[F2-PP] Seeking out a Child (Let There Be Light)

[Sam 0]

Sitting in the Black Odyssey on her chair she placed in the corner with a straight view of the front counter. Her mind racing with all the quests that she still needed to do. She could hear in the back room things moving around, shuffling across counter tops. The girls were hard at work like usual. She could also hear an inhale, then exhale from Simmone as she takes a puff of her bad habit. Felix and Curbie were somewhere unknown. Sam, regardless of the back round noise what dead focused on the black book in her hands. "Glowstone, got it." Sam says as a quest catches her eyes. "Simmone, you care to join me. Let there be light quest. Should be quick." Sam's demeanor changed. Anyone who really knows her would recognize the shift. She walks to the back room and sends a message to Shiina with the quest information and location. Figuring because she doesn't fight, she would have a free hand to hold the light up for them. A chime of her HUD as she swipes it away and grabs a glowstone off the shelf. She gathers her things and heads out the door. 

Intending to give to Shiina:
Glowstone

Sam | HP:840/840 | EN:82/82 | DMG:16 | ACC:3 | BLD:24 | REC:2

Spoiler

Sam
Level: 41
HP: 840/840
EN: 82/82

Stats:
Damage: 16
Accuracy: 3
BLD:24
REC:2

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Serrated Guillotine - Bloodlust {T2}: Bleed 1, Damage 2
Armor: Assault Division Bracelet: Rec 2, Acc 1
Misc: Fire Brand - Din: Accuracy 3

Skills:
Two-Handed Battle Ax [Rank 5]
Fishing [Obtained]
Light Armor [Rank 3]
Hiding [Rank 3]

Extra Skills:
Concentration
Familiar Mastery: Fighter R1

Mods:
Finesse Rank 3
Ferocity
Athletics

Battle Ready Inventory:
Sapphire Ring - Nayru: Prosperity 3
Silver Band - Farore's Wind +3 LD
Teleport Crystal*1

Housing Buffs:
Well Rested: -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat
Squeaky Clean: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down)
Hard Working: +2 EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot.
Item Stash: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
Delicious: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed.
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Col Stash: +5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests
Angler: +1 material gained when fishing
Advanced Training: +2 SP to a thread. Limit one use per month [0/1]
Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
Decor [Potted Tanabana]: This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.

 

Edited March 26, 2021 by Sam

[Simmone 0]

"A pleasure dear, I am sure." Simmone quips slinking off of her red recliner, taking another drag of her cigarette before putting it out in the tray. A slide behind the three sectional screen sees her changed into her battle attire, walking near the chair and claiming the rapier from its leaned position. "Quite motivated lately my dear, it looks good on you." Simmone remarks to her apprentice, noting the slight change of tone as well. There was a drive present these last couple exchanges between them. It was welcome, a since of serious to her tone. Curious where it had stemmed from, but she was sure that the girl would give it when she was ready. "After you dear." Simmone quips allowing Sam to take the door first. The glare of floor 7, Deepedge. The shops current location staring back at them. A bright sun burned above, causing both players eyes to dilate heavily.

Simmone | HP:900/900 | EN:90/90 | DMG:1 | EVA:1 | BLD:12 | LD:8 | KEEN:1 | REC:4

Spoiler

Simmone, The Black Lotus
Level: 45
HP: 900/900
EN: 90/90

Stats:
Damage: 1
Evasion: 1
BLD:12
LD:8
KEEN:1
REC:4

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Ornate Quicksilver Rapier [T1/Rare/Rapier] (Bleed 1 [9-10{12 Dmg over 2}], 1 Keen)
Armor: Gilded Lotus [T1/Perfect/Trinket] (+3 Loot Dice)
Misc: The Black Lotus - Expedition [T2/Perfect/Trinket] Recovery 2, Evasion 1

Skills:
Searching [Rank 5]
Picking [Obtained]
Energize [Obtained]
First Aid [Rank 5]

Extra Skills:
Concentration
Familiar Mastery: Assistant

Mods:
Hyperactive
Dismantling

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleport Crystal*1
Misperception [T1/Perfect/Debuff/Instant]*3
Bird Seed (T2/Rare/Snack) Vitality 2*2
Vocal Augmentation - Resonation [T1/Perfect/Support/Instant] +60 HP*2
Cat's Gaze [T1/Perfect/Trinket] (3 Accuracy)

Housing Buffs:
Well Rested: -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat
Squeaky Clean: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down)
Hard Working: +2 EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot.
Item Stash: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
Delicious: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed.
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Col Stash: +5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests
Advanced Training: +2 SP to a thread. Limit one use per month [0/1]
Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
Decor [Potted Tanabata Plant]: This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.

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.

 

Edited March 26, 2021 by Simmone

[Shiina 0]

Buzzing past like a bee in the fields of wheat, Shiina just happens to find Simmone and Sam. "Hi guys! Whatcha dooin'" She asks of them quizzically as Sam ushers her a glowstone. "Oh dark time creepy cave diving. Noice." Shiina exhumes tapping the stone against her plate armor like a flashlight. Falling in behind the pack as she was offered a rather reluctant quest invite from the two, sharing with her a quest the same. They were bound for floor 2, Urbus. Something was amiss there that they could get something for completing. Not that Shiina payed any mind to the specifics, given that it wasn't really relevant to her at all. She was just along for the ride, and the sense of adventure that followed with it. It would only be a matter of time, before that untapped focus was finally brought to light. Once someone dug deep enough to find it.

Equipping Glowstone

Shiina | HP:840/840 | EN:84/84 | DMG:1 | MIT:89 | MENDING:1 | REC:4 | LD:3

Spoiler

Shiina, The Resonant Valkyre
Level: 42
HP: 840/840
EN: 84/84

Stats:
Damage: 1
Mitigation: 89
MENDING:1
REC:4
LD:3

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Wings of the Valkyre - Spring [Heavy Armor] (T2/Perfect) +54 Miti
Armor: Ancient Larissa Leaf Necklace [T2/Perfect/Trinket] Life Mending 1, Recovery 2
Misc: Sapphire Hair Clips [Trinket] (T1/Perfect) +3 LD

Skills:
First Aid [Rank 5]
Energize [Obtained]
Heavy Armor [Rank 5]

Extra Skills:
Concentration

Mods:
Sharpness
Field Medic
Hyperactive

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleport Crystal*1
Lullaby 2 [T1/Rare/Debuff/Instant] -2 Evasion*2
Vocal Augmentation - Resonation [T1/Perfect/Support/Instant] +60 HP*3
Flash of Rejuvenation [T1/Perfect/Crystal] Mass Heal*5
Flash of Rejuvenation [T1/Perfect/Crystal] Mass Heal*5
Flash of Rejuvenation [T1/Perfect/Crystal] Mass Heal*3
Vocal Augmentation - Resonation [T2/Perfect/Support/Instant] +120 HP*4
Requires Extended Weight Limit 1
Requires Extended Weight Limit 2
Requires Extended Weight Limit 3

Housing Buffs:
Well Rested: -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat
Squeaky Clean: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down)
Hard Working: +2 EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot.
Item Stash: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
Delicious: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed.
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Skylight (Extended Mod Limit): +1 Rank to the Extended Mod Limit skill.
Advanced Training: +2 SP to a thread. Limit one use per month [0/1]

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.

 

Edited March 26, 2021 by Shiina

[Sam 0]

A step out the door as Simmone makes an observation. A glance back meeting her eyes. "It is time that I become who I once was before this game. I can't keep worrying about the little things. Continuing down that path will get me killed or worse." Turning back as she headed for the gate. "There is no room for what if's just the definite. The facts are what is important now." She realized that it might not make sense to anyone but her, she knew what she was saying though even if she was the only one who understood. Before clearing the gate as her attentions place on Shiina as she approaches. "Here, when the girl is located, keep the light on her." Giving the girl the glowstone, she walks to the board and takes the quest. The three step through the gate. Taking the quest, sharing and inviting the group as she finds a woman walking to her crying. Begging her to save her little girl. Sam simple nods and heads out the gate.

Edited March 27, 2021 by Sam

[Simmone 0]

Sam being through that ring of stone, jumping down floors in an instant Simmone looks to Shiina. "Do you best dear, that little girl is counting on us." Remarked as she moves up and murmurs out the destination forcing the gate to trigger after the light had just began to fade. Sam was already holding a conversation with the mother, Simmone keeping an eye on their extra little addition to the group. Waiting for the gate to trigger, and once it had she'd keep like a tether between the focused and the one that wasn't. To the mouth of a cavern that looked like a lions maw. Rows of jagged spire hung like teeth on its entry, and from within the sounds of sobbing echoed from within it. Their destination to be sure, if that was any indication. The players were vastly too strong for this endeavor, which would make completing it rather paltry. Even still, a little bit of caution never hurt any situation.

[Shiina 0]

Still smacking that glowstone against her armor as Simmone disappeared, taking a moment to pause to her words. Looking into the stone with a inquired eye. "Right, we CPS." Shiina exhumes as he follows the other girls examples and jump to Urbus the same. Sam had already updated the quest requirements by the time she arrived, a stare into Simmone's womanly figure. "K we doing the thing now?" The girl asks as the pair begin to move. Right into the forest line, through the trees and for the only cavern that it could be. Knowing how these things worked, Shiina stirred the stone offering a lime greenish glow from it like a glowstick. Stepping into the mouth of the cave, it produces a dim light along the walls. This gives her and other players who would follow suit the ability to see as if in daylight, her playing her part even if small and easy to go unnoticed. 

[Sam 0]

Walking silently into the cave in toe with Shiina not letting her out of sight, "HELP ME, PLEASE," Sam pauses after hearing this. Grabbing Shiina's shoulder to hold her in place. Followed by screaming and screeching just a bit further and around the corner. "Simmone get the girl out of here, I will take care of the Bats. Shiina, stay and be my light. This is no place for a defense little girl." They edge around the corner as she sees the little girl crying her eyes out. So much for the quiet approach. Her eyes quickly search the surrounding and sees the bat just meters from the little one. Shiina moves to the girl as Sam runs and slides between her and the bats. Their wings almost the entire spanned with of the cove. Pulling her weapon, she knew that she had to act quickly.

She carves her weapon deep into this large creature and then vanishes. She reappears in back of the remaining bat in almost a blur as her Axe connects with a exploding impact, one right after the other as they both burst into data. She sees Simmone grab the girl and run with her out of the cave. A flash of light before Shiina would see Sam by her side again. "Let's get out of here, quickly before any more show up." She sets a hand on little Shiina's back ushering her to the exit of the cove as they could hear more bat's screeching in the distance.

Using Explode Catapult [x14] -15 EN [14-3 (Finesse) + 4 (Hits 2)]

ID# 186731 results: Battle: 7+3=10, Hit! vs Giant Bat 1 Dealing 16*14=224 Damage, Killing it!
ID# 186732 results: Battle: 9, Minor Critical! vs Giant Bat 2 Dealing 17*14=238 Damage, Killing it!

Players:
Sam | HP:840/840 | EN:67/82 | DMG:16 | ACC:3 | BLD:24 | REC:2

Enemy:
Giant Bat 1 | HP:50/50 | DMG:20
Giant Bat 2 | HP:50/50 | DMG:20

Edited March 27, 2021 by Sam

[Simmone 0]

Latching onto the child's hand as Sam was making mess of the smallest little creatures that had bottled the girl in. "Come dear, lets get you out of here." Simmone speaks in a motherly tone and an extension of an ivory pale skinned hand. A small ring of two fingers wrap around her pinky and third. "I've got her, make them learn my dear apprentice." Simmone drops some venom, moving for the mouth with the girl in tow. Her vision blurs from the sudden shift of lighting, as the sounds of a thunder echo out the cave in a very distinguishable explosion. The quest updates accordingly as her steps slow to a walk, waiting for the pair to exit soon after she had. "That mother of yours was worried sick, perhaps next time you keep closer to town?" Simmone spoke with a slide of her hand over the platinum blonde head of the NPC girl.

[Shiina 0]

A raise of the glowstone in her left hand offers quite the glow revealing the screeching boi's that littered the interior. Simmone barks out a confirmation to them both, and by the time Shiina's gaze travels back to Sam the winged dudes were dead. "Aw I missed it!" Shiina exclaimed with a bit of a sourness to her tone. A pair of hands sees her ushered toward the mouth as another few screeches began to play like background music. "Oh word?" The songstress extrudes as Sam starts to lead her free. Guess they were done, man that quest sure was short. "That's it, that was a sucky adventure." She grimaced to them both, looking to the slightly shorter child. "Hi there! I'm Shiina." spoken as she gives the girl the lantern like stone. "It's Magic!" making the child smile with the gift, and of course her addition of a set of jazz hands with the words spoken.

[Sam 0]

The words gave Sam a boost as it was over before it began. After they get to safety Sam couldn't help but chuckle. Although Sam was changing from the inside out and was more serious than ever about this game and the danger within it, Sam doesn't lose her humor. It was still there and it was the weirdest feeling. It's like she was herself, but different and in the way, the same. She ponders that thought and feeling for a moment before placing a hand in Shiina's head. "There will be more, I can promise you this. Don't blink though, you might miss another." Giving her a smile with another small chuckle and glancing down at the young blond girl. "Let's get you back to the safe zone." She holds out a hand to the young one as she makes a loop with her other arm offering it to Shiina. The girl grabs Sam's pinky with a smile. She looks to Simmone, "After this we should eat. I don't think I have today...?" She says as almost a question trying to remember if she actually did or not. 

[Simmone 0]

Sam takes control of the youngling, an earnest delivery back to the mother. The trip is slowed a bit back given the addition of someone with smaller legs, excluding Shiina who always seemed hopped up on sugar. "It's true." Simmone comments to Shiina in regards to their questing lately, just completely decimating what opposed them. It was as if this was what was always intended, by that ever perceptive red swordsman. "Something with coffee, I could use a bit of a pick me up. I am sure they have sweets." And the moment its spoken sees Shiina perk up and lock to the side of her head. That was the magic words, making the songstress almost immediately forget about missing the little exchange between the raven haired girl and the bats. Just like that the quest was over and now they were making plans for lunch. This game really was strange.

[Shiina 0]

Linking arms with Sam, allowing the child to keep the glowstone. The magic light rock. "I sure hope so, man you guys got fast." Shiina comments following the strides of the smallest link of the chain. Simmone just a few steps behind them keeping the rear. Once Simmone mentions goodies it sees the songstress snap to attention like a squirrel with a nut "Dude, you better not be joking." The girl could go for a mountain of pastries right about now, and her mind begins to race with all the possibilities of whatever restaurant they'd be visiting. Maybe they'd have cupcakes. Or cookies. CAKE. Her brain gets stuck on cake, sliding through multiple different pictures of different frostings. There were so many types of cake, and she had no qualms to dying after cramming it into her face like a gerbil. Zoning out a bit as she continued to keep pace with the others, but her mind was completely elsewhere.

[Sam 0]

Arriving in the settlement the mother runs and takes her child in her arms. Sam smiles at the reunited. She knew that this was a repeating quest, but something about it just hit a soft spot. Her chest tightens a bit as she thinks about her mother and father. What they must be feeling right now. They did everything in their power to give Sam everything that she ever wanted and then this happens. Sam bites her bottom lip and starts to walk toward the closest food court this floor had to offer. From Raidou's extensive notes it was easy enough and took no time at all. Sam at this point was fighting back tears and didn't want the others to see. She hears the mother thank the other two as she hears footsteps behind her.

Sitting down at the table, Sam raises a finger to get the attention of one of the servers in the area. "Two coffee's and grape juice and a chef salad please. There are two others that are arriving shortly." The server simply nods and walks off after writing the for now order down. Sam drowns a bit in her current thoughts.  

[Simmone 0]

A slide into the chair opposing Sam, this place was rather busy but was a delightful atmosphere none the less. Taking the chair out of the four set table and ushering Shiina excitedly into the chair next to her, Simmone looks to the server as Sam offers the order. "What's the matter dear, you don't seem yourself today." The black cat begins to pry in the way that she had always, Sam should know by now that it was nearly impossible to hide anything from her. The chattering white noise of their background played like a mall, discussions happening on every table. To her side was Shiina bouncing, and the waiter returns with her order. "Bleh, the french is this. I wanted cake." Simmone cannot help but chuckle a bit at her disdain at the salad brought to the table. It was clear she wanted her sweets, and this was basically the opposite of what she sought.

[Shiina 0]

Spinning a fork through the leaves of lettuce and other not candy, it flops about smearing dressing a bit off the side. She eyes it with a grimace, then looking to Sam as if she had just shat in her cereal. This is not what she wanted at all, a salad. The hell eats this junk, it was for wabbits. Shiina wanted cake, sliding the dish toward Sam slowly. She wasn't bout to eat this thing at all. Simmone takes it and redirects its trajectory before Shiina could slide it off the other side of the table. Defusing the bomb that was about to hit the wooden floor, the songstress couldn't even make a mess with it either. Man Salads were boring, she perked a bit as Simmone had asked Sam a question, sliding her attentions immediately to the raven haired girl. "Bruh we delivered the baby, it was cake. Why you no happy now?"

[Sam 0]

Listening to the conversation slightly, it was more of a muffle to Sam right now. Looks to Shiina with a smile, she raises another finger to the waitress before walking away. "A plate of Cupcakes, vanilla and chocolate mixed with lots of sprinkles and frosting please." The waitress writes down the order, "And whatever this Misstress feels like eating." Simmone gives her order and she writes it down too, walking away now. Sam takes note of Simmone's question and takes the salad. It was never meant for the others, but they were not yet here when she ordered the first time. Poking at the chicken that lays upon the leaves, she takes a deep breath, as a tear upon her cheek lets loose. "I was so bad to my parents, I never thanked them, never spent time with them. My whole life has been nothing but gaming, my only focus..." Another tear on the other cheek. "Seeing that little girl with her mother just makes me realize how much I miss them. How much I regret the way I treated them, even though they spend every waking moment, giving me everything I ever wanted..." She never shared this with anyone. Not even Kat... She knew a very small piece of the story, but now more than ever she was feeling it... The thought that she may never see them again, would never make up for that lost time with them. It hit her like a ton of bricks... Her appetite became unwilling now.

[Simmone 0]

"I was no doll myself dear, parents have a way of getting under your skin." She responds honestly to her protégé. "You'll make it right some day, and if they are worth their weight then they will understand. Trust me that all children have a way of making things difficult, but family is hard to convince to abandon." A soft pat of her hand upon Sam's shows true her intentions of empathy, a form of comfort that she knew she could settle an aching heart. The black cat was practiced quite a bit in such small social details, after all it was her business. A ripe development as a child, she was trained to carry a court. Like royalty she was to be an heiress with a man at her side, but her wiles and goals of her parents did not reflect her intentions. Or her motivations toward life, to be shackled to another as a pet or trophy wasn't quite her bag.

[Shiina 0]

Worming around in her chair, as Sam places an order for what she truly wanted. As Sam began to dig into her rabbit food, they were having some seriously thick conversation. Talking about family and junk. "Meh, they'll get over it. My parents always had so much to deal with, we still had beach parties and junk. I got grounded a lot." Shiina admits to her own past, completely forthright with it. Only reason she'd never talked about it as she wasn't one to really begin that kinda talk. Always going with the flow. Like now, when a cupcake enters her view from the waitress. The NPC recoils and pulls her hand away as Shiina basically faceplants the plate with such a ferocity that it smears some of the frosting all over her lips and cheeks. She had what she wanted, and was now content. She continued to pick away at the destroyed pieces, like a squirrel with acorns.

[Sam 0]

Sam chuckles as frosting lands with a splatter on her face. Taking a napkin off the table and wiping her face off she smiles. The family she had back home was who she missed the most but Simmone had a point. Taking a breath and wiping her slightly wet eyes, she says "I miss them, but sitting here with you guys, I can truly say that I have a family here within this guild. Firm Anima is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me and I am glad to be part of it." Glancing to Simmone then back to Shiina, it felt right. It was clear that before this lifetime everyone had a different past, but here, the same goal. They were all achieving the same thing and doing it in different ways. Helping others get through and being one in the same here. She felt very special to be in this guild and honestly, she didn't want it any other way. It is where she met the love of her life and where new bonds were formed and still forming. For the first time in a very long time, she was proud to call Firm Anima her family.  

[Simmone 0]

"I do to dear, I miss my bed as well." Simmone offers a break with a chuckle. "This guild really is something isn't it. At the drop of a hat you can ask for assistance, and a second later you have 3 bodies ready and willing with weapons in their hands. It truly is special. Really makes you wonder where the idea came from." The black cat offered the response coyly, knowing full well the response to that question. That enigmatic red warrior clad in crimson, who just showed up when you needed him most. A personal touch that made every end meet. In a way he was a parent, but not in the sense that he thought himself superior. It wasn't the vibe that Simmone got, and although she understood so little about his affairs, she could sense that drive to change everything on every move she was made aware of. In a way all of their development started from that very catalyst all that time ago.

ID# 187298 results: Loot: 8, 200 Col ea [25*8=200]

Quest Complete:
Sam:
4*SP (1 Thread Closure, 1 Event Bonus, 2 Quest Reward)
Simmone:
4*SP (1 Thread Closure, 1 Event Bonus, 2 Quest Reward)
1000*Col (400 Thread Closure, 600 Quest Reward)
Shiina:
4*SP (1 Thread Closure, 1 Event Bonus, 2 Quest Reward)

Edited March 30, 2021 by Simmone