Private Eastern Brisshal Like Looking in a Mirror

[Kyupin Felnya]

She'd been making her way through the dense forestry of Brisshal, hovering somewhere near the political border of West and East, when she spotted movement in the dawning sky. Kyupin pauses, head tilted up and lips parted. The small gaps in the canopy afford only a slight glimpse of the shooting star piercing through the dim pink sky towards the unknown. Not the unknown, she corrects herself. Somewhere in… near here, actually. She remembered learning about the shooting stars, how they heralded the arrival of every new player. I hope that one lands somewhere safe.

She continues, senses stretching out around her for that telltale comfort of Vulcan. But instead of feeling the tug of her animal companion, her senses are drawn to a figure. A cat beastfolk. Perched there, in another break of the trees, where creeping roots gave way to a smooth patch of grass. The new arrival, or just sneaky? Given by the underwhelming attire... New player, probably. She slows to a stop in the shadow of a tree, birdsong in the nearby trees barely masking the crack of a branch underfoot.

Her toes wiggle as she remembers those first precious moments after logging in. While she doesn't go out of her way to mask her presence—isn't nearly as good at it as many of her stealthier friends were—she does keep her distance, careful not to intrude just yet. Giving the catfolk a chance to experience the new world for themselves.

But after they gathered their bearings, then maybe… maybe she could do for them what Gwyn had done for her all those years ago.

@Fina Drago

 

[Fina Drago]

As the soft and unremarkable gray hue faded along with the false reflection of her self, azure blue skies filled with fluffy white clouds would replace the scenery in the most sudden and jarring motion. "Huh..?" The single noise coming out of her was a lone prelude to the sudden feeling of fear as her vision fixated on the land beneath her, far, yet drawing close very quickly. Did the program just spawn her hundreds of meters above ground right after she existed character creation? Was this the kind of welcome the unknown developers wanted to convey - a sense of distress and sign of hardships soon to come?

Perhaps not, as the fall, despite looking wholly lethal, did not end up hurting the girl's new avatar one bit. However, the numerous branches did manage to leave about a few scratches and one good smack across her face. Struggling like a newborn kitten, her rash movements were eventually enough to free the girl from the tree's ensnarement, letting her fall down to the ground with a thud. "Bwuh-"

As far as first impressions went, she had experienced many which were far better. But in the few seconds of her presence in this world, its unique nature had already presented itself. Slowly getting herself into a sitting position, Fina would adjust her now rather messy hair, removing any leftover leaves from it as she rubbed her nose with her other hand. That was definitely pain she just felt. The folk she interrogated about this game were not lying, it seemed. Which meant it was time for the big test.

Planting her hands on the grass-covered ground, she would inhale and exhale a few times before testing her body up a bit and trying to get up. It was a somewhat slow and arduous process at first, her legs wobbling like there was no tomorrow. But a few seconds later, while partly leaning against the tree she fell from, she managed to find her balance, and a bright smile adorned her face.

@Kyupin Felnya

 

[Kyupin Felnya]

Kyupin looks to the sky, traces of dawn pink long since melted into bright, early morning blues. She had places to be, people to find. Companions to reunite with. But her feet do not move, her eyes dipping down after a few beats (that's enough privacy right?) to stare at the catgirl again.

It's like watching herself all those years ago – the struggle to process and the awe it eventually inspired. Right down to the wobbling of her legs, the mix of frustration and fascination as muscles that had been little more than phantom whispers for so long came to life again. It's almost eerie, actually, how similar it is. Did all newbies go through this, or was this person also…? She chews the inside of her cheek. She really didn't have the time to stay - the detour to Eastern Brisshal had already cut into her time. But all she needs is a kind stranger to get her going. And Kyupin was never good at leaving people be.

She announces herself with a clearing of her throat, stepping past gnarled roots into open grass, from shadow to light. It'd be hard to mistake her as a native of the forest – the bright blue dress peeking out from under her long, white and blue cloak would fail to blend into any of the greenery. Her hair, similarly, is a vivid honey blonde, pulled into a high ponytail that bounces with each springy step. It's a wonder that the shadow had hidden her at all, with such bright, vivid colors. She makes a point of walking with her hands out, marking a distinct lack of weaponry to match the soft, open expression on her face. One could almost be fooled into thinking her more prey than predator.

"You should try taking off your shoes," she chirps, long tail peeking out the bottom of her skirt and swishing languidly behind her. "There's nothing quite like the grass between your toes... 'cept maybe sand at a beach."

@Fina Drago

 

[Fina Drago]

One step at a time, things would come to her. This was hardly the girl's first time having functional legs inside a virtual environment, which perhaps helped her get up faster than she'd usually be. But it most certainly was the first time she could feel… like this! The tightness of her shoes, the morning breeze blowing between the branches and brushing against her cheeks, the sharp pain in her fingers as they reflexively dug into the tree she was holding onto as she heard the sound-

Her head turned toward its source sharply. So absorbed in the sensations, Bianca failed to pay any attention at all to her surroundings. Instead, she was too interested in what she could perceive through her avatar, Fina, as she named her. The emerging figure made the silver-maned player freeze, a tightness in her chest as if her heart skipped a few beats. Even feelings like that were possible here?

Owed to the nonthreatening nature of the other girl's approach, Fina managed to collect herself rather well, legs no longer shaking all that much as she stood her ground even without leaning against the tree. "Uh-huh… and you are?" Looking the stranger over, a few feline traits not too unlike her own were quickly spotted. That meant another player, right? Or were there NPCs of her race also? Surely there were, but this one did not act like a traditional introductory NPC.

Still, as a few moments passed, giving the other cat a chance to introduce herself, Bianca managed to process what was actually said to her, soon directing Fina to sit down on the nearest stump and wrestle the shabby-looking boots off of her feet. The sensation against the grass was… challenging to describe. But perhaps even more fascinating to the girl was how she could observe her individual toes move a bit on her command… steadily, but also surely.

@Kyupin Felnya

 

[Kyupin Felnya]

She's relieved to see the edge of fear melt away from the other. Whether that's due to their own mental fortitude or her own skills coming into play, it's good to know she hasn't completely ruined the moment. Her steps, though they had slowed slightly in response to the other's earlier tension, do not completely stop, bringing her ever closer. "Oh, right! I'm…" There's the slightest pause, a hesitation disguised as a quick inhale. She could finally say it again! Her smile quirks wider, giddy thrill bubbling in her chest. "My name is Kyupin! Nice to meet you!"

The hand she would have offered in a greeting handshake—small and calloused—halts at her side, waiting for a moment as the other sits. "And what do I call you?" she asks as she sits on the grass, dress billowing around her. She pulls one leg into her hands, quickly tugging off her finer-quality boots to take her own advice.

@Fina Drago

 

[Fina Drago]

Bianca had no real understanding of why the feline in front of her seemed so strangely excited about this whole encounter. Was there something she was missing? Was a new player arriving into this world a big deal? The poor lad she coaxed the game client out of said no such thing, and she had never come across anything when researching Terrasphere, either. Oh well, not like it was that big of a deal. She would just offer a smile of her own as she heard the name. She thought it a bit silly, if only because it was so close to the word Cupid when she repeated it inside her head.

"Right, I guess… I guess it'd be Fina. Fina Drago." Looking up briefly as if she expected to stop a player tag floating above her, the girl quickly went back to looking at her company, who was now firmly seated in the grass and removing her own shoes. "So, um… I don't mean to be rude or anything, but why am I being approached by someone who looks like they've been playing for a while?" The best-case scenario was that there were players who would actually initiate newbies… the worst-case scenario was that she would still get mugged, only after a pleasant conversation rather than out of nowhere.

@Kyupin Felnya

 

[Kyupin Felnya]

Fina Dargo. Kyupin tucks the name into her mind, somewhere between all her reminders and tasks to do. She'd do her best to remember it. And if she failed… well, that's what the investigation mode was for. Her other boot is pulled off just as easily, plopped down on the grass beside her. She firmly plants her feet into the grass, toes wiggling and tail rustling the area around her. It's just slightly slick to the touch, morning dew not quite evaporated. It's distracting, drawing her gaze as she admires the feeling again. Oh, I've missed this.

Her gaze darts back up. "Why?" she echoes, her smile turning sheepish and toes digging further into the grass. 'Playing', she'd said. So still treating it like a game. Kyupin's fingers dance atop her knees, tapping. "Well, um… why not, right? Back when I was new, somebody helped me, so passing along the favor and all. There's no harm in helping somebody new out." There's a little harm, the distinct lack of Vulcan's wet snout in her cheek reminds her. "I'm actually on my way to Stokbon. It's the capital of this place! And I can teach you a bit about how to, y'know, use the system and all while we're heading there... Unless you wanna figure things out yourself…?"

@Fina Drago

 

[Fina Drago]

So she was indeed trying to help her. Or at least that was the pretense. Although even Bianca was starting to get tired of being suspicious and doubtful of this person, so she'd take her word for it. Mimicking Kyupin a bit, she got up from the stump and tried to stretch her legs a tad. Walking like this would probably be another completely new experience, wouldn't it? She'd find out soon enough, she figured.

Tossing her hands to the sides as she shrugged a bit, the girl smiled at the same time. "I'm not arrogant enough to refuse a helping hand when it's given. If it's not too inconvenient for you, I wouldn't mind being taken to this Stokbon." Having some company would surely make the trip much more pleasant. And it would eliminate the chance of getting eaten by some wild wolf or whatever else could possibly occupy these woods while she still had no idea how to control all the aspects of the game fully.

"I'd figure things out by myself in any other game, but this one is a bit special. Don't think I want to risk getting myself in trouble this early on." Just like that, she more or less summed up her feelings about her current situation. The help was appreciated, even if that was not yet vocalized.

@Kyupin Felnya

 

[Kyupin Felnya]

She beams, the nervous tapping of her fingers ending with a pleased clap of her hands together. "Good! Great!" This whole mentorship thing wasn't too bad! "Not an inconvenience at all." She hops to her feet, wobbling slightly. Old memories and physical therapy in the real world had made picking up walking and even jogging come back with relative ease, but the more athletic and acrobatic movements still gave her trouble. And if she was having trouble... "But um, just so you know, Stokbon is a… bit of a journey, especially by foot." Her eyes can't help but flick down to the other player's legs, then back up just as fast. "There are a couple towns on the way there – I think Honeyhome is…? I was going to stop there to get a horse, but even with that it'll… probably be an all day thing. So it might actually be better to drop you off at Honeyhome? It's kinda like a 'starter town', and shouldn't be too hard for you to get what you need there. Plus, it's nice and safe there!" She smiles weakly at that, recalling her own experience with Honeyhome. Usually safe, at least.

She clears her throat as she starts them on the path towards Honeyhome, her boots pinched in her hands as she navigates through drying grass and knotted roots. "So, it sounds like you've done your research before coming here. What all do you actually know already?"

@Fina Drago

 

[Fina Drago]

As long as her company was pleasant, this really didn't seem to be much of a downside. Someone nice to chat with, if nothing else. However, she did catch Kyupin's eyes wandering. The connection clicked right away when she mentioned how much of a journey it would be. "It's fine. I've played games that had me run a marathon. Unless this game can simulate my real-life stamina, there won't be any problems." She was already steady on her feet. Sure, the feelings differed from any other game she had participated in before, but the overall concept was the same. If she could learn how to move legs with no feelings in those previous titles, then this was a child's play!

"Honeyhome, huh? Got it. I have no complaints as long as I can find my way to the city from there." A homely village or a small town sounded nice, but if she were to buy herself some equipment better than the smelly tunic she started with, then the city was probably the place to be. Of course, as soon as they started walking, Fina would demonstrate that she could make the journey just fine by jogging lightly until she got ahead of her guide and turned around, walking backward for a bit as she faced the other feline. "As much as I could with the regulations still holding strong. I've already experienced pain, so I guess the whole ban thing was warranted, to some degree. I know I'm better off avoiding dying here, and not just because dying would probably be pretty damn painful by itself."

@Kyupin Felnya

 

[Kyupin Felnya]

She smiles as the other jogs, her own pace remaining steady and slow. She'd walked plenty already, and would have much more after this. It wasn't worth burning all her energy right now. "Shouldn't be too hard! Lots of people travel from Honeyhome up to the capital, so there's a big road to follow. I'm betting there'll be loads of players there you can party with too." Her gaze wanders to the thinning trees, focused on finding where grass ended and road began. Maybe she could stay a while in Honeyhome, see if the other veterans had gotten nostalgic? It'd be so nice to see them again, to say hello... She shakes her head of those thoughts.

Her smile dims slightly as Fina expands on her knowledge. "Right. Well, the pain you've felt is probably the reduced one — that's actually a setting you can change. I'd keep that one on, though. But we can look at the other ones! Here, if you just do this with your hand,"—she lifts her right hand in demonstration, making a show of clenching it into a fist, then opening it wide. The palm menu bubbles into her view, but remains invisible to Fina—"then you can see the menu!"

 

[Fina Drago]

"Party, huh…" Repeating the word after Kyupin, even the feline fell into a bit of a thoughtful moment. Mainly because the idea reminded her just how much of an anti-social she was in real life, often not getting along with others for a wide variety of reasons. She hoped to be different in this world, but some issues would likely arise nonetheless. After all, there was no way she could just wholly switch up her personality.

"Reduced, huh? That's a bit surprising… Given what I've read about this game and the reasons for its ban, I imagined they'd go all out. Thanks for the info tho!" While pain was most definitely part of life and one of the reasons why she wanted to try this MMO in the first place, she was no masochist. That setting was definitely staying on.

As for the menu, the girl would stop for a brief moment to turn around again and walk by her companion's side. That way, she didn't have to think about the gestures too much, seeing them from the opposite direction. Mimicking the movements, her menu opened up, making her pause again. "Whew… quite a bit to go through, huh." She'd probably have to explore much of it later on her own accord. "Guess I should really learn how to make that gesture fast." It seemed like something useful if she ever needed to access something like her inventory in combat unless there were better ways to do that.

@Kyupin Felnya

 

[Kyupin Felnya]

The moment Fina shifts her attentions to the UI, Kyupin's smile falters. All out, huh? It'd be better to warn her, wouldn't it? Kyupin wets her lips, pausing at the threshold of the trees, leaves and branches casting a shadow over them still. She makes the gesture again, the UI almost unfamiliar with how little she'd used it. There's the log out button. Still present. For now. She goes to keep speaking, to warn her, but her heart blocks her throat and the words don't come out. "Don't worry. I'll walk you through the main ones." she says instead. Guilt curls in her belly and her hand clenches, the menu disappearing.

Around the bend of trees, an ox-drawn carriage emerges. It treads along the wide dirt path, heading (unfortunately) away from Honeyhome. Kyupin's quick to hop on to the topic change, clearing her throat as she points with renewed vigor. "See that? Sometimes, you can catch a ride in one of those. They usually head through the big trading areas - I think that one's heading to Astorea. Coin's the usual option, but sometimes they'd rather have protection or some other skills. " Kyupin leans against a tree to tug her boots back on, then trots towards the path, away from the carriage.

"Speaking of skills, what'd you choose?"

 

[Fina Drago]

Fina continued staring at the menu for a bit longer before dismissing it at Kyupin's affirmation that they'd go over essential elements together. It was probably all stuff that the girl could figure out on her own one way or another, but these things always went much faster if there was a guide to follow. Or, in this case, a friend to make things easier to understand.

Not too long after, the somewhat amusing carriage was spotted. "I see. Well, it makes sense… it is a fantasy setting, so that would be it on the lower end." She figured there would also be something more efficient. Some kind of flying creature, maybe? She'd probably see it all once in a more busy area, like a city. "Actually, I guess that means… can players own their own mounts to get around faster?" They were already walking this long, which meant the maps were massive. It'd make sense if that were possible.

As for the skills, she just shook her head dismissively. "None yet. It looked like there was quite a selection, so I think I'll just go over them once I get to sit down somewhere in peace, quiet for reading." No sense in rushing what seemed to be a pretty important decision.

@Kyupin Felnya

 

[Kyupin Felnya]

She hums uncertainly. "I… maybe? I have, uh, had Vulcan. He's my mount, I guess? He follows, followed me into everything. Fights and all. But taming animals is one of my skills. A mount that's just for transport might not need that?" She smiles sheepishly. "Sorry, I wish I knew more."

Kyupin nods. "That's smart. I bet magic'll be right up your alley. All the,"—she makes a vague, circling gesture that, if you squint hard enough, were maybe meant to look like magical incantations—"the stuff you gotta remember in order to cast."

With no specific skills to focus on, Kyupin swaps her focus back to the UI, turning her own on so she can explain each part of the HUD. She walks Fina through inviting people to a party, joining up with her temporarily so she could see the added status bars, then how to leave the party. Investigation Mode is also pulled up, though Kyupin flounders to explain what information should or shouldn't be available. Then she shows the warp-space that is the inventory, retrieving the shortbow she'd carefully stowed away earlier. It does not go back in at the end of her demonstration, comfortably nestled in her palm. Though her explanations are shoddy, they are heartfelt and well-intentioned, at the very least introducing the basic concepts to Fina.

The road they follow is interrupted by a small creek, dirt path merging into a low wooden bridge. The setting sun sparkles off the water, clouds long since parted to let the full summer heat bear down on them. Red-roofed buildings live on the other side of the bridge, the local populace of the peaceful hamlet bumbling around in the middle of their workdays.

"… and that's just about everything you need to get started!" Kyupin chirps as she steps on to the bridge. "Welcome to Honeyhome. Your first stop here is probably the bakery, the general store, or the tavern." She points to each building in succession as they cross.

 

[Fina Drago]

Kyupin had quite a bit to say regarding the whole mount business. Or at least as far as it portrayed to some creature she appeared to be connected to. Although the occasional past tense made it clear there might have been some issue. Or, at the very least, confusion. All Fina could assume was that the other girl played the game four years ago, and having returned now, she could not find her pet and/or companion. "It's fine, it's fine. If there is more to it, then I'm sure I'll figure it all out eventually."

There was hardly any need to learn everything right away. The basic? Absolutely! But if there were more nuanced side systems that she could take advantage of, then there was no point in seeking it out until she could actually get some benefit out of it. But as far as the fundamentals went, she was pretty grateful for Kyupin's explanation of everything regarding the menu and even some more interesting things like the investigation mode.

Just like with other pleasant conversations, it helped pass the time tremendously. Finding themselves at Honeyhome, their target, it seemed that their first little adventure was near its end. "Now those sound more like the RPG locations I'm used to. Shouldn't be much of a problem going from here!"

As they went past the important building and witnessed the lovely setting Sun, along with the clouds it painted crimson, Fina would stop and turn toward the other girl with an earnest smile. "I, um… thanks for helping me out. I was really unsure of myself, trying to get into a banned game, so… really grateful that you made my first impressions beyond great!"

@Kyupin Felnya