Complete Eastern Brisshal First Steps

[Toko]

"Hmm, tea made in this world... I wonder if it'd be the same as making it in our real world, and if the taste would be as good as everything else around here."

After all the mint truly smelled like their real life counterpart, even the textured of the leaves in her hand felt just like real mint leaves... at it had certainly taste like the raw mint leaves from back home. "You think tea is something that could be made from those flowers we found earlier?" They had possessed a sweet and very aromatic scent to them after all, and her UI didn't indicate they were poisonous or inedible although a part of Nap wondered if their scent might betray their true flavor.

After all, wasn't there a saying that all good medicine was very bitter?

"I'm not going to lie, it is quite lovely being surrounded by so much nature back home," there was a certain aesthetic, a vibe if one would, about old Japanese architecture and nature that was hard to replicate... and from the online pictures Nao had seen of suburbs in the United States, and other parts of the world, nothing quite seemed to match the rural beauty of her village. "... but I might be biased too, after all it is where I've lived all my life."

 

[Solaria]

"With how realistic everything is, it wouldn't surprise me if it's the same technique to brewing tea as home." Then, Toko mentioned the flowers. Solaria had to mull it over, then grinned goofily. "It's certainly worth trying. And if it's too bitter, maybe it'll be good with sugar, kind of like coffee."

Solaria knew some people liked bitter things, of course- but she wasn't one of them. She usually added creamer to her coffee, and milk to her tea. She still preferred the bitterness of certain herbs and black tea than others, but even then, it was much tastier with some milk. She was embarrassed to admit this though. She was already an adult, and her father had always had his coffee and tea straight. So, she felt a little childish admitting she needed to ease the bitterness of something the main adult in her life could handle no problem.

When the topic returned to the natural beauty of Toko's home, Solaria let out a giggle. "I can only imagine. I've seen pictures of older villages in Japan. They look so lovely. Honestly, I've always wanted to visit one. My friend's family once offered to sponsor me, but I've been pretty focused on my studies. Maybe I'll have to take a visit when I have a short break from school."

 

[Toko]

"You should, it's a lovely country to visit—and I'm not saying that just because it's my home." The lepus smiled in kind, picking a few of the better quality mint leaves that she could see. A handful has handed over to Solaria, before another handful was stored away in Toko's inventory for future use. "If you're ever around Ōgimi you're more than welcome to stay at our—ah, at my home…"

Toko barely managed to correct her choice of words at the end, having to mentally remind herself that her grandmother was no longer in the world of the living… but that wasn't something she needed to burden her newfound friend with.

"There's a field full of iris plants nearby too, you should see it when it's in full bloom—it's simply breathtaking."

As for tea… we'll, the beastfolk couldn't hear or see any beehives around—hopefully once they found a town or a city they would have some honey available for purchase. While Nao had never been fond of milk in her brews she had always enjoyed a healthy dollop of honey in them, and (this might just be a placebo thing, but she didn't care) found that tea often tasted better that way than when sweetened with sugar.

 

[Solaria]

Solaria merrily accepted the handful of quality mint leaves before stashing them in her inventory by putting them in a pocket she thought best for plants. It was amazing, the things Toko noticed! Then again, the elf at least seemed to hear things adequately. Curiously, she tugged on her own ear a little bit at the end. "Wow, it really feels like my own ear..."

Shaking off the amusement of her ear shape, she clapped merrily. "Now I know someplace I have to go. I love plants, but even more than that, I'd love to get to see a friend when I visit!"

She wanted to write down to visit Ogimi in her notepad, but realized she didn't have a notepad to write in. She'd just have to remember it mentally for now, to write it down in her to-do list when she was offline. She jumped and pointed up at a tree suddenly though, as she was just telling herself not to forget- a cute bird was visibly creating its nest on a low branch. "Isn't it pretty? I'm not very good with animals, but... It's pretty. Kind of reminds me of the robins that nest in my backyard at points during the year."

 

[Toko]

"You're welcomed in my home any time~" A smile was given when the elf seemed excited at the prospect of one day visiting Ōgimi village for herself, before Toko turned to look at the bird that Solaria pointed out. Oh, what a kawaii little one… and such vibrant feathers too."

A moment was taken to view it again through her investigation mode, though Toko couldn't say she recognized the name of its kind. Then again her grandmother had been the avid bird watcher in their home—could even tell species apart by their songs before they were visually spotted, a skill that always mesmerized and impressed Nao growing up.

"I guess not all the fauna is like ours back in reality, huh? Just like those curious flowers we found before…"

Man, whoever designed this game sure had an amazing imagination, even the custom content fitted right in with the rest of the world… nothing stood out terribly enough (so far at least) to break the feeling of immersion players got from the moment they logged in.

 

[Solaria]

Solaria was far from a person who knew about animals. She'd studied a bit about their health in books, but seeing them in reality had never excited her as much as this. The robins that housed themselves at her home were one thing, as was her best friend's dog... But most of the time, animals only interested the girl behind Solaria in a studious way. She'd never wanted to get closer to them until now.

"It kind of makes me wonder if the legend of the blue bird is a thing in this world... And what legends they might have here about the animals and the plants that they live around. My mother always loved legends and wives' tales." She laughed a bit, remembering how excited her mother would get reading her stories when she was little. "I should read more fantasy to my brother... He always lets me read my textbooks with him and books I used to read about things that were educational. I wonder if he'd like fantasy better at his age. I was sort of a weird kid, you know?"

Just thinking about how her brother always picked out books to read from her room rather than his own kind of made her realize and worry about how adult he often acted. She wanted him to have a fun childhood. Was mimicking her studiousness really fun for him?

"By the way, if you ever visit the state of Massachusetts, you should come stay at my house too. I know the likeliness probably isn't high, but I know my family would enjoy meeting you."

 

[Toko]

"Legend of the blue bird...?" There was a bit of a hmmm and a hrrrm as Nao tried to think back on anything that might remind her of one such legend, but aside from an anime she had loosely seen advertised way back the woman couldn't say she knew what Solaria was talking about. "Is it a native legend from America?"

A nod of appreciation was given at the topic of legends and wives' tales, Nao's own grandmother had certainly regaled her with many stories growing up... and there were also the many poems and literature that could be found in Japan. There was always a story somewhere in her village, and all the elders seemed to know every single one of them.

"Henka? What's weird about wanting to learn more of the things that attract you?"

Sure, maybe it wasn't the expected literature for a kid of a certain age... but if they were doing it without being forced, and visibly enjoyed it, why should others make them feel it was a weird thing to do? As Solaria also offered her home in return to Toko the lepus grinned widely, and while she wasn't exactly sure where in the US Massachusetts was located she still nodded in affirmation.

"I would love that... it would be nice seeing other place outside of my home town and island."

Perhaps she had just been a really late bloomer but now, as Nao allowed herself to immerse into the world that TerraSphere offered, maybe she could understand better why her schoolmates had all left the island so very long ago.

 

[Solaria]

"I don't know where it's from, actually," Solaria confessed. "I heard about it from my mom, who had friends from lots of places. Apparently, if you see a blue bird flying in the sky, you're bound for happiness." She laughed a bit, adding, "But to be honest, I never believed those stories. I think we make our own happiness. But if it inspires people to do so, it can't be that bad."

She tried to remember where that story came from according to her mother. Was it the Native Americans or China? It was a very old story, if she recalled correctly. But it didn't really matter- she was more curious about her friend than anything. Her friend and this grand new world that brought them together.

When Toko mentioned it not being weird that Solaria's childhood was learning things that specifically interested her, she smiled more brightly. "You're right. What matters is I enjoyed it. I just hope my brother actually enjoys these books and isn't trying to humor me with my own interests. Know what I mean?"

It was strange how easily she was talking about the real world in this fantastical place. "You're really easy to talk to, Toko. You know that?" Grinning, she chimed, "It's really fun getting to meet such nice people. I hope we can be friends for a long time!"

 

[Toko]

"How young is your brother, if you don't mind me asking of course..." After all it was personal information, not game related, and while the girls were seemingly getting along great so far Nao could understand if she wanted to keep some topics private. "If he's really young you might be worrying over nothing, I never met a young kid that could be forced into doing something they disliked without being openly vocal about it."

A blue bird that could signal happiness if spotted... it was a simple tale, but so were most folktales. Of course everyone knew that no such thing could ever happen, but if seeing a blue bird after knowing of the tale brought a smile to your lips... well, in a way the tale achieved what set out to do. "It's interesting to hear about the many variations of folktales and stories different countries can have... like the Maneki Neko one from Japan." Often times there was a lesson involved in them that was just easier to pass down from generation to generation by an interesting tale instead of a dull reprimand or constant badgering. They could be quite insightful too as to how people lived their lives many years ago as well, and often times things they didn't understand or didn't had an answer for were turned into tales as a result.

"Arigatoo, Solaria-chan, it's also easy for me to talk with you too... I'm glad you're the first person I crossed paths with when I decided to play this game." Oh right, didn't games have a functionality similar to phones? It only took a few moments before Toko found what she was looking in the palm menu. "Would you mind if I added you as a friend? That way we can keep in touch even if we're adventuring in different parts of this world..."

 

[Solaria]

Giggling, Solaria answered her friend's question. "He's five, but he's a clever kid... and he worries a lot. That's why I worry about him so much." Despite being only a five-year-old, Solaria had seen her brother weep at night wishing for their mother to appear. She wouldn't mention how often she was told by his teachers he was too quiet a kid, too. He didn't have many friends. "I want him to be able to smile more and more. He's my baby brother, after all. I guess in reality, I'm just being a worrywart too though. But I can't help it with family."

Solaria didn't like to admit she worried more than she showed on her face. It wouldn't make sense to people, she thought, since she usually expressed looking at the bright side of things. In fact, realizing she wasn't doing that right now, Solaria smiled and said, "Well, as long as he's healthy and able to smile, I'll be able to smile too."

Suddenly, Toko asked a question that was on Solaria's mind as well. Without saying a word, she sent a friend request and grinned goofily to Toko, chirping, "Of course! It'd be strange not to, since we're already friends in general." A giggle escaped her upturned lips. "I'm so happy, we were thinking the same thing."

 

[Toko]

"It;s normal to care and worry about your family, nothing wrong with that. I think he'll be fine though, after all he has you for an older sister... and I'm sure you'll always be there for him whenever he needs you."

Solaria just seemed to be that kind of person, Nao highly doubted the girl would ever abandon her little brother if he ever came to her with a need. So long as he had her support the woman was sure everything else would eventually fall into the proper place. Many had doubted her grandmother would be able to properly raise Nao due to her age, and yet in the end she too had turned out fine despite what others had thought.

"Hahah, yeah, I thought you wouldn't mind... but it's only proper to ask instead of assume things for others, right?"

There was a sigh of relief that left the lepus when Solaria accepted the proposed friend request, Toko quickly confirming the request on her UI before grinning widely to her elven friend. Time had passed by quickly with the good company, and before long a faint but familiar scent was tickling Toko's senses.

"... is that bread?" Had they reached a town, perhaps? A look was given at her palm UI before the lepus frowned. "You know, I really wish this had a map..."

 

[Solaria]

"Thank you, Toko." Solaria said, smiling gently to her friend. She was glad someone saw good in her- she was always glad when someone saw good in her, rather. Being told her brother would be alright was also relieving, though. "I'll do my best as long as he'll let me be there! And maybe even when he doesn't want me to!" She fist pumped the air, laughing a bit to herself.

Then, Toko noticed the smell of bread. Solaria pouted, unable to smell it so clearly.

"I can't smell it, but that means there must be a town nearby!" She ran ahead a few feet before turning to Toko with a wider grin. "Let's go see! I'm getting hungry anyway!" She was surprised to be saying that she wanted to taste the food in a game, but it was true. With how real everything seemed, some bread right now would be the perfect finisher to a good day with a new friend. She held out her hand again, grinning ear to ear. "Shall we?"

 

[Toko]

"It's really faint... but gods, why is the smell of wheat in the oven is absolutely irresistible even in this world?" Her newfound friend's energy and excitement were contagious, the lepus grinning widely before catching up with Solaria and taking the offered hand without question. "Maybe they'll also have tea... or at least a way for us to figure out how to brew some from the mint and flowers we collected."

With how realistic everything else in the game was, including the feel and taste of the mint leaves in her mouth, Toko could already feel herself salivating slightly at the thought of discovering all the flavors (old and new) that TerraSphere might have for them. Adventuring and monster slaying could wait for another day, the town of Honeyhome finally appearing in the distance as they continued to follow the beaten path that lead to the small and homey town.