(It does not go smoothly. Things never go smoothly for Percy Jackson. When they do, a god is behind it and that means something shitty is about to happen. Thankfully, he winds up in the library and spends an awkward moment silently screaming about how this was dumb and then figured it out.
The second time goes a lot better. He pops out with Blackjack at his side and looks around, feeling a little lost but not frightened. He wasn't really afraid of anything anymore and with Blackjack at his side, he felt even more secure. He was pretty sure he was right this time around at least.
He walks Blackjack out a bit into where Gyro had told them they would meet. He was a little early. Blackjack looked his marvelous self, shiny black with wings folded it up.
Promise you'll get me some of the good stuff, huh?)
Blackjack, I already told you you're not getting chocolate. I don't think horses can have chocolate, bud.
Uhhh no, that's dogs, boss. Horses can eat anything. Everything. Chocolate. Sugar. Hair.
[Hyaline is an interesting place as Percy will see. The city is huge and is the main hotspot in Diedo. But unlike places like Lhassa with Apathia, and in Tanagura, Diedo and Hyaline seems far less sexually stimulated. After all, it's a cultural hub, a place for more quiet, religion, it's population is small because of it too.]
[The looming city looks like it's made out of the remains of a huge, ancient animal, whatever constructs the huge indoor city like aged bone and tendons. The whole place moans a little in it's desert area, though there are a few small outdoor locations, one of which is by a short road that leads to a bridge out of the city. This is where Gyro meets him.]
[The wind is a little fierce this high up but not so bad, not enough to tip off his hat (though nothing seemed to ever tip that thing off). He stopped by his place after work to change, opting for his usual cowboy attire though with a woven poncho over his shoulders this time. He made sure to get Valkyrie prepared too, he wanted the horse looking his best for his new friend.]
[He's up on horse back as he walks along the dusty road with Valkyrie. The horse is a golden brown, shiny coat, well maintained, and Gyro keeps his ashy grey mane bound up in plaits down his neck. He's in all his riding gear, looks strong too, a horse that's seen a lot of riding and racing. Seems a little feisty though too but... that's because he sees Blackjack.]
[Gyro opts to get off the horse and even lets go of the reins, allowing Valkyrie to trot right over to Blackjack and extend his head out, smelling at him, very quick to bump head with the the other horse. It's been... a while since Valkyrie's seen another of his species, even if the wings are throwing him off a little.]
Like I said, right there, remember the name? Blackjack.
[Gyro says off handedly to Valkyrie, chuckling a little under his breath at how happy the animal looks before he's looking back to Percy.]
(Percy was still trying to figure out all of these places. It was relearning an entire world and that took a bit more than a week to do. He had been pretty convinced Gyro was telling him to go somewhere that only existed in the Legend of Zelda games. Once he is out and about though, he finds that it is actually pretty fantastic to look at. He stares up in quiet awe, staring at the details of the city, wondering what kind of place this actually was. It isn't the strangest place he's been though.
Blackjack himself is a glossy, solid black horse. He's a relatively regular sized horse but with a majestic frame and thick, luxurious wings that looked perfectly in tact, every individual feather laying precisely where it meant to. His hooves were gleaming, well maintained things and he taps about. He's not the weight of an average horse. Has a surreal, lighter body that allowed for flight. Blackjack is without any saddle, any bits, nothing at all. Percy rides him entirely bare and natural. Always had, always will.
But that doesn't take away from the beauty of Valkyrie at all. The horse is gorgeous, healthy, and Percy instantly respects Gyro doubly for the perfect condition that he so obviously kept his horse in.
Upon sight of the other horse, Blackjack's wings open up part way and he bounces a bit in excitement. It looks odd a little bit for someone not used to a pegasus, seeing a horse move almost unnaturally light. He was just as feisty and so maybe this was the beginning of a great friendship.
Ayyyye! Aye, aye brother.
Blackjack settles some and rests nudges his face back at Valkyrie, snorting in interest. Percy grins himself, knowing that Blackjack was excited for the equestrian company.)
Yup. We might have gotten a little lost on the way here but I figured it out eventually. Hey Valkyrie. I'm Percy.
(He speaks now directly to Valkyrie, figuring he might as well introduce himself properly.)
[It's a small world at least but there was something very video game like about how the areas were divided and how different they were despite being so close. It's beautiful though, if a bit surreal with no plants and no animals to clutter the scenery up further. Hyaline itself was a wonder and it was gorgeous too, how the view up here and outside of the indoor city you could see so much of that desert of Diedo. Percy probably saw a good deal of interesting things too, like the angular columns of The Temple of Jupiter looming over the rolling sands like some mathematical attachment not meant for the horizon.]
[Gyro's seen it though, that view, and so his attention is on his company right now, especially Blackjack. No offense Percy, he's just never seen such a horse. The wings, the way it moves. He wonders if the creature is at all as fast on it's hooves but he guesses it doesn't matter since they probably always fly. A competitive part of him already wants to race but he feels it'd sort of be unfair to make Valkyrie go through that, Blackjack's probably magic or something. Besides, the presence of the other horse was already doing wonders for his own steed and he could see that. It did something to his heart to already see Valkyrie so content with his new company, he was going to feel shitty about separating them.]
G'day! Hi, hi! 'Ow ya goin'? Both a' ya. Ya just showed up, ai. He said it, he said someone showed up.
[Said cheerfully back, quick, his accent a thick Australian one and extremely informal and friendly. Valkyrie offers another bump of his head against him before moving to walk around him, sizing the other horse up, not knowing what to think of the lack of things and addition of things, but wanting to know all about him. You could tell in the body language, how his ears flicked, how attentive he was.]
What's this then, so what, ya get at flyin' how's that even, and no saddle, he just sits up there bare, ai?
[It's hard not to watch a bit before Gyro finally looks back to Percy and sets his hands on his hips, turning to stare out to the scenic view away from the city.]
Lost, not too bad it looks like. I figured we'd go out and enjoy Diedo a bit, you probably haven't been over here yet.
(Percy hadn't adjusted to the lack of animals or plants. He'd likely never come to appreciate that lack of nature; he had to big of a heart for it. It would take him a while to genuinely appreciate the master craftsmanship of the city. He'd never much had the luxury to appreciate that kind of thing before. He mostly just stopped through cities and tried to get on to where he needed to be next as quickly as possible. He wasn't Annabeth either. Didn't have that same love of architect. Though as he stared about, he couldn't help but think she'd be losing her shit here.
None taken. Percy would be insulted if his horse wasn't properly admired. Blackjack was gorgeous and Percy would brag ten times louder about the pegasus than he would ever brag about himself. He had zero ego but all bulk up for the animal. Honestly, Percy would have no idea. Blackjack naturally took to the air. He was meant for flying, not racing. Were he to run on his hooves like that, Percy thinks Blackjack would give up on pure frustration. He wasn't as fast on his feet, definitely not, and Valkyrie would probably take the cake. The other horse looked strong in that kind of way, built for the tracks, and Blackjack was built for the air.
As soon as Percy hears Valkyrie speak in an Australian accent, he smiles ten inches wide from ear to ear. Oh, he hadn't expected that at all)
It's going pretty good, thanks.
(Blackjack's own ears were flickering forward, tail swishing curiously. He sniffed at the funky things in Valkyrie's mane, not recognizing the stylized way they were put up.
Ya done up all like a My Little Pony, you are. Don't that bother you? Not that you look bad or anythin' I'm just sayin'. Though I guess if Boss wanted my hair all braided up and fancy I wouldn't say no.)
Dude, your horse has a legit Australian accent. It's so thick, it's kind of great. He sounds like Steve Irwin or something.
(Wings just come with me. The Boss rides me natural like. I like it that way best no saddles, no nothin' in my mouth, don't like that. Feel like a real schmuck with bits and pieces all over. Not natural for a pegasus, nope. Don't gotta be strapped up to be a made man.
It's particularly hard for Percy. For him, it's as loud and clear as if two people were talking right next to them.)
No, not too bad. And no. Haven't been around much at all, gotta say. So should we head out then?
[Gyro wouldn't say he adjusted either, no animals or plants? Not even grass... not even a fly or bird or something? Yeah, there was no getting used to it, especially to a man trained in Rotation, a Technique that took much of his teachings from nature and the beauty in it. You had to have an understanding of this 'beauty' in things to use it at all. The lack of animals and plants truly had an impact on him. Having Valkyrie around helped though.]
[He saw the beauty in people too though, and definitely in Blackjack. It was hard not to keep glancing at the animal, he's never seen anything like him. And it was nice too, seeing how happy Valkyrie was, it was like his horse was glowing. Valkyrie hasn't been so happy in a while and it hurt that Gyro couldn't help, he couldn't be another horse though to keep him company. Even if the two wouldn't be riding much alongside eachother or racing. Just having Blackjack around would improve Valkyrie's mood.]
Hm...
[He puckers his lips, realizing Percy was talking to Valkyrie there for a moment and it was... strange. It sort of sucked not being able to speak to his own horse too, but that's why he was so excited to have Percy meet him.]
Eh? My Little wah? Nothin' I' ever heard about, it's tah keep my mane from gettin' in the bloke's face during a' bash. Can't have it up in his business, ya know?
[Though now he's not sure about it, bowing his head a little and flicking his ears. Did it look silly? Not that he cared much, but he cared about what Blackjack thought immediately.]
Wha- Australian?? [Gyro offers a wide grin.] That's where he's from, I figure he should have one! Still that thick though? I guess it's from not getting to talking with anyone these days.
[Said with a sort of concerned look to his horse. Uh- he looks back to Percy.]
Who's Steve Irwin?
What's it like then, up there? Birds give ya trouble? Guess not 'ea though since they all buggered off. Seems like a right scary place fer any brumby, ay? I need it though, gotta, keeps 'im on and saves me back and 'ooves, guess it's heavy though, feels betta with it off.
[Gyro could imagine it being tough, though he can't hear a word of it to his focus is back to Percy again, nodding as he checks his hat to make sure it's on right and then steps over to Valkyrie with a little click behind his teeth.]
Yeah, let's go, flying down? I'll be taking the pass so you'll have to wait up a little. [The pass being the trail down that leads from where the city it high up on the rocks. It leads down into the desert but it'll definitely take him longer since he has to go around rather than right over.]
(Yeah, Percy saw the beauty in people too. He had seen the beauty in them since arriving here. And it wasn't just an aesthetic thing either. There were good people in this place. He had met some, Gyro included, and it gave him some serious hope on the whole thing. Especially whenever he started thinking about stuff like the caste system and the sexual culture of the place.
Percy was used enough to people staring at Blackjack that he doesn't seem to mind Gyro's constant looking. Even back home with people who were used to magical things would find Blackjack beautiful to look at. He was stunning creature. While Valkyrie had been clearly lonely, it was also painfully obvious to Percy that the horse was still happy. It sucked for him not having other horses, absolutely, but Gyro was a real good owner of Valkyrie. The horse was healthy and pleasant. When he'd saved Blackjack, it had been obvious right away that he wasn't happy with Luke as a master. That sort of thing always was. Same thing with the zebra. Animals had a way of speaking when they felt traumatized.
Aw no worries, no worries, man. Just some jack show about girly ponies and weird hair and pink and blue and all. Nah it looks good on you! Really does I couldn't pull that off none nope no way. Makes plenty sense. My mane goes all flat like when we fly if I go real fast. The boss doesn't ride me into battle anyway.)
Could be. I've got no idea why Blackjack sounds like an Italian mobster, honestly. All his buds do too so maybe it's a pegasus thing. Maybe the way their accents work is different than how ours work.
(He's barely a scientist on the subject but he doesn't want Gyro to feel any worse for having his horse alone either. It wasn't the guy's fault and it really could be true.)
Oh. He's like this Australian nature documentary person and America's only reference to an Australian accent.
(It's real nice, real gorgeous. Stretches out the whole body then you get on them currents and ride the wind. Birds don't bother me none. I suspect it's either to do with boss or the fact that I'm bigger or maybe cause I don't bother them none. Boss don't weigh much but neither do I. I feel him more when I walk than fly.)
Yeah sure, that'll work. Once we get out somewhere open Blackjack will have no problem flying alongside Valkyrie.
(He wishes there was a way to fly them all up but he was the son of Poseidon, not Zeus. He slips himself up onto Blackjack without a sound and Blackjack whinnies excitedly. The horse clearly enjoyed flying with Percy.)
[That gets a laugh out of Gyro as he rubs at Valkyrie's neck and moves to adjust his saddle, pulling himself up onto it again and grabbing ahold of the reins. He just sounded like some gangster? What the hell, there had to be a reason for that, right? Amusing all the same though.]
How their accents work? Hm.
[Nooo idea what he means by that. You got an accent when you spoke a certain language for a while, right? They'd change and adapt as language often did. So he was saying their accents didn't work in the same way, so how else could they? He gets a little pensive on the topic as Valkyrie shows slight distress and getting pulled away already.]
Into battle, ay, that a' normal show, battle where yer fr- ay, ay what's that, already??
[He raises his head a bit, huffing and Gyro tightens his hold on the reins, leaning down to pat his neck.]
Going for a short ride, he's flying, got wings, don't he? Run fast enough and we'll get down there in no time, how about that?
[Said to Valkyrie as if he heard him speak clearly. He didn't, but he knew his horse, he really didn't need to understand what Valkyrie said at all. His movements, even his habits now, he got to know them, communicated with him in a variety of ways and did his best to calm his steed. It works too, and gets the horse excited to run, stamping a hoof down and shaking his head. It makes Gyro laugh a little, again happy to see how high in spirits his horse was.]
Low enough to the ground then? Good, you'll see what he can really do, Blackjack, don;t be jealous.
[A grin Blackjack's way before he looks back to Percy with his brows up, hopping his chin up a little in agreement before turning and bursting down the road. The faster the better, right? Not only does Valkyrie want to get being separated as fast as possible, but Gyro's got a mind to show off a little.]
Yup. Italian mobster. I got no clue, man. I just translate.
(He had never thought all that hard about it. Some horses had accents, some didn't. He could also talk to horses in general so this kid had become pretty good at just accepting things for what they were.)
We'll see you real soon, Valkyrie, don't worry.
(Percy speaks a certain way to horses that he doesn't humans. It's not a babying tone by any means but it's gentler, kinder, like he has an endless bout of patience in him for their behavior and an extensive wealth of kindness ready to be used. The kid was a bleeding heart sometimes and for animals most of all. That and people he cared about.
Percy merely grins. When Blackjack wanted to, he could dart through the sky like nothing. He was quick and strong and reliable. But Percy didn't have much of a competitive streak. As for Blackjack, well, he whinnied in indignation. Percy merely snorted at his horse.
For a moment, Percy merely stares after Valkyrie in subdued awe. He's enough to magical creatures that he sometimes forgot just how incredible normal animals could be too.
That's one fast horse that is.)
Yeah, he is.
(And then Blackjack took off, slamming into the sky and whirling around in an elegant loop. Flight was always going to be a little faster. He had the power of wind currents on his side but Percy knew and he was pretty sure Blackjack knew that if Blackjack were on his feet, he wouldn't have caught up with Valkyrie by a landslide. Blackjack wasn't built for speed. In the air, sure, but that was different.
They fly on ahead, clearing over the pass with ease and swooping down. Flying on Blackjack by now is second nature to Percy. The wind is fast enough that Blackjack's mane is whipped down and back rather than all over the place. He's an elegant thing. They eventually reach the rendevous point and Blackjack lands, tittering about excitedly.
[There's no such dialogue between these two as they run, not exactly like that anyway. Their dialogue was different, at times seeming one sided but never was. Gyro knew this speed of his friends was always in his potential and ability but he knew it was prompted here by his excitement. Valkyrie was an energetic, sturdy horse, a healthy and well taken care of one too. He paced over the ashy sands of the trail like nothing, like he was doing his own flying. As soon as his hooves were down, they were up, and he still had that same habit as always, a sway Gyro always compensated for with his riding and accepted now that he knew it.]
[Dust trailed after them, showing their route as they wound down away from the broad, exoskeleton of Hyaline and rounded down towards the rolling hills of the desert. Gyro took a moment to look up, glancing to the sky and smirked when he saw the others plummeting down, already seeing them need to slow down to start waiting for them.]
Come on, we know they'd beat us, but let's not make them wait, you and me, let's go!
[Said as he stands up in his stirrups and flicks his reins. Valkyrie yanks his head up and bursts in another sprint. The cloud behind them grows wilder as they move around the bend and soon hit mainland, drawing dust up along a cliff face now that lead up to the trail they had taken above. Quickly they move away from it, further into the open and in Percy and Blackjack's direction and make no attempt to slow down.]
[Nope.]
[Infact Gyro tugs Valkyrie to go right past them and bullet straight into the desert. You guys coming or not?]
(When Valkyrie and Gyro dart past them, Percy barks out a laugh and Blackjack splutters nonsensically.)
Calm down, bud. We'll catch up.
(He pats Blackjack on the side of his neck. His horse flaps his wings in three steady pumps and it brings him higher and higher up in the air. Percy threads his fingers through Blackjack's mane and twirls them around. He gives a light tug upward, encouraging blackjack to go higher and higher and higher yet. The winds down by the city and lower were pretty decent but the higher up they went, the stronger they got until there was a suction pulling them forward.
Blackjack rode the sky like Valkyrie rode the ground. He darted through clouds and vaulted himself forward along the pull of wind. His legs were folded up neatly but every now and then he'd stretch them out and gallop himself through the air to give himself that additional boost.
Percy had Blackjack dip low occasionally so that he could keep an eye on Gyro racing along. It wasn't too hard. As it turned out, Blackjack flew about as fast as Valkyrie rode. Blackjack dove down at the ground and if it were anyone else, they might've pissed themselves from the horse pulling his wings in and just dropping straight on down but Percy felt natural as anything on Blackjack's back.
A few seconds into the drop and a few seconds from the ground, Blackjack pulled himself upright and glided up alongside Valkyrie. Percy shot Gyro a bit of a smug look, his brows raised up to his hairline.
Ya a fancy runner. Now I get why your hair's all done up nice and slick there.
Blackjack doesn't seem like he has any plans to fly back up above the clouds. It had been fun for a while but Blackjack wasn't all too competitive. Percy could have his streak every now and then but Blackjack was far more interested in hanging out with Valkyrie than racing him. In any case, it was evident it'd take quite some time for there to be an obvious winner between the two.)
[It's hard not to look up and around a bit, to catch a HORSE of all things flying above. It's nice too with how there wasn't anything living around here aside from people. It was nice to see something... flying. It was nice to see something other than a person moving and living. It made the world more gorgeous even though Percy would notice there was nothing else up there to accompany them. No birds, bugs, nothing, just them and clouds and sun, the light steadily growing darker and more saturated as the night grew nearer.]
[As much as Gyro liked to watch though, he still needed to focus on where he and Valkyrie were going. He planned to head towards the Temple of Jupiter. Not all the way but between it, stopping off at a small grouping of ruins hidden among the mounds of sands in this part of Diedo. he had to make sure they were going the right way, was happy to see it, and then their company suddenly showed up along side them.]
Fast aren't ya!?
[Said with a bright, golden smile as he glanced over, his hair whipping back and his hat miraculously not flying off.]
Oi, ya came back, how's it up there? And ya got that right, hit him right in the face it would!
(Percy's flown Blackjack around enough times to take notice of the absence of animals and bugs by now. He'd remembered from his first time spent in Amoi being told about that and how Blackjack had even commented on it. In the sky, it seemed beautiful having this wide expanse to just themselves but when Percy really thought about it, it made something in him ache fiercely. He wasn't used to a world with no nature. He thought about Pan and how witnessing a god die was oddly one of the worst things he'd ever seen. This world would have made him weep.
Percy didn't know the structures and places around here enough to realize they were heading towards the Temple of Jupiter. Had he, he might've had a few questions. Likely would have a dozen questions and some reserved uncertainties.)
You're not all that slow yourself.
(There's a smile on his own face, significantly less golden but just as bright.
It's a real beaut. Can see the whole wide world. Down here isn't all that bad either though I gotta say. Watchin' the ground goin' so fast.)
[Blackjack would probably be more affected by it or notice it more than Percy too. As a horse or well, pegasus, he's bound to notice the severe lack of his kind as well as all animals, magical and not. Gyro knows Valkyrie has to deal with it after all, and it was plain in how excited and starved for attention from his kind he was when he met Blackjack too.]
[No animals but he'd definitely see the temple already. Hell, he would've been able to see it a little from where they started. The Tmeple was huge and while the desert's sandy hills rolled, they still weren't large enough mounds to obscure the strange, angular temple on the horizon.]
Hell no I'm not, number one, you're looking at number one here- but we're closing in on our finish line.
Real fast, faster than a bullet, hah! I'm betta' on harder ground though, sand's right foolish unda' me hooves.
[Said as he holds tight on his reins and Valkyrie starts to slow down. Gyro falls back into his saddle, sitting up as they near a small collection of rocky ruins. There's a few small toppled walls, a dried well or fountain, and small, spotty paths here and there. He slows to a stop before looking around and finally hopping off Valkyrie, letting go of his reins and patting at the side of his rump.]
(He had seen it though it didn't mean he knew what it was yet. He was still fairly new to all of this, new to the maps and the locations. That and he hadn't bothered to look too much into things outside of the places he thought he'd use the most. For right now anyway. Percy grins, snorting a bit.)
Yeah? I'm surprised you can ride so well at your age. If I were you, I'd be afraid to break a hip.
(Now he's just being a little shit. He knows perfectly well that Gyro isn't old- not even all that much older than him maybe -but Percy Jackson had a bit of an attitude and welp. Gyro was going to get to experience that sooner or later. Looked like it wound up being sooner. Percy had a way of being a little jerk though that was somehow lacking hugely in malice. Like he really was just joking in good nature - cause he was.
Sands a real pain on all hooves. Human hooves too. They sink and slip all over real bad. Poor suckers only have two little wobbly legs.
Blackjack catches the wind and uses it to buffer his speed, slowing himself down without landing. It isn't until Valkyrie has stopped that Blackjack lands neatly beside the other horse. Percy slides off and Blackjack at once is going up to Valkyrie, sniffing at him and nudging up against him. He even starts to nip lightly at Valkyrie's neck, affectionately grooming him. Percy takes a moment to appreciate the forming bond with a smile before looking to Gyro.)
All right, sure.
(Percy's been on enough quests that he knows a pretty impressive amount of survival skills for a kid who grew up in New York City. He shoves his hands in his pockets and walks off, looking about curiously for a nice area. When he gets to one of the crumbling fountains, he bends over and plants his hands on the edge. The fountain itself wasn't all that big - no bigger than a kiddie pool really.)
How about we put one in here? Should work just fine. Kinda like a fire pit.
[Spluttering at that, he stands up straight, giving a shocked expression and snarling a little as he points at him before thrusting an arm up, elbow bent, and slaps his other hand down against his forearm. Jerk! Fuck you!!]
[He is really quickly distracted by their two steeds though and has quite the cocky smirk when he watches Blackjack practically prance over to Valkyrie. Valkyrie's own response is to bow his head, turning to hit his neck up against Blackjack's a little in an affectionate thanks. He ends up lifting his head again to sort of huff at Blackjack's wings, brushing his face against them before stopping and realizing he's getting sand from his face on him.]
[Gyro looks back, unable to hear at all how Valkyrie fawns over the other horse;
I couldn't see ya, too high, up in those clouds, ya looked like something else, really, once you flew down too, not a piece a dirt on you! And 'ere I am, bogged down in a nun's nasty desert and with the coat ta show for it!
He follows Percy for the most part, leaning to let him pick and nods, moving over to Valkyrie once more with a casual little 'sorry' before he's pulling out some things from one of his packs and heading back towards Percy.]
Works I guess, yeah.
[Can kind of sit on the sides of it and what not. He moves to take out some of the 'wood' which is really like a sort of purple wood-LIKE substance, combustible though, lasts a good deal longer than actual wood too. He kneels into the fountain and starts to set up the fire, setting the other supplies behind him as he stacks the 'wood'.]
Twenty four?! Ohhhh man. I should never have agreed to racing you out like this. I'm so sorry, sir.
(Massive puppy eyes of apology going on over here and even a bit of a pout as if that'd really save him any face. He barks out a delighted laugh when Gyro gives him such a crude gesture.
Blackjack rustles his wings occasionally and doesn't seem remotely bothered by anyone touching them, Valkyrie or otherwise. As long as they didn't touch the very, very tips, the pegasus would remain relatively calm.
I'll make sure an' fly nice and low for you next time. It's too bad I can't strap you up and fly you with me. Bet that'd look real weird though. Naw. Flying in the sky is clean goin'. Don't take it so hard! You got character on ya. Look like a real don.
Percy doesn't mind- not a natural leader or a follower. More just someone who goes on gut instinct and whatever works the best. Sometimes that means taking the initiative and sometimes it doesn't. Simple as that.
He sits down and watches Gyro start the fire with fascination. He's started fires before, sure, but purple wood? That's a new one.)
What is that? That's not wood, is it? Or - I guess since they don't have plants here or animals then it must be something synthetic. How weird.
[Tossing up a little hissy fit at that. No one's ever called him OLD before!! But it's just for play of course, soon he's got his hands into dusty sand and purple wood, setting it so it points to the sky in a pyramid before he's pulling back and turning to fetch his flint. Does it the good ol' fashioned way, and he'll continue to speak as he sparks the two small rocks together.]
Not wood, no wood here, remember what I said? Everything's synthetic, usually digital too, don't ask me how that works I have no idea. Even the food we eat's all coded some how. Imagine what it does to our digestive system.
[Click... click- spark! Fire! He takes both rocks in one hand and ducks down low, blowing into the small fire and helping it grow before he pulls back. Seems like the mauve material really lights up well too, it doesn't take long to get a nice size, Gyro moving to sit at the side of the fountain on the worn rocks.]
Tried asking a friend of mine who codes but even he wasn't sure the exacts. This place makes a lot of no sense. [A sigh, moving to pocket the flint and replaces it in his hand with a tarnished gold flask, opening it and taking a drink. He sucks the liquid through his teeth and lets out a gasped sigh, watching small sparks flicker up from the fire, dancing in a strange, blue-ish white smoke.]
Ummm. Definitely at least six, last time I checked.
(Percy takes the attempted insult in stride. Percy doesn't think he's crossing any lines. If he was? Well actually he would probably snicker a little bit about that because really.)
I listened, I listened. I just said there's no plants and animals. Just wondering what it was. Snytho-wood stuff. Got it. I'd rather not imagine that, thanks.
(He grins a bit though when Gyro gets a fire going. Not that it's much of a surprise. He's fairly certain anyone decked out as a cowboy needed to know how to start a fire. At least Percy believed they should.
He swings his feet over the edge of the fountain and scoots closer to both Gyro and the fire. For a while, he stares at the fire, having nothing much to say about the coding thing. He barely understands technology and it's one of those things where if it was broken down, plain and simple, he's pretty sure he still wouldn't understand it.)
Are you drinking alcohol?
(He asks this completely harmlessly, looking over at Gyro with some curiosity. He's pretty sure people only drank alcohol out of flasks but who knows?)
In a way, this place is kind of a vegetarian's dream, I keep thinking. How all the food is coded and stuff. They don't even need to kill plants. Er- I guess that'd be more of a vegan's dream?
[He fans the flame a bit, lowering his head to blow on it a bit more, shrugging at Percy's words.]
You get used to it.
[Looks a little weird but it seems like it works as a normal campfire at least. Warms in the same way, burns, will burn you too if you get too close. You can even cook over it, digital fare or actual. He certainly has. He practically lives out here during the late part of the rainy season and through the summer, scorching or not.]
No it's juice.
[Said as he hands the flask to him.]
Don't vegans want to eat plants? What is vegan anyway? That wasn't a thing back on my world. [Or it was later, but he has no idea. Certainly wasn't in his time at least. Too many people barely could eat at all, let alone could be picky like that.]
(He'll give Gyro that and then some for pity. Poor old guys never get their chance in the spotlight anymore, do they?
Percy merely shrugs.)
Hey man, seriously whatever works. I've seen some really weird stuff. Coded-fire isn't actually at the top of my list.
(He does however look quite surprised when Gyro clarifies that it's juice. He tasks the flask from Gyro and gives it a curious sip.
He pauses and stares up thoughtfully for a moment. What's a vegan.)
Uh....an aggressive vegetarian, I guess. Vegans don't eat anything that comes from an animal usually. So like, nothing with milk or eggs. Like that's your standard vegan. But then you can get into the deeper-set vegans who refuse to use any sort of living creature thing in their lives like wool or leather or honey. Stuff like that?
(Which isn't actually a bad thing and Percy doesn't have anything against it. He's a pretty big tree-hugger himself but he's seen some seriously nasty vegans being unnecessarily awful to people in the streets of New York City. Who promotes good things via harassment?)
There are people though who only eat plants that have naturally fallen but I don't think that's a big thing. Most vegans are hugely ethical-based instead of dietary so they would probably appreciate a world where neither animals or plants have to die. But I guess you don't have to be a vegan to appreciate that. That is cool.
Back in my world, a lot of animals are treated badly and nature is really disregarded as being worthless and pointless.
(His voice takes on a bit of a sad tone. Percy wasn't a vegetarian by any means but he had a massively tender heart for nature. Animals and everything else.)
Coded everything you eat though? It sounds simple but considering we get nourishment from us and it passes through us into poop, isn't that something to consider? It's a lot more confusing when you look at it like that... coding that actually acts just like food, so I guess what I'm saying is... I wonder what the down sides to it are.
[He's tried to figure it out but there's nothing to find. Maybe it really was a good alternative to growing food, maybe this place just hit that nail on the head. That or it's helped lead to a lot of the problems in Amoi. Sterilization being a big one, of both men and women. Women not being able to have babies even IF they're sterile, and memory loss. Maybe he wasn't looking at it right.. maybe it was a lot of things leading to it. But so far he just has a lot of questions and no answers.]
[He lifts a piece of the purple wood and prods at the fire, letting sparks flutter up from it while he stokes it.]
So they just want to waste away then, vegans? I guess in a futuristic world they can afford to do it. I guess we're all vegans here on Amoi too, aren't we? Well except me, I'll keep wearing leather 'till I die.
But this vegan thing, doesn't it just sound stupid? I won't argue with vegetarians, but vegans? Going that far's just making yourself suffer, do they die earlier? But I guess if you have enough processed foods and artificial shit happening in your time, maybe they could. Back where I come from, no way.
It's less cool when you consider there's no animals or plants around at all. Besides... in nature plants and animals have to die to feed eachother. So it's like some natural law, it's how it has to be.
[He sits with a smirk when he watches Percy sip from the flask. Definitely not juice. It's straight gin, and so he'll get a sudden shock of juniper berries in his mouth. His joke doesn't last though when Percy makes the topic a little more sad, and it's Gyro's turn to shrug, flitting up a hand in gesture.]
Humans doing, right? In my era... we were just starting to claim all the land in the Americas. [A glance up, watching the fire.]
Claiming land from people... taking it rather, building towns, mining for gold and oil, laying tracks. It's how we humans found to survive, seems like it was only natural that it'd lead to carving into the Earth enough to change it.
It's how things are. Things have to die. The only way to fix it's more death too, killing a lotta people. I'm guessing the population numbers high there, right? And not only that... but people won't just change or learn.
So in some way, death has to be involved. It's a part of life, nothin' we can do about that.
(Percy shrugs. He's sixteen, man, and he's barely been able to make it through a year of high school. As if he has a single clue about nourishment and the effects of it. On top of that, he doesn't full care either because again- sixteen. Pizza constituted as all the necessary food groups to him. Really, Gyro.)
Dunno, man. I'm surprised people here aren't running around with STDs like crazy but hey, no one seems to be questioning that any more than the synthetic food and fire wood. Don't you think if they can prevent diseases, they can probably provide nourishment? I saw other non-humans here and I mean really nonhumans and their nourishment requirements might be completely different than a human's. Kinda like how you can't feed a dog chocolate. Well, not like that, but you get what I'm saying. We're all eating the same food and no one's dying from lack of vitamins so...
(Again, he has no idea and it's not like he fully trusts the place but considering the circumstances, he literally has no choice but to trust Amoi. Otherwise he would just starve and he's a little bit too into living to do that.)
Well, no? They eat other healthy alternatives. It's a bit extreme and a lot of them are pretty rude about their opinions but it isn't like it's not a livable lifestyle. And I'm pretty sure the anti-leather ones are the ones who take it to the absolute extreme, so, you know.
(Percy raises his brows at Gyro, tipping his head.)
Vegans who can manage a better diet are usually perfectly healthy. I'd say Vegetarians are the healthier though - and kind of the most logical. I mean, I don't know about your world, but in our world red meat is super dangerous for your heart and people who over eat it wind up with a lot of heart problems so it isn't like meats the best for you. There's a lot of fat in it and stuff, I think. The vegan thing's only stupid because they don't seem to understand how cows need to be milked or how chickens just naturally lay eggs. But like I said, they take it to the extreme and a lot of extremists don't always think too clearly.
Sure, but again, I don't think that's what vegans are really fighting against. Okay, some of the crazy ones, totally, but like...a lot of vegetarians and vegans are just taking a stand against the industries because they do messed up things. So it's not really like you can fault them.
(The gin hits his tongue like acid and you know what's unfortunate about this Gyro?????
You're sitting near him and he's facing you because he's polite when he talks so when he spits it out- yeah.
You get some of that right back in your face in nice mist form. He makes a face and wrinkles up his nose.)
Dude, you're a jerk.
(That's fine, Gyro. Just take another drink of your flask. Gin has got some water in it so he keeps an eye on the next time Gyro decides to take a drink because he is sooo shooting that all over Gyro's face. You want a prank? That's fine but Percy will serve it right back.
Percy snorts, looking a bit somber.)
Yeah, well, we did a real good job of killing nature. That time especially. It isn't against you but I'm from quite a ways in the future from that. People only just started realizing how awful they've treated the world and how there's no fixing it. It's how we survive, maybe, but it wasn't the only option.
(Percy glares at Gyro a little bit.)
You're not getting it, are you? 'Things have to die'. Sure, I agree with that. But I really don't understand why an animal has to be beaten through it's whole life and then be killed horrifically just to 'feed people'. Like, no? You love Valkyrie?
(He points over to said horse.)
Do you actually want to know how some people treat their horses? Or are you going to just argue that 'welp, animals gotta die sometimes'. It's not about that. It's about how they're ...."allowed" to live until they die that's the problem. And you know, that's the problem- that mentality. "People won't just change or learn" - that's total bull. That mentality keeps everyone rooted to the past. It's stupid.
(Percy's actually getting fully worked up now. The kid had a stringent set of morals. It was actually this very topic, this idea that people just didn't want to change ever, that had caused the war that he was about to enter. He turns away from Gyro a little bit, glaring at the fire. He had seen friends die because people didn't want to change. It was such bullshit in his head and his morale didn't leave much room for feeling too keenly on it.)
You're close-minded, aren't you?
(He muttered quietly, feeling oddly disappointed. All adults were so close-minded. The gods were so stuck in their ways, all of the adults he had ever yelled in the faces of of why can't we change things?! had only ever shrugged and seemed to say: "That's just the way things are, Percy." He didn't get that. He never would and he never wanted to understand that. He'd rip apart Mount Olympus himself before he would and funnily enough, wasn't that what Luke was doing? Funny how sometimes you start to understand the 'villain'.)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[Video]
(He can actually do this. He's pretty great with directions.)
...S'mores? Well, okay. Whatever you want, man.
(S'mores it is. He liked s'mores. S'mores were awesome.)
Okay, I can do that. Thanks, Gyro.
[Video]
[Don't need to tell him to, man, he's already decided. He just hopes Percy can figure out his comm room and join him.]
I'll see you then.
Later that night (Action)
The second time goes a lot better. He pops out with Blackjack at his side and looks around, feeling a little lost but not frightened. He wasn't really afraid of anything anymore and with Blackjack at his side, he felt even more secure. He was pretty sure he was right this time around at least.
He walks Blackjack out a bit into where Gyro had told them they would meet. He was a little early. Blackjack looked his marvelous self, shiny black with wings folded it up.
Promise you'll get me some of the good stuff, huh?)
Blackjack, I already told you you're not getting chocolate. I don't think horses can have chocolate, bud.
Uhhh no, that's dogs, boss. Horses can eat anything. Everything. Chocolate. Sugar. Hair.
Do not eat his hair.
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[The looming city looks like it's made out of the remains of a huge, ancient animal, whatever constructs the huge indoor city like aged bone and tendons. The whole place moans a little in it's desert area, though there are a few small outdoor locations, one of which is by a short road that leads to a bridge out of the city. This is where Gyro meets him.]
[The wind is a little fierce this high up but not so bad, not enough to tip off his hat (though nothing seemed to ever tip that thing off). He stopped by his place after work to change, opting for his usual cowboy attire though with a woven poncho over his shoulders this time. He made sure to get Valkyrie prepared too, he wanted the horse looking his best for his new friend.]
[He's up on horse back as he walks along the dusty road with Valkyrie. The horse is a golden brown, shiny coat, well maintained, and Gyro keeps his ashy grey mane bound up in plaits down his neck. He's in all his riding gear, looks strong too, a horse that's seen a lot of riding and racing. Seems a little feisty though too but... that's because he sees Blackjack.]
[Gyro opts to get off the horse and even lets go of the reins, allowing Valkyrie to trot right over to Blackjack and extend his head out, smelling at him, very quick to bump head with the the other horse. It's been... a while since Valkyrie's seen another of his species, even if the wings are throwing him off a little.]
Like I said, right there, remember the name? Blackjack.
[Gyro says off handedly to Valkyrie, chuckling a little under his breath at how happy the animal looks before he's looking back to Percy.]
You made it, both of you.
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He had been pretty convinced Gyro was telling him to go somewhere that only existed in the Legend of Zelda games. Once he is out and about though, he finds that it is actually pretty fantastic to look at. He stares up in quiet awe, staring at the details of the city, wondering what kind of place this actually was. It isn't the strangest place he's been though.Blackjack himself is a glossy, solid black horse. He's a relatively regular sized horse but with a majestic frame and thick, luxurious wings that looked perfectly in tact, every individual feather laying precisely where it meant to. His hooves were gleaming, well maintained things and he taps about. He's not the weight of an average horse. Has a surreal, lighter body that allowed for flight. Blackjack is without any saddle, any bits, nothing at all. Percy rides him entirely bare and natural. Always had, always will.
But that doesn't take away from the beauty of Valkyrie at all. The horse is gorgeous, healthy, and Percy instantly respects Gyro doubly for the perfect condition that he so obviously kept his horse in.
Upon sight of the other horse, Blackjack's wings open up part way and he bounces a bit in excitement. It looks odd a little bit for someone not used to a pegasus, seeing a horse move almost unnaturally light. He was just as feisty and so maybe this was the beginning of a great friendship.
Ayyyye! Aye, aye brother.
Blackjack settles some and rests nudges his face back at Valkyrie, snorting in interest. Percy grins himself, knowing that Blackjack was excited for the equestrian company.)
Yup. We might have gotten a little lost on the way here but I figured it out eventually. Hey Valkyrie. I'm Percy.
(He speaks now directly to Valkyrie, figuring he might as well introduce himself properly.)
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[Gyro's seen it though, that view, and so his attention is on his company right now, especially Blackjack. No offense Percy, he's just never seen such a horse. The wings, the way it moves. He wonders if the creature is at all as fast on it's hooves but he guesses it doesn't matter since they probably always fly. A competitive part of him already wants to race but he feels it'd sort of be unfair to make Valkyrie go through that, Blackjack's probably magic or something. Besides, the presence of the other horse was already doing wonders for his own steed and he could see that. It did something to his heart to already see Valkyrie so content with his new company, he was going to feel shitty about separating them.]
G'day! Hi, hi! 'Ow ya goin'? Both a' ya. Ya just showed up, ai. He said it, he said someone showed up.
[Said cheerfully back, quick, his accent a thick Australian one and extremely informal and friendly. Valkyrie offers another bump of his head against him before moving to walk around him, sizing the other horse up, not knowing what to think of the lack of things and addition of things, but wanting to know all about him. You could tell in the body language, how his ears flicked, how attentive he was.]
What's this then, so what, ya get at flyin' how's that even, and no saddle, he just sits up there bare, ai?
[It's hard not to watch a bit before Gyro finally looks back to Percy and sets his hands on his hips, turning to stare out to the scenic view away from the city.]
Lost, not too bad it looks like. I figured we'd go out and enjoy Diedo a bit, you probably haven't been over here yet.
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None taken. Percy would be insulted if his horse wasn't properly admired. Blackjack was gorgeous and Percy would brag ten times louder about the pegasus than he would ever brag about himself. He had zero ego but all bulk up for the animal. Honestly, Percy would have no idea. Blackjack naturally took to the air. He was meant for flying, not racing. Were he to run on his hooves like that, Percy thinks Blackjack would give up on pure frustration. He wasn't as fast on his feet, definitely not, and Valkyrie would probably take the cake. The other horse looked strong in that kind of way, built for the tracks, and Blackjack was built for the air.
As soon as Percy hears Valkyrie speak in an Australian accent, he smiles ten inches wide from ear to ear. Oh, he hadn't expected that at all)
It's going pretty good, thanks.
(Blackjack's own ears were flickering forward, tail swishing curiously. He sniffed at the funky things in Valkyrie's mane, not recognizing the stylized way they were put up.
Ya done up all like a My Little Pony, you are. Don't that bother you? Not that you look bad or anythin' I'm just sayin'. Though I guess if Boss wanted my hair all braided up and fancy I wouldn't say no.)
Dude, your horse has a legit Australian accent. It's so thick, it's kind of great. He sounds like Steve Irwin or something.
(Wings just come with me. The Boss rides me natural like. I like it that way best no saddles, no nothin' in my mouth, don't like that. Feel like a real schmuck with bits and pieces all over. Not natural for a pegasus, nope. Don't gotta be strapped up to be a made man.
It's particularly hard for Percy. For him, it's as loud and clear as if two people were talking right next to them.)
No, not too bad. And no. Haven't been around much at all, gotta say. So should we head out then?
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[He saw the beauty in people too though, and definitely in Blackjack. It was hard not to keep glancing at the animal, he's never seen anything like him. And it was nice too, seeing how happy Valkyrie was, it was like his horse was glowing. Valkyrie hasn't been so happy in a while and it hurt that Gyro couldn't help, he couldn't be another horse though to keep him company. Even if the two wouldn't be riding much alongside eachother or racing. Just having Blackjack around would improve Valkyrie's mood.]
Hm...
[He puckers his lips, realizing Percy was talking to Valkyrie there for a moment and it was... strange. It sort of sucked not being able to speak to his own horse too, but that's why he was so excited to have Percy meet him.]
Eh? My Little wah? Nothin' I' ever heard about, it's tah keep my mane from gettin' in the bloke's face during a' bash. Can't have it up in his business, ya know?
[Though now he's not sure about it, bowing his head a little and flicking his ears. Did it look silly? Not that he cared much, but he cared about what Blackjack thought immediately.]
Wha- Australian?? [Gyro offers a wide grin.] That's where he's from, I figure he should have one! Still that thick though? I guess it's from not getting to talking with anyone these days.
[Said with a sort of concerned look to his horse. Uh- he looks back to Percy.]
Who's Steve Irwin?
What's it like then, up there? Birds give ya trouble? Guess not 'ea though since they all buggered off. Seems like a right scary place fer any brumby, ay? I need it though, gotta, keeps 'im on and saves me back and 'ooves, guess it's heavy though, feels betta with it off.
[Gyro could imagine it being tough, though he can't hear a word of it to his focus is back to Percy again, nodding as he checks his hat to make sure it's on right and then steps over to Valkyrie with a little click behind his teeth.]
Yeah, let's go, flying down? I'll be taking the pass so you'll have to wait up a little. [The pass being the trail down that leads from where the city it high up on the rocks. It leads down into the desert but it'll definitely take him longer since he has to go around rather than right over.]
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Percy was used enough to people staring at Blackjack that he doesn't seem to mind Gyro's constant looking. Even back home with people who were used to magical things would find Blackjack beautiful to look at. He was stunning creature. While Valkyrie had been clearly lonely, it was also painfully obvious to Percy that the horse was still happy. It sucked for him not having other horses, absolutely, but Gyro was a real good owner of Valkyrie. The horse was healthy and pleasant. When he'd saved Blackjack, it had been obvious right away that he wasn't happy with Luke as a master. That sort of thing always was. Same thing with the zebra. Animals had a way of speaking when they felt traumatized.
Aw no worries, no worries, man. Just some jack show about girly ponies and weird hair and pink and blue and all. Nah it looks good on you! Really does I couldn't pull that off none nope no way. Makes plenty sense. My mane goes all flat like when we fly if I go real fast. The boss doesn't ride me into battle anyway.)
Could be. I've got no idea why Blackjack sounds like an Italian mobster, honestly. All his buds do too so maybe it's a pegasus thing. Maybe the way their accents work is different than how ours work.
(He's barely a scientist on the subject but he doesn't want Gyro to feel any worse for having his horse alone either. It wasn't the guy's fault and it really could be true.)
Oh. He's like this Australian nature documentary person and America's only reference to an Australian accent.
(It's real nice, real gorgeous. Stretches out the whole body then you get on them currents and ride the wind. Birds don't bother me none. I suspect it's either to do with boss or the fact that I'm bigger or maybe cause I don't bother them none. Boss don't weigh much but neither do I. I feel him more when I walk than fly.)
Yeah sure, that'll work. Once we get out somewhere open Blackjack will have no problem flying alongside Valkyrie.
(He wishes there was a way to fly them all up but he was the son of Poseidon, not Zeus. He slips himself up onto Blackjack without a sound and Blackjack whinnies excitedly. The horse clearly enjoyed flying with Percy.)
See you there?
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[That gets a laugh out of Gyro as he rubs at Valkyrie's neck and moves to adjust his saddle, pulling himself up onto it again and grabbing ahold of the reins. He just sounded like some gangster? What the hell, there had to be a reason for that, right? Amusing all the same though.]
How their accents work? Hm.
[Nooo idea what he means by that. You got an accent when you spoke a certain language for a while, right? They'd change and adapt as language often did. So he was saying their accents didn't work in the same way, so how else could they? He gets a little pensive on the topic as Valkyrie shows slight distress and getting pulled away already.]
Into battle, ay, that a' normal show, battle where yer fr- ay, ay what's that, already??
[He raises his head a bit, huffing and Gyro tightens his hold on the reins, leaning down to pat his neck.]
Going for a short ride, he's flying, got wings, don't he? Run fast enough and we'll get down there in no time, how about that?
[Said to Valkyrie as if he heard him speak clearly. He didn't, but he knew his horse, he really didn't need to understand what Valkyrie said at all. His movements, even his habits now, he got to know them, communicated with him in a variety of ways and did his best to calm his steed. It works too, and gets the horse excited to run, stamping a hoof down and shaking his head. It makes Gyro laugh a little, again happy to see how high in spirits his horse was.]
Low enough to the ground then? Good, you'll see what he can really do, Blackjack, don;t be jealous.
[A grin Blackjack's way before he looks back to Percy with his brows up, hopping his chin up a little in agreement before turning and bursting down the road. The faster the better, right? Not only does Valkyrie want to get being separated as fast as possible, but Gyro's got a mind to show off a little.]
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(He had never thought all that hard about it. Some horses had accents, some didn't. He could also talk to horses in general so this kid had become pretty good at just accepting things for what they were.)
We'll see you real soon, Valkyrie, don't worry.
(Percy speaks a certain way to horses that he doesn't humans. It's not a babying tone by any means but it's gentler, kinder, like he has an endless bout of patience in him for their behavior and an extensive wealth of kindness ready to be used. The kid was a bleeding heart sometimes and for animals most of all. That and people he cared about.
Percy merely grins. When Blackjack wanted to, he could dart through the sky like nothing. He was quick and strong and reliable. But Percy didn't have much of a competitive streak. As for Blackjack, well, he whinnied in indignation. Percy merely snorted at his horse.
For a moment, Percy merely stares after Valkyrie in subdued awe. He's enough to magical creatures that he sometimes forgot just how incredible normal animals could be too.
That's one fast horse that is.)
Yeah, he is.
(And then Blackjack took off, slamming into the sky and whirling around in an elegant loop. Flight was always going to be a little faster. He had the power of wind currents on his side but Percy knew and he was pretty sure Blackjack knew that if Blackjack were on his feet, he wouldn't have caught up with Valkyrie by a landslide. Blackjack wasn't built for speed. In the air, sure, but that was different.
They fly on ahead, clearing over the pass with ease and swooping down. Flying on Blackjack by now is second nature to Percy. The wind is fast enough that Blackjack's mane is whipped down and back rather than all over the place. He's an elegant thing. They eventually reach the rendevous point and Blackjack lands, tittering about excitedly.
But I'm still faster! Right Boss?)
In the air, yeah.
(Ayyyye!! What's that supposed to mean!)
Oh, nothing. Don't sweat it.
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[Dust trailed after them, showing their route as they wound down away from the broad, exoskeleton of Hyaline and rounded down towards the rolling hills of the desert. Gyro took a moment to look up, glancing to the sky and smirked when he saw the others plummeting down, already seeing them need to slow down to start waiting for them.]
Come on, we know they'd beat us, but let's not make them wait, you and me, let's go!
[Said as he stands up in his stirrups and flicks his reins. Valkyrie yanks his head up and bursts in another sprint. The cloud behind them grows wilder as they move around the bend and soon hit mainland, drawing dust up along a cliff face now that lead up to the trail they had taken above. Quickly they move away from it, further into the open and in Percy and Blackjack's direction and make no attempt to slow down.]
[Nope.]
[Infact Gyro tugs Valkyrie to go right past them and bullet straight into the desert. You guys coming or not?]
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Calm down, bud. We'll catch up.
(He pats Blackjack on the side of his neck. His horse flaps his wings in three steady pumps and it brings him higher and higher up in the air. Percy threads his fingers through Blackjack's mane and twirls them around. He gives a light tug upward, encouraging blackjack to go higher and higher and higher yet. The winds down by the city and lower were pretty decent but the higher up they went, the stronger they got until there was a suction pulling them forward.
Blackjack rode the sky like Valkyrie rode the ground. He darted through clouds and vaulted himself forward along the pull of wind. His legs were folded up neatly but every now and then he'd stretch them out and gallop himself through the air to give himself that additional boost.
Percy had Blackjack dip low occasionally so that he could keep an eye on Gyro racing along. It wasn't too hard. As it turned out, Blackjack flew about as fast as Valkyrie rode. Blackjack dove down at the ground and if it were anyone else, they might've pissed themselves from the horse pulling his wings in and just dropping straight on down but Percy felt natural as anything on Blackjack's back.
A few seconds into the drop and a few seconds from the ground, Blackjack pulled himself upright and glided up alongside Valkyrie. Percy shot Gyro a bit of a smug look, his brows raised up to his hairline.
Ya a fancy runner. Now I get why your hair's all done up nice and slick there.
Blackjack doesn't seem like he has any plans to fly back up above the clouds. It had been fun for a while but Blackjack wasn't all too competitive. Percy could have his streak every now and then but Blackjack was far more interested in hanging out with Valkyrie than racing him. In any case, it was evident it'd take quite some time for there to be an obvious winner between the two.)
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[As much as Gyro liked to watch though, he still needed to focus on where he and Valkyrie were going. He planned to head towards the Temple of Jupiter. Not all the way but between it, stopping off at a small grouping of ruins hidden among the mounds of sands in this part of Diedo. he had to make sure they were going the right way, was happy to see it, and then their company suddenly showed up along side them.]
Fast aren't ya!?
[Said with a bright, golden smile as he glanced over, his hair whipping back and his hat miraculously not flying off.]
Oi, ya came back, how's it up there? And ya got that right, hit him right in the face it would!
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Percy didn't know the structures and places around here enough to realize they were heading towards the Temple of Jupiter. Had he, he might've had a few questions. Likely would have a dozen questions and some reserved uncertainties.)
You're not all that slow yourself.
(There's a smile on his own face, significantly less golden but just as bright.
It's a real beaut. Can see the whole wide world. Down here isn't all that bad either though I gotta say. Watchin' the ground goin' so fast.)
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[No animals but he'd definitely see the temple already. Hell, he would've been able to see it a little from where they started. The Tmeple was huge and while the desert's sandy hills rolled, they still weren't large enough mounds to obscure the strange, angular temple on the horizon.]
Hell no I'm not, number one, you're looking at number one here- but we're closing in on our finish line.
Real fast, faster than a bullet, hah! I'm betta' on harder ground though, sand's right foolish unda' me hooves.
[Said as he holds tight on his reins and Valkyrie starts to slow down. Gyro falls back into his saddle, sitting up as they near a small collection of rocky ruins. There's a few small toppled walls, a dried well or fountain, and small, spotty paths here and there. He slows to a stop before looking around and finally hopping off Valkyrie, letting go of his reins and patting at the side of his rump.]
Let's pick a place to set up a fire.
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Yeah? I'm surprised you can ride so well at your age. If I were you, I'd be afraid to break a hip.
(Now he's just being a little shit. He knows perfectly well that Gyro isn't old- not even all that much older than him maybe -but Percy Jackson had a bit of an attitude and welp. Gyro was going to get to experience that sooner or later. Looked like it wound up being sooner. Percy had a way of being a little jerk though that was somehow lacking hugely in malice. Like he really was just joking in good nature - cause he was.
Sands a real pain on all hooves. Human hooves too. They sink and slip all over real bad. Poor suckers only have two little wobbly legs.
Blackjack catches the wind and uses it to buffer his speed, slowing himself down without landing. It isn't until Valkyrie has stopped that Blackjack lands neatly beside the other horse. Percy slides off and Blackjack at once is going up to Valkyrie, sniffing at him and nudging up against him. He even starts to nip lightly at Valkyrie's neck, affectionately grooming him. Percy takes a moment to appreciate the forming bond with a smile before looking to Gyro.)
All right, sure.
(Percy's been on enough quests that he knows a pretty impressive amount of survival skills for a kid who grew up in New York City. He shoves his hands in his pockets and walks off, looking about curiously for a nice area. When he gets to one of the crumbling fountains, he bends over and plants his hands on the edge. The fountain itself wasn't all that big - no bigger than a kiddie pool really.)
How about we put one in here? Should work just fine. Kinda like a fire pit.
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[Spluttering at that, he stands up straight, giving a shocked expression and snarling a little as he points at him before thrusting an arm up, elbow bent, and slaps his other hand down against his forearm. Jerk! Fuck you!!]
[He is really quickly distracted by their two steeds though and has quite the cocky smirk when he watches Blackjack practically prance over to Valkyrie. Valkyrie's own response is to bow his head, turning to hit his neck up against Blackjack's a little in an affectionate thanks. He ends up lifting his head again to sort of huff at Blackjack's wings, brushing his face against them before stopping and realizing he's getting sand from his face on him.]
[Gyro looks back, unable to hear at all how Valkyrie fawns over the other horse;
I couldn't see ya, too high, up in those clouds, ya looked like something else, really, once you flew down too, not a piece a dirt on you! And 'ere I am, bogged down in a nun's nasty desert and with the coat ta show for it!
He follows Percy for the most part, leaning to let him pick and nods, moving over to Valkyrie once more with a casual little 'sorry' before he's pulling out some things from one of his packs and heading back towards Percy.]
Works I guess, yeah.
[Can kind of sit on the sides of it and what not. He moves to take out some of the 'wood' which is really like a sort of purple wood-LIKE substance, combustible though, lasts a good deal longer than actual wood too. He kneels into the fountain and starts to set up the fire, setting the other supplies behind him as he stacks the 'wood'.]
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(Massive puppy eyes of apology going on over here and even a bit of a pout as if that'd really save him any face. He barks out a delighted laugh when Gyro gives him such a crude gesture.
Blackjack rustles his wings occasionally and doesn't seem remotely bothered by anyone touching them, Valkyrie or otherwise. As long as they didn't touch the very, very tips, the pegasus would remain relatively calm.
I'll make sure an' fly nice and low for you next time. It's too bad I can't strap you up and fly you with me. Bet that'd look real weird though. Naw. Flying in the sky is clean goin'. Don't take it so hard! You got character on ya. Look like a real don.
Percy doesn't mind- not a natural leader or a follower. More just someone who goes on gut instinct and whatever works the best. Sometimes that means taking the initiative and sometimes it doesn't. Simple as that.
He sits down and watches Gyro start the fire with fascination. He's started fires before, sure, but purple wood? That's a new one.)
What is that? That's not wood, is it? Or - I guess since they don't have plants here or animals then it must be something synthetic. How weird.
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[Tossing up a little hissy fit at that. No one's ever called him OLD before!! But it's just for play of course, soon he's got his hands into dusty sand and purple wood, setting it so it points to the sky in a pyramid before he's pulling back and turning to fetch his flint. Does it the good ol' fashioned way, and he'll continue to speak as he sparks the two small rocks together.]
Not wood, no wood here, remember what I said? Everything's synthetic, usually digital too, don't ask me how that works I have no idea. Even the food we eat's all coded some how. Imagine what it does to our digestive system.
[Click... click- spark! Fire! He takes both rocks in one hand and ducks down low, blowing into the small fire and helping it grow before he pulls back. Seems like the mauve material really lights up well too, it doesn't take long to get a nice size, Gyro moving to sit at the side of the fountain on the worn rocks.]
Tried asking a friend of mine who codes but even he wasn't sure the exacts. This place makes a lot of no sense. [A sigh, moving to pocket the flint and replaces it in his hand with a tarnished gold flask, opening it and taking a drink. He sucks the liquid through his teeth and lets out a gasped sigh, watching small sparks flicker up from the fire, dancing in a strange, blue-ish white smoke.]
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(Percy takes the attempted insult in stride. Percy doesn't think he's crossing any lines. If he was? Well actually he would probably snicker a little bit about that because really.)
I listened, I listened. I just said there's no plants and animals. Just wondering what it was. Snytho-wood stuff. Got it. I'd rather not imagine that, thanks.
(He grins a bit though when Gyro gets a fire going. Not that it's much of a surprise. He's fairly certain anyone decked out as a cowboy needed to know how to start a fire. At least Percy believed they should.
He swings his feet over the edge of the fountain and scoots closer to both Gyro and the fire. For a while, he stares at the fire, having nothing much to say about the coding thing. He barely understands technology and it's one of those things where if it was broken down, plain and simple, he's pretty sure he still wouldn't understand it.)
Are you drinking alcohol?
(He asks this completely harmlessly, looking over at Gyro with some curiosity. He's pretty sure people only drank alcohol out of flasks but who knows?)
In a way, this place is kind of a vegetarian's dream, I keep thinking. How all the food is coded and stuff. They don't even need to kill plants. Er- I guess that'd be more of a vegan's dream?
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[He fans the flame a bit, lowering his head to blow on it a bit more, shrugging at Percy's words.]
You get used to it.
[Looks a little weird but it seems like it works as a normal campfire at least. Warms in the same way, burns, will burn you too if you get too close. You can even cook over it, digital fare or actual. He certainly has. He practically lives out here during the late part of the rainy season and through the summer, scorching or not.]
No it's juice.
[Said as he hands the flask to him.]
Don't vegans want to eat plants? What is vegan anyway? That wasn't a thing back on my world. [Or it was later, but he has no idea. Certainly wasn't in his time at least. Too many people barely could eat at all, let alone could be picky like that.]
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(He'll give Gyro that and then some for pity. Poor old guys never get their chance in the spotlight anymore, do they?
Percy merely shrugs.)
Hey man, seriously whatever works. I've seen some really weird stuff. Coded-fire isn't actually at the top of my list.
(He does however look quite surprised when Gyro clarifies that it's juice. He tasks the flask from Gyro and gives it a curious sip.
He pauses and stares up thoughtfully for a moment. What's a vegan.)
Uh....an aggressive vegetarian, I guess. Vegans don't eat anything that comes from an animal usually. So like, nothing with milk or eggs. Like that's your standard vegan. But then you can get into the deeper-set vegans who refuse to use any sort of living creature thing in their lives like wool or leather or honey. Stuff like that?
(Which isn't actually a bad thing and Percy doesn't have anything against it. He's a pretty big tree-hugger himself but he's seen some seriously nasty vegans being unnecessarily awful to people in the streets of New York City. Who promotes good things via harassment?)
There are people though who only eat plants that have naturally fallen but I don't think that's a big thing. Most vegans are hugely ethical-based instead of dietary so they would probably appreciate a world where neither animals or plants have to die. But I guess you don't have to be a vegan to appreciate that. That is cool.
Back in my world, a lot of animals are treated badly and nature is really disregarded as being worthless and pointless.
(His voice takes on a bit of a sad tone. Percy wasn't a vegetarian by any means but he had a massively tender heart for nature. Animals and everything else.)
I hate thinking about it. It pisses me off.
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[He's tried to figure it out but there's nothing to find. Maybe it really was a good alternative to growing food, maybe this place just hit that nail on the head. That or it's helped lead to a lot of the problems in Amoi. Sterilization being a big one, of both men and women. Women not being able to have babies even IF they're sterile, and memory loss. Maybe he wasn't looking at it right.. maybe it was a lot of things leading to it. But so far he just has a lot of questions and no answers.]
[He lifts a piece of the purple wood and prods at the fire, letting sparks flutter up from it while he stokes it.]
So they just want to waste away then, vegans? I guess in a futuristic world they can afford to do it. I guess we're all vegans here on Amoi too, aren't we? Well except me, I'll keep wearing leather 'till I die.
But this vegan thing, doesn't it just sound stupid? I won't argue with vegetarians, but vegans? Going that far's just making yourself suffer, do they die earlier? But I guess if you have enough processed foods and artificial shit happening in your time, maybe they could. Back where I come from, no way.
It's less cool when you consider there's no animals or plants around at all. Besides... in nature plants and animals have to die to feed eachother. So it's like some natural law, it's how it has to be.
[He sits with a smirk when he watches Percy sip from the flask. Definitely not juice. It's straight gin, and so he'll get a sudden shock of juniper berries in his mouth. His joke doesn't last though when Percy makes the topic a little more sad, and it's Gyro's turn to shrug, flitting up a hand in gesture.]
Humans doing, right? In my era... we were just starting to claim all the land in the Americas. [A glance up, watching the fire.]
Claiming land from people... taking it rather, building towns, mining for gold and oil, laying tracks. It's how we humans found to survive, seems like it was only natural that it'd lead to carving into the Earth enough to change it.
It's how things are. Things have to die. The only way to fix it's more death too, killing a lotta people. I'm guessing the population numbers high there, right? And not only that... but people won't just change or learn.
So in some way, death has to be involved. It's a part of life, nothin' we can do about that.
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Dunno, man. I'm surprised people here aren't running around with STDs like crazy but hey, no one seems to be questioning that any more than the synthetic food and fire wood. Don't you think if they can prevent diseases, they can probably provide nourishment? I saw other non-humans here and I mean really nonhumans and their nourishment requirements might be completely different than a human's. Kinda like how you can't feed a dog chocolate. Well, not like that, but you get what I'm saying. We're all eating the same food and no one's dying from lack of vitamins so...
(Again, he has no idea and it's not like he fully trusts the place but considering the circumstances, he literally has no choice but to trust Amoi. Otherwise he would just starve and he's a little bit too into living to do that.)
Well, no? They eat other healthy alternatives. It's a bit extreme and a lot of them are pretty rude about their opinions but it isn't like it's not a livable lifestyle. And I'm pretty sure the anti-leather ones are the ones who take it to the absolute extreme, so, you know.
(Percy raises his brows at Gyro, tipping his head.)
Vegans who can manage a better diet are usually perfectly healthy. I'd say Vegetarians are the healthier though - and kind of the most logical. I mean, I don't know about your world, but in our world red meat is super dangerous for your heart and people who over eat it wind up with a lot of heart problems so it isn't like meats the best for you. There's a lot of fat in it and stuff, I think. The vegan thing's only stupid because they don't seem to understand how cows need to be milked or how chickens just naturally lay eggs. But like I said, they take it to the extreme and a lot of extremists don't always think too clearly.
Sure, but again, I don't think that's what vegans are really fighting against. Okay, some of the crazy ones, totally, but like...a lot of vegetarians and vegans are just taking a stand against the industries because they do messed up things. So it's not really like you can fault them.
(The gin hits his tongue like acid and you know what's unfortunate about this Gyro?????
You're sitting near him and he's facing you because he's polite when he talks so when he spits it out- yeah.
You get some of that right back in your face in nice mist form. He makes a face and wrinkles up his nose.)
Dude, you're a jerk.
(That's fine, Gyro. Just take another drink of your flask. Gin has got some water in it so he keeps an eye on the next time Gyro decides to take a drink because he is sooo shooting that all over Gyro's face. You want a prank? That's fine but Percy will serve it right back.
Percy snorts, looking a bit somber.)
Yeah, well, we did a real good job of killing nature. That time especially. It isn't against you but I'm from quite a ways in the future from that. People only just started realizing how awful they've treated the world and how there's no fixing it. It's how we survive, maybe, but it wasn't the only option.
(Percy glares at Gyro a little bit.)
You're not getting it, are you? 'Things have to die'. Sure, I agree with that. But I really don't understand why an animal has to be beaten through it's whole life and then be killed horrifically just to 'feed people'. Like, no? You love Valkyrie?
(He points over to said horse.)
Do you actually want to know how some people treat their horses? Or are you going to just argue that 'welp, animals gotta die sometimes'. It's not about that. It's about how they're ...."allowed" to live until they die that's the problem. And you know, that's the problem- that mentality. "People won't just change or learn" - that's total bull. That mentality keeps everyone rooted to the past. It's stupid.
(Percy's actually getting fully worked up now. The kid had a stringent set of morals. It was actually this very topic, this idea that people just didn't want to change ever, that had caused the war that he was about to enter. He turns away from Gyro a little bit, glaring at the fire. He had seen friends die because people didn't want to change. It was such bullshit in his head and his morale didn't leave much room for feeling too keenly on it.)
You're close-minded, aren't you?
(He muttered quietly, feeling oddly disappointed. All adults were so close-minded. The gods were so stuck in their ways, all of the adults he had ever yelled in the faces of of why can't we change things?! had only ever shrugged and seemed to say: "That's just the way things are, Percy." He didn't get that. He never would and he never wanted to understand that. He'd rip apart Mount Olympus himself before he would and funnily enough, wasn't that what Luke was doing? Funny how sometimes you start to understand the 'villain'.)
Whatever. Let's talk about something else.
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Maybe let this one end, just due to age so we can start something new? That cool?