avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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⚔️️ Top-Levels Only ⚔️️

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 rest of 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.

Everyone needs a little fun from time to time; the locals have put together the annual Snow Games. As with all things Avalonians plan, magic plays a part in the competition. There will be three separate tiers for characters to enter. Each Tier will have its predetermined track or ring, set up and ready to go.

A ⦿ Foot Races

three-legged race

B ⦿ Sled Races

magically driven sleds

C ⦿ Snow Chicken

Snow Chicken, Magic Vs Yeti Style... This competition will differ from the previous two; it is not a race to the finish line but instead a competition to be the last team standing! Participants will pair off and one person will climb on the shoulders of the other and try to wrestle their opponents off without getting knocked off themselves. The field is full of snow, with more coming from the sky. Your opponents will be Yeti. Try to stay on, Yeti are no slouches so teams will have to work together using their magic not only to stay put but to knock your big-footed opponents to the ground.

Just... be wary, these friendly yeti are surprisingly big on hugging as a form of congratulations. It's much more challenging to escape from a yeti's embrace than it is to knock one over.

Trumpets hail an announcement by the town crier in front of the castle. More than a few people pull out their phones to record it and post it to the AOL network for all to see.

"Hear ye, hear ye! Our noblest of lords, King Arthur of Camelot, will host a tournament on this January the 20th on castle grounds. All are welcome to participate in competitions to determine those most skilled in both the physical and magical arts. In preparation for the upcoming tournament, we are sending envoys to Celliwig. In Celliwig lies the Magic Mirror of the South, gifted to Camelot by the Fae, and a means to communicate with their royal court at will. It is a vastly important task in your journey to become magicians and to show your good will toward the fairies. Parts of the mirror's frame have been damaged. We will need those brave of soul and pure of heart to retrieve the crystals needed to repair the mirror. Those interested, the party leaves at dawn."

A ⦿ Brave of Soul

The first stop on the trip to restore Celliwig's Mirror is to a cave just north of Albion's White Cliffs. No longer a part of the cliffs themselves, this outcropping goes underground and to a dank, dark cave. It is the only place which a special prismatic crystal grows. The crystal itself is hidden deep in the cave, which can only be passed by passing into a zone in which magic cannot be used. Characters will enter the cave and must face an illusion of one of their greatest fears. Those frozen in fear will pass out and wake up outside of the cave with no crystal. Those who run will find themselves turned out of the cave as well. Only those who recognize and face that fear deep in their soul will find the path forward. The fear will turn into a small light spirit, which will smile and reveal to them the crystals they seek.

B ⦿ Pure of Heart

The second stop is past a shanty town and at the bridge north of it. The bridge itself is broken, only the ends in existence. The water itself is impassible, white rapids sweeping away anything that steps into it. Silver crystals are on the other side of the bridge, visible in an outcropping from where they are, but it appears there is no way around as magic does not work on the bridge. The only clue as to how to get across is a plaque in the dirt before the bridge.

"The pure of heart will form the bridge with a leap of faith."

Since everyone has gone as a group, it will be possible to see others walking over the water once one person figures it out. Though the clue may seem challenging, it is quite straight-forward. Characters who are pure of heart will find that if they believe in themselves, they will be able to step off the bridge and hardlight will form beneath their feet to allow them to step over the water. Those with ill intentions or those who are willing to harm others to get their way will slip into the rapid waters and may need to be saved by other characters. At least you're off the bridge, so magic will work to that end.

C ⦿ Celliwig, the Splendored Court

As the travelers leave the bridge, they turn toward the shanty town-- wood shacks and failing farms. Not a place anyone would want to visit. Those who try to run ahead will find that it disappears as if an illusion, and they will find nothing. Those who stick with the party will wait a fair distance away until the sun sets. Once the sun begins to fall beyond the horizon, the small town will begin to shimmer brilliant whites and colors-- a glamour hiding its true glory, a city made solely of crystals and glass: Celliwig, the Splendored Court. Though smaller than Camelot, every part of the city is beautiful and glistening. The population is small and it's very quiet and serene for a city. The people of the city don't seem keen on speaking to outsiders, and will typically scatter before anyone can really engage them. They seem humanoid in nature, but not entirely human. Even the animals around the city seem to be ethereal in nature, gliding more than walking.

The party is led to a hall at the center of the city-- the hall of mirrors. Those who have succeeded in obtaining crystals need to bring them and set them on a table placed before a mirror at the end of the hall, which appears to have a number of empty settings. It's unclear what happened to the mirror previously, but now it's necessary to restore it to garner the favor of the fae.

Once crystals have been delivered, people will be free to explore the quiet city, but it seems most of the city is closing shop while the visitors are around. There is a restaurant that will serve visitors food, though all of the dishes are of the molecular gastronomy variety. Alcoholic drinks seem to come in vapor form and flashes of light if ordered, but seem effective nonetheless. The local general store seems to be willing to sell supplies to weary travelers as well, but that's about it.

...That said the inn doesn't seem particularly keen on allowing visitors in strangely, so you're either going to be sleeping on the iridescent streets or camping just outside the city if you prefer the soft grass and the darkness of night. Just be aware, if you leave, you won't be able to get back into this mysterious city so easily.

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.
• Note that the third prompt in this TDM will have consequences on the game's progression. After the application round, a poll will be put up to see how many characters who are in the game, both new and old, are able to obtain the crystals from the Brave of Soul and Pure of Heart prompts.
• 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

[ Zuko was about to laugh (sort of) — was about to feel in on the joke — before he got lost again. He has no idea what "Hercules-san" means, so without the reference or any fair sense of social literacy, he has no idea he's just been ~~groped~~ ~~hit on~~ complimented. He does know, however, that his friends are all Japanese and he's heard them use the honorifics before, so he is at least quick enough to catch that it's a name. His baffled face is not letting up in its confusion, if anything even more concerned now, giving this guy the once-over like if he gives him a closer look, the stuff he says and does might make more sense. This is the guy Hikaru likes? He's relatively cute, but—... uh... This is the guy Hikaru likes...? To be fair — he wore this same facial expression when he first met Tamaki. Can't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Although, back then, his tolerance for zaniness was a lot lower, and if Taichi's still shocking him after half a year of living with the three hosts, maybe he should... ]

Uh... No. It's Zuko...

Huh?

[ He turns back to face him, grinning. ]

Hercules is a Greek demi-god known for his deliciously sculpted muscles and adventures! Zuko-kun--

[ He's younger, right? He thinks he is. He's shorter than Taichi but except for the Phantom of the Opera situation, way hotter. And even that is like-- sir, your muscles are made of titanium, do you need to impress women with cool rugged hero scar stories too? Too many badass points in one person!! Taichi is overwhelmed. After a second of recovery (and that name sounds familiar? Hmmm.) Taichi finished his sentence. ]

Nice to meet you, I'm Taichi Nanao!

[ Oh. Oh. That's why Hikaru likes him. Wasn't gay aliens after all, was it, huh, guys... His face just falls at the word "deliciously" and it draws a nice, flattering flush over his cheeks. He's not even that buff right now, he's been slacking for months without any reason to fight... In his own eyes, he's too skinny now! Not the "demi-god" he once was. And he's certainly not used to people commenting on his appearance — not like that at least. "What happened," maybe, sure, he gets often enough, but "deliciously sculpted muscles" is a first. He reaches his hand up to rub at the back of his head awkwardly, freshly cut short by their shared hairdresser, so guaranteed to be a cut that's flattering to his bone structure and everything — by Hikaru's insistence. Clearly, the kid knows what he's doing... ]

R-Right... Um... It's, uh, nice to meet you, too.

[ He can't even look the guy in the face now. He'd be more forthcoming with their bond in common, but, well, Taichi really took what little wind there was under his sails out from him. Hope that won't be a problem if Zuko has to save them from plummeting to their dooms because his muscles can only do so much... ]

You must be super popular with girls, huh? I'm so jealous!

[ He's still stuck on those biceps for at least a second. But like, they should get going.]

Okay, let's go together! We can hold hands so if it works for one of us, the other can hang on for dear life!

[ If Zuko's face wasn't clearly growing pink before, now it is, as the color crawls even to the tips of his ears. Is this guy jealous of having Zuko's muscles, or of having girls — or is he jealous of the girls for having Zuko's muscles? Who can say...

But whether Hikaru's filled him in accurately on his beau and his preferences much, he's taught Zuko a lot of good in one department: how to joke around. Zuko's being a tremendously good sport right now compared to if he were to have arrived fresh from his world. He's bemused and amused by his choice of friends — but a little less by his choice of friends' choice of friends. Hikaru and Taichi make sense already in his book just by energy level. It draws a smirk over his face, though his blush stays put to decorate it, and coughing to clear his throat unnecessarily before he speaks again. ]

It's sounds like you just want to hang onto me...

[ Like most Zuko's jokes, it's just a factual and sincere statement with a wry hint of humor he's proud to be tapping into. Being friends with Hikaru, their first points in common are anger and isolation, conviction and passion, then cracking snarky jokes. In that order. Zuko has learned a lot from the other about how to kid around about himself, loosen up, and he's really good-humored about a lot more than he used to be directly because of this influence. Zuko is now Meat and Sarcasm Guy, Jr., in training.

He casts his confused glance to the side awkwardly before taking any steps, but when he moves forward, he reaches out to pat Taichi's shoulder reassuringly, jokingly, although with kid gloves. He's not tryna have any mixed messages here. But— he's also not gonna let this guy plummet to his doom. If it were literally any other stranger, he, uh, may not feel such an obligation. But he's a loyal friend — or he wants to be, he's trying to be, as part of his whole "pure of heart" shtick — to Hikaru, and if this weird guy wants to fawn on him and drip himself over his "deliciously" rippling muscles... if it gets them both safely across the bridge... fine. So be it. ]

C'mon. I'll catch you.

[ He means this to be kindly and reassuring, feeling even a little chuffed with how supportive he thinks he sounds, but really it's kind of shady by accident, being that the implied preface to that line could probably go, "I'm strong and pure of heart and... just in case maybe you're not..." He means well. He does. ]

[ Zuko's confusion may stem from the fact that Taichi doesn't even know the answer to that dilemma.

Luckily, Taichi isn't apt to being overly affectionate with strangers. Zuko is still an acquaintance, so he will not interpret "I'll catch you" as an invitation to jump into his arms because it's definitely the safer option and he's absolutely certain that Zuko could carry him.

If they had known each other before this day, he absolutely would have. ]

No thanks, hehe, I've got someone else I want to hang onto. Besides, I'd look way too unmanly if I let you carry me across!

[ However, it is apparent that he did interpret it that way. Hang onto, shoulder touch, catch-- he doesn't think it's too secretive! Don't worry Zuko, he won't tell anyone you hit on him.

He reaches out to take Zuko's hand, not really waiting for him and takes a deep breath and just runs at the bridge with his eyes closed. Eyes closed, head empty, full speed ahead, COME ON ZUKO!

Taichi, at the very least, makes it onto the invisible bridge and while standing over the water, looks back at Zuko while smiling brightly, hoping to see that Zuko is as excited as he is and not about to yank him down because the floor dropped out under him. ]

[ Zuko's attempts to be friendly without sending mixed messages just sent mixed messages. How do people. That's actually Hikaru and Zuko's real first bonding point: ¿how do people?

Zuko definitely can't keep up with this one. Other people's-people rules he's learned don't seem to apply right now, as he finds himself being dragged off a cliffside with great enthusiasm and no warning. Zuko may not look excited, because that involves smiling, but it's been a hot-second since he's felt this rush of adventure, and it's enticing, contagious. And absolutely gratifying to the core, as he steps onto the invisible bridge as well. Now he's excited, his face much brighter now with a certain life-threatening sparkle in his eye, looking down beneath them fearlessly. He looks back to Taichi with the barest hint of a smile, though for Zuko it's a big smile. ]

You're Japanese, right? They high-five to celebrate in Japan, don't they?

[ How'd he know he's Japanese?! Even without explanation, at least he's being friendlier, and holds his hand in the air expectantly. He did this once with Gokudera when he first met him in a hugging curse and when they broke it, Gokudera taught Zuko how to high-five. He learned you don't hold hands at the end. Duly noted. This will be his third high-five ever, woohoo! Do him the honor? ]

[ Taichi isn't called a moodmaker and periodically "Hurricane Taichi" for no reason. (Of course, he's also called "simple" and "dumb dog" and variations thereof.) He peoples and he peoples hard and fast and sometimes to the point of people like Hikaru telling him not to act so desperate. But he can't help it, especially when it's so often that he turns around and sees someone smiling the way Zuko is at him. There's absolutely no reason for him to stop being himself in moments like this, even if there are plenty of moments he thinks otherwise.

If he had his stickers with him, he'd for sure be marking this a 'good day' in one of his notebooks. He grins back brilliantly at Zuko, turning around fully while over the white rapids (what a rush, this is so cool?!) and puts not one but both hands up in the air. Double high-five. ]

High-five, yeah!

[ Fuck, don't give him a pop quiz, Taichi, he barely knows how to high-five with one hand. Every time he's taken a stab being over-confident with alien hand gestures, he gets in over his head. They don't do this where he's from. When Gokudera taught him how to high-five, he asked what expression of joy they'd use in the Fire Nation, and Zuko told him flatly, "we don't have any expressions of joy in the Fire Nation. We only bow to show respect." They don't even dance. Fun place.

Both hands being extended trips Zuko up. He was ready to smack palms hard cuz it was fun and now he's... unsure... Is he supposed to hit both hands? Is he supposed to hit just the opposite one like a normal high-five and Taichi's just waving excitedly? If he hits both hands, does he hit them at the same time? If not, which does he hit first? These are stupid questions he didn't think about. But now he's giving more thought to how to double-high-five than he did to jumping off a cliff onto this invisible pathway. With a faltering expression, Zuko hesitates with his hand in the air, before reaching out and tapping each of Taichi's palms one after another with a lot less force than one would except from Mr. Hercules here. The most timid double-high-five ever? This was his suggestion, how's that?! How embarrassing to fail your own high-five! ]

Nn? Ah...

[ he makes a curious sound when Zuko... gives him a lackluster high five. It takes him a few seconds to figure out what just happened. Oh whoops. Taichi waits for him at least to get ahold of it. Fortunately, he's used to Citron back home so just about anything Zuko does that's weird to him he'll just assume it's because he's foreign. He can recover the mood from this, he's sure. ]

Good first double-five! One more for good measure!

[ And Taichi grabs Zuko's wrists again to so Zuko's the one holding them up this time and if he lets him do that, Taichi will enthusiastically slap both of his hands in a high five. ]

Next time I'll show you secret handshakes, so look forward to it!

[ Anything weird Zuko does is because he's foreign, yes. And also because he's weird.

That Taichi just knows and accepts and acknowledges that it's his first try at that is somehow comforting, rather than making him feel weird about it. When he grabs his wrists to do it right, he's surprised, but lets him do it, and kind of likes the enthusiasm. They just had a profound and easy moment, they're walking on air cuz they're such good guys, this deserves a double double high-five! It's a refreshing reaction, and the implication of "next time" already is endearing. If Taichi knows who Zuko is, he hasn't let on, either. So he's just... assuming they're gonna hang out again cuz he's enjoying this weird interaction? And even if that's not the case, cuz Zuko can't take a joke right, he doesn't find himself all that likable, so it's touching to hear this implication right off the bat with some hyperactive gay guy (ahem, as far as he's been informed) in a triumphant moral moment? This graceful reaction points to some natural, effortless kindness in him. Zuko clawed his way bloodied and battered to be able to stand on this bridge right now, which is where he gained his confidence from all by himself, learned it the hard, serious, painful way; and even if he was hesitant at first, Taichi's confidence has a different air to it, Taichi just ran full speed forward, reaching out to take Zuko's hand as a perfect stranger. For Zuko, this is all a big deal that's happening very naturally and very fast and it's very confusing but he likes it, he thinks...?! Hikaru and the others are the zaniest people he knows, but Taichi joins their ranks immediately, and that's been such an active role in his life the past several months, that it's not as off-putting as it once might have been. ]

Edited 2021-01-18 15:19 (UTC)

[ And all that makes him smile. The fuck, Taichi got a smile from Zuko in the first half hour of meeting him?! Not fair! Everyone else had to work hard for a long time for that! The young actor can heal scrapes and bruises and hearts, clearly. ~~Hikaru did most the work and Taichi is riding on his coattails but still~~ Taichi has a pure and refreshing energy about him, indeed. Hikaru already has Zuko's blessing. He gets it. Good pair.

He's stunned and just smiles, looks Taichi in the eye and gives a sharp nod. He doesn't have words for this? This is weird? But nice? Both uncomfortable and comforting at the same time? So he just starts walking forward. ]

[ Zuko naturally needs a certain amount of sustainable gruffness about him, even when he's trying to be friendly, so feeling a bit awkward even if endeared, he just looks away and goes ahead, his signature soft scowl setting in again. He's a bit overwhelmed and overstimulated. He can't keep eye contact any longer and keeps his eyes glued to the rapids below them, smile wiped away by a vague sheepishness. There's a moment of silence before he continues once Taichi is beside him again. Now's a good a time as any to break the ice, he figures. ]

So, Taichi, uh— you know a guy named Hikaru, right? And his brother Kaoru?

[ It's not occurred to Zuko that someone he knew in Prismatica may not have been in Prismatica here. Timey-wimey wobbly-wobbly stuff is still quite beyond him, but he hasn't experienced anything like this before. It's a natural assumption, really. May not be a logical or accurate one and it will bite him in the ass quite soon. But it's understandably his automatic line of thinking. ]

[ Once they've successfully double high-fives and he's gotten another smile out of Zuko, Taichi seems satisfied and easily heads off of the bridge, leaving the rapids behind them.

He looks genuinely surprised when Zuko brings up Hikaru and Kaoru though, but nods. ]

Yeah, they're friends! You know them too?

[ Zuko nods in return, face still turned forward as they successfully cross the bridge, though his gaze does drift to the side at Taichi from the corner of his eye. ]

Yeah. We lived together in Lunatia. You and I never met there, but I know who you are, sort of...

[ Awkward. He's aware it's strange, maybe even a little creepy, this recognition being one-sided. Not that he expected Hikaru to talk about him to other people, which he appreciated knowing he didn't, evidently. But he knew little about Taichi, more about Hikaru's feelings around him. So it's an uneven footing to admit you "sort of" know someone on... ]

[ Taichi's not good at math, but he's pretty decent at social cues and stuff (at least when it's not his own) so he's able to put 2+2 together here. Rather than awkward or strange, he's... a little excited. ]

Was Hikaru talking about me? What did he say?

[ Tell him, tell him~ He doubts it was Kaoru, and if it was, it was definitely complaints so he's just going to optimistically assume it was Hikaru. ]

Uhh—

[ Oh no, now he's done it. He didn't do that math. He didn't think about how that'd imply Hikaru was talking about his crush. But... the truth is halfway out. There's only one option, really, put on the spot now. He'll just be honest... ]

It's none of your business.

[ Ouch. What?! That's honest, in his book! He means it in the kindest way possible, even though he just sounds like... a plain jerk... until he goes on, turning to face Taichi with a more earnest expression, soft scowl always in place, but something in his tone is soft despite the harshness. ]

Hikaru's words are his to speak, not mine. He's my friend — why would I break his trust like that?

[ Ah. So that's it. He's not being a jerk — at least not to Hikaru. That mixed softness and harshness in his tone is just the voice of a good friend. ]

[ Taichi tenses at the initial "none of your business." It's harsh, but Zuko walks it back and explains and Taichi relaxes a little, laughing nervously. ]

Ahh, don't worry about it! My bad.

[ Taichi's the one being a jerk, really.. he just really wants some insight or something to settle how he's feeling with everything. That's not Zuko's job. He's Hikaru's friend, not his. He's kind of rough around the edges, but he's definitely a nice guy. ]

There's the crystals, look!

[ He points to an outcropping with a bunch of crystals on it. ]

How do we get the crystals off..??

[ Zuko doesn't reply to either remark. He gives Taichi a look, an expression that's rather hard to read but at least doesn't seem so angry, before he heads right up to the rocks on his own.

And just kicks it.

Hard.

Shimmering shards shatter and scatter. He broke it as if it were made of rock candy! But really, they're hard as any crystal, but Zuko's just... an exceedingly good kicker... He once even split a metal chain with one deliberate blow of his heel. Kicked a table in half in one go, too... He mutilated a few palm trees on the beaches of Lunatia over time when he was trying to regain his firebending on his own, before his uncle came to the city and helped calm him down, finding a more productive outlet than abusing the landscaping. In this instance, it was well due.

Did he think about if that was the best way to go about this? Or if there would be any consequences for breaking them without any precision or care? Not really. He just went with his first impromptu instinct. And it worked? Zuko didn't bat an eyelash, for better or worse. But the rocks now having a nice little maw gaping, missing a wide gash of crystals, the firebender looks back to the other expectantly, face flat and blank. ]

They're off.

[ Hercules-san indeed. Brute force and blind faith gets this guy far, apparently. ]

[ Taichi certainly isn't dwelling on consequences. Or on the crystals at all really, because he's just staring in absolute awe at that point. He didn't even know kicking rocks apart was humanly possible?? It doesn't seem like something that should be? Just how strong is Zuko? Is he a mega-warrior? Is he really a demi-god? ]

Are you telling me you've got even bigger muscles under your pants than you do on your arms!? Do you do like ten thousand squats a day?! How did you do that?!

[ How is this even possible!!?? His brain is reeling. He knew he was weak but-- but--! No one has powers here outside of magic, that means it's just pure raw Zuko!! ]

[ That's just pure raw Zuko... He's no superhuman. But he trained from dawn til dusk every. single. day. for over three years...! It does something to a boy! And it's impressive! He's not used to people paying him compliments at all, let alone commenting on his muscles though — especially the ones under his pants... Why did he phrase it like that?! Zuko's stricken, the barest of color coming to his face, and awkwardly rubs the back of his head, avoiding Taichi's gaze, rambling a little on the spot now. ]

Uh— no...? Just like 100 lately, not that much, I mean— I haven't really been focusing on doing fire squats, just practicing the magic, but I have started training seriously again since being here. I slacked in Lunatia. But... Um...

[ He doesn't get the joke. He's a very literal type. You asked about squats, you got an answer. Well, let's stop talking about Zuko's body, shall we, uh, yeah, yeah. Mission, right. ]

Yeah. So, uh— the crystals...

"Just" 100!? That's so many! And they're fire squats?! Is that like...

[ Is that code for.. something...? Like when you squat fire comes out the back, or...

No, that's too ridiculous, even if it were real, Taichi doesn't think he could ask about it. ]

N-Nevermind, that seems private.

[ He grins and takes one ad holds it up to the SUN. To see if it glistens! Of course it does, it's a crystal. ]

These are cool! Do you think it's okay if we take one home to keep??

..."Private?" What's private about a hotsquat? It's just a firebending exercise... which is, like, uh— fire magic... where I'm from. But different.

[ He's kneeling down as he speaks, examining the scattered shards, trying to find the biggest piece. Bigger is better, right? It's a crystal. ]

...I bet they don't want us to take it home. We're supposed to be pure of heart, remember? What if it curses us like we're stealing or something?

[ He's not out of line to think this way. But he is a stick-in-the-mud when it comes to missions. He's not here to have fun; it just so happens he sort of is with Taichi but that's completely coincidental. He's got eyes on the goal and nothing else. He doesn't need a keepsake, and doesn't see why Taichi would, either. As a momento, he could see wanting to save a bit if it were an adventure with someone dear to him — dearer to him than Zuko, by far — then maybe, but if Taichi just likes it cuz it's sparkly... Zuko'll just find him a different crystal someday, a likely legal one. As a gift of good will in the spirit of Taichi and Hikaru's whatever it is, to show his approval. A blessing on your house, mazel tov, mazel tov. ]

What's the difference between a hot squat and a regular squat? I thought you meant like "Wow, that person is fire!!" Like when you send someone fire emoji on your phone to mean you think they're hot.

[ Because otherwise like.. he doesn't get it. ]

Oh, I don't want to steal! I just thought it was cool and like, we could collect stuff from our adventures to remind us of them. Oh- I know! [ Taichi grins and takes out his phone, holding it up proudly. ]

Let's take a selfie! Our first adventure!

...What...?

[ Wait a minute, who's confusing who, here?!

Somehow Zuko never learned the word for emoji. He just calls them "the little pictures" and never uses them himself. Azula taught him :) and :( and >:( and unfortunately ;) as well, but he doesn't even know what emotes or emoticons are, he just calls those "the little faces..." Straightforward guy. Taichi is too advanced for him.

Zuko's about to argue that he doesn't really think it's stealing and that he doesn't even think stealing is that bad, but he's just being cautious with this mysterious magic... but more mysterious than that is Taichi's request to take a picture together. How did he learn "selfie" but not "emoji?" This boy's knowledge of the modern world is like swiss cheese! Hikaru had taken pictures of Zuko, had even taken a picture of Zuko and Azula together, but he'd never had a selfie proper with Hikaru himself or even with his own sister. So far he'd taken exactly two selfies in his life: one with Gokudera when they first met so Gokudera could show him what a camera is in the first place, and one months and months later with... Gokudera again... when they were dressing up in each other's clothes for fun at their own private lil gaylien slumber party, which was possibly the funnest night of Zuko's life. Photos seem like a very special occasion sort of thing in his mind still, coming from a prince who's had to pose for royal portraits with the palace painters and that's it... and even then, not all that many... His dad didn't keep too many of Zuko's baby pictures around the house, after all, putting it lightly.

However, even if the suggestion takes him by surprise and thus takes him pause, this sort of is a special occasion, isn't it? They'd just walked on thin air over deadly rapids because they're apparently innately pure of heart, even if they both doubted in themselves. Zuko had held value in his uncle's view of him before his own view of himself and that's what got him through all these challenges today. And if they're making memories... well, Uncle would probably think this is a very good thing, photos with new friends after successful dangerous adventures, right? Maybe he can show Hikaru someday, too. What's more, Taichi said "our first" adventure, and somehow the implication there — just like the "next time I'll teach you secret handshakes" at his failed double-highfive — is a little heartwarming, between the lines. Zuko doesn't smile back right away, but his face is a little brighter, more open, than it's been so far after he gives the idea some thought. ]

...Sure.

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

hgirejkngss taichi get the ab oil

Call him Phil, he'll train him to look like the Greek god he is.

i just watched this movie yesterday actually gjksl; zero to hero, crispito, up and at em

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1/2

2/3 cuz i like icons lol jk

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