#RC jets

[rchobbyproducts]

Flying RC Aircraft: Safety Precautions You Must Know

Flying remote-controlled planes is truly an exhilarating hobby for aviation enthusiasts. The joy and excitement it provides can bring out the child within you and enable you to indulge in endless fun. However, the dangers associated cannot be overlooked. Imagine flying an RC plane and it suddenly goes out of control and crashes in a busy street. Sounds scary, right? Indeed, it is! That is why taking appropriate safety precautions matters a lot. Whether you are flying the radio-controlled gliders or the RC jets, safety must be prioritized.

In this blog, you will explore the essential precautions to take while operating an RC aircraft. Let’s dive in!

Understand the Aircraft Basics

Having a fundamental comprehension of how RC planes function is indeed crucial to flying them safely. Before you take the aircraft to the sky, try to be familiar with the different elements like the receiver, transmitter, motor, and control surfaces. Gain an understanding of the role of each of the components and how they work together to provide a pleasant flying experience.

Select an Open Area

If you are new to the hobby, it is best to start small. Instead of flying the RC plan in a large field, you can opt for smaller areas like your backyard or a park. However, try to opt for open and unobstructed areas. The core aim is to minimize the chances of potential collisions with trees, buildings, and other objects.

Check the Weather Conditions

There is no denying that weather can have a significant impact on the flight of your remote-controlled aircraft. For instance, a strong gush of wind can make it challenging for you to control the plane and prove to be dangerous. That is why it is wise to get an idea of the weather forecast for the day before taking off. Pay attention to the direction and speed of the wind. It is always better to avoid flying during strong winds or turbulent weather conditions.

Get to Know the Remote Control

Controlling the remote-controlled gliders is the key to an enjoyable experience. For that, you must understand the remote control and its functionalities well. Go through the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and invest some quality time practicing. Moreover, getting guidance from experienced pilots can also help enhance your control proficiency. Gaining mastery over the controls can enable you to fly the RC planes more confidently and avoid potential crashes.

Ensure Proper Maintenance

Before taking the plane to the skies, inspecting the different elements of the aircraft is crucial. Check the control surfaces, wings, and fuselage and look for signs of damage or wear and tear. Ensuring all the parts are in proper condition can enhance safety significantly. Moreover, be sure to invest in regular maintenance to increase the safety and longevity of the RC planes.

Conclusion

Flying the remote-controlled gliders is a fulfilling and thrilling hobby. Are you looking for the best RC planes at competitive prices? EXHOBBY is the perfect destination for all your needs. Explore their vast collection and select the one that suits your needs the best.

Blog Source: https://rchobbyproducts.blogspot.com/2024/09/flying-rc-aircraft-safety-precautions.html

[nocternalrandomness]

Boeing RC-135V departing RAF Mildenhall

[sonic-adventure-3]

i can live without jason griffith sonic, but life without jason griffith jet is completely miserable

[fyexo]

jet black | do not edit.

[dynamhobby]

Dynam Hawker Hunter 70mm 12-Blade 6S EDF RC Jet

The Hawker Hunter is a transonic British jet-powered fighter aircraft developed by Hawker Aircraft for the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the late 1940s and early 1950s.

The Dynam Hawker Hunter 6S EDF RC Jet comes with TomCat TC-2860-2200KV brushless inrunner motor and Skylord-80A electronic speed controller with a 70mm 12-blade EDF, full of power with high performance.

[craftyphantomconnoisseur]

DIY a Boat - From Popsicle Sticks / Handmade popsicle sticks boat

[sonichedgeblog]

Packaging shots of the Jet The Hawk 'Sonic Free Riders' RC Hoverboard released by NKOK in 2012. Support us on Patreon

[crosshairs-dumb-pimp-gf]

Thank @feral-ferrule for reminding me of this little aside. Now ya'll gotta deal with it.

+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

Dosing the Batch Boys: (Glitterstim)

In Disgrace (ch3) Crosshair and Tah'nyem are dosed with Glitterstim, a psychoactive variant of spice made by the spiders that live in the caves of Kessel. It lets you read minds...This results in their minds slamming together in new an confusing ways, which is fun for their chapter but it even occurs to them that it might be even funner in bed, let's explore that a little.

Though glitterstim is canon it's underutilized and definitely not utilized the way that I do, so this is very HC based. We're also going to assume that the drug doesn't affect the health of the boys in anyway. (Echo, sweetie I worry about you other wise.)

+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

Hunter-

I think what would get Hunter off the most about being in your brain is the complete confirmation that all of your praise is genuine. All the boys might be surprised at just how attracted clonethirst girlies are to them but Hunter is particularly susceptible to the flattery of it. Ego boosted, the next aspect he would utilize is the direct feedback for how pleasurable his actions were. You'd probably not get to actively participate as much because he would get wrapped up in feeling what heights he could drive you to.

Wrecker-*let me in meme goes here*

What is going on in there? I can only imagine Wrecker's brain being a kind of messy place, sparks flying back and forth, complex equations drawn in crayon... What would be hot about it is just how overwhelmed with his emotions you would get. With practice he might be able to hold back but without it your brain is getting flooded. Joy, exuberance, and of course the sexual pleasure on a feedback loop. Actually, don't do this with Wrecker, you two are gonna fry.

Echo-

You'd have to ease Echo into this, he'd feel a little self conscious that you might feel any discomfort his implants and prosthetics might cause him, and you would, but having that open map would guide you to new ways to comfort him and make him feel good. He'd also find himself enjoying a type of relief basking in your mind. Like Hunter, he'd be enamored with feeling what he does to you and would try to heighten your experience more than focusing on himself.

Crosshair-

Cross isn't a selfish lover, but unlike Hunter and Echo he's very of the mindset that pleasure is a two way street. He'd more than likely take advantage of the connection by doing things that are mutually beneficial and might yield crazy results via feedback a la 69ing. More closed off and focused, Crosshair would have more control over holding your mind on task, easily keeping you away from parts of him he wouldn't want you to see.

Tech-

Where do I start?

Absolute dog shit at staying on task, once you let this little gremlin loose in your brain he'll start to rip you apart like an engine. Good luck keeping him out of your deepest darkest secrets, your half forgotten ruminations, dreams, and whatever other threads he gets his hands on. Not like it'd be much better, but you can also step into the whirring whirlwind resting in his brain pan. A single calculated thought releases so much mental energy you're floored immediately. There's not even sex yet, and since you'd be a helpless kitten of an rc car hooked up to the power of a jet engine you might as well let him run wild kriffing you within full efficiency.

+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

Not that it moves the plot much besides being way too comfortable with each other too quickly, there are lasting effects of the Glitterstim on CrossXTahny.

She never gets a clean slate with the rest of the Batch Boys since she was exposed quite strongly to Crosshair's opinions of them. His opinions of them directly after Kamino. Yeah.

Also more of a fun fact, in case of alternative dimension shenanigans, Tahny would always be able to pick her Crosshair out of a line up. Even if it's between other Crosshair's that had Glitterstim experiences with other Tah'nyems.

Kids got little tan lines in the shape of each other burned into their brains.

[shrack]

its soooo funny to me that my years long loki love has culminated into his Just Some Guy boyfriend being equally as important. for years ive defended lokis stupid ass, he loves his mother and cares about his family even though his father never cared for him and he always forced to live in his brothers shadow, he never really wanted to capture new york he was manipulated by thanos and the mind stone into it, etc etc etc, ive been saying it ad nauseum since i saw avengers one.

in pops the most Just A Guy ever, who sits at a desk and enjoys rc josta and jet skis, who i feel just an equal amount insane about even though ive only had him for two of my at minimum ten years of loki defense. and my god is he occupying the same space

[blueikeproductions]

Some more anecdotal thoughts on TFONE.

Spoilers still.

The concept of the Worker-Bots being lower class, and several characters having serial numbers over names suggests this is meant to be wide spread. Only D-16 and B-127 seem to be this for some reason, with Elita-1 sorta meeting half way. Instead of Orion Pax, you’d think he’d also have a serial number in C-01 or the more on the nose OP-1984. Jazz is a miner and still named Jazz, rather than J-06. Sideswipe could be SW-04, Arcee RC-86, Ironhide, I-98, and so forth. Maybe I’m looking too much into it, but you’d think considering the “demeaning” nature, Sentinel would go farther and strip them of their very names as well as their Cogs.

Sentinel never actually Transforms into his Vehicle Mode at all, and is exclusively in Robot Mode throughout the movie. His wings and jet boosters in his feet make it clear he’s a jet like his toys, but the only thing he turns into is his heavy artillery Apex Armor like mode in the climax.

Despite having a toy that shows the Quintessons can Transform, it’s unknown if they can in the actual film. This feels like an unintended side effect of retconning them as being descendants of Quintus Prime, as technically that should mean they’re Cybertronian, and therefore be able to Transform. The EarthSpark ones are unable to as far as we can tell, with the only Quintus descendants that can being the Terrans. Unless the Quints go the way of the Echidnas and Owls in the Sonic movies, maybe that’s something reserved for a possible TFTWO. Maybe their ship Transforms into a robot called Quintus Maximus, I ‘unno.

Due to copyright jargon, the series usually can’t use the terms Transformer or Transform in non modern animated media super well, leading to clunky ways of describing themselves. The EarthSpark and TFONE books have resorted to calling the species “Transformers Bots” which sounds like a bad SyFy parody show. While G1 and Beast Machines in particular freely refer to the species as “Transformers”, more modern material like Prime and EarthSpark imply the Transformers call themselves “Cybertronians” while “Transformer” is a term coined by humans. Though in RiD15, the Bee Team, in particular Fixit, off and on refer to themselves as Transformers, confusing the matter. TFOne goes nuts, not even trying to hide who they are and what they do, with the species collectively called “Transformers”, their Cogs “Transformation Cogs” like in G1 (they never once call them “T-Cogs” like in Prime), with Optimus able to actually say “Transform and Roll Out!” Megatron sadly never gets to say “Transform & Rise Up!” like his Animated self (and to a lesser extent his Prime self), but Megatron nevertheless adapts Rise Up! as his team’s battle cry.

A little boy in the theater I was in got really excited when the Autobots stumbled on the deer-bots, like he was pumped. Where’s the deer-bot toy, Hasbro? You have a customer.

Like other media, it’s not super clear if these examples of Cybertronic fauna can Transform. They’re not shown to, but nothing suggests they can’t either. They probably would turn into humanoid robots if they got toys, but I like to think, similar to Cyberverse, the deer turn into little cars or something.

The organic plant life is never explained, though Orion and the others don’t recognize it either, and remark in surprise something non metallic can live on the surface. Some fan theories suggest the plant life was due to the Quintessons’ maybe attempting to terraform Cybertron, but the how and why remain unclear. It might just be a throwaway reference to Beast Machines and Galaxy Force, both famously incorporating organics into Cybertron at series end.

The Allspark is never referenced in the film, so how the Transformers reproduce is never specified. Presumably the Allspark still exists, but then again some modern media is slowly moving away from it. IDW never used it in either of its G1 main line books, instead having Vector Sigma, the Matrix, the Moon Bases and Cybertron itself generating life. The Allspark was in TFP and RiD15, but wasn’t crucial to the plot. Prime ends with Optimus and Wheeljack casually fetching the relic in a sector in space, with its (now empty) container used to trap Unicron’s Spark. EarthSpark showed the Allspark existed but quickly tossed it aside, favoring the OTHER life giving relic, the Emberstone. Skybound has yet to reference the Allspark, but going by how close it’s sticking to 80’s material, Vector Sigma is pry more likely. The TFONE Matrix is similar to the Allspark in that it’s connected to Cybertron’s naturally flowing Energon, and without it, Cybertron is doomed to dwindling resources. What this means if the story continues and the Transformers leave Cybertron for Earth we have yet to see.

How the Autobots and Decepticons get their names is a bit clunky. The Decepticons get it in a similar way to IDW, the one reference to it, where they take it from the “deception” of Sentinel and Orion. The Autobots seems to be more spontaneous, it seemingly coming from Orion, now Optimus, reflecting on the miners’ new autonomy with their Cogs, dubbing them “Autobots”. How the Autobots get their logo isn’t known either, the logo just pops up as the credits roll. The Decepticons get their logo from Megatronus Prime’s face mask, as D-16 was a fan boy, collecting related merch. Sentinel, out of spite, torches a crude version of the mask on D-16’s chest which completes the origin. Ironically, as Megatronus never becomes The Fallen and is legitimately heroic as far as we can tell, his symbol being used by Megatron as it is, intentionally by the writers or not, mirrors a similar situation with The Punisher’s logo.

Double checking it, Zeta Prime is apparently a replacement for the 13th Arisen Prime. My guess is they replaced him because without The Fallen, The Arisen word play doesn’t work. Plus, having Orion Pax be preordained to be Optimus like he was in Aligned doesn’t fit here. Zeta Prime isn’t depicted as being the sociopath he’s portrayed as in IDW, but we don’t see a lot of him either, so it’s hard to say for sure (though I doubt he’d be carrying the Matrix if he was). What is for sure is they make it clear, until a future movie retcons it, that the Primes were all benevolent beings shepherding the Transformers. None of that “The Primes are all corrupt and horrible!” nonsense. Sentinel is the only one depicted as being corrupt, but he’s also not a (true) Prime either. Optimus is depicted as the true successor to what the Primes stood for, vs Sentinel who was in it for his own greed. This somewhat mirrors stuff like Nova Prime, though it’s more streamlined so casuals can understand it.

[rchobbyproducts]

The Thrill of the Skies: How RC Jet Planes Offer an Authentic Flight Experience

If you are into RC devices, you probably already have an RC jet in your collection, and if you don’t it’s high time you get RC jet planes. Why? Because they offer a completely out-of-the-world experience without stepping into a cockpit. With a remarkable design, these small RC devices combine the exhilaration of flying a jet and the comfort of still being on the ground with a true authentic feel of soaring through the air. Whether you are a seasoned hobbyist or are just starting out, we would say RC jet planes offer the perfect blend of speed, precision, and control. Wondering how these radio-controlled marvels mimic real-life jet flights? Well, here’s our take on this subject.

What are RC Jet Planes?

RC jet planes or radio-controlled jet planes are model aircraft powered by miniature jet engines or electric ducted fans (EDFs). Unlike traditional RC airplanes, these jets are designed for high-speed maneuvers, realistic flight patterns, and often, breathtaking aerobatic stunts. Crafted with advanced materials like carbon fiber and lightweight foam, these planes can achieve speeds that bring the adrenaline of real-world aviation right into your hands.

How Do RC Jet Planes Replicate an Authentic Flight Experience?

What sets RC jet planes apart is their uncanny ability to mirror the dynamics of full-sized jets. From the engine's roar to the realistic handling in the air, here’s how they create an authentic flying experience:

#1 Realistic Design and Aerodynamics

RC jet planes are modeled after real-life fighter jets and commercial aircraft, which is why they feature precise details in terms of shape, proportions, and aerodynamics. Being quite similar to the original jets, their designs include all the minute intricacies that contribute to a genuine flight experience. In theory, the attention to detail in these flights ensures every soar the plane takes, makes the operator feel like they are piloting the real thing.

#2 Precision Control

RC jet planes offer exceptional control, so pilots can execute complex maneuvers with precision. For instance, the F16 Falcon comes equipped with an ultra-stable Xpilot gyro stabilizer system, making it easy to control. Its powerful motor system allows smooth aerobatic flying, ideal for those just starting their RC journey. Beginners will appreciate the simplicity of flying this jet, which is also suitable for adults who want to try RC flying.

#3 Immersive Sound and Sensation

The combination of speed, power, and the iconic jet sound combined with the vibration of the engine makes you feel like you are a part of a live air show. The sight of your jet streaking through the sky will evoke parts of your aviator soul that you never even knew existed.

Conclusion

Everyone who loves the thrill of RC planes understands how RC jet planes are more than just scaled-down models. They are an aviation enthusiast’s personal ticket to the skies with the controls right at their convenience in the palm of their hands. If you have been looking for RC jet planes that look sleek and fly like a true beast, you can check out the VOLANTEXRC warbird and fighter jet series from EXHOBBY. The options are practically limitless, and you can get models that are suitable for both beginners as well as seasoned pros. So, what are you waiting for? Make a purchase, take control, feel the power, and experience the incredible sky like never before!

Blog Source:   https://rchobbyproducts.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-thrill-of-skies-how-rc-jet-planes.html

[usafphantom2]

A huge black-and-white picture of an RC-135U hung on my bedroom wall (no, I didn’t have THE Farah poster). Robert Hopkins lll (Air Force brat later RC-135 Pilot.)

He moved from Beale Air Force Base to Offuff AFB in Nebraska. As a child Robert had to move often, which was normal he went from living at the home of the SR 71 to living at the home base of the majority of the RC-135 fleet, I saw these jets every day while volunteering at the SAC Museum at the end of the closed runway. I had an inkling of what they did, and my early exposure to British aviation magazines led me to appreciate the mystique they possessed when visiting RAF Mildenhall in England.~ Robert Hopkins in Hush-kit interview.

I’ve had the privilege over the last few years of getting to know Robert he volunteered to edit my father, Butch Sheffield‘s book. Unfortunately, He had to quit editing Dad’s book because another matter came up. I will admit that I did not know how privileged my family was to have him volunteer at first.He is an aviation author of the first degree very much admired by many. Although we lived just a five-minute walk away from each other during the time I lived at Beale Air Force Base, as a kid I didn’t know him. Robert was one year younger than me his best friend was Jamie Kraus, son of an RSO. He understands the competition, mostly friendly that I found between the RC 135 and the SR-71. Robert is a fan of the SR 71 but his heart belongs to the RC 135. He grew up and became a pilot of the RC 135 just like his father was.

I had heard about the U-2 versus the SR-71, competition but this story was new to me.

The SR 71 brought out competition between SR-71 crewmembers and the RC-135 also. I read about this story in Rich Graham‘s Book “Flying the SR 71 Blackbird “

The mobile crew of an SR-71 went to the Kadena Airbase, Okinawa, “O” Club to eat a quick lunch. (The mobile crew is the back or Buddy crew. It would consist of a pilot and an RSO of the SR-71 they were expected back to the flight line when the SR71 came back from the flight. In the officer club parking lot, the RC 135 crew noticed the locked car had a top-secret kit bag that they could see while peering into the back window.

They called the security police to report them!!

Being able to see this top-secret kit bag It’s a big no-no, Rich Graham explained So the SR-71 crew went back to their squadron and plotted their revenge.

The revenge was they made stencils of an RC 135 then went “stealthy” into the night with spray paint and stencils in hand, a group of SR-71 men spray painted the stencils, of the RC 135 everywhere they could, signs, polls, and buildings.

At first, the RC squadron was proud, thinking that it was one of them who had done the stenciling until that squadron was ordered to clean up the mess that the SR-71 squadron had made! Normally, what would happen is the RC 135 squadron would be the ones stenciling the silhouette of their airplane on SR 71 property. But this time it was the SR 71 guys that were doing the stenciling. I think they got off easy. Haha

This kind of practical joke would not be tolerated in today’s Air Force. I have been told this.

What is it about the SR 71 that used to drive so many people to compete with them?

Linda Sheffield

@Habubrats71 via X

[fashionbooksmilano]

Lo scultore della seta Roberto Capucci, il sublime nella moda

Gian Luca Bauzano

Fondazione Cologni Marsilio, Venezia 2018, 292 pagine, 16x21cm, ISBN 97 888317 27 105

euro 35,00

email if you want to buy booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

Roberto Capucci, tra i grandi padri della moda italiana, nasce a Roma nel 1930 e debutta a Firenze in occasione delle prime sfilate organizzate da Giovanni Battista Giorgini nella villa di famiglia. Le sue non sono solo creazioni "haute couture", abiti preziosi per star di Hollywood e rappresentanti di aristocrazia e jet set internazionali, ma vere e proprie sculture in tessuto. Già negli anni ottanta, egli è antesignano della contemporaneità: i suoi abiti sfilano in tutto il mondo e sono presenti nei musei e nelle istituzioni d'arte più importanti, dalla GNAM di Roma alla Schauspielhaus di Berlino, da Palazzo Strozzi a Firenze al Kunsthistorisches Museum di Vienna, alla Biennale d'Arte di Venezia.

Gian Luca Bauzano milanese, laureato in Lettere moderne, firma autorevole del «Corriere della Sera», è esperto di costume, moda, musica e spettacolo in tutte le sue espressioni. Segue da anni in particolare il mondo della moda e della musica classica. Dopo un decennio di attività a «Il Giornale» e numerose stagioni in radio (Radio Tre Suite dirette dalla Scala, teatri nazionali e internazionali) e televisione (Mediaset e Sky), nel 1999 entra in rcs Media Group. È curatore di mostre internazionali, autore di articoli, saggi e volumi sui suoi temi di elezione. Tiene conferenze e coordina dibattiti e presentazioni di libri. Conosce profondamente Roberto Capucci, avendo curato diverse mostre e pubblicazioni sull’opera del maestro.

09/12/24

[fyexo]

jet black | do not edit.

[dynamhobby]

Dynam Gloster Meteor F8 V2 Silver 6S Twin 70mm EDF RC Jet

The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' only jet aircraft to achieve combat operations during the Second World War. The Dynam Gloster Meteor F8 V2 is an exceptional RC airplane that will provide an exhilarating flying experience. With a wingspan of 1270mm (50") and a length of 1510mm (59"), this EDF Jet is the perfect size for outdoor flying.

[hotpinkrathian]

I know that the holidays are *technically* over, and I'm late posting this. But if anyone has any cheer leftover here's a Hallmark movie Kyalin fic

Kya stepped off the train, the tempered air pinching her nose. 

She looked at the crisp snow as it landed on her belongings with a certain fondness. 

The snow in RC was different than the snow at the poles, or the lack of snow in Ba Sing Se. 

It had an aura to it, which she attributed to the density of airbenders in the area. 

She pulled on her mitts, setting her bag down for a moment. 

She would regret it though, as almost instantaneously someone came up behind her, looping the handles of her purse around their arm and sprinting into a run. 

“Hey!” She shouted, running after them. She pulled her suitcase behind her, inevitably slowing her down.

The perpetrator was far ahead of her, clearly a skilled thief as they expertly maneuvered through the crowded station. 

“Someone stop them!” She shouted, but people simply watched her futile chase. 

She was about to give up, when a woman stepping onto the platform stuck out her arm, stopping the thief with a self-inflicted blow to the throat. 

Kya gasped as she went up to the stranger and the fallen perpetrator. 

“Oh my, thank you so much,” she said, wrapping the woman in a hug. 

The woman stiffened, but accepted it. 

When they pulled apart she picked up the bag by the straps, the thief wheezing on the ground. 

“I believe, based on circumstances, this is yours,” the woman said, handing it to her.

“It is, thank you so much. No one else stopped them and I guess my yelling didn't quite warrant the attention of security.” She said sarcastically, doing a quick check of her bag to make sure everything was there. 

“Yeah the security here is pretty terrible.” The woman agreed. Upon closer inspection, Kya was able to make out a few distinct features. 

She had porcelain skin with jet black hair. Her eyes were a very distinct shade of green, undoubtedly speaking to her earth nation heritage. 

But most notably were a set of paired scars, running from her cheekbones to the base of her face. The tissue was slightly raised, speaking to a rushed patch job, but relatively neutral in color. 

“Tell me about it. What a warm welcome back to the city, robbed as soon as I step onto the platform.” Kya said, brushing herself off and strapping her purse onto herself.

Past the other woman she was able to see a couple of guards coming up to them, a definite lack of pep in their step. 

“We'll take it from here- chief?” 

“Surprise.” The other woman said. Kya watched, trying to make sense of the interaction.

“We were just-”

“I know what you were doing, and it nearly cost this lovely woman her purse, and you three weeks of desk duty.” The officers looked at each other, defeated as they picked up the thief and began to carry him away. 

“You're the security,” Kya said, facepalming.

“Mm, close. Lin Beifong, Chief of Police. Please excuse my lack of uniform, I've just arrived from Zaofu.” 

Kya accepted the hand shake, still feeling a little embarrassed. 

“I feel like an idiot,” she told Chief Beifong. 

“Don't. We appreciate the feedback. Helps me decide who's cut out for field work.” 

“Well, I'm glad I could help.”

“What's your name, you know, for the incident report?” 

“Oh, uh Kya. Kya Cloud.”  Kya watched the gears turn in the police Chief's head as her name registered. There was no way someone of so much status hadn't heard her name before. 

She was the only daughter of Avatar Aang, after all. 

“Well, I reckon it's about time we met, Miss Cloud”.

“Just Kya is fine.”

“Right. Well, is there anything else I can do for you, maybe something that will increase your rating?” 

Kya laughed, pulling her things close to her.

“I think this will suffice,” Kya told her, “you can expect at least three elements from me.”

“I'll take it.” Chief Beifong stated. “I'll see you around, ‘just Kya’.” 

Kya bade her farewell, watching the woman go down the platform. 

She took a deep breath, suppressing her smile, and the butterflies in her stomach as she started the walk home. 

“I can't believe you almost got robbed!” Her mother said, hugging Kya again for good measure. 

“Mom, relax, it ended up okay. You know I could've taken him. If I had been prepared.” 

“Your lucky Lin was there.”

“No kidding. She was very efficient.” 

“She's excellent at her job. The best Police Chief the City has ever seen. Including its first.” 

“Who was the first?”

“Kya, I know I've told you.”

“And you know I'm forgetful. I'm a busy woman, mom.”

“Lin's own mother, one of my best friends, Toph Beifong.”

Memories came back as Kya pieced history together. No wonder Lin had come off familiar, she had been an essential person in Kya's early childhood. Kya was about fourteen when the Beifong's stopped hanging around. It seemed like a lifetime ago despite it being only twenty years. 

“Right, I remember now.” Kya said. 

Her mother didn't seem assured, but carried on with her preparation anyway. Her and Kya were currently decorating the temple for the holidays, making everything either sparkle, or shine. It would be the first Christmas with a baby in the family, and Kya's first time meeting the little one. 

She felt terrible she hadn't seen Jinora, but her career often had her on the road, and she hadn't gotten a chance to stop at Republic City in nearly eight months. 

She took some solace in knowing Jinora was only a month old, so there was still plenty of time for her to become the career-wine aunt. 

“When will Tenzin be by?” She asked.

“He told me he and Pema should be back tomorrow. They decided to break the trip from the air temple into one more day, to give them some time to sufficiently rest.” 

“So just you and me tonight then mum?”

“Actually I have to make a City council meeting. The last one before the holidays.”

“So just me?”

“Sorry dear. You're welcome to come, or you could go out. Spend a night on the town? It's Saturday so it should be alive. Not Friday night alive, but alive nonetheless.”

“Alright. Know any good spots?”

“Hmm, I've heard some friends talk about Rafters. It might be old for you though.”

“Gotta start somewhere. Maybe I can bring a plus one to Christmas,” Kya smirked. 

Katara shot her a glare, so Kya just laughed.

She supposed she was going out tonight.

Her mother was right about the crowd of Rafters being older. Kya didn't mind, it meant more people willing to buy her a drink. At this rate, she'd be plastered before the tides even changed directions. 

She sat at the bar, absorbing the chatter of the crowd. Sipping on a peppermint Mojito- tis’ the season. The TV was set to a pro-bending tournament, which she hadn't paid attention to.

Her attention was drawn to a boisterous chatter at the door. A group of people came in, laughing, and dressed uniformly. 

At the tail end of the group was a woman, in her thirties, porcelain skin, black chopped hair and a pair of scars on her cheek. 

The woman saw Kya, too, excusing herself from the others and coming up to her.

“Are you stalking me?” Lin asked, setting an elbow on the bar and leaning in.

“I could ask you the same.”

“Hah, I always come here on Saturday. Like clockwork.” 

Kya had an inkling her mother may have had some ulterior motives sending Kya here.

It was frustrating, but Kya had to applaud her mother's nonchalance. 

“Well you got me. Take me away, officer,” Kya said, holding out her wrists. 

Lin smiled, looking at the table of her colleagues, then back to Kya.

“Why don't we pretend you weren't drinking alone, and you come join us?”

“Saving me twice today? Someone is looking out for me.”

“Seems to me you're still owed a proper Republic City welcome.”

“Your rating just went up, Beifong.” 

Lin smiled, ushering Kya to their table. 

“Everyone, this is Kya Cloud.” Lin introduced. Kya watched the same gears turn in their heads as she had with Lin earlier. 

“She'd like to join us tonight, if that's alright.”

No one protested, and Kya slid into the booth next to Lin. 

She absorbed their stories, shopping recommendations, restaurant recommendations and tourism tips for RC. By midnight she had a comprehensive list of everything Republic City had to offer.

She had also had another Peppermint Mojito, a Gingerbread Martini, and a shared pitcher of Apple Cranberry Sangria. 

“Have a good night everyone!” Lin said, watching her coworkers leave. The two of them were left in the booth. 

“You didn't want to go with them?” Kya asked.

“No.”

“Why not? And don't say because I needed a walk home.”

“Hah, I'm wasted. As soon as I stand up I'm going to hit the floor. Didn't want them to see me like this.” 

Kya laughed, sliding out of the booth, offering her own dizzy hand to Lin, who took it. 

“You got cash?” Lin asked. 

“A bit, why?”

“Tip the bartender. I used all mine on the pitcher.” Kya pulled her cash out, leaving it on the table as the two of them headed outside for the sobering cold. They walked a ways, shivering slightly at the brisk air, before Lin pulled a cigarette from her pocket, using a lighter to ignite it. 

“You know those are terrible for you,” Kya told her.

“Yup,” Lin replied, handing it to her. Kya accepted  taking a puff before handing it back. 

“So, you're back for the holidays?” Lin asked her.

“Yeah, my brother had a baby. Figured it warranted a visit.”

“Really? Which brother?” 

“Tenzin, the younger one.” 

“Wow, I remember going to school with him. He always wanted a family, so that's good to hear.” 

“Yeah. A little girl, Jinora.” 

Lin nodded, taking another puff.

“And what about Bumi?”

“Still with the United Forces Navy. He's coming back in a couple days. His service will be over in… a couple years I think? Got a couple medals, and don't ask because I'm terrible at that stuff.”

Kya watched as Lin took another long, contemplative puff before handing the cig back to Kya. 

“And you?” Lin asked. 

Kya scoffed on her exhale, relishing the warmth of the smoke on her face.

“I move around a lot for work. I'm a doctor, wherever a patient needs me to be one. Just came from Ba Sing Se.”

“How's the patient?” 

“Dead.”

“Jeez, I'm sorry.” 

“Don't be,” Kya said, handing what little was left of the cigarette back to Lin, “she was old, she knew it was coming. I was there easing the pain.”

Lin seemed satisfied with that, and her cigarette had run out, so they kept walking. They were making their way towards the ferry, and as the alcohol wore off, Kya was starting to feel the real effects of the cold. 

“Can I ask you something?” Kya asked as they walked.

“I got them on duty. Apprehending a getaway driver for a triad.”

“Oh, uh, I'm sorry.” 

“Don't be, I haven't even told you the worst part.”

“Oh.”

“The driver was my sister.”

Sister. That was right, there were two Beifong children… Lin and…

“Suyin.” Kya stated. Lin seemed impressed, and nodded.

“She was young, dumb, and fell  in with the wrong crowd. We've… made up, sort of. I visit once a year, if just to see the kids.” 

“She has kids?

“Yup, four with one on the way.”

“Wow.” Kya said, unsure of what to make of that. She didn't even know what Suyin looked like anymore. It was hard to picture the toddler she once knew with five kids. 

They were coming up on the pier, and Kya was getting tired of seeing her frosty breath in front of her. 

“You don't have to come on the ferry,” Kya told her, “I get it's a hassle, really I'll be okay.”

“It won't affect the rating, will it?” Lin teased, sticking her hands in her coat. 

Kya laughed, shaking her head. 

“Of course not. Assuming I don't get mugged aboard.”

“Well, if you do, you know where to find me.”

Lin said. The Chief removed a single cold hand from her coat, offering Kya a handshake, which Kya accepted. 

They bade their farewells and Kya continued on to the ferry, opting to sit indoors and warm up. 

She had to wait ten minutes for the change of the hour before the boat departed, but the journey across was only twenty minutes. 

She used the time to reflect on her night, how it had immediately improved upon Lin’s arrival at the bar. She wished she had a better way to express her gratitude. 

When they docked she tipped the ferryman, and made for the warmth of the temple. 

As expected, her mom was already asleep. Kya went for the pitcher of water and poured herself a glass, hoping to curve the hangover she was going to have tomorrow. 

She made her way up the stairs, pausing at her mother's door, but moving on.

She laid in bed, her mind once again drifting to the events of the day, and how circumstances had guided her interactions with Chief Beifong twice. 

How many times before she could stop the coincidence excuse?

“Coming!” Kya said, walking to the door. The bell had gone off, and her mother's hands were full with bed sheets as she prepared for the prodigal son’s return. 

“hel- Lin?” 

“morning Kya,” the earthbender said, her arms crossed. 

“did I forget something or-” 

“Actually, I'm here for Katara. You don't mind if I borrow her for a moment, do you?”

Kya was caught off guard, and she was well aware of her processing delay crossing her slow response. 

“right, of course, come on in.”

“Katara?”

“Chief Beifong in the flesh! You aren't fed up with me and Kya yet?”

“fed up with you? Me? Never. I brought those papers you inquired about last night. I know you won't have another order of business till after the holidays, and it seems you have your hands full here, or you're about to, so I figured I'd bring them over early. Take your time, I just need them back before the hearing on the second.” 

“Absolutely it's no problem Lin, and thank you so much. I'm surprised you didn't send one of your ‘henchmen’”

“my ‘henchmen’ are far and few right now. No one wants to work over the holidays.”

“and you shouldn't either,” 

“heh, I've had my fun. I went to Zaofu last week. I just got back yesterday- when I ran into Kya actually.” 

Kya allowed herself to drift into the conversation at the mention of her name. 

“good for you! How are Su and the kids?”

Kya could see Lin bite her tongue, and she wanted to ask for the tea, but refrained in fear of coming on too strong. 

“as good as they'll ever be.” Lin replied after a thoughtful pause.

“and you?” Katara asked, surprising Kya by placing her hands on either side of Lin’s face.

“good as I’ll ever be.” Katara didn't seem convinced, but she released the earthbender. Lin looked at Kya, a shameful look on her face. Like a guilty puppy. 

“Why don't you come for dinner tonight?” Katara asked. 

“I shouldn't. Kya tells me you're getting the other thirds this afternoon. You've got a full house.”

“Really it's fine,” Kya interjected. “I mean, there's plenty of food, and you've been such a help.” Lin looked torn. Like her heart said yes but her head said no. 

Kya told herself she would accept either verdict. 

“Alright, but just for dinner. I refuse to disrupt your family anymore.” 

“Of course, we will see you tonight then, Lin.” 

Katara said. 

“I'll walk you out,” Kya offered. The door was only a few meters behind them, but Kya walked anyway. 

“Thanks,” Lin said, placing her nimble fingers on the doorknob.

“It's no problem, really.” Kya assured her. “Holidays, right? No one should be alone.” 

Lin nodded, her hands turning the knob slightly. 

“Right. Um, last night… you had fun, right?” Lin asked nervously.”

Kya looked at her, not in an inspection way, but in the most honest way she knew how. 

“Of course. My mom can't stop teasing me about it.” 

“We should do it again sometime,” Lin suggested, and Kya felt her heart skip a beat.

“Yeah, totally.” 

Lin's hand finished turning the knob. 

“I'll see you tonight, Kya.”

“See you tonight,” Kya replied, watching her step out into the snow, closing the door behind her. 

“You are an evil woman mother,” she said, shaking her head. 

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” 

“Mhmm, so you just sent me to the random cop bar last night?”

“It's the only bar I know about.” 

“Right and it happens to be a cop bar?”

“Lin's the only person in the city that I know goes to bars.”

“And inviting her over?”

“She's a friend Kya, we see each other all the time. I helped her with her… accident a while back. You get close in a situation like that.” 

Kya eyed her mother suspiciously but decided to let it slide.

She was onto Katara, but truthfully, she didn't mind. 

In fact, she was hoping things went well tonight, even if it meant her mother had to do a little meddling. 

Things were just as exciting as Kya had anticipated when her brothers arrived. They were both coming from different directions, but their arrival times appeared to be coordinated with Tenzin and company arriving fifteen minutes after Bumi. 

“How was your trip?” Katara asked, embracing her youngest in a hug.

“It was fantastic, mother.” 

“Mm, so we can expect baby number two in nine months?” Kya teased, earning herself a swat from Katara. 

“I prepared the rooms for you guys, washed your sheets and everything. Little Jinora's nursery is all ready for her upstairs.”

“Perfect, I think this one could use a nap, inside a real house, with an actual crib.” Pema stated, taking Jinora inside.

With all of them together the absence of their father was more noticeable. It had only been ten months since his passing, and the first holiday season without him. Kya could see the pained look in her mother's eye, but she knew that offering a hug would only make it worse.

At least they had a baby to help fill the void of Avatar Aang. 

Kya helped Bumi and Tenzin carry their belongings inside, like the good sister she was, while she thought about what it would mean for them to have a festive dinner without her dad.

Surely Bumi would take over the toast because he was the oldest? Or Tenzin because he was also an arrowhead? 

Either way she was off the hook, which meant she could focus on the chief. 

“Lin will be joining us tonight,” Katara told the boys.

“Lin? I haven't seen her in…well it has to be over a decade,” Bumi said. 

“How did you manage to convince Lin to join us?” Tenzin asked, looking up the stairs for his wife. 

“Oh you are too hard on her Tenzin. She was happy to come. Plus I owe her one for taking care of your sister.”

“You got arrested?” Bumi asked, directing his inquiry at Kya.

“Excuse me? I got robbed at the train station and she caught the guy. Why did you automatically assume I was the perpetrator?”

“It wouldn't be the first time,” Bumi stuck his tongue out and Kya wanted to slap him. 

“You got robbed? Kya are you okay?” Tenzin asked, and Kya nodded her head.

“Bumi, see how he was concerned for my well being? Yes Tenzin I am fine, I didn't even lose anything. The guy tried to make a run for it and Lin stuck her arm out and basically throat-punched the guy as he sprinted down the platform.”

“Badass,” Bumi commented, earning a glare from his brother and mother. 

“Anyway,” Katara interjected, “I invited her for dinner, it's bad enough she has to work this time of year. The least we can do is offer her a warm meal and some company.” 

“Didn't she make up with her sister?” Tenzin asked. 

“Yes, but she went last week to see them. As the Chief she's kind of expected to be here over the holidays.”

The others seemed convinced and Kya leaned into Bumi's ear.

“Plus, Lin is super hot now,” she said, earning a raised eyebrow from her older brother. 

She caught her mother's smirk, and Kya realized she may not have been as quiet as she'd thought. 

Dinner time came, and with it so did snow, and of course, Republic City Police Chief Lin Beifong. 

She came in, an impressive bottle of wine in her hand, and allowed Kya to take her coat. 

They exchanged small greetings before Kya led her to the dining room. In the better lighting Kya was able to make out more of her features and clothing. 

Her pants were gray Khaki's which she paired with a black turtleneck and a black and gold belt. 

Kya felt underdressed in her corduroys, but she took solace in knowing she was still more put together than either of her brothers. 

“Welcome Lin, please take a seat.” Katara greeted, gesturing to the chair next to her, in between Katara and Kya. 

“Thank you for having me everyone,” Lin said as she sat down.

“It's no problem dear. I owe you one for keeping Kya safe, and busy the other night.” 

Kya immediately blushed, sure of the insinuation her brother would read into. 

Sure enough Bumi smirked at her, and she forced herself to look away.

“Just doing my job, Katara. Tenzin, Pema, Katara tells me you just got back from the Eastern Air temple, how was it?”

“It was beautiful,” Tenzin told her.

“But no place for a newborn, the building is far too drafty. Trying to get Jinora to sleep when the wind is echoing throughout the entire place was a nightmare.” 

Kya chuckled a bit, satisfied with Pema's honesty. Tenzin had good intentions, but he was the kind of willfully naive type. 

He was optimistic, without the necessary caution. Something he'd learn as a father no doubt. 

“And Bumi, I've heard much word of you over the years, Rear Admiral.” 

Kya was aware of her brother's status in the Navy, but truthfully she had no idea what rankings meant. She remembered when he was made Lieutenant, and that was a good thing. “Rear” made it sound worse but “Admiral” sounded like a promotion. 

Lin was congratulating him, so Kya took it as an improvement. 

“You sure know how to make a guy feel special,” Bumi said, “I appreciate that Lin. Take notes, Kya.” 

Kya waved him off, plucking a piece of her meal onto a fork and stuffing her mouth. 

“Well Lin, we've heard the story from Kya, but we would love to hear your perception of what happened at the train station the other day.”

“Of course,” Lin said, placing her utensils gently on either side of her plate. 

“I'm getting off the train, I'd just come from a long, and I mean LONG week at Zaofu. I step into the republic city air, honestly I was looking forward to it. Then I hear this woman shouting, pulling a suitcase behind her, flailing her arms. And a man she's running behind and instinct kind of just kicked in. I stretched out my arm and he hit it. I will never forget the look on Kya's face though. Jaw agape, sweat coating her brow and her eyes shocked and relieved. Went through all of the emotions in a single moment.”

The table burst into laughter, and Kya did too. The whole thing seemed so silly and spontaneous now. 

“I owe you one, Lin,” Kya joked, “next time you need a bad guy apprehended and you're double booked let me know. Can't promise it'll be as clean as what you are used to, but it'll get done.”

“Mmm, it's very tempting Kya, don't make a promise you can't keep.” 

“I can keep it.”

“Wonderful to hear, you want to go to work for me tomorrow?” 

“Can't, holiday plans,” Kya grinned. The look on Lin's face was… confusing. 

Captivating, titillating, flirtatious. 

Uh oh. 

Kya was now well aware of the table watching their banter and she wanted to excuse herself but doing so would confirm what they were all thinking. 

She side eyed her brother's smirk and returned to her meal with a blush. 

Luckily her mother offered to get the dessert and the conversation continued to flow smoothly for the rest of the meal.

It was nearly 9:30 pm before they were wrapped up. After a glass of wine (or two) Lin was ready to leave so Kya offered to walk with her to the ferry. 

“You know,” Lin started, “you don't have to make excuses to come see me.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“I mean, if you wanted to stop by the police station sometime you could say it's to follow up on the train station thief. Or you could say you wanted to see me.”

“And why would I say that?” Kya played along. 

“Because you wanted to ask me on a second date.” 

“Think you skipped a step there, Lin. The wine get to you? Or was it my gingersnaps?”

“On the contrary, Kya, I think it was you. My head hasn't been quite right since the day I saved your purse.” 

“Anything I can help with? I'm a healer after all.” 

“Probably. I have some free time Saturday at seven. We could go to  Zoryu's Palace at seven-thirty.”

“Why not seven?” Kya asked.

“I need time to pick you up.” Lin replied.

It was something about the nonchalance, yet the nervousness. All of the personality, but the withholding words that tempted Kya into saying yes.

One day, Lin would ask her why she agreed to get dinner with the Chief of Police and Kya would tell her it was because she wanted to say thanks, or that Lin's charismatic charm had won her over. 

But truthfully, Kya had known she met her match from the moment she saw her throat punch the thief at the train station. 

"It's a date."