Complete Eastern Brisshal A Tale of Two Doggies

[Ayna Nietzsche]

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Oof, she lost!

Vine whips? This isn't that monster battling game! That Ayna was surprised at @Kamala Graham's tactics would be an understatement of the year, even though she shouldn't have. The other Beastfolk was a druid, confirmed, and whips made of vines should be one of the most basic spells a druid would have, shouldn't it? Still, it didn't stop her eyes from widening in surprise and awe when Kamala creatively dodged her attack with a move that she hasn't seen in a while. At least not outside of a superhero movie.

"Okay... That was...pretty brilliant."

What came next was less surprising, though Ayna was too distracted to actually defend herself properly. In her head, she was envisioning herself dodging those green, leafy, technically tentacles of Kamala with her lightning magic. Unfortunately, she was rendered slower to react by her own bewilderment, getting herself struck in the face and flipped over her own feet. Ayna landed hard on the ground, gravity not allowing her respite from the battle, though she herself did not think of using the other side of her Aeromancy to help support her, and ending up knocked out, with everything else fading to black.

Rolls

Normal Attack
1d100 (47) + 10 + 10 = 67
67 damage
Shadow Arts | Ayna Nietzsche | Defending

Play Sheet Link

 

[Kamala Graham]

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It's healin' time!

Kamala let out a loud gasp when she realized what she had done, though she did not regret it. It would have been a disrespect to a warrior such as @Ayna Nietzsche to have their adversary, the person who beat them just for this day, to take pity on them when they fought their hardest and bestest. Kamala had no delusions of how lucky she was just for this day to have beaten such a skilled fighter. On any other, on most others, she doubted she would have won. Today, she was the best the woman, and she had won, but she was not any better than the other Beastfolk.

"Oh, dear! Oh, dear! Don't worry, don't worry! I can heal you right up! Well fought, friend!"

Instinctively, she rushed beside the fallen lancer and placed her hand over her body. Closing her eyes, Kamala channeled the nature magic within her, requesting the hidden spirits of the natural world, the flora mostly, to help her, them, as the druid tried her best to heal Ayna. Even though she was worried it wouldn't work, it always did. Kamala had such a strong connection to the Green that she didn't have to be concerned or anxious about her magic, though she often did for lack of confidence in her own skills. Please be all right, please be all right, please be all right!

"You'll be all right real soon, Ayna! The nature spirits will it so!"

They did. Always. Every single time.

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

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All's well that ends well.

When she came back to consciousness, her eyes slowly opening to reveal the familiar figure over her, Ayna was surprised to see @Kamala Graham healing her. A healer? She thought it was a pretty useful skill, something she could never do, as in most of her previous gaming experience, healers were often yelled at by other Players, and Ayna just couldn't deal with that, already working in a pretty stressful environment, though she rarely showed that at work.

"...thank you."

She managed to mutter her gratitude before propping herself up beside her. Cradling herself, and hugging her bent knees as she sat on the ground, Ayna looked straight up at the sky as a smile slowly found its way to her lips. Something within her felt...different, as if the encounter had unlocked something she long thought had been gone, lost even. Maybe she was just imagining it, but Ayna felt...relieved. Maybe even renewed.

Ayna turned to Kamala with a grin and tilted her head to one side.

"This...was great. I owe you, Kamala."

What she owed to the other Beastfolk, Ayna wasn't quite sure yet. Maybe in time, she'll realize what it was. For now, she was just glad she failed to secure the victory. Losing isn't always that bad. Sometimes, it teaches you a thing or two about yourself and the people around you.

 

[Kamala Graham]

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Dropping the curtains.

Kamala heaved a sigh of relief when @Ayna Nietzsche appeared to be fine. She did not doubt her magic, but she prepared herself for the worst, forgetting that it was all just a game. Or maybe even in games, Kamala would rather not end another Player's enjoyment or inconvenience them in any such way. Kamala was not a gamer and did not have that grave sense of competition as most of them did. Kamala just wanted to survive.

"You're welcome, Ayna, and you owe me nothing. If anything, I owe you so much for showing me that I can protect myself, that I can fight for myself."

It was one of Kamala's primary concerns: Her survival in the game. She had thought she'd die during the first hour, so she was mildly surprised and very impressed with herself that she had managed to not just survive her first fight but even win it. Some days, fate just favors her. Other days... Well, this was not one of those days. She watched Ayna as she sat next to her, curious about what happens next.

"What's next for you now? Would you like to keep traveling together or...?"

Now that their fight was over, Kamala wasn't sure Ayna would like to keep in touch. She'd want to, but she'd understand if the other Beastfolk would rather keep her distance for now. There was so much in this game world to discover. It would be a shame to do it alone. Ayna felt like a good companion, and Kamala can only hope she'd take to her the same.

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

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Looking towards the future.

A quick glance at @Kamala Graham as she thanked her, and Ayna could only nod to acknowledge her remarks. If Kamala got something out of the fight, then it's true nothing was owed. In a way, she supposes she got a lesson out of this fight: That she wasn't indestructible, and that she still had some ways to go. Maybe she could go those ways with Kamala, and together they could grow even stronger. For a second, she thought about considering some support skills as well, just like Kamala, but accepted the thought that she'd never be as kind or skilled in such a complex craft as her new friend.

"I would like that, Kamala. I really would. Your company should be a delight."

But where would they head next? Ayna had always planned everything in the other world, from the minute details to the largest. As with traveling, she always focused on the destination, and how best to reach it, with little to no waste of time or effort. The journey was never a consideration. At least not appreciating it. Maybe this can change, now that she has a companion that could balance her lack of positivity with too much of her own. She chuckled at that thought before getting back to her feet, wiping her hands clean with each other, and staring to a random direction's horizon.

"There is much I'd need to learn about this world. To be honest, my instincts urge me to find a place where I can fish or sail. The other part of me wants to get a grasp of the economy real quick. What about you?"

There was always too much happening in Ayna's head at any given moment in time. She hoped that maybe, with Kamala's presence and perhaps even guidance, she could loosen up a bit, take that down a notch. It was a game, after all, and not some series of professional tasks. She needed the respite from her cold work. Fishing and sailing sounded something that could also help with that.

 

[Kamala Graham]

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Dropping the curtains.

Kamala offered a warm smile to @Ayna Nietzsche before reaching for her hand, hoping to warm the both of them up with the gesture.

"I can say the same! I'm very glad you're the first person I met in this game, my very first friend!"

She had high hopes their friendship with last the tests this game would throw at them and had little to no doubt against that. A part of her did fear that she may become overbearing to the seemingly more serious and quiet Ayna, but Kamala squashed all that by reminding herself that relationships always work out in the end. That mantra has worked for her so far. There was no reason it would fail for her now. Not while things were just starting to go well.

Listening to Ayna talk about fishing and sailing made Kamala's heart grow big. Or at least that's how she took to the feeling of excitement at the possibility of joining her in her favorite things. Kamala had fished before, but only once or twice, and she had traveled by boat and ship but never truly sailed outside of practicality. She wondered if she'd love those as well, ignoring that bit about the economy, mostly because she wasn't as much of a capitalist as anyone else. If you can help someone for free, why get paid?

"Oh, me? Well..."

When the conversation turned to her, Kamala was caught unprepared. She offered Ayna an embarrassed smile, as she tried to think of an answer to her question. Looking around, Kamala realized that all she needed was already around her. All she needed to do was respect and protect the world's shared bounties. That should be enough, right?

"I guess I'd love to learn about this game's agriculture, its flora and fauna! I've always held a special place in my heart for nature, and I think starting a farm should be really nice!"

It wasn't much different from what she was already doing in the real world, but there's a reason why she loved doing all that and more. If she can bring that same passion and love into this world, this game, then why not? Every place needs more of that sunshine feeling, that love-sharing compassion and niceness, game or not. This one wasn't any different.

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

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Looking towards the future.

Friend? Ayna couldn't help but grow confused at @Kamala Graham's statement. Were they already friends? Out there, Ayna was in no certain terms the friendliest of people. She rarely made the effort to make new ones and maintain current friendships. It wasn't that she was an introvert or that she didn't value people. It was just she wanted to really focus on her work, and it often left her little time and opportunity for nurturing friendships. But maybe this could be different.

"I'm glad you're my first friend in this game, too, Kamala."

She offered her the best smile she could muster. She was even more surprised at Kamala's next statement, though she shouldn't have. Despite having only met her today, Ayna could see that the other Beastfolk was someone who'd definitely take care of whoever crosses her paths, villains or friends alike. Ayna used to think those people never existed, mostly because she'd never met them personally. But standing across Kamala, she realized she was now in the presence of a bleeding heart, and it was a good thing.

"I can see that! You seem to be someone who'd definitely be into nurturing people."

They were the exact opposites of each other, but that was a good thing. It would numb the senses if you only ever share your space with like-minded people. Sometimes, you need someone who thinks differently from you to really grow. Kamala would be that person for Ayna, and she loved that idea.

 

[Kamala Graham]

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Eager to move forward!

"Oh... Thank you."

Kamala grew red at @Ayna Nietzsche's compliment, her cheeks flushing warm, not expecting any of the sorts to be thrown her way, even though she should have. It wasn't the first she'd heard of it. Almost every time she made a new acquaintance, they'd speak of her nurturing aura or something like it. Kamala wasn't quite sure what that meant, if it was an actual compliment, if they themselves viewed it as a strength, or maybe just a weakness, but she was just glad they thought of her in some way or form. At the end of the day, she wasn't doing anything for the compliments.

"I can't fight that well, so at least I can be nurturing, right?"

She was more proud than embarrassed of that fact. Kamala wasn't meant to be a fighter. She didn't believe in violence unless necessary, and even if it came to that, she would still try her best to end things without picking a fight. Kamala had always preferred diplomacy over war, love and kindness over violence, but some things you can't just reason with. Like monsters, especially the ones programmed to fight at all costs.

"Anyway, I wholeheartedly believe this could be the start of a beautiful friendship!"

She giggled at the thought, excited at her new adventure!

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

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Looking towards the future.

"Please don't say that, Kamala. It's too soon for the one who just beat me to say they're not that good at fighting."

The atmosphere turned a little bit dour when Ayna pointed out the fact that @Kamala Graham belittling her fighting skills was indirectly belittling hers as well. To lose to someone who didn't consider themselves good at fighting when you've tried your best, your all, to beat them just sounded a little disheartening. If Ayna truly wanted to be a great fighter, then this might have been a discouraging affair. Maybe she'll be better in the long run, but today, of all days, just felt terrible now. Still, she tried her best to soldier on, focusing on the delight of making a new friend.

"In any case, I believe that this friendship will be something to watch over and nurture! Both of us, I mean."

Ayna wasn't that good at nurturing relationships herself, so this could be a challenge. She's been told time and time again to be better, numerous others pointing out how she wasn't that good at maintaining connections. Maybe this could be the start of changing that. She could only hope. Kamala seemed patient enough, and that could help, something Ayna needed a lot of herself.

 

[Kamala Graham]

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Oh, no!

"Huh?"

Kamala just stared at @Ayna Nietzsche for a moment or two, a little confused at her statement. She sincerely wondered why she reacted like that, why the more confident and clearly better-skilled warrior seemed disappointed at her words. Kamala only meant that she was truly not born into battle, not unlike Ayna who seemed to relish every second of it due to her training and prowess. Then it slowly dawned on her, the weight of her words as the victor in their skirmish today.

"Oh! No, I didn't mean it like that... I'm so sorry!"

Kamala couldn't help but rush towards Ayna with a tight hug, scrambling for an apology. Of all the things that she could've done, wanted to do, offending her new friend was far from the list. It wasn't even on it. She started sobbing like a child who was about to get whipped by her parents for being disrespectful. The one and only time it had happened to her still clung to her memories like a bad fever. A red fever. She wondered then, frantically almost, if Ayna could ever forgive her, if she would forgive her, despite the obvious offense she had committed.

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

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Looking towards the future.

Ayna did not expect @Kamala Graham to hug her like that from out of the blue, though she might as well have, considering how honest and kind the other Beastfolk was. Ayna could only imagine the kind of person that could be that way, which made her even more impressed and somewhat jealous that Kamala could be this in touch with herself and her own body. Ayna couldn't even survive a staredown most of the time, though, in her head, she'd win all of them without missing a beat.

"Oh!"

She was also confused as to what to do in the scenario, now that Kamala had latched herself onto her. Was she supposed to hug her back? Would she be able to? Or should she just pat her on the back once, maybe twice, and then pull away? Ayna decided to just go with the flow and let Kamala decide when enough was enough, instead putting on a smile and reassuring her that everything was all right by brushing her hair with her hand.

"It's all right, Kamala... There's no need to apologize... Really..."

A light bulb appeared over her head, in her head, and made her realize she could go another route to move past the awkwardness of the miscommunication. Putting on a wide smile, Ayna took Kamala's hands, held them in her own, and gestured toward the horizon.

"Come! Let's go have a look around! Plenty of things to explore in this game, right?"

She then began walking in a random direction, hoping Kamala would follow suit.

 

[Kamala Graham]

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Fin!

Kamala began to loosen her hug when @Ayna Nietzsche placated her worries and concerns. The electrifying Beastfolk with purple hair didn't seem to mind her carelessness, and it made all the difference to Kamala. Slowly, carefully, she calmed herself down. She was so used to apologizing for everything that it was now all instinctive for her. Perhaps, she hoped, this new friendship could teach her otherwise.

"Are you sure?"

Kamala took a second or two to just stare at Ayna. She was trying to confirm whether she was telling the truth or she was just telling her what she wanted to hear. Kamala didn't mind if it was the latter. Most people would balk at that, citing that it would be something akin to lying, but if the intention was kindness, why would she, of all people, demonize someone else's choice? When Ayna took her hands, Kamala's eyes widened in surprise, but it was quickly chased away by hopeful positivity.

"OKAY!"

Kamala happily followed her new friend to wherever she went. Heaven knows she'd follow her until the end of time.

‧͙⁺˚･ THE ❀ END ･˚⁺͙‧