"Amber… c'mon Ambes, wake up!" Drawing in a breath, she opened her sleepy eyes to see a bright orange beak with a patch and bright blond hair. She bit her tongue to keep down a cry of surprise. "You awake?"
"What?" She croaked, stretching her muscles slightly underneath her coverlet. She sighed a bit, her heavy breathing starting to lighten.
"Get up, we gotta move!" Dive whispered. "We gotta go."
"Go where?" Amber asked, sitting up sleepily. "It's not game time, is it?"
"No," Nosedive whispered back. "Come on. Dress rock star-like."
"Dive, I'm not going to flaunt to the world that I am yet," Amber hissed in reply, trying not to wake Mallory who stirred lightly. She glared at him, who was dressed simply himself with a green t-shirt, a white vest with a high collar and jeans.
"Fine, dress casual, wear pants… oh, and do your make-up like a rock star… for me? Pleaaaase?" He asked, turning his puppy eyes to her.
"Make-up only," she said, tossing back the covers and standing up in her PJs. Dive looked at her.
"I never thought I'd see a rock star wearing care bear pajamas," he teased. Amber started, putting her hands on her hips.
"Since when do you need to worry about my Pj's?" She asked.
"Never mind. Now hurry. I think Duke wants to surprise you with breakfast in bed," Nosedive said, listening. "I wanna do both Mallory and you a favor. For Mal so she won't get jealous, for you, so you won't have to suffer through Duke's cooking."
"Oh gee, you're sweet," Amber teased, digging out a pair of flared jeans with huge flares and a small tube top. Nosedive grinned and headed out the door, only saying,
"Dress n' do fast." Amber rolled her eyes and then jumped into the pants and tube. She then leaned over to Mallory's mirror, remember how her best friend on the last tour did her make up… a light purple shade, then a darker one for her eyes, light mascara, eye liner, then silvery brown for her lips. She looked at herself, satisfied that it was rock star material. She wrote a quick note to Mallory so she wouldn't worry and then headed out the door, her sneakers thudding softly on the tile.
She met Nosedive just outside the door. Grinning, he took her hand and sneaked her to the elevators, up, then into the launching bay where his Duck Cycle waited.
"What is that?" She asked, looking at it, entranced.
"Here, put this on," he said, removing his vest and draping it over her shoulders. "It's still early and you might get cold. Can't have the girly girl shivering and shaking on the way." He grinned then hopped on the bike, then gestured for her to climb aboard. When she did, he handed her a helmet before putting one on.
"Hold on tight girly, 'cause we're punchin' it!" He said then started the engine. It let out a graceful purr before the two zoomed out of the hanger, Amber gripping tightly to Nosedive's waist. Nosedive hollered as he accelerated, and Amber laughed, the thrill of the speed getting to her.
They rode quickly out of the pond then around the street, only to park next door.
"Couldn't we have walked?" Amber asked, rather breathless.
"Ya didn't like the Duck Cycle?" Nosedive asked, incredulously.
"I did," Amber disagreed, and the smile on her face said so. Nosedive grinned.
"You think this is the only place we're goin'? I woke you up too early!" He teased. "We just gotta stop by and see my buddies first."
"The… Thrash and Mookie you mentioned?" She asked, uncertainly. Dive stared at her.
"How do you know them?" He asked.
"Didn't you mention them yesterday?" Amber asked puzzled.
"Dang, your babe-ness, you got a super computer in there?" He asked tapping her head.
"No, just a good memory," she laughed.
"Well tell the girl what she's won, 'cause that's where we're goin'," he grinned, before pounding on the door, knowing that Thrash and Mookie would be there, but not open.
"Yo! Thrash! Mookie! It's Dive! I got someone to make your aquai-ti- ence!" He yelled. The door unlocked.
"Dude, Dive, you're up early," Thrash said bewildered. Mookie looked over his shoulder.
"Yeah! Like, what's the deal, Dive?" She asked.
"Guys, may I present, live from Anaheim, EbonyAmber," Dive said, stepping aside. Amber looked at Thrash and Mookie for the first time and smiled. Typical teenagers.
"That's…?" Thrash asked, stupefied. Mookie blinked hard.
"Your royal coolness!" Thrash said, falling to his knees. "Dude!"
"Hi, Thrash," she grinned. Thrash looked like he had just hit cloud nine.
"She knows my name!"
"And Mookie," Amber said, nodding to Mookie as Thrash had taken her hands. She fought the urge to blush.
"What's happening?" She asked, a lot more coolly.
"Ah, nothing much really. Dive's just showing me the sights of Anaheim," Amber grinned.
"I really like your albums," Mookie continued, keeping her cool, while Thrash groveled at Ebony's feet.
"Thanks. Do you go to Dive's games by chance?" she asked.
"Occasionally," Mookie replied.
"I'll be performing there for the next two weeks. Come watch him and you'll get me too. See if he can get you down into the team box… I'll be sitting there and we can chill, no pun intended, while they play. Sounds cool?"
"How about it, Dive?" Mookie asked.
"No problemo," Dive said, grinning at Thrash.
"Here, come on, get up," Amber smiled, getting enough worshiping.
"You're getting us box tickets? You rock, man!" Thrash said, flinging himself onto Nosedive's neck.
"Whoa! Dude!" Dive squawked. "Don't clobber da Dive! He needs to save that in case other jerkos from tonight's game want a piece of him too!"
"Sorry man, this… this is just way cool!" Thrash said. Amber stood and smiled prettily.
"Here, here's passes," Dive said, handing one to Thrash and Mookie. "Come tonight. I'll meet you at the side entrance, got it?"
"Sure thing," Thrash grinned, pocketing his pass. Mookie accepted hers as well.
"Like, I'm glad we weren't doing anything tonight," she said, putting hers in her jacket pocket.
"No prob," Dive said. "Now come on Eb, we've got to get Rockin'. Catcha ya later guys!" He yelled as he hopped back on the bike, putting on his helmet. Amber shook each of their hands, before putting on hers and climbing on behind Dive.
"Now there's one lucky duck," Thrash commented.
*~
By the time Nosedive and Amber returned, he had treated her to The Block (a huge mall in the shape of a square) and lunch at Taco Bell: his favorite. She had learned a good deal about him as well- how he was constantly trying to be perfect like Wildwing, and still trying to keep his own identity, trying to be relaxed and confident but usually having to rely on one thing- his beak.
She discovered a duck that really loved his brother, no matter how strict he was
He, though, was a bit too busy talking about his troubles, his dreams, doubts and woes to learn much about her. She always seemed to ask just the right questions, exposing more of Dive and keeping him talking for a while. If he seemed to be running out of things to say, she would ask about Puck World, which would send him on another ante rage of memories and thought trains.
One thing he liked about her was she never brought up his brother unless he was the topic of discussion. It made him feel like he was completely on center stage, and that he had her complete attention.
"Yo, I really wanna say thanks for this morning. It's not often somebody important as you drops everything for an adventure with a duck such as moi," he said. Amber smiled.
"I'm flexible and you're a good duck, Dive," she told him, lightly tapping his shoulders with her knuckles. "I'm going to go clean up and check in with Mallory."
"Kay, catch you later, alligator," he said, waving before starting off to the rec. room. "Oh, and if you hear shouting, don't be alarmed. I'm only getting the third degree," he called after her.
"Nosedive!" Amber moaned. He grinned and whistled down the hall. Amber shook her head and entered Mallory's room.
"Hey Mal," she greeted.
"You lived?" Mallory asked incredulously. "By the way, thanks for the free breakfast. Duke was rather disappointed I got to have it though," Mallory winked.
"Well, I'll just have to make him breakfast sometime," Amber grinned. "Though knowing my cooking, I may poison him."
"I'll let you know when it's a good time," Mallory quipped, sending Amber into a fit of giggles and sympathy for Duke at the same time.
The door to Mallory's room beeped.
"Come in," Mallory said. Wildwing came in, his masked face in a fury.
"Good, you're here," He said, walking over to Ebony. "First off, both you and Dive had us worried, leaving and not telling anybody."
"I left Mallory a note," Amber interjected.
"But you didn't include specifics," Wildwing replied curtly. "As long as you're here, you've got to tell us these things."
"Why?" Ebony asked, understanding why Nosedive griped about Wildwing.
"It's good manners for one thing," Wildwing said. Ebony bit her lip to keep from talking back.
"When did you plan this?" Wildwing asked.
"This morning. Both Nosedive and I had nothing to do, so we left," Ebony said calmly, knowing it wasn't exactly the whole truth. She wanted to save Nosedive at least some trouble.
"You don't do that," Wildwing said exasperatedly. "You could have gotten hurt, or Dra-… never mind. The most important thing is that we've got to know where you are."
"All right, Wildwing, calm down," Ebony said, standing up in alarm. Wildwing looked at her then left. Amber sat down again, looking wide-eyed at Mallory.
"Now I know what Dive meant by third degree!" she said and Mallory laughed.
*~
Duke walked along the halls of the first level, still quite peeved about giving his especially prepared breakfast to a different than intended person. He was even more T.O.-ed at Nosedive.
He walked by the mess hall and heard Dive telling Grin how great Ebony was. He growled the best a duck could growl and continued prowling (the best a duck could prowl of course).
He passed by the rec. room and heard the sound of a guitar being tuned. Poking his head in the doorway, he spied Ebony fiddling with the guitar knobs. Sprucing his plumage a bit, he entered and sat down, watching her for a while.
She then fiddled with some chords before starting into one of her originals. The song was sad but the lyrics were slightly hopeful, though rather melancholy. It was a song about believing that she could attack her dreams with vigor until they were obtained and how she had known the disappointment of lost dreams.
The song reminded him vaguely of his days in the Brotherhood, how he had plans for it, but was forced to give them up for newer and better dreams. Her voice truly was sweet, but certainly not delicate.
Ebony looked up and squeaked in surprise when she saw Duke sitting and listening to her when she thought she had been alone.
"What's the matter?" Duke asked, looking up, startled.
"I just didn't see you," Ebony admitted, trying to get her heartbeat back to normal.
"I have that effect on people," Duke smiled wryly. "So, did you have a good time with Dive, sweetheart?"
"Yes, he was quite entertaining," Ebony, replied blandly.
"You don't sound too excited there," Duke pointed out.
"I don't outwardly jump for joy either," she replied quickly. Duke chuckled.
"Right. Hey listen, if you're not too full of Dive, care to check out downtown with me after tonight's game?" He asked.
"I don't know…" She said. "I mean, I'd like to, but Wildwing was rather upset with me. Besides, won't you be tired?"
"Hey, hey, I'm not that old," Duke, said jokingly. Amber smiled. "Don't sweat it, we'll just hang out, ya know… take a Duck Cycle. We'll just browse, talk… light stuff." Amber giggled. "What?" Duke asked confused.
"Nothing," she said. "Just thinking about Mallory's face when I get back and tell her you asked me on an escapade," she lied, when in actuality, she had been thinking about her morning adventure with Dive… how they had done the exact same thing. 'Am I noticing a pattern here?' she had thought.
"Okay, then meet me in the Hanger after the game. You know where that is, don't you sweetheart?"
"Yes, Duke," she replied with a smile. "I won't get in trouble with Wildwing, will I?" She asked, arching a brow.
"Course not," Duke replied. "You'll never get in trouble when you're with me. Now, with Dive, you're a glutton for punishment."
"I'll keep that in mind," Ebony grinned. "See you later tonight then, Duke." She rose and walked out the door while Duke looked on after her.
Amber met Tanya, pacing through the halls with a P.O.-ed look on her face.
"Something wrong, Tanya?" She asked the tall duck. Tanya glared at her.
"Only someone I know sneaking off with a teammate early this morning. We were all worried! Just because you're a rock star, you think you've got privileges that give you license to do whatever you want, with whoever you want.
"Sorry to bring you down from your pedestal, but you're not a goddess. You are our responsibility, so I would suggest you exercise a bit more self-control!" Tanya said, her voice rising slightly. She then turned and stormed off into her laboratory, leaving Amber blinking in surprise.
Dive came down the hallway, wide-eyed.
"Was that just Tanya interrogating you, or am I way out of the hockey rink?"
"You just scored big time, my friend," Amber replied, her grayer eyes a mass of confusion. She looked after Tanya.
"I think she doesn't like newbies getting out of line. No regrets, though, right?" He asked.
"No, but it has to upset you to come home to that," Amber replied.
"Negative, hammer," Dive said, shaking his head. "It's like protocol."
"You get in trouble that often?"
"Nah, trouble gets in me. What can I say? I'm a magnet," he shrugged. "You'll be rooting for us tonight, right?"
"Yeah," she smiled. "Catch you later, Nosedive."
"That's the way, 'uh-huh, uh-huh' I like it," Dive grinned and strutted off, while Amber chuckled.
*~
"Amber… c'mon Ambes, wake up!" Drawing in a breath, she opened her sleepy eyes to see a bright orange beak with a patch and bright blond hair. She bit her tongue to keep down a cry of surprise. "You awake?"
"What?" She croaked, stretching her muscles slightly underneath her coverlet. She sighed a bit, her heavy breathing starting to lighten.
"Get up, we gotta move!" Dive whispered. "We gotta go."
"Go where?" Amber asked, sitting up sleepily. "It's not game time, is it?"
"No," Nosedive whispered back. "Come on. Dress rock star-like."
"Dive, I'm not going to flaunt to the world that I am yet," Amber hissed in reply, trying not to wake Mallory who stirred lightly. She glared at him, who was dressed simply himself with a green t-shirt, a white vest with a high collar and jeans.
"Fine, dress casual, wear pants… oh, and do your make-up like a rock star… for me? Pleaaaase?" He asked, turning his puppy eyes to her.
"Make-up only," she said, tossing back the covers and standing up in her PJs. Dive looked at her.
"I never thought I'd see a rock star wearing care bear pajamas," he teased. Amber started, putting her hands on her hips.
"Since when do you need to worry about my Pj's?" She asked.
"Never mind. Now hurry. I think Duke wants to surprise you with breakfast in bed," Nosedive said, listening. "I wanna do both Mallory and you a favor. For Mal so she won't get jealous, for you, so you won't have to suffer through Duke's cooking."
"Oh gee, you're sweet," Amber teased, digging out a pair of flared jeans with huge flares and a small tube top. Nosedive grinned and headed out the door, only saying,
"Dress n' do fast." Amber rolled her eyes and then jumped into the pants and tube. She then leaned over to Mallory's mirror, remember how her best friend on the last tour did her make up… a light purple shade, then a darker one for her eyes, light mascara, eye liner, then silvery brown for her lips. She looked at herself, satisfied that it was rock star material. She wrote a quick note to Mallory so she wouldn't worry and then headed out the door, her sneakers thudding softly on the tile.
She met Nosedive just outside the door. Grinning, he took her hand and sneaked her to the elevators, up, then into the launching bay where his Duck Cycle waited.
"What is that?" She asked, looking at it, entranced.
"Here, put this on," he said, removing his vest and draping it over her shoulders. "It's still early and you might get cold. Can't have the girly girl shivering and shaking on the way." He grinned then hopped on the bike, then gestured for her to climb aboard. When she did, he handed her a helmet before putting one on.
"Hold on tight girly, 'cause we're punchin' it!" He said then started the engine. It let out a graceful purr before the two zoomed out of the hanger, Amber gripping tightly to Nosedive's waist. Nosedive hollered as he accelerated, and Amber laughed, the thrill of the speed getting to her.
They rode quickly out of the pond then around the street, only to park next door.
"Couldn't we have walked?" Amber asked, rather breathless.
"Ya didn't like the Duck Cycle?" Nosedive asked, incredulously.
"I did," Amber disagreed, and the smile on her face said so. Nosedive grinned.
"You think this is the only place we're goin'? I woke you up too early!" He teased. "We just gotta stop by and see my buddies first."
"The… Thrash and Mookie you mentioned?" She asked, uncertainly. Dive stared at her.
"How do you know them?" He asked.
"Didn't you mention them yesterday?" Amber asked puzzled.
"Dang, your babe-ness, you got a super computer in there?" He asked tapping her head.
"No, just a good memory," she laughed.
"Well tell the girl what she's won, 'cause that's where we're goin'," he grinned, before pounding on the door, knowing that Thrash and Mookie would be there, but not open.
"Yo! Thrash! Mookie! It's Dive! I got someone to make your aquai-ti- ence!" He yelled. The door unlocked.
"Dude, Dive, you're up early," Thrash said bewildered. Mookie looked over his shoulder.
"Yeah! Like, what's the deal, Dive?" She asked.
"Guys, may I present, live from Anaheim, EbonyAmber," Dive said, stepping aside. Amber looked at Thrash and Mookie for the first time and smiled. Typical teenagers.
"That's…?" Thrash asked, stupefied. Mookie blinked hard.
"Your royal coolness!" Thrash said, falling to his knees. "Dude!"
"Hi, Thrash," she grinned. Thrash looked like he had just hit cloud nine.
"She knows my name!"
"And Mookie," Amber said, nodding to Mookie as Thrash had taken her hands. She fought the urge to blush.
"What's happening?" She asked, a lot more coolly.
"Ah, nothing much really. Dive's just showing me the sights of Anaheim," Amber grinned.
"I really like your albums," Mookie continued, keeping her cool, while Thrash groveled at Ebony's feet.
"Thanks. Do you go to Dive's games by chance?" she asked.
"Occasionally," Mookie replied.
"I'll be performing there for the next two weeks. Come watch him and you'll get me too. See if he can get you down into the team box… I'll be sitting there and we can chill, no pun intended, while they play. Sounds cool?"
"How about it, Dive?" Mookie asked.
"No problemo," Dive said, grinning at Thrash.
"Here, come on, get up," Amber smiled, getting enough worshiping.
"You're getting us box tickets? You rock, man!" Thrash said, flinging himself onto Nosedive's neck.
"Whoa! Dude!" Dive squawked. "Don't clobber da Dive! He needs to save that in case other jerkos from tonight's game want a piece of him too!"
"Sorry man, this… this is just way cool!" Thrash said. Amber stood and smiled prettily.
"Here, here's passes," Dive said, handing one to Thrash and Mookie. "Come tonight. I'll meet you at the side entrance, got it?"
"Sure thing," Thrash grinned, pocketing his pass. Mookie accepted hers as well.
"Like, I'm glad we weren't doing anything tonight," she said, putting hers in her jacket pocket.
"No prob," Dive said. "Now come on Eb, we've got to get Rockin'. Catcha ya later guys!" He yelled as he hopped back on the bike, putting on his helmet. Amber shook each of their hands, before putting on hers and climbing on behind Dive.
"Now there's one lucky duck," Thrash commented.
*~
By the time Nosedive and Amber returned, he had treated her to The Block (a huge mall in the shape of a square) and lunch at Taco Bell: his favorite. She had learned a good deal about him as well- how he was constantly trying to be perfect like Wildwing, and still trying to keep his own identity, trying to be relaxed and confident but usually having to rely on one thing- his beak.
She discovered a duck that really loved his brother, no matter how strict he was
He, though, was a bit too busy talking about his troubles, his dreams, doubts and woes to learn much about her. She always seemed to ask just the right questions, exposing more of Dive and keeping him talking for a while. If he seemed to be running out of things to say, she would ask about Puck World, which would send him on another ante rage of memories and thought trains.
One thing he liked about her was she never brought up his brother unless he was the topic of discussion. It made him feel like he was completely on center stage, and that he had her complete attention.
"Yo, I really wanna say thanks for this morning. It's not often somebody important as you drops everything for an adventure with a duck such as moi," he said. Amber smiled.
"I'm flexible and you're a good duck, Dive," she told him, lightly tapping his shoulders with her knuckles. "I'm going to go clean up and check in with Mallory."
"Kay, catch you later, alligator," he said, waving before starting off to the rec. room. "Oh, and if you hear shouting, don't be alarmed. I'm only getting the third degree," he called after her.
"Nosedive!" Amber moaned. He grinned and whistled down the hall. Amber shook her head and entered Mallory's room.
"Hey Mal," she greeted.
"You lived?" Mallory asked incredulously. "By the way, thanks for the free breakfast. Duke was rather disappointed I got to have it though," Mallory winked.
"Well, I'll just have to make him breakfast sometime," Amber grinned. "Though knowing my cooking, I may poison him."
"I'll let you know when it's a good time," Mallory quipped, sending Amber into a fit of giggles and sympathy for Duke at the same time.
The door to Mallory's room beeped.
"Come in," Mallory said. Wildwing came in, his masked face in a fury.
"Good, you're here," He said, walking over to Ebony. "First off, both you and Dive had us worried, leaving and not telling anybody."
"I left Mallory a note," Amber interjected.
"But you didn't include specifics," Wildwing replied curtly. "As long as you're here, you've got to tell us these things."
"Why?" Ebony asked, understanding why Nosedive griped about Wildwing.
"It's good manners for one thing," Wildwing said. Ebony bit her lip to keep from talking back.
"When did you plan this?" Wildwing asked.
"This morning. Both Nosedive and I had nothing to do, so we left," Ebony said calmly, knowing it wasn't exactly the whole truth. She wanted to save Nosedive at least some trouble.
"You don't do that," Wildwing said exasperatedly. "You could have gotten hurt, or Dra-… never mind. The most important thing is that we've got to know where you are."
"All right, Wildwing, calm down," Ebony said, standing up in alarm. Wildwing looked at her then left. Amber sat down again, looking wide-eyed at Mallory.
"Now I know what Dive meant by third degree!" she said and Mallory laughed.
*~
Duke walked along the halls of the first level, still quite peeved about giving his especially prepared breakfast to a different than intended person. He was even more T.O.-ed at Nosedive.
He walked by the mess hall and heard Dive telling Grin how great Ebony was. He growled the best a duck could growl and continued prowling (the best a duck could prowl of course).
He passed by the rec. room and heard the sound of a guitar being tuned. Poking his head in the doorway, he spied Ebony fiddling with the guitar knobs. Sprucing his plumage a bit, he entered and sat down, watching her for a while.
She then fiddled with some chords before starting into one of her originals. The song was sad but the lyrics were slightly hopeful, though rather melancholy. It was a song about believing that she could attack her dreams with vigor until they were obtained and how she had known the disappointment of lost dreams.
The song reminded him vaguely of his days in the Brotherhood, how he had plans for it, but was forced to give them up for newer and better dreams. Her voice truly was sweet, but certainly not delicate.
Ebony looked up and squeaked in surprise when she saw Duke sitting and listening to her when she thought she had been alone.
"What's the matter?" Duke asked, looking up, startled.
"I just didn't see you," Ebony admitted, trying to get her heartbeat back to normal.
"I have that effect on people," Duke smiled wryly. "So, did you have a good time with Dive, sweetheart?"
"Yes, he was quite entertaining," Ebony, replied blandly.
"You don't sound too excited there," Duke pointed out.
"I don't outwardly jump for joy either," she replied quickly. Duke chuckled.
"Right. Hey listen, if you're not too full of Dive, care to check out downtown with me after tonight's game?" He asked.
"I don't know…" She said. "I mean, I'd like to, but Wildwing was rather upset with me. Besides, won't you be tired?"
"Hey, hey, I'm not that old," Duke, said jokingly. Amber smiled. "Don't sweat it, we'll just hang out, ya know… take a Duck Cycle. We'll just browse, talk… light stuff." Amber giggled. "What?" Duke asked confused.
"Nothing," she said. "Just thinking about Mallory's face when I get back and tell her you asked me on an escapade," she lied, when in actuality, she had been thinking about her morning adventure with Dive… how they had done the exact same thing. 'Am I noticing a pattern here?' she had thought.
"Okay, then meet me in the Hanger after the game. You know where that is, don't you sweetheart?"
"Yes, Duke," she replied with a smile. "I won't get in trouble with Wildwing, will I?" She asked, arching a brow.
"Course not," Duke replied. "You'll never get in trouble when you're with me. Now, with Dive, you're a glutton for punishment."
"I'll keep that in mind," Ebony grinned. "See you later tonight then, Duke." She rose and walked out the door while Duke looked on after her.
Amber met Tanya, pacing through the halls with a P.O.-ed look on her face.
"Something wrong, Tanya?" She asked the tall duck. Tanya glared at her.
"Only someone I know sneaking off with a teammate early this morning. We were all worried! Just because you're a rock star, you think you've got privileges that give you license to do whatever you want, with whoever you want.
"Sorry to bring you down from your pedestal, but you're not a goddess. You are our responsibility, so I would suggest you exercise a bit more self-control!" Tanya said, her voice rising slightly. She then turned and stormed off into her laboratory, leaving Amber blinking in surprise.
Dive came down the hallway, wide-eyed.
"Was that just Tanya interrogating you, or am I way out of the hockey rink?"
"You just scored big time, my friend," Amber replied, her grayer eyes a mass of confusion. She looked after Tanya.
"I think she doesn't like newbies getting out of line. No regrets, though, right?" He asked.
"No, but it has to upset you to come home to that," Amber replied.
"Negative, hammer," Dive said, shaking his head. "It's like protocol."
"You get in trouble that often?"
"Nah, trouble gets in me. What can I say? I'm a magnet," he shrugged. "You'll be rooting for us tonight, right?"
"Yeah," she smiled. "Catch you later, Nosedive."
"That's the way, 'uh-huh, uh-huh' I like it," Dive grinned and strutted off, while Amber chuckled.
*~