Private Lyrwick An Aid Among Us

[Siondhe]

She'd made it. Yet another centre of civilisation on her map. It was a wonder that she'd gotten here without incident, but now that she had - well, there was the same regret as with Stokbon. As she pulled her ears downwards, trying to cover them from the oppressive sounds of the city she'd entered, Kyra couldn't help but feel miserable. She'd enjoyed the concept of impressive hearing - to the point that it would definitely be helpful, and had been helpful, in the wild. But in a city, where noise was the overbearing forefront, it was more of a curse to have her ears than it was a blessing.

"This is what I get for deciding to go with super-hearing...at least there's no screaming here."

She'd just finished that thought, when the hawkers began. Kyra gave out a slight whimper of pain, before giving in to her newfound torture. She pushed herself into the city, eyes forward and a look of pain on her face as her hands covered the giant fluffy fox ears on her head. Her tail, curled in against herself as tight as it could get, showed her discomfort with the noise.

"Oh, hello there! Are you one of the refugees? If so, I recommend that you head down to the medical camp, where you can find some assistance. We're a little bit...overwhelmed here, with injured folk." The words caught Kyra by surprise, causing her to jump on the spot and shriek slightly, as she glanced over at the woman. Dressed in what was clearly a medical outfit, the woman seemed taken aback by Kyra's response for a moment, before smiling slightly. "Apololgies, I didn't mean to startle you. I just thought you were looking a bit lost!"

"Lost...definitely lost...so noisy..."

Clutching her ears, she suddenly stopped on the spot, her mind registering what the woman had said entirely belatedly. Turning on the spot, Kyra straightened herself before leaning her torso inwards towards the woman, a sudden look of interest on her face.

"Did you say a medical encampment? Like a place to go to for healing? Do they need more healers? I can heal! Maybe I can help them out there! Where is it? How do I get there? Do you think they'd like help?"

She paused for a breath, seeing the woman staring at her with wide eyes, likely in response to the sudden outburst of questions that Kyra had just rattled off. She gave a sheepish smile at the woman, waiting to see what the other would say, and hoping that she had just found yet another means to an end...or perhaps a way to give back to this world in a way.

@Solaria

 

[Solaria]

It was a part of Falderen Solaria had never seen before. Her pointed ears twitched as she listened to the sound of busy people living busy lives. It was a big city, full of the smells of civilization- but the sounds were what had drawn Solaria to this area, in the long run. She wanted to see another big city- but this one had a different feeling. She couldn't explain it, but it did.

From not far away, she saw a fox-eared girl and a medic talking to one another, and decided to run and butt in. "Excuse me," she chirped, trying not to be too loud near the fox girl. "Is there a hospital or something around here? I'm looking for a place with people that might need medical attention. I heard there's a lot of them around here, so..."

A Lander, the medic seemed to guess immediately that the Elf was a starcalled. She told Solaria that she'd just been telling the Beastfolk about a medical encampment- which had led the other woman to show interest as a healer. Solaria giggled slightly, smiling.

"Great minds think alike, right? Why don't we go together to the encampment? Since it seems we both want to do some good by helping heal the wounded and sick, we might as well go together to do it, right?"

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra's first reaction to the other girl butting in was relief - relief in that the medical attendant herself was taking their lecture to another, and giving Kyra's ears a slight break. But as the other individual turned their attention - and in turn the attendants attention - back to Kyra, she felt her ears fold down slightly.

The curled in reaction didn't last long, however, as the other girl spoke about heading to the encampment together. Her quick glance over her counterpart assured her of only one thing - the Elf had more experience in this game than Kyra did, which meant someone she could learn from. Beaming a large smile, she nodded in response, before making her agreement verbal.

"I'd love to head down together, if you're up for it! Besides making the trip easier, and safer, we might be able to learn a thing or two from one another! Not to mention, we'd be able to come up with a compelling argument as to why we could help out in the camp. I mean, I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing they wouldn't just let anyone walk in and start providing medical assistance at a whim. Although...who knows, these worlds can be a bit questionable at times...But, yes, I'd love to head down together!"

She realised she'd been rambling again, and cut her sentence short. Her smile continued, and as she felt herself leaning forward slightly at the hips, she glanced back towards the gates at the entrance to the city - longing for the freedom from the noise that had overpowered her hearing. Her left hand shot up without consideration to press gently against the giant purple ear, as if trying to comfort the apendage slightly; a soft sigh escaping her lips at the thought of being back out into the solitude of the forest, the quiet that it offered.

@Solaria

 

[Solaria]

The Beastfolk spoke quite a bit, but Solaria surely didn't mind. The fact was, the other woman was agreeing to join her in the trip to the encampment- and she was making good points as to why as well. Working together might have been key to them being allowed to even enter the encampment. She hadn't thought about that at all, to her own surprise!

Holding out her gloved hand, she gently scratched behind the stranger's ear gently, trying to soothe her like she'd try with an actual animal. It probably wouldn't help, but she had hope. "I'm Solaria, and this-" she pat the sword at her hip- "is Hawnell. As you can probably guess, one of my masteries is Slash Weapons... I also have Divine Magic, Alchemy, and Weapon Arts. I'll be focusing on the magic and alchemy for our trip though. May I ask about you as well while we walk?"

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

She'd pulled back at first as the gloved hand had moved through the air towards her - but not fast enough. As the fingers found their purchase behind her ear, Kyra let out a squeak. A squeak, which quickly turned into a hum of enjoyment; a sudden warm feeling coursing through her entire body as her tail began twitching side to side in enjoyment, and her eyes closed partially over.

She wasn't entirely sure what had come over her, but as the other continued speaking as if nothing had occurred, Kyra found her mind in a semi-daze, a confused state. Her response, still under the influence of the half-dazed state - came out almost in a slur of words as she tried to piece together what she wanted to say.

"Hawn...eellll....it's nice....to meet you....I'm Kyra....oh that....mmm....magic? I do a bit...a bit of magic....Illusion magic....although my focus is also...mmm, the scythe, and mmmmmending....."

As they continued walking, Kyra found her mind slowly coming back to her, and shaking her head she tried to force away the daze - a flush of embarrassment turning her face a soft rose colour. Her tail tucking in towards herself, she abruptly raised the small scythe in front of her, the piece no more impressive than a beginner's toy. Black shaft, barely longer than her own arm, gave way to a curved purple blade on the top, and a metre and half chain at the hilt, the chain ending in a small dagger-like instrument that was clearly meant to be thrown.

"It's nothing spectacular, but...well, I went with slash weapons, and I've always liked scythes....and well, it's pretty. Oh, and I can do illusions and mending...I went for this pseudo-attack and support build, basically..."

She fell silent as she walked, glancing once in a while at her companion, trying to figure out what to say next. As they made their way out of the city, Kyra's ears popped back into place, relaxing as the bombardment of noise was left behind. She looked forward to their journey together, and to getting to know the other a bit better - as well as figuring out what exactly had just occurred with her ears.

@Solaria

 

[Solaria]

Unlike Kyra, Solaria had a feeling she knew why the woman was suddenly sloshing her words together awkwardly. Stopping her scratching of behind the fox-woman's ear, she giggled nervously. "Sorry about that. You're just so cute I couldn't help myself."

With a soft giggle, she continued walking at a brisk pace, but made sure it wasn't so fast the other woman would struggle to keep up with her. Solaria wasn't the fastest person on the planet by any means, but she could speed up if she wanted to. Right now, she was in only a mild rush. So, she kept a steady pace.

"We're similar then," she soon chimed melodically. "I'm DPS and support. I can attack pretty well with Hawnell, or I can heal with potions and magic. I mean, I can attack with them too, but... They're primarily for taking care of people. My goal was always to be a nurse, so I figured, 'why not become a nurse in the game too?' Well, sort of."

Talking with Kyra was fun, and she noticed the way the woman seemed to come more alive as they exited the city. "May I ask what drew you to scythes? I take kendo lessons back home, so a sword just felt the most comfortable to me."

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra shook herself, her face flushing slightly at Solaria's kind words. She turned her face away, in an attempt to hide her reaction as she to calm herself. She had to admit, the other was an enjoyable experience - so similar to Kyra's own ideologies and mindset, a welcoming change from the majority of online players that she normally dealt with.

"Oh! Really? A nurse? That's awesome! I can't say that I'm going into any field like that, but...I've always been drawn to helping people. I guess that's why I went the social worker avenue, in real life. Although...well, anyways, it's nice to see someone else who's interested in not just beating things up all the time!"

Her eyes shifted to her scythe as the other asked her about it. She felt herself flush again, her tail twitching slightly in response, as she thought about her answer. She knew that it was a bit outlandish, and she tried to make it sound as normal as possible.

"Oh...uhm....well, swords are really common. I don't really have any real life experience - I mean I do archery, but I don't like doing archery in games - and I went with slash weapons, because I don't like hammers, or poking things...and well, the scythe is the epitome of Death, right? I guess, well that is to say I thought it would be fitting for someone helping people to have a scythe. Because, you know, if they don't make it, then it's like I'm welcoming them to the afterlife, and stuff..."

She glanced upwards into the sky as she felt her face going a crimson colour in response, hearing the words aloud much more embarrassing than when she'd simply kept them in her mind. She expected the other to laugh, to poke fun, to call it a stupid idea. Her ears twitched as she waited, the agitation and impatience clear in her stance as she folded her hands behind her back and kept her gaze upon the sky.

 

[Solaria]

Solaria giggled a bit when Kyra spoke, as it seemed to her she'd confused the cute woman into thinking she was a nurse in Terrasphere. "I meant in real life too. I'm in basic college right now, preparing for nursing school. I study a lot in general... But when I'm not studying, I come here to get my fix of fighting and fixing things. Well, not always, I guess. I go to kendo practice too... And take care of my baby brother."

With a soft smile, the Elf watched the woman carefully, looking at her scythe with curiosity. The color was so pretty, and it somehow suited the fox-girl. Her soft smile grew into a grin. "I see. So you're like an angel mixed with an angel of death. That's a pretty interesting vibe. I like it."

She sort of wished she had a 'theme' to her. She just chose masteries that suited her normal interests, without thinking of how they looked. In fact, she'd chosen her appearance pretty randomly. She just thought greenish-blonde hair looked very 'Elf-like', and she liked the elves in fiction enough to want to be one. Part of her wished she'd chosen something cuter than she did now... Because Kyra was very cute. It was hard to hold back rubbing her head.

"Has anyone ever told you you're super adorable? Because you are. It's hard to keep my hands off you. I just want to hug you so bad." She giggled a bit more, before looking ahead again.

 

[Siondhe]

She smiled in response to the comment about the angel vibe. She liked the description, the combination of helper, and guide. It was what she had been going for, but she wasn't sure if it had been too silly. Hearing another speak about how interesting it was, how it wasn't just a child's fantasy, was a nice change of pace.

"Thanks! I was kind of going for the whole idea of...well, healer, but if I can't heal then at least I could...you know, guide you to the next part! Like the old idea of Death, where they're not there to punish, but to be a guide to the afterlife and all that. Maybe it's silly, but...I like the idea of being the helper! Which is why the whole nursing thing was so cool!"

She blushed again as the other mentioned the adorableness. Her ears twitched, as if in agitation, but the tail swayed in a manner of pleasure, giving away the true feelings of Kyra. She glanced upwards towards the sky again, trying to hide the smile on her face as she did so - and knowing full well she probably didn't.

"Oh, uhm...no, no not really...I mean, I'm nothing like you are! I imagine that you have trouble keeping all the people away from you, they must be chasing after you all the time with those amazing looks! And that hair! I just love that bow! And the greenish tint to it!"

She felt herself cough slightly as she tried to maintain her composure, before her ears twitched again. She was losing her control, and she knew it - but what could she do, other than keep walking?

 

[Solaria]

Solaria gave a light nod. "I get that. I've always had a mixed relationship with death myself... But I've always liked the idea that someone guides you to the future, even if it's a painful thing for those left behind." She'd lost her mother at a decently young age after all. She knew how hard it was losing her- but she also saw her mother suffer a lot through life before that. She was glad her mother was no longer suffering so badly.

"Huh? I'm not nearly as cute as you are!" Solaria pouted slightly, her long ears twitching quite similarly as she did so. "I do think my character is cute- cuter than me normally at least- but I think yours is way more adorable. Your fox ears are so soft, and you have such a cute face, and-" she stopped talking for a moment, reaching to pat the woman on the head. "My point is, you're insanely cute." Her sword spoke to her, and she grinned as she pat the hilt. "Hawnell here agrees."

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra

Kyra couldn't help but turn a shocked face towards the Elf as the girl continued talking. She felt her mouth open, and her head tilt to the left, the confusion written plainly on her face as she tried to comprehend.

"Wait, you mean you didn't create your character to look exactly like you? I mean, obviously you don't have Elf ears - I think - or...or maybe not green-tinged hair...but the rest! The rest is what you look like, right? Like looking in a mirror, kind of? Just a bit embelished, or with some additional features and stuff like that! Isn't that...?"

Her voice trailed off as she realised the ridiculous idea she was presenting, and she felt herself flush even deeper. She averted her eyes - this time towards the ground - as she considered everything she'd just presented.

"So uhm...about that encampment...any idea which way it is?"

Kyra tried shifting the focus as they walked, an attempt that she figured would have limited success. She couldn't help but feel embarrassment as she realised that most people in the game likely didn't do what she had done upon character creation - and why should she be surprised? That was normal in these games, to be someone else, right?

 

[Solaria]

"Is that how you're supposed to do it!?" Solaria jumped back for a moment before returning to her walking pace. "I was raised not to do that. If people know what you really look like, they can stalk you, can't they? That's what auntie told me. And Aylen. And Qui. And-" She stopped listing all the people who had given her net safety lessons, thinking over the differences between her real self, 'Kelly', and her game self, 'Solaria'.

"In the real world, I have brown hair and eyes. I have a bit of a childish face, which my dad is always teasing me about considering I'm a fit nineteen-year-old. I'm less muscular as Solaria, and a wee bit older. She's even taller than me, albeit not by a lot..." Describing herself was a pain, but it was funny to recognize the differences between herself and her avatar. "I act pretty much the same IRL though."

Solaria glanced to Kyra with a smile. Was that what Kyra really looked like then, minus the fox ears? "Kyra is cute enough to kiss," the Elf chirped with a giggle. "I'm jealous of your partner. They get to see such a cute face every day even in the real world."

With a giggle, Solaria listened to the question about the encampment. Her finger pointed in the direction they were headed towards. "The encampment is that way. I memorized the directions they gave us earlier. We just need to follow this path to the fork, then turn right, then..." She recited the information crystal clear. "Tell me more about yourself, Kyra. What makes you want to help others so badly? I think it's wonderful, but I'm pretty curious."

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra

She listened intently, with a slight smirk as the other began to describe themselves. Kyra could almost imagine the actual appearance of the individual, and as she came to an end, she gave a slight giggle in response.

"Well, I didn't actually expect you to begin recounting your appearance, but that does sound lovely! I know a lot of people say not to use your real appearance, or names, or anything...but then those same people go and paste things all over social media, and stuff. So like, what's the difference? Besides, if people really wanted to figure out who I was, not having my name and appearance wouldn't really stop them..."

Kyra's eyes went wide as Solaria pointed in the direction they needed to go, before describing in detail the directions that they had been presented with. She felt her mouth open slightly in shock, before she was able to actually say anything aloud.

"You managed to memorise the directions? In that little amount of time? That's actually pretty spectacular! I mean, I've been told I have a good memory, but usually I have to study things for a bit, and sometimes even review it a couple of times just to make sure...so that's pretty awesome that you just heard it once and were good to go!"

Her face flushed with the final comments, and she turned her face away as she answered the questions regarding helping others, her ears twitching as she did so. For a few seconds, she skipped alongside the other, bouncing between her feet as she considered her answer carefully.

"No...no partner. I'm a social worker in real life, helping out with people with disabilities and homeless people and stuff...but it always feels like a losing battle. It's like...if you help one, thirty more appear...but here, here you can see people getting healed - and they don't usually return! Or if they do, it's something new. It's not like real life, where you see the same people, over and over and over again...usually they never get better. Or if they do, it's only for a short time, then they're back to where they were...so I guess...at least in the game, it's like I can actually make a difference...which is nice, because it's so heartwarming to see people get better, right?"

Her eyes drifted over the treeline around them as she tried to look anywhere but at Solaria. Her tail twitched at its tip, and she could feel her ears folding in slightly against her head, the flush on her face burning against her skin in a way she never thought would be possible in a video game.

 

[Solaria]

"Lovely...? Me?" There were few people that particularly liked Solaria's real life appearance- mostly her family. Also her ex-girlfriend she was still friendly with, her childhood friend Aylen. Aylen was always telling her how pretty she was, but she knew Aylen was biased, so that counted as much as family. For some reason, now she wished she could show Kyra her chestnut hair and eyes. If the woman was going to compliment her without seeing, wouldn't it be better for her to see?

Softly laughing, Solaria soon explained, "I've always been better at short-term memorization. It helps on tests sometimes, but I always had a hard time with tests that used information from a while back. I'll probably forget the way back if we don't get new directions at the encampment when we're done, to be honest." Her laughter turned nervous slightly as she listened to Kyra speak. When Kyra wouldn't look at her, she frowned.

"Did I say too much? You can be honest. I was only saying what I thought, but..." Then she paused. "Wait, you don't have a partner? That's somehow very surprising. With your cuteness and kindness put together, I was sure someone would have snatched you up..."

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra

Her tail stuck out suddenly as the girl seemed to become upset, questioning whether she had in turn dug too deep into Kyra's own life. Shaking her head vehemently, she turned to look at the other - stopping in her tracks and bending forward the waist, her hands clasped before her and a large smile upon her face.

"No no! It's not that at all! It's just...well..."

She hesitated for a moment, kicking the dirt before her as she straightened up, her hands grasping each other tightly. Her eyes remained averted, staring at the ground as she mumbled out the rest of her response.

"...well, that I don't know many people in real life...I'm not...not really a...people person, if you know what I mean. So...I guess I don't really have the chance for a partner. Or whatever. Cause, you would need to meet people. And talk to them. And socialise. And that sort of stuff..."

Her ears twitched atop her head as she fell silent, realising just how much she had shared. It was far more than she would've said in real life; far more than she had told anyone else in a game. Still, she had little regret about sharing, and as she glanced upwards with a shy smile, she let her eyes meet Solaria's, waiting to see what the other would say in response.

@Solaria

 

[Solaria]

Solaria smiled brightly when told it wasn't her that made Kyra uncomfortable specifically. So Kyra wasn't a people person? Solaria could kind of picture that, as she thought about it. She just found Kyra to be cute enough that she probably had strangers complimenting her a lot- especially if the fox-woman's avatar was based off her original appearance.

"I've always been a people person, meanwhile," She said with a soft laugh. "But even people people don't always have a partner. I was just using your cuteness to assume such. I don't have a partner either... Though I have dated before. I'm still best friends with my first girlfriend. Though I haven't told her about Terrasphere... I have a feeling she'd chew me out if I did."

The teen laughed nervously, adding, "It's been a long time since I've been on a date. Maybe I should drag you to Massachusetts to hang out with me." Rubbing gently behind Kyra's ear again, she chirped, "Just kidding. Even I'm not that stupid. If I asked you on a date, it'd be in this world.... But I may have to think about doing that. You deserve a nice date for all the nice things you do."

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra

A date? Her face, almost immediately turned bright red, and Kyra suddenly began shuffling her feet, her entire body showing her discomfort as her ears twitched and the tail seemed to stick straight out behind her, the fur standing on end. Eyes wide, she let out a small squeak, before managing to speak.

"A...a date? Like a real date? Oh..uhm...Massachusetts? That's in the United States, right? That's...I think that's a little ways away..."

Almost immediately, she turned and continued walking, her back completely stiff, her arms locked beside her body, and her tail sticking straight out. Her eyes - focused ahead - refused to move as she walked, but her face held an expression of shock, as if she'd seen a ghost.

After a few moments, she eventually managed to unhinge her jaw, the words coming out in a soft whisper.

"It's...not like it's anything special...really...I just...like helping people, and seeing them get better..."

 

[Solaria]

Solaria frowned a bit. "I said here would be fine too... But you do know you can just say no, right? If you're not interested, you're not interested." Her frown tilted upward slightly as she continued to rub Kyra's head. "It's a shame for me though."

Following Kyra closely with a relaxed gait, the Elf smiled a bit more warmly when Kyra whispered. "Not everyone is a helpful person by nature. That's why, to me, that attitude of yours is very special. Now stop acting like I'm some scary monster. You look like you've seen a ghost. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, so I'll take back the date idea... for now. It was presumptuous of me to assume such a thing was possible."

With a small huff, she turned to look ahead. She was a little disappointed Kyra was so uncomfortable about the idea of going on a simple date, but would be happier if the woman was smiling. So, she gave up on that venture of curiosity. Instead, she'd focus on enjoying the time they had leading to their arrival at the encampment. That would be fine, wouldn't it?

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra

Well, now she'd done it. Things like this always happened, and usually it was her fault. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the frustration on the other's face - the notable upset at her reaction. She hadn't meant to react that way. She never did.

"I...I just..."

What? Needed some time? Needed to think about it? There was nothing further to say, at least not right now, that would make things better. Instead, she turned to the only other thing she could comment on, grasping at it as if at a vine passing her by in a free fall.

"...just, want to help people. It makes me happy, I guess? Seeing other people happy, I mean...I...always just thought it was normal, to want to help people. I never really thought about why I do it, either...I just do."

She fiddled with her hands for a moment, her eyes shifting between the ground and Solaria, as if trying to come to a decision. She could see the path turning a corner ahead, shifting to the left like Solaria had said it would. At least I can hide.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to seem uninterested. I've just never been asked on a date before."

Red faced and stiff-limbed, she took off for the corner, moving as quickly as she could - and adding to her speed as she cast her Adrenalistic Boost (Haste) spell on herself. She only stopped moving once she was around the corner, waiting for the other to catch up, before continuing along the path, her cheeks still burning in embarrassment at what she had just admitted.

 

[Solaria]

Solaria smiled softly as Kyra explained her kindness. This girl was really something else! Solaria was a helpful person by nature, but she often had underlying reasons for it. She was looking at this task as training to become a proper nurse using the game as an outlet. Even her reason for wanting to be a nurse felt a little selfish, as she thought about it.

"Amazing..." She chimed, taking a moment to hug the woman briefly. "You're amazing, Kyra!"

Then, Kyra ran off after admitting she'd never been asked on a date before. Solaria couldn't help laughing a bit as she watched the woman speed around the corner, only to wait for her to catch up. When she did catch up, she'd tell Kyra something interesting.

"It was the first time for me too, actually. Asking someone on a date, I mean." She grinned goofily, hands on her hips. "I've only dated a handful of times, and I was always the one asked. Honestly, I went out with most of them because I felt it'd become awkward if I said no... Especially when my best girl friend asked me on a date when I was fifteen. I'd never really thought about if I was attracted to her or not, I just said yes instinctually. Things didn't work out, but we're still best friends. Her grandmother still calls me one of her grandkids, even. Ay's a lot like a cousin or sister to me, so it was only natural it wouldn't work out. But we still gave it a try. And I mean, I'm still glad I went on that date... Anyway, point is, I'm glad you didn't do what I do and just say yes to avoid it getting awkward. Thanks for keeping it real, Kyra."