Honeymoon in Hong Kong

[imthepilot]

Bodhi takes the card Jay give them and opens the door. It opens into large five star hotel suite - champagne chilling in a bucket and roses by the bed. In the corner of the living room are several large crates labelled climbing equipment. There's a welcome pack with maps and travel guides, ferry tickets and the number a car service.

Comments

[imthepilot]

The car is a novelty to Bodhi and he shimmies across the back seat do he and Galen can sit together.

The drive to the docks is short but the young man, who introduces himself as Yuki, gives them a little of the history of the city as they go.

[galen_erso]

Galen holds on to Bodhi's hand, hidden between them, and cranes his head left and right to see.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi curls his hand around Galen's, caressing the band of Galen's ring as he marvels at the city around them. "All this, without repulsor technology!"

And then the harbour happened. Bodhi leaned forward to look out the windscreen, whistling softly. "So many ships!"

[galen_erso]

"All of them going on the water," Galen marvels, still holding Bodhi's hand.

[imthepilot]

Yuki points down to the marina and a small but handsome looking yacht. "That is our boat. I'll take you around the islands, show you the best places to climb."

Bodhi's hand tightens in Galen's for a moment. He's still not very fond of water but he trust that Yuki knows what to do.

[galen_erso]

"Excellent," Galen says. "We brought a drone to explore the routes, too."

[imthepilot]

"You are allowed to fly it around the islands." Yuki explains. "But keep it clear from other people. There are laws about their use but as long as you keep from bothering other people with it, no-one will mind."

"Oh!" Bodhi bites his lip. "I didn't think to ask." He glances to Galen. "Would it be better if we left it here?"

[galen_erso]

"We will just do exactly as he says," Galen says. "Thanks for the heads-up, Yuki."

[imthepilot]

"Yes, thank you." Bodhi trips over himself to say.

Yuki pulls up the car and is quick to get the door for them, slightly frustrated by Bodhi's eagerness to check out the harbour. "All of your freight comes in by sea?" He asks, admiring the massive cargo ships loading and unloading on one side of the harbour.

Yuki nods, offering to carry the drone as they head down to the yacht.

[galen_erso]

"All those large metal boxes," Galen says. "Clever idea. Are they standardized, or a special feature of this harbour?"

[imthepilot]

Yuki frowns, a little surprised and confused by the question as he jumps lightly onto the boat, rolling out a ramp for them. "Standard. In almost every harbour in the world. That's how they work."

Bodhi moves to cross the ramp, a little nervous and hesitant.

[galen_erso]

"I don't know much about shipping," Galen says, apologetically, feeling that this had been some major gaffe.

[imthepilot]

Yuki helps a hand out to help a nervous Bodhi across onto the boat. Bodhi hurried to find himself a seat.

Yuki hold a hand out to Galen, expecting him to be just as unsure.

[galen_erso]

Galen takes it, and follows them to the boat. "Where I used to climb, the water wasn't just placidly sitting below, instead, it came falling from above the entire time," he says. "This promises to be a much more pleasant combination of water and rocks."

Except for Bodhi, who very obviously doesn't like this whole ships-going-on-water thing, so Galen sits right beside him and puts a hand on his shoulder.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi leans into the touch, drawing strength from Galen.

Yuki casts off and starts the engine, motoring out into the lanes of water traffic leading towards the island chains. The massive cargo boats have their own paths and rights of way so they don't come too here but they're still dwarfed by them. "Climbing in rain must be challenging. You've come here in a good season for it. We're not expecting rain at all this week."

[galen_erso]

"It was a terribly rainy place, but we were stuck there for work reasons," Galen says. "But now we are free!"

He squeezes Bodhi's hand, surreptitiously.

[imthepilot]

"But now we are free." Bodhi echoes, resting head on Galen's shoulder. It doesn't bother him to be seen.

Yuki frowns, slowing the boat down in the shadow of one of the island. "Um... I think, just so you know... it's not illegal here. You being... Together. People might frown on it but... There's no law against it. Not anymore. But... You might be wise to be private in big crowds. You're fine with me. My brother is... like you so I don't mind but just so you know."

[galen_erso]

"Thank you," Galen says. "We will be discreet; we're used to it from before, for, erm, work reasons."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi looks dissapointed at the thought of having to hide but doesn't say anything, just holding Galen's hand and looking up at the island. "Is this one we can climb? That surface looks challenging."

[galen_erso]

"Can we have a closer look with the drone?" Galen asks, trying to cheer him up with flying.

[imthepilot]

Yuki passes back their drone and Bodhi sets it up quickly. It doesn't take him long to get it up in the air and scanning the slopes. He shifts so Galen can see the little screen, floating the drone up the rock wall.

[galen_erso]

"We need to be careful there," Galen says, pointing at the screen, "but it looks like a lot of fun!"

[imthepilot]

"An over-hang that deep will be tricky. Maybe better to come down that way."

[galen_erso]

"Then what route to take up?"

[imthepilot]

Yuki brings the boat around slowly to view another face. "Can I suggest this way?"

Bodhi keeps scanning. "That could work. There's a nice ledge there to enjoy the view from."