Air Ship

“How does this work again?” Miho asked.

“We get on the ship, we fly up, and party until we reach our destination on the island,” Noiz explained.

“We couldn’t do this on a plane?” Miho asked.

“You know Pat wants to show off his shit,” Noiz said. The younger woman rolled her eyes.

“Of course this had to be some weird flex,” she said.

“Come on!” Noiz said. “Think of this as a free vacation.” Miho put her hands up in the air.

“I’m not complaining,” she said. “I really am not. I just don’t understand.” Noiz tilted her head.

“Understand what?” she asked.

“The whole point,” Miho said. “Just… why?” Noiz smiled as she put her arm around her shoulders.

“Come on!” she said. “This is going to be the rocking summer! Let’s do this!” Miho gave her a strange look.

“What does that even mean?” she asked.

“Don’t ask questions! Let’s just go!” Noiz shouted. She pulled her younger employee along with her. They joined the long line up to the giant air ship parked on the ground.

--------

This air ship was lit! The gold almost blinded everyone who first came on. How many arcade games were in here? Twenty? Fifty? Eighty-five? The eight filled snack tables surrounded the outer edge. A large flat screen hung from the other side of the room.

“Wow!” Brooke and Katie said. Miho’s jaw dropped.

“Is this for real?” T.J. asked.

“Yes,” Noiz said, nodding. The speakers crackled on overhead. Everyone jerked their heads up at the sound.

“Good morning, everyone!” an old man’s voice weaved through the air. “How is everyone today? I’m doing good myself. Welcome aboard the Flying Nihon Akari! My name is Pat and I will be your pilot today.” The old man chuckled to himself.

“It will take hours for us to get to my island,” he said. “So feel free to get lost in the games, movies, and TV. There are plenty of snacks and drinks to tide you over. Don’t worry about the wi-fi. I only have the best for all of you. All you have to is enjoy yourself. My crew and I will do the work. So, sit back and enjoy the ride. Please be seated and buckle up. You have ten minutes until take-off. I repeat, you have ten minutes until take-off! That is all.” The intercom crackled off. The staff all took their seats. Noiz sat down next to Mosh. She grabbed by the hand. A curious look came across her face.

“What is it?” Noiz asked. Mosh cleared his throat.

“I’ve never been on a plane before,” he said under his breath.

“Are you serious?” she asked. He nodded once. Noiz gave him a sympathetic smile.

“Aw, don’t worry,” the kitty girl said. “You will be in good hands.” She kissed him on the cheek. Mosh gulped as his cheeks turned bright red.

Everyone had finished taking their seats. The interns couldn’t wait to start playing some of the games around them. Who would get the first play? Soot was already counting down to call dibs on the first shooter game. Noiz already had her notebook out in her lap. Some of the staff already went to sleep. The intercom crackled on.

“Attend everyone!” Pat’s voice boomed through the air. “Prepare for take-off. Make sure that you are buckled up really tight. I repeat, make sure you are buckled in tight.” Those who were asleep woke up and looked around before going back to sleep. It didn’t take long for the air ship to take off. Mosh felt it vibrating at his feet. He gripped Noiz’s hand as tightly as she could.

“Shhh,” she whispered. “It’s okay. It’s okay.” Mosh looked at her with big eyes.

“Just breathe,” his girlfriend said. “Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.” The mouse boy closed his eyes and took in deep breaths. By now, the air ship became stable in the air. The seat buckles fasten lights turned off. The intercom turned on with a crackle.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” Pat’s voice danced in the air. “You can now unfasten your seatbelts and move around the ship. Don’t forget to have fun!” Soot jumped up and leapt onto the first shooting game he saw.

“Hey!” Mandy shouted. “I wanted to play that one!” Soot turned his head and stuck out his tongue.

“You snooze you lose,” he said. The intern started up the game and started playing. Mandy stood behind him with her arms folded across her chest.

“Asshole,” she muttered.

“Language!” Polly said. The intern rolled her eyes and looked for another game to play. The rest of the staff started to get up and move around. Mosh looked over at Noiz.

“Aren’t you going to get up?” he asked. Noiz smiled and shook her head.

“Nah,” she said.

“No?” Mosh asked.

“I still have more work to do,” the kitty said. Her boyfriend pouted at her as he frowned. She giggled and patted him on the head.

“Don’t worry,” Noiz said. “I will get up and get a snack or two.” She gave him a quick kiss on the lips. Mosh smiled back at her. This trip was only going to be a few hours but the staff was going to enjoy the hell out of this air ship.

Sailing Away