The Lauri Encounter[Free to join]

[Crowley]

The manticore actually enjoyed walking, more a necessity than a hobby but he could find pleasure in the act. Somehow. Unknown wide expanses, quiet forests and absence of anything familiar put him on edge but perhaps the manticore wanted to remind himself exactly that; Or perhaps he was slightly masochistic. There was a purpose to this exercise though; Since he came to island he feared his ability to walk distances was deteriorating slightly. No more, he vowed.

So with a slightly weighted backpack he was going to attempt to reverse that by doing a bit of hill walking and mapping the place out. He was internally declaring it tactical but deep down he Crowley knew he had been too cooped up; Completely fresh air was nice. He was almost out the forest and into the grassland and Crowley had been in the Lauri mountains for about an hour and a half.

The backpack felt a bit awkward between his wings but he pressed on and up the first grassy hill he saw, noting happily, that if the clouds were anything to go by it would be a nice day.

[Sner]

He had told himself that he would visit the mountains. And, unlike some people, Sner actually stuck to his plans.

Wings were spread wide, catching the wind and allowing him to sail effortlessly through the air. A long brown cloak flapped in the air behind him. Eyes searched every detail of the landscape, absorbing and committing it to memory. The roads were remarkably empty, and it was impossible to see anyone past the canopy of trees, so Sner was prepared to deal with the fact that he'd spend the next while alone.

That is, until a winged figure caught his eye, ascending the grassy slope. Immediately, interest was stirred within him - perhaps the aerial voyage would not be made alone.

He swooped low behind the man, emitting a loud, rough call that he was sure would grab his attention. Slowing down, he flapped to maintain his position in the air, and raised his voice to be heard above his beating wings.
"Good day, brother! Let us fly to the mountains together!"

[Crowley]

When a shape cut across the path in front of him, Crowley looked up. Squinted up; the day was getting a bit brighter. Crowley was surprised at that, but thankful. Thinking about the weather made him suppress a sigh- he hadn't brought a jacket out should it start pouring. He stopped walking and looked around as soon as he heard the cry.

Brother…what? Crowley blinked a few times at the flying figure to try and fathom what to say- ‘Sorry, no, I have wings but can’t fly’. He couldn't deny that sounded stupid and thought maybe ‘-I've never tired flying’ would be an amendment. That was even worse sounding; The manticore couldn't identify why it was so bad but it was a line of thought for later. A beat or two had passed from when he was addressed.

He stretched his wings out behind him slightly at his back, because someone was looking. “Afternoon! I would but…eh- can’t.”

[Sner]

For a moment, Sner simply couldn't what he was hearing. Crowley couldn't fly with him? He scoffed, though it could hardly be heard above the beating of his wings.  Staying airborne in the same spot was wasteful of energy, and Sner knew he couldn't maintain it for long.  After a moment's pause, he simply chirped, "Suit yourself!", and flew off. And that would be the end of that.

Except, it wasn't.

It took a bit of effort to reach height again, but finally, he attained a suitable height, and Crowley's figure was just a minuscule little shape once again. Of course, his sharp eyesight helped to account for that drawback.  Slowly, he drew in his breath in preparation. Inhale, exhale.  He was ready.

Then, he dipped his head low.  The rest of his body followed - wings tilting to accommodate to the new angle. He allowed his wings to tuck in as he gained speed, the wind whipping against him. As he rapidly approached the stranger from behind, he threw out both wings to slow his descent, whilst both talons stretched towards him. With a careful aim, he'd try to grab the man's shoulders, before using the gathered momentum to whisk both of them into the air.

Like hell he couldn't.

[Crowley]

Crowley would have been happy to suit himself, really. Waltzing straight into the sky wasn't something he thought about doing before. It made him think though, surely the blessing of larger wings could be good for something useful.

Air gusts from Sner's descent could have been felt through the shirt hole in his back if he hadn't been wearing a back pack.

The train of thought was broken with a surprised yelp he was lifted slightly into the air. Not his best moment, limbs flailing and eyes darting all around as the ground grew further away from his feet. Apparently felines always landed on their feet, but he didn't want to test the theory on himself. The manticore intended to demand an explanation, however all that came out was an unmasculine sounding "What the-!?" as he clutched at one of the titari's ankles like a lifeline, part of him later would be pleased he was too shocked to try and pull out. Considering the talons.

[Sner]

With grown, adult men, it was more difficult to hoist them high into the skies. A titari of a larger stature could probably manage it with practise, but Sner didn't have as much as he would've desired. There was considerable strain as Sner tried to maintain his height with the added weight. For now, a few metres in the air would suit his purposes. He looked down at the captured man, smiling as he saw him squirming like prey. Which was all very well if he'd intended to eat him. Though Sner made an earnest effort not to pierce him with his talons, his grip had to be tight to be secure.

"There is nothing to fear! We're flying!" he called, wondering if he'd be heard over the rushing wind. "Spread your wings, brother!"

How likely was this to be successful? Not so much, and Sner knew that from experience. It was how the young were often taught to fly - a way of showing them what flying was like before they did it themselves. Certainly, he'd never done it with an adult, and he found that notion completely ridiculous. He let out an encouraging hoot, a humoured look on his face.

[Crowley]

With no hesitance, this wasn't a situation for that, Crowley gave a hard flap downwards. And then another.  It did have a full range but lacked a bit in the power section from the limbs being used so little. The hoot sternly reached him but the enthusiasm for the titari as clear. The same gusto wasn't really returned exactly.

But surely the wind passing through was the same sensation as being on the apex of a swing. That thought was a bit misguidedly calming, even if it was comparing a cat to a lion. The manticore did his best not to look down, ignored his shaking hands and kept going. Would've said something, but what was there to say? Hello, nice altitude out today. Maybe not.

[Sner]

Sner's grin grew as the man began to flap his wings. As obedient as the young! In fact, he wasn't even making a fuss - which couldn't be said about some others that he'd taught. He knew not of his position, whether he was a member of staff or a student but, regardless, he found it adorable.

He glimpsed at his wings - no, the man couldn't expect to fly with so little force. But it was a good start. At least he had wings.

"I will let go, and you will fly harder than you've ever flown before." He tried to peer down at his face.
"Are you ready?"

[Crowley]

He spluttered something incoherently, something he was going to say not making it out as looked up and frowned. It was less distance than trees he had fallen from in his youth, but it served as a reminder that the bruise wouldn't be light rather that it being survivable if you remembered to roll. "You've lost it, I've never flown before!" He exclaimed, throwing his hands out in front of him. That was madness, he was probably going to bruise, what if he landed wrong-

Then Crowley remembered that he'd survived worse and he was embarrassing himself. With a deep breath, his tail curled up with nerve and the manticore bit his lip determinedly "Fine, Count me down."

[Sner]

To be honest, Sner wasn't entirely prepared to allow the man to fall to his death. Well, no, it wouldn't be his death, not from this height, but he'd be right to be a bit concerned. If he squirmed too much, it'd be silly to just let him go. But he stopped. He'd accepted it. The birdman found himself smiling; such bravery was always admirable.

"On the count of three," he cooed, tightening his grip. "One..." He turned away from an oncoming tree- flying into that would be disastrous. "Two..." He flapped his wings harder in an attempt to gain more speed. He glanced below him... a field. An open grassy plain. It should be soft enough, in theory.

"Three!"
He released the man's shoulders, putting some of his effort into making it more of a throw than a simple drop. He watched, curious to see the results of his... idea.

[Crowley]

The reasoning behind actually doing this was slipping away from Crowley's head and flying away in the wind, if he was honest with himself at that point. But he wasn't and pretended that he had a clue what he was doing. Sharply, Crowley brought his wings up and down as his shoulders were released. It raised him a bit in the air and with a triumphant grin Crowley repeated the action.

A gust of wind went by him it picked him up a bit more, however after it was gone his wings were hurting a bit with all the sudden action and movement. Lack of full extension and use for while  wasn't helping matters. For a few seconds he was airborne, then at an alarming pace, he was losing altitude. No matter his flapping it wasn't helping. He didn't hit the ground as quick he would've without 6 limbs but Crowley hit the grass with a startled 'oof'.

One day he'd be the death of himself, Crowley thought. Then looked up to see where Sner was whilst trying to collect himself and get up, Smiling widely at the fact he hadn't seemed to have died.

[Sner]

Sner expected it to go badly. Really badly. It wouldn't have been surprising - hatchlings fell all the time. Well, the man in his hold was far from a hatchling.... but he acted like one.

Yet, for the moments that Crowley remained airborne, a wide smile bloomed on his face. A success, he knew the man could fly, he knew-- and then he started to fall. He looked away with a cringe, not wanting to witness the impact itself, but when he saw the man looking back up at him, his smile soon cracked into a chuckle. A chuckle that soon evolved into robust laughter.

He allowed himself to descend, flapping his wings to allow himself for a slow landing. His talons touched the grass, and then his knees, before finally falling back onto his behind. The laugher didn't end, but they'd been reduced to gasps now, with the occasional croaky squeak. "A fine job, brother!" he hooted, leaning back on an arm. "You're alive, that's one thing! And you flew! Granted, for but a few seconds, but you can fly indeed!"

The amusement simmered down, and his eyes flicked over the other man, a slight grin still clinging to his face. "...You are well, yes?"

[Crowley]

Sner's laughter proved infectious and Crowley was soon trying to catch a breath between guffaws
"I'm fine, I'm fine." Crowley said, wiping his eyes as laughing turned more to panting. "I actually flew. Wow I want a medal or something. First of the species." While he knew that wasn't strictly true he let himself be amused at the idea of it.

His wing felt a little sore with exertion and his heart was still going like a drum he settled back into a seated position on the grass. "How often does the eagle grab work, ever got a second date?" He asked the harpy goodnaturedly

[Sner]

Sner was relieved that the other man was good-natured about the whole scenario - not everyone would be pleased about being dropped from a height. In fact, the man's pride warmed his heart to hear. He couldn't hide his quickly growing grin.

As the question came, he gave out an amused hoot of laughter. "Good'un! I don't think I've ever picked up a lady this way. One that ever stayed in touch with me, anyway." He smirks to himself, before shifting his weight to the other side, leaning on one arm that was planted firmly on the ground.

"So what'sis about your species not flying? What're those wings for?" He scoffed, before throwing an arm out towards them. "Decoration? They look nice, but honestly, brother-" He smiles weakly, at least, trying not to offend him.

[Crowley]

Crowley laughed at the joke and it turned a but somewhat nervously, or sheepish at what to say. It wasn't as if he was that offended but it wasn't a question he answered often.

"Display, body language, heat dispersion purposes." He laughed for a moment and gestured to his back appendages"-They're not meant to look nice, they're meant to look threatening. My ego might never recover now." was the wording the chef decided on as he laid his hand over his heart in mock offence. His brain helpfully supplied that it was a design fault, all things considered and the manticore shook his head, as if shaking himself out of a bad line of thought. He suddenly grinned and

"Now tell me something about your anatomy" He said cheekily, only meeting Sner's eye for a second before looking at his forehead and trying to keep a straight face.

[Sner]

Sner leaned forth with nothing but curiosity in his eyes. He pulled a mock-apologetic look as the manticore expressed his rather flimsy attempt at grief.

As the question reversed, albeit phrased in the most unexpected manner, he blinked. "...Pardon?" he said, just looking the slightest bit off-put - a look which he quickly managed to smother in the following seconds. "Well," he began, starting off with the easiest word. "That depends on what you want to know. Not that I know a whole lot about it. I suppose it's the wings?" With that, one of his wings had swiftly shifted back into an arm, feathers shrinking backwards until they resembled the very fingers which he scratched his chin with.

"There's probably a science behind it," he mused. "...Probably. We haven't worked it out yet." He smirked. "Mind you, it's probably a good thing. Might ruin the mystery." He turned a look towards him - incredulous and bemused. "Were you really so interested, or were you just trying to make conversation?"

[Crowley]

He really wanted to know how at least one of the man's species hadn't been shot down and discovered by humanity but that wasn't a suitable question. He opened his mouth to say it anyway but then decided after a pause to not answer and take what was given. Crowley didn't know how the limb would shift, so when it didn't involve worrying amounts of feathers falling out he was relieved and even more intrigued.

"How..huh. If the science is ever figures that out don't be a stranger. I can keep a secret. probably both conversation and curiosity. The whole castle is just one unanswered question. Including the people in it." the chef gestured to the castle in a broad motion while he looked at over his shoulder. It was somewhere behind him he was sure. "My next question is why hasn't it been marketed as a menagerie and making profit." He said honestly, his actual curiosity getting into his tone before it turned jesting at the end.

"Each answer you get is...well, another question" He said with a shrug and a slight smile, looking to see how the other man would react to that.

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