avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 2

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 2

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A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival

KERPLUNK, SPLASH!

Regardless of what you were in the middle of, you and your familiar have been magically pulled into the world of Avalon just above the Bay's chilly waters. After a brief plunge into the Bay, the rush of water filling your ears and soaking up into every creak and crevice of your body, you may need to cough to clear your airways when you rise above the surface. It's paralyzingly cold for a few seconds before you're approached by the Lady of the Lake beneath the water's surface. She puts a vial of a vibrant, glowing red Everwarm* potion to your character's lips. The icy water doesn't feel so icy once consumed and you'll be able to move your limbs enough to swim to shore on your own. She can't stick around to explain, she's got to get this to all the new arrivals! Many of which you'll see plopping in around you.

If you can't swim, a handful of helpful ice turtles will scoop you up from beneath and drop you off at the shore. When not helping people, the turtles are going around and hitting the ice that keeps forming on the surface with their shells to keep the surface open for the falling arrivals or pushing personal items to the beach near the new arrivals they smell like (belong to). If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. If anyone with Animal Magic asks the turtles, they will give the full spiel, but very slowly, and they like to get off topic and gossip about other turtles you've never heard of. The shores themselves are littered with new arrivals complaining their way up a staircase carved into the walls of the White Cliffs. There is no railing, so be careful, but if you do fall, be prepared for a mysterious sand hand to reach out of the side of the cliffs to catch you. The hand will pat you atop the head twice before retreating back into the wall. This is the Cliff Beast; despite the name, he is quite friendly.

B ⦿ The Caravan to Camelot

Once everyone is wrangled up to the top of the White Cliffs, the handsome owner of the Rent-a-Ride, Archimedes, will distribute smart phones, a pair of earbuds, and a winter cloak** to everyone before getting them settled in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and give them a basic explanation of why and how they've been brought to Avalon: The universe is frozen in time and your character has been brought here by a familiar that was able to bond with them. They'll have to learn magic to help save their own world from destruction, but first they've got to get them to Camelot. It is here that you have the first opportunity to decide who they will be in their new home. You'll have about an hour to wander around here, meet and greet, and pet the horses before it's time to go.

These carriages use fae technology that combats weight, so your character will be able to get in regardless of whether they're light as a feather or weigh two tons. The carts have air conditioning when it's hot, heating when it's cold, and a mystical shield to protect from bugs. There is also a mini-bar that pops out of the console with nip bottles. Characters can use their smartphones to connect to Camelot's internet service,

avalononline (AOL), to chat with other characters, watch dumb videos, learn about the world, contact Camelot Support (they'll answer any questions they can for you, from how to use a smart phone to where to find quests and resources to learn more about your magic). Be careful if you decide to use your phones while in the caravan-- if you don't use those earbuds and start forcing everyone to listen to your nonsense, Archimedes may make you walk.

C ⦿ The Red Spring

The journey from the White Cliffs to the City of Camelot is a long one, and the first evening you arrive you'll end up spending at the Red Spring, a booming resort town. Because of the volume of new arrivals and vacationers, inn rooms are assigned two-to-a-room. The rooms have two twin beds, a bathroom, a mini-fridge and microwave, and a TV equipped with a couple of entertaining video games and a few free movies.

If you don't want to relax in the room, try taking a dip in the spring for another chance to meet your fellow travelers. The waters have restorative properties that help horses and travelers recover quickly when drunk. It is known to relieve stress, improve energy levels, and mildly accelerate healing. It may be a little chilly when you get out though, so make sure you don't slip rushing back indoors when you get out!

The springs are also home to a large training grounds just outside town limits, where there are teachers who will teach basic magic safety and help you discover what kind of magic you have together with other new arrivals. Try target practice, obstacle courses, meditation circles, and other ways to try to figure out just what you can do... if you didn't already have an accidental discovery on the ride there.

A ⦿ Trial and Icy Errors

Winter has arrived in Avalon, and with it has come to a change in the weather. Puffs of breath precede sentences when outside, small fires fill braziers to allow people to stop and get warm for a moment between where they come from and where they are going. Snow has begun to fall; at first, it is the same, fluffy, white flakes many adventurers will have seen. However, as the day progresses, the snow begins to shimmer; it’s like a prismatic effect, a magical light catching against every little crystal and illuminating sparkling flakes, so vibrant it’s clear someone has enchanted the snow.

Shortly after the change, there will be a text alert to all devices:

Tired of the same old routine with your magic? Ready for a little something new? Come on out and have an old fashioned snowball fight with a magical twist. Be sure to practice your new powers and have fun! 😉 -Merlin

Those who come outside to find the rainbow snow already being packed into neat balls by Camelot's citizens; go ahead and grab a basket full but remember, don’t just toss them. Let’s get magic with it!

Different types of magic will have different effects on the enchanted snow:

Use kinetic magic to toss three at once. Nevermind if they suddenly balloon inside and burst into a snow shower over your opponent, throw a couple more; some are bound to hit, right?

Throw a little animal magic in there and morph a few into a bear or some other animal of your intent; sorry about his random dance attack, at least your opponent will be laughing too hard to throw a snowball at you.

Try hiding them in a shield or cast an illusion with some light magic; better apologize when that goes sideways and the snow hardens, bursting into rainbow crystals at your opponent's feet.

Team up with someone who has cognitive magic; they can telegraph you the plan without your opponents being any the wiser... except the snow seems to be picking up on it and sending those thoughts right to your opponent! Perhaps use this as an opportunity to learn control!

Maybe you want to try using a little wind magic if you’re of the elemental class; watch out for the rainbow snow squall your perfectly lobbed snowballs will become.

Healing magic is one you might not see coming-- enchanting a snowball with healing magic can result in positive mood enhancements. Give your enemies a blast of zen to lower their guard and make them an easy target!

A dark magic user might think to add a little hex to their snowball; give themselves an edge... too bad, without practice, that hex might be a little too heavy and burst over the maker before it even leaves their hand! Hope you know how to fix it.

Alchemists are welcome to change the shape of those snowballs. Maybe try and craft them into something a little more stealthy or projectile. Too bad that snow seems to want to turn into a batch of butterflies and be free... magic sure is tricky! But hey, they sure are pretty.

In the end, it seems while adventurers will be able to get plenty of practice in, some of that practice is going to come from trying to stop the side effects of mixing their powers with the magic snow; welcome to your first lesson in control. If one is going to use magic in conjunction with already magically imbued things, they ought to know the right amount, seems Merlin wants you all to learn in a trial by snowball error.

Those who practice their magic and participate in the snowball fight will be given hot chocolate, warm soup, fresh baked goods, or other treats to warm them up after their training is done. But don’t slack off! You’re like to find your hot chocolate spiced with pickle flavor, that warm treat suddenly turns to ice cream in your mouth. Avalonians want that practice to happen, and are willing to add some incentive... whether that means the carrot or the icicle.

All throughout the City of Camelot is a buzz of excitement about the oncoming winter solstice on the 21st. Citizens will tell you of the winter solstice's importance in cleansing the flow of Avalon's magic each year and absorbing sunlight to increase its potency. In other words, the winter solstice generates a significant amount of magic if the proper ritual is followed, so the visitors from other worlds really should head on over to Albion's White Cliffs.

A ⦿ The Darkness in the White Cliffs

The first task that you'll experience during the ritual is asking the Cliff Beast's permission to enter the cliffs. Though they look wholly solid on the outside, these cliffs contain a veritable labyrinth of magical caves that weave in and out of the chalky cliffs. As there is danger within these walls, it is recommended no one go alone. The Cliff Beast will only open a door to the caves for parties of two or more who present him with a gift. The gift doesn't need to be something significant, just a show of courtesy-- a lovely rock or a seashell will do, placed at the base of the cliff. The only gifts he will outright reject are precious gems and metals. Honestly, they make him a little nauseous-- and you don't want to see a cliff beast nauseous. In fact, if you try it, the Cliff Beast will suddenly burst into a rockslide right near where the gem was left. Watch out!

Once you gain entrance, you will find there is no light within the caves and the door seems to close behind you. Non-magical lights won't illuminate anything within these caves, so you will need to either navigate through the darkness or find a magical means to light your path. Be wary-- traveling in the dark will be a much safer journey if you can find your way through the caves and keep track of your companions. The reason there is no light are the bat-like creatures that eat energy like fire and electricity. With the magical light attracting them and nothing to consume, they'll be very aggressive and swarm anything emitting heat.. like an unsuspecting traveler. Make too much noise, and the Cliff Beast will spit you out back onto the sand and you'll have to start over.

B ⦿ "For a greedy man, even his tomb is too small."

Those who persist within the caves will eventually come upon a room whose ceiling glistens with bioluminiscent microbes that are too small for the bats to eat. These little glowing creatures create reflections in the room that show just what it contains-- glimmerings of precious gems, gold, and other treasure cover the walls and floor, save for a large flat stone altar in the center. There are many hand-crafted clay cups filled with what appears to be water. The side of the alter has a very simple message: "TAKE ONE CUP TO THE SPRING, LEAVE THE REST. SPILL NO DROP." Sure enough, this matches with the instructions you were given about the ritual: Take a cup of waters harvested by the Asrai, a fairy that lives within the walls of the cliffs that cultivates it every year to bring to the Red Springs for the Winter Solstice.

There is no clear warning about what will happen if you take anything besides your one cup. However, characters who disobey this instruction and take any of the riches within the cave will initially experience severe symptoms such as magical blockage, an endless common cold, and food turning to ash in their mouth. They will experience dreams in which they are urged to return the treasure and a day later, advanced symptoms if it goes on for too long have been known to result in vomiting frogs and snakes, insomnia, speaking in tongues despite the translation spell, bleeding from the ears, and eventually death.

C ⦿ Drink Up

Those who listen and take the Asrai's cups to the Red Springs will notice while carrying the cups, all creatures and threats will leave you in peace. Neither rain nor snow will touch you, parting from your path in both the sky and on the ground. The effects will only last as long as you don't spill a single drop. The ritual can still be completed, but the protections only work if you don't spill-- otherwise you'll be fighting off weather, creatures, other people, and whatever else you encounter as the effects of a spilled cup will cause those around you to try to steal your cup without thought for your safety, even if they might not even think to do normally.

Upon arriving at the Red Springs, a party of people there to guide those who have made the ritual's journey to a particular pool within the vicinity of the springs. Characters will be directed to take a sip, then pour the rest into the Spring alongside your peers, finally throwing the clay cup itself into the spring. Throughout the day, you will begin to feel strangely giddy, but it will pass. Nothing much will seem like it happens otherwise, but the guides assure you that you will understand on the night of the winter solstice when the ritual is complete and your body becomes a conduit to purify and rejuvenate Avalon's magic.

For now, as thanks, the guides offer you one of the celebratory gifts they have to offer-- free drinks (this time of the age-appropriate alcoholic or sugary variety), a free night's stay at the Red Springs, a yule log, an escort, a Recipe: Snow Dance. (Effect: Snow Dance will cause small flurries to pick up where the spell is cast, resulting in decreased visibility. Only works if snow is already present, as it cannot generate elements.) The choice is yours. Pick one.

MOD NOTES:
• All test drive prompts are open to anyone in the game at any time to create your own logs with, but this post should have top-levels by potential new characters only. Current characters may reply to any threads, but should not top-level comment on this post.
• If your application is accepted, you may accept TDM threads as game canon as long as both players consent. Characters may begin threading as soon as their journal is accepted to the communities.
• If nothing here tickles your fancy, try one of this month's Quests for your TDM prompt.
• The first "Arrival" prompts are present on every TDM, but may contain seasonal tweaks for flavor. All other prompts will change monthly.
• Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ.

*This Everwarm does not count toward your potion collection for those who wish to take up potion brewing. You must obtain Everwarm from the Elphame Trader's to count.
**Jackets come in a variety of neutral colors, enchanted with a fit-adjustment spell that will adjust to your character's size.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Chang Geng doesn't sleep much. It's an unfortunate result of the Bone of Impurity curse that had been placed on him but it was one he's used to by this point in his life.

So he's out late as well, though he hadn't planned to go into the White Cliffs quite yet it wouldn't hurt to go scope out the area around it.

He's a little surprised to find someone already there but it's basically non-existent on his expression. Instead, his mouth was curved into a mild-mannered smile, calm and gentle. His voice matched as well as he moved closer.

"I see I'm not the only one out this late."

Chang Geng is tall and though the clothes he'd come in had gotten wet he was used to washing his clothes enough that he was able to get his robes clean and dried. He looks like he walked out of some kind of Chinse period drama with the long hair and everything. He is also wearing a sword at his belt.

His gaze briefly flicked between the White Cliff and the shell being levitated. "Are you just here to practise or were you hoping to offer that to the Cliff Beast?"

Walter, having no concept of Chinese period dramas or the history of eastern dress, doesn’t make out Chang Geng’s robes as hailing from that land. What he can tell is that they don’t look Japanese, and that, for now, is enough to not evoke some manner of tension in him.

“If I were out here for the sake of practising, I would have devised something more rigorous for a training regimen.” That being said, he allows the mussel to drop into his palm. “They’re not letting anyone go in on their own. It’s not safe to go alone.” The last sentence is spoken in a mocking sigh, the boy mimicking the perspective of one person who had said as much. Yet his eyes, storm-blue even in the darkness, soon flick to the sword at the other man’s belt.

“…Or did they tell you something different?” Being that he’s obviously armed. And older. Or at least older-looking.

"A hard worker, I see. Though not too rigorous, I'm sure. Otherwise rather than helping it could end up doing the opposite."

He sounds a little amused but not condescending. More...gently teasing. Testing out the waters to see what sort of person he was dealing with.

He shrugged. "I haven't asked yet." But he also wouldn't have tried given how little he knows about this place. Still he gives this...well. Not quite a child. Certainly when he had been around that age he hadn't appreciated being treated like a child.

He didn't miss the look the boy shot at his sword but pretended he didn't notice.

"Did they specify how many people there needed to be? If not between you and me, I think we count as not being alone." He paused, as if it only occurred to him after a moment of thought that there was something he'd forgotten, "if you'd be amenable, of course."

Not too rigorous is something open to interpretation. For Walter, it only limits incurring a significant or worsening an already-significant injury, something he has thankfully yet to do. However, his present injuries still remain, most of them hidden beneath his clothes, and the slowly-deepening redness on his left cheek not readily visible in what little light the night affords.

"...I don't mind. I'll go with you if you haven't gone yet." He supposes he might even escort others if they haven't gone, given how important the ritual is supposed to be for generating magic.

"It's a minimum of two, though I think it's possible to have more."

The darkness was calming in its own way like that.

He doesn't laugh but his smile did quirk up just a little more, a subtle change that could be easily lost in the darkness. "Then, I'll put my safety in your hands."

Though he could fight well he prefers to act humble and low-key.

"I doubt it will be easy to find another companion at this hour." But he paused, "did your familiar come with you?"

It takes Walter off-guard, to be so easily given someone's trust. He's far more used to being looked down upon by those he isn't closely acquainted with, to be seen as a child and for it to be used against him for this reason or that. It's nice for a stranger to at least pretend he might be capable of pulling his weight.

He lets out a breath, the tension of irritability melting away. "It's right over here," he replies, tone mildly amused as he points to the dark pool of shadow that stretches behind him.. a shadow which seems to shift as the elongated muzzle of the Black Dog lying inside it lifts, eyes like burning coals opening in the darkness.

He figured, if this were some teenager who talked big but couldn't back it up, then pointing it out wouldn't help. May as well follow along to make sure they don't get themselves killed. And if their confidence was justified then what was the point aggravating him?

Regardless, looking down on him seemed like a waste of energy and time.

Besides which, he was only eleven when he'd been chased down by wolves and only fourteen when he'd killed a fully grown Man-Tribe soldier. There was no saying what young people were capable of when push came to shove.

He turned his head to look where he was pointing and, oh.

He didn't look scared or surprised. Rather he looks a little interested. "What sort of creature is that? Does he have any unusual abilities?"

He shifts from pointing to a more open-handed gesture, relaxed as he explains. "It's a Black Dog." Which honestly sounds more like a description than a proper name, and yet that is precisely what it is. It also serves as a nice, neat umbrella term to refer back to when you start getting into more localized, specific variants.

"They're called by other names depending on where you go, but they're apparitions that are usually seen at night. Most of them are dangerous. Deadly, even, able to take on and control their physical form to strike at whoever they hunt." Whoever, he says, and not whatever; Black Dogs are known to target humans.

The youth glances over his shoulder, looking at the creature properly. "This one seems a lot more docile than the one I know." Perhaps it's one of the good ones? He's still not quite sure how he feels about being paired up with it though.

He listened with interest. So...this person came from a place where such fantastical creatures existed.

How fascinating. He wonders if this young man had used magic before?

"The skills that normally make them a danger would also make them a a useful ally." He says as if it were perfectly normal to make an ally out of a man eating beast...though, to be fair, the Northern Man Tribe often trained wolves to do their bidding. Was this really so different? Though perhaps, the fact that he wasn't disturbed at all was itself strange.

He was mostly focused on the creature as he brought a hand up to his chin. "Is this one any of the variants you've met before?

Meanwhile, in the air, there's the sound of wing beats before a medium sized grey-white creature landed near them. Its head resembled an Eastern dragon with two antlers and its body a lion's with a tail that split at the end into two. She immediately bared her teeth in a low growl.

Chang Geng looked mildly surprised before he remembered...

Right. Pixiu were sensitive to the presence of dark creatures.

He huffed a short laugh and petted her on her head. "Like this, I wonder if we technically count as four?"

It's interesting, the lack of concern this fellow has. And he is inclined to agree; the skills that make them dangerous do make them useful so long as they are working in your favour rather than doing their best to hunt you. As for which variant his current partner-by-circumstance is, he has yet to properly determine that. Further observation is needed, as the differences are less in appearance and more in how the creatures operate. Yet, before he can elaborate in reply, the sound of something flying overhead interrupts.

Accustomed to more hostile environments, Walter's focus hones in on the airborne company, his posture tensing; the ears of the Black Dog perk up, and both watch, alert, as the creature lands. Fortunately, it quickly becomes clear that whatever it is, it is the familiar of their present company, so neither move to attack. Less fortunately, however, the Black Dog seems to take offence at being growled at. The shaggy-maned spirit rises to its feet, and it is large — larger than any domestic breed of dog, though for the moment it is still noticeably shorter than Walter himself, who presently stands at slightly under five and one half feet in height. The growl offered in its direction is answered with a growl of its own, its head dipping forward as it stares the other familiar down.

Walter, for his part, stretches his arm out to his side in a clear signal for it to hold off. The other fellow is soothing his companion, so it's only right that he does not allow his familiar to re-escalate the situation.

"...Four souls, or more, if your friend is an amalgamation of more than one." It seems to have parts of different animals incorporated into it, so it wouldn't be a surprise to Walter if it did have more than one.

"I've never seen a creature like that before. What is it?"

It's good that the other person is keeping his familiar back. The last thing they needed was for a fight to break out. He gave Walter a grateful smile.

The pixiu still looked wary but leaned into the petting and seemed to calm down a little. "Behave." He said to her firmly.

If he had less control over his expression and reaction he may have laughed. It was true that if they were counting souls they were more than four, but the one with the extra soul certainly wasn't his familiar.

He shakes his head. "I don't think she has more than one soul." Though he wondered, idly, does his body contain two souls? "She's a pixiu, an auspicious creature that is considered to be a child of dragons." Hence, the head...though perhaps those not familiar with Eastern dragons may not recognize the resemblance. "Statues of them are often placed in the home to improve luck related to wealth. They also keep away misfortune." He looked down at the pixiu. "And like you, I had never seen one in the flesh before."

"That explains it." Black Dogs are generally regarded as bad omens even when they don't attack, and even the ones said to be of a more benevolent nature are the products of misfortune. Or perhaps it's him she doesn't like...

In the end, it doesn't really matter.

Regardless, it is thought-provoking to see another creature he is unfamiliar with in such a short period of time. So this is what a pixiu is.

"...How can you tell she's a girl?" he asks, his arm still firmly between the two familiars. He hasn't even tried to discern the sex of his yet, and given the length of its shaggy coat it is somewhat hard to tell without the creature rolling over onto its back. All he can really tell is that it's not a female that appears to have nursed young.

At least it appears to be settling down, moving to sit back on its haunches instead of looking just about ready for a fight. It's still staring though.

"With pixiu, males only have one antler and females have two."

There were also minor differences between their roles, but that wasn't as important.

He looked down at the pixiu again and laughed a little to himself. "Though I suppose...there's no saying that the myths were correct. Still, she doesn't seem to mind so I assume it's fine."

"That's good. Perhaps with her around to watch out for you, your life will be more fortunate." As much as one can be fortunate with their worlds hanging so precariously in the balance.

The Black Dog, gradually calming, turns its head away from the pixiu, its fiery gaze passing along the face of the cliffs, ears perking up and twitching now and then as it listens to sounds beyond human hearing. Only once its attention shifts away does Walter lower his arm.

"...Speaking of fortune, tell me, what manner of magic were you bestowed with?" If they are going to be travelling into danger together, it will be better if they have some idea of each other's capabilities. "I was told mine was called kinetic magic."

Edited 2020-12-11 08:37 (UTC)

He doubted one single creature, however auspicious could turn his fortunes around.

Still, he keeps his thoughts to himself.

The pixiu, seeing that the Black Dog wasn't doing anything decided to make herself a nuisance in another way by trying to get more pets.

"I have healing magic. Though I'm not very proficient with it yet." He's been practising with healing shallow wounds and it's always in a controlled environment.

"I'll try to be mindful of any dangers then." He sucks in a breath, thinking. He'd hardly expect anyone to be versed in whatever magic they have found themselves with here, given how rare such a thing is in his world. A learning curve is to be expected.

"...You might be able to put some practice in at an infirmary, or a clinic if they have one," he ponders aloud, breath misting in the cold air as he speaks. Do they have a hospital in Camelot proper? That would be an option, too, if such turns out to be the case.

He tilted his head a little, looking amused. "Are you saying you wouldn't be as mindful if I were a better healer?"

That doesn't sound responsible.

Still, that wasn't bad advice. "I should ask around about that. It would be the best place to find chances to practise and perhaps I can find a mentor as well."

The youth bristles slightly at the amused commentary, his posture going just a little straighter. He should probably be offended by that. He thinks he is mildly offended by that.

"To answer your assumption, no. I was wondering if you were just being overly humble or if you lacked confidence, but the reason I plan on being extra mindful is because you have healing magic and not something more oriented towards combat."

"I was only teasing." He said by way of apology...though he's really only a little sorry.

"Humility isn't a bad quality to have but I feel too much of it gets in the way. I don't know enough to say what is or isn't considered competent but coming from a place without magic I can't currently do more than heal superficial injuries." Despite teasing him earlier, he sounds perfectly serious now, "At least, I do have martial arts training." He rests his hand on the pommel of his sword. "If the danger is from something that can be hurt by weapons I can hold my own." A quick pause, "within reason, of course."

"Good. My weapons didn't make it over with me, so..." Walter stops, a sentiment about counting on the other man for support should something get through dying before it even makes it to his lips. Hadn't his own partner bailed on him before he was yanked into this world?

He frowns, bitterness rising at the thought, before he continues. "...Well, I'm sure you'll do whatever you feel is necessary to see to your own safety."

There's a lot of reasons why someone might pause in the middle of a sentence like that and Chang Geng was hardly going to assume anything. But as he didn't seem embarrassed it seemed unlikely to be anything benign...and the way he finished only made him think probably that was what had happened, someone else who had worked with him or even fought at his side doing what was necessary for their own safety.

He could say something like how he wouldn't abandon him but pretty words mean little, he knows this.

Instead what he says was, "when I was eleven I ran out into a blizzard and was attacked by wolves and attacked a full-grown barbarian soldier in Heavy Armour when I was fourteen. I'm not sure that counts as seeing to my own safety properly."

And that is not mentioning the time he got embroiled in Wei Wang's rebellion attempts with basically no back up....actually, his life semed to be full of decisions that weren't the best for his personal safety.

He related all this in the same way someone might talk about the weather or related something precocious he did as a child...not possibly nearly dying.

"My name is Li Min."

At first, the words confuse Walter. What bearing does an event that surely happened years ago have on the present? Unless... was this his way of saying he'd stick it out with him?

There's a strange feeling in his chest at the thought. A fluttery sort of unease. But it is... touching, nevertheless.

It takes but a moment for him to recover, lips pulling into a bit of a smirk as he lets out a huff of amusement. "...Huh! I suppose I really will have to take extra care, with how reckless you are."

There is a saying about a pot and a kettle that can almost certainly be applied here, but that doesn't stop him from his teasing.

Little more than a second passes before another change comes over him. His posture relaxes, and the smirk softens into a smile.

"...Walter C. Dornez."

Someone who lacks trust in others are like wounded animals. Jumping in with grand gestures and promises will only get you bitten.

So he doesn't try to explain or answer any unasked questions. He only continues to smile.

"I will try not to cause any trouble." He says, sounding sincere enough but also like he wouldn't be particularly apologetic about causing trouble.

He turned back to the Cliff Beast. "Then, let's offer the gift." And get this ritual started.

Darkness in the White Cliffs

Oh no. Is he in trouble for yelling at the not-boyfriend down the page?

people shout at the not-boyfriend all the time, tbh. he understands. he does it sometime too.

Good, good. Maybe he will learn something.

Not-boyfriend's bestfriend's been shouting at him for 20+ years. No lessons have been learned so far

Well he does seem to be part deaf...

and then he pretends to be completely deaf when ppl are saying things he doesn't want to here...XD;;

Play along! Grab his ear and yell in it.

akjhdfjkasfh he couldn't do that!

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Is it alright if I tag on your top-level, too? I have an idea in mind for prompt iii!

Absolutely! I'm loving this CR and I'm happy for more!

Huzzah! I shall do so tonight!

\o/

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1/3

2/3

3/3

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