Open Eastern Brisshal This Isn't Safe But...

[Trinity]

Brown eyes fell upon fingerless gloves.
Those fingers flexed.
A knee bent.
A small kick forward.
A slight curl of the lips.
Another much harder kick...
Into the bark of a large old tree.

"Yaoowwww!!!!!"

Sarina shouted as a very real feeling of pain shot up her leg and her foot throbbed in a very real way. Hopping up and down for a few seconds before losing her balance and falling on her bum. Only to end up letting herself fall back. She spread her virtual arms out in the grass and looked up at the partly obscured blue sky above.

"Maybe... I should turn that pain feature off. It's so real..."

Sarina still couldn't believe how real it felt. The blo...uh, brunette now, could have been laying in her own backyard and it would feel the same. Just with much dirtier air. How could fake air feel this fresh? Terrasphere... where did she hear that before. Sarina never really cared for this VR stuff. Give her a game controller or fight stick any day. She couldn't help but feel outdated even though she was just 25, Well if they were all like this, that's something.

Sitting up and fiddling with her menus as she sat, now cross-legged The young woman couldn't help but make an annoyed look. Were there no instructions for this stuff? Talk about being thrown to the wolves. It seemed intuitive at least, which was good. Closing them up she got back to her feet and dusted the grass off herself.

"Now, I guess I need to find out what I'm going to do here. How do you even play this? Is there a place to pick up quests or do I just bash crap? Looks open world to me., so maybe bashing is the way."

Then a thought came to her. Like a light bulb going off, her virtual eyes widened a little as Sarina realized...

This was THAT game, wasn't it?

 

[Nyancy]

Bashin' ain't a bad way tah go about it if Ima gonna be honest with ya. Course it's not tha only way ya know, it's whateva.

Out from behind Sarina, Nyancy walked up waving and giving a friendly smile.

Hey thea, guessin' ya new around hea? My name's Nyancy, didn't mean tah startle ya ah nothin' if I did, just heard ya chatterin' an thought I'd come and say hello. My friend said if we went this way we'd meet someone interstin' so hea I was just walkin' and I runs intah ya.

Nyancy looked the woman over.

Not gonan lie, ya do look fairly interstin', maybe yah was the one my friend was talkin' about. Anyways, like I said I'm Nyancy and I'm aimin' tah be the woyld's mascot! And maybe a herah type as well, but tha's still a bit up in tha ayah. fah now Anyway, what's ya name? Yah need any help ah anything?

@Sarina Knights

 

[Blader X]

"Haaaay Nyancy didja find them? It was a person right? I had a feeling it was a person this time!"

Next to arrive, was Laylabelle, who was a bundle of things and none of them very useful or not annoying.

"Aw~! Nyancy you're already making introductions~! No fair~! You're so charismatic that they'll like you better, then they'll think I'm just a shady witch!"

The blonde woman currently had her hands on her hips and though she was pouting, she was clearly just messing around, probably.

"Anyway~ you seem new, but, very nice to meet you! I'm Laylabelle, and as I'm sure my comrade in arms already mentioned, she's Nyancy. What's your name? Whereja come from? Whatcha planning to do? Destiny's a funny thing, which makes it so dang interesting. And, well, you know, I was JUST a little curious. Teehee~☆"

She seemed shady alright as she made finger guns at @Sarina Knights

"Basically I just wanna know what you're up to, and maybe, we can help you out a little out in return for that kinda way too personal---we just met buddy----kinda info! It's like a survey, no strings attached, prize included, whaddya say? Hm? Hm? If that's a grimace I hope it's a happy one. Tsundere right? Isn't that what the cool kids call it? They call it that right, Nyancy? I'm not old."

 

[Trinity]

"W-wuh!?"

Sarina instinctively closed her hands into fists ready to perform a method of self-defense, only to stop and look awkwardly at the tiny cat thing that was now waving at her. It had this big head, cat ears, and stubby arms, It had... a little accent too. Oh...oh myyyyyy.

It was.ADORABLE!!!

The much taller girl grabbed the critter up into her arms, lifting it off the ground and staring at it in awe. After squeezing it for a while to see if the short creature would make cute squeaky noises, she would finally drop it to the ground. Her face blushed awkwardly, a little embarrassed now.

"Uhh... Sorry bout that. I don't wanna be rude you know? I'm Sarina, you said you're uhh... Nyancy? Sounds... really cute hehe."

Was this another player? She activated her investigation mode and yep. She just grabbed and hugged someone who could be a 40-year-old weirdo in their mother's basement! Ewwwwww!

"Haaaay Nyancy didja find them? It was a person right? I had a feeling it was a person this time!"

Just then a voice called out. as a lady in witch attire walked up. Oh, the little creature is a she? OHHHHH. Well, she is in this game anyway. The brunette was then bombarded with questions by the witch girl, Laylabelle.

"What's your name?"
"Whereja come from?"
"Whatcha planning to do?"

"Okay, okay, is this an interrogation? Tsu..tsundere?! No, not at all. I'm super friendly!"

She immediately walked up and slapped Laylabelle hard on the shoulder, to show how friendly. Sarina still had to get used to this new, more toned body that had different proportions than she was used to. So her motions were a little exaggerated.

"I'm just trying to figure out stuff still. I guess I'm a noob heh. The name's Sarina."

@Nyancy
@Laylabelle

 

[Nyancy]

Nah, no worries I know I'm adoyrahble. I'm gonna be this hea woyld's mascot some day so I gotta get used to people gettin' excited tah see me. Actually, I may end up becomin' one of them legendary hero types as well so ya know, might need get used tah be fawned ova and all that.

Nyancy scratched her head and continued.

Ah, but that's neitha hea nor thea, no harm no foul. Nice tah meet ya Sarina, like I said I'm Nyancy. I was around in the woyld befah tha lockout though didn't do much but fish and cat nap. Not a bad life, but I'm tryin' tah turn ova a new leaf ah whateva.

Suddenly another voice came ringing through the forest and before Nyancy could introduce her companion, Layabelle was already moving a million miles an eye with the questions, which to be honest wasn't that unlike Nyancy herself.

Hey Lay, give the woman some breathin' room alright. Jeez ya gonna scare 'er off.

Turning back to Sarina, Nyancy apologized for her friend.

Sorry about that, she don't mean no hahm, just gets a little excited. Basically, and I'm shoah she'll explain it bettah heself, but she's trying to do some kinda magical experiment. Ah, but ya won't come tah no hahm ah nuthin'. Actually, I'll let her explain it.

Nyancy turned back to her companion.

Give er the gist ah it, but calm down, jeez. People ah gonna think I'm hangin' out with ah psychopath ya run up tah everyone like that.

@Laylabelle @Sarina Knights

 

[Blader X]

"...erherm."

Laylabelle briefly reset herself after taking in Nyancy's scolding. Taking a deep breath she released it and spoke. Feeling the firm pats which reaffirmed Laylabelle's confidence in her choice, the witch stepped back feeling a little shy.

"Sorry, Sarina, was it? I was in a rush, it's been a long loooooong day and I've had A LOT of swings and misses. You see we we've been looking for people like you because we were hoping you could help us solve a problem. You don't have any equipment, right? Or at least, you didn't before."

Laylabelle was pretty sure she didn't, but even if she did, maybe she would be the type to worry about others.

"I'm sorry to say that not having equipment, weapons, armor, or what have you, is perfectly normal when you arrive here. It's, well, not a bug."

Laylabelle sighed.

"Nyancy here specializes in Martial Arts, and while I'm not amazing at it, I suppose I do have my magic. Others, may not be so lucky. So, long story short, I was looking for a newcomer like you, to see if you could help me test something so I can maybe think about fixing that problem. Basically, I want to see if I'm able to craft equipment using my magic..."

Laylabelle shrugged.

"...But only if you're interested. Whether it's for your own benefit or for community service, your help'd be appreciated. As for why I picked you... I dunno, you just seemed like you had some fight in you. I wouldn't want to ask someone to help me test something if it could get them hurt. Ya know~? Either way, I have some setting up to do, so if you have any questions about this world, Nyancy's the most veteran between the three of us. I don't think she'd begrudge you a little chat. Let me know your answer soon, kay~?"


With that, Laylabelle turned gained a little distance and conjured a runic symbol on the ground. It seemed to rise into a small pillar of similar runes like a slinky as they rotated in various directions like a number of compasses finding a range of different norths. She was searching for something...

@Sarina Knights

 

[Trinity]

"Though didn't do much but fish and cat nap"

Sarina, now starting to get the hang of herself somewhat, laughed at this. She waved one hand as she put the other to her hip.

"Yeah, that doesn't sound fun at all! Why play a game if it's all so casual and relaxing? I'm here to have fun! Or... I'd like to."

She cut herself off. Once again she thought about what this game was. It was mentioned around the office occasionally but quickly hushed. The government like anyone even mentions its name, to be honest. Better to censor it out of existence to explain it to people. Much like how many crimes go undocumented just to make the force look better.

Laylabelle then asked about Sarina's equipment and made an offer. Actually what was her equipment again? She opened the equipment page to see what she could yank out to bash things with.

"Oh yeah, let me check that reeeal quick for ya."

She found herself speaking in her secretarial manner by accident as she looked at her gear. Oh...it was a twig-like stick. It'd be better to just punch! This was going to be one hell of a grind, wasn't it?

"Looks like I do need some equipment hahaha. I don't see any shops around, so what ya have in mind?"

Watching the witch start to cast some elaborate spell made a small sweatdrop form on Sarina's forehead. Was this going to really be okay? Why did she suddenly feel like running for the hills?

@Nyancy
@Laylabelle

 

[Nyancy]

While Laylabelle was doing whatever it was she was doing in Nyancy's eyes, the small Felis decided it would be prudent to strike up a conversation.

'Eh fishin' and cat nappin have theyah positives. It's a nice and easy life ya know? Not tah mention fishin' is it's own special brand ah fun ah whateva, but yea now that I'm back aftah foah yeahs I figuyah this time around, maybe we doing some explorin', adventurin' all that typah thing. Try and be a bit more of ah hero.

Nyancy looked back at Laylabelle to see she was still working.

So whatta yah plans? Lot to take in, ain't it? Whole woyld out thea ready fah explorin. You shootin tah be a hero, smite the bad guys and all that? Yah sorta have that look to yah. Or ya just hea to make friends and play around. Ya know, I've met moah than my faiah share that just came hea lookin' tah meet new people.

@Laylabelle @Sarina Knights

 

[Blader X]

Laylabelle looked up from her rune diagram and couldn't help... making a bit of a face... when Sarina revealed... a club. Well, it was more like a branch, but imagining the knightess bludgeoning something to death with it seemed well, more than a little rock n' roll.

I thought it'd be a sword, considering how regal and gogetterish she looks but well choosers can't be beggars... Crushing weapons are something else...

Gulping a bit, Laylabelle cut in to answer Serina's question as she turned back to the rune formation.

"Basically the plan is to see if I can give you a little something better than that stick there, though honestly, historically speaking, a stick might be hard to erm, well, beat... ahaha.... well stand back everyone, I think I've found some decent materials down there."

Laylabelle took a deep breath as she squinted into the layered rune array.

"Makeshift. Materia. Magica."

There was at first an eerie glow of dark magic before that purplish aura gradually seemed to hue itself into a light blue. Anyone with a magical sense would be able to tell that Laylabelle was converting one form of energy into another. The ground formed a cylinder like a geological survey sample as bits of earth fell away gradually in the shape of small cubes. It was as though Laylabelle was chiseling out something. Her work continued.

A sword would have been easier to picture, but let's see, a mace maybe? Something a heroic knight would use, something gallant ummm... but a mace...? Maybe a holy theme would make for a nice a clerical theme? If I picture it like that... hmmm... nope, this is hard... What weapon would really speak to Sarina's soul?

The work continued...?

"Errrmmm... stand a litttttle further back everyone I think I'm almost done. Maybe....?"

No turning back now, here we go, the ultimate starter mace of destiny.

"Mwhahaha, now behold! My fabulous creation!"

The cylinder of matter and glowing runes grew brighter as they spun faster and faster like a washing machine then... *Poof*

*ponk*

It fell to the floor.

Pa-pa-papa-pa-pa-pa-pa

"..."

It was an iron twig.

"..."

Laylabelle nudged it a bit with her boot.

No, it was an iron twig +1.

"..."

".."

"."

"B-Behold Sarina-It's... it's your new... weapon...! Yeah! I, erm, call it the, the, hmmmm, Twigdrasil, but for short we can call it: The Serena Club! Yay~!"

Laylabelle clapped her hands settling the matter.

"Now if you two are done with your chat, let's go test it out! Not gonna lie, I'm pretty excited. Hmhm, surely someone's in need of a little saving, SOMEWHERE, I imagine. And don't you worry none, Sarina, Nyancy will help you out! Just think Sarina, you're now a hero with a LIMITED EDITION weapon. I'd even bet there's nothing as unique or interesting anywhere around!"




@Nyancy @Sarina Knights

 

[Trinity]

East Brisshal

Sarina's eyes widened in awe of how friggin awesome this was gonna..

Urhhhhh...

It was a much harder stick now. Twigdrasil? The heck?!

"Cool..."

The newbie fighter walked over and bent it over to pick it up. It... had weight to it at least right? It was an upgrade that you couldn't shake a stick at. Would she be able to use it with 0 stats? How did work anyways? Well, here goes nothing!

"One, two.... here we go! ....woooo....HOOOOO!!!"

She began to spin it wildly, thinking of it as just a police baton but a lot longer. She tried to swap hands, then both hands. Hey, this was great1 Could the witch, Laylabell upgrade it again? Maybe give it flames, or Ice or something flashy like that!

BONK!!!

Oops, she probably should have stepped back first. As the metal rod had just landed with a hard thud on the witch's head. It sure makes a loud sound when bonking though!

"Shit... sorry! Heheh."

@Nyancy @Laylabelle

 

[Nyancy]

Nyancy watched as the shenanigans commenced and face-palmed.

So, not gonna lie you twos. A metal stick is bettah than a regulah stick but it's still a stick. Ah, but I guess it's bettah than nothin' am I right?

Nyancy looked over the stick carefully.

Actually, ya know what. If yah wanted tah go into business instead of weapons, we could sell these sticks as fishin' poles. Ya know I've been around and I've nevah seen no one sellin' metal fishin' poles so I typically just use whateva sticks I found around tha area, but if I had one of these metal sticks...

Nyancy began to scratch her chin as thoughts of swimming in a pool of gold coins danced in her head.

Yea... that's not a bad idea. We make alotta these and sell 'em as upgraded fishin' poles. We can even call em Nyancy Certified Plus One Fishin' Poles... meh. I'll draw up the business plans latah. Right now we gotta get Serina hea fightin' and testin' that stick ah whateva. Don't worry, if the stick breaks I'll step in and save ya ah whateva. I'm pretty strong.

@Laylabelle @Sarina Knights

 

[Blader X]

"Gack!"

Laylabelle crouched and held her head with both hands as she rubbed the point of impact. There were tears in the corners of her eyes.

"That really hurt plus 1, you... didn't do that on purpose did you? Owwwww~"

Laylabelle glanced up and over at Nyancy.

"Well, it's good to have a back up plan, I'll definently take it under consideration, and if we make it to winter, they'll make cleaner Christmas trees than a natural one. Heh heh~ You're a genius Nyancy~ It's all coming together... huh... what the..."

Rising Laylabelle over to the ground at her left.

"Hey Sarina, you dropped your... wait, no you didn't... huh? Whaaaa...?"

Somewhere from the site of the forensic impact or as far as Laylabelle's now boggled brain could tell, was another metal stick plus 1. Laylabelle walked over and picked it up.

"Just to be clear guys, there was only one stick when I started right? We're pretty sure on that right? I don't think I'm wrong on this, I remember there only being 1 stick. Hey, Sarina, go whack something that isn't my face or the very cute Nyancy, the latter target would probably violate an endangered species act, Nyancy here is one of a kind. Well Nyancy, I think we're going to be rich."

If Sarina complied, another stick would pop up...

@Sarina Knights
@Nyancy

 

[Trinity]

East Brisshal

A fishing rod business? Sarina thought about her job and the thought of having to work for a living in a videogame wasn't all that appealing. Sure some grinding or taking jobs to get stronger and kick bigger jerks in the face was one thing but... economic stuff was never her interest or she would never have entered the force, to begin with.

"I'll take not having to be a salesman, to be honest heheh. It would be cute to see you do it though! Maybe I could be a security guard, as long as I'm not stuck in some chair all day handing out cof "

Sarina's eyes widened again, now wider as she saw another weapon. Wow, was she gonna be able to dual wield?

Nice!

"Heeey, I'm definitely into dual-wielding! Let's friggin gooooo!"

She reached down and grabbed the stick with a free hand... only for it to be replaced by another...

"Heheh... Um, I'm sorta outta hands? Is this normal Layla?!"

Sarina had a fairly good hunch that this probably wasn't.

@Nyancy @Laylabelle