A motorcycle swerved through New York traffic, passing cars in several spots that was probably less than legal. Threads' helmet had a faint glow in the daytime, and her blue motorcycle gathered a few glances as she roared past. The blue Kawasaki Ninja had been a flashy choice, but she owned a rock climbing gym, didn't need a car, and heck, it was worth the money just to avoid being held up in the average rush hour.

Today it wasn't so bad. She was heading toward the edge of the city, and only paused at stop lights. While she wore her helmet for safety, the rest of her outfit was more bold: ripped jeans, leather jacket, and a cut-off T underneath. The way she sat at the light made it very evident she was a woman. One with attitude, sure, but definitely female. She got a few second glances like this, and most of them didn't get the time of day.

This time, something caught her eye, however. Behind her, another motorcycle had started following. Some may find that idea a little annoying, or worrying, but Cora managed a smirk under her helmet. Did someone really want to try keeping up with her? Well, she could give them a challenge if that was the case.

The light changed and she took off, speeding around a corner down a side street. It was less crowded this way, and she was able to get a bit of speed, while staying under the radar if any cops showed up. On her left hand, a new string had appeared, silver-pink for the moment. She could see it leading to the rider behind her. They were keeping up after all.

They went through the city, several turns and fun loops, until finally she decided to cut them a break and pulled up somewhere near the park. The string on her hand was still there, which meant they hadn't given up. Cora put her kickstand down and casually leaned against her bike, curious to see who had taken the challenge.

Normally he wasn’t the type to follow a woman, even rarer he wasn’t the type to follow a woman weaving in and out of traffic. Technically Sam was still deputized so he could pull her over for a traffic violation but when the woman appeared in front of him with the glowing blue helmet he was immediately attracted to her. Like a moth to the flame he followed trying to catch up on his brand new bike. Sam didn’t memorized the make and model of the thing but it was more a cruiser than a crotch rocket.

Sam just bought the bike, good ol’ Sam left his younger self with multiple bank accounts so when he got bored he did what the ladies called therapy shopping. This time he bought a bike. Last time it was a car. He now had two of each. Old Sam’s rides and now his.

After a goose chase around some city blocks he finally caught up to the woman who was leaning on her bike. The ice man smirked from under his own helmet made of ice then took it off. Sam wasn’t wearing a jacket despite the weather, black T-shirt, jeans and some steel toe boots. ”Man, got to say I think I lost you for a moment.” the icemancer said with a laugh. He stayed on his bike but was closer to the side of the road like the woman.

Hitting the kickstand down he smirked, ”You cut me off.” Sam said simply then looked to her bike. ”Digging the blue.”

Coraline gave her pursuer a once over. He wasn't bad on the eyes, and he had managed the bike well enough. The ice helmet was a new trick, and she smirked about it beneath the cover of her own face shield. She was glad she hadn't shaken him off for real. Sometimes playing a game of cat and mouse had some fun results.

Digging the blue... He was saying. Cora finally pulled her helmet off, and shook her hair free. "It's a bit of a theme right now." She flashed a smirk, and her hair combined with some rather strong eyeliner showed an evident personality.

Setting the helmet to the side, she tucked her hands into her jacket pockets and shrugged at the rest of his comment. "Hey, if you can't handle getting cut off, gotta get the heck outta New York. City never sleeps is more like the city that never signals."

Pushing off her bike, she offered a hand out. "That was a fun race though. Thanks for a good run. I'm Cora. You have a name Frozone?" She gestured to the frozen helmet he had been sporting. If that wasn't a mutant calling card, she wasn't sure what was.

Not what he was expecting but she was more beautiful than he was expecting. With the blue helmet off he got a good look at her. Yep, glad he trailed behind her. ”So I gathered.” Sam said with a smirk. Ice slides were far easier to travel on no traffic and he could park anywhere he wanted but it definitely didn’t have the interactions like riding or driving did.

”Frozone?” he looked to his helmet then smirked, ”Yeah, Sam.” he hopped off his bike and took the offered hand. ”Not much of a race though, more likes following the leader.” Sam said with a wink. ”Clear you have way more experience on your bike than I got on mine.” he said summing up his experience.

”Cora...” Sam said trying to commit the name to memory even if it was only for short term. ”Not a lot of people ride in the cold. Must like riding.” Sam said pretending to know something about bikes as he walked around hers pretending to examine it when he was just looking for an excuse to check out Cora.

He had a sense of humor. That made this more entertaining. Cora laughed at his analogy and managed a little shrug. "Okay, you got me. But I didn't shake you off so that's a point for you. I ride a lot for fun. Passes the time. Plus, this city is too crowded for anything bigger."

He circled and she let him. She had enough confidence to know both she and the bike could handle an inspection. She returned the favor now that her helmet was off. Still not a bad view. "If you ride fast enough, you'll stay warm. The adrenaline takes care of that. Although something tells me you just don't have issues with the cold."

Glancing back at his bike, she could tell by the tires and the general body it was still very new. That was probably more telling than anything. "So you taking the new one out for a spin? You have enough experience this can't just be an early midlife crisis for you."

She found herself distracted by threads, casually assessing the strings on Sam. Honestly, it didn't surprise her to see so many bundles of lighter colored strings. Most people had a good chord worth of of silver, and he had his fair share of light pink and coral threads. If she had to say what there was more of, it would be the coral. That was actually more common in adult males though, and she had learned not to be turned off by it. She had found worse in bars, for sure.

But, there were a few threads that seemed weird. She tried not to stare at them directly, but it was almost like they just, changed, before reaching him. Without actively picking those free she wouldn't know what caused it though. More reason to stick around, if anything. Curiosity and the cat, right?

"I like climbing more than riding, if I had to pick something I'm keen on. You ever rock-climb?" She asked, letting herself dig for a common interest.

Sam agreed as he finished the circle back to his bike and he turned to Cora. ”No, ma’am.” he agreed. ”One of the few things I lucked out on genetic lottery makes me immune to the cold. I could be riding around in bathing suit but people would just assume I’m crazy.” Sam said summing it up more clothes in winter makes you less noticeable and sometimes that was a good thing.

”Yep,” Sam said tapping on his new, he looked at the markings. It was a Harley, must have been the newer version of the one his old self bought. Both for comfort and maneuverability, ”Just rode her lot.” Sam said agreeing, ”Got a nice bonus and thought I splurge on myself. Older bike was getting to be a little to dull to ride.” he said. He hadn’t rode old Sam’s bike it was his and frankly young Sam didn’t want to ride on a constant reminder of what he was to become.

”Born and raised in Colorado.” Sam thumbed his chest as he raised an eyebrow. ”If I wasn’t jumping from rocks I wasn’t tagging along with the family.” Sam lied, he had a family. They died, he was kidnapped and raised as a child assassin. He was born and raised in Colorado though, he also did have a ton of experience rock climbing, it was learn to climb or fall to your death. Powers most of the time weren’t an option even back then they had ways of nullifying powers.

”You like backpacking?” Sam asked digging for more interests, ”I’m keen on it.” Sam said teasing her a little for using the word keen.

Never getting cold? That sounded useful. Heck of a lot better than what Threads could do. ”The genetic lottery didn’t give me quite as useful of a mutation, but I guess it’s not the worst.” She didn’t volunteer an explanation of what she could do yet. She would let him ask if he was curious enough.

”Colorado huh? Vacationed there a couple times. Dad loved the mountains, if we hadn’t moved here I’m sure we would have landed closer to good climbing rocks. he was teasing her a little, and Cora shot an eyebrow up, smirking. ”I was raised in Cali, be glad I can even string sentences together correctly”. She escaped the state before she landed herself a surfer’s accent, thank goodness.

”I enjoy backpacking. Although I usually just treat a good hike as a way to find someplace to climb. I own a rock climbing gym, but that doesn’t quite compare to being outdoors.”

Sam loved his mutation, it was the only reason he was still alive. He never understood how someone could hate their mutation. Most people that said their mutations were a curse just didn’t have enough will to control it, he too had to master his otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to be so close in proximity to Cora. That being said, ”There is always a worse one.” Sam agreed also glad she didn’t hate her mutation.

”Dad sounds like a smart guy.” Sam said not commenting on the past tense. ”They do talk more valley” Sam said trying to make a joke.

The overconfident icemancer smirked, ”Awesome. You can tell me about your mutation over a climb. Or a drink, not too picky.” Sam said as he turned to his bike and grabbed his helmet. ”You can lead the way. I’ll gladly follow. I need to put some more miles on the new ride anyways. ” he had nowhere in particular to be Sam hoped she had the same free schedule. Wasn’t like he currently had a job at the moment or anyone waiting on him.

Coraline chuckled slightly at his comment. "There is always a worse one, depending on how you look at it. Genetics are a mixed bag of tricks. Some people control the elements, and some people can control office supplies. Although, I wouldn't snub my nose at that one, unless you've ever had an angry stapler come after you."

Mae smirked, but there was a hidden fondness beneath the surface. Her father was one of the few people she had a soft spot for, but she tended to keep that to herself. It was easier to be a brat and just not care. "He's alright. Brought us to New York, and can't say I mind. And if I ever ended up talking like a valley girl I would have probably strangled myself." Cora grimaced at the very idea. "Like, I can't handle like, how fast I have to redo my nails," she gave a mocking impression of some of her younger classmates, and held out her hands in mock stress. Her own nails were uncolored, short, and much more inline with her line of work.

Coraline was more amused than surprised when he climbed back on his bike and invited himself back for a climb. She considered for a second, then picked her helmet, pushing it on with a devious look. "Pretty sure the ride will be more exciting than hearing about my mutation but sure, follow the leader it is."

Cora snapped down the faceguard, and took off without looking back. She made sure not to speed to the point they would get in trouble, but still stayed a bit on the reckless side as she took some of the back-roads toward the gym. After a few sharp turns she felt she almost lost him, but he managed to catch back up. It gave a weird little rush she hadn't felt in awhile. Not many guys would have kept going this long. When they pulled alongside the building, she brought her bike into the employee parking area, leaving enough room in one of the spaces for him to leave his own bike. Her helmet she brought inside, and she waited at the door for him to join.

"So, this is it. Not as good as a real mountain, but it'll do."

The building was open, with different colored rocks stretching up in different arcs and challenge levels. Today there were a number of climbers and staff, most who gave a wave when she entered. Cora tipped a head toward them as she went, leading Sam toward one of the equipment stations. "Pick your poison. If you want to be a hotshot and go bouldering or something just make sure you sign a waver first. I don't plan on getting sued over anyone's ego," she warned.

The icemancer smirked at her imitation. He was glad she wasn’t like that, mainly because Sam probably would have been on his bike already. Sam hopped onto his bike when she did the same. She slapped down the her visor and Sam put his helmet. Before he knew it she was already gone. He managed to see the blue flash before it was lost from there it was speed, and not worry about being pulled over. He knew he’d be able to talk his way out of a ticket then he’d have to research all the rock climbing places in the area. No speeding was easier.

After finding the lot (well after she parked) Sam managed to put his bike next to hers in the lot. She said she owned the place, if that was the case he had a feeling she would out climb him. Usually when he was climbing he had to make sure he wasn’t dead tired after, meaning his mutation did most of the climbing.

Entering the building leaving his helmet to melt on next to the bikes he looked around and whistled. ”Massive, place. Didn’t even think to find a place like this in the city.” Sam said truthfully. He enjoyed being outdoors more but if he ever got a climbing itch he now had a place to go.

”Like I said.” he grabbed a pen and reached for the wavier, ”I’ll follow the leader.” he smirked not intending to when it came to the climbing.

Cora felt herself smile a little at the compliment, and found herself looking at the gym from a newcomers eyes. ”It’s grown quite a bit over the years. A lot of the climbers have been coming since my dad was in charge. The manager and staff keep it running well. They mostly prefer I keep my nose out of things.” A younger man behind one of the desks shot her a look, and she gave a face back to him. They were almost like family after this time. The threads leading to most the staff were a solid red on her side, dark red on theirs. That was how things seemed to be for Cora though. She held back feeling attached to people, even when they regarded her as family.

”If you don’t mind, I’ll at least use the safety harness. I’ll take a little lip rather than look dumb falling on my ass in front of my own staff,” she winked. She collected a harness and made short work of attaching it, then moved over to one of the climbing zones. One of the younger staff members came over and she nodded to them, ”Trish will belay for me so pick your poison. We are slow today so someone can belay your end as well. If you want.” she wouldn’t be surprised if he went without a harness. When you lived in a city with so many mutants, there was always an exception to the rules of safety. If she fell, it would end badly, so she wasn’t stupid.

The icemancer raised an eyebrow slightly disappointed that she wasn’t free climbing. Though it did make sense. He was still getting attitude from Serena when she whooped him in a session and frankly he wished he didn’t even practice with her. She was far better at light touches than he was.

”Well if I went without a harness I wouldn’t have to worry about falling but… might make it more challenging if I do it without my powers.” Sam shrugged, and grabbed a harness. He wanted to show off his skill for Cora but then again he was getting the feeling she’d appreciate some physical commitment instead of him using his powers to get to the top.

He watched her put her harness on then tried to mimic her. He never used climbing gear before like this. Hooks and a rope no harness. Other than that it was ice. Ice was safer for everyone. One of the reasons he was usually the first climber back in the day. Once the other handlers figured out what was going on he was forced to start doing it without powers. Some of his belts weren’t in the exact right place but he wasn’t too worried about falling. So he didn’t ask any further.

”I would love to belayed.” Sam smirked at the joke. He couldn’t resist but he was sure Cora heard it a dozen times before. ”Couldn’t resist.” he then asked, ”First one to the top?”

Cora watched the ice mutant attach the harness, and paused, smirking slightly when she noticed a few things were out of place. Then he went and dropped an innuendo. Well, he would either love or hate the result. "You got a few things outta place there, hotshot." Without warning him she reached and tugged the belts into place. It was probably an invasion of space and not in the way Sam was hoping, but she got him straightened out. She stepped back and winked at him with a smirk.

"Safety first. If you can handle the wall without your powers, maybe I'll play nicer next time." A second staff member approached to spot Sam, leaving her to her climb.

Cora checked that Trish was ready, and took to the wall. "Climbing!" Her body took over, and she shot up the wall like a spider monkey. While she used the harness, it was clear she was not relying on the line for support, and it held more slack than the staff would probably use for most customers. Cora worked with Trish a lot during her younger years, and the other mutant knew to be there for emergencies only. Sam may have been disappointed she had chosen safety over bragging rights, but she still felt she had plenty to show off within the constraints of the gym.

The question was, how fast could he meet her at the top?

The icemancer gave her a smirk when she said maybe she’d play better nicer if he could do the wall without powers. He gave a little surprised sound after she adjusted the belts and then he walked to the wall waving to his belayer. ”Howdy.”

When she called out she was climbing Sam did the same, ”Climbing.” he assumed he was supposed to and before he knew it he was looking slightly up at Cora. It was clear she was way quicker on the start with him. He looked to his first grip then the second. His eyes darted from one to the next and before long he closed a little of the distance with her.

No powers yet but a slight fatigue in his fingers he smirked remembering how they used to be blistered and bloodied from the rocks. Luckily for Sam these were all smooth and rounded. Using his upper body strength more than his legs he started skipping handholds and only to stop when he had to look for the nearest one he could reach. The icemancer was never lacking in the hand eye coordination department but he didn’t feel the need to beat Cora to the top. No he was actually just enjoying the climb. The view also helped.

Kicking off one foot hold and jumping up Sam managed to grab onto one a few feet higher than he was forcing himself to one arm himself up till he could get to hands on the hold. ”So how often you do this?” Sam asked having a feeling he knew the answer. She probably was to this wall as he was to the danger room.

He was close enough to talk, and athletic enough he was able to do that without it sounding terribly winded. Cora chuckled, and let herself slow just a bit so he could hear her. ”Daily, probably. I drop in to see how everything is going, and the best way to check the wall is to climb it. Today it’s the main wall, later maybe I’ll take the Boulder course.”

She swung sideways, holding with one arm so she could face him, looking at his progress. ”We are a mutant friendly gym so we get a lot of different types coming in.” Now that he was closer, she made the easy run the rest of the way to her mark, and rested at the top. She settled into her foot and hand holds, waiting until he met her.

”I keep staff with the mutations to help. I have to deal with things the old fashioned way to keep up. Can’t be lazy and expect everyone to do things for me.

“Going down!” Rather than belaying down, she started a fast decent dropping down one step at a time. She got to the bottom and unhooked herself, letting Trish move to help the next climber.