[PP-F1] Mondays. (Itzal & Esper) {COMPLETE}

[Esper 0]

"It is, very beautiful. It makes me miss the real sunset." She replied with a soft tone, while she accepted the flower, mid-walk. "And thank you, you're very kind. I'll keep it with me." With the flower in her left, Es pulled up her inventory with the right hand, and placed the flower inside, a light picked opening up, enveloping the object, before a chime sounded, a screen informing her that she'd received the item. She then shut the menu, and exchanged a light giggle, her eyes closing for but a second. "Music is amazing, in all genres. It touches an audience in different, unique ways, and the message, if any, can be interpreted, or compared with someone's feelings, differently. That's the magic of the words put into it, and when a voice isn't present, the muse fulfills what's absent. I'd very much be interested in attaining one of these recording crystals. O-Oh, I enjoy singing too, if there ever becomes an opportunity that we might be able to do something together. But that's open to thought, and far off into the to do list for me.... It's getting dark, now. How much longer until we get there, exactly? We've been at this for a while."

[Itzal 0]

Itzal watched as he began to create a picture of who Esper was.  As she mentioned singing together he began to blush ever so slightly as he realized that he was once again alone with a girl.  He did the best he could to remove the thought but that only made it spread.  All he could do now was continue the conversation.

"Yeah I'd love to make some songs with you.  What instrument did you want to use?"  When she asked him how far the cliff was he pointed straight at it.  "Right over there."  As they approached the cliff the last of the Sun set but the moon was full and shined brightly on the few individual boar grazing.  They glanced at the newcomers and all but the closest looked away.  The one recognized Itzal and glared at him in hatred.

[Esper 0]

Esper withheld her reply, until they had met the peak of the cliff that oversaw the valley below, and as mentioned, the boar were grazing, seemingly unphased by the two shadows lurking from above. There was beauty in this image, she thought. And the longer she watched the beasts, the more she adored their existence. NPCs were interesting and unique in all forms, and their programmed minds were made to take on millions of different paths, in the matters of a second. It was incredible, how they looked and acted like real animals, whilst consisting of metadata and particles. And with a detached knowledge of this, it made killing them easier. 

"I prefer to use a violin. I took classes regularly, and a harp, being the secondary choice. I like them, such delicate instruments. It's almost incapable of being harsh, and it's gentle sound is as relaxing as a baby's coo." Just out of mere curiosity, and since they had a moment before contact, Esper knelt down, her knees touching the ground gracefully, her skin, even darker in the moonlight, being embraced by the calming grass. She placed her palms on the ground, her hands picking up the sensory feelings derived from such. "................."

[Itzal 0]

Itzal listened as she told him she wanted to play a violin and harp.  He agreed with her that they were very beautiful instruments and graceful.  He thought about playing those too but until he could save up he would stick with the generic guitar which most sung songs he knew involved.  Of course he planned on getting one of each instrument in time.  He was a fast learner with them and he loved each individual sound.  Guitar first, ocarina next, harp, and who knows what he would get after that.

"I think those are amazing instruments to play.  Lindsey Stirling was a great musician and I had all her songs in the real world."  He watched her as she placed her hands on the grass, wondering what she was thinking, when he heard a snort.  He saw the boar who had taken notice to him and saw that it wouldn't look away.  He figured that it was going to attack sooner or later.  He drew his sword and the boar's eyes followed it.  He bent down and placed a hand on her shoulder.  "I think you might want to draw that sword.  I won't hit the stupid creature but I will get it's attention.  When I do you attack, got it?"  He stood up again and raised his hands out to his sides.  "Well?"  he called to the boar.  "We gonna do this or what?"

Mob details:  4 hp  <>  0 mit  <>  3 dmg

Boar:  4/4

Itzal:  76/76  <>  19/19  <>  1 hate

Esper:  4/4  <>  1/1  <>  0 hate

Edited August 17, 2016 by Itzal

[Esper 0]

If not for the fact that she too had heard the snort, the touch on her shoulder may have startled her, being in a calmer mood and all. But she knew well why they came here in the first place, and thus was prepared for a battle to ensue. "Right." She replied, bringing herself to her feet while drawing her iron sword from it's sheath simultaneously. She gripped the hilt with both hands, but only so that her off hand could help hold it steady. This was her first battle, so she assumed it was natural to be a little nervous. Her heart pounded when she laid her eyes on the boar, which seemed particularly ugly. That could say a lot, considering that a hog wasn't anything cute. "All right buddy, it's nothing personal, just beneficial." On her account, obviously. 

Esper readied herself into an offensive stance, the sword low to the ground, close to her foot, but she held tight, like a golfer lining their shot. "Just tell me when to strike."

[Itzal 0]

Itzal nodded to her and turned to the boar.  It needed just a little bit more to tip it off of the edge.  He whistled and slapped his thigh.  The beast roared with rage, startling it's buddies, and charged him.  Itzal planned on waiting till the last minute to punch it square in the face but decided against it.  He would do that after Esper attacked.  If he missed however, she could be in trouble.  He needed to gather as much hate as possible from the creature.  And since he wasn't training to become a tank he lacked the skill.  However he could still irritate the crap out of the pig.  I could always do that  Ulises prodded.  Itzal mentally waved him aside as Ulises would probably make a mess of things.  He grabbed the boar's tusks and moved it in the perfect area for Esper to strike and held it still.

"Alright your up Esper!"

Edited August 17, 2016 by Itzal

[Esper 0]

Upon hearing her orders, Esper prepared for her advance. "Alright..." She whispered to herself, as her mouth parted, her teeth visible, and gritted. She took a step forward, her foot hitting the ground and shifting to the side, sword raised higher. "Sorry!" Was her next word, as she began to sprint towards the beast, each foot nimble, but spaced to the point that they could almost be called leaps. The boar was immobile at the precise moment, being restrained by Itzal, which gave her a little confidence in her heart. "Heeaahh!" She yelled, attempting to swing her sword. Miss. Esper shut her eyes, and swept the air with her sword, completely missing the boar. She only stumbled forward, nearly losing her balance. "Wh-What?!" She exasperated, her eyes opening to see her failure. This meant bad news for her. "Ghh...!" She grunted, turning herself to face the boar again. How could she have missed?

ID# 66106 results:

Battle: 2

Edited August 17, 2016 by Esper

[Itzal 0]

Itzal watched as Esper missed her target and was perfectly fine with the outcome.  Not only was it hard for beginners to strike targets on their first tries, but tanks usually worked toward taking the hits.  A DPS like himself trained to hit their target every time, as well as regenerate their energy so they could keep using sword arts.  The key for Itzal was to eliminate his opponent as soon as possible.  The boar noticed the attack and in a desperate attempt to escape pushed all of it's mass and force into Itzal's stomach, causing him to wince.  He let his left hand go and punched the mob square in the face, causing it to squint and focus on harming Itzal rather than trying to escape.  Because he wasn't trying to harm the monster no damage was dealt.  He wrestled with the monster to keep it still for Esper and nodded to her with a smile of understanding.

ID#  66121

BD:  6

MD:  10

Result

-----------------

Boar:  4/4

Itzal:  75/76  <>  19/19  <>  1 hate

Esper:  4/4  <>  4/4

Edited August 17, 2016 by Itzal

[Esper 0]

Esper spent little time worrying about her failure. Itzal was holding the target down, anyway, so standing there looking pretty wasn't doing any good. She growled, almost sneering at the boar that rampaged and wrestled the grip of it's captor. "All right, no more fooling around."

More focus seemed to appear on her expression, eyebrows slanted, lips tensed. Her red eyes were locked onto it's target, and her sword, raised to her right shoulder, was awaiting it's impending strike. ".....Hh." She let out a sharp breath, before advancing again. "Grraah!" Once more, she failed to hit her target, but only by a close call. Again? What's going on?! Esper emitted a disgruntled sigh, her head tilting back to see yet an untouched enemy. "Sorry." She said, partly to Itzal, for the time she was piddling around while he held an untamed beast with his bare hands, and halfly to the boar, for taking so long to end it's programmed existence. "This is a little tougher than I thought."

ID# 66122 results:

Battle: 3 - Fail

Edited August 17, 2016 by Esper

[Itzal 0]

Itzal shrugged to show her it wasn't a problem for him.  He knew that in the beginning the game liked to mess with new players by altering their moves just slightly.  As time moved on Itzal was facing opponent's who had no need of the game's assistance in that way.  Not to mention his sword had plus one accuracy, making it very difficult to miss.  When he received the ring he ordered from Teayre, he would have a total of three evasive and three accuracy, which he needed.  In the future he intended to trade his swords plus accuracy for either bleeding or plus damage.  Probably bleeding since he wished to be a supporter.  The more bleeding, poison and paralysis was on the bosses the faster it would go down.  "Don't worry about it, just focus on the target.  The game will try to mess you up at first but once you can handle the first few mobs it stops having it's fun and leaves you to your own skills."  Once more the boar rammed into his stomach.  It didn't really hurt but it did shock him a little.  He was beginning to lose his grip.  The moment she strikes the mob it would turn on her, which Itzal would need to kill it before it did.

ID#  66124

BD:  5

MD:  10

Result

-------------

Itzal:  74/76  <>  19/19  <>  1 hate

Esper:  4/4  <>  4/4

Boar:  4/4

Edited August 17, 2016 by Itzal

[Esper 0]

I have to hit it this time. I have to stop failing. At this rate, if I can't even kill a boar, then I'm a goner. The only reason I'm still alive is most likely because I have him. One more time...Come on. Esper was beginning to get the notion that bad luck was present, as she was told before by someone that the game was based off of a luck system, and luck dictated your life and death, essentially. She was also told that once she got higher, this would be easier. And he said the same thing just now, too. "Alright, hold him still, I'll try again!" She shouted, as she took a deep breath, and steadied her balance with the ground, her feet placed shoulder width apart, the left foot out, and turned towards the boar. And then, she began to advance, raising her blade for one successful hit...Success! A critical hit, Esper rammed into the beast with her shoulder, jutting the round monster a few feet into the air, following up with a harsh blow to it's belly. "Hyahaha!"

ID# 66125 results: BD: 9 = +1 dmg

Edited August 17, 2016 by Esper

[Itzal 0]

Itzal wondered if the yelling was essential for a tank, but honestly he didn't care.  As the boar was knocked from his grasp by her strike, he watched as she struck with her sword, landing a critical hit and infuriating the monster.  Itzal saw that it was about to attack her and stepped in between them with Retributor raised and waited for the blow.  He let the monster ram into him, causing a critical hit.  Should that have landed on Esper she would have been killed in one strike.  After it rammed into him it's eyes looked up to see Retributor just before it shoved into it's face, shattering the monster into crystals.  He smiled at Esper.

"Hey nice hit!  Don't worry about missing, the game does that during a players first few fights.  Makes the fight harder.  That's why players at level one to five should always have a partner of a higher level.  Once they've fought a while, the game stops this unfair luck based scenario.  Still I have missed more times than I'd like to admit from either a mistake I have made or because of the skills of my opponent's.  I have never seen luck based events other than the beginning or when it comes to very specific skills like first aid.  You want to fight another or you want do try something else?  I'm fine with anything."

ID#  66126

BD:  5 + 1 accuracy

MD:  10

Result

-----------------

Boar:  deceased

Itzal:  73/76  <>  19/19  <>  1 hate

Esper:  4/4

Edited August 17, 2016 by Itzal

[Esper 0]

Esper cheered Itzal on as she stood back, her eyes widening at the hit he took from the boar. Sure, he was a higher level than her, but she wasn't 100% sure just how much higher he was. Clearly high enough to stare into the beast's eyes without a doubt in mind, even when it landed such a hard hit. That hit could very well have killed her, if she didn't die beforehand anyway, which he blocked as well. "Wow, that was amazing! Ah, the thrill of hitting an enemy for the first time, it's so exhilerating~!" She seemed caught up in adrenaline from the attack she managed to deal, as she was still holding her sword with a tough-as-steel grip. "We can do something else, if you want, like material gathering, maybe. Non-combat though, it would have to be, considering the level difference between us two." 

A short sigh escaped Esper's chest as she sheathed her sword, her hand flexing a few times to relax itself. Her breathing was heightened too, still, as the rush of battle kept her alert for a little while. "On a side note, if it's best to stay paired until I get higher, then would you be alright with letting me stick around for a while? I'll work hard at becoming better, and stronger, and I'll try not to be a bother. After all, you've been going out of your way for me this whole time, haven't you?"

Edited August 17, 2016 by Esper

[Itzal 0]

Itzal listened to her get excited and he was reminded of his sister in the real world.  He couldn't help but smile.

"Yeah, it's an amazing feeling.  I remember my first time.  I felt invincible."  He grinned as he recalled the event and realized just how opposite of invincible he was.  He still wasn't and that thought remained with him wherever he go.  Still if there was a level distance this great between he and the monsters here he'd have no problem taking the hits.  He listened as she asked for something else to do and he nodded.  "We can search for materials if you'd like.  There are plenty in the forest over there and the wolves won't dare bother us with me around."  He listened as she asked if she could hang around him for a while until she grew stronger he thought for a moment.  He didn't know when Jonathan would finish the quest with Alisa but he believed that Alisa would be fine with Esper accompanying them for a bit.  If Esper was alright with it maybe he could tutor her in tanking.

"Sure I don't mind Esper.  Hey I have an offer:  My friends and I were planning on starting a guild for the purpose of helping lower level players reach high lengths.  If your interested, my friend Jonathan could train you since you want to be a tank and he is one.  If you don't that's alright, just an offer."  As they began walking to the forest he swiped across the menu quickly and with a flash, Niger Natio was replaced with Twilight Cloak, a deep purple trench coat with a silver vest underneath, a black belt and pants.  There was nothing to conceal his face as it was meant for comfort and fashion.  It was also designed to sharpen his eyesight.

[Esper 0]

"I've heard about a guild like that from an acquaintance earlier today. She offered me the same thing too. Black hair, red eyes, sound familiar? She mentioned almost exactly what you did. Of course, I'm sure you and your group aren't the only ones thinking about helping lower players. I'm still thinking about it, but considering that I need all the help I can get right now, I shouldn't be so hesitant. That's what I told her, at least. And I think a guild would be good for me. I agreed to join up with her, after a little while of talking. Sorry. But I do wish you luck on your own guild, and maybe we can meet up often, yeah? I'd enjoy that a lot." She was unaware, obviously, that Kasier was a friend of Itzal's, and perhaps he and her were two of the same members planning to form the guild. Kasier wasn't specific with names, so he could very well be one of them, after all. "We can talk more about it if you want, but I don't know which direction the forests' in. Mind leading the way?" 

Esper turned, her hair carelessly draping across her face, to which she brushed it behind her left ear with a short, audible breath. Her ruby colored eyes glinted in the light of the moon as she pulled her attention from him, and rested it back on the valley, shadowed over by the night. The boars were barely able to be made out, only the black silhouettes scattered scarcely across the flats, heck, even Itzal was getting difficult to see. "Let's go, yeah?"

Edited August 17, 2016 by Esper

[Itzal 0]

As Itzal listened to Esper the clouds in the sky began to disperse, parting way for the full moon's light to shine down and illuminate the floor they were on.  Revealing Itzal's frown and slightly darkened mood.  Kasier had been a wonderful person the day they met.  But after he saw her again he noticed she had changed.  After observing her attitude, manner of talk and interaction, he analyzed that although she did seem to have good intentions for others, she often gave a cold shoulder to anyone who didn't see things her way.  And Itzal could tell that her way was dark.  During their meeting she shared how the weak perish and the strong rise.  Defining survival of the fittest perfectly.  Itzal was completely against that concept.  This, plus her obvious uncare of what he had to say, particularly in the manner of his training for Alisa, made him wary of her.  He hoped she didn't do anything rash or they would have a problem.

"Kasier is an...  Ally, not really a friend.  Anymore at least.  She changed.  She used to be overly kind and sweet, easy to hang around.  Now it seems her personality has darkened and she only seeks strength over everything else.  While strength is good, it isn't everything in this game.  You see, she sees life as survival of the fittest.  The problem with that theory is that if you truly believe it, morals go out the window.  Do whatever you can to survive.  Even if what you're doing is horrific.  Pkers use this to justify what they do when in reality we all know deep down that it's wrong.  That feeling is burned into us but if survival of the fittest really is natures only law than our own opinions don't matter do they?  It's sick really.  Fighting for yourself and nobody else.  Of course she hasn't gone totally over.  But I think her methods of teaching are far off from where they should be."  He gestured to the forest as they approached it.

ID#  66127

LD:  10 + 4

Nothing found

Edited August 17, 2016 by Itzal

[Esper 0]

"Ah, so you do know her then. I guess that means that you two share the common interest of starting a guild?" She asked almost rhetorically, thus not waiting for a reply. He had other things said that she wanted to focus on. She wasn't adamant on her beliefs for how to live in this world, but she knew what she didn't want, naturally. "I believe that this game is a game of survival. Perhaps not of the fittest, but still so. Those who protect nothing, and only harbor themselves at the price of another are monsters. Murder is murder, just as it is in the real world, and there isn't quite a crime worse than that. However, they think have a chance to stay alive longer, since they don't have to worry about anything but themselves. And when you think like that, it makes taking precious things easier. But that's not my opinion on survival. Being the strongest isn't important. Being the smartest isn't either. Surviving just because you value your life over the person in front of you isn't survival, it's needless slaughter. Surviving is together, as a team. Friends that'll break their back just to keep you on their shoulders, because they know you'll do the same. Relying on each other because sometimes you can't do things on your own. Caring, because in a world like this, people need to feel safe. Those things.... You die alone, or you die, loved. That's how I see it. I want people to remember me. You? What's your opinion?...Hey, what's this?"

ID# 66128 results: LD: 15 = Success

Edited August 17, 2016 by Esper

[Itzal 0]

Itzal listened to her as she talked about her perspective on survival and was pleased that she hadn't accepted Kasier's point.  But there was one thing Itzal disagreed with and he would bring it out kindly and without any aggression.  After all he only opposed to Kasier's survival of the fittest view.

"I agree with you totally besides one point:  The game may be meant for survival, but I don't choose to survive.  I want to live.  Despite that this is a death game, so is the real world.  I learned that quickly early on.  When I started in this world I only thought about fighting to become the strongest so I could survive and see my sister again.  But then I met people and gained relationships.  Through those relationships I have laughed, cried, lie in the grass under the evening sun, play with a dragon, and even fought to keep others alive.  I even fought my own demons," he said thinking about the quest calming the soul.  "If your only thought is survival then power is all you care about.  The problem, is that power isolates you.  You are completely right Esper.  Unity is where we gain our power.  Strength is an illusion, even in this world.  Skill and intelligence can get you far, yes, but if your passion is only directed towards yourself you won't get far.  You need friends, family, loved ones, to give you that special drive, that force to push farther than normal.  With others you can live and enjoy yourself, despite that this is a false world with a false god.  And despite what the world around me thinks or tries to tell me to think, I choose to see the bright side of everything.  That's my perspective.  My belief is founded on the strongest emotion of them all.  Love.  Not the twisted form of love the world has made it to be, but love in all it's aspects:  Friends, siblings, parent's, children, spouse, even pets.  There are bonds of love between all of them, and each different in it's own way.  Love will always conquer hatred."  He listened to Ulises add something and chuckled, voicing it for him.  "Anger actually is a result of love, being that if you see someone you love in danger you react in anger towards the offender correct?  Hatred is unjustified anger that seeps in and becomes bitterness.  A friend of mine taught me that."

ID#  66129

LD:  8 + 4

Nothing found

Edited August 17, 2016 by Itzal

[Esper 0]

"You're right. Maybe in time, I'll accept that too. But as of now, I see it as a need to survive, and help others survive alongside you. Or rather, opposite. Help others, so they help you survive. I still want to get out of here, so I don't want to spend too much time messing around. We have to get back to reality, or our bodies will eventually die, if choices aren't made before that. A hospital can only hold so many patients. I've already assumed that the authorities have tried something or another to preserve the human body in the meantime, and hospitalization is my best conclusion. It's hard to believe that we could survive long without professional care." 

Esper stayed silent after this, only looking at him to check to see if he was alright. Something she learned from her mother was reading expressions, and posture. She wasn't quite sure what to make of anything yet, and eventually just resorted to searching. "We can go on until you want to stop, I won't hold you up or anything." Stepping on a strange rock, Esper knelt down and picked it up, brushing the dirt from it's surface. "Iron ore...Handy."

ID# 66130 results: LD: 20 = Success

+1 MAT

Edited August 18, 2016 by Esper

[Itzal 0]

OOC- Sorry for late post

Itzal listened and smiled as she agreed with him.  He nodded to her, accepting what she said as everyone has the right to choose which path they wish to take.  He was just glad she would not tread the same dark path Kasier herself had chosen.  When she said they could stop he couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't worry Esper, I do this by myself all the time.  Honestly I'll do whatever your interested in.  I have nothing better to do and I've gathered a good amount of materials.  I'm waiting for my apprentice to be done with her quest with Jonathan anyways.  Which reminds me."  He speedily opened his menu and sent her a friend request.  "Whether you decide to join the guild or not, message me whenever you want to hang out ok?  I'm always available.  And I'd love for you to meed Alisa.  I think you guys would like each other."  With that he scanned the area under the bright moonlight once again.  His eyes landed on a sparkle in the bushes, as faint amount of moonlight hit whatever was concealed there.  He made his way over and smiled as he discovered a rather rare ore indeed.  He picked it up and placed it in his inventory.

ID#  66136

LD:  18 + 4

+1 MAT

Edited August 18, 2016 by Itzal