Author's Note: Here is a very dramatic chapter between my plane-sona (Shawna) and Ripslinger. Once again, sorry for the wait. I have been juggling YouTube and Deviant Art, so that's why my updates are few and far between. :/
And this is a little warning: This chapter will probably leave you with more questions than answers, but just bear with me. You WILL know more Ripslinger's story, I just feel like it's too early in the friendship of Shawna and Ripslinger to have him open up to her right now.
MINOR SPOILER: Ripslinger DOES, however, have a bit of a breakthrough in this chapter!
Chapter Seven: I'm FINE!
It was a beautiful day. No cloud in sight, no gust of wind. The temperature was warm. It was approximately 85 degrees Fahrenheit. "Hmm, I think I wanna go for a little flight around the town.", Shawna thought.
Shawna proceeded to lift herself off the ground, folding her landing gears in her wings and took flight, feeling the warmth of the 85-degree air. "I think I'll go to the cliff above the beach in Propwash Junction.", Shawna thought.
Since she was a plane, she could fly to far away places in a short amount of time and her parents didn't worry about her.
...
When Shawna got to the cliff, she noticed that someone familiar was already there. Someone mean, large, and green.
Ripslinger.
"I wonder if he will let me john him", Shawna thought, rolling up to the cliff.
"Excuse me...", uttered Shawna in a gentle tone.
"What do YOU want?!", Ripslinger asked, seeming annoyed by her presence.
"Do you think you can move over a little bit? I wanna get a good glance of the view too.", Shawna asked shyly.
"There are plenty of other places roll to.", Ripslinger grumbled.
"I know you are a big plane, but I am pretty sure you can move over a bit!", Shawna replied.
"I...I just wanna be left alone...", Ripslinger responded, sadness was clearly in his tone.
"Are you okay?", Shawna asked. "You seem so...depressed every time we meet."
"I'm fine!", Ripslinger answered curtly, a hint of sadness was also in his tone.
"You don't sound fine.", Shawna stated.
The green plane finally turned arounded and faced her. "I SAID I'M FINE!", Ripslinger said, angered by Shawna's presistance.
Tears welled up in Shawna's eyes and Ripslinger actually felt BAD for snapping at her.
"Look, Shawna...I'm sorry.", Ripslinger uttered softly. "I'm just...I am not used to someone...caring about me. I try so hard to bottle up my emotions. I don't want other planes to notice how angry and depressed I am on a daily basis...", Ripslinger said, as a single tear tricked down his fuselage.
Shawna was worried about him. She reached her wing out to wipe away the tear.
"You know, Ripslinger, there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING wrong with reaching out to someone for help!", Shawna assured him. "Reaching out for help does NOT make someone weak, as most seem to, sadly, believe. Sometimes, it's just what we need in order to be truly happy again."
"And I will. I'm just...not ready to open up to someone yet."
"It's okay, Rip. If you are not ready to talk about it yet, then I won't force you to.", Shawna replied, offering him a friendly smile.
Ripslinger returned the smile.
"Thanks, Shawna. You know what? I could use your company. How about we enjoy the view together?", Ripslinger offered the pink plane.
"Sounds good.", Shawna responded, smiling sweetly at Ripslinger.
Ripslinger moves over a bit, so Shawna can have room.
"Thank you!", Shawna said
"You're welcome.", Ripslinger replied.
"I always find comfort in nature, especially the ocean. I don't know, it just helps me forget all of my problems for a bit", Ripslinger stated.
"I understand how you feel. I always had a love for the ocean as well. There is something about the the waves. The sight and sound of them help to wash away stress.", Shawna responded.
"I come here almost everyday. I always have so much going through my mind. Sometimes, coming to view the ocean by the cliff helps me think clearly. The ocean doesn't completely wash my problems away, but it can somewhat help.", Ripslinger admitted.
"I wish there was something I could do...to help take your sadness away.", Shawna said in a sweet tone to Ripslinger, leaning against his fuselage.
"You know there is something big I always wanted to do...", Ripslinger began.
"What's that?", Shawna asked.
"I've always wanted to go visit fans at a childrens' hospital.", Ripslinger answered.
Shawna faces Ripslinger.
"I think that be a beautiful thing to do, Ripslinger", Shawna said, smiling lovingly at Ripslinger.
"I've always wanted to do it. I've just never had the time to make the needed arrangements. I got too caught up in air-racing, it kinda made me lose sight of the rest of the world.", Ripslinger admitted.
"I completely understand, Ripslinger! Although I'm not in this career, I know that air-racing is such a huge one! It takes massive amounts of practice, stamina, and determination to be as good of one as you are! I can see how you've gotten so caught up in this career path."
"And it's just...not the same anymore...", Ripslinger added.
"What do you mean?", Shawna wondered.
"I just...don't feel the thrill of racing that I did when I first got into it.", Ripslinger admitted.
"Sometimes, it's okay to quit.", Shawna reminded him.
"I can't do that. At least not now."
"You just have to do what's best for YOU!"
"I will. Thank you, Shawna. I do want to continue in this path for a while longer. The victories ARE worth the hours of practice. However, you do have a good point."
"I'm glad I can help.". Shawna spoke softly.
"Would you like to accompany me when I go to the childrens' hospital in a few weeks?", Ripslinger offered.
"I would love to Ripslinger! Nothing would touch my heart more than watching you put smiles on those childrens' faces!". Shawna answered with excitement.
"I just feel the need to make someone else happy for a change. I've spent so many years just thinking about myself.", Ripslinger admitted.
"That's a very bold thing to say. You have MILLIONS of fans out there who are DYING to meet you. I can guarantee you that they will be very happy to see you!", Shawna assured him.
Shawna and Ripslinger continued to stare at the crashing waves before them.
"I'm sorry for...giving you a hard time earlier.", Ripslinger apologized.
"It's okay. I'm sorry for being pushy. I understand that we don't always like it when people notice that were sad."
"Apology accepted. I know you were just trying to care, so thank you.", Ripslinger responded in a sincere tone.
After a few weeks, Shawna and Ripslinger are finally on good terms. He was warming up to her and they were finally starting to become friends! The future had so much in store for these two!