[WATERFALL] - It takes the bravest of hearts to jump from so high, but all hazards have been carefully removed to make for only the safest leap of faith down the rapids. Take the plunge, or shove someone else into taking it!
life, with its perverse sense of humor, had taught her once more to control her raging appetite, particularly when doing so might save her from doom.
the dare was deceptively simple: leap from the tallest waterfall, and viola! the world of delectable room service snacks would be hers for the taking, a veritable feast fit for a queen.
‘of course you can do it, you’re a natural at flying! heights are just a breeze for you.’ the words were hypnotic, filling her mind with tantalizing visions of scrumptious sandwiches, bubbling fizzy sodas, and mountains of candy. in a whirlwind of excitement, she found herself clutching the pen that would seal her fate, eager to sign up for the high dive challenge. as the organizers directed her towards the waterfall, she swallowed, taste buds already dancing in celebration.
unfortunately, while she’s mastered the art of flying throughout the years, falling was a different matter entirely.
the crowd surged with excitement, their voices rising to a fevered pitch as they enveloped her and the handful of other challengers, their expectant gazes fixated upon her small, trembling body. in that charged atmosphere, she was a cowardly lion ensnared within a circus ring, the weight of their scrutiny pressing heavily upon her spirit. with each nervous step toward the ledge of the waterfall, she risked a peek into her own fate, only to have the courage she had gathered moments ago slip away like water through her fingers, replaced by a fluttering panic as she locked eyes with the eerily serene waters below. the surface looked so smooth, like a sheet of glass, and she could envision herself belly-flopping into the depths below, a tragic spectacle——the world’s most grotesque paimon pancake!
but turning back was not an option; the subsequent chorus of boos would haunt her dreams, and she’d be doomed to wear a paper bag over her head for the rest of her vacation, trying in vein to shield herself from the embarrassment. yet, every time she dared to peer over the edge again, her legs froze, encased in concrete, paralyzed by the terrifying thought of plummeting to her demise.
maybe, just maybe, this was all a wild and terrible dream, and she’d wake up cradled in the traveler’s arms, safe and sound! one… two… three…
but as her eyes fluttered open, there was no warm embrace or gentle cooing; only the moist air, the roar of the rushing water, and a lad decidedly not the traveler. he stood a tall figure, hair gleaming like spun silver rather the gleaming gold, and sporting, um, unique swim trunks. he stared at her with a curious tilt of his head, as if saying, ‘you okay?’
before the other challenger beside her could make a move——before fate could whisk her away in its unpredictable currents——she leaned in closer, her voice dripping with desperation.
❛ psst, psst, hey! you! yes, you! do you think you could help paimon out here? ❜ she pointed at herself with all the urgency of a house set on fire, making it abundantly clear who was in need of assistance. ❛ she has a lot riding on this, uh… deadly, precarious waterfall, but, um, she can’t swim. like, at all! ❜
her plea hung in the air, a distressed melody amidst the chaos, as she braced herself for whatever came next.
find your place in paradise 2(5)/5 |
While Caelus has certainly developed a.. distaste for heights ( not a fear of them, nope, absolutely doesn't give him flashbacks to falling from the Engine of Creation- nor does it give him flashbacks to the free falling and disorienting floating of Penacony's Dreamscape. Not one bit! ), the Nameless is no coward, and never backs down from a challenge ( for better or worse ). So of course when goaded encouraged to "take a leap of faith" down some rather active water rapids- or more, the waterfall that is at the end of them- Caelus is going to conquer ( hopefully )!
Yet, as soon as Caelus takes the last step needed to see the bottom- to get a scope of what he is about to do, and where he needed to go to land safely ( ideally )- the silver.. freezes up.. only for a few seconds! So what if his throat constricts as he swallows down his own saliva? So what if his fingers tremble where they stay at his sides and promptly puts on his hips to stop the shaking?
Before he can completely get over the lingering fear hype himself up, another individual approaches the ledge just as he had. He can see the way her hands shift around awkwardly in front of her, can hear the faint mumbling of "being used to heights" ( which makes sense, as the being is a floating creature of some kind [ so cool! ] ). Caelus can sympathize with the unease clearly rattling around in that tiny body, eyes slightly furrowed in concern as he watches the little miss battle her own thoughts.
He didn't expect her to turn to him, to scoot closer until she could speak to him in a partial whisper. Amber eyes widen immediately- he'd know that voice anywhere. Ever since that one day on Jarilo VI, while strolling around the town of Belobog for the first time, when investigating a few trash cans and seemingly blocked off areas, a voice spoke to him to "search the area ahead of him later". It wasn't one of the Aeons he had stumbled into via the Simulated Universe, nor was it the voice of the Stellaron's ( not his own, nor the one he could hear coming from the planet )- and thus, the Trash Goddess was born.
And he'd somehow managed to talk to his goddess back and forth on the occasion- and even sometimes would hear random thoughts from HER even when they weren't directly speaking to each other. To which SHE's told him SHE has similar occurrences, where SHE might randomly hear him talking about the quality of goods he had found in his garbage haul that day.
An.. interesting relationship, for sure.
But to see his Goddess in person? And not just another one of the random voice in his head. But more importantly-
The lad, unintentionally, ignores the plea for help in favor of being in a state of shock that SHE has manifested before him- this better not be a dream he swears on every Aeon if it is he will go ballistic-
❛ THAT IS SO COOL! I knew you were awesome, but this is next level! ❜
Caelus exclaims, pure glee and excitement stretched across ever inch of his face. Who cares about the scary waterfall when SHE is here! In his exhilarated state, the Nameless reaches out for HER hands, taking the tiny things in his own- even bouncing their combined hands a tad as he practically beams.
Wait- right. SHE had spoken.
❛ Sorry- you said something about not being able to swim? ❜
He pauses, waiting for the similar recognition settle on HER face and giving him a nod.
❛ Mmm.. well, how about I do down with you then, oh mighty one?
I could carry you even- though that might not be
the safest idea when diving into water.. hm. ❜
Caelus can practically hear his family berating him for doing something so foolish. He releases one of HER hands in favor of placing his own on his chin, clearly thinking way too hard about how to be of use to HER.
❛ Whatever. I'm practically indestructible,
so if anything I'll take the brunt of it all.
Got that maxed out DEF stat for a reason. ❜
With a grin that is dusted with mischief, Caelus gently tugs HER over to the edge. SHE looks just as frantic as before, though seems to be at least a little receptive to the idea- if not reluctantly. Caelus extends his arm out in open invitation for HER to get as close as SHE would like before the silver curls a protective arm around HER.
❛ I'll count down from three and we'll go on one.
Ready? Three- GO! ❜
And with that, Caelus takes the leap of faith- both participants screaming as they plummet with a mixture of terror and amusement.
