ic Fiji Vacation 2.0: Grounds (IC)

[Thevshi]

Rai Ki Wai Estate
Wakaya Island, Fiji
Saturday, February 15, 2025, 8:45 AM local time

 

The sleek form of a Pegasus Spaceplane soared through the sky above the waves of the South Pacific. Seated in the pilot’s seat of the Freedom League supersonic aircraft was Lynn Conners, wearing a white T-shirt and jeans shorts as she continued to descend in altitude towards the eventual destination in Fiji. Over the last couple of months, in addition to classes, homework, violin practice and just spending times with her boyfriend and friends, Lynn had also logged the necessary hours to be cleared to pilot a Pegasus.

 

Less than half an hour ago Lynn, along with her friends and classmates that had opted for a different means of transport for this weekend’s getaway, had departed the Lighthouse, having teleported up to the League's space station from Freedom Hall. After a short orbital fight and re-entry, they were now quickly approaching the island nation.

 

As she reached about a thousand feet of altitude, Lynn tilted the aircraft slightly to the right, allowing those in the back a better view out the right side of the Pegasus at the clear blue waters and green tropical volcanic islands that made up Fiji. Slowing their airspeed some, Lynn began a gradual banking turn as the spaceplane circled over the northern islands on an approach toward a private island at the eastern end of the chain of islands.

 

Glancing over toward two seats to her right, the blonde teen gave Mattie and Jack, a small grin. "Told you I learned to drive in a flying car back in my timeline." Lynn commented, although she did not really believe either had never doubted any of the things she had told them about her original timeline.

 

Although the blonde teen’s demeanor seemed generally more cheerful than typical, that outward appearance masked the emotional turbulence she had experienced over the last month. While Lynn had made many positive strides at the start of the school year, last month she had suffered a serious setback after being forced to vividly relive many of the events that had led to her timeline’s destruction and her narrow escape. Of course, these setbacks had been tempered some by the presence of Jack, Mattie and many of the other friends she had been making. So, Lynn was hopeful that she would truly be able to enjoy this trip and not be a burden on anyone. 

 

Focusing back ahead as she finished the turn and leveled the aircraft back out, the island that was their destination was in view. The small island was on the western side of an atoll, with dozens of narrow 'islands' scattered about its perimeter among visible coral reefs.

 

Lynn activated the microphone of the headset she was wearing. "Flight Control. This is Pegasus Zero-Five, beginning final approach, initiating landing sequence." The blonde teenager flipped a few switches as she continued to descend in altitude and further reduced their airspeed.

 

Up ahead, the buildings making up the Harrow compound could be seen among the jungle on the island; however, Lynn was steering the spaceplane towards the small private airstrip located next to the southwestern shoreline of the main section of the island. Dropping down to barely a hundred feet above the sea level, Lynn smoothly brought the aircraft over the airstrip, bringing it to a complete halt as the VTOL system engaged, causing the Pegasus to hover for a movement, before it slowly started to descend the rest of the way to the tarmac. Those aboard felt only the slightest jolt as the landing gear connected with the ground.

 

"Flight Control, Pegasus Zero-Five has reached its destination, landing sequence complete. Signing off." The blonde teen reached over and flipped a switch before taking off the headset and hanging it next to her.

 

The Pegasus started moving forward slowly as Lynn turned it slightly to the right, turning towards a small hanger located at the end of the airstrip. "Okay, will be just a few while we taxi into the hanger then we can debark and get this vacation started." She said to the others on board.

It was only a few minutes later that the Pegasus came to a complete stop and Lynn activated the ramp to allow the others to start exiting while she began powering down the aircraft.
 

[Jack]

Jack couldn't take his eyes off Lynn as she guided the spaceplane with practiced ease. The way her hands moved across the controls reminded him of how she handled her violin - precise, confident, natural. His massive frame barely fit in the passenger seat, but he didn't mind. The discomfort was worth being close to her.

 

The vast expanse of blue ocean stretched beneath them, dotted with emerald islands that looked like jewels scattered across silk. The temperature inside the cabin was perfect, though Jack hardly noticed - his connection to winter made most temperatures feel the same to him. Still, he appreciated how the climate control kept Lynn comfortable as she focused on piloting.

 

"Da, you fly good as you say," he said, pride evident in his thick Russian accent. The corner of his mouth lifted in a gentle smile as she mentioned learning in a flying car. He'd heard the story before, but never tired of her sharing pieces of her past. Each fragment helped him understand her better.

 

His large hand rested on the armrest, fingers drumming softly with nervous energy. This wasn't just any trip - it was their first real vacation together. Back home, their time was often interrupted by hero work or school obligations, and Lynn had had a few particularly hard times lately. Here, surrounded by crystal waters and tropical beauty, they could just be Jack and Lynn.

 

The spaceplane shuddered, and Jack's massive hands instinctively clamped down on the armrests. His fingers sank into the material, leaving slight indentations in their wake. The only other time he'd been on a plane was during that long flight from Siberia to America - a journey filled with white-knuckled hours of trying not to think about being trapped in a metal tube thousands of feet in the air.

 

The bear spirit within him stirred restlessly, sharing his discomfort with being so far from solid ground. Jack closed his eyes and took several deep breaths, the way his babushka had taught him when he needed to calm down. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Slowly.

 

He pictured Lynn on the beach they'd be reaching soon - her golden hair catching the sunlight, her smile hopefully bright and carefree as waves lapped at her feet. The image helped steady him as another bout of turbulence rattled through the cabin. His muscles remained tense, but he managed to loosen his death grip on the armrests slightly.

 

Jack stole a glance at Lynn in the pilot's seat, her movements sure and practiced as she handled the controls. She seemed so at home up here in the sky. For her sake, he would endure this temporary discomfort. After all, what was a little turbulence compared to fighting supervillains? Still, he couldn't help but wish they were already on the ground.

 

The bear spirit rumbled its agreement, and Jack focused again on his breathing, counting each inhale and exhale while keeping that mental picture of Lynn on the beach firmly in mind.

 

The landing was so smooth Jack barely felt it, distracted as he was. He watched in admiration as Lynn professionally completed her pilot duties, speaking clearly into the headset. Even these small moments made his heart swell. The bear spirit inside him rumbled contentedly, sharing his satisfaction at being near her.

 

As the plane taxied toward the hangar, Jack gathered their bags, careful not to bump anything with his considerable bulk. He'd packed light - mostly just swimming trunks and a couple sleeveless hoodies. The tropical heat would be challenging, but he'd manage. Lynn's happiness was worth any discomfort.

 

Challenging may not have been the right word…

 

The instant Jack's feet touched the metal ramp, the tropical heat slammed into him like a physical wall. The thick, humid air felt like breathing through a wet blanket. Sweat burst from every pore, his body desperately trying to cope with the sudden temperature change. Inside his head, the bear spirit thrashed in panic, its primal fear of overheating overwhelming Jack's usual calm.

 

"Nyet, nyet, nyet," Jack muttered, dropping the bags with a thud. His trembling fingers yanked at the zipper of his hoodie, practically tearing it off. The flip-flops went next, kicked aside as he stood barefoot on the scorching tarmac. For one wild moment, as the bear's panic merged with his own, Jack's hands moved to his waistband, ready to strip completely. A tiny spark of rational thought stopped him just in time - going nude at the private airstrip probably wasn't the best first impression, especially since he wasn't in the habit of wearing boxers…

 

The bear spirit's howls echoed in his mind, its instincts screaming about the deadly heat. Jack's heart hammered against his ribs as he forced himself to focus through the panic. He closed his eyes, reaching deep inside for the familiar touch of winter that lived in his soul.

 

Breathe in. Breathe out. With each exhale, clouds of vapor formed in the tropical air as Jack wrapped himself in his innate cold. The temperature difference created swirling eddies of mist around his bare torso. Gradually, the bear spirit's panic subsided, though Jack could still feel its unease. His heart rate slowly returned to normal as the protective cold settled around him like an invisible shield.

 

This was different from anything they'd experienced before. The bear spirit, used to the Arctic winters of Siberia, had reacted purely on instinct - if it had been a flesh and blood creature, this climate could have killed it. Jack wiped the remaining sweat from his brow, making a mental note to be more prepared for extreme heat in the future. He would have to focus a lot more on the cold then normal.

 

 

[Poncho]

(King Cole III)

 

It would have taken a lot for Renee to get on a plane like a Pegasus. She wasn't even sure if she was invited to begin with, she'd had to ask Lynn at some point to make sure she was allowed. Her relationship with Lynn was weird. She could appreciate her first view of Lynn was off. She could appreciate that Lynn had been a huge help in the Theater club, helping with performances. She wasn't rude or a bully, if anything she had her own issues, things Renee was in no way qualified to help with. So she liked Lynn, she just wasn't someone Renee hung out with a lot.

 

Of course, The King had a lot of fun hanging out with Mattie, and that meant being around Lynn too. But the King hung out with everyone, she liked everyone, just about. The King had been excited to go to a new place, to fly on a space plane. So it was the King that had the honor of getting on the plane. She spent the trip playing Balatro on her phone and waiting. She barely reacted at the noise and motion, not because she wasn't excited, but because the King was such a bundle of energy that if she started, she wasn't going to stop. But thankfully it was a short trip, so the King could keep herself occupied. But by the time the plane touched down she was vibrating, barely sitting in her seat, and ready to go. Renee had patience, the King did not.

 

She wanted her Harlequin. Or the Pirate boy. What fun was a beach vacation without someone to spend it with? Pfft, yeah right. She wasn't some airhead! She was here for her own fun! She had no reason to worry about it! What kind of King couldn't have fun on her own?!

 

In beach shorts and a one piece with sunshades a hat, and chewing gum in her mouth, she reached into her backpack and pulled out a volleyball. Not a firm one, but one of those soft rubber ones appropriate for general play.

 

So as soon as the plane touched down and the ramp opened, she hurled it as hard as she could so the ball went bouncing across the grounds, and then she was out of her seat and fleeing the plane at top speed. She rushed past Jack and barely acknowledged him.

 

"Look out, Bear boy!" She yelled as she ducked to the right, caught the ball with her foot, and sent it flying again, further towards the beach.

 

"We only have a few days, and we can't waste them!" She yelled as she kept running after her ball.

[RocketLord]

BOUNCE!

 

Space! All those stars! The entire time from taking the teleporter to flying down, Mattie kept talking, pointing out different stars, satellites or anything exciting she saw. It was all just so awesome! And Lynn! Lynn could fly the spaceship! How cool was that!?

 

Sitting up close by Lynn and Jack, Mattie wore a purple and white spacesuit during the trip down towards the island. Lynn had told her about it, of course, but the thought that someone could own most of an island like that still seemed so wild to Mattie. As they approach, she stares wide-eyed at the island.

 

Following after Jack, she stops in her tracks when Jack breaks down. Renee just goes past him, but Mattie stops, kneeling down to his massive frame.

 

"Jack? What's wrong?"

 

They only just got to the island. Was someone attacking him or something?

[Jack]

Jack pushed himself up from his crouched position, wisps of vapor curling off his bare shoulders and chest where the frigid aura around him collided with the tropical air. Frost crystals formed and melted in rapid succession across his skin as he worked to maintain the delicate balance between his inner cold and the oppressive heat. His heart still thundered against his ribs, though slower now as he regained control.

 

"Is okay, Mattie," he said, forcing a reassuring smile despite the bear spirit's continued unease. "Did not expect beast inside to... panic like this." He retrieved the bags he'd dropped, careful not to let the frost spreading from his hands damage Lynn's luggage. 

 

The concerned look on Mattie's face made him feel guilty for causing a scene. She was so excited about the trip, and here he was losing control barely five minutes after landing. Jack took another deep breath, more vapor swirling around him.

 

"Will be fine now," he explained, adjusting his grip on the bags. "Just need concentrate little bit. Beast spirit used to Siberian winter, not..." he gestured at the sweltering landscape around them with his chin, "...this." 

 

His pulse was finally settling into a steadier rhythm as he found the right balance of cold to keep both himself and his inner bear comfortable without turning the immediate area into a winter wonderland. It would take constant focus, but he could manage it.

 

 

[Thevshi]

Slipstream

 

Lynn had been just behind Mattie, having finished the post-flight checklist and securing the spaceplane's controls. Over one shoulder she had a small backpack and in one hand she was holding her violin case. Like her roommate, she was a bit surprised at Jack's sudden actions as he exited the plane.

 

"Jack! Are you…" She stopped mid-sentence as Jack stripped off his sleeveless hoodie. The blonde teen was well aware her boyfriend had a powerful build, but this was the first time she had actually seen him shirtless. But she recovered somewhat quickly and was over at his other side in a flash, actually gently grabbing one of his wrists as the hand had started towards his waist band.

 

A concerned look came to her face as he explained the reaction, the blonde teen feeling bad that he had to suffer such a strong reaction. "Are…you going to be alright Jack?" She asked, not wanting to see him uncomfortable for the long weekend.

 

Glancing out towards Renee…or rather the King, Lynn called after her. "Just follow the western beach north and you will come to a section that ends at the base of some cliffs. That is the part of the beach closest to the house, you should see a path leading into the jungle that goes up to the house."
 

[Jack]

Jack exhaled another frosty breath, watching the vapor swirl and dissipate in the thick tropical air. He nodded to Lynn, whose concern made his heart ache. The last thing he wanted was to worry her during what should be a perfect getaway.

 

His massive frame still dripped with condensation where the protective cold met the thick tropical air. He scooped up his discarded hoodie and flip-flops, slinging the hoodie over one broad shoulder. Droplets of water traced paths down his chest and arms where frost kept forming and melting. The bear spirit had settled into an uneasy truce with the heat, though it still grumbled at the edges of his consciousness.

 

"Da, will be fine," he assured Lynn with his biggest smile, even as he mentally kicked himself for causing such a scene. Those bright eyes of hers would likely see right through his attempt at confidence, but he maintained the smile anyway. His large hand came up to cup her cheek, thumb gently stroking across her soft skin. "Is just adjustment period, like when first bonded with bear."

 

Gathering up their bags again, he gestured to her violin case and backpack. "Let me carry those too, Zaya Moy." The pet name slipped out naturally - she really was like a little bunny sometimes, small, precious and very quick.

 

His concentration wavered for a moment as he looked at her, and the suffocating heat pressed in immediately. The bear spirit stirred restlessly, but Jack quickly reinforced his cold barrier, drawing on that deep well of winter inside him. Frost crystals danced briefly across his shoulders again before melting away in the tropical air.

 

Jack just kept smiling.

[Ecalsneerg]

Hurricane Jones

 

Annie strolled casually out of the Pegasus. That she would be travelling by air went without question. She wore a red knee-length dress in white polkadots, cat eye sunglasses perched on her nose, her hair wrapped up in a bun. She effortlessly carried a battered and bulging duffel bag on one shoulder. 

 

Seeing the tail-end of the events ahead of her, she picked up the pace, feet swishing her along with brusque efficiency. 

 

"Course you will," Annie said, slapping Jack's shoulder before withdrawing her hand with a wince. "Chilly that. Look, Mister Russkie, this is an American-organised foray abroad, so you know as well as I that they will have found somewhere with air conditioning and a paucity of decent poolside drinks." She looked up, using her free hand as a visor. "How secluded are we, anyway? Lovely day for thermals."

[Nerdzul]

While teleportation would have certainly been faster, plus it was apparently the arrival mode of choice of most of his classmates, Diego was not the type that could miss the chance to take a spaceship and visit an actual real space station with fancy superhero tech. In fact, while he did try to play it cool as much as he could, so not much admittedly, the young man had spent every moment of his short visit in a state of awe… Now of course he was not exactly allowed to look at the inner workings of the orbital structure, but that hadn’t prevented him from asking questions about it to anyone who would give him an ear, animate or otherwise.

 

The young man was almost sad when it was finally time to leave and for a tropical beach vacation, unfortunately his attempts to sneak a few more hours at the station had been thwarted by the attentive eyes of much more senior heroes. Admittedly though, that had given him the chance to admire another marvel of technology, the Pegaus was perhaps not as extraordinarily awesome as the lighthouse, but was badass nonetheless. 

 

In fact, the young man had submerged his consciousness within the shuttle, his mind exploring the craft, occasionally manifesting in minor, but fortunately non-threatening glitches, that he was not sure would have escaped the attention of their pilot. Admittedly while he did enjoy focusing his attention on the vessel itself, its engine and its perfectly designed systems, the void of space that surrounded them, or even the rarefied atmosphere, felt so immensely empty against his borrowed skin, it was even… scary perhaps, although he would never admit it, the sensation still prompted him to eventually let go of his psychic communion, visibly shivering. 

 

“You, have flying cars in your timeline?… cool. This though… this… you were freakin’ awesome…” He complimented Lynn as soon as they got to landing. “By the way… next time… promise you’d let me drive, ok? I’m gonna be in debt to you for freakin’ ever...” He had added playfully shortly thereafter, admittedly he had absolutely zero training on how to pilot a shuttle, although given his knack, he was confident that it would not really be an issue.

 

“Diego by the way… Sorry I didn’t introduce myself earlier, but I mean… Spaaace!” 

 

He waltzed outside the vessel, although regretfully so (in fact he had already decided he would pay a visit at the airstrip by himself later). His hands were tucked in the pockets of his colorful board shorts with an Hawaiian motif, whose pattern matched the one of his shirt, sunglasses on, and headphone hanging on his neck, while the duffel bag with his stuff dutifully followed him floating a few feet behind, apparently by itself.

 

Diego rolled his eyes as he saw the big Russian guy first foray in the tropical heat. 

 

“Hey dude, chill out.. we all noticed you work out already…” He teased as the fellow hero pretty much ripped off his hoodie. Not that he was jealous of Jack’s athletic build… of course… definitely… not at all… Yep… Still, for the time being, Diego decided that he would keep his own t-shirt on… yeah…

 

On 1/11/2025 at 4:03 AM, Poncho said:

"We only have a few days, and we can't waste them!" She yelled as she kept running after her ball.

 

"Hell Yeah!" He yelled back and quickly began running after Renee.

Edited Monday at 10:21 PM by Nerdzul

[Poncho]

(King Cole III)

 

The ball went soaring through the air as Renee finally caught up to it, and with an impressive little move she kicked it up onto her head to balance it.

 

"Haha! Yes, that's what I'm talking about Diego!" she yelled, hopping up and down. Everyone else was focused on Jack, so...Whatever! That meant nothing to her, and she wasn't going to be one more person in the pile of people crowding around the arctic giant bear! That wasn't fun, and there's always way too many cooks in the kitchen! "Let's go to the beach! Maybe the others are there for some volleyball!" she yelled, kicking the ball back to him before turning around to continue her run towards the beach.

 

"First one there gets a free spell cast by me!"

[RocketLord]

BOUNCE!

 

"Sure, if you say so, Jack," Mattie responds to his reassurances, even if she doesn't sound completely convinced. 

 

She looks at him for a moment, before breaking out into a smile and jumping after Diego and Renee, starting to bounce after them, while carrying her luggage.

 

"Hey, wait up! I wanna play too!" 

 

As she bounces around, the spacesuit she is wearing starts to shift and disappear, instead turning into a purple bikini much better suited to the heat.

[Thevshi]

Lynn (Slipstream)

 

Like Mattie, Lynn was not completely sure everything was as fine as Jack said. But she did not really have a reason to doubt him either. She gave him a small smile and shook her head when he offered to take her violin case and small backpack in addition to her larger suitcase. "Oh, I got these, I think I’m making you carry enough."

 

When Diego commented on her piloting, the blonde teen turned and gave her fellow Orange Team member a small smile. "Thanks, and afraid I would get in sooooo much trouble if I let you pilot it on the way back. I had to log 40 hours in a flight simulator and 20 hours real time before I was cleared to pilot the Pegasus solo."

 

When Annie asked about how secluded they were and mentioned thermals, the blonde teen looked over to her. "Well, about a mile and a half north form the main house is a small resort and village, and more islands past that. To the west are some more islands and then the main island. But sticking south/southeast should be discrete enough." She replied.

 

And then Diego and Mattie took off after Renee, so Lynn looked back to Jack and the others still there. "Well, I am going to follow the road up to the main house first before heading to the beach." She stated, starting over towards the road that led away from the small airstrip.
 

[Jack]

Jack hunched his massive shoulders, trying to make himself smaller as he felt the weight of everyone's stares. The bear spirit's restlessness only amplified his discomfort at being the center of attention. He was making a scene, ruining what should have been a perfect start to their island getaway.

 

"Da, you are right," he mumbled to Annie, forcing his brightest smile despite the inner turmoil. "Though Russian drinks much better than American ones." The words came out barely above a whisper. "Sorry…" he said to Diego, not really knowing what else to say.

 

He fell in step behind Lynn, slightly saddened she'd declined his offer to carry more bags. "Is no problem if you change mind, milaya," he added softly, though he hoped the others wouldn't hear the slight tremor in his voice. The bear's agitation was getting harder to contain in the suffocating heat.

 

Jack took several measured breaths, focusing on steadying his heart rate. This wasn't about him or his discomfort. This was Lynn's vacation with her friends. He wouldn't let his issues spoil their fun.

 

Though he tried to maintain his cheerful expression, he knew Lynn would see right through it if she looked closely enough. She had a way of reading him that both thrilled and terrified him. But he squared his shoulders and pressed on toward the house, determined to get himself under control.

 

The frost still gathered and melted across his skin in steady waves, but he managed to keep the temperature fluctuations more localized. The last thing he needed was to turn their tropical paradise into an ice box because he couldn't handle a little heat.

 

"So, vhat shall we do first today?" He asked Lynn, trying to lighten the mood and move to more fun topics. "Nap on beach sounds a delight..."

[Poncho]

(King Cole III)

 

Run run run! King Cole might have just been a regular girl, but she was running as fast as she could to the beach, until her feet hit sand and she kept running, full speed, directly towards the water.

 

"Come on, Come on! I see Mizuki! The other people must have already gotten here through the...whatever. Portal? I think portal? Yeah sure." She was started waving at Mizuki as she ran, but she wasn't stopping, and with a massive splash she slammed directly into the water, splashing around in the waves with a laugh.

 

"Come on Mattie! Can you turn into a surfboard? Or like a flotation device!? We could ride the waves!" she said, splashing around cheerfully. At least it wasn't cold anymore. She didn't mind the cold, but a beautiful tropical island? This was awesome! "I mean I might break my head open, but it'd be cool until you fall, and that's what you should view the world as, right? Don't worry about the crash, just enjoy the drive!"

[Ecalsneerg]

On 1/14/2025 at 9:55 PM, Thevshi said:

Lynn (Slipstream)

 

When Annie asked about how secluded they were and mentioned thermals, the blonde teen looked over to her. "Well, about a mile and a half north form the main house is a small resort and village, and more islands past that. To the west are some more islands and then the main island. But sticking south/southeast should be discrete enough." She replied.

"Works for me. Hate it when I end up on Youtube." Annie hefted her case under her arm with ease, turning to glance at Jack. "Might take a quick loop, drop off my luggage and hit the beach."

 

She paused for a second, giving Jack an awkward slap on the back again with a meaty thud. "And hey, big guy, don't feel bad. Everybody has weird power stuff. And the ones who don't, well, they're all teenagers." Annie let her sunglasses fall over her eyes. "Chin up, lad." Then she shot into the air like a firework, a golden trail of vapour vanishing like a heat haze in her wake. In the distance, she could be seen making a sweeping curve in the direction of the accommodation.