Claude was anxious about attempting to enter The World once more while CC Corporation's "maintenance" was in still in effect. Events spiraled so out of control the last time that he wasn't sure if he'd make it out with his character data intact. Regardless of what the company told their consumer-base, it seemed that a few players still managed to get in, albeit in abnormal areas, and Vance was lucky enough to be one of them -- assuming the existence of Lanceor within his character data didn't play a part in it. And from the looks of the loading screen on his monitor, he was still able, though just like before, he had no say in where he wanted to go and instead was warping to another unknown location.

Hopefully, I'll get into someplace relatively tame this time, he thought as he put on his M2D and stared at the black void currently in its display. He wasn't quite prepared to handle another stressful scenario in such short succession. If he was to gather information about this... server, then he'd rather do it in relative peace and quiet.

---

Vance Finiraldi materialized into The World, already in a fighting stance. He immediately went on guard, grasping at the hilt of his sword as it appeared at the side of his waist in its scabbard in a flash. He was quiet as his gaze darted about his immediate surroundings, looking for anything that was prepared to ambush him almost immediately upon entry. However, once it was clear that all that was around him at the moment was the falling snow that slowly blanketed the otherwise plain and grassy field, he relaxed himself and let his weapon fade away until the time came where he would actually need it.

This place, in its own right, was lovely to look at. But something about it also screamed normal and dull as the Crusader walked around and continued to assess the field he found himself in. And for some reason, despite its generic feel, something else about it nagged him as well as he saw more of its flat plains and minimal decoration. Though he wasn't quite sure what.

Eventually, it became clear that he was not alone in the field. In the distance, and seemingly taking a walk just like him, was silver-haired woman, lithe in frame and, honestly, hilariously underdressed for the weather. Hesitant to approach, though, he peered at her closely, examining her every mannerism. At that point, it was impossible to tell if she was a player or another resident of this strange server. And she could be potentially hostile, too. The only way he could find out, though, was to interact with her. So with a bit of caution, he approached.

"Hey there." The Crusader spoke up, waving at her to get her attention. "Did curiosity take you here, too?"

"Am I now? Vance pointed at himself, both dumbfounded and amused at her sudden and out-of-the-blue moniker for him. "That's a rather atypical assessment of me." He was at least educated enough in biology to know that rabbits could be born albino, of course, though the first thing he associated white-furred, red-eyed rabbits with was Bunnicula. The swordsman stifled a chuckle as an amusing thought came to mind. Should he start sucking the juice out of carrots, too?

Now at a reasonable proximity to her without encroaching on her personal space, he continued staring at at the Twin Blade, who already seemed to be losing interest in him. It was still difficult to tell, but he was fairly certain the girl was another player, just like him. She pointed out specific features of his avatar, and he had not met any NPC that acted quite as... odd as she did. Emulating quirky personality traits in your average AI, he believed, was rather difficult.

Eventually, his gaze followed the girl's, and he noticed that she was focused on something in the horizon. However, he couldn't quite tell what it was. From where they stood, it was almost like a little speck. Since it seemed that she wouldn't answer to any question that didn't hold some meaning to her, figured that talking about that would at least invoke a more involved response.

"Uh... are you interested in what's over there, perhaps?"

"Vance Finiraldi. Crusader" The veteran player responded to the waving player's cheerfulness with a quick, two-fingered salute. "And this is girl," he said, trailing off a bit as as he glanced back at the Twin Blade, who was crouched down to the forming layer of snow and gathering it to form whatever she desired. Vance had to ask her name, and she wasn't entirely sure if she would give it out now. Sure, he could use his UI to figure it out, but he was one of the few who at least tried to ask for players' names before he started using them. "Well, she doesn't talk much."

With a sigh, he turned to where the Koyu pointed, eyes narrowing as he tried to make out its distinct features amid the falling snow and the nighttime lighting. For the most part, it turned out to be a fruitless exercise. Vance shrugged. "Can't tell unless we try approaching it. Honestly, I know nothing about this place. We're not even supposed to be here right now. Maintenance and all that."

He remained silent for a moment, before turning to the two players, an idea coming to mind. "How about we party up check it out? We can probably figure out more about this place if we stick together, rather than each of us on our own."