Once they had sufficiently recovered from their fits of laughter Vivian put on her business face. It was a remarkable shift for Kat to watch happen in person. Vivian seemed taller, and her whole presence changed. Hell, Kat could almost swear her hair got a few shades darker.
"Now, what has gotten you so distracted?" asked Vivian
*Why do I have the inexplicable urge to lie?* Kat started to shiver under Vivian's gaze. *Like that's a weird thing to go to right? I've been honest with Gramps for years, and I haven't told a single lie to Vivian in large part because I CAN'T.*
*So why is that desire so strong right now…* "Well, a few things sort of" said Kat
Vivian continued to stare
"I mean, it isn't something to concern yourself with overmuch" said Kat
Vivian stared harder "Kat you didn't notice us replacing your food with clothing scraps"
Kat swallowed. *Why is this so hard. It was a reasonable concern.* "Ranking up"
Vivian continued to glare. But at the same intensity
"I was wondering where. Because I mean, last time wasn't the greatest, but this time should be better and we can plan but like… nothing seems better than a random spot in the woods? But I mean we can't just go back to the same place, especially if people notice" said Kat. She realised she was rambling, but it just seemed to fit the situation for some strange reason
Then Vivian's aura completely changed, once again back to her bubbly self that practically had sun beams shooting from her cheeks. "You could have just said so. No need to assault the poor cloth" said Vivian
Kat quirked an eyebrow "Isn't that your fault though"
Vivian shrugged "This isn't the time to lay blame Kat. We are trying to work out the best solution for you" Vivian's grin got larger and larger as the sentence went on making it clear she knew what she was doing.
"Well sure then, what are your suggestions" said Kat
"Simple really" said Vivian dragging the words out "Pick a different forest"
Kat opened her mouth to argue… but stopped "What?"
Vivian shrugged "I had to pick the closest place that nobody would be the first time. It isn't like there are no other forested areas nearby and with some planning we can make a day trip out of it"
"You know that is a surprisingly reasonable response" said Kat
Vivian shrugged "What did you think I was going to suggest? Steal one of the old condemned warehouses"
Kat shrugged "Actually that was a consideration, but I realised that I don't actually know of any warehouses… like anywhere around here"
Vivian shook her head "There are a few, but if the damage from last time is any indication, I'm not sure a warehouse could stand up to it. Sure, the cold dispersed pretty quickly but remember you were outside, so it had places to go"
Kat nodded "So random forest it is then"
"Indeed" said Vivian
"Ooh, road trip" said Sylvie
Kat stopped. She hadn't really been focused on the fact that Callisto and Sylvie where present as well.
"Indeed, it will be a pleasurable adventure and I am sure I can make some interesting observations during the event assuming we can stand close enough but avoid harm" said Callisto
"Yay" said Sylvie beaming.
*Oh no.* Kat looked to Vivian for help but she was smiling right alongside the two traitors "Uh, am I the only one a bit concerned about the danger"
Vivian looked over at Kat "No, but I mean, we promise to be careful, and considering that last time was supposedly some crazy mistake I'm sure we'll all be fine"
*System. Tell Vivian how likely things are to end up unusual*
Accomplice Vivian, the chance of something strange happening during User Kat's Rank up is approximately 99.99% with a 0.1% rounding error
Kat smirked, and Vivian returned to her serious mode "Kat… did you force it do display that"
Before Kat could even answer Vivian let her façade fade as she broke into a grin. "Nah, I bet those are the real deal. What do you think Callisto?"
"We will simply need to prepare adequately. Perhaps finding a high vantage point along with some binoculars. I know I have at least two pairs lying around, and perhaps I could construct a third given enough time" said Callisto
Vivian nodded "Yeah that seems like the best way to stay safe. What about the light show?"
"Simple enough. I can just ensure that I bring along my old eclipse glasses. They are in need of repairs perhaps, but nothing that could not be accomplished on short notice" said Callisto
"Sounds good. If you don't mind, could you go and inform Lily and her parents it will be tomorrow? I heard you dealt with her parents expertly last time" said Vivian
"Of course, Vivian" said Callisto as she bowed and headed out the back door.
Vivian shook her head "I wonder if she keeps doing that because it used to annoy me or if it's become routine"
As Vivian said that and looked towards where Callisto had just exited, it occurred to Kat that she'd used the back door. "Why did Callisto leave that way?" asked Kat
"So that she can jump the fence of course" said Sylvie like it was obvious. Kat was about to ask what on earth Sylvie was talking about when Vivian nodded along like she agreed.
"Ok I'll bite. Why is she jumping the fence" asked Kat
"It's quicker of course" said Vivian
"But you can't just do that" said Kat
"I'm sure you could jump the fence if you wanted to" said Vivian.
*I mean, yeah I guess technically?* "I can fly though I wouldn't need to jump" said Kat
They both broke out in grins as a response. Kat let them have their moment and then asked seriously "So what is the plan then? Just drive out somewhere and you guys find a good mountainside?"
Vivian nodded "Yeah, and I have just the mountainside in mind. About three, fourish hours westish, we can find a mountain nobody really climbs anymore but has some old hiking paths nocked into it, sorta"
Kat placed her tail under her chin "There was a lot of questionable things in that statement" said Kat
Vivian shrugged and grinned "It really is no worry Kat. The exact location I can deal with, and the trails used to be boxed in with some wooden structure. Probably quite overgrown by now, but if you are willing to carry or even fly our gear to the end, I don't mind a bit of mountaineering"
"Is there anything you aren't good at?" asked Kat
"Mountaineering" said Vivian with her trademark grin
Kat furrowed her brows "Not sure I like that answer"
Vivian shrugged but kept smiling "Not sure you have much of a choice" punctuating her sentence with a tongue poking out.
This time it was Kat's turn to glare. Vivian relented, quickly "Look, Callisto is pretty good at it, and I'm fit enough not to worry. Plus, if we get attacked by ravenous bears or something you can fight them off"
Kat felt her smile twitch "What about Sylvie and Lily though, that hardly seems safe" said Kat
"I wanna see you fight a bear" said Sylvie with a grin matching Vivian's making it very clear she knew what she was doing.
*Oh god Callisto and Vivian really are rubbing off on her.* "Surely you have something safer in mind? If something happens while I'm ranking up and can't come over to help you guys, you'll be in trouble"
Vivian shrugged "Callisto can fight the bear then"
Kat felt her smile twitch again. *Why am I suddenly the worry wort? Normally I can shake these sorts of things off… What the hell changed in the past like day and a half?*
All of a sudden Vivian burst out laughing "Oh you should have seen your face"
Kat raised an eyebrow "Am I missing something here"
"Yup. You actually think I'd let you fight a bear? Even if I knew you could win" said Vivian shaking her head "Nah, I've picked a mountain with a road to the top. It's a bit out of the way so nobody really goes there except to stargaze and because we are out in the day it should be fine"
Kat looked over at Sylvie for support but found the girl sticking her tongue out and Kat felt a headache coming on despite her regeneration and inability to get headaches anymore. *Even Sylvie now… Guess I know where my worries come from. Away not even a week and already they've started corrupting my sweet angel Sylvie*
*Ah who am I kidding, as sweet as she is around me I'm almost certain she was the one who replaced all the salt shakers at the other tables with sugar that one time, and was responsible for Lawrence getting in huge trouble for picking on Steph. *