Zool

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

<Snipped quote by Zool>

If you want people kicked out for vacations I'll have to leave too, I've been on a few trips this year and am planning another one :P

@Zapdos

You heard him @Xenon... get rid!

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

"And you're right about Fenna also. She was so brave yesterday. She could've ran from that wolf, but chose to charge at it anyway. Braver than I am."

"We were all extremely brave in that labyrinth," MacKensie said firmly, holding Adam's gaze. She would not abide any argument to that. If he was about to persist down this road of self-blame and self-pity, then the frenchwoman was ready to have the conversation she'd initially tried to avoid. But judging by her instinctive and immediate response just now, she knew it would be a bad idea. Fortunately, he said,

"and I hope you can see your family again also."

And she smiled, inhaling a sharp breath that she hoped he did not identify as relief. "I appreciate you saying so, Adam," she said. She didn't hold out much hope for herself. In spite of the vivid flash of a memory of her last seconds on that plane before the crash, she bobbed her head in gratitude. "I wish the same for you."

It hurt that she was forced to admit to herself that she was in no mental state to be a true friend to Adam and handle his confidence issues with the kind of care and kid-gloves he required. She would, right now, be too tough with him. Firm. Harsh maybe. And not because she didn't know how to be anything else. But because whatever words she had for him would be words for herself too. For her own confidence issues that were growing in her own mind. "We will find a way home. All of us. Even if I have to grapplehook us all the way across the universe," she added with a chuckle.

I am sorry, Adam. I am failing you.

When Zell arrived with their new recruit, MacKensie stood up from her seat to return Barracker's salute with a short curtsy. "How do you do?"

The four of them shared amiable conversation through to the evening and Barracker proved to be a very interesting person. He talked very formally and properly, which MacKensie liked very much. He was polite, very calm and measured, and not least of all, seemed like a quite capable addition to the party in terms of fighting ability. As James, Fenna and Lillianna returned, another table was dragged over to connect with the original, creating more room for chairs so anyone who wanted to could sit down. Overall, it was a nice and relaxing evening.

When Barracker took his leave, MacKensie decided to get up and follow him out of the building. "Barracker," she called as she got outside. She went up to him. "I just wanted to say again; thank you. For lending us your experience and skill. It might not seem it, but you've really turned up in our hour of need." She bowed her head slightly, then lightened the mood. "You are one of us now. I hope the world is ready," she smirked and arched a cocky eyebrow. "Sleep well."

Back indoors, she stayed for a little longer, finished her glass of mead then bid everyone that was still at the table goodnight. "Sleep well. See you tomorrow."

In bed, she was bothered by 'ifs' 'ands' and 'buts' for a while, but eventually sleep took her.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Jay009Good timing Jay! And when isn't that man on holiday smh kick him out Xenon xD

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

I was going to hang on for Zell and Barracker to enter the inn but I'll get a quick post done tonight (hype!) xD

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

"You too, MacKensie."

MacKensie pursed her lips in an encouraging smile, happy enough to get that out and hear his response. Moreover she was delighted to hear of his day, noting with amusement that here she was worrying about him possibly being in his room all day and yet he'd been more productive than her. When he complimented her top, her energy stepped up a notch. "Thank you so much," was her bright response. "I fell in love with it as soon as I put it on. Very-much my kind of style, back in our world." At his approval of her decision to acquire new clothes, she shook her head. "I think you made smarter use of your time, learning new things from your Druid friend. Honestly, I simply needed to waste a day, to reinvigorate myself." In this context, MacKensie knew she might need several weeks, let alone one day, to get over the events of the Mazy Hillocks, but she would not admit this to Adam. "I will be more studious tomorrow - in preparation for our mission as adventurers. I am so very desperate to find out what that message is in our Source Comm. It has occured to me that this message is, without a doubt, connected to our arrival here in this world. How can it not be?" She crossed her legs and leaned forward, an elbow on the table as she prognosticated. "Lucy said it herself; how can there be a message waiting for a party that has not yet even been registered? But furthermore; even if there was someway to track an unregistered party - we had only been in Mytheria for two days... who would know of our presence, in order to send such a message? It has to be the one who brought us here. A powerful wizard perhaps?"

Or the Witch Queen herself. But that was best left unsaid.

MacKensie sat back once more, a shake of her head to signify her lack of answers to these questions. "I must know if there is at least a way to get those of us home who didn't die in our world. Like Fenna. She has two children who must be devastated right now." She sighed at the thought of what the role-model of a woman must be going through mentally. "She is so strong. She has endured all of this with such dignity and resiliance."

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Had there been a window in the room, MacKensie might've stayed put a while longer, but there was only so long she could sit and stare at herself in the mirror. The problems and obstacles in her mind could not be willed away, but she would not be defeated by them. The only path was forward, and right now; that forward path involved going downstairs and sitting with her friends ere the four walls of her room started shrinking to form a prison.

Taking a deep breath, she stood up and left.

She'd been a while upstairs, but had come down just in time to see James take his leave. "Leaving so soon James? My, you have been busy today." When she learned that he was setting off to buy some things for the misson, she chuckled. "I should have probably been doing the same, today, instead of purchasing outfits." She took some money from her purse and handed it to the Cleric. "If you see any special kinds of crossbow bolts on your route, perhaps you could get them for me? Just anything that might be more effective than ordinary ammunition. I trust your judgement. Thank you, James."

When he left, she said goodbye and sat down at the table with Adam.

"How was your day, Adam? Did you do anything interesting?" She was honestly just hoping to hear that he hadn't been in his room all day, but judging by the book he was reading, he'd likely been somewhere to acquire it. His mood appeared to be much improved also, which was good to see. She didn't want to reopen any wounds as much as she wanted to ask about how he was feeling in regards to his words after the battle in the Mazy Hillocks - perhaps there would be a more suitable time for such a conversation - but she had to say something.

"I am grateful you are still with us, Adam," she suddenly said, after listening to him talk about his day. "I am honestly not sure what I would do without you all."

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

When Lillianna had brought up the Church of Iris, MacKensie had immediately remembered the wizard's persistance at the Adventurer's Guild. She should've guessed that this was the place she'd wanted to visit, but the frenchwoman was wrapped up in her own self-involved mission of trying to mentally get away from the madness for just a day. Lillianna's desire to repay the debt of honour to the ghost who'd helped them was admirable, which made MacKensie feel even worse.

In the quiet walk through the city streets, MacKensie felt the build-up of stress, tears and racing thoughts that had visited her in every quiet moment she'd had since her first day in this world. The build-up was slow, so she managed to take action before it hit the surface.

"Oh, these bags," she moaned as they got to the city gates, grabbing the attention of her friends as she slowed down and fussed with her grip. "They are so cumbersome and I am wearing thin." It felt bad to lie, but she had to get away. "I will take them back to the Mended Drum. I am so sorry I cannot come with you. Here; let me take your things back for you."

She kept it short, took any bags they wanted to hand her and gave each of them a quick hug with a friendly (and pretentiously posh) air-kiss. "I hope you find the answers you are looking for, Lillianna."

And she was gone. Down the road, taking two corners to make sure she was alone, she sat down on a convenient street bench and burst into tears.

The trauma of her own terrifying death and radical change of destiny - the idea she'd never see anyone she ever knew ever again? These things were not even top of the list of what haunted the back of her mind anymore. Clive and Arthur - two men she didn't even know in any real sense - seemed to hang in the air over her, and knowing that it was probably the same for everyone else in the party, didn't make her feel any better. How painful and tragic it must've been for them to experience death yet again - to have been ripped from a second world in a matter of days. Lillianna had almost joined them too. Even with Zell almost killing himself to save her, had James made a single mistake, wasted a single second, she would've surely bled out.

And this led her thoughts from the traumas of the last few days, to the terrifying prospect of what was to come in the future. All any of them needed to do was be a little slow... a little late... make a single mistake... and it would be over for them. It might be over for all of them at once - their mistakes would affect the whole party. What was she thinking, flying around with her magical gauntlet like that!? Barely any practice at all and she was taking to the heights of the tops of trees, executing acrobatics off of instinct, relying on inhuman coordination and perception. What was she thinking, shooting that crossbow bolt right by Zell's ear in their first battle!? She could rely on her accuracy with a stationary target, sure, but what if he'd moved a muscle or even flinched?

She would have to be more careful. Anything beyond her shooting accuracy, she would have to be so very sure of her actions. And the grapplehook was too out of control. She wasn't sure she could bring herself to make much use of it anymore. She was also one of the ones who'd pushed the party to take the gold contract. Any deaths on this next mission would be on her conscience.

She cried, despaired and wallowed for maybe a halfhour. Then she wiped her eyes and went back to the Mended Drum.............

"Hiiii," was her overly cheery greeting from across the room. She was far enough away from Adam and James that she could beam a smile at them and head upstairs without them noticing anything was wrong.

After she put any shopping bags in the appropriate rooms, she went and washed her face, then sat in front of the mirror in her own room.
She tried out the new face cream she'd bought, and then spent an inordinate amount of time combing her hair while she mentally recovered and re-strengthened herself back to her usual upbeat and positive form.

"Stiff upper lip, Mac," she whispered at herself in the mirror. "You are fine. You are strong." She gave herself a reassuring smile. "You are a Trydant."

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

I'll get a post in, tomorrow morning, after my fella goes to work (Self hype!) xD

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Post tomorrow! (This is mostly for self-hype)

@Teyao

Support hype initiated-

Let's go Teyao! (Clap clap clap-clap-clap) Let's go Teyao! (Clap clap clap-clap-clap)

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

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