Curiosity Gets You Somewhere (Maxi)

The girl was obviously pleased, as she saw that Travis genuinely thought nice of the show she put. But that, and the cheeky grin that showed it, didn't last long as Travis took a few steps away. It was replaced by a look of curiosity and confusion. And then, as Travis transformed, a gasp escaped her lips and she unconsciously took one nervous step back.

She's never seen such a form before. She thought she was already prepared for anything and anyone she'll come across here in the island, she realized this moment that she was wrong. Consciously, she knew it was still Travis. And that fact alone eventually helped turn the intimidation she felt into bemusement, and then awe.

"Sugoi... Ah, I mean..." She shook her head gently, and then offered Travis another smile, "That's really amazing... I was honestly uh... surprised..." She took a couple of steps forward, careful and slightly nervous ones, but her eyes were obviously curious. "...I haven't seen anything like this before."
@"Maximum_Fatalis"

Mizuko knew that. She knew people won't suddenly attack just because they changed forms. No, she believed Travis was in full control of this form of his, and took his word for it. But four different heads were a little creepy for someone who, in the past, has never encountered a being who had them.

She didn't mind Travis' assumption of her being the weaker one, either. She's not the offensive type; she only lurks and blends in while secretly delving into people's unguarded secrets in their minds.

Mizuko looked towards a distance and watched as the wind became slightly stronger and made the branches and leaves sway. Indeed, it was a good day for flying, for those who could anyway. She smiled and nodded at her companion, in agreement.

"It does look like a good day for that. But no, I can't fly. I don't have wings, or rockets or... or anything that would help," she said, shrugging a bit. It wasn't really a big deal, she was content staying on land. Although... she realized she was getting curious with how it would actually feel like when flying. "Do you have something in mind?"
@"Maximum_Fatalis"

It felt uncomfortable being lifted by a snake head through the shirt, more so that she was flopped down on his back afterwards. She hadn't considered the thought of flying, too, as in if it included her. There were many things in life that she hasn't tried yet, one was being up in a high altitude.

Another was riding on animals' backs. She was a shut-in otaku for goodness' sake.

There wasn't much time to say her thoughts, she had to hurrily grab on his black fur, as she didn't know where else to hold on to. That was right before Travis started to move and make his way to the sky.

"I haven't tried anything like this before!"

She didn't cower, but her tight hold and her shaking fists were enough proof that she was more than nervous being off the ground. She tried to stay low and steady behind Travis, almost becoming too stiff and still even though Travis had already assured her that this was all safe.

But then she dared herself to look down, and all of that was suddenly gone. Replaced with awe.

Her eyes were suddenly wide. They were sparkling with wonder, this moment being her first time to see what it's like seeing the lands from the air (because she took the sea route on her way to this island). Slowly she relaxed and sat straighter, and her grip also slightly loosened.

"Waah... Travis this is beautiful!"

The sky was so much clearer, the clouds seemed closer, the wind was in her ears, and the island looked much smaller that she can see so much more of it in one glance. She realized just how big the academy campus really was.

"Well this is more convenient for finding where we came from."
@"Maximum_Fatalis"

Mizuko, too, was scanning over the buildings while trying to recognize any of what she was seeing. The courtyard they took off from was an easily recognizable place, but the buildings looked very different from above. She hasn't gone to the other places in the campus, but she took note of rounding them later.

She was recording these sights again, so she can use it as some kind of guide next time.

Their glide and turn in the air was smooth and steady, but her grip still tightened when Travis moved closer to the buildings. She didn't know which one was the dormitory, but she recognized the landscape outside and assumed she was remembering the right one.

"That one?" she asked, moving her right arm to point at the landscape she recognized, and the building facing it. "The main building is over there... And there's the fountain," she continued while pointing to all those places, "that's the main gate. Chotto... What are we looking for exactly..?"
@"Maximum_Fatalis"

When Travis suddenly transformed, Mizuko's first reaction was to jump off... or fall off from his back. There was an unceremonious thud on the ground, but no complaining. Instead, Mizuko pushed herself up as she helplessly let some laughing go.

"That was fun! Flying, I mean." She patted off the dust from her skirt, before walking back beside Travis. She was looking at the door, nodding to his statement, grinning at what he was saying. "You're right, they should start building bigger doors. But... we get chosen anyway. They choose us, so they probably know if it's impossible for someone to use smaller doors, right?"

She shot Travis a smile, one that was gentler than her grin just now, but just as bright. "I'm not surprised that you love your chimera form. I... I'm suddenly kinda jealous that I can't fly. Anything else you can do?"
@"Maximum_Fatalis"