Complete Private Solvale Speak, thy heart

[MAI]

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A dawn of a new day, a visage of flame and steel so far that it seemed as if it never even were, to begin with. Such surreal was the experience, now so fleeting as a dream in the distance. So, among the morning dew, the magia sat on the grass and stone, legs dangling over the edge of a cliffside below which a small hamlet nested, waking from a restless night. Her own figure, draped in leathers, fiddles with something between its fingers. A small box, each tweak allowing it to let out a melody resonating with the girl's voice. Perhaps it was simply the melancholic sight presented to her, but something within her heart compelled her to let that melody out once more.

It did not even matter whether there would be anyone to hear it. However, she knew... that there was one who would be guided by it. Even if it was not meant for humans, it was the voice that sang that gave it all the more meaning. Joined by the chirping of birds hopping around the branches of a forest that stretched right behind her, she took in the fresh breeze and leaned back a bit. There was but one thing on her mind... What a beautiful reason to remain here.

Spoiler: Lullaby

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

After the darkness that engulfed Terrasphere and Astorea with fear and dread, the change of seasons felt like just fitting for turning the pages for a new chapter. The winter slowly fading away, with the white snow melting and being taken over by the spring, that already had its flowers blooming cheerfully.

This only brought more joy to Kyanna, who not only finally had a time to enjoy with MAI, but also got to see with her own eyes how her favorite season was in the world of Terrasphere.

"Follow the song"​

Was the only hint MAI had given to her, and as enigmatic as it could sound, it turned out to be pretty straightforward... And while Kyanna swayed in the air with her flying broom, she perked up listening to the familiar voice echoing in the breeze that sent her hair flying along with it.

"There you are." She smiled softly, darting off at full speed, until she finally met her eyes...

"Found you!" Kyanna giggled, approaching as her flying broom slowed down.

Her usual black, witchy outfit was replaced by a white and plain one-piece dress, and her long hair was braided, just like she always did in real life. For this particular meeting, Kyanna desired to be... As real as possible... Even if her much paler skin of her avatar didn't do her as much justice as it should.

Her broom lowered so she would eventually reach MAI's eye level, and a warm smile crossed her lips as she looked the magia girl up and down.

"I hope I didn't make you wait for too long."

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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The lullaby came to a sudden halt, golden synthetic eyes locking with beautiful violet ones, sparking with life and energy. It was almost as if Kyanna had brought along the whole of the world, clouds in the sky parting and letting out the warm rays of the sun, illuminating the land and the unlikely duo. The world became... colorful again. And as the magia's gaze took the girl in, her cheeks turned brighter with shades of red and pink. Was it because of the sudden realization that someone had heard her song? Or was it the form of the other girl, that seemed almost like that of an angel descending from the heavens?

"N-negative..."

Palms of her hands pressing up against the ground, she lifted herself onto her feet and offered those very hands to Kyanna, help her get off the magical broom and onto the fresh-feeling grass. The occasional cool breeze up here was nothing short of refreshing with the warmth that was brought by enjoying the sunlight, occasionally trying to make the witch's dress, and magia's cloak, dance together.

"Observation - Kyanna's attire... very different, but also... very pretty."

She felt quite embarrassed saying that out loud.

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna looked at MAI's offered hand and giggled faintly, taking it with a jestful expression. "What a gentleman." She said, hopping off her broom with MAI's help and not letting her hand go just yet, using the hold to pull the magia into a soft hug, far from being firm, just taking the magia gently in an embrace before loosening it and tilting her head with a grateful expression for the compliment.

"It is because today is also a different day." Kyanna pointed out.

"You are also very pretty, Mai" Kyanna said, turning the hand hold into an arm hook, pulling MAI closer. "But that isn't much different from your usual self." She added, a bit playful and keeping her eyes on the magia for a moment before finally averting and looking deeper into the forest.

"Should we go? The plants are telling me that there is no big danger nearby, so we should have a nice time." She smiled.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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MAI almost had to hold herself back from holding Kyanna in the embrace longer. The warmth of another was a precious thing, and the magia grew greedy and gluttonous. But she was still conscious of how she might come across to others, and preferred to go along with what was prepared for her rather than leading the way, much to the dismay of some.

Her blush certainly would not go away, not with the now white witch throwing compliments her way. Her lips curled a bit, eyes sliding to the side for a moment as their arms became linked, her companion taking the lead toward the forest. A peaceful place mostly only inhabited by critters and the like. Adventurers were still far too tired from what had happened, leaving those willing to go out a peaceful time.

"Gratitude - Thank you... though this unit does not put much effort into anything to make itself more pretty."

The supernatural beauty of many Travelers, and Magia especially, likely helped.

"Query - Today is a different day? What does Kyanna mean?"

She gave the girl a non-verbal agreement that they could head on, happily following by the witch's side into the ever so green forest.

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna laughed at MAI's statement, shaking her head and looking at her with a big, raising eyebrow. "Are you trying to show off, Mai? Because you are managing it." She joked at the humbe-talking, with her tone not hinting anything accusatory, but rather just being friendly.

She continued to trace their path deeper into the forest, climbing the slightly uphill path without much effort, aside from dodging a root or another, and avoiding hitting their faces on a branch. The flowers that continued to bloom on bushes and shrubs almost made it feel like this path was carefully crafted for the two of them, but this was nothing but a happy coincidence caused by that spot being used as a trail by adventurers all the time.

When MAI's question struck Kyanna, the girl looked at the magia with a small smile.

"What do you mean, how today is different?" She asked, tilting her head. "Today we are having a date." Kyanna said, leaning in to say that to MAI quietly, almost as if it was a secret between them, even if no one was around to hear it.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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Even as the forest grew denser, the rays of golden light would shine through the tree's crowns and their leaves, ensuring that the path was never too dark for the two girls. Even with the greener tint on all around them, the flowers bloomed in an array of colors, a collage for them to admire as Kyanna led the pair further, making the magia wonder how well she knew this place.

Scratching the side of her cheek, MAI felt a bit embarrassed now that she realized how such a comment could be taken, even if the witch said so in jest. It seemed that she was still not quite used to being so social, after all. Still, she was eternally grateful to anyone who would spend their precious, limited time with someone like her.

Then, Kyanna decided to joke around. Or... did she? MAI paused, her blush as apparent as before, trying to process what was said. Date... as in real date? Or just the thing that other girls at school often called just hanging out? Well, there was only one way to find out, wasn't there?

"Q-query - Does Kyanna... mean that this is... well, a date... date?"

Or perhaps it would have been better if she tried to let her thoughts organize a bit better before she blurred them out like that.

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna looked at MAI's hesitation and embarrassed questioning, squeezing MAI's arm that was linked on her softly before tilting her head. "I mean it. Unless you don't want to." She said with a genuine expression, averting her eyes for a moment. "Maybe I should've been more clear, but I also wanted to make it a surprise." Kyanna admitted, knowing it was partially her fault, by inviting the magia girl randomly rather than being very straightforward about it.

"So yeah. I'd like to spent today with you. If you have the time, that is... I've pretty much emptied my agenda for today." She said with a faint giggle, taking a quick and deep breath before focusing on the path forward.

"There are a lot of stuff we need to talk too."

Her expressions may have been cheerful and firm, but her body couldn't lie about it. Her burning rosy cheeks, her heart beating a bit faster than usual, and a faint quiver on her joints, that was only suppressed by the fact she was clinging on her friend to make sure she wouldn't show it.

Like a bravado, an emotional one.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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There was no way MAI could dislike something like this. Someone liked her enough to go on a date with her, offer her so much of their time? The only issue was that the mechanical girl's heart was not prepared for something like this, nor was her mind. Even if she did not have a literal heart at this very moment, she was certain that she could still feel it accelerating inside of her chest.

"N-negative - This unit wants to! I-it is only... um... this unit was never on a real date before... n-nor..." she paused for a brief moment as she tried to find the right words. "This unit didn't think another girl could be interested in this unit."

That was the right way to think about it, right? Kyanna said that she meant it when she said this was a date, and that meant there was a real, romantic affection, right? If she could, MAI would be sweating balls by now, her eyes darting from flower to flower, as if they were in desperation not to look at the other girl.

"Affirmation - Things to talk about... yes..."

She had to calm down a bit.

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna calmed down slightly at MAI's reveal, offering her a smile, considering the response of the magia girl was more leaning to the sheepish than leaning to 'negativity'. "I didn't go to many either... I never really stop to think too much about this kind of thing." She admitted, averting her eyes and continuing to focus forward, with the path slowly becoming a bit more narrow with the vegetation nearly blocking their path...

Granted, with a whisper of magic, the plants tried to open the path as much as they physically could.

"You didn't think another girl... Would, huh?" She asked, with her cheeks growing a bit redder. "Is it weird, to bring you to a date?" Kyanna asked, curious. "We can call it something else, if you want... Like a hanging out." Perhaps, at the end of the day, it was just a matter of semantics.

Kyanna's eyes then went back to MAI's face, even if the magia was trying to avoid eye contact with the witch.

"Yeah, we have a lot to talk about... About what happened... weeks ago. About what is happening now... And well..." She swallowed a bit. "... About what will happen in the future."

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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That seemed to be the difference, then. Kyanna, who seemed almost too innocent for this kind of thing, simply moved forward without giving a romance of her own all that much thought... and MAI, who was far too big a loner in the physical world to ever really be capable of pursuing such a thing in the first place. And yet, something like that seemed to have happened here without the magia even realized that things could go down such a route for her.

"Thought - Weird... it is not. But what it should be called... would depend on the final intent, I think."

Hanging out. To MAI, it implied that all of this was just two friends spending time together, having fun. But a date promised deepening of the relationship, at least potentially. If there was a willingness to interchange those, then perhaps... no, no matter. The magia tried to compose herself. All would be more clear once they got to talk more. Ready to face the witch again, their eyes locked, a glimmer of gold.

"Understood - We should talk then. This unit will do its best."

Part of her figured that it was best to keep what happened in the past, not bring it up anymore. But if Kyanna wanted to talk about it more, well... clearly it was important so it should not be waved away.

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna pondered about MAI's words, with a smile tugging on her lips. "My intent is for us to have fun. But I understand what you mean." She said, showing a bit of jest in her tone, but not a malicious one... with an expression that softened even more when their eyes locked momentarily.

Her face then turned to look forward the path, and while their walking wasn't that long, it did feel slightly tiring to keep going uphill.

"You know, I am a bit proud of my mushroom sandwiches, so I hope you will like them." Kyanna pointed out. "I've heard Magia can't taste... But you seem to be an exception?" Kyanna asked, curious while continuing to tug @MAI toward their destination.

It wouldn't take much longer for the two of them to reach what almost seemed to be a natural platform, the edge of a cliff filled with greenery that surrounded it, creating a clearing that had a wonderful sight to show.

 

[MAI]

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Fun. It was... amusing, for a lack of a more fitting word, that such a concept could be lost to people in this world, despite the fact that they were playing a literal game, something generally made for people to have fun with. Even if TerraSphere could have easily been labeled as an exception due to its realism and ability to actually kill people, that fact remained. And MAI could certainly get behind such a goal. Having fun... sounded great. Especially after everything that had happened.

"Explanation - While Magia cannot taste food by default, this unit worked to acquire a trait to reverse this. This unit's taste can even identify all ingredients and their quality."

Though none of that was a necessary process of eating food, so MAI would be more than content just trying Kyanna's sandwiches. She was sure that they would taste wonderful.

With the abundance of trees, a bit of a remaining chill of winter could still be felt as light struggled to penetrate the leaves up ahead. But as soon as the duo stepped out into the open again, the warm embrace of the sun would wash over them along with the breathtaking view. MAI even paused in her tracks for a moment, her eyes fixated at the stretch of land in front of them, a green canvas dotted with countless other colors.

"Pretty..."

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

"Oooh, so you got yourself tastebuds? That's interesting, to think you can just install things on your body." Kyanna said, pondering about it for a moment before slowing down so she could settle things ready for their small moment of fun. Letting go of MAI's arm, Kyanna made sure to materialize the basket and sheet she had prepared, spreading it on the clearing while placing the basket down and carefully materializing some bottles of drink they would use.

"I wish we had UI Inventories in real world too, it would make things so much easier..." She giggled, opening the basket to reveal several snacks, ranging from fruits, sandwiches and even pastries like biscuits. For a moment, it would probably look like a lot for only two girls... But the reminder that Kyanna intended to stay there the whole day would probably hint that it was just a little more than enough for the two of them, just in case one of them felt particularly gluttonous today.

Kneeling on the sheet, Kyanna looked up at MAI, noticing her admiring expressions, showing her a small smile, and then patting on the spot next to her.

"You won't stay standing all the time, will you?" She tilted her head.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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Perhaps MAI should have left her exclamation of wonder for a little while later. After all, she now had to merely look down a bit to see something even prettier than the view itself. Although the idea of vocalizing that thought made her feel like she could just fade away, given just how corny it would sound. That said, she wasn't about to keep Kyanna waiting and quickly hurried over to the soft sheet on the ground.

"Affirmation - The ability to carry over aspects of our characters back to the physical world would be very convenient."

UI was one thing, but MAI's learning module was quite something as well. It made... everything easier. She could remember almost anything, pick up new skills easier, push herself farther than she thought ever possible with ease. But once she was back outside of the game, all of that was gone. It made her realize how some could justify spending so much time inside of the game... sometimes, it truly was better than reality.

"Apology - This unit... doesn't really know how to act during a date. But the food Kyanna prepared looks delicious. And will taste even better when shared with a company."

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

The idea about bringing their aspects to the real world was surely intriguing, bringing a sparkle to her heart as she spoke- "It sure would... Well, at least being able to talk to plants and to actually understand them while using magic to make them grow healthier would make my job infinitely easier." Kyanna giggled heartily, reminding herself of her job as a floriculturist.

Not only that, but to talk to animals and to actually be able to cast powerful spells would sure be... Interesting. Albeit too dangerous, because at the very least, in Terrasphere she had the option to escape to the real world. She wouldn't have the same option if she was already in the real world...

... For a moment she wondered... Was that how the UI-Locked felt? How her mother was faring against this sort of situation?

Those thoughts almost caught her, but soon she brushed them away, looking at MAI with a warm smile.

"You don't need to apologize, Mai. But you also don't need to overthink about it... Just enjoy your time." She smiled, reaching for a sandwitch with a hand, and taking a small bite of it, and then putting down the wooden cups she had prepared to fill them with the bottle's contents, that turned out to be orange juices.

"Mmm, here, take some you too." She said, pushing a sandwitch to the magia girl's hand.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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Either Kyanna was unguarded, or she truly did mean it with this whole situation, speaking so freely about herself.

"Query - Does Kyanna work with flowers outside of this game. Ah, if this line of questioning is uncomfortable, it should be disregarded."

Perhaps she didn't want to mix the physical 'real' world with Terrasphere after all, so MAI felt it important to leave her the chance of an out. After all, many saw this place as a second life, rather than an extension of the first one. Intermingling was undesirable in such cases, but it was always difficult to tell unless the person specified. MAI herself... didn't actually know how she felt about these things. She never gave it much thought.

Thankfully they weren't here to lead a philosophical debate on the nature of the game. At least not yet, anyhow. Taking the offered sandwich, the magia would take a bite without any further examination, feeling that it would be a bit inappropriate. She could probably get through any potential ingredients she disliked. Although the taste that followed was nothing short of positive, even if it was a strange thought that these could have been the same mushrooms that the witch usually used to attack enemies...

"Statement - This unit likes the taste."

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna giggled and handwaved MAI's concerns, nodding eagerly. "I work as a Floriculturist in a part-time job. And I study Horticulture. It is amazing, I love to take care of them and to study them more." She said, taking a bite of her own sandwich and humming happily at the taste.

She didn't mind letting MAI know anything about her... Which was one of the many reasons she had called her to this quiet place. Only to themselves, so she could be entirely honest with her, without the need to close her heart because of what one or another could hear.

Her hands clasped in joy when MAI seemed to approve the taste of her mushroom sandwiches, making the girl beam-

"Really? I am glad! Please, take as many as you want, alright? Do you want a strawberry too?" Kyanna asked, shuffling around and taking a strawberry, looking at MAI with a grin before leaning the fruit closer.

"Say 'aaah'~"

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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"Study... student? Researcher?"

It was almost as if MAI's speech student a tiny bit as she tried to process the idea. Somehow she didn't imagine Kyanna to be such a person? No, wait, did that mean that if she was a student... she was potentially much younger than herself? Somehow that both fit and did not, given how, well... fantasy-indulging the 'witch' sometimes was, yet could be mature like she was right now.

But more importantly, was the magia judging her friend without realizing it until now, assigning stereotypes? Having a bit of a mental breakdown while her expression remained mostly stoic, she took the wooden cup and had a sip of the orange juice to help cool her down, only for her cheeks to flare up as the other girl brought forth a strawberry and clearly intended to hand-feed her.

"A-aah-?"

Doing her best to not look too silly, she opened up her mouth and leaned forward a bit. It was good that it was only the two of them here, indeed.

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna's smile widened when MAI played along, resting the strawberry on the magia's lips for a second so she could take it before letting it go and tilting her head. "Tasty?" She asked with a giggle, scooting closer and fidgeting a finger on her half biten sandwich.

"Yeah... I'm studying, but I wouldn't say I am a researcher... But I would like to do something like that in the future, yeah." Kyanna said, taking a bite of her sandwich to allow the words to sink in, while she picked up words in her mind to continue the topic-

"And I honestly plan to use my time in Terrasphere to put some research work into practice... You see, this world has so many different plants, and fungi, and animals, and... and..!" Her voice grew in excitement, and with sparkles brimming in her eyes only for her to pause and lock her gaze on MAI's, letting out a more sheepish giggle and adjusting her hair as her cheeks turned rosy.

"But yeah, I like that a lot." She said, averting her eyes to the basket, but then looking at the magia's eyes again.

Before she went for the last bite of her sandwich, she slipped a couple questions: "How about you? What do you like to do?" It was vague, but it was on purpose. So the girl could answer anything she felt comfortable with, instead of inquiring about what she worked on or what she did out of her real life.

@MAI