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Welcome to the Test Drive Meme for

escordvi! Anyone can participate in the test drive, regardless of invite eligibility. Just keep in mind that only those who have received invitations from the mods can actually reserve on June 24th and apply on July 1st. Our EMP/ATP can be found here.

For your toplevel, please include the following: Character Name | Canon | Armada Choice | TDM (IF TDMING). Current players can use the same header, just without the "TDM" label. We do require those who are TDMin'g to include the label so other players can distinguish between others.

For everyone's convenience, TDM threads can be carried over in game if you wish! If you are still unsure which armada to place your character, you can play it a bit loose and vague in the TDM and make retroactive changes if you carry over the threads. The log itself is set to cover starting from June 16th until the end of the month. Characters will appear at random intervals during this time rather than all at once, so players have some more flexibility on how much more adjusted they are for someone else.

If you have any question about the TDM, comment here. If you have questions about the game in general, please comment to the Game Info.

TOPLEVEL DIRECTORY (Updated Month 06/19)

GETTING STARTED

This section can be timed for any time after June 16th until the end of the month, which includes during the current event. These prompts are to benefit those TDMing, but this portion can be handwaved instead and serve as a reference for players to know what their character will have experienced and learned on arrival.

STARTER SHIPS

There are two ships that serve as starting ships for each armada: Stormbringer for the Corsairs, and Royal Fortune for the Paladins. There are various ways new arrivals—or riftfarers as they will be called, among other creative names—will appear on or by these ships. The crews for both ships will also seem a bit odd to some, as it is a mix of humans and various animal folk, non-humans that look more animal than human. Some just look like large versions of their smaller counterparts. From birds, to seals, to even bears, there is no shortage of interesting faces and people on these ships.

🚪 Random room. It could be empty, filled with crates or supplies; down in the hull where the livestock are kept; have the luck to awaken in a bed...or the misfortune of that bed already occupied; somewhere in the kitchens; in the bathroom—any room! Now let's hope the doors can open or someone may have to try and ask for help. Or jump through the porthole if there is one and it's above water.
⛵ On deck. If not in the ship itself, another possible spot to wake up to is somewhere on the maindeck. If they're lucky, they're on the deck itself. More unfortunate souls may find themselves caught in the sails or netting, the crow's nest, or on the top of the masts. Someone should be able to help, right? Or catch.
🌊 In the water. The most unlucky sods will find themselves appearing in mid-air just past the ship and plummeting straight into the water. Good news, there's always someone on the look out for such a thing and calls for help to throw a lifesaver get the rowboat will be made. Are there sharks? Well... ...Are there?

However the new riftfarers arrive, they will be poorly clothed, practically rags or loose uniforms depending on the ship. Fortunately, veteran crewmates will guide them, escorting them to a room with a strange typewriter in it. After typing their name, the typewriter will magically continue and type by itself at a fast pace until it dings and rolls out the paper. This paper will have the following information:

• Name and Shellphone ID (journalname)
• Armada (Corsair or Paladin, will match the starter ship)
• Cabin Number for their personal cabin on the starter ship
• Apartment Address for their personal address at their base armada location
• A basic map of the starting locations in Eltrut, including written directions (continued in the Eltrut section)
• A basic map of where they can find a chest with their original clothes and belongings (this will be different for every person and will be anywhere either on the starter ship or on Eltrut—players can be creative here).

After that, the crewmate will do their best to explain the basics of how they got here, what's going on, and what they'll need to do to live in Escordvi while they are here, giving them a small leather pouch with money. They will be reaching Eltrut soon, so the crewmate will suggest they look around, meet the others who have arrived. Even from their distance, they will be able to see the giant sea turtle that serves as Eltrut's leviathan.

ON ELTRUT

Once in Eltrut, the new riftfarers will be greeted by several birdfolk who will be happy to give tours to those who may need them. Otherwise, anyone is free to roam as they please and will have a map for the following main places they should visit.

🐚 Microshell. The first stop that is encouraged will be Microshell, the main store to acquire their own personal Shellphone. The paper they received on their starter ship will have their ID and the staff at the store will set them up, explaining how the device and the network works.
✒️ Inkwave, Tattoo Parlor. The next stop is Inkwave, a tattoo parlor run by a very burly but friendly octopus, Knistej. Here everyone receives their own unique magic tattoo, allowing anyone to cast specific single element spells and other magic. Note: tattoos are required before anyone will be able to use their original magical abilities.
📜 MANTA office. The final stop is the MANTA office, where all the request, mission, and task notices are posted. Each armada has their own branch office for armada specific notices as well. A great place to find jobs to earn some cash so they don't stay a hobo forever.

LATROMMI

Latrommi, a beautiful, lush heart-shaped island renowned for its beautiful beaches and perfect weather, making it the perfect paradise for romantic getaways. When docking on Latrommi travelers are greeted with a small beachside town that has been built into the side of the beach and tropical mountainscape. Boardwalks, wooden bridges and ladders connect the shops and buildings for a nice walking experience. There are shops, taverns, rooms for rent, bard performances and more. The town also boasts of their special coffee or wine bath spa that is said to put some pep back into your step too. Although there is a discount promotion currently in place, those who wish to stay at the beachfront resort can also opt to help locals as a way to "pay" for their stay.

Exploring any of the beaches on the island is encouraged! But there are some warnings to be wary about while exploring the sandy beaches. Some of the beaches are rumored to make people feel like they are ten years younger while some of the beaches make them feel as if they are ten years older. No one knows how these time lapses affect the body and mind. But other than that, enjoy some of the simpler beaches that are just fun in the sun and seashell collecting all day long, no strings attached. Don’t forget the swimsuit!

🐤 Bird watching. Like many tropical islands, Latrommi is home to hundreds of exotic bird species. They are colorful as they are magnificent and range from common sights to rarer species like the Golden Seagull. Anyone savvy to bird watching can pick up a sticker book and try to mark off and collect each one. Some say if one is able to spot the Rainbow Huma Bird, one of the legendary guardians of the island, they will be granted a month’s worth of luck and love.
🐗 Some beasties. The island is home to several land and water creatures that aren’t found on other islands or leviathans as well. People are welcome to try their hand at capturing a cute blanket octopus that will snuggly wrap around their body, fish up a blood-sucking vampire squid that is apparently a tasty delicacy, or fight off some aggressive goblin sharks. Or take a crack at hunting down one of the many wild boars in the area that have massive tusks as sharp as swords.
⛲ Beauty pools. Various pools of water are scattered all over the island that seem to have a healing property to them. Many of them will rejuvenate skin or energize the body after a nice long soak. Anyone who takes a dip will feel smooth and hydrated after a swim in one of the many mineral pools or exfoliated and fresh after a soak in one of the mud baths too. Soak it up!
🐚 Hidden cove. Scattered around the island are small, hidden coves just waiting to be uncovered. They haven’t been explored in years so they could be rich in old treasures to find. Go digging and find ancient coins, rare shiny seashells or a hidden cache of special pirate’s rum. Some might even have buried gemstones that can be found. Or maybe a fancy relic or two?
🐴 Male seahorses. In this world, seahorses are horses that can be ridden like mounts in the sea. Around this time of the year, the male seahorses that have given birth to their babies have now migrated to Latrommi to grow and thrive. The waters are littered with hundreds of baby seahorses that can be played with in the ocean water. Play with them or teach them to become rideable mounts themselves. Or just give them snacks of shrimp and fish.

For those who wish to have a bit more privacy, be it for a romantic tryst or just somewhere peaceful to relax, there are a number of places one can find. Beaches, coves, grottos, groves, even caves in the mountain side. While there are wild animals, there are not too many aggressive beasts, so just take the usual care when venturing through. There are also a number of private cabins and cabanas that one can find. Some are for rent, some free to use, and some already occupied so be sure to knock!

Strangely enough, small and rare flower patches of Ethereal Emberblooms also appear on the island. Odd because the flowers themselves should only be able to survive on Elah. So, how did they get here? Sadly, they will wither and die by the end of the month.

FYRE FESTIVAL

Ever since the first sighting, Latrommi hosts the Fyre Festival every June, an event in tribute to their patron and mythical bird, the quetzal, Eternia. It is said that he will bless any marriage on this island, and anyone who sees the end of the Festival with a feather in their hand will be gifted by Eternia with eternal love and a happy family. That is what makes June the most popular month for weddings, and couples—both human and even inter-species!— from far and wide visit Latrommi not only to celebrate, but to wed with the hopes that Eternia will smile down upon their union.

The festival boasts all kinds of activities to try out with a friend or even a loved one, with different food stalls available to try out the local delicacies. Be careful, the Latrommians love their food spicy! There is also beer and grog available along the beaches and in many of the seaside taverns.

To kick off the festivities this year, the people of Latrommi are putting on a stage play about a recent tale of love and betrayal that has been going around, based on the newest hit that all the bards are singing across the land: Tempest Hearts. It is a story of two lovers, Karura, the Queen of Harpies and Indra, the Lord of Lightning who have recently had a bit of a spat, and their fight has taken them out to sea where they create violent storms.

Tempest Hearts, a Tale of Two Gods:

In the world where the sky meets the sea,
A love once prospered, fiery and free.
Karura, Queen of Wind and Flight,
And Indra, Lord of Lightning's might.

So in love, she would grow wings,
With every kiss, the winds would sing.
But whispers of betrayal spread,
Karura’s heart was filled with dread.

Indra, with a heart so true,
His love like thunder, a spark that grew.
He sought to shield her from the fray,
But fate’s cruel hand pushed her away.

Over the ocean, a fight so fierce,
The skies do roar, the seas do pierce.
Karura’s tears in stormy squalls,
Indra’s fury, thunder calls.

Misunderstood, his noble quest,
To guard his love, his very best.
But wounds of doubt and sorrow deep,
Turned love to storms that do not sleep.

Yet truth was found within the stars,
Their hearts began to heal the scars,
Karura saw his love so pure,
And Indra’s heart, she did secure.

Oh, tempest hearts, once torn apart,
Now healed by love, a brand new start.
Across the ocean’s endless blue,
Their journey ends in love renewed.

Their hands entwined, the storm did cease,
A love reborn, their souls at peace.
Begone the wind and lightning's feud,
Their love now calm, forever true.

So sail the seas, oh mariners brave,
For now the winds and waves behave.
In skies once stormy, clear and bright,
Rest Karura and Indra, in love's flight.

Throughout the festival, those with acting chops may be asked to take to the stage and act out their rendition of this story, and improvisation is more than encouraged! Take on the role of Karura or Indra and help spin this tale of betrayal and love renewed with a partner.

🦚 Feather exchange. When the festival begins, all festival goers are given a single blue feather. This feather is meant to signify a bond between two people when given to someone else. By the end of the festival, give this feather to another person to express that they mean something special, either platonically or romantically. Just remember, each participant is only given one blue feather to give to someone else.
💍 Wedding/Couples rings. Whether looking for something nice or needing them for a wedding, there is a current special on matching rings for couples! However, little do people know, they have been enchanted to fuse together, forcing people to hold hands. The only way to get them off? Exchange heartfelt vows to one another.
💥 Coal walking. One of the many challenges during the festival is barefooted coal walking! Resist the heat and walk across a bed of hot coals, and even try partnering up with someone to see how fast the challenge can be completed together. Alternatively, races are encouraged! No cheating with special abilities allowed!
👗 Corset competition. Any pirate worth their salt knows how to fashion and wear a corset. This year, there is a little competition to see who can tie a corset the tightest and wear it the longest without passing out. They can be tied solo or around a partner. Get those strings pulled and cinch in those ribs. Just don’t forget to breathe. Alternatively, those who have survived the corset tying competition could try the corset untying competition too. People are now challenged to get them off as fast as possible. No tools or tricks are allowed to be used. Only hands, toes and mouth. Animal folk are more than welcome to use their claws too.
🍰 Cake eating. There is a cake-eating contest to see who can eat the most cake, but with a twist! Partners must feed each other cake at the same time, so pair up and see who can eat more to win! Or just enjoy eating the free cake with someone.
🐦Hot ones. Sit down with a partner for this test on the stomach. The challenge is to eat a massive plate of spicy hot wings! The catch is that each time their partner is to eat an increasingly spicier hot wing, they must answer a question about themselves first. Ask a question, eat more spicy hot wings, and see who can last the longest without crying or dying for a mug of milk.

Like many festivals, there is a plethora of music and dance to participate in. Grab a partner and dance the night away, or participate in a dance partner swap where everyone is swapped with a random dance partner they might have never met before. There is also ribbon dancing where partners are tied together using a long red ribbon. Once they are all tangled up the ribbon will only completely loosen and untie once the pair manages to share a kiss on the mouth or the cheek, or if they confess a special thought to one another. Finally, for those who want something a little more exciting, fire dancing is a traditional dance where dancers take up long staves that are lit on both ends with torch-fire. Use these staves to dance and move to the music, creating an intricate glow of firelight in the night.

WEDDING WRECKERS

ALL PROMPTS IN THIS SECTION ARE WORTH 4 PTS.

While Latrommi wishes everyone their beautiful "happily ever after," there are those who wish the opposite, either jealous of those who manage to find their happiness or just revel in the chaos and thrill of ruining the lives of others. Thus wedding crashers have always been a problem, leading to increased security over the years.

However, this year there is a group called Captain Salt's Lonely Hearts Crew that has gone beyond simple disruption to outright bride and groom kidnapping. Some are done for ransom, others have a personal vendetta towards the couples. So far all victims have been rescued unharmed, but there is a fear that things could turn for the worst. Already there have been reported murders and attacks on those suspected of having affairs or adultery on their loved ones, and Captain Salt's crew is high on the list of suspects.

Various operations are underway to try and undermine the group as well as find the ringleaders and put a stop to it once and for all. This will require as much help from both Paladins and Corsairs as possible. However, there is tension between the two groups as Paladins suspect the Corsairs for the more heinous crimes while Corsairs counter this smells like something an overzealous justice loving Paladin would do.

IMPORTANT NOTE: while the prompts are written in the perspective of people helping save the victims, it is possible for characters to deliberately cause chaos. Whether they are for the Lonely Hearts Crew's cause or just want to mess with people, they can serve as antagonists for the prompts instead instead.

OPERATION: FAKE WEDDING. To try and capture those involved, volunteers are asked to either switch with real, targeted couples or host elaborate fake weddings. Some may have both individuals or only have one replaced with a fake. All replacements will try to look as close to the original as possible, but to help with the brides, they will have long, thick veils to help obscure their faces. For fake grooms, they will have hats or temporary magical glamor. Those who wish to act as security will also be disguised as attending guests or staff.

👗 Dress your best. Of course, no one will be getting through this without dressing their absolute best. While the tailors would prefer if the outfits are not destroyed, they see this as an advertisement opportunity and will dress volunteers into their dream dress or suit. No one will leave until they say "yes" to that dress!
🍰 Surprise cake. One "hiding" spot a guard may try to use is a fake wedding cake. Hidden in a large box disguised as an elaborate six-tiered wedding cake, it's the perfect place to spring out the moment trouble arrives. Just be careful because some may be fooled and try to take a stab for a slice.
💐 Flower toss. The flowers are enchanted to burst into different colored paint to help mark disruptors should they be jostled or knocked over. …And anyone else for that matter. No one said this was the best idea.
⚔️ Vicious engagements. Once the would-be wedding crashers and kidnappers appear, the silk gloves are off and weapons are out! Try and capture as many as possible to be taken in for interrogation.

OPERATION: RESCUE. While it's ideal to stop anyone from getting kidnapped at all, there are some who are assigned to be deliberately taken. In this situation, the kidnapped will have a small, special feather attached to their outfit in some way that can be released to discreetly fly off and release an "SOS" flare of sorts. Just be careful as they will be taken deep into the surrounding forest, sometimes even as far as the mountains or out to sea…

🔍 Follow the signal. Upon seeing the flare, volunteers of the rescue group must now venture through the island and find the target location. Upon reaching the location, it's time to clear out the villains and capture them to return for proper punishments. However…
⁉️ Rescued affair!? Some of these acts of bride- or groomnapping is actually a twisted gesture of "romance" from the kidnapper, wishing to steal them away either to save them from an undesired marriage or a one last desperate attempt to win them over. Some are genuine with pure feelings and revelations of marriage, the victim wishing to flee with their secret lover. Others are clearly mad and the victim wants nothing to do with them. Perhaps there's an even bigger story. Will the rescuers help? Or stick with the job?
🏃 Escape. Forget waiting to be rescued, if it's possible to break out and deal with the kidnappers and escape, there's no one to stop them. Maybe there are other victims from previous kidnappings there that need help or could assist.

OPERATION: INFILTRATION. For those who want to try their hand and infiltrate Captain Salt's Lonely Crew, then they must somehow convince the members they want in. Or just volunteer like a mercenary and be paid for it. All they have to do is express disgust or anger towards weddings and they're pretty much in. A sob story filled with heartbreak will do, too. Note: these prompts can tie in to the other sections.

🗡️ Affair most foul. Rather than crash weddings, some are assigned to attack, even kill certain individuals who are said to be committing affairs or adultery. The problem is there is little evidence to prove it and the descriptions of the targets are vague at best. This results in mistaken identities. (Player options are 1) commit to the assignment and attack the target; 2) try and save the target; 3) be mistaken as the target.)
🎻 Bad Boy/Girl Band. One group uses enchanted instruments to either freeze or put everyone to sleep. Destroy the instruments without giving away their true identity.
🥷 "Kidnapping." Knowing the intended target, those who have infiltrated the group can try and reach the target first and prevent them from being taken.
🛑 Words of persuasion. Perhaps the salty crew members can be persuaded away from crashing a wedding. Is the one leading the crash someone whose heart was broken by one of the couples? Do they have a personal vendetta? Or is there another story here?

Those looking into the murders will also be tasked in finding and recovering missing bodies, though this will not be for the faint of heart. Some clearly were personal and quite gruesome. As for any bases or hideouts used for the kidnappings, once found permission is granted to destroy whatever is there and bring in all members. There are many of them, with clues to where Captain Salt's location is… However, Captain Salt will remain elusive for a time. For now, any clues to who and where Captain Salt could possibly go will be collected (player submission).

QUESTS

The current MANTA Board is available, but we have a couple of additional quests that are specific for the event! Teaming up is of course encouraged, no matter what the affiliation. You can assume they acquired some kind of ship for the quests out at sea, either the starter ship or some other ship heading out there. All quests will be worth 4 points.

The Shiny Exchange

Eltrut

The Crow's Nest, a group of local corsairs working out of Eltrut, is planning a unique get-together where everyone dresses up as crows by wearing all black and bringing their best shiny trinkets to the mini event. Inspired by a local folklore hero—a crow version of Robin Hood—the event will honor the person with the best shiny trinket with the title of Crow Hero. Gather together with other crows and trade shiny trinkets to your heart's desire. While there can be multiple winners of who has the best shiny trinkets, only the person with the shiniest items of all can be the Crow Hero. Feel free to play puzzle games and card games with other local crows as well, it's all about meeting with the locals.

Sacabuffbaspis

Everywhere

The sacabambaspis fish is very popular in and around all the islands and leviathans. Lately, it appears someone has been making a mass amount of sacabambaspis merchandise including mugs, keychains, stuffed plush toys and painted posters of the strange-looking fish. But someone has also put up several paper posters of a very muscular and beefy looking sacabambaspis man all over the place which has deterred the fish's popularity (or in some cases made it more "popular" with certain groups of people with certain tastes...). Help the shopkeepers by taking down the buff-looking posters of the sacabambaspis man so that the sacabambaspis fish can retain its wholesome image. Unfortunately, the more posters you take down, the more get put up but... Do your best anyway.

That Much Hoppier

Naughtilust

Hasn't anyone ever told you not to lick toads and frogs? There's a strange trend going around Naughtilust where brothel goers have started to lick special frogs for the delightful little buzz it gives the licker. Licking these special frogs tastes like candy but the happy and hallucinogenic effects that come from licking the frogs is what everyone is after. If you lick a frog you might feel like rocks are popping in your mouth or you'll be able to see colors start to change or swap. Most importantly, it makes the licker feel so, so happy. So happy that you could kiss anyone! Dance with anyone! Strip off your clothes and jump in the ocean! Anyone on Naughtilust is more than welcome to try licking frogs to see what will happen to them. It'll only cost you a small amount of coins to do it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Darin can feel a pang in his heart when Zelda says she hasn't been this happy in a long time. She seemed so pleasant and cordial...could she really be silently suffering? He wasn't exactly one to judge in that regard. If anything...he understood. He briefly considers stopping the recording like she did with him...but this was her device, wasn't it? She wouldn't need to hide anything from herself. At least this way she can see for herself that Darin's not intentionally prying into her affairs.]

[Speaking of which...what was that about a palace? Wasn't she a researcher? Maybe she was some sort of royal engineer or scientist.]

[He mentally logs the name 'Ganondorf' away. Whoever it was, the name sounded intimidating. But considering Zelda's dour expression, he wasn't about to press the issue.]

Then, I think the next question is obvious! What does Subject Zelda like to do for fun? What would you want to do for fun?

Me? What do I like to do?

[ Her brows briefly go up with surprise, as though she's never been asked this question before, then go back down and knit tightly together as she tries to think of the answer. "What do you like to do for fun" isn't the kind of question that would normally trip someone up, but the expression on Zelda's face is like he just asked her to solve for pi. ]

Well, I... I study, usually. [ Wait, she's supposed to be a researcher; she can't expect him to believe that she studies both for work and for leisure (even though that's kind of what the princess already does). ] Sometimes I get to read new technical reports.

[ The grooves in her forehead get deeper. Does she not have any hobbies?? Does the Princess of Hyrule do nothing but work, eat, and sleep?

Normally, that knowledge wouldn't bother Zelda. Her life is a busy one, lived in service of her kingdom, and she enjoys that. Yes it's hard and sometimes stressful and petty political conflicts drive her up the wall. But she loves the life she lives. She loves Hyrule.

But right now, she's feeling all of her emotions very strongly, and the idea that she doesn't actually have any hobbies is suddenly becoming very upsetting for the princess. Something which starts to show in her face as she grapples for any leisure activity she's ever engaged in. ]

[Darin watches the way Zelda's face seems to fall at his question and he silently kicks himself for pursuing the topic. The answer she gives him doesn't really satisfy...]

[Does Zelda not know how to have fun?]

[The feeling sat in the pit of his stomach. Darin's seen that look before. Hell, Darin's probably worn that selfsame expression more times than he cared to admit.]

[The realization that maybe you're not as happy with the way things are as you pretend to be.]

[Darin pushes himself to his feet and takes a step her way, holding out his hand.]

...You trust me, right?

[ Her expression shifts back to confusion as Darin abruptly stands up without a word, eyes full of questions as she watches him. Is something wrong? Is he leaving? Is it because she didn't really answer his question??

He extends his hand to her and her gaze drops to it briefly, then returns to his. Her head tilts to the side as she scrutinizes his expression, looking for an explanation.

Even in the drug-addled haze of her mind, the princess is aware that she probably ought to be a bit more discerning with where she places her trust. She's all alone in this world; there's no Rauru or Sonia here to take her in, no Link to stand tirelessly by her side to protect her. And for as much as she likes Darin, as much as she thinks she has correctly judged him as a good person, she hasn't known him that long and she doesn't know him that well either. Just because he doesn't know she's a princess doesn't mean she's automatically safe with him.

But, well, the Princess of Hyrule has always been rather reckless, hasn't she?

While there's a brief hesitation on Zelda's end, she ultimately puts her hand in Darin's. ] I do, yes.

[Darin's serious facade gives way to an almost mischievous grin as he pulls her easily to her feet.]

Good.

[He hands her the Purah Pad for safekeeping for the moment then, with one fluid motion, swings her around onto his back.]

Hang on for a minute. We're taking a trip.

[He heads for the window and slides it open, swinging a leg out over the sill. They're on the second story which isn't a far drop for Darin but it's not his intended destination. He cranes his head to see if anyone's paying attention but people are far too busy with their own business on the Naughtilust to bother looking skyward which suits Darin just fine.]

[Before Zelda can protest or sober up, he swings out of the window and proceeds to scale the building quickly, using his heightened strength to grip ledges and haul themselves up, careful to avoid any windows.]

[Once they're at the roof, Darin glances over his shoulder.]

You ready for something that no one else will ever see?

Edited 2024-06-30 02:13 (UTC)

[ Zelda has just enough time to look deeply confused when he hands her the Purah Pad before she suddenly feels herself effortlessly lifted off the floor and slung across his back like a knapsack.

She yelps in surprise, barely managing to keep ahold of the Purah Pad. Frantic questions manage to puncture the fog in her mind. What?? All he asked is if she trusted him! Why is she on his back??

"Hang on for a minute."

Oh Hylia...

Zelda throws both of her arms around Darin's neck as he heads for the window, gripping him and the Purah Pad (which she has forgotten is still recording) like her life depends on it.

Now, the Princess of Hyrule is not afraid of heights. She's not afraid of flying or traveling at really high speeds. She's not afraid of the dark, or bugs, or small spaces, or most anything at all-- frequently to her detriment, because she also lacks a healthy fear of danger.

But the Princess of Hyrule is also not normally high as a kite from licking hallucinogenic frog mucus. So with all of her senses dialed up to an 11, the realization that Darin is about to jump out a window fills her with a perfectly reasonable amount of panic. ]

Wait, wait wait-- Darin, wait!

[ He does not wait.

Out they go-- but instead of falling to the ground, he just scrambles up the side of the hotel like it's nothing. Zelda has watched Link free-hand his way up a sheer cliffside like this, but she's never been clinging to his back while he did! (Not that she wouldn't have wanted to.)

In no time at all, they're up on the roof. Zelda loosens her hold on Darin's neck enough that she's finally not nearly strangling him and glances around. The hotel isn't all that tall, but it still affords an incredible view of the leviathan that is Naughtilust and the town that has grown up on its shell. It's breathtaking.

Her attention returns to Darin as he glances towards her. "Something no one else will ever see??" What in the world could he mean by that? Her expression is still all questions and confusion, but she nods anyways. ] Yes...

[That grin widens; a little wild but all genuine excitement.]

Good, let me just...

[He crouches a bit so her feet can touch the ground momentarily. Just enough that he can twist in her arms and scoop her up in a more proper fashion. He'd hate for her to lose her grip when he does what he's about to do.]

[With Zelda secured in his arms, he winks at her.]

Get that pad of yours ready.

[And then, he crouches and jumps, pouring a decent amount of strength into his legs to propel them both up into the sky like a rocket. He may have cracked the rooftop a bit but it's not like they'll get caught, right?]

[He's not propelling them up into the stratosphere like a certain engineer's spires but he does get them up high enough that more of the island and the city that sits upon the titanic nautilus can be seen. And beyond that, the ever expanding ocean.]

[If she thought the first sight was breathtaking, hopefully she can handle this one.]

Well? What do you think? Can't imagine a lot of people get to see the world like this, right?

[ Although Zelda's head is full to bursting with questions about what on earth Darin intends to do, she still allows him to adjust her position on his back without protest. (She also takes the time to get a better hold on the Purah Pad so she can record this amazing view.) It's interesting how the princess seemed pretty frazzled when it came to scratching his back, but is noticeably unbothered by being carried, even in in her drug-induced state.

She opens her mouth to ask what she should get ready for, but then he suddenly leaps upward off the roof, sending them soaring into the sky. The force of the air as it rushes against Zelda pulls the breath right out of her lungs as they fly upward.

The intense air pressure tapers off as they reach the apex of his jump arc and there's a minute where gravity and inertia are in perfect balance that they're suspended weightless high in the sky.

The sight is breathtaking, but she somehow manages to find the air to gasp in awe all the same.

The sun has sunk just below the horizon and everything that should have been blue is now painted with thick brushstrokes in yellows, oranges, reds, and violets. The ocean glitters, light rippling off the rolling waves, like a carpet of polished coins and gems spread out as far as the eye can see. Naughtilust, glowing with the light of its dozens of lanterns, is positively dull in comparison.

This is not the first time Zelda has every been this high in the sky. Vah Medoh could reach heights like these and Revali was pleased to have the opportunity to show off his skill at handling the Divine Beast by flying the princess around.

But Zelda has never felt the very sky itself flush against her, as though she was soaring through it on her own pair of wings.

At first, Zelda starts to record the view with the Purah Pad, but somehow, it doesn't look nearly as beautiful on the screen as it does in her eyes. She lets the pad languish against Darin's shoulder, taking in the beauty of the scene with her own eyes. It's exquisite on its own, but the effects of the drug heighten what she sees beyond anything she's ever experienced. The colors seem to dance, a hundred thousand ballroom dancers dressed in the most luxurious gowns ever sewn, sweeping across the sea in a dazzling display. They sing, a symphony of sound, perfectly in harmony, tugging so strongly at the princess's heart that she's nearly moved to tears. ]

It's beautiful.

[ She's normally quite articulate, but even if her mind wasn't muddled with the drug, she wouldn't be able to find suitable words to describe the beauty of this scene. ]

Edited 2024-07-01 00:45 (UTC)

[Darin watches Zelda's awestruck expression and he can't help but feel the smile spread across his own face. He remembers the first time he did this back on his homeworld. The rush, the excitement, the beauty of it all. As predicted, the hallucinogenic mucus would make this a much more impactful experience. One sure to lift anyone's spirits.]

[For a moment, he's transported back to Alvale. Back to his port town home of Kenmore. He remembers the day he tried this; when he went down to the beach at dusk deciding then and there as a teen to figure out just how high he could jump. To let himself be...well, himself. He'll never forget the glistening waters of the bay or the way the sky shifted from orange to purple on the far horizon. In that moment he felt truly free. It's a treasure that he always kept to himself, ingrained in his heart. A treasure all his own.]

...Yeah. Yeah, it's pretty nice, huh.

[Well...it can be two people's treasure. He'll allow it.]

[With the apex of his jump complete, there's that feeling of one's stomach slowly rising as the descent begins like you're cresting the apex of a roller coaster and you're about to hit that drop.]

Oh..! Hey! Hold on!

[He clutches Zelda a little tighter with one arm while he fishes around in his pocket for his shellphone. Thankfully, he's gotten better at operating the damn thing— specifically taking photos. Thanks to that 'hot or not' network...thing...a little while back, Darin's learned the concept of a selfie. He twists in the air to try and get a little more of the sunset into frame and he holds the shellphone up and out.]

Smile!

[He takes a few rapid-fire shots that hopefully Zelda can get in on before they start to outright plummet. The wind rushes by as their velocity picks up and, predictably, Darin doesn't seem all that perturbed. Right now, he's focusing on what's below them. He wants to make sure they land properly and it allows Zelda some time to process this whole little excursion.]

[When they land, Darin hits the roof of the hotel with enough force to add a few more cracks that drops him to one knee. He straightens up, hair more wild than usual thanks to the wind, and sets her down.]

How do you feel? Did the change in perspective lift your spirits any?

[He has no idea if she's sobered up and he's half expecting giddiness to overtake her.]

[ She feels Darin reach for his shellphone and turns to look over his shoulder just as he's lining up the shot. Oh, a picture! Zelda has taken selfies of herself and Link together, so she understands immediately what Darin is doing. She has been holding onto him with one arm across his chest, so she pulls herself close enough that her head is right beside his and smiles brightly. She can't wait to see how those come out!

Gravity begins to win out over inertia and Zelda can feel her stomach starting to rise as they begin to descend. She hastily clips the Purah Pad back to her belt so she can use both hands to hold onto Darin. Her heart pounds in her chest as they hurtle back towards the leviathan, the wind tearing her breath from her chest again. But far from being terrifying, the sensation is absolutely exhilarating. If there was any air in her lungs, she'd be shrieking with excitement from the rush.

Somehow, Darin manages to control their landing so that they don't hit the roof of the hotel with the force of a small asteroid. Zelda lets go of her hold on him and slides down from his back... but her legs are jelly and crumple beneath her the moment her feet touch the roof. She melts right down into a seated position.

For a moment, she just stares in shock at nothing, mind still trying to catch up with her body. Her cheeks and the tips of her ears are flushed and red from the force of the wind. Her hair is a mess as well, braids half undone and strands of hair sticking up in all different directions.

Then her mind manages to return and with it, her expression brightens with sheer joy. ]

That was... that was incredible! I've never seen anything like it-- never felt anything like it! It-- it felt like we were flying! [ Her eyes are sparkling. ] I've flown on Vah Medoh before, but this was nothing like that! This was better!

[ While the drug is still effecting her, this level of excitement is the same as what she would feel sober. ]

Better than flying? I don't know about all that. I mean, we basically just free fell...

[Despite his protest, Darin laughs, albeit bashfully. He brings a hand up to scratch at a rosy cheek, colored from the rush of the wind as they plummeted, of course!]

But...I'm glad all the same. Sometimes I feel like a change in perspective helps to drive the bad thoughts away. It always worked for me.

[There's more to that, of course. To Darin, his powers may be a curse, but his adopted father always told him that those blessed with tremendous power should use it for the betterment of others. Zelda was sad and distraught so he cheered her up the only way he could think to do it.]

[Sometimes he could begrudgingly admit his strength had its uses.]

[He drops to a knee in front of her and holds a hand out to her again, this time to help her stand.]

Who you were back home doesn't mean you have to be that same person here. Regardless of how we got here...I think we've all been given a pretty amazing opportunity. And hey, you're pretty easy to talk to. I'm sure you'll meet tons of people clamoring to be your friend and do all kinds of fun things with you.

Be who you want to be. Do whatever you want to do. And no one can say otherwise here.

[ Zelda places her hand in his, grateful this time when he simply helps her to stand (even though he legs wobble beneath her and she grips his hand all the tighter to keep herself steady).

As he speaks, she stares up at him with an expression akin to wonderment. It's not just because of the way the drug is effecting her (although her adrenaline is burning it off pretty quickly); it's what he says that strikes her. "Be who you want to be," as though he somehow knows who she truly is and knows how she has been enjoying (guiltily) being someone else. Which is impossible-- there's no way he could possibly know she's a princess. Zelda may not be the best liar in the world, but she's pretty sure she's been doing a good job keeping her title under wraps.

Something in the way he assures her that she'll meet plenty of people who will want to be her friend makes her wonder why he's excluding himself, and so she asks (perhaps confusingly), ] Are you?

[ Because he just spent the evening in a hotel room with her licking hallucinogenic frogs before then taking her outside to use his abilities --(abilities he staunchly wishes to keep secret)-- to show her a breathtaking view of the sunset in order to cheer her up. ]

Am I...?

[He reels back ever so slightly at the question, eyed widening in the slightest of panics. He realizes her hand in his and withdraws it quickly, turning his gaze to the side while that selfsame hand runs through his deep blue, spiky hair.]

[Why'd she have to look at him like that? Wide eyes full of wonder and...and sincerity. In this moment, he'd consider himself what more unscrupulous vendors back home would call a "complete and total sucker." Still...he can't deny that she's shown him a level of respect most people don't. She purposefully ended her own research out of consideration for him— and while that might have been her attempt to prove that could be trustworthy, Darin just can't see Zelda being the type of person to do that for her sake.]

[Plus...it was fun. No one's ever regarded his abilities as fascinating. Acteon always taught him is strength was a tool and he could use it for good if he chose to. And Kessler? Kessler saw potential in him but regarded him with a distant respect; he didn't want to meddle too much in Darin's choices.]

[But Zelda. Zelda honestly seemed interested in who he was and what he could do. And the smile she had when they were up in the sky was one in a million.]

[He realizes he'd fallen silent for an awkward amount of time and Zelda was almost assuredly still looking at him waiting for his answer (he'd stolen at least five glances while he was trying to sort his thoughts out). Finally, he sighs and lowers his head almost in surrender.]

You've got one of those shellphone things, right? Give it here a second?

[ Zelda is still a little slow on the uptake right now, so when Darin withdraws his hand and glances away, she's not sure what to make of it. Is he back to being uncomfortable with her? After all this? Is it because she asked if he considered himself her friend? Or is it something else entirely?

It takes a bit longer than usual for her muddled brain to sort through these thoughts, so although she's aware that he seems to be staring at her, she's also still staring at him. She thought she was finally starting to figure Darin out, but now it feels like he's thrown her for a loop again.

She's no closer to making sense of this when he hangs his head and asks in resignation for her shellphone.

Automatically, Zelda unclips the Purah Pad and holds it out to him.

...

Oh, no wait, shellphone.

She returns the Purah Pad to her belt clip, then reaches for a small pouch on the opposite side and fishes out her shellphone. ]

This? [ She holds it out, clearly confused about what he wants it for. He already has one of his own, after all. ]

[Darin takes it and pulls his own out, turning away from her as he navigates the interfaces of both.]

...How the hell did Garrus say to do this again...? Was it...here?

No that's 'settings...'

Dammit, why the hell are these things so damn fiddly...? Where the hell is— Aha!

[Tongue poking out of the corner of his mouth, Darin quickly taps away at...something. Then he deletes it.]

[Then he retypes it.]

[Pauses.]

[Decides not to overthink it and then closes out of the menu before he turns and hands the shellphone back to Zelda.]

[A moment later, she'll see she's received a message: it's the best of the series of selfies that they'd taken just as they were about to begin their descent. It's not the best framing but they're not blurry. And he managed to catch the sunset with the myriad of painted hues behind them at the top of the frame. And directly behind them, the lanterns of the Naughtilust showcasing the height they were at when the photo was snapped.]

[But most importantly, at the top of the message where it shows the sender and how his or her name would appear in Zelda's contacts...]

Darin Altway (Friend)

[He's presently facing to the side, in profile, trying to remain as stoic as possible despite the fact that his cheeks are flushed scarlet as he shoves his own shellphone back into his pocket.]

[ Zelda just watches, bemused, as Darin struggles with the two shellphones. If she had her wits about her, the princess might have thought to ask what he was trying to do and if he needs any help. Thanks to her years of experience with first with the Sheikah Slate and now with the Purah Pad, Zelda figured out how to operate the shellphone with ease.

But no, instead she just watches, confusion mounting when he hands her phone back with no explanation whatsoever. ??????

She opens her mouth to ask what all that was about, but before she can say anything, the phone chimes with receipt of a message.

As she looks down and opens it, all of her confusion melts away and she lets out a little huff of amusement at the screen.

So it is "friend," huh?

Zelda looks up again, clutching her phone in her hands as a smile blossoms on her face. He's not even looking at her, as if this whole thing is so unimportant that he's already moved on to something else entirely, but she sees through it in an instant. Even with the sunset washing everything in its colors, she can still tell that he's blushing.

And this sight, the message on her phone, and the way the drug amplifies all of Zelda's emotions to an 11, makes her feel so overwhelmingly happy that she almost wants to cry. (In fact, it might even bring a few tears to the corners of her eyes.)

In spite of all the lovely people she has met here, Zelda somehow finds herself feeling lonely. She shouldn't, she thinks. So many people are friendly. So many people have welcomed her to share their studies and passions. The princess is not without friends, not by a long shot.

And yet, every night, she goes back to the little room she is renting on Eltrut and feels alone. Zelda didn't realize it at first, but these past couple months are the longest she has ever been alone since before the Calamity. After the defeat of Calamity Ganon, Link was by her side every day. They traveled together. They made a home in Hateno Village together. And even after they were separated under Hyrule Castle and the princess sent hurtling back in time, she was never alone in ancient Hyrule. Sonia and Rauru were always there, or Mineru, or Zelda's handmaiden.

Night is falling and Zelda will soon have to return to her home, alone, but for some reason, the prospect doesn't feel lonely. She feels happy, so overwhelmingly happy that this will probably the first night since her arrival that she won't fall asleep thinking about how much she misses Hyrule.

Shellphone in one hand, she takes a step forward and puts her arms around Darin. Given the nearly one foot in height difference between them, she ends up with her arms around his waist. ]

Thank you.

[Darin was trying his best not to spare glances Zelda's way when she looked at the message. He was committed to the bit; look cool and stoic and detached, all the while blatantly ignoring the fact that the deep crimson blush had reached his ears. Zelda was still sobering up. There's no way she'd notice! (She did, in fact, notice.)]

[But it's the hug that, of all things, Darin wasn't expecting. Over a photo? Of him declaring to be her friend? Darin's about to protest as he looks down incredulously at the top of Zelda's head, muscles tensing up like steel cords and slabs...]

[But, then he remembers the look on her face in the hotel room. Of the uncertainty and the sadness. He remembers the look of hope she'd given him when she asked him if he counted himself among the friends he was so sure she'd have no trouble making. And maybe he'd assumed too much. Maybe Zelda, as kind and cheerful as she was...]

[...Was a lot more similar to himself than he cared to admit.]

[After all, Darin's no stranger to loneliness. And the way he acts? He does it all to hide so much of who he really is that it's a wonder he doesn't think he's a different person altogether sometimes. Darin remembers how overjoyed he was when Acteon took him under his wing. The elation he felt when Kessler said he'd train him and teach him how to fight. The only two times in his life where Darin felt accepted for who he was.]

[Until now.]

[Come to think of it, Darin can't remember the last time he was hugged. Acteon was a good father but a little standoffish when it came to physical affection. No, the last time he was genuinely hugged was...]

[There's a painful lump in his throat that forms reflexively as he thinks on the sad state of his life. One that he has to swallow so that it lands in the pit of his stomach like a heavy stone. A slow exhale and the mask comes back up again. Awkwardly, he pats Zelda on the back (the urge to give her a real hug back was intensely strong but he has an image to maintain) and then places a hand on her shoulder. He doesn't move her away, at least. If she wants to cling to him a bit, he'll make weak complaints that are all bluster. At this point, he's pretty sure she's figured him out.]

So...

[He clears his throat to draw her attention upward to his face.]

...Wanna hop on my back so I can bring us back down? I think all of this...uh. Experimentation's given me an appetite.

Want to get some food?

[He flashes her his trademark grin.]

[ She doesn't mind that he doesn't hug her back. In fact, if not for the drug, she probably wouldn't have hugged him in the first place. The princess is usually more reserve than this, more conscientious of other people's comfort and personal space.

But the happiness that welled up inside her when he confirmed that he is, in fact, her friend, was so strong that Zelda was overwhelmed by it. Is this what it's like to be Sidon, not holding yourself back from openly displaying the extent of your feelings for the people you care about? Zelda has never met someone more cheerful and disarming than the Prince of the Zora-- especially when she thinks back to how shy he was as a child, always clinging to Mipha's legs. Even when they first met after the defeat of Calamity Ganon, when Zelda traveled to Zora's Domain to personally pay her respects to King Dorephan for the death of his daughter, Sidon surprised her. Here was someone he hadn't seen in one hundred years, someone who was partially responsible for the death of his sister, and yet he lifted Zelda into his arms and hugged her tightly, telling her how happy he was that she was finally safe.

This feels a little bit like that.

Zelda doesn't cling to Darin for long (even though, in his awkwardness, it probably feels like forever). When he clears his throat, she lets go of him and takes a few steps back. He sure is bright red now, which is deeply at odds with the air of nonchalance he's trying so hard to maintain. It's impossible not to smile at him.

At the mention of food, Zelda's stomach reminds her that she hasn't eaten since she left Eltrut this morning. She's been so distracted by her research that she didn't even think to stop for lunch. ]

I would like that.

[ Yeah, she has him all figured out.

She'll allow him to carry her back down to their room, where they collect the frogs that have been hopping about in their absence and head back to the lobby. Zelda leaves a few extra coins with the concierge "for the noise" before they leave, then steers Darin on a quick detour to return the frogs to the beach before they can finally go get something to eat. ]

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