Complete Eastern Brisshal The Sort-Of-More-Or-Less-Diagonal Movement(?) of the Sword Hero!

[Schilva Flasch]

Hmm.

Too gaunt. Let's make him a little shorter...
Too hunky. Smoothen that part, just a bit...
Too scrawny! Bulk this out, not too much...

"Aha, just right!"

Stepping back and admiring his handiwork, Mylar wipes some imaginary sweat off his simulated brow and looks over the avatar of Schilva Flasch that he had created. Illuminated in the soft grey light of the avatar creation room, every detail of the scruffy swordmaster-to-be had been painstakingly molded to exactly the specifications that Mylar had plotted and planned and consulted countless references for. Even with a literal week of painstaking preparation, the whole process must have taken hours.

It had been exceedingly strange to start off by changing the preset that the game had presented him; after all, Mylar didn't think of Schilva as himself. No, Schilva was a perfect 'other' that he could bring into being, the same way an alchemist would their prized homunculus. The thought that he would be able to inhabit this avatar as soon as he was done polishing its features to a metaphorical mirror finish was the greatest driving force keeping Mylar trembling all over with excitement.

Like being born again. That was how Mylar imagined it would feel. Something so fantastic being delivered to him by a complete chance meeting like that...it still felt a bit wrong, like he'd somehow cheated the system. Whatever 'the system' was in this case, anyway.

"Alright, that should be that."
Speaking aloud to himself, a little self-consciously perhaps, Mylar finishes off adjusting the voice of Schilva to be just the right degree of rugged between gravelly and smugly suave. Was it alright to be spending so much time on finetuning such a thing? Well, he reasoned to himself, I can't go back and change it, so...

Making up his mind, Mylar takes a deep breath and pats his chest, hand over his pounding simulated heart.
"...right, here goes nothing."

His finger hits the NAME button.
-biip-

---

falling falling falling falling

That was the first sensation he felt. Down down down down down falling falling-

Half-thrilled, half-disbelieving and completely terrified, a scream tears across the sky as Mylar - no, Schilva - streaks down over lush and thick grasslands girt by woods; or, is it the other way around? It's hard to tell when you're moving at a speed of a falling star. Woah, hey, is the ground really getting that close?

seriously someone should have put a warning or something on this thing bef-

The impact is most certainly audible for miles around, and the impression on Schilva himself is that every bone in his body must be broken. Surely, surely...ah, never mind.

Opening his eyes, Schilva Flasch finds himself firmly planted on the ground by the face and most of his left side, only a dull discomfort akin to pins and needles greeting his body as he dusts himself off and staggers to his feet.

"...man, that just happened."
Musing to himself, Schilva almost jumps at the sound of his own voice before realising that yes, he was properly in the game now.
Silence, for a few seconds. Just processing things.

So now, which privileged Travelers see this newly manifested swordsman jumping about in some sort of...bizarre happy dance?

 

[Frey Elzeiros]

He plucks a blade of grass from his hair, tossing it over his shoulder with a grunt. Takes a few steps forward before the ground shakes, giving the impression it might just part beneath his feet, but when it doesn't, his knees buckle under his own weight for what must be the tenth time about now.

But who's counting? He's not. Are you counting? Nah, of course not.

"Are you fucking kidding me right now? Who the fuck made the controls on this thing." He gets up with another mouthful of flavorful commentary and continues on his way, which, to be honest, is just him walking in a random direction, hoping a quest marker or something similar appears at some point.

Instead of a quest marker or some legendary item, he catches some movement in the corner of his vision, turning to see a person standing up from an impression left on the ground.

Oh... Oh. Could this be it?

Could this be... The call of adventure?

"Oh, hey!" He calls out to the stranger currently in the midst of performing… Some sort of ritualistic dancing. Frey beams at the sight, recognition dawning upon his face as a very well-known scenario pops into his head.

The dirty clothing, the ragged appearance, the ominous crash he'd heard - and felt - mere moments ago, the erratic movements. Why, there is no room for error in his reasoning, and he is happy at his first real discovery within the game.

Again, he raises his voice a second time, and waves a hand in greeting: "Homeless hermit NPC quest giver! Yooooo, got anything for me?"

@Schilva Flasch

 

[Schilva Flasch]

Normally, Mylar - Schilva now, that is - would never do such a blatantly embarrassing thing as dance in an open field when, clearly, all his moves were self-learned.
However, the excitement completely going to his head, the fact that his surroundings were seemingly isolated enough from observers and the sensation of these simulated limbs well and truly moving in sync with his every thought was enough for Schilva to express his excess of emotions in physical format. Childish, but deniably plausible, surely, as he would soon find out.

The sound of someone else speaking immediately freezes Schilva mid-prance, deer-in-headlights style. Absolutely mortified, he slowly plants both feet on the ground again, clears his throat and shuffles around in a wide circle with deliberate intent to try and recover some lost dignity.
It isn't before long that he spots an azure-clad figure approaching his landing spot. At least the newcomer seems to have mistaken him for an NPC, which is somewhat better than any of the many alternative interpretations.

"Excuse me. Just some landing jet-lag. Doing some exercises, making sure nothing's broken."
Tossing his shaggy hair back, Schilva looks down at the first other player to cross his path; at least, that's what the mention of NPCs and quests leads him to assume.
"Ahem. Well met, fellow adventurer. Sorry to disappoint, but I ain't what you're lookin' for."
Smirking and jabbing a thumb to his sternum, Schilva puffs out his chest and introduces himself with a flourishing gesture to nobody in particular.
"Prodigy swordmaster-to-be, Schilva Flasch, at your service!"

@Frey Elzeiros

 

[Frey Elzeiros]

Schilva's attempts to save face are met with the enthusiastic clapping of Frey's hands, along with a mixture of highly spirited cheers and melodic laughter for what, in his vision, is a performance at its end. "Bravo, friend! Do it again, come on, don't you get shy on me. We could maybe summon rain like that!"

Frey pushes the branches and leaves of a bush currently blocking his path with a certain clumsiness to his motions, limbs responding awkwardly, and not quite moving the way he seems to want them to as evidenced by the slight furrow to his brow. It takes him longer than it would a more experienced player, but by the time his path is clear, there is nothing that keeps him from striding right up to the man's face.

Once the swordsman's introduction is done, there is a moment in which Frey remains silent, only tilting his head slightly to the left and nodding along with the words. With the decorum of a brick shattering a window, he suddenly reaches out and yanks Schilva from the hand that he'd used to point at himself, pinching and squeezing it. "Man, even the voice lines feel real. I gotta hand it to them, the AI in this game is fucking awesome."

"Okay, okay, I'm buying what you are selling here, prodigy swordmaster-to-be. Are you supposed to be a type of... Starter companion? Oh, wait, no. I got it, I got it! You are here to tell me how I get out of this..." He throws both of his arms up as he shifts on his heels in a wide circle, gesturing to their immediate surroundings. "Out of this place. Yeah, that must be it."

@Schilva Flasch

 

[Schilva Flasch]

The clapping and cheering don't make it any better. At least it's nothing like being pointedly humiliated, but being laughed at for some other reason still didn't sit quite well with Schilva as his first interaction with anyone in this world. He certainly wasn't about to do that again, if anyone was asking. Which someone was doing right now.

"No, no, I wasn't-"
Failing to notice the sudden proximity of the cheerily approaching conversationalist, Schilva is rudely jerked about to face them, excuses cut short and confusion overtaking scrambling embarrassment.
"What? Hey, listen here, I'm not-"

About to pull his hand out of this sudden unprompted inspection of sorts, Schilva almost bowls himself over backwards as he jerks his shoulder back at the same time that his hand is released and the yet to be named newcomer throws up their arms. Steadying himself before he buttplants on the dirt, all cylinders in his mind are firing overtime as Schilva tries to comprehend the several layers of misunderstanding being conveyed here.

"Oi, oi, oi! I'm not selling you anything! Who in my sword's name are you calling a 'starter companion'!? You take me exactly as I am, as I say I am, here and now!"
Prodding his chest with both thumbs this time, as if to drive home exactly how determined he was to prove his identity.
"I'm Schilva Flasch, Starcalled Swordmaster, the Evil-Rending Blade!"

Throwing out some more names that Mylar had been excitedly writing down in anticipation for Schilva's Terrasphere debut, each one feels less appreciated than the last, so he stops his continuous self-proclamations short at two.
"A-Anyway, that's w-what I thought YYYYOOOUUU were for!"
Turning to his side and flicking his wrist dismissively at the shorter man, Schilva tries to disguise his sputtering as dramatic scoffs and looks about the unremarkable landscape with badly disguised bewilderment.
"...whoever you are, anyway. Someone's got to roll out the red carpet for me!"

@Frey Elzeiros

 

[Frey Elzeiros]

The sound of scrambling steps and cloth shifting with movement does little to deter him from exposing his predicament to the stranger, slightly pointed ears twitching at the noise behind him. What returns his attention to Schilva is the explanations he offers and the clarifications he tries to get across. Ones that Frey receives with evident confusion, lingering in silence as he pieces the evidence in front of him together.

Something finally clicks.

Frey's cheeks redden some as he tries to figure out a new approach to the dilemma he's drawn himself into, folding his arms over his chest and touching his index finger to his lips. A small tune comes from him as he thinks, allowing the pause to stretch longer than originally intended before he suddenly perks up with a snap of his fingers.

This would be so much easier if they gave me the dialogue tree instead of letting me prattle on...

"But of course! How could I have been so careless with my manners?"

He retreats a step and dips into a bow, stretching the fabric of the mantle hanging from his shoulders to his left. The slightest tug of a smile at the corner of his lips remains even after returning to his full height, hand offered in greeting. "The name is Frey Elzeiros. Titles are a work in progress at the moment, but you know how it is."

"So, what evils have you rendered? Oh, oh, can I see your sword? You got a tale for me of your monster-slaying days? Spare absolutely no detail." What distance had been temporarily made between the two of them is effortlessly reclaimed when he advances towards his newfound companion, throwing a hand over the taller man's shoulders. Not an ounce of shame or discomfort discernible in his features. "You can tell me all about it as we figure out a way out of here and to the nearest town."

If you want the NPC to help, you must first earn their friendship. Gifts, conversations, helping them with their errands, restoring them to their former glory... It all makes perfect sense!

"What's your favourite color, by the way? Asking for a friend."

@Schilva Flasch

 

[Schilva Flasch]

Waiting for his unambiguously clear explanation to be absorbed by the silence and the Faerin - that's what they were, right? The diminutive stance and the tapering ears were what gave it away. Just picking a race for Schilva had taken Mylar an hour, but of course one of the most important components of his character deserved such attention to nuance and thought.

During the gap in conversation, Schilva crosses his arms indignantly and listens idly to the verbal equivalent of elevator music while waiting on an answer. When he gets one, the swordsman deigns it proper to nod slowly in agreement with this Frey Elzerios' evaluation of the situation.
"Careless indeed! But it only befits one such as I to forgive such ignoble address."

The apologetic bow is received in stride, Schilva makes no motion to return it as he gingerly extends his hand and takes Frey's in his own, drawing back after a firm shake or two. With how the game managed to simulate tactile sensation so accurately, now that he's had a moment to process what's happened, Schilva blinks a little in surprise but disguises it as the sun getting in his eyes. Still blissfully unaware of the ongoing miscommunication, the inquiries as to his no doubt lengthy heroic exploits visibly repairs Schilva's shamed heart as he seems to let out a held breath.

Problem is, those heroic exploits don't exist. Yet. But nobody has to know that.

"Hmm. Perhaps a discerning eye you do have. Fret not, for one day you may amount to something."
For a moment Schilva stands still, eyes closed with an assured grin as if appreciating Frey's curiosity. In actuality, he was scrambling for the placeholder answers he'd written beforehand in anticipation for this sort of scenario.
"You see, I have been called to this realm by the stars and embattled with a trial. Memories broken, the truth left unspoken, I've only been able to remember my name and purpose. But of course, there must be some great evil in this world that my blade must cut down, else I would not be here."

Thumbing the end of his sheathed katana's grip, the one hanging at his side as opposed to the one hanging across his back, Schilva opens his eyes and scans the horizon as he appreciates the feeling of the weathered hilt-wrapping under his fingers. How is it this weathered when he hasn't even used it though?
"I cannot draw my sword without purpose. Its thirst for battle is so strong that I must quench its steel in blood every time I unsheathe it, and you understand why I would not do so without a deserving foe."

Nailed it.
With a dry chuckle, Schilva gets ready to strike a cool pose to end off his speech, but is interrupted by an overly enthused arm around the shoulders. Fighting the urge to grumble, he gestures off in no specific direction and tries to ignore how buddy-buddy this guy who just called him an NPC is acting now.
"...your boldness is foolhardy, but I tolerate it as such. After all, we are both newcomers to this realm. Let us strike out for the unknown, I guess...think I saw somewhere like that when I came down...also, red is nice. Like, a pomegranate red."
Sagging just a little bit in resignation, Schilva points off in the direction he fell from the sky in and starts walking. Figures that the spawn area should be close to somewhere like a town or player hub, right?

@Frey Elzeiros

 

[Frey Elzeiros]

If there's even the smallest piece of his being that does not believe the story the swordsman weaves together on the spur of the moment, he does not show it. Rather, the smile grows wider as he speaks with such passion, as if the emotion itself would carry and infect him with the selfsame sense of adventure characteristic of a new journey's beginning. He even rhymes!

Cutscene start.

Frey's footsteps, hindered by none other than Ava's lack of experience in the field of Virtual Reality, come to closely resemble the movements of a drunken man. Anytime his foot might slip from underneath him, a sudden tug at Schilva's shoulders further stabilizes him, dismissing the action as pointing out a conveniently placed detail in the scenery.

Like, holy shit, are you seeing these rendered textures?

In his role of the follower, his chin remains mostly pointed skyward, observing the unending expanse of blue that lies just beyond the canopy hanging overhead, having to shield his eyes from the light that manages to leak through the leaves. A streak of vibrant hues cuts through the sky, and then another. A third, a fourth, and a fifth follow. "Say, do you think they'll stop anytime soon? I don't think they realize how inconvenient it is to just have you be introduced like that to a random location that might be a city, or might be in the middle of nowhere."

He gives a shrug of his shoulders, finally untangling himself from his friend, giving him room to witness the scene. "Looks pretty though. Hooooow about we go looking for a vantage point first, then the village? Maybe we encounter someone else also wanting to take in the sights."

And it occurs to him halfway through their excursion, when he sets his sights to the ground once again, that this is a path he recognizes all too well, the slight disturbances on the terrain a mark of his earlier passing. Briefly, he considers informing the starter companion at his side that they might be walking in circles, but by the time he parts his lips and readies to talk, the thought dies on his tongue.

"Or we could not. That landing was quite awful... I could use some rest." Frey shudders at the mere mention of it. "Now, I ain't out to become no sword prodigy or whatever. I do not have a fancy weapon thirsting for anything like yours does. You got any starter tips for me?"

@Schilva Flasch

 

[Nyancy]

Not a great haul today. What's Nyancy gonna eat if she ain't got no fish? I guess I could go inta town and get a boygah ah somethin' but then I'd have to walk all the ova and that's tirin'.

Nyancy gave her head a little knock.

Now, now Nyancy. You can't be talkin' like that. Remembah, you turned ova a new leaf this time. We'ah gonna get real strong so we can become the mascot of the whole woyld ova hea. We can't be lazy and do nuthin' but fish and work out all the time. Well, the workin' out is probably for the best. If I'm gonna be the hero'in type I'm gonna need to put on some muscle to tackle all tha monstahs and what have ya.

Speaking aloud to herself while venturing through the forest she typically spent her days in, the small Felis happened upon a familiar sight.

Well, wouldja look at that, more newbies comin' in hot ova hea. Feels like since the world opened back up, there's just been a flood of new faces, eh. Ah! I should go say hi! I'm supposed to be a mascot right, well the more peoples I know, the easier that's going to be ain't it?! Mascots ah famous so I need to be famous to! What are yas doing Nyancy! Get ova theyah and talk to 'em. Maybe even give 'em some directions real sweet like.

Nyancy rushed over to the newly spawned pair. As she approached, she gave a little curtsey to show she meant no harm.

Hey theyah you twos! Look who it is, it's me, little Nyancy come to give you two's a warm welcome! Think of me like the world's mascot ah whateva. Hea, watch this.

Nyancy carefully put down her fishing pole, laid out a little blanket and placed her single small fish down carefully on the blanket then looked over at the two.

Alright, heas we go.

Crouching down, slowly, Nyancy did a little roll forward and landed on her feet.

See? How bout them apples. It's the Nyancy roll. Everybodies loves them ah Nyancy roll now and again.

Picking herself up, the small Felis brushed herself off.

Anyways, my hobbies ah fishin' and poundin' baddies with these two mitts ah mine. Y'alls doin' alright? Need some directions? I was playing this game back before it went undah so I know a thing ah two.

 

[Schilva Flasch]

As Frey listens on without further question or confusion, Schilva feels as though things had finally been clarified all the way through properly, huffing proudly to himself at the end of his monologue. As the trek to find some form of civilisation began with Frey in tow, he himself still felt the pins and needles of an awkward adjustment in bodily proportions and so said nothing but occasionally stood still to let Frey steady themselves on his shoulder.

Seriously, is this the first time this guy's ever touched a VR game? I've never done full-dive myself before, but this is beyond noob behaviour...

Keeping his thoughts to himself at the very least, Schilva leads Frey on a meandering journey across the area and spends most of the time nodding, making enthused noises and remarking '...t'is so...' sagely every now and then. Best to balance his initial flamboyance with some 'mysterious stranger'-ness for now, otherwise he might get mistaken for comic relief. Which, arguably, is worse than being labelled an NPC.

Of course, he, like Frey, is too actually more interested in the movements of the heavens overhead. A veritable drizzling of shooting stars in a twinkling tapestry captures his gaze, such a thing Mylar had never before seen in his life. It takes him a bit to parse that Frey had asked him a question at all, let alone the...extremely strange wording of it all.

"I believe It will be at an end when the heavens determine it so, but truly I believe I alone am enough."
Stroking his chin thoughtfully, Schilva wonders what the hell Frey is on about after that part, concluding that the guy is simply a bit loopy and that he would take that as a compliment. Kind of.
"...er, well. As undoubtedly enthused everyone is to meet me, it would ill befit me to seek out every passing admirer I have in lieu of actually advancing the noble directive that I am undoubtedly fated for. Though it is tempting."

Nodding to end off his thoughts and also in agreement with Frey's sentiment that they should search for a vantage point, Schilva is completely oblivious to the fact that they hadn't actually made any progress, on account of looking everywhere but the ground. It's not until he's addressed at length again that he has anything to really say, lost in thought as he ponders what the fresh fuck is this guy on???

"Rest? Here? Hm. Very well."
Schilva was actually getting a bit worn out himself just walking without anywhere to really get to, so he gladly takes the suggestion in stride and points out a large stump that would accommodate the two of them.
"While it would greatly benefit you to have such a weapon, I will not begrudge you some personal wisdom. Lesson number one. Persistence! You see-"

Cut short again (man, that just keeps happening, doesn't it?) by this weird...cat...thing...bouncing out of nowhere, introducing itself as a 'mascot', doing a forward roll and immediately contradicting itself by stating it was also a player. To that, Schilva had only one response:

"What."

@Nyancy @Frey Elzeiros

 

[Frey Elzeiros]

More than taking a seat upon the stump, he falls rather ungracefully onto its surface, rolling aside to allow the swordsman to sit. Dusting himself off and hoping the AI does not recognize what just occurred, he crosses one leg over the other, ready to pay attention to the lesson about to be imparted.

"Persistence!" He echoes Schilva, going as far as to mimic the expression and the tone in which the word is initially spoken, before he tries a stab in the dark for its significance. "For in the face of adversity, in the face of a foe of overwhelming strength, naught but your own force of will shall keep you marching forward! One must first know the taste of defeat before they are to relish in victory!"

Where Schilva would appear proud of himself, asserting his confidence further by jabbing a finger into his own chest, Frey merely keeps the confidence with which he speaks. A hand of his goes up, palm laid out flat as he wiggles it some, not entirely convinced of the line's delivery even if Ava had heard it a dozen times before.

"... Or something like that."

But he is no accomplished hero, and it only stands to reason that his speeches would lack the flair and polish of a masterfully programmed companion, one meant to inspire him into the next great part of the continuously unfolding adventure. Why, when another strange, unfamiliar face pops into vision, there is no question in Frey's mind that his earlier meeting with the prodigy had set off a pre-programmed chain of events.

It does little to lessen his confusion at the Felis' introduction, however. The Faerin's dual-toned eyes slide over to Schilva's own, wordlessly asking for confirmation on the display unfolding in front of them. The words of the feline ring past his ears, the puzzled expression plastered across his features quickly shifting with the beginning of light-hearted laughter.

First the starter companion at the beginning of a hero's journey, then the animal mascot. Next to be introduced would either be the rival or the love interest.

"Why, hello Nyancy! How fortunate that it should be none other than this world's very own guide to find us. See, you are correct, there is something you could help us with. Well, make that a few somethings."

"At risk of repeating the mistakes of my past, allow me to introduce my companion and I. My name is Frey Elzeiros." He pulls himself up from his seat after only being in it for the better part of the last minute, bowing his head in greeting and extending his mantle out. No sooner does he return to his normal stance, than he pats his previous seat, inviting the Felis to come closer. "And this person right here is none other than the Evil-Rending Blade, Schilva... Uh..."

Think fast or your hard-earned affinity will go down the drain.

"Schilva, my very good friend!"

Good save.

"Now, do you know the exit out of this forest? Not that I don't appreciate the scenery, but I have walked this path like a dozen times for the last few hours and it is starting to get rather dull."

@Nyancy @Schilva Flasch

 

[Nyancy]

Schilva and Frey, huh. If ya's asking directions I guess you two are new hea, huh? Well that's just the cat's pajamas ain't it? Like I said, I'm Nyancy. I'm Traveler like yous twos but I was hea before the whole lock out shenanigans if ya catch my drift. It's my goal to be the world's cutest most adoryble mascot. Of course, I got a ways to go before that happens but ya know, it's whateva.

Nyancy looked back to Schilva.

Evil-rendin' blade huh? You cut up a lotta evil with that sword ah yas yet? Defeat some demon kings and the like? Yous is one ugh them trying to be a big time hero, eh? Well good for yous pal. I'll be cheering ya on. Don't fugget when you get rich and famous that cute little Nyancy helped ya out, eh? Nah I'm just joshin'. I'll let you in on Nyancy secret though, I don't want to sound all full of myself ah nuthin' but I got some moves too. Ya saw my Nyancy roll which allows me to dodge just about any attack, then I also got summa these.

Nyancy threw some little punches as though she were boxing. She followed them up with some kicks and karate chops.

See that right theyah? Think anyone wants to mess with Nyancy when she's got moves like that? Fugget about it! Anyways, yous guys said you were lookin' for the town? It's just right ova thea that way. They make it pretty easy, else no one would end up leavin' tha forest ya know? I could walk yas there if ya like. I won't even charge nuthin' on account of you two being new tah these parts.

@Schilva Flasch @Frey Elzeiros

 

[Schilva Flasch]

Brushing off Frey's near-slump onto the stump with a convenient aversion of the eyes, Schilva doesn't acknowledge the Faerin's clear lack of full dive maneuvering prowess for the interest of his own suspension of disbelief. That was very important.

Nodding cursorily, more intent on figuring out what the fuck this weird-cat thing was that just made its entrance, Schilva forgets about impressing his new follower for a moment.
"...yeah, close enough."
When he finds Frey's gaze drifting over to him for a verdict upon said weird cat-thing, Schilva gives a more enthusiastic nod and an approving but suitably curt smile.
"I mean, uh, very good, well spoken. Couple more like that and we'll see about lesson two. Now, er..."

Actually, it doesn't seem like his input was needed. Frey strikes up a conversation with Nyancy completely of his own accord, and Schilva is left wondering why he's suddenly not the one introducing himself. The bizarreness of the situation is just puzzling enough for him to not note Frey's near-insulting slip-up, most of the swordsman's attention on this self-proclaimed 'adorable mascot' and the running of their mouth.

It's only when he gets addressed by name a second time that Schilva shakes himself out of the stupor of being left out of the conversation.
"Evil-Rending Blade, that's me for sure, yep. Although, as much as my companion embellishes, I should say th-"
But Nyancy was already talking again.
"I should say that th-"
But Nyancy had already begun a new sentence.
"I shoul-"
But Nyancy had already changed the topic.
"Oi, let me fini-"
But Nyancy was already shadow-boxing and telling them about how they should be fine and how she would usually charge a fee for this kind of touristy service.

Schilva's face visibly darkens as he gets up from the stump and sulkily points off in the direction of where Nyancy indicated the township would be.
"Right, just get me - get us into town. I'll mention you in my biography or something."
Gritting his teeth and grumbling under his breath about this being a player character and not some tutorial creature he could either turn off or worse.
"...I should know better than to include someone who would charge the great Schilva Flash such paltry tolls as pathfinding fees..."

@Frey Elzeiros @Nyancy

 

[Frey Elzeiros]

He blinks a few times in rapid succession, utterly speechless at the player-turned-mascot's implication of an event they should know about. Traveling this world before? A lockdown? He has half a mind to ask but the stuttering of the sword prodigy catches him off-guard, pushing the confusion to the back of his mind where it may rest along with those words that had sparked his curiosity.

Something else to ask on the forums about. Wait, did Terrasphere even have forums?

Hands tucked behind his back, his focus bounces back to the one he'd originally encountered out in the wild, tilting his head in Schilva's direction with the tug of a grin pulling at the corners of his mouth. "See? Now you are also coming around to the idea of us being companions. Who knows? Give it the rest of the walk to the town and I'll be more than a line in a biography, could even join you in your adventures - or have you join me in mine!"

Everything to get those affinity points... Next time, I need to find something red.

When Schilva speaks once more, the Faerin has a hard time hearing what is said, instead catching minute pieces of a sentence that he struggles to put together.

Normal societal conventions dictate that if people don't say something loud enough for other participants nearby to hear, then that is the intended purpose. In all his carefully attained wisdom over the course of the last few hours, which, to be precise, amounted to negative digits, he would start repeating his own interpretation of the swordsman's words. "What's that? You know better than to... NOT include our guide? I'm inclined to agree, not knowing where we were going aside and everything. Look, she even comes with a self-protection movement kit!"

Returning to the feline and clapping his hands in the air to signal the beginning of their travels, "There you have it! We are in your care, if you would now show us how to get there."

@Nyancy @Schilva Flasch

 

[Nyancy]

Pointing to the direction of the nearest town, Nyancy took the lead and began walking. As she did, she called back to her two new companions.

Ya know I was just joshin' bout the fees right? Wouldn't be right tah charge othas fah simple directions would it? Wea all in this woyld tahgetha ain't we? I scratch ya back, ya scratch mine. Not with gold ah whateva, just ya know if ya see me in the futah say hi ah sumthin'. That ah vote for me as woyld mascot.

Nyancy turned, grinned, and gave a wink. As she continued forward she shouted back to the pair.

Now then wea headed to Honeyhome! It's typically tha fahst place Adventuerer's end up aftah gettin' outta the fahrest because it's tha nearest town in tha area. It's a nice place, good tavahn, friendly types everywhere, shops carrying the basics of what ya need like weapons, ahmah, and otha things. Ah course lots of otha adventurah's stick around the town, so the two of yas will be in good company in case yah lookin forwahd to meeting others sides cute little Nyancy ah course.

Continuing on, Nyancy became like something of a tour guide as she lead the pair out of the forest and towards Honeyhome.

Once we get through the next bunch a trees you'll be able to see it. Makes most new folks eyes go wide when they see all tha others that congregate in tha area, but then what did ya expect am I right? It's basically tha perfect place to make a home base while ya explore tha fahrest and trainin' ya skills. Like I said earlier, these fahrests are pretty time, cept fah the occasional beah attack so it's a good area tah get a handle on things.

Following a path that moved through the trees, Nyancy would finally lead the pair out of the forest and to the outskirts of Honeyhome. The town was bright with laughter, lights, and above all other newcomers to the world. Pointing towards town, Nyancy smiled up at the pair.

Well then there it is. I ain't got no business in town at tha moment so I think this is where adorable little Nyancy will take 'er leave. But before I go, the two of yas got any last minute questions ah whateva?

@Frey Elzeiros @Schilva Flasch

 

[Schilva Flasch]

"What? I mean, I suppose it wouldn't injure my reputation to party with someone like you."
Yeah, because every bright light needs its shadows, Schilva thinks to himself. He can be, like, my Sancho or Samwise or something.

Completely oblivious to the fact that a Quixotical allusion might not be the best reflection of one's skill and martial refinement, Schilva perks up a little at the thought of having his very own squire-foil to further spread his great name. He's not even that annoyed at the fact that he accidentally took Nyancy's joke too seriously, playing it off with a disinterested handwave. He doubted he'd run into the strange little creature again, after all.

Honeyhome. How quaint a name. Upon the listing of the various amenities and qualities of the town, Schilva gradually becomes more attentive to Nyancy's motormouthing. Nodding along, he considers his opportunities during the walk towards town.

Starter gear shops were a good place to start building up towards the legendary katana of destiny that he would rightfully wield one day, and a tavern surely meant accommodation, drinks and merriment. Oh, and quests, income, income tax, tax evasion and such. Do taxes exist in Terrasphere?
But more players means more competition...think like Schilva, Mylar!
"...I can outdo the rabble, easy!"
That last bit arrives as a thought out loud, which alerts Schilva to his own volume alongside Frey's once again slightly confused rhetoric. A bit more subdued this time, he talks as he walks in a low tone for the Faerin's ears only.
"Look, don't get me wrong here, the great Schilva Flasch respects his betters when it comes to time spent in this realm, but I frankly doubt that Nyancy cat-thing could stand much punishment from anything more dangerous than what she's describing right now. I bet I could have gotten us to town...eventually, anyway."

As the three come upon Honeyhome in embarrassingly short order after his boast, Schilva gives the mascot-character player a hesitant but casual two-finger salute.
"Let nobody say the great Schilva is ungrateful," he says aloud, more for his own benefit than anything else.
Turning his nose up and making a shooing motion at Nyancy, Schilva internally assures himself that if this is just another RPG starter town, then he's probably got no problem exploring it on his own.
"I require no further guidance, mascot Nyancy. For these services rendered I will...consider remembering this."
Actually, thinking it over again, that's not true; considering how fast he got lost in the wilderness, an urban environment may be worse. But he can't just eat his words like that so quickly if he were to still seem credible, so Schilva coughs quickly to cover his tracks and backpedals.
"...although it would be of convenience to me and the whole of Honeyhome, were I to know where the tavern is and where I could find quests to complete. For the sake of lending this quaint little town a little of my heroic charm and prowess, of course."

@Nyancy @Frey Elzeiros

 

[Frey Elzeiros]

For lack of pen and paper upon his person, a mental note is taken instead. Aspects of the town that Nyancy describes as the trio walk through the forests form a scenario in his head that he quickly ties together with other RPGs he'd played before his eventual arrival at Terrasphere.

Obviously, all of them had required a controller and didn't involve VR in any capacity, so the experience so far was fairly different from what Frey had been acquainted with. Barring his clumsy step, how his wings interacted awkwardly with the movement of his limbs, and other issues like lack of starter equipment, the experience was one that the Faerin wasn't going to forget anytime soon.

He would inch closer then, listening in to what his starter companion whispers to his ears.

"Oh, I do not doubt that. I was starting to think the trees and stones, and my own footprints at one point, looked familiar. Kinda glad that I finally got out of there, though, not sure how many more hours of walking I could've taken."

His eyes come alight with awe, immediately busying himself with the task that was redirecting his attention to this point or the other, far too afraid that if he wasn't looking, he would miss something of importance. The Faerin's lips part with the beginning of an "Oh, shi..." that never becomes a fully realized sentence, muffling his voice behind a hand that raises to contain the excitement that is born from him in that very same moment.

A memory to grasp at, a memory that resonates within his chest with the familiar tug that is the call to explore a video game map for the first time, being surprised by everything and everyone within its confines. Much more than that, is the sheer realism behind it all, behind the breeze blowing at his hair, carrying the scent of some freshly baked product.

Turning to see the pair in whatever mood they might be, Frey performs a reiteration of his initial introductory bow, this time pronounced to the point of letting the crown slip from his head and roll down his arm so he could roughly catch it and press it to his chest. "You have been marvelous so far and though I have no gold coins in my pocket to spare - or none that I could use myself, for that matter - know this kindness will not be so easily forgotten."

He seems about ready to go off on his own when Schilva brings yet another point he is also interested in, one that has him throwing a light punch to the swordsman's arm.

"Great idea! I would also appreciate that. Hey, you know what sounds awesome right now? I'll race you to the starter quests!" He declares without awaiting further input, back turned to the village, already bouncing on his toes.

@Nyancy @Schilva Flasch

 

[Nyancy]

As Schilva asked Nyancy in a rather Tsundere manner to help him located the tavern, Nyancy nodded her, crossed her arms, and approached Schilva motioning him to bend down so she could whisper something.

Yah know, I think yah a good guy so don't take this persahnal ah nuthin', but anyone eva told ya, yah kinda a pain? If ya want somethin' just ask, yah will be a herah soon enough, no need to try and impress no one ah nuthin.

After giving her advice, Nyancy would take a step back. Pat, Schilva on the side and give him a smile and a thumbs up.

Ah course I can take ya two tah the tavern! Place is always lookin' fah a few moah good heroes ah what not. Let's go! Ah, but I'm not gonna race ah nuthin'. Not gonna lie, I'm pretty quick, but I also can't really control it too well yet. Don't wanna run intah no one. No need tah thank me ah nuthin'. Maybe if I evah need some help ah somethin' yah can repay the favah. I think that would be nice since weah all friends hea.

With that, Nyancy began to lead the way to the tavern. It was a short walk as it situated in the middle of the Hamlet. Reaching the door, Nyancy turned to the place.

Welp, this is it. Honestly, I don't know much about quests and how they woahk on account nevah actually doin one. Not proud ah that, but yeah know it's whateva.

@Schilva Flasch @Frey Elzeiros

 

[Schilva Flasch]

"Psh, 'hours of walking'. Should you have had any worry for travelling with haste, you need only have said the word."
Patting his chest proudly, Schilva flicks a lock of hair out of his eye, not even bothering to address @Frey Elzeiros face-to-face.
"Know thee not that the great Schilva Flasch holds also the title of the Godspeed Sword? Ah, well, of course not..."

Taking note to catch himself before he stacks too many unverifiable titles onto himself, Schilva's character slips a little as the trio approaches town. However, at @Nyancy's frank assessment of his character, he's immediately back in full blustering swing. Seriously, why would someone just come out and say that?!

"A pain?"
Hissing with incensed fury, Schilva takes care to not make a scene in the middle of the starter town, of course, but his change of stance is evident all the same. Towering in a hunch over Nyancy, Schilva looks more the part of a common thug than hero, teeth gritted in wounded pride.
"Oh, you can say as much, you little...uh...you..."
His vitriol is quickly lost as he tries to build even a single insult, unable to pin down what exactly Nyancy is supposed to be.
"Ugh, this isn't worth it. You just bet your ass I'll remember this."

Regardless of the certain differences between these adventurers, a round of drunken cheers from the tavern doors that swing open is the cue for everyone to put their bitterness aside. It was high time to indulge in the joy of diving into a new world, starting now, and even Schilva can't help but quash his downturn in mood at that sight.

"Well, Nyancy, Frey," he address the two, clearing his throat in turn. "You have been...acceptable company, I will say. I may very well consider you friends."
Nodding ceremoniously, Schilva only registers a slight disappointment when Nyancy responds to the questions about quests. That was fine though; Terrasphere's questing system being non-mandatory would certainly make sense, what with how much immersion there was with the world already!
"T'is of no consequence, trouble yourself not. Glory will find the great, as is custom. For now..."
Rubbing his hands and getting ready to get truly stuck into a starter town like no other, Schilva cocks his thumb towards the tavern.
"...I think I'll go have myself a look around in there. Go your ways as you will, I suppose."