seasonsrpg | Event #3: Can't Defeat the Temple

Event #3: Can't Defeat the Temple

Can't Defeat the Temple
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Game Start

Part 1

A new message appears on everyone's smartphones. There's been a change in the Temple of Life: the door has finally opened! No one knows how or why, but the sensors left by quest goers alerted them to it suddenly being open. Preparations are made in each guild to finally explore what's inside it.

Those interested in helping are greeted by researchers in the guilds that will provide everyone with one single use item: Escape Rope: an item they found out about while investigating the temple. Should the Temple really prove to be a place "no one can return from" they should be able to use this rope to escape. It should teleport the person using it (just one) outside of the place they're in (can only be used indoors). Of course the rope can be saved for later use if it becomes unnecessary. Everyone also gets basic climbing and survival items, just in case. They have no idea what to expect inside, but better safe than sorry, right?

The new Teleport Crystal system will get you to the Temple of Life in a minute, but no one is forbidden to use a longer route if they want to travel rather than take the easy route. Once they get to the Temple (the teleport stones take them to the surroundings of the fountain in the courtyard) they will notice a lot of natives collecting various tropical fruits as the area is safe and the fruit are nice and nutritious. Anyone eating a fruit will notice a boost in stamina, too.

All that's left now is to climb the stairs and enter the Temple of Life.

Part 2

Inside the Temple of Life is a "lobby". It's actually just an empty room made with the same stone as the temple, but it has four different doors, each with a different symbol: lightning strike, snowflake, fire and a hurricane of sand.

Characters inside will notice that the door they walked in from is now gone (of course) and they may feel different as the temple has stripped them off of all their powers, including Seasonal ones. Instead they may feel like they're lighter (their jumping ability has increased to triple their normal one) and that they have three holographic hearts on top of their heads.

There's a holographic display near the doors and a shelf for laser guns. The display says the following:

This is the Gigaman simulator. Welcome, players. Each of you have been given three extra lives. Once all of your total of four lives have been used inside the levels you will get a Game Over. For native participants this unfortunately means you Die.

However, otherworlders! You are in luck. If you die four times inside the simulator you will be thrown out of the simulator, into the courtyard of the temple and you can try again! Dying is painless. Getting hit, unfortunately, is not. You have ten regular hits before you lose a life. Your lives are indicated by the hearts on top of your heads.

Things that will instantly kill you include: lava, falling into an endless pit and spikes.

Please take a laser gun and enter the level. You may bring any other items as well, but your powers will be gone and so will the special effects of the items. Except for the legendary "Escape Rope". That is something that can bypass our system. Keep the rope at hand if you get scared. If you lose your other items inside the levels, do not worry, they will appear outside. However, if you lose your laser gun it will reappear next to you.

Oh and you may keep the laser gun afterwards.

The question is: cAN yOu deFEAt [redacted]?

Well, the choice is yours. Do you enter one of the doors or use the escape rope to get out of the temple?

Part 3

All of the levels start with a normal room of just the environment of the level. But there, in the starting point of the place, there are natives of Ellipsa sitting around with a look of defeat and desperation on their faces. They're physically fine as the simulator grants you the ability to just ignore hunger and other basic needs, but they're also stuck here. It seems the simulator is just too hard for them to get past. Most of them have no holographic hearts over their head or just one: they're close to dying and don't want to take the risk.

Escape ropes are their only hope of getting out of the place and they promise anything if you give them the item and help them escape.

If you give away your Escape Rope, the only way to leave is to either Game Over or Finish the Level. Good luck, players.

(There are also some natives in various other parts of the game, too scared to go further or go back. They can also be saved by taking them with you to the end and defeating the boss monster together but if they die, they die, so there is a risk in that method.)

The Levels [ Click to Expand ]

All basic monsters and boss monsters are weak to the laser gun. Some can even be jumped on to decrease their health.

Electricity
Design: A factory with plenty of platforms and conveyor belts over bottomless pits (or spikes) that change directions occasionally. The main hazard of the level is the beams of electricity that will damage players. They can be switched around with buttons, but deactivating one beam will activate another.
Instant Deaths: Bottomless Pits, Spikes

Basic Monsters: Ufo Catcher (a claw with googly eyes that will try to drop characters into a pit or spikes), Small Robot (small robots that throw wrenches at players), Slinky (slinkys with googly eyes that won't stop for anything)

Final Boss: Squirmle: A slinky minion mass-producing machine (looks like one of those Worms on String with googly eyes, but mechanical). Occasionally fires electric shocks that stun players for 5 seconds while the minions attack them. Weak to Smokescreen as the sand jams its machinery and makes it temporarily lose the ability to produce minions.
Boss Loot: Laser Gun Upgrade: Electric Shock (damages and has a chance to stun the opponent)

Snowflake
Design: A snowy mountain cave with active waterfalls. The ground is slippery (ice physics!) and some of the platforms have a limit as to how many times you can jump/walk on them (they reappear after a time). Occasionally, while on a normal platform, a strong stream of water will fall on it, intending to push players into a bottomless pit (it can be predicted by a few drops of water before it).
Instant Deaths: Bottomless pits

Basic Monsters: Snowmen (throw very sharp carrots at players), Skeletal Fish (fish that appear from the waterfalls and spit out lasers), Yeti (a monster that will try to stomp on players)

Final Boss: Frosty: A bipedal monster made of spiky ice (doesn't have a distinct form to refer to, just looks like a giant block of animated ice) that breathes a frosty breathe that both damages and makes players go slower. Tries to stomp players by jumping high in the air. Weak to Fire Bullets, as they will melt it little by little.
Boss Loot: Laser Gun Upgrade: Ice Beam (damages and has a chance to slow down an opponent)

Flame
Design: Inside of a volcano where all bottomless pits are lava pits. Platforms are mostly normal, until a notorious section where the only way to get over a lava pit is to jump on disappearing blocks. Learn the pattern and follow it. Occasionally lava rocks will fall from the ceiling (but luckily not during the disappearing block section).
Instant Deaths: Lava

Basic Monsters: Demonic Fireballs (fireballs that jump around from spot a to spot b and hurt a lot when they hit), Lava Bomb (occasional lava rock with googly eyes that can move towards players like a homing missile), Fireman robot (a robot that will try to douse fires with scorching hot water).

Final Boss: Lavadoom: A volcano headed monster (a volcano with eyes, mouth, arms and legs) that shoots fire bullets and lava rocks at players. Occasionally makes part of the floor be literal lava that burns players health little by little. Weak to Electric Shock as it will stun the monster for long enough to turn off the volcano on its head and then you can jump on it.
Boss Loot: Laser Gun Upgrade: Fire Bullets (damages and has a chance to cause burn damage over time)

Sandstorm
Design: A desert area full of bottomless pits and rocks with spikes. The floor is mostly quicksand that can only be crossed if you stay constantly in movement. Late in the level massive sandstorms will block players' view and push them towards the pits and spiked rocks, making movement during it very dangerous.
Instant Deaths: Bottomless Pits, Spikes

Basic Monsters: Walking Cacti (cactus that shoot spikes at players), Angry Missiles (ride the sandstorms and try to hit players), Sandworms (appear from the sand and try to bite the player)

Final Boss: Hurrisand: A bipedal sand monster (looks a bit like a it could be a human, but at the same time has animal features, not to be mixed with a certain Looney Tunes character) that will turn into a literal sandy hurricane that makes it hard to see anything and makes bullets miss. Weak to Ice Beam because it slows it down so that it can't turn into a hurricane.
Boss Loot: Laser Gun Upgrade: Smokescreen (enables easier escape from situations)

You're free to challenge all of the levels and gain all of the upgrades to the laser gun, which you can then use outside the temple as a weapon. Even after all of the natives are rescued or all of the levels have been beaten, you can re-enter the levels and do them again. You won't get the boss loot again, however.

When Your Heart's Not Open

Part 1

Back in the city, the weather is strangely cold in every district (except the central one that's safe due to the artificial weather there). Even the hottest of them, Solarpeak, is advising people to wear long-sleeved shirts, just in case, even if the temperature only drops to +10 Celsius/50 degrees Fahrenheit at worst.

The reason for the unexpectedly cold weather is simple: a cold breeze travels through the whole city. Sometimes the wind even appears white, as if it's laced with snow and ice. It's easy to tell that this is not a normal sort of wind, but a very magical one.

The wind indeed has a special effect: there's a chance of the wind freezing someone's heart. This doesn't instantly kill anyone, but instead it starts to freeze people from inside out. This effect especially targets people who either have secrets or have feelings that they hide. The freezing is a slow and painful process, taking two weeks to completely encase someone in ice. Once that happen they will end up breaking into pieces and die.

Somehow this wind doesn't affect the plant life or animals at all.

Part 2

Scientists are quick at work to work on a cure. They have found that there are certain ingredients in all four of the Segments that when mixed together into a potion will undo a frozen heart. So, to help those affected, there are some options that you can do.

Stay in the City to take care of the affected. The key to healing a frozen heart is not only the potion that they will make but also affection. So those brave enough to touch someone who feels cold as ice to touch are encouraged to hug and cuddle, tell them positive things about them and making sure they're comfortable. This will ease the pain and slow the spreading down.

Head to one of the Segments to find the ingredients. The guilds are helping with the preparations to go outside and providing anyone interested clear instructions and maps on where to find them:

• Winter Segment: Bottom of the Unfrozen Lake, a coral that can survive in cold temperatures
• Spring Segment: Breeze Hills, the eggs of a monstrous Firebird (a bird that has wings made of fire that spits out fireballs, not to be confused with a phoenix)
• Summer Segment: Deserter's Desert, a special cactus flower that only blooms during a sandstorm
• Autumn Segment: Mushroom Sanctuary, a special mushroom that only grows on top of the mushrooms that are a size of a house

Once all the necessary ingredients have been found and delivered, people can also participate in potion making. The more people helping with making potions, the quicker everyone affected can get their potions and be cured. The potion is successful if it smell like a warm fireplace during a winter night.

The Towering Jenga Heights

Part 1

The VR Arcade of the Underground is holding a special event: they have managed to come up with a technology where you can minimize yourself and enter board games! They're looking for volunteers to test this new way of gaming.

For example, there are games like Jenga, Monopoly, Chess, Hungry Hungry Hippo, Checkers, Scrabble and many, many more! The games are made to fit the tiny people, but are also very realistic. Oh and Monopoly has an actual jail, but the money is as fake as can be.

It seems Jenga in particular is at its regular size and people will have to climb to push pieces out. That definitely seems like a fun challenge? Everyone gets a safety rope that's attached to poles around the Jenga towers, that will act as sort of a safety bungee jump rope.

Usually the minimized effect wears off once you end the game and leave the game board, but occasionally the technology glitches and leaves players small. The unexpected side effect wears off between 2 to 12 hours.

Anyone who did participate in the experiment will either get a month of free VR gaming time or a handheld gaming console with classic 8-bit games like Tetris.

Part 2

Those stuck in a tiny form longer than expected may discover jumping platforms to the fairy mall. It's located in the ceiling of the Underground Mall and is fit for small people like fairies. Here the fairies are all visible as they go about shopping and relaxing. They're all friendly and will make sure you have a lovely time relaxing in this small fairy oasis. Be warned, however, that the food here is strictly for fairies so if you eat it, you might end up sprouting fairy wings for a week. And not necessarily on your back.

Don't worry, you can't turn back to your regular size in the middle of the fairy mall. The magic there prevents that for the duration. Once you return by jumping onto one of the cushions left below the mall, you will return to regular size.

For souvenirs, why not buy a little bit of fairy dust? It's useful for potions, as it gives them stronger magical capabilities but used as is will make anyone be able to fly for 24 hours. The problem is you cannot use it on yourself or else it will horribly backfire and turn you into a talking frog for 24 hours.

OOC TIPS

• Ask event related questions here.

• Smut is not allowed on the event post, so if your thread is heading that way, please move it to a private entry of your own (your own entry or a new locked post on the comms).

• Remember to content and spoiler warn as necessary!

• All of the prompts happen around the same time but you can get affected by the frozen wind after visiting the Temple of Life or the other way around.

• All natives will be rescued by the end of the month, but the Temple can be accessed later just for fun.

• The frozen hearts potion will be done by the end of the month as well.

Temple of Life
• More Escape ropes can be picked up from the guilds to save more natives, but there's no way to tell there's someone trapped inside until someone goes in, so they'd have to get back after the first visit.
• Smartphones do not work inside the Temple of Life.
• You are very much allowed to work together inside the temple.
• The boss door will only open once the previous group of players has defeated it and have been transported out of the Temple. Then the boss will respawn.
• No one will have basic human needs inside the temple. It's basically a simulator so it doesn't matter how long you spend in there. Once you get out you might need to refuel on touch energy and food as soon as possible, but other than that all one needs to worry is surviving the temple.
• We admit the inspiration for this came from "I can't defeat Airman" without shame.

Frozen Hearts
• The event can affect anyone, not just those with secrets and hidden feelings.
• At the same time, the event can completely miss people as well.
• Samples of the wind can be collected and analyzed but it will turn out as a classic "it's magic" explanation.

• Reminder that this month is Activity Check-in month and check-in ends on July 31st, at 23:59 PST.

code bases by tricklet

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Planet-

[ She'd already forgotten about that silly little planet she made up, only remembering it when Cloud brings it up. Heheh... she can't help but laugh now, covering her mouth with a balled fist, if only because she can't summon her fan right away. ]

Hehe... I suppose. But you would still be the only Cloud for me. I like my Cloud best.

[ ~~Okay but five Clouds against one Ayaya though gasdgdsgs~~ ]

And I only need one Ayaka.

[ ~~...one per hand and hole. ASDFJKLFLADK~~ ]

[ See? This is the kind of sap that Cloud gives her that makes her want to suck his dick later when they get home fDSAGSDGHs ]

I should bring the block back up, now.

[ They should cut it out for now and get back to the game fadsgsd ]

Excuse me.

[ 'u' With a bow, she summons some wind to bring her back up again. ]

[ Cloud holding the bedframe for dear life over here. ]

[ Maybe it's because of their current size...but they don't have as much control over the tower as they would when they were much bigger. So tugging and pushing on blocks only makes the tower even more precarious with time. So when it's Cloud's turn? He takes a piece from near the top, enough weight coming down that it wouldn't rattle everything else so easily. Even if, as he withdraws it and brings it down on his turn, the tower can be seen swaying. If only momentarily.

...

Phew. Okay. They're good. As for what's on his block?

It's his turn. His turn to laugh, albeit a short one as he presents it to Ayaka too.

He's not even going to read it out for her. She can see for herself as he answers rather quickly. ]

Deep and slow then hard and fast NEXT.

[ UP HE ZOOMS. STACKS THE BLOCK. MOVING ON. ]

[ Oh! He's going by this rather quickly, isn't he? As soon as Cloud's placed the block up on the tower, Ayaka doesn't even wait and is already up in the air to get her next one.

It's as she's going back down with her block that she wonders if he's getting impatient. There's nothing she can say about his response when she likes both of those. . . It can go in any order, especially if they haven't seen each other in so long or just if both of them are in the mood and need it now.

May as well get this over with, too.

"Favorite sex position?" ]

Mm... all of them? [ She can't look him in the eye when she says this, goddamn it. ] It feels especially good when you are behind me.

[ Impatient? More like...well, he wouldn't have minded finally getting something tame to be asked for once. But he also didn't want to subject Ayaka to them at the same time, either. This world has done a good job in tempering the debauchery, but sure enough...as a game that's intended for adults only despite the seemingly harmless nature of Jenga, perhaps he should have known better. One little burst was all he needed, on his own way down shaking his head and mentally telling himself to pull himself together.

Play along, answer truthfully, and then they can carry on with their day.

...

If he were being honest? He's curious about taking this game home. Something so simple, and aesthetically it would even fit in around the teahouse. Until they finish though? That's a "food for thought" in his head. ]

When I'm...behind you?

[ It's okay. He only needs a second for it to click, his face reddening once more. Oh don't think he hasn't forgotten railing her against the doorway back in Kyushu. ...or telling her to hold the playground rails tight while her little bunny tail wiggled adjusting to her wolf of a boyfriend. They hit him like a freight train, visuals in his mind's eye and he has to clear his throat. It's not even his turn to answer... ]

It, uh...feels really good for me too.

[ But this time, he'll spare her what's on his mind. She can hear those words from him later. How he'd like to hold her wrists nice and tight to force her to stay upright. ]

— — —

"Favorite..."

[ "Kink." ]

We haven't...done much besides the...

[ Basics? He doesn't say that like it's a bad thing! But still...what else have them done beyond having passionate sex, multiple times? Getting a blowjob from Ayaka, or eating her out in turn... Did he even count the moonless cursed nights? As crazy as it was for both of them, he...thinks he prefers his dick being human instead of all...wolflike. ~~But if it ever happened again... 💦~~ But as he taps his foot and stares at the block's letters, nothing visibly changes on it. His indecisiveness is unsatisfactory.

...

But if Ayaka can tell her beau that she likes it doggystyle, then... Even if it's just until they explore more kinks, he swallows thickly as he somehow finds the courage to keep his eyes on her. ]

You um— [ He almost tells her that she looked hot with his cum roped across her breasts after what they did in the tent earlier. But one thing stands out. ] Looked really good... In that shrine maiden outfit.

[ So costume play. ~~Be his slutty bunny again.~~ ]

[ Guess this is her cue to buy another slutty shrine maiden outfit for him... ]

It would seem that there is a quite a lot you would like to see me put on.

[ Those thigh highs, shrine maiden outfit, the naked apron... By no means is it a bad thing, but it does give her idea for the future. ]

Alright.

[ Wait, alright, what????? ~~get ready for your birthday Cloud~~ She nods as if she just agreed to something, but it's really just her way of saying that she'll try more clothes like those. Just for him!! No one else would be allowed to see. ]

You should put that back up on the tower, now. I'll get the next block.

[ Burning question was...would Ayaka want him to wear something in particular. Yet another question for later. ~~Extra convincing required for a dress.~~ ]

... Yup.

[ That's his answer. And he's sticking to it. Instead of stammering any more. Cloud's a lot more composed than this! Maybe it's because they're alone, yet in 'public' playing this game? ]

"Alright" what-

[ "You should put that back up on the tower, now. I'll get the next block." ]

Yes ma'am.

[ Up he goes once more! He's actually getting used to how the bungee feels as he comes down as well. It's a good security blanket for them, even if he doesn't feel tired whatsoever having both leapt up like this as well as tapped into Wind Magic to keep himself hovering as he was. Once his block is secured, mindful to slide it on the end, he notices something as he lets go. The structure is finally starting to show signs of potential instability... ]

Hey! [ Whether she's on her way up or waiting for him to get down, he calls to her as he descends. ] Careful with your next one! Things might start getting wobbly!

I shall be careful.

[ She was already up when he warns her, and she nods when their eyes meet as they're going opposite directions. This means she has to find a more stable block to get, then...

It does take her some time, going round and round before deciding on one. It doesn't seem like this tower will last for much longer, and in which case, they'd find out who wins, and then go back to the rest of their day! ]

Ah— [ WOBBLES... She's mid-pull of the block she's chosen now, but she hovers over to where the tower is leaning so use a bit of wind to push it back. Right, okay. Back to work!

Once she's down, it's obvious how tense she is because it was pretty scary up there! :( It's only when she's taken a deep breath that she sees her question. . .

"How active are you in bed? Do you like to lie there and take it or do you like to get the most bang for their buck?" And. . . this doesn't seem like something she can answer??? So she looks at Cloud for his opinion. ]

... I'm not sure what I am.

[ And he trusts her! Worse case scenario, he'll spring into action and catch her should anything revolving around the tower go sideways. He does visibly tense up, fists clenching with anticipation as the tower wobbles. ~~Like it was a serious threat...~~ Only for Ayaka to alleviate his worries with a single push of wind. Once she reaches the ground again though, he's right there with her. A hand upon her shoulder with a sigh of relief.

Now then! The question. ...that gets him throwing up an eyebrow too.

Really? "Bang for their buck"? ]

"Lie there and take it" makes me think if you like...did nothing? [ ... ] And you don't.

[ Ever. ]

[ ... Maybe she'll ask him later, if there's anything she should be doing to give him more pleasure. All she's getting right now is that there are things she needs to improve on, thanks to these questions. ]

I do find it fulfilling when we get intimate... so I suppose it would be the latter?

[ Is that what it means?? ?_? Either way, it seems to accept Ayaka's answer, so they can end this round. She goes back up and places the block at the top. Instead of going down right away though, she calls Cloud over. ]

I shall help you with the next one.

[ THANKS SEXY JENGA. 😠 ]

No supposin' about it.

[ Ayaka's great. ... honestly the best. She's learned a lot about him. And there's still so much for these two to explore when it came to the bedroom. But the best part? It's just one aspect of their lives. Only a part of what makes her so special to him. ... it also means he's going to be thinking a little too hard about what he can do to step things up for her pleasure too. Again. Thanks. JENGA. ]

Right.

[ This time, if they're going to be working together, he'll need to put more effort into actually hovering this time, instead of oh-so-slowly floating down. He can't hold Ayaka and throw her off her balance either. Taking a deep breath, exhaling through his mouth, his brow furrows as he focuses up and lunges into the air, catching up with her before triggering his own wind magic. This time, he's creating a controlled, condensed updraft of wind that's keeping just beneath his feet. Almost to the point that it feels like he's standing on a very thick and soft pillow. One that he won't sink through if he concentrates. ]

At this rate, we got maybe one or two more left.

[ Before it all comes down. ]

[ The whole game was kind of fun, but at the same time, it was a little embarrassing. It really will have come to an end, though, and it had to be sooner or later! She gives Cloud a nod, not really caring who wins or who loses at this point. ]

Alright. Let's do our best while the game is still ongoing.

[ Then they can go about their day!!

Though truthfully, she... kind of wants to ask if he'd like to do something together when they get home. 💦 ]

[ And right as Cloud secures one and starts to push against it, the motion causes the entire structure to actually twist on its base slightly. Something that gets the blond to outright freeze. If they don't straighten the bottom out now, the chances of it toppling were almost guaranteed.

But here's the thing... Cloud and Ayaka? They were literally pint-sized versions of themselves right now. And as strong as he was? Ayaka...well. Neither one of them should risk getting hurt due to the fact these things were practically oversized 2x4 planks. If he puts it back, maybe they can right the tower and try something else.

And yet as he looks to Ayaka by his side, helping him however she may be, he already knows his answer. They're doing their best. But his best efforts lie in keeping her safe. So, rather than attempt to push the block out the other end? He uses a little more strength, getting a grip on the block with both hands now that it's partially out the side...just enough that he can see what's written.

And the question? "Kissing during sex, yes or no?"

But of course. He smirks, realizing that this would be his loss after this. But to the victor go the spoils as he glances back to Ayaka. ]

I'll always kiss you.

[ No matter what they were doing. ...and especially when this game was done and they got home, frankly. ]

When I pull this out, this whole stack's gonna go.

Hm? What question did you get?

[ She can't see because he didn't pull it out all the way (yet)! Good to know that he would kiss her, though. Whatever that means!

But when it sounds like Cloud's made his resolve, and knows for himself that their game is at an end, Ayaka merely nods. It's cool! This was fun, and they got to learn more about one another. But at the end of the day? It's just a game. ]

I'll move away, then.

[ Well, she won't move too far away... But she does fly a little higher so that when the blocks end up falling one after the other, it won't be towards her direction. ]

Whether we'd kiss during sex or not.

[ SAID SO PLAINLY?!! ... Well since this is coming to an end anyway, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ]

Phew... 3...2...1...

[ And when he sees that Ayaka is clear? ]

Hmph!

[ Out it goes!! And with it, the rest of the blocks that sound like a bunch of heavy lumber crashing and spilling across the floor. In truth, it doesn't even scratch the floor they were standing on. They have been shrunken down, after all. He'd spin the block for victory, but, ]

Well. It's your win.

[ Best they let themselves come down now so they can get out of these mini bungee harnesses. That's when a disembodied voice that sounds like it's coming from a speaker fills the room as they descend.

"Thank you for playing our game! If you would like to play again, we'll reset the tower! Otherwise, please exit the board towards the exit sign once you've unfastened your harnesses." ]

[ HE JUST SAID THE S-WORD WITHOUT BEING SHY ABOUT IT!!! Goodness... her beau really is brave.

She keeps watch as he removes the block, making sure she's ready to swoop in in case something happens. Cloud can handle himself, but she'd like to be there for him just in case. But when it all goes tumbling down, and they've landed back on the ground, she's quick to give him a hug. ]

You fought well.

[ Not that she cares who won or not, but he's still worth commending. Ayaka is Cloud's #1 fan. ヽ(o＾▽＾o)ノ

The blocks disappear, seemingly now that the game is done. Before exiting though, she asks help from Cloud to help her out of the harness, and as usual, she takes his hand as they head out.

... only to find that Cloud isn't anywhere in the room?????? The rest of the room is empty, and it's only when she sets down her headset that... um. . . ]

[ She should be worried. She really should! But this is just so cute???? LOOK AT HER TINY BEAU. . . He can practically sit in her ~~chestplate~~ hand!!! ]

Oh dear. Hehe... you look so cute like this. But why didn't you change?

[ Why does she sound so happy???? ]

[ It's a "blink and you'll miss" kind of moment. But sure enough, when she looks down now that they've returned to reality, there he is, standing on the nearest countertop, arms crossed. He is not impressed. They were warned they may be temporary 'side effects', but this? Was not what he thought of. Now, unlike Ayaka as a kitten, when her body changed, he heard her regular voice.

Cloud...can still speak like this, so, ]

Beats me— !!

[ His eyes cross momentarily, his face twisting into a "wtf" kind of expression at himself and what just came out.

Oh. My god. His voice is like it's on helium. ]

[ Okay, okay. Now she gets worried. What did they do to her beau?! Why does he sound like that!!!! ~~what happened to his sexy voice~~

Is it because she's so high up? She bends down so she can talk to him closer, but keeps her voice soft so as not to deafen him. ]

I'm sorry... I just found you so cute that I could not help but be amused. Are you mad at me?

Huh?

[ It helps! ...his voice is still a higher pitch than normal though. But he raises a brow before shaking his head. ]

No? You didn't do this.

[ It just sucks because now he and his Buster Sword were miniature-sized. He'd be worried if not for the fact that, well...in his experience, things like this don't last for very long. Ayaka would know too! What with turning into a slime. Or a bunny. Or whatever else Nippon decided to throw their respective ways. It's just. Very inconvenient. He huffs a chipmunk-esque sigh before folding his arms as he looks up at her as if this no longer bothered him.

~~It does.~~ ]

This ain't the worst thing that's happened.

We were told that this could happen... Hopefully it will not be for long, though.

[ They really can't stay here forever, too! People might need to use the room next, after all.

Ayaka places her hand, face up, on the table. He can climb aboard the Ayaya Express and sit anywhere he likes. ]

I shall take care of you while we go home.

[ He half-frowns at this, before taking her up on her offer and hopping into the palm of her hand. ]

Thank you.

[ If they'd both been shrunken down? He would have suggested staying put. The hidden Fairy Mall will have to wait. ]

I'll just hop up on your shoulder then.

[ Oh! There's a small weight on her hand. She does her best not to let out a little laugh, but she honestly can't help it. She gives him a pat on the head with her other hand. A very, very gentle one! One that still ruffles the spikes on his head, anyway fgasdgd ]

Hehe... So cute. Up we go, little one.

[ She is most definitely enjoying this. (🎀＾◡＾)

Ayaka is slow, at least, when she brings her hand close to her shoulder so Cloud can hop on. Her dress has a collar, which should make it easy for him to hold onto in case he needs to balance himself. ]

Are you comfortable? I will try walking now, so please let me know if I need to slow down. [ And so, she walks towards the door at her normal walking pace. She'll adjust for Cloud if need be! ]

[ There he stands, on display as if he wasn't half the size of a twinkie. Arms crossed nonchalantly as she laughs before moving to oh-so-gently pat him on the head. That? Caught him completely by surprise. And if it were anybody else? He would have pushed it away. This is embarrassing enough as is, but he just...has to sit there and take it, his head moving with the light pressure of her hand ruffling his hair.

...

That doesn't stop him from giving a mini-scowl that's hard to see unless one squinted at him. ]

Little one?! Hey, that's—

[ Ah! Slow as she is, he doesn't brace himself and he fleetingly loses his balance, still managing to stay on his feet when she's lifting him to her shoulder. Lucky him? The collar does indeed help! So he hops on, turning around so that he's facing ahead with her as he has a hand upon said collar for support at first. Ah well. She's having fun with this.

...even if he can't help but feel like he had this coming. For some reason. ~~Some...adorably fuzzy, feline reason. But he can't quite place his paw on it.~~ ]

Feels way better up here than all the way down there. [ He's back to wearing a more relaxed expression now at least! He's already over the "little one" remark. adkfsjh ] Don't worry 'bout me, Ayaka. I got good balance.

Edited 2023-07-27 06:57 (UTC)

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