"Briar!"

Briar looked up from the wheat seed she was planting. Jordan was standing behind the fence wrapped around his garden, leaned back with his hands curled around the top. "Come on, I got something for you." She perked up and stood, slipping through the gate and shutting it behind her. Jordan leaped down a block and walked beside her, his hands shoved into his pockets.

"What is it?" She asked as they rounded a corner. He looked at her and smiled before he moved to a foregin blocked a couple of paces ahead of him. There was a chest beside it, which he tapped to bring the inventory up. She couldn't see whatever he put in his inventory from her position, but it was revealed when he turned towards her and held it in his hand.

It was a shield. It had a pink background with a red flower in the center, in front of a setting sun. "I'm not the best painter. I had Scarlet help with the flower," he admitted as he handed it over to her. She stared down at it with wide eyes. "Do you like it? Sadie told me your favorite color was pink, which explains the hair. If you don't like it, I can always maks you anot-"

Briar hugged Jordan tightly, burying her head into his chest. He lifted his arms in surprise, staring down at her with wide eyes before he smiled and patted the top of her head. "Does that mean you like it?"

"I love it!" She exclaimed, jumping back and looking at the shield with a bright eyed smile. "Its gorgeous! And yes, pink is my favorite color!" She looked up at him and grinned wider as he smiled back. "Thank you so much, Jordan!" He chuckled.

"No problem kid. I want you and Sadie to have a shield, since you'll be maining in the sword." Briar's smile faltered.

"Huh?" She asked, her voice suddenly quiet. Jordan blinked.

"Oh, would you prefer a bow? A crossbow? I don't have another one but I make you one. Though, I can never remember that blasted tripwire reci-"
"No, no, I don't want a weapon at all!"

Jordan stared at her. She stared back panickly, clutching the shield to her chest. "I... I don't wanna hurt anyone!" His eyes softened and he sighed.

"Briar." She shook her head. "Briar, how are you gonna defend yourself against mobs? Or other players who want you dead for your loot?"

"I'll run!" She claimed.

"And if they have bows?" He sighed.

"Then I'll dodge!" She stood as tall as she could, furrowing her eyebrows. "I'm a pacifist! I took on an oath when I was thirteen! I haven't broken it yet and I'm not starting now!"

"Players I can understand, but what about the mobs? They're just made up of code, they don't feel anything!" Briar shook her head, cheeks red and puffed out from her frustration. Jordan stared at her before he sighed.

"Okay, alright... I can't make you learn. But if you change your mind, just ask me." He patted her shoulder, then frowned. "I'm not sure what I could teach you, then..." Briar relaxed, then smiled.

"You've already taught me a lot! You've taught me how to farm, and take care of animals. Placing blocks and opening my inventory are all easy now." He chuckled.

"How about I teach you mining next?" Her face paled, and his eyes softened. "Alright, we'll take it slow." She smiled.

"I'm keeping this shield, though." He laughed and nodded.

"I'll teach you how to use it once I get something set up." She nodded, then stepped back.

"I'm gonna go back to farming!" She opened her inventory and put the shield in her inventory, closing it afterwards. She was right, she could do it pretty quickly. "Thanks again for the shield!" She turned and ran off, and Jordan watched her go with a smile. Then it dropped and he sighed, closing his eyes. He looked a couple decades older than he really was.

"This world's gonna eat you alive, kid..." He muttered.