You have spent the last few days on Thesa Station, taking in the knowledge that your world is no more. Perhaps you've made some friends (or maybe an enemy or two). Either way, you aren't expected to spend all of your time on the Station. El Nysa needs you, after all, and you promised you'd help the planet thrive. Are you ready?
Submit an AC-eligible thread with a new character as a participant for 2 OLYMPIA REP POINTS OR 2 WYVER REP POINTS, respectively, HERE or HERE. THESA STATION
All refugees on the station are called to the hangar where a large-scale teleporter has been set up; everyone will be sent to the planet together. Simply step onto the space between the arrays and wait. Before they depart, all new refugees will be given a starter kit!
 You may have heard about earlier technical difficulties, but don't worry. I promise everything is in perfect working order this time. I'd say I tested it myself, but since that's not exactly possible, you'll just have to trust me! (Please.)
The older refugees will also be there to guide you to ensure no one is left confused... or behind. Make sure you wait for them — I've been detecting something odd so I'll be having them meet you at the landing site. Good luck, refugees! Not that you'll be needing it or anything...
The arrays begin to hum and glow, quickly building into a brilliant wash of light. It creates a column that travels all the way from Thesa Station to the surface of El Nysa. With the night sky as a canvas, the beam can be seen all the way from Olympia and Wyver — a view that has the natives whispering of blessings.
As a sudden but beautiful aurora splays across the sky, the refugees down on the planet receive a message asking them to travel to the landing site — and warning them to prepare for what may come of the strange readings Zasere's gotten from the teleport itself.
Traveling through the light leaves the impression of blinding starlight, a strange sense of weightlessness, and a disorienting moment of total sensory deprivation. The radiance of your teleport hangs bright in the sky above you, a shimmering aurora that reflects off the calm waters below, visible for miles all around.
You've landed on a peninsula to the east of the South Outpost. There's little here — scattered trees on spring-barren plains, with a few overgrown, dilapidated structures poking out of the brush. All is quiet save for the keening of animals and the gentle lapping of waves against the shore. This lonely desolation is hardly the bustling cities and vibrant cultures you were promised back on the station...
BY CAMPFIRE'S GLOW. But waiting for you is a group of your predecessors, and with them, a veritable tent city, with portable stoves, coolers of food and drink, comfortable bedrolls, and cheerful rings of bonfires — all that you need to make merry of the night, courtesy of Overseer Voss, who has, thanks to his interest in blessed meteorological phenomena and refugees, decided to make a holy expedition of the affair.
Settle in, meet new comrades, and enjoy yourself, for you've safely completed your journey. But don't wander too far from the fires — the dark is closing in, and there's a strange, electric feeling in the air, the scent of ozone drifting on the breeze. And what were those odd readings Zasere mentioned?
A SHEPHERD OVER THE FLOCK. The spring sun dawns on a grey morning, already burning away the fog rolling in off the sea. It quickly becomes apparent that Voss and his entourage of acolytes have been up for hours, hard at work. They've set up a brightly-draped stage and a travel pulpit, magically enchanted to amplify his voice, and as the sun breaks over the horizon, Voss is all set to do what he does best: proselytize.
 As our Goddess has sent Her blessing once before to herald the coming of those touched by Her light, so She has done once again! Here you see them, those surrounded by the light of our Goddess, each of them bearing the mark upon their skin of Her holiest of hands! Do you not see? Do none among you bear witness to the righteousness of Her message? Perhaps this is why our people have shamed themselves in front of our Goddess—
[ He continues for another 15 minutes... ]
Nevertheless. See you them before us now! See them as they are, coming to our gates with Her reminder, that these people must be treated with the utmost respect and care. Thesa's divinity is not to be treated with such flagrant disregard! Those who She chooses are not ours to use as mindless fodder, to hurt, to torture — shame upon those who allowed such deeds to shame us under Her watchful gaze!
To those of you who have just arrived here on our doorstep, be not afraid! The Temples of Thesa welcome you to our home with hearts and minds open! Should you ever find yourself in need of solace, seek out the Temples, as there are no greater allies to you than those of us within the Temple walls. You are welcome all to Olympia!
As he steps away from the enchanted podium, he can be heard saying aside to an acolyte, "How was that? Heavy on the shame, but I think it went well!" While he will not leave the area immediately, his acolytes will politely turn away attempts to speak with him and remind anyone interested that they can leave a message at the Temples.
Despite going off without hitch, the new refugees' arrival isn't entirely without incident. It seems that the "blessed" beam of light that brought the refugees down to El Nysa brought something else along with it — a sliver of the Storm. At least the beam was short enough that only a small fraction managed to squeeze through.
But it's enough to wreak a little havoc around the landing site and along the road back toward Olympia and Wyver — and even, for a few days, in the cities themselves.
THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE. The Storm is an undeniably destructive force, and that's proven with this small sliver's effect as it ripples across the continent. While there's no visible sign of its presence, strange phenomena soon begin to appear, corresponding with Zasere's odd readings.
They're innocuous little things at first. A sudden silence, animals going quiet, insects stilling. All technology, no matter how advanced, ceases working. You discover when you check with a friend, the clock on your phone is twelve minutes slow even though you'd swear only a minute had passed — time missing. Walking through the woods takes longer than it should when brushing past one bush leads to brushing past that same bush again — and again, and again, the area looping on itself. It keeps you trapped, going in circles for minutes, even hours, before finally releasing you in a random direction.
Or perhaps you'll feel a sense of deja vu, like you've walked down this road, taken this turn, seen that bird fly from this branch before. This is the second time that cat has crossed your path. The person you're meeting, you already know their name; you're certain you've already met.
WE GOT COWS. The Storm sliver also ushers in sudden, localized weather anomalies — heavy storms, blizzards, strong winds, and more. Affected areas range from just a few feet wide to nearly half a mile. One minute, the sky may be sunny and clear, but the next dark storm clouds roll in, unleashing torrential rain. Small tornadoes surge along the road, kicking up winds strong enough to knock people over and carry objects away. Hail hurtles down from the sky, but only in a ten foot radius. Temperatures fluctuate wildly between one extreme and the next, from heat waves to cold snaps. Soupy fog blankets the area, thick enough that you can barely see your hand in front of your face. Good luck finding your way!
FORGETTING IS SO LONG. The visions come on suddenly and with very little warning. One second, you're carrying on as normal — but the next, you blink and find yourself (and anyone near you) somewhere else completely. You may recognize this place as a moment from the past, one that you lived through. It's a memory, your memory, and it now replays around you in exceptional detail, unnervingly lifelike. Or you may not recognize it at all. It might belong to the person next to you, or to someone else entirely — a memory that the Storm has swallowed up.
Either way, the scene plays out just as it once did, and there's nothing you can do to stop it — or escape it. The memory surrounds you to no end: every door you open leads nowhere, every hallway you turn down continues on forever, every horizon you flee toward hangs just out of reach. And linger too long or turn the wrong corner, and you may find yourself abruptly stuck in a completely different memory. It's almost tempting, then, to give up, to let the past sweep you away...
But this isn't the full might of the Storm. Look closely, and you can see that in the walls of this trap, there are minute, hairline cracks, a facade of fractured glass. Imperfections in the memory where the real world is breaking through. It seems the only way to escape these memories is to find those cracks and break through them — by force, by will, or by some other method entirely.
The time is coming to make a choice — perhaps not a permanent choice, but unless you want to spend the rest of your nights out under the stars, you'll need to pick which city you will initially spend your time in. On the horizon, you will see that people have arrived to help you make that decision...
A FORK IN THE ROAD. Refugees and the hyper-religious wishing to hear Voss speak are not the only ones out and about under the light of the aurora. Citizens of both Olympia and Wyver have flocked to a point on the road midway between the cities and where the refugees have appeared, and they all have the same goal in mind: convincing the newcomers who have just descended in the blessed light of Thesa to come to their city and not the other.
They've come with bribes — that is, examples of what their cities have to offer. If you spent much time at the exhibition up on Thesa Station, you might recognize some of what's being shown off, though the offerings here are markedly more tangible, and shown off by hawkers wearing substantially fewer clothes.
A herd of pegasi accompanies the Olympians, while a line of flying serpents is stabled at a tent bearing Wyver colors. Refugees are given the chance to experience solo flights and are told that if they prove their loyalty, they may have the privilege of owning such fine beasts one day themselves. The Olympians have also brought couture clothing, jewelry, and makeup to offer a taste of Olympian splendor, while the Wyver delegation has brought along fine weapons, sense-enhancing jungle plants, and small vials of diluted dragon’s blood (drinking confers a temporary boost in strength) to demonstrate their might. The Olympians speak proudly of the glory of the Temples of Thesa; the Wyverns speak of the Volkkran Pact and inform newcomers that they can make a pilgrimage to the summit of Namarak Mountain at the next full moon.
This is as good a time as any to compare your plans with others around you and exchange contact information before going your separate ways with people who are going to the city you are not. When you’re ready to go, don’t worry about safe passage — the natives of each city will gladly escort you there in luxury.
OF WHITE AND GOLD. The people of Olympia are ecstatic that you’ve come to join them... So much so that they’ve prepared a grand tour of the city for the new arrivals. You will be introduced to the major businesses in the city, including businesses that they are proud to point out were founded by refugees.
Refugees who have been here for some time already are encouraged to pair up with newcomers to introduce them to the parts of the city they like best. To facilitate this, they’ve made arrangements with many of the business owners: new refugees who visit their shops (and older refugees who escort them) are given discounts!
Just a few examples of many: the Wyvernest offers free desserts to first time visitors with the purchase of a drink, refugees who visit the Silk Wyrms can have one custom (though not exceedingly expensive) outfit made for them for free, and visitors to Shades Darker are offered a half-hour session with one of the prostitutes at half price… or access to a private room, if they seem to have taken a shine to one of their companions on the tour.
Lastly, tour guides will point out that over the course of the next week, the train to Flona Cove will allow new refugees to board for free so that they can experience the seaside for themselves. With the weather finally starting to warm, this is as good a time as any for a visit to the beach, isn’t it?
OF RED AND BLACK. Life in Wyver is typically a sink-or-swim sort of experience — but in light of the valor recently displayed by their predecessors, the natives are now more willing to assist in getting newcomers settled. The entire journey here they have been talking up the virtues of their city… and now is the time to show everything that's on offer.
The well-known businesses in the city are prepared for the influx of newcomers. Some are giving out discounted samples of their products while others are offering a more hands-on experience: in exchange for working a few hours, they will give training in whatever task is being performed.
At the Forged, newcomers can learn the basics of crafting simple weapons (and take one of their successes home), while visitors to spas near the lagoons are trained in the art of massage. Those who wander to Falmi’s Ring can learn the art of pugilism or how to keep (and fix) books if they're more inclined to the gambling that goes on. Newcomers interested in Wyver's dragons can get hands-on experience at the Fields of the Exalted's nursery. While they walk from place to place, a guide may point out a job posting from Highwind Hires, noting that refugees can make a name for themselves outside official channels.
The last stop on the tour is the Undergrowth. The guides speak of the jungle in reverent tones and caution new refugees not to wander too far in. They warn never to explore alone, but also urge refugees to take time to familiarize themselves with it; after all, the jungle is an important part of life in Wyver, and those who are going to be living here should understand it as well as they do.
You've chosen your path, refugee, but that doesn't necessarily make it a permanent one. Watch out for the strange effects of the Storm, which linger still in the two cities and everywhere in between for the next few days before dissipating just as mysteriously as they came, but otherwise enjoy the welcome and make yourself at home — after all, this is home now.
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He lets out a small exhale when he hears Duo speak to him, realizing he hadn't breathed for a few moments from the distraction and stress of this.
And he shakes his head, steeling himself to respond. ]
'Tis not about whether they are worth it. [ Maybe they were, maybe they weren't. There were some members of the Crystal Braves who were beyond worth it. There were some aspects that were. But ... ]
'Twas mine own ignorance which led to this.
[ His own ego. His blindness.
He wishes he could just ignore Duo, but having the scene right in front of them ... makes it difficult to avoid the subject. Like a trap. Ugh. ]
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Well, as my favorite nun used to tell me - unless you're everything and everywhere like the eyes of God you can't know it all.
[ He'd rolled his eyes about that comment every time Sister Helen had brought it up - a flippant child who hadn't quite understood the gravity of their situation and just how much he'd eventually come to miss phrases like this. Not because of what they said persay just... more so the people that used to say them. Thanks to all of this weirdness he's a little more reminded of it than usual and it's a good chunk of his more serious mood in the moment.
Still, he's curious and can't help himself, readjusting how his hat sits on his head before he asks. ]
What happened, anyway? Not the like.. nitty gritty details just.. enough so there's a little context, if you want to share it.
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He doesn't particularly like this conversation — not even a little — but it beats having this used to purposely torment him, like certain others have. Duo has a more ... serious air about him, which may make it easier to deal with this situation, but it doesn't make it completely easy.
Taking a deep breath, he glances up at the situation, before averting his gaze again. What a terrible thing to see — himself so vulnerable, so foolish, right there in front of him. ]
These people were my former allies. A company under my command. [ A pause. ] I believe the rest speaks for itself.
[ Their betrayal should be clear. And his hurt at their betrayal should be, as well. People who he commanded — he worked with and trusted — all conspiring against him and everyone else, right beneath his nose. His ignorance cost people their lives. ]
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So the worst kind of foot soldier, mn? [ Meaning the kind that turned coat and tried to take it over. It's a common thing, so far as he could tell with White Fang and Rockefeller and the others he's dealt with - young upstarts that think they know it all, know better than either the old dogs at the top or those who had known better how to navigate politics. All of them had their merits in their own ways, but mostly in making an organization as a whole weaker.
At least with how Duo perceives the whole thing. He'd sooner pull his own teeth than align with any kind of military.
Duo shakes his head as if throwing off a thought and then asks: ]
What ended up happening to them?
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Though at that last question, he just takes a moment to breathe, as everything that happened with them comes rushing back. The kidnapping, the battles, and the ultimate demise. There are a few who are still loyal to Alphinaud, and though he doesn't believe he deserves it, he appreciates it from the bottom of his heart. But those weren't a part of this ... broken off group, and thus he doesn't believe they're part of the question.
He answers somewhat quietly. ]
Some have met their end. [ A pause. ] Others, I cannot be sure.
[ He hasn't seen many of them since this happened, though he knows for sure some have since died. ]
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You'll probably not like me saying it but good - they got what they should've. [ Duo may be an underground child soldier, but once he's loyal to someone there's no going back on that behind someone's back. If he'd ever chosen to go against the colonies or fight for someone other than their agreed upon goals between the five of them, he'd at least announce it instead of just showing up and going rogue. ]
Double crossing isn't something I'd really tolerate, anyways. Thankfully when you work for yourself and maybe a few other people that are pretty much family there's not much crossing to do.
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But he doesn't much want to talk about that — at all. It's already highly unenjoyable talking about what they're seeing before them. A strange breech of privacy, for him. ]
I am sure it needs not be said, but I have since retired from leading groups in that fashion. [ He's still a leader at heart, ready to make up plans and do whatever needs to be done at any time. But leading a company like that, or whatever else, is not something he has any mind to do any time soon. So Duo can rest assured he doesn't plan to get involved in that sort of thing. Though his reason for this is not "because I might be betrayed" and more "I don't feel I'm qualified or deserving".
Doubting one's comrades is poison to the soul, though. The experience hasn't made him suspicious of his friends or the others he takes on as his comrades. ]
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One guy fits you up on a coup and you gave it up entirely? [ God, he's starting to see some parallels here. If Alphinaud starts to come up with some way it's his fault there isn't air in space too there will be no need for any more Quatre Winners on this planet. He's also.. mildly surprised that a kid who was so dogged to be allowed to help him until he gave him a flat, reasoned no would be so easily put off. Yes, it's not ideal to be taken out of power like that, but for some it would be a personal challenge to do better on the next.
Duo, personally, has never lead that kind of thing so he can't really comment on that, and decides to refrain. Who knew what other details there were though they may be offered up voluntarily soon enough. ]
Not gonna lie, man, I'm kinda surprised. You dogged at me for so long to try and help I thought for sure you would've jumped back in the saddle pretty quick.
If only to prove 'em wrong it's probably worth a shot.
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It does naught to simply attempt to lead again. [ A pause. ] You've no idea how hard I have been working to better myself so that I may be worthy of leading others again. [ He remembers vividly the faces of those who still trusted in him, still believed in him. Those who were still loyal to him even after everything happened. He cried hearing that from them. Though he didn't, and still doesn't, think himself worthy of their trust.
He needs to better himself. It's important to him.
It would only lead to needless sacrifice were he to lead unprepared.
He hasn't particularly spoken to others about his feelings on this in detail though, so it's a bit strange to do. But he needs to explain why he was so eager to help him yet isn't eager to get "back in the saddle" of leading a group. ]
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I mean, I'm gonna just have to take your word for it. Isn't like I've ever been a part of the military in anything other than destroying Romefeller bases and trying to fix Kushrenada's attitude.
[ Ah, yes, the bubble bath man. But then Duo stops for a moment, correcting himself. ]
I guess that's kinda a lie.. I worked with the Maganac's but those guys aren't normal military.. And there's nobody that's gonna mess with Rashid.. Dude's three of me tall and built like a brick house.
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[ Not only does he need to make sure he's ready to lead something without it leading to the same terrible outcome, but he can't be asking people to respect and trust him without earning it. He doesn't quite believe in blind trust. That can only lead to ruin. ]
You needn't understand the inner workings of a military to understand that, I believe. [ It's a pretty simple concept, he thinks, regardless of what Duo's experienced in terms of militaries. He wouldn't really call what he lead a military either, though. It was an independent company working for the good of Eorzea, without political ties. ]
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I guess, but you're never going to be in control of other people's minds in a way where they sometimes won't debate a defection. [ Pause. ] Well I guess unless you're one of those people with that kinda magic but that seems questionable as a means.
[ Mind control was never a great way to get people to agree, and seeing as Alphinaud hadn't brought it up, Duo's just going to assume that's not a way through that he's even considering. Thinking the best of people had sometimes led him to a mistake or two, but somehow he doesn't feel too incredibly cautious about it. ]
People are either gonna trust you for who you are or not. There's not an in between, and if they claim there is they're full of shit.
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Of course. There are still those who trust me, and I am ever grateful for it. [ But those people — he feels he needs to become worthy of that trust and respect. He didn't feel himself worthy of receiving it, after realizing how deep his flaws were. ]
I merely hope to better myself. [ To move past the ego and naivety that lead to the Crystal Braves' downfall. To fix that side of him that hurt so many.
It's in that moment, that the Crystal Braves in the memory move to surround Alphinaud more closely and lead him out of the room, and Alphinaud just ... flinches at how he felt during the time. Hhhh. ]
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Remind me, if you ever see a blonde guy hanging around me who likes to wear goggles, to introduce you to Quatre Winner. [ There's a sort of amusement in that reminder to Alphinaud, at least the serious bit of Duo's personality giving way a little to something that's a little less so. He thinks those two to be like peas in a pod - they might even get along in a weird way, and he'll be happy to watch it. ]
If there's anyone in the universes that thinks that their lack of effort meant space didn't have air, it would definitely be you two.
[ Kind of a compliment, but also very much Duo's way of saying to relax a little, Alphinaud. ]
It's a good way to tear yourself up, more than anything. [ Duo notes the flinch and pulls himself to full height, stretching a little as if in effort to make it casual. ]
Might as well find our way out. There's no use in sitting here and watching what you know is gonna happen, right?
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I shall remember it.
[ He's not sure how to respond to the tearing himself up thing. Alphinaud doesn't ... relax ... a lot. He's always busy, trying to help people, countries, himself, everything. It's like he can't stand to just sit still and do nothing (because he can't). So maybe it does tear him up sometimes, but it's just the way he is, so he leaves that comment alone. Instead, he'd prefer to focus on getting out of this accursed memory anyway. ]
Erm — right. There must be a way to leave this space.
[ So he'll go ahead and start inspecting things ... the walls, ground, etc. He'd rather not watch himself be led away by those people anyway. ]
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Good.. because I might not. [ If things came in to his brain space to take up that room it isn't that important to remember is basically what he's saying. Quatre would no doubt meet the entire place easily enough without Duo helping by introducing him to people.
He just had a way of that.
Once Alphinaud meets him maybe he'll get Duo's little pot shot of a joke, even a little. ]
Yeah, needs to be. If we're stuck in past memories forever this is gonna be a real disaster.
[ Duo turns to inspect in an opposite direction, carefully inspecting the area around. It isn't too long before Duo spots it - a small area that looks like it's wavering and stuttering - ]
Hey, think I found one.
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Which is why he's glad to hear Duo proclaim that he's found something, and Alphinaud immediately moves over to inspect it himself. ]
I certainly don't remember this being here before. [ A small joke, to lighten what was one of the worst moods he's been in since he got here.
Hovering a hand near it, somewhat hesitant because he's not sure what'll happen if he touches the strange wavering area. ]
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[ Duo narrowly resists a sort of 'no shit' comment - just to give Alphinaud a bit of a ribbing. However, since he seems so stressed by the memory he's currently in, he'll back off a little, just nodding his head as he looks at the thing, unsure if he ought to stick a hand in or what.
Granted, it shouldn't harm or maim him, but just because it shouldn't doesn't mean that it wouldn't. ]
I mean in theory that shouldn't hurt you.. [ Pause. ] .. But in theory being here in a memory shouldn't happen either, yeah?
There a stick around or anything that we can use? Just to be sure?
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Unless you would prefer to use what we have on us [ their clothing, or sticking their long ass hair in ], then this rock shall have to suffice.
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So instead he takes the rock, throwing it up in the air slightly and catching it as he mulls it over -
But then rears back and throws it, full force.
The little pebble disappears, which seems to surprise him a little, and was that... a yelp from the other side? ]
Uh.. well.. it didn't seem to go up in smoke.
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Nay, it just seems to have injured someone. [ No smoke is great, injuries are not. ] 'Tis a wonder you have not broken everything before you, with such reckless use of your strength.
[ Do you swing doors open and break them off the hinges too?? Okay, probably going too far, but he can't help but make a comment about that totally unnecessary use of power. ]
Regardless, it seems to have proven something.
[ That there's people on the other side of it, at least. ]
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[ Listen, he had to be sure it was gonna get through!! He doesn't know how deep inter-dimensional portals are, that sounds like math work Heero Yuy would take on, not Duo Maxwell. Duo at least has the decency to look a little surprised, though...
He's soon breaking in to a little laugh as Alphinaud brings up that it seems he's pelted someone with a rock. Oops? Maybe? Kinda?
Duo is 0% repentant and 100% amused. ]
I'll take the compliment but I ain't that strong.. if you ever meet Heero asking him about bending prison bars open. [ Heero Freak Of Nature Yuy, once again to the rescue. ]
Well... I guess here goes nothin', huh?
[ Sticking a booted foot through slowly, waiting to see if he feels wind on his toes or something, just to be safe. ]
Uh, well. I still have toes so.. let's go.
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He's more concerned about the strange thing they're trying to travel through, though, so he keeps his attention on that part of this. He's glad to see Duo isn't crying in pain or something when he sticks his foot through it. ]
An ... accurate assessment. It appears to be safe, but proceed slowly nevertheless.
[ Shh he's ... worried about his safety. ]
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Quickly.
As quickly as a skinny former gundam pilot can, which is pretty quick - and then he ends up out in Wyver. Just.. there.. Thankfully it seems as though there's no difference from when they somehow stumbled in, though, so that's just a bonus. ]
Huh.. well... we're alive at least. I think.
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And he SIGHS. ]
A miracle considering your recklessness.
[ It could've gone worse, though. At least they're alive. Ugh. ]
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