[color=gold][center][h1][i][b]DELTΔ HYPER[/b][/i][/h1][/center][/color] [hr] [center] [h1][b] Hakone Izakaya Bar 2100 Hours [/b] [/h1] [/center] [hr] The party was in full swing. The buzz of conversations filled the air. The DJ was keeping music going in the background. There was a small dance floor that was packed. Paul sipped at his drink as he listened to his fellow pilots chat with each other. The news drones were still in the air. Paul smiled as he listened to the banter among the pilots. Paul had been surprised when it was Bea who answered his question about where they found the questions they asked them. [color=#1EFF24]Bea: ”They most likely have interns scour fan sites. It tracks with the style, especially of younger fans, the secrets and drifting for example.” [/color] Paul laughed at Bea’s answer.[color=fff200] Paul: “Okay that makes sense. Some of the things we get asked by fans are so out there.”[/color] Paul was grateful that security screened his fan mail. They always gave it to him after they had screened it for threats. Some of the more entertaining fan mail included marriage proposals, underwear from both sexes, and homemade gifts which had included everything from jewelry to crocheted hats and scarves. The weirdest thing he had received in the mail so far was a large sea shell with his face painted on it and some live fish. Paul grinned as Bea accepted his drifting challenge. [color=#1EFF24] ”Oh, and regarding that: You’re on.” She jabbed a finger in his direction, referring to the drifting challenge he proposed. ”Manager at the Brooklands Mercedes World in London owes me a favor, I could get us a few hours on the attached test track.”[/color] [color=fff200]Paul: “Bea why would we go to England? You do know that Japan is the birthplace of drifting, right? Drifting tracks are still very popular here in Japan. I am sure we could rent a track for an hour or two to have some fun while we are here in Tokyo. If you have the time? I will be here after the race for a few days taking care of some sponsorship commitments.” [/color] Paul threw the challenge out to the rest of the group. [color=fff200]Paul: “Would anyone else be interested in some time racing at a drifting track? Nora would you be interested? I know you are skilled if you were a street racer.”[/color] Paul continued to sip his drink and was pleasantly surprised when Hyeon-Ae finally joined their little group. He understood that she had commitments here at the BioCHO party just like they all did. It was nice to see her break away from the stuffed shirts for a bit though. [color=magenta]Hyeon-Ae: ”I suspect one question was sent in by Mr Hornfleur personally.” [/color] Paul snickered a little at her comment. He knew exactly which question she was talking about. [color=fff200]Paul: “I don’t know about that. Dorian has a reputation for being a lover and a flirt. Of all those questions, that is the one I can most see fans having asked.”[/color] Paul was more than a little surprised when Hyeon-Ae so casually laid a hand on his shoulder before she stepped past him. Paul's thoughts were racing even as his heart rate picked up a little. Was Hyeon-Ae flirting with him? Or was she trying to play mind games? She had turned to him with a smile as she told him. [color=magenta]Hyeon-Ae: ”I heard we're meeting soon again.” [/color] Paul slid his free hand into his pocket as he saluted her arrival with his drink in his hand and a nod. He gave her a return smile. [color=fff200]Paul: “Indeed, I believe Mr. Sanberg has us scheduled to meet on Monday after the race at 11:00am. I am still waiting on confirmation of where we are going to meet. So will I be meeting you in a stuffy conference room somewhere or someplace more entertaining?”[/color] Paul gave Hyeon-Ae an amused smile as he challenged her rigidly scheduled and planned life a little. Cassie swooped in, putting a drink in Hyeon-Ae’s hand. Hyeon-Ae slung her arm around Cassie’s shoulder. Paul smirked amused as Hyeon-Ae tried trash talking. [color=magenta]Hyeon-Ae: ”We have been going easy on you before now. Tokyo is no longer the honeymoon, yes?” [/color] Paul couldn’t resist trying to fluster the pretty Korean. [color=fff200]Paul: “Why Hyeon-Ae, is that a marriage proposal… already? Don’t we have to be married before I can enjoy the honeymoon? I can’t deny that I did enjoy chasing you around the track at Cape Town.”[/color] Paul smirked a little as he knew that she was trying to use a common idiom in Western culture. She had used it correctly but he couldn’t resist teasing her a little. [hr] [center] [h1][b] Round 3 of Formula Anti-Gravity Racing Saturday April 1st, 2094 Qualifying Day Japanese AGP Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan 1800 JST [/b] [/h1] [/center] [hr] [center][h2][i][b][color=fff200]Paul Mulder[/color] [/b][/i][/h2][/center] [b]Soundtrack: [url=https://youtu.be/vosS_LsXiJg] Icon For Hire - Waste My Hate [/url][/b] [hr] Paul was grateful that the weather had cleared up before qualifiers. He had been training in the simulator for this track. He hoped to use a similar strategy from Cape Town to keep Valkyrie competitive here in Tokyo. This was one of the tracks he was most looking forward to. Paul loved Tokyo’s history with racing. Tokyo had a rich racing history with Formula One tracks and street racing was a huge deal here in Japan. He might be an antigravity racer but Paul would always have a love of racing automobiles. There was just something special about that extra friction from meeting the ground with rubber tires that was simply different. You couldn’t go as fast but it was a whole different set of skills needed to be successful. Paul might be romanticizing it a little but it was one of the things he enjoyed most. It was why he drove his classic cars when he could instead of driving the latest antigravity flitter. Paul’s strategy for Tokyo was to try and make up speed in the corners and chicanes while watching his energy usage. He had been working to get the most out of the energy systems but knew that other teams had better ships in this area. All he could do was his best. Luckily he did have handling and stability on his side for this track. The engineers had done their best to tweak and tune the energy systems for this track. Paul knew just like Cape Town his best option was to shoot for points. He might not be able to win the season but maybe just maybe, they could be in the running for constructors. Paul got a decent start but he fought to keep the energy systems charged enough to get the speed he wanted. He found himself once more chasing Zygon ships around the track. He managed to find a pace that worked but he was frustrated with how the ship performed. He understood Dorian’s frustration after finishing in ninth behind Cassie. Paul did enjoy the street based track which made his frustration of not being able to give a better showing in Tokyo fuel. Paul felt like he had let his fans down. All he could do was give his feedback to the engineers and do his best to move up through the pack if he could tomorrow. Alexander was spending his evening at the track with the engineers and mechanics. Maybe they could find something else to tweak on the energy systems to help their pilots out tomorrow. Alexander was in his team shirt, jeans, and work boots. He flitted around the paddock and tried to help out where he could. He trusted his team but he had hoped for better in Tokyo. He had seriously underestimated their energy systems for this race. This was yet another good argument for pushing for new ship designs. [hider=Qualifying Results for Tokyo] https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qF6cn-eA0G0sumgf79TvEnPjOHyQP-vZSFV6LNrn_OY/edit?usp=sharing [/hider] [hr] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Post Qualifying Interviews[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [hr] Paul found himself once more in the Delta Hyper booth on the now very familiar couch. Paul was still in his new racing suit and had his new helmet sitting next to him. Paul smiled as he was met by Rory this time instead of Aurora. [color=fff200]Paul: “Hello Rory, it is good to see you again.” [/color] [color=ed1c24]Rory: "Paul, maybe this isn't Valkyrie's circuit given your ship characteristics, but a good effort nonetheless. How do you feel about the surprise from Astrid coming in 4th today, and her thoughts on competing with Valkyrie in Tokyo?"[/color] [color=fff200]Paul: “Well I have to give credit where it is due Rory. Tokyo, like Cape Town, simply doesn’t play to Valkyrie’s strengths. We are doing our best to get the most out of the ships here in Tokyo. I am very excited to be here and racing in Tokyo, which has such a rich history with racing. As far as Astrid coming in fourth, good for her! She raced a great race and her ship really performed today.”[/color] Paul paused and gave a cheeky grin as he looked at Rory. [color=fff200]“I am always up for a great race. So if Astrid needs to single Valkyrie out as a competitor, well I can only assume that we are doing our job.”[/color] He winked at Rory. [hr] [color=gold][center][h1][i][b]Social Media[/b][/i][/h1][/center][/color] [hr] [center][b]Bea Ward @MadBea[/b]: [i]It’s waiting, [b]@ValkyriePaul[/b] :P [Image of the [url=https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.2114948332.7565/gptr,1400x,front,black-c,313,133,750,1000-bg,f8f8f8.jpg]most garish shirt[/url] the Carrera Condor merch shop offered with Bea’s signature across the front and a sheet of A4 paper with ‘Large/52’ written on it on a table next to it.] #CarreraCondorFA #FormulaAG #AGRacing #JapanAGP #PaulMulder #TeamValkyrieAGR[/i][/center] Reply from: [center][b]Paul Mulder @ValkyriePaul[/b]: [i]So is yours! See you in Tokyo![/i] [b]@MadBea[/b] [Image of a [url=https://i.ibb.co/4p1gBbW/Valkyrie-Tshirt.png] Valkyrie AGR fan t-shirt[/url] with Paul Mulder's signature on it. There was a sticky note on it with Mad Bea written on it.] #CarreraCondorFA #FormulaAG #AGRacing #JapanAGP #MadBea #TeamValkyrieAGR[/center] [hr] [center][b][color=fff200]Team Valkyrie AGR Sport @TeamValkyrie[/color] [/b][/center] [center][b][color=fff200]Valkyrie AGR Sport is excited to work with our newest sponsor @EngimaLux. Well race fans, tell us what you think about the latest racing suit designs from @EnigmaLux![/color][/b][/center] [center][b]Image of Paul Mulder in his new racing suit and helmet.[/b][/center] [center][url=https://ibb.co/HCXF4hh][img]https://i.ibb.co/HCXF4hh/Paul-Mulder-New-Racing-Suit.jpg[/img][/url][/center] [center][b]Image of Dorian Hornfleur in his new racing suit and helmet. [/b][/center] [center][url=https://ibb.co/4FLSVbz][img]https://i.ibb.co/4FLSVbz/Dorian-New-Racing-Suit.jpg[/img][/url][/center] [center][b][color=fff200]Paul Mulder qualified in ninth place with Dorian Hornfleur qualifying in eleventh place.[/color][/b][/center] [hr] [color=fff200]OfficeDrone#12:[/color] Way to bury the qualifying results. [color=fff200]SuperfanAGR54:[/color] Disappointed. I had hoped we would see better results after Cape Town. [color=fff200]DantheMan:[/color]Who cares what they look like while they are racing? I want to see results! Their results suck! [color=fff200]BatDave:[/color] I am still Batman! Just like the Dark Knight returns... so can Valkyrie! [color=fff200]Superfan2075:[/color] Valkyrie tanks after Cape Town. [color=fff200]DadBod89:[/color] Wow I feel like I am on a roller coaster. What happened to the momentum from Cape Town? [color=fff200]Hater101:[/color] Once again Valkyrie is underperforming. [color=fff200]Papabear34:[/color] TBF Paul did alright. I am disappointed in Dorian. [color=fff200]Nana2050:[/color] They can still recover. This is only qualifying. We simply never know what will happen during the race. [color=fff200]GeorgeFly:[/color] #BadKnight #PoorPerformance [color=fff200]ValkyrieFan56:[/color] I like the new suits. Wish they had performed better in Tokyo though. [color=fff200]Weedhead81:[/color] Paul you need to chill man! [color=fff200]SexyM@m@5:[/color] #sexysuits I am printing that out poster size and putting it on my wall. [color=fff200]Paulmulder4eva:[/color] #sexypaul @SexyM@ma5 You are thinking old school. Life size holo projection! [color=fff200]Britball12:[/color] Valkyrie is still not performing. #KnightFail [color=fff200]!YouSlow!:[/color] Valkyrie is not in a great position this time. Paul did alright for a rookie. Disappointed in Dorian though. [color=fff200]xImFasterthanUx:[/color] Dorian was outperformed by the rookie. Sad. [color=fff200]AGInthusiast:[/color] Gotta give their marketing team props. Lead with the positive news and bury the qualifying announcement. [color=fff200]micheal650004:[/color] Hopefully they do better during the race. [color=fff200]llamalover4life:[/color] #sadrace [color=fff200]ieatAGR:[/color] Team Valkyrie’s performance was pitiful in Tokyo so far. [hr] [hider= Team Valkyrie Characters] https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zrLx5XUgYiVm6KjTpFTWZtJvXc0MX77enkLzINHujKw/edit?gid=0#gid=0 [/hider]