[F01-PP] Taking a Break -- <<Secret Medicine of the Forest>>

[NIGHT 0]

NIGHT's cheeks couldn't help but burn slightly, more out of comfort and warmth if she hadn't noticed the closeness between them again. This was fine, right? The proximity felt normal, at this point. She turned her thoughts to the environment around her, nodding as Ceres admitted her appreciation for the sensations this game was capable of bringing. NIGHT agreed with a hum.

"A homebody," she then blurted out, as she listened to her reminisce about her life before the game, her gaze transfixed on Ceres' changes in expression. "I can relate. Netball was only a thing... until I was 10, maybe, but the muscle memory still stays with you. After that it was just stay at home, browse the internet and study... I don't really like to play ball that much." NIGHT's gaze went up towards the canopy again, lost in thought.

Until Ceres brought up her work with kittens. Wait, she wasn't exaggerating? Thirty cats sounded like a lot of work. NIGHT listened intently, watching Ceres' lips turn up in a smile, and she couldn't help but form one in return. "I love cats," she managed to whisper, before her face fell as her friend lamented having to let the cats go. "That... that's just sad." Maybe Ceres was used to it, but NIGHT wasn't so ready to part with something -- someone she put that much effort and affection into caring for. "I can't imagine how you do it. Do you ever think about keeping them with you? Even with one or two permanent cats... it's still manageable to foster, right?"

Speaking of cats, she felt her bag wiggle about, hearing the smallest of squeaks from it. Was now a good time to introduce Nyanko? NIGHT opened the flap on her bag, distracted for a moment, examining her friend over. He seemed okay enough, it should be fine to leave the bag open for a bit. It wasn't like the other day with Star, when it started to rain in the forest.

Something about food and quests and equipment? Oh, she was saving the questing for another day. That was fine by her. "A-A sword's good," NIGHT hastily replied, turning her sights back on Ceres as she revealed her thoughts about changing her weapon. The player recalled the short blade the woman worked with, and shuddered a little. "It has a longer reach and a proper guard." She recounted, gesturing with her hands the approximated length of a short sword. "So you've got the right idea if you're planning to stick on the defense. Especially since you're not pouring points into skills." 

Also, swords don't make me want to run as much as knives do, NIGHT thought to herself.

"I don't mind taking a stroll around the Town of Beginnings, if that's what you're asking." She folded her arms, unable to stop a grin from showing through. It would be nice to spend more time with Ceres just for the conversation. NIGHT hadn't exactly found other players, aside from Tala, and maybe Star, that would seem to enjoy having a casual chat with her. "I've got some weapons I need to pick up from a store. I'll walk back with you."

"And uh--" NIGHT stopped, cheeks flushed once more. For Ceres to say that she was worried about her so openly and honestly... must really mean she cared a lot about others, the woman figured. Maybe it's normal for her. "Yeah, it did drop. We got lucky! I'd pull it out, but it's not something..." The adventurer frowned, recalling. "... That... I'd be okay with holding. A-and I'm fine. I..." She slowly got up, pushing herself off the ground, avoiding Ceres' gaze for a beat. Her kitten must've been peeking out by her side, observing the stranger for himself, as NIGHT felt the shuffle and tug at her belt. "I appreciate the concern," she managed to add, beaming at the woman. "Thank you very much!"

@Ceres

[Ceres 0]

"I suppose you could call me a homebody - although my job does require me to travel. Sometimes interstate, sometimes overseas. It's why I never really kept a cat for myself. I just don't think it'd be fair. They live such short lives in comparison to us - we're their whole world and for me to up and leave them three or four times a year? I don't think I could do that." Ceres admitted. "Otherwise there is no doubt in my mind I would have kept at least two of them." The redheaded woman gave a small snort, "Ahah - it's never been 30 -  my apartment isn't that big...I think the most I had at one time was about 5."  Ceres shifted her gaze to the trees before her, they rustled gently in the breeze - now the Nepents were gone... this place was kinda nice. "It is sad, but its very fulfilling - and I get updates from their families. It's really nice watching them grow up and be loved via those photos."

Ceres eyes shifted back to NIGHT when she moved - checking something in her bag - something that moved and wriggled. "Oh, you must have a familiar - right? You could show me sometime." Ceres said with a smile.  Then NIGHT mentioned that a sword would be good, the comment was positive - but the way she reacted...turning her back on Ceres and giving her shoulders a small shiver. Ceres went to reach out to NIGHT but caught herself - no that would probably give her the wrong impression  Instead, Ceres kept her thoughts to herself. Perhaps the other woman didn't like blades? Or knives in general?

"I hear they have better attacks than daggers do too." Ceres continued - "But I mean... I don't really plan on putting any skill points into weapons or combat just yet. I'm sure I'll figure out where I want them to go eventually though."

Ceres stood then arched her back as she stretched. "Sure, we can take that stroll - here..." Ceres opened up her HUD - and scrolled through till she found the add friend option. "If you don't mind...I'd like to add you as a friend." Lilac eyes lowered to NIGHT - "You'd be the first one on my list, oh but - I mean - if not that's ok too." She shifted her gaze away. "I figure - if we wanted to do more quests together... maybe it'd be better to keep in contact that way?" Ceres asked as she hit send on the request.

NIGHT stood too - offering to walk back to the Town of Beginings with Ceres.  "You don't need to thank me for your concern." Ceres said with a grin. "It's only natural to worry about others, right?" Her gaze shifted to the furry head that popped out from NIGHTs shoulder bag, and this time - Ceres could not resist reaching out to stroke between the small kittens ears. 

"Let's go then - I think you'd feel more comfortable getting cleaned up, right?"

 

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

So the woman traveled for a living rather frequently. Interesting, and her other decisions made sense with the context in place. NIGHT nodded with a smile, now with understanding. "I see... You do have a point. It's very responsible of you."

She watched as Ceres turned her vision up to the trees, wondering how her life must've been in her apartment. Filled high with books, with light flooding the room through a wide window, maybe? Reading stories on a comfy woolen sofa... NIGHT continued holding her smile, imagining it all play out. It's what she would've wanted for herself too, given the chance. "You must have a large collection of photos, then?" She commented, half asking, trying not to get distracted by the imagery. "It's good to know that they're doing well at the end of it all."

NIGHT also nodded when Ceres continued her train of thought on swords. "There's no rush when it comes to skill points," she found herself adding, unsure if it was due to her fear or a genuine suggestion from herself. And as the redhead rose alongside her, she watched in awe as she stretched, picking out the friends list from her interface. NIGHT herself was her first friend? That didn't sound right, but it definitely sounded overwhelming to the woman. She covered her mouth with a hand again. "Y-yeah, sure! I've got a few in mind I-- uh... we could tackle together."

Raising a finger, she accepted the request, watching Ceres' listing appear in her menu.

"A-and yeah," NIGHT stammered out, still carrying the embarrassment from earlier, slowly wearing off. The woman had a point when it came to caring about others, one she wasn't careful enough to recall. Her flustering was then multiplied two-fold when Ceres got close enough to pet her familiar, who lowered his head, enjoying the touch. That approach... was sudden. "Weelll, you've seen him now, haha..." the adventurer joked with a light gesture. "Um, his name's Nyanko. I found him over by another forest out in the rain on this floor. He's always been a chipper kitten from the moment I've met him." She beamed at the cat, who mewed back politely.

With a silent, startled nod towards Ceres' astute observation, NIGHT began escorting the woman back towards the Town of Beginnings, trying to hide a plastered smile on her face once again. The two parted ways by the centre of town, the warrior beginning to jog into an alley as she waved her companion farewell. Not only was there somewhere she had intended to be, there were also frayed feelings she had to grapple with, and a calmer persona to restore --- elsewhere.

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Ceres
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NIGHT
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