[PP-F1] New Friends <<Feeding the Enemy>>

[Poplar 0]

Poplar stood in front of the tavern, arms extending above her head as she yawned. She arched her back, grabbing one elbow and pulling it to the side, repeating this stretch with the other arm. Can you even pull a muscle in virtual reality? She pondered this to herself and peered expectantly at her quiet adventuring companion, motioning with one hand for him to take the lead. Her expression was seemingly open and somewhat friendly. At least, she wasn't frowning, just looking at him in a neutral, curious manner. 

"So... this familiar quest... what creature would you recommend taming?"

Ah, logic and reason. She had no preference for any particular animal, real world or fantasy. Dogs were overly excited but loyal. Cats were intelligent but capricious. Birds were loud but useful. Snakes were... well, in this world, any snake large enough to be of use would probably kill her. The thought made her grimace, cringing slightly. 

"Something on this floor, of course."

[Brax 0]

     "Truthfully...no, I do not, as I have yet to search for a familiar myself.  That choice is dependent...on the buffs one wished the animal to possess."  As Brax led Poplar, or Poppy as she preferred to be called, away from the tavern and to the center of town, where she could first accept the quest, and then afterwards to a local NPC shop to purchase the necessary foodstuffs to attract her prize.  She stretched for a moment and yawned, confusing the stalwart stoic.  'Is she...bored with my presence already?  Unsurprising, I suppose.  Then again, she could be simply expressing the desire to get underway.'  A slightly confused expression crossed Brax's face momentarily, but left almost instantly as he turned to lead her onwards.  It was not his objective to keep her entertained; no, his mission was to aid her in the quest, to find a suitable familiar to add to her capabilities, so as to allow her an opportunity to move forwards, whatever that might entail.  "There are several abilities available to familiars, such as aiding your accuracy in battle, or hunting for treasure in the wilds.  There is even a chance the beast you tame will be able to heal you, if you seek such a thing out.  It is all...about what is necessary for you.  I suppose the question is...what do you require?"

Edited February 3, 2016 by Brax

[Poplar 0]

Poplar spots the moment of confusion, but simply glances down at the food in her free hand, lips pursing in concentration as she followed him. 

Additional accuracy would be beneficial- a higher chance to hit means defeating an enemy before it has a chance to kill her. However, a healing familiar would increase the length of the battle, allowing her to fight whenever she would otherwise need to retreat. But...

"I think... that a familiar that procures treasure in the wild would be most beneficial. So I can eventually replace this jian and obtain some armor," She explains, affectionately patting her sheathed blade. Her gaze returned to him, shoes patting softly against the ground as she followed closely. Silently wondering where they could be headed to. 

[Brax 0]

     "Then, if it is a treasure hunter you seek...I would recommend either a wolf, found in the forests of this floor, or a aviary companion, like a falcon or a hawk, also in the forested region.  Both are...most adept at aiding in a loot search."  Having offered his thoughts, Brax continued forward into the center of the city where she accepted the quest and had her food in hand to hunt with.  Poppy followed close behind as they left the safety on the safe zone afterwards, though Brax stood just shy of the exit in order to allow her some time to prepare.  There were several places out in the wilds where such animals could be found; all that was needed was for her to decide on which to pursue.  As they traveled, he continued talking: "Also, if you desire...we can attempt to slay a beast or two, to practice your skills in battle.  As your escort...I offer you what protection I can.  Or...you may wish to observe myself in combat.  Either way, my skills...are at your disposal."  Brax waited for her decision, arms crossed about his armored chest as he stared out into the sunlit fields of Floor One.

Edited February 3, 2016 by Brax

[Poplar 0]

Poplar paused with him just shy of the exit, re-tying her jian to her belt before opening up her inventory. She checked to make sure she had a piece of backup food, as well as some water in case they ended up being out for a bit. 

"I'd like to watch you fight something first, just to get an idea of what battle is like here. As for the beast... I think a falcon would be nice. Having eyes in the air is never a bad thing. Is there a reason you don't have a familiar?"

Her sentences came out one after another in quick succession, the female closing out her user interface and rocking back onto her heels. She looked suddenly excited, head tipping back to allow her to look at the trees in the distance. Her first battle in this land. It wasn't like World of Warcraft, where the screen separated her from the enemies and allies. Poppy would get to fight something for survival, life-or-death, in a pixelated world where you could actually die. The thought was exhilarating in comparison to the mundane sparring matches in the real world. She turned to Brax, offering a tilted half-smile and hooking her thumb behind her towards the exit. 

"I'm ready when you are."

[Brax 0]

ID 47299

Spoiler

BD 6 +2 ACC LD 12 MoBD 2

Brax 80/80 EN 15/20

Boar 1 -9/12 DEAD [8 x 3 Lumberjack - 3 MIT] = 21 DMG

Boar 2 -9/12 DEAD [8 x 3 Lumberjack - 3 MIT] = 21 DMG

Boar 3 -9/12 DEAD [8 x 3 Lumberjack - 3 MIT] = 21 DMG

Boar 4 -9/12 DEAD [8 x 3 Lumberjack - 3 MIT] = 21 DMG

     "Why?  No...particular reason, I suppose.  I simply have not gotten around to accomplishing the quest.  My first...endeavors...were of a training nature for myself.  Before we were trapped in this world, I had never held a weapon, at least...that I can recall.  I needed time...to master the intricacies, and chose to pursue training over...questing."  Brax explained his situation to the woman, not necessarily to fill the space of conversation, but to thoroughly answer her query.  She had wanted to know, after all.  As he spoke, they exited the Town of Beginnings and roamed about the fields, Brax on the lookout for a decent mob by which to showcase the battle system to Poppy.  She seemed...animated at the thought of combat, and he was...if not eager, then intrigued...by her enthusiasm.

     Finding a decent mob of four boars enjoying the grasslands for a meal, Brax turned to Poppy and said, "There are two ways to go about combat: single target and AOE.  Also, some Sword Arts possess stun attacks, but for the moment I will leave that to the side.  My weapon is geared more towards groups and stuns, so this...herd will prove little problem.  Observe."  With that, he turned to charge at the grazing boars.  His metal clad feet moved across the lush greenery with purpose as he drew forth his axe from across his back.  Diving amongst the group, his weapon flashed green as he set it off to the side, activating his Lumberjack Sword Art.  Left to right, right to left, and left to right once more, the three sweeping blows of his Battle-Axe cleaved through the simple mob with ease, the boars' squeals echoing into the air before their bodies disintegrated into pixels.  Sheathing his weapon after battle, he turned to his companion and remarked, "You see?  Now, I do not recognize your...particular blade, so I cannot tell you with certainty what attacks you may possess, whether it be single, group or stun related.  However, whatever skills you and your weapon have, you will find combat much like this, at least in the fields.  If and when you move forward the bosses, both field and floor, can and do possess much more...varied skillsets.  Thus, the basics must first be honed, like how to activate a Sword Art.  Though, if I am not mistaken, you are most likely...familiar with battle, yes?"  Brax had observed earlier in their interactions that Poppy had...a very sleek build, toned and built for...extracurricular activities.  The way she kept fingering her weapon, her 'jian' as she called it, showed a familiarity to the blade that could only have come from practice.  Cocking his head to the side, he regarded the woman and what her answer might be, as well as running a list of locations in his head to find a suitable place to find her falcon.

Edited February 3, 2016 by Brax