text | as above, so it is below

[genice]

What a lovely sky we've all been lounging under. Have you been enjoying this beginning festivity from the Palai? There's some very nice dishes being laid out for those with an adventurous palate. Delicious! I recommend giving things a try.

Quick question for those more aquatically inclined. Has anyone managed to navigate the sea to the island on the other side? I was tempted to do a fly by on the underside of our ocean sky if anyone were interested in tagging along later.

Second question, related to the first. Is anyone here willing to help figure out how to put together a riding harness of some kind?

Thanks,
V. Nikiforov

Comments

[rebells]

Can you fly, then?

- Jay

[genice]

Nice to meet you, Jay. Anyway, yes I can!

[rebells]

Is that the power you were given, or something you've always been able to do?

[genice]

An alteration to my basic state of affairs since being pulled in to our current situation. Given!

[rebells]

I see.

You seem like the sort of person who likes to hear the sound of their own voice.

[genice]

I do! Particularly my internal voice, considering how texting works with these things.

[rebells]

Ah, you admitted it.

In any case, if you're planning to fly by the island, I'd be interested in what you'd find up there.

[genice]

Interested enough to have an extended report on the subject from yours truly?

( this is the exact opposite of what Victor would do, but that's not the point: text doesn't carry dry commentary well, and he doesn't particularly mind. )

[rebells]

Is that something you'd do?

[genice]

Debatably.

[rebells]

I do love debate.

[genice]

It's important to have passions! Particularly varied ones, as I've been reminded.

[rebells]

Oh? And how is that?

[genice]

Are you interested in knowing?

[rebells]

I'm always interested in knowing things.

[genice]

A good trait! And I'd be happy to tell in person sometime.

[rebells]

Then I'll see you around, V. Nikiforov.

[genice]

Until then, Jay.

[p_mortem]

Just the underside, or do you plan to fly through? I haven't tried, but I could come with you.

[genice]

Swimming with wings sounds like something that requires more practice than I've had, not to mention better lung capacity. How long would it take to swim through to the other side?

Wonderful! What's your name?

[p_mortem]

Dunno. Maybe Dave can draw scuba gear. My name's Minato.

[genice]

Nice to meet you, Minato! I take it ... wait, right, Dave. Yuuri's told me about Dave! If you think he's willing to help, then I'd be glad to try, though that doesn't solve the swimming issue. How do... really large lizards swim. I know they must. Marine reptiles are real.

[p_mortem]

I don't know if he's willing. Can't hurt to ask, though.

Webbed feet, maybe. You can turn into a large winged lizard?

[genice]

No webbed feet here, sadly. Or gladly? And yes, I can. Technically a dragon of some kind?

Anyway, I'll see about asking Dave.

[p_mortem]

Fire-breathing dragon? I could probably use a dragon to get up there too.

Maybe ask Dave for two harnesses and see if it's possible.

[genice]

Ice, actually.

I'll see what I can bargain with, seems like a lot to ask from someone regardless. Thanks for the suggestion!

[oneandmikleonly]

I was going to try and fly through at some point, if that counts?

And a riding harness for what sort of animal? I'm struggling a bit with this myself.

[genice]

How were you planning to handle the extended time underwater?

Ah, well, a dragon, I suppose.

[oneandmikleonly]

I wouldn't be able to if this world wasn't allowing our normal magics, but since it does -- I can control water. So, either use it for an extra push, or displace it around myself as I go through.

[there's a couple of beats and then a second message]

Hey. Wait. Seriously a dragon?

[genice]

There's that whole normal magics as if magic is everyone's normal... I haven't noticed a difference, but I guess I wouldn't. Shouldn't? Something like that. Does sound like it'd help you speed on.

Yes! A dragon of a kind. Wings, four legs, a tail, scales and all.

[oneandmikleonly]

Well, it looks like we got a mix of all sorts. Some people who aren't used to magic at all, some who are . . . everyone's got something to get used to.

And. Well. Yes. In that case I may be better equipped to help you than I thought, since that's the exact sort of thing I was working on.

[genice]

The latter would be the category I belong in.

Wait, really? You're working on a dragon harness?

[oneandmikleonly]

The ability granted to me here was to transform into one, so . . . it's been necessary to work something out. I don't like it, but people just tying themselves on any which way has meant they get bruised if I fly or land wrong.

[genice]

Wow, you too? Amazing!

Plus carrying them is a bad plan if you're having to use your claws, or whatever you call them! Yes, a proper harness is the only way to know everyone's safe.

[oneandmikleonly]

They've been fine riding on my back, actually, but. Yes. That.

[a mental sigh to himself, unheard by Viktor -- this topic of discussion is necessary but uncomfortable. he tries to pretend they're talking about horses, or Hyland goats, rather than themselves]

I've been having some luck with the kelp found here as a tester material. Of course once a design is finalized it'll probably be better to bargain with the Palai for something stronger. If you've got a lot of spikes when you transform, like me, animal hide and plant matter wear out rather quicker than they should.

[needmetoo]

Um... I'm not sure how get through it or anything, or the harness thing, but I have water powers, so... I can try to help with that, if you need it.

[genice]

Ooh, water powers! What does that entail?

[needmetoo]

Well I'm still practicing, but I can move it around and stuff?

[genice]

Huh. Can you call it to you without seeing it?

[needmetoo]

I'm not sure what you mean but like...

Here it feels like there's lots of water everywhere, even though I can't see any. It's not as.... thick as actual water but it's still thicker than it was back on the island.

[genice]

Hah, I think it's my turn to not quite understand... does the air feel like it's carrying more water? More humid, maybe?

[needmetoo]

[The high humidity on this world is actually exactly what she's talking about; she just doesn't know the word for it, or the scientific concept.]

I think... yeah, that sounds sorta like it. Is that what "humidity" means?