*swigs the open Gatorade in the fridge* Oh, someone spiked this.
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8 days ago
Somebody, design a neuralink that will write my posts for me as I vibe on them.
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Bio
It's me, that dood, Citrus Arms. I'm 33, I sometimes work on a book a little bit, and I play a lot of games. I like me some MechWarrior or the X-Frontier series, but I also adore some good magic-fantasy. I grew up with Final Fantasy VI's magitech world, and worlds like Chrono Trigger, Zelda, and Star Fox. Lots of Nintendo, but some other stuff, too.
I like sci-fi and fantasy and space and combinations thereof, mostly.
"This planet is so different from Terra. I suppose I've seen a few ruins, glancing around, but you couldn't throw a stone without hitting some old apartment building or something back home." Lyra had really been enjoying her flight up, and now she was taking her time to enjoy the serene mountain landscape. It was beautiful, almost as though the land had been untouched… almost. Something about this place felt strange. Jesse agreed with her about that, so she wasn't imagining it, but neither of them could really pick out what it was. "Though, as nice as it is here, I'm definitely glad The Embrace was able to hone in on where we were looking to go, specifically. I could have spent weeks running around without a solid lead."
It was a good thing we found that salvage for them when we did. Without that scanning array- oh.
Just as Lyra heard something nearby - a voice? - Jesse felt something nearby and gave her a notification on her visor. An unassociated Aeva, their objective, was nearby. Lyra's vulpine ear swiveled around to search for whatever she'd heard, just in time to catch the question repeated for her to hear. She turned to see a girl and - hey, the Aeva she was looking for! That was easy, though she had hoped to meet on her own terms. Though… that didn't matter, she was basically here to make friends, right? This was just fine.
Make friends and introduce an entire planet's population to the wonders of the Aeva and civilization in space, without causing their society to melt down. No pressure or anything.
The girl, absolutely ecstatic to see her, stopped right in front of her and rattled off a series of very informative questions. This girl was aware of space travel? Well, if the young lady was going to be so informative, Lyra should be courteous. "Zarah and Zigma. Ooh, what pretty names," she liked the way they sounded in her sensitive ears. "I'm Lyra. Jessica's currently hiding in my tail. Jesse~, come say hi, babe," she cooed, coaxing her light blue friend out from the fluff. Jessica chimed softly before ducking back into her fuzzy abode. "Haha, oh, fine," a shake of her head and Lyra's attention came back to Zarah and Zigma. "Sorry, she's shy these days."
Now, how to respond to those questions of hers. Lying wouldn't get her far, not since they both had Aeva, and she didn't like it anyway; made things complicated. She'd probably have to correct misconceptions later, too, so better to just be honest or avoid questions that might be problematic in the public. Whatever "public" meant around here, she simply didn't know enough to make a spectacle of herself just yet. Spectacular as she might be to locals (tail, ears, Aeva, tech), she had to be cautious. Not everyone would be as receptive as Zarah.
The girl had asked something else, as she came skittering down the slope to meet her. Perhaps she would leave the questions about her spaceship for now. "Trazie? Is that what you call the world?" She'd dance the line between being an offworlder and being from, say, across the sea until she felt confident she wouldn't be sparking something nasty by admitting she's an alien from Terra.
Description: Lyra is a slender woman with wavy, strawberry blonde hair and pleasant, vibrant green eyes. Her face is soft, but slender and somewhat tall, not pudgy. She will usually either be wearing her white and blue flight suit, for use with her Terran issue flight pack, slacks and a button-up, or a sundress. Her denim sundress is her favorite, with a straw sunhat to match. Some kind of hiking boots usually rounds out her wardrobe, as she usually ends up hiking, wherever she goes.
There were other things that stuck out. The ears. Not regular human ears, but fennec fox-proportioned ears on top of her head, and a big, bushy, sandy-colored tail. She insists she's from Terra, was it some kind of body modification? You wouldn't find any signs of surgery or gene therapy. Not that the occupants of Trazie had that kind of technology operational, to detect such a thing.
Personality: Lyra is a mechanically minded young lady who likes to relax, and tends to keep more to herself. She'll go to great lengths for a friend, however, and displays a great respect for the lives around her. Aware of other civilizations in the galaxy, she worries that they will repeat past mistakes, outstrip their environments, and damage the ecosystems they will need in the future. It drives her to spread the Aeva.
Abilities and Skills: Lyra has a good head on her shoulders, able to keep her cool under pressure. She's skilled with machines, skilled with her hands and a blaster, but not so much traditional weapons. She's not terribly strong, but she's decently fast.
Lyra and Jesse have undergone their first metamorphosis together, giving Lyra enhanced physical abilities, as well as a few metaphysical ones, such as increased Ki flow and the ability to manipulate said flow.
Relationships: Lyra and Jesse go way back. It's been 7 years since their first metamorphosis together, back on Terra.
NIckname: Lyra usually calls her some variation of her name.
Age: 30
Height: 18 centimeters
Weight: N/A
Description: Jesse has a feminine shape and a light blue glow to her body, as well as transparent, floating segments of light that suggest the shape of fairy it butterfly wings. They seem to float independently of her body, yet move with it, and they're usually not visible.
Personality: Jesse is a serious individual, but Lyra really knows how to loosen her up. The two were fairly inseparable when Jesse was alive, so being attached at the hip in this way hasn't been much of a change to their relationship. She's only grown more capable of accessing ancient computer systems, part of her pursuit of old media. Video games, TV shows and movies, internet entertainment, you name it, she collects it. Being an Aeva has been a fascinating, incredibly useful transformation.
Abilities and Skills: Jesse can manipulate electrical currents and, in that way, access computer systems just by being near them. She can structure crystal energy matrices to act like computers and form monitor displays, and further enable the crystal computer to interact with electric systems. Lyra's enhanced abilities from metamorphosis translate into greater power available to Jesse, as well. The two have yet to grow into their new abilities.
Relationships: Jesse has been dealing with her death rather well. She was put in a soul crystal before a proper tree had fully formed on Terra, so her soul has had to recover from the trauma of a wrongful death through Lyra's nourishing care.
The New Terran council had heard and understood Lyra's concerns, regarding the galaxy at large. Without some kind of guidance, she couldn't find the belief in the rest of civilized space to not repeat its mistakes and shortcomings of an age past. For all the same reasons as before, life would be toppled, perhaps with no recovery to be made the second time around. However, before they could reach out to the rest of the galaxy, they needed the resources and manpower to do so. They also needed to secure their own space against the remnants of ancient evil still lurking amongst the stars, and the evils of civilization against itself. Evil would weaken their overall strength by turning that strength and dedication against others. The powers of Terra watched the cosmos with a new material that powered a new way of life. A crystal formed from hardened, crystalized energy; the substance responded to the presence and the will of life, absorbing the ambient energies of life to grow. Some of the few satellites still in orbit from the old days were modified with crystalline arrays. These arrays, as they carefully scanned the sky, detected a voice come into being. The stellar seers on Terra traced the voice back to a planet in a nearby system that showed energy traces consistent with early civilization, so the decision was made to send Terra's yet burgeoning fleet to the area. The primary objective would be to establish contact with the civilization on the planet in question, as well as update the fleet and Terra with local information. The name of their planet and other cultural information regarding nearby celestial bodies would be especially valued for navigational purposes; local culture itself would be interesting, but ultimately unimportant, unless major philosophical differences forced an issue. Hopefully, the operation to establish contact would be able to see agreeable local politics flourish to a leadership position. Their criteria were not strict; enable freedom, respect life, embrace diversity.
"So, basically, be chill." Lyra looked over the list Jesse had brought to her attention. Her finger flicked across a hologram display, dragging lines of a briefing summary across the display like one of those license agreements from some of Jesse's old games. She hadn't removed them to preserve authenticity, which Lyra could understand. "Don't culture shock them, don't be obnoxious, blah blah blah. Did they forget I have a tail, am I supposed to blend in? Maybe that's the point…" she knew she could handle herself, especially now, but it still irked her to get treated like an extra variable. "Jesse, would you remind me to drill the mission director about this later?" She received a positive chime in response. Lyra's landing craft came in low over the ocean. She was supposed to land overnight, in the forest by the foot of the mountains. They'd traced the voice to a lake in the mountains, she was to hike her way through the mountains to find the source, likely in a settlement. The continent she was landing on had a temperate disposition, filled with plains, forests, and mountains, without any desert or tundra regions, though certain extreme mountain heights saw snow. The craft itself was a large mass of energy crystal interwoven with living wood and some bits of old era ship, like the cockpit Lyra sat in. A lot of the old systems had been replaced with new equipment, but it felt familiar to look at, at least. The propulsion came from a flared crystal formation at the back of either side of the ship. Crystal grew over the metal nose of the cockpit, coming to a point at the front. The craft was a blend of old technology and this new crystal wizardry. She wasn't sure what to make of it herself, but Jesse understood the new stuff pretty well. The combination of crystal, metal, and wood touched down in its predesignated forest clearing and began to undergo changes. It began working the large crystal mass into the ground, even as Lyra disembarked. Slowly, carefully. The living wood crawled over the surface of the crystal and into the ground, manipulating the dirt to guide the semi-translucent blue mass down into the roots below. "That's pretty cool…" Lyra took a moment to appreciate the enchantments at work. The ship had been engineered specifically to plant a certain kind of tree in the location it landed. Afterward, there would be a personal craft left over for her to use. "Jesse." Certain branches had formed a descent ramp for Lyra, she turned and waited for her fairy companion to emerge from the crystal and join her as she descended them. She wore her denim sundress with her "summer cut" flight suit underneath, as well as one of the light tactical display visors she'd been provided. She had been given a certain amount of equipment she could share with a small group, if necessary, but she was supposed to avoid that. The single flight pack she'd been provided also sat on her back. It was a decently small, white, very rounded box with seams of exposed Aevon. The sides would open up and extend as rigid wings, feathered with crystalline channels for thrust.
"You're sure there's nobody around who's gonna shoot at me…?" Lyra folded her arms, someone back home had warned her about going into no-fly zones. Jesse conferred with the sensors in the ship, and the crystal it was still connected to, before giving Lyra HUD a thumbs up. "Cool." Without further ado, the flight pack opened and the crystal feathers glowed before carrying Lyra up through a gap in the trees and toward the mountain. Jesse maintained a navigational waypoint for her, guiding her on her bounding path. She didn't want to push the pack too hard, they weren't engineered for someone past a metamorphosis. They were still figuring out how to engineer higher capacity.
She crested a mountain pass and found herself overlooking the lake in question. Her wing pack folded back up as she started descending into the valley, wondering how she was going to go about introducing herself to the local populace. "I can't just ask them 'hey, who's got one of these', can I?" Unlikely. Right. People were probably a little more guarded than that. She flicked her large fennec ears idly as she thought. They were fun to flick and flop around, and she felt really cute doing it… You're having fun. "Maybe, so what?" Lyra huffed playfully at Jesse, turning her chin up in mock scorn. "You're just jealous I'm so adorable now." Jesse jingled bemusedly in response, sitting herself in the dusty brown fur of her companion.
Well, the facade she put up on her way in was shakey at best, after all, of course Ria saw through it. "Yeah, I'll get a drink. Thanks." It would probably be best to talk about it with someone from the guild, anyway. As much as she really just wished that fatass would disappear, she knew he wouldn't.
Another voice, a greeting and an introduction, brought her out from her thoughts. "Ah, mornin', Ronan. I'm Trinity. I, uh... Damn, it's morning still? I feel a little weird getting a drink, but," she thought about it as she rolled behind the bar, giving a shudder and deciding, yes, she definitely wanted a drink. "Do you want anything while I'm back here?" She found herself a nice Kingdom Stout, strong and malty sweet, and whatever Ronan might have asked for, as she came back around.
Trinity plopped herself into a seat, letting the energy of her Roller Boots dissipate into nothing. She took a little bit if that energy to make the dremel she'd used to free herself earlier, staring at it. Bard's Legerdemain wouldn't have been able to free her from ropes. She should be grateful... She popped the bottle open with the dremel and extended the favor to Ronan before letting the dremel disappear, as well. She didn't need to pour her problems into the newest guild members, so maybe she should make some small talk, "I have a hard time telling who's new or not, but I know I haven't seen you around before. You just joined?" She sipped, taking a moment to savor the flavor of the beer she'd picked out. It was a good one.
As they left the store, Regan looked over the purchases they'd made at the liquor store. They had a nice little party stocked up, but if they were reasonable, they should be able to make it last two or three days, if they drank consecutively for those days, and still get a nice buzz. Maybe she'd begin to teach Brianna how to cook over dinner, even if it was just basics enough to prepare a good meal for herself from scratch. There were plenty of meals that all you had to do was-... B-boil water… she must have added oil or grease or something, but didn't that usually go the other way around? Folks add water to grease and end up with a fire, but not the other way around. Ooh, she better not think about it or she'll hurt her head. Whatever the case, she wouldn't suggest those frozen dinners. Brianna's palette was likely more refined than that (though frozen dinners were a pretty low bar to start with). "Back to your place, then? You said you're into gardening, do you keep one around your home?" She'd like to see it, certainly. If she was as good at gardening as she was singing, it would be a beautiful thing to behold. She had to wonder, as well, how well Brianna kept up with her home. If servants cleaned up after her for most of her life, the house might be a mess. Not that she should complain, she hadn’t done anything for herself like buy a house. She stayed in Tomato Feast’s guild dorms, before… things happened. On the other hand, if she liked dancing, she might keep her place clean so that she can dance without worrying about stepping on things or knocking things over. It was a toss-up, really, she’d just have to see how it was. “My mother taught me how to prune bansai trees as a form of zen meditation, but that’s about as close as I’ve gotten to gardening.” She didn’t know the way, so she let Brianna lead the way. She took the opportunity of being led to take a look at the shops and whatnot on the way. Someone had an alchemical crafting shop they passed by, pretty neat. She saw an artificial limb on display, as well as some other gadgets. “Lots of interesting things in town.” There was a toy store, which she gave a cursory look at, and a makeup shop she promptly ignored.
Brianna was extremely happy to be leaving the liquor store with some liquor, even with someone helping her too. It made her remind herself that she kind of forgot to put away some of her expensive wine, at least it was recorked. At least they would be going to her home at least. I’m really happy about all this, thank you Tearsy! Brianna giggled slightly while having that thought in her head. “Yeah! Yes, I do have a garden at my home. It’s a wonderful garden, the Red Roses are the most beautiful thing in it. I do have some spices I am growing, but… I don’t want to waste them with… how bad my cooking is.” Brianna smiles happily at that showing she knows more about gardening than cooking. She always remembers where her two story home is at since it's a beautiful looking house for what she bought it for. It’s always amazing to have a home all to herself. Oh yeah should probably check up on the laundry while I am there… Brianna has sometimes forgotten about putting away her laundry. When the Master spoke up about her experience with gardening. “Oo, I do have a bansai tree too. I usually trim it before I go to bed. Since Nelia was very particular about having balance or zen within your soul. But she would usually wear a Rose in her hair to show she’s particularly mediated.” Brianna was happy that she was leading the way to her home. It’s a bit funny but she loved window shopping in this part of town. All the shops were very nice but the artificial limb always interested her in how it was made. “Yes, there is, it's very interesting.” Brianna saw the toy store and the makeup shop, but kind of remembered she had enough makeup already. As such, she had a specific thought about things but she finally decided to come up with a question. “Hehe, I like this a lot. I kind of want to ask, what kind of training regime do you have, Master?” Brianna was curious, since it would become very apparent what she had to deal with two very overprotective but strict parents who were training her in the Shifting Sword Style.
"You do? Oh, wonderful. And herbs, and spices? Ooh, even better! Fresh herbs and spices, well, maybe you'll have to start growing more ingredients. Maybe you can sell them to local restaurants, too? Fresh ingredients are hard to beat." She nodded. Certain ingredients couldn't be grown locally, she understood that much, but as long as you could, it was best. Local cuisine is so good because of that very concept. The food was made to match local produce, and that meant ingredients could be incredibly fresh. "Mm, yes, that is something I've missed out on, having been in the road for so long." She sighed softly to herself. It made her think about her guild's betrayal. A goddamn goose chase! Not even a fight, just wasting her time. And she fell for it so damn hard. Long enough for them to cover their tracks and their plans. It took her an entire year to find their trail again, and another three months to finally follow their trail here, to Fiore. Ah, but. She shouldn't think about that, now. Better things were at hand. A voice from the back of her mind questioned why she was spending her time like this, when she had a job to do. An ally, and someone in need. But she shouldn't drag Brianna into her- Stop. Shut up. Just… relax for a day. You need it. Hell, take tomorrow off, too, how long has it been? You'll work better for it. You know it. "Training? Hmm, honestly, between the walking all day and the occasional rescue or combat, I get enough exercise daily to not need an extensive regiment. If I did a particularly intense training session, I might not be ready to fight if I needed to. My body would be tired and I wouldn't be as prepared. I do train my magic daily. I suppose, if I were to stay in one place for a while, I'd have to keep up with some kind of training plan, though." But I can't. Not until my duty is done. "As I was wandering, I came across an old woman who had turned his whole yard into a butterfly sanctuary filled with native plants. To the casual observer, it almost looked overrun, but it was carefully tended against anything that wasn't local stuff. I was drawn in by the ingredients, but I wasn't expecting it to be someone's property, haha."
“Yes, I love flowers. I knew there was another thing I was forgetting to remember about my garden, spices and herbs. Ooh, really, I was wondering what my mother Nelia was talking about… I usually sell my Red Roses to the florist but I completely forgot that I could do that with the other things I grow in my garden… Thank you for that tip!” Brianna giggled cutely and was definitely happy to have met Regan Hadou. It was a great tip and idea, which made her remember the exact words from her mother Nelia. Brianna felt a bit embarrassed because of that, exact thing. At least someone helped her understand what her mother was talking about, she kind of wanted to get out of the Estate and join Phoenix Wing. “Aww, that’s nice, at least you will be able to see a Bonsai Tree again. Hehe.” Brianna did notice her master sigh and kind of felt like she wanted to say something. She was very intune with her emotions after all, but wouldn’t want to ruin the moment that she was having right now. It felt a bit disingenuous to pry in her master’s worries or frustrations, but Regan did help her in her own type of frustrations and worries. The Sword’s voice pierced the veil of reality and couldn’t help but to feel to interrupt Regan’s thoughts and deep-seated feelings of revenge. “Aha, so that’s what was deeper in your thoughts… the betrayal on that large of a scale. When that one guild was your friends and family they went and did that to you. Feels slightly like what Brianna’s younger sister Serena was going to do to Brianna. Serena was consumed by the lust for power by Callie, she was going to do the unthinkable. Serena and Callie would’ve traded places, and Callie was going to kill Brianna… I didn’t want to say that to Brianna because I was utterly disgusted at Callie’s actions. The only person that was able to control that evil was no other than Zachery, because of his innate mental fortitude to not fall prey to the lust of power the sword was giving him. I do hope you keep that secret, because it wouldn’t be a good thing to tell Brianna, she would be fearful for the rest of her whole life to learn her little sister is being corrupted by power.” Tearsy’s voice telepathically spoke to Regan, telling her the extent of the Callous Lightning Sword’s innate evil. “Oh, that’s nice, always good to be fit as can be, Master. Seems much better than how my mother and father ran me ragged for so long… but they wanted the information to stick, I suppose… So I can’t blame them, they are overprotective.” Brianna looked up and noticed her house in the distance, not much more time to arrive. It was painted in a light green color, and was a two story house too. She waved at her own house because she does that all the time, but she was careful to not drop the alcohol on the ground. “Oh that’s so cool, a butterfly sanctuary. Always good to be drawn in by something you want to use. Hehe, true. Also, it's nice to see my house in the distance.” Brianna giggled slightly while staring at Regan with a slightly worried look on her face.
"Yeah, of course." It was a suggestion that helped everybody. Her business grew, local cuisine got fresh, local ingredients, and customers would get even more delicious food. "I'll be interested to see how you've pruned your tree." The sword spoke and shook Regan from her internal brooding. Revenge? Not quite. They only sent me away because they could not overcome me. It is for what they have done that I pursue them. Their actions were not against me, but another. A family. For power. They shattered their lives apart and took what they wanted. They take, even now. Her eyes turned to Brianna and she saw the worry. You and I will talk later. She gave an apologetic smile and set her worries aside, as much as she could. "Hehe, you noticed? Sorry, I was thinking about my old guild, where I learned so much about food. We… fell out." She cleared her throat, "but, yknow, your parents only trained you so hard so you would get stronger. There comes a point, however, where you should become satisfied. Hmm…" she put a hand to her chin, thinking. "How to explain it properly… have you heard of the Path of the Demon? A proper warrior follows the warrior's path, seeking strength for a purpose. To protect something or achieve a goal. However, when a warrior forgets their purpose in the pursuit of ever greater strength, they find the Path of the Demon." Serena. If not herself, then by the sword she'd received. It led her down the wrong path "Never forget why you fight." By sheltering her, you only make things worse. This conflict in her life will not simply disappear. If what you say is true... Ah! "Hey, we're getting serious again! We can save this kind of talk for another time. That's your house, there? The one like your eyes?" She picked up the pace just a bit. She really did want to see the place. Regan hadn't had a bed or a proper home kitchen in a long time, and fresh herbs and spices just made it more exciting.
Brianna was grateful for advice, as such, it was pretty great. She always had many ideas in her head, how to help her family’s business grow but it was always a good thing to be self-sufficient. She giggled at what her master said. “Hehe, you like what you see.” The Sword’s voice pierced the veil of reality and couldn’t help but sigh in hearing Regan’s thoughts because that’s very deep. “Ah, guess I misspoke when I said Revenge. Hmm… this gives me much to think about to properly speak. Seems like…” Tearsy’s voice telepathically spoke to Regan. However, it was interrupted by the reason that Brianna noticed Regan and was worried. Tearsy gave an audible sigh and a bit of an understanding that they will talk later. Brianna cutely smiled at her master Hadou. “Yes, I noticed… An old guild caused you to be so worried… that’s sad somewhat. Falling out with anyone is terrible. I would have so many thoughts of dismay if that happened to me…” Brianna couldn’t help but realize her sword was talking to someone, mostly because the sword constantly glows brighter or dimmer, better late than never. However, her internal thoughts were refocused on what her master had said next. “Oh yeah, that’s right… They had said that while they were training me. I want to grow stronger only to protect those precious to me, which would include you, master.” Brianna had always thought of everyone as a friend or needed to be protected no matter what and was excited in what her master would say next. She gasps slightly when she explains it properly, which she did hear from her parents. “Oh, so that’s what my parents were trying to explain to me, with my lack of focus back then… The path of the demon sounds quite dark… I will never turn to that path since it isn’t me by a long shot.” Brianna giggled slightly. It made her think of who Tearsy is talking to but it makes sense that Tearsy is talking to Master Hadou too. Brianna giggles slightly at what her master said next. “I won’t ever forget why I fight, master.” She had a beautifully wonderful smile on her face. The Sword’s voice pierced the veil of reality and sighed, which she underestimated Brianna’s realization but still only spoke to Regan. “I know, but that’s what her parents asked me to do. But I suppose I should probably tell her the truth about Callie… the true reason for rejecting her. It’s all true, it's why Callous Lightning Sword and Serena aren’t allowed to be together for that specific reason. It’s locked away in an underground vault… all because of Serena’s Sword Whisperer Magic… As you can tell from that magic using it with a Sentient Sword is a horrible idea.” Tearsy’s voice telepathically spoke to Regan, basically telling her that Zachery didn’t have his strongest Sword Lighting Style Sword with him on his mission. Brianna smiles and nods in agreement. “Yeah we can talk about that another time… Yes! As well, as Teasry’s sword glows when it's completely out of its sheath too.” Brianna cutely is happy to pick up the pace to her house. She wanted to show Regan around her house really badly. Brianna was grateful the journey to her home is close at hand, she cutely giggled at everything that happened today.
Brianna really was a sweetheart. Some foul thing like the Callous Lightning Sword didn't suit her at all. All the rehashing of things she heard from her parents so long ago really seemed to be helping her out, too, like she just needed to hear the lessons again in a calm conversation where she could focus to finally grasp the things she'd learned from them. A fine warrior for peace, she was, though Regan had yet to gauge her combat strength. "Very good. Your reason, your truth, is as the Northern Star. It will guide you." She wanted to ask Tearsy questions about Serena and the Callous Sword, but now wasn't the time. "Nice place you've got, Brianna." She would say she's done well for herself, but the girl had a significant boost to get here, didn't she. She'd save that compliment for when she saw how Brianna was actually doing with the home. As well, from what she'd seen, nobody that lived in Magnolia really had yard space to speak of, but it looked like the roof had a large, flat area on top. "Are your gardens on the roof?" She gazed up at the steep slope of the shingles that cut off shortly, with a tell-tale fence. "That must be a great view, too. Beaten only by the roof of the guild hall on the hill, I'd bet." Regan opened the storm door, holding it open for Brianna to unlock and open the front door and lead her in. She wondered about how it would be. Was the kitchen a mess, or hardly used? Brianna could probably afford to eat out for most meals, but she'd been trying to be self-sufficient, the kitchen was probably at least a little used. She figured out how to boil water, hadn't she? So it must be. Time to find out.
Brianna had always enjoyed talking and many other things in life, but she loved meeting people so much more. She heard what Regan said about the Northern Star. “Aha, Northern Star is for guiding… I do look at it a lot following my path correctly.” Brianna slightly embarrassed at being reminded what the Northern Star was for, since that’s what her parents said. She did giggle slightly at the entire thing. Brianna was happy to hear the compliment to her home. “Thank you, Regan! It’s a home away from home… you should see the Lyffobelt Estate… It’s incredibly large compared to this two story house.” Brianna smiled happily at it all. However, she did remember she should have to get her keys. She did notice Regan looking up at the roof and she happily giggled. “Yeah, it is. Wish there was an actual yard but Magnolia would have to redesign their entire layout to have yards…” Brianna kind of misses the massive yard of her Estate because it's where she played hiding from her mother during Hide and Seek time. She happily smiles at what Regan said next. “Yep, it’s a great view. It definitely cannot beat the guild hall’s roof view.” Brianna had a happy smile on her face. Brianna was grateful that Regan opened the storm door, which Brianna finally got her keys out even though she would have to be very careful to not break the bottles of lager in her free hand. She unlocked the door to her home, and opened it. Brianna expressed a wonderful thing about the first thing that Regan would see. It was the kitchen, which was definitely used and still had a wine glass, an expensive bottle of wine corked on the kitchen table. As well, as some ingredients on the counter top, significantly well organized in proper containers. The countertops were also marble with a unique flourish and flower design to it. “Here’s my Kitchen, hopefully you like it… I should’ve put away the expensive wine bottle, that’s at least two hundred years old...” Brianna was a bit embarrassed about that. She sat the bag of Lager on the kitchen table and took the two bottles out of the bag. She eyed her fridge, which was one of the top of the line refrigerators. “There’s the fridgie to put the food and beer in.” Brianna was a bit over prepared for anything, but it was how her parents raised her. She thought for a second and wondered about something, which she decided to ask Regan and Tearsy. “Uhh, Might as well ask something… Were Tearsy and Master thought talking to each other?” Brianna had a curious look on her face. The Sword’s voice pierced the veil of reality, sighed and a bit frustrated at the curiosity of Brianna’s question. “If you must know, yes, I was talking to Regan. But why are you so curious dear? Is there something you require or something along those lines.” Tearsy’s voice telepathically spoke to Brianna and Regan. Brianna smiled happily and gave a slight giggle to that. “I just wanted to know, you know you can telepathically involve me in these conversations or are you brooding over Callie? You told me one day you will tell me the truth of her reason for rejecting me…” Brianna had always been putting on a strong face but she wanted to seriously know the truth in why the Callous Lightning Sword rejected her. The whole truth, because it's obviously bothering her. The Sword’s voice pierced the veil of reality and hadn’t known that all this time Brianna was being bothered by that and cutely giggled at Brianna’s innocence. “You could say that, Callie is just such a bitch of a sword. I will tell you soon… But it would probably be a good idea to show Regan around your home, isn’t that right?” Tearsy’s voice telepathically questioned Brianna. However, Regan was involved in this conversation since what Brianna said is true, she should be involving Brianna more in these telepathic conversations. Brianna giggled cutely at what Tearsy said, which it is correct that she should show Regan around her home. “You are right, Tearsy!” Brianna was so excited to show someone as Regan around her home. If anything, she’s still really happy that Tearsy didn’t say anything about Regan’s intentions because all she has done so far is help her understand what her parents wanted her to realize and help her. Near the kitchen sink, had some dishes, which Brianna forgot to put away but they were drying in a dish dryer thingy, which she cleaned herself. “Aww, no… I should’ve put away those dishies! Guess I was waiting for them to dry fully… whoopsie.” Brianna smiled and slightly embarrassed to forget the reason why she was in the kitchen in the first place previously. She sighed at her slight airheadedness, but at least they must be dry now.
The Northern Star was an important mark for any traveler to know, of course, and she was relieved to hear that Brianna at least had the idea of what it was somewhere in her head. She wondered, briefly, how many times the dear thing had gotten lost, though she did have Tearsy to help her out. What a very good thing that was, Brianna was not traveling truly alone. As Brianna dug out and fiddled with her key, Regan set her box of beer down and took the one from Brianna so she wouldn't drop it. That would be unfortunate. As the door opened, Regan took the opportunity to peer inside. Ah, her kitchen was well organized, a pleasant surprise. Just a few things left out, including what must have been, from what Brianna said, an immensely expensive bottle of wine. At that age, especially. Two… hundred? How do you keep anything that long…? Was that an heirloom? Ye gods! Regan promptly put their leftovers in the fridge while she admired the marble countertop, distracting herself from the bottle of wine on the table, "these counters are nice, but it must be a pain to maintain them. You have to seal them every so often, don't you?" Something about liquid soaking into the stone, she didn't remember exactly. She just remembered you had to care for stone, which made sense. Water erodes stone. Steel counters were real easy to care for, but looked awful. Just as with anything, no perfect answer. Regan hesitated to answer, but luckily, Tearsy answered the question quickly enough. "Yes. Later, Brianna. Besides, conversations involving thought are usually best left private. Especially with one so nosey." She gave Tearsy a pointed look, but ultimately couldn't blame it. It could only communicate in that way, after all, so bad habits like listening in must have been easy to form. "It's bad enough to pry like that. Don't need to go spreading the news around." "Mm, the dishes in the drying rack are clean, I'll assume? We can use them for dinner, since they're already out. Why not leave them for now?" She nodded, taking quick note of what was there as she stocked the fridge with the beers they'd bought. "Instead, yes, let's have the tour! With a house this size, there must be a guest room?" She knew someone who might try to cover that up. She took another look at the counter and noticed the cute flower design in it. It couldn't have come like that? She must have had it done, it was too much of a coincidence. Then again… the whole country had a flower motif. It was no wonder her family's business was so successful. With the fridge stocked, she nudged the door for the top portion shut after it started beeping at her. There were adjustable shelves and some other neat features within, but she could poke around more when she was getting ready to make dinner tonight. She came back around the counter, breaking down the boxes from their beers and setting them aside to take care of later.
Brianna had noticed Regan’s reaction to the expensive bottle of wine, which is 200 years old. She giggled at the reaction since it was adorable to see someone react that way to that bottle of wine. It wasn’t long until Regan talked about the counter and she smiled gently. “Yeah, they are a pain… I had to ask for some hints from our maid staff on the right product to… seal them with. They helped with understanding that certain cleaning products aren’t that great to stone, while others are. Wouldn’t want to ruin the marble.” Brianna had listed every single product that’s good for marble and all that is bad. It was on the refrigerator for a reminder so she knows what to use and what not to use. Brianna smiled and giggled at Regan’s answer. “Ah, okay, yeah we can get on those conversations later. Hehe, Tearsy is so nosey but she cares a lot.” She laughed slightly when Regan gave Tearsy a pointed look. Brianna was really enjoying all this, now the sword can be teased as much as Tearsy teases her. “I will promise, or cross my heart and hope to be tickled… As such is the mission of one in the Lyffobelt family to promise things to people.” Brianna didn’t really like the actual saying of hope to die since it feels a bit wrong. Therefore, she turned it into hope to be tickled instead. She always had a weird way to promise things when it involves highly important conversations like Serena or the Callous Lightning Sword being sentient. Brianna had to think for a second about the dishes. “Yeah, they are clean, that’s why they are drying. Oh, that’s a wonderful idea! Leaving them out is a good idea.” Brianna smiled at Regan, that she was so smart for suggesting these things. It came to the topic of a guest room, which in her mind she remembered something her mother had said. “Yes, let’s start this tour. There’s a saying in my family, Guest rooms are for guests, while where you sleep is for you.” Brianna had always wanted to word that out correctly because Nelia had always a great way to say things. However, she had to think since the stairs to the guest room and the bedroom she sleeps in is in the front room. The Sword’s voice pierced the veil of reality, to Regan and Brianna with a giggle. “You beat me to the punch, don’t you think, Brianna. Like really, you always wanted to say that didn’t you? Nelia is so sweet and caring for guests.” Tearsy’s voice telepathically spoke to both of them. As well, Tearsy was a bit embarrassed that Regan knew what it was going to do if Brianna didn’t answer that question. It’s glow was going dimmer and brighter rapidly like a heartbeat. Brianna giggled at Tearsy and smiled happily. “Yes, it’s better that way. You would have said, Regan would have to sleep in my bed didn’t you? Better this way, Tearsy.” Brianna had tons of positive emotions coming through her to finally beat Tearsy’s constant making people blush at mentioning sleeping in the same bed as her. Tearsy was quite a unique sword, but some of the things Tearsy said really went over Brianna’s head. “Let’s go to the front room, it's through this door!” Brianna walked towards the door to the front room, and opened it for Regan to see. She smiled and went aww really cutely because she sees one of her kitty cats sleeping in a ball on her cat tower in the corner. “Aww, Pauline I am home! Where’s your sister Rachel, Tabby kitties.” Brianna cutely said, Rachel is probably sleeping on her bed as usual. As such the room was well organized and had a pretty big TV across the ways, near the window. In the middle of the TV and the large couch had a beautiful clear white glass panned coffee table with a flower picture in the direct center of it. And there were the stairs leading up to the second floor, where the three bedrooms are, near the Kitty Cat Tower.
"Well, at least she's not just a pervert." Tearsy cared, and that was the important part. She made a sightly elaborate promise, and Regan couldn't help but roll her eyes, "ok, Miss Lyffobelt, calm down." For that matter, hope to be… Tickled? Whatever. "I certainly think she cares. She wouldn't have guarded you so preciously all this time if she didn't.” And the tour began. Yes, there was a guest room, and apparently Tearsy had made some percy jokes in the past. "I thought I was the first person to come over?" Tearsy must have been playing the hypothetical, maybe even using the joke to probe minds for intent. It was a little forward, though, wasn't it? But, with Tearsy, what did she expect? There was, indeed, a guest room, likely to the sword's dismay. Even Brianna realized that. The family saying seemed like a very simple concept, but with someone like Brianna, maybe it was a little necessary; that innocent head of hers. As the tour began, Regan noticed something about the house. "We came in the front door, didn't we?" She turned to look at the door they had come through. Now that she thought of it, why did the front door lead into the kitchen? And now they were going to the 'front room', which was in the other side of the 'front door'. "Is your house… back…wards?" They stepped through to the living room, or front room, and she saw a more elaborate doorway, leading out to the alley behind the house. "Wh- that's a front door. That's," she looked back at the way they came in, "clearly the back door." She stepped through into the living room, not really sure what one would do about a backwards house. It didn't make it unlivable, certainly, but it was just strange. What wasn't strange was that Brianna had a cat. Cats, plural. "I was wondering how your house would fair without maids or other servants; it's well so far." The real test would be her bedroom, if she even includes that in the tour. Regan approached the stairs and the cat tree, gently rubbing the cat's side just a couple of times, before looking over the room. Either she was actually very cleanly, despite the changes in her lifestyle, or she hardly spent time here. She wouldn't figure it out by just thinking about it, so she put it in the back of her mind. The room did give her one question, though, between the TV and the lack of anything on the table besides the picture, "I haven't asked, and I'm curious. Do you do anything professionally?" She smiled softly at the sleeping cat before turning back to Brianna. The young lady had a variety of skills she could turn into a means of income, but Regan had to wonder which way she had decided to go, if any. Bah, why was she being so analytical? Relax, relax… time off, Regan. Take time off. Now, the house, on the other hand, was an interesting puzzle. It had her curiosity. Why was it… backwards?
Brianna had a confused look on her face, when Regan called her sword a pervert, it’s like the first time she actually heard that from anyone. “Uhh, what do you mean, that Tearsy is not just a pervert?” It was clear on her face that she was definitely confused, but she did laugh cutely at Regan rolling her eyes. “Sorry about that… I get like that when promising things.” It was so fun to see another person’s reaction to her, which wasn’t her parents that’s for sure. Brianna smiled very happily at what Regan said next. “Yeah, Tearsy does care a lot, it’s nice. It’s so nice to have her beside me helping me.” Brianna giggled happily and was so bubbly and adorable with the whole thing. Brianna was grateful to show Regan around her home, which the only actual person that saw it previously was her own mother. It was when Regan asked that question. “Uhh, you are the first person outside of my mother Nelia to see my home. Tearsy rejected 35 other people I was trying to show my home, but you were the first person that Tearsy accepted. It’s a wonderful thing in all honesty, I am a social person…” Brianna gave her best explanation of what’s going on. It now makes sense why the house is so ‘well decorated and everything.’ She couldn’t help but notice the look on Regan’s face, but Magnolia Town is unique for what it does every once in awhile. “Uhh, yeah it is backwards… because of the town’s shifting mechanisms, like every once in awhile, the house is not backwards.” Brianna was slightly annoyed about the entire thing. “I had a similar reaction to this entire city. But, this was like the closest house to the park, which is why I bought it.” Brianna giggled at her reaction. “Yep, all because of the puzzling shifting of Rubik's cube city, guess the only good thing is the second floor isn't shifted at all… thankfully. Or I would be really annoyed…” Brianna sighed deeply at this entire town doing this constantly, nonstop. Brianna was happy about how the front room looked, she didn’t really need much in here since she only uses this room when she wants to watch TV and play with her kitties. She gave a slight gasp since she saw the room nicknamed ‘Fun room’ by Tearsy, which was connected to the front room and it connected to the rest of the house’s first floor and basement level. “Oh yeah, if you want to get to the rest of the house’s first floor you have to go through the Fun Room, don’t ask me why Tearsy named it that. Oh wait, I remember why… It has a pool table, chess board, thankfully the chess pieces are in the table that the chess board is glued to, and other game type things in it with a small bookshelf with books to help someone in learning those things.” Brianna hadn’t really played any of those games since it would be quite depressing to play by herself for fun. However, with what Regan said, made her giggle and be happy. “The maids and staff actually gave me hints in keeping the house clean… Always better to get tips and hints from professionals at their craft.” Brianna sighed gently at not really having much fun in the fun room, but it’s the only way to get to the other parts of the first floor. However, she had a feeling that Regan wanted to see the upstairs before the rest of the house. “We can always check out the fun room later. It’s time to go upstairs!” Brianna giggles. She walked towards the stairs and awed at Regan petting her kitty cat and could hear Pauline purring. Brianna walked up the stairs since it was important to show Regan the upstairs. However, it took her a bit by surprise when Regan asked her about what she does, it is a bit surprising. However, her guild mark is on her back, which she is wearing a regular cute t-shirt that covers it. “Uhh, I am apart of the Phoenix Wing Guild, since that’s the guild I wanted to join when I was looking over the guilds to join. Basically take jobs from the request board from the guild and it takes me everywhere in Fiore. And I do many helpful things around Magnolia Town for people who want my help. Also, since I did notice your look at this room… I only use this room to watch TV and play with my kitties when they are both not sleeping.” Brianna smiles kindly towards Regan, basically happy that she’s here. However, the other thing is she still does get her allowance from her parents since she is an heiress. “I do get money from my family’s company though. But I don’t mind helping people out to make money my own way, but it's always nice they are always there for me.” Brianna is very proud of her entire family’s way of life. It is why she is so generous to everyone, one of the tenets to being a Lyffobelt Family member.
"Uh, don't worry about it, Brianna." She didn't need to detail why her sword was a pervert. It would ruin the mood and all that. "The important part is that she cares." "Yknow, maybe if you didn't make such weird suggestions about bedroom arrangements and the like, people wouldn't have so many weird thoughts about her? Just a thought. Poor Brianna just wants to have people over." The next thing Brianna told her really stole the show, though. "The town… shifts?" Which was why the house was backwards. It was turned around as part of a mechanism in the city. Her brain reeled at the idea, but she supposed that would explain it. Apparently, the upstairs didn't change, but that would be weird if it did, right? Like, moving the whole building was enough already, you didn't need the top of it to spin around, too, did you? But more importantly, that seemed like it was really expensive, to build and to operate, so why?! And how?! W-well, that was one mystery solved, at least. A shifting city… Would wonders never cease. Brianna explained the first floor layout to her before they went upstairs. It was good that there was a room to play around in, but Tearsy was rather very busy defeating the whole purpose of having such a room. A shame. "I know what a guild does. I was in one, remember?" Sure, the guild master was more focused on his culinary goals, but that didn't mean the rest of the guild ignored normal mage guild stuff. The guild master's special meals and snacks were always a great help on quests, too, so it worked out fine that he was more of a chef than a mage. The fact that he was both was what made Tomato Feast what it had been. "Couldn't you invite some of your guildmates over? Or did you try that already, and Tearsy didn't like them?" "You don't have to detail your finances for me. I just was wondering more about how you spend your time, is all. I figured this room wasn't used much. You got a big house all to yourself, it must get lonely without so much as a guest to entertain." It seemed like Tearsy practically set thought traps for people, provoking their imaginations. Probably liked peeking at the images as much as she was defending Brianna from dirty minds. Was she getting a little crabby? As Regan thought about the bedrooms upstairs, and the beds in them, and that she should relax, she felt her body start to get heavy. Ooh… How long had it been, since she laid her body in a proper bed for rest? Too long… three years? Since she figured out she'd been tricked, and had to travel all the way back from the mainland. Ooh. She pulled herself along on the handrail. "Say, that guest bed is sounding better and better. Mind if we continue the tour after I take a nap?"
Brianna had much to think about with all these questions, Regan brought up, but one caught her attention the most. “Uhh, I never really asked any of my guildmates to come over.” Brianna giggled. The Sword’s voice pierced the veil of reality and sighed. “Like I would want her not to have friends in her guild, it’s just she’s a bit of a scatter brain sometimes. Obviously she forgot to ask any of them to come over.” Tearsy’s voice spoke to both of them. After awhile, the last question that Regan asked was very important as a homeowner. “Sure, I don’t mind if you take a nap, the guest bedroom is on the far right, hope you have a good rest, you deserve it for being the first person to make me realize things.” Brianna giggled cutely, helping Regan to her room. “Hopefully you have a good sleep.” She had a wonderful smile on her face.
"Well, there you go. See about hanging out with your guild. Maybe get on a team with someone, while you're at it, if you're not already. Your team is usually a good place to start." Regan gave a yawn as they climbed, attempting to stifle it, "mm, sorry. That bed just sounds better and better." She listened carefully, with the fatigue catching up to her. She hadn't realized how tired she'd become after so long. Was it age catching up with her, not letting her do things like she used to be able to? Maybe… then again, wouldn't anyone be tired at this point? "You flatter me, Brianna. I'm sure I'll sleep well in a proper bed, thank you." Her mind was on a single track. She'd started to relax and the fatigue had come rushing in. She roused herself mentally and refocused her strength, reminding herself to make it to the bed first. Far right… this one. She opened the door into an immaculate room, beautifully kept and clearly unoccupied, just waiting for someone to stay in it. She didn't even close the door, she just put her sword up on the mount and turned her body into the bed without undressing, flopping into her back. "Oooohh hohohohoh… mmm…" her pleased sigh faded into soft snoring. She was planning to just take a nap, but Master Hadou would sleep until morning.
It had been some time since she'd worked in a proper kitchen like this. With extra hands all around her, even. "My guild master would love to meet you, madam Olga. He's a more skilled chef than I, though he also tends to be more... Orthodox." As she shut the oven with the baked goods inside. Zhulie was peering inside with all obvious enthusiasm, and Regan joined her for a moment. "Twenty minutes, or five more."
As Olga, Regan was interrupted by a certain, recently familiar stench entering the kitchen. For her, it was punctuated by the elder cook scolding the offender. She watched and appreciated the boy get reprimanded and fed in the same turn, before he retreated toward herself and Zhulie, probably to lick his social wounds in agreeable company.
Not that he would find it here. Gross indeed, Zhulie. "Get your stench out of the kitchen before it infests..." she trailed off, hearing the commotion from outside the kitchen. She moved to the door of the kitchen, just in time to hear a particular sentiment, "please, you have to get him back."
She listened through Meredith's briefing, glanced at Olga apologetically, and turned to Bullet, putting a hand on his shoulder, "hey. You're the type that would throw in, despite your injuries, right? Guess what, you need to rest. I'll go for you. Wash up before your stink ruins my baked goods and keep the darling company." Speaking of, Regan called over, "remember, Zhulie, twenty minutes, maybe five more." Really, she was just relieved that the only thing left to do was take them out. It would be best if they were fresh when eaten, though. Twenty four minutes, huh...? That might be tough.
As she left the kitchen, she was making a few adjustments to her equipment and person. She took her sword from its travel position on her back and moved it to her hip, easier to draw, and shortened her pony tail with a bun. She found a familiar face, and approached, "Lady Manami, I'm glad I could catch you. I will assist my gracious hosts, if you would allow me." She wasn't sure which squad she should fold in to. It sounded like either could benefit from her help, but perhaps they had mages that we better suited for one or the other? Then again, she'd have a hard time asking a direwolf for information, maybe she'd be better off beating up poachers for potential info.
It's me, that dood, Citrus Arms. I'm 33, I sometimes work on a book a little bit, and I play a lot of games. I like me some MechWarrior or the X-Frontier series, but I also adore some good magic-fantasy. I grew up with Final Fantasy VI's magitech world, and worlds like Chrono Trigger, Zelda, and Star Fox. Lots of Nintendo, but some other stuff, too.
I like sci-fi and fantasy and space and combinations thereof, mostly.
Discord: CitrusArms
<div style="white-space:pre-wrap;">It's me, that dood, Citrus Arms. I'm 33, I sometimes work on a book a little bit, and I play a lot of games. I like me some MechWarrior or the X-Frontier series, but I also adore some good magic-fantasy. I grew up with Final Fantasy VI's magitech world, and worlds like Chrono Trigger, Zelda, and Star Fox. Lots of Nintendo, but some other stuff, too.<br><br>I like sci-fi and fantasy and space and combinations thereof, mostly.<br><br>Discord: CitrusArms</div>
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The Irish Tree
Zoie Hart
Kaithe Dame
AtomicNut
LimeTime966
