(no subject)

[a1enzo]

Enzo's been skiing a few times, including on Game Simulation field trips. It's one of those concepts that have made it down to sprite level by being copied from Games, so he's accustomed to doing it on synthetic terrain. He just hadn't expected that, in the off-season, so would Users.

"How do they make it?" he asks in fascination, digging his ski pole into the artificial snow.

Comments

[ami_imperfect]

Dani, standing beside him on her own skis, just grins and shrugs. "Dunno!"

Not that she really cares. They're finally on vacation!

[a1enzo]

Enzo can't help being fascinated; he always is, in Userspace.

This isn't the time for it, though. This is keep-Dani-sane time.

"You want another run on the bunny slope, or you ready to upgrade?"

[ami_imperfect]

"Ummm..."

Dani looked over at the intermediate slope, then back at the bunny slope.

"One more run on the bunny slope."

[a1enzo]

"Okay." He grins at her and says those Three Little Words.

"You wanna race?"

[ami_imperfect]

"Bring it on."

[a1enzo]

He does so.

He'd give her a handicap if he had a big advantage, but although he knows the motions, there's a significant difference in texture between snow and static, and he's still getting used to it.

[ami_imperfect]

---
It's not a big advantage, but it's enough for Dani to come in a close second to her boyfriend.

[a1enzo]

Enzo swings sideways and comes to a halt. "Close one! You're getting good at this!"

[ami_imperfect]

"Yeah! Maybe I am ready for the intermediate slope now!" Dani agrees.

[a1enzo]

"Only one way to find out!"

He gestures in the direction of the lift.

[ami_imperfect]

"Winners first," she says with an exaggerated bow.

[a1enzo]

Enzo bows back, and starts poling himself over to the lift line.

They reach the top of the bunny slope just as Danny and Maddie finish their own latest run on the intermediate. "Mind if we join you?" Enzo calls to them.

[notjustcookies]

"Well, of course not, kids! I have to hand it to you, Danielle, this is fun! And I think we all needed the break, even your father."

[ami_imperfect]

Speaking of...

"Where is Dad?" Dani asks, looking around for any sign of Jack.

[passthefudge]

Suddenly, and at speed, the man in question sails in from the direction of the black diamond slope and slides to a smooth halt.

"Come on, Jazzypants!" he calls over his shoulder. "Don't be such a slowpoke!"

[ilovebearbert]

Jazz skis in shortly after Jack, coming to a halt in a stop that sprays snow on any members of her family unfortunate enough to be standing that close.

"Who are you calling a slowpoke?" she retorts.

[amity_npc]

"There," says Danny, scowling. It's hard to decide which is more annoying: being shown up by Jazz, as usual, or the unaccustomed treat of being shown up by Jack.

[ami_imperfect]

Catching his scowl, Dani rolls her eyes. "Hey, at least you didn't get beaten on the bunny slope," she murmurs to him.

[notjustcookies]

"We're all going on the intermediate slope," Maddie says, gesturing at the younger contingent. "Want to join us?"

[amity_npc]

"If you're willing to stoop to that," Danny mutters.

[passthefudge]

"Wouldn't miss it!" Jack declares, and the whole crowd proceeds onto the lift.

[ghostzone_npc]

(Unnoticed in the chill coming off the artificial snow, something wings its invisible way up the hill to where the slopes are signposted.)

[a1enzo]

Enzo pushes himself out of the lift seat and onto his skis quickly, before it can carry him off back down the hill.

"Whoa, double diamond. They start in the same place?" He points at the two signs, on either side of a forking trail.

[amity_npc]

"Yeah, you know, two sides of the mountain."

[notjustcookies]

Maddie's brow furrows as she looks at the signs. I could have sworn...

Then she shrugs and poles herself past the one with the blue square.