(no subject)

[1stwitness]

It might have been noticed Ichabod hasn't been in the bar proper of late.

That is because he's been in the garage much of the time, learning how to use his new motorbike where nobody can see him.

Now, however, he's got the confidence to bring it out, and is wheeling it out of the lift to go for a ride by the lake.

Comments

[never_lost_faith]

Katrina is in the garden, looking at the hellebores. It's strange how these little things cheerfully bloom in the icy cold.

"Ichabod!" she says, looking up. "That thing is amazing. What is it?"

[1stwitness]

"It's called a motorcycle", he says cheerfully. "Jason Todd built it for me. And it seats two."

[never_lost_faith]

She stands, turns, and walks towards Ichabod and the amazing machine.

"That is very generous of him!" she says. "Do you know how to ride it?"

[1stwitness]

"He showed me the basics, and I've been practising", Ichabod says with a smile, and sits sideways on the bike. "I like to think I do now."

[never_lost_faith]

Katrina comes closer, and leans in for a kiss. "It seats two, you say?" she says.

[1stwitness]

"It does", he says. "Like this, see?" He indicates the saddle and the pillion.

[never_lost_faith]

"Do you think it would work for me to ride on it with you?" she asks.

[1stwitness]

"I can see absolutely no reason why not." He swings over to sit on the bike properly, and gestures encouragingly at the pillion.

[never_lost_faith]

Katrina lifts her skirts, and sits behind him, as she would on a horse.

"This is like some great metal steed," she says.

[1stwitness]

"Almost exactly like", he agrees. "Less inclined to bite or kick, of course, but also more inclined to tip over if mistreated."

[never_lost_faith]

"We shall not mistreat your iron steed," Katrina says. "What treats may we give it?"

[1stwitness]

"Fuel alone, I would think, and proper maintenance", he says with a smile. "And care taken when driving it."

[never_lost_faith]

"Then we may ride off, without winning its good will first?" Katrina says.

[runningred]

Jay's still recovering from the flu but so long as he concentrates, he's okay. He watches from a distance, keeping to the shadows. After all, he hasn't see Ichabod since he got back and he's a little ashamed of how he left things.

[1stwitness]

He seems to be enjoying himself, if still noticeably cautious on the bike.

[runningred]

Jay can't help but smile, watching how Ichabod handles the bike. He steps out of the shadows to watch his friend ride. "She's heavy on the back end." He mutters as much to himself. "Should have fixed that."

[1stwitness]

Ichabod the hypervigilant hears this, and looks straight at him.

"Hello, Jason. Thank you for building her."

[runningred]

"Hey. How's she running?" He steps closer, moving and holding himself rather carefully. "I see the jacket fits."

[1stwitness]

"Perfectly", he agrees, "and she runs perfectly too. Are you all right?"

[runningred]

He shakes his head and walks over to the bike, pressing down on the rear wheel. "Back suspension's too heavy for you. You weigh a bit less that I do. I can fix that later." He withdraws, holding his shoulder and not meeting Ichabod's eye. "Trip home didn't go quite as planned. Didn't make it to Malta this time round."

[1stwitness]

"I honestly hadn't noticed." But then, he doesn't have much experience. "Perhaps next time. What's wrong with your shoulder?"

[runningred]

"You know me. Never stop tinkering."

He straightens up, still not looking at his friend. "Got into a bit of a... discussion for the people I use to work for. Had to sort out a few things but we're square now. I can move on."

[1stwitness]

"Well, that has to be a good thing." He's focused, intent. "Jason, look at me. Something's wrong with more than just your shoulder."

[runningred]

Jason looks up at him, his eyes still a little hazy with painkillers. "I had to fight my way out of my position. I was... dismissed at knife point."

[1stwitness]

"And you're drugged." He knows that look. "Will that be the end of it?"