Private Zakaden (Wintersday) Minty Reds, Minty Whites

[Siondhe]

250 / 250

Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hydromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

Kyra sighed as she cast her gaze over the snowscape before them. It had been a while since she'd last ventured into the lands of Zakaden - which seemed to be happening more and more often, now that she had stopped to consider it. Not that she enjoyed the area, in the least. In fact, out of all the places in TerraSphere - excluding Camp Hope, for obvious reasons - Zakaden and its crystalline landscape was one of her least favourites.

Far too similar to home...

She whispered the words, but wasn't surprised when her Orb spoke up. The whispered words caused a slight shiver down Kyra's back - something that was happening less frequently, but was still an occurrence whenever it spoke. The words often sounding like some sort of dark, foreboding whisper on the winds of time.

We often fear...the places that lay most in our memories...our darkest desires, and dreams...not that you would have, those...

She'd lately begun referring to the thing by name, something that she wasn't entirely sure that it as pleased about - which perhaps brought about its snide comment. As if the small thing was trying to get revenge on her for the nickname she'd placed upon it. She felt herself smile in response - not to the words, but the thought of the frustration the piece must have at her treatment of it, when it tried to act mysterious and foreboding or dark.

Kyra glanced over at Ruby, a soft smile touching her lips as she nodded towards the Orb, but directing her words at the catgirl.

Draoi seems a bit miffed today...doesn't she?

She'd picked up the name from her native tongue, something that had somehow felt right for the orb-like thing, considering its darker nature. For reasons beyond her understanding, the orb itself had appeared annoyed with the name - as if it understood the reference, or simply disliked being named. Either way, Kyra had liked it enough that it had stuck - and had been using it ever since she'd had the idea pop into her head.

Zakaden...I really do dislike this place. But the rumours say there's rocks that we can mine that...well, seem to be candy-cane flavoured. Or at least, they remind me of candy-canes. Red and white, takes like mint. Children love them. That sort of thing...real Christmas spirit sort of event, hey?

She sighed at the tail end of her words. She'd never liked these seasonal events - they always seemed so forced. Not that they were bad, they just weren't her thing. Still, at least they brought about new quests to do, and activities to keep one from being bored - or to help bring a bit of cheer to the world, for many.

@Crimson Ruby | @Little Doggo​

 

[Little Doggo]

"It's super chilly around here..." Doggo clasped her sides as shivers forced her to shrink her shoulders in search of warmth. "Kyra does your ball got fire like Ruby's? All it does is talk like a bad guy. It ain't helping us!" Rather innocent than spiteful towards the mysterious, not shady at all orb. Of course she couldn't understand why the fox hated this place: it all looked so crystalline and full of snow, the festivities practically bloomed out of this landscape and it's people. Just need to stray from the wildlife and everything should be fine.

"Who doesn't love candy canes?" It couldn't be just children. And nor Kyra or Ruby were the boring sort of adult to think sweets are childish, right? "Let's go, this place can't be that bad can it?" She beamed up, looking over to the both of them. "The elder said we couldn't miss it at all, it's in plain sight. We can always figure out what flavor of candy these rocks have." And with that she indirectly volunteered herself to the task.

Unfortunately, her nose couldn't pick up anything, while her ears flickered every once in a while, but the snow didn't make seeing ahead any easier out there in this crystal wasteland.

@Kyra Vashtana | @Crimson Ruby

 

[Crimson Ruby]

Ruby was unsure of why someone would want 'mints' coming from a place that had literal crystalline curses that could kill you in a matter of days. She could only wonder if the risk was actually worth it, but at the end of the day, it wasn't up to her to decide it.

If Kyra decided to take on this adventure, it was Ruby's duty to not let her do it alone, especially if there was also the Little Doggo getting into the mess.

"She sure does." Ruby said, crossing her arms. "But I can't really blame her, this place would leave anyone like that." She sighed, twitching her ear and taking a couple steps closer to her friend. "It will be fine though. We have handled this place before, as long as we are together, there is nothing to be feared."

Her gaze then shifted to Little Doggo, and Ruby was quick to speak up in an assertive but caring manner - "Little one, Zalrisis, the illness these crystals carry, are incredibly dangerous... I know your strength is water, so we can use it on our favor. If you ever get cut by any of these crystals, you must wash your wound immediately, is that clear?" She asked, looking at the smaller girl with a serious expression.

@Kyra Vashtana @Little Doggo

 

[Siondhe]

250 / 250

Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hydromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

Her eyes had shifted to Ruby as the smaller girl had spoken, displaying a naivety that bespoke of one who had not yet encountered the horrors that survived throughout the lands of Zakaden. Not that Kyra had wished that encounter upon anyone else; it was almost refreshing to know that some had been blessed without it. Still, that just meant they'd have to keep a closer eye on the smaller girl - ensure that she didn't succumb to the crystalline dangers that lay ahead.

It's...that way.

Kyra pointed towards their right slightly, as she watched the smaller girl - was she acting like a dog? - sniff the air in search of their direction. Or, at least it looked like she had sniffed the air. Either way, Kyra noticed that the girl had begun heading in the wrong direction, and gently tried to correct her.

As Draoi...she doesn't do any fun tricks like heating up the air. Or at least she hasn't yet...although that would be useful.

She glanced over at the orb, as if pondering how she could make it more useful. She had no idea if the thing was even capable of heating the area around it - and if it was, how she would even go about enacting such a capability. Shrugging it off, she instead turn back towards their destination.

As Ruby said...be careful. This place is far more dangerous than it appears to be - so don't go licking any random rocks until we're sure they're safe.

Not that she knew how they'd be able to tell what was safe, and what wasn't. TerraSphere wasn't a game that normally provided beacons to ensure players and others were aware of dangers. Usually.

@Crimson Ruby | @Little Doggo​

 

[Little Doggo]

"It's...that way."

Doggo blinked twice, turning her head over to Kyra and where she pointed at. A look over to where she was heading, and to where the fox aimed had her tilt her head curiously for a moment. "Oh... haha, yeah, that way!" She smiled, nerveously waltzing towards the pair once again as fast as her little legs could carry her.

"Maybe we just need to encourage her." She nodded, leaning in closer with her eyes dead set on Draoi. Staring too long into it felt unsettling, and she wanted so badly to avert her gaze from it, but instead she braved up to speak at it. "Hey Draoi! Can you like, maybe turn into a lamp? Or into a flame?" She asked outloud, but before she could get an answer, Ruby's own stare fell upon her like doom itself, the tall cat being as sweet as she is being serious about the topic.

It's her first time around Zakaden, and by the landscape it didn't feel like a newbie area for her to be roaming about. Illness that could probably kill a player in a matter of seconds, rocks that when licked would cause who knows what- The more she thought about it, And with Kyra having sided with Ruby on this, the more and more the lil' DOGGO's expression shifted, her ears flopping for a second before perking back up as she gave them both a nod.

"I-I will, no worries. I'll keep you two safe too! I'm a good hydromancer." Glass-like confidence on these last words as she clutched her bandolier and furrowed her brows to imply seriousness too. "Isn't there some magic potions to clear status effects? Maybe we should have asked around the village about it. Maybe we could have tried them on the crystals... Or the mint ores." Her worries really didn't focus on these dangerous crystals, moreso on the fact she couldn't go and nom on tasty ores as soon as they found them. It's a kid's favourite, why should they really think twice about it..?

@Kyra Vashtana | @Crimson Ruby

 

[Crimson Ruby]

Ruby nodded at @Kyra Vashtana's words, swaying her tail for a moment and pondering. "I suppose the flame of my friend will have to do." She said, unsheathing her blade and tracing her finger on it, muttering a few words to summon the Anumora Core her long-gone friend had given to her.

The flame brimmed, and Ruby made it carefully float close enough to @Little Doggo, wrapping around her neck as if it was a scarf, except it just gave a gentle warmth, rather than an outright burn on the girl's skin.

"It is better than shivering out of cold, at least... So get this hydromancy ready to heal us if necessary, okay?" Ruby said, looking at Doggo and then averting her attention to Kyra.

"As far as I know, there are no such potions... Kyra, do you think we could try to seek some answers from the nearby spirits? Maybe they will have some hints regarding this strange mint crystal."

 

[Siondhe]

250 / 250

Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hydromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

Kyra's tail twitched in a sign of amusement, as she tried to hide the grin on her face in response to the smaller girl trying to convince the orb that it should become a beacon of heat and flame. Draoi - for better or for worse - remained silent, either refusing to acknowledge the request or deciding that it was little more than a joke to begin with. Or possibly something else entirely, Kyra couldn't be sure with Draoi.

No...there's nothing I've heard of that would stave off the effects of the crystalline corruption...and if there is, it's a well-guarded secret. So much so that the MIT is still actively looking into the entire situation.

She had shook her head with the first few words, but as her thoughts trailed over towards the MIT her movements seized, an almost intense anger coming across her face instead. She had learnt much recently about the organisation, enough so that she was not impressed with their actions to the point that she had left the group entirely; choosing instead to put her talents somewhere more beneficial to all.

Which is why we really appreciate you taking care of us, Doggie...

She smiled at the smaller girl, hoping to instil some sort of confidence boost in the younger one. She didn't need to look towards Ruby to know what the catgirl's reaction would be, instead Kyra turned her attention towards the horizon. A small rise in the distance - barely visible from their current vantage point - suggested their destination.

From what little details I could get out of anyone...that little point in the distance there should be the entrance to this underground mint-factory. Minus the factory part. They said it's about an hour or two walk from here...

@Crimson Ruby | @Little Doggo​

 

[Little Doggo]

LIL' DOGGO wrapped her hands around this flaming scarf of sorts, familiarity within her smile. Not the first time Ruby seen it, and probably not the last if they traveled together and the core was brought up to be used as a means to warm her up. "I missed it already." She mumbled, letting air out of her nostrils, eyes going back to Ruby. "Don't worry, I'm not letting either of you go injured for long!" That applied to both of them, couldn't say the same about Draoi. The orb just didn't hear her apparently, and besides, who could hit such a small target eitherway?

"Well, maybe one day someone will figure out a cure?" Noticing how the topic had soured the mood for Kyra (and understatement to her big angry face right now), Doggo put up her most confident smile, supported by the rails and pillars created by the pair of beastfolk who deposited way too much trust in her, moreso than she actually asked for. Yet before doubt could make her drop cold sweat, realization that this is what grown ups do made her all the more determined to meet ends to their requests.

"I won't let you down!" She puffed her chest out, "Thanks for letting me in on this quest by the way... It's a quest right? It did sound like one, but this game has no quest trackers or stuff." Which should have been a day one question but it just now dawned to her: The game just isn't that accessible afterall.

"Wait one hour?" Awkwardly said as Doggo tilted her head back at kyra, one ear flopping down in the process. "If only we had a sled... Travelling on foot is so boring." At least it is when 90% of the map is snow and crystals.

@Crimson Ruby @Kyra Vashtana

 

[Crimson Ruby]

Ruby's ear twitched at Kyra's subtle anger, reaching the girl's shoulder with a gentle and reassuring squeeze. "We will find something, someday." She said, encouragingly before facing Doggo.

"Hopefully it will go well. We will be counting on you." Ruby nodded, side-glancing at the joy of the little girl for a moment and slipping out a hidden sigh. The way she reminded her of Bao was annoying, especially considering what kind of person would play with a kid's avatar and act like that.

... And even if she was an actual kid... That didn't make it any better, to have a child playing this death game. It was a lose-lose situation.

The mention of one hour on foot made Ruby frown. "I could carry you, with Doggo on my back." Ruby suggested, crossing her arms. "It may sound like a lot, but Dynamism makes it fairly easier. It won't be as fast as my usual speed, but it is better than taking a whole hour... If you two wish it, of course." She wouldn't just go ahead and push them to do it, especially if they had other ideas, including less tiring ones.

@Kyra Vashtana @Little Doggo

 

[Siondhe]

250 / 250

Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hydromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

Kyra's ears twitched at the thought of being carried again. She wasn't against the idea, but she also didn't want to needlessly tire Ruby out - especially not in this place. Shaking her head, she tried to gently turn down the offer, hoping that Ruby wouldn't be hurt by her rejection.

For now let's go on foot...if for no other reason than your Dynawhoosh goes really fast, and we wouldn't want to accidentally miss something of interest. Or, the cave entirely. If it seems like we need to speed things up a bit though, we know which cat to call.

She accented her final words with a playful smile and a wink, before turning her attention towards the smaller girl. Something about Doggo reminded Kyra of a child...and it wasn't just the petite avatar. She found herself having to bite her tongue against the outright question, knowing how it wasn't appropriate to inquire about such things.

It's a quest...of sorts...

Her answer wasn't exactly helpful, in Kyra's mind. But before she could elaborate, her attention was drawn by Draoi speaking up - the voice a creepy whisper as it always was.

Quest...quest...all the best...find the rock...in which you chock...flavourful as a block...quest, quest...all the best...

Kyra stopped walking, staring at the orb in utter shock as she tried to comprehend what had just happened. Slowly, her voice filled with confusion and a bit of awe, she questioned the orb aloud.

Did...you just try and make a song?

@Little Doggo | @Crimson Ruby​

 

[Little Doggo]

Yea like Ruby said. Don't lose your hopes! Not today, maybe tomorrow.

LIL' DOGGO added, eyes darting back to Ruby who seemed to drop more lugagge on her shoulders. Were they both really lacking in healers? Well no matter, she's here now and that's all that mattered. The dog gave the cat a big thumbs up and one smug face to ease her worries.

Trust me, i'm a dogfolk. Dogfolks are the best support race!

She accentuated that with a 'mhm!', giggling as Kyra made the closest to a ghostbusters reference once their speedster cat offered to show off and carry them both. As usual, it's Yuhan's willingness to carry everyone's burdens.

She couldn't be more proud of her for being so selfless.

Oooh. Of sorts? I hope the candy is the reward though, or maybe gold...

To buy candy with.

Doggo walked forth for a few extra steps until she noticed Kyra lagging behind, giving a look over her shoulder to notice the fox almost stunned, frozen on spot but not because of the blizzard, but because of her Orb acting like a cheerleader, getting a gasp out of the dog girl.

IT SINGS! That's it's special ability!

She gasped, almost completely taken back by Draoi's lyrics, before tagging along, albeit with a much higher pitch and energy compared to the orb itself.

Quest quest, all the best, find the rock in which you chock... flavorfulasablock...

Tasty like pork! Quest quest, all the best! Find the rock and have a chomp!

@Crimson Ruby @Kyra Vashtana

 

[Crimson Ruby]

Ruby nodded at Kyra's reasoning. "Alright, then we will leave it as a last resource." Ruby nodded, being fine with that decision. "I thought you had a sight good enough to not be troubled by some speed though." She added, looking at Kyra with a small smirk, swaying her tails and brushing them on the girl as she turned away.

Her ears then twitched at the Orb's attempt to make a song, raising an eyebrow. "It did seem like it." She said, peeking at Kyra. "Probably it is learning from you? Do you try to make up songs sometimes?" Ruby wondered, swaying her tails and shifting her attention to Doggo, who pointed out the possibility of candy being one of the rewards.

"Nothing would stop us from keeping some for us, I think," Ruby added, then blinking at Doggo's sudden singing, making Ruby squint for a moment.

She was really a little girl, wasn't she?

... No, it feels a bit forced sometimes.

"... Anyway, let's go." She said, suddenly hurrying things up.

@Kyra Vashtana @Little Doggo

 

[Siondhe]

250 / 250

Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hydromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

Kyra visibly blushed at Ruby's question, her eyes looking anywhere but at the catgirl as she mumbled a less than convincing response. Her tail tucked inwards towards her body, and the ears atop her head had flattened against the top of her skull, further signifying the lack of trustworthiness behind her response.

Singing...uh...no, no...I'm...I'm not much of a singer...I mean I don't try and sing, or anything...I mean...noooo...

Trying to shake off the embarrassment - and failing miserably - Kyra pushed on ahead, leading the trio further along the path they had been following, Draoi floating behind her shoulder silently after the single outburst. Kyra kept her eyes forwards, focusing on the rise in the distance that would lead them towards their destination, or so she hoped.

Candy rocks do sound kind of appealing...I do hope we get to keep some, as a reward...

Her words were mumbled, just loud enough for the other two to hear what she had said. Her eyes never looked around, though, as if she was still trying to hide her embarrassment at being caught. Stupid orb learning to mimic...and of all the things! At least it's not repeating what I was actually singing...

@Crimson Ruby | @Little Doggo​

 

[Little Doggo]

LIL' DOGGO yelped, eyes switching from Kyra back to Ruby in flickers as the cat berated the fox for being too slow, which hit a cord on her for obvious reasons.

Cheater, you got a mastery that makes you super fast.

She retorted with arms crossed, watching the topic turn over to singing instead, ears flickering in curious demeanour once Kyra tried to slide out of that conversation, even better when she switched to the topic of candy rocks, which got a mischievous smirk all over DOGGO's face as she poked at the fox's left arm

Sing a song about traveling, maybe Ms. Orb picks it up and sings along.

Doggo giggled, wiggling her tail from side to side as her gaze fell back to Ruby instead, tapping the tip of her fingers together like some cartoon villain, as if to say 'Yes, we will steal some candy rocks!'

Or maybe that they were both teaming up to bully poor Kyra? It worked both ways.

@Crimson Ruby | @Kyra Vashtana

 

[Crimson Ruby]

Ruby leaned in with a squint, suspicious of Kyra's behavior before leaning away and swaying her tails, unsure of what to make out of the vixen's clear lies that were almost as clear as if it was literally written on her face.

Little Doggo's remark, however, caught her attention before she could tease Kyra first. "Cheater?" Ruby rose an eyebrow, leaning down and tilting her head. "Those are just my skills, just like your senses are really good, aren't them? I'm sure you would manage to see through my speed." She pointed out, before raising and hurrying her steps, trying to get next to Kyra so she wouldn't allow her to escape the topic that easily.

"So, my dear Kyra." She said, resting her hands behind her back and bumping her left shoulder on the vixen's right shoulder, both to catch her attention and to make her balance stagger a bit.

"I would love to see you trying to sing someday, even if you tell me you don't try..." Which is a lie, she wished to add, but decided against it.

@Kyra Vashtana @Little Doggo