Private Eastern Brisshal Ain't this world filled with nice places?

[Chako]

Chako had just arrived at Honeyhome, after getting some directions from the kind super-speedy Crimson Ruby. And she was now enjoying the sights to their fullest.

It was still hard for Chako to believe she could actually go to this kind of place all by herself. Walk with her own two feet. It felt quite unreal. It really was a dream come true to her.

And there were so many people around! Chako was quite impressed. She wondered how many of them were NPCs. How advanced the AI of the game really was. Could they hold a proper conversation? Would they be fun to be around? Or they dumber than the rumors said? Perhaps it was better to not set up her expectations too high... But again, when considering how amazing walking felt here, maybe there was no reason to be skeptical in the first place, so Chako decided to go ahead and give it a try! Who knows, maybe she can make an NPC friend!

"Excuse me-!"

... Chako tripped. As soon as she stopped paying attention to how her legs were moving, Chako's feet tangled on one another and she fell face-first on the ground.

"Ouchie... This is gonna take some getting used to..."

@Wisp

 

[Wisp]

The weather in Falderen always seemed like it was perfect. Though, to those that were just visitors to TerraSphere it was kind of that way at times, almost a perfect world. Oh, if only she knew months ago what she now understood. This place was a home to those that existed here and it was the reality of life to the Landers. Their day to day experience was affected by the choices that Rina made and now, well she certainly had more respect for it since she was able to make friends like Luthien.

Walking around Honeyhome it was always a peaceful and sweet experience, literally. She was currently enjoying a bit of hand-crafted taffy on a stick with a soft yellowy hue. Honey flavored with a touch of a floral tang, this sweet treat was something she'd discovered recently and was now a current addiction. It was the foods and exotic ingredients that kept her coming back now, since meeting up with a certain faerin and enjoying a plate of food together, Rina was determined to find the best mix of ingredients to prepare for their next cooking excursion.

"I swear, Miss Holly just seems to be getting better and better at this recipe. I really hope she's willing to share her secrets with me soon."

Rina grinned as she browsed through some of the shops on the main street. This place was seriously alive with so much light and energy, well...aside from an area where a young girl seemed to be stumbling around on her feet. Her fall to the ground certainly catching her attention while the people on the street seemed to ignore her or react with hesitancy at the situation.

"Oh gosh! Are you okay? Looks like you're still getting used to your feet around here."

Rina approached the young woman and offered a hand without hesitation as she knelt down a bit to make it easier for the cat-like female to grab her extended appendage.

@Chako

 

[Chako]

It was a bit embarrassing to fall in front of so many people... Chako was already getting a bit used to the pain that comes with the falling, but the embarrassment was a different thing altogether.

Especially because it was always hard to get up after a fall... Chako hoped it would only take a few minutes this time around.

Except... A woman offered her a hand, which Chako instantly decided to accept and relied on to get up, and then she held on tightly to the woman's hand again as she stumbled a bit forwards, but somehow managed to stabilize herself without falling again, "Thank you... Yeah, I'm still getting used to having functional feet. It's a pretty surreal experience, yanno?" Chako said without mincing words. Ruby's reaction to hearing that made Chako quite happy, so she felt a bit more confident in sharing this time.

"I'm okay though! It doesn't hurt!" Much. The pain passes before long anyways.

... How am I supposed to continue a conversation again? Come on, brain, think!

Chako's stomach rumbled. Chako instantly started blushing... She didn't expect her stomach to be able to make this kind of noise in-game... It was very embarrassing.

"Uhn... How do I... Get food? Like... Without money?" Chako wondered if she should have gathered some fruits on the way here while she was in the forest. It felt like an easier ask than getting food in a village without a coin to her name.

Like, sure, she did hear the woman mention something about a recipe before, courtesy of her ears, but... It's not like she could simply ask for food.

... Wait, what was the name of this woman again? Chako just realized she didn't ask... Another thing to get embarrassed about.

@Wisp

 

[Wisp]

The girl before her was pretty forward in what she needed assistance with. There was no reason to hesitate, it was clear her age matched the personification of her avatar. How old could this child be? A look of concern crossed her features. She was a single mom of two...imagining Ori or Seli playing this game where real lives were on the line made her nervous. Still....

It wasn't exactly her place to stop the cat-girl either. Instead, she decided to just lend a hand in what ways she could. This game was clearly something she needed right now....regardless of the reason why. TerraSphere had some unique traits to it that made the game actually quite fun, too.

She tilted her head at the comment about struggling to use her feet, but shook her head and smiled as she helped the younger female back into a standing position.

"It's okay. We all stumble and fall. Literally over our feet and in life with experiences. You just gotta learn how to pull yourself back up or have support from others. Sii Forte. Don't give up."

Rina acted subconsciously as she dusted the girl's skirt off a bit to help her feel more adjusted to the space. Though the landers still seemed a bit wary of the younger female, the air had lightened up a bit. She looked her over to ensure that she didn't need some basic healing with the look of a concerned parent before backing away.

"As for food and gold. You can start by taking out low ranking enemies in the forest to farm some basic supplies and gold. Though, I'm here to seek out some good cheesecake with honey on it from one of the local shops. Would you like to join me for a bite? I would be happy to treat you. I'm Wisp."

She extended her hand for a shake.

@Chako

 

[Chako]

Chako didn't know what 'Sii Forte' meant, but she figured there was no point in bringing that up.

"Well, I think I stumble a bit more than most..." Chako gave out a troubled laugh, "But it's fine! I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually!" Hopefully...

And then the woman proceeded to dust off Chako's dress which... Felt just like her meeting with Ruby all over again. It still felt just as embarrassing as it was before, but she didn't stop the woman from doing so.

"Ah, right, killing monsters..." Chako wasn't a fan of the idea... Like, yeah, it was obvious that that was the way to get money, it's just not something Chako actually wanted to do... Fighting just wasn't her thing, and she didn't want to hurt anyone, monsters included... Maybe she should just grab some fruits in the nearby forest. She remembered seeing some on the way to Honeyhome.

Until some truly unexpected words reached her ears, "You would!?" Chako instantly shook Wisp's hand with both of her hands over and over again while looking at her with shining eyes, "I'm Chako! Nice to meet you, Wisp!"

Chako was seriously looking forward to it... She might even start drooling if she's not careful... But she could already smell the honey, and it was getting really hard to resist its appeal... Chako was definitely hungry.

@Wisp

 

[Wisp]

The way the girl presented herself with such a happy and playful deminor made Rina smile. It was good to see that taking the tumble didn't dampen her spirits. It was a nice change of pace and in some ways actually reminded her of another friendly face. Though the mention of the younger female's habit of stumbling around drew her back into the conversation with a bit of concern.

"Have you explored your UI yet? You can actually adjust the settings on how the mobility for your body moves. I tend to like a bit of a challenge, but if you would like I can try to help. I'm still somewhat new to things now though..."

Rina ran an hand through her silver strands with a bit of an embarrassed smile. How long had she been playing this game now? It felt like an eternity had passed since she began, but that was just one of the charms of TS in her opinion. Though she did note that her new found acquaintance didn't seem to enjoy the idea of fighting monsters.

Still she happily shook the girl's hand as she introduced herself with an exuberant exclamations. She really did have a lot of energy and spunk. It was super cute honestly.

"I'm looking forward to it! I also know that sometimes if you collect a good amount of items you may be able to set up a shop to earn some gold. There are also guild tasks and missions you can probably explore once you're in a higher level. My friend Hanno might be someone worth meeting with. He's usually really good about helping new members with this sort of thing....we can totally talk more over some food."

Once she released the girl's hand she motioned for Chako follow her down the street a bit more until they came to a small shop around the corner. The sweet smell of pastries and honey filled the air as they approached. Rina's stomach let out an audible growl as she held open the door.

@Chako

 

[Chako]

"Oh, I basically disabled anything related to system assist, pain dampener and the like. Didn't want anything getting in the way of me feeling those legs properly, yanno?" Chako replied with a smile. She really appreciated finding so many people who didn't even bat an eye when she talked about having properly functional legs here in Arcia. It was so nice to not be pitied for her condition.

"Wouldn't it be a pain to open a shop though?" Chako tilted her head, "Like, staying all day in the same place dealing with customers? Who'd want that!? I'd much rather go explore the pretty forest around Honeyhome instead!

"Oh, and I did join the Explorer's League!" Chako then started giggling as she remembered their super chuuni oath, "But I'm gonna pass on asking your friend for help going around. I kinda want to enjoy being able to actually be independent here in Arcia, yanno? Having someone babysit me all day wouldn't be as fun." And she already had to rely on others a bit too much back on Earth anyways... She was not going to give up on her freedom that was only available to her in Arcia.

Either way, she followed Wisp to the store in question... She kinda would've preferred if they could have held hands on the way there, to like... Not have a risk of tripping and falling on the ground again, but Chako walked kinda carefully while still keeping up with Wisp's pace, and somehow managed to get there with only a few slips that didn't lead to actually falling down.

And... The stomach growl embarrassed her for a second... Until she realized it didn't come from her, but from Wisp, so instead, she giggled, "Guess I'm not the only hungry one here!" And she was ready to eat to her heart's content!

... Or well, to Wisp's goodwill's content. She shouldn't abuse people's kindness, after all... "After you, I guess?" Chako gestured to a random empty table.

@Wisp

 

[Wisp]

Rina listened as Chako explained her reasons for approaching things. She wanted to experience everything she possibly could in both a sensory manner and as well with her own hands on involvement. Clearly her new companion was an independent type when it came to embracing the virtual world. A soft smile crossed her lips. Though she didn't understand the catalyst behind her choices at least she was ready to go and take whatever came her way in a hands on manner.

"I think....you should embrace this second life any way you want. It might be a challenge, but you'll get the hang of it in no time."

Though she liked to offer guidance and support where necessary, Rina tried to respect boundaries. She was an educator in her day to day life. Exploring and enjoying this second life experience in TS was something that was precious to her, though it had nothing on her love for her own children...it was still a life worth enjoying.

Her expression perked up when Chako mentioned joining the explorers league. That was a group she'd considered looking into. Though it sounded like fun it was a commitment she wasn't quite ready to indulge in. Perhaps in the near future though she could also do the same.

A soft blush creeped over her cheeks as she followed her companion into the shop. Swiftly she made her way to one of the tables nearby with a warm glow from the sun on it. This would be an awesome spot to enjoy the dishes together.

"It sounds like you've actually already found your niche here. I bet you'll be having all kinds of fun soon, Chako. Where have you gone to explore so far around here? I've heard of a few really nice locations, like Lake Horatio that would honestly be really cool. Also, feel free to pick anything you want on the menu. It's my treat today!"

@Chako

 

[Chako]

Chako nodded in response, "Yeah! I met another catgirl before arriving in Honeyhome, yanno!? And she could totally move her tails at will! If she can manage tails, I'm sure I can manage legs! Just gotta keep trying to get the hang of it!"

And after that, they moved to the table, with Chako giggling a bit seeing Wisp's blush, "Oh, I'm already having plenty of fun! Just day to day life here is very fun!

"Exploring though...?" Chako pondered for a second, "Nowhere in particular? I just like going to random places in the surroundings of Honeyhome, to then come back here before it gets too late." And she was especially careful to not bump into any wolves... She shivered and went a bit pale while remembering them, but she tried to not let that get into her head, "I just wanna go around and enjoy whatever I find out by chance!"

Chako then blinked a few times when hearing she could choose whatever she wanted, "Weren't we getting cheesecakes? Uhn..." Well, if she could choose something different, then... "Strawberry cake and black tea, then, please!" Chako knew she could try something different, but... Why innovate when what she loves is right in front of her!?

@Wisp

 

[Wisp]

'Oh my word. This child is precious! She reminds me so much of my students.'

Rina felt the flush spread across her cheeks at the sheer delight of seeing Chako's energy and joy as she watched the girl describe her encounter with the other cat-girl. She grinned and simply listened as they got comfortable in the resterant. She had to admit that her own experience getting used to the mechanics of her avatar was certainly not an easy one for her either. Actually, had it not been for encountering a few friendly faces in her first few times logging in, well...she would've probably lost her head once or twice.

Still she couldn't hide her joy. This encounter was certainly one that she would also cherish, though she wouldn't impose on the girl to accept her contact information this early in their exchange. She would certainly make sure to share them before they parted ways.

"Well, exploring is half the fun of figuring out where you're heading. So, not having a specific destination is a good way to do it. I've met really great people doing that myself. The forest is always full of lots of really cool things. I also love checking out the other town locations, but Faldren is usually where I spend a good amount of my time lately."

She twirled a snowy strand of hair around her finger as she watched Chako check out the menu. Honestly, this place had a great deal of goodies to enjoy. That honestly seemed to be her latest conquest, finding all the sweets she could eat. Since her visit to the cafe with Luthien...well Rina just couldn't get enough of the delights the landers made.

"We were, but theres always more good things to try here. I will have a cup of black tea and 2 honey cheesecakes please...oh, and a strawberry tart."

Rina couldn't resist the delicious looking treats on the menu. It was taking everything in her not to blow all her gold on everything that sounded delightful, but that tart...it was just too good to pass up. The server quickly took their order and walked towards the counter to prepare the treats for them.

There was a good chance she got more than she could handle, but honestly....she could always give it to Chako to enjoy later if necessary.

"So, do you have any questions about being here that I can help you with? I mean, if you want to ask. I will be honest I'm still kind of getting used to things again myself lately. Have you been adjusting well to all the different types of skills and stuff?"

@Chako

 

[Chako]

"Oh, I have yet to go to any other towns myself! I just... Somehow got lost and ended up meeting some girl named Trinity who was the self-proclaimed mascot of Arcia or something... And some strange labyrinth simulacrum thingy too..." And some strange memories of pigs and barbecues lingered on the back of her head too, but she couldn't quite pinpoint why that was, "I honestly have no idea how I arrived at those places and not at a town by getting lost, like... How does that even happen!?

"I've been spending most of my time in Honeyhome, either way! I really like this town!"

Chako then nodded to how the cheesecakes were in the past and decided to not mind it... Although she was a bit jealous of Wisp ordering that many sweets... She felt like it would be rude to exaggerate when she is eating for free.

"Questions...?" Chako tilted her head while thinking for a bit about it... "I have gotten the gist of how to make magic through dancing when I don't trip and fall on my face, so this part isn't an issue, just...

"Well, have you seen many bards around? Did it look like they were successful? What instruments felt the most popular from what you saw? Any places in particular that seemed to work out better than others for playing songs in? Are there different genre preferences in different cities? I assume the people in Astorea will have terrible taste, but I think those in Falderen might actually enjoy some good music? What did you see so far?" It didn't seem like Chako had any intention of stopping her questioning streak...

@Wisp

 

[Wisp]

Rina chuckled at Chako’s questions, her smile warm and understanding. "Oh wow, it sounds like you’ve had quite the adventure already! Getting lost, meeting a mascot, and a labyrinth—just sounds like something out of a storybook, huh?" She paused, thinking for a moment before continuing. "As for your questions, there’s definitely a lot to unpack there, but I’ll do my best to help!"

She leaned back slightly, tapping her fingers thoughtfully. "Bards are pretty common, though I wouldn’t say they’re everywhere. Some are quite successful, but others… well, they get by. The most popular instruments I’ve seen around are definitely stringed ones, like lutes and harps. Though, the flute has a pretty strong following, too, especially in the more open-air venues."

Rina glanced over at Chako with a wink. "As for places, Honeyhome's definitely a good spot for music! The townspeople love having performances in the evenings, especially when things are peaceful. If you're looking for something with a bit more action, though, places like Falderen have these great little taverns where music flows as much as the drinks and lots of dancing, too."

Her face grew more animated as she leaned in with her scarlet eyes sparkling with excitement at her first memory of seeing the town come to life. There was something about Astorea that made her think of stories like King Arthur and Camelot. Magical, but right now also struggling to recover from the challenges of the recent wartimes. "Astorea? Oh, yeah, people there definitely have a unique taste in music… let’s just say it’s an acquired one. Though I’m usually there for the shopping and snacks. My friend Luth loves the area." She grinned playfully, her tone light. "But Falderen? You’re right, those people have good ears. If you're after a crowd who appreciates some proper melodies, that’s the place."

She paused for a beat, then added with a teasing smile, "As for your dancing and magic, I think you’re already ahead of the curve. Tripping and falling isn’t always a problem, but sometimes it adds to the charm, right? Even the greatest performers stumble."

@Chako

 

[Chako]

"I think storybooks are more fun than what happened there..." Chako averted her eyes... She really didn't want to ever meet Trinity again.

Chako mostly just listened as Wisp talked about things, paying attention... She was relieved when Wisp said that people actually liked the harp in Honeyhome, as she had no intention of learning another instrument from scratch. Just learning dancing was hard enough as is.

Though hearing about Astorea's taste being "acquired" made Chako roll her eyes, "Yeah... I bet they just like those weird rap, hiphop, and whatever else they call it... I have no idea how anyone can like this kind of thing." she heaved a sigh and slumped herself over the table for a bit, but her ears instantly perked up with Wisp's next words, "Oh, Luth!? You mean Luthien!? From the Explorer's League!? I know her! We're..." Friends? Chako wasn't sure if they were, "Uhn... Senpai and kouhai? She's been showing me the ropes! She's nice!"

Chako giggled at Wisp's attempt to glorify tripping though, "Yeah, you don't need to try that hard. I know how silly I must look when I trip out of nowhere while walking down the streets.

"Either way, thanks." Chako smiled, "I might just try to figure out a way to get a harp for myself... If we meet again after I get one, I'll play you some songs. I'll even do it for free!" Not like Chako was expecting people to pay to hear her performances in the first place though. Like... It's not like Honeyhome had a big theater or anything like it where performers could get money from a paid audience. Chako would probably just perform in the plaza and get some donations or something, like a bard should!

But hey, it's not like she needed to say any of that out loud! She was just a bit excited to imagine it. She didn't have many chances to play for an audience back at her home. Only some recitals here and there, so... This would be a nice change of pace.

@Wisp

 

[Wisp]

Rina had been listening to the conversation from her corner of the table, a gentle smile resting on her lips as she slowly savored her honey-coated pastry. The warmth of it softened the crisp outside, the syrup catching the light just so as it clung to her fingers. She dabbed at her mouth with a napkin before speaking, her tone kind and even, almost lullaby-like.

“Mm... storybooks are special, aren’t they?” she murmured thoughtfully, still focused on her treat. “They let us imagine better endings when the real ones feel too sharp. And sometimes, Chako, it’s okay to keep a little bit of magic between the pages if it helps your heart stay soft.”

She glanced toward the young girl with a knowing look, her expression tinged with motherly warmth. “People can surprise you. That doesn’t mean you have to go looking for trouble, but holding space for the chance of change is a quiet kind of strength.”

Another bite, slower this time. She really was taking her time with the honey, like she wanted it to last forever.

When Chako grumbled about music, Rina chuckled softly. “Music’s a strange language sometimes. It speaks to people in ways even they don’t always understand. I don’t always ‘get’ the trending songs, but…that doesn’t mean there’s no beauty in it, somewhere. Everyone’s heart has a different beat, after all.”

She tilted her head, smiling at the mention of Luthien. “She is a kind one. Very steady. I’m glad you have someone like that in your corner. We've dined together over some really good treats. I like her a lot.”

At Chako’s offer, her eyes lit up, and she rested her cheek in her hand. “Oh? A personal performance? I’d be honored,” she said, the words laced with genuine affection. She finished the last bite of her pastry and looked down at her sticky fingers fondly. “The best things in life aren’t bought with coins anyway… they’re given. Freely, like songs, like smiles, like the smell of fresh honey on warm bread.”

She offered Chako a wink.

"Just keep doing your own thing."

@Chako

 

[Chako]

Chako was a bit confused about the story book mumble jumbo that Wisp just spilled, "Uhn... You mean it's nice to live our fantasies here in Arcia?" She tried translating it into something she understood, "If that's it, then I agree!" She wouldn't be playing an illegal game if she didn't really want to try living with functional legs, after all.

The next part... Yeah, it was too philosophical, Chako just felt lost with that one, so she simply nodded.

Music part though!? That's something Chako gets! "I disagree! No beauty on those things at all! I know what beautiful songs sound like, and that's not it!" Sure, Chako could understand different tastes and all that. She wasn't that fond of K-pop, but her best friend was seriously into it... But still! There are limits! Some songs are just ugly and Chako knew it!

"Luthien kind and steady...?" Chako pondered for a bit, "I guess that fits!" It's not like they had interacted that much, but it was the kind of impression she gave off.

Chako then smiled at the personal performance comment... Like, she had just meant playing in whatever space they were in, but the idea was funny, so she decided to not comment on it.

Although... "Don't you need to buy the honey and the bread to enjoy the smell of it?" Chako tilted her head... She felt like Wisp might be a bit of a glutton.

... Not like Chako was one to talk. She loved eating in Arcia... The taste just hit differently here for some reason. And it was also nice to eat what she pleased without worrying about her health... Even if she still needed to worry about her money.

"I have no intention of stopping!" Chako happily replied.

... She really didn't. Even if there was actual risk of death in Arcia, she was still planning on coming here.

@Wisp