itmeanscourage (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
itmeanscourage) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
nexus_crossings2021-04-06 05:40 pm
itmeanscourage) wrote in nexus_crossings2021-04-06 05:40 pm
American Ninja Warrior Qualifiers
Despite having moved around to a couple of cities on the east coast while Isamu went to college, it only seemed right to take on the qualifying course back home in Seattle. He’d promised his friends in the Nexus could watch and cheer him on from the sidelines of the big run in Vegas if he made it that far, but the qualifiers were going to be a much smaller affair - just his brother and their parents.
Everyone else would just have to catch it at the little watching party Isamu had organized once they got back. There was a projector in the plaza, buckets of free hand fans on the tables, plenty of pizza and two twins trying very very hard not to give everything away despite the huge grins on their faces.
“All right, kid. You’re up.” One of the stagehands could be heard in the background as the arena lights turned to the starting platform. “Good luck out there.”
“Thanks.” Minoru forced himself to swallowed his nerves and ran out, waving, as the announcers went through their introduction.
“Next, we have a rookie who grew up right here in Seattle. Minoru Uchiwa, first time contestant on American Ninja Warrior, ready to show the course what he’s made of.”
“25 years old, hospital orderly, hoping to be a physical therapist assistant.”
“Well, a good run tonight and he might just be able to show all those future patients of his how the body can really move.”
The camera panned to his family, flashing them up on one of the big screens. While all three were generally very reserved people, they didn’t shy away from screaming his name and waving those fans high.
“Small but vocal group of supporters right there on the sidelines, Johnny. Are those fans they’re waving? Is that a thing?”
“Last name Uchiwa. Means fan in Japanese.”
“Guess we’d better start calling them a Fan Club.”
Isamu beamed when he heard that, unable to keep from screaming, “told you!” At the top of his lungs.
Minoru heard that, and just started laughing. He pointed back toward them, and waved. He was still nervous, but it was starting to quickly subside.
The countdown tones rang across the arena, and when the buzzer went off, he bolted forward.
He’d ran clear across the shrinking steps and latched onto the rope before the announcers had time to get any commentary in edgewise.
“Woah!! He just crossed that like it was nothing!”
Minoru swung off the rope, landing on the first platform with ease.
“Entry video said he was an avid freerunner, Nick. Been doing parkour since he was old enough to walk.”
“I believe it now! Let’s see if that helps him on the Lunatic Ledges. This obstacle is brand new tonight, and has taken out ten of tonight’s competitors already...”
With a short running start, Minoru launched himself onto the first platform, catching the lower ledge with both hands. He hung in the air as he kicked his legs forward to swing. He jumped, and caught the front handle of the second swing. Minoru barely bothered maneuvering his way around to the other side before jumping right off.
“Did you see that?”
“Did he just jump off that backwards?!”
Minoru tucked and back-rolled his landing.
“Sign me up for this Fan Club!”
Minoru laid on his back for just a moment, laughing to himself, before getting up off the second platform. Oh, the nerves were long gone now. Because this... was FUN.
Minoru grinned as he bounced off the trampoline, right onto the first cylinder of the Barrel Roll . It was just another big swing for Minoru, and he launched himself over the seven-foot gap and onto the second one without a hitch.
The second cylinder, though, didn’t swing. At least, not until you climbed on top to reach the second handle. Which Minrou did effortlessly as well.
“Look at that! Look at that swing!”
“He almost missed the whole landing platform!!”
Minoru didn’t stop. He made even quicker work of the Broken Bridge. It didn’t matter how unstable the steps were, he was onto the next one before it had a chance to wobble.
“Did you see that? This rookie’s on fire!”
“But can he survive the Lightning Bolt...”
The cameras caught the Uchiwa family cheering while Isamu looked on with trepidation. “Take it one at a time... Easy does it. Plan it out...”
Minoru struggled with this obstacle in the test run, but even from the sidelines, Isamu could see the look on his brother’s face. Minoru was having far too much fun now to remember to worry. And as illogical as that sounded, that was when he was at his absolute best.
“There he goes!”
Minoru bounced off the trampoline and snatched the bar in his hands. He hung there for a moment, planning his jump. Kicking himself up, he generated enough momentum to land the bar in the next cradle.
“2 down, and four more to go. Can he do it?”
“Nick, they don’t call this the Rookie Killer for nothing. Last week in Atlanta, not a single first time runner made it through. And in Baltimore before that, only one.”
“It’s taken out five newcomers so far tonight.”
But despite those odds, Minoru’s jumps were solid. That was, until the last cradle. His arms came up unevenly, and one half of the bar hooked itself in the next cradle, while the other was still stuck in the first.
“Oh no! He’s sideways!”
“A dangerous situation for the Fan Man, Johnny.”
“Can he recover?!”
He swung his legs, thrusting the left side of the bar up and over. The moment he heard it hit metal, he jumped. It was a shallow jump, not at all his best, and he hit the landing platform so close to the edge one of his feet was dangling off.
“Did you see that?!”
“He made it! He actually made it! The second rookie to clear the Lightning Bolts!!”
Minoru did make it. But it was an extremely close call.
He sprinted down the runway towards the next obstacle, shaking out his arms as he went. Unfortunately, the Lightning Bolts were only the beginning. The Salmon Ladder was a Ninja Warrior staple, but that didn’t make it easy.
“Stay relaxed...” Isamu whispered in the crowd as Minoru stepped up onto the edge of the trampoline. “You can do this.”
He rolled his shoulders a couple of times, and then made his leap, gripping the pole with both hands. The time he’d made up on the Broken Bridge was definitely used here as he slowly and methodically made each jump, thrusting the pole just one notch higher each time.
“Fan Man’s taking his time.”
“After what just happened on the Lightning Bolts, I don’t blame him. If he ends up sideways here, his run tonight is as good as over.”
“Slow and steady wins this race, Johnny. He is up the Salmon Ladder and on his way to the Floating Monkey Bars!”
Minoru grasped onto the first bar, and swung easily to the second. His arms were getting tired, though, and it showed when he swung forward to place the bar in its cradle and missed!
On the ground, Isamu and both of their parents gasped consecutively.
“He missed!” The announcers exclaimed in unison as well.
He might have missed, but he didn’t fall. Pumping his body back and forth, he made an even bigger swing, and this time, locked the bar in place. The expression on his face said it all as he hung there for a moment between the two bars.
“Oh that was a close one, Johnny.”
“You can see the course is really starting to wear on the rookie... oh my god, he missed again!!”
The crowd gasped audibly as Minoru reached for the fourth cradle and fell short once again.
“He recovered once already.”
“But does he have the energy to keep that momentum going...”
A swing and a miss. A swing and another miss... The announcers had their doubts. For a moment, hanging there on one arm, Minoru started to have the same doubts too. But he’d come this far. He wasn’t going to let go. And he wasn’t going to give up.
He grit his teeth, started pumping his legs, swung out again, and locked the bar in place again. When he managed to hit the fifth cradle and even the sixth, the crowd started to go wild. Minoru grabbed the bar for the last swing and a very, very well-deserved dismount that dropped him flat on his back.
It took him a moment to sit up, rolling his shoulders and shaking his burning arms.
“I’ll say one thing about this rookie, Nick. He is not giving up or giving in.”
“But he’s exhausted. He looks completely spent, Johnny. I don’t know if he has anything left.”
“All that’s standing between Minoru Uchiwa and that button, and a spot in Las Vegas, is the warped wall... can he do it?”
Minoru sat up, looking up at the wall. He shot a glance toward his family on the sidelines. His mother and father were waiting with baited breath. His mother especially so, after watching her son almost plunge into the water four times in the last obstacle. Isamu just nodded encouragingly. The crowd started to chant, “Beat that wall. Beat that wall.”
Minoru sprung up, and took a spot on the runway that made the crowd start screaming.
“Can he do it? Can he do it?! He says, Forget the Warped Wall! Johnny, the rookie’s going for the Mega Wall and a shot at $10,000!!”
The warped wall was a solid fourteen and a half feet high. The Mega Wall stretched all the way up to eighteen feet. Contestants had three tries to scale the warped wall, but only one shot at the Mega Wall.
Minoru pointed at his brother and grinned as he took off running. Like that statue in the forest, one shot was all he needed. As soon as his hands gripped the top of the wall, the crowd (and the announcers) started screaming.
“He did it!”
“This is incredible! He did it!!”
Minoru found the strength somewhere to pull himself up and slammed down on that finishing buzzer. He couldn’t even hear it over his own heart pounding. That was, without a doubt, the most incredible thing he’d ever experienced.
“Minoru Uchiwa, ladies and gentlemen, has made it through this brutal city finals course! He’s conquered the Mega Wall! He’s just won $10,000. He’s ensured himself a spot in the finals, and if you ask me, this is a rookie to bet on in Vegas, Nick.”
“I couldn’t agree more, Johnny.”
“They better start making more fans, because Fan Man over there is gonna have one hell of a Fan Club after tonight!”
Except for the one focused on a frantically nodding Isamu as he promised fans in record numbers, every camera in the arena was on Minoru. The cheering and clapping started to subside, and the announcers asked the simple question, “that was an impressive first run, Minoru. How do you feel?”
“How’s THAT for putting a dent in your student loans, bro?!” He shouted, pointing down at Isamu and laughing happily. Never mind if it even answered the question.
The camera followed Minoru as he slid down that ladder and sprinted into the waiting arms of his family. It was an excited cacophony of English and Japanese all mixed together with big hugs and ruffled hair.
And just like that, the cameras were onto the next contestant.
To anyone who was still left guessing after that, or had just joined in the celebration, Minoru exclaimed, “it’s real! I did it! I’m in the Finals!! I’m going to Vegas!!”
“I believe I speak for my brother quite well when I suggest that congratulatory remarks, while welcome and well deserved, are not nearly as important as constructive criticism. Suggestions on how to improve may make the difference between success and failure in the National American Ninja Warrior Finals.”
“Yeah, if you have any advice, I’m all ears! Please!”
Everyone else would just have to catch it at the little watching party Isamu had organized once they got back. There was a projector in the plaza, buckets of free hand fans on the tables, plenty of pizza and two twins trying very very hard not to give everything away despite the huge grins on their faces.
“All right, kid. You’re up.” One of the stagehands could be heard in the background as the arena lights turned to the starting platform. “Good luck out there.”
“Thanks.” Minoru forced himself to swallowed his nerves and ran out, waving, as the announcers went through their introduction.
“Next, we have a rookie who grew up right here in Seattle. Minoru Uchiwa, first time contestant on American Ninja Warrior, ready to show the course what he’s made of.”
“25 years old, hospital orderly, hoping to be a physical therapist assistant.”
“Well, a good run tonight and he might just be able to show all those future patients of his how the body can really move.”
The camera panned to his family, flashing them up on one of the big screens. While all three were generally very reserved people, they didn’t shy away from screaming his name and waving those fans high.
“Small but vocal group of supporters right there on the sidelines, Johnny. Are those fans they’re waving? Is that a thing?”
“Last name Uchiwa. Means fan in Japanese.”
“Guess we’d better start calling them a Fan Club.”
Isamu beamed when he heard that, unable to keep from screaming, “told you!” At the top of his lungs.
Minoru heard that, and just started laughing. He pointed back toward them, and waved. He was still nervous, but it was starting to quickly subside.
The countdown tones rang across the arena, and when the buzzer went off, he bolted forward.
He’d ran clear across the shrinking steps and latched onto the rope before the announcers had time to get any commentary in edgewise.
“Woah!! He just crossed that like it was nothing!”
Minoru swung off the rope, landing on the first platform with ease.
“Entry video said he was an avid freerunner, Nick. Been doing parkour since he was old enough to walk.”
“I believe it now! Let’s see if that helps him on the Lunatic Ledges. This obstacle is brand new tonight, and has taken out ten of tonight’s competitors already...”
With a short running start, Minoru launched himself onto the first platform, catching the lower ledge with both hands. He hung in the air as he kicked his legs forward to swing. He jumped, and caught the front handle of the second swing. Minoru barely bothered maneuvering his way around to the other side before jumping right off.
“Did you see that?”
“Did he just jump off that backwards?!”
Minoru tucked and back-rolled his landing.
“Sign me up for this Fan Club!”
Minoru laid on his back for just a moment, laughing to himself, before getting up off the second platform. Oh, the nerves were long gone now. Because this... was FUN.
Minoru grinned as he bounced off the trampoline, right onto the first cylinder of the Barrel Roll . It was just another big swing for Minoru, and he launched himself over the seven-foot gap and onto the second one without a hitch.
The second cylinder, though, didn’t swing. At least, not until you climbed on top to reach the second handle. Which Minrou did effortlessly as well.
“Look at that! Look at that swing!”
“He almost missed the whole landing platform!!”
Minoru didn’t stop. He made even quicker work of the Broken Bridge. It didn’t matter how unstable the steps were, he was onto the next one before it had a chance to wobble.
“Did you see that? This rookie’s on fire!”
“But can he survive the Lightning Bolt...”
The cameras caught the Uchiwa family cheering while Isamu looked on with trepidation. “Take it one at a time... Easy does it. Plan it out...”
Minoru struggled with this obstacle in the test run, but even from the sidelines, Isamu could see the look on his brother’s face. Minoru was having far too much fun now to remember to worry. And as illogical as that sounded, that was when he was at his absolute best.
“There he goes!”
Minoru bounced off the trampoline and snatched the bar in his hands. He hung there for a moment, planning his jump. Kicking himself up, he generated enough momentum to land the bar in the next cradle.
“2 down, and four more to go. Can he do it?”
“Nick, they don’t call this the Rookie Killer for nothing. Last week in Atlanta, not a single first time runner made it through. And in Baltimore before that, only one.”
“It’s taken out five newcomers so far tonight.”
But despite those odds, Minoru’s jumps were solid. That was, until the last cradle. His arms came up unevenly, and one half of the bar hooked itself in the next cradle, while the other was still stuck in the first.
“Oh no! He’s sideways!”
“A dangerous situation for the Fan Man, Johnny.”
“Can he recover?!”
He swung his legs, thrusting the left side of the bar up and over. The moment he heard it hit metal, he jumped. It was a shallow jump, not at all his best, and he hit the landing platform so close to the edge one of his feet was dangling off.
“Did you see that?!”
“He made it! He actually made it! The second rookie to clear the Lightning Bolts!!”
Minoru did make it. But it was an extremely close call.
He sprinted down the runway towards the next obstacle, shaking out his arms as he went. Unfortunately, the Lightning Bolts were only the beginning. The Salmon Ladder was a Ninja Warrior staple, but that didn’t make it easy.
“Stay relaxed...” Isamu whispered in the crowd as Minoru stepped up onto the edge of the trampoline. “You can do this.”
He rolled his shoulders a couple of times, and then made his leap, gripping the pole with both hands. The time he’d made up on the Broken Bridge was definitely used here as he slowly and methodically made each jump, thrusting the pole just one notch higher each time.
“Fan Man’s taking his time.”
“After what just happened on the Lightning Bolts, I don’t blame him. If he ends up sideways here, his run tonight is as good as over.”
“Slow and steady wins this race, Johnny. He is up the Salmon Ladder and on his way to the Floating Monkey Bars!”
Minoru grasped onto the first bar, and swung easily to the second. His arms were getting tired, though, and it showed when he swung forward to place the bar in its cradle and missed!
On the ground, Isamu and both of their parents gasped consecutively.
“He missed!” The announcers exclaimed in unison as well.
He might have missed, but he didn’t fall. Pumping his body back and forth, he made an even bigger swing, and this time, locked the bar in place. The expression on his face said it all as he hung there for a moment between the two bars.
“Oh that was a close one, Johnny.”
“You can see the course is really starting to wear on the rookie... oh my god, he missed again!!”
The crowd gasped audibly as Minoru reached for the fourth cradle and fell short once again.
“He recovered once already.”
“But does he have the energy to keep that momentum going...”
A swing and a miss. A swing and another miss... The announcers had their doubts. For a moment, hanging there on one arm, Minoru started to have the same doubts too. But he’d come this far. He wasn’t going to let go. And he wasn’t going to give up.
He grit his teeth, started pumping his legs, swung out again, and locked the bar in place again. When he managed to hit the fifth cradle and even the sixth, the crowd started to go wild. Minoru grabbed the bar for the last swing and a very, very well-deserved dismount that dropped him flat on his back.
It took him a moment to sit up, rolling his shoulders and shaking his burning arms.
“I’ll say one thing about this rookie, Nick. He is not giving up or giving in.”
“But he’s exhausted. He looks completely spent, Johnny. I don’t know if he has anything left.”
“All that’s standing between Minoru Uchiwa and that button, and a spot in Las Vegas, is the warped wall... can he do it?”
Minoru sat up, looking up at the wall. He shot a glance toward his family on the sidelines. His mother and father were waiting with baited breath. His mother especially so, after watching her son almost plunge into the water four times in the last obstacle. Isamu just nodded encouragingly. The crowd started to chant, “Beat that wall. Beat that wall.”
Minoru sprung up, and took a spot on the runway that made the crowd start screaming.
“Can he do it? Can he do it?! He says, Forget the Warped Wall! Johnny, the rookie’s going for the Mega Wall and a shot at $10,000!!”
The warped wall was a solid fourteen and a half feet high. The Mega Wall stretched all the way up to eighteen feet. Contestants had three tries to scale the warped wall, but only one shot at the Mega Wall.
Minoru pointed at his brother and grinned as he took off running. Like that statue in the forest, one shot was all he needed. As soon as his hands gripped the top of the wall, the crowd (and the announcers) started screaming.
“He did it!”
“This is incredible! He did it!!”
Minoru found the strength somewhere to pull himself up and slammed down on that finishing buzzer. He couldn’t even hear it over his own heart pounding. That was, without a doubt, the most incredible thing he’d ever experienced.
“Minoru Uchiwa, ladies and gentlemen, has made it through this brutal city finals course! He’s conquered the Mega Wall! He’s just won $10,000. He’s ensured himself a spot in the finals, and if you ask me, this is a rookie to bet on in Vegas, Nick.”
“I couldn’t agree more, Johnny.”
“They better start making more fans, because Fan Man over there is gonna have one hell of a Fan Club after tonight!”
Except for the one focused on a frantically nodding Isamu as he promised fans in record numbers, every camera in the arena was on Minoru. The cheering and clapping started to subside, and the announcers asked the simple question, “that was an impressive first run, Minoru. How do you feel?”
“How’s THAT for putting a dent in your student loans, bro?!” He shouted, pointing down at Isamu and laughing happily. Never mind if it even answered the question.
The camera followed Minoru as he slid down that ladder and sprinted into the waiting arms of his family. It was an excited cacophony of English and Japanese all mixed together with big hugs and ruffled hair.
And just like that, the cameras were onto the next contestant.
To anyone who was still left guessing after that, or had just joined in the celebration, Minoru exclaimed, “it’s real! I did it! I’m in the Finals!! I’m going to Vegas!!”
“I believe I speak for my brother quite well when I suggest that congratulatory remarks, while welcome and well deserved, are not nearly as important as constructive criticism. Suggestions on how to improve may make the difference between success and failure in the National American Ninja Warrior Finals.”
“Yeah, if you have any advice, I’m all ears! Please!”
no subject
"I don't know anything about this event but I could train with you?"
Of course, Ziggy was around somewhere. Probably chewing his nails down to the quick after watching it, even after the fact.
no subject
no subject
To say Ziggy was nervous over watching it was an understatement, though Jack suspected it was the aftermath of losing his fiance more than anything about Minoru's skill.
no subject
“Yeah...” it wasn’t quite the reaction he was expecting.
(But after how frazzled Ziggy was when he slit his chin open in a Decepticon ball pit, he really should have expected it. And once he connected the dots to Hiroki, he would kick himself for not expecting it.)
In the meantime, Isamu offered a set of fans for Jack to bring home to the kids - who definitely get to be part of the Fan Club.
no subject
Jack smiles at the fans and promises to send them to his kids.
"Ziggy is in the corner. I gave him some gin to calm down." Jack knew gin wasn't the best for the Anthean but he seemed to need it.
no subject
He promised Jack they could train together later today, even, if he was still hanging around. But first...
Minoru made his way over to Ziggy, kneeling down beside him. “Hey... you okay?”
It was less of a literal question, and more of an offer to help Minoru understand what was going on inside Ziggy head. By understanding it, maybe they could work together to alleviate some of it.
no subject
Ziggy was very slowly coming down from the stress and put on his best smile. "I'm fine."
The Anthean reached out for Minoru's hand. "It looks like a lot of people came to watch."
no subject
“...well, some were probably swayed by free food. But, yeah. I’ve gotten some good advice so far. And more people that want to come see the finals in person.” He smiled softly, bringing the topic back around. “Watching the video, though... it scared you, huh.”
Whether it was a good idea or not, his mind was open. If Ziggy needed to show, rather than tell, he was preparing himself as best he could.
no subject
Ziggy sighed and tugged at those hands to get Minoru to sit beside him. However, the Anthean does look away. "Nervous..."
Ziggy bites his lip, worrying at it with his fang for a moment before looking back. "I don't talk about before the Spider to many people but... A few months after I started playing with my first band I was thrown out of a moving car. I thought I was passed it but... between that and recent events, the anxiety over people falling has come back."
It was a perfect storm of things to wind the Anthean's nervousness up. His own injuries, betrayal, loss of a loved one, and his protectiveness over those he cares for all coming together in one moment while he watched the video. He forces a smile and a deep breath.
"You kept going though. That made it easier."
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
no subject
"Hey, mate. Congratulations on getting into the finals. Those moves---pretty amazing."
There was no way in hell that Mick would be able to do any of that and he knew it. Playing guitar in heels, wearing make-up on stage all underneath hot lighting was daring enough for him. Yet, he wouldn't mind seeing a live show if Ziggy and the lads were touring around the same time Minoru was in the show.
no subject
Which meant that either by coincidence or a fair amount of planning (just in case), there wasn’t a show that night on the tour.
“I will have more than enough fans for everyone in attendance. There are certainly more where this came from.” Isamu nodded as well.
no subject
Most of the game shows Mick knew of were tame by comparison and nothing as nearly technical and dangerous. Smiling, he patted the younger man on the shoulder and then offered Isamu a friendly glance.
"I bet you've got loads of fans now. You're famous, mate. If you do want any advice in handling groupies and the like---I can help with that. Fame can sometimes be overwhelming as it is nice to be admired."
It could often be a double-edged sword and Mick knew Minoru wasn't used to the level of fame a rock band endured on a daily basis. Sometimes, it got a little overwhelming.
no subject
“While yes I do mean those fans, to Mick’s point - you were on television in our world. If you do well in the finals, the Fan Man may very well have a literal Fan Club. There is a degree of celebrity to be attained as a professional athlete in an extreme sport.”
He probably wouldn’t be a household name like the Spiders were in their world, at least not any time soon, but that kind of advice wouldn’t hurt.
“Really?” He looked to both Mick and Isamu. “Me? Famous?”
no subject
Mick smirked a little at the purple fans but like the idea of waving them in the crowd at the event. Supporting Minoru with one in each hand waving them like a maniac and yelling at the top of this lungs. Did this mean Mick was becoming a groupie? Maybe. The idea in itself was hilarious.
"Yeah, mate. Famous. If you gain fans and groupies and the like it means you're making a name for yourself. Just like when Ziggy and the Spiders started. We started to get fans after a few concerts."
It was a wild ride that Mick never forgot and never would forget. The memories would be inside of him forever.
no subject
“Well, yeah, but...”
“To put your impressive first run into perspective, over 70,000 people applied for the opportunity to compete. Only 100 were selected to run in each regional qualifying course. And out of that 600 person total, only 90 - the top 15 from each region - move on to the national finals.” Isamu insisted. “The math speaks for itself. You ARE making a name for yourself.”
no subject
"Listen to your brother, mate. He's right, it sounds pretty bloody amazing to me. All those odds and you got this far."
Waving one of the purple fans, Mick smiled, clearly amused that Isamu was telling his twin just how good he was. The bloke deserved it because some of those obsticle courses? They looked dangerous.
"Just don't do your back in doing those crazy obstacles. Some of them looked bloody lethal."
no subject
“No matter what happens in Vegas, you are already in the Top 90 in your chosen sport this year.” Isamu clarified, just in case the point hadn’t sunk in yet. “And when it comes to running the numbers, you know I do not make errors.”
“Gosh...”
Safety on that course, though, he could laugh about more easily.
“Compared to everything else I do, that’s like being in a big playground.”
(no subject)
no subject
"Oh, I'm amazed, I really am! I have been watching back in the bar on the TV and well---I'm just blown away. You won! That's an achievement in itself. Also, nice set-up here, boys. The huge screen is a good idea."
He wanted to go to Vegas. How could he not? Minoru had passed and got into the finals and Balthazar wanted to go just to cheer the young man on. He could beat the others hands down.
no subject
Anyone who successfully completed the course - or the fastest out of that group, should more than the allotted number per city complete it - were allowed to advance to the finals in Las Vegas. Indeed, Minoru had been one of the fastest of the night. He certainly earned his spot! But one could easily argue there were still four more courses to complete before winning was involved.
“The big screen was his idea.” Minoru nodded to his brother, who offered the angel one of the purple uchiwa fans.
“A fitting first meeting of the Fan Club.”
“You really do like that name.” Minoru laughed. Having watched it on the TV back at his bar, Balthazar would recognize the pun. Thanks to the announcers, Minoru had earned himself a Ninja Nickname.
“For better or worse, you are officially the Fan Man. And I could not be more proud of you.”
no subject
Balthazar loved the idea that he was becoming a "fan" of sorts to Minoru and his skill at parkour. Being within a competition which was so known in the States and indeed across the world? That was something. Taking the fan, he used it to waft cool air into his face. He loved it.
"It keeps you cool too. What an ingenious invention your people have."
Not that the angel needed a fan to keep him cool really but it was more sentimental than anything else. Also, he could wave it at his bar whilst being glued to the TV up on the shelf. The large widescreen he had in the corner of the bar for people to watch as they drank.
"The Fan Club Man? Is that you now, Minoru?"
no subject
“Well, Fan Man.” Minoru corrected. “Everybody gets a nickname sooner or later, I guess.”
“It is a little cheesy, I suppose. But I always thought it was suitable. Do not think all the times you called yourself that in an attempt to psych yourself up and blow everyone away went unnoticed.” He insisted. “It represents your talent in the air and the speed at which you move. It connotes your ability to keep cool in the face of harrowing situations. It honors your heritage. From a marketing standpoint, it is easy to say and remember, and lends itself to a very visual symbol.”
“I did always like how it sounded.” Minoru laughed. “Fan Man.”
no subject
The angel smiled at this because he wants to get as many people as possible inside his bar watching and cheering Minoru on. This was a once in a lifetime event and Balthazar wanted the young man to feel like he could win just by the support alone because why not? He deserved it.
"Fan Man? Oh, loving the name. I'm not sure what mine might be. Maybe it's something awfully naughty, who knows."
That got a small laugh from the angel.
no subject
He wasn’t the only competitor with a nickname, by any stretch of the imagination. Also in the finals this year were the likes of The Flying Squirrel, Backyard Ninja, iron Butterfly and The Machine. But his was new and very quick to catch on.
no subject
Balthazar may or may not be teasing Minoru a little but it was all in good faith since he liked the boy. As for Fan Man? The name suited the parkourist and the angel knew he wouldn't be the only one waving his purple fan at the television when Minoru was on the podium performing for real.
"When you do win and come back into Nexus with your trophy I'll offer free drinks for everyone to celebrate. A light ale or tea for you, love? Whatever you want. You'll be the champion!"
no subject