Private Eastern Brisshal Heroes Do More Than Kill Goblins and Drink Ale

[Brutus Dahlgren]

Brutus would suppress the urge to chuckle, patting the Lepus on the head. "Ay hey! You beat ass for what it means." He would give her a warm smile. "And yeah, the mud does taste like garbage. Why don't we wash that out eh?" He would wade back to where they left their drinks, handing her the bottle of sake and taking a deep swig from his bottle of rum, chasing the taste of sulfiric mud from his mouth with impunity.

"There's nothing to have your pride bruised by. I am a strong opponent, and had you beat me I wouldn't be ashamed because you're strong too. Why don't we go soak in the hot water and actually relax eh?" He would wander over to the edge of the pool and lift himself out, stretching as his body steamed in the colder air. He would carefully walk over to, and up, the hill that led to the significantly smaller pool of of slightly green steaming water. This pool seemed to have been worked on slightly, groves carved into the wall allowing people to sit in them. It was also much deeper, allowing him to sit on the bottom with most of his body submerged. This felt refreshing in a different way. The mud clan to the skin and felt heavy, but as the debris began to melt away from his body, he felt infinitely lighter.

"Jesus fuck this is heaven."

@Toko

 

[Toko]

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"Yeah, it tastes absolutely dreadful."

The rabbit made a face of disgust as the pair walked back to the edge where the bottles waited, accepting the offered sake before taking a good and long swig from it. She couldn't help the smile that spread on her face as Brutus both comforted and praised her efforts, before nodding in agreement as he suggested finally going to the hot spring above and properly relax.

"Haaai, I'll get the picnic basket~"

She lifted herself out of the pool with ease, shaking her feet to rid them of any remaining mud and avoid an accidental slip, before heading over to the bench where the object had been parked. A shiver ran down her spine at the temperature change while Toko slipped her arm through the handle of the basket, turning with the intent to follow Brutus towards the smaller pool, before the rabbit stopped in her tracks for a second at the steamy (literally) back view she was presented with.

Kamisama… you can have muscles there?

There was another pause, before a moment of realization dawned onto the Lepus mind. Yes, she had been wrestling against Brutus... while buck ass naked. She immediately felt the heat rising on her cheeks, creating a blush of a considerably deep shade, before Toko downed the remaining contents that the sake bottle could provide her.

Ochitske…! It's totally fine, Nao... nothing wrong with any of it, just a friendly wrestling match in the mud spring... right! Besides Brutus-nii didn’t even make a big deal out of it… probably didn’t even notice… yeah, everything is perfectly normal!

The now empty bottle was shoved into the picnic basket before Toko’s hands rose and slapped her cheeks a few times, trying her best—but mostly failing—to snap her mind from its current thoughts. Her cheeks were still red, Toko knew as much since she could feel the heat that emanated from them—it even extended to the base of her ears—before the rabbit swallowed deeply and allowed the liquid courage coursing through her veins to carry her up the stairs and towards the other pool… although quicker than she originally intended.

The basket was dropped by the edge of the hot spring pool, harder than Toko had originally intended, before the unusually silent rabbit quickly dipped her entire frame into the warm pool… choosing the moment that Brutus had appeared distracted as he enjoyed the soothing sensation of the hot spring on his muscles.

Just act normal, Nao… maybe that way he won’t notice.

She hoped that whatever God above had created that work of art was benevolent enough to grant Toko a single miracle…

@Brutus Dahlgren

 

[Brutus Dahlgren]

Badump

The Felis washed some water over his head, trying to scrub some of the muck out of his reddish brown locks. Between the mudsmearing and constant takedowns, he was practically more mud than man at this point. The giant frowned as he heard a heartbeat that wasn't his. That was odd. Looking up he saw Toko meandering over, basket in hand. His view was much more uh...

We were just all over that. Olivier managed to whisper, inner voice drowning in Rum. Im pretty sure we've like, made it to second base with her at this rate.

You see what happens when you trust the process?

For a moment he was worried that perhaps such...contact while in such an intimate state of undress had upset Toko, but she didn't seem too bothered by it. Unless his detective skills were failing him? Boy that sure would be awkward. Badump badump. His ears picked up that pesky heartbeat, causing him to furrow his brow. Was his hearing getting better? Who's heartbeat could that be?

As she entered the pool he would raise his glass to his lips and give it a big swig, finishing the bottle. He would set it aside before turning to Toko. "Enjoying yourself over there? The water feels so much...different than the mud. It doesn't like...cling to you."

@Toko

 

[Toko]

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She was uncomfortably aware of her own heartbeat as the Lepus slipped into the warm pool, a sigh escaping her lips as a soothing feeling washed over her muscles. Ochitske ochitske...! A deep breath was taken before Toko submerged underneath the water, trying to calm herself while the rabbit's hands worked on getting as much of the mud from the previous pool removed from her hair and skin.

It was just some rough and tumble, all in good fun... nothing more than that.

Right, nothing more than good natured and competitive fun—one that Toko had very much enjoyed too. It was no different from the scraping Nao herself would get into in her own childhood days... and even as she aged the woman had no problem amusing some of the young ones when they visited the mixed baths in her village.

This shouldn't have felt any different by comparison—a half lie Nao kept telling herself, considering she had never play fought with a chiseled Adonis in the baths before—and eventually it seemed to do the trick, the Lepus managed to calm herself somewhat even if there was still a faint fluttering to her heartbeat... although the blush continued to persist, much to her chagrin.

"Phuuwaaah...!"

She finally broke the water's surface, taking a deep breath of air before slowly shifting back towards the edge of the pool. It was deeper than the mud spring, and upon checking Toko had even discovered the sides had been carved to allow anyone enjoying the bath to sit and relax. She did so, finding the water reached up to an inch or so below her shoulders, before allowing her head to lean back and rest on the edge of the pool as a content sigh drifted from the fighter.

"Mmm...?" Brutus' voice carried over once the Felis had also finished removing most of the mineral clay from his own hair and face, the Lepus turning her head enough so she could look at the Felis from where she rested. "Y-Yeah... the mud minerals are definitely good for the skin, but nothing can ever beat relaxing in warm hot spring water."

See? Totally fine... The faintest of whispers quietly left Toko's lips, a silent thanks to the Kamisan above that the water's natural tint served to obscure the submerged body parts of them both. ... stop freaking out like you're a prepubescent teen.

@Brutus Dahlgren

 

[Brutus Dahlgren]

Badump badump.

That pesky heartbeat was back. It would appear in the silence between their words, barely hidden under the babble of the water feature. He would lean out of the water to reach over to grab a treat from their bag of goodies, pausing as he heard a murmur.

"You okay over there?" He would turn to face her, squinting. "You're not like...rattled or shook up from all that rough housing are you?" He would bite down on a croissant, dangling it from his lips as he would wade over to her, a look of concern spreading over his face. He would take a bit of the croissant and set it on the granite next to her as he would gently grab her chin, tilting her head upwards so he could peer into her eyes. Swallowing the bite of bread, he would frown slightly.

"You don't look concussed...did you hit your head on the bottom of the pool maybe?"

@Toko

 

[Toko]

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"Mmmm...!" She sat just a bit straighter when Brutus suddenly addressed her, the squinting of his eyes just making Toko's heart beat faster. Just act normal...! She pinched her leg underneath the waters in a faint hope that it would help calm her... or at the very least distract her thoughts."Y-yeah, I'm perfectly fine!"

Her voice came out a pitch higher than usual, the Lepus mentally kicking herself for the blunder—the last thing she wanted was for Brutus to think she was uncomfortable around him... but at the same time this was a topic Toko was not prepared to be verbal about. You're going to make him suspiciou—eeep! The rabbit barely managed to keep herself from actually squeaking in surprise when Brutus shuffled closer, the blush on her face deepening another shade as it began to crawl up her white and fuzzy ears.

Close... too close!

The one mercy afforded to the fighter was being able to hide her nervous sweating, something that could easily be attributed to the heat of the water instead of the insane spike in her heart rate right about now. "N-No! I didn't hit my head or anything, s-senpai...!" The skin where his fingers touched felt like it was on fire, the pitch of her voice rising in response before Toko's eyes locked onto his own.

O-oh... that's a pretty shade of blue.

@Brutus Dahlgren

 

[Brutus Dahlgren]

"Are you overheating?" He would ask, raising an eyebrow. Badump badump badump. He blinked, something donning on hi,. That was HER heartbeat he was hearing. That was weird, why was her heart racing? "Let me take your temp real quick, you might need to take a moment to cool down? Maybe get some water?" He would lean down and gently press his lips against her forehead, just like his mother used to do when he was sick. Her skin was burning up, of course the heat was getting to her, that would make sense. Plus didn't alcohol help people overheat in springs? Maybe?

He would remove his lips, his gaze meeting hers. Was she...ok? She looked...white as a sheet. "Toko?" He would ask, no response. "Yo! Toko!" He would give her a light shake.

"Fucking shit." He would hiss. Grabbing her by the hips, the giant would gently lift her out of the pool and set her on the edge. "Ay hey! Stay with me chica. Get your feet out of the water, I'll go get you some cold water or something." He would burst from the water and scramble over to the changing area, looking for a drinking well he'd seen prior.

@Toko

 

[Toko]

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"N-No, I'm f-fine, really...!"
Of course I'm overheating, you're too close!!!
"H-Huh?! Ch-Chotto matte, s-senpaiii—"

Her voice trailed off to some unintelligible gibberish as he leaned closer still, now able to feel the body warmth that radiated from his chest at the close proximity, and just like with the fingers holding her face Toko's forehead now felt unbearable hot at the touch of his lips against it.

Dear Kamisan...

There was a momentary short circuiting of brain cells after that, the Lepus barely aware that she was being lifted out of the pool as Brutus voice sounded far away suddenly... she couldn't even make out what words he was actually saying. The shock of cold air that now had access to her skin aided in cooling off the overstimulated rabbit, a shiver running down her spine before Toko's mind began to complete its reset process.

"Itaiii..."

A hand rose to the side of her head, the sudden pulsing she felt a clear indicative of a headache, before she looked around upon realizing the Felis was gone. "Brutus-nii—aaah, s-senpaiii...?" Somewhere in the distance she could hear some vague sounds in the direction of the changing rooms, the realization that she'd probably set Brutus into a panic causing her ears and shoulders to drop in response.

Shimatta...

@Brutus Dahlgren

 

[Brutus Dahlgren]

Brutus would come staggering back, skin glistening in the evening sun as he carried a small bucket of water and a few cups over to the rabbit. "Ay, there you are. Thought your brains had been boiled out, scared me half to death." He would gently lower himself down to the edge, sitting next to her and scooping a small cup of water and gently placing it in her hands. "Sip that slowly ok?" He would state, giving her a concerned look. "You should have told me you were hot, we could have taken a break and eaten you goofball." He would reach into his inventory and pull out the cask of ale, grabbing himself a glass of booze.

"Man, what a fuckin day." He would mutter slightly under his breath as he took a sip. "Storm cleanup, goblin stomping, witch killing, mud wrasslin, now I'm playing nurse?" he would reach up and ruffle her hair. "I'm glad I got to meet you, today's been a lot of fun." There would be a long pause. "Is it weird that I kinda wish every day could be like this?"

@Toko

 

[Toko]

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She had turned back to stare at the pool until the Felis returned, her head still pounding although the intensity was slowly lowering. Her legs remained in the water, the warmth liquid comforting to her skin and muscles, while the nearby spa towel had been draped over her shoulders to keep some of the chill at bay. Though Toko wanted nothing more than to dive back into the pool even she was smart enough to know overheating could be dangerous, a small break would probably be good and it's not like the water was going to go away.

"Ah, arigatoo..."

She gently picked the cup he handed over to her, quietly taking small sips as instructed as she mulled over her thoughts. A soft nod and a hum were her response as he sat down besides her on the edge, her cheeks blushing slightly although not with the same intensity as before. Just don't. Look. Down... Slowly the cup was emptied out with each small sip Toko took, as the Felis reminisced on all that had transpired today.

"Yeah... that's a lot of things for a day, huh?" She mentally flinched at the mention of having to look over her now. "G-Gomen, Brutus... I should've been more careful."

The Lepus wouldn't have blamed him if he never wanted to hang out with her after this, but was suddenly surprise when a large hand rested atop her head—ruffling her hair before he uttered the next words.

"U-Uuun...! It has been really fun, senpai," A genuine smile crossed her lips as she looked back to the Felis, before slightly leaning closer so her shoulder bumped agaisnt the side of his arm. "I'd love to have more days like this one... and I'm sure obaachan would like that for me, too."

She closed her eyes for a moment, her feet slowly kicking in the water.

"... it almost feels like I'm back home."

@Brutus Dahlgren

 

[Brutus Dahlgren]

"I'm sure she would..." he drawled taking another sip of his drink. "This place has a way of doing that to you. It's like a whole different life." He paused for a moment, idly kicking his feet in the water. He would reach over to the picnic basket and grab a plater and some bread. After a moment he had slapped together a nice hearty sandwich, passing it over to Toko. He would then make himself one and take a bite out of it.

"You must be starving after all that wrestling." he would state after swallowing. "I know that I'm always starving after getting my ass kicked in drills, I can only imagine how you feel." His eyes would wander to the basket of eggs, and he would slide them closer. "You'd mentioned Onsen eggs before...Tamago I think you called it?" He would ask, raising an eyebrow. "You wanna show me how you make em? I've never personally had it, so you'll have to show me."

@Toko

 

[Toko]

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"Yeah, it almost feels like you've been transported to another world entirely."

A world that, honestly speaking, Nao might not mind permanently living in... but that was a thought for another day.

Toko felt him move, the Lepus straightening herself back up as he rummaged through the picnic basket. The now empty cup was placed to the side as the Lepus tilted her head, before she was surprised moments later with quite a hefty and packed sandwich. Almost as if on cue her stomach growled in response, a blush coloring Toko's cheeks further as she took the offered treat.

"Absolutely ravenous, as you just heard~"

She was more than happy to bite down on her food, a quiet moment passing between them as they enjoyed the meal and the scenery—the occasional sideway glance given from time to time as Toko struggled to pick which of the two views she liked more. "Mmm? Oh, right, onsen tamago!" Between the showers, mud wrestling, and the earlier debacle Toko had completely forgotten about the basket of eggs that Brutus picked up.

"It's super easy, just place the basket over by that edge so they're fully submerged and just leave them be for about half an hour or so." She would point at a spot to Brutus' right, letting him settle the basket with her guidance before Toko let out a faint sigh. "It's too bad there wasn’t any soy sauce around..."

@Brutus Dahlgren

 

[Brutus Dahlgren]

Brutus would scoop up the eggs and per the Lepis' instructions set them on a small notch allowing them to be completely submerged. He would also refill her water cup for her, pushing it into a free hand of hers like a friend at a party who thought that maybe you weren't drunk enough.

"Eat up and drink up." He would clink his drink to her cup and shoot her a grin. "Too a future of heroism and friendship?" He would ask.

This game, this world, was everything he could ever want. IRL he was a short guy with a desire to be a hero and lived in a van with a bunch of smelly actors. Out here, he was an actual hero, a giant among men who could talk to women with ease, smash his foes with ease, and do as he pleased. This world was everything he wanted and more, and the idea of being "Trapped" in it didn't really bother him.

But then the idea of his troop finding him dead in his bunk, headset wrapped around his face put his heart ill at ease. The tears of his mother and sister shed over his casket, the end of a legacy.

He would shake his head, banishing the thought from his head and turn to Toko. "Soy sauce might exist, we just don't have any. I know a guy at Stokbon who might have some running around."

@Toko

 

[Toko]

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The glass was refilled and placed in her hand once more, a blush of embarrassment at having to be baby-ed crossing the Lepus cheeks while she muttered a soft thanks in return. Still Toko guessed this had been the better outcome, the last thing she had wanted was for her new friend to find out she'd been checking out his naked behind.

"U-Uun! Too many heroic adventures and a long lasting friendship~"

Softly her water cup was pressed to his own, taking another few sips before it was settled besides her so she could better hold her sandwich for another bite. "Oishii~" It was a simple thing, but somehow she could never get over the incredible amount of umami and freshness the food in this world carried.

Honeyhome in particular was very similar to the fresh produce Nao had been used to having back in the real world, and again a fleeting thought crossed her mind that she wouldn't mind living in the tiny village forever... before it was promptly shooed away once more.

"You think they might have some? Aaah, I really hope they do...!"

@Brutus Dahlgren

 

[Brutus Dahlgren]

"I'll have to check in with him next time I see em then." He would, making sure the Lepus was ok and not liable to pass out again, slide gently back into the hot water, letting it once again envelope his body as he kept his arms up high enough to prevent either his drink from dipping into the water. "They guy is a stuffy chef I met in a dungeon one day, and then ran back into him at a curry place. He was super butthurt that the food wasn't up to his standards, and bitched to me about how much of the stuff I was eating when I thought it was fine enough. He's probably got his own curry shop up and running right about now, and if anyone knows about Miso it's probably him."

He would scarf down his sandwich, speaking between swallowed bites and occasionally taking in a sip of his drink. He would also do his best to maintain eye contact, keeping his eyes from wandering to any other parts of the chocolate bunny's body.

"Have you been to Stokbon? We should go sometime, it's really pretty."

@Toko

 

[Toko]

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"Hmm... it that the shop opening up on the main north street?"

The last bite of her sandwich was popped into her mouth before the Lepus mused as she chewed. Toko had made a recent delivery to a new looking shop but a couple of days ago, and as Brutus spoke more about it she couldn't help but continue to think about it.

"They order some tables and chair from our local crafter, so I did bodyguard duty when he went to deliver~"

She also unloaded the furniture too, no way she was letting the old man possibly injure his hands with that manual labor—she loved the pieces and designs that he could carve. The second water cup was eventually finished and, feeling refreshed again, the Lepus carefully slid back into the hot spring once more.

"I've visited it a handful of times, but never really explored y'know? I usually like to stick to Honeyhome, but I'd love to visit it."

@Brutus Dahlgren

 

[Brutus Dahlgren]

The giant would raise an eyebrow. "Yeah, It think so. I haven't been to his location yet, mostly because I haven't been back there since I was last in Stokbon" He shrugged. "Though if he's ordering furniture, maybe I should pay him a visit and pester him, he owes me some food tests." chuckling, he would pour himself another class of ale and then turn to her. "Booze? Or do you need more water?"

This was wonderful, spending some time with her was easy, refreshing even. He would make some idle chatter with her, passing the time as the sun began to set. Keeping her cup full, he would spend the time filling her heard with all sorts of stories about his time in real life, playing hero and fighting alongside with members of his troop. After a moment, his eyes would widen.

"Oh shit, the Tomago!" He woudl exclaim, hastily reaching across the rabbit to grab at the basket.

@Toko

 

[Ilya]

☀𓆱𓃬

​

lion's pride...

Ahhhhh the hotsprings.... A lovely place that Mia really wanted to get back to. Her most recent adventures with Brutus having been two weeks since she had logged in. Unfortunately Mia had to go on tour, which meant that she couldn't log into Terrasphere... Mia had trudged on the tour, singing wherever she had to... Only with the hotsprings inside....

Oh the glorious hotsprings, to be honest... Mia could write a song about the hotsprings in Terrasphere... Only she would probably end up getting arrested, which would lead to major scandal on the internet, etc. Any government official would KILL to take someone who was illegally playing the non-restrictive VRMMO.

Finally Mia felt the world around her fade to black as she sunk into her bed with her headset on. Resting carefully as everything materialized in front of her. Her eyes were closed, and she was... sitting.... on something? The last thing Ilya remembered was that she had logged out at the hotspring..

But had she logged out in it? Ilya couldn't remember, though it mattered not that much. Taking a second to breathe in the hot air, listening to the sound of water and.... Wait a second.... Ilya opened her eyes, taking in what was around her. She really was sitting on something... A GIRL? What the fuck was happening, why the hell was she on this girl's lap???

Her eyes locking with Brutus as he reached over the lap of the girl, most likely making a move. Except Ilya was smack dab in the way, his hand colliding with her body. If he gave it a squeeze, he would feel it as squish. (booooooba + she was also nakie).

Whether or not he squeezed it, Ilya would still scramble off the girl's lap and out of Brutus' grasp. Her eyes widened with shock and her face BRIGHT red. She took quick notice of the girl, it was a beastfolk, and she was a rabbit. It was no wonder Brutus was making a move on her, she was HOT, especially while nakie.

I- I am so sorry for- Uhhmmm Interrupting your moment. B- Bye!

Ilya was BRIGHT red from the embarrassment of literally logging in to see what she saw, on Toko's lap with Brutus touching her melons?!? #BrutusHasAHarem. Ilya quickly formed her hand in a fist, not wasting a single second. She spam tapped where the logout button would be, and before anyone could reply audibly to her appearance she would blink in and out of existence before she was gone completely.

@Toko @Brutus Dahlgren

Ilya Exits Thread.​

 

[Toko]

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"I don't think it was opening yet, but it did look like they were getting ready for the last preparations."

She accepted the offer of booze, having had enough of being babied with just water... besides Toko had just eaten quite a monster of a sandwich too, her stomach could definitely handle some alcohol once more. Before the Lepus knew it she had gotten comfortable besides the giant, not quite touching but close enough so they could speak without having to raise their voices too much.

He'd told her different stories from his troupe and the real world, the rabbit closing her eyes as she listened intently while imagining the different scenarios in her head. She chuckled at a few of them, nodding and humming here or there when warranted, before startling when Brutus suddenly cried out about the eggs.

"A-ah, it's okay, they won't cook past a certain point regardless since the water temperature here is—"

Her cheeks had regained a healthy blush when the Felis suddenly moved and began to reach over Toko to grab the basket, the sudden closeness without warning unnerving the rabbit once again. However before he could even fully reach around Toko suddenly felt an unexpected weight on her lap, another beastfolk suddenly materializing out of thin air as a player had logged into the game.

"E-Eh? N-Nandayo...?!"

Her previous nervousness was quickly forgotten as the Lepus looked at the blonde with a look of surprise an utter confusion, having (quite literally) a front row seat to the next events that unfolded. Before Toko could even interject she watched the person's frantic but familiar movements, she was summoning her UI Hud, before watching as the woman frantically pressed a spot in the air where Toko guessed her log out button was shown.

As quick as the lioness had appeared she suddenly disappeared, the weight on Toko's lap now ceasing to exist. A couple of blinks followed as the rabbit's mind processed everything that had happen, before her hands rose to cover her mouth as a series of chuckles erupted.

"Pffft ahahahaaa... w-what was that all about?! Ahahahaaa...!"

@Brutus Dahlgren @Ilya

 

[Brutus Dahlgren]

Brutus sat there stunned for a moment. That'd been-
he'd just been reaching for the eggs and-
Her-

He blinked for a moment, stunned by what just happened. He'd just gotten to second base with two women in the same night. Poggers dude. That would be...problematic. He could only imagine all of the chicanery that had happened the last time he'd seen Ilya would make that incredibly awkward, but he would need to reach out to her about it later. He had her number, surely he could clear things up and explain what had just happened.

"Ah, Gomen." He replied, still slightly stunned. "That was another friend of mine...she and I had been here killing a monster." He would turn and look, then motion to a rotting pile of mulch maybe ten to twenty feet away. "That's actually it's body over there. Ilya, that's her name by the way, and I had decided to shower off and take a soak cause we'd gotten absolutely coated in mud while fighting the fuck, and I guess she just...logged back in for the first time in two weeks."

Shaking his head, he grabbed the basket of Tamago and passed it back to the Lepus. "That's gonna be a pain in the ass to explain, but there's nothing I can really do about it right now..."

@Toko