25th moon [written/action]

[vibrafinal]

[Written


The message appears at midday, short and sweet.]

Would anyone like to ride an airship today?


[Action


Cecil cannot offer a real airship ride, of course. The Malnosso are not nearly that generous. But he's learned quite a few tricks with the Batlle Dome over the last two years, and he's now adding the last details to what he believes will be an adequate simulation. He has enough faith in it to share it with others at least, but the program still needs some final polishing.

Not that he minds. Better to work on that than to remind himself that he might be forty now.]

Comments

[paladinlost]

Very well. When are you available?

[killu]

Now is fine.

[paladinlost]

Come over to the Battle Dome, then. I'll be waiting by the door.

[killu]

[ It doesn't take long for Killua to meet with Cecil at the promised area. He raises a hand ] Yo, Old Man.

[paladinlost]

Hello.

[Considering the season the 'old' stings a little, but he hides it.]

Do you have any experience with the Dome? Or is this your first time?

[killu]

First time. [ He puts his hands behind his head. He was still new here, after all ]

[paladinlost]

We'll have to start from the beginning, then. Follow me.

[He starts walking briskly towards the central console.]

[killu]

This is it? [ He raises an eyebrow. Was it really that difficult... ]

[paladinlost]

Yes. You can choose one of the predetermined scenarios, but the additional options are much more interesting.

[He opens the one that allows new monsters to be entered.]

[killu]

[ Wait a sec-- ] You can fight monsters through this?

[paladinlost]

Of course. That's its main purpose, as a matter of fact.

[Well, fighting in general is, but monsters make the best targets.]

[killu]

Heeeh... Sounds fun, Old Man. You fight them a lot?

[paladinlost]

Of course. How else would I keep my blades sharp?

[killu]

Ah- You fight like that.

Any other abilities?

[paladinlost]

I have some healing magic, along with the power to take any hit for someone's sake. It's very little, but it suffices.

[killu]

Wanna fight sometime?

[paladinlost]

It depends. What sort of fighting style do you favor?

[killu]

Ah, my bare hands are just fine.

[paladinlost]

Like a monk, then? It's a shame Ursula is not here, the two of you could exchange tips.

[killu]

[ He shakes his head ] I'm an ex assassin.

[paladinlost]

[He stays silent for a few moments.]

...That's certainly an unconventional yet efficient way to learn how to fight.

[killu]

[ He laughs for a moment before mentioning -- ] Seriously? You're the second one here that didn't respond with 'is that a joke'?

[paladinlost]

Considering all the stories we can hear from the villagers with every wave of arrivals, asking if any implausible story is a joke would be rather rude.

[Heck, he knows the whole half-Lunarian thing would sound implausible to most.]

[killu]

Heh, guess you have a point, Old Man. Some people mention some pretty impossible stuff.

[paladinlost]

Between all the advanced technology people know and the various species represented here, it's best to accept stories as they are unless someone else proves them wrong.