A tag along

A tiny spriggan was walking along through the market place, presently unware a youth with an adventurer's icon if inspected was following her, though the youth doesn't appear to be carrying any weapons, the girl seemed very curious about Viviene, for whatever reason. Viviene was paused at one of the stalls, inspecting a variety of potions and accessories. Her usual weapons are not present, perhaps stored away for now while in town, and she was presently wearing a simple white Kimono, and some sandals.

Viviene's tail soon earns a tail of her own, though Robert is perhaps a bit better about the whole thing than the child is. Whatever it is that his motives might be, he soon finds himself falling the pair at a distance, shifting from stall to stall. Occasionally he purchases merhcandise, occasionally he snags something to eat. But he always keeps an eye on the pair. A rather skeptical eye.

Running small packages for her guild has become a thing. It was also a good excuse to check up on friends, she'd needed to see how Guild Girl was doing and on her route she'd be trying to sneak by Cowgirls farm to say hi to her family and a certain Goblin Slayer. She's not there just yet and so here she stops at a stall and she talks to the Lander who runs it offering to buy a few things before she sets off. She takes note of Spriteshero and waves.

"Hey there!"

If she's noticed the pair she's not reacted just yet.

Viviene had felt an instinct of being followed perhaps, pausing and starting to look around, there's discipline in her posture as if she's immediatly on alert, but it does not save her from being pounced upon by the youth, a red-haired teenager, with fairly basic clothes, and Viviene goes "Ay, hey- what!" she's toppled from sheer surprise!

"Viviene!" The youth exclaimed. "You haven't come by the orphanage in a while, you haven't been avoiding me, right? You promised aaaaaages ago when I'm older you'd teach me how to fight." Viviene pulls herself up, picking up the youth who is a good foot and a half taller than her and setting her on their feet. "Its been that long already? Listen, Taylor, kid. This might be ETO but fighting out there is still no joke." she said

Taylor, as they're apparently called, just crossed her arms. "But its been like, forever. You promised, I'm old enough now." by now, it had been enough of a scene, as Taylor just gives an annoyed huff at Viviene.

It is not like Robert is unknown. He's not famous, but he's not unknown. So Erufu's greeting merits little in the way of surprise. Instead it is returned with a grin of real warmth, a gesture for the she-elf to join him, and a meaningful little tilt of his head in the Viviene-and-tail duo's direction. One finger rises to his lips, conspiratorially.

It is at this juncture that Viviene is jumped. The man's frame abruptly stiffens, and one hand goes to his waist.

Only to fall by his side once more as he notices the pair appears to know each other, and Viviene is -not- being tailed for the purposes of a mugging later. Or something of the sort. He's not -completely- relaxed, but at least he's not coiled-up and on edge. "False alarm," he clarifies to Erufu. "So. What're you up to?"

Erufu is cathcing the two talking a teen? Looks like one of the younger players who got caught up in this. Not that the elf would bring it up, there is no Nao only the Elf. Earth is a rapidly fading dream for her. A mostly bad one in the end. She would be looking to Robert for a moment and then to the duo.

"Deliveries for my guild, also catching up with a few people on the way."

Viviene is of aware of people watching them and she looks over to Erufu and SpritesHero and steps to Taylor's side, patting her on the shoulder. "Sorry for the disturbance. Taylor here really wants to get out there and fight, but I just don't think she's old enough." she explains, looking to Taylor. "And you can do more than just fight. Your main class is blademaster isn't it? You can learn to smith weapons, or put time into skilling up in another trade." she advises to Taylor, looking to the other two. "What do you two think?" her expression is hopeful that they'd take her side.

Taylor just lets out a huff. "I remember you saying you had to fight when you were younger than I am!" she said, which prompts Viviene, to pat her on the shoulder. "Thats not because I wanted to, Kid, but because I had to."

SpritesHero glances sidelong at Erufu, then back to the duo, the movement of his eyes mirroring her own. "Which is more difficult?" he wonders, pensively. "Deliveries for the guild, or that time we were chased through the forest by that whatever it was?" One hand lifts, its deceptively heavy weight clapping Erufu upon the shoulder, before he maneuvers his way towards Viviene and Taylor.

"I'd say it's a simple matter of whether she's been trained or not," is his input. "If she's not trained? No way in hell. If she is? Best start her as soon as she can tolerate it. You're not always going to be around to keep her safe. Maybe someday she'll fight too, not because she wants to but because she has to. I'd rather she be ready when that day comes. Just make sure she doesn't get pulled into anything stupid."

Erufu is seeming to be pretty perfky all things considered.

"There's a few good smiths you could work under."

The elf add hopefully though she think a few things pausing as she thinks about something Goblin Slayer once told her.

"I would be doing them a disservice if they can't handle a weapon should they need to. It's not a peaceful world no a safe one. However I'm not the one to make that call. As even seemingly weak monsters should never be taken lightly."

The elf thinks for a moment.

"I'd say when we got chased."

"I won't go out and fight until I'm ready, Vivi! I mean it!" Taylor said, a determined look on her face as she looks down upon the tiny spriggan

. Viviene is uncomfortable with the idea, clearly, but she takes in a deep breath and concedes. "So long as you don't go thinking you can run off and fight weaker monsters alone, like the lady said, if you don't take things seriously, even a weak monster can be a great danger, kid. I don't want to pull you out of a den of monsters a second time." she lets out a long sigh, troubled, but then reaches up to pat Taylor on the shoulder again. "They're right. You should learn to defend yourself, its not a safe world out there, but If I'm going to teach you to fight, you're also going to be learning a trade. Be it weapon smithing, or something else. Once you learn to fight, kid, people are often driven to use those skills. Theres a time and place for it, alright?"

Taylor chuffs and little and crosses her arms. "Finee. So you'll show me how to use a sword? Like your huge one?"

The tiny spriggan laughs. "You need to train your strength stat up for that first, we'll start you with something smaller, we'll start tommorow morning, so go get some rest, alright?"

The teen looks satifised with that and offers a beaming smile at SpritesHero and Erufu. "Thanks for convicing her! its been forever since she promised." Taylor then walks off to go get some rest.

SpritesHero's mouth is twitching. Perhaps he's disturbed. Perhaps the thought of this poor child having to fight has his conscience troubled.

More likely he's just amused at how much smaller Viviene is than the child she's ostensibly protecting. The lip twitching continues for a good thirty seconds, gaze following Taylor out, before he finally speaks up. "Sorry," he apologizes at length, glancing at Viviene. "I know you wanted us to back you up. And you're right, she's not ready. At least she doesn't look ready to me. But I don't think there's an alternative, eh?"

He does at least have the good grace to look a little regretful. Just not enough to change his conclusion. There's a pause, a grimace, a reconsideration. "Have the two of you been introduced?"

Erufu looks at Viviene for a moment. "Yes, you should train, question more experianced sorts and when you go out get some of them to come along with you."

She thinks about a young pair of Hunters who asked for advice and later she found out Goblin Slayer's and the other at the guild had saved the two's lives.

"Mmm there is a man I know who whishes to make a school to train Hunters and less experianced Adventurers."

She then beams at the young won's thanks she looks back to Vivian.

"Aye having a trade skill to fall back on is useful."

A weak smile is worn upon Viviene's face as she shakes her head. "I don't think anyone is ever ready for that sort thing, no matter how old or mature they are. Ever since I rescued her about a year ago, she's been shadowing me, wanting to learn to fight." she said with a sigh, shaking her head. "I get why she wants strength, though. It sucks to feel helpless, alone, and afraid." she said, gesturing back behind her. "I grew up an Orphan on the other side. So I do what I can to help the kids at the orphanage here." she explains, then she looks to Erufu, shifting into an elegant bow. "I'm Viviene, a recent member of the Sleeping Knights, bladesinger and Mercenary, good to meet you."

SpritesHero's shoulders rise and fall, in a languid shrug. "She does not, I think, understand the burden and the duty that comes with the capability," he advises Viviene, keeping his tones low and neutral. "Not yet. That is what I meant." The gaze he subsequently shoots towards Viviene is almost sympathetic, but at the last moment it too is pulled back into something more neutral. He refrains from patting her on the head and, for now, remains silent, allowing the other two their introduction.

Erufu looks at Viviene very confused about this other side thing and sheke hrr head. "Ah I am Erufu, an elf from Forgotton Relm."

You have run into an hardcore RPer, then again it's how some people cope with things here. She does not miss a beat on things however. "They will lean it seems they will have a teacher for that.

Viviene looks thoughtful a moment, then nods. "That.. is often a lesson one learns after one learns to fight, at least, thats how it came to me. The power to fight is a responsibility someone doesn't truly come to understand when they exercise that fight." she said, she looks at Erufu for a moment, regarding their confusion a moment, she let out an 'ah' of understanding. "I quite capable of teaching someone how to fight, but for the more estoric things of this world, I'll have to find someone else to isnstruct Taylor." she looks back to direction the teenager had departed in, and looked. "I don't quite want to fail her, so I want to ensure she is taught well."

SpritesHero utters a rather not-so-classy grunt as he settles in atop a barrel, drawing one leg to his chest and propping one arm up on his knee. "If you want my advice, teach her to learn and to inquire. When it comes to morals and the like. I used to have a number of excellent teachers, but they all turned out...well, we're all highly flawed, aren't we. And many turned out to be just wrong. Some to a lesser extent, some to a larger extent. I suppose it was really more hero-worship rather than any sort of understanding. And that is no basis for self-development." He leans his cheek against his hand and surveys the other two. "How would you teach her, E? And are the orphanages here properly supported, Viviene?"

Erufu says "Teach him to be able to think and question." She pauses looking at both Viviene and SpritesHero for a moment "That I think is quite on point."

Viviene nods in agreement. "An open mind is important first. One can be a masterful warrior, but if they don't think about how to solve a situation, then their skills are meaningless. As for the orphanages? As far as I know, yes, I've been thinking asking the operators of the orphanage to see if theres anything I can do to contribute. I usually show up at the oprhanage and bring some sweets or food along, or play some music for the kids. The Landers love it, but the Adventurer kids.. lot of them are just as restless as Taylor." she then nods at SpritesHero. "I worry that its become hero worship of myself for Taylor. Its fine to look up to somebody, but to be blinded by it is.." she shakes her head.

"Shouldn't be hard to find out," Robert opines, thoughtfully, a glint of humor lurking in the brown depths of his gaze. Erufu gets a quick, conspiratorial wink. "Why, I think all I'd have to do is voice a minor criticism of you, Viviene. If it's turned into a cult of personality, they'll go after me like a swarm of ants. Though somehow I think you would not approve of this approach." A smile threatens, and is quickly bitten back in favor of a more somber expression. "Are you concerned that you will disappoint them, then?"

Erufu listens to a moment as she looks to SpritesHero and Viviene for a moment longer.

"It is something to be concerned about its true but I fear I need to keep moving." Ah yes the Elf who is in Moontree and the talk of Cults. That can't be why she's shuffling off. "I need to go deliver several more things and get moving however..."

She'll toss Viviene friend's invite before she goes.

with the invite poping up, she accepts it with a press of a button on the popup, and offers a wave to Erufu. "Good to meet you, seek me out if ya ever need a mercenary." she offered amicabily, then looks to Spriteshero. "Mmh, Thats a a bit of it, and yeah, do not rile her up, she's the type to try and prove her point with action rather than thought." she said, though she chuckled. "I just want to do right by her, sure, she can respawn if she does find trouble and die, but thats not a pleasant experience all the same. My biggest concern, well. I can fight, I can teach people how to fight, but I sometimes struggle with some of this world's rules,even after so long in this world. I want to teach her right."

SpritesHero chuckles, then, a throaty, baritone rumble of a laugh. "Well, you're one up on me, then," he opines, hopping off his barrel and dusting himself off. "I'm not even sure I know what counts as a proper rule in this world, as opposed to an assumption I'm only partially right on. He approaches, pauses, gives a little sideways jerk of his head. "Shall we walk?" he inquires. "If not you...-do- you mind if I call you Viviene, by the by? What should I call you? At any rate, if not you, then who do you think would be able to teach her properly?"

Viviene shrugs a little "Won't know until I try, I'm used to instructing young men and women how to fight as a soldier as part of a specialist squad, kids?" she shrugs. "Will have to see. I know how important it is for Taylor to learn from me, but if theres someone I find who can help her better than I, I'll send her to them without a second's hesitation." she said as she nods, approaching SpritesHero and beginning to walk along. "Vivi, Viviene works. Whatever you are comfortable with. I'm not usually picky about names."

"Viviene it is, then," Robert decides. Though he keeps himself oriented forwards as he paces off into the distance, from time to time she might catch his gaze skittering sideways to sneak a glance at her. Well, more than a glance. It's a series of intense, if brief scrutinies, ranging in target from her gait, to her bearing, to the way her arms swing as she walks. The city melts into the countryside, and it is only once the city gate is out of earshot that he speaks. "How long were you in?" he wonders, his tones seemingly unconcerned.

Viviene walks with poise and confidence, like she has nothing to fear from the surroundings around her, but her boy language shows a level of of 'always readiness' despite her being relaxed. As they walk along, her eyes glance around, that disciplined, watchful gaze carefully taking in her surroundings, then looks to SpritesHero. "In? What do you mean? The Military? Since I was nineteen. Twenty eight now, if my track of time is right." if she's bothered by the glances, it doesn't show. Closer inspection would reveal she wears something of a snug fitting bodysuit underneath her Kimono, with violet and ebony black colouring, made of some sort of sleek leather, perhaps, but considering the latches, bandolier, and the like on it, she clearly wears combat-ready equipment underneath her Kimono. She leans against a nearby small tree as she regards the man. "Why do you ask? Unless I misunderstood."

SpritesHero's lips part, humor sparking once more. But no, no, whatever it was he was about to say is quickly bitten back. This is serious. Stupid teasing can happen later. As she pauses to lean against a nearby tree, he pauses as well. Though for his part he remains very much out in the open. Cardinal sin, really. Perhaps deliberate.

"I like unwrapping mysteries," he answers, his smile a touch on the self-deprecating side. If she's looking closely, she might notice he lacks that same degree of discipline. "Frankly, trying to figure out what the devil you are, if you'll pardon my saying so." A pause, contemplative. "Twenty-eight," he echoes. "I'd have thought you older, somehow. But perhaps not. Did you see combat?"

Viviene tilts her head. "And whats that supposed to mean?" she asks with a faint grin. "My inspect clearly says Spriggan, adventurer, and all, does it not?" she asks, but its added with some mirth of her own. "A lot of people expect me to be older. I went through a lot as a kid - had to grow up a lot faster than most kids." she explains. "And I saw combat, even before I enlisted, and I saw combat after, as well. A lot of it was to build field experience." she said, closing her eyes a moment. "Sergeant Major Enlisted. Second Lieutenant officer. Specialist Task force. Was essentially something of a small commando unit that over time I wound up in charge of." she said. "United States Army." which might explain why her translated japanese accent seemed quite off at times.

SpritesHero resists the urge to flick her on the forehead. On the one hand, chibi. On the other, someone who clearly worked her way up from the enlisted ranks. Maybe not a good idea to be taking those sorts of liberties. So, instead he just offers her a sidelong glance, good-natured though it is. He notably does -not- say much about what she may or may not have been involved in, based on timing. Nor does he ask why she was in Japan.

"Police force," he replies, returning the favor as he hooks his thumbs in his belt. "Stockton. Interrogations." Beat. "Well, formerly, I suppose," he amends upon reconsideration. "So, Viviene. What're your plans now that you're here?"

notabily, Viviene does not amend or rescinds her own identity as a soldier, she nods "Worked with police, namely SWAT for a short while, practiced learning breaching tactics there." she adds, at the question of her plans, she looks off to the distance, she remains quiet for a long, long period of time, as if considering what to say, or at least chose her words wisely. "Why I'm here?" she asks, she shrugs. "Not really sure, beyond all I can say that my mission isn't over." she said, leaving the implication of those words for whatever reason, after all, what sort of mission would require someone to be on an online game? "I suppose you can say theres a lot of things worth protecting in this world. Landers, Adventurers, and the world itself. My mission protects that and the world before."

SpritesHero knows better than to ask for details, though for a moment there's something in his expression dreadfully reminiscent of a man in dire need of a drink. He does, however, exhale in a gentle sigh as he strolls over to a tree of his own, half-closing his eyes as he leans against its rough bark. "Foster parents?" he asks, then, bringing his hand up to access his menu inventory. "Or straight in?" A bottle of something amber-hued and corked...but definitely not chilled...is pulled form his inventory and set on the grass beside him. "You want something?" he inquires. "I've got water. A few types of juice. Nothing alcoholic."

Viviene shook her head. "Struggled to take care of myself, Lost the last of my family to the flash of death, didn't really have much to go by. WOund up on the streets again for a few years. Somehow wound up joining the military by the time I turned nineteen." she explains to SpritesHero. "Is there something besides 'SpritesHero' you'd like to go by? I've been avoid saying that because it sounds weird to call someone." she said with a grin. "Oh, tell me you have something comparable to orange juice. Ive not had that in ages."

"SpritesHero was a joke, and is now a bit of an abomination," Robert answers with an amused grin. There's the menu version of fumbling--mostly a bit of scrolling accompanied by the occasional considering quirk of an eyebrow. Finally he produces a bottle full of dark liquid. Well, it looks dark anyhow through the dark glass of the bottle. There's a murmured spell, triple quick, and condensation beads. "It's not -quite- orange juice. But it's similar enough. Some local version of..tangerine or kumquat or somesuch." He presents it to her, then settles in on the grass, uncorking his bottle with his teeth and taking a deep swig. "Please call me Robert. Or whatever variant of that you like," he requests. Gazing off into the distance, his fingers tap on his bottle. "Angry, I should think," he supposes. Again the eyebrow arches, and he glances sidelong at Viviene.

Viviene accepts the drink and lets out a long sigh, taking a long drink from it, studying and savoring the taste. "Alright, Robert." she said. "Angry? About what?" she asks curiously to Robert, looking down at the drink. "Thats good. I can't cook anything that tastes good for the life of me, I was worried I'd begin losing my sense of taste." she noted, did she not go into towns often? "Thank you."

"Wish I could take credit for it," Robert allows with a laugh. "I just stock up from the chefs and brewers and such--the player versions--whenever I head through civilization." Another quick-swig from him, a brief shuttering of his eyes. "When you first joined up," he clarifies. "Especially given your..." A sidelong glance. A quick and meaningful once-over from head to feet. "Unless...." He squints. "You're not tracking. Are you?"

Viviene shakes her head "Yes and no. Long story short, during boot camp I was scouted. Wound up in a commando role for a counter-terrorism unit. I'm not comfortable with mentioning more." she explains to Robert. "Right now? No, I'm not tracking anyone, infact, I'm.. not so good at tracking around here. I'm more of an infiltrator and investigator. I find the location, I breach the location, take down hostiles." she said to Robert. "Nothing to fear from me, if thats what you're worried about."

"I was more concerned about danger from your quarry than from you," Robert opines, though he notably relaxes by a fraction. Almost absent-mindedly, he tosses his bottle up and down in his right hand. "Thought you might be acting as bait or something of the sort. What with...well." He trails off, indicating her with a sweep of his bottle. And then there's a pause, his lips curving down in a deeper frown. "On the other hand. Nah, image isn't quite right." And then it is back to sipping from his bottle.

Viviene blinks a little, looking at her form. "This? This happened on its own, I wish I was actually closer to how tall I actually should be, I swore after the apocalypse, I think something glitched, though I was still pretty small, I just got smaller." she complains. "No. They're not that kind of person, in a way, a lot more worse." she said to Robert. "Being this small does have its advantages though."

"I should imagine it would help immensely with your infiltration," Robert remarks, tones mild and reflective. Don't laugh. Do -not- laugh. It is only with a supreme effort that he schools his features into a somber neutrality. "No chimney can keep you out, I'll wager." With which comment he finds himself rising to his feet, straightening out his own gear. "I should get back to work, though. Pleasure to talk with you, Viviene. We should fight, if you've got the time. I think I need someone like you to kick the stuffing out of me on a regular basis."

Viviene nods to robert "It does, do you know how many times I snuck away from monsters hiding in a barrel or in a box within dungeons and other places?" she asks with a grin to Robert, then laughs "I've not tried that one yet, I'm not exactly fire proof." she said, she nods and pulls away from the tree and stretches a little. "Oh? A fight, you bet I'm game. Just find me any time." she said, opening up a friend request, she sends one to Robert. "Been fired up ever since I dueled Yuuki."

The friend request is quickly accepted with a finger-flick. "Just make sure you don't accidentally end up in somebody's luggage," he murmurs, affecting an -exceedingly- serious expression. But then he's mirroring her own stretch, and wandering off again in the general direction of town. "Goodbye!"