Private Isulus The Things You Don't Forget

[Kamala Graham]

Isulus
Tangleweaves

Spoiler: Theme

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

Death is not the end.

"What is this? Where am I?"

Warning

@Kamala, you are dead. If you are not revived within the time limit, your body will reconstruct at the nearest sanctified location.

"GET OFF!!!"

Warning

@Kamala, you are dead. If you are not revived within the time limit, your body will reconstruct at the nearest sanctified location.

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

And she wakes up. Alone and sweating.

That has been the case for Kamala since a few days ago, after she died during the ill-fated expedition within Isulus, the same place where she was now, standing before a random person, a non-Player, with a wide and warm grin on her face as if she hadn't been swallowed whole by a million insects not too long ago. Despite the nightmares that bridged her time of rest to her waking hours, Kamala preferred to keep all that darkness to herself. All that fear, that paranoia, that unwanted repercussion for temper not tempered, those things weren't meant to be shared, she believed. They were her burden to carry. And hers alone.

"You're sure, then? You want to try?"

Kamala offered the red apple in her hand to a fairly attractive young elf, her response an affirmation, not of her hunger but of her curiosity. The apple in question was infused with Kamala's magic, which enticed nature spirits to come forth and bless the same fruit. She had eaten something akin to it before and had suffered no ill consequences. She wasn't quite sure her newly made friend would be as lucky, though she hoped for the best. That was all she could do. Hope. Always.

"Say the magic word first."

Kamala giggled with her own request, and so, too, did the elf. "Har har. Pleeeeeeease?" With only a nod, she gestured for the elf to take the fruit, which the latter did, savoring the taste as if it was the most delicious thing she had ever eaten. Kamala wouldn't know if that was the truth, if that was the case, as she had no idea what the elf's experiences were, what she had eaten or not eaten, or what her standards for good food were. All she knew for certain was that the elf seemed to love her offering, and as they parted ways, with the elf bidding her a warm farewell, an old friend had arrived with what she could only assume was an invitation to return but this time to the life of an adventurer. He had implied as much in his messages, most of which she had ignored.

"Hello, old friend."

@Chrys

 

[Chrys]

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Here with a proposal.

Chrys had arrived in Pormont a few days ago. As the co-owner of Wicked's Rest tavern and—sigh!—funeral parlor in Stokbon, he has had his own problems to deal with. Add to that his burgeoning career as an adventurer and things had not been easy for the Auric Geomancer, the Shield of Stokbon. Fortunately for Chrys, he has had help in the food and funeral business department, namely, his co-owner and bank roller as well as the two service workers he had acquired with the tavern. And funeral parlor. He felt the same was the situation with @Kamala Graham and her farmers.

"Hello, Kamala. They told me you would be here. Apologies for the ruse. I wanted to make sure you were...fine."

When the elf from before turned to steal one glimpse of them, Chrys discreetly gave her a nod as a gesture that he would be all right, that her presence was no longer need, though Kamala's amazing awareness would most likely catch wind of that. It was one of the things Chrys appreciated about her. That great proficiency for insight. It was also one of the things he was wary of about her. Her death had also made him somewhat suspicious of her current state, her mental state, among other things.

Death was not something that should be taken lightly in this game, especially after Chrys managed to do his research on the matter. Well, C. S. Jackson did. Okay, maybe his confused subordinates in his law firm, the prestigious New York City law firm of Milton Chadwick Waters. At least its international counterpart, specifically the one in London, England. Death was something to be wary of, suspicious against even.

"How are you feeling these days?"

Chrys stood underneath the sun that managed to seep through the overgrowth, its light glinting against the sharp but massive blade of the Sword of No Skill that laid resting on his back. It was another discreet move, a gesture that he made sure she would notice. Chrys would rather not fight his friend, but if she came back...wrong, then he would not die there. The last thing she needed was his blood on her hands. The last thing he wanted was to prove himself correct, for the memory of Kamala's sunshine to become eclipsed by this new night of hers, death's moonlight.

 

[Kamala Graham]

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Amused.

Turning around to face the man she herself had brought to the sanctuary that was the farm she had nurtured with others, Players and non-Players alike, Kamala smiled warmly at @Chrys. It had been a while, hasn't it? Not since the Red Fever had they been in the same room, or in this case, the same place. She caught the glimpse shared by the adventurer and the help, quick to realize what the ruse he had spoken about was. A little disappointed, she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Was it truly necessary?"

It was, even she knew that. He had been sending her messages since her return from death, from her failure, from her defeat at the... She cut herself off, gulping. The very thought made her shudder, as a familiar haunt threatened to break her peace. But Kamala persevered. She was nothing but the very epitome of calm. Often too much.

Chrys had made the effort to see her, to meet with her, that much was obvious to her. From the lure of an elf in need to the much easier questioning of the farmers that deep down she knew simply wanted to make sure she was all right, he had spared no option at his disposal to arrange this very encounter. How smart. And creepy. Maybe he was the one in need of this encounter.

"I feel fine, Chrys."

She was quick to notice the threat of his weapon. Rather the warning of it. Kamala had heard from Ayna that she had almost been bested by the massive sword in their own encounter, a spar to satiate her fury. She wondered if it would make quick work of her, especially considering that she was not made to fight. Perhaps a curiosity for another time.

"What about you? What has gotten you...a little bit spooked, it seems?"

 

[Chrys]

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Hmm.

Hmm. Chrys took a moment to just stare at @Kamala Graham, observing her from head to toe. In the real world, he had a knack for figuring out a person, whether they were telling the truth or not. In this one, it seemed much harder to tell. Perhaps that was because they weren't using their real bodies, their actual flesh, and blood. Or perhaps it was just the game's many progressive developments, allowing liars to be great at what they do, and honest people to be much harder to read.

When he was done and satisfied, he eased his stance and heaved a sigh.

"Hmm. You do look fine."

She looked wonderful, Chrys could at least admit that. Well, in his head, at least. For a dead girl, Kamala looked full of life and still brimming with hope. But those things he'd heard were truly hard to ignore, and for every second he spent admiring his old friend, every other one was spent suspicious of what is truly lurking underneath.

"Just rumblings, to be honest. Of what happens to people who died. Anything happened to you when you died? Things that changed?"

It was hard to truly determine anything else at this point. Kamala could be feeding him lies with her answers. Or she could be just telling the truth. He decided to follow his gut and give her the benefit of the doubt. After all, friends over gossip, right? Should be fine.

"Don't fault the elf for participating in my ruse. I paid her well for it. Just to be sure you're truly fine, that's all. No sinister motives, of course."

None at all.

"I'm actually here to offer you a proposal. You've been ignoring my messages, Kamala."

And there came the important part.

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

Listening.

Kamala wasn't sure what to tell @Chrys. After all, she was just barely sure of what had happened. She died, yes, and it was her first death in the game. But what followed was even more uncertain things. Things I can barely explain to myself. Or more precisely, things that I could explain to myself as something else, something less worrisome, things I can excuse.

After her death, Kamala had once or twice dreamed about a shadow mumbling something to her, though whatever they were saying, she could not make sense of. She also became much more sensitive to movement around her, her awareness becoming much better than it had been before, and she felt something something worrisome whenever her temper started to rise. But these things could just be the results of her continued growth within the game, the minor setback of her death notwithstanding. Kamala had always had great perception and she very rarely let her temper rise. So far, so good.

"A lot of things happen to us when we die, Chrys. A lot of changes. I'm not sure what you're getting at."

She simply nodded at him trying to excuse his accomplish. Kamala bore him or the elf no ill will for the ruse. They had their reasons, and Kamala had no reason not to believe Chrys. So she did. Wholeheartedly. Nary a suspicious or malicious bone in her body.

"I'm listening."

Kamala gestured towards a nearby large tree trunk, bent horizontally, for them to sit upon. She could not speak for Chrys, but she desired to rest herself while listening further to whatever else he had to say. Kamala felt it was more respectful to do so. Besides, it promoted a sense of casualness between them, something that seemed lacking at the moment. They were still friends, weren't they?

 

[Chrys]

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Proposal proposed.

Chrys watched @Kamala Graham with keen eyes, as if that would help him get any closer to the truth. What if what she was telling him was the whole truth? Nah. No one ever spills all the beans in one go. Something always gets left behind, the scarier stuff, stuff that the spiller won't ever let go of.

But this was Kamala, and Chrys doubted that she would intentionally hide stuff from him. If not for him, then for herself. Kamala had always been the nicest of their group. Not even death could take that from her. Or at least he hoped.

So instead, he let all that go, the paranoia, the curiosity, and everything else in between. He focused instead of the greater task at hand, the bigger picture. Why was he there? Simple: He needed, wanted, a designated healer. The other option was Leyna, but the elf was busy elsewhere, probably with elf things, and he needed someone he could count on. For better or for worse.

"The proposal is quite simple, my dear: You've had your taste of the League, right? So why not switch sides and join Ayna and myself over in the Guild?"

He hoped the mention of Ayna Nietzsche would further help her come to the right decision, which would be in their favor. Ayna never stuck with the MIT for the same reason Chrys never considered joining them: Freedom. The brains were too focused on their rules and laws and science, and Chrys wasn't into those, especially without the clear lure of money. With the League, well, Kamala died with them, so they didn't even get to be an option for him. The Guild was where the money was, and Chrys would do anything for money.

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

Color her intrigued.

"Ayna?"

Kamala raised an eyebrow at @Chrys. She ignored the fact that he ignored her invitation to sit beside her, knowing that the man was just as hard as the rocks that swirl and float around him. He had the stamina of a hundred men, something she witnessed firsthand during their first meeting at the farm, and no doubt did not need to sit to keep himself comfortable. She also did not consider anything else at his mention of their dear friend, oblivious to the fact that it was his bait to further lure her into his plans, whatever they may be. Kamala gave him the benefit of the doubt, as she usually did with everyone else.

"She's with the Adventurers Guild now? What happened to the MIT?"

Prior to her death, Kamala remembered that Ayna had joined the MIT's efforts to concoct a cure for the Red Fever that they had suffered during that expedition, the same expedition that took her life when she tried to play Explorer. Perhaps, she started to consider, Chrys had a point. She tried her hand at the League and clearly that did not end well. Perhaps she was better suited elsewhere. Perhaps she was better suited to stand beside her friends.

"What about the rest? Elias? Leyna? Samantha? What news do you have of them?"

It had been a while since she had had contact with those three, but to be fair, she had been dead, and death was just another word for offline.

 

[Chrys]

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I guess, he's just a walking Facebook update now.

Internally, Chrys grinned when he assumed that @Kamala Graham had been baited by the mere mention of her most cherished friend. Externally, however, the wielder of the Claymore of the First Loyalist (Greatsword) and practitioner of the Sword of No Skill sword style as well as the Brawl-Around Defense martial arts style remained calm and collected, as if a robot with no emotions. He did not want Kamala to see the truth in his motives, believing she did not deserve his less serious side. Chrys respected his dear friend, after all, and did not want to make himself appear like a fool in her presence, even though she had already seen it during their first meeting. Maybe death made her forget how much of an idiot I truly am. Was.

"It did not work out between Ayna and the MIT. As much as she's a genius in the real world, I think her priorities might be different in this one."

Chrys felt that truly. If he remembered correctly, Ayna had mentioned once or twice that she was an engineer in the real world, as he had himself revealed to them his profession as a lawyer in the same place. But this world was not like their own, and it did not have much need for engineers and lawyers as it did heroes and gods. Chrys had been referred to as a god once or twice, which he can never appreciate. There was too much responsibility in being a god. ...and less pay.

"The rest? I cannot speak for them. It has been a while since I've had any contact with any of them, to be honest. I can only assume that they're all busy carving their respective paths in this world."

Maybe if he had himself reached out, it would be a different case. Leyna was the first Player he met in this game, but they haven't really had any chance for adventures together. Chrys remembered Samantha as a very robust young lady but he could only faintly make out Elias' form in his head. They've all been very busy with their own things, stories, and adventures. Not everyone was on the same wavelength.

"Ayna and I could really use your proficiency as a healer. She's a little bit too focused on the offensive side of things that she often fails to keep herself...safe. Meanwhile, my protection is nothing without actual healing."

He tried to lure her in further with the truth while also flattering her abilities. Chrys was not lying about anything: The pair did need a dedicated healer such as Kamala. Every party did. She would be a blessing, a boon, to their future plans, adventures, and everything else in between. Besides, he was worried about her being alone in this new chapter of her gaming life. Death changes people.

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

The things we lost and the options that remain.

@Chrys made some great points. Kamala could at least admit to that. She wasn't quite sure if she was ready to get back out there, but if Ayna needed her, if Chrys needed her, then did she really have the luxury to say no? Does that matter, though? I'm trying to keep them all alive.

"Oh, I see. Well, if you both need me, then I guess there's nothing else to say."

She was a little disappointed when he admitted he lost touch, and contact, with the rest of their rag-tag group, though. Kamala had expected her death to at least bind them all together, like the glue to their mourning, but apparently, the opposite had happened. Her death had caused them to shift away from each other. At least Chrys and Ayna are still adventuring together. I do hope the rest are all right. Wherever they are.

"I may need to return to the farm first. After which, I'm all yours. Would that be all right? Or do you need me somewhere else right now?"

 

[Chrys]

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Sus because...bored?

Chrys only nodded at @Kamala Graham's first statement. He had nothing else to add himself, nothing worth a notice or two. He got what he wanted: a healer. The healer being a close friend was just icing on top. He spent a moment or two just staring at her, gauging whether something was off or not about her or her statement, but relented once more.

"Yes, that would be all right. There is nowhere we're needed at the moment. Perhaps I can even accompany you?"

A perfect opportunity to continue his observation of his friend. It wasn't an ideal thing to do, stay suspicious on and off again, especially regarding someone who had just come back from the death, game or not, but he felt he had no choice. Chrys gave her the warmest smile he could, arms finding their way behind him, clasping them against his back. Most of him wanted to trust Kamala, and he did, but there was still a part of him, the smallest part, the lawyer C. S. Jackson, that was always suspicious of everything, especially when circumstances were very interesting.

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

One step forward.

"Accompany me? Back to the farm? Seems to me like a wonderful idea, my friend! How can I say no?"

The way back would have been much lonelier without a friend, that much Kamala believed to be true. But with @Chrys traveling with her? She thought it would make for a better trip. Even though Ayna often antagonized their friend, he was if not anything a very stable companion. Like a rock. Or a mountain. Definitely someone you can rely on.

It would be too easy, a part of Kamala knew this to be true as well, to blame Chrys for her death, but it would not be fair. Nor would it make much sense. Kamala decided to part ways with the group to explore her options, and so did the other two. For some reason, they all considered Chrys to be the veteran of the group, even though they seemed to have started playing around at the same time. To be fair, however, she had started the game with Ayna and had met Chrys, who seemed a lot stronger and more experienced than the both of them combined, much later.

Maybe that's why we expected more from him, maybe that's why we expected him of all people to keep both of us alive during that expedition, even though it was unfair. No one could've expected everything that had happened that day, and neither of them was with me when I passed.

She gave him one wide smile, a reassurance that she did not blame. Or anyone else for that matter. It was what it was. All they must do now is move forward, and that's what she did exactly, taking one step back towards her farm, knowing he would follow her so he could guard and protect and make sure the weight of his guilt, if any, would lessen, even though he didn't have to. I can protect myself now, I think.

 

[Chrys]

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Did the Landers get scared of the resurrection?

Chrys couldn't help but smile at the familiar ray of sunshine that was @Kamala Graham. Her bright smile, full of genuine kindness, seemed to have melted away all of his suspicions. They were all alone now, in the middle of nowhere, or at least some place hidden away somewhat. If any part of her had changed, became more violent or vicious, then she would have done something already. The fact that she just wanted to come home, and even allow him to go with her, spoke volumes of how wrong he was to listen to those rumors. Kamala will always be Kamala.

"If I remember correctly, your farm is composed of both Landers and our fellow Travelers, right? How did they receive your return from the dead? I'm sure the first-time Travelers would have worried, as our friend group did, but were the Landers concerned about your resurrection?"

Chrys had wanted to satiate a sudden curiosity at the Landers' reception of Kamala's rise from the grave. Even though they were just NPCs, characters created by the game's developers, perhaps they had distinct reactions to that strange event. Or perhaps they didn't even bother to care, considering they had their own algorithms and coding to deal with. It would've been quite interesting if his former hypothesis was more correct. Otherwise, there would be nothing else to speak of.

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

Big thoncc.

"Hmm?"

Kamala raised an eyebrow as she walked side by side with @Chrys. Their journey to the farm would take much longer. This was just the first of so many steps. She was more concerned about his question, however, uncertain at what to say, mostly because she herself wasn't sure what the answer was. It was hard to generalize people's reactions, especially since they were all very distinct individuals.

"I think some of them were a little surprised, but a few seemed strangely used to it..."

Kamala herself found it a bit harder to distinguish Landers from Travelers and vice versa, though it helped when the persons she spoke to would often refer to things outside of this world. Like their experiences in the other world. Places like Tokyo or Mumbai. References to popular culture that didn't exist in this world like cartoons or syndicated game shows. It didn't really matter to her, Lander or Traveler, but each did have their distinct flavor.

"Probably just experienced with other Travelers like us! Or maybe they were former Travelers themselves. I've heard stuff about that. Have you?"

Kamala wondered if Chrys had heard of the same, Travelers like them becoming Landers after long periods in the game. Some even choose so willingly while others revealed that they just woke up one day unable to access the UI to log out. Or something along those lines. Kamala never did have the best memory whether in here or out there. She was too soft in so many ways.

 

[Chrys]

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Sharing whispers between friends.

Chrys nodded, his hands clasped together behind him. He had expected as much. He often referred to these Landers as NPCs, but with recent information shared with him, he wasn't quite sure if that was even the appropriate term. Stories of Travelers, Players like them, becoming Landers have also reached his tavern. He started wondering then if that was of their own volition or if something else was causing the change. That was why he had been so skeptical of @Kamala Graham after her death.

"I see. The same has reached Wicked's Rest. The inebriated often share too much, especially with regards to the secrets of others."

It was a tale as old as time. Slip most people some alcohol and their tongues grow loose. It was why Chrys rarely shared his own secrets, a pearl of wisdom he had first encountered in the other world. In his line of work, secrets were tantamount to gold or even a sharp dagger. It was the currency of kings, and most commonly, celebrities.

"How did you come upon such information? And do you know how the change occurs?"

Kamala, however, Chrys knew he could trust. She wasn't easily persuaded by alcohol, and once or twice, he had witnessed her do the persuading herself. If only she knew the power of her charms, then perhaps she could be quite the dangerous whisperer in all the lands. Not that she seemed interested in anything of the sort, however. Most of the time, she seemed more devoted to her farm and the adventures in between.

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

Not really in the know, to be honest.

"Oh."

Kamala stopped dead in her tracks, a frown soon replacing the eternal smile on her face. She turned with @Chrys with that look of disapproval and shook her head. Reaching for his hands, she held them in her own and heaved a very sad sigh.

"Chrys, you know it's not nice to eavesdrop on people, right? Please reconsider."

She tilted her head to one side at his question, genuinely confused. Kamala tried her best to browse what she could of her brain but came up a little empty. She wasn't as quick with her wits as her peers, often being much slower. Fortunately for her, even if it did take some time, she managed to scrounged up a half-remembered trivia from not so long ago.

"Hmm. If I remember correctly, one of my fellow farmers told me about it once I came back. Not entirely sure on how the change happens, though. Maybe they just stop logging out?"

It was the simplest of explanations her tiny little brain could come up with, but even so, the simplest of answers are often the most useful ones. Then again, it was just her theory, nothing more substantial than a made-up rationale to wind down a confused mind.

 

[Chrys]

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Sharing whispers between friends.

Chrys could only smile at @Kamala Graham's reprimand. She wasn't wrong: Eavesdropping was never nice. Sometimes you just can't help it, though. Most of the time, however, it was intentional. Still one of the most efficient ways to get information without just asking for it outright. Besides, the tavern was a great source of whispers. Not eavesdropping would be a waste of a good opportunity. But Kamala didn't need to know that.

"All right."

On the contrary, Chrys needed to know how the change happens, how a traveler or starcalled or whatever gets turned into a lander or an NPC. He's heard rumors about faulty systems, perhaps even glitching, but at that scale and still generate interest and players? Whoever made the game was doing something right. Or maybe at least drawing in the right people. If your real life's shit, who wouldn't want to be trapped in a fantasy world with magic and mech?

"Perhaps. Would you be able to track down your farmer friend? I would love to converse with him regarding the matter."

And maybe interrogate him on who told him what, maybe get a trace on the information's flow. It was a tall order, but Chrys had no other options. It was the best one he had, and the one he'd use to get his bearing, footing, on the issue. One way or another, he was going to get to the bottom of it.

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

Not really in the know, to be honest.

"I suppose I could."

Kamala thought out loud as she began to walk again, slowly, allowing @Chrys to catch up without stressing himself out or anything of the sort, on their path to her farm. She was genuinely interested now, her curiosity piqued, at everything that had been laid out to her. She remembered the farmer she had been talking about, an older, but not so much, man who was full of hope and love. It was intoxicating, even for her.

"They left the farm a few days ago, to find a long lost love, but I'm sure someone at the farm knows where they went."

Kamala was a little disheartened at the memory of that same farmer departing the Viridian Fields not too long ago. She was one of those who bid him farewell, wishing him the best on his journey. His love story was quite interesting, to say the least, full of ups and downs, but mostly due to his and his lost lover's choices. Tim might know more about him, but for now, her focus switched to the man with her, a glimmer of understanding finally appearing in her head.

"If I may? You seem to very focused and determined with regards to this issue, Chrys."

Kamala squinted at him. She was the one who died. Why was he more curious about death in this world than her, she who had died and came back? Maybe that was the reason. Maybe Chrys was inspired after her death, though something inside her whispered that there may be more that her friend was not telling him.

"Is there any reason for that, and more importantly, would you care to share it with me?"

If he'd say no, she'd leave it at that. Kamala would not pry beyond what has been consented. It just wasn't her. She would just give them the benefit of the doubt and hope and pray that they knew what they were doing. So many lives tend to get lost to secrets, kingdoms and thrones even. But she understood why they existed. She had a few of her own.

 

[Chrys]

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Big words for "I've got nothing."

A smile found its way to Chrys' lips when @Kamala Graham began asking about his current curiosity, obsession even, and the way she was trying to squeeze even the tiniest bit of explanation from him was something he'd never thought he'd be on the receiving end of. Of course, he's seen her do this. Countless times. They've always been on the same team, after all, and he had no intentions of switching sides. Unless of course, the money was good, but by good, that would mean enough gold to buy himself his own country with which to help provide for his friends.

"Just curious, I suppose."

Of his flock, Kamala was the one blessed with charisma, social skills, and an aura that made her more innocent than dangerous, which he would always state was untrue. Kamala might look like and even actually was a nice person, a good girl, but she was just as dangerous as they came. When guided accordingly, when necessity trumps morality more, Kamala can be the poison of a delicate flower that takes out a stupid man who belittles everything because of his prejudices. Yet she was always good, and nice, and prioritized morality over money, something that disappointed Chrys, as he believed it was a great hindrance to her true potential. After all, money made the world go round.

"I have certain theories, of course, and thoughts on how to use whatever information gained."

He offered her a smile and a nod as he walked beside her, making sure to match her pace, her speed, her tempo. Chrys did not want to give her further reason to think he was being selfish, though he himself wasn't sure of that fact. Was he being selfish? He still needed to know more, and gather more concrete evidence of the whole thing being useful to them and stuff. Anything less would be unworthy of her time.

"Maybe once I have enough suitable information, maybe then I can share those with you?"

If they weren't damning, he meant. Some secrets are meant to be kept. Some keep secrets to protect the people they love. Chrys was one of those people, though he won't hesitate to sell these secrets if the money's good. As he believes, money makes the world go round.

"Seems futile, wasting your time with unfounded fiction, isn't it?"

If Chrys was as gifted in gab as Kamala, he would've used that opportunity to switch topics. Maybe ask her about her farm. Or tell stories about his other ventures when he wasn't adventuring out in the world. Alas, Chrys was not as blessed as Kamala, and he could only lock himself in his mind as he thought about the bigger picture, what he would do once he got what he needed. Things might change.

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

Suuuuuure.

Kamala patiently listened to @Chrys as he made his excuses and shared his own point of view. Although they didn't always see eye to eye on a lot of things, she still respected the differences between them, taking to them as a testament to how their friendship was actually very strong. After all, if you two can still care for each other despite your conflicting views, then doesn't that mean you value each other as individuals rather than safety nets or sounding boards? Kamala liked to think that of them, and she could only hope Chrys thought the same. She had a feeling he did.

"Of course."

Of course, Chrys had his theories. He was, what in the real world? A lawyer, wasn't it? Lawyers always had their theories, mostly when it came to their cases, especially when it came to winning their cases. She wondered if those theories of his were related to possible victories of some sort. Victories against what, only he would know. Kamala did not want to overextend her purview.

"Maybe."

There was no doubt in her that Chrys would share his information with her, only that he may not even end up with enough suitable information. Maybe not suitable enough for him. Or maybe even not suitable at all. His current concern was something that would take heaven and earth to know. It was dangerous, that kind of knowledge desired.

"I don't consider anything with you a waste of time, Chrys, but I understand where you're coming from."

She simply gave him a smile and continued walking beside him, not sure where to go with all this. In the first place, he was the one who came to him, who interrupted her solace, her sanctuary, pierce the veil of her return to the living. It was of course a more dramatic way of thinking, but she was just playing the part, the role, as all of them did. But a thought, a piece of advice, did cross her mind.

"You should find a hobby in here, Chrys. Something to tether you to the physical world of the game, so you won't lose yourself too much in those absurdist thoughts. Just a piece of unsolicited advice."

She gave him a wink to soften any misperceived blow.

 

[Chrys]

《⋯《 ⋯ ❖ ⋯ 》⋯》

Just two friends taking a walk in Isulus.

Chrys gave @Kamala Graham a quick nod, a smile on his face. Her quick replies would be venom coming from a more politically fueled antagonist, but the brown-haired Beastfolk was as genuine as they came. He took to them like they were from a close friend trying her best to curb her own curiosity. He knew it must have been hard, as it would be for him, but she was always the nicest, kindest, and most empathic person he has ever met. In this game and outside of it.

"Thank you for your patience with me, Kamala. I appreciate it. Truly, I do."

Catching a glimpse of her smile, he closed his eyes and nodded in agreement. If they had met in the real world, things might have ended differently. Chrys, or rather C. S. Jackson, was not a friendly person. He never considered making friends with strangers anything but a waste of his time. Here, however, he was able to be a better, more social version of himself.

"Know that I feel the same way, my friend."

Friend. Most of the time, that word was thrown around like it meant nothing. Chrys was guilty of the same often. But this time, when it came to Kamala and their friend group, he truly meant it. He could feel he truly meant it. Every time. Every damn time. It was a strange, new feeling. Always. But he wouldn't have it any other way. He just needs time to get used to it, though.

"Hmm. Perhaps you are right. I have been thinking about acquiring some businesses, maybe one. Or two. Just to gain a foothold in the economy of this world."

There was that tavern and funeral parlor he had already managed to procure and co-own with the Lady Nancy, but he thought he could do more. Maybe he will. It was a good first step to amass financial resources, but Stokbon also had so many other taverns, it wouldn't be that much. A second business could help, especially since he had lost so much money procuring Wicked's Rest. In time, my investments should grow.