Floor 2, Room 3

[troublereduction]

JOYOUS DAY

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Comments

[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.

[jokey]

Pale pink flowers...

[...Akira's thinking that sounds like so many damn flowers, but he doesn't let thoughts turn into words. He's already shuffling forward with his eyes to the forest floor, but uh, that brings up another question—]

How big's the plant? Is it big enough to stand out, or do we need to comb through every bush until we find a lead?

[troublereduction]

[ Welcome to the world of flora, Akira. ]

I ain't sure what counts as big here, but their smell is really strong. That would stand out.

[ So, you know. Maybe a bit of combing but hopefully they'll find it fast enough. ]

[jokey]

A smelly plant...

[Immediately hunches down and starts sniffing around like a truffle hog................. Wait...]

...And what's it smell like?

[troublereduction]

Really nice-smelling plant. Kind of spicy and sweet. [ Day hasn't forgotten it even though it's been years. ] Might remind you of incense.

[ Day's going to go on ahead and take a look, and... ]

...Wow, lotta things have died here lately, huh. [ Look at all these mana stones. ]

[jokey]

Spicy and sweet...

[Akira's advance is measured and careful, well aware that this forest is less friendly than its snow-draped treetops suggest at a glance. So far, all he's smelling is frigid winter air... and traces of magic from mages long past.

Picking up a mana stone, he yeets it over his shoulder to Day.]

Apparently they can bolster your magic if you eat them. Hungry?

[troublereduction]

[ Day catches the mana stone, but only looks at it, waving with his free hand. ]

No thanks. I'm guessin' most of these are magical creatures, but there could always be a wizard or two among 'em.