Zool

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

The awkward energy at the table was something that MacKensie had tried to ignore, but forced to acknowledge several times. Perhaps it was just her - all in her own head - and thus, she was the one supplying the awkwardness, which would be rare as she was used to being able get along in social situations, even with strangers. Rare but not totally impossible. Either or; words whittling to silence felt rather pronounced to the frenchwoman. Pronounced and very awkward.

"Good morning, Fenna."

Thank god for Fenna. MacKensie hoped that the older woman would recue the situation - a situation that only got worse when Zell turned MacKensie's question about university studies onto the Lillianna, who completely ignored him. The weakest of forced laughs quietly came from the frenchwoman who, because of her upbringing, was so fragile to things like bad etiquette and manners. MacKensie clamoured for a way to brush over the moment. "Errr, and I would bet my last silver that you are quite the opposite of a Grade-A student, Zell Brooks," she said, half-joking. "Let me guess: Late to classes? Late with assignments? Too busy with extra-curricular activites?"

MacKensie uncrossed her legs to cross them the other way. When there was a chance, she decided to beg invite Fenna to come along and spend the day with them. "Umm, Fenna...?" she started. "Lillianna and I are off to the shops to buy a few things for our stay in the city - maybe take a walk and look around, get a bite for lunch. Would you care to join us?"

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Dabbing her mouth with a napkin, she fought a smile as he spoke. She could just imagine him and his frat-boy friends all lounging about, stuffing their faces with piles of bacon-egg sandiwches, then heading to the gym or something. Her sorority was, expectedly, quite different. And she was much more strict with her dietary regiment due to being an athlete. Aside from her exploits in the sport of archery, her highschool life had contained track and field, not to mention ballet. Taking care of her body was just a natural habit, at this point. She had no idea whether or not Zell played any sports, but it was an easy guess that he liked the gym, at least, looking at him.

So, he was also studying at the time of his death. Just like her. She was about to ask which degree he was studying for but he asked a question of his own first.

"What are you up to today?"

"Well, I think I'd like to do some walking around - explore the city of Valhiem," she said. She thought about the incredible views she'd seen on the way up the mountain, yesterday. "It is a beautiful place. And if we are to be here for the forseeable future, we should probably know our way around better." In the corner of her eye, she saw another of their group had come down. She greeted her with a smile. "Good morning, Lillianna."

"Ah, may I join you both here? I must confess I am a tad famished and-"

The loud rumble of the wizard's stomach made MacKensie's eyebrows raise joyfully. "So it would seem," she replied with quiet chuckle. "Come, sit. Did you sleep well? The pillows were soft, were they not? I was quite satisfied." She waited for the answer, nodding as she listened with a welcoming smile. The frenchwoman's usual disposition was welcoming and sociable but perhaps she was overdoing a bit here as she guessed that the shy wizard might be having a little trouble socializing with them all. For one thing; she'd just asked to join them both and something about her demeanour suggested that she wasn't simply going through the motions of etiquette - as if she actually wasn't sure what the answer would be. But more than this, Lillianna had been somewhat on the edge of the group since they'd left Hommas, so it felt like, to MacKensie. Quiet and unassuming, sat in her home-made shelter all evening their first night here, then alone at the bar the second evening, even when Zell and MacKensie were right there nearby. Of course, there was nothing wrong with a person liking their own company - nothing wrong at all - but if there was a chance that Lillianna was simply struggling with including herself more, then MacKensie would try to help her. "Zell and I were just telling eachother our plans for the day. I was going to have a walk around the city, enjoy the sights, maybe take some lunch at a restaurant if I find a good one. And then I have some shopping to do as I simply will not live with only a single change of clothes." She chuckled at her own spoiledness and entitlement. "Perhaps you would like to join me. Enjoy some girl-time. What do you say?"

When she got a chance, she also said to Zell, "Oh, I meant to ask; What were you studying at university?" If he asked her: "Sociology."

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Crusader LordAlways feel free to assume that MacKensie says 'yes' to her friends when they ask to sit down. It gives you more space to do interactions, and I don't think it's too unreasonable to think a group of friends would be okay being around eachother xD

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Sat at the table with her legs crossed, braiding her hair into a ponytail, MacKensie was humming a tune to herself, thinking she was all alone. She jumped slightly and froze when she heard the groan, looking over to the corner of the room where the noise came, her fingers mid-braid as she watched the tables and chairs move around, before none other than Zell Brooks arose. Spell broken, she finished her hair, a trace of a smile and shake of her head as she watched him sleepily realise he wasn't alone either.

"Good morning," she greeted in return. It beggared belief to imagine how much drinking the man had done to end up sleeping under the table last night. When he disappeared up the stairs, she sighed exasperatedly. "My Lord, what a blockhead," she muttered, then two notes of a giggle left her lips.

When Frederick came with her food, she smiled graciously at him and thanked him as he put the plate down, then picked up her knife and fork and tucked in. Rampant hunger gave her a strong urge to wolf the food down quickly but table manners wouldn't allow it, now that Zell had sat down. When he asked if she'd slept well, she responded with a "Mm," covering her mouth with her fingers as she finished what was in her mouth before replying properly. "Very well, as a matter fo fact. It was so nice to have a proper bed under a roof, this time. And you?"

She took another bite as she listened to his response. When James appeared, she gave him a smile. "Good morning, James." It seemed he had business to attend to - business that likely included their new party member, Barracker. MacKensie was reminded how glad she was that they were getting some help. "Do have anything planned for today, Zell?"

At whatever point that Zell recieved his food and took a bite, she would smile. "Good isn't it? We French call it 'Croque Madame.' It is commonly served with toasted brioche bread. I am just glad that this world has something resembling our foods, at least."

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

MacKensie wandered down the corridor and ran into an old woman who introduced herself as the maid. After finding out that was a shower and clothes washing services, she gratefully accepted and took a towel on offer, then hopped in the shower while her clothes were washed and dried. Suprisingly, it took no more than a couple of hours sitting on her bed for the maid to come back with all of her clothes, clean and folded.

"Thank you so much," she said shutting the door.

After combing her hair roughly with her fingers, she decided that her first order of business was to buy a change of clothes and some quality of life accessories.

Washed, dressed and ready for the day, she went downstairs where came out of the backroom and took her order for breakfast. Luckily, Mytherians had similar options to her own world, so she requested ham, cheese and eggs on toast. A little fatty for her regular tastes but it had been a rough couple of days so she decided she deserved it. She sat down at a random table and sighed, not yet noticing any of her friends.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Her imagination guessed on what the Wtich Queen looked like, with each new mental image becoming progressively more horrifying. Thankfully Zell nudged her out of it, drawing her gaze onto his. His words were exactly what she needed to hear. She wanted to sit and think things through, but her mind was drawn to self-defeating thoughts of what was to come. There was wisdom in his advice, and his confidence was infectious. A smile fought through her worried expression.

"...We're going to be alright. Okay?"

She nodded. "Okay."

Thank God for macho dummies. Often annoying, always impossible, yet sometimes they were exactly the comfort a girl needed. As Frederick drew Zell's attention, MacKensie smiled to herself as she looked down at her drink, grateful for the group of friends she had around her - a vibrant mix of personalities that she found herself quickly growing attached to. Second Chance would prevail.

"You know, that fruit juice was probably a little on the cheap side. Not sure I'd feel right counting that as one of the drinks I owe you. How about we settle that debt another night?"

"Yes, I would like that," she replied. Then added cheekily, "And you cannot count that drink anyway, seeing as you paid for everybody's. I want two drinks specially for me only."

"You also owe me one too, now that I think about it. I seem to remember teleporting halfway across the battlefield to be your knight in shining armour. Yep. Seem to remember it quite well."

"Ah yes." How could she forget; One second the sword was coming down on her, the next, he was there. What a rush. It would be much easier to simply minus one of the drinks owed off of his own debt. But that would also be less fun. "Then I will buy you one only after I have recieved the two you owe me."

"So, it's a date then."

"It is a date," she agreed, returning his smirk, before suddenly realising what she'd said. The realisation wiped the smirk off her face and she felt herself turning as red as a wide-eyed tomato. "I mean..." she turned her nose up at him. "...you can pay for the drinks and then leave the vicinity so that I might enjoy them without your annoying bravado."

The visual of such a scenario made her giggle and broke the tension stiffening her body. Just then, James interrupted to let them know he was gathering everyone for an important discussion. "Of course," she answered him. Then she looked back at the swordsman and couldn't help but chuckle again. "You are incorrigible, Zell Brooks."

Once the party were together again and James told them about the High Septum's offer, MacKensie thought about it a little before nodding. "I think it would be wise to accept the help. An experienced warrior of the Church would be useful, especially for our next task. And, as an aside, we might risk unnecessarily offending the Church if we refuse."

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@ZapdosTechnically, they've all already died once before. Two of them twice now. Chance also kinda saved them, with Aurok and Zigmund taking eachother out. Survival isn't their strong suit lol xD

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@ZapdosOut of the loop :(

@Teyao Lol I liked the way he arrived at the conclusion with the accumulation of events and info over the length of the RP. Made it feel less metagamey. Very satisfying to read xD

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

MacKensie arrived at the inn, deep in thought. The dampened rumble of a boisterious atmosphere changed, as she pushed open the front door, to a volume that shook her from her thoughts. A half-hearted smile came automatically as she was infected by the good vibes, and when Zell loudly called for her to have a drink, she made her way to him.

"Nothing alcoholic for me, tonight, please," she said to the barman, then took a seat on a stool next to where the party swordsman was stood. "Just umm... some fruit juice perhaps?"

She had no idea what was available in this world. But right now, she didn't care, so long as it didn't inhibit her ability to think things through. So much had happened today, it was difficult to process it all. The battle was still so fresh in her mind, begging to be relived over and over again - the pain, the fear, Clive, Arthur... meanwhile, she had a mountain of information to sort through, regarding Source and guilds and wars and just about every ridiculous thing one could think of. She offered a quiet thank you to the barman when he brought her a glass of what she found out was grape juice once she tasted it. Then she stared for a while into the glass of purple liquid.

"The war is coming here, Zell," she finally said. "To Valhiem. That is what the Academy thinks. I'm not so sure how long we have left before we are dragged into it further."

'Further' being the operative word. They'd already been dragged into it. By the cube. By the assassin who was still out there - who MacKensie had a gut feeling they would still have to settle with. And now this city, this seeming haven of safety was soon to be engulfed in the chaos of battle they'd known for the last two days. "I feel that whatever our path to success is, to get Fenna and the others home - to maybe go home ourselves - that path might go through the Witch Queen." It was a worst-case scenario, but it felt like Second Chance had been on a collision course with the Witch Queen from the moment they landed in Hommas - the cube had merely marked the beginning of it. Every turn, every decision felt like She was involved, every door felt like She was hiding behind. "I hope I am wrong."

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@SaiyanI was beginning to wonder if you'd pulled a Goblinguy on us xD