Complete Private ✪ Finweald Passing Time with Tea

[Siondhe]

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Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

---

The room was looking far more homely the more time she spent in it, especially now that she begun to replace the basic necessities with more comfort based pieces. The cot was gone, in its place now a basic mattress and bedframe that shined with how new it was. Shelves, filled with scrolls and books lined the walls, and a writing table that showed the polished oak it was made from. She looked around, and saw the room that should could describe in two words; her perfect.

For once, she had no plans, no need to do anything, no pressing adventures. The few rumours she'd heard recently had proven less than appealing, no immediate need to chase them down or do anything about them. Instead, she found herself seated at her desk, staring at a paper that had numerous words scrawled across it, but nothing settling into her mind. Sighing, she pushed the paper aside - giving up, at least temporarily, on reading the Progressive Methods of Battle Field Healing, and How to Make Sure They Make It. Pulling out her pen and paper, she decided to do something that she had been wanting to do for a few days now. Something that she had been putting off, hoping to avoid for as long as she could.

Mail

Dear @Crimson Ruby;

I know it's been a little while since our last...event. I know that we didn't leave things exactly how we had wanted to, I was hoping that maybe...well, maybe we could get together and talk about it, and maybe sort things out a little bite?

I know of a nice little coffee shop in Finweald, by the name of The Forgotten Leaf. It's a bit secluded, but it's...well, private, and comfortable. And the coffee is...drinkable, although I will admit the tea is better - and their hot choci is the best I've found yet.

Anyways, let me know if you're up for meeting up...
Kyra Vashtana

A final flick of the pen, and then she sat back, watching as after a few seconds the words on the parchment seemed to fade ever so slightly - never entirely disappearing, but definitely taking on a subtler appearance as they seemed to almost dim. Kyra had gotten used to it, the games way of integrating her own flair on the standard systems.

She knew it would take a while for any sort of response, and as her eyes roamed around the area, she tried to figure out what to do while she waited. The paper she had been reading remained as uninteresting as it had been when she pushed it away.

Come on Ruby...please...

@Crimson Ruby​

 

[Crimson Ruby]

Ruby looked at the message with a surprised and pleased expression. An invitation for some tea time, even if it was to talk about a complicated topic, was a wonderful one. Especially with Kyra, someone that grew dearly on Ruby.

Mail

Dear @Kyra Vashtana

It would be great. I will try and get to Finweald as soon as possible. Let me know If I should meet you there or somewhere else.

With love,
Crimson Ruby

As always, her letters were brief.

Still... why was she always invited when she was far, far away..? It almost felt like a reccurring joke by now.

At the top of some magitech scraps from Vintergard, Ruby hopped off to the ground, tapping her feet twice on the floor before rushing-

❰ Sonic Boom ❱

In an explosive speed, Ruby made her way to the Capital, like a thunder echoing from the horizon, she soon made her way there, at the cost of a long travel and a lot of energy. But hopefully, she would get to where Kyra decided they should meet quickly.

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

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Prompt, as always. Kyra smiled as the parchment on the desk before her suddenly filled with words as the system transitioned Ruby's response into a form that was common to Kyra's play style. She smiled as she saw the acceptance, the promise to meet as quickly as possible - something that Kyra had come to learn would mean at least a few hours before Ruby arrived.

Should probably...change for going out, would be the nice thing to do. And don't really need armour at a coffee shop...I think...

A quick glance through her wardrobe left her deciding between a few pieces that she had recently picked up during her last time out shopping. It didn't take long to toss aside the formal dress, the situation didn't call for dressing up in such a way. Besides, Ruby might misread that...

That left her choices between the black leggings and turquoise turtleneck, and the green sweater and jean shorts. Kyra felt herself sigh as she stared out the two outfits, before closing her eyes and grasping at random, trusting in her sense of self and whatever else to choose the right thing through fluke.

---

It was cooler outside than she had expected, and as she stood outside the cafe waiting, she couldn't help but regret her choice to wear the shorts. She figured Ruby would be here any moment though, and knew that she wouldn't have time to head back to get changed now. One of the few times when not using those system interfaces backfires...

She shrugged away the thoughts, knowing that she preferred playing this way, no matter the minor inconveniences. She checked her watch again, glancing calmly around after realising she'd been waiting there for almost an hour now. I really hope no one thinks this is weird...just standing alone, on the corner, by a coffee shop...alone... She sighed again, trying to calm herself. Most likely no one had even noticed her there, nor cared.

Spoiler: Kyra's Outfit

@Crimson Ruby​

 

[Crimson Ruby]

Unlike Kyra, Ruby went in with her usual outfit: An emerald green Chinese dress with black leggings under a black cloak with golden ornaments, enchanted with the touch of Torchbearer. It was her typical adventuring outfit, which was still somewhat fancy thanks to the fact she was a blade dancer and someone that meddled with Harmonics Magic.

Still, that didn't halt her surprise when she approached the coffee shop, already slowed down since she was in a town and didn't want to cause accidents with her speed of sound.

"Huh-" She blinked, jogging slightly while finally approaching Kyra, tugging her cloak out of her head and perking her ears up. "Hey Kyra, looking so casual." Ruby pointed out, approaching the girl and looking her up and down.

"And beautiful as usual." She added before wrapping the beastfolk in a gentle and lingering hug before looking at her. "If I knew I had to dress up, I would've. But you always call me by surprise." Ruby shrugged slightly.

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

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The cat girl showed up as casually as ever, an entirely relaxed look throughout her frame that seemed completely natural. Kyra felt a tinge of jealousy for the briefest second, before she realised how silly the thought was.

Ruby's just...Ruby. There's no reason to be jealous. Just be cool. Like super cool. Like not embarrassing or anything. She couldn't help but cringe at the thoughts, her nervousness taking over as she shifted her weight, smilingly awkwardly at Ruby.

Ruby! It's good to see you again...sorry...were you in the middle of anything? Oh did I pull you away from something important?? I'm sorry! We can reschedule if you'd prefer! I really don't mind!

She fumbled, realising how stupid the suggestion was, especially after Ruby had just arrived from who knows where. Turning her away now would be nothing short of an insult.

Or, you know, we could go in and get coffee or tea or something. I mean if you're up for it. Or want to. Or whatever. They have some half decent ice cream too! And the waffles are... Well they're waffles but with the ice cream they're pretty... Edible. Good. Good edible. They're good with ice cream, is what I mean.

@Crimson Ruby​

 

[Crimson Ruby]

The sudden panic regarding what Ruby was doing before meeting Kyra and a suggestion for reschedule made the cat girl squint and hook her arm on Kyra's, tugging her closely and gesturing to the door with her free hand. "Oh no, you aren't escaping from me after making me go all the way here just to meet you." She said, raising an eyebrow and slapping Kyra's tail with her own.

"A tea and some ice cream waffles sound good," Ruby said, gently pulling Kyra toward the entrance, already hoping to push the door open if the girl would allow being dragged.

Ruby never had the opportunity to go to this Forgotten Leaf. As much as she was an explorer and knowing the world should be her main strength, she actually knew more about the world outside than inside. Thankfully, it seemed that Kyra was ready to cover it up for her, especially with these surprise invitations.

@Kyra Vashtana

 

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Deep breath in, deep breath out. Kyra let herself be dragged into the shop front, the café appearing entirely different between its exterior, and interior. Where the outside appeared almost rundown and uncared for, the interior was homely - welcoming in a way that its outward appearance couldn't possibly hope to compete with. It was also part of the reason why the café was almost entirely empty, only two other patrons seated in a far corner - speaking lowly to each other in the way that young kids who had more going on than they liked to admit did.

Kyra smiled at the younger boy behind the counter - a boy by the name of Davis, if she remembered correctly. She held up two fingers on her left hand, before pointing upwards. The boy nodded, before making himself busy behind the counter. Taking the lead, Kyra pulled Ruby across to the far corner, and up a winding staircase to the second floor, settling into a corner booth.

So uhm...how've you been, since the whole...you know, forest thing? With the guardian, and the...camp, and...stuff?

She fiddled with her jacket, not looking at Ruby as she tried to fight away the awkwardness. She still sometimes felt tinges of regret about how that entire thing had gone - how it had ended. She hoped that Ruby hadn't help it against her. Well...this is where we get to find out for sure...

@Crimson Ruby​

 

[Crimson Ruby]

Kyra's tension was clear, and while Ruby couldn't know why, it did hint at her curiosity and worries. Whatever was making the fox beastfolk so bothered, Ruby needed to find a way to make her recover. Hopefully, the welcoming and cozy ambiance of the café would help them at least to get comfy enough to solve these issues.

With a smile, Ruby cast a glance at Kyra, noticing just how familiar she already was with the place and giving Kyra all the permission to pull her anywhere. "Always to a corner, huh," Ruby said, winking, far more good-humored than she has been the past few months.

Ruby's ears twitched at Kyra's question, and she turned to face her for a moment, tilting her head as she pondered about it as she took a seat. "I've been good, actually," Ruby admitted, looking at Kyra with a concerned expression.

"This question... Is this why you are so tense? This is still in your mind?" She asked, crossing her arms above the table.

@Kyra Vashtana

 

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Kyra's face flushed slight at the commentary regarding the corner option, her mind already racing made worse by the implications of the suggestion. She'd almost redirected their destination at the last moment, only abandoning the idea as she realised it would likely be more conspicuous than the corner itself. Instead, she settled into the booth, folding her hands in her lap and looking anywhere but at Ruby.

Well I mean...maybe...? I mean it was an event. And kind of my fault...and well, I did some bad things. Things that I shouldn't...I gave up hemomancy.

The words came out with a large sigh, as if she was relieving herself of some sort of pressure that had been building up inside herself. She hadn't even realised how badly she'd wanted to admit it - to someone, anyone, but preferably someone who would know why she'd made the choice.

She cast a glance over at Ruby, before looking down at her hands again, waiting to see how the other girl would react. She doubted that it would be big news - people gave up abilities all the time. Except to her it was, she had put so much time, and effort in to trying to make it something other than what it was viewed as, only to fail miserably. Stupid...so stupid...I ended up no better than anyone else...

@Crimson Ruby​

 

[Crimson Ruby]

Ruby smirked slightly at the flushing of the girl, and her tails swayed gently, only pausing when the issue had been voiced. Ruby paused, looking at Kyra carefully as she nodded slowly and hummed.

"And you wanted to do it?" Ruby asked, tilting her head when seeing Kyra's averted face, with her ears flattening against her head.

"Or did you feel forced to do it?" Ruby asked, crossing her arms on top of the table, wondering what was going on Kyra's mind, what she thought of it, how she felt about it.

Judging by her expressions and actions so far, it seemed like a lot was going on, even if she had abandoned the cursed mastery.

"I don't think you made a wrong choice. As long as it was for your own good, rather than what others would think..." Ruby reassured, shrugging slightly.

"Including me, of course. I was wrong to treat you that way. I should've helped you instead."

@Kyra Vashtana

 

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Kyra shook her head, if there was one thing Ruby had done - it was helped. That much she was certain of, that much she would never argue.

I made the choice...and you did help. I can't imagine what I would do if I had actually...the camp...

Her voice shook at the end for a second, and she took a breath to try and stabilise herself. She'd had this conversation in her mind a thousand times before arriving here, and yet it was no easier to get out with all the practice ahead of time.

I gave it up, because it brought up something dark in me...something I never want to see again. I hoped - I thought - that I could control the blood magic. Everyone calls it taboo, dark...and maybe they're right. I just thought that I could do something good with it, to prove everyone wrong. To show them that it had its positive values...but...maybe I'm no better than anyone else. Did you know they call me the Suicidal Healer?

She shifted on the spot. She'd heard the nickname from some locals, a few days ago. At first it had seemed like something that someone had dropped to make fun of her, but then one of her patients had confirmed it - apparently a well known, well spread name. She hadn't realised that she'd even been popular enough to gain a nickname, much less from the local population.

@Crimson Ruby​

 

[Crimson Ruby]

Ruby listened carefully to Kyra opening up a bit more about her problems with the magic, the point she wanted to make by using it, and the unfortunate end it had. The cat girl nodded quietly at the reveal, with the nickname mention making her frown for a moment.

"Suicidal Healer..." Ruby muttered, looking at Kyra with a more concerned expression, watching the continuously averted face before grabbing her chair and tugging it until she neared her side.

"Kyra..." Ruby said, gently wrapping an arm around her.

"Something may have tried to seek and corrupt you, but I can assure you that Blood Magic isn't naturally evil." Ruby said. "You aren't wrong." Her free hand rested on the two the girl had on her lap, giving a gentle caress.

"I too, use Blood Magic. It makes me stronger. I've protected many with it... You, you as well may have done it. Something may have gone wrong, but Kyra..." The arm around the fox girl wrapped her closer, like a soft embrace.

"How many you have saved? You shouldn't be hard on yourself."

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

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How many had she saved?The list was probably long, she knew that. If for no reason other than her time spent in the encampment in Lyrwick, her hours literally bound to healing people - most of whom she'd never seen again. How many have I saved...and how many didn't I?

Maybe...but at what cost? Who wants to hang around with the creepy healer lady who causes harm to herself in order to help people...who knows how much damage I'm doing to myself. How much trauma I'm inadvertently causing to those I help. Who knows what sort of...weirdness, is going on...

She didn't pull away from Ruby's embrace, instead she leaned into it, trying to find comfort in the other. Silently - something that the boy who worked her was known for - their food and drinks arrived, the two cups of hot chocolate and plates of waffles stacked beneath vanilla ice cream, with a butterscotch sauce atop it left where they could easily be reached, but not pushed into their comfort zones. The boy disappeared almost as quickly, leaving them to their peace.

People are so...difficult...

@Crimson Ruby​

 

[Crimson Ruby]

The retort was expected, and Ruby took a deep breath to pick up her words before answering- "Well, I would hang out with this healer lady that is so kind she would heal others at the cost of her own health..." Ruby smiled gently to Kyra, before half dropping her eyes. "... I would feel very worried for her, however-" She gently squeezed Kyra in the hug, rubbing her arm in a soothing manner when she leaned into it.

"I do think you should worry about your health. But you shouldn't let yourself down for anyone undermining your self-sacrifice." Ruby said, looking at Kyra's eyes, if it was possible.

"Only someone very courageous would go that far, knowing the consequences... What happened that day, however, wasn't you. It was something else." Ruby said, certain and firm of it. There was no way who made all that was Kyra, and she would trust her until the end of times if necessary.

Ruby then glanced at the boy that approached with their orders, offering him a faint smile and a grateful nod before he left.

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

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Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

Something else. Not her. Ruby continued to speak words designed to encourage her, as if to remind her that she couldn't fault herself in the ordeal that had occurred. Not that it was shifting Kyra's mind at all, she knew what hemomancy could become, what the rumours about it entailed. She chose to ignore the dangers, she chose to push forward even after things had become dark, darker than she would've liked. I made the choice to take away so many lives...and almost took so many more...

She shivered, the dark thoughts causing an uncomfortable feeling down her spine as she turned her thoughts away from that day, from everything that had occurred. It would do her no good to remain stuck in the cycle that had held her sleep for...well, she wasn't entirely sure how long.

I don't ever want to be...that. That darkness, that corruption. The thing that people fight to keep out of this world. The thing that people try and keep away, at a distance. The thing that they look down upon, and don't want anything more to do with than they absolutely must.

Her brow furrowed, a slight growl in her throat as she thought back to the patient three days ago, the one who had pushed Kyra to make this meeting. Their words echoed in her mind, continuously. How can you live with yourself, doing something so hideous as tearing a soul apart, even your own, to infect others. It's people like you that make this world a dark, horrible place. At the time, she had been shocked into silence, the small girl she had just saved from death seeming so peaceful beneath her hands, the act tainted by the words of the woman. It had torn Kyra apart further than she liked.

I just want to help people...to make the world a better place. But people...people are never happy, unless its perfect. Unless I'm perfect. The Suicidal Healer. As if I kill myself for others...

The growl had grown in her throat, audible now against the words as she spoke, her body shaking in turn with the sound.

@Crimson Ruby​

 

[Crimson Ruby]

Ruby tightened her hold on Kyra, feeling her shivering, not out of cold, but out of fear or whatever emotion that was overflowing so strongly it caused her body to react physically.

She continued to listen to her words, with a few of them hitting a bit close. Ruby brushed her hair with her fingers softly, and a sigh escaped from her lips. "And people had tried to get rid of you, Kyra? Someone had mistreated you for doing what you do?" Ruby asked, scowling.

If someone was doing it, Ruby wouldn't leave it cheap. No, she would step in, and make sure that wouldn't be an issue anymore.

"I will fully support you, if you wish to take a different path from before... besides..." Ruby hummed.

"I am an artist. A dancer. A musician. Creating reputation and nice stories isn't hard to me." She said. "I could spread stories and musics about the selfless girl, the one that is no Suicidal Healer. But a gentle one."

@Kyra Vashtana

 

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Kyra giggled at the thought of Ruby rushing around barding her stories about Kyra, the concept rather hilarious to the fox-girl as she considered it. Aloud, her response was a bit tamer, more controlled.

Thanks...but then some people might get some weird impressions about you, if you go about singing about the purple-haired foxgirl who gives a little bit of herself in order to make others better. I do appreciate it though.

She laid a hand on Ruby's staring into the girls eyes for a few seconds. There was something there, Kyra could feel it. Or maybe she was just imagining things. It wouldn't be the first time that she had imagined something that wasn't actually there.

Right. Waffle. Can't forget about the waffle...before it gets cold. Or...err...the ice cream melts. Oh! And hot chocci! You have to try the hot chocci.

She leaned forward suddenly, focusing on the food and drink on the table as she tried to hide the questioning expression that had been on her face. She was still trying to figure out the situation, the connection she was feeling between herself and Ruby, and the last thing she wanted was to give away any of that - until she was sure that she wasn't making a mistake again.

Hey, did you have any plans for the rest of the day, or can I consider you officially kidnapped until I'm done with you?

@Crimson Ruby​

 

[Crimson Ruby]

"And those some people can think whatever they wish to." Ruby said with the sway of a tail. "As long as most can understand the true meaning of your actions, the few others can think whatever... And if they try something..." Her expressions grew grim for a moment.

"Then they will worry more about the red haired cat than the purple haired fox." She leaned away, smiling and looking back at Kyra's eyes when she was staring at her. Ruby's expressions turned fond, but the quick gesture to the waffles caught her (and her stomach's) attention.

"Oh yes, I am kidnapped for all day, you can surely consider that." Ruby said, raising her hands in a playful, helpless surrender before she took a bite of her meal.

Of course, she had to take care of her sister when she came back home, but that little girl was smart, so she mostly needed 10 minutes offline to settle things before coming back.

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

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Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

Kyra fell into a few moments of silence, focusing on the food as she nibbled away at it in a delicate way that reminded a lot of people of proper eating in movies - a term she'd heard during one of her few stints with coworkers in the real world. Prissy eating...they'd called it prissy eating.

Good. Then if there's no objections, we're going shopping. I have a few things I need to pick up - some mundane, some more...fun. Assuming you're not scared of a little bit of a shopping trip, that is.

She gave a wink towards Ruby as she began ticking off the list in her head. Most of the items were pretty boring, a lot of medical pieces that she needed to restock on for her business, and a few essentials for her living quarters - all pieces that she'd been putting off as long as she could, due to a desire not to go out, but there was one piece that she had custom ordered, which she had received notification of recently that was ready for pickup.

And who knows, maybe we'll find you...something fun as well. Like a new outfit, or maybe a new toy. If we're lucky, that is.

She still had that distant look as she spoke, her mind still going through the list of necessities that were required, trying to make sure she didn't forget or miss anything important as she waited to hear Ruby's response - the waffle was only a quarter finished, but she could already feel herself ready to go, the excitement of her order bringing her back to her upbeat mood. That...and Ruby's presence.

@Crimson Ruby​

 

[Crimson Ruby]

"After risking our lives so many times, do you really think some shopping will do anything?" Ruby played along, relieved that Kyra seemed to be feeling better, even if on the outside. She couldn't tell for sure, not being able to see inside Kyra's mind.

Her tail swayed at the suggestion of finding her something fun, with the mention of a new outfit making Ruby ponder about it. "Well, shopping some clothes would be fun... As for toys--" Ruby hummed. "-- What sort of toys? You aren't planning to get me a yarn ball, are you?" She said, going for another bite of her waffle and looking at Kyra, waiting for her reaction.

There was plenty of things they could do, but the sudden casual shift of the occasion tickled Ruby a bit... It was certainly better than a saddened Kyra, however, so the girl couldn't really complain about it.

@Kyra Vashtana