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 Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 7:13 pm
"Does it really get you to places easier than walking? It seems a little troublesome since its big and would be hard to carry from place to place. Sure I can help when you go shopping and don't want to carry things, but what if someone tried to steal it while you were in the store?"
Einar wasn't really trying to find all the faults in Lai's bicycle, he was actually curious since he was sure that in his time something like this had become obsolete and not used anymore, but he found it too hard to resist making the Russian man blush for different reasons. Lai's flustered face was slowly becoming a highlight that he wanted to watch again and again for the thrill of an inner laugh, so he kept at his questions.
"I'm pretty sure that most people don't ride like you. I'd almost have to say I'm envious since I have no idea at all how to get on one of these, let alone ride it."
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Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 7:40 pm
"Well it can be hard to carry, especially up stairs." He recalled his first day and having to carry his bicycle up the flights of stairs to get to his room. "But they can be quite light. The metal is hollow. And to prevent it from being stolen, they make bicycle locks which are chains you put around the bicycle and the post or what have you and they have a number lock or a key lock." Lai was happy with the answers he gave. He wasn't any expert, but Einar was asking general questions which were easy for him to answer. He showed his joy with a small smile that he was certain the other man could not see.
At the first part of Einar's statement, Lai laughed and nodded.
"I am quite certain they do not ride like me. Unless they are just learning to ride a two-wheeler. Then you tend to fall over quite a bit, though not as spectacular a dive I took."
At the last part, Lai studied Einar's face. He noticed the eye patch and quickly looked away. So he could not see out of one eye. If he could walk, he could ride. Color rising in his face, he looked Einar in the eye and asked; "Would you like to learn?"
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Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:11 pm
So cool. I wonder if his face can turn redder than that? If it can, does he start to stutter or something? That would be-
"Eh? You'd really teach me?"
Einar hadn't even considered the possibility of learning to ride a bike and Lai's question snapped his train of thought and actually made him answer honestly. His face was lit up like a child's on Christmas who;d just gotten a present they wanted, and he wore an excited smile that was different from any of his catty grins.
"I've always wanted to try one since I was little, but my parents..."
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Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:34 pm
I must be blushing too much. I can feel the heat all in my face...How embarrassing...
At Einar's excited look, Lai broke into a wide, honest grin before nodding. "Certainly. That is if, you would be willing to be taught by the one who ended up sprawled on his back. I can promise you will not take a dive like that though."
At the mention of his parents Lai felt a connection. Maybe Einar had overbearing parents like he did, the kind that told you to stick to your lessons and chose the things you did, rather than asking what you wanted to do before leaving for some sort of event and leaving you all alone...
"I think I understand." He smiled again at Einar. "And if, like I said, you do not mind being taught by me, I would be more than happy to teach you."
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:39 pm
"I....I'd really like to learn how to ride a bike. It's something I could brag about if I ever made it back home to my time, that I got to ride something no one's really been able to do in a long time."
Einar took a step towards Lai, as he'd been standing slightly off to the side from the man in respect to personal spaces and the fact he still wasn't sure that Lai didn't remember him at all (and his comment to Asmadai as well), and he leaned over to look closer at the bicycle. It wasn't in poor shape at all and he felt a bit excited with nerves just by looking at it, which was a feeling he hadn't experienced in a while.
"Of course I wouldn't expect you to do this for free, all things in life come with a price. Anything you want from me in return, just ask and I'll do it."
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:53 pm
"Then it is settled. I shall teach you." Bragging rights? How...
Lai broke his thoughts when Einar took a step towards him. He wondered momentarily why, but then realized the other just wanted to inspect the bicycle. Lai felt stupid for thinking that. It was the only possible reason he would step forward of course. Still, a dull flush rose in his cheeks for no apparent reason.
"Do not worry about it. Just consider it my thanks for helping me when I flipped over." This was true, he figured teaching the man how to ride would be a suitable thank you present. "So...I guess we should get started. First lesson is to get on the bicycle." Lai slipped his hand around the pole attaching the seat and kicked the stand up. The bicycle wobbled, but stopped as the Russian moved to the right side and gripped the handlebars.
"If you have ever ridden a horse, mounting the saddle should not be too difficult."
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:28 pm
Why is he blushing now? Maybe he's feverish or simply has a temperature problem.
Einar shrugged on Lai's constant color changes in his face now, as they'd gotten a little old since the man seemed to blush every five seconds, and he nodded as if he understood what Lai was talking about.
He'd ridden a horse before back when he was younger and his parents drug him along on information gatherings, but that was a long time ago (probably about fifteen years if his memory was right) and he could only vaguely remember the sensation of sitting on the large animal. Still, if that was the feeling one needed, he could sort of relate.
"Okay, so like riding a horse. Only a horse you have to move yourself right, and balance?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:36 pm
"Correct. And not nearly as wide as well." Lai felt his face stop burning and he was happy about that. He preferred his paler skin be kept not the same shade as his skirt. "Firstly, since you are on the left hand side, place your left foot on the peddle." He waited then continued. "Now, place your hands on the grips of the bars. I will hold onto this side just so the bicycle does not tip while you are trying to get on."
Again, waiting for the other man to do as directed. Simple steps, though it felt so weird saying them instead of showing them.
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:07 pm
"Don't worry about me getting hurt, I've got pretty good reflexes and some decent pain tolerance."
He meant the comment in reference to Lai holding the bike while he tried to get on, and after a moment he sat his bow down and walked over to the metal contraption before swing his leg over and settling down onto the seat. He placed his foot as he was instructed and caught his breath in his throat as he wiggled a little and in all honesty he was a bit thankful that Lai was there and holding the bike steady.
Not that he'd ever tell him that.
"Now what, oh teacher?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:16 pm
"I tend to worry a lot, so I hope you do not mind me asking you several times if you are okay, even if you are not hurt." The Russian smiled, hoping that Einar would not mind his little worrying quirk.
As Einar settled himself onto the seat, Lai praised him.
"See? Step one is easy. Good job." He paused, thinking of how to continue. First, Lai would need to move his left hand from under the bicycle's seat. "Do you mind if I put my hand on your back? It is easier to keep everything in control if my hands are near level with each other and if I am not at a slight stoop."
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:28 pm
"If you're asking if it bothers me when people touch me, then no it doesn't. Go ahead and do what you need to do in order for us to get this vehicle going, otherwise I'm going to forget what we were doing together in the first place."
Einar turned his head and grinned at Lai, his face friendly but his eye watching closely. Did this man really forget all about him...?
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:39 pm
Lai nodded and placed his hand on Einar's mid back. His touch was firm to keep the man upright and he hoped steady enough when they got on with the program.
"Right. Now, before I forget, the two handles in front of the grips are the breaks. The left is the front wheel, the right is the back. I prefer the left one but whichever suits you. Oh, and they are in need of some grease so they tend to shriek out a bit when you squeeze them to stop." He cleared his throat.
"Okay now comes the fun part; actually getting the bicycle to move. Keep both of your hands on the grips and both feet on the peddles. See how the right one is higher than the left? You will start by pushing that one down with your foot. It will start the process and cause the left one to rise. Take it slow, easy."
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:51 pm
"I know how to peddle something - we had pedal boats to ride on the lake. The only difference again between this and something else is the balance, right? And the two brake things."
Einar repeated this to himself as he did as Lai instructed, slowly pushing down with his foot to make the wheel squeak and start to turn. He was moving at about a snails pace to get this going and wobbled more than slightly this time as he inches his way forward.
"Perhaps this would be easier if we went faster? I have a feeling I'd be more likely to fall if we stayed this slow."
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:59 pm
"R-Right." Well, I feel stupid. "Balance is key."
As Einar started and the bicycle moved, Lai stepped with it. He turned his body, sort of looking like he was about to do a shot put with the way his hands were placed. As the bicycle wobbled, Lai braced himself against it, trying to take some of the wobble off. At Einar's question he nodded.
"Yes it would. I will still hold on...Umm...Try getting it fast enough where I am doing a fast walk."
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:09 pm
"Easy enough."
Einar pressed down on the pedals and shot forward, his body moving in rhythm with the bicycle. Where balance was key he had a slight disadvantage thanks to him having only eye, but he often found that if he moved with or against whatever was giving him grief he could keep doing whatever it was. It felt natural to sway side to side after all, and he tried to keep his pace at the one Lai had recommended.
"Is this ok-"
He didn't have time to answer as the fingers on his right hand suddenly spasmed and grabbed the brake tightly, stopping the front tire and sending the bike moving upwards in the same manner that it had when Lai took his facial dive. He felt his own body tilt upwards and with a bit of a grunt he reached his hand out in front of him to allow it to take the brunt of his fall.
When he contacted with the ground he quickly rolled over and onto his knees, checking back to see if anything had occurred during his tumble. He wasn't sure if Lai had come down with him, but Einar was sure the man would have been smart enough to let go.
". . . . "
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