seasonsrpg | Event #1: Welcome, Adventurers

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Event #1: Welcome, Adventurers

Welcome, Adventurers
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Guild Playing Games With my Heart

Part 1

A new message on everyone's smartphones says that all the Guilds are finally open for business! Instructions on how to get to each one of them are sent with the message.

Each Season has their own Guild (Winter in Frostreign, Spring in Blossomcrown, Summer in Solarpeak and Autumn in Amberfall). Originally they were formed when the world was thriving and the natives were power holders, now they serve a purpose for aiding Otherworlders.

Although there are some aesthetic differences, all of the guilds have the same basic layout, which the newcomers are given a tour of:

The main floor is for information, containing computers that are connected between all guilds. Using them brings up holographic boards which contain information on each of the segments, with a focus on their home segment. You can find out here what the weather is like in each segment, what quests are available, an explanation on how the Flower Yards work, and even a list of powers that have been discovered and how to practice them.

The second floor is a place to go for combat practice, or just practice using your powers. There are simulators here that can be used to create a space to test your skills against virtual monster opponents or against other power holders, all with safety precautions to keep anyone from being injured.

The third and final floor is meant for relaxation and provides a temporary place to nap when necessary. Those who do quests on a regular basis will receive a key that opens their own, personal room for relaxation that can be customized as much as they want. It's void pocket space that doesn't appear unless the specific key is used or the owner invites someone in from the inside.

It's also the floor where the leaders of the guild have their own private space in that's a restricted area. They have their public office there as well.

However, the power holders are expecting everyone outside, in the backyard of the Guilds...

Part 2

The main event of the opening day of the guilds is a lesson on how to become more attuned with your new elemental magic. Some characters may already feel comfortable with them, but the Power Holders wish to help anyone who might still feel like they're struggling.

Behind the guilds there is big open space. A yard meant for lessons like this. Each of the power holders is own their own stage (even Sawyer, who seems rather reluctant to be there) and announces the name of the lesson: Elemental Dancing.

They explain each in their own way that dancing while focusing on their basic element is a way to start properly feeling the element. The dance can be anything, as long as their bodies are moving and they can feel their magical energy align with the element.

To demonstrate, they dance:

Olwen dances a slow dance that looks a little like ballet, with water flowing naturally around him and increasing in quantity as he goes.

Jade has a much quicker dance method, like she's dancing at a party and is surrounded by wind that sometimes helps her even jump higher.

Dawn's dance is a passionate belly dance accompanied by rings of fire around her that turns into a pink fire so she doesn't burn herself as the flames come closer to herself.

Sawyer, as reluctant as he, goes full breakdance with each of his tricks forming pillars of earth that he can use to dance even more.

Once their demonstration is over, they encourage new power holders to give it a try themselves and remind them that they can dance however they please. They also advise that the dances can be attempted with a partner, as long as they can learn to trust one another. Sometimes magic is far stronger when done together... but it may also backfire.

I Came In Like a Questboard

Anyone interested is encouraged to join their guild. The staff explains that it's very beneficial, as they would get access to the upper floors that just today were shown to them, and that nearby stores would give guild members discounts for potions and other such adventuring necessities.

Even without joining, all of the first floors services are available for everyone. That includes the questboard that is now on display, though it only shows four quests for now.

There are some necessary preparations still going on with the questboard itself, but the staff assures that later there will be more of them, with some permanent ones added to the mix that would help with making the Segments safer for those without powers to explore as well.

Why not find a friend and go out on an adventure together? The guild does recommend doing quests together with someone, rather than alone.

Well, except Sawyer of Autumn, if he's around. He will always encourage people to go on their own and claims it's an act of bravery. Oh, and make sure to check the Beastiary before heading out, once you've picked your targets!

The Quests [ Click to Expand ]

Quests

CW/TW: possible nudity, possible death

Name: Skeletal Mischief
Rewards: 100 Moon Coins per 2 Snowskeletons vanquished
Location: Winter Segment
Description: For some time Snowskeletons have bothered natives who visit the Flower Yard. Usually the only nearby place of peace has now become a nuisance to visit. Those who attempt it usually return to the city in just their underwear (if they’re lucky). A request has come for the guilds to get rid of the Snowskeletons near the Flower Yard in whatever means necessary.
OOC notes: Snowskeletons have two types: either they're snowmen made from bone or they're skeletons made of snow. Either way they're definitely not friendly and often disguise themselves among the snow to surprise their prey. They're not really out to kill anyone, but may sometimes accidentally do it. Instead they're looking to steal clothes and wear them. Basically they're notorious bandits.

CW/TW: mind altering

Name: That Very Big Tree
Rewards: 500 Moon Coins, Loot you find
Location: Spring Segment
Description: The researchers are curious about the “One Very Big Tree”. They want to know what the tree does and are asking people to take a look and report back what they find.
OOC notes: One Very Big Tree is hollow on the inside and looks like a big tree house. The higher someone climbs it the less they feel like they’re themselves. In fact, they will turn into the exact opposite of themselves. There are also dangerous Gale Squirrels living inside that use wind magic of their own to attack!

Reaching the top, however, will reward them with feathers of a mighty monstrous bird that can be used to enhance any weapon so that they fly back to the user's hand. Only one feather per character, magic stops them from taking more than one.

CW/TW: possible death, possible mind altering

Name: Treasure Ship
Rewards: 500 Moon Coins, any treasure they find
Location: Summer Segment
Description: “The abandoned ship in the Great Ocean Lake used to be a treasure ship! So why not go fetch the treasure? I’m sure it can be used to make some neat weapons or armor. I’d love to help do that, I’m an expert in using treasure for enhancements! But I’m not strong enough to go get them myself. The fastest route there is from the Airship Station!”
OOC notes: The ship is full of Octokitties that are cats with six to eight limbs. They’re territorial and won’t appreciate anyone coming to their ship for any reason and will attack viciously. They can also spit ink that includes side effects of going into a berserker mode and not caring who is an ally and who is an enemy. But the treasure is real.

CW/TW: eaten alive, death

Name: The Blue Flash
Rewards: 700 Moon Coins for finding a lost one*
Location: Autumn Segment
Description: “Help, my friend disappeared on our trip to visit the old lady of Autumn Airship Station. We walked outside to stretch our legs after our airship journey and then there was a blue flash in the corner of my eye and he was gone! Nothing at all remained and I was too scared to go look for him so I ran back inside. I’ve heard this isn’t the first time a blue flash has abducted someone!”
OOC notes: The reason for disappearances is the Angler Will-o'-the-wisps: Most will-o'-the-wisps are harmless, but there are types that act like anglerfish. They take the form of other monsters and toss a "fishing line" out of a dark bush to make it look like a normal will-o'-the-wisp was trying to get their attention. When the prey gets too close, they will attempt to devour them to get more soul energy. They have left their normal place in the forests and invaded some bushes around the Segment.

*Reward stays the same even for just figuring out the mystery behind disappearances.

Enhanced to Meet You

Part 1

Enhancing items is a magical specialty in Ellipsa. The power of words determines how your item of choice gets enchanted. If you're trying to make an armor stronger, it would be wise to use kind and encouraging words but a weapon might need violent and determined words. Enhancement include defense boosts, attack boosts, health stealing and even adding status effects. All of these effects aren't permanent, but they should last for at least a month before fading away.

The workshops around districts will offer teaching to anyone who is interested in learning the basics of basic item enhancement. For more advanced things (like learning to make the enhancements permanent) the natives suggests taking an apprenticeship in the Magical Manor of Amberfall or Tower of Potions of Coldreach. Especially with potions, as those are more advanced than what they are showing.

Of course, armor and weapons aren't the only things that can be enhanced anything is possible as long as it's a non-living thing.

Part 2

A group of mischievous Imps are causing trouble. They're doing everything they can to make people angry (like dropping items on people's toes) as they try their magic. This could happen to anyone, even otherworlders testing their new magic.

Due to their mischief, a group of magical performers who were meant to enhance some animal statues to make them move around in a show ended up cursing a lot while the magic was happening. Because of that the animal statues did come to life, but they're angry and started running around, ramming into people left and right. It's especially alarming when one of the statues enhanced is a giant elephant, and some of the statues were meant to be used in a bullfighting show. Those are some very, very angry stone bulls coming at people in high speeds!

The natives don't want to break the statues, but they would like the statues to be stopped. With kind and loving words the effects of the curses will vanish and the statues will calm down and act like they were supposed to.

Of course they would appreciate catching as many Imps as possible so they could be returned back outside into the Summer Segment.

OOC TIPS

- Ask 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 warn as necessary!

- Event starting date is March 17th, but the opening day of the guilds and the elemental dance lessons happen for a week so everyone who wants to attend them can have a chance to do so.

- NPC Power Holders can be interacted with, but it will all be handwaved. Feel free to ask questions on the questions thread if you're unsure of how the interactions would go.

- Starting in April, quests will be posted bimonthly and there will be a Quest Mingle available for people to use to thread out the quests! This format is just here because it's the first event where they're introduced.

- These particular quests are canonically open until end of month.

code bases by tricklet

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

But. . . if you charged 3 gil, then it was not a lot.

[ That was cheap, Cloud!! She is looking right at him just so confused right now. Even if it was discounted, then he would not have made a profit from that.

She then remembers what he's charging her for for bodyguard duties. An endless amount of kisses. Granted, Ayaka volunteered, but he was the one who said he wouldn't accept just one. They were just joking around then, weren't they? ]

Oh! You wanted to help the children, but did not want to ruin your reputation as a mercenary!

[ SHE GETS IT, SHE THINKS!!!!! ]

Yet another heroic feat from my beau. [ Clap, clap, clap. Yup, she actually claps for him. ] I think he deserves a prize for that.

Yup.

[ He'll give her a second or two before he explains himself. But thankfully, he doesn't need to. Ayaka even goes as far as calling him out. Girl did a full-on character study, damn. FDSJKLA ]

Hah... 'Bout sums it up. I think it's a good lesson, too. If you're good at something, never do it for free. [ An intentional pause. ] Even for 3 gil. [ ... ] Or your endless payments.

[ He hasn't forgotten what she's 'owed' him for his bodyguard services. In fact, while the two of them were equals on this quest, he hasn't stopped working. ]

Yeah? What's that?

[ He likes prizes. ... 'specially when they come from Ayaka. ]

A job well done, my love.

[ Chuu. ♥ A kiss on the cheek from his princess.

Now, Ayaka doesn't really understand what Cloud means by that. If someone needs help, then she will do whatever she can to be able to assist. Payment is the last thing on her mind. But she supposes it should not be the same if one's profession was a mercenary.

So she does not ask any more about it. Instead, she takes what he said and applies it to their relationship. He did say he likes the tea that she makes, after all! ]

Hm... I think I shall be charging you when I make tea, then.

[ Heheheh... she's just playing! ]

One pot is one date.

[ Somehow that kiss on the cheek was able to fluster him more than usual. It's the sweeter gestures that get through to him more, it seems like. And more than enough as far as his reward was concerned. He should have seen it coming... So instead, he lets go of her hand, only so he can slip it around her waist as they sit by the fire. He may put one more log on if they want to stay out here a while longer, but they should probably let it burn out and head for their tent soon.

...

But not yet. Just...don't let this moment end just yet. Let him cherish it a little longer. ]

Now you're catchin' on.

[ This time, she gets a kiss from him. Only this one wasn't on the cheek, lingering against her lips as a sense of warmth envelopes him completely. The flames, her touch, her tender sweet words... For every little 'joke' they share in together, the more he'll give back to her. One pot? One date. He'll remember that. He'll even double her dates...

Most importantly,

He'd like to spend time with her. ]

Love you.

[ She is learning, isn't she? She's glad he's acknowledging it, because Ayaka wouldn't have been able to have this much fun if not for him teaching her certain things. It doesn't do any harm, and in fact deepens their relationship further with these little inside jokes and whatnot.

Ayaka would have asked if he was proud of her for "catching on", but after a kiss that relaxes her body so much that she realises it is time to retire, she is instead too captivated when Cloud tells her that he loves her.

He has said it so many times by now, but it never gets old. It always feels like the first time each time, sending her heart soaring, her mind clear, and her worries gone. ]

Hehe, I love you too, Cloud. Thank you for telling me a story.

Mm.

[ Resting his forehead against her, he closes his eyes before taking a deeper breath. The subtle scent of smoke in the air isn't so bad, only adding to the campfire ambiance they share in. ]

I'll tell you more.

[ As many as the two can manage before they ultimate decide it's time to retire for the night. ]

🌸🌸🌸

[ Rather than put the fire out, it'll naturally burn away on its own, leaving a soft glow outside their tent as they pack a few things up and retire into the tent for the night. Cloud's Buster Sword won't fit inside the tent, so it's best kept right outside in case of danger. It's not like whatever could come after them would have much better luck with an unarmed former SOLDIER. Zack might have been the better hand-to-hand combatant, but Cloud could still smash whatever happened upon them.

He's a light sleeper. He'll have to keep his senses sharp, even with a certain white heron laying at his side as he opens up his sleeping bag. There's an electric lantern keeping the inside of the tent illuminated for them as he prepares to get comfortable. ]

No rush on when we leave.

[ Because he knows neither one of them will sleep in late. But if they're granted this peace into the night, camping out underneath the protection of a great sakura tree, they might as well preserve it for as long as possible... ]

Comfy?

[ Cloud's already scouted the area, so there's no need to be on high alert when it comes to possible threats. Ayaka would have suggested that one of them stay awake while the other got some rest, and take turns sleeping, otherwise. ]

It feels a little odd to sleep like this.

[ But it is soft! And she's comfortable, regardless.

She has to wiggle a little and get her arm out, though. ]

I cannot sleep next to you like this. [ And that is even stranger. He's right there, after all. ] May I at least hold your hand?

Not used to sleeping bags, huh?

[ They're like little caterpillars, wriggling in their cushiony and warm sleeping bags. The temperature shouldn't drop much in this region, but it'll still get cooler overnight. Laying on his back, he tilts his head over towards Ayaka when she softly protests that she cannot sleep next to him while in her sleeping bag.

She asks if she can hold his hand... Like she even needs to ask him. Contrary to what he's taught her and shown her about camping, it's not a strict thing requiring following to a T, either. Which is why he pauses, brow furrowing before his gaze drifts down the length of his own sleeping bag. Down the side of it... ]

...

Here. Hold on—

[ Cloud's arms were already out of his sleeping bag already. And now he's currently...wriggling his way towards her? He looks so weird, flopping closer since there's nothing that can be knocked over or in their way, the lantern shining behind them. ]

Just gotta— [ And when he's close enough and facing her, having adjusted himself, he turns on his side and unzips his sleeping bag. He's drawn it down until it's nice and wide open. Cloud holds it up and open as he looks at her expectedly. ] 'Kay.

Unzip yours and scoot in?

[ They're gonna make one big super sleeping bag. ~~Also his roundabout way of inviting her in for cuddles without having to say the word "cuddle". LAFDJSK~~ ]

Edited 2023-04-07 09:21 (UTC)

Oh! If we join our sleeping bags together—

[ He's doing so much to accommodate her... 🥺 He doesn't have to, especially if this will make an uncomfortable rest, but her appreciation for him is tenfold, anyway.

And so, she follows his lead, unzipping the side closer to Cloud before she starts moving like the most majestic caterpillar in the world his way. It's a good thing it's just Cloud here, because she would not mind being compared to a caterpillar if it's him. ~~He already called her ugly, anyway.~~ ]

This is so silly! [ But she loves it, because now that her sleeping bag is touching his? She can move right in and not just hold his hand, but roll closer until she can wrap her arms around his neck and hug him tight. ] Hehe... I missed you.

[ He has to suppress the urge to laugh when she begins to 'majestically' wriggle her way towards him until the open sleeping bags have effectively combined into one. It's more or less one big loose sleeping bag they share now, extra cushiony blankets in the cool spring evening. It's a good thing that the weather doesn't change drastically within respective regions. ...they'd be extra bundled and prepared if they had to find refuge or camp in the winter. Now? She can hold him as close and tight as she wants.

Just like how Cloud could wrap his arms around her waist, their legs weaving over one another as she cuddles right in against his larger frame. ]

Yeah? Where've you been?

[ She's getting a kiss atop her head for this. ]

I was waiting for you.

[ Not exactly, but she did want to hold his hand or be held by him but couldn't at that time. So once again, just like a knight in shining armour, he comes for her and makes her feel like the girl she's always wanted to be— wrapped in the arms of her beau, safe and sound.

They can't very well sleep with Ayaka just... clinging to him like this. So after he kisses her atop her head? She moves up to kiss him on the lips before shifting and settling next to him. On her side, her hair loose and no longer in its ribbons still framing her face, she is content and happy. ]

Being next to you like this... I will have sweet dreams tonight.

[ Smiling softly against her lips, he decides to keep on his back for the time being, an arm remaining around her as he doesn't think to take his eyes off her for a second. She just looks so...peaceful. Happy. She always kept a sense of purity and poise no matter the occasion; whether she was the Shirasagi Himegimi for her people, or Kamisato Ayaka the girl for her beau.

No matter the side, he would protect her. Cloud would embrace every part of her. Just as she'd accepted him and helped him regain that sense of normalcy. ]

What I'd give to just loop a moment like this...

[ Just like the time she first danced for him. It's been forever engrained in his heart, in his memories. ]

I never woulda thought I'd have this.

[ Everything that they were together. Camping as the fire outside their tent slowly burns away to glowing embers as it gradually dies out. ]

As I dozed
The man I love
Appeared, so
It is dreams that
Have begun to comfort me.

[ She's already said it before, to so many people, even. This—this life, where she is happy and loved in the way that she had wanted for so long—she thought it was impossible. Her dreams back then never had any form, never had any shape. But when she dreams of love and happiness, it is Cloud in her dreams.

And when she wakes up, it is to live a new life that she's never led before. She is complete like this.

She settles closer to him, until she can rest her head on the side of his arm, eager for just a bit more of his warmth. ]

Should we wake up early... I hope we can watch the sun rise together.

[ Her poems always found a way to soothe him... They always found a way to keep him grounded. Adjusting himself where he lays, he makes sure the sleeping bags are still relatively wrapped around the two of them before he reaches above their heads to turn off the lantern. The bolstering influence of 'touch' only makes her presence warmer. Even more welcoming. Despite how light a sleeper he was, Ayaka helps his lids grow heavier as he keeps his arm wrapped around her at his side. The only thing that could make this better was to have the stars hanging over their heads... ]

Lookin' forward to it already.

[ Good night, Ayaka. Tomorrow's a big day. One that would put the two of you to the test as adventurers. ]

[ And so they do watch the sunrise, both waking up early enough in the midst of the cool spring breeze. The sleeping bags provide enough warmth and comfort, but perhaps it is because Ayaka's still not used to this sort of environment that she doesn't sleep as soundly as she normally would.

She's already made a pot of tea by the time the sun rises, watching it from their tent with her beau, blankets covering her up because it's still chilly.

There's still quite a journey ahead of them. Once they leave this area of the segment, they will likely encounter more dangerous monsters. It was nice to camp out like this, however. A taste of something new, an experience they've never had before, and that in itself makes a memory so precious.

After breakfast, cleaning their camp up, and packing their belongings, it is back to exploring the Spring Segment and getting to the Very Big Tree. It is once they are away from the secret getaway area that they begin to encounter monsters, nothing that they can't handle, given they were mostly slimes and ducks. Cloud's experience in this sort of thing was something else, and watching him in action now that he wasn't cutting trees down? It's remarkable. So much so that Ayaka takes charge in their next battle, striking fast and bringing her blade down and hard after a spin, the same way Cloud would after a combination of attacks. He may be the student here, but she's learning from him, too!

Not everything about their adventure is light and breezy, however. They did not plan for it, but reaching an area closer to the Very Big Tree, they find themselves having difficulty to move because of the heavy gust of wind. So much so that Ayaka is blown away, with Cloud following suit. Soon enough, they find themselves inside a tornado, alongside other threats that were sucked in. From the looks of it, the only way to get out of it is to weaken the wind until it dies on its own. Having to maneuver themselves inside is definitely a challenge, what with all the goats and ducks that got sucked into the tornado as well. The two manage it well enough, with only minor scratches to show for it as soon as they're back on the ground. Surprisingly, they land in front of the Very Big Tree. Not in a graceful way, mind, because they did just get sent flying out of a dying tornado.

Letting out a huff, she finds herself looking at Cloud to see if he's okay. She shakes her head and fights the urge to laugh. ]

We made it...

[ What an experience! ]

[ He could have done without the massive tornado that swept them up...but despite the chaos that unfolded, Cloud still felt a semblance of control over the situation. First? He secured Ayaka. Or did Ayaka secure him? Regardless, he wasn't leaving until he ensured that they were fighting together. Using various chunks of debris and trees as platforming, Cloud couldn't help but be thoroughly surprised by the Shirasagi Himegimi's composure in such a frantic and wild leg of their journey. It's not that he didn't trust her...but this is the first time he's ever seen her fight by his side under such extreme circumstances. She's learning from him?

She's inspiring him. In a way that he feels a rush of excitement course through his veins as they successfully defeated the threats that not only were sucked into the tornado, but also might have had a hand in keeping it going. But thanks to their own growing experience with wind magic...they were successful in escaping. Not even Cloud could successfully escape the tornado with the kind of grace he's used to.

~~He plunging attacked to break his fall.~~ ]

[ Huff. Phew. ]

Totally stuck the landing too.

[ As he takes another breath and rights himself, he sheathes the Buster Sword and closes what little distance was left between himself and Ayaka. He's already asked her while they were inside the tornado if she was okay. He trusts her not to ask again as they've made it out, right in front of the Very Big Tree.

The real mission starts here. But first... ~~Where's the bench.~~ ]

Need a breather before we go?

[ The only time Ayaka ever loses her cool is when she is flustered, and normally? It is when she thinks she has done something embarrassing. In the battlefield, she's much like any other trained samurai, calm and collected, ready for whatever the wind may (literally) blow.

She doesn't seem to have noticed that her hair ribbon's become a little lopsided, though. Cloud will have to fix that for her if he even notices, too. ]

That's alright. We should finish what we came here to do quickly, since we will need to find a safe space to camp for the night.

[ Which means they have to travel back by foot. They got lucky in that the tornado brought them quicker to the tree, but they still have work to do! ]

The tree reminds me of Nara.

[ Large tree city! Though this one is just a very large tree. No city. It's hollow on the inside supposedly, but what would they find once they get in? Not much, apparently. It is just like a wooden tower with an endless amount of stairs. ]

[ She will always be his girlfriend first and foremost. Which meant he would always take the time for her and give her anything she may have needed. But now that the two of them were here...and she's given him her answer, Cloud doesn't question it. She's so calm, so collected. She hasn't lost that gentleness in her voice. But there's a sense of focus to be felt in her presence. And it reminds him of the type of man he needed to be in kind. Their camping and hiking trip was over. ]

Alright. [ He steps in front of her for a moment, inspecting what looked a little...'off', earlier, only to swiftly readjust her ribbon. He wordlessly does it, offering her a small smile and nod after it's fixed. ] Let's go.

[ Now the real work starts. Now the real mission starts. And with it, a much more serious and honed-in Cloud Strife as he takes the lead upon entering the very large tree. It's hollow and massive...and at first he imagined that they'd have to do a lot of climbing upon the inside. But there's stairways that lead up, little gaps they'd have to mind their step on. It's clear that this place has become home to somebody. Civilization has been established here one way or another. The light from outside manages to slip through various cracks and holes through the tree as they climb, shedding enough light that they wouldn't be cast into hollowed darkness.

He doesn't sense any immediate danger quite yet from the base of the tree. They were to inspect and learn about this place and report anything that they found. ]

We can do a search of the ground level when we finish reaching the top. Last thing we need is trying to climb this thing after sundown.

[ Depending on what they find up there or how long it was going to take, anyway. So...the stairs it is.

Endless...endless stairs.

"The tree reminds me of Nara." ]

Yeah...only a lot more tourism. [ If they take their time to start, they won't tire themselves out going up. Maybe. ... Hopefully. ] Been a while since I've seen this many stairs.

Hm?

[ Why is Cloud looking at her like that? She tilts her head as she looks up at him, only for him to reach out to her and fix her ribbon. A soft squeak comes out of her when she realises that she must have looked like a fool just now! Colour tints her cheeks and she looks away as soon as Cloud gives the signal that they should get going.

Instead of apologising or asking to be excused? She puts a smile on and whispers a "thank you very much" before getting a move on. ]

How long do you think climbing will take us? [ :|a A day? A couple of hours? Hm... ] I cannot imagine taking only a short while...

Not to mention, we may encounter some worthwhile things as we ascend.

[ Don't think he didn't hear that little whisper, Ayaka. Not with the way Cloud spares a little glance over his shoulder and nodding with a hum of acknowledgment. ]

Judging the height from outside? [ He brings a hand to his chin as he approaches the base of the stairs, giving the first one a stomp to test its fortitude. It creaks in protest to the pressure, but it's nowhere near giving way. It's surprisingly sturdy. ] Couple hours if we're steady about it.

Let's not rush it. [ Unless they wish to put their cardio to the ultimate test, he takes a few steps up before looking back to Ayaka to make sure she's following. The stairs aren't too narrow. And thankfully, there appears to be some kind of intricate railing to guide them. ...whether this weaving of wood and branches follows them the entire way up was anyone's guess. But for the first leg of their ascent, it seems relatively safe for now. ] Last time I ran flights of stairs, my legs regretted it.

[ Storytime on the way up? ]

[ Storytime on the way up!! There's a bit of hurry when she catches up with him, ensuring she's on his tail because she would like to hear what he says as they make their way up. ]

Really? [ This must be an interesting story! If only because- ] I've never seen you get tired before!

[ Except for the Month of Love and that one October night, but... that was a different kind of exercise. ]

The walk up the Grand Narukami Shrine is something like this as well, actually. But the stairs were out in the open, so you had to be very careful during windy days.

Surprise, surprise.

[ Even Cloud can get fatigued under the right circumstances! ... but when adrenaline is pumping, that's another story entirely. It's like lighting a spark near gasoline with his body and the enhancements done to it. ]

When we infiltrated Shinra HQ, we had a choice. Take the equivalent of the front door and use the elevators...or sneak around and take the stairs.

[ Guess what they picked. ]

59 floors later...

[ Now. Was this tree 59 floors tall? It IS a Very Big Tree. ]

Betcha it's way more scenic than just industrial steps on repeat.

Fifty-nine...

[ Ayaka pauses to look up at what's ahead of them. A long spiral staircase up! She can't even count how many floors this place has... ]

Goodness!

[ Okay- gotta catch up! The bells in her slippers make some noise as she catches up with him up the stairs. ]

Then... let's count. [ How many floors this tree has. ] I want to see if I can manage fifty-nine floors, too.

[ Hearing the bells in her slippers, Cloud slows down for her so that she could stay close behind him as they traverse and make their way up. Maybe whatever inhabited this tree came out at night...but he had every intention of keeping his guard up. It wasn't like they were sneaking in. This felt like the only way up. ]

Bet you'll do better than Barret did.

[ It feels like a low blow to jab at the man when he wasn't here. ... But hell with it. In hindsight, he at least made that 'journey' memorable. ]

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