escordvi | they say my hunger's a problem, they tell me to curb my appetite

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they say my hunger's a problem, they tell me to curb my appetite

Who: Azul Ashengrotto, and maybe even you?

Status: Open + Closed prompts

Where: Various!

What: No Rift Like Home: Azul might have made a mistake attempting a ritual that would allow people to return home. (Plus a potential catchall of sorts for May?)

Warnings: None yet but will add them if they come up

[Azul's been studying and gathering information for months on anything that has looked useful for finding a method that would allow people to willingly travel back and forth between this place, and their home. The most promising so far has been a book that he had acquired during the auction house raids that depicted several rituals from past rift farers in the last few years, including one that if performed correctly, would allow for transportation back to one's home, regardless of how many dimensional barriers there may be in the way.

It was however risky and would require quite the concentration and wealth of magic to attempt, so he had put it off... until his abduction mid March. Being subjected to such a humiliating experience, both the captivity and the recovery he had to undergo has significantly given him the motivation to risk trying that ritual now rather than putting it off any further. Sure, he was able to be rescued and recover quickly, but who's to say that something even more troubling isn't simply waiting around the corner? It would be better to return to Night Raven College as soon as possible. He'll do the ritual, and then he will call Leona over to come over so that he can use it too if the ritual works.

So he gathers the materials he needs, writes the formulas and symbols on an empty space of flooring in his workshop. Pour his magic into summoning a rift the way it's described in the book for the ritual, and it should create one as long as his focus is entirely on his destination for returning home to Twisted Wonderland... and if he's lucky, this will extend to anyone else in this place that is just as strong in their desires to return to their own homes as well.

There's a shift in the air. For a brief moment, an image ripples into existence, and he thinks he can see something. He can't see the school, but he does see something teal in color. Sharp teeth. Mismatched yellow eyes.

Jade and Floyd.

And then...]

A. The Outer Edge of Eltrut

[Water. Lots and lots of water suddenly rushing up to meet him as his body proceeds to drop right into the middle of the ocean.

It takes some time for him to swim back, even in merform before he switches back to human upon getting close enough to Eltrut to be able to do so. (Thank the sevens his transformation potion was still on his person here when he fell through that rift) However, even when he's back in human form and has managed to climb up and out of the water, he is absolutely drenched, clothes sticking to his person as he drips salt water around him. He takes a moment to remove his fancy hat, turning it over as more water and a fish fall out, expression rather flat and unreadable for someone like Azul.

But uh, hey, if you wanna try to approach the wet cat of a man that's standing here? Go for it. Can't promise that he's particularly cheery right now, though.]

B. Surasthana Cafe

[Okay. So... just because something has gone wrong with the ritual doesn't mean that it doesn't work at all. Maybe he misplaced a symbol among his formulas. Or at least that's the hope. So he returns to his workshop, rechecks his notes and formulas... and tries again. This time, focusing more on the buildings of Night Raven College. Octavinelle dorm. His room, or no, better yet, his office and cafe he's worked so hard on building and profiting off of, practically his second home away from home--

Only for the world to tilt sideways, and the next thing he knows, he's very suddenly no longer in his workshop and is instead dropped right in the middle of Surasthana Cafe. Hope there wasn't a table or something there for him to have broken in the process, but either way, he's gonna lie here for a hot minute to curse under his breath.]

C. Mostro Lounge

[Maybe you took one look at that Manta Board quest that showed up in regard to the rifts and figured out who was responsible just from the description alone. Or maybe you did do some more investigating around for details and managed to get ahold of info such as a man who had visited several libraries or places with records looking for information about rift farers and magic similar to teleportation. Maybe it's just the fact that Azul stopped wearing his stupid fancy hat for a little while (in fact he's been wearing other clothing instead of his usual Octavinelle dorm uniform) once he saw that quest on the board.

Maybe it has nothing to do with the quest and the rifts and you have your own motivations for seeking him.

Whatever reason you have to go looking for him, he's not at his apartment. You'll have to go looking for him at his business: a building with the sign "Mostro Lounge", but there's a second sign on the door that says [CLOSED] right now. However, there is the sound of movement inside, so someone is definitely here, and should you be insistent on knocking and getting attention, Azul will eventually look outside here, wearing a frown.]

Yes? Can I help you?

D. [WILDCARD]

[Not vibing with the above in some manner, but still want to thread something regarding the rifts and Azul? Have him somehow accidentally teleport to where you are, or vice versa? Or even something that has nothing to do with the rifts at all? Hit me up! I am not picky about what we thread here. You can find me at

wailords or ping me in the Discord game's server if you wanna plot something super specific.]

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Oh sorry. [ Hawks gestures at his wings. ] I'm just going to fly. I can hang onto you under your arms if you like, if that's comfortable. And then you just point in a direction and I'll go. I'm really fast, it won't take me long either way.

I see... comfortability aside, is there anything I need to do to make it easier for you?

[He assumes that his weight isn't a problem since Hawks seems confident about carrying people, so...]

Nah, I'm an expert. [ Well okay, he doesn't fly people around that much, not like this - but he has. ]

You really don't have to do anything at all, and I'll go at a speed that's safe for you.

... Very well, if you're sure.

[Azul seems to be willing to try this, since he does need to be getting back instead of just casually sitting around in someone's apartment after teleporting there by accident. So he approaches now so that they can step outside. There is perhaps still some nervous energy in him though, as he does suddenly feel the need to ask--]

If there is a problem, however, you'll put me back down on the ground carefully when I ask you to, right?

[ He wouldn't mind that, but there's not a whole lot to do in Hawks' space, it would be a very boring visit, and Azul would still have the problem later about how to get back. ]

Of course I will, but if we're over the open water, we'll have to get to land first. We can do a test circle over this island if you're worried.

... Alright. I'm willing to try a test circle to see how it goes.

[With that, Azul does a few more final self-preening motions here before he relaxes, and gives a nod, indicating he is ready to be picked up and try this flying thing.]

Okay. I should be ready now when you are.

Sure, no problem.

[ Hawks will beckon Azul out of his room first, because it's easier not to fly inside buildings. That's not to say he hasn't, but much easier on his passenger. Once outside though, he puts himself in the air, hovering a bit and leans down ready to pick him up. ]

Lift your arms a bit, and we'll go.

Like this?

[Azul lifts his arms up here a tad awkwardly, but still enough that should allow Hawks to pick him up as he looks up at where the other man is hovering above.]

That's good enough. [ Just enough to scoop Azul up and lift him off the ground. Hawks is an expert though, there's not much turbulence or moving around, he glides rather easily in a lazy circle up above. His grip is firm and steady. He's not flying too high up, mindful of how nervous his guest might be. ]

[Azul is indeed a little anxious, having gone very quiet now once they lift off. Its not that he hasn't been in the air before, but whenever he is on a broom, he could only manage to rise a few feet off the ground before the broom would at some point throw him off back toward the ground.

The fact that Azul isn't the one doing the actual flying helps, as does the slow and lazy pace for now, but he's not sure what he should be doing with his legs that dangle uselessly under him. And having to resist every instinctial urge to use his hands to grip onto Hawks for dear life like he would have when on a broom...]

[ Azul certainly could grip him, it wouldn't bother Hawks at all. ]

What do you think? [ He lets out a thoughtful noise. ] Probably if you were at the furthest point from here, it'd take me about fifteen minutes to get there, so it's going to be a short flight , if that's a comfort.

O--oh, is that so...

[There's a pause as he looks around, before he very quickly uses a hand to point in a direction here.]

I think that Kaveh-san's cafe is in this direction, from what I can tell from the buildings I can see from up here?

[Once he's pointed in said direction, however, nerves seem to get the better of him as he retracts that hand quickly to grip at where Hawk's arms are under his own here for support. Not tight enough to bruise or break anything, but enough that Hawks might be surprised regardless at how much grip strength Azul seems to have: octomer grip strength is no joke after all, and would probably harm the other man if Azul actually used his full strength on someone.]

Here we go. [ His wings flap, taking a harsher motion and he starts moving quicker. Quickly, but smoothly, it's not a bumpy ride. Even as Azul moved, Hawks' grip hadn't changed. It's very solid.

While Azul could definitely damage him, he put his forearms through worse growing up. Raptor grip is probably not less impressive, and he used to stress grip himself, before he was broken of that habit. ]

You're doing fine, and that doesn't bother me, hold on as tight as you need to.

[ Naturally, he has no idea what kind of grip Azul can have. Most people can't hurt him, so it never occurs to him that the other could. ]

[Are you sure about that? Because the quicker pace Hawks begins to use causes Azul's grip to tighten even more, and yeah, that's definitely "bruising" territory that he's threatening to accidentally cause to Hawks and his arms here, and Azul seems to be at least somewhat aware of it since his next words are an apology.]

I, ah... I'm sorry for being so nervous. This is the first time I've been flown around like this rather than trying to use magic on a broom.

[ An exhale is the only sign that Azul gets that it's bothering him. He will definitely have bruises, he's not impervious to them, but he's got a high pain tolerance. ]

You're okay, I'm still fine. [ Just so Azul doesn't feel bad about it. ]

Can't say I've ever been on a broom. Just my wings.

I suppose you wouldn't need one, with those wings of yours.

By comparison, where I'm from, a broom is the most common tool for flight. Though, there are other aircrafts that exist too, but I have rarely ever used or been on anything other than a broom while in the air.

That's pretty interesting. I had to take a plane once. It was really cramped. That's the thing about transportation. Cars aren't any better. My wings have to fit into them somehow and I get the worst cramps in the bones when I have to stay put for so long in an enclosed space.

[ He can do it. He doesn't want to. He'd rather fly himself. ]

I don't mind enclosed spaces, but... I do not believe there would be a lot of enjoyment being in one that was in the air...

[At least, not in Azul's opinion given his obvious nervousness about flying here as he continues to grip tightly on to Hawks here, though the conversation is helping a little in distracting him from his nerves.]

I'm not claustrophobic at least, it's just awkward with big wings to fit in small spaces. Otherwise I do okay.

[ The wings make him seem deceptively bigger - but for a hero he's on the small side. ]

[Makes sense. Azul makes the mistake of looking down briefly but quickly forces his gaze back forward.]

S--so, ah, do you do this a lot? Helping people travel various distances like this...

Not at all. [ Hawks chuckles lightly at that. ]

I zip people out of dangerous situations often enough, and I carried my intern on a flight so I could show him what was so great about it and encourage him to learn to fly on his own, but typically no. You're in a bind though and I can fix it, how can I not offer?

I see... In that case, thank you once again for helping me here, and I do apologize for the sudden entry I made appearing in your place like that.

[He's still trying to figure out why the rift he attempted to use took him to Hawks home of all places rather than back to NRC, his school that he had seen when he had looked in the rift at first...]

Ah, I don't think it was anything you did. Don't worry about it.

[ He might be more territorial about it if it felt like home, but it doesn't at this point in time. Just somewhere he was napping. ]

I've heard about these rifts dumping you in random places. I don't worry about that because I can fly but for most people that's probably really inconvenient.

It is inconvenient, yes... I suppose it would be one thing if the rifts actually brought someone to where they want to be based on what you see in them, but that does not seem to be the case. It's quite a nuisance.

[He may have to give up on his plans with them altogether at this rate, because no matter what he does he just can't get them to actually connect to the intended destinations they show...]

Doesn't seem to be that easy to get out of here. From what I've heard, people are seeing places they're familiar with from home.

[ Even he had the chance to see one, but it was fine that he didn't end up there. Not that he'll say such a thing. ]

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octoblot - 2025-06-16 21:30 (UTC) - Expand

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