Test Drive Meme #1

[seasonsmods]

Test Drive Meme #1
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Arrival

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Part 1

You arrive in an unknown space, dressed in white clothes (player choice what kind of clothes, as long as they cover everything). Whatever was happening to you before no longer happens. It's like everything was put on a pause and you were transferred away from the situation without you realizing it happened.

The space that you find yourself in is one of these four options:

An empty landscape filled with snow and ice, almost like a blank canvas.
A field with cherry blossom trees and spring flowers.
A sunny beach near an ocean that seems never ending.
A quiet forest with falling autumn leaves.

All of the spaces seem to continue endlessly. No matter where or how far you walk it almost seems like you're not moving at all. There are no animals here - just those who happened to wake up there at the same time, in the same place. Everyone is wearing the same kind of plain, white clothes.

Despite the possible rollercoaster of emotions you might be feeling, the place somehow feels familiar. Like somehow you belong there.

And it looks like you're not alone.


Part 2

After half an hour has passed the surroundings change as everyone is teleported into a room with all the other new arrivals, no matter what space they woke up in. It's a large place with plenty of seats to sit in and beverages to enjoy. Medical attention is offered to those who need it and the doctors here are very prepared for any challenging situations.

Here, in this room, everyone gets an answer to where they are and why. A hologram of a man appears at the center of the room, waiting to be heard. He brings a message on behalf of the leaders of Ellipsa.

The Message [ Click to Expand ]

Hello, my name is Olwen. I'm one of the leaders of Ellipsa as it currently is. I'm also one of the four who summoned you here.

Our world is in trouble and we need your help. I apologize for tearing you away from your world and forcing you to come here but I hope you understand. The magic we used doesn't let us ask in advance, nor does it let us choose who we bring here.

This world is composed of four Seasonal Segments. All of them represent one of the seasons. They were the places we used to get our resources from, but now they're dangerous places no one should go into unless they have the power to fight back. All of them have their own sets of powerful monsters and natural catastrophes.

We used to have plenty of people here who could control the powers of the four Seasons. We called them Seasonal Power Holders. Unfortunately, due to a tragedy you can read about later, we lost almost all of them. Now only four of us remain and the world is in chaos. We have done our best to protect the world, but we need more power holders to do that.

That's where you come in.

All of you have been assigned to one of the seasons. Whatever space you were in just now is what season you represent. You will learn different skills based on the season and those skills are going to help you save this world.

These powers don't interfere with your own natural powers. They use a new energy that has formed inside of you. It's harmless to your health, but it's vital to your seasonal powers. Your own powers should still work, even if the dark energy outside the city might interfere with them.

Unfortunately bringing you here wasn't as simple as it sounds. We couldn't do anything about how to keep you anchored to this world other than making a simple spell that helps with it. That is, you need to touch someone else who is not from this world ideally at least once a day. It will help you stay in control of your powers and boost your magical energy. If you don't, the consequences aren't very good. But as long as you hold someone's hand or give someone a handshake, you should be fine.

That's all I have to say about the situation. The staff of the Research Center will give you more information about housing and other necessary things. I will, however, promise that you will be sent home once the situation becomes better. That's the least we can do.

The hologram can be viewed in private in a separate room later, should someone wish to look at it again. For now, the staff of the Research Center hands everyone their new smartphones with their small flower lucky charms (the flower is anything the player decides). They're also told that the building next door is where everyone can find a room assigned to them with some of their belongings there and possibly even any animal companions. Those concerned about their mount-sizes companions are welcomed to the stables downstairs to see if their friends are there. The mounts are allowed to stay there until you find a place more suitable for them.

Once you get your smartphone and necessary information, you're urged to go out and find your apartment. After that whatever you want to do is up to you.

Part 3

The building next door is where everyone can find their new apartments. As you enter, you're told by a friendly native that for the first two months you can live anywhere rent-free and five meals a day are paid for you. After that they get a monthly payment that helps with some of their living expenses, but otherwise they have to have a job to support themselves.

All of the apartments are comfortable, two bedroom apartments with all necessary utilities. They are also completely soundproof. Sometimes the magic system, however, does glitch and you might find yourself rooming with a stranger. This is not the intention and the staff will immediately prepare you your own room if you ask them. But maybe having a roommate isn't all that bad?

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Exploring the City

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Part 1

The city outside the Research Center and the apartment building is a very futuristic and bright place. There's a lot of fancy technology and the weather seems almost too perfect all of the time. Even the weather here is artificial and doesn't feel natural at all. This is the center of the whole Nightwake City and it's called the district that never sleeps for a good reason. It feels like any time of the day you choose to go out there's something going on.

Everyone was given some money on their money app BankCrow to spend. Why not go for the Gacha Restaurant on the main street if you're hungry? You can either choose what style/type of food you want (different cuisines, pizza, junk food, etc) OR pick any ingredients and list your allergens before rolling the gacha machine and what comes out is a meal that fits your choices. Most commonly they're mediocre quality (2-3 stars), slightly rarer are the very bad and very good dishes (1 stars and 4 stars) and the rarest of them all is the golden 5 star dish that is the most delicious and sophisticated meal you'll ever taste. But hey, at least the drinks are all the same no matter what meal you end up getting.

If the futuristic city style isn't for you, there are other district with various different atmospheres waiting for you just outside the city center.

In the District Spotlight [ Click to Expand ]

Blossomcrown is a modern city, but not as futuristic as the central district. Cherry blossom trees have been planted on the side of the streets to give some color for the otherwise gray scenery. It's a busy place with a central park full of spring flowers in the middle, that gives some much needed peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of the city. There's even the famous Botanical Garden open to all visitors. It's a home to many exotic plants that can't be grown anywhere else (that's safe, at least). There are also plenty of butterflies and bees living in the gardens. Attached to the building it also a flower shop where anyone can purchase a plant for themselves - they're even divided by suitability for each district. But if plants aren't your thing, why not check out the concert venue, which is an arena made for holding concerts. It can be transformed into both an outdoor and indoor venue by opening or closing the roof. Anyone can book the venue to hold a concert as long as they have the funds to do it. They will even advertise your concert for you everywhere!

Those who really just want to see something that's not a city, why not try Frostreign? Sure, it's very cold but there aren't very many buildings. It's more like a small village in the middle of Eternal Winter. The easiest ways to move around here are sledding, skiing and sleigh rides, where either excited huskies or chill reindeers will take people on a ride around the district. There are some snowmobiles too for those, who want to try them. One of the most popular locations is the giant, nevermelting ice castle in the center of the town, where kids love to play hide and seek. It's also a popular locations for dates, as the natural magical crystal lights inside the castle make the place look romantic. Another popular spot is the ice hole, where some brave souls go either swimming and some others at least try staying in the icecold water for a little moment before running to the Sauna Spa! It's an area full of different kind of saunas but it also doubles up as an inn, and due to knowing Otherworlders were going to come today, it's even available for booking!

Those who want to test out their powers right away, Dayrise is the place to go! The Grand Colosseum is designated for power holder practice for at least the following week. After that the natives would like to watch sports again rather than continuous fighting, but even then you're welcome to use the colosseum when there's a chance. After testing your powers, the luxurious baths of Dayrise are a good treat. They're all public baths and none of the natives are ashamed of being naked for hours with strangers. They will also encourage anyone coming with a towel to throw it away.

Part 2

Around the city of Nightwake, Valentine's Day is being celebrated. There are plenty of decorations, all in pastel colors (mainly pink). The Spring Segment districts have also contributed by giving all other districts flowers for decorations for some pleasing aromas. Most of the restaurants also have discount for those who dine together instead of alone.

There are plenty of treats that lift up your mood. Eating too much of the treats results in becoming very clingy to the next person they see. The effect usually wears off in half an hour, but it could take longer depending on how many treats you've eaten.

Another popular Valentine's are the game stalls that are intended to be taken on as couples. Anything you win will only be given to your partner. If you play alone, all you get is a round of applause even if you'd do a new high score. These game stalls include a lot of classic from carnivals and festival, racing with horses or vehicles and even video games.

Each district has a small stall that acts as a starting point for the main Valentine's Day challenge. The goal is to travel from one check point to another within the district while holding hands with someone. There is a small task to be done at each checkpoint (like eating a full course meal or popping balloons while still holding hands). The point is to never let go of your partners' hand. Once the pair gets to the end of the course they get a reward.

The reward for getting past the course is a free item from Riki's Rewards (any prize) and a pair of friendship bracelets that sends messages to its pair bracelet (like "I miss you", "Let's meet up").

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The Segments

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Part 1

Exploring the city isn't something that interests you? Well, the four bridges that lead to the Seasonal Segments are always open and you're definitely allowed to go outside. However, due to the summoning magic, the dark energy outside the city has temporary gone haywire and all of the Segments are suffering from their natural disasters at the same time.

Winter Segment is suffering from a raging blizzard and the usual beautiful landscapes are just a white blur for the time being.

Spring Segment is in the middle of a hurricane, with all of the lightest beings being picked up and tossed all over the place with the wind.

Summer Segment is literally on fire. Only the rain forests and jungles, as well as the Great Ocean Lake are safe from it.

Autumn Segment is suffering from a thunderstorm. Chances of getting struck by lightning are quite high should someone step in.

If you're prepared for the weather, no one is going to stop you from going out to explore. It might be a good idea to bring a friend with you. Luckily, the natural catastrophes calm down after two days and the Segments are more normal after that. So it might actually be worth a while to wait before going out.


Part 2

After the storm the sun shines and sheep appear [ Click to Expand ]

When you venture out to the Spring Segment after the storm, there's a herd of Fabric Sheep wandering near the Flower Yard. These sheep are tame and while they usually run and hide, sometimes they look for people to help them get their wool sheared. Luckily natives on the Dayrise bridge are handing out shearing scissors for those who would like to help.

The sheep get scared very easily, but if you don't make too many sudden movements, you will be able to do your job easily. The sheep might even boop you gently as a thanks before heading off again. If you're mean to sheep, however, you might get an angry Gravity Goat chasing you.

Anyone who visits the Flower Yard of any of the Segments will hear a story from a native there. A story of the magic that has been put in place that lets all the otherworlders "respawn" to their respective Flower Yard if they die in Ellipsa. The flower will be the same as it is in everyone's charms. The natives say that more details can be asked from the main four seasonal power holders, but that they've heard it's painless for otherworlders to emerge from the flower.

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All Aboard

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Part 1

After the Segments have settled down, a message appears on everyone's smartphones. Everyone is invited to join some observational cruises at the Airship Station in Nightwake District. There are four different ships leaving at the same time, but if you come back again later you will be able to go to them all eventually. The trip targets are the Seasonal Segments. Of course, there are long instructions as to how one should dress to handle the different weather they would be experiencing while in the air. You have time to shop as the invitation is open for a good while.

The Airship Station is a very modern, almost futuristic, place with a lot of docks with various airships lined up. Most of the ships there are used for in-city transportation and there are various holographic displays that tell how many ships are available and where. Various restaurants are also found here and view from the ones on top of the building is amazing. There's time to look around, but your final destination is the biggest docks at the end of the station.

The point of these cruises is to give otherworlders a chance to see what the Segments are like without interacting with the monsters down below. The ships will fly to the airship station of each Segment and then come back a different route to cover as much of the segment as possible. In total the trip is said to take four days.

Because of the length of the trip, everyone has been provided with a simple two to four person cabin (with their own bathroom/shower) and three meals are served per day throughout the trip. Snacks can also be found from the cafeteria and they're free of charge.

Enjoy the view, bond with your fellow passengers and relax. Staying on the deck is safe, especially if you don't start leaning over the rails to look down.

Part 2

The old lady and her cats [ Click to Expand ]

Each airship station in the segments is unique in their own right. They're not very well-kept like the one in the city and various weather changes have definitely modified them to look old and worn down.

Strangely enough, each of the airship stations has someone living there; an old lady with a herd of different cats depending on the season: winter cats are spirits that can be seen by anyone due to them taking control of stuffed animals, spring cats are part flowers, summer cats look like small lions or tigers and autumn cats are essentially the same as will-o'-the-wisps but in cat shape.

The old ladies explains that they are quite comfortable living there and don't have any plans to "evacuate". They will kindly decline anyone who tries to help them. The airship staff explains there are some special arrangements in place to help them live in the stations as those are safe places to stay in.

Each of the ladies will tell you a story. Winter lady will talk about the Watchtower and who used to live there, spring lady will tell all about the abandoned farm and its owners, summer lady talks about the abandoned castle and its royalty and autumn lady tells about the abandoned mansion and who used to be the lord.

If you talk to the same lady again later the story is different. She tells a different version of the story every time she is talked to. No one is really sure which of the stories is true because of how many versions are circulating around.

The ships only stay docked at the station for as long as the staff of the airship delivers some food and other necessities to the old ladies and then it's back towards the city again. Of course, nothing stops anyone from leaving the ship and experiencing the segments themselves.

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OOC TIPS

- Ask your questions related to the TDM here.

- The TDM is available only to friends of the mods and their friends. If you want to play in the TDM, please leave a note here to inform us who invited you over. We will get to you as soon as possible.

- The TDM is game canon so anything in the TDM can happen for your character(s) in the game as well.

- Smut is not allowed on the TDM. You can play situations leading to it, but if the thread is turning into smut, please move it to a private space such a post in your character's journal, or a locked post in the game's log community if you decide to app!

- Check Locations: City to find more areas to explore inside the city. Every place in the districts are open, except for the Guilds for now.

- Similarly, Locations: Segments is useful for outdoors adventures.

- You can find monsters to encounter on Beastiary, including information on the two mentioned on the TDM.

- FAQ has information on characters' smartphones as well as general things about the world that might be handy.

- Feel free to also hit our EMP/ATP meme while you're here!

code bases by tricklet

Comments

Malleus Draconia | Twisted Wonderland | Rev CRAU(spring)

[tsunotaro]

Arrival 2
[Malleus sat through all of this, trying to take it in, but eventually he got bored and had a hard time focusing, sighing and pressing his lips together in annoyance. But it is some kind of recording, and the man in the illusion doesn't seem to care, nor does he seem to notice when Malleus raises a hand, so he supposes he will just have to figure things out later.

He shuffles a little, uncomfortable in a room with too many people in it before being freed.]

I am kind for a fairy, but even I am reaching the end of my patience when it comes to helpfulness.

[He grunts, wrinkling his nose before looking to someone nearby.]

I don't suppose you could make heads or tails of that lesson.

Frostreign
[He might have been given Spring powers, but Malleus is a winter. Also he is just so ready to havesome space to himself, outside of cities, where people may not go so often. So as soon as he is able, he's GONE into the winter wonderland. Of course, this means he does come across the big, nevermelting ice castle.]

....... Hmmm....

Not very convenient for me, but still...

[He has to go see. You might come across Malleus either at the entrance to the castle, heading inside to explore, or you may see him teleporting up to the roof, looking for any signs of GARGOYLES.]

Spring Hurricanes
[A little weather never bothered Malleus. A lot of weather also never bothered Malleus. And what better time than in the middle of a hurricane to let himself loose, and take the form of a large black dragon. This is maybe not the BEST way to take a shower, but it does mean that if he finds someone else attempting to come out into the gale-force winds, he can offer them some shelter.

... If he can try to spook them a little first. It's a small price to pay, right? If he spots someone in the hurricane, he'll summon up a green bolt of lightning before leaning his head in, big enough to easily eat a man whole, and give a little growl to see how spooked they get.]

Airship Cruise

[Does he NEED an airship ride? A dragon who can fly, and who can teleport and everything? Probably not, but he also doesn't need to ride in a car and that was still a pretty fun time for him. Malleus gets on in his wanderings, drawn in by the fact that he's never seen an airship.

It's a lot of people, but that's ok. He's getting used to people! And besides, he is here to see the world from above without the need to fly himself up there. He can be found wandering the airship at any point, though he prefers to be out during the night, and often ends up looking over the edge of the deck at the world below.]

Arrival 2 - also Rev CRAU

[poisonista]

Not really, and I actually bothered to pay attention.



[ His gaze fixes on Malleus though, and for a moment, he pauses in surprise as his thoughts seem to clear somewhat. There's something like recognition- one that grows more familiar as he looks at him, before pondering over the thought of whether Malleus recognizes him or not.

Not just from home, but... ]

... Malleus. You too...

Re: Arrival 2 - also Rev CRAU

[tsunotaro]

[It is just too much, even for Vil.]

Ah...... I am glad to see that you are here too. [Thank goodness. He was already at the end of his patience, but he can recharge his batteries with Vil. Oh. Wait a second. They're not in that dream anymore, are they? Or.... is this a new dream?]

Are we still dreaming, Vil?

[poisonista]

[ No longer dreaming... and the fact that he doesn't call him just "Schoenheit"...

That alone is enough to fill him with relief, and he exhales softly. ]


"I walked with you... Once upon a dream..." didn't I?

[ He's watching Malleus with a gentler look now, and he steps closer to him- just to make sure Malleus still welcomes him in his space. His head feels more clearer the closer he gets. ]

To think we'd both awaken to another reality together.

spring hurricanes

[kerontribution]

[What are the odds of there being two black dragons flying around this particular hurricane?

Apparently good enough! Another dragon swoops after him. It seems they want to chase...?]

Re: spring hurricanes

[tsunotaro]

[He has met other dragons before, but it surprises him every time! He doesn't expect to be chased, but he launches off quickly enough after seeing it come after him. This is the kind of exercise that he doesn't get very often! It's very exciting!]

[kerontribution]

[It's time to play! Oryou flies after him, a sleek serpent to Malleus' more Western winged version.

Her normal voice comes out clearly as she chases after him - a bright laugh. She's having fun.]

Arrival 2

[littlesilhouettoofaman]

[Wanderer just wants to get out of here. He tosses the smartphone aside as he walks because he simply doesn't really think it is of any use to him.

Yet when he hears a voice behind him he stops to look over his shoulder. That is one stupid question.]

Do you have ears? [A pause.] Perhaps you should use them for listening next time.

Re: Arrival 2

[tsunotaro]

[Hmmm! He huffs.]

I could hear it all, but it was mostly noise. And so much of it? How is it that mortals can stand to speak for so long, when their lives are so short?

Arrival 2

[conceptheart]

[It took him a moment to realize the other was speaking to him, he wasn't used to being addressed before. Well, he wasn't used to people, and talking with them sort of fell under that umbrella didn't it?

And this person was... very tall. He did not know they made people so tall. How interesting!]

I... didn't understand most of it. I just woke up.

[Using the term "woke up" here very very loosely.]

What's a fairy?

Re: Arrival 2

[tsunotaro]

[That's fair. Malleus wasn't paying attention, and he has literally no other excuse other than that he got bored and one cannot make a fairy do anything when he gets bored.]

.... You do know know of fairies? How very interesting.

Fairies are immortal creatures, magical in nature. We are unlike mortals in ways that I... do not really know how to explain, but we experience time differently, and magic to us is akin to blood for mortals. Of course it is not actually blood, we have regular blood too.

spring hurricanes!

[fatefulprince]

( Go to the Spring Segment, they said ... it'll be fun, they said ...

Well, this sure is a hurricane and a half. In fact, Corrin is more than less enthused about it. His clothes are getting absolutely soaked! Fortunately, though - he's a water dragon, and he figures that transforming will assist him in taking the brunt of the storm.

He changes into his dragon form - an armoured white dragon with navy blue accents appearing only around the size of a horse. Thrusting hard with his wings, he flies up through the falling rain, until he notices a shadow flying close to him. Is that ... another dragon? Oh, Gods. Help! What if they eat him?!

The smaller dragon wishes he could give some sort of body language to say, "Hey! I'm a friendly dragon! Please don't eat me!" But he just decides to climb even higher instead. If worst comes to worst, he can always run. Right? )

Re: spring hurricanes!

[tsunotaro]

[Ohhh! Another dragon, but this one is so small! He used to be that size, just recently, but he was being suppressed to be so small!

Oh, it is flying off! So fast. A more socially-aware dragon would see that this is probably because he is big and scary and frightening the little guy away, but this is Malleus, so instead he thinks this is a fun game of tag! So he flies after the smaller dragon, trying to gain on it. What will he doe if he catches up? Probably nothing, but he's not thinking about that now.]

Airship cruise

[unactualized]

[Somehow Leona managed to miss spotting Malleus at arrival, which is probably just as well for everyone else's sake. Though it does mean when he takes a walk on the deck at night looking for somewhere to watch the night sky, he spots the painfully familiar face of the other prince there with him.

This is just his luck, isn't it?

He clears his throat, because like hell he's going back inside just because Malleus is out here.]

So the All-Mighty Malleus got dragged here too, huh?

Re: Airship cruise

[tsunotaro]

[Malleus also didn't spot Leona when he boarded, but that's just his usual lack of spatial awareness.

He doesn't really expect to see Leona of all people when he hears the voice and turns to look, but who else could it be?]

Ah, hello Kingscholar. So I have.

[He just... looks at him for a bit, assessing the situation.]

What an odd place to meet, way up here.

Airship Cruise - also Rev CRAU!

[unnecessaryflourishes]

[Truth be told, neither of them particularly need airships to travel. But that hardly means they are any less enjoyable for it, or so Emet-Selch is inclined to believe. That it also means he doesn't have to expend any personal effort in traveling is simply an added bonus, as far as he's concerned.

Still, he takes his time to make the most of it, and if he's surprised to find a familiar face standing at the edge of the deck... well. It wouldn't be the first time in recent days.]

Enjoying the view, hmm?

[tsunotaro]

[Sometimes you don't WANT to expend the energy! And a cruise is enjoyable anyway, especially if you want to meet people.

Malleus offers a smile and a wave to Emet.]

Hmm! Indeed. It is always interesting to see a new land from above this way. And nice... that it is so large that it takes even this flying device so long.

spring hurricanes, she's also a rev crau (and vil tells her about him hehe)

[trueholy]

[ Please do not ask her what she is doing attempting to be out in the middle of a hurricane. That would make too much sense to ask.

Truthfully though, her explorations may have taken her a bit too far and into the bad weather. When she spots the dragon she still approaches. Quickly enough she will take a step back at the green bolt of lightening and the possible incoming dragon head. ]

Whoa there! Just passing by!

:3c yesss excellent

[tsunotaro]

[Unfortunately, Malleus will ask, coming to a stop before he could actually hurt her. He's just trying to have a laugh, after all.]

Ah! Haven't I seen you about before...?

[When he lands, he opens his wings to be a buffer between Venat and the storm.]

What are you doing out in this weather?

Arrival 2

[somnulentus]

[The unusual nature of it is what keeping Silver alert. Or he tries to, as he haven't ascertain if this situation is dangerous or not. Falling asleep before he figure it out would be risky. Hearing that entire speech from the strange man... didn't help him find the answer.

But he see no reason to dismiss it, yet.

Fortunately, he seems to spot a familiar figure. He blinks for a moment, just to make sure he's truly awake. And quickly walks over.]

Lord Malleus.

[He's glad to see Malleus, despite the unusual circumstances. As for his question...]

I understand that we're brought here. As for if it's true or not... I would need to test to see if I have these "seasonal" powers.

[There's that thing about touching? He'll think about that later, the powers seem like it's more important to verify first.]

Re: Arrival 2

[tsunotaro]

[Thank goodness for Malleus' height and his horns.]

Ah, Silver... It feels like it has been ages since last I saw you. You wish to test out the new powers then?

[It probably is important to mess with those, but Malleus didn't feel a particular need to do so just yet. Still, he will support Silver's curiosity!]

What kind do you think they are?

Airship Cruise

[turneditin]

[Besides the airship Malleus is riding there's a dragon riding the rain. It seems she is using the rain as stepping stones and literally running on it, instead of actually flying. Sisu is enjoying himself and at the same time making sure the area around the airship is safe... but mostly just enjoying herself.]

Re: Airship Cruise

[tsunotaro]

[You know, somehow he never would have expected to see a dragon flying up around the airship, but more than that he never expected he would see a Long! Which he has a four hour lecture loaded on why they are a different thing from the kind of dragon that he is, but that's hardly what he's thinking about now as he watches her fly with an awed expression on his face, like he's some human who has never seen a dragon.]

cruise

[at_heart]

[ Yuri, who very much cannot fly anymore, is nevertheless perched on the railing with the utmost confidence in his balance and apparently zero fear of falling or death, one foot kicking the air idly while the wind takes his hair. ]

Nice night for it, huh?

[tsunotaro]

[Malleus has no way of knowing that the guy can't fly, although he DOES generally assume that if you don't actively have horns or aren't holding a broom you probably can't...

But he looks pretty comfortable where he is to not be alright.]

It is.

I admit that despite myself, I have not seen many places from so far up. From here, it almost looks like stars on the ground as well as in the sky.