2019.12.11 Going the Distance

Going the Distance
Serena arranges some fun at the local racetrack. Thankfully, no one dies.
IC Date	12/11/2019
IC Time	Afternoon
Players	SerenaC, Cole, Emma, Hannelore, Michael, Lidya
Location	The Prospect Speedway
Spheres	Mortal, Mortal+, Sorcerer, Psychic
Theme Song	The Distance by Cake

The Prospect Speedway is a city owned track sporting amateur and professional racing events. The track boasts a 1.5 mile oval outercourse, and has optional legs that can be flagged off or opened to create a touring race track for stock cars, indy, and other racing events. Track time is available for club members and racing licensed non-members, but priority is given to racing events, large business, and other race-community organizations.

Everyone is invited to a private 'race school' event. Serena leveraged her racing credentials and contacts, found a day at the track where no big events were going on (and where the weather was going to be decent for the time of year), and even hired a class instructor to teach the more boring aspects of racing. So the group spend a couple hours in the morning learning about many things they don't teach you in driving school: vehicle attitude; rear-end cheating and front end sweeping, which are not nearly as naughty as they sound; trail braking; high speed turn dynamics; etc etc. Then it's onto a flat-pad to practice a few skills, and that is where the fun begins.

xxxxxThere is a large oval patch of blacktop somewhere in them middle of the field defined by the oval track. it can be used as a helipad in a pinch (though there is another one designated for such use), but this pad has been covered in a water based glycerine grease. There is a sedan parked nearby with a set of tires that are hard and completely devoid of tread. "Ok, so, first thing first," Serena says. "You need to learn how to drive your car through a slide. This here," she motions to the pad, "emulates ice-like conditions, and will allow you to do a four wheel drift. Learning how to control this drift is one of the key skills in learning how to control your vehicle if and when you lose direct traction. So, who wants to go first?" This technique was discussed in the classroom, of course. Now it's time to put it to practical use.

xxxxxSerena said to come as you are, but the last time Hannelore did that she wore Gogo boots to play laser tag. No, better be prepared and by preparation, Hannelore obviously means shopping. With her new project, Lidya, in tow, they pre game before the racetrack with a bit of racetrack appropriate shopping. The girls show up, showing out, once again climbing out of Lidya's silver Ferrari like their stepping out onto the runway. Cue slow motion walk and hot girl intro music. While she is in heels for the walk in, she has also brought herself a more appropriate pair of shoes should they be required.

xxxxxJeans, a t-shirt and a leather jacket. Michael did for the most part come as he was to the little driving lesson. How else will he learn to drive the batmobile? When he gets one. Ninjamobile? The billionaire playboy smiles as he provides proper race attire, "I’ll go...It can’t go any worse than the wall climb right?" It can.

xxxxxCole is terrible when it comes to classroom work. He should have brought toothpicks to keep his eyes open. It's not that the topic didn't interest him, he's just - not good at sitting and consuming information that way. But, he seems to have some energy back when they're out on the track proper, listening to Serena and squinting out at the surface. "Yeah, I'm ready to get behind the wheel at any time and do some damage. You should put a track like this on your property, Kincaid." He adds.

xxxxxLidya seems to enjoy the classroom portion, leaning forward and asking pertinent (impertinent) questions. Her short hair is mussed and the racing outfit she dons initially give her a rather anime (Speed Racer?) flair today, and her twinkling smile only adds to the effect. She doesn't argue too much - Or, likely, not as much as Hanne - when she's given the mandatory jumpsuits and gloves, and seems eager to help out. "I like things that go fast," she acknowledges, "and I can drive pretty well. My twin sister always says I drive it like I stole it!" *wink*

xxxxxEmma listened throughout the entire classroom instruction portion - really she did! - even if it didn't seem very obvious from the way she set about working her hair into a loose braid for most of the time. Stepping onto the track though, she hangs back a bit, certainly not wanting to be the first one to volunteer for what comes next. "I'll just see how others do first. Don't want to wreck anything right off the bat."

xxxxxSerena looks between Michael, Cole and Lidya. "Ladies first," she decides. And motions for Lidya to join her in the car. Serena gets into the passenger seat, leaving the driver's eat open for Lidya.

xxxxxMichael grins and agrees, "I wouldn't dream of going before the lady." as he is pulling on the gear still. "Feel free to set the standard so that I really know why I crashed my car a few months back." he muses to Lidya in self deprecating humor. According to the news it was alcohol that was a potential cause...though that doesn't seem like Michael.

xxxxxCole doesn't really seem to mind waiting, so long as they're out here on the actual track and getting to watch others spin around wildly in circles. He moves over to Hannelore, cutting her a quick smile. "Ready for some speed?" He asks, dark eyes shifting toward Lidya when she's selected to go first. "Friend, family, client?" He asks Hanners about Lidya, seeming to think those are the three categories of people in her life.

xxxxxLidya eyes Michael a bit suspiciously. She remembers the man from Roasters when she was doing research on Eye Candy, but who in their right mind would give up their right to go first? She's never heard of this 'Ladies First' rule.... So, he is either chicken, or a Silly American. Cole, as well. For now, she will give the men the benefit of the doubt and go with the latter. She shrugs and scoops up the helmet and shakes her short hair out a bit before pausing, turning to give Hanne a wink, and sliding the helmet over her head. She slides in next to Serena and nods. "Let's Rock and Roll," she grins. After a few moments learning the difference in the style of car, the woman certainly becomes at-ease behind the wheel, feet easily and dexterously flexing between gears as her hands flex to change the cycle up. She leans and grooves as if she is one with the machine. She's a bit heavy on the gas pedal for a first-time, though.

xxxxxHannelore can surprisingly be very studious for someone who is so concerned with her clothes. She is a stickler for details and takes copious notes. She does, as you would expect, grouse at the gear, but is more than happy to have appropriate footwear and a helmet. She smirks at Cole, "Well, normally I don't like to finish quickly, but everyone likes a fast car." She looks over where Lidya is preparing to drive. "Becoming a friend. She's a family friend who needs some guidance adjusting to America's cultural differences, so they called me."

xxxxxEmma shakes her head with a slight grin as she catches bits and pieces of what's being said as she gets her own gear own. As Lidya soon takes off, her attention moves towards the car and what she does. "Mmmhmm," she begins at length. "That is so not what it's going to look like with me in there."

xxxxx"Good," Serena says as Lidya maneuver the car in a simple drifted circle. "The more gas you give, the faster you'll turn into the slide. Ease up on the gas to make a wider circle. Use the wheel to control your vector. Your direction." Serena cheers once Lidya gets the balance. SHe lets her do two or three laps around the small circle before saying. "You got it. Good. Let's give another person a go." She steps out once the car is set and looks at those gathered. "Who's next?" She motions around the training area and says, "Also, there are other stations you can check out. Try them all to hone skills. You'll probably learn some skills easily; others will be a little harder to grasp. Focus on those stations that give you the most trouble, but make sure you get to all of them before we get out on the track. There's instructors at each station to help with the particular skill."

In anticipation of multiple drivers, Serena coordinated with the track to set up several stations. The landing pad circle is one, where drivers can learn how to control a car that goes into a slide (or drifting). But there is also a straight stretch of pavement set up for braking practice. It's a quarter mile strip where a driver accelerates, and then attempts to stop the car as quickly as possible while not locking up the wheels - also known as thresh-hold braking. There is a high speed corner circuit, too. A quarter mile of track with a 90 degree bend at the end. An instructor will help train a driver on cornering techniques, teaching them when to break, when to accelerate, and how to manage the turn at higher speeds. There is a chicane track, which has a driver run a high speed straight away, broken up by a left or right hand jog maneuver. And then there is a racing line instructor who puts all of these together on a short, tight circuit defined by cones. The goal here is to maneuver through the curves as fast as possible without hitting any cones.

xxxxxOnce all the stations are observed by the group, Serena says, "Okay, Cole, you're next. And if anyone wants to ride in back, it may help the learning process. You can feel what the car does, and get an idea of what to do while behind the wheel. The same goes for all the stations."

xxxxx"Same, but I can't wait to try." Michael responds to Emma with a grin. "I'll jump in whatever car...I don't mind hopping in the back." he mentions glancing briefly to Hannelore, "If Cole crashes and kills me I better look good in the casket."

xxxxx"What better mentor could she have?" Cole replies to Hannelore, grinning. As for being a chicken? He'd been thought of in a lot worse ways. He turns to watch Emma drifting nearby, offering her an open smile. "We're going to find you if you try to hide. I know as soon as you get behind the wheel it's going to change your world." And with that he's called to go get himself into a car. "Anyone who wants to ride along - " He shares the offer with everyone, nodding to Michael. "You're welcome to hop in. I mean, I haven't really done this before - so it's going to be an adventure!"

xxxxxHannelore feels no need to be FIRST. That seems to be a Western ideal. She does like to be BEST, so she is willing to gain every advantage that she can. While everyone is checking out the different stations, Hannelore watches the instructors and the vehicles that they drive. When others aren't watching, she tugs off one of her gloves and places a hand on the steering wheel of the cars, attuning herself to the resonance left there by the experts, looking for something that might give her better insight on how to handle the vehicle.

xxxxxEmma glances at Michael, maintaining her grin, then lets out a short laugh at Cole's words. "It's going to change someone's world, that's for sure." she shakes her head slightly and looks around, eyeing the other stations with thoughtful consideration.

xxxxxAs Lidya climbs out of the car, she all but skips over to Hannelore's side, beaming! "This is much fun!" She yells and gives a quick spin. Finally, she lands on what is to come next and point, "I am going there!" Apparently, she plans to try her hand (feet?) at braking now...

xxxxxSeeing her eyeing the other stations, Hannelore gives Emma a tug and pulls her along in Lidya's wake. "Why don't we practice with the easier things first? I'm not yet confident enough in my driving to pretend I'm a racer. In Europe, there was always public transportation and trains. I didn't have to learn to drive until I came to America."

xxxxxCole is soon in a car. It feels good. He can drive, but he has never really tried to drive like this. He's terrible in the classroom, but he pays attention to the instructor during the hands on and he's not nervous about the power of the vehicle at all. As soon as he's given the green light he's pushing his foot down on the pedal and feeling the power of the car. He lets out a woop as he speeds down the quarter mile track and then at the indicated time he tries to break in the optimal fashion. He certainly doesn't get it right the first time, the brakes far more sensitive than he was expecting and locking the wheels, then releasing and locking again - giving him and his passengers a rocky ride.

xxxxx"Whoa...!!!!l" Michael is laughing a bit, enjoying the ride, an occasional, "Oh god oh fuck!" when it looks like Cole might lose it but he manages to pull it under control. "Nice job man!" he calls out over the roar of the engine as Coles performance gets better as they go.

xxxxxEmma doesn't put up much resistance to the tug from Hannelore, and she looks between her and Lidya with a light laugh. "Is there really something that's going to be easier? I suppose if I think about it from a scientific view, then it all does seem fairly easy but...who the hell drives something with a clutch?"

xxxxxHannelore waves a hand in the air in response to Emma, "I'm not even sure what a clutch is, Darling. Lidya is eager, so we'll let her go first and watch how she does it. I will consider today a success if I walk out of here on my two feet and I don't have grease stains on my clothes." She calls out to her eager new friend, "Be careful!"

xxxxxSerena watches the group go about their tasks, a smile on her face and a little hope in her heart that they're having a good time. She'll take on a station or two herself to pass the time. Donuts are always fun, so she does that for a short while. And the high speed turning is a favorite, so she'll jump in the car with someone as they practice.

xxxxxThe first go through isn't about mastering things, but getting a feel for the different aspect. Cole moves into the next challenge - more high speed but with cornering at the end. He doesn't envy Michael in the back, because nothing about the experience is smooth and the slide around the corner is almost steep enough that it feels like the car might go right over. He's not winning any awards, but they don't die. Then he's into the left and right jog. He's sweating and his body shaking with adrenaline and his stomach lurching more than a little bit. It's only after this last bit of the course that he brings it down and gives them all a break. "Holy shit." He says, glancing toward the back. "Still alright, Kincaid?" Really, if Cole did this all a dozen more times he might smooth it out.

xxxxxIt's as if someone had treated the Mad Russian to a trip at Six Flags. Lidya climbs into the cars at the stations eagerly, and makes sure to shake every instructor's hand. The donuts, she zooms through, but perhaps a little recklessly. However, it does not seem to dim her enthusiasm, even when she exits the vehicle walking a little crookedly, falls down and then proceeds to vomit in the grass. After a few seconds of being on her hands and knees, she shoots a thumbs-up sign and calls out, "I'M OKAY!!!!"

xxxxxEventually, Hannelore would get ferried behind the wheel of a car. There are many things she is good at: Color Coordination, Discount Percentages, Spending other people's money. Driving is not one of the things she is good at, unless you count driving people insane. You would think anyone that can walk on heels in the snow and ice could figure out how to use both feet at once in a car, but this CLUTCH thing. Her attempts at gaining an insight into the experiences of driving was good for a confidence boost, and an adrenaline rush, but unfortunately she didn't reach down and see what the clutch was experiencing and instead focused on the steering wheel. There is a lot of stop and go and jerky stalling, like a virgin boy's first time with a French prostitute. And much like said French prostitute, she never gets to completion before the experience is over.

xxxxxMichael chuckles, a little cough, "Im fucking alive if thats what you are asking." he adds with a little bit of a grin. "Christ." he adds as he looks at his hands that are still shaking a bit, "What an amazing rush..." as he staggers out of the car, just in time to watch Lidya throw up and Hannelore's performance. "Fun with those on my level..."

xxxxxEmma's gaze locks onto the area set up for what looks like high-speed maneuvering and starts towards it, a little smile spared to Hannelore as she heads off in a different direction. Getting behind the wheel is easy enough and she seems almost at ease as she steps on the gas, accelerating a bit slowly at first until she gets a feel for things and then really punching it as she heads towards the cones. The cones. Right. No Left. Emma looks like a drunk driver as she clips one cone after another before finally barreling the rest down at full speed. Letting off the gas seems to have never occurred to her at all until she's finally at a stop and she sits there, either unable or just not wanting to exit the car.

xxxxxCole is happy to take a break and let his stomach do some somersaults while he recovers, watching as Lidya doesn't quite come to terms with her stomach. He feels her pain. He looks around at the others doing various things, pretty sure that if anyone is going to be driving the getaway car it's going to have to be Serena or Lidya and the rest of them would just ... not be up to the task. "Alright. It's all yours Michael. I'd ride with you - but I'm a shitty passenger at the best of times and I feel this close to dropping my lunch as it is. It think it will be cleaner for everyone if I take five."

xxxxxHannelore adores Emma, so she certainly will do anything she can to keep her spirits up. She walks over to the car that Emma sits in and taps the window and gives her a clap. "You got them all Darling. You won all the points! Good job! Just like they do it in Rome."

xxxxxA moment taken and then it's Michaels turn. Oh sure he can drive but this isn't his usual driving. At first its ugly, flying around the course at max speeds he bumps over a few cones, "Damn it..." he is taking it seriously and trying to do the best he can despite his limitations. As he goes he improves, but never gets to a top driver performances. He does manage however to gain a decent although bumpy drive...it was probably good Cole wasn't in the back.

xxxxxNext on, 'As the Stomach Churns', Lidya scoops herself up not long after the affirmation of her status and climbs into the car at the breaking station. She swishes a few mouthfuls of water and spits out the window. Hannelore's got her work cut out for her in taming this one, for sure! Her first attempt at braking fails straight out of the gate when she locks up the brakes, and the second attempt ends with everyone hearing Lidya's hoots of excitement over squealing tires and what might be a scream of terror as the instructor flings himself out of the car into a roll before she manages to apply the brakes a wee bit? Late?

xxxxxThe tapping on the window draws Emma's gaze and she finally opens the door and steps out with a grin to Hannelore. "Just like in Rome huh?" Before she can say another word, there's the squealing of tires and her head turns just in time to see Lidya's instructor fling himself out of the car. "What the...?" she laughs. "We're all going to be banned from here."

xxxxx"We can't be the worst they've dealt with I'm sure." Cole is saying when he approaches where Hannelore and Emma are talking, watching Michael do his turns around the circuit with a grin. From here it doesn't look too bad? Maybe he wouldn't have thrown up. But, then he watches an uneven corner and nods. He would have been spewing. And the instructor flying out? "Well, maybe we'll get banned."

xxxxxHannelore sighs with a smile as Lidya has her fun. "I imagine it won't be the first time we get banned from somewhere. Not with our track record."

xxxxxLidya climbs out of the car amid what sounds like the instructor praying and all but skips her way over to join the others. She drinks a few gulps of water and then pours some on her hair, which she shakes out before running a gloved hand through her spikey locks. "This is MUCH FUN!" She exudes. She comes to a stop in front of the group, beaming as her eye teeth twinkle just a hint. She rocks back on her heels, inspecting Cole, Hanne, Michael and Emma in turn before tugging her pierced bottom lip between her teeth. Her eyes twinkle just a second before she asks, "now what!?"

xxxxx"I dont know whats next...assuming they dont kill us...but next time I'm picking the activity and it's going to be like...Q-Tip sparring or whatever those things are called." Michael laughs, "Like American Gladiators?" he decides.

xxxxxHannelore brushes a strand of hair from Emma's face and gives her a boop on the nose because she's adorable. Then she crosses the distance to Lidya, her hips swaying as she walks. She reaches up and runs her hand through Lidya's wet pixie cut and then slides the backs of her fingers down her cheek. "What do you want to do Darling? Are you hungry? Do you want to order in some food and enjoy a soak in the jacuzzi tub?"

xxxxx"I might do a couple more rounds around here." Cole ventures, his stomach having recovered from the first run through the circuit. "Wouldn't mind working on a few things if I can find an instructor who is still willing to get into the passenger seat." He glances around the group, not certain if anyone else feels the same way. He gives a faint grin at Hannelore's suggestions to Lidya. Something to be said for food and soaking.

xxxxx"I think it's more assuming /we/ don't kill /them/," Emma says, choking back a laugh and shaking her head at Hannelore after the boop on the nose. "I kind of feel like I'm still on an escalator or something, so I'm thinking another round of something might not be a good idea."

xxxxxLidya bites down on her lip when Hanne strokes her cheeks, and grins. She steps up closer to her, but then others get her attention for a moment and she reaches out a helmeted hand to playfully shove at Michael's shoulder "Gladiator?" She chuckles and steps back to slide her helmet over her head again. "I will spar you!" Does she know how to spar? WHO KNOWS! Probably not. The helmet in place, she steps over to Cole and takes the collar of his jumpsuit in hand, walking along with him (dragging him, maybe?) "let's go again, come on, slowpoke!"

xxxxxCole might be surprised by the enthusiastic tug from Lidya, but he doesn't resist it, his feet matching pace and his grin never wavering. "Slow poke? Really? Those sound like fighting words, Lidya. Pretty sure we can get a stopwatch on how long takes each of us to complete the course and we'll see who the slow poke is." Oh damn. He totally went there. It's even scarier because the course as it's set up isn't really built to be done /fast/ - it's supposed to be for learning technical things. Turning it into a race just seems like asking for disaster. Also, a fucking riot of a time.

xxxxxMichael chuckles when Lidya shoves him, helmet on and all. "Don't think I won’t hit a woman." he jests, but as she goes back to the cars he laughs and turns to Hannelore, "Maybe I'll have to take you up on that soak in the Jacuzzi..." he suggests with a grin, "Those two are bound to kill each other in a crash."

xxxxx"If she isn't careful, he's going to fall in love with her," Hannelore quips to Michael and Emma as Lidya drags off Cole. "He can't resist a beautiful woman who tells him what to do." She shakes her head in amusement and throws her hands in the air, "I for one am done with this exercise until I learn to master the clutch automobile. Perhaps you can I can go to the kiddie go-karts Emma."

xxxxxLidya grins at Cole "WHAT A FUCKING AWESOME IDEA!" And they're off. The course isn't set up for speed and more than one instructor tries to control the situation to no avail. Perhaps Lidya just doesn't speak English well? Or she's a master of ignoring people. She beats Cole by only a scattering of seconds, and leaps into the air in celebration as if it had been a landslide. And then proceeds to slap Cole on the rump. Because American Sports!

xxxxxEmma watches with amusement as Lidya drags Cole off. "It sounds like you've gained some valuable insight into him." she flashes Hannelore a grin before shifting her attention to the dynamic duo as they then proceed to take off around the track, letting out a laugh at Lidya's victory slap on Cole. "I think I like her."

xxxxxCole is having a lot of fun - perhaps to the chagrin of the instructors. This is supposed to be serious! Or maybe it's just when Cole gets that grin on his face and *that* look in his eyes it's like he might do pretty much anything to win. And he goes hard. Way harder than he did the first time he did the circuit - but he's still a pretty shitty driver under these conditions, leaning more on his reflexes than anything else and those only take him so far. But, he doesn't make a fool of himself even if he does come in second place, still grinning when he comes out of the car a bit unsteadily and almost falls over from the ass slap. "You are a fucking maniac." He says, breathless to Lidya, shaking his head and swooping down into a deep and silly bow. "But, one who just left me in your dust. I bow to that." He pushes his hands back through his damp hair, dark eyes alive with fire still. "Did someone say something about getting a drink? I think we need a drink."

xxxxxHannelore nods and smiles to Emma, "Well, look at the women he surrounds himself with. It's a pattern. I would like to meet his mother. I imagine she is a formidable woman." She laughs as Lydia smacks Cole on the behind, he eyes twinkling. "Yes, I think I like her too."

xxxxx"Certainly a firecracker." Michael replies with a smile as he watches the race. "Nothing wrong with having a beautiful woman with a passion for adventure around." he points out to Emma and Hannelore. Although Renjiro may disagree.

xxxxxLidya returns to Hanne and the others and grins. "Now we drink?"