Complete Pormont No Farm Done

[Kamala Graham]

It has already been days since the first time Kamala Graham stepped foot in Pormont. She was not let down by what she had been hearing about the place, the endless fields of golden wheat and the gentle winds that caress them every now and then, even the scent of fresh manure everywhere she turned, were a welcome respite from all the fears and doubts she carried with her from the other world.

Kamala had expected to be thrust into a battle for her soul, to be endangered right from the get-go, but Falderen's heartland, its breadbasket, was as a cozy and homely surprise. So homely, in fact, that it reminded her of home, a peaceful version of it, one that inevitably lured her into a sense of security that she was now unwilling to let go of. It has already been days since the last time Kamala Graham remembered why she even logged into this game in the first place.

At the moment, however, Kamala was more focused on something else. With a warm smile, she tended to the field of wheat in front of her, a Sprout on her shoulder. This one was not as prickly or valiant as Greenleaf the Bold nor was it part of the Summer Court. This specific Sprout was of the Spring Court, and like Greenleaf was the so-called leader of the other court, this one played the same role for her court.

Resembling a queen with its pinkish crown of petals, the Sprout, which was a little bit bigger than the rest of her peers, began pointing at the same field of wheat, making ooh and aah sounds instead of actual words. Kamala was able to understand it, however, though most likely because of the contract between her and the sapling sprites. "See, that's what I also thought, but to be fair, these farmers didn't have you around to help, Fleur."

The Sprout giggled not unlike a mini-puft and nodded at Kamala's flattery. She wasn't lying, though: Maybe if the farmers just outside of Saine Fells had the sapling sprites helping them, then they wouldn't have to risk more than they needed to. Fortunately for them, Kamala had brought the nature spirits with her when she arrived, and just like back home, she continued doing what she did best: Volunteering to help save the environment. Save...the environment? I think I'm forgetting something. The same Sprout started making a fuss again, this time pointing at a distance where the silhouette of a man was growing. Eh, I'll remember that some other time.

"Is that someone we know, Fleur?" Kamala crossed her arms over her chest as she squinted as hard as she could to take a good look at the approaching stranger. The Sprout did the same, but in the end, just shook her head as a reply to Kamala's question, making the same ooh and aah sounds, but this time less friendly and more gossipy. "Mm-hm, mm-hm, we better be ready then. Just in case, right?"

@Pete Simpson

 

[Chrys]

“Howdy!” Pete moseyed into the scene, approaching the strange dog woman who seemed to have been talking to herself, with all the grace and confidence of a cowboy from a Western. The genre of movie, not the geographical half of the entire real world, his place of origin, where all the magnificence of this innovative game was crafted from, made. "Fine day, isn't it, miss?"

There were days when Pete tried his best to gauge whether the character he was speaking to was that of a Player’s or if it was just another well-done NPC by the game developers. Some days, however, he just felt like taking to these things as if he was playing Russian roulette, which in itself was ironic because his very survival in this illegal game was technically just like Russian roulette. Best not shoot wrong like those dead folks.

Pete wondered, however, if this game also had cowboys, but then became more curious as to why he was feeling like one right then and there. He wasn't even wearing the proper hat. Was it the rolling fields of golden wheat? The grand depiction of simple farm life from a less modern time? Or maybe it was just because he was riding a horse with flowers for a mane? Thank Buer and her Nature Ring for that. “I seem to have lost my way, fair maiden. My name's Pete Simpson, just a humble adventurer on my way to a place called…”

And then he cut himself off as his eyes wandered to the two massive things right in front of him. Just a couple of badonkadonks. Even his fake cowboy accent was caught by surprise that it decided to just dissipate, making Pete exclaim the next few words in his original accent, which wasn’t any better: “Bloody hell, those things are huge!”

Pete felt his throat dry so fast that he just had to take a gulp, even though there was nothing else to gulp but the air that surrounded them. Invisible to the naked eye. Not unlike whatever was on the dog woman's shoulder that Pete's flower-horse was staring at. Even as Pete dropped down from it, unmounted the creature, the flower-horse kept his gaze on the dog woman's shoulder, as if its summoner didn't matter. Pete himself was oblivious to whatever caught his flower-horse's attention, more interested in the giant pair that had cause him to lose all his cowboy inhibitions, if those even existed in the first place.

“Can I touch dem twins?”

@Kamala Graham

 

[Kamala Graham]

Oh, hello...

At first glance, Kamala thought the man who had introduced himself as Pete Simpson was a threat. But as he got closer, she realized that the only threat he was to was to her own relationship status. She just had to make sure he was a Player first and not just some charming NPC. That face, that heavenly face, and the confidence of a cool protagonist whose sole purpose was to save her and the town from the evil gang of smelly bandits were enough proof for Kamala to just let her guard down and welcome him with open arms.

But then he had to exclaim the wrong thing! Kamala was left shocked and dismayed and offended, all that in random order, with no end to the rising tension she was feeling from within and all over her body. She could even feel her cheeks flush, growing red out of embarrassment and fury. How dare he act so callously? So straightforward? A lady such as herself deserved better, certainly someone better than him. No man can just ride into town and ask if they can touch...things! That should be a crime! In fact, it may very well be.

Laws are dumb but I'll let that one slide!

Before she could think further things through, however, her hand was already in the air, hitting Pete's cheek so hard, Kamala felt the pain of the impact as well. But she had to hold on, to push through, and so she tried her best to not react to that hand-numbing aftermath, clenching her jaw to distract herself from the sting. She was the victim here, the one offended, the survivor of Pete Simpson's rudeness! She cannot afford to show any sign of weakness, especially not physical weakness. That could be the end of her if she wasn't careful.

"How dare you?!" She screamed out loud, spooking the Sprout on her shoulder. No one else could see the sapling sprites, no one else without the appropriate skills or Masteries, but her. Pete could have had those, but she was too focused in her anger to realize that, simply forgetting about the presence of her tiny gentle friend altogether. "We just met and you're already saying things like that?! You'd need to buy me dinner first! Scratch that, you'd need to meet my parents first!"

Kamala huffed and puffed some more, turning her body away from him just in case he'd let himself succumb to his perverted ways. "Do I look like a cheap, ordinary hussy to you?! Don't answer that! You'd probably answer wrong because you're just a simple beast driven only by your primitive urges! And why did your accent change, huh?! Don't make m sick my friends on you, villain! You wouldn't like my Sprouts when they're angry!"

@Pete Simpson

 

[Chrys]

What had been an exciting moment for Pete turned into a painful surprise when the dog woman slapped him hard on his face. It was the first slap to the face that Pete had suffered for a while, perhaps even since he was a child. Had he been slapped by someone else recently? Someone from his workplace? Someone from school? Someone from daycare? No, no, no, and no. The last time Pete was slapped, it wasn't meant as an attack. Let's not go down that rabbit hole, though. The kids might still be awake and reading this.

While the dog woman was already berating Pete, hurling so many words at him in so few minutes, he was still feeling the slap like it was happening in slow motion. It was not unlike getting struck in the face with a time stick by a time cop. Even mythological gods, or powerful aliens from space, would cower in pain at such a strike. Pete has felt a lot of different kinds of pain in his life. From physical ones to emotional ones, though not all of them carried hatred or fear. Those are the kinds of pain that make adulthood somewhat bearable.

When all was said and done, however, when the dog woman finally quieted down, Pete just stared at her in disbelief, one hand on the cheek that felt like it had been bombed. By a weapon of mass destruction or a movie featuring a method actor playing a vampire playing a hero. It was all kinds of weird, which was saying something because Pete himself is the same.

"Bloody hell, miss?" He took a step back, trying to grab his flower-horse for protection before realizing it was no longer there. Did she slap me so hard, Buer had to take back the mount to keep it safe? Most likely. Gulping, Pete showed her his free hand as an act of surrender or maybe if he's lucky just a truce. "I-I don't know what you're on about. I just wanted to touch the twins," he repeated his mistake, though this time following it up with a gesture towards the famed Saine Fells windmills.

@Kamala Graham

 

[Kamala Graham]

As soon as he spoke those words, mentioning the "twins" again without proper verbal context, Kamala's hand went flying one more time, striking his already reddened face. Only after did she realize what she was referring to, and her own face quickly turned red in turn.

"O-oh..."

She slowly turned around to catch a glimpse of Saine Fells' pride and joy, the massive twin windmills everyone in town affectionately referred to as "the boys," not "the twins." From where they were, the pair were already visible, though the truth of their magnificence was clearly downplayed. If they were nearer to the windmills, Pete would have probably lost his mind. Fortunately, Kamala's slaps didn't make him lose his teeth.

"Well, you should have been clearer!" She huffed and she puffed again, looking away from him out of embarrassment, arms crossed once more over her chest. It wasn't her fault she thought he was being a pervert. It was an honest mistake. Anyone else, especially in her situation, would have made the same error of judgment. Maybe not the slapping part but, in Kamala's defense, she had been overexerting the use of her hands in farming the past few days. It was just another slip of the overworked mind. "Why would you even ask me if you could touch the twins? I don't own the windmills!"

For the next few minutes, Kamala grew silent. She focused on her breathing instead, trying her best to calm her down. The Sprout that had been accompanying her since dawn started to pat her on her shoulder, still invisible to those who didn't have the appropriate Masteries, as if trying to calm her friend down. Once she was finally calmed down, Kamala turned to Pete again, this time with a much warmer albeit awkward smile, her head slightly bowed.

"Anyway, I'm sorry for lifting a hand against you. I don't normally...choose violence, but it's been an exhausting day. Still, that's no excuse! This world deserves better, and we should all be better versions of ourselves here. Can I offer you a hot meal as an apology? To make it up to you, Mister...Simpson?"

@Pete Simpson

 

[Chrys]

You could've fooled me. Pete decided to bite back those words, keep them in his head for now, lest he wanted to get slapped again by the dog woman. She did have a point, though: Pete should've made himself clearer. He had just come upon that realization when he got a good look at her...physical endowments. Thinking back, he also realized that his words did make him come off as a pervert, which he wasn't, publicly, so he had some apologizing to do. Pete was a lot of things, but a creep, he was not. "Yeah, I think I got what you mean now. I, uhm, didn't mean it that way, though. I'm sorry, too."

He sheepishly scratched the back of his head, giving her an awkward smile to try and clear the figurative room. Or was it ice? Clear the ice? Pete was terrible with such phrases, idioms or whatever, but if he wasn't that terrible when it came to accepting food. If he had learned anything from his terrible parents, it was that you never decline an invitation to eat. Otherwise, it would be rude, so very rude. He straightened his back as he accepted her terms, nodding positively.

"That sounds like a great idea!" He looked around them, wondering where she would cook that hot meal. All he could see were the aforementioned golden fields of wheat. Maybe she really was a Player, if it hadn't dawned on him yet, and she could use her game-given abilities to turn the entire field into a kitchen stadium. "I mean, you don't have to, but I'm not going to say no to a hot meal, Miss...?

Oh, right, she hasn't yet given me her name. That should be the most efficient confirmation of her true nature, whether real person or a game-made identity.

@Kamala Graham

 

[Kamala Graham]

Now more embarrassed than enraged, Kamala simply nodded and accepted his apology. She needed to make an apology of her own, even though she has already, because a single one, not even three, can excuse violence as a reply. I should know better: Violence is never the answer. And yet here she was, fresh from slapping a stranger in the face just because of a misunderstanding. What has she become?

"No, I should be the one who should be the sorriest! I chose violence instead of first clarifying what you meant! If I had done the latter, your cheeks wouldn't be so red and in pain," she stared at his cheek then, which bore the brunt of her impact, before calmly approaching him. Reaching for his face, she tried to get a good look at her work of art mistake. Maybe the Sprouts could help heal it faster? But was magic necessary in such a trivial thing? It is my fault, so... "Will you be all right, Mister Simpson? I can heal you if you'd like. Much quicker with the help of my friends."

What was he looking around for, though? Did he not come alone?

"It's the least I can do," Kamala couldn't agree more. After hurting the man, she needed to make sure she could at least feed him if not fully heal his pain, the pain she had caused him. "It's Kamala. Kamala Graham."

"Welcome to my farm, @Pete Simpson!"

 

[Chrys]

"Ehe," Pete let out a chuckle. It was starting to feel like they wouldn't be able to stop apologizing to each other if this cycle continued. His brain scrambled for a way to move past that, to find something else they should do, maybe get on that eating. But before he could think of anything, Kamala was already cupping his face in her very warm hands. Oh, god, she's going to kiss me! I'm not ready!

Pete felt his cheeks absorb the warmth from her hands. Or maybe they were just emitting the same warmth themselves. He had been this close to a girl before but it has been so long since the last time he was in this exact same position. Swallowing air, he tried his best to not look like an idiot but to no avail. Her offer was a good distraction, though, but friends?

"Uhh, that sounds nice and all, but what do you mean by friends?" She wasn't going to suddenly whistle and a bunch of thugs would come out from that field of wheat to beat him up and steal his lunch money, right? Wouldn't be the first time. The moment actually reminded Pete of that time a cute girl seduced him during a midnight concert, only to have her boyfriend and brother beat him up so they could take what remained of his money. When they opened his wallet, they were surprised when it contained nothing but a single bill, not even enough for a cab home. The worst part was that they actually felt sorry for me and drove me to the nearest bus stop.

"Kamala," he repeated her name, as if tasting the sweetness of it by simply parting his lips. "@Kamala Graham... You have a nice farm."

 

[Kamala Graham]

"Oh," Kamala was surprised by Pete's question. She had forgotten that not everyone could see her friends, the sapling sprites that were also called Sprouts, nature spirits that had made a pact with her. They would allow her to borrow their magic, and in turn, she'd keep them company and make sure they weren't alone. On the surface, it seemed like Kamala had the better end of the deal, but when you're a nature spirit, all you really get to want is some fun company. She had promised to be that for them and even include them in all her undertakings, letting people know that they were there and helping, even if they could not see them. "Yeah, I almost forgot: You probably can't see them. You're not a practitioner of Spirit Magic, are you?"

The question was unnecessary, as Pete wouldn't have asked if he did. But maybe he was expecting more of the similarly sized friend to them, not the tiny barely noticeable spirits of nature's magical energy that helped the farms and the forests grow and survive. Like the wind or love itself. Still, she knew it was her duty to spread the word. So she did.

With her hands cupped, she brought the Spring Court Sprout she had been calling Fleur closer towards Pete's eyes, invisible to him as she would be. It was more of a gesture for the Sprout, Fleur, to feel like she was part of the conversation, which she was, even though only Kamala could see her. "This is Fleur. She's the leader of the Spring Court, the princess! The Spring Court is a group of Sprouts, or sapling sprites, nature spirits that are all around us, always helping, always protecting..."

Kamala's cheeks blushed at Pete's compliment. "T-thank you!" She gestured towards the golden fields of wheat and even further, somewhere that Pete could not see where they were, somewhere hidden from quick glances by the fields. "But it's not just my farm. It's actually a communal farm, with folks from Saine Fells!"

Fleur ooh'd and aah'd something about Kamala being a community leader but the shy Beastfolk just shushed her, even though @Pete Simpson probably didn't even hear any of it. Or even if he did, understood.

 

[Chrys]

"Spirit Magic?" Pete raised an eyebrow. What kind of magic would that be? Something that lets you take control over spirits, enslave them, force them to do your bidding? That didn't quite sound like something someone who looked like @Kamala Graham would do. Or should do. But what does Pete know? He's technically being controlled, enslaved even, and forced to do the bidding of two different lesser goddesses bound to the Rings of Saturnine. Eh, that's overreacting, bruv. Not like they're telling me to take out kids or something.

Kamala looked more like someone who'd be more attuned to playing the more supporting role of healing—which just goes to show how little Pete knew about Spirit Magic and its actual applications—like through Nature Magic. That other kind of sorcery, Pete knew more about. Mostly through the Nature Ring of Buer. It was his more supportive magic, with the Tempest Ring of Baal providing all of his firepower. Or lightning power. When they worked, anyway.

"Nature...spirits?" Pete thought that made more sense then. He could see Kamala befriending the sprites. That would explain why she was at a farm just outside Saine Fells, toiling at a golden field of wheat. Maybe he could actually learn from her as well. "I'm sort of a scientist nature mage myself."

At the mention of a communal farm, Pete's interest piqued. "Wait, so, you're sharing a farm with NPCs? Or Players? How do I join? Is there a form I need to fill up? Some sort of hazing I need to go through? That sounds like a lot of fun." Sounds more like a guild more like it. And Pete thought that being in one should help him rise up higher. That's what guilds in games are for, right? They're pretty much ladders you use to get better and stronger.

 

[Kamala Graham]

"Yes," came Kamala's reply, a warm smile added to boot. She gently moved her hands, where the Sprout Fleur was standing, invisible to @Pete Simpson, before giving her a smooch. Fleur giggled and gave Kamala a smooch back, hugging her cheek. "Spirit Magic. Nature spirits. Those that continue to guard and guide us, even though not everyone sees them, know of their existence."

She turned her full attention to Pete when he revealed he was the same somewhat. Another nature mage? Someone else who uses Nature Magic? That, she had to see. Plopping Fleur on her head, Kamala moved her face closer to Pete, perhaps closer than he'd like, than anyone would like.

"You have Nature Magic, too? What kind? Let me see!" Through her excitement, the request sounded more like a command. Fortunately for Kamala, she was too sweet to intimidate anyone, especially someone like Pete. At least she hoped that was the case. Otherwise, she would have more apologizing to do.

Kamala beamed when Pete asked about the farm. It was one of the things she was most proud of, including in her life. As a volunteer outside of the game, she dedicated most of her life in making sure her country's environment would not go to waste, be wasted through greed. There was still a long way to go, but she was doing her part. She hoped to do the same in here.

"Yes! With NPCs and Players alike!" She chuckled at his mention of a form, shaking her head in disbelief. "No, no forms or hazing! You just show up and help people. Would you like to see?"

 

[Chrys]

Well, isn't that interesting. Pete was a little skeptical of the existence of these nature spirits, and spirits in general, but then he realized maybe he really shouldn't have, especially considering he's wearing the Ring of Saturnine, which was actually two rings fused together, each connected to a lesser goddess. Why were they fused together? Pete wasn't sure about that either. He believes he's still too low-leveled to find that out, the knowledge itself unlockable content. That or he just needs to meet an NPC who knows more about it than him.

He watched with a smile as Kamala interacted in a rather cute way with the spirit he himself could not see. There was a part of him that still doubted her, that thought maybe she was just insane or deluded or something terrible along those lines. But Kamala seemed too sweet and too honest to be something terrible. Despite all his innate prejudices, Pete decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. She sure as hell deserves it.

"Oh, well," Pete grew red at Kamala insisting to see him show off. In another time, perhaps in another world, he would not hesitate. But here, he wasn't quite sure of Buer would comply, would indulge him. She's the nicer of the two, isn't she? With a deep breath, he gave Kamala a nod, gesturing for her to give way, which he hoped he would. He then pointed his ring towards a far direction and hoped in his heart of hearts that Buer would not embarrass him, calling forth one of her creatures. Come on, come on, come on!

❰ Buer's Unnamed Familiar ❱

Unexpectedly, vines grew from the land, twisting and turning into themselves, as if gestating something into existence, until they immediately slithered back into the land, leaving in their stead what appeared to be a snake-like creature, but with four tiny paws, curled up, with its tail in its mouth, an obvious reference to an ouroboros.

"Oh, hey, I summoned a guy!" He turned to Kamala with an awkward thumbs-up. His confidence renewed, Pete decided to answer her question in the affirmative. "Why, yes, I would love to see and help with your farm, @Kamala Graham."

 

[Kamala Graham]

Kamala watched as @Pete Simpson seemed to struggle with his abilities. Perhaps he wasn't that well-versed in Nature Magic, at least not as much as her, or maybe he just wasn't too into showing off with a stranger he just met and who just threatened him not too long ago. Either way, Kamala decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, and be more supportive of him. If anything, everyone deserves to receive patience. Even the ones you thought were perverts and slapped in a fit of primitive fury.

When he finally managed to do something with his magic, Kamala's eyes grew wide in wonder. She was bewildered by the creature he had summoned, a beautiful thing, gorgeous and absolutely cute! Kamala could not help herself. She gushed at the creature's appearance and even tried to give it a hug, rushing towards it with open arms. Hopefully, it wouldn't attack her, but as with Pete, Kamala gave it the benefit of the doubt, too. Not all creatures are hostile by default. She should try that sometimes.

"Gah! This one is too cute! What is its name?" She turned to Pete with wide, pleading eyes, before responding to his statement about her farm. Shifting to a warm smile channeled from the warmth she was actually feeling from within, she gave him a nod next and an energetic answer. "Well then, what are we waiting for? You'll love the farm, Pete!"

She then proceeded to lead him somewhere, the Sprout Fleur still on her shoulder.

 

[Chrys]

Whatever the thing that Pete summoned was, it didn't give off any negative vibes. Even in the presence of a rushing stranger such as @Kamala Graham, it did not show off any signs of hostility. It seemed surprised, however, that someone wanted to hug it but did not fight off the attempt. With its tail still in its mouth, perfectly balancing itself on its back, it just let the entire thing happen. Not even a loud complaint or a cry of sorts.

"Looks like it likes you," Pete let out a nervous chuckle, unsure of what else to say. He tried to watch over her keenly, readying himself should the summoned creature try to attack, but it didn't seem interested in doing anything of the sort. It seemed very chill and primarily disinterested. Just like Buer, I guess. Since the creature fell under her domain, he should've expected its relatively passive demeanor. For now, Buer was the least aggressive one of the two lesser goddesses he was associated with. "Name?"

Pete did not name his summons. He didn't even know what species it was. But for fear of offending Kamala, he decided to come up with something on the spot. Let's see... It's a snake... He stared at the thing as it stared back at him, somewhat confused. It has its tail in its mouth like it's eating itself... That's like that thing... Aha! "It's...Taileater." D'oh!

Despite that rather awkward naming attempt, Pete was very excited to visit Kamala's farm. He followed her without any hesitation, though he had to ask: "Would you like to ride something? I can summon a mount to help us get to your farm faster." That and he was lazy asf.

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

"I guess it does!" Kamala grinned as she played with it some more. Truth be told, almost every animal she has ever come across has always seemed to like her. From her friends' dogs and cats to those elephants she met during a work tour, nothing has been hostile to Kamala even the first time meeting her. Maybe it's just luck or maybe it's her overall pleasant personality. Either way, it was no surprise to her that the creature @Pete Simpson summoned only wanted to play with her, nothing hostile.

"Taileater, huh?" Kamala raised an eyebrow at Pete, letting his snake-like summon go. The creature seemed like it wanted to play with her some more, but when she focused her attention on its summoner, it turned to Pete as well, a little curious and also a bit confused. Kamala has met numerous pets in the real world, all from a variety of owners. Pete's hesitation seemed to be a clue as to the true nature of this relationship between human and familiar. She teased him for it. "You didn't just make that up on the spot, did you, Pete?"

"The farm is not that far, but if you'd like to do that, I would not mind. Surprise me! I'd like to see what mounts you have at your disposal," Kamala's love for animals, and nature in general, has always been somewhat of an occasional impediment to practicality, though to be fair, this would make their travel much easier for sure.

 

[Chrys]

▙ ✹ ▜ ▛ ❂ ▟ ▙ ✹ ▜

Ignoring the mounts and summon stuff because Pete Simpson never existed.

Chrys watched @Kamala Graham with fondness. She reminded him of someone else, someone he had cared for a while back...until her untimely demise. Perhaps the memory should not have been brought up again, especially when it delivered unto him more pain than he'd care to suffer. But amidst the bitterness still lingers some sweetness. Life was sometimes more than just a box of chocolates. It was chocolate itself.

"You are very sweet, Kamala. Even if you do not try to be. I envy you, and people like you, who can still see the good in these dark and trying times."

He heaved a sigh as he followed her to her farm, what he considered to be the one saving grace of this game. If people can form a community here with each other, both Players and non-Players alike, and even sustain it, then perhaps something good can truly be born in such a mundane task. Chrys had, outside of this game, a great appreciation for farmers and agriculturists. Within this game of fantasy, however, he could not find the value of such an arduous side activity. Not when people are dying and monsters roam still.

"Was it hard, Kamala? To bring forth this farm and turn it from an idea into a reality? And do you believe all that work will lead to something good?"

Chrys was genuinely curious, and it was clear in his voice and his tone, and his delivery, that he was hoping her answer would be a positive one. They all needed more of those these days. Boundless positivity. Too many children screaming inside and outside of this game. A change of peace would be as blissful as peace itself.

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

Gonna miss Pete but it is what it is.

Oblivious to @Chrys' gaze, Kamala simply led him forward, to the direction of the farm beyond the golden crops of wheat. It would be easy to get lost in such a place, which was intentional. To fend off any malice, Kamala and others made sure to construct a makeshift labyrinth of sorts, not fully physical, most of it just simply misdirection and illusion, that would deter even the most unwanted of hearts. With her connection to the Sprouts, the sapling sprites that knew nature beyond any other mortal's understanding, getting lost here was nigh impossible. It would be laughable and a folly at best.

"Thank you, Chrys."

She hesitated for a bit, unsure as to what to say next after the unexpected compliment. What brought out such a display of admiration? Kamala had no theories. She had no clue. In the end, she focused on his remaining thoughts to move forward with their conversation.

"It's not easy, but someone has to do it, right? If we want good, we need to see good, inspire good, bring out good first."

Kamala reiterated the words that her friend had spoken to her, the same friend who was the reason why she dared venture into this risky game of life and death. Kamala was no gamer, and she would have never heard of this game, if not for the tragedy that befell someone close to her. Despite all the red flags, she decided to follow, to know, and maybe understand why and how she could keep others safe from such a fate. She had to try. Kamala always had to try.

"It was. It always is. Any time you create something, build something, out of nothing, out of opposition, hardships always follow. But we do good work here. We feed people, we nurture a community, and we allow others to reach their best potential. Don't you think that makes up for all the hard work, Chrys?"

They were close. Only a few steps now, but not yet. Kamala intentionally slowed herself down, uncertain as to whether Chrys would share their view. If he did not, then maybe it was better for him to just leave. Or maybe this was the sanctuary he needed to see to change his mind. Whatever the case, she'll find out from his answer.

 

[Chrys]

《⋯《 ⋯ ❖ ⋯ 》⋯》

Trying out a new banner but meh.

Chrys grew quiet at @Kamala Graham's response. It was what he expected of her, of someone like her, and though he was not a fan of people like Kamala, something about her made him think twice. There would always be an exception to the rule. Perhaps Kamala was just that, an exception, exceptionally refreshing. It wasn't like he enjoyed rules, anyway. Unless they are to my advantage, rules mean nothing to me.

Do I? He stopped dead in his tracks. Chrys watched Kamala with keen eyes. For someone who looked too positive to make sense, she had her wits about her. The thing most people are quick to assume about Chrys is that he was all about the money when, in fact, he was more about the benefit regardless of its form. Money made the world go round, especially Chrys', but he has been paid through other means before, other things, and some of them were much better, much more memorable. Perhaps this was one of those things for Kamala, for people like her.

"I suppose so. As long as you get something out of all that hard work, as long as it's fulfilling, as long as it fills you to the brim, hard work is good work."

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

End scene!

Kamala simply nodded, a warm smile on her face, as she stole a glimpse of @Chrys a few moments after he gave her the answer that she was looking for. Perhaps she had been quick to dismiss him, even quicker to judge him. His words made her feel a certain way, the only way she wanted to feel, full of life, full of hope, brighter than the yestermorn. This world may not be theirs, but hand in hand, they could give back a bountiful future as a gesture of thanks for allowing them to escape from their original one. Even if it was just temporary.

"Well said, friend."

Kamala didn't consider herself qualified to judge people's words. She stumbled over hers from time to time, and the English language was never her first. But she learned, and she knows people continue to learn. To be better than their former selves, to make the right choices this time around, to take the lessons from their mistakes and apply them to their future. If humanity was one thing, it would be adaptive. At least she hoped, and hope was all she had.

"Come. The farm awaits."

Without missing another beat, without further ado, Kamala finally led Chrys to the right path, the one true path. Hope and faith take many forms, but in the respite that she had created with others, they were one and the same. For a bright future, for a better world, hand in hand, they as a community could make it all work, their wildest dreams turned into reality. She genuinely believed that.