Setting Up Shop

[Tori Keheraht]

Okay, then.

‾▿‾Tori zipped around behind Crevasseus and linked her arms underneath his. She jumped, carrying him into the air before immediately dropping him. It was only a drop of a few inches, though; Glyphus was there to catch him. Nadia casually lept up, allowing the mount's low sweep to catch her, too. Tori crossed her arms and glanced downward at her traveling companions as she positioned herself abaft them, where there's just enough room for her to take a comfortable stance on Glyphus' back.‾▿‾

We head northward, then. It's good to be on the move again!

Huzzah to that!

‾▿‾It didn't occur to them that Crevasseus would be unaware that they were flying.‾▿‾

[Crevasseus]

"This is a strange-feeling boat."

A feather lands in Crevasseus's hair from a nearby gull. The wind whistles in his ears, popping them. Crevasseus froze.

"This isn't a boat, is it?"

[Tori Keheraht]

No. This is a glyph bird. It's a very efficient mount that is bound to my will.

‾▿‾Tori kept her eye on Crevasseus. He looked a bit panicky, and she wondered why. Even people who are used to flying sheltered, such as inside a vehicle or atop a mount with its own windshield, have tried feeling the breeze upon them once or twice, right? Oh, maybe that's not an option where he's from! You can never tell, with interdimensional aliens. Wait a second . . .‾▿‾

You, uh, have flown before, right?

‾▿‾Nadia looked back with a befuddled stare. He's a grown man! Surely he would have- Oh, right. He's from another dimension. Maybe it's not so normal, there, she thought. They both watched Crevasseus curiously . . . thus giving him a perfect opportunity to make a fool of himself.‾▿‾

[Crevasseus]

"B-b-b-b-b-b-bird?!? A-a-as in f-flying? With the wings and the . . ." he stammered.

Unbeknownst to Tori and company, Crevasseus dreads heights. Hyperventilating, he barely avoided passing out.

These women FLY? What crazy dimension are they from?

[Tori Keheraht]

‾▿‾Crevasseus' sudden change of tone startled the ladies a bit. They merely watched with widened eyes. Nadia answered,‾▿‾

Well, duh. Did you think that we were going to swim all the way there? You can't see it, but that water is black.

We did just get attacked by a magical, obligatory octopus, and that's just on a shore. We're ascending,

‾▿‾Tori added. Crevasseus could probably feel the difference in the air. They weren't ascending sharply, and Glyphus was flying smoothly, but he should still feel the friction with the air above him.‾▿‾

[Crevasseus]

Upon hearing this, Crevasseus blacked out.

[Tori Keheraht]

‾▿‾Tori caught Crevasseus by the shoulders before he fell off. Not wanting to hold him for the whole ride, she adjusted so that he could lay back with his head where she was standing, right where the tailfeathers start. She flew around to piggyback on Nadia, which would be uncomfortable if not for the fact that she weighed as much as an infant. They both stared at the man in wonder.‾▿‾

Was . . . that a thing? Did he just . . .?

‾▿‾After a brief pause, they looked at each other, snickered, and busted out in hardly laughter.‾▿‾

People from his land must really not like flying!

No kidding!

Or maybe it's just him, huh?

Could be. He just, like, voop!

So suddenly! That was awesome! But, you know, kinda' concerning.

Yeah. Hey, you don't think that, like, his local culture is . . . against flying or something, huh?

Against flying? Like, as a principle? Is that a thing?

I wouldn't know. I guess that it's possible, right?

Yeah . . . Hard to imagine, but possible . . . Well, we'll cross that bridge when and if we get to it.

Uh-huh.

‾▿‾After another pause and staring at him a bit longer, they busted up again.‾▿‾

Vwoop! Just like that!

It was when you said that we were ascending!

Right? It's one thing for people to be afraid of getting too close to the ground, but going higher? Bahahaha!

Ridiculous!

‾▿‾Acrophobia was a novelty, clearly.‾▿‾