001 - Catte's out of the Bay

[heofon]

🧙 WHO: Cattleya Veneto (OC) & You!
⚔️️ WHAT: Arrival, depression, and a ruby necklace.
🕒 WHEN: June 18
🗺️ WHERE: The Red Spring, Camelot
⚠️ WARNINGS: N/A


The Red Spring:

[ At the training grounds, Cattleya was just playing around with the equipment and spaces provided for them. It was fun at first, but she quickly got taken over by a depressive cloud over her head. As nice as these are, the fact remains that she's not at home. She's alone in an alien world without any help. She'd think she'll be enthused by it, after all it's another adventure. But she has been so attached to her friend back home that to know her friend didn't arrive here was like a part of herself didn't make the journey. She watched people train from the sidelines, using her Spirit Tiger as a back rest to lean on as the familiar just sleeps beside her. She clutches on and keeps her eyes locked on a necklace with a bright ruby gem the size of a walnut. She sighs and starts feeling comfortable, even with the noise around her. She begins to close her eyes and drift to sleep, but waking up with a sudden jolt when the tiger lifts its head up to unleash a big loud yawn. Cattleya nearly jumped from where she sat, hand flying over her chest at the shock it gave her. Breathing fast and heavy, she winds down fast enough to admonish her familiar with a stern tone ]

You and I need to work on our communication...

Camelot:

[ The sight of a modern city was breathtaking to Cattleya, who arrives at the very downtown area of Camelot with wide eyes and a jaw that almost fell to the ground. Speechless as she marvels at the tall buildings, she sees familiar aspects in small streets and shops like in her hometown, but this is on a whole new level. It excites her adventurer heart to see it all from the park she's standing on. She is so distracted that a group of young pranksters spotted her and decided to make her their target. While a kid approaches her to talk, distracting Cattleya by playing innocent, another kid sneaks from behind to snatch the ruby necklace that's been hanging on the side of Cattleya's belt. She's quick enough to know what happened and almost immediately, she springs to action. ]

How-How dare you!? Come back here! That necklace belongs to me!

[ She can't unleash her full ferocity on children, so it frustrates her to see them play her like this. When she follows one kid, they throw and pass it on to another one. But she's too proud to ask anybody for help, so she'll be following the well-coordinated group of kids at the plaza ]

Give it back!

Wildcard:

[ Any ideas? Let me know! Get to know me here at my OOC intro! ]

Comments

Camelot

[tantailizing]

[Doing some final preparation shopping when he sees the group of kids run by and the unknown woman follow after them, yelling 'Give it back!'. Oh boy, the kids were at it again - they'd stop fooling around with whatever they took eventually so no harm done, but when he sees a glint from the ruby on the necklace, okay, different story immediately.]

[He detours and decides he unfortunately has to ruin the fun, slipping in and catching the necklace next toss.]

Kids, kids, what'd we say about playing pranks on people? It's all fun and games until you snap the chain or dislodge the gem, then who ends up in trouble for that?

[heofon]

[ The kids mellowed immediately at Zidane's arrival. Their laughter quiets down despite their grins remaining wide from ear to ear. The kids seem reasonable, giggling among themselves and backing down but not apologizing as they just run off to potentially mess with more people. Cattleya, on the other hand, is just grateful that the necklace is safe ]

I'd- I'd like to have that back. Please.

[ Cattleya's face turn pink, unable to fully look at Zidane. Not with the ashamed pout on her face. Still a bit frustrated, she extends an open palm to ask for her personal possession back ]

[tantailizing]

[Zidane sticks his tongue out back at them, his tail wagging a little more in good nature. Silly - and they're already off to get at it again. Looking at the necklace, yeah this wasn't something they should be playing with. And when Cattleya asks for it back, he places it in her palm.]

Course, here ya go. Kids, huh?

[heofon]

[ Taking the necklace, she immediately grasps it and holds it close to her chest. She knew it to be a precious item to her, but she realized just how precious it is just now. ]

You have my gratitude.

[ She glances at the accessory before tucking it away neatly, safer and away from eyes of others ]

I don't have much experience with children like that. Apart from being the youngest in my family, children in my hometown were more behaved.

[tantailizing]

No problem. It seemed like you needed help.

[It's as simple as that.]

Oh, huh... Wouldn't know what that's like. Sure, some kids back home are behaved, but you got your wild ones with. Anyway, just be careful around the kids here for till you get their behaviors. The ones around this street normally like playing pranks.

[heofon]

[ She nods in acknowledgement, observing Zidane and glancing briefly at his tail. ]

I shall remember that, and your help. Perhaps you would honor me by letting me remember your name as well?

[ She extends a hand ]

Mine is Cattleya.

[tantailizing]

[The tail moves a little bit more.]

Sure.

[And giving her hand a shake.]

The name's Zidane. Nice to meet you. If I were to guess... fresh out of the Bay?

[heofon]

Indeed. Not even a day has passed for me.

[ She shakes his hand and gives a small, slightly embarrassed bob of her head at that fact she's so new ]

Everything remains a shocking revelation. My senses are bombarded by new knowledge every minute. It's... overwhelming, even if it should not be.

[tantailizing]

It's just part off the shock of being in a new world. Don't worry, I think you'll figure it out in no time.

[And there's no need to be embarrassed by some confusion.]

Have any questions that weren't answered back at the Rental shop? I might be able to help.

[heofon]

Hmm... Perhaps there are, but my mind is a blur that I can't remember a single one of them. I'll remember them later, and I feel confident in myself enough to find the answers when the time comes.

[ She shakes her head, putting her hands on her hips and hanging her head low a little, just exhausted. ]

I traveled many cities in my home... world but this all are very new. It's an exciting challenge, but one that would require getting used to. It's good to have an acquaintance willing to help. Perhaps you could tell me of a place to buy weapons and armor? I shall feel more secure if I have a steady source of them.

[tantailizing]

Sounds good! But if you can't find the answer somehow, ask away.

[He shifts his stand, a hand on his waist and heel bouncing a bit as he bends a knee. Casual? Yes, but time's right for it.]

Yeah, I can. There's an artisans' street nearby with artwork, general metal works, things like that, and both the weapon shop and armory are there next to each other, but if you want something more custom, I know a guy that opened a forge you can swing by and see.

[heofon]

Perfect. Shall we go?

[ Cattleya on the other hand, remains formal. But that's just her nature. ]

I feel it's only proper if I'm honest. I don't intend to buy anything at this moment, so I hope your friend wouldn't mind.

[tantailizing]

Yeah, follow me!

[He will happily lead the way.]

He'll understand. All of us were new arrivals at some point. Besides, this gives you an opportunity to see what he can do and he can get an idea of what you'll want in the future.

[heofon]

He sounds generous.

[ She comments, wondering just what kind of person this craftsman friend of her new acquaintance is. Cattleya's mind is focused on building a network of allies here first to feel more comfortable in this alien world ]

You carry yourself like an adventurer in the lands I was from, just how long have you and your friend been in this world?

[ Have they adapted to life here and that could be why he's like the way he is? Or are they from worlds like her's too. She mulls those questions in her mind as they walk ]

[tantailizing]

He's a pretty great guy alright.

[But she would see for herself pretty soon! His tail waves.]

Haha, I've only been here for three months, but adventuring's been pretty much my life back home. Darin's been here a bit longer and he's probably done much of the same.

[Not something he's totally asked yet.]

[heofon]

That's comforting to hear knowing I'm not alone! I am an adventurer, same as you.

[ Her expression instantly lifts, almost. ]

I came from a world of magic, but it was never this advanced, as the others in the Red Spring have called it.

[tantailizing]

Oh you are? You'll have to tell me about your adventures sometimes!

[At least she's cheered up a little!]

Right? This place is pretty advanced, but it's also not the most advanced place I've seen.

[heofon]

It's not? What could possibly more advanced than this realm? It's difficult for me to imagine.

[ She's read a lot of novels and speculative fiction, but her world is full of magic that viewing things in a scientific lens is harder. Technology remained stagnant thanks to magic not allowing much effort to improve those fields very much. ]

[tantailizing]

It was a place I saw, but one thing led to another... point is, maybe don't expect to see it.

[Shenanigans happened and it got destroyed.]

There's plenty to see here anyway and the people are more friendly.

[heofon]

I don't know if I have it in me to see more "other worlds" than I already have...

[ She chuckles sheepishly, hand caressing the back of her neck at how overwhelmed she still feels at everything ]

It seems more peaceful, this world, than my own. Monsters were a menace to villages outside of city walls. Countries in shaky alliances that could erupt in war at any month... Camelot certainly is a welcome breath of fresh air.

[tantailizing]

That's fair. I don't think most of the traveling is voluntary anyway.

[Which - y'know - a little annoying.]

Yeah, it seems like monsters here keep themselves in the forests, but it might be magic that does that too. Even in my world, you could run into them just crossing an open field.