If you cannot teach me to fly . . .

[freedom_is_grey]

It only takes Dave ten minutes to pull Ysalwen away from the siren call of maps and ancient scrolls.

Then she and Liranan decide to show him their favorite places in Milliways.

One location to begin from is the tropical inlet. Because the water and the sand there are warm, and it's very much unlike anywhere else that Ysalwen has ever been.

Comments

[stridersgonnastride]

"spoilsport"

They pick up speed and altitude, rising up over the rocks and scrubby trees. Up ahead is a rock chimney that would require good boots, rope, and pitons, were they not airborne.

"second floor auto parts, women's fashion, kitchen appliances and and electronics

"going up"

[freedom_is_grey]

"It's what I do," Ysa says, laughing again.

Then --

"At least one of those things is in the sublevels -- the garage, I think they call it?"

She's just saying.

"It really is very beautiful when you can avoid it trying to kill you. The mountain, I mean. Nice."

[stridersgonnastride]

"i thought for sure you meant the elevator. very majestic and shit. all those glowing numbers and the very best of kenny g serenading you with his sexy saxophone. oh hell yeah

"i don't have a lot of fucking nature experience or whatever. when i'm in a town my needle's down on the groove. this isn't too bad"

And there's Liranan on the ground. They're catching up.

[freedom_is_grey]

"Well, it's certainly a feat of engineering, I'll give it that. Though I don't think I've ever seen its actual workings. That could be something."

Hmm.

Ysalwen whistles, suddenly, loud and piercing.

Liranan looks up, howling, and then puts his head down and keeps on running. He will win this race!

[stridersgonnastride]

"what come on y'all are a bunch of god damn cheaters"

Hang on, Ysalwen! Dave shoots straight up into the air, arms straining at the drag.

[freedom_is_grey]

Ysalwen sniffs. It might not be audible with all this wind, but still.

"We simply make the best of what circumstances allow us. And occasionally give circumstances a small nudge."

Hmmph.

[stridersgonnastride]

"i see how it is all right maybe you should have been a thief of light if that's how you feel about it"

Please don't be a Thief of Light, Ysalwen.

The air is cooler up here, but the top of the mountain is visible through the mist. Dave angles their flight so they're headed straight for it.

[freedom_is_grey]

"Oh, I'd make a terrible thief. And I hate the Chant of Light, so that's probably right out, too."

Ysalwen shivers a little, then pulls up her shields so that she is more impervious to the elements.

(And, you know. To falling.)

"All right, I suppose I don't hate it, quite. But it's -- the poetry can be beautiful, but what humans do with it -- no."

[stridersgonnastride]

"i have no fucking idea what you're talking about so it's probably not the same thing i'm talking about," Dave says with a grunt of effort.

"so hold that thought we're almost there where's the dog"

[freedom_is_grey]

"It seems likely."

Ysalwen peers up at him, frowning slightly.

"Are you all right? Should I -- "

Well.

"Do something?"

From below, Liranan howls again. Where are you, Ysa and Dave? He cannot find you! Are you that slow?

[stridersgonnastride]

"nope all good just maybe gotta do arm day more often

"do you even lift bro"

There! The last rise up to the peak. Dave zips forward, cape streaming out behind them.

[freedom_is_grey]

"I do a lot of sword drills and staff drills?"

It's . . . like lifting.

"And I carry a really heavy pack a lot."

What?

Meanwhile, Liranan is seated proudly on an immense boulder, panting happily.

Hello, Dave and Ysa! It only took you forever.

[stridersgonnastride]

"holy shit dude the cops are gonna have to give your dog a speeding ticket how fast does he go"

Dave lowers Ysa, hovering so she can gently touch down.

As soon as she's on solid ground, he rights the staff and unwraps the rope from around his arms.

[freedom_is_grey]

She leans over as if to inspect his wrists, hand dropping to her belt pouch in search of a healing poultice.

"Here, let me see, will there be bruising?"

Ysalwen worries, okay? A little. Sometimes. When someone is flying with her entire weight in their hands.

Yes.

Meanwhile Liranan yips cheerfully. He knows all the shortcuts, Dave! Let him show you! Ysa will come, too!

[stridersgonnastride]

"nah it's fine don't worry about it."

He does rub his wrists a little, but pulls carefully away from her if she tries to touch him or pull up his sleeve.

"okay so you were right about the view"

[freedom_is_grey]

Ysalwen keeps her hands to herself, pulling away from him a little at the first sign that he would rather she not.

Bodily autonomy is in short supply, some days. So.

"It makes this place feel bigger than it is, a little. And -- I don't know. I like being able to see everything all at once."

[stridersgonnastride]

"it's quiet up here too"

[freedom_is_grey]

Her smile is crooked, but her eyes are bright.

"Well, yes. That, too. And reasonably empty much of the time."

[stridersgonnastride]

"great perfect for disposing of people you don't need around anymore

"just fly up to the top, find a nice view and shove them off the edge. scenically. splat street pizza"

He's smiling a little too, mostly hidden behind the nonsensical tangent.

[freedom_is_grey]

"Well, considering I need you to get back down . . . "

You're stuck with her, Dave.

Woe.

[stridersgonnastride]

"yeah," he says. "but i don't need you

"i'll have to weigh the pros and cons. good singer, but very curious and edging toward nosy. totally badass magic user, kind of shrimpy and undersized. gives good bro, though. i guess you're okay for now."

Dave smirks and crosses his arms, still staring out at the grounds.

[freedom_is_grey]

"The appropriate amount of stealth nosy is a survival trait, I'll have you know."

She folds her own arms, looking out over the grounds and paying no attention to Dave at all.

Liranan attempts to mimic them with only a moderate level of success.

"And I get tired of the stealth when I don't have to play political games, so."

[stridersgonnastride]

"yeah sure whatever you say

"all the nosy broads want to know more about me it's the price you pay for as a strider for being so effortlessly cool"

Yep.

[freedom_is_grey]

"I'm sorry, who has an incredibly awesome facial tattoo?"

Not you, Dave.

Not you.