"Mico," Valther gasped under his breath, pointing his palm out towards the coffee-colored dirt, and a golf ball-sized fireball launched from his flesh, sparking against the dust and scattering it in a black crater. "Coruscare," he whispered and the heat of his body rushed up his arm like a steel rod entering a forge, and a plume of fire burst forth, sizzling and licking at the earth, blackening it further until he clenched his fist. Raising his left hand, he aimed at the ashen earth in front of him, his arm steady and confident.

"Pruinae," he whispered, and the moisture surrounding his hand and forearm clung to his skin, and condensed into his palm, before expanding forth in a wave of frost, coating the once burned earth in soft ice. Val stood up and retrieved his blade from the tree beside him, sliding it carefully into the sheath at his hip. Striding forward his boots kicked at the frost that coated the dirt, some of the chill even spreading to the grass at the edge of the small clearing, causing the blades to bow in weakness.

He had to test himself. Alia and Master Daisuke... the two of them had how to use the weapons at his disposal, and now it was time to put those teachings into action. As much as he might have liked to hide in a tree and wait for some poor hog to walk underneath him, his strangely large frame would be too much of an obstacle. Instead, he opted for a more noticeable approach, whistling loudly as he strode along, his hand curled firmly around the black grip of his shortsword.

A primal growl echoed towards his right, and he ripped the blade from its sheath, the metal hissing against the leather as he brought the tip up to eye level, and stared down the small, yet muscular wildcat that stalked towards him, its image separated in half by the blade between Val's eyes. Breathing calmly, Val ran two fingers up the length of his blade, whispering "Ignium," as it went, and the fuller of the blade filled with tame and anxious flames.

Holding his ground, he watched the beast crawl further, his eyes gazing over the flames that licked at the air. With a yell and a growl like a chainsaw, the cat leaped at him, and Val raised his palm. "Pruinae!" he shouted and a wave of cold burst from his palm, shrouding the beast in ice and cold, and he sidestepped the falling animal, letting it drop weakly to the ground. It shivered angrily and spun to eye him off. Keeping his right foot forward, Valther held his still-lit blade up like a torch.

"Come at me you bitch," he taunted and smirked, and the animal screeched once more. Val refused to move, in fact raising his blade against the animal and letting it force him to the earth. Planting his feet into the earth to keep the animal from crushing him with its weight, he pressed the burning side of the weapon against the cat's neck, his palm against the cool tip of the blade.

The cat lurched forward, pressing Valther's blade instead against her much better protected chest instead of his neck, and snapped her jaws inches from his face. He would release the flames, but at this close range, they would backfire and singe him as well as the cat, and that was a risk he wasn't willing to take. The animal was also far too powerful to push off, keeping him pressed down firmly even as the flames lining is sword licked and charred the heavy fur and thick hide of her chest. He had not planned his next move very well at all, and the best he could do was wait for help to come...

@Laiordi Felcrest

 

A shadow swiftly and silently moved through the darkness of the forest, Ruby eyes appearing and disappearing the ghost of the wood stalked her prey. What a astounding beast this was, moving at speeds which she couldn't even see it's true form but, nothing could escape her sight. Darting forward she followed the feline, she doubted she would be able to tame it. it was larger than Loki and she could only have him at the moment anyways. Sniffing at the air the girl halted, there was another being around them...could it be what this cat had been hunting?. Suddenly picking up the faint sounds of whistling the girl ducked low and followed the direction of the tune. Whoever this was, they were about to be in trouble...

Watching from the bushes, the huntress waited for her opportunity. The beast had struck out at the person, a male. With...purple hair. Frowning at the thought of being stuck with such hair Lai'ordi continued viewing the struggle from a distance. Maybe he could handle the wildcat himself?. As if to prove her wrong the animal took control of the situation, barring down on top of the man. Or not.

backing into a low stance the lioness smirked as she called upon her Pyromancy. "Ignite!" Rushing forward with a powerful kick off of the ground a girl clad in beginner pants and a relatively normal belly shirt erupted from the tree line. A trail of flames following her wake. "Queen Stance: Claws!" wrapping around her arms the fire formed at the edges of her fingers, veiling them in a fiery aura of golden flame. Roaring with intensity. Without hesitation the girl dove out of her leap, lunging forward to dig in the fiery spell into the beast's side. In a few seconds it was over, the cat torn to shreds and it's body scorched from the fire.

"You alive there?"

 

Out of the corner of his eye, Val noticed a figure approaching, initially watching the scene play out. As the stranger approached, Valther fought back harder, in the case that the newcomer wasn't friendly. He struggled to slide the blazing side of the blade up the cat's charred flesh and up to its throat, the heated blade digging through the thick fur to find purchase against the beast's tender neck. Before it could slice any further into the animal's body, however, a flash of light burst forth from Valther's right, and the figure burst into flames, crossing the distance between itself and the creature with bestial speed, skewering it with what Val noticed were large claws of flame, and snatching the beast away like an eagle might with a mongoose.

Valther swiftly rolled away, skittering to his feet and holding his blade up in front of him, the fuller still full of flames. It took little time for the girl to tear the beast to ribbons, and burn said ribbons to mere ash. Valther nodded cautiously at the girl's question, bisecting her image with the edge of his sword as Alia had taught him. "Yeah... thanks for the support," he responded gratefully, but still kept his guard up. He looked her up and down carefully; she was still in beginner equipment like himself. Sighing and deciding she wasn't an immediate thread, he dropped his focus and stopped pouring mana into the flame spanning his sword. Running his hand down the length of it, he layered it in thin frost to cool the weapon, before sheathing it carefully at his side.

"Pretty sure I'm alive, may have suffered a few scratches and bumps here and there. Thanks for saving my ass, I'm not a big fan of the idea of having a beast's jaws locked around my face," he explained and smiled, approaching her slowly and carefully. "My name's Valther," he introduced himself and held out his hand towards his... 'ally'.

Valther

90% HP

MAX HP

58% EN

MAX EN

Conditions
Resting - Recovering health and energy.

@Laiordi Felcrest

 

Standing above the incinerated remains, she took a calming breath. At least the enemies here were easier than the gnolls she faced at the guild mission, common or uncommon they were simple to hunt. Even with just pyromancy. Shaking her hands, as if drying them of water the fire veiling the huntress's arms dispersed, leaving nothing but fading embers in the wind. Focusing her attention back to the man she had just saved, a bit amused by his defensive and evasive actions she raised her arms. "Don't worry, I only bite when it's mating season~." She joked flirtatiously, abusing her feminine charms.

"So, you just let everything in Terra hunt you?. Or are you just that stupid?" She asked pointedly, narrowing her ruby gaze. It didn't make that much sense to her, luring out beasts intentionally? or even unintentionally. Baiting was one thing, but suicide is another ball park. "And don't thank me yet...Valther." She warned lightly, arching a brow as she gave him a thorough once over. Kind of average in her opinion, something she would expect to come from a video game male character.

"Well, at least you have enough common sense to fear the pain of fangs." She complimented him with no real emotion behind the words. "My name is Lai'ordi, and you sir ended my hunt sooner than I would have liked." Giving a glance over her shoulder she motioned for him to follow her. "So now, you're my next prey." she stated. "And don't fret, You just need to entertain me. Unless you would prefer me chasing you~"

 

Valther shivered in both minor excitement and fear; what was this woman, human or animal? Some crazy combination of both? Valther shook his head and sighed. "That's a rather... suggestive catchphrase, my friend," he noted and coughed loudly, averting his gaze from the animalistic girl. "Well, I kind of had a rough start and just recently got some help from some players... and I thought I'd test myself. I think I caught too big a fish though, so to speak," he chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. He tilted his head curiously when she warned him not to thank her yet. "... huh?" he squeaked in confusion, blinking rapidly.

"Of course I have that kind of common sense, who wouldn't be scared of anything pointy and sharp, particularly lining an animals jaws?" he hissed and folded his arms. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lai'ordi," he responded and sighed. She obviously looked down on him since he couldn't handle himself against a single cat, and that pissed him off majorly. "Next... prey?" he asked and gulped loudly. He did not like where this was going. "Entertain? How?" he asked and cautiously followed his new 'companion'.

He looked her up and down; she was still in beginner gear, but she'd tackled the animal with an abundance of experience. And the fact she'd complained about him ending her 'hunt', he could only suggest she was going for a hunter archetype... that would fit her 'wild' comments and the animal ears that Val had only just noticed sat atop her head. "Hm... you're a Felis, right?" he asked with a soft smirk. "First one I've ever met, surprised I didn't notice the ears earlier."

@Laiordi Felcrest

 

Letting out a scoff the girl rolled her ruby eyes. "it's not a catchphrase, it's a fact." She corrected him. strolling through the thick wood she guided him somewhat aimlessly, with no real direction. Test himself?, of course it was the beginning area. But, in a world like Terra it would be better to grow strong, then grind out the area. Simple quests and errands, similar to the hunts she did for the small villages she found in Brisshal. Providing skins and meat to the NPCs. "no, I imagine you would have been able to take it. It was completely aggressive in every way, nothing about it's actions showed it was cautious or ready for an attack. If it had been, I may have not even revealed myself." Commenting on the subject she took a moment to glance over her shoulder to examine his this Valther's reaction.

"Just accompany me or something, it's not that hard." answering the man's question she returned her gaze forward to the path ahead. "Nothing perverted like your eager and feeble mind is trying to imagine."

"..plus you're not really that attractive." she stated bluntly.

"Hmm?, what are you drawn to this kind of thing or something?." She asked confused, a brow arching to emphasize her curiosity. Forcing her lion like tail to wag back and forth to show off more of her avatar's features she switched her bewilderment to amusement, a smirk danced it's way onto Lai'ordi's lips. "figures." she taunted him, wondering if she could wind up the male.

 

Val rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "Not confident that I could have. Unlike you, I'm not physically strong. Sure, I stab things with a sword, but I mostly use it with my magic, and at that close range, my magic was likely to backfire on me. I'm still really inexperienced, no matter how aggressive my opponent was," he explained doubtfully. "I was actually desperate for someone to show up, I doubted I was going to get out of that alone," he added, folding his arms stubbornly. "So I'm honestly glad you showed up when you did."

Valther slapped a palm against his forehead, before dragging it down his face. "First of all, you would have to make a much better first impression for me to even be interested in such a sport," he groaned, although speaking politely, "and second of all, I doubt I'd need looks to reel you in like a rabbit into a trap even if I did expect that kind of 'activity' from you," he replied just as bluntly, staring holes into the back of her head. "My mind is far less 'feeble' than you think, puss."

Valther raised an eyebrow and scoffed at Lai's reaction to him pointing out the lion features she donned. "I'm interested in the fact that you have them, and the fact that you chose such a rare race, not in the girl that wears them," he responded coldly, ignoring her taunt completely. "I don't know what kind of players you've come across, but I'm not some perverted slob so easily won over by womanly - or feline - charms," he explained and chuckled quietly, tapping his fingers repeatedly against his elbow thoughtfully. "The fact that you're so quickly jumping to conclusions is concerning though, miss Lai."

@Laiordi Felcrest

 

A sly look formed on the girl's expression, the player's snappy comebacks to what Lai'ordi had said only further amused her. "Good." moving a low hanging branch out of the way she didn't bother to hold it for him, a snide chuckle in the waiting if it were to return to it's natural place only to smack Valther. "I was only merely drawing information from you, though I can't say if my actual persona would have been more kind to you." Stating her confession she slowly raised a hand. "Humble, Pride, intellectual, and competent mentally." raising a finger with each observation she flashed him a quick grin. "Those are the traits you displayed to me, which impresses me. Most male players I've known in games instantly fall for the allure of my personality and looks. Glad to see you're not one of them."

"Oh, and if that comment about your appearance is eating at you. Don't worry, your avatar is quite appealing to the eye." She reversed her insult to a compliment.

Brushing her nose lightly she did her best to wave away an unpleasant smell, probably more monsters marking their territory. "I hope you were able to keep up with the current situation. I was assuming to learn more about you."

"Also, I made a mistake while creating my avatar. I was browsing the race selection and it was the last one I was on, by the time I confirmed it was too late. So I'm forever a cat woman in this world." she openly admitted her mishap with the character creation to answer his question."

 

The branch harmlessly slapped against Valther's chest due to his significant height compared to Lai, and he shoved it away also. "You have a unique way of 'drawing information'. I'd love to see you interrogate a criminal," he jested and chuckled shamelessly at his own joke. "And it seems to me like you certainly get into character here... can't say I'm not guilty of that, but you take it to true role play levels," he explained, both a compliment and a warning in one. Val couldn't help but bow smugly towards his feline partner as she listed off the traits he'd displayed. "Why thank you, I'm glad I could give you a change of scenery, so to speak," he responded gratefully and grinned.

"Thanks, I guess," he replied quietly to Lai's compliment, looking to the side and away from her. I couldn't care less about my avatar, doubt she'd say the same about the real me... he grumbled inwardly and sighed. He looked up quickly and smiled at Lai. "I'm a pretty open book, I'm happy to let your learn about me, as long as I receive the same courtesy from my companion," he offered and raised an eyebrow in her direction. "I must learn more about 'my hero' of course," he teased, but kept his tone polite to express his gratitude.

Val snickered and held back a snort. "You accidentally picked your race? That's not something you hear every day in an MMO," Val mused and folded his arms, eyebrows raised. "Although, I see no problem with it. Increased agility never got in anyone's way, and I guess I will admit the ears and such add to the 'cuteness' factor of one's avatar," he assured her, throwing a very subtle and careful wink her way.

"So... how else should I entertain you? Jump through a hoop or two? Wrestle with another wildcat?" he asked before, blushing slightly red and freezing up. "Not you, of course, one of the mobs," he corrected, coughing loudly to clear his throat. "Besides, I'd probably get the shit beaten out of me," he admitted idly to try and clear up his thoughtless comment.

@Laiordi Felcrest

 

"No doubt about that." the girl states with a shrug, agreeing with the man on his comment. "You might stand to live longer due to this being a game but, all the same. I'd be on top." she added her own thoughts. Coming to a stop, Lai'ordi surveyed the area. Normally she would be able to track her prey, or return to a previous camp ground. Somehow, this game...Terra. Interfered with her natural skills. Frowning at her predicament she lowered into a crouch, gazing into a far away brush. The woods around the two were rather tightly brought together, large trees, giant rocks, rows of bushes and brush. Continuing to look at the mound of leaves and branches she broke the silence, making a clicking sound with her tongue in a repeated succession she quickly tore off the sleeve to her shirt. Wrapping the cloth around her right arm.

A flash of orange swiftly coming from the brush the girl had been staring at, it launched itself across the forest floor. The pattering of paws hitting fallen leaves as the creature charged the huntress, pouncing from the ground the ball of fur let out a pitiful and cute roar as it latched onto the player's arm.

"Seems even in a game cubs can't listen too good~" she cooed as she stood from the ground, casually holding out her arm she revealed the creature who was gnawing at the cloth protecting her skin. A small lion cub, with bright emerald eyes, and a crown designed in the fur on it's head. "This is Loki." She introduced the beast, as it laid across her arm. A excited tail whipping back and forth as it continued tearing away at it's new toy. Rolling her eyes at the animal she lightly wrapped it's wet nose with her hand. "Little brat." she muttered.

Flinching at the action Loki showed no real signs of the whack to his nose really affected him, pulling the cloth away from it's master's arm with his teeth he leapt off of his human perch and plopped onto the ground. Chewing away at his prey, staring at the male newcomer.

"Well now that, that's over. I'm not one to pry too much into someone else's business, just enough to know what I'm dealing with." She stated giving the cub at her feet a rough rub behind it's ear. "And this is my first time in a full dive, even before then I never really played games much. So cute or not, I guess I got lucky with my accidental selection."

 

Val tilted his head in confusion as Lai suddenly stopped in her tracks. "Hm? Something the matter?" he asked with concern, peering around the area the girl had stopped in. Could she see or hear something he couldn't? He cautiously backpedaled when the bestial huntress crouched low, gazing into the greenery obviously noticing something that Val didn't have the perception to be able to detect. "Kitty Cat, you're freaking me out..." he muttered, keeping his distance in case something leaped from the bushes... or Lai turned on him like a real wildcat.

He jumped backwards and sprawled across the ground as a flash of orange broke through the shrubbery. "Shit!" he cried, frightened that he might have to face the jaws of a giant animal again for the second time in half an hour. He cowered with his eyes shut for a couple seconds, before realizing he wasn't dead yet and cracking his eyes open to look up at Lai. He blinked rapidly towards the cub that had seemed to parasitically latch itself onto the girl's arm, gnawing on the cloth wrapped around it.

With a huff, Val sat up straight and pouted up at his partner. "Some warning woulda been nice, I thought I'd have to deal with another furball four times the size of your little tyke," he grumbled and folded his arms, before unsteadily rocking onto his feet. He stood tall and placed his hands on his hips, peering down at the cub, Loki, that sat teething on what he claimed as his new toy. "Cheeky bastard," he sighed and grinned, looking back up at Lai.

He raised an eyebrow in surprise and smirked. "Your first full-dive, hey? Well I have a little experience under my belt myself, so while I might not be able to help much with the game in particular, any other questions you have regarding the Dive I should be able to answer," he offered with a kind smile. "MMOs in general too. This is my first VRMMO, but I have played some VRFPS games in the past, as well as normal MMOs, so I've got a fair bit of info I can share if you need it," he added and chuckled, beginning to walk off in a direction, before halting and turning.

"Uhm... where exactly are we supposed to be going again?"

@Laiordi Felcrest

 

"Nice reaction~" the blonde purred towards the boy. Shaking her head as she pet her little friend. "If I had made it look like I knew it was him it would have spoiled his hunt." She chuckled. "After all, what good is a lion who is unable to hunt?" asking the question she slowly stood. It was all just fun and games, and if it had actually been an enemy. She would have been more than ready.

"Yeah, I've been...busy." She trailed off, placing a contemplative hand to her hip. "So I haven't been able to keep up with the new trends." Remembering the recent events happening to her in real life an expression of uncertainty flashed for a brief moment, before returning to her normal look. "well I think at this point I get what I'm supposed to be doing." motioning for the small feline to follow her she began walking once again, still no real sense of where she was going.

"Hmm?, oh. I'm just exploring. Still haven't found more than a couple NPCs." Looking back towards the darkness the forest had one could think she actually had stars in her ruby eyes. "Maybe I can find a great beast to hunt~"