Click—click—the shutter's sound keeps ringing in your ears. Before you, Veronica maintains her stance, camera in hand, her gaze never leaving the viewfinder.
All afternoon, you have been accompanying her like this—standing together at the highest point of a conservation area, watching her continuously capture every view below into her camera.
You cannot recall ever "hovering" at such heights for so long. From up here, the scenery below resembles a miniature diorama, giving everything an oddly surreal quality.
I've pretty much finished taking photos from this position and angle.
Next, I need to switch to a shorter focal length and shoot the same scenery again...
Veronica seems to have read something from the subtle change in your expression as she pauses her work and leans closer pensively.
Hmm? What's wrong?
I see.
She glances around, finally "noticing" the root cause of your discomfort: rather than a comfortable, secure observation deck, you are on a high-altitude maintenance platform in the conservation area, which is barely wide enough for two to stand.
All this time, you have been carefully positioning yourself to avoid disrupting her photography while staying by her side.
Veronica carefully shifts her position, unfurling her "dragon wings" and drawing you into her embrace.
Hmm... How about now?
Ah, come a little closer and look at the photos I took.
With both hands still occupied with the camera, Veronica casually wraps her tail around your waist, pulling you even closer.
Pressed against her body, you could feel the warmth radiating from her.
So, how do you think we did with this "Couples Photo Challenge"?
Her metallic fingertips gently tap the camera's casing—made of the same material—as she flips through the photos one by one, a hint of confusion crossing her face.
The couple requirement is ticked: you and me.
The photo requirement is definitely met—I've captured the entire conservation area from multiple camera positions, with various lighting and angles all taken into consideration.
I've strictly followed all the "requirements," but something still feels... off, as if something is "missing" from these photos.
Upon hearing your response, she raises her head and stares intently at you, then offers her camera.
So, [player name], what exactly is "missing" from these photos?
You take the camera from Veronica without answering her question. Instead, you simply smile and hold her hand.
Huh? Are you trying to—
Veronica instinctively leans closer, her eyes filled with seriousness as she tries to "read" your thoughts from your expression.
Click—as she leans in, your free hand presses the shutter, capturing her posture in this instant.
It's nearly sunset. She stands with the sun at her back, her hair tips caught in the gentle breeze, gilded with a molten gold luster. Her gaze upon you now holds an expression entirely different from the seriousness she had shown moments ago.
You turn the camera's display around and hand it back to Veronica, showing her the image you just captured.
...Now I understand. That's the missing element.
"Interactions between them," so that means—we need a photo together.
Look at the camera, [player name].
Veronica raises the camera and quickly presses the shutter, capturing multiple shots of the two of you standing side by side from different angles.
With each press of the shutter, she adjusts the position of her wings and tail, as if to add a distinct detail to every photo.
I did as you suggested, but there's still a problem.
After taking a series of shots, she folds her wings. The relaxed expression on her face during the photo session has disappeared, replaced by a sudden seriousness.
Neither.
I've noticed that as long as I'm holding this camera, its viewfinder can't fit both us and the entire scenery behind us.
We're too far from the land below. We need to get closer to the ground for this to work.
No need for that. I just discovered this camera has a five-second selfie timer function, which gives us plenty of time to "rapidly descend" to the right position.
As long as I can find the right distance during our "rapid descent," I'll be able to get the photo I want.
It's easy. I'll hold you and jump down from here. Alright, counting down: 5, 4...
Veronica has not responded to your question. Instead, she quickly tosses the camera—already set to selfie mode—into the air, where it traces a graceful arc.
Hold on tight!
Before you could react, your body feels the sudden sensation of falling. Veronica folds her wings, grabs you tightly, and leaps off the platform, plummeting rapidly toward the ground below.
In the rapid descent, there is no time to think—only the instinct to cling desperately to Veronica.
The howling wind tears past your ears, and everything in your vision changes rapidly. The landscape below, once resembling a miniature diorama, quickly grows larger in your eyes—the distance to the ground is dwindling fast.
Now!
The sound of the wind suddenly changes as Veronica unfurls her wings in midair, slicing through the rushing currents.
Your descent has halted instantly. The moment she unfurls her wings, she skillfully adjusts her posture, tightly embracing you from behind as her outstretched wings hold you both suspended in midair.
In this moment of shared flight, Veronica holds you close, turning together to face skyward—in your line of sight, the camera gracefully descends at the same steady pace.
Now, look at the camera with me, [player name].
A soft click of the shutter captures it all—the shared flight, the setting sun, and the beautiful conservation area sprawling beneath you—forever preserving this moment.
After completing its mission in midair, the camera traces a downward arc and falls precisely into Veronica's waiting hand.
See? Not as complicated as you thought, right? Did you enjoy this little surprise today, [player name]?
Don't worry. If you still feel unsettled, I can fly more steadily.
She turns around, resuming a normal flying posture. In your line of sight, the sun is sinking toward the horizon, bathing everything in vivid, brilliant colors.
The lingering fear from the earlier "rapid descent" has faded. Now, with the gentle breeze brushing past your face, you take Veronica's advice and fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery before you.
Veronica frees one hand and tucks the camera she had caught earlier into your collar.
Keep it safe. When we get back, let's make a souvenir from the photo we just took.
From the corner of your eye, you only catch a glimpse of her smile in response. You then feel her arms tighten around you as she pulls you a little closer.
So, do you have a new destination in mind?
Wherever you want to go, I'll be right beside you... just like this, for as long as you'd like.
