[F02][PP-Lonzo NIGHT] <<Long Live the Queen>>

[Lonzo 0]

Lonzo was walking around Marome Village checking out the fortress. How has no one actually explored this whole place yet? Why wasn't he allowed to look further into the fortress. It made him curious and it annoyed him. As he was walking around the market stalls he heard people summing a field boss and he pinched the bridge of his nose. Again? Really? Why did people summon those things? Was it worth it in the long run? He sighed and moved to the where he heard people talking about it and tried to gather as much intel as he could from it. The most he got was a location but that's all he really wanted before skulking off away from people. He opened up his friend list and looked it up and down. He figured he should give Yuki a break. Koga was a huge nope, and that was mostly to keep his own mouth shut. Noctua needed time to herself that was for sure. His eyes fell on NIGHT

"Ah, the don't hit on me one...To be fair after everything with..." he mumbled to himself and opened up a mail.

              <<NIGHT>>
      Hey it's Lonzo. Long time no chit chat. I'm about to go fight a field boss. Currently I'm level 12 just to give you a reference.
I'll be waiting around Marome if you want to come hang out with me. I just don't want adventurers to be caught unawares by the Field boss.
Lets just say the last field boss I came across gave me a shiver at that possibility. I'd rather not lose anymore people you know?
Anyway message me back when this message reaches you.
                                                                                                                 Lonzo

Spoiler

Level: 12
Hp: 240
Eng: 24
Mit: 26
Dmg 6
Acc 3
Eva 0
Luck 0

3/3 equip slots used
Armor: Onyx Armor Black Onyx Armor: 1thorns (9dmg on normal melee hits against me) Mit2 (18dmg mit)

Weapon 2 handed axe with Bleed 2

Accessory: Golden Eye Ring - +3 ACC

Skills
Rank 3: two-handed Axe 6

Rank 1: Heavy armor +8mit (armor has +18 so total is 26Mit)

Inventory
Vanity Armor
 

 

 

ITEMS

Battle Ready Slots

*5 Tier One Health Potions of Uncommon Quality (+40HP)

 *1 Tier One Damage Potion. (+1 Damage)

*1 Tier One Over-Health Potion (+50 Temp. HP)

*»(3) Starter Healing Potions (Heals 50 HP)

* Name: Burbon Lucky Candy Apple

Your Profession: Cook

Your Rank: 1

ID: 127619

Link: Link

Roll: 12

Item Type: Snack 

Tier: 1 

Quality: Perfect

Enhancements: Loot Die 3 (+3 to LD rolls for thread)

Description: Sour, Tangy, Sweet apple with a crunch and a kick makes you feel really lucky.

cost is 4 mats only not for col Sale

 

SWORD ARTS!

 

• [x2] Whirlwind (2 Energy) - A single sweeping attack so powerful that it sends forth a shock wave to hit again.

• [x2 AoE] Smash (2 Energy +2 per target hit) - An uppercut aimed at opponents head to send them reeling.
  Rank 2

• [x3 AoE] Lumberjack (3 Energy +2 per target hit) - Three wide sweeping strokes aimed at multiple targets.

• [x3] Ultimate Breaker (3 Energy) - A pair of uppercuts that finish with a vertical slam to the target's head.

• [x5] Torque Wave (5 Energy) - A sweeping strike that tears into the opponent.

• [x6] Crimson Blood (6 Energy) - Three sweeping spinning slices keeping the same momentum.

• [x6 AoE] Trample Act (6 Energy +2 per target hit) - An attack that starts with a shoulder barge, then does two large sweeping attacks.

 

[NIGHT 0]

 

Quote

To: Lonzo

i got it

NIGHT heaved a sigh of relief, immediately after receiving the message from her long time, missing friend. Where had he been? Y'know what, when it boiled down to it, NIGHT was at least glad the man was safe. She hummed, wondering how to reply to his message; the prospect of a field boss was intriguing to say the least, but she wasn't sure which one Lonzo was planning on facing, let alone the one he'd caught sight of the other day.

Oh, wait. It must be that one. Now she was fully invested. Picking up her gear, she punched in the following:

Quote

ill be there, gimmie 2 secs

Leaning down, she hauled Nyanko back into her waist bag, meeting his meows with a grin. "It's time for another rematch," she stated, equipping her blade, allowing it to form and adjust herself to its weight. "We'll be in and out quick, and it'll be with an old friend. Should be an alright trip today."

With that said, NIGHT hit on the send button, and immediately rushed out the door, making her way towards Marome.

@Lonzo

Spoiler

NIGHT 
Lv: 25 | HP: 500 | EN: 50 | SP: 76
ACC: 3 | DMG: 14 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 0 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 2

[Skills]

1. Two-Handed Straight Sword | Passive | RANK 5/5
2. Heavy Armor | Passive | RANK 1/5
3. - - -
4. - - - 
    

• Survival | Passive 

[Examine]

• Tobi-Kadachi
  -- [ Paralyze II | Natural successful attack rolls of 8-10 remove the enemy’s action on their next turn. Paralyzed opponents lose any evasion properties. ]
  -- [ Keen | After a successful attack, gain +1 BD until your next successful attack, at which point this bonus is removed. Another successful attack will reactivate this enhancement. ]

• Threads of Dexterity
  -- [ Evasion III | +3 EVA ]

• Eye of Horus Enamel Pin
  -- [ Accuracy III | +3 ACC ]

- - - - - -

• Starter Healing Potions (3) --- Heals 50 HP.
• [T1] Uncommon Health Potions (3) --- Heals 40 HP.
• [T1] Over-health Potion (1) --- Provides 50 temporary HP.

[Misc]

• -- [ Aincrad Trading Post Guild Bonus: Col Deposit | +5% more col from killed mobs, +10% col from treasure chests. ]
  -- [ Familiar Mastery: Fighter | +6 DMG ]

Edited December 16, 2019 by NIGHT

[Lonzo 0]

He was pretty surprised at how fast she replied. Then opened up his inventory double checking that he had everything. He was as ready as he'd ever be. He'd wait for NIGHT and was a bit nervous really. It had been awhile. Why was he nervous anyway? He had to think about that. Perhaps he just wanted to leave a good impression to keep his standing with her and Yukiro.
After thinking that though he knew that wasn't why. It was because she had seen a mask for what it was. Maybe. He knew he confused her a little with his flirtation but now he couldn't use it anymore. How does one look like the fool if one can not play the fool? He leaned up against the gate wall and looked at the impressive moat that surrounded the fortress. 
He started to space out as he waited, so much so he didn't actually see her when she got closer to his location. He was too busy looking at the fish in the moat.

I wonder if I could catch and cook them. Maybe I could fish here? He thought to himself. Nice day for it too, why'd people have to ruin it with field bosses anyway? Don't they know they can get hurt or worse hurt another player that's lower level. Don't people think? I mean the nepent was bad enough but what the heck did they spawn in this time? Some sort of bug thing. Better not be a spider, or cockroach. Ugh, now all I can think about is that scarab. Bugs shouldn't be THAT big. 

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

Jogging had helped her keep up her stamina, she imagined. Of course, it could very simply be the placebo effect taking place, but it definitely helped her make it all the way to Marome without feeling like she had to break a sweat. Whether or not she actually did, though, is up for debate.

NIGHT saw the man up by the nearby fortress from a distance away. She waved, trying to catch his attention, but was unable to pull his sights from the water nearby. What was he looking at, fish? Maybe NIGHT shouldn't be too surprised -- Lonzo was a chef, after all.

When she was close enough to be in talking range, she slowed to a walk, approaching the man with light breaths. "Hey," the woman finally greeted, trying to pull a smile -- or was it a smirk? "You seen the wasp queen yet? I... actually have a vendetta against them specifically..."

@Lonzo

[Lonzo 0]

"You think I could get roue from the fish here to make cavi-" he blinked as he studied the woman in front of him. Smiling.
He had to blink a few times and looked around for some other person, and then looked back at NIGHT. Was it that long ago they interrogated someone that he had almost forgotten what she looked like. When he realized who she was he stood up straighter. "Ah sorry, I was thinking about caviar, not sure if anyone here has a taste for it though, nor do I know what it'd be like to eat here. Hm Wasp. Oh it's not a spider. Well that's good at least." he sighed. "But it'll sting huh? "Is it big?" he asked making a face. "I hate bugs. You think in a game they wouldn't bother with the little things. Wait. It's a field boss. It's going to be huge. Oh no.....No....Ugh why." he bowed his head in disgust. "A vendetta huh? Wait, does that mean, Did one hurt you NIGHT?" he asked feeling an undying hatred for the bug already.

He realized he should have paid far more attention to his friends. How often did they run off without him to do something dangerous? Was this normal? Why wasn't he invited anywhere? Was he weak to them or something? Were they friends though? He calmed down. He was so use to his legal team that being an island wasn't something he liked, and he didn't realize it took a toll on him.

"Sorry...I guess because of the game I get a bit....Rambunctious. Maybe it's the lack of sleep. Don't worry about me too much though. Where'd you fight the bug before? Maybe it's in the same place?" He's assuming the mobs would be in a general area.

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

"Caviar?" She tilted her head, a hand to her chin as she thought. "If you're making it, I wouldn't mind trying it. It's one of the richer treats, right?"

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to NIGHT, but perhaps it was because the duo that had shown up for this wasp-killing party hadn't exactly formed a standard yet. "It's big, yeah," she added with a sigh, watching his face change and contort as he continued thinking about their mark. "I hate it as much as you do, big guy. And no, unless I'm recalling it wrongly, it didn't even manage to lay a scratch on me, actually."

The woman folded her arms, looking downwards and downcast. "It's been quite a while, so I guess you should know. Actually," she paused, closing her eyes. "I'm surprised you're the first person I'm telling this to. Yukiro and I were tracking that wasp queen separately, and we ended up getting into a fight. ... Scratch that, multiple fights..."

She pushed back her hair from her face, her lips pulled back in annoyance. "He got the last hit, which really bothers me to no end -- not that it matters too much, of course. But that's why..."

"Anyway... It's been a while since we've met and talked, huh?" NIGHT truly wondered if Lonzo was getting enough sleep. There were slight hints of darkness under his eyes, and she wasn't sure if they were there before. "I hope you really do rest well," she mentioned, before pointing them in the right direction. "The boss was this way, the last time I fought it. And while we're travelling..."

"Anything interesting happened with you?"

@Lonzo

[Lonzo 0]

"You'd try it? Well if I decide to give it a try, what kind of buff would you be interested in?" he asked curiously. "I might just get more serious about it if I had something to focus on." he said with a bit more light in his eyes. It was always nice to talk about cooking for someone.

As he listened to her story he couldn't help but wonder if Yukiro was just trying to impress her. He could already see in his minds eye NIGHT dodging a fat ugly wasp waiting for back up from Yuki. Striking it as much as she could. Meanwhile the poor sap ran into frenzy boars and wolves and when he arrived running at full speed lands the final hit. Both of them sweating and panting. Night livid that all her hard work was stolen from her at the last possible second. Lonzo's lips curled at the idea. Yet he heard his promise he made to Yukiro and that only made his laughter harder to suppress. He was a terrible friend and he couldn't keep it together. He started laughing a bit.

"Sorry...I just pictured Yuki fighting his way to get to you only to do what you said. It was likely a shock to him as well. He must have been worried about you. I just find it, humorous." in truth he had no idea if what he imagined even happened but only knew how Yukiro felt. 

"Yes we haven't talked in a long while actually. I've been dubbed a secret keeper of sorts among many. So I'm not sure what to talk about. Sadly I doubt I'll rest well until I have a room I can lock. I've tried a few inn bedrooms but I can't seem to rest at all. I'm not sure what the trouble is. It is rather, annoying to say the least." he admitted.

He turned and followed her.

"Interesting? I'm thinking about investing my time at Honruka and renaming it Duelsay. A play on the spanish word Dulce, which means sweet. Though I'd call it duel say because I want to train the NPCs there to protect themselves. After taking the medicine quest there I've realized there's some sort of purple miasma that seems to make them sick. I don't know if it's released by a monster or not. I haven't found any leads on where it is or what it is. To be fair it could be affecting the water supply in the area too. If I knew an alchemist personally I'd ask them to test it for me. I'm a cook but when it comes to that type of chemical compound and analyzes I'm beyond my depth I'm afraid." he explained. "Er...How about you?" 

I did it again.....I showed myself.....Why? He asked himself mentally

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

The two plodded along, making light conversation. The woman blinked, before resting her chin on a thumb. "Buff or no buff, I'd still take any food you'd give me." She gave it a little more thought, before adding, "Vitality works well, I think. It's a good place to start. I can drop by with a request when I'm ready. You do have a restaurant in town, right?" NIGHT chuckled, wondering why she hadn't gone to visit yet. "I'll have to drop by some time."

And as Lonzo started laughing himself, she wondered why he'd done so, squinting in suspicion. He'd share his idea soon enough, and NIGHT shrugged, somewhat agreeing. "It was definitely a shock," she clarified, "But he seemed to be more on a self-destructive lashing out more than anything. I wish I could say something funny happened..." A pause. "Ah. He... threw his sword at the boss. I didn't even know you could do that."

A secret keeper. She mused on the term for a moment. What could be so confidential in the game?

Nothing came of her train of thought, but she was concerned when the man mentioned not having a good rest. "I'm... really sorry to hear that." Then she scratched her head, eyes distant. "I mean, I can relate when it comes to inn rooms... but that's mostly me with hygiene. I just rest in my workshop now, and I keep it tidy. Your problem sounds like something else. ... Actually, I'm pretty surprised you don't rest in your restaurant yourself."

Then NIGHT got to hear about the reason behind his disappearance. Horunka. "The Secret Medicine of the Forest," she said under her breath, trying to recall. She shared her thoughts first, holding onto a few questions. "I think that place is just perpetually cursed, as the system intended. While I can appreciate your want to do good... There might not be a possible way of achieving the means to do so. Not until we're able to take control of the system..."

"...Which means getting out of here." Lonzo probably wasn't going to like that answer. His strong sense of justice and righting wrongs from before was steadfast. "Of course," the woman added, trying not to step on his toes metaphorically, "You're always welcome to try, and I wouldn't mind helping to pitch in, in any way possible." She rubbed her temples, running through the shops in the Town of Beginnings in her mind. "It's kinda... hard to recommend an alchemist... They usually show up and shut down real fast, it's rather bothersome..."

Instead, she dropped the thought with a sigh. "As for myself, I've... just been training." Huh, funny. Her answers just seemed to mirror Yukiro's. It felt like an unintended parallel in many ways, and she coughed, tensing in rectifying her answer. "Sorry. I've been trying to train, anyway. Hunting field bosses was what I was doing, before..."

Her voice trailed, as her mind flashed back to the confrontation of the rocky bridge, lava spewing from a distant volcano.

"... Uh, let's just say I got... hunted. Personally. Oh, and I got a new familiar; I think that's new." So much had happened. Where could she begin, other than the major pointers? "I have a lot more to tell," NIGHT said, resigning herself to the task of unfurling her history. "If you're willing to listen, anyway."

@Lonzo

[Lonzo 0]

"You'd really eat the food even if it doesn't have buffs? I have loads of that. The restaurant comes with it, I just use it to season or change properties of things that need buffs. Like the chicken stock I could just make a normal soup or I can use a material to spice it up." He shrugged. "No one really comes around as it is. I think in the time I've had my restaurant open I've had one customer." he sighed."I'd love it if you came in, any of the nonbuffed food is on me as i seem to just have a supply of it. No reason for anyone to ever go hungry." he explained himself. He honestly believed that. The first time he had food of his own he came close to tears.

"You can throw your weapon? Wouldn't it just disappear?" Lonzo asked and looked at his axe. "That's not good. If I let go of this, and it stayed around, couldn't someone just take it?" the idea of it bothered him. "It'd mean stealing is a very possible option in the game." he warned about it. "That's not good. Thanks for the warning. Figures it work that way though." he moved the axe behind himself and let his arms hang from it loosely.

"Yet another reason why I want my own place. A good soak. I wonder what that'd feel like. I need to find an alchemist. I think they could make salves like shampoo or conditioner. I've been trying with foods, because there are natural ways to do that, I've come with some....Odd results. Not good ones so far. Egg on my face." he lightly nudged her jokingly. "I was told that was good for your skin." he chuckled.

"Hm control the system? What's stopping us from changing the world now? I won't know until I try. This world I mean. There are quests and stories. What if we make our own? What if we change the game by being in it. Perhaps it's not that complex, but I want to play with it. Regardless, dealing with the aftermath will be interesting." he got quiet on the subject for now. "So alchemists are cursed. That's not good. In a game where crystals are king that's no good. Maybe we could escort an NPC there. Also did you notice the monument? There are NPC names on it. That can't be good for quests or anything. I'm actually pretty worried about that. It could screw up survivability in a flash if something happened to them all. I don't even want to think about that. Maybe that's why I'm dead set on fixing Horunka. The alternative might be destructive. For example. The village we were in is a fortress, and yet, no one has documented anything inside of it. We'd have to find someone with a decent lock picking ability or get a merchant to craft some keys, and that's just all speculation. Who knows what's hiding in there, be it treasure, trap monster spawn room, rare quests." Lonzo sighed thinking about it. "There's so many mysteries in this world and I see people pushing forwards to beat the game, but what if there's something you need back here to deal with something later? Like, what if the game is harder because we don't solve something on earlier floors?" he sighed. "Maybe I'm over thinking it. Sorry usually I'm more flirty and charismatic, you seem to pull out another side of me." he smiled hating how easy it was to slip into his true self around NIGHT. It through him off.

"Which field bosses? You mean the really big ones? I've barely seen them but I know there is one I want to try my hand against. Something to do with Wargs. I read a lot of posts about completed quests from other adventurers, it's interesting that some claim to not gain much experience. So it's almost baiting lower ranked players to do it for a maximum effect. Which isn't good. It makes players reckless, and as a game it rewards stupidity. I'll take my time, I won't be caught off guard that way." he explained. "What about you though, you said you fought field bosses, have you tried against them or did you pass them up?" he asked curiously.

"You were hunted? Why whom?" He asked narrowing his eyes. "A pker?" he asked seriously. "Was there motive?" he wanted to know more immediately as he slipped into his true self in that moment. "Did they demand anything?"

[NIGHT 0]

"'Course I would!" NIGHT looked almost incredulous when she heard the question. "I mean, yeah, we're out adventuring and stats are good, but there's never been a time in real life when I'd just not-eat because it wouldn't come with a luck boost or something, right?" She chuckled, a little confused at her analogy. "Sorry... maybe the game really has gone to our heads. In any proper scenario, you shouldn't have to worry about people stopping by just because of some arbitrary numbers."

"I wouldn't mind stopping by one day," she wondered aloud, looking at the trees as they continued on their way. "It'd be super cool just to hang out, I think."

As Lonzo took a look at his axe in his hands, NIGHT gave it a glance too. It seemed pretty worn, reminding herself of her previous blade. "I'd imagined that it would disappear, actually. But it remained stuck in the earth, and Yukiro had to come pick it up." She took a moment to think, back to the information she'd scalped from her agents. "Maybe... someone out there has more information on it. It would be pretty gnarly if I just forgot it somewhere and another person just came by and took it. I hadn't even considered that possibility..." NIGHT sighed, too used to the safety and comfort of being alone, untroubled by society. "Guess we should be careful."

She nodded as Lonzo steeled his conviction, spiced by curiosity. Then it was peppered in with fear and complexity, and NIGHT understood where his troubles came from. The man might not have looked it, but he seemed to be incredibly aware of what the game could entail, and his expectations seemed to mirror her own, though the system appeared to be agreeing with their various points to different degrees.

"I think that's the work of information brokers," she offered. "As much as I'd like to say we have a library of all the information everyone has collected... I don't think that's how it works. Maybe if there was a collective of informants, we'd be able to build a bulk of details collected, but..." NIGHT sighed, fingers massaging the bridge of her nose. "I... I don't know. I do agree with you though. If we knew more about the game, it'd be easier to cope with what else the systems might throw at us."

"And.. hey, it's alright." NIGHT commented, returning a small smile to the man, stretching her arms outwards with her fingers interlocked. "I'd much prefer this side of you anyway. I'm always up for a conversation, less so for... ugh, flirting."

""Which field bosses? You mean the really big ones?"

The woman nodded, counting her slain marks with her fingers. "There's the wasp queen. There was a sand shark. Then there was Cerberus... I think." She continued to listen as the man talked about the warg. Oscar had helped her with that the other day. "Sounds like a recipe for disaster for lower levelled players," she replied, then smirked when she realized what she'd said. "Look at me, talking like I wasn't one of them before. What am I doing?"

"I think that's why we have to help other players out. Especially the ones who've just started." NIGHT folded her arms, thinking. "We help each other, and get helped in return. That's the way it should be, I think. Unite and conquer."

"Oh, and... No. I don't think it was a PK-er." She shrugged, now appearing a little more downcast. "I... can't tell if they had a motive. They wanted me to get stronger, for sure. Observant, seemed cocky... used a dagger. I've got a few people I know on the case," NIGHT revealed with a wry smile. "But I'm on the bench until then. I appreciate the concern, though."

@Lonzo

[Lonzo 0]

He jolted a bit surprised at how almost excited she seemed over food. She seemed to share a lot of his views about enjoying the life, and ,hand they were dealt, by being in it. Helping others for the sake of getting out. He stared ahead almost dumbfounded. He knew people had this frame of mind and yet he didn't seem to see it as much as he wanted to. Until right now. It was as if the mentality everything  he wanted to see and be around was just dropped on him like a sack of potatoes. He felt like he was about to have an identity crisis. The him he created to cope was drawfted by his true personality, and he felt almost dizzy. He shook his head. He didn't want people to know his actual self. He wasn't ready, if he allowed that he'd accept that the fake him was used too...

Lonzo stopped and heard a high pitched noise in his ears, and just as soon as it was there it was gone. It didn't change anything. He'd just keep being Lonzo it was that simple. He looked to NIGHT.
"Um, sorry, about that I just had a headache for a second. I think what you said just surprised me. I shouldn't think like I'm an island. Your words just shook me to my core. It's, everything I've wanted to believe in, and to hear someone agree with. I can't explain how wonderful that is." he smiled full of warmth. He then looked off and licked his lips and moved closer to he. He let out a sigh a relief."Thank you, it's nice to hear the core of my survival spoken by someone else." he sighed as his shoulders dropped. "I guess it wasn't a headache more of a...I can't explain it but.....Thank you." 

He walked with her a bit more. He listened to what she said. She knew more than him and that didn't bother him. It just increased his own understanding of the world and that's all that mattered in the long run. He nodded.

"Not all info brokers are NPCs right?" He kept listening to her curiously. "That's a lot of bosses NIGHT." he stared at her. She must be really high level now. "You really climbed up in levels. I'm pretty far behind at 12 but I'll get there eventually. I hope you can relay on me in something, but if you can't I hope you find people you can. No one would be an island. It's too....Lonely." he said that part quietly.

"Not a PKer? So they wanted to help you? That's interesting. I suppose I'm just happy they didn't hurt you too horribly. Wait you have a few people on the case?" he looked at her. "Well now, that's interesting. Just who are you NIGHT?" he smiled at her wondering if she'd tell him anything secretive at this rate he'd have to write it down to remember who's secret belonged to whom, "At this rate I'm going to wonder if you're part of a guild or a group of assassins." part of him was kidding but to be fair NIGHT was very strong and tactical. He could see it. "A knife...Being trained. Maybe it's just fanciful to think of it like that." he looked at her to see her reaction. "Not.....That I'm interrogating you." He watched her. "I guess I feel like......I don't know you but we have the same believes....It just seems....Rare?" maybe also convenient. He was use to hearing what he wanted to hear. 

It felt like his standing on it was torn in two. One being elated that he found someone he could relate with and other screaming a warning from his past to be careful. So he had to think about. What could she gain from his friendship? Nothing. His shoulders relaxed. For once in several years had it dawned on him why he played the game the way he did. The way he played so backwards. So wasteful. 

"I'm......About to hug you.....Can I?"

Someone who wanted food just for the sake of food. She could get that anyplace. Someone who wanted to be messaged. Everything that happened in the course of five minutes. He felt almost vulnerable. To see someone who could have his back. He'd have to get stronger. 

"I'm not sure what help I could give you NIGHT. But because of today. You have more than my axe in combat. You have my kitchen, and if you have concerns or need someone like me do not hesitate to tell me..." he grinned a bit. "I feel a very strong comradery between us, even if we are distant in levels. I hope. I can be useful to you."

Edited December 17, 2019 by Lonzo

[NIGHT 0]

Not knowing what had seemed off, she tilted her head, looking up at the man's face with concern. At least she could respect his views; it only made sense that players alike would band together to survive. It's what humans did naturally, right? "It's alright," she offered, "but if you're feeling unwell, you should head back and rest after this hunt. And hey, it's always nice to know that you'd be accepted by people around you, right?" NIGHT's grin was true, but it faded as the man lowered his shoulders. "If it was anything more than a sudden headache or a cramp, let me know. We can take it easy until we spot the boss."

"Not all info brokers are NPCs right?"

"Nope," she clarified, pulling up her friends list. "I'm in touch with two -- no, three players. One of them's up and coming," she found herself saying, trying not to turn scarlet from the mention of her new friend. "I can give you a contact if you'd like." With a wave, she sent the menu away, committing her informants' handles to memory.

"I didn't think it was that many," she added, counting them again. Three. "I'm sitting on the edge of Tier 2, if that's what you're asking; it's a little surprising to say the least... but it's not impossible." NIGHT folded her arms, satisfied. "I'll rely on you when I find the need to. Until then, I'm good with helping you out too. No more needing to be lonely."

Lonzo further wondered about who she was, turning to look right at her face with a smile. "I'm who I say I am," she replied, smiling in return. "I mean, I'm part of a trader's guild... But I haven't really made contact with the other members yet. A-and I'm not an assassin." The woman found herself chuckling at the idea. "No, I can't even imagine the idea. I can't even hold a-a knife--I can promise you that. I've just been relying on information brokers too much."

"They're... good company. Especially when you find yourself out hunting on your own." NIGHT fumbled with her gloves. "When you're out in the wild alone, it's just you and your thoughts sometimes."

The look on her face grew even more complex when Lonzo seemed to be genuinely... worried? NIGHT was certain her beliefs were rather standard, maybe a little more welcoming than others, but... with the way the man was acting, she was, truthfully, curious and concerned.

What had Lonzo been up to in real life that put him in a place where he couldn't express his empathy?

A hug? "Yeah, you can," she offered, opening up her arms wide, a face of worry on it. "Of course you can. And don't feel bad about it, either."

"I'll let you know if I need anything from you, and if you really do feel strongly about the same," she breathed, "then you'd better do the same too. Anything at all, from training to just wanting to talk; from a friend to another."

It was nice to be told she was trusted.

It was nice to find someone she could trust, too.

@Lonzo

[Lonzo 0]

She looked over her shoulder a bit to see the names and opened up a window to write them down for later. That was pretty impressive. She had eyes and ears. Almost like a investigator of sorts.Yet Lonzo didn't know any of these people. 

"People sometimes lie and get things wrong...I...I don't mean to be a Debbie downer or anything, but please be careful." he was worried they'd use her in some way. Yet he didn't even know them. "Hm, I guess that tares it. They're your friends and I don't know them and I'm acting like a prat. Ignore what I just said. It was stated out of worry and stupidity. You wouldn't hang around the wrong people, not with those ideals of yours." he had to trust those ideals, because he had the same ones. "Yeah you can get stuck in your own head and it's not the best thing."

He's head whirled to look at her when she okayed it. His eyes almost flew out of his head he was in disbelief. Was this the same cool as a cucumber investigative songbird he met before? Was he really away that long that everyone seemed to grow without him. Still it was nice to see it. He could get along with her just like before, but possibly for the better. He moved closer and looked around to make sure they wouldn't be attacked and leaned over hugging her.
He wasn't an island. That mask he wore. He didn't have to and yet he couldn't part with it entirely. Not yet.

"Thank you." He gave her a light pat on the back and slowly let go. "Okay....I feel like a million bucks." He was astonished how much the gesture even did. Had he known that was all he needed he would have hugged someone sooner. Maybe without asking. "Even if I'm tight lipped about.....Some things I'm going through, give me time. Something tells me. It won't last too long with you....What was that about a guild?" He asked curiously.

[NIGHT 0]

"It's fine to have your concerns," she commented with a smile. It was... relieving to see someone worry about her in the flesh. Her informants had done it over text, and she did meet up with a couple of people who'd shown the same anxiety towards matters relating to her. But the feeling of being worried over was always fresh. "I had mine too. If it helps, Fleur's probably an informant that Yukiro uses. But you didn't hear that from me," she grumbled, "Because he doesn't think so."

"Regardless, Bistro's been operating since nearly the start of the game. That's... why I feel like I can trust her." NIGHT sighed, going over the facts the woman had shared with her. "She's also pretty open, so it never feels like a one-way channel. And she's always open to chat, because business is slow. That part though, is from a lack of marketing."

Lonzo's hug was tight, but brief. She patted him lightly on the back, feeling like he'd needed it. When he let go, NIGHT wondered how she hadn't been crushed yet, but grinned all the same. "I'm glad you feel better," she stated, "And take your time with the baggage; we seem to have a lot of it while we're here in the game." The woman chuckled, keeping a hand in her pocket.

"As for the guild, it's a mercantile operation." She placed a hand over her chin. "They have bonuses that help you gain col on monsters you fight, but I've mostly been in there since they provide information and brochures on crafting techniques. It's a reliable benefit, and they have my vouching for them." NIGHT shrugged, a lazy, subdued smile on her face. "You should board with them, even if it's temporary. I'm sure it'll help in your cooking if you need it."

@Lonzo

[Lonzo 0]

Even Yukiro had some sort of help. He never knew. Why didn't Yukiro help him then? Yet they were all information brokers. He looked at her. 

"What motives do they have? In helping? What are their goals?" Lonzo was curious. "I might trust you, but I've never met the other people. I can't make a definitive analyzes about them based until I meet them." Would she do that? Would he meet these ghosts? 

He nodded and looked at how she carried herself when she said baggage. 

"So I suppose that means, you're carrying some too?" he asked watching her. "I won't pry." He looked off trying to respect her privacy on the matter. He knew this game really did give a person more baggage than what they started off with.

"Hm, I might join up with them if I can find them. Don't I have to be invited to that sort of thing?" He asked curiously. "Help me with my cooking? That'd be rather ideal, then I could make you a feast one day." He smiled thinking about being a grand master chef.....I get the feeling I'm going to start calling you more often. Maybe I'll see you in the guild, if I can ever figure it out....A hot bath and bed would probably do me more than just some good." the idea of being clean for once, his body ached for it. No more washing up in an NPC shop only to get yelled at for it. "After helping out on the medicine quest I've been paying visits, they let me use their facilities but I couldn't do it. Not enough locks." he admitted. "Even if I can bring up my menu fast enough I just don't trust it without a lock." he admitted.

There was a fluttering like noise and Lonzo raised his arm to stop NIGHT. He glanced around. "Did....You hear something?"

[NIGHT 0]

"Motives?" NIGHT repeated, wondering. "I'm almost quite certain they share our sentiments; aside from making a buck as they do, of course." She wrung the back of her neck with a hand. "It's part and parcel of our cycle these days -- we give them money, they get us information, and vice versa if we find anything of interest. If you want to meet them I'm sure they'll oblige, though Fleur's more elusive than Bistro, I think."

NIGHT folded her arms with a smirk when Lonzo asked her about her baggage. "I mean, maybe?" She slung them behind her head, leaning back. "Some. But I'm much more fortunate than others, I think. People... have lost their loved ones in here. But I don't think I can say the same." For the better, she assured herself.

But she nodded when Lonzo spoke about privacy. The guild question had to be noticed answered to first though. "I find it more like a... Community Centre." Was that the word? She frowned at the term. "--Yeah. No invitation needed, I think. 's not like I met the owner myself, either; they just seem to let anybody in to reap the benefits."

"And I can agree on the bathing front," she sighed, wondering if she would ever be able to change her situation on that front. "The public bathhouses are getting a little... cramped? Uh, muddied. Y'know what? It doesn't matter," NIGHT hissed, sinking her head into her collar. "But I'd definitely like some privacy myself." She continued mulling over the baths. They really needed cleaning. Maybe she could take a day out of her schedule to clean them. It'd be good training, maybe, while she was benched.

But at the man's notice that the field boss might be near, she snapped out of her thought spiral, pulling out her blade. "If you see it, take the first strike," she ordered. "It won't live past the next that hits it, that's for sure."

@Lonzo

[Lonzo 0]

"Basically we're worth more alive to them." he had his concerns about it. "I wouldn't put blind trust in that, but again I haven't met them. Still, you're fairly a good judge of character. I might end up liking them in a long run." He said relaxing about it

"Ah, you won't tell me. It's hard to figure out how to approach that then. Thanks for letting me know you have some though. If you ever want to talk about it, I have ears." he explained. "Maybe one day I'll open up more too. No, rush though." he nodded "Yeah, people have had it tough here. It sucks."

"Really? It's honestly that easy? Nora brought up the same guild name awhile back. I never looked into it. I was too prideful. Guess I'll give it a go. Wait...Public baths? If I was donning my other personality I use to throw people off this conversation would suddenly warrant a swift kick to the you know where. Ha, I don't know if I'd like being that vulnerable in public. Even with all the censoring the game has. It'd seem odd." he laughed. 

He quieted down and glanced at her when she said to strike as soon as he saw it.
"Here's hoping I hit it." He looked to his right. "Three o'clock." Lonzo took off like a shot once he spotted the queen. "HOLA!" He shouted as he neared the large bug. He felt almost unnerved looking at the insect but he didn't want to let NIGHT down and jumped spinning around the wasp with his axe. He made sure to land on the other side of the wasp "Gotcha."

Lonzo uses <<Crimson Blood>>

132277

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(6) * 6 = 36 dmg - 50hp = 14hp remaining on the queen
-6eng for Lonzo

Lonzo
Hp: 240
Eng: 18/24
Mit: 26
Dmg 6
Acc 3
Hate: 6

NIGHT

Wasp Queen
HP: 14/50
Damage per Attack: 20

Edited December 18, 2019 by Lonzo

[NIGHT 0]

NIGHT nodded at his suspicions for the contacts she'd shared. It was more than alright by her for him to be aware about them. But she wasn't sure how to breach the subject of her worries. "It's more like... I'm not too sure what they are. I have some, of course," she looked away saying it, eyes tailed to the bushes. "And maybe when I pin them down, I'll tell you."

When the Wasp Queen busted out from the trees, Lonzo lunged for it, cutting through its abdomen with his axe. She spun around, taking notice of the creature.

"Wanna see something cool?"

Before the field boss could react to NIGHT charging at it, her blade began glowing a bright crimson, set to her side. With one singular swing, she cut through the bug, creating a cross through where Lonzo had left his mark, and decimating its health bar faster than NIGHT had ever seen before. As long as the strike had hit, the damage would be critical. She slung her blade and rested it on her shoulder, grinning to herself as she watched its form crumble into stardust.

"It's called Galaxy Destroyer." She laughed, beaming. "And I'm glad it tore through the boss. That's how strong you're gonna be one day, Lonzo, but a little more, I think." A finger pointed towards his axe. "That thing's capable of taking out multiple enemies with sheer force, I believe. I saw it in action once. You'd be surprised at the damage you could deal with that thing."

NIGHT sheathed her sword, with a final exhale. "Anyway, about the baths, they're not exactly my thing either. I only got used to them because there was nowhere else that had a bath installed, and the inns' have this... scheduled queue." She frowned. "I hate thinking about it."

"Back to town we go, then?

Quote

ID: 132283 | BD: 10 (7, +3)
14 * 13 = 182 DMG
Wasp Queen has been decimated!

Wasp Queen | HP: -168/50 | DMG: 20

NIGHT | HP: 500/500 | EN: 37/50 (-13) | ACC: 3 | DMG: 14 | EVA: 3 | PARA: 2 | KEEN: 1

Edited December 18, 2019 by NIGHT

[Lonzo 0]

He wondered if he had a crush on one of her informants and looked off. Feeling a bit sorry for someone else.Then again she did mention working with the person he was thinking of. Pin them down? "NIGHT, be careful when you do it. I don't want you in over your head with something okay." He said with worry.

He then saw NIGHT take out Bee and just stared dumbfounded. If she was this strong there was a chance she was scouted which meant the other people were stronger. That unnerved him a bit. Then her following words hit him hard. She's seen another axe user in action. How would he contend with that? He felt a bit nautious from it. How could he protect NIGHT later? Then a voice whispered in his mind. Not your prerogative. He felt his own muscles tighten at that. Was that a self preservation voice? No it was his prerogative and he'd yell at himself later for thinking otherwise.

"There's a line for it? Ugh, okay, getting a house is now in my sights all over again." he sighed so very annoyed at that. "Is that also a one handed sword Night?" he asked looking it over. "You've gotten really strong." He smiled brightly at her. "If I ever catch up I wouldn't mind testing my metal against yours. If you're up for it. He heard a noise as the drop was placed in his inventory. "Hm?" Lonzo opened up his HUD seeing the uncommon potion sitting there. "Ah, so that's what that meant. I see. Not bad." Considering he couldn't find an alchemist it'd have to do in a pinch, some potions were better than none. "I wonder if there's any honey nearby, do wasps make honey? No I suppose not...Unless." He looked around anyway.

rolling mat search just cuz

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7

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Edited December 18, 2019 by Lonzo

[NIGHT 0]

"I'll let you know if I figure out my baggage, yeah," she reassured him. NIGHT doubted that it'd be any time soon, though.

"Inn baths have lines. And strict schedules on when players can use them. I hate them so much..." NIGHT sighed, shaking her head. "But I'd agree on getting a house for myself one day. A place to keep cozy sounds just about right for me." Her workshop was beginning to run out of space, anyway. Ever since Nyanko came in, she'd been wanting to remodel her rooms so that the kitten could enjoy her space the way a proper cat should be allowed to. "I think an apartment would be just perfect, and then I can get down to thinking about improving on it in the future."

She raised a brow when Lonzo asked about her blade. "It's two-handed, actually." The woman held the sword out in front of her, examining it over. "I personally think the skill's been helping me wield it with ease; it's why I'm able to use it like a one-handed sometimes. But I don't advise anyone doing that..."

"I'll be up for a match, sure," NIGHT added, storing the blade to her back. "Just let me know when you're looking for the fight." She began her stroll back to town, making sure the man was following along. "And I'll see if there's any alchemists up and running when I can. Cardinal knows I need to find one myself, anyway."

@Lonzo

Quote

ID: 132299 | LD: 5 | Treasure Chest Search
> There's nothing here...

Edited December 18, 2019 by NIGHT