T̷h̷e̸ ̵G̶a̴m̸e̵ - A VR Role-play

[Thing2]

(Ah, yeah. XD)

Damir unzipped his bag, taking out his own silver coin and showing it briefly to Nina. "I found a coin too... When I was outside the other building..."
He tucked it away, walking alongside her as they headed for the little tea shop.

When they reached the door, Damir gave Nina a quick glance, before pushing it open and taking a cautious step inside, holding it open for her to do the same.

The inside of the small shop was the complete opposite of the city outside. It was warm, clean, and gave off a bunch of amazing smells; citrus, flowers, tea leaves, and things Damir hadn't even smelled before.

The walls were shelved, holding an assortment of tea sets, spoons, cups, saucers, preparation equipment, table cloths, and occasionally a pot containing a live tea plant or flower.

A curved counter was tucked into the back left corner, decorated with various items from the shop, and a beautiful birdcage, made from a silver metal. Behind which were a few more shelves, holding jars filled with dried ingredients.

A tall woman, her afro filled with flowers, was standing behind the counter, reaching up to the higher shelves. She appeared to be taking some of the ingredients from the jars and spooning them into little pouches, tying them with a ribbon when full.

Damir looked toward Nina and shrugged, before stepping towards the counter. "E-Excuse me?"

The woman turned around, smiling excitedly as she made her way over to her new customers.
"Welcome to the Aromatica Tea Shop! I'm Zahara." She greeted the pair. "What can I help you with today?"

Damir was glad that someone was finally talking to them, but had little idea on what to say. "Could you tell us where we are?"

"You're in Aromatica Tea Shop, located in the heart of the Safe Zone." Zahara smiled, "Can I help you with anything else? We have a half-price deal on Becalm Tea today."

"The Safe Zone?" Damir looked down at Nina, his heart racing anxiously. "What- What does that mean?"

The inside of the shop was soothing and quite pretty, a stark contrast to the rest of the city. Nina took a deep breath, a citrusy, perfumed scent washing over her, and she relaxed a bit as she took the place in, her shoulder aching.

A wave of relief flooded her when the woman behind the counter reacted to Damir, but it faded just as quickly at her words.

"The Safe Zone?" She echoed, returning Damir's glance with an equally nervous and bewildered expression. "At least... the name implies that it's safe...?" she replied doubtfully, grasping for a shred of positivity, but it was like trying to hold hands with the wind; she was just as confused as ever.

Turning to the strikingly pretty woman, Zahara, she shook her head as if to clear the whirlwind of thoughts racing through her mind. "What exactly is this 'Safe Zone?'" she asked, making air quotes. "I mean, it's obviously some kind of city, but where are we exactly? What state, country?" Is this even the real world? she wondered, thinking of the coins that had appeared, the people's odd behavior, or the door that had just straight-up vanished.

A strange theory was beginning to form in her mind, had been since she found the coin, but she kept pushing it away. It wasn't possible, didn't really make sense. Still, her mind hissed, it could be, you never know.

 

[Yowza Wowza]

She watched him go and looked back at the peaceful water, she was kind of enjoying being on the beach. Lyra nodded slowly, a simulation... was it even possible? She glanced at Evan who was struggling up the beach through the deep sand, she took one last look at the serene beach and swung the backpack onto her shoulders before setting off to follow Evan. There was no way she was going to leave the only person who seemed half normal in this place.

As they headed inland, the tropical vegetation grew dense and the sounds of the ocean faded further and further away, now replaced by calls of wild tropical birds.

Thankfully the weather remained cool and crisp in the maritime forest, as only being sticky and sweaty only made Evan far more uncomfortable. He glanced around his and Lyra’s surroundings carefully, completely on edge to the risk of suddenly being attacked by someone or something. Slowly, they were eventually coming up on a shabby looking wooden shack with multi-colored panels with packed palm leaves for a roof.

Catching a glimpse of the small shack, Evan spun his gaze back at Lyra, “Hey look.” He whispered softly, pointing a finger at the first traces of potential human inhabitation.

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

As they headed inland, the tropical vegetation grew dense and the sounds of the ocean faded further and further away, now replaced by calls of wild tropical birds.

Thankfully the weather remained cool and crisp in the maritime forest, as only being sticky and sweaty only made Evan far more uncomfortable. He glanced around his and Lyra’s surroundings carefully, completely on edge to the risk of suddenly being attacked by someone or something. Slowly, they were eventually coming up on a shabby looking wooden shack with multi-colored panels with packed palm leaves for a roof.

Catching a glimpse of the small shack, Evan spun his gaze back at Lyra, “Hey look.” He whispered softly, pointing a finger at the first traces of potential human inhabitation.

She looked up from examining some crazy wild looking ants, “yeah?” Then her eyes landed on the shack and she pushed her way through the jungle like undergrowth to the shack, “should I knock?” She whispered glancing uncertainly at Evan. Then she turned her attention back to the door, she rose her fist to knock when the door was flung open.

 

[Yowza Wowza]

She looked up from examining some crazy wild looking ants, “yeah?” Then her eyes landed on the shack and she pushed her way through the jungle like undergrowth to the shack, “should I knock?” She whispered glancing uncertainly at Evan. Then she turned her attention back to the door, she rose her fist to knock when the door was flung open.

(Gonna write up an NPC)

 

[Cluckcluck1215]

The poncho wearing stranger hopped over the tree and briskly made their way towards him rather boldly. When they got within inches of xem, they lifted up their head so their face was visible without having to let down their hood. Their eyes were a brilliant ruby red, with wavy fuschia hair swept above their right eye, and full lips that were pressed firmly into a line. “Cut the chit-chat, we can’t be here.” they whispered lowly, giving a glance from side to side. “Follow me unless you wanna run into another Reaper.” they finished curtly, quickly crouching down to collect the arrow and silver coin from the floor before setting off away from the rock face.

The stranger then suddenly stopped for a moment to introduce themself then continued on.

“Zulema, my pronouns are she/her.”

Theodore looked down at the stranger, giving a slight smirk when their face was revealed. They didn't know what a Reaper was exactly, but could only assume that it was whatever had chased him. "Right then, less the way, gorgeous." Xe kept xyr voice steady, as if whatever had just happened didn't, except for the slight shaking of xyr hands.

Zulema.

He repeated the name in his head, following right behind her with dagger in hand. Not that it was much use against her crossbow.
"Zulema, hm? Interesting name," they commented, half an eye on the woods surrounding them. "I'm Theodore, pronouns are he/xe/they. Pleasure to meet you."

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

(Gonna write up an NPC)

(Ok)

 

[Yowza Wowza]

She looked up from examining some crazy wild looking ants, “yeah?” Then her eyes landed on the shack and she pushed her way through the jungle like undergrowth to the shack, “should I knock?” She whispered glancing uncertainly at Evan. Then she turned her attention back to the door, she rose her fist to knock when the door was flung open.

Evan followed right behind Lyra, definitely not because he was scared, but rather he’d scope things out with her in front of him. The shack was quite ominous for being out in the middle of nowhere, but the playful pastel colors painted onto each panel of wood gave him a sense of comfort. There were quite a few interesting artistic crafts strewn about outside, and it looked like who ever made them dedicated a lot of time into them. Some were put together with beads, colorful string, and were hand painted. Curious to who lived here, Evan took a look at the window, but it was shrouded by some floral curtains on the inside.

‘Should I knock?’

Evan returned his attention to Lyra and gave a short confirming nod before a sudden gust of wind blew the door wide open, almost as if the shack was welcoming them inside itself. He jumped back and nearly cowered behind Lyra, expecting someone to peep around the door.

But the door just creaked slowly on its own, revealing an unoccupied shack. Evan went ahead and took a couple steps in, peering at every crook and cranny of the place, but it was relatively small. It was furnished in a way you’d expect a kids room to be like, but more shabby and built with materials off the land. Evan went ahead and drew the curtains, letting the sunlight drown into the meek little building.

There was a small desk situated into a corner, with colored pencils, crayons, and markers organized in little cup holders, and drawings plastered over a majority of the wall. Most of the drawings followed the same theme of exotic birds, animals, and just overall nature.

Evan was amazed not just by the art skill, but just the overall fact that a child lived or used to live here at one time. He took notice of a small hammock strung up in the middle of the room, a pile of cut wood, and child-sized clothes pinned up on a clothesline across the ceiling. He reached up and slid his fingers across a small green shirt, and immediately recoiled when he felt the dampness on his finger tips. “It’s still wet” he whispered, locking eyes with Lyra.

 

[Yowza Wowza]

Theodore looked down at the stranger, giving a slight smirk when their face was revealed. They didn't know what a Reaper was exactly, but could only assume that it was whatever had chased him. "Right then, less the way, gorgeous." Xe kept xyr voice steady, as if whatever had just happened didn't, except for the slight shaking of xyr hands.

Zulema.

He repeated the name in his head, following right behind her with dagger in hand. Not that it was much use against her crossbow.
"Zulema, hm? Interesting name," they commented, half an eye on the woods surrounding them. "I'm Theodore, pronouns are he/xe/they. Pleasure to meet you."

Zulema remained quiet, not communicating any further until they were safe away from the Reaper lurking area of the forest. Actually it was quite obvious when you were in their territory, the atmosphere was eerie, the trees were void of birds, a majority of the vegetation was dried out and dead, and numerous fallen trees. She easily weaved through the forest in complete stealth while keeping her crossbow ready with a fresh arrow. Zulema made sure they remained close to the trunks of trees and large boulders while avoiding open spaces where the Reapers usually lingered. As she led Theodore through the very edge of their territory, she suddenly pinned herself up against the nearest tree and yanked Theodore up next to her in close proximity so they were face to face—well, more like Zulema’s face was right in Theodore’s chest. She raised a finger to her lips before xe could muster a word, obviously telling him to keep quiet.

A dark, ghostly figure in its pitch black cloak etched its way into Theodores sight as Zulema held her back to it. The Reaper crept along the path she was planning to lead them across slowly, still oblivious to the two individuals hurled up against the tree in its peripheral vision that was luckily obstructed by its obnoxious hood. But at the slightest turn of it’s head, it would immediately notice them.

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

Evan followed right behind Lyra, definitely not because he was scared, but rather he’d scope things out with her in front of him. The shack was quite ominous for being out in the middle of nowhere, but the playful pastel colors painted onto each panel of wood gave him a sense of comfort. There were quite a few interesting artistic crafts strewn about outside, and it looked like who ever made them dedicated a lot of time into them. Some were put together with beads, colorful string, and were hand painted. Curious to who lived here, Evan took a look at the window, but it was shrouded by some floral curtains on the inside.

‘Should I knock?’

Evan returned his attention to Lyra and gave a short confirming nod before a sudden gust of wind blew the door wide open, almost as if the shack was welcoming them inside itself. He jumped back and nearly cowered behind Lyra, expecting someone to peep around the door.

But the door just creaked slowly on its own, revealing an unoccupied shack. Evan went ahead and took a couple steps in, peering at every crook and cranny of the place, but it was relatively small. It was furnished in a way you’d expect a kids room to be like, but more shabby and built with materials off the land. Evan went ahead and drew the curtains, letting the sunlight drown into the meek little building.

There was a small desk situated into a corner, with colored pencils, crayons, and markers organized in little cup holders, and drawings plastered over a majority of the wall. Most of the drawings followed the same theme of exotic birds, animals, and just overall nature.

Evan was amazed not just by the art skill, but just the overall fact that a child lived or used to live here at one time. He took notice of a small hammock strung up in the middle of the room, a pile of cut wood, and child-sized clothes pinned up on a clothesline across the ceiling. He reached up and slid his fingers across a small green shirt, and immediately recoiled when he felt the dampness on his finger tips. “It’s still wet” he whispered, locking eyes with Lyra.

“Neat” Lyra walked in and was almost amused at Evan’s cowardly behaviour, she led the way with ease into the hut. Her adventurous nature made her want to touch and examine everything in the hut, she peered at the drawings, some skilful child had clearly drawn these, maybe it was someone who was also stuck where her and Evan were? Maybe they hadn’t figured a way out? Little did Lyra know just how far from the truth she was. She looked up as Evan told her the clothes on the line were still wet, her stomach dropped, something told her they weren’t supposed to be in here, particularly if the owner of the hut was still around. She put down the picture of the ants she had seen earlier and crossed the small room in two short strides to where Evan was, “do you think they will mind us being here?” She asked intently

 

[HeavensHens88]

She smiled back, “okay then Sphagnum” she agreed, she almost laughed at the question about this being her habitat. “No, no I live in a house with my family. Actually I was wondering if you knew how we got here? Like I woke up here and I’m super confused, the double headed snake kind of made me think I’m not on earth anymore but where else would I be?”

“The wise keep in mind that a singular perception of the world does not and cannot encompass everything there is to be perceived.”

Sphagnum walked over to a towering tree and rested a hand against it, letting its own phalange tendrils intertwine with the heavily furrowed bark. It was a mature swamp oak at the height of its majesty. The trunk was hardly taller than Sphagnum, but the crown of branches continued on in endless layers from this viewpoint. Row after row, impossibly dense two-toned leaves blithely flared their silver undersides.
But yet its nearest neighbor was very much so a dove tree in full bloom. The pyramid-shaped tree brandished pairs of neatly whitened bracts, hanging limply from each leaf to safeguard a small red flower at their center.
And since Sphagnum's travels had versed it well in vegetative taxonomy, the fact that these two species never coexisted naturally was blindingly obvious.
“But I have to agree with you. This is certainly not where I last tread. And my circumstances prior were anything but extraordinary.”

Sphagnum turned to give Cassie another cursory once-over in attempt to pair her to an environment. Her skin's untarnished fairness and richly colored hair told that she wasn't used to the hardening touch of the sun. "I'm going to go out on a limb and presume you're not from Barbados."