Flashback [Riverfall Rock Climbing]Uhhh that's really tall....

[Lacerta]

28th, Summer, 508AV, 9 bells after midnight Lacerta stared up at the cliff in awe. It was really tall... especially for a newbie like her, who'd never climbed in her life. After being in Riverfall on and off, she'd finally decided to try this out... to test out her rock climbing skills. She knew her height would give a massive advantage, towering over more than a few Akalaks, though on a rare occasion one matched her. Still, she was slightly sad not to do this at night, since though she'd lose four inches, it wasn't that much, especially with the aid of another four arms.... she sighed lightly, before completing the walk down to the base of the cliff. Amid a collection of climbing equipment, there sat two people, talking with a group of Akalaks. One was human, and not really paying attention, while the other, who looked more in charge, was one of the most common residents of the area, and seemed to be more intent on the discussion. While waiting for the group to finish talking, a seemingly large amount of money changed hands, and the three visitors walked off. Now feeling that it was her time to talk, she approached the man in charge. "Morning. I was wondering if I could take a... uh... novice climb? I want to try this out, but I'm not very good..." She asked, staring up at the rock above her. It didn't look too easy... even the shortest height looked pretty damn long. She hoped they could take her on an easy route... and though she didn't like people in general, it would be nice if others could join her, so at least some of the embarrassment wouldn't be on her head... She looked down and gave the man a small, slightly nervous smile, something unusual for her. "Sure! That'll be 10 gold mizas please... we'll just wait until at least another person joins us before starting, that okay with you?" He replied happily. The Ethaefal could see a spot of uncertainty on his face however, obviously from her horns, and height. Most people rarely saw Eth, and seeing a woman this tall... was strange. The horns spiraling from her temples were equally weird, but the Akalak seemed to ignore that. It was business, and another student to teach his... art, right? "So... that'll take maybe half a bell... oh, and I'm Riharo, who'll be your teacher!" He finished, as Lacerta fished out the expected price for him. She nodded quietly, before sitting down nearby, answering only with "Lacerta" She waited patiently, taking in the sun from above happily. She wished she'd brought her flute along, to pass the time, but had left it aboard Starry Sea as a precaution, since it might break during the trip. And that would be a disaster... the Eth involuntarily shuddered, and sunk deeper into her seat against a rock, eyes searching patiently for any more customers. Lacerta Samanthae Fashaen/Yamonz Riharo

[Lacerta]

x x 28th, Summer, 508AV, 9 bells after midnight Soon enough, about three others joined their group. One - a human woman with long legs and arms, had strode in apparently familiar with the Akalak in charge. He'd commented about her 'coming to such an easy session', and the woman had mentioned something about price. During their greeting, Lacerta had learnt that the woman's name was Samanthea. The next two people were both Akalaks, coming in a pair... apparently friends. One had the usual deep blue skin, whilst the other was a more reddish-purple color, just as dark as his companion. They hadn't been as familiar with the other man as Samanthea had been, but still joined the group happily. Their names were Fashaen and Yamonz, respectively. Once their group had been collected, Rhiharo began the introduction. "Good morning! Since we seem to have enough people for our guided climb, I'll start the lesson. Now... I'll be providing equipment for all of you, since it seems like no one has any... except Samathae, of course." Said woman had brought a bag, and was already pulling things out of it... shoes, an odd collection of metal and fabric, and a few other things. Their instructor held up something similar to the last item, holding it so it made three, attached circles of leather. "This is your harness... you wear it, and ropes are attached so we can all stay together... alright?" The woman the Eth had spotted earlier came around, passing a harness to each of the three without. The sailor took her's with a small nod, before letting the redhead flit back to fuss with other things. "Come over here... and I can help you with the harness. You put your legs through each of the smaller holes, before fitting the larger one around your waist." As the three moved closer, Rhiharo demonstrated with his own harness, of a much better quality than their own. Lacerta glanced down at hers and winced, before awkwardly lifting one long leg into the first hole. It was pretty tricky, and she had to balance on one leg while she attempted to fit her foot through the wobbling circle. Once that one was finished, she moved onto the next, before pulling up the waistband and... stopping. She hadn't actually put the second leg through the hole, but rather the space between the two rings. Scowling to herself, she lifted that foot out and fixed it's position, before successfully adjusting the largest leather band around her waist. The whole thing was loose, with annoying straps hanging from each of the rings, attached to a metal buckle. Their teacher came around after helping the two Akalaks, a smile on his face. "Here... tighten these straps, then double back - for safety. You want it tight, but not too tight." He left the Ethaefal to tighten it herself, hauling on each of the ends until it pulled tight. She didn't really understand the 'double back' thing, but before she was able to ask... she saw one of the Akalaks folding over the strip and slipping it through one side of the buckle. She copied him, finally finishing putting on her harness... though it hadn't been without complications. Lacerta Samanthae Fashaen/Yamonz Riharo

[Lacerta]

x x 28th, Summer, 508AV, 9 bells after midnight Once each of their harnesses had been correctly donned, checked, double checked, then verified, Riharo began the explanation on the actual climb. He described how they would work together to make it up the mountain, how the rope connection system would work, and whatnot. Though Lacerta was listening, she let her eyes wander as well... Samanthae wasn't entirely paying attention, and had easily slipped into her own harness without any help from their teacher. The Akalaks had been talking to each other quietly, but had stopped when the verbal teaching had begun again. Finally, Riharo mentioned something called 'bouldering'. "Now... we wont be doing actual bouldering, but you will certainly start by practicing. Take a bit of the wall, and start climbing until you think you're at your limit for jumping down. I'll be giving tips as you try this." He motioned towards the craggy cliffside, showing each climber a good spot to practice this version of climbing. It didn't require ropes or harnesses, hence why they weren't going so high in the first place. Lacerta glanced up at her own section of rock, trying to look for a good place to grab. She eventually found a big indent in the stone that looked easy to hold onto, and hooked her hand into it. She found another, similar handhold, when Riharo called "And don't forget to use your feet, too! They're very important! And always hold on with three limbs, and use the fourth to find another hand or foothold." The Eth found the comment quite helpful, and eventually found her booted foot a good place to stand on. She pushed up with that leg, standing on the tiny ledge, while trying to use her arms to stay upright. She glanced at where her left foot was, and, finding a foot hold, used it. As she pushed up with that leg, it left her other foot helpless and dangling, until she found a tiny ridge to rest on. Her right, then left, hands drifted up to find new holds, these ones slightly less secure than the others. Her fingers were burning from the pulling and grabbing, but finding herself in a good rest position, she glanced around for another grip. She did find one... and reached for it with her right hand, but glanced down as she did so... She was really far from the ground. She wasn't scared of heights, but she was scared of jumping down from here. Staring at the unforgiving floor, she paused for several moments, until Riharo came around to stare up at her. "Don't worry about that height... just push away from the wall, try and stay straight, and bend your knees when you land." Lacerta nodded absently at this, and waited for the Akalak to move away before jumping. She pushed herself off the wall like requested, ignoring her speeding heart. She fell for barely a moment, and when her feet hit the hard ground, she tried to bend her knees to take the shock. Though it felt awkward and strange, it worked, and she only fell over when she lost her balance afterwards. She stood, wiping dust and dirt from her breeches and shirt, before glancing around at the other climbers. Samanthae was far to high to jump down, but had found herself a little crevice to relax in. Riharo was calling out handholds to the blue Akalak man, while his companion laughed at the flailing man from below. There was a sharp, rude, retort that caused everyone - including the Ethaefal - to grin, before Fashaen jumped down and playfully punched Yamonz. The pair quickly broke into a small scuffle, until Riharo found the sense to pull them apart. Lacerta pulled her attention away from the others, and back to the rocks before her. She moved slightly to the left, finding herself with a newer space to climb... and it lacked the easy handholds she'd had earlier. Eyeing the face, she gripped a small protrusion of stone, wondering if it would hold her weight. Lacerta Samanthae Fashaen/Yamonz Riharo