exsilium | 02. [video]

02. [video]

[An anxious Cedric appears on screen. He looks from left to right, his mussed hair flying just about everywhere. He taps the screen to ensure that it's turned on---in his mind this somehow serves a purpose. When he's sure everything's working, he waves.]

Hello! This is Cedric again. I've talked about this with one or two of you before. I'm sorry if I'm repeating myself or it's something you've all heard before, but this is something I need to sate my curiosity about. It's just that this world is so different from what I'm used to and there are so many different types of people. If that's even the word you prefer. And sometimes we have conflicts with one another.

So I have to ask: what do you think of people who are capable of using magic? Witches, warlocks, sorcerers, casters, wizards, or whatever you choose to call them. Are they all right, do you think? Or not?

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[The anticipation was felt within Cedric, and he showed his amusement through his eyes as they twinkled with mirth. Lowering his two front legs, the gesture was more than enough to indicate for Cedric to climb aboard!]

I may be old, but I'll show you the freedom I enjoy.

Wow...

[Ah, he understands. Cedric climbs on, shifting back in an attempt to find the most comfortable position. His hold is tentative and gentle at first.]

Sorry. I just don't have much riding experience---don't want to put stress in the wrong places, you know?

[But he's unspeakably excited. His blood's rushing with anticipation.]

[The boy didn't weigh much, but the attempt to not put any stresses on his old body was both amusing and appreciated. When Cedric was seated, Sohki pushed his front half back up to stand. Finding his balance, he turned his long neck around so that he could sight the young wizard.]

Brooms may be one thing, but you cannot beat the rush of something living giving you such a rush~

[He was confident with that, as he was about all of his abilities, while he made his way over to the window he'd entered in. Stepping up on the ledge, the mirth was back in his tone.]

You'd best to hang on tightly. Travelling with me is not for the faint hearted.

[Cedric nodded once, reaching to find an appropriate place on Sohki to hold. When he was sure he wasn't risking any wind pipes or yanking on a mane, he locked his hands together and laughed.]

I loved flying dangerously. Trust me, I can handle it.

[A pause, then a wide smile.]

Ready!

[He felt the shift to signify that Cedric was ready. The laugh helped and further motivated him for this merry little venture!]

Mmmm wonderful!

[Sohki didn't wait a moment later as he suddenly leapt from the side of Cedric's apartment. There was a small jump to the rooftop of the next building to get the young wizard ready before the kirin kicked off from the surface beneath. The move was over in a blink of an eye, and in that single moment, Sohki had effortlessly cleared the compound as the pair found themselves at the opposite end of the large island. It was, perhaps, one of the only untouched areas remaining on the island as they landed in the soft green grass and single tree in the area. Beyond their small living 'island' lay the wasteland of the rest of the island.]

[Cedric had experienced magical transport enough times to brace for unpleasant sensations, but he still wasn't entirely prepared. He clung to Sohki's neck for that moment, releasing him with a laugh about three seconds after they landed.]

Wow...how far did we travel?

[Cedric shivered in the night air, awed by what he sees. Those shadows on the ground were grass, weren't they? Real grass. And a tree. He gently dismounted and conjured a small light at the tip of his wand, crouching to spread his hand in the grass. His other hand made an attempt to fix his hopelessly wind-swept hair out of habit]

Never thought I'd miss something as simple as grass.

[His long neck lowered down so that his nose could sniff at the remaining remnants of grass. Part of it smelt fresh, but he could definitely smell the decay that was occurring. Soon enough, not even this area will remain.]

Mmm I'd say around six hundred and fifty kilometers.

[Raising his head to peer at Cedric, he took note of the way that the young wizard seemed to admire the grass. He moved subtly block the wind from hitting his young charge. If Cedric looked close enough, he might even take note that each of Sohki's hooves seemed to magically miss crushing any of the blades of grass.]

This future is rather bleak, isn't it? Makes you think about your own world and it's future, hmm?

[He knelt in the grass for a few long moments, savouring this last taste.]

It looks bleak from here. There's a chance to make it better. If I'm spending my life here, I might as well help.

[That said, Cedric attempted to calculate this distance in his head.]

We're up where Scotland used to be, aren't we? That's amazing. And a bit more pleasant than wizarding transport, I have to say. Feeling like you're being stuffed into far too small a tube at high speeds is never fun.

There is always a possibility that helping this world will tip the balance. If you plan on spending your life here, you will need to have far more than that conviction my dear Cedric-kun~ [His neck stretched out so then his nose could nudge the wizard's shoulder.] You will need to believe it within yourself that you want to fight to make things better for you and those around you - that you wish to create something here in this world.

We are, yes! My kind are capable of travelling rather swiftly. [Now that was an understatement. Pulling his head back, his eyes sparkled with mirth.] Well I can see how that would feel unpleasant.

[Cedric nods quietly, looking over his shoulder to smile.] I will. I do. It's slow to start, I've still got things I'm dealing with, but I know I'll do my best to make it better.

[He turns to laugh, rising to stand at Sohki's side.]

Transport our way feels like I'll be all stretched and rolled unpleasantly when I arrive, misshapen like some badly rolled dough. This is nicer.

[He tentatively touches the back of the magnificent neck as he watches what might've been the stars once.]

How often do you go for a run out here like this?

Edited 2013-02-28 00:54 (UTC)

[He had no doubt that Cedric would do just that. It was something that he could see within the young wizard.]

With all of your magic and power, and you can't find a better way to transport yourself? It sounds rather dangerous. [There was a chuckle on his voice as he spoke, and Sohki gave no indication that the touch was unwelcome as the hand came to touch against his neck. Glancing up towards the stars, he seemed pensive for a moment.]

Every day. I would spend the morning admiring the sun rise on Mount Tai, and the next I would travel to see watch the beauty of the glaciers unfolding high on Mount Kilimanjaro. Remaining in one place too long is something I no longer do.

There are nicer ways, but they're slower. Brooms, for example. They're as fast as Muggle cars, and we get to avoid traffic. But anything instant or close to instant is a little painful or inconvenient.

[He didn't mind, though. The freedom of flying was like nothing else, but perhaps what Sohki felt here was similar.]

Wow. That's got to be quite the adventure. So you've seen the damage to this world?

I can see the benefits of avoiding traffic. My darling Fuuto often complained about the traffic in Tokyo. Mmm it does seem rather counter-productive to go through such painful experiences purely for travel, but it is a rather human thing to do.

[Glancing up to the skies, the kirin seemed deep in thought over something.]

Not as of yet. I have considered as such, but my eyes have seen much throughout my lifetime.

Yeah. But flying---or the equivalent---I don't know, it never got old to me.

[He grins and stands beside Sohki again.]

Feeling ready to head back, or have you got other plans?

[There was a chuckle in reply to the question.]

I best not keep you out for too long. This country isn't safe.

[And with that, he lowered his front half down to his knees to allow Cedric to hop back on.]

Right. It's pretty late.

[Cedric climbed up, more confident this time. He held tight for the trip back home, perfectly content. It had been so long since he'd felt this rush.]

[With another chuckle, Sohki straightened his posture before giving his warning to hold on tight. With that said, he effortlessly leapt back into the sky - taking them back into the city in a single leap.]

[There they were. 'Home' again. Cedric slipped back down to his apartment ledge, patting Sohki's back when he'd let go.]

Thanks for that. Oddly enough, I feel I'm more ready for bed. I've got a lot to sleep on.

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02. [video]

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