Private Western Brisshal Dead Women Tell Their Tales

[Hanasakura Okami]

Okami needed a moment away from the city, from anything. The shaded forest allowed her some kind of peace as she treks quietly, gathering her thoughts. It was one of her depression moments again. Her therapist was on maternity leave and even the coping methods recommended to her were not helping as much. The cafe she worked at helped ease her mind but she lacked the substance needed to push herself out of her rut.

So another day in the game, another day in a more peaceful area so she does not get ambushed by some wolf or the like. As she beats around the foliage out of her way with the scabbard of her blade, a sound makes her stop and squat down. It sounded like, rattling bones? Whatever it was, it did not sound like an animal. Okami raised herself slowly, creeping quietly before finding herself the answer.

There was an undead, yet, it was doing something rather... Odd? It looked as if it was practicing stirring coffee but with a twig and a tree stump that had a concave surface, catching the rain water and creating a leafy puddle on it. After a brief use of Inspection Mode, it was clearly a kind of summon by a player. Was... A player making a skeleton make coffee for a @Lucia Mierz?

Okami got up slowly, walking backwards as she kept her eye on the undead. If there was perhaps another player here, perhaps she was going to be entering their territory or homestead. It was best she head back and make a mental note to perhaps not come back here for the time being.

 

[Lucia Mierz]

"Aye, That one there's ours."

It was a voice spoken from not too far away, the accent thick, giving the impression of new orleans or Cajun Bayous. It advanced as if a babysitter watching over an unintelligent charge but the one stepping out wasn't a player, much like the skeleton, it would also appear as a summon belonging to 'Lucia Mierz'. The name 'Morgana the Avenger' in bright red, but it's level was staggeringly higher then the lowly skeleton digging through the dirt.

It wore a long weathered and worn out coat, drenched as if they'd been out in the rain as they trudged forward with an uneven gait and awkward gait. Portions of it's skin and flesh had been chewed or rotted away over time, but it kept a large portion of that damage covered with it's coat or near hundreds of bracelets and necklaces from different cultures and faiths, some even belonging to reality. It's most unique feature however, as an undead, was it's long flowing hair made of flame licking at it's shoulders and back, the pirate's had seemingly unaffected by the bright red fires, in place of eyes it had a pair of roughly cut gems that rolled in it's eye sockets examining the clearing as it trudged forward.

If Okami seemed perplexed or confused by it's appearance, the undead would misunderstand the confusion as being unaware of the undead's actions. It would explain while fishing through it's long coat as if it were natural. "Ah, that thing there? Why, our Miss's trying to get us to embrace culture see. Wanting us to develop, be smart-like... haha, this one's tryin a bit early, hoping to be real impressive-like~" The drowned summon explained producing a large cigar from it's coat after a time, dusting it off on the coat as it continued. "You looking outta your element though... What's the matter? Not use to these parts?~ Not used to folk like us?~" The drowned chuckled as if thinking it was teasing the woman as if fiddled with it's smoke, finding fun in a human guest who seemed unused to the company of undead.

@Hanasakura Okami

 

[Hanasakura Okami]

Okami froze and quickly turned around. The magia was honestly expecting another player and was about to make a mad dash out of the woods. However, instead, she spots the bright red text of a much more terrifying individual. Not a player, but another summon by this Lucia. However, from the fact she not only was not knocked out and dragged to who knows where, a breathless sigh came out in relief. Standing back up proper, if this was an emissary, perhaps it would be wise to put on her best front.

As she made her observations, she noticed a stitching on the flaming pirate's coat. A Japanese navy uniform from the 1960s from the looks of it, though the patch was worn and slightly burnt, the insignia of the rising sun managed to survive the years of wear. Okami wondered if the undead were hand crafted or perhaps the result of the game. With how advance Terrasphere was and her limited game knowledge, Okami was not sure of Morgana's origins.

"Mm... More I just... needed some time," Okami was not exactly going to dump her problems on a head on fire, but if her dead tone voice conveyed it, she hopes the pirate can keep off her back in regards to her depression. As she watches the rather fruitless efforts of the skeleton, she asks her undead bystander a question.

"Your Miss... Is she a fan of coffee?" Okami asked. The magia wondered if that's why the skeleton was trying to make "coffee" in order to be impressive-like as the pirate had said. The motivation had to come from somewhere. "Cause I happen to be... well... versed in coffee." Friendly thoughts Okami told herself. Keep the depression out of her voice as much as she can. Brewing coffee can help her calm her mind.

@Lucia Mierz

 

[Lucia Mierz]

The comment about time seemed to rouse the drowned pirate, nodding along as if understanding. Though their personalities were perhaps worlds apart, Lucia as well as most of her summons empathized with that desire for 'time'. "Ah, Time's that kinda thing you always got too much of-- then it has a habit of gettin cut short real sudden-like. Has this habit of leavin people chasing for more of it, you seem to be holdin it in alright tho'." The figure offered, whether it was a compliment or the creature's lack of an ability to understand the Magia's tone and expressions was anyone's guess though.

On the topic of coffee though, the Undead turned the smoke onto it's burning hair, the flames licking a freshly carved end before bringing it to it's half chewed away mouth. It's ability to inhale was obstructed thanks to one missing cheek, smoke billowed out from one side and even from a few holes in the chest as it spoke through the smoke. "Our Miss likes culture, far as I can tell, interested in lots of stuff, Liquor, tea, art, coffee too-- Funny you should say coffee though." The drowned spoke, leaning down to look at the skeleton's actions in thought as if interested by the choice. "She's been sayin somethin about a place for that sorta thing. Where you traveling folk can come and go from here to your side of the world all free-like or make plans over a cup and a snack. I don't quite know too much about that stuff though. It's always so hard tryin to understand exactly where you folk and the Miss come and go from." The undead confessed.

It seemed at least partially aware of the fact that it was in a game, but misunderstood that as 'another world' or at least 'another side of the world' that couldn't be reached through normal means. They didn't quite understand much beyond that and simply filled in whatever blanks they couldn't be told with wild theories. "If in you think you can make a nice cup, I can ferry you over to her. The miss likes to circle the city, close enough to help you living folk in need, but far enough out that we don't spook you every time you set foot outta the city. She tends to like talking to you living people about this sorta thing, we even have a specialist among us who brings over some mighty unique ingredients you might not be used to. Ain't never seen 'undead coffee' mm?" The creature explained with a wide smile, at least as much as it could manage to display. It hoped to also be capable of introducing strangers to Lucia since so many others seemed quite well versed with the task.

@Hanasakura Okami

 

[Hanasakura Okami]

A rather insightful quote from a man who is out of time. Does a zombie feel the effects of age and death? Perhaps when they still had non-rotting flesh perhaps but considering the state the pirate was in, Okami presumed they had largely forgotten the sensation. But perhaps he was right, she might be holding on well.

Okami's eye lit up at what the dread pirate was talking about. Whoever his mistress was, seemed to be interested in opening up a coffee shop, or a cafe. The prospect interested her. It was a cafe that hired her and gave her stable income and living conditions. A cafe gave her a chance to recover during therapy.

Perhaps there was something here to pull her out of her rut after all.

"I'd take the offer," Okami bows towards the pirate. "Please, lead the way."

@Lucia Mierz

 

[Lucia Mierz]

"Lead the way uh?" The drowned pirate let out a wheezing chuckle as smoke poured from it with each laugh. Giving a small nod, the pirate turned briefly, it's awkward almost limping gait from it's steps clear as it continued. "Name's Morgana by the way, Morgana 'The Avenger' is the title the miss gave me." The undead introduced itself before giving the ground a stomp. The harsh stomp would pull wood from the earth, plank after plank, dotted with flesh, muscles and fat like some odd chimera-like creature that gradually pieced itself together. By the time it finished it's subtle transformation, the fleshy points would gradually recede between the wooden hull and deck of the whaling vessel as the drowned pirate stepped upward onto it, seeming more energetic and stronger while in contact with the ship.

"Let's go bone head." The gilded pirate called causing the undead skeleton who'd been stirring mud to fumble briefly, mindlessly flopping over the edge of the ship to climb in. If Hana had trouble getting on, the undead would reach out a chewed hand to help pull her on board before setting sail. The ship moved quickly, unnaturally through trees and dirt, not leaving any grooves behind in the ground it moved like a ghost merely brushing past bushes and trees instead as it moved. All the while the Pirate herself kept smoking casually standing up straight as if unaffected by the momentum of the ship as it moved.

It wouldn't take too long to traverse the distance, though they'd pass quite a lot of trees to make it. Entering another clearing in Brisshal's woods, the ship slowed down as it approached a large majestic tent, a tent that could've belonged to a noble or wealthy individual. Out front, an elegant woman sat, the Miss in question no doubt as she casually enjoyed a cup of tea. By her side, a ghastly butler stood, wearing a nobleman's coat that was well managed and cleaned, though the figure had no legs, only staying upright with black fog that billowed out from it's waist. Glove hands working a small knife through fruit to carve apple wedges for a platter that already had assorted cheeses set out. With no face, only a porcelain mask, the Wraith gave a brief nod of greeting as the ship slowed to a stop.

As Morgana stepped down, she'd seem to grow a bit exhausted and injured, her gait limping once again as if discomforted to be on solid ground. "Aye, we're here." She'd explained, struggling a bit more to say so then before, gesturing for Hana to have a seat if she wanted. Though if she remained, she'd see the drowned pirate merely flopping down as if out of stamina. Pushing the pirate hat down over her head to block out the light as if for a nap.

@Hanasakura Okami

 

[Hanasakura Okami]

Okami certainly did not expect the form of transport. When earth gave way to wood she was sure the pirate had actually planned to drag her down through the earth or something of that equivalent. Instead, she watched each plank and body horrow morphed and fused into a vessel worthy of hunting whales. Okami had seen whaling boats, but she remembered them being much smaller. Perhaps it was a preferance.

As she watches the skeleton get aboard, she stood in awe of the vessel, though her dead fish expression did not show such an amazement. Was the Mistress actually living in the sky? An odd thing to have not seen the whole time. However there was always Illusion magic to hide any castle in the sky. Spotting the hand, Okami lulls herself up with the aid of the Avenger.

And almost fell over as the ship moved. It's speed was something else. She watched the walls of the city slowly a little smaller the further they moved. Her kimono flapped violently with the rushing winds. The distraction however made the trip feel much shorter. Once her sleeves stopped having a mind of their own, she heard their arrival from the proud sounding Avenger.

And she watched Morgana collapse onto a chair, she turned to face Lucia and upon looking at the raven haired woman, bows like the people of her home country would.

"I um..." Okami was not sure how to ask. The goal was clear, but it was hard lookin at Lucia without feeling like someone will stab her if she asks the wrong kinds of questions.

"So.... You are planning to open a cafe?"

@Lucia Mierz

 

[Lucia Mierz]

Lucia hesitated briefly, the woman she was presented with seemed weary or nervous at a glance. Her smile softened, she tried a calming gesture with a hand beckoning for her to take a seat if she wanted. "It's alright, you don't have to be so on edge. We all have a different way of playing and doing our thing, my way is just a little peculiar." She spoke, taking a brief glance across her camp to the various undead moving about. They all had their job, knew their roll, it was how she could relax in the dangerous woods.

Talk about the cafe made her nod though, there were fond memories of trying to start one with people in reality, using it as a means to keep herself busy when the game was offline. Struggling to live day to day without the fantasy to keep her spirits up and make her feel alive. It was both difficult and rewarding then. "I have one in reality, it's small but artisanal, a lot of things on it's menu were even inspired by this game. I suppose you could call it a gamer cafe, though that might have certain other connotations." Lucia laughed at the thought, but it was a place for people who played Terrasphere to gather, it was largely so she could feel some influence of her fantasy even in reality.

"I would like to start something like that here though someday. Something peaceful and pleasant, like a little oasis away from the dangers of this place. Though I suppose it's not healthy when you need an escape from your escape." She mused, though maybe it was a bit too philosophical, if Hana seemed bothered by her words she'd find a way to get back on track. "But yes, I'd like to get something like that together in Astorea. Why, are you interested?" She asked, a charming smile on her face. Creating a gathering spot in Terrasphere wasn't necessarily difficult, it was always protecting it that was the hard part more often then not.

@Hanasakura Okami

 

[Hanasakura Okami]

Was she on edge? Okami was not sure, being a Magia and being in a slump did sort of dull her ability to express her emotions. Okami pondered. She was sure being dead inside was simply the result of allowing her to express her depression and introvert nature. However, the cafe talk was beginning to perk her up.

"You own one? And game themed? Sugoi!" Okami cuts her sentence and blushes, perhaps she was getting a bit too excited. She even spoke her native slang. Okami calms herself. However Lucia's ambition excited her. It invigorated her. Helping run a cafe to help those in need of an escape? Okami felt that on a personal level.

"Yes, I am, see, I work at a cafe and have studied culinary, if you need a barista, I'm sure I'm qualified for the job," Okami straightened her expression, as if she was doing a job interview. "If need be, I can demonstrate my ability to you."

@Lucia Mierz