#ᴀ ʟᴀᴅʏ ᴏꜰ ʙʟᴜᴇ ʜᴜʜ

[ljosalir]

it’s called flying, not falling​

starter for @talysheart

Non - Mission Board Task: Flight has already been achieved by mankind in the form of simply riding on a pegasus or wyvern, but what about human-powered flight? A mechanic arrives in Garreg Mach with a strange contraption and a dream: to find a filthy rich investor to fund his forays into human flight. Having arrived during the Guardian Moon, he spins it as a way to recreate the Immaculate One’s first appearance. Now all he needs is some bodies–er, volunteers that know how to fall from tall heights to demonstrate and help him gather some useful data. Whether or not you’ll get that “financial compensation” he promises is another story… [Grants Flying +1]

/ Didn’t her brother tell her to quit being so… quick to trust people? /

Her lips twitch up into a polite smile, fern irises cast in a respectful stare as a hand reaches out in front of her. Sharena takes it, of course she does. Their hands couldn’t be more different. His, rough from calluses and scars while her own were soft and small. Clear of any signs of hardship. Or work. Or despair. It’s as if she was a noble healer instead of a hero -- she can’t blame him if he thinks of her as a mage. 

“You’re quite the lady to agree to such a deal!” 

“Mhm,” she hums, her fingers flexing around the muscle of his knuckles as he smiles. She returns it, she has to. A princess is obligated to form a friendly face. She has people she needs to please. To fit in with. Well -- the smile falters -- isn’t her title unknown here? 

If his words were a compliment, she must have missed it because she doesn’t thank him. Or the situation she’s in. Instead, she waits until her hand has been let go to bow. It doesn’t feel as weird as it should, but when he bows too, her worries fade into minor concerns. 

“Remember, this is just a simple test,” he leads her down the hallway with an unusual grin, “so there will be no guarantees of success.”

Sharena nods with a smaller smile plastered over her features.

“As well as no guarantees of assurance and aid after the first few takes.”

Another nod. Then a pause, just as his fingers curl around the door’s handle. She blinks, processes the words, then squints -- as if dumbfounded. “Uhm,” she pauses again, “what is that supposed to mean? The ‘no guarantee of aid’ part. Am I not going to be --”

“No no, you misunderstand my words!”

She blinks once more. Surely, she wasn’t finished speaking so… how did this man know what she was trying to say? Sharena waits for an explanation, gaze veering towards the handle in the man’s grasp. If he was thinking of one, he must have become impatient because he doesn’t answer her, and instead yanks open the door with little to no grace -- she’s not surprised, guessing from how weirdly he’s been acting up to now.

“Right this way,” his hand presses against her back and she’s being led through the exit. Well… pushed if not for her following along. Her steps seem shorter compared to his, and she has a bit of a hard time catching up to his pace. 

“H-Hey,” she bites back another stammer and exhales through her nose -- a small pout dancing across her lips, “shouldn’t we go to an area where everyone can see us? Just in case something, ya’ know, happens?”

/ It’s so easy for other heroes to be confident and strong. /

“Oh, nothing will happen! I’m sure of it.”

She doesn’t ask anything else, seeing as though it would only pass the man’s ears. It’s happened many times, not just in sight of the Askran princess, but the least she can do is listen. A gift she was granted unlike magic. Her ears are blessed with acuteness, no matter her bodily conditions. Hm, was this something she had that was special? Eh, not really but the thought tickles something inside of her mind so she entertains it. 

The mechanic’s words seem almost taunting, as if questioning if she was too cowardly to volunteer. Fortunately, she’s no coward. Nothing like it. Fear was a rational emotion, she isn’t the only one to bear it. Everyone does. So, with every statement, her smile only brightens. She’ll prove him wrong, she swears herself on it.

“Alright,” their steps falter to a stop, “so whatever’s underneath this sheet is supposed to make me fly?” Her response is an enthusiastic nod, and she can’t help the glimmer in her eyes. Truly, she won’t actually take flight, right? Fear doesn’t cheer in the pit of her stomach… it’s something else. Excitement? Awe? Worry? Either way, she attempts to calm it by bouncing on the balls of her heels.

“Ah! Wait one moment,” the mechanic leaves a quick pat on her shoulder before walking off -- a lady of blue standing amidst his path. Sharena glances at her and grants her a friendly wave, the edges of her lips pulling upwards into a warm smile. Albeit, a bit different than her expression beforehand. This one seems more… delighted? 

For a moment, she wonders what the woman’s doing out near this empty area of land. Despite their surroundings -- feet kicking aside small mounds of snow ( not like there’s much of it ) and dirt -- there’s only a few people out. Two ladies stand to her left, who both seem to be checking whatever’s underneath the white sheet. A few yards away, the mechanic and the girl stand. Only another glance manages to spark the thought that the girl’s appearance is recognizable. They share classes, don’t they? Surely they do -- how could she forget those eyes? ( Her memory’s sharp, so this doesn’t have anything to do with the lady’s eyes… right? )

Oh, wait, will the other girl be joining her? 

/ A lady of blue… standing with confidence and rough elegance… seems so familiar. /