Bird's-Eye View of Beauty

The upcoming, last stop of Sanae and Daichi's date together was looming overhead.

Outset's towering walls measured over 80 meters tall and enclosed the whole city within a circular perimeter. Various myths tried explaining their origins, but all fell short. There was no practical purpose for the walls either, since creatures outside were hardly a threat.

Though, with a large enough blank canvas, perhaps one artist may be hit with inspiration.

Daichi and Sanae were walking hand-in-hand again to help cement their act as a couple. The setting sun had already hid behind Outset's walls, casting a wide, melancholic shadow all over town. It was almost like an artificial night but with an orange sky still lingering above.

"CAW! Probably can't keep it a surprise anymore, lady!" Crow on Daichi's left shoulder said.

"All good things come to an end, hehe." Sanae pointed above towards the approaching walls. "Should be able to see it by now—the roller coaster track snaking everywhere."

"Roller coaster?" Daichi had thought the winding, metal tracks rising alongside the wall were related to maintenance crews. But no. He could now faintly hear the excited screams of riders as they tumbled down drops then went back up along a coaster course. The carts sneaked in and out from trap doors lining the wall's side, almost like further fun was hidden deep within.

Guess there's gotta be real-world thrills somewhere, haha.

"Looks crazy, but it's pretty tame all things considered! CAW!"

"Mm," Sanae said. "That coaster is designed by Fizzney himself—the guy we mentioned back at the restaurant."

"Yeah, something about a city up north that's basically one huge theme park?" Daichi replied.

His friends finished explaining the concept to him as they all traversed around some gift shops, then finally encountered the building that housed their ride's line to go up. It would be a few minutes wait but Pearl's Tears queued up nonetheless.

"Still," Daichi said, "Kinda cool how this roller coaster is here as like a preview of Fizzneyland."

Sanae entered her teacher mode. "Fizzney wanted to give Adventurers more encouragement to leave Outset, so he designed this coaster as a little taste of the fun Paradise has to offer."

"CAW! I remember I rode this once as a human! Good times!"

Daichi looked towards the crow perched on his shoulder. "If it's fast, won't you get blown away though?"

"Perhaps! I'll just fly up there when it's time!"

"There'd probably be loads of bird friends there for you to talk to," Daichi grinned.

"Ah! You think I speak bird just because I'm a bird? Fiends! CAW!"

The trio continued their wholesome conversations while they steadily made their way towards the line's front. Crow started giving off a few pointers as passengers ahead were loaded up.

"Listen!" he said in a hushed tone. "This coaster makes a pit stop on top of the wall! Lots of romantic stuff up there to do! So just waltz around and look mega lovey dovey!"

Daichi and Sanae had been holding hands this entire time. The act seemed almost second nature, like their palms had now been molded to fit one another like a glove. It was unlikely anyone needed to remind them to act like a couple, because they basically were already one.

Sanae's hand gave his a gentle squeeze, as if telling him that he didn't need to be nervous. Or perhaps she just enjoyed feeling his embrace.

As they all reached the front of the line and their roller coaster car rolled in, Crow flew outside towards their rendezvous point high above. The car was singular with a maximum occupancy of two passengers, and was themed roughly after an old, wooden mine cart.

This is safe, right? Daichi thought as he hopped on first. He offered Sanae his hand again to help her aboard.

"I've only ridden this thing once," she chuckled and buckled herself in. "Back when me and Momoka used to live here."

"Really? Didn't like it much then?"

"Well, just thought it'd feel nice to experience the ride again after some time passes—so it's just as magical as the first time."

"Kinda corny though, haha."

"You're corny!" she playfully bumped her shoulder against his. Not wanting to lose out on free fun, he bumped her back and they both started a cute scuffle in their seats. Soon, a worker came by and set the cart's safety bar down, triggering the wheels to start rolling.

"Hey, woah! We're moving!" Daichi excitedly said. "But where's it going?"

"Just hang tight!" Sanae replied while their slow-moving, roller coaster cart traveled further along the wall and loaded itself onto a wooden platform. Pumping pistons attached to the sides started screeching out steam clouds as a clicking mechanism locked their cart into place. Gradually, the platform began rising meter by meter until interlocking itself with another track higher above.

This is getting weird! Now several stories high, Daichi and Sanae's cart continued along its new tracks until turning into doors that led inside Outset's wall. Darkness shrouded things momentarily, but then myriads of crystals lit up an artificial, forest path lined with animal animatronics. Visible gears powered creatures, like deers, bears, and owls while the mine cart continued cruising along. Further ahead, the scenery morphed into a cave where animatronic Goblins were dueling against fierce dragons. Their clash persisted until the mine cart exited Outset's wall—granting another view of the medieval city below.

"That was, uhh, interesting?" Daichi said while their cart loaded itself onto another platform, climbing ever higher along the wall.

"Just wait til' you see what's coming!" Sanae cheered. Sure enough, further up the rails was an incoming, steep drop that looped up into a "U" shape.

"Hold up, I didn't sign up for this!" But Daichi's complaints were drowned out by his screams as their cart rapidly descended and ascended again. Smaller drops followed until their ride slowed once more and reentered the wall through doors.

Sanae was giggling a storm while she cozied up to Daichi's side. Sheer wholesomeness was amplified by dozens of singing and dancing animatronics around them, this time representing people from Paradise's various cities—from the hills of Aravia to the grandeur cathedrals of Heartland, culminating towards Princess Dominion's castle in Paradiso. Each city boasted unique cultures that did well to appear as inviting as possible.

And the mine cart continued on, exiting for more steep drops and then returning inside for animatronic shows. Fizzney's passion project lasted almost five minutes until the cart finally made its way to the top of Outset's wall. A final platform interlocked with new rails as Sanae and Daichi's ride rolled into another station.

"Haha! That was great!" Sanae exclaimed. She was waving steam clouds away from her face.

"Yeah! Wasn't so bad after all!" Now he was more excited than ever to explore Paradise's offerings in his upcoming journey. And even more excited to share them all with Sanae by his side.

Hand in hand, both comrades exited their ride and waltzed into what was essentially a new world. An entire area atop Outset's wall had been refurbished into an idyllic terrace that overlooked not only the city, but the whole vista around them.

Under a twilight sky, Daichi peered over the wall's edge and gazed below. The town he'd called home stretched wide in every direction. He could see Outset's woodland park, including the lake he fell into, and further ahead spotted Mabel's Guild House complete with its iconic clock tower.

"Hey, look over there." Sanae pointed towards town square where most upper-nobility lived. Lavish buildings stood out amongst the dab grays of poorer districts. But from this high up, Outset seemed divided into five regions: the southside where most markets resided, westside for slums, east for middle-class, a center area for nobles, and a north end that housed the park.

“What is it?” Daichi replied, squinting ahead.

“Geez. It’s just that the lights in town are coming on. Pretty, right?”

Orange flickers and radiant glows of different colors had indeed begun popping out. Even though there wasn’t electricity, this world almost seemed more vivid without it.

But the brightest and prettiest light was already by Daichi’s side, and he was holding her hand.

While gazing below, both impromptu lovers held their breaths as they each waited for the other to speak—to confirm whether they were still really acting or not. All events that'd transpired in recent days had brought the pair closer together than ever, and the onus was on each other to convey their sentiments.

If Raven is watching, might as well give her a show. "Do you wanna look around?" he asked Sanae.

"Mm!" she gave a cheerful nod. "I'll lead us since I've been here before, hehe."

The wide girth of Outset's wall gave ample space to house multiple attractions on top. Both lovers made their way past a cafe designed after Valentine's Day. Soft breezes carrying over scents of fresh coffee tried temping them over, but there was still more to explore.

Several romantic gazebos were scattered around, most being enjoyed by at least one couple admiring the distant sunset. Further ahead were cute statues of various creatures and then an idyllic pond full of frogs and lily pads. No matter how one looked at it, the entire area seemed designed for dates.

"Actual Fizzneyland has an amazing ferris wheel," Sanae said while they walked hand in hand. "I think it'd be nice if we rode it one day."

He'd already resigned himself to travel anywhere with her no matter the detour. "Yeah! And we should bring Abby here once so she can have fun too."

Their wholesome chatter continued until they ended up outside a vacant gazebo. Overhead, a flock of soaring birds reminded Daichi of someone.

"Hey, where's Crow?" he said. "We haven't seen him since we got on the coaster."

"Oh, yeah huh." Sanae glanced all around them. "He said he'd meet us up here?"

Our quest is to make him a third wheel while we're on a date. Does it even count if he's not around? But just as he was about to voice his thoughts, a puff of black feathers swooped down onto his shoulder.

"Crow!" Sanae said in relief. "Where have you been?"

But the bird was panting, as if stressed. He stared towards both lovers and spoke in a panicked voice.

"We got an issue," he harshly whispered.

"Issue?" Daichi replied.

"CAW! Yes! It's Raven! She's super suspicious now you two aren't actually a couple!"

"H-Huh? Is that bad?"

"Yes, bad! Date won't count if she doesn't buy it!"

The realization sent a shiver down Daichi's neck—not over fear of upsetting Raven, but for the fact of what else might need to occur to convince her. Then, as if Sanae and him shared a brain cell, they both looked towards each other like they'd arrived at the same conclusion. Blushing faces overtook them.

"What should we do then?" Sanae stammered. "Acting like a couple isn't enough?"

"CAW! Figure it out! Act extra lovey-dovey! Just do something!"

But what haven't we done yet? Daichi's thoughts were coursing. We've been doing romantic stuff all day! And if holding hands or flirting still isn't enough . . .

Crow granted both teens a quiet, last minute pep talk but ultimately gave free rein for the budding couple to do whatever they'd like. He made a loud quip about needing to defecate—a lie just for Raven—and flew away once more over the setting sky.

Daichi could feel Sanae's heart pounding through her hand. Neither lover said a word as they stepped into their romantic gazebo. The hard floor had patterns resembling roses, while etched in the wooden guardrails were initials from previous couples.

A few steps further in revealed a perfect overlook of the town below, shimmering with lingering glimmers of sunset. The vista, combined with the gazebo's romantic atmosphere, set the stage for what was to come.

“Put your arm around me,” Sanae threateningly whispered, and gestured her head for him to look sideways.

Perched atop a neighboring gazebo, one lone raven was observing everything.

Well, dang. Daichi followed Sanae’s command, and wrapped his arm around her while they both admired the orange horizon. Holding her hand all day had built a resistance to feeling flustered.

And then both teens were motionless. Wordless. At least for a moment.

"Close your eyes," Sanae softly said.

"Huh? What for?"

"Just do it."

"Umm, okay?" His eyelids shuttered, but he kept one parted open.

"Close them harder!"

"Ah!" Now he was in isolated darkness, only with Sanae's body cradled by his side.

But she pulled away from him, remaining close by. Daichi could hear her erratic breaths intensifying, and could practically perceive her succulent lips as she approached.

Anticipation. Confusion. Capriciousness. Myriad emotions were flowing through him while his eyes remained closed. His own heart was beating like mighty, thunderous drums vexed on paralyzing him. The fervent rhythm locked his feet in place as Sanae's breaths rasped against his cheek.

Then, with the swiftness of a bird's peck, but the lasting impact of a meteor, Sanae's lips pressed against Daichi—his right cheek blitzed with a tingly feeling that spiraled throughout his body. It was like he'd been nothing but a living void until now, that'd finally been filled.

"You can open your eyes now," a soft voice said.

And slowly, he did as she instructed.

*

Pearl's Tears and their adopted daughter, Abby, all strolled out of Outset's north gate into an expansive wilderness. One high, afternoon sun overhead acted as a guiding star as the journey across Paradise commenced.

"Oh! There's some pretty birds up there!" Abby's finger pointed high while she paced ahead.

"Birds?" Sanae beside Daichi said. Both teens had since reset into their usual Adventurer attire.

"Oh, yeah look," he glanced upwards.

Soaring above were a lone raven and crow, as if wishing the group luck on their upcoming pilgrimage.

What'd transpired almost a week ago in that gazebo had been relegated to memory. Whether Sanae kissed him out of the quest's necessity or of her own volition was still a mystery, but her newfound liveliness hinted at a weight that'd been lifted off her shoulders.

Both guildmates walking side by side gave each other a cute glimpse, smiling as if they could read each other's minds.

A vast world was ahead of them, teeming with danger, but even though Daichi had acquired some new priorities, he wouldn't allow his previous tendencies to control him throughout his journey in Dominion's Paradise.