Private Eastern Brisshal A Chance Meeting

[Siondhe]

The village had proven to be less than Kyra had hoped for, but far from a disappointment. If nothing else, it had taught her that this world was far more complex than any other she'd ever visited. At first, it had been almost concerning; a worrying front for her already overwhelmed senses and mind. She'd hoped to find some relief within the village, however that had been met with only more frustration and concern. Which was not to say that she hadn't meant some nice, interesting individuals - but they had been a small drop in the otherwise roaring ocean that had been the general population of what Kyra had come to learn was Honeyhome.

She'd departed the village with a bit more knowledge and skill, and a small measure more confidence in her ability to explore the world. She'd learnt about a bit of the histories of the world as well, and received words of caution from those welcoming enough to provide them - something she was certain she would need in the coming days.

It still amazes me...just how encompassing this world is...you could almost forget it was just a game.

She pondered on that thought for a moment, realising the truth behind it. It would be easy to forget this was a game - easy to immerse oneself entirely, to live here unbothered by the realities of the real world. Sure, there were new problems, new realities, new concerns...but it was different, somehow. More manageable.

Or at least it feels more manageable...I've still barely explored this world. Barely come to learn anything about it...there's so much still left to see, to find, to...overcome.

Nodding to herself, she stepped forward to continue on the pathway ahead when her ears suddenly picked up slightly, catching the sounds of conversation on the air before her. She hesitated, uncertain of whether she should stay on the path and confront whomever was approaching, or take to the sides and hide among the small groupings of trees that lined the roadway. Whatever I'm going to do I need to do it quickly. They're almost in sight.

Even as she made her decision, she couldn't help but be amazed at her new senses - senses that she'd come to learn came with overwhelming enhancements, but also large setbacks and hindrances in their own right. Standing tall, or at least as tall as her shorter frame would allow, Kyra pushed her tail behind her, letting it settle into as comfortable a position as it could - the fluffy piece still shifting in nervousness and unease behind her slightly. Look less angry, try and be more...friendly. She pushed a smile onto her face even as she thought the words, trying to turn her appearance into something more welcoming, something that wouldn't scare people away. Or, at least something she hoped they'd see as friendly.

---

@Luthien | @Yugam​

 

[Luthien]

Despite everything that had transpired Honeyhome had continued to be a place that warmly welcomed the Starcalled whenever they happened to pass by and, perhaps unsurprisingly, it had caused the trades between the small village and Finweald to increase—especially with the days progressively getting shorter and winter looming around the corner.

It wasn’t a bad deal all around, the Starcalled were known for their quirky and rather unique inventions when it came to magitech and the creative use of masteries—in many cases things that Landers had never thought about, or had simply ruled as impossible until these fallen stars had graced their lands. In return the village provided them with necessary materials required for rebuilding the city and, while the more pressing projects had been completed, there was still a lot of work to be done.

Work that also paid quite well for any free hands available, and that guaranteed many villagers enough gold in their pockets to properly prepare themselves and their families for the colder months to come.

"Ugh, the travel here and back always takes so looong..." It wasn’t the first time Beleg had sent the pair to deliver important documents, owed wages, or whatever else the man had forgotten… she’d seen this road enough times now to know it like the back of her palm, and that in turn made the trip to and from somewhat boring after a while. "At least we got a fresh batch of Esther’s honey cakes… and it was nice catching up with Toko, too~"

Her shoulder bumped playfully against the arm of the hunter, but before she could utter another word the sound of shuffling footsteps caught the ranger’s attention. Eyes turned away from her boyfriend to stare at the path ahead of them, spotting a figure off in the distance. The bushy tail was the first thing to stand out from the girl, the white fur glistening under the sunlight as it shifted uneasily behind the beastfolk…. Though it was the expression on her face that caused Lúhien to pause and wonder.

{ I can’t tell if she’s just nervous— } Her voice quietly popped into the mind’s head as she shared her thoughts, something he was probably used to by now. { —or if she needs to take a shit.}

@Yugam | @Kyra Varyth

 

[Yugam]

Go here, do that, come back, rinse, repeat, it was an endless cycle. One Yugam was more than happy to have returned to, since it finally gave him a reprieve from the seemingly endless mountains of paperwork Beleg had been handing to Yugam in recent months. The duo's trip to Honeyhome had felt like the first time Yugam had stepped out beneath the open sky since Szofrit's attack.

Which meant that, for once, Yugam was actually the more chipper of the two. "Yeah, it was good to see her again. Can't even remember the last time she and I'd just chatted. But, I'm just glad to finally get some fresh air," the man said, still sounding tired as ever, but complaining far less than usual. "I wouldn't mind if we took the long way back, I'm sure Beleg's got another stack of papers for me to go through, or some more boring admin stuff he can't be bothered to take care of."

Yugam popped the last of a honeycake into his mouth as Luthien pointed out the beast folk further down the road. Nervous, or constipated. He loved playing that game. Either answer could mean trouble because both meant the person was hiding something. Yugam pulled on the strap that crossed his body, making as if to adjust his rifle's position to be more comfortable. Red color seeped into the bandages wrapped around his right hand as he pulled. Just keep walking, and see what happens.

@Kyra Varyth | @Luthien

 

[Siondhe]

Her tail swished back and forth in a way that Kyra realised was doing anything but keeping her inconspicuous. She'd tried to get it to relax, forcing it to stop - even going so far as to grab it and hold it - but nothing had worked. A window into my soul...or well, emotions, in this case. Now I know how dogs feel. She let out a sigh as she turned to look around. There were only a few people in the area, most of whom she'd already tried to speak with without any success - they'd turned her away with barely a glance, and Kyra had the odd feeling that she wasn't really welcome here at all.

There were, however, two individuals that caught her eye. A blonde Elfen woman that Kyra could only describe as gorgeous, and a man beside her who appeared to be some sort of bodyguard, or protector. The way he moved screamed danger to Kyra's eyes and mind, and she couldn't help but recoil slightly at the sight of him. Is that a rifle...? They have those in this game? The weapon was drawn to sight when the man moved to reposition it, as if trying to draw attention to it in order to show that they were dangerous. As if that's not obvious enough, but...

Giving in and realising there was no better option, she forced herself to have courage before stepping into their path. She tried to smile, but the nervousness flashed through any attempt at calm and controlled, the ears atop her head flattening in response to her nerves.

Excuse...me. I'm really sorry to bother you, but...well, I've just arrived...here. In this...place. From another place. Uhm...I'm new here, and...well, I'm trying to...find my way around?

She wanted to come out and mention that she was a player, that she'd landed in the game not long ago, that she was entirely overwhelmed and simply lost, but she wasn't sure whether they were players as well, or more of the NPCs - Landers, they're called Landers - who would only look at her in confusion.

You...wouldn't happen to be from out there?

---

@Luthien | @Yugam​

 

[Luthien]

"At least it’s started to slow down a bit… right?" A sympathetic smile was given to the hunter as he talked about how happy he’d been to catch up with Toko again and actually get some time away from the League and the stack of paperwork that undoubtedly currently waited on his desk. "There’s the occasional onboarding for new whistles, but overall it feels like things are starting to go back to normal…"

She’d almost forgotten the long hours her boyfriend often spent handling important documents and proposals that needed the approval of more than a pair of black whistles like Beleg and himself, especially when her own tasks had taken her all over Finweald and its nearby towns. The restoration efforts for the Embertorch were a large and ambitious project, and it hadn’t been made any easier considering the somewhat tense relationship between Falderen and Astorea after the events of their finale with Szofrit.

"Yeah… maybe the long way back wouldn’t be too bad after all." A soft bump of her shoulder to his arm accompanied her words. She’d made sure Tubby and Tirsk had both been properly fed before they’d left, so it’s not like they had to rush back to their rented space.

"Pfft..." She barely managed to stifle a chuckle as the hunter pulled on the strap that crossed his chest, the hunter forever the cautious one between the pair as their steps took them closer to the white furred beastfolk on the road. { You’re gonna scare the poor girl with that thing, what if they’re just another new player? }

It was impossible to miss the amusement in her words as the elf mentally chided her partner, her mannerisms kept lighthearted and friendly to contrast his own. Beleg often tasked her with training the new whistles, so Lúthien was quite aware of the sudden influx of new players these past couple of months. { Time to find out which one it is~}

A playful wink was given to Yugam before the blonde waved in the direction of the fox, a friendly tone as she called out to the stranger. "Hi there~!" She gave the caenis her best smile, confident in the knowledge that if things suddenly went south her boyfriend would have her back.

Perhaps that had been enough to calm the beastfolk, her shoulders visibly relaxing a bit from the tensed posture she’d kept them when Yugam brought indirect attention to the weapon on his back. She apologized for bothering them as the beastfolk stepped further into the path, Lúthien’s own steps aligning so she’d meet the vixen halfway.

"From another place hmmm~?" Her gut feeling was proven right once when the roundabout words confirmed what the ranger had suspected. Usually she would’ve been more forthcoming about her own status as a player, but the adorable look on the vixen’s face made it impossible to not tease the fox just a little bit. "I dunno, where exactly is out there... are you referring to Tertoria, perhaps?"

@Yugam | @Kyra Varyth

 

[Yugam]

The soft bump to Yugam's shoulder was met with a smile back. Some exploring would be good. They were 'explorers' after all, despite how little of that Yugam actually seemed to do these days. Maybe they'd find some dungeon or another to dive into and lose a couple hours in. It wasn't like Beleg would know.

For now though, the Caenis in their path was the more immediate concern. The mental message Luthien passed to Yugam was returned with a shrug of his shoulders. Better safe than sorry, they seemed to say, followed by an eyeroll as Luthien, as usual, forged ahead without a worry in the world.

Not particularly interested in hanging back, but not as eager as his better half to meet someone new, Yugam's lazy pace hardly changed as Luthien rushed onto meet the girl. Blood held in reserve, his hand loosened from the strap of his rifle, easy enough now to cast a barrier between them, or draw his pistol if need be. Though, given the way the girl looked like she would shit her pants just from speaking to them, Yugam didn't expect he'd have to worry much. She wasn't trying to be convincing of anything. If she had, then there might've been a problem.

Luthien on the other hand was always a problem. "From another place hmmm~? I dunno, where exactly is out there... are you referring to Tertoria, perhaps?" Yugam audibly groaned as he drew close enough to hear the elf poke fun at the caenis. Who was going to frighten her off now? "Oh, for fuck's- We're called Travelers," Yugam cut in, quick to the point. "Well, 'Starcalled' Travelers," he clarified, gesturing vaguely in the air with one hand. "Ya know, cause we drop outta the sky like shooting stars after the character creator." It not like Landers knew what he was talking about. He probably just sounded like a madman to them, which was par for the course for most Travelers. "So if you ever want to ask if someone if they're a player, ask if they're a Traveler."

@Kyra Varyth | @Luthien

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra's eyes stayed on the blonde as she had her fun, just wide enough to show that she was uncomfortable, but also clearly telling that she wasn't taking the butt of the joke silently. Or, at least, she wouldn't've if the male beside her hadn't suddenly spoken up with a tone that sounded both aggressive and tired at the same time.

Travellers...interesting. I was told that it was Starcalled, but I guess Starcalled Travellers makes sense...

She glanced around her, the nervousness in her form subsiding only a tiny bit as she tried to control her emotions. She'd had a rough couple of hours after having left Fina behind, and although she'd managed to get to the village proper, everything beyond that had been...

I...uhm...I'm looking for some place to really get started...are there any introductory quests, or guides, or anything...? I've only recently started playing...like, six hours ago recently? And, aside from the who thing in the forest with the fox, I've not really had anything happen...

She glanced between the two before her, hoping that one of them would pick up on the fact that she needed some sort of direction. A starting point, where she could find her way from, going forwards. Almost belatedly, she suddenly realised that she was asking for a lot, and had no real way of compensation.

I uh...I'm not sure how the whole monetary system works in this world, but I'm sure I could find a way to compensate you at a later time. Assuming that I find some sort of...way of making money. Or gold? Is there gold in this...I have a lot to learn, sorry. Uh...if you could just point me in a starting direction, that would be super helpful.

She kept most of her focus on the black-haired man, somehow getting the feeling that he would be more to the point than the blonde Elfen. Although friendly and the first to leap forward, Kyra had an odd feeling that she enjoyed toying with new players, or anyone that could amuse her. Or maybe she just thinks that humour is a good ice breaker? Let's not be too judgemental until they make their case.

---

@Luthien | @Yugam​

 

[Luthien]

She failed to keep the corners of her lips from curling into a devious little smirk as an audible groan echoed behind her, the spark behind those crimson eyes as she gazed at her raven-haired partner betraying the real target behind her actions. A quietly mouthed ”Sorry~” was given to the vixen just before the hunter interjected into the conversation, cutting straight to the point as he provided the proper labels used for players within this game.

"’Starcalled’ is certainly the correct term, or at least the original one." A nod was given towards the vixen as she mulled over what she’d already known and the new information Yugam had given her. "But ‘Travelers’ was quickly adopted by landers and players alike, maybe because it’s easier on the tongue and still fitting considering most players don’t stick to one place for long."

The discussion seemed to ease some of the tension in the beastkin’s body as it progressed, her shoulders somewhat relaxed now as she asked for guidance from them. An elven eyebrow visibly raised as the beastkin glossed over something about the forest and a fox, before the new player seemed to consider the magnitude of what she’d been asking of two complete strangers on the road and how to properly compensate them for it.

"We should make that our first lesson then," A hand softly flittered in the air as she spoke, her gaze focused on the caenis instead of her movements, before a small bag suddenly materialized out of thin air in front of them. It wasn’t hard to guess the contents of the leather pouch as it landed on Lúthien’s hand, the coins within clinking as the movement jolted them. "Your guess is correct; gold exists in this game and it’s the currency used to trade with the people of this world."

She loosened the tie at the top enough to reveal the shining pieces inside, holding it out towards the vixen in case she wanted to inspect them further. "Earning gold here isn’t too different from earning money in the real world. A lot of the time landers will have odd jobs and problems they’re willing to pay other landers—or players—to solve them." In the case of the more rural villages gold wasn’t always part of the payment, but the food or items they’d offer instead were still helpful for players in their own way.

@Yugam | @Siondhe

 

[Yugam]

Yu let Luthien field the bulk of the questions, despite stifling a slight chuckle at the mention of introductory quests and what not. Not that he had been much better when he'd hopped into the game the first time, but it usually meant that the new Traveller was in for a rude awakening, which was never not funny.

The clink of the bag of gold in Luthien's hand drew the man's eye for a moment, before going back to the beastfolk. "Pretty standard RPG stuff, to be honest. On the point of intro quests though, you're SoL," the man said as he crossed his arms. "TS doesn't really work like that. Its better to try and think of it as a real, self-contained world. Which means if you want to make some gold, you're gonna need to find a job. Or freelance or something. You could always join up with the Adventurers Guild if you want money, but there's a couple other institutions that'll pay your if you join them."

@Kyra Varyth | @Luthien