Private Dunnstads Library Lessons

[Harveste]

Hehe, it makes me feel lucky I have such good hearing in our world. I hear all the neighborhood gossip pretty easily just because my computer desk is by my streetside window.

If a Lander had heard her, they'd probably be a bit confused- but travelers were naturally confusing, most likely, and most in this town knew Harveste as a bit of an oddball. She did, after all, sing songs to make flowers bloom. She was also just a lot smaller than the average Faerin for her age. Nobody would likely expect her to be in her thirties already, whether in this world or the other. Luckily, she didn't really mind it- as long as they didn't think she was a little kid.

I get that! I don't have a set schedule most of the time, so I can play basically whenever I want. It's just a matter of taking breaks when inspiration strikes, and paying enough attention to notice on days I actually have an editor meeting or something.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

That definitely sounds lucky. I know my own hearing isn't anything special and my apartment is a bit too high up to be able to hear people down on the streets, even if my window is facing out into the street.

Not that she spent a whole lot of time in the real world currently at the moment anyway, considering that her job was focused solely on Terrasphere right now. She only really had to show up to undergo meetings and psyche evaluations so that they could continue to clear her for playing the game and looking for answers for them. The therapy provided by the VRSA was pretty good though, even if she hadn't really made much use of it yet, having not seen any reasons to believe that she was the kind of person that would even benefit from therapy, in her current, regular state of mind.

The people that told her she worked too hard was wrong.

That makes sense. In that case, it'll probably be pretty easy to set up meetings so that we can learn these languages and stuff. Once a month I have something that requires my attention in reality, but other than that, totally free.

@Harveste

 

[Harveste]

Smiling a bit broadly, Harveste crossed her arms on the table and rested the side of her head upon them, looking at Cleo still. The small Faerin relaxed her body for a moment, giggling.

]Well, we could always go people watching together sometime. It won't look as weird with two of us. Plus we can discuss what we observe- different people infer different things from the same story. That goes for listening to others, too.

She then listened to Cleo explain her schedule- or lack thereof. Sitting up and then standing, she came in close and kissed the woman on the cheek, smiling.

I look forward to stealing lots of your free time then.

Taking a seat again, she hummed softly. A soft pink had taken her cheeks, her smile never fading despite a clear change in her demeanor.

Sorry if that was sudden. I like sweet people like you. Plus, you're a cute girl. So... That's a win for me. One I couldn't help wanting to thank you for.

She soon returned to her book, trying to read the table of contents. Nope- she hadn't learned enough to find the dessert section. She sighed, pushing the book away from her for a bit.

I still can't read more than the title... How frustrating... I'll have to study harder.

 

[Cleo Looker]

Going people watching together definitely sounded a lot more sinister than she was sure Harveste was intending, but it made her smirk and nod. It did honestly sound like it would be a lot of fun, just hanging around and seeing what they could learn about the people around them simply by observing them and listening to the things that they were saying to one another.

That sounds like it would be a good time, yeah. It's been a while since I just went out and got any practice investigating people and stuff.

Though that was when Harveste leaned forwards, kissing her cheek suddenly and giving her a smile, one that was brilliant and dazzling. It had Cleo stunned by the forwardness of it all, even as she watched pink creep across Harveste's cheeks.

Ah, um, w-well, thank you! You're cute too!

She felt pathetic, squeaking like an embarrassed schoolgirl, as crimson swept across her own face, though as Harveste seemed to be moving on, she spotted an opportunity for some minor payback, waiting until Harveste was looking at her book, before she leaned forwards, pressing her lips against Harveste's forehead.

@Harveste

 

[Harveste]

Harveste smiled as the woman agreed to her peculiar idea. She truly looked forward to it, now. Not that it'd be the same in a public place as it would be from the comfort of her own home. It was this moment she realized she really needed more friends in the real world.

So it's a date then? At some point? I wish it were this easy to meet nice people in the other world.

Blushing a bit deeper as she spoke, she realized just how pathetic she sounded. It was pretty sad that she didn't have many friends- though she supposed that was also why she was able to spend so much time in Terrasphere...

But then, to her surprise, Cleo made a move to kiss her forehead. Her smile softly returned, as she glanced towards the other woman.

Thank you. That felt nice.

Stretching her arms and fingers, she pondered for a bit. Should she study more? Should she take a break? She didn't have plans to leave either way until Cleo did, wanting to enjoy her time with her new friend. Her cute, sweet new friend.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

Sure. It's a date, whenever we actually get the chance to go and do it.

Though the way that Harveste had put it, and the way that Cleo had been made to reply, made Cleo's cheeks burn and shift to a vibrant shade of red, the agent glancing down at the desk. It was a position that Harveste seemed to share, as the girl's own cheeks burned. They seemed to have come to the same conclusion abou tthe way that had sounded, though Cleo had no idea which part of it had sounded pathetic to Harveste.

After all, she did agree. It was hard to meet nice people in the real world. Granted, a lot of her time had been spent around police and criminals. It was never exactly the most welcoming of places.

Though at least her kiss to the forehead hadn't been rejected or thought of as strange. Cleo smiled, nodding, accepting Harveste's thanks as she hummed, the two of them falling into a silence again, before the redhead figured she'd try to fill it.

So how has your love life been? Apologies if that's a bit forward, but well, color me curious I suppose. You seem very nice, so I can't imagine you've not had a lot of success.

@Harveste

 

[Harveste]

She laughed nervously, sensing Cleo's own concern over what was said. Harveste grew up calling get togethers 'dates' regardless of who it was with. A visit with her dad? She'd say she had a date with him. It was a weird habit she'd picked up from an old friend. She could realize it sounded weird, but she still said it. Had that caused the awkwardness?

Then, Cleo disturbed the silence, asking about her love life. That was a particularly rough topic for Harveste. She had, after all, just planned the first date she was going to be on pretty much since her lover died and got UI-locked in Terrasphere four years prior.

I haven't really had a love life in a long time. I did ask a guy out just recently on a whim, but... No idea where that's going to go, obviously. So, for now, I'm a free bird. But at least I won't be as lonely that day.

A small giggle escaped her, before she turned the question around.

What about you, Cleo? Anyone you've got your eye on in particular? Or are you more or less like me?

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

She didn't get the sense that it was a rough topic at all, given that Harveste had answered quite easily, apparently having a date lined up and everything, as well as having giggled after she'd finished talking, before turning the question around onto the agent herself. Cleo felt like her answer was honestly going to be even more depressing and sad than Harveste's was. At least the Faerin woman was going on a date. That was more dating that Cleo had done in her entire life!

Ah, I'm afraid I'm particularly boring, when it comes to this topic. No dates, no crushes, not even any kisses. My life has been just a bit too career focused for those kinds of things to ever pop up.

She smiled, leaning back in her chair as her eyes took on something of a particularly teasing gleam, looking Harveste up and down, before winking.

Still, asking a guy out on a whim, huh? I didn't peg you for the forward type~

@Harveste

 

[Harveste]

Harveste giggled a bit as Cleo called herself 'boring'. To the small woman, there was nothing boring about the woman before her at all. In fact, she found her quite interesting because of this new information!

I don't think that's boring. We all have our own priorities at different stages of life, you know? Yours is your career. Nothing wrong with that.

She felt herself blushing a bit deeper when winked at, smiling at the table before her shyly.

I prefer to think of myself as honest with my desires. For example...

She turned to glance up and down Cleo, giving a grin to the woman while she continued to speak.

Little miss forward is thinking of asking another person on a date. I wonder if you can guess who?

Tapping the table with the hand that sat between them, she leaned her head on her opposite one, elbow perching her as she stared at Cleo with a smile. She was curious now more than anything- Cleo seemed like a nice girl, and she was rather cute too. Harveste couldn't help herself around such people, it would seem. Maybe returning to the world Kaede was stuck in, having seen the woman again even if only briefly... Had she rubbed off on the Faerin more than the girl realized?

No, it was probably much more simple than that. But she'd figure that out later on.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

Well it was nice to know that somebody at least understood that she just wanted to prioritize her career and had for a while, though recently, having achieved all of her goals, she'd been starting to find that she had more and more time to wonder if she'd missed out on things, being as career oriented as she'd been? It wasn't as if she was in a hurry to get into the dating scene and maybe it was just because basically everybody was a supermodel in this game, but she'd been noticing a lot of people recently.

It was probably the supermodel thing, though.

Still, hearing that Harveste was interested in asking somebody else out on a date (and missing the subtext that it was Cleo herself), the redhead blinked, before leaning forward, eyes brimming with curiosity.

Oh really? Somebody else caught your eye? Is it somebody that I would know? I don't know too many people yet, but I could give guessing a shot, I suppose.

It was, possibly, very dense of her, but she'd not really had much interest be expressed in her before. Certainly not enough to pick up on some subtle signs. Moreover, she was trying to figure out if it could be any of the people she'd met before.

It never crossed her mind that Harveste was interested in her.

@Harveste

 

[Harveste]

Beginning to laugh ever so slightly, she gave Cleo a bright smile. Used to being called dense herself, it felt interesting to be on the opposite side of the situation. But, Harveste too was known for her naivete and gullibility. It was possible Cleo was just teasing her into being even more blunt.

Then again, did the Faerin need an excuse to be honest? No, probably not.

I won't make you guess. I'll just tell you instead.

Picking herself off her chair and slipping behind the woman she was talking to, Harveste opted to wrap her arms around Cleo's torso. She leaned over the woman's shoulder, whispering softly in her ear.

I was referring to you.

Resting her head on Cleo's shoulder for a moment, the Faerin soon let go and backed away. Her face was as pink as a peach, the warmth spreading to her ears. Had she really just done that? Sure, she loved hugs plenty, but...

Sorry, was that too much? You're so cute, I couldn't hold back the urge to hug you at all.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

Cleo glanced at Harveste, wondering just what it was that the Faerin was laughing at. Had she said anything particularly funny? She didn't think so, unless it was a bit early to be showcasing interest in somebody else's love life, though considering her own had been fairly empty, she kind've had to live vicariously through other people, in that regard.

Though that was when Harveste stood up, slipping around the table and behind Cleo, before wrapping her arms around the agent and whispering in her ear. If she'd had a tail or animal ears, they'd have stood ramrod stiff in shock. Her eyes wide open in shock, as she felt Harveste's head on her shoulder. Just for a moment, before the girl moved away, stepping back.

Ah, n-no it's fine, really! I just didn't think you had that kind of, y'know, interest in me.

She turned to face Harveste, her own face burning crimson. God she felt hot and bothered.

Were...you looking for a date here, in game? Or in the real world? Because the latter might be harder to set up...

@Harveste

 

[Harveste]

Why wouldn't I be interested in you? You're a lovely person, as far as I can tell.

The smaller woman gave the other a warm smile. It was entertaining being on the side opposite her usual- the side of the one surprising another, instead of being oblivious to the advances. As she was thinking on the matter, Cleo asked a rather logical question. One that threw the Faerin through a loop as she realized her own recklessness, yet again.

I didn't really think that far ahead... But I'll happily take what I can get. I know not everyone lives in the New York tri-state area, after all.

And, even if they did live nearby, would most people be okay with meeting in person so soon after meeting online? She'd gotten lucky the last time, but she couldn't just assume the same would happen with the woman she was with now. Harveste knew she was acting rather thoughtlessly, after all. She just didn't really mind being that way.

Honestly, I'm just happy you're thinking about it seriously.

She smiled a bit brighter, opting to hug Cleo once more before taking a seat next to her again. She didn't know what was going to happen, but she was excited nonetheless!

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

Well this was all incredibly sudden, considering that they had only just met a few minutes ago, in this very library. It was charming, though. She'd never had anybody hit on her only minutes after they'd met, if the person hadn't been hitting on her from the first second. There were some people that saw her and just immediately tried to shoot their shot, rather than try to get to know her as a person beforehand. At the very least, Harveste had that going for her. The girl had been very kind.

Ah, I live in Boston, which isn't all that far away so a meetup wouldn't be impossible.

She hummed in thought. She could very easily get herself there. Even lacking a car, she had her motorbike, so it wasn't as if she had no access to transport. Cleo mulled it over in her head, humming, before her thoughts were cut off as Harveste hugged her once more.

Without thinking, rather than let Harveste sit down again, she wrapped her arms around the Faerin's waist and hauled Harveste onto her lap.

It's up to you. We can set something up in advance IRL or we could do something a bit more spontaneous here.

@Harveste

 

[Harveste]

I see! Boston is a nice area. I've visited a few times in my life. It'd be funny if I'd seen you on the streets a while back, wouldn't it?

As Cleo took her onto her lap, she sat quietly, looking up at the woman with a flushed face.

We can do both for all that matters, but... You probably shouldn't hold me so closely. It feels too nice and makes me want to kiss you.

With a soft grin and a gleam in her eye, she moved to kiss Cleo on the cheek for the time being. She wanted to kiss her elsewhere, but knew that wouldn't be right in that moment. So, for once in her life, she warned the woman and held back.

Oh how hard it was to hold back.

What would you enjoy more, hm? I'm happy to see you anywhere, as long as I get to be with you.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

Oh, you'd know if you've seen me in the streets before, probably. You'd recognize me even in here. I didn't alter anything during character creation, so my avatar looks exactly the same as I do in the real world.

It always felt like bragging when she admitted that, even though it felt like nothing could be further from the truth. Everybody she'd met had been so creative when designing their perfect VR self and she'd just accepted the body that she'd already had. Even if it was a perfectly good body, there were still things she could've changed or tried, if she wasn't quite as boring as she was.

Though with that and with Harveste in her lap, Cleo blinked, blushing as the girl kissed her on the cheek after having warned her. After such a sweet move, she couldn't help but wrap her arms just a little tighter around the faerin's waist, holding her close.

Ah, well, how about we do some things in here and set up a meeting in reality ahead of time? It'll be a few weeks before I'm available IRL anyway, but I'll have more time in here, weirdly enough.

@Harveste

 

[Harveste]

A soft giggle escaped her lips as she felt the arms around her waist strengthen their hold. She had warned her, hadn't she? She was sure she'd warned Cleo the 'danger' of holding her close. Without hesitation- or at least, without any physical signs of it- the Faerin moved to peck Cleo's lips gently.

Sorry, but I took the stronger hug as permission~

A small, shy smile left itself on her face as she stared at her lap awkwardly. Now that she'd done what she wanted, she felt a little guilty for making assumptions that her actions were acceptable.

When Cleo recommended a way to do both online and offline dates, Harveste's eyes widened slightly as she felt her smile start to kidnap the rest of her flushed face.

That sounds like a wonderful plan. I hope I'll get to see you lots.

A soft grin remained as she leaned her head against Cleo's chest.

Also, thank you... The hug is wonderful. You're wonderful. I already know it.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

Her eyes flew wide open as Harveste pecked her lips, blinking at the sudden sensation as her face filled with crimson. That...had been quite pleasant. When was the last time that she'd kissed somebody that wasn't, like, her mom? She'd pretty much never been on a date or had anything of a romantic life, so this was all quite new to her. She wasn't exactly sure what she was supposed to do in response to that. Was there a universally recognized way to respond to that kind of affection.

Luckily, it seemed that Harveste, after looking down at her lap awkwardly, liked the suggestion that she'd made. Cleo nodded, blushing as Harveste leaned against her chest.

I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of each other.

She smiled, before blushing as she realized how suggestive those words could probably sound out of context. And at Harveste's compliments, applied lavishly to her, even though she wasn't sure she'd really done anything to deserve being called wonderful.

You're also quite wonderful yourself~

She breathed out a satisfied sigh, holding onto Harveste for a moment or two, her arms wrapped tightly around the faerin girl's waist, chin resting comfortably on Harveste's shoulder, before she gently pressed her lips to the outside of Harveste's pointed ear.

@Harveste

 

[Harveste]

Harveste knew she'd done something dumb and reckless. She knew it before she did it, but she'd done it anyway. It wasn't like she was exactly known for being discreet about her thoughts. In fact, as time had passed in recent years, she'd grown much more direct and open than she already was four years ago.

Luckily for Cleo, the Faerin could be a bit dense herself, and she was in this particular case. She took the idea at face value, rather than thinking of how suggestive it could be. The fact was brutally obvious as she smiled up at Cleo with a brilliant gleam, a simplicity in her eyes that glistened happily.

Nope. The thought had completely missed her mind. She was just excited for another encounter with a lovely lady.

But then, she felt something warm at the tip of her ear, causing her to go nearly scarlet all across her face. Suddenly, the thought caught up with her racing mind. S-Surely she didn't mean it like that... Right?

Gripping tightly at the cloth covering her legs, she shuddered slightly. The warmth of Cleo's lips felt delightful and made her giddy- but it made her feel something a bit more complex too. Glancing upwards again, she gave a soft pout, before finally managing to say something.

Y-You probably shouldn't do that again unless you want me to kiss you again, too.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

Harveste's smile really was quite the brilliant thing, almost making it seem like the girl was shining and sparkling when she had flashed that smile up at Cleo, her eyes containing a simplicity that told Cleo just how earnest this person was. Harveste, it seemed, was quite the rare breed of person, somebody that meant everything that they said and did. Cleo would have been a liar, had she said that she didn't feel a slight jealousy for that.

Though after the slight kiss that she'd pressed to Harveste's ear, Harveste looked up at her and pouted, managing to stutter out a few words that had Cleo smirking, chuckling.

Oh? Are you threatening me, Harveste?~

It would be fine if she were to have a little bit of fun, right? It wasn't as if this was hurting anybody and it was all just a game. Cleo leaned forward again, pressing her lips to Harveste's ear a second time, before leaning back and looking down at the faerin with a small, challenging grin.

@Harveste