synflux | [closed] we shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us

Yeah, a few places! We were actually heading to Penacony before a bit of a detour, but...

[ Belatedly, as she puts a hand on one of the tall book walls to help ease her along, though those look like a lot of trees ahead... ]

--Don't set yourself on fire.

[ wow... her worldly amnesiac friend. somehow telling her that it doesn't hurt doesn't seem like it would make march any more okay with it, so she gives her an apologetic bump of the shoulder and continues on. ]

It sorta... tires me out anyway, mentally, so I'm keeping them battlebound for now. What were they like? The amusement parks.

[ there really are a lot of trees coming up... a spooky forest, with animatronics leaned out from corners and some of them looking about ready to fall on the unsuspecting. ]

[ Wow, she hates that, sticking closer to Malkuth. Who, at least, does appear to be giving off a warmer heat signature than her own. ]

Really lively. Everything was either lit up or moving, and there was a lot of noise... Dan Heng isn't a fan of them at all, actually. They tend to draw in a huge crowd. But I sort of like all of that.

Easy to lose yourself in, huh? It's kind of nice sometimes... different than a party. I don't think I really like those as much as I should.

[ as an extrovert... malkuth'll take march's hand though, squeezing comfortingly. ]

It sounds fun, though! We should go together sometime. What's your favorite part? The rides?

I don't think there's a should or shouldn't... but definitely!

[ And she gives their joined hands a swing. ]

I actually like the shopping. Theme parks and places like that usually have their own official stores, so they're great places for souvenirs!

Really? What sort of souvenirs do you like to get?

[ so she can get one for her... ]

Like... hm, postcards? Or journals, or cute jewelry... just something that'll make it easy to remember where it came from.

[ That isn't food, because she'll just take pictures of that anyway. ]

[ postcards... journals, or cute jewelry... she's remembering that. ]

Oh, that's a good idea... I like stuffed animals, so maybe I'll pick up a couple while I'm here. They're so cute and huggable!

[ just like the pooh that's bearing down on them as malkuth's foot snaps a line. ]

I like those, too! It's kind of a shame none of mine came here with me.

[ Sometimes you just need something to hold when you start feeling alone... But oh god, wait, what's that-- ]

Look out!!

[ This is a dramatic tackle. Football players would be proud. I'm sorry, Malkuth. ]

[ this would be newsworthy. espn would cover it in an instant. how miraculous malkuth doesn't concuss herself when she yelps at the sudden tackle away from the falling prop, the bear thudding beside them with a metallic sound. ]

Ow... That really hurt, M--

[ click.

...

the combined weight of them seems to have unlatched a seam beneath their prone bodies, swinging into darkness, though there'll at least be the sound of fluttering pages filling march's ears before they're very much not in a free fall anymore. it is just. fucking dark though. ]

Wh--!

[ Out of the fire and into the frying pan, they say. Or... out of the "death by Pooh Bear" and into the "death by trap door"??? Or whatever's happening, though they don't seem to be falling??

She is so confused by what is or is not happening anymore. ]

[ it's okay. it's okay. they're going to gently fall down as bits of light disappate and a dim cyan glow replaces them, shimmering as they seem to shake dust off and losing brightness the way embers do with ash; there's clattering noises of something that does fall, but it isn't important. malkuth's arms are wrapped tight around her and remain that way when their feet touch the ground, and she exhales once they've settled. ]

That was scary. Are you okay, March? I wish we had flashlights on these things... Hold on.

[ she's kicking the stuff that fell away from their feet first off there's no need for those here. secondly the new wings she's got shimmer themselves, brighter in the more enclosed space, so malkuth can look over her friend better. normal stuff. ]

Yeah, I'm fine, thanks to you and your... wings?

[ Um. She at least takes a moment to loosen her grip on Malkuth, now that they're no longer plummeting to their certain doom. ]

When did that happen?

When we started falling. Um, there's a whole explanation I could give you about what they are and where they come from, but let's save it for when I have some fun diagrams. It's a lot of information.

[ especially for someone who's not native to the world... march seems fine though, and malkuth relaxed a little more at that fact. ]

The short answer is that I have some nifty abilities as a Librarian, and this is one of them. They wear at me mentally and I was planning only on using them if we had to fight anyone... but this is one of the easier Abnormalities to deal with, so I'll be fine. Aren't they cute? You can touch them if you'd like.

[ her wings... ]

Is this like the bear arms, except wings?

[ Well, Malkuth gave permission and March is naturally curious and they're not in extreme danger right now, so she'll reach out to gently touch her wings. They're so pretty... ]

Yeah. And setting myself on fire.

[ the wings shudder at being touched and malkuth closes her eyes with a hum, twiddling her thumbs for a lack of anything to hold. ]

I can probably fly us both out, but let me catch my breath first. That save of yours really took the wind out of me.

... Sorry. I didn't think we'd have time if I just told you.

[ She's so used to Dan Heng shoving or hauling her out of the way without warning. ]

Are you okay? Do you want to sit down for a second?

[ Oh geez, did she actually hurt her with her dramatic tackle-- ]

[ oh no... ]

I'm fine, March! Don't look... sound so worried.

[ she's lifting her hands to pat march's cheeks and lift them into a smile. smooshsmoosh. c'mon. ]

We would've been way worse off if you weren't so quick, and I'd definitely rather be a little banged up than pinned under a bear. Even if it was with you.

Of course I'm--mmph!

[ Well, it's hard to talk when her cheeks are being smooshed. Unfortunately. She has to wait until Malkuth releases her face. ]

Just don't push yourself, okay? I'm not going to be too useful getting us out of here.

[ don't push herself... yeah... she'll definitely remember that when she's flitting around as a fairy later. ]

I won't, I won't... I just hope you're not too offended if I struggle a bit, I'm not that strong and the Fairy Festival's been starved to skin and bones. They do like you though, so they're willing to do their best!

[ and they are in the room with us right now ]

[ Uh. ]

Wait, "they"? Your wings are alive?? And they're starving?

[ MALKUTH, SHE HAS QUESTIONS ]

[ uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, ]

Um, I'll make it quick. My abilities come from a kind of bond with the creatures I've mentioned before, Abnormalities, after suppressing them and... booking them like we do our guests. This one is the lowest threat level, ZAYIN, Fairy Festival, who used to a plump little guy until they didn't have anything to eat and eventually became skin and bones. They've always been gluttonous, but it's worse now -- they'd help the employees and keep them safe until their guard was lowered, or the job was done, and then the fairies would... eat them.

[ ...

does that help, march????????? ]

My bear arms are from another one, but I can show you all their pictures when we get back to my room. Okay?

[ She would love to say this helps, brackets, but she's a little stuck on the Abnormalities being booked. Like. Their guests.

And they eat people because of course they do.

Should she actually be worried if this one likes her, actually-- ]

I--Okay.

[ It's said a little faintly, like it's an automatic reply and she's trying very hard not to think too much about it. Sure. ]

[ so... telling her she looks delicious right now wouldn't help. malkuth keeps the thought to herself. ]

Sorry. It's... a lot? But I can promise that I won't be taking a chunk out of you just because they like how soft your hands are.

[ ........................

she's doing her best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ]

... Great! Kind of need my hands, actually, so really appreciate it!

[ this is said perhaps a tad too brightly. ]

[closed] we shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us

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