They landed in a heap. Or more of a tumble. Truthfully, Dylans head was spinning too much to get an accurate description of what happened.
The flight itself went well, it was easy enough to fly when all you had to do was keep straight. But as Jack had brought up, none of them knew how to stop.
Pull the brake!
Which ones the brake!
Dude! That was the steering!
Sorry!
Sh*t! Watch out!
And that was when Dylans wing clipped the side of a building, sending the lot of them spinning out of control toward the ground. The player tried to course correct, but only succeeded in causing more trouble. The world became a blur of gray ground and blue sky before eventually becoming a pile of limbs.
Oros muffled voice brought Dylan out of his recollections. Where did you learn to drive?
He was using Of a Kinds voice. Dylan responded in kind with Approximo. I am sorry, friend. It is the first time I have flown.
Dude, did anyone get the number of that building? Firestarter said with a laugh. Because I dont think we have insurance.
Get up guys! Gameset said quickly. Our crash brought some attention.Thê source of this content n/o/v/(el)bi((n))
Approximo stood, shifting out of the mess of twisted flying machines. CEOverlords minions gathered around them, their sharpened office supplies ready to cut them down. Gameset had already pulled a hunting rifle out of her pack and was in the process of systematically shooting weapons out of hands. Of a Kind copied stun grenades, tossing them into the crowd to deafening effectiveness.
Firestarter, Mirror Mirror, get going! Gameset shouted. Remember to meet up in the coliseum!
You got it, dude! the hero said.
We shall endeavor to bring justice to the villains! Mirror Mirror said.
Of a Kind opened a path. Firestarter and Mirror Mirror ran, sprinting down the winding streets and out of sight.
Right, Approximo get us on the roof, Gameset said.
Okay! the hero answered.
Dylan grabbed his friends and shifted his legs into lamp posts. The three shot up in moments, landing on the roof and gaining a moment of reprieve.
Okay, where to, Aces? Gameset asked.
North, Of a Kind answered, pointing in the direction. First place to be is a Piazza with a million steps.
What heights this Piazza must reach, Approximo said as they set off. A million is such a large number.
Hes exaggerating, Gameset said.
Im not, Of a Kind said. Apparently it was built by some hero big into non-euclidean geometry. The whole thing twists in on itself.
Yes! Of a Kind exclaimed. I do not wish for you to sell pieces of yourself.
Another expression, Prox, Of a Kind said. But outside of your personality, youre also the best at protecting. You can shift into a big wall to block attacks and such.
You make sense, Approximo said. Very well I shall talk to this store owner.
Without further ado, Approximo walked into the store with a hearty, Hello there! I am here to make friends and possibly purchase many of your fine goods!
An old man turned to look toward the door. He was old, wrinkled worse than a raisin and hair that had returned from the afterlife to haunt the mans head. The wisps of hair floated every which way in the small breeze from the door before settling into thin lines.
Ah, so nice to see a new face, the old man said. His voice, unlike his hair, seemed very much alive and well. A booming voice better suited to a wrestling announcer greeted Approximo. Welcome to Gios Souvenirs and Haberdashery. Are you looking for anything in particular?
Not as such, Approximo said, walking up to the counter. The heros eyes darted around as he walked, taking in the various items on display. Dylan couldnt help but feel he was in some kind of tourist shop. One of the ones a visitor to a city might find on the street corner.
Tacky models of the various sights in Aeterna littered the shelves, placed in haphazard lines. Shirts with, I heart Aeterna, sat in racks, along with various other slogans. Past the shirts were the tchotchkes, which were somehow worse than souvenir trinkets. At least souvenir trinkets had the decency to look like something youd put in a living room.
Dylan grabbed one of the tchotchkes, a rendition of the Piazza outside. It looked to be carved out of soap. He sniffed it. It smelled like it was carved out of soap too.
This looks delightful! Dylan said as his character. Whoever made this has such charm!
Made it myself! Gio said, puffing his chest out in pride. Carved it out of a soft stone someone gave me the other day! Told me it had magical powers!
Truly? Approximo asked. What powers, exactly?
Holding it close to your chest lets you feel your hearbeat, Gio answered. Very useful.
It sounds it, Approximo said. Dylan did his best to act impressed. You must be a great master craftsman to carve this.
I get by, Gio said, though his tone sounded nothing like the humble words. Is that all youre wanting for today?
To be honest, Approximo said. I would love to learn more about your process here. I have a number of friends who would love to purchase items like these.
Is that so! Gio said with excitement. It seems like business is going to pick up again, then! Been too long. Too long indeed!
Dylan looked around. Those words were exactly the kind of thing said before a villain showed up to ruin the fun. Sure enough, a portion of the store suddenly twisted sideways into a door. A striped costume walked out of it, Dylan unable to tell which side was up.
So, you still havent given up, have you? the villain said with a sigh. No matter. It is only a matter of time before youre store is mine.
You again! Gio shouted. Get out! Youll never get my store from me, villain!
Approximo reacted at those words. Villain?
He wants my store, he does! Gio shouted. Well, he aint gonna get it! Not if I have anything to say about it!