Roland led his group out of his manor, and directly into the lush forests that encircled it. He chose a worn path, marked by the pat-down dirt, and broken tree limbs. "This path is one that the locals use to commute back and forth to a stream." Roland announced as if giving a tour, "While there is a well system closer to the manor, it is in need of major repairs. So if you see someone traveling this way, try not to be too alarmed." The duke became silent as they pushed forward several feet until they could hear the sound of water. "Ah, it must just be right ahead," Roland announced as they came into a small clearing where a moderately sized stream poured past them. "You can find several of these throughout the area. They are fed by the large river that divides Astorea." Slowly he kneeled at the bank, scooping his hand through the water, and splashing the contents on his face. "It's suitable for bathing, but I wouldn't drink it without testing it first." With a grunt, the swordsman righted himself and regarded the three with a smile, "Don't worry I have a point to all this, you see where there are streams, or generally bodies of water you are much more likely to find the types of vegetation we are looking for." Turning from the path, he headed down the side of the stream where a variety of jagged rocks made for more than treacherous footing. Roland seemed unaware of this as he walked forward with ease continuing his lecture as he led the way, "Now I'm sure there was a collection spot at these rocks at one point, but the locals likely ripped it out in its entirety long before I came here. Luckily for us, there's another one short ways away." The steam followed a meandering path, that took twists and turns as it conformed to the local terrain, and within moments they were out of sight of the small path they had used to get here. Subtly Roland turned his head towards Comet, "I trust that you can use your cartography skills to get back?" Roland smirked but it was clear he knew how easily it could be to get lost here. Much of the trees looked the same, and the path wasn't exactly large. Luckily the stream would make that much easier, as long as they could find it. After several minutes of travel, the trees gave way, giving the group glimpse of a small valley that lay ahead. Though the area wasn't without trees, the rolling nature of the terrain allowed for the formation of much smaller plants, including a large batch of clover. Wasting no time, Roland strode forward, pointing out the brush. "Ah, and here it is. Untouched as I left it." Breathing a sigh of relief Roland, turned allowing the small band to gather around the plant as he took a long swig from his canteen. "To be honest, I'm not sure what this world has in terms of botany, but I'm hoping we can make do with at least four to five more patches of this size. I'll have to look into it when I get back, but for now, I just simply do not have enough time." Roland spent a moment surveying the area before he eventually nodded, "Alright, Comet, Alric, I'll leave the rest up to you. Be careful, like I said the forests are still rather unsafe, and until we have completed our scouting mission I can't really say with what. Just try to find at least four of those patches, markdown their location, and return the manor. With any luck, me and Kanashimi's duties will be swift, and we will meet you there shortly. " With that, and not much more Roland nodded at Kanashimi, and headed deeper into the forest, steering away from the stream. If he had a destination in mind he did not say, but he headed West deeper into the unknown. [Roland exits thread] @Kanashimi @Comet @Alric Stalwart
"I'd like to think I could use my skills to get back. We'll have to see what happens," she responded to @Roland Rutledge's smirk with one of her own before continuing on with their journey. For the entirety of the walk the pink-haired woman managed to make mental landmarks while focusing on tracking what plants or small creatures occupied the area. It'd become a habit of her's to do so as a Hunter while in-game. Even on the outside her mind often roamed to the possibilities of what could be found wherever her eyes could see. Frankly, the job could've been done on her own and most likely at a quick pace if no distractions were provided. On days of inner-rest she could focus like no other person until goals were met. However, @Alric Stalwart wasn't a bother at all. She liked him and his more quiet company thus far. Despite not having similar views whatsoever on the objective of course. And @Kanashimi appeared to be an interesting woman with an aura of independence. Looks like her's weren't hard to find but the uniqueness was. Roland's guide ended upon discovering a patch of clovers. Comet crouched to observe them with a gentle touch and acute gaze. A hand lifted to wave Roland goodbye, and perhaps Kanashimi too seeing as he hadn't mentioned her when giving orders for the particular mission. As they disappeared into the thick wilderness she'd stand and turn in Alric's direction. "Possible danger while hunting plants... Doesn't that sound like a fun way to spend the day?" with both hands planted on her hips the pink-haired woman smiled. "I'll make a map, mark this area and where we've been, then we'll push forward to get things done. This doesn't seem like the work of a hero such as yourself. Are you gonna stick around?"
“If that’s what the duke wants. Besides, I’m technically not a hero yet so this job should be right up my alley.” He replied with a smile. Still, Alric couldn't help but question what he had to offer to this particular mission. It wasn't like Comet wasn't already a capable fighter on her own and with her skills she'd likely be able to move through the forest in half the time it would take with him tailing her. He was clearly the odd one out in terms of usefulness, but perhaps this was a good opportunity for the man to learn something other than how to swing a blade or sling a spell. “I don't really want to get in your way while you're doing your thing so I'll keep watch for... Whatever Roland says is out here, I guess. Just let me know when you’re ready to move on.” --- Alric had laid down in the grass near the woman at some point after coming back from his patrol. Both arms were tucked behind his head to serve as a makeshift pillow while he gazed up at the sky. He hadn't found anything on his walk and wasn't too concerned now either. The valley was open so with both of them their it'd be difficult for anything to launch an ambush without getting spotted first. “Hmm…” It was the usual sound he made when he started thinking. “Do you ever stop and think about how crazy all of this is? Like, ever since I started playing this game all I can think about is magic, royalty, fighting monsters, doing quests… But then I go back to the real world and I'm just a normal person again. It's not like none of this stuff happened though, so does that mean this version of me is just as real as the other one?” He wasn't sure if he was making sense or if Comet even cared about his ramblings. Maybe she'd think he was just trying to distract her so she wouldn't notice he was slacking off. In Alric's mind at least this wasn't a bad topic to acknowledge every now and then. He had seen too often that this world had a tendency to suck people in. Even he found himself spending more time here than he had with other games. It felt like a part of himself was being lost and he wanted to know if this was just some warped paranoia talking.
Emerald eyes rolled in reaction to Alric's laziness. To be fair he had nothing to aid her with ability-wise and she had wished the job could be done alone previously. At least he wasn't annoying, she thought. Comet retrieved a map and something to mark down the site with from her inventory. Maps were fairly easy to make for the young woman. Her mind never forgot, her eyes absorbed all sights around her, and delving into cartography aided such a skill overall. Multi-tasking, Comet also made sure to keep track of the wilderness surrounding them. They were currently in a seemingly safe clearing but Roland had warned about dangers out there. Dangers she felt ill-prepared for due to an anxiousness churning her gut and wary thoughts conjuring. However, she kept them back to focus on her work. These clovers wouldn't track themselves. Plus staying both calm and sure-looking happened to be extremely important to her while in front of another person. At least Alric did something. Patrolling cleared Comet's mind in the meantime, fortunately, so she could focus on her work promptly done by the time he sprawled himself out on the grass. "This version has to be different from the real one. It's probably more you than anything because in here there's no real-life consequences. Be evil, or fight it, and no one really cares on the outside. I know I've made a lot of friends I wouldn't of had the pleasure to as... that "normal person" version of me. It's a fantasy world and video game, sure, but everyone's showing their true colors in a sense." she hoped the answer wasn't too long or disturbed Alric. With what she knew about herself, she said. Perhaps this analysis wouldn't be the truth for every player but it reached close enough to home for her. Sharing suddenly made the pink-haired woman uncomfortable. As if her skin suddenly tightened. A million defensive responses for all the possibilities that Alric would snap or laugh or go against her reasoning somehow were created within a second. Her fear of being judged - despite being quite the judgmental woman - needed to be pushed back. Luckily, the looming threat of a dangerous creature presented itself in that moment. All of her senses and attention and worries turned to the dense foliage nearby where a strange noise emitted. She grabbed her bow, looking at Alric with quirked brows. Pulling an arrow from her quiver Comet then decided to move forward with slow and short steps. The creature made itself known before the Archer could get very far. A simple deer emerged with a graceful yet quick enough jump to create temporary panic. "So scary," she giggled, and lowered her weaponry to signal for Alric to do the same as well if he hadn't already. It wasn't a threat, and Comet felt no need to hunt at the moment. Not with a job to finish. "Looks like there's a path behind here. Coming?" lithe fingers pulled back brush to reveal the hidden path to her companion. They could continue looking for clovers while venturing deeper into the forest, she decided.
Comet’s answer had been well thought out and enough to satisfy his curiosity. Rather than push the matter further, he would just nod along with her words. She was insightful and gave him many things to think about. Before Alric could speak his companion had gone on the offensive, drawing her bow and directing both their attentions toward the rustling brush. With a hand on the hilt of his blade he moved with her. Finally, it was his time to shine! He had no doubt the archer knew how to protect herself in a fight, but hitting things with the pointy end of his weapon was about all the man was good for. It'd at least make the Duke think he was halfway useful during their mission. As the pair neared he was ready to strike... Only to be disappointed by the lack of actual monsters to be found. A deer. Really? What a let down. A soft sigh escaped his lips as he dropped his guard. Now with a much more relaxed posture his eyes shifted toward the path Comet discovered. “Of course. I won't be leaving until our work is done… I mean, until your work is done. I've just been looking pretty this whole time.” He mused while taking the lead for a change.
