Floor 2, Room 3

[troublereduction]

JOYOUS DAY

code

Comments

[troublereduction]

[ At least they're both on the same page that this is the equivalent of ribbing each other a little, so Day doesn't mind playing along. ]

Fine by me. You're gonna have to, anyway. [ Did I mention Day likes going fast? ]

[jokey]

[Sure sounds like Day likes nyooming real fast. Akira snickers as they descend the stairs.]

Are you going to kiss my booboos if I fall off because of your irresponsible brooming?

[troublereduction]

I'll heal 'em, but I'm pretty confident you ain't gonna fall that easy.

[ Down the stairs and on the way to the elevator they goooo. ]

[jokey]

You have that much faith in me? I'm flattered.

[Akira punches in their destination and the elevator shudders to life, the temperature in the confined space slowly but surely lowering as they near their destination.]

But I meant what I said before. I'll try not to cause any problems for you. On the other hand, feel free to play the damsel in distress. I promise I'll save you.

[troublereduction]

Tellin' a grown man he can be the damsel in distress is almost insultin', you know. [ Though he keeps the tone light, so he's not entirely serious about it. ] But let's try our best to keep ourselves outta trouble, yeah?

[jokey]

Is it? I dunno. I wouldn't mind it.

[Maybe Akira just wants to be spoiled every now and then. That's not a crime, is it?

In any case, the serious drop in temperature suggests they've just about reached their destination, so Akira casts a spell to insulate them in a protective veil of heat before the elevator chimes and they're deposited in the snowy north. Akira turns to Day and mimes a curtsey.]

Shall we away, fair knight? Broom, please. These heels weren't made for walking.

[There's a heel on Akira's boots, sure, but they're no stilettos. Just play along and pretend he's a pretty little princess.]

[troublereduction]

[ Solomon was right, Akira really is quite a character. He bows back, playing along. ]

Watch your step, dear princess.

[ And Day will summon his broom, a rather plain-looking one aside from the moss and plum blossoms decorating its bristles. He extends his hand to Akria to offer to help him get on the broom. ]

[jokey]

[Akira takes that hand with all the beauty and grace of a real, bona fide princess... pfft. Not really. He tries to make like a dainty woman, miming the way one might toss their frilly skirts over the sides of the broom before settling on it, but he's barely holding back laughter. Once he's settled on the broom, his arms wrap loosely around Day's waist.]

I'm not cut out for this princess business. Can I be the talking animal sidekick instead?

[troublereduction]

What kind of animal would you even be?

[ He asks as he gets them both off the ground. He won't speed up just yet until Akira's ready. ]

[jokey]

[Akira scoffs as if to ask isn't it obvious?]

A cat, obviously. Aren't cats the ideal familiar for witches and wizards?

[He'd liken himself to a cat regardless, but that's beside the point.]

[troublereduction]

Heh, I wouldn't know. You could tell me a bird's an ideal familiar and it'd still make sense to me.

[ But they should probably get a move on, too. ]

Ready to hold on tight?

[jokey]

Maybe for you. A cardinal would suit you well.

[But don't ask him why! It's a gut feeling more than anything. Akira nods, wrapping his arms tight around Day's middle.]

Let's mosey.

[dear mr. cloud strife please do not sue him for stealing your lingo]

[troublereduction]

Hm? A cardinal?

[ Kind of curious, even if it's just Akira's guts talking. But sure, let's mosey, Akira.

The liftoff is slow and gradual because Day's not that reckless, but once they're high up enough, Day immediately accelerates. Hope Akira likes nyoom. ]

[jokey]

[Akira sure does like nyoom! Once Day settles on a pace for their broom ride, Akira answers his question.]

Mhmm. Cardinals are symbols of happiness and strong relationships where I come from. Don't call it an educated guess or anything, but I think that suits you.

[troublereduction]

[ There's a laugh that sounds pleased, if also just really amused. ]

I dunno, maybe your gut instinct's just uncanny. [ Both in terms of how suitable and ironic it is. ]

[jokey]

[Oh, that laugh could mean one thing or another, but in either case, it's what Akira was aiming for. Let him in, Day... Spill them beans...]

Eh, sometimes. Was I totally off the mark?

[troublereduction]

Hmmm...Yes and no.

[ I'm so sorry, Akira. Were you hoping for him to spill the beans straightforwardly? ]

[jokey]

Yes and no?

[Bro. You can't do him like this. Akira swats the back of Day's head.]

Care to explain the yeses but also the nos?

[troublereduction]

—Hey, I'm the one drivin' here!

[ Don't swat his head, bro. ]

Well, my job's 'bout other people's happiness, more or less. [ Akira can probably guess that's the yeses.

What about the nos? Well, why would he talk about those? ]

[jokey]

And the nos?

[Of course he's going to ask about those!! Arguably, those are the most important.]

[troublereduction]

Take a guess. You're pretty sharp.

[ And any honest answer Day can give will only harsh on the mood. ]

[jokey]

I'm guessing your own happiness isn't part of the equation.

[Day might be a bright and resplendent lettuce on the outside, but on the inside, his leaves are slowly wilting...?]

[troublereduction]

[ Help it's not wrong, but why lettuce.

Day doesn't say anything, which is an answer in itself. He picks up the speed since this is not a conversation he wants to keep having in the air. ]

[jokey]

Tch.

[Another Man with Trauma. Oh well! Akira isn't one to pry when it's clear he'll get no answers, so he remains silent for the remainder of their flight and eagerly hops to his feet when they make their landing.]

Remind me what this winter daphne looks like. Is it the same shade of green as your hair?

[troublereduction]

[ Of course, Akira, what else would it be if not trauma? Day puts his broom away once they land. ]

Nah, they're little pale pink flowers. Grow in shrubs.