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In all of his lifetime D had never fallen from a really tall height to learn what happens when you do. He had never learned concepts like gravity, and such, something about the being inside him made it so that the small cuts and scrapes he would take from simply being a kid growing into ones limbs, didnt hurt.

So to D, he didnt see what so scary about falling, only that Teira needed to be in the air so that she could be a pretty butterfly!

He dropped to his knees hanging his hands off the edge of the island, letting his soft cheeks ruffling through the way grass as he watched. It was a show he wouldnt forget any time soon. There was that big flash of light, and then the weird almost icky black stuffs, and then wings, and while he didnt understand any of what had happened...but it was pretty, and cool! And in the end...

Your fwying!

Well, there were the wings. That meant there was really only one thing left to do. Both his hands shoved pushed off the edge of the island carrying him straight down with a bright smile on his face. His body was a blur of black and for a few feet he just let himself free fall, in bliss as the wind lashed at his face and eyes. Both of his hands gripped the empty space beneath him, the moment they did the black begin to pool again around his hands. As he changed to a kneeling position and pushed upward, the board/sword again formed beneath him. His legs were partially bent, his stance crouched for maximum speed.

As Teira realized she was flying, she might realized on other thing. The touch of pudgy fingers sliding gently through her feathered wings, and the giggle of a little kid, immediately followed by shouting.

Your it, gotta catch me!

As a streak of black was carved in the air straight past her, almost immediately banking to the side around the opposite side of the island. They were in the same boat, allowed to through the air by the whim of something or someone they never knew. Neither understood why, or how, they had this ability, none of that mattered. Only one thing stood out above all the others.

Now they could really play.

D peered back over his shoulder, and there she was! This was just the sort of game he always wanted. Walter and Maximos never really took the time to do this sort of thing with him. The last game he played with his big brother involved moving flat little red and black pieces on squares...that wasnt a real game.

This was a real game.

She was right on him! It didnt take long for her to master those pretty wings, and that was just what he was hoping. But he wasnt ready to loose just yet! He ducked low, bending at the knee to place his body closer to the board while extending both arms straight back behind him. In effect, he streamlined his form and his speed immediately kicked up.

But those wings werent to be underestimated. She was still gaining on him!

He waited...and waited...and waited, the timing had to be right or it wouldnt be as fun! And then immediately tossed his body to the side, the board arching to the left and immediately taking up a spiral flight course around the cone shaped bottom of the island. Turning was always tricky on his board, if he leaned too far he would just spiral sideways into a barrel roll. He had to keep himself balanced, so that he could maintain a spiral inside of just a turn.

He was curious if it was just as tricky for her and the wonderful feathery limbs that kept her a float and propelled her so wonderfully. He had no doubt she'd be able to keep up, but it was the ride itself that made this so much fun! And his laughter echoed as he relished every little bit of this.

Shock.

His eyes opened wide, his jaw hung for a little bit. He honestly was not expecting that! There was no point in turning around, the tap on his shoulder told him she was there. And then gone!

That devlish grin returned his face as she hopped off, shoving the rear of the board down. And of course, forcing the front of it up. His right knee bent, as his left straighted increasing the angle until the board was exactly perpendicular to the ground, and D was flying straight up. A grin literally plastered on his face by the G's pushing his pudgy cheeks back and blowing his black hair back viciously in the wind.

But he was gaining on her! At least he was trying to!

He tried his very best to keep up but she was very fast, she banked right and the board whistled against the air current carving a deep streak of black in the air as he banked hard, almost, just almost spinning into a 360.

Those wings were so nimble! He was jealous.

All the more reason to tag her! She skimmed over the tree's while he blew straight at them reckless as ever. Instead of gliding over branches he plowed straight through them, sending leaves and a mess of wood and severed fruit in all directions. Once he was close enough, he slammed his right foot down on the front of the board, sending the opposite side upwards and launching the little boy forward like a small projectile, aiming for a nice piggyback on Teira's back!

If he landed just right he should between the wings, and still give them enough room to flap!

Meanwhile, Walter simply looked up with a smile from the Garden, at the children at play. While he would never outwardly show it, inside he grimaced at the sight of his precious tree's being shredded. But as per always, only a calm smile rested on his lips.

Sadly, Maximos was still away at Barton. He had been gone an exceedingly long time. Really, he had left yesterday eve and it had been a whole day. It was even stranger considering Barton was at most an hour long flight away, and there was no way the Master was having trouble gathering the seeds he required. Garden minerals where that hard to find.

For a moment, Walter stared outward and gave a troubled glance to the south. But then simply adjusted his monocle and returned tilling an area of soul with his hands. Whatever was happening, the Master would have wanted it this way.

---

D however, was having entirely too much fun to think of his Big Brother. Wings were so much fun! He couldnt really wrap his feet around her without choking off the precious room she would need to flap this wings so his feet just idly hung. An experience tantamount to riding a roller coaster with flooring.

He was in Heaven, or at least because of the altitude, the rise and fall, the general feeling of loopiness, and sugar high, he was close to it! D wasnt won to "whee!" very loudly, he was more the type of kid who's mouth hangs open and he stares in awe, and then afterwards begs to do it again.

In this case, he reached his arm out and let it slide through the leaves, out of pure luck dodging sharp branches and the like. His tried his best not to squeal in laughter as whip of wind shredded the flower gardens. He tightened his grip, just a bit, his sharp teeth grinning from ear to ear as they spun toward the earth, the wind lashing in his hear, drying out his pearly whites, his cheeks flapping with the sheer G's.

He loved it. But she had slowed!

With laughter blossoming from his voice he responded.

Lets go again!

Wriggling rather excitedly in place.

As Tomorrow soared inward he would be assaulted by very very faint music, though while he likely had a myraid of super senses he would be able to hear it from 2000ft away from the island itself. It was soft, peaceful, and fit the calm demeanor of the island.





And after their encounter in Durem, Tomorrow had been written out. His name chucked in with a particular list of individuals no longer welcome, and are thusly subject to the defense grid. About 2000ft outside the island Tomorrow would find his massive leap had all of its moment stolen and he was set plummeting downwards. A voice, no matter how powerful vibrates the air, making sound, that vibration is motion, momentum, meaning Tomorrow's scream fell silent, no matter how far or loud he yelled it would never breach the barrier. Though the calm music would easily escape. As for himself it wouldnt feel like smacking an object, but as if all his forward motion was suddenly stolen, rendering his jump completely inert. And the island would move half an inche farther as it absorbed the momentum. All such attempts to board would yield exactly the same results. Though the distance the island traveled was dependent on how hard the attack made was. It would never travel above an inch or two.

He would be able to see Maximos and Walter enjoying some tea off in the forest, blissfully ignorant of the ruckus. Neither man even ventured a glance in his direction.

If Tomorrow had really had some life changing experience Maximos would have been interested, but John in their last encounter basically changed in the split second it took a Reaper to swing a scythe. And believe me, Reapers are very adept with the scythe. If Maximos had given his verbal assault and left, he would have been open to receiving one, but Tomorrow gave as good as he got, casting insult and verbal attack. Their business was concluded, and Maximos was uninterested in renewing. Perhaps, as he fell into the ocean below he would have the time to cool off, or have a much needed bath.

Maximos did pause in his seat for a moment, and rub beneath his nose, halting his playing for a moment, and causing Walter's head to c**k slightly to the side.

Master?

Maximos, gently placed his violin down beside his lap and took another sip of tea, meeting Walters glance with a simple expectant smile on his face. His right hand waving off the disruption.

Excellent Master, would you like more?

Maximos grinned from ear to ear. He knew Walter was being nice, he'd only just picked it back up. He lacked the physical dexterity to play an instrument in that clumsy shadow form, and so he quite enjoyed the sensation.

Yes Walter, one lump this time if you dont mind.

The humble butler nodded, pouring and serving with formal grace.

Of course, Master.

A minute or so later, the playing would begin again. Practice makes perfect after all.

((As this is the before Maximos went to Barton and before Teira, Maximos is still present on the island without disrupting the space time continuum.))

After taking a little break for himself, or walking aimlessly around the island for a long time if you prefer, Ruuvan came back to the central part of the island in search of Walter. Since he had left him somewhere around the plants and whatnot he figured that would be a good place to start, and his search also ended at the same time.

After closing in to within a few feet of Walter, Ruuvan spoke in a more cheery tone than before... if that was possible for him.
"Walter, I have a favour to ask." He waited for the ever proper Walter to pause or make some form of acceptance to the favour request, "I think my fighting skills have been found wanting lately and, if I am to have a friendly spar when Maximos returns, I'd like to be able to give him a good fight. Any chance you could sort out a sparring partner for me?" And he waited, a smile on his face.

And whilst Walter was gone Ruuvan prepared himself, making sure his ever-present Elven armour was secured, both his old Elven blades strapped to his sides and the bow across his back snug next to the quiver. He had no idea what to expect; this was Maximos' home and it was always strange to him, so whatever Walter had in mind was going to be fun and challenging.

As Walter came back Ruu looked at him and nodded.
"Ready as ever. Start easy, if you please, it has been some time."
He knew Walter wasn't his sparring partner, but he figured the butler was going to be in control the whole time. If not... well, let's just say it'd be a steep learning curve to get back to his former glory.