Private Eastern Brisshal New Old Beginnings and Cliched Titles

[Kaminari Arashi]

Peace... It was such an alien feeling to the young woman. She gazed down at her pale white hands through, quite literally, new eyes. Her hands tentatively reached towards her face, brushing past her long, unfamiliar bangs to cup her face. The clenching irrational fear in her gut had abated for the first time in years and Enmity really felt like she could just stand there alone in the forest forever with this odd feeling of emotional safety.

Absentmindedly she wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her blue and grey patchwork robe, only just then coming to the realization that she had been crying. She smiled as the tears abated, simply relishing the feeling of being able to... well ... feel without worrying how others might react. In the real world she could barely even look at others without this totally irrational gut wrenching fear overtaking her. The thought of starting a conversation with someone, or even just someone talking to he rout of the blue would set off her fight or flight instincts. She knew it was completely illogical but that didn't help at all, despite her caretakers at the orphanage she had grown up at telling her that all she had to do was 'get over it'.

She pulled her giant white and teal witch hat down over her face, starting to slowly saunter further into the forest she had just spawned into. She wanted to find a stream or a pool to see her reflection in. She knew what this character was supposed to look like, but it wouldn't feel real until she saw it from these new eyes.

@Zelrius

 

[Zelrius]

Another day in Brisshal. The quiet trickle of water along the creek that ran down between the trees, searching for the ocean, and the symphony of creatures lurking among the foliage they called home were relaxing. In the clear blue water, he could see his own reflection, eyes searching his own, flitting between the two of his own gaze. Zelrius wasn't exactly sure what had drawn him here all the time. He lived maybe an hour's drive from this exact forest in the real world, and had been through it on foot both as a teenager and an adult, hiking its trails in college as a way to pass the time. Yet, he had never been drawn to it like he was this place. There was an answer there, one that he wasn't going to consciously accept. Even if it was staring him right in the face.

The trance was broken. He didn't log in today to stand around and enjoy the scenery. Atleast, not as the primary attraction. If this game was going to be any fun again, he'd need to retrieve his old stats, contend with the very best, just as he had before. That's who he was, in his mind. Being reset to 0 was just a temporary set back. The man stood up from his kneeling position, reaching a hand down to dust off his dark, aristocratic clothing from any dirt that may have accumulated, before turning sharply to follow the water down stream.

The adventurer made his way perhaps a mile or so along the water, eyes and ears open for any sign of the usual monsters that lurked in the area, hoping for some easy sources of experience and time to hone his old techniques. Instead, sapphire eyes caught something else sticking out amongst the endless sea of dark and bright greens that made up this area, positioned on the opposing bank of the moving water. Teal, White, and a sort of ocean blue patchwork robe, with a pointed hat held to the side of the... person? They were unusually pale for a normal human, perhaps they were undead. Staring down into the water just as he had earlier, though, perhaps for different reasons.

Zelrius shifted, whistling out and letting the sound echo off the trees, hoping to be heard over the water and mating calls of animals. His hand lifted, waving to her as a silent greeting, opening the door to let this person either simply wave back or go for conversation.

 

[Kaminari Arashi]

It was an eerie sensation. The reflection moved as she did, eyes flicked from place to place as hers did, mouth and hair moving as hers did. She locked eyes with her reflection, feeling almost like it would blink and start talking to her. It wasn't her, but it also was. She spent a moment analyzing her eyes. They glowed softly with an artificial blue light. After a few more moment she let out a light laugh. It was her. I think therefore I am. The same thought that had helped her in the past was more than applicable here. Her appearance didn't matter when it came to something like this, what mattered were her thoughts. That aside, she looked awesome.

This game was her chance to find herself; to grow even more as a person. There was no expectation for how she was supposed to act here, no societal pressures. She would take this opportunity to become a better, stronger person.

It seemed the universe had a sense of dramatic irony, because right as she finished the thought a sharp whistling sound broke through the sounds of nature surrounding her. She looked up quickly, her glowing eyes locking with the apparent nobleman across the creek. She paused for a moment before quickly brushing her bangs back down in front of her face, plopping her hat on top of her head with an unintended flourish. She pulled the brim down, hiding her eyes.

She waved her hand discreetly, the water parting in a wall on either side, forming a dry path. she walked through the creek on dry ground. She made it to the other side, unsurprisingly, her serious face breaking into a grin. "Call me Moses bitch." She exclaimed to the other player.
@Zelrius

 

[Zelrius]

The way the other person had put their hat on, and covered their eyes spoke that they were perhaps shy, or just not interested in company. Zelrius was ready to finish the silent greeting and keep walking down for his own path. Until, the water separated in an instant.

He leaned back away in surprise for a moment, blinking at the.. woman's(?) introduction. Certainly she sounded feminine and looked the part. But she was pale, almost porcelain. And seemed, engineered or perhaps faked in a way. He couldn't put his finger on it, there was an indescribable artificialness to her. "You picked Moses Bitch as your username? Just for that joke?" He wasn't sure if she was being serious or making a joke about using hydromancy to split the water in the way he did in the story. His own joke hidden under there to deflect the fact that he was referred to as bitch.

"Well, Moses Bitch, I am Zelrius. Nice to meet you." He offered an introduction, looking up through the canopy at the way the stars in this area streaked across the sky, even in the day time like this. "Given you know who Moses, you're a Player like me. You just ride in on a star?" Curious if she was like him and hung out around here, or if she was a newbie who just now dropped in.

 

[Kaminari Arashi]

It seemed he was a typical NPC, just the way she had heard about. She had given him a name and he had uploaded it into his vocabulary as her name. Having extremely little knowledge about this game she couldn't help but judge the NPC AI as being a little underdeveloped.

Ah... No. He clarified. The man was a player as well, and one in the habit of making the most dad joke of a joke she had ever heard. Still, Moses Bitch was probably an easier name to remember than the one she had picked, and honestly much less of a mouthful. And what a strange question to ask. "Is that some sort of pick up line? I ask why and you say 'Because you look like an angel, and I bet you've fallen for me'."

It was an extremely cheesy pick up line, but definitely cute. She almost felt bad for stealing the man's thunder. Her real life extremely shy nature had meant most people left her alone for one reason or another, and she had never been flirted with before. It was nice, and her pale porcelain cheeks took on a noticeable hint of red as she crossed her arms and looked down bashfully.
@Zelrius

 

[Zelrius]

She didn't correct the name, so that one must belong to her, right? A thought that was instantly smashed to bits when the Magia had made it clear she thought it was a pick up line. Instantly, Zelrius could feel his face heating up, his gaze looking to her wide in shock. "What? No? The stars, they fall, yknow? When a player logs in - Landers call us the Starcalled Travellers. That is, the NPCs." His words came out spluttered and quick, nearly running over each other.

Was she, making a joke? Poking fun at him? Her own expression said no, but truthfully, the adventurer had been wrong many times in his own life about trying to read other people's intentions. Especially with the look that she was stifling a laugh. The thought of understanding made his eyebrows lower, fighting the way his top lip was trying to curl into a grimace. Next she'd probably say not to take it so personally, but how could he not? Even here he couldn't escape being the butt of jokes.

"Sorry to interrupt your... water watching. Whatever it was you were doing." He dismissed with a mumble, giving the strange woman a nod and then moving to step to the side of her and walk off. Having no interest in hearing the ensuing burst of laughter that was sure to come down on him.

 

[Kaminari Arashi]

40 / 100

The Magia woman looked up, continuing to be embarrassed but for a different reason now. How could she have thought someone would be flirting with her. Her lack of game knowledge and terms had caused her to totally misunderstand the Zelrius. She could tell she had upset him too. Was it really that awful of a thought, that she thought he was interested in her?

It was probably best to leave it anyway, he was turning to go past her, not even waiting for a response. He seemed genuinely upset and she was very confused. It wasn't like she knew all that much about being social anyway though, maybe this was just normal and she had done something extremely dumb.

She shook her head. No, that was the old her, she should do something to correct this situation, whatever was wrong with it. "Wait up Zelrius. If I said something wrong I'm so-"

A little too caught up in what she was trying to say to the man as he walked away and with the noise the creek was making she didn't hear the thudding footsteps of the bear from behind her until it was too late. Her head whipped around to come face to face with the brown bear. It didn't stop its charge in the slightest, teeth smashing closed around her arm and sending black blood and metal bits spraying everywhere as the bear continued forward, dragging her like a ragdoll next to it.

"AGH! SHIT! FUCK! DAMN!" She screamed out, trying to plant her feet on the ground but failing. Screw it. Lightning flashed and the entire forest lit up blue for a moment as her entire body seemed to become one massive human shaped lightning bolt before quickly flickering out and going limp.

Bear Homie:
LP: 2/3
Retaliation: 30
DC: 40

Rolls

Critical Attack
2d100 (Advantage) (5, 24) + 10 + 5 + 10 = 49
49 damage
Gain the Vulnerable state

@Zelrius

 

[Zelrius]

90 / 120

He was ready to just keep walking. Not because he didn't like the Magia, but to save them both maximum embarrassment, even despite her slight protest. The truth was, both of them had said a lot of things wrong, and it was probably better that the two of them just end the interaction here. Before hearing her call out in all kinds of profane words and other sounds, quick to turn on his heel. Eyebrows lifted in alert, the man blinked to see the random bear attack, processing for a moment what was happening.

This... was what he had come out for. Walking around Brisshal to find peace, and a way to sharpen up his diminished masteries. Not to mention, it wasn't like he was going to let the newly spawn fend for herself. Even if they had gotten off on the completely wrong foot. So his teeth clenched, reaching for the twin blades on either side and drawing them out, yelling out to the bear with a "Hey!" The steel of his two blades clanging loudly against each other to draw its attention. A plan that worked to draw its ire and bring the creature closer. The swordsman getting ready for two quick slashes along the thick coat and body of the suddenly appearing forest creature. Jamming one into its stomach as it reared up and then pulling down, before gripping and spinning away with a flourish.

A quick death.

Bear Homie:

❰ 0 / 3 ❱

Retaliation: 30
DC: 40

Rolls

Normal Attack
1d100 (65) + 10 + 5 + 25 = 105
105 damage

 

[Kaminari Arashi]

She hadn't come here to be mauled nearly to death in a bear attack. She had come here to be more social, and it seemed like she was failing at that too judging by how this whole interaction had went. At least he hadn't left her. She had actually been certain that he would, he didn't seem like the hero type.

The Magia gripped her arm, the sleeve of the robe in tatters and stained with a shiny black blood reminiscent of oil. Her face was contorted in pain, and she could barely formulate words. This kind of pain wasnt new to her exactly, but she hadn't felt anything like this for many many years, and it was bringing back some memories that were best left as just that... Memories. Her mind was scarred enough without her body mirroring it.

Her red lips pursed tightly in a thin line, whitening under the pressure as she sucked in a breath. What was she supposed to even say to this guy? Maybe if she were clear headed she could come up with something better, but the longer she stayed in this state the more her trauma started to surface. It was all she could do not to curl up in a fetal position.

"i thought you were going to leave me..." She mumbled through clenched teeth. She had had enough of this for one day. Cradling her arm she pulled up her UI and logged out, unable to put her thank you into words.

@Zelrius