#lightning 1

"turns out you clean up nice when you try, old friend, who would have thought!" laughter shakes is shrunken frame, giving a light punch to hectors shoulder in amusement. "are we trying to impress any lady friends tonight, then?" a presumptuous question when heard by others, but they knew it was all in jest. "just in case, how about a handshake before you become preoccupied?" eliwood held his hand out to his companion, much like he had done many years ago... when they had sworn an oath with blood.

They're tiny, and it's annoying, but Hector has confidence in the matter being temporary. (It has to be, else those elementals are like to meet with hostility sooner rather than later.)

That said, it feels par for the course, really. His experience in Fodlan has rarely left more than a moment's peace - but Hector somewhat prefers it that way. The more he keeps busy with whatever shenanigans are next up and coming,

the less he has to worry about one of the two primary reasons he's been sent here.

And of course Eliwood knows exactly what those reasons are. 

And of course he has to be a brat and bring one of 'em up right here and now.

He scoffs. "I'm not completely uncivilized, I'll have you know." Crossing his arms resolutely, Hector grumbles, flinches at the bop to his shoulder. His scowl is more bark than bite, but that doesn't stop it being a scowl.

"What lady friends?" He shrugs. "I know not the creatures of which you speak. Hmph."

A pause. He clears his throat into his fist.

"... That was a joke, lest anyone think that should get back to the council's ears." With a roll of his eyes, he goes to meet Eliwood's proffered hand. His grip is maybe a tad stronger than it need be. Serves his best friend right for trying to be funny about his woes. The Ostian grins innocently throughout. Earth meets Lightning, as flowers bud, and,

it strikes him suddenly that, well,

"Looking pretty handsome yourself, Eliwood. If you have too rough a time fending off the ladies, I suppose you can try to send some my way. Saint’s arse, swear not a fortnight goes without them sending a letter inquiring as to the status of a possible heir..."

aaand he’s back to grumbling.

Right pains in the ass, the lot of those old men on Ostia's council. Tch.

Yet the ball awaits, ready or not.

Firefly Aerospace demos its Lightning 1 engine to SXSW crowd

Firefly Aerospace tests its Lightning 1 engine on March 13, 2018. Photo Credit: Ryan Chylinski / SpaceFlight Insider

In a demo for a crowd of people from the Austin, Texas, South by Southwest festival, Firefly Aerospacefired its “Lightning 1” engine at 10 percent thrust for about a minute. The engine design will propel the second stage of the company’s “Firefly Alpha” rocket into space as early…