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Post by Morgan on Jun 16, 2021 21:46:19 GMT -6
Endymion decides that he's figured out the optimal way to hold his wings- at least on the updraft, to figure out how to raise himself in the air. Of course, it's the downswing that Morgan is worried about. He can practically feel them up between his wings- gears in the head all whirring. He squints his own eyes, and wind the next breeze comes he lets his wings fill up with air as well, and he tilts his body back. It's an instinct of some kind- and it works. His wings fill with wind and it lifts him up, and he rides the strong wind (they'd chosen the highest mesa today- quite the climb) a few feet backwards- just off of his toes. By the time he roughly hits the ground again (hurting his feet a little bit- that smarted!) both he and Morgan are excited. He got off the ground!
[15]
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Post by Morgan on Jun 16, 2021 21:58:55 GMT -6
It was not true flight, of course- and especially not powered. However, he had gotten off of the ground and it was the same kind of proof of concept that fueled hope for the pair. Now Endymion was as sure as ever that he'd get off of the ground! Morgan pats his shoulder, and they practice Morgan getting down again. Morgan asks Endymion to flap his wings with a quick motion of their own hands. Endymion flaps his wings, and his form according to Morgan's eyes appeared much better. Morgan had him take off running and attempt a few times. When that didn't work, they tried to give advice- "H-how 'bout you hop a little bit?" Endymion finds the idea hilarious, but it doesn't work well.
Morgan asks him to let them climb up again, and Endymion comes close- stops- and allows Morgan to clamber up onto his back. It's a very smooth transition now.
[16]
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Post by Morgan on Jun 16, 2021 22:11:27 GMT -6
Seated between his wings, they decide to make a day of it. "Alright, let's just try whatever y-ya think feels correct. We'll see where it goes." Endymion doesn't know what to try per-say, and he's certainly over-thinking it. He tries running first (isn't that how they say it in common- taking a running start?) and he tries moving his wings in all kinds of ways that Morgan wouldn't have considered. Finally, Endymion stands wistfully, looking off into the distance at the storm that wasn't really so distant anymore, already. "Do you think we can even fly?" He asks. It's a rhetorical question, obviously. Morgan answers it anyway. "Of course y-you can." Morgan looks at him, frustrated more with his lack of belief than anything else.
"Mechanically, I mean." Morgan says. "You just have to... Stop overthinking it." It was hilarious, coming from them! Morgan was the worst about overthinking.
[17]
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Post by Morgan on Jun 16, 2021 22:27:21 GMT -6
They continue to work on it. Endymion still has a bit of an attitude of sadness, but Morgan is sure that eventually they'll get another wind on it. The storm rolls in, and by the time it gets to the Mesa it is a little bit less harsh than was expected. It does dump rain on them (and Morgan was not too happy about it) but Endymion seems freed by it. The winds whip around him. He watches, raises his wings, and flaps them once or twice. Morgan pats him on the back, and instead of stopping to go home- Endymion takes off running, leaping almost. Morgan struggles to grab on to his mane again with the hand they had let go of it with, and just barely manages it when finally Endymion's wings catch wind in a more meaningful fashion and he is able to beat his wings once- twice- three more times.
Endymion, without thinking about it much, commands the air in the slightest way.
[18]
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Post by Morgan on Jun 16, 2021 22:38:32 GMT -6
Endymion doesn't go far- a bit of an anxious excitement keeps him from being able to continue doing perfectly- but he manages to go in a small circle around the flat area that they had chosen before landing- horribly. He trips, and nearly goes tail over head save for some quick thinking by the both of them to hold on. After the 'dust' clears, Morgan coughs. "We will be working o-on your landing." Morgan complains.
Endymion is just excited again that he'd managed to get off of the ground- and this time with some control! This gave him the push he needed to start improving each time. He didn't manage to get off of the ground again for another few tries, and then finally manages to catch air again by the time the rain has slacked off. This time, Morgan reminds him by hollering (almost drowned out by the wind around their heads- it is deafening!) "LAND SOFT- On your toes, WAIT WAIT gentle on the wings-" Before they crash-land.
[19] - [Start on 'Land', still working on Fly and Carry Rider.]
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Post by Morgan on Jun 16, 2021 22:54:12 GMT -6
Endymion tries- he really does. All of the information jumbles- or at least what little bit of it he hears over the wind. He tries to us his wings to back-brace and to land on his toes, but he winds up tripping instead due to unexpected speed. Still, Morgan is safe and sound on his back, and at worse he just twisted an ankle a bit. He looks it over, and is back up before Morgan can properly hold on. However, Morgan is able to get a good grip after a moment of having to hang on solely with one arm (nearly pulling the muscle in the process), and hold on well enough.
"W-well, are we going to rest for the day?" Morgan demands more than asks. Endymion looks longingly at the sky... But they were soaked, and it'd be best to get some rest. The pair went home- intent on coming back the very next day.
[20]
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Post by Morgan on Jun 16, 2021 23:11:56 GMT -6
The next day, they're both up bright and early. It's been difficult on Morgan- who is used to sleeping during the mornings and working more in the evenings to avoid the general masses of workers in the labs bright and early in the mornings. Dis was much better at that kind of thing, anyway. Morgan is still bleary-eyed, but at least it seemed like it was going to be a calm day out, today. The winds were high, out on the Mesa. The dust was being picked up quite a bit- though the pair were thankful that there was little refuge behind a large rock on a flatland not far away from the one they had been using the couple of days prior.
The pair stands- looking over the various flatlands in the morning light, and Morgan yawns. Endymion breathes out. Then- the draconic speaks- "Today is the day!" At least he seems to have decided it.
[21]
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Post by Morgan on Jun 16, 2021 23:39:55 GMT -6
Morgan simple cracks a bit of a smile- but immediately wipes it off of their face and calls for Endymion to let them up onto his back. Endymion finds it much easier this time, with all of the practice several days in a row now. Morgan climbs up with much more grace. Whenever Morgan was seated and had Endymion's mane well in hand, Endymion gets that determined look in his bright eyes again. Morgan was just as certain as he was that today was indeed the day.
Endymion finds a rock, climbs up onto it and looks over the flatland they chose. He breathes in -Morgan thinks he is stalling- and then he opens his wings. The light breeze spills over them, and for some reason Morgan things that it feels good against wings that of course Morgan clearly does not have.
The orange draconic beats his wings, and raises up on his hind legs-
Suddenly He's airborne.
[22]
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Post by Morgan on Jun 16, 2021 23:47:49 GMT -6
It was so much easier this time than the few times they'd been up before. Morgan has the sense to lean forward and lay flush against his back. They felt like they were going to get some real airtime today, with any luck! "Alright. We're flying." Morgan mumbles, knowing that he can't hear them against the wind. They wheel around, Endymion nearly falling into a stall- but recovering out of some long-inborn instinct. Morgan continues like nothing had happened- "We need to work out a signal for this, and for landing..." That time Endymion gives a rumble in response- a slight 'hmmm' almost, but hissing between his teeth. Endymion wonders if he can go higher- and then flaps a few times, trying to figure out how to handle his wings.
Endymion's doing more of the work than Morgan is, that is for sure. Finally, Morgan taps him on the shoulder- and then gives the usual 'land' command using their whistle. Endymion only understands out of context, and wheels around, looking at the ground warily.
[23]
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Post by Morgan on Jun 16, 2021 23:55:33 GMT -6
Endymion goes in for the landing. Morgan tries not to panic. 'Remember when dad was trying to teach me how to ride a bicycle? I would have FREAKED OUT if dad had.' Morgan thinks. This was still a LOT scarier than riding a bike- for Endymion at least. Endymion does think better about coming in so 'hot' for a landing, and instead pulls up and wheels around again. Morgan gives him a comforting tap between his shoulders. Don't worry- they think. Endymion tries again when Morgan gives the whistled signal once more. He understands that it is the signal for land pretty quickly- he is a Draconic, and a bound one at that. However, the actual landing part? Admittedly, crashing so many times had left him a bit scared. If only there was a reliable amount of grass to be found in the canyons! That's why I offered to do this in the park at home. Morgan grumpily replies- not realizing that it was in their own head, and in reply to something not verbal- as well. [24]
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Post by Morgan on Jun 17, 2021 0:04:30 GMT -6
Endymion wheels around for the next pass at a landing- and this time manages to be slow enough. He was so slow that the wind blew him a bit off course. Morgan clutched for dear life at the large orange draconic's mane, and Endymion nearly tries to hold his head up too high as he tries to keep his body from touching the ground while landing on his toes. It's still a rough landing, but he lands so much easier this time. Morgan's legs are hurting a bit from the jolt- but they managed to hold on, too.
Endymion grins, sharply. "I- we did it!" He jubilates. Morgan breathes out a calm sigh of relief, trying to hide their expression in Endymion's mane. Then, Morgan nods to him. "New signal." Already they were starting again- no need to dawdle! "This one i-i-is to begin flying." They gave their typical fly whistle.
[25]
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Post by Morgan on Jun 17, 2021 0:33:40 GMT -6
Endymion snorts a bit- he doesn't really like this part, but understands the need for it. Morgan simply gives the 'fly' whistle again, and Endymion shakily begins his attempt. It is rocky, getting off of the ground this time. It was obvious that Endymion was a little bit anxious about flying, but soon enough he was in the air again. Hopefully in the future, this would get smoother. Morgan hopes that Endymion would work on going higher, and controlling his movement a bit more. He was still quite clunky in the air in practice.
They stay up for what feels like Forever to Morgan, this time. Judging by the sun, it wasn't even an hour. Then, wobbly-armed, Morgan gives the whistled signal for Endymion to land. He wheels around, spills some air from his wings, and moves to a slowed stop. He lands on his toes and sticks the landing much easier this time.
[26]
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Post by Morgan on Jun 17, 2021 0:44:46 GMT -6
Morgan was hardly jolted, at this landing. Morgan holds their tongue, not giving him compliments. Endymion is not a houluh, after all. He does not need Morgan's verbal cooing to let him know he did well. Instead, Morgan asks him to let them down, and then they get down. Their limbs shake a little bit, and they pull a bottle of water out of their bag. They didn't have to explain anything to Endymion, who agreed that he'd need a bit of a break.
They sit down and have a few short conversations, interspersed with looking at the clouds above. They were bright and fluffy, white clouds. Morgan was sure it was going to be done raining for the season. Endymion admitted that he was not sure.
Then they begin again. The break has done them some good, and they're ready to get back up in the air. Morgan finds it easier to climb up onto his back- so easy that they didn't even think about it.
[27]
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Post by Morgan on Jun 17, 2021 15:59:42 GMT -6
Endymion raises his wings, and with two beats he's mostly airborne, using his powerful legs to launch himself as far as he could go without his wings. Morgan is holding onto his mane like a champ by the time he's in the air of Endymion's own power. His wings are far more skilled at moving him through the air now, but they still had a long way to go before they were going to be doing loops or anything that fancy. So far, they'd been flying over flatlands on the mesa, to keep from any unnecessary danger. However, Endymion was feeling almost giddy- and it was infectious. It ran through Morgan and made their heart flutter in excitement. Flying felt... Good.
Endymion steers around and flies over the water- not too close. He wasn't that cocky yet. However, he was more confident in his ability- confident enough that he could climb in the air.
[28]
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Post by Morgan on Jun 17, 2021 20:56:20 GMT -6
Morgan vastly enjoyed this particular flight more than the others that they had taken. Endymion was doing much better this time than he had before. Perhaps it was partially the instinct that many flying creatures tended to have, or maybe it was simply that Endymion was a very fast learner, but he was able to smooth out a lot of his maneuvers to make them much more comfortable for his otherwise unfortunate rider. However, all good things do eventually come to an end, and soon enough Morgan gives him the whistle to ask him to land. Endymion wheels back and towards where they had come from. He flapped his wings to gain altitude, and then soon enough they were landing. Endymion lands this time with practiced aplomb, only jerking Morgan around on his back with a soft jolt. Morgan gets down and pats him on the shoulder. It was time to get more rest for the day. [29]
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