The Honeymoon Period

[_nightwing_]

Just because the base is officially open doesn't mean the workload's necessarily done. Boxes line hallways and new suites as the permanent members of Titans East move in and take some time to customize their new surroundings. Computer systems are being broken in. More paperwork is required. New emergency protocols and layouts for the compound have

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[_bird_of_flame_]

Bette's been looking at this thing for awhile now. Awhile being however long ago she figured out it was here. So, a few weeks at most. She's never been on a trapeeze. It is one of the few 'thrill junkie' things that she hasn't ever done.

Seeing Nightwing up there makes her pause a little bit. He looks peaceful up there and she doesn't want to bother him. It isn't often that he looks like that. Still, she wants to do this.

Flipping through the air is peaceful to her as well.

[_nightwing_]

He was on a trapeze almost before he could walk. His first day on the apparatus had had him swinging by his knees and then progressing to a Bird's Nest maneuver - heels up on the bar before swinging out and releasing to his mother's catch.

There are things you just can't forget. Some things you shouldn't; like the feel of the air on your skin as you fly, the stillness as time seems to slow down while you're in the air.

He's not even paying attention to what's down below. You never do. Looking down's bad luck, by his family's tradition - traditions he's always felt some pressure to continue.

A couple more swings to get up to speed. A double cutaway with half twist.

[_bird_of_flame_]

Pulling in a breath and letting it back out, she starts to climb up the rope ladder. It occurs to her on her way up that he's beautiful like this. And not in the way she usually thinks it. It is the same thing she thinks when she sees the Grand Canyon, or the center court at Wimbeldon or Michelangelo's David.

Getting to the platform, she stops, watching.

[_nightwing_]

There's a puff of chalk dust as his hands come back to the bar. Now he's swinging facing away from her, pushing his body up into a halfrise position for a few moments as the trapeze moves back and forth. Then he drops back down in a sudden motion and goes back into an intense swing, feet kept together and in front of him, pointing towards the roof as the motion comes to its zenith. Just before it hits its highest point, he lets go of the bar, releasing into the quadruple somersault he and his parents were so famous for.

Just a second passes in that moment, but it might as well be minutes. As he unfurls from the movement, his hands contact the solid bar once more, the movement bringing him back towards the platform.

[_bird_of_flame_]

Bette takes a few steps back, letting him come up to the platform on his own. She doesn't want to be too intrusive. That was an amazing thing to see. Just watching it has her a little bit breathless and she doesn't want to give the wrong impression.

Maybe she should climb back down?

No. Too late now. And she has a right to be here. She smiles at him.

[_nightwing_]

He's facing the platform now as he swings back, dropping to swing by his ankles from the ropes. It's only on the upswing that he registers Bette's presence, however. He's been at this a while, as is evidenced by the dampness of his hair and the sheen of sweat on his bare arms. He looks at her with some surprise from his upside-down position, still swinging back and forth.

Oh - hey. Didn't see you there.

[_bird_of_flame_]

"Hey. You were pretty wrapped up in it."

She makes her way toward the edge of the platform. "I thought I would come and give this a try."

[_nightwing_]

There's a dismissive shake of his head, which is probably a mildly odd effect as he swings to and fro.

Just thinking, he replies, then lifts his eyebrows at her. Seriously?

[_bird_of_flame_]

"Well I've always wanted to. And I figure what I've been doing since I was four can't be too much different." Bette grins at him a little. "There doesn't have to be a partner involved and if there is, I need to work on my teamwork anyway..."

[_nightwing_]

He shifts position again, dropping back to swing by his hands.

Depends what you want to learn. It's about fifty-fifty, but catching is usually the biggest crowd-pleaser. It's an exercise in trust.

The swing increases in momentum again, before he issues a sharp command to the computer system.

Activate virtual net.

A short chime answers, and a glowing blue net shimmers into existence below, just as he goes for a double lay dismount -- two twists of his body, arms held by his sides in the air before he comes down into the net beneath them.

[_bird_of_flame_]

"I didn't have anything that specific in mind...."

Bette watches him head down, somehow it not having occured to her that he hadn't been using a net. Of course he wasn't but...

"I know how to move in the air but I'll start where ever you'd recommend."

[_nightwing_]

He rakes a hand through his hair, then slides off the energy net and looks back up at her.

I figure it's always better to start from the beginning, regardless. It's similar to the parallel bars in some ways, but not in others.

A few moments, and he's back up on the opposing platform, reaching for the other trapeze's rung.

This bar moves, for one.

[_bird_of_flame_]

"I had gathered that part from observation."

Bette doesn't yet go for the bar in front of her.

[_nightwing_]

He grins back at her across the expanse that separates them.

I'll assume you're already familiar with the physics of motion and kinetic equations as well, in that case.

They're not strictly necessary, but they do offer a distinct edge when it comes to timing moves.

[_bird_of_flame_]

"More in practice than in theory." Ask her to write them out and she'd be lost but she has experienced them more than once. Bette's amused voice pipes up again, "Am I getting homework?"

[_nightwing_]

There may be a quiz later.

He's joking. Mostly.

Before you fly, you need to know how to fall.

The energy net below is atypical - it'll cushion a fall no matter what way you land, but a traditional net isn't so forgiving.