Complete Eastern Brisshal The world reflected in my eyes

[MAI]

160 / 160

Taunting‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Protected‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aura Protect‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vulnerable
Empowered‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspired‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hasted‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Other

Much like in the real world, the weather in the realm of TerraSphere was slowly getting colder as well. And as the Sun shone brighter, the strain on the trees would slowly start to show itself as a discoloration of the leaves, a faint shades of yellow ever-so-slightly visible at the edges of normally green-painted beauty. MAI peered at the colorful display from the loose confines of her hoodie, having learned that magia were perhaps a bit too strange for some of the locals and that she should hide some of her more obvious mechanized features.

She returned to the forest where her dive into this world began, as it did indeed seem like a fine starting zone that was not too dangerous, despite the repeated warnings of a fox healer who has introduced her to this place. Which meant that it was the perfect place for some practice. Since she was finally introduced to the whole system and the masteries, as well as told that they would simply improve with use. It seemed like the most logical course of action. Even if she figured her stay in this game wouldn't be too long, she didn't want it to be a problematic one.

Her eyes closed for a moment as she felt something rustle against her silken hair. A leaf, now resting in the palm of her hand as she reached for it. At the same time, the cool breeze blew strong enough to pull her hood back and down, no longer concealing her form, nor the magitech headpiece attached to her head. And the leaf flew from the palm of the girl's hand, dancing around amidst the whims of her aeromancy in action. There was no captive audience, so why not crease her worries about being spotted and hounded for her choice of a race?

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

The strolls on Eastern Brisshal were always welcoming for Hanno. Both on the part of his personal mission of keeping the newbies safe, and the part of enjoying the wonders that this world had to offer, despite being so dangerous- Part of some wicked and unknown desire of nasty people that thought making a death game was a good idea.

Those thoughts, however, were soon to fade into the back of Hanno's mind, who instead took his time to feel the breeze that brushed on his face, enough for him to close his eyes and enjoy it for a moment, with the warmth of the sunlight bathing his skin being the perfect contrast.

As soon as his eyes opened, his attention was once again shifted. This time was by a figure, a different one. The sight was already clear to Hanno that it was a Magia, as he already had plenty of friends that had this race as their Starcalled selves.

Hanno watched her for a moment, noticing her playing with the leaves, along with a gear that exposed she was either a newcomer or a very casual player.

With a smile, Hanno approached, not trying to hide his presence. He took firm steps that rustled the grass, and as soon as she noticed him, he would greet her. "Heya, buddy-" Hanno rose his hand in a greeting. "I hope I'm not bothering you, but you aren't lost, right?" He asked, just to make sure.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

160 / 160

Taunting‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Protected‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aura Protect‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vulnerable
Empowered‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspired‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hasted‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Other

What was meant to be a solitary trip and training quickly became something else. As the wind carried the sound, it would disturb the floating leaf, forcing it out of its little dance and down toward the ground. MAI, too, turned sharply toward the source of the greeting. The voice was wholly unfamiliar to her, but it didn't seem hostile. Still, the wind around her howled, and the fallen leaves flew up into the air for a bit, as if there was now an invisible barrier around the girl to protect her while her eyes scanned for the man, finally locking onto him.

"Not lost. Not a bother, either."

She spoke before she could ever fully look Hanno over, only now realizing his short stature bluish-lime hair and equipment that suggested he might have been around for a while now. But aside from that, it also suggested that he was not a 'local', so to speak. If the magia recalled correctly, Kyra described players as 'Starcalled', although she figured that such language was not necessary when actually talking to another human being, rather than an AI of this world.

"You are... a player, right? Am I in the way?"

Since this was a game, she figured this figure might have been on a quest of some sort, and the magia stumbled across a place where she should not be - therefore the comments about being 'lost'. She didn't particularly care about where she would practice her masteries, so she was more than willing to relocate if that was truly the case.

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

Hanno's smile only widened at the answers. At least it meant that the magia wasn't in any sort of predicament. Of course, she still looked like a new leaf to the forest this whole world was, but that at least ensured she wasn't a person she missed.

"Yeah, I am a player. Futaba, Hanno Futaba." Hanno said, slowing down until he halted a handful of feet away from the girl.

"You aren't on my way at all, buddy. I am just in my every day patrol." He grinned. "I thought you were a brand new player, so I had to make sure you were fine. But I guess today will be another calm day." Hanno shrugged, a bit relieved about it. His eyes then peered at the leaf the girl was playing with a few moments ago.

"I hope you don't mind having me around though. It is almost time for a meal, so I was thinking on taking a break." He said, ready to put away his gargantuan shield at any moment, if the magia didn't seem to mind.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

160 / 160

Taunting‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Protected‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aura Protect‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vulnerable
Empowered‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspired‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hasted‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Other

So there was nothing bad going on. That was good. MAI didn't want some of her first actions in this game to be getting in another person's way. Though, given the nature of TerraSphere, one could argue that players should just know how to deal with that sort of thing and not be bothered by others. MMOs were meant to be played by many people at once, after all.

"Nice to meet you. I'm MAI. Just MAI. Not fully new, but... second day of playing so pretty new. I've already figured out all of the basics though, I think."

In any other instance, someone who played for no more than two days would still be considered brand new, most likely. But the sheer amount of time the girl, and probably everyone else, sacrificed to this game, it felt like she has already been playing for a whole week straight. The fundamentals of the game were not too difficult to grasp either, which helped quite a lot.

Either way, it was nice to see that this person didn't harbor any ill intent, at least not outwardly. And the way he spoke, he quickly reminded MAI of Kyra - the person who first found her in this world and forest. Was he another high-level player just roaming around and looking for newbies to help out, then? There sure were many noble players around, weren't there?

"I don't mind at all, you can do whatever you want. Though... I wanted to find a secluded spot to practice my masteries so that I would not bother anyone. Like when they're eating, for example."

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

Second day of playing and she was just fine chilling in the forest. Either she was already used to play this kind of game or she met someone like Cleo... But Hanno didn't see any report from the red-haired regarding a new magia player.

"It is a pleasure to meet'cha too, MAI." Hanno grinned. It was a shame her name was so small, he liked to nickname people, so that one would be left for another time.

"Eastern Brisshal is really the place for a secluded training. Even if you get interrupted, it is by weak monsters." Hanno shrugged, albeit knowing the monsters weren't exactly harmless even if they were weaker. Anything had a degree of danger in that bloody game.

"I ensure you I won't feel like it is a bother." Hanno said, already preparing a small camp fire and his portable cooking utensils.

"What sort of masteries are you working on? You seem a bit of a magical type, but I could be wrong." Hanno began snapping his fingers, trying to sparkle some flames awake using divine power.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

160 / 160

Taunting‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Protected‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aura Protect‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vulnerable
Empowered‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspired‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hasted‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Other

A nod in acknowledgment and a curious stare. In the real world, it would be nothing short of rude to just keep one's eyes fixated on another like that, but due to the artificial (even if it didn't feel like it) nature of this place, MAI was having an easier time simply doing things that would come with a great deal of social discouragement out in the physical world.

"Weak monsters could become good practice material. Haven't come across any just yet, though."

Whether she was lucky or unlucky was yet to be decided on that front. But as she saw Hanno trying to light the fire, she would take a few steps closer to him and squat down in front of the little camp, extending her hand toward the hastily gathered wood and leaves. He asked what sort of masteries she had, so she gave him an answer. Her finger 'unfolded' to reveal its mechanical insides. And, conveniently, a lighter of some sort that ignited everything much easier than the sparks.

"It seemed appropriate for this body, so I decided to explore Magitech. It seems to let me augment my own body. But also Astramancy... because I like mother Kos. And Aeromancy since it didn't feel right to lack an offensive option."

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

Hanno was far from being one to be bothered about being stared at, if anything, he liked to see everyone's eyes. It made seeing what they were feeling much easier. "That's actually a relief, it means our work of keeping Eastern Brisshal safe has been working." It was much better to try and redirect the monsters from potential spawn areas.

"But I suppose it does make things a bit harder. I'd recommend you go a bit closer to the border with Western Brisshal if you want to practice against monsters, there the monster are still quite present, but are still too weak to be an issue." Hanno explained, still trying to sparkle some fire. But before he could get any glimpse of frustration of his magic not working, Mai's own mechanical features surprised him.

His eyes opened slightly wide, and he glanced at her with a smirk. "I see, so you are fairly resourceful yourself." A lot of magias have been like that so far.

Taking a couple of potatoes, black pepper, bell pepper, onions, some jerky and eggs, he worked on cutting them while the iron pot pre-heated with the magia's fire. "Why don't you tell a bit more of what you know? Maybe I can give you a hand, I can perceive magic detailed with my eyes." He opened then a bit more wider, revealing its emerald green color, and a scarlet ring circling the pupil.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

160 / 160

Taunting‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Protected‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aura Protect‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vulnerable
Empowered‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspired‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hasted‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Other

So the reason why she hadn't run into any monsters so far was because there were people actively culling them to ensure save passage for new players? That was certainly noble. Kyra's warnings made it sound like even the forest was extremely dangerous, but if players were actively taking steps to lessen that risk, then surely one didn't have to feel so anxious about it.

That said, MAI wasn't exactly sad about not encountering anything hostile. Sure, practicing against actual monsters was likely going to bring the most experience, but one ought to not rush into things, and there was absolutely no harm in practicing without an enemy first. Understanding was half the battle, was it not? Especially if there was someone to give live feedback. That said...

"Thank you. But... There is not much else I know about masteries. Only that, right now, the game is helping me use them automatically. And that they can be combined to increase their versetality."

She was new, after all. But she wasn't even sure if there was more to know about the system. It seemed fairly straightforward, at least to her.

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

Taking a bit of olive oil, Hanno poured a bit on the pot, circling it a bit to make sure it would spread before he finally tossed some of the potatoes he had cut. Reaching for a pouch on his bag, he took some pinches of salt and pepper to toss on it while listening to MAI's words.

"You are right, Masteries combined are great for versatility. The more creative you can get at using them, the better you will be at this world. Not only in combat, mind you." Hanno said, looking at the girl with smirk, gesturing at the flames with a chin, a work she had done herself.

"The game help you to use automatically because you are in Auto-Mode. For now it is good, but later on it is better to start doing things manually." Hanno explained. "It allows your creativity to shine even more, but that is for later..." He shrugged slightly, now putting the onions and peppers, before finally tossing the jerky too.

"If you are still here on your second day, I'd say you have something that kept you here, huh? Did you like the game?" Hanno asked.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

160 / 160

Taunting‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Protected‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aura Protect‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vulnerable
Empowered‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspired‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hasted‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Other

Squatting in front of the flame was a bit awkward, so MAI made herself a bit more comfortable by fully sitting down. The plentiful fallen leaves made a surprisingly comfortable seat. She herself didn't know that much about cooking, though it almost felt as if her first acquired trait could help with that. After eating, she was able to precisely pinpoint what ingredients were used, and even how the meal was made. Now, if she could just carry that over into real skill...

Perhaps that was what Hanno talked about. Her was primarily referring to masteries, of course... but traits were part of her abilities as well. She could only wonder what other ones she could acquire in the future. But as for now, she just wanted to make the best of her newly acquired taste. The smell of the fae's cooking was already stirring up her artificial taste buds.

"I think I understand. Astramancy was more than what I expected. Not only Mother Kos, but gravity itself... my body feels lighter when I use it. As if I could fly."

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

With his spoon, Hanno began stirring the mix on the pot, being patient to let it warm and heat, waiting for its contents to become tender and gold as their conversation went on. MAI's words made it clear she understood one concept very well: Things in Terrasphere were more than it looked at first.

"Exactly. You will find out more and more that masteries do more than what you'd think, and when Alters come into play? The possibilities grow even more." Hanno smirked, finally letting go of the pot for a moment, allowing the food to heat while he went for a lemon, cutting it in two so he could use a half on each cup he had.

"I have Aura, for example. And along with my Spirit Magic, I can help people to keep their emotions settled by just using my presence." Hanno said. "This is useful in combat, but it is also useful to solve problems without throwing a single punch."

@MAI

 

[MAI]

160 / 160

Taunting‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Protected‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aura Protect‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vulnerable
Empowered‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspired‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hasted‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Other

"Alters..."

The girl repeated after Hanno. She had noticed the stranger masteries in the list when she was selecting her starting trio. But she didn't dare take any one of them just yet, since it seemed like a big decision. But the way the faerin spoke of these, it felt as if having one was almost mandatory. If that were really the case, then... which one could possibly fit her? And then she realized something.

"Maybe I'll choose one... if I decide I want to play the game for a little while longer."

That was right, she never planned to play the game for too long, to begin with. Somehow she had almost forgotten herself. But the reason why she was here was to observe all the other players, see why they were so interested in a death game. Eventually, she would find her answer, be satisfied, and stop playing... right?

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

The Magia's words caught Hanno, and while his expressions remained as friendly as before, he couldn't help but swiftly bring the topic: "Decide to play a little while longer, huh." Hanno said, looking at MAI's eyes. "Honestly, this isn't a game you should take it easy. I assume that you know the rumors behind it." He started, finishing to make the lemonades, and then going for the eggs, cracking them and pouring them into the pot as the food was nearly fully heated. After all, the eggs would get ready faster than everything else.

"I tell you. The rumors are true, I saw them with my own eyes. A friend of mine is a goner in real life because of it... And he is still around in game." Hanno frowned, glancing at MAI once again. "I don't want to scare you, but I'd think carefully if I were you." He said.

"This world is wonderful in a way. You will meet amazing people, and you will find many that will become special to you." Hanno explained, feeling fond to many memories he had made in it.

"But it comes with a cost, y'know." He said, reaching for two bowls.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

160 / 160

Taunting‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Protected‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aura Protect‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vulnerable
Empowered‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspired‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hasted‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Other

MAI was quick to tilt her head to the side in a gesture of curiosity, now sitting Indian style with her hands resting on her ankles. What Hanno had said was a little surprisingly. Not necessarily because of the things he said, but because of the implications that his words carried. Namely the fact that there must have been players who did not take those rumours seriously and might have even believed that this was a completely normal game.

"I've always taken the rumours as facts. The game would be widely available otherwise, would it not be? It's better to be safe than sorry, too."

She made her stance on things crystal clear. Though it was always hard to imagine, the possibility of becoming a digital ghost haunting a game like this. But she heard it directly from the faerin just now. Well, even with a second-hand account like that, it was just hard to imagine. However, even if somehow the idea of death in this game was false, TerraSphere was still extremely realistic. MAI had no intentions of experiencing a realistic-feeling death.

"Everything comes with a cost of some kind. But you've moved away from the topic of masteries."

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

Strangely, the girl was a cautious type that was still willing to play a death game. Interesting was the only word that could cross Hanno's mind. That was a partial relief, because the girl didn't seem like one that could be convinced so easily, but also it felt like she wouldn't just throw herself into danger recklessly.

"Heh, yeah. I'd say you have the right mindset then, buddy. You'd be surprised how many people get locked into this game or even die permanently because they think it is just fine, or because they are just unlucky." Hanno sighed, shaking his head and then peeking at MAI, listening to her retort and laughing heartily.

"Sorry, sorry. I just wanted to make sure you knew where you actually were." Hanno said, picking up the bowls, and filling it with some of the food he had just finished before offering it to MAI, along with the lemonade.

"About masteries. The alters aren't an obligation, they increase your versatility tremendously, but they also have a few cons... for example, you can't gain stat bonuses from them, with very few exceptions." Hanno explained, "Of course, you can upgrade your stats by training manually, but I would be lying if I said that masteries don't give a very good boost."

@MAI

 

[MAI]

160 / 160

Taunting‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Protected‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aura Protect‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vulnerable
Empowered‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspired‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hasted‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Other

The world was filled with all kinds of people. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately(?), the girl had a chance to see both ends of the spectrum... at times being surrounded by individuals incredibly compassionate, intelligent, and friendly... and at times being surrounded by empty-headed idiots who just wouldn't listen, shout insults for near to no reason, and think the world of themselves. This duality was clearly mirror into everything humans did, games included... TerraSphere included.

But she saved her comments about people who would dive into a banner VR game with no precautions for the time being. Venting out to someone she had just met, especially in such a way about such a topic... nothing short of rude, that. Especially when the food was offered. MAI took the bowl into her hands, as well as the lemonade. It looked... far better than she imagined something cooked on the go like this could, actually! Though, she did have to look at Hanno somewhat quizzically.

"Magia typically cannot taste food or drinks, you know?"

It was mostly just a roundabout way of asking why he would share something so delicious looking when the recipient was more likely than not unable to fully savor it. Of course, her words also betrayed the possibility that maybe was not part of this norm. As for masteries and alters, well... she would have to think about it. As with many things, she always liked to take her time before arriving at a decision.

"I see. Sounds worthwhile... I will have to consider it."

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

MAI's words made Hanno raise his eyebrow, shrugging a bit.

"Yeah! But they gotta eat too. Besides, as long as you can smell it, feel the texture and like it, I am happy." Hanno said, unsure if MAI meant she couldn't taste it herself, so he could only hope that she could at least appreciate what he could offer.

Taking a bowl to himself, Hanno began working on his meal, poking the egg with its soft yolk pouring across the bowl, making the meal shimmer even more.

"Yeah. Taking your time to consider is fine. Especially knowing it is kinda tough to change your masteries. It isn't impossible though." Hanno said, looking at MAI with a pondering expression.

"I do wonder, what are you aiming for? If you figure out what kind of fighting style you want, choosing your masteries will be easy." Hanno said, wondering what MAI wanted to be in Terrasphere.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

160 / 160

Taunting‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Protected‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aura Protect‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vulnerable
Empowered‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspired‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hasted‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Other

Magia did still have to eat, that was true. But since they usually couldn't taste anything, it almost felt appropriate to leave them scraps that no one else would want. Anything that would satiate the slowly falling hunger bar. Getting something that looked like it would taste great was most unusual then. Or perhaps the girl just had an overly negative assumption about all of this?

"I see." She proceeded to take a spoonful and chewed it thoroughly. "It does taste really good. Thank you."

A series of screens that only she could see quickly started appearing, informing her of everything that was used to create the dish, as well as its overall nutritional value. It seemed impressive for someone to prepare a dish like this out here in the wild with so few tools. As for the idea of a fighting style...

"I'm not interested in fighting. At least not directly, or unless I have to. For now, I haven't even joined the game with the idea of definitely continuing to play after a while."

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

"Hehe, thank you. So you do taste after all!" Hanno grinned. "Great, this means you can enjoy all of it." He said, always happy to put his real world's skills into the game. Cooking and eating was one of his many passions, and seeing someone liking what he cooked always warmed him up.

As she explained her intentions (or rather, non-intentions), Hanno pondered about it.

"I see, so you are the type to chill through it. That's not bad at all." Hanno said, taking a sip of his lemonade and letting out a brief sigh.

"There were many places I visited, and they are a beauty after another. There are a lot of fun stuff to do too, especially with your versatile masteries." Hanno said with a grin, following to take a bite of his food and waiting for a response, still being curious about the girl's intentions in Terrasphere.

@MAI