Discontinued Eastern Brisshal Feint

[Crimson Ruby]

160 / 160

Engaging in combat

Strolling calmly in the forest, Ruby was taking a peaceful moment in its depths. Eastern Brisshal held a gentle and soothing nature to it that was easy to embrace. Aside from the eventual wolf and low-level creature, the area was generally devoid of any bigger danger...

Though... Today seemed to be an exception to the rule.

A sudden sadistic and unsettling laughter, followed by threats and taunting echoing from the bushes made Ruby frown and quickly look around. She wasn't unfamiliar with that sort of behavior, though it was more common in the Western counterpart of Brisshal.

Darting off, Ruby took a firm grip on her Jian as she rushed toward the noises, eventually managing to cut through the bushes and shrubs to finally find the source of the disgusting voices.

Ruby's eyes grew wide, seeing a big band of seven bandits, all of them surrounding a single beastfolk that didn't seem exactly a veteran. There was no bandit leader around, but that didn't stop them go with their villainous actions, trying to provoke and torment the girl while their boss didn't appear yet.

Gritting her teeth, Ruby took a step forward, using her dynamism to quickly explode into speed, forcing her way through wind and air before stopping in front of the girl, becoming an obstacle between her and the bandits that scowled at the sudden appearance of the hissing red haired beastfolk.

"What is that? Another lass?" One frowned, somewhat surprised.

"This one hisses, ya 'be doin' a scratch too? Hah-" Another wasn't fazed, maybe too cocky.

"Gwahahaha! Yerr came just in time for the fun, cat ear" A third dared to approach, scratching one dagger's blade into another, making Ruby tighten her grip on the blade.

She cast a side glance at the girl behind her, using her primal aura to send a small reassuring message, giving her the easing feeling that everything would be alright and that she wasn't alone.

7x BANDITS
(Bandit Scout scaled up six times)

❰ 7 / 7 ❱

DC: 30 | RETAL: 40 DMG
Receives 5 damage upon defeat.

@Juniper Lockton (You can skip your retal in your round, so the actual mechanics fight only starts in my turn!)

Play Sheet

 

[Juniper Lockton]

130 / 130

Oh, what had she gotten herself into this time? Just when she was feeling more confident in her abilities and fighting enemies and monsters in general, the game went and threw seven bandit scouts at her. There was nobody around to help, that she could tell, and so dread suddenly took her.

Fortunately, before anyone could do anything, someone else stepped in between her and the bandits and she found herself grateful. She had great area of effect attacks, but they left her vulnerable and she wasn't exactly tough. Having at least one person to help her with bigger groups just made more sense and felt safer.

The feeling that everything was going to be okay was welcome but a little confusing. Especially when she'd just been scared nearly out of her wits.

She managed to get out of damage for this moment, thanks to the confusion, but that also meant that she didn't get to do any damage. Oh well! Hopefully her heroine would kick things off and let her know how much she needed to pitch in.

7x BANDITS

(Bandit Scout scaled up six times)

❰ 7 / 7 ❱

DC: 30 | RETAL: 40 DMG

Receives 5 damage upon defeat.

@Crimson Ruby
Play Sheet

 

[Crimson Ruby]

120 / 160

-40 HP Retal

Being in such an outnumbered situation with someone else in danger, Ruby had no choice but to stay in the defensive, watching the bandit's movements carefully and bracing herself for what would seem to be a very deadly combat. Her heart raced, with her tail swaying, having the bells tied to it ringing eerily, like an introductory harmony to the incoming combat.

The more daring bandit approached, and with his two daggers, he charged straight to the two, with a laugher echoing along with the others that seemed to enjoy the situation.

Ruby's eyes squinted, and as she noticed each dagger on the man's hand being thrusted toward her and the other girl, she swiftly made an arc with her blade, slashing the hand that held the dagger that threatened the fox girl while she managed to evade from the full strike, albeit at the cost of the blade opening a wound on her shoulder.

Gritting her teeth, Ruby managed to keep the blood inside thanks to her masteries, unlike the bandit tgat now screamed in horror seeing the state of his hand.

Startled, the other bandits stopped laughing, looking at each other before growling.

"Arrrrgh! Bring those bitches down!" One yelled, as they threw themselves toward the girls in reckless abandon.

Rolls

Protect
1d100 (7) + 10 + 15 + 25 = 57
57 damage
Gives @Juniper Lockton the Protected status (Damages on her are halved)
Hemomancy | Crimson Ruby | 912

7x BANDITS
(Bandit Scout scaled up six times)

❰ 6 / 7 ❱

DC: 30 | RETAL: 40 DMG
Receives 5 damage upon defeat.

Play Sheet

 

[Juniper Lockton]

110 / 130

Joining the fight!

It took her a few moments for red eyes to catch up to what was happening. Oh, the stranger was protecting her with her life. Best to make it count, then. Wasting no more time after the Bandit's hand was taken out of commission, she cast one of her more reliable combo moves rooted in geomancy.

"Geo, sin, nak'sala,
oryx-en, RA'BUS!"

A snap of the fingers and a twirl at 'nak'sala' brought forth a a wave of moving earth that rose into spikes towards the bandit group. As they arrived to them, on the exclamatory peak of the spell, she clapped her hands together and the rocks burst apart in a thunderous explosion.

Two bandits down, the remaining four looking at her as the bigger threat now at this point. The two she slayed managed to deal more damage to her by throwing a few rocks, mostly protected from other damage but still taking a stab to the leg. Damn, that hurt! She regretted turning off the pain sometimes, but ultimately she liked the reminder that this was serious.

Rolls

Steady Attack
6d20 exploding (11 + 14 + 5 + 20 + 1 + 18 + 8) + 10 + 0 + 10 = 97
97 damage (Explosions: 1)

7x BANDITS
(Bandit Scout scaled up six times)

❰ 4 / 7 ❱

DC: 30 | RETAL: 40 DMG
Receives 5 damage upon defeat.

@Crimson Ruby​

 

[Crimson Ruby]

80 / 160

-40 HP Retal

The bandits weren't the only ones caught by surprise by the sudden spell from the girl. Ruby widened her eyes, protecting herself from the shards of rocks that could fly toward her direction as she sideglanced the girl, twitching her ears from the stimuli her arcane spells were spoken.

Whoever she was, she wasn't as defenseless as she looked. Still, outnumbered she would be clearly in trouble, so it was still worth helping her out.

She glared at the four remaining bandits with an angered expression, trying to once again block their path from the girl, slashing her blade in a swift blade dancing maneuver, acrobatically swaying her path toward the enemies, sinking her blade into one of the bandit's sides before she quickly made an arc movement with the blade, severing everything inside out while the blade struck the other bandit.

"I will keep covering you, do your best!" Ruby said, gritting her teeth and bracing herself for what would come next as she continued to protect the girl.

Rolls

Protect
1d100 (60) + 10 + 15 + 25 = 110
110 damage
Gives @Juniper Lockton the Protected status (Damages on her are halved)
Hemomancy | Crimson Ruby | 912

7x BANDITS
(Bandit Scout scaled up six times)

❰ 2 / 7 ❱

DC: 30 | RETAL: 40 DMG
Receives 5 damage upon defeat.

Play Sheet

 

[Juniper Lockton]

85 / 130

Finishing This!

As the two she struck fell, another two fell to her companion's attacks in an effort to protect her. She really was going all out to make sure that she was safe. Even though she didn't have to. There really were some incredible people in this game. As the last two stood, panicking, the chorus rang out again, the ritual completed once more.

"Geo, sin, nak'sala,
oryx-en, RA'BUS!"

And just like that, the last two bandits were done with one final attack of pettiness they retaliated with. All the damage they'd done, though, and still lost. They were no match for a witch and a...whatever the other woman was. Now that the dangerous part was done, she wanted to quickly make sure that everyone was okay, checking on her companion first.

A little bloody from the attacks she had sustained, she approached the other woman and scanned the battlefield to make sure that no other surprises were waiting. Satisfied, she reached out a concerned hand, cocking her head a little bit curiously, "Are you alright, miss? I am truly grateful that you stepped in to help, but I wish you hadn't been so reckless about it."

Rolls

Steady Attack
6d20 exploding (8 + 17 + 14 + 18 + 20 + 8 + 9) + 10 + 0 + 10 = 114
114 damage (Explosions: 1)

7x BANDITS
(Bandit Scout scaled up six times)

❰ 0 / 7 ❱

DC: 30 | RETAL: 40 DMG
Receives 5 damage upon defeat.

@Crimson Ruby​

 

[Crimson Ruby]

The same chanting that brought two bandits down before was the same chanting that finished off the combat, with the powerful geo magic sending the bandits limp to the ground.

With the combat zone and the adrenaline fading away, Ruby felt her body becoming slightly weaker for a moment as she rested her hands on her knees, breathing heavily and trying to recover her composure as she knelt on the ground, sinking her blade into it to use as a support.

Her attempt to recover was soon interrupted, and Ruby's ears perked up at the sudden hand that was being offered.

Ruby glanced at it, then up at Juniper just before she took the hand to try and lift her posture and face once again.

"Y-Yeah, I'm okay... Sometimes you need to drop all your defenses to protect those who need." She said, feeling the cuts throbbing on her body, but nothing that she could conceal from the other girl for now. "... And you? Are you okay?" Ruby asked, returning the concern while circling her.

"... They didn't do anything to you, did they?"

@Juniper Lockton

 

[Juniper Lockton]

It was always weird to watch zones pop up when combat was happening. A good reminder that this was a game, even if you could apparently die in it. Once they were both standing and okay again, she'd asked her question to get a satisfactory answer, smiling in response.

"A regular hero, huh?" A bright smile like a sun reflecting off glass at just the right angle to create a labyrinth of a million suns, "I'm fine. Thanks to you. A little hurt but nothing like I would have been without help. I definitely owe you. Can I buy you a drink? Give you a potion? Maybe we can walk together." She offered, trying to find a way to pay her back for practically saving her life. And for being concerned about what they might have done to her.

What a good person she must have been. It was refreshing to see so many people with similar minds and motives in this game. She'd expected a lot more player-killing or assholes to play the game in general, but that fortunately hadn't been the case.

@Crimson Ruby

 

[Crimson Ruby]

Ruby's cheeks grew faintly rosy at the way the other girl decided to put it. "Hero?" She muttered, not really seeing herself as something like that. "N-No... You were just in trouble and outnumbered, I was just helping you." Ruby said, looking at the girl and her smile, which was both hard to look at directly because of how shiny it was, and also too hard to look away because it was rather pretty.

"You don't owe me nothing," Ruby said, twitching her ears and tilting her head as her tail swayed gently as she moved closer to the fallen bandits, looting what she could and gesturing for Juniper to come along if she wanted to get something herself. "I wouldn't mind a walk though, I was doing exactly that before I found you." She admitted, scratching her cheek and pondering for a moment.

"I wouldn't mind having a drink after a walk though," Ruby said, getting on her feet and flicking a golden coin upwards before grabbing it with the other hand.

@Juniper Lockton

 

[Juniper Lockton]

"Yea! Helping someone in need like a hero might, don't you think? Heroes always think that more people should step in when someone needs help. That's because they aren't bystanders, affected by the bystander effect. They're heroes." Anyone could be a hero, really, whether it was a mom drawing on primal, inhuman strength to save her child or someone playing a game just saving someone else in-game.

Juniper took the hint to loot the bandits, getting her share of gold and goods to sell before promptly joining Crimson on her walk. She smiled at the mention of a drink, her invitation ultimately accepted and making her happy. She was a lot better at making quick friends in this game than she'd ever been as a boring boy in the real world.

"That sounds great! But hey, I never caught your name. I'm Juniper." She smiled brightly, offering a peace sign with her introduction in a somewhat cute but also a little awkward way. With it, she stuck her hand out as they walked, hoping for a handshake but gambling on whether she was really the type for it, or some other formality.

@Crimson Ruby

 

[Crimson Ruby]

Ruby's tail swayed at the explanation, with her cheeks remaining rosy for a moment. To think she would be seen as a hero... Not that she disliked it. Especially considering the other was being so adorable about it.

And there the brightness and shiness was again, making Ruby squint vaguely and blink twice, when she mentioned a name. "Your smile is really pretty." She said, first and foremost, then responded to her question:

"Crimson Ruby. It is nice to meet you, Juniper." She introduced herself, looking at the way the other girl suddenly struck a pose and tilted her head, with her right ear twitching in a confused curiosity.

Then, she reached for Juniper's hand, holding it gently for a handshake and looking up at her eyes before letting it go. "Let me see where it hurts though. I will make sure it won't hurt anymore." Ruby said, analyzing Juniper up and down, still slightly concerned but this time a bit more at ease, considering the other girl was at a such a good mood.

@Juniper Lockton

 

[Juniper Lockton]

The compliment to her smile caught her a little by surprise, and so she blushed into a nervous grin, "Thanks." Then, clearing her throat, she offered her hand and found that the handshake was nice. Crimson Ruby was a bit of a gimmicky name, but she supposed she wasn't much better. This game was meant to be fun, after all, no matter what that meant to each player. She shouldn't judge.

"Nice to meet you as well!" The offer of finding out where she was hurt touched her and she was reminded suddenly of the pain she was feeling still, "Oh, here. I planned on just drinking a potion, but sure, if you don't mind." She took off her robe and revealed a thin body with a tank top underneath but no bra. She hadn't quite gotten used to putting them on or taking them off, so she went without, forgetting the idea that it was maybe a bit immodest at a time like this.

Revealing herself, she started up conversation again as the woman went to work on her wounds, "So, what brings you to Terrasphere? Just here to play hero? Escaping a boring life or something?"

 

[Crimson Ruby]

There was a short return of a smile for the gratefulness. Her ears twitched, and she nodded in acknowledgment of her reciprocal words.

She watched Juniper taking off her robes, and Ruby leaned in before tugging a few bandages off her inventory, using them to clean up the girl's wounds. "Potions are good, but just like in real life, they are medicine and need a certain dosage. Using these things are really only good for emergencies. Natural healing along with magic to seal the deal is a better option." Ruby explained, then peeking up at Juniper.

"Play hero..? Not really. I am escaping a boring life, in a way, but I'm more here for adventure and exploration. To see and travel around the whole world, since I can't do it out of here..." She said, then resting her hand gently on Juniper's bruised skin.

"How about you..?" She asked, slowly muttering a gentle song, that warmed the wound before numbing the flesh, slowly healing it.

@Juniper Lockton

 

[Juniper Lockton]

Wait, you could overdose on potions? Is that what the fine print on the bottles said? She felt silly for not reading it before but she supposed it made sense. Understanding flashed across her face along with an expression fitting for the small, "Oh. I guess I should stick with a healer then, huh?"

Hearing her reasoning for being here summing up to boredom made sense, too. She supposed that was why most people played games, but this one just seemed to be really special in the types of people it attracted. There was a subtle hint about the woman's situation, too, with the fact that she couldn't travel. Juniper nodded, trying to hide her sympathy lest it be mistaken for pity.

"I think I'd say the same. I wanna make friends and learn more about myself while having fun. That's what life is about, right? It isn't the same as how I do those things in the real world. I get to be my true self here. I'm stuck under my parent's thumbs out there and they're...something." That was probably the best way to put it. Leaving it at that was better for her own health, knowing she had few options to actually get out of her parent's house.

@Crimson Ruby

 

[Crimson Ruby]

Ruby continued to brush her spell on the hurt skin of the girl, pondering about her conclusion. "Sticking to anyone, really. Playing this game without someone to have your back is a death sentence. Especially when death is for real in here." A sigh escaped from Ruby's lips, and her ears twitched at the reveal of the other girl, albeit it was vague in a sense.

"You as well, huh?" Ruby said, after finishing murmuring the magical and healing song, looking at Juniper as she was done with the quick treatment. "My parents aren't the greatest either. They are supportive only as long as I am doing what they had planned for my life." She admitted, figuring the other felt like the same as she did.

This, or Ruby was making very embarrassing assumptions. Well, it was too late to think about it, really, and Ruby didn't mind it anyway.

@Juniper Lockton

 

[Juniper Lockton]

A gentle reminder spoken with a sigh, her ears dropped slightly as her face twisted into a similar expression of disdain and trepidation about the fact that even if she was so happy here, it could cost her her life. The short explanation of how the girl's parents were hit home, but not in the exact same way. As far as her parents knew, she was everything they expected her to be for where she was at right now. She wasn't looking forward to telling them she was moving to Japan and trying to avoid the truth of why.

"Yea, mine are, well..." She faded away, putting her robes back on as the healing hand finished its work, averting her eyes, "Overly religious. Extremists, really. See, I'm, umm...well..." Fidgeting now, taking a deep breath before revealing the truth, "I may as well get ahead of it now, but I'm trans, so I look like a boy in the real world, but I've never been happier than when I play here. Not just the game, but being myself is so freeing, ya know? I'm hopefully moving away from them soon, though, even if I'm not sure that where I'm moving is the best place to go to be myself, either." She hadn't done a lot of research about Japan and being trans there, but she hoped it was better than staying with her parents.

If only she realized sooner that no matter how hard it was, it was always worth it.

@Crimson Ruby

 

[Crimson Ruby]

The reveal made Ruby's ears twitch, casting a gaze that went up and down to Juniper. That girl was a boy out there? One wouldn't know.

"I see, so you are trans." Ruby said, honestly not being one that ever gave too much thought aboit these topics. If anything, she was rather indifferent, but the part where a discrimination and the parents becoming more of a hassle than a help was something Ruby felt sympathy for.

"I understand what you mean. In this place, we can be whatever we want to-- while still having a certain limitation, that gives the sparkle of reality we need to make it even better." Ruby said, swaying her tails and looking at Juniper.

"Do you have any plans for your moving?" She asked. "It isn't as easy as it sounds. I only managed to do it with a lot of help from my aunt." Ruby said, revealing her own experience.

@Juniper Lockton

 

[Juniper Lockton]

"Yea..." She felt a little awkward now about it, having not just made it more simple for a girl that seemed rather cut and dry about such things. As the girl spoke again her tail started to wag and she felt better with a small smile, before moving to the topic of moving,

"I've been looking into it, but I'm afraid I'm so inexperienced that I might mess something up. I need to do so much paperwork, I need to solidify a job there. It's been my dream to live in Japan for a long time now, even if just for a little bit, but I never knew it was so much work to get there in the first place. My aunt is a good idea, though!" She'd nearly forgotten about her, with how much her parents kept her away from her aunt Rose. She was a hippie type, pretty certain that she was often high and just happy to see everyone all the time.

She'd have to get with her and ask her for help and come out to her as trans while she was at it. She couldn't believe she hadn't thought of it before. "Thanks for reminding me. Asking her for help is probably my saving grace. But hey, what are you doin' now? Any plans or are you just hangin' around?"

@Crimson Ruby

 

[Crimson Ruby]

Ruby's ear twitched at the girl's initial reaction. Have she been too cold about her reveal? Her tails tapped the ground as she felt a hint of guilt poking her. "What is important is being true to yourself. And even if it is hard, you will see how freeing it is after going past the obstacles." She said, looking at her.

"If you need help though. Let me know. I am not from Japan but if things come down to worse, I can give you a hand... As long as you are in US, that is." Ruby said, knowing how much things could plummet when you revealed something harsh parents didn't want to hear.

Juniper's question then made Ruby ponder for a moment, shaking her head. "Not doing anything in particular. I was just strolling..." She said, resting a hand on her hips. "Granted now I have you around, and leaving a cute girl alone in the forest proved to be a terrible idea half an hour ago." She gestured to the place they fought the bandits.

@Juniper Lockton

 

[Juniper Lockton]

"Yea, that's true. It's hard right now but I have to remember what I have to gain. It might be uphill right now, but once I reach the peak, the other side will be a much happier place!" She had to believe that, for the sake of her future self.

The offer of help hit Juni right in the heart, and she smiled softly, practically melting as she held her hand close to her heart, "That's really sweet, thank you. I don't know how I've been so blessed to meet such kind people. I'm always anxious that people are just being polite, ya know? Like they don't always mean it when they say things like that. But I believe you. If I need help, I'll be sure to reach out to you. Is it okay if I give you my number so we can text, in that case?" She asked, tail wagging excitedly behind her, belying her otherwise calm question.

"Ha, yea, I'd rather be with someone than alone right now, so you wanna do something? Maybe get some food or something at a tavern and see if there are any quests we could do together?"

@Crimson Ruby