[PP][F10] <<Feeding the Enemy>>

[Grimm Reaper 0]

Ozwald had been thinking of the words that Valentine had said all day. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't focus on anything that he needed to get done, all that was on his mind was getting back to Valentine about that dinner. Ozwald didn't want to feel clingy or as if he was desperate, but he couldn't wait anymore. Opening up his HUD Ozwald sent Val a simple message.

Hey, you said something about dinner? I am free tonight.

Embarrassed Ozwald closed the Hud as fast as he could, trying to focus on his shop, and the maintenance thereof rather than the man who would likely not even respond. It was getting late and Ozwald was beginning to worry that it had been some kind of joke, and that he had not meant anything by it. Maybe he was reading too much into it, and this was just Val being friendly. Either way Ozwald had to make a good impression, so he went and drew himself a bath, so that he could be ready for anything.

Spoiler

Name: Grimm Reaper
Level: 13
HP: 260/260
EN: 26/26

Stats:
Damage: 9
Mitigation: 5
Evasion: 1
REC:2
LD: 3

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Soul Devourer(tier 1/Perfect/Hand Wraps)[DAM 3]
Armor: Death's Shroud(Tier 1/Perfect/Light Armor)[EVA 1][REC 2]
Misc:  Celestial Eye(Trinket/Perfect):LD |||

Skills:
Martial Arts [Rank 3]
Light Armor [Rank 1]

Battle Ready Inventory:
Starter Healing Potions(+50 hp)*3
[T1]Health potions(rare)(+40 HP)*5
[T1]Damage potion(uncommon)(+1 DAM)*1

Inventory:
spyglass(2/3)

Extracted Perfume(T1/+1 CD for familiar taming)

Cheerful March - Allure (T1/Familiars song/ +2 LD for familiar hunting)

Chocolate Covered Peanuts(T1/Perfect/LD 3)

Guild Hall Buffs:
Lucrative: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters receive +1 crafting attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters receive +2 crafting attempts per day.
Col Deposit: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

@Valentine

 

Edited October 19, 2020 by Grimm Reaper

[Valentine 0]

Valentine was inside his studio practicing when he received the message. A flurry of joy gave him heart palpitations and he beamed with excitement. He smoothed his hair back and tried to play it calm. This would be his first date in a bit. This was technically the only guy he has ever gone out with besides Sage. He did not want to blow it and seem weird. Val wrote a quick response.

Quote

Sure. I was just thinking about you and the dinner. Meet me at the location [xx.xx] on the 10th floor. The place is called Fairy Garden in case you beat me there.

After he was satisfied he pressed sent. Val wanted to clean up and maybe pick out a bit of jewelry to look nice. He pondered bringing a gift but thought it would be too forward. He was going to get ready and head over. Yomi could be disconcerting for people who have never been he did not want to keep Grimm waiting.

 

 

Spoiler

 

Name: Valentine

• Level: 13
• HP: 260/260
• EN: 26/26

Stats:

• Damage: 9
• ACC:3
• EVV:2
• MIT:5

Equipped Gear:

• Weapon: <<Dastardly Poker>> ( +3 DMG/2HAS)
• Armor: <<Cloudskin>> ( +2 EV, +1 Regen/Light Armor)
• Trinket: <Eye of Horus>> ( +3 ACC/Pin)
   

Items on hand:
 

Skills:

• 2 Handed Assault Spear [Rank 3]
• Light Armor [Rank 1]
   

 

Valentine | HP:260/260 | EN: 26/26 | DMG:9 | MIT: 5 | EVA:2 | ACC:3 | REGEN: 1

 

 

[Grimm Reaper 0]

Ozwald's received Val's message right as he was finishing up in the bath. Getting out Ozwald dried himself and got ready for what would be his first date in this world, Ozwald had dated before, but nothing had ever really stuck, and he had never really met anyone in SAO. Ozwald dressed himself very casually,  opting for a gray tank top looking shirt, with an unbuttoned flannel over the top, along with a pair of dark pants. After getting himself all nice looking Ozwald walked to the teleporter for The Town of Beginnings. Calling out the name for the main settlement of the tenth floor, Ozwald was enveloped in a large flash of blue light before appearing on floor ten. Following the coordinates that Valentine had given him Ozwald walked down the street the restaurant was on, seeing Val from a distance waiting outside for him. "Hey." Ozwald called out casually as he came up to the much taller man blushing deeply, Hiding his accent much more successfully than their first meeting.

[Valentine 0]

It was never in his nature to run late. Often times Val even wondered if he was capable of doing so. He did not set a time for the current date. It was why Val had gotten to the designated meeting coordinates very early despite going to the artisan emporium.  The moment Grimm became visible. Val responded to his salutations in kind. "Hello to you as well. Glad you were able to make it. I was looking forward to this date." Val had very little dating experience and was always straight forward. He was skeptical about calling it a date yet went for it.

Valentine was dressed decently in black pants and a long sleeved white button up. The glow from the fluorescent lighting dyed him turquoise, and gave him a mystique air. He held out his elbow as an offer to escort Grimm inside. "I know the head cook here so he made us reservation. Care to come in?"

[Grimm Reaper 0]

Ozwald smiled when Val said "Date", he wasn't sure if that's what this was but he was glad to see that it was. Grabbing Val's elbow the pair walked into the restaurant. "This place looks really nice" Ozwald commented, not quite knowing what to say. He had dated before, but he never really did much with those relationships, they were more carnal in nature. Following next to the much larger man Ozwald was led to a nice looking table for two, it wasn't too fancy, but it also wasn't casual either. "What do you recommend here?" Ozwald asked taking his seat opposite the handsome man who asked him out here. Ozwald wasn't too much interested in the food of the place that was here, rather than the man who sat across from him. Ozwald was stunned by Valentine, he was both handsome and strong, that was a lot more than could be said about himself, and Ozwald liked to feel protected.

[Valentine 0]

"I would recommend the night time Teylu pasta with yovo sauce. A lot of the dishes look weird since the owner is an Avatar fan. Not the last air bender but the one with blue people. Hence why he built a restaurant on this floor. It is honestly a shrimp pasta." Val had experience with the restaurant. It was one of his favorite places to eat. "Hope you do not mind. I am actually pretty nervous. I am glad you agreed to come. So if I may ask, why martial arts? You can count this as a getting to know you question."

When the waiter came Val ordered the drink. He would give a recommendation but would not order. It was only the first date and Val did not want to be rude. If Grimm did not like the food and blamed it on him. There was a chance a second date would not come.

[Grimm Reaper 0]

"Hmm, Shrimp Pasta you say?" Ozwald looked up at Valentine "That sounds delightful." Ozwald smiled ordering that when the waiter came around. Ozwald rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly when Val asked his next question. Ozwald had chosen to use martial arts in order to honor a friend he left behind when he started this game, she wasn't into games so he played this alone that was two years ago though. "Oh, I do it to honor an old friend, someone who didn't play this game. She was training to be an olympic Martial Artist." Ozwald didn't grow sad at the thought, he was passed that, he knew that his friend was doing just fine without him, and he could honor her like this, so there was nothing to be sad about. "How about you? Any reason you wield that spear?" Ozwald asked in response to Val's question in an attempt to help break the ice.

 

[Valentine 0]

Val gave a nod of acknowledgment in regards to the food order before placing it. The drinks came out as Grimm was speaking about his martial arts skill. The upside of being trapped in a videogame was how negligible food cooking time and the like was. A pro-chef could cook a full eight course meal in under a minute. Val was able to take a sip of his glowing blueberry lemonade before responding. "I had a friend that convinced me to use it. Spears are said to be direct and honorable. I was told it fit my personality. Since I can be straightforward with the best of intentions."

Two plates were placed on the table. The food looked like it was made in an alien spaceship, as the shrimp was green, the noodles were red, with a blue colored pasta sauce. "Give it a try and tell me what you think. If you do not like it we can order something else."

[Grimm Reaper 0]

Ozwald smiled at the reason that Val used a spear, it was true, from everything that Ozwald had seen Val was a very straightforward man. "That is cute. I think it suits you." Ozwald's smile grew deeper, he was enjoying his night very much so far. Noticing that the food was coming Ozwald looked over, the plate was weird with food that could not be considered natural colors. When Val told him to try the food he took a hesitant bite, and was surprised by the flavor, it was surprisingly good. "I like it." Ozwald said finishing his bite and swallowing before going in for more food. "I wouldn't have expected that such oddly colored food would taste so good. Your recommendation was a very good choice." Ozwald couldn't stop smiling, he thought he might be falling in love. He would never say that out loud though, but it had been a very long time since he felt comfortable with someone on this level.

[Valentine 0]

With Grimm around the stone cold facial expressions on Val's face was practically none existent. He was enjoying himself more than he could recall in a fair amount of time. "I am glad you like it." As a gentlemen Val would try to eat silently. He would make small talk between bites as he finished his meal. He paid for everything and was happy to treat Grimm out. If he finished before Grimm did he would also wait. He did not want to leave until his date was done with his food.

"After this I figured we could go for a walk. Explore while trying to avoid things trying to kill us. Unless you are up for a fight as well. Since I chose the dinner you can choose the after dinner activity." Val was nice but he could be wicked in his own way. He allowed Grimm the option of a choice without really letting him choose. The options Val presented had him present in them all. It was simply a matter of what they were doing.

[Grimm Reaper 0]

"Hmm" Ozwald hummed in thought "I think a walk in the cool night air would be a great idea. And I am always up for a fight" Ozwald winked at the last bit of his sentence and stood up. pushing in his chair. Walking with Valentine to the exit Ozwald thanked him for the meal, before walking with him all the way to the edge of floor elevens settlement.

"I think we should go for a walk in the forest. After all I have you to protect me don't I?" Ozwald acted like a damsel in distress Attaching himself to val's arm both to be closer to him and to help stave off the cold. Ozwald thought he might be being too clingy, but he didn't really care. Ozwald was having more fun here then he had had since being trapped in this game. Resting his head on Val's shoulder as they walked Ozwald smiled contentedly 

[Valentine 0]

A herd of wild horses could be heard from the beating of Val's heart. The sensation of Grimm laying on his shoulder would have been enough to give him a noise bleed in the real world. He was feeling a bitter sweet form of happiness that he could not describe. It was a sensation that was familiar yet foreign. It was a feeling that lacked words in his repertoire to describe.

He made an awkward embarrassing cough before answering. "Of course! I will be happy to protect you." It was the truth and he did not mind it. He would not let an accident happen to someone he cared about again.

"What a lovely couple. The gentlemen with the red eyes has a gentle and firm disposition. He has the makings of a great pet owner." Valentine looked at the old hag that was speaking to Grimm, he did not even catch the fact that they were referred to as a couple. Valentine was more content on moving with their date. It was the gypsy woman that vied for Grimm's attention.

[Grimm Reaper 0]

Ozwald's smile just grew more and more as he walked, Ozwald felt more comfortable then he could really explain. If he were not walking Ozwald could have fallen asleep just like this. The crisp cool air was being held off by the heat from Val and it made the night a pleasant temperature. Ozwald was knocked out of his revelry by the sound of a decrepit lady talking to him.

Ozwald was startled, he wasn't really paying attention until the gypsy spoke. Ozwald stopped walking intrigued by what the gypsy had to say "What do you mean a good pet owner?" Ozwald asked very curious about the idea of having a pet in SAO. "I mean a pet." The gypsy shoved some strange meat into Ozwald's hands "Here use this, go out and find a small creature. Feed them this and they will be a friend for life." Ozwald was hesitant, but he took the meat anyways and turned towards Val "Do you want to find a pet?" Ozwald asked him hoping he would say yes.

[Valentine 0]

Valentine did not even need to be asked. All of the option he gave Grimm before involved them together. Searching for a pet would keep them together. There was no way he would pass up the chance to be with Grimm. "I would actually like to. I think we can get you something worth keep. Have you ever seen a pet that caught your eye? It could give a general direction of where to go."

Not being familiar with the floor was a burden. Besides the restaurant and few other places Val could not say he understood floor 10 well. If Grimm wanted something like an acid spitting spider he knew where they were. If not he would not mind going with Grimm to a different floor. If Val was given the quest he had an idea as to what type of pet he would want. He did not recommend it to Grimm as he believed something more beautiful would fit the man. Besides SAO and the cardinal system ripped the djinn legend from his people. It would only makes sense that he had one.

[Grimm Reaper 0]

Ozwald smiled, he was very glad that Val was willing to help him find a pet. "Okay, well I haven't seen anything that catches my eye, at least not a pet." Ozwald said with a wink towards Val "But we could just look around here, I would hate to call our forest walk short." Ozwald opened up his inventory pulling out some items that he thought might help him find a pet easier. "I think these might help." Ozwald said using all of the consumables that were in his inventory in order to have more chance at finding and taming a pet. Ozwald grabbed Val's hand walking off into the forest "Let's go this way" Ozwald pulled Val off further into the forest in order to start looking for his new pet. Ozwald was slightly embarrassed at the boldness he just showed, but he was happy with his decision now holding Val's hand.

Spoiler

Consumed:

Extracted Perfume(T1/+1 CD for familiar taming)

Cheerful March - Allure (T1/Familiars song/ +2 LD for familiar hunting)
Chocolate Covered Peanuts(T1/Perfect/LD 3)

Spoiler

Name: Grimm Reaper
Level: 13
HP: 260/260
EN: 26/26

Stats:
Damage: 9
Mitigation: 5
Evasion: 1
REC:2
LD: 3 + 2(While hunting familiar) + 3 = 8

CD: 1(while taming familiar)

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Soul Devourer(tier 1/Perfect/Hand Wraps)[DAM 3]
Armor: Death's Shroud(Tier 1/Perfect/Light Armor)[EVA 1][REC 2]
Misc:  Celestial Eye(Trinket/Perfect):LD |||

Skills:
Martial Arts [Rank 3]
Light Armor [Rank 1]

Battle Ready Inventory:
Starter Healing Potions(+50 hp)*3
[T1]Health potions(rare)(+40 HP)*5
[T1]Damage potion(uncommon)(+1 DAM)*1

Inventory:
spyglass(2/3)

Extracted Perfume(T1/+1 CD for familiar taming)

Cheerful March - Allure (T1/Familiars song/ +2 LD for familiar hunting)

Chocolate Covered Peanuts(T1/Perfect/LD 3)

Guild Hall Buffs:
Lucrative: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters receive +1 crafting attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters receive +2 crafting attempts per day.
Col Deposit: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

 

[Valentine 0]

The giant glowing mushroom forest was a sight to see. Valentine was ready and keeping an eye out for a decent pet for Grimm. His future partner had to have a pet that was cool, refined, and as beautiful as he is. "I am sure we will find you a great pet. I think in this area they have glowing unicorns. They are supposed to be rare but I doubt you want that as a pet. Maybe you could even go for a more offensive type of pet. I say something that matches your brightness. Like a phoenix."

Valentine was really into it. In the real world he had his own zoo sponsored. He was not worried if it was doing well without him. The zoo was funded for the next fifty years from a private account he set up. When he had more money then he could spend he could indulge his interests. It was part of the reason he was stubborn about things he put value in.

[Grimm Reaper 0]

Spoiler

LD: 19 + 8 = 27(Success)

Ozwald was really happy that Val seemed to be as excited as he was about finding a pet. Ozwald stopped running to ponder Val's suggestions, not letting go of his hand while he did "I think a unicorn might be too big, but a phoenix could be really cute." Ozwald was growing more and more excited as the seconds passed.

"Do you hear that?" Ozwald asked his travelling partner, and hopefully soon actual partner. Ozwald had heard some small chirping sounds coming out of the forest near them. Letting go of Val's hand Ozwald crouched low, silently making his way over to the sound. Pushing away some branches Ozwald saw a seemingly small chicken, except its tail was long like a dragon, covered in scales, and instead of chicken wings it looked like it had dragon wings. The creature may not have been conventionally cute, but to Ozwald it was the most adorable thing ever, and he knew he had to have it.

 

Edited October 20, 2020 by Grimm Reaper

[Valentine 0]

Valentine did not find the creature Grimm was looking at to fit his criteria. He thought it was too odd in a way he could not describe. Val felt like he had seen a picture of a creature similar to that but had no clue as to where. Still Val was the indulgent type he face nor his expression would show if he disliked it. If one day he had to even fight the beast he would make sure every time Grimm looked at them he would show a smile and give it a hug, at least until Grimm turned back around.

"If you want to tame that one out of all things make sure to give it your all. Wild creatures have a tendency of turning if the taming fails. See if it will eat from your hands." Val was not given the quest this time but he at least knew vague details. The vague details involved feeding it and seeing if it accepts. If it kept rejecting it would attack. That was the full extent of the details he knew.

[Grimm Reaper 0]

Spoiler

CD: 5 + 1 = 6(Failure)

Ozwald smiled at Val, he knew that the creature wasn't cool or cute, honestly it was fairly awkward looking, the combination of scales and feathers giving it an odd contrast, but he was glad Val was willing to pretend for him. "Yeah, this is the one I want. It reminds me of my father. . ." Ozwald grew silent and distant for a single moment, but it quickly went away. "I am going to try to tame it." Ozwald looked over his shoulder at the tall strong man behind him, it sent shivers down his spine seeing him look so in control. Ozwald leaned forward on his hands and knees, extending a hand toward the creature, one full of the strange food. Seemingly interested the beast came towards Ozwald, before pecking at his fingers and bouncing a few steps farther away. Ozwald drew his hand back surprised at the sudden peck, but not at all actually hurt.

 

Edited October 20, 2020 by Grimm Reaper

[Valentine 0]

Valentine waited patiently as he watched Grimm trying to connect with the creature. Val thought Grimm looked beautiful even as he crouched in the dim blue lighting of the floor. Val had to restrain his desire to sing. He felt like the soft glow on Grimm was giving him an ethereal look that warranted expression in the purest form.

As he waited he contemplated the capability needed to care for a tamed creature. Do they all eat different food? Would the beastly entity that Grimm dealt with require a special diet? It looked like it could eat a variety of pellets or meats for sustenance. The main conundrum he was having with the beast was the errant question. How did such a beast prompt Grimm to contemplate of his father? He could only restrain himself from inquiring for only a moment before asking. "How does it remind you of your dad?"