Private Solvale Autumn Murmurs

[MAI]

‎

MAI was always the kind of person to overthink everything, especially the things that did not need overthinking. But the fact that she played this game as a magia, and one that focused heavily on the magitech aspects did not help either. More complicated than some real-life electronics, it took her a lot of effort and mental energy to get through it all. And it has started manifesting in her way of thinking in itself.

"Rebuke - Not everything. But this unit does try to think of most things. This unit also believes that Pormont will be a suitable location, and a beautiful one as well. Especially at certain times of the year."

Now that the harvests had already concluded, the golden wheat fields were no more until the winter would pass. But the vast fields would still make for quite the spectacle, especially for those who often forgot just how great of a scale this world presented.

That said, the sudden suggestion that they should go right away was rather surprising, visibly taking the magia aback.

"…reminder - We are currently in Solvale. Traveling to Pormont will take… a while."

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna punched the air in excitement. "Yes, I'm sure it will be! Especially with you around." She giggled.

While her excitement was making her beam back and forth, @MAI's reminder of their current location struck her ever rising excitement down enough for her to snap back to reality. "Oh, Solvale, right." She frowned, tapping her chin as she considered the distance between the two regions. That wasn't a lot, but it was still considerable.

Sitting back down, Kyanna took a hold of her drink and had a sip while thinking.

"We still need to make sure we will reserve some time to get on a move and figure out where exactly we want to build our new home." Kyanna said.

"How big do you want this home, anyway? Will you need anything in particular there?" She asked, now moving away from the 'where' and 'when', and going to the 'how' topic of the situation.

 

[MAI]

‎

Even as Kyanna's unrestrained outward excitement might have drawn the looks of other patrons of the café, MAI didn't mind such expressions. She watched the other girl with a faint smile, almost chuckling as she was forced to quickly dial it back upon the realization that they still lived in the same reality.

But the question of whether MAI in particular would need anything… it was something she hadn't exactly thought about before. She did think of this place as more of a game than a new reality, still. And in accordance, she was often on the move, logging out and not leaving her body behind. Her nature as a magia in a post-Szofrit world only encouraged this further. She covered her her mouth and chin with the palm of her right hand, the left resting on the table, and eyes wandering to the side as she thought about it all.

"Convenience - A life stone nearby would be beneficial, but not necessary. It would allow this unit to recharge frequently without the worry of surrounding plantlife withering. However, it might not be possibly to find such a landmark in a suitable location to satisfy our other requirements."

"Uncertainty - This unit does enjoy tinkering and experimenting with magitech. However, this unit believes that unless the lifestone requirement is satisfied, it would be better if this unit performed such things elsewhere to avoid local flora withering. In this instance, this unit does not need any additional space."

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna nodded, listening intently to @MAI's words. There was a lot more she needed to worry about than sights and beautiful spots, which was why she felt necessary to ask what MAI needed. And turned out that, what MAI needed completely changed her priorities. She couldn't allow herself to go with an idea of building a house somewhere that would be inconvenient to her girlfriend.

"In that case, our top priority is finding a spot near a lifestone." Kyanna said firmly. "If we can fit the other parts of our little plan in it, it is a bonus!" She chirped, confident that they would manage to strike the jackpot and have both.

"I want both of us to have a comfortable place to stay in. If we need to leave to go elsewhere to do our daily, personal tasks, it isn't worth it." Kyanna said, then paused to ponder. "I wonder how many lifestones are in Pormont though. I've seen them mostly in Eastern Brisshal forests."

 

[MAI]

‎

Kyanna's keen interest in making sure their home would meet the necessities and desires of the both of them did fill MAI with a warm and fuzzy feeling, but it also felt like she was maybe taking it a tiny bit too far. So the magia shook her head.

"Explanation - This unit might need life force to continue operating, and lifestones are the most convenient and expedient way of recharging. However, they are not fully necessary and this unit can find other sources of energy. After all, this unit has been traveling and never needed to settle down near a lifestone."

The only real downside was, as she mentioned before, that vegetation around the house could wither faster than expected if she were low on her batteries. Unfortunate, but workable. At the end of the day, she was only one magia, so it wasn't like their home would become like Vintergard ,which was depraved of life energy from the countless magia present in the past, as well as the Dragonship itself.

"Observation - Lifestones are rare, but seemingly present in almost every environment. Easter Brisshal's saturation is likely explained by equal saturation of new players inhabiting the area, offering freshly created magia players frequent sanctuary to recharge."

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna listened to @MAI's reassurance, and while she did feel happy that MAI wanted to make sure she wouldn't worry too much about it, she couldn't help but remark: "Yes, you've never settled down while traveling, but at least in your home I want you to stay comfortable and not think about finding some recharging alternative." She said with a smile.

"So I think the convenience of a lifestone is very worth the priority!" Kyanna clasped her hands, now even more optimistic thanks to MAI's explanation. If those could be found anywhere outside of Eastern Brisshal, that meant they didn't need to limit themselves too much.

"I really want a place where the only thing we will need to worry about is getting the bed ready to sleep, or to cook up some breakfast or meal." She said with a small smile, then casting a glance outside the window.

"And show my mom I got a nice home in her world."

 

[MAI]

‎

Technically speaking, that very recharging alternative could have been Kyanna herself, if MAI's experience with climbing up mountains was anything to go by… or perhaps it was more directly her experience traveling with Mizuki, and how extreme that could become. Either way, while she was capable of absorbing life energy from other players or even landers, the same way she would absorb it from plantlife around her, it was not very fast and she didn't want to inconvenience Kyanna too much, either… although the witch would maybe be rejoiced that they'd have to spend a lot of time cuddling together? MAI decided to keep the option in the back pocket for now.

". . . . ."

She remained silent for a while after the witch mentioned her mother. Yes, the home would ultimately be more than just a home, regardless of what they wanted it to be… because it would undoubtedly also become a base of operations for both of their adventures and goals. It would be where they would plan where to look for Kyanna's mom next.

"Reassurance - There is plenty of time available to us. We can take our time looking for the perfect spot that will satisfy all of our needs."

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna's small smile faintened even more at the mention of them having plenty of time available, and after a moment of thought, her smile returned to its usual brightness.

"You are right, we have a lot of time to decide this stuff." She said, tossing the last piece of cupcake into her mouth and swallowing it down with the remains of mint tea, letting out a satisfied and gentle sigh.

Her eyes then returned to MAI's, leaning in with a cheerful expression.

"Do you want to go for a stroll?" Kyanna asked, with her hand slipping into her pockets to pull a small coin pouch, shuffling into it to snatch gold enough to pay for their café bill. As wonderful as being in a cozy café was, it would be a waste of a beautiful day to stay inside through all the morning.

Besides, some fresh air would do great.

 

[MAI]

‎

Kyanna already knew that MAI was ready to support her through just about anything, and that she would follow her to the ends of Arcia in search of the girl's mother. Thus MAI knew that there was really nothing she could say in this brief somber moment. It passed as quickly as it arrived…

In all honesty, the magia was rather impressed that amidst all of that excitement, the witch remembered where they were and that they needed to actually pay for the pastries they ate. But with a smile, she nodded and let the girl handle that before getting up and following her out the front door. The chill of Autumn was quick to greet them both, wind dancing with the loose strands of their hair, just as much as it danced with the body of water next to them, forming countless small waves that pressed up against the stone perch hosting the road they now stood on top of.

Almost absent-minded, MAI walked up to the rope railing at the road's edge, her mechanical hands gently gripping at the rough, rugged texture of countless strands. Her eyes were transfixed at the distant horizon, as she took a deep breath.

"Strange - This unit is getting a sense of Deja Vu… and boundless freedom."

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna tagged @MAI as they left the café. The fresh air and wind made Kyanna's smile flourish even more, especially as she heard MAI's words, some that tickled some joy in her face, while the other bringing some confusion in her eyes.

"Boundless freedom..." Kyanna echoed, resting her hand on top of MAI's, being next and close enough to her for their arms to touch. Some tension that had built up in the somber seconds eased away from her body, something she hadn't even realized she had on her.

"... We will have freedom to do everything we want, very soon." Kyanna nodded, firmly.

"As for the Deja Vu... What's in your mind?" The witch asked, not really catching what MAI was referring to. Her eyes and face turned to look at MAI's, close enough to make her cheeks flush slightly. Even if she was the less shy between the two, it was pretty hard to not feel some bashfulness for being so close to MAI.

 

[MAI]

‎

MAI herself could not quite put it into words. It was strange, seeing how she was really free to do whatever she wanted from the moment she spawned into this world for the first time. Like any game, there were boundless ways to play, so to speak. It was not like she was ever really bound in any way… well, aside from a brief period in time when her race as a magia became rather relevant to the events actively taking place.

Perhaps it was merely the calling of adventure that brought about such feeling of freedom in the air. MAI stepped away from the rope and turned around to face Kyanna, so absorbed in all of it that their closeness did not even cross her mind, eyes directly locking with the witch without looking away.

"Unknown - This unit merely felt a strange sense of nostalgia. Do not mind it. This unit is merely looking forward to everything ahead, and right now, all of it feels within grasp."

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna's eyes locked on @MAI's similarly, being unable to avert at first, especially as she spoke, even if Kyanna felt her cheeks heating up even more. However, the magia's words were more than enough for her to ponder over it, leaving the bashfulness aside to reflect on all the days all the way to today. From the first log in, to now.

"I think... I understand what you mean, but not in the same way..." She said, half opening her mouth before closing again, as if trying to choose her words.

"Coming here was fun at first, but when I reminded myself of what I should be doing, this world felt way, way too big to me, and too out of reach too." Kyanna said, with her free hand trailing to the starry necklace she had on her.

"But when it comes to you, I feel like everything is within grasp." She smiled faintly. "Even facing a cataclysmic event."

 

[MAI]

‎

Too big. It was a sentiment unlike what she had experienced from many others. Players who believed that this world, Arcia, truly was a playground created only for them, to do with as they please. She was not opposed to people acting out their free will, trying to enjoy themselves, even going for things that were not possible or forbidden in the physical world. But all of that was under the assumption of her own approach the life... Live and let live. As long as one was not harming the self or another, she could not care less what freakiness others got around to.

Therein lied the problem, however, as far too many were all too eager to harm the people of this world, and the world itself. Even if they were nothing but code in the end, their presentation of life was realistic. And as far as MAI herself was convinced... Human brain was not that much different from just being 'a bunch of code' in itself, only encoded on a biological material rather than an artificial one.

She closed her eyes and sighed, before her hand reached toward Kyanna, and then suddenly booping the witch's nose.

"Reminder - We have already survived a cataclysm."

"...things are always easier to face with someone by your side, rather than alone..."

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna's eyes crossed for a second before her nose was booped. She blinked, looking at @MAI with a giggle escaping her with the reminder.

"It was what I was referring to, MAI." She reaffirmed, acknowledging MAI's reminder. Her eyes lingered on her girlfriend's face for a little longer before she nudged closer, wrapping her arms on MAI's, tilting her head to rest on her shoulder.

The witch stayed like that for a while, simply appreciating MAI's presence.

"Whenever I manage to find my mother, if you want, we can just avoid anything dangerous. I won't want her to be getting in trouble either, anyway."

Her eyes locked on the horizon.

"So no more cataclysms. At least not for us, if you want."

Running away to as far as possible, avoiding all that danger they went through. Granted, that time was completely out of their control, so they couldn't help but be entangled into that mess.

 

[MAI]

‎

They might have been an official couple now, but… that certainly did not magically give MAI any extra experience. Someone so touch-starved and emotionally distant as herself, she simply had no idea how to react when Kyanna suddenly wrapped herself around one of the magia's arms, caused her whole body to jolt a tiny bit. But she did not want the witch to pull away, obviously. Though she just continued to somewhat awkwardly stand next to her afterward…

"Uncertain - Such events… this unit is not sure it is possible to run away from them. They involve all of Arcia. If one wishes to play this game, they may have to confront such things from time to time, no matter how far away they try to run."

Just like with Szofrit, MAI had to be involved by the simple fact that she chose to play a magia avatar. A decision that she came to on a whim, without any real deliberations or considerations for the future. It was merely something she thought would be cool and kinda fitting when she saw it in the character creation menu.

"Reassurance - This unit, however, does not intend on dying as it has already proved when facing our mechanical mother. This unit also will not let Kyanna die, either."

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna felt @MAI's jolt, which made her remind herself that she should be a bit more mindful of when touching her girlfriend. She didn't want her to feel uncomfortable, but at the same time, it was rare those moments they could be so close and together, which made the witch feel a little selfish.

"We will need to get stronger then... This isn't really a game to me anymore." Kyanna said, pursing her lips. "Not when mom is here. And not knowing that this is the place I can be with you right now."

In the future, hopefully that would change. She and MAI would maybe be able to meet, and be together both online and offline. But her mother? She had no idea if she could bring her mother back to Earth. No, that would be impossible. No matter how she thought about it, and no matter how optimistic she was, it felt impossible.

Those thoughts clouded her mind ofr a moment, but as soon as MAI reassured her, Kyanna could only give her a brief glance, and a smile, snuggling closer and planting a small kiss on MAI's cheek. "I have no intentions of dying or letting you die either, my hero." She giggled, letting out a sigh as she felt her momentary stress fade away.

 

[MAI]

‎

In a strange way, this whole place was not a game for MAI… almost since the start. Perhaps since the moment she first interacted with the NPCs, the Landers. Whether they were truly alive, or just extremely complex code… it hardly mattered. They appeared real and alive and that was enough for someone like MAI.

"Confirmation - This unit plans on becoming stronger. Regardless of continued training, this unit wishes to continue experimenting with magitech, which will inevitably lead to the creation of stronger hardware to be used in many different ways, including combat."

And she wanted to protect Kyanna, of course. But she figured that much was given and did not need to be said out loud anymore. Or rather, they would be protecting each other.

Then, suddenly, Kyanna leaned in and planted a small kiss on MAI's cheek. Even with her stoic self, that did manage to flush the magia's cheeks with rosy red. She felt her heart skipping a beat and accelerating… and her mind started wandering…

"S-suggestion - This unit and Kyanna should walk alongside the water instead of simply standing in one spot the whole time…"

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Chanlye]

Kyanna listened to @MAI words carefully. Hearing her going into details of how she would empower herself made Kyanna hold her arm a little tighter. It felt like they were preparing for war, which was a fitting way to describe what happened during Szofrit's attack.

"We will do this together. Just like before, I will only rest when I see you safe, and I am sure you will do the same." Kyanna caressed MAI's arm while thinking deeply about it. That whole situation at least helped them to see how far they were willing to go for each other. Of course, Kyanna would go far and beyond to help any of her friends, but while MAI was in danger, she felt such a desperate dread that it felt it was her own life at danger.

When MAI spoke of a suggestion, Kyanna nodded. "Let's go, I am honestly feeling like dipping my toes in the river!"

Gently tugging MAI, Kyanna didn't let go of her arm, keeping it wrapped in hers while walking toward the river, keeping them close.

 

[MAI]

‎

Discussion of war, of combat, of death and injury, was heavy indeed. So it was good to slowly move away from it and focus on things far more positive, such as how they felt right now, in this very moment. After all, this whole conversation was brought about by MAI mentioning just how free she felt as the cold air filled her lungs, a great sense of vitality spreading through her entire body.

"Opposition - This unit would not recommend entering the water at this time of the year. The air temperature is low, the water temperature will be even lower."

She didn't really want Kyanna to get sick, either. Actually… was it even possible for players to get sick in this world? She had never seen or heard of someone who's avatar got sick, so maybe they were naturally immune to the things that would overpower so many back in the physical world? Maybe doubly so for her, given her mechanical body?

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna shifted her eyes to @MAI, leaning in with her cheeks flushed while she slipped a tease: "That's no problem, I have you to warm me up!" She giggled, her cheeks growing redder despite her cheerful expression. "Or do you think hugs don't work?" Kyanna added, and as soon as they got close enough to the river, Kyanna kicked her boot off her right foot, pursing her lips while going to dip her toe into it.

"Brrrrr-! So cold~!" Kyanna trembled while laughing, snuggling closely to MAI before humming. "And that's because my tact isn't too good in this game. If it wasn't impaired, it would probably feel even colder!" She admitted.

Her eyes then shifted to MAI, and she nudged her slightly.

"Come on, give it a try!" She encouraged.