[F01 - PP] <<The First Few Lessons>>(Open to all 4/4)

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Spoiler

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 0 | MIT: 6 | LD: 0

The sunlight glinted off a nearby window, causing Nari to squint against the sudden beam of light that reflected into her face. She had always loved this effect with virtual reality games – the ability to become completely immersed in everything so wholly that it felt real.

Glancing around, she couldn’t help but notice the now somewhat reassuring green bar hovering above her – a reminder that her time here wasn’t over yet, as well as a testament that this all hadn’t been a horrible nightmare.

Nari felt herself shiver as she remembered the announcement, that they were trapped inside this game – a literal death trap.

Realising she had spent quite a few minutes angrily glaring at the window attempting to blind her, Nari shook herself back to reality, taking a step forward before stopping as a voice called out.

"You there! Stop, please!" Glancing around frantically, Nari looked for the source of the voice, a small part of her hoping it was directed at someone else. Her heart sunk as she noticed the taller gentleman coming her way, a smile on his face and a unavoidable gaze directed at her.

"Pardon me, but I am in need of some assistance, and you appear quite capable." The man continues, clearly unaware of what Nari feels is obvious signs of panic. She can feel her heart racing as he rambles on, her eyes darting around, trying to find someone – anyone – else who he could be talking to.

"My name is Dorian, and I am the mayor of this town. As part of those mayoral duties, I issued a small loan to a member of the community a few months ago. Well, the time to collect had come around and I-" Dorian seems to pause, fidgeting with his monocle. Nari, realising the sudden moment of silence, glances at the man, her heart thudding in her ears. It takes the entirety of the man’s hesitation in speech for her to realise a key factor – he has no indicator of a player.

‘He’s an NPC!’ The thought races through her mind, and she feels a slight touch of the anxiety she was feeling subside. ‘I… I can do this. It’s just like other games…’

Before she can muster the courage to speak, Dorian continues his one sided rant. "You see, I've forgotten who it was I loaned the money to. Terribly embarrassing, I know, but I am a very busy man, and I cannot keep track of everything that happens. I'm sure you understand."

“Uhm…well… no, no I don’t really… I mean…” Nari feels her face redden as she stumbles over her words, but the NPC before her seems unaware. Before she can collect herself the man continues his monologue.

"You see, I've forgotten who it was I loaned the money to. Terribly embarrassing, I know, but I am a very busy man, and I cannot keep track of everything that happens. I'm sure you understand." Dorian seemed to shift as he spoke, as if uncomfortable. Nari couldn’t help but smile at the lifelike actions of the NPC.

‘Truly amazing…they seem so… real. Compared to other games, of course.’ She shook her head, clearing away the distractions.

“ I have to admit, I don’t really under-“ Her words were cut off as Dorian continued his monologue, and Nari felt a glimmer of annoyance.

"Should you be willing to track down the loan recipient for me, and collect the col, I would be eternally grateful. Just, maybe don't let anyone else know I forgot who the loan went to?"

Nari felt her lip curl a bit in frustration at being talked over, and almost missed the sudden hovering notification in front of her as Dorian’s words came to an end. Giving a sigh, she clicked the small, blue circular button, accepting the quest being offered.

"Excellent, I knew I could count on you! You might start with Zackariah, the alchemist. He's often doing projects for the town, so it may have been him that borrowed the money."

“Really? You’re a poor judge of character. And certainly not as friendly as your appearance makes one think.” Nari muttered to herself. As Dorian walked away, she suddenly realised the one, key missing piece.

“Hey! Wait! Where do I find this Zacka… and he’s gone. Great. This ought to be fun…” Giving another sigh, she turned and glanced upwards, glaring at the sun above her. ‘Off to a good start here…’

 

Spoiler

Word Count: 741

 

Edited February 1, 2022 by Nari-Lanreth
Word Count Inclusion

[Bismuth 0]

Bismuth was strolling through the beginner village to clear his head, he did this fairly often, being cooped up inside studying journals that he had already studied a hundred times could make someone crave fresh air like nobody's business. But that was part of the fun to Bismuth, committing it all to memory. Bismuth was pulled out of these thoughts though by the sight of the mayor, Dorian, quickly rushing by, seemingly to stop a player he had not already confronted, the mayor had even stopped Bismuth a few days ago, spewing out the same spiel he had heard from other players taking the quest a hundred times, Bismuth had accepted this quest, but as of yet had not bothered with doing what was required for it. Now though, things might be different, or at least the who might be different. In front of Dorian was a very attractive lady, the perfect reason to actually do the quest.

Bismuth made his way up to the purple haired lady right as Dorian left, he didn't want to have to listen to his monologue again after all. "Looking for Zackariah?" Bismuth stood behind the almost a foot shorter woman looking down at her with a amused smile on his face. "I know where his shop can be found, if you need a guide." Bismuth kept a cool look of amused indifference on his face as he talked, topping it off with a charming smile. "I am always willing to help a lady in need." Bismuth stood with his hands clasped against the back of his head, compressing his long somewhat curly brown hair behind it, he hadn't bothered with the loose ponytail so his hair fell to slightly pas his shoulders. He was wearing very light armor, with the heaviest part being the full length leather guard that he wore on his right arm, covering it completely. The handle of a dagger could also be seen poking out from behind his back, kept strapped horizontally to his lower back. The last thing of note being the large beaten up leather journal that was kept strapped to the side of his left thigh, held in place by a complex series of buckles.

Spoiler

Bismuth,
Level: 1
Paragon Level: 0
HP: 20/20
EN: 20/20

Stats:
Damage: 5
Evasion: 3
BLD: 12

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: T1 P Dagger <Ketsushouken> BLD 2, DAM 1
Armor: T1 P Cloth Armor <Ryuusou> EVA 3
Misc:

Skills:
Dagger R1

Battle Ready Inventory:
Starter Healing Potions x3
 

  

Edited January 31, 2022 by Bismuth

[Koga 0]

k o g a the elder wolf Spoiler notes none     Koga lv.32 / 31 | HP: 800/800 | EN: 114/114 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 30 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 2 | BRN: 56 | BLT: 32/20 | FALN: 8 | REGN 13 | B.HEALING: 38/77 (SURV)       equipped battle-ready inventory T4 Demonic Katana <<Tsuki no Hikari>> [ CRSED // BRN I // BLT I // FALN I ] T4 Perfect Light Armor <<Shadow Chance Coat>> [ EVA II // REGN I ] T1 Perfect Trinket <<Kashira Cable - Wolf>> [ ACC III ] none       skills Spoiler | COMBAT Shift: ST Specialist | For the following Sword Arts, +3 to multipliers and +2 to EN cost; ST-I, ST-II, ST-B. No other Shifts may be taken. | 10 SP Mastery: Damage III | Gain 1 * Tier Damage per rank | 15 SP Battle Healing V | Recover 5% (rounded down) of your maximum HP at the start of your turn | 30 SP Emergency Recovery | When non-fatal damage would leave you with 25% or less of your maximum HP, recover 10% of your maximum HP after the attack resolves. Effect cannot occur more than once per thread.  When activated if the player has lower than 10 energy remaining, simply reduce the player's energy to 0. | 6 SP EN Cost: 10 Energist | Increase Base Energy by 5 * Tier | 8 SP Howl | Gain +2 Hate against up to 4 targets | 10 SP EN Cost: 2 EN Cooldown: 2 Posts Focused Howl | Gain +4 Hate against a single target | 5 SP EN Cost: 4 EN Cooldown: 4 Posts | WEAPON Curved Sword I | +1 DMG when equipped with a Curved Sword | 4 SP Katana V | +7 DMG when equipped with a Katana | 30 SP Stamina | Reduces the energy of all Katana attacks by 2 EN | 4 SP Ferocity | +2 DMG when using Katana Sword Arts | 4 SP | ARMOR Light Armor V | +30 MIT when equipped with Light Armor | 30 SP Meticulous | +1 DMG when equipped with Light Armor | 4 SP Resolve | +1 ACC and +10 * Tier HP when equipped with Light Armor | 6 SP | EXTRAS Familiar Master: Rending | You and your familiar attack in tandem, applying Rend [7*tier unmitigatable damage] to the target that lasts for two turns. | 10SP Cooldown: 5 Posts Survival | Increases Healing effects received from all sources by 10%. Grants immunity to all damage dealing environmental attacks/effects. buffs Spoiler Laurel Wreath | Earn Col equivalent to 15% of player’s EXP earned in thread <<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). <<Relaxed>> | Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts. <<Multipurpose>> | Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll.

The town's teleporter illuminated itself with it's signature blue light as Koga materialized in the plaza, stretching his arms above his head with a yawn, his familiar mimicking his owner, maw agap and licking his chops lazily. The pair stepped off the platform and began to slowly walk towards the Ring and Sword. All the while, Koga rubbed his eyes, trying, unsuccessfully, to free them from the treacherous clutches of sleep.

As the man walked along the familiar streets, he saw a very unfamiliar NPC. One got to know the persistent virtual entities that existed around one's place of work, but this one, Dorian, was entirely new to the player. 'Huh,' he thought to himself, 'did Cardinal add a couple NPCs to try to get people out of the Town more?' That wasn't entirely outside the realm of possibility. I mean, after all the system had drowned the entirety of Aincrad only to resurrect them all later. Strange times and all.

The man approached the NPC and the two players he was speaking too and gave the man a quizzical look, examining his features, his intonation. Entirely alien to Koga. Strange.

"Hey, sorry, did he give you guys a quest?" Koga asked the two newbies nearby, jabbing a thumb over his shoulder at the NPC.

Edited January 31, 2022 by Koga

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari, glancing between the two individuals who approached her, feels her eyes go wide and her face redden as her mind begins racing and her heart beating, as they begin to question her.

"I... Yes. Quest. I mean he gave. Yes." She feels herself turn read as she tucks her chin into her chest, trying to hide in embarassment. The soft glint of her plate armour catches her eye, reminding her once again that she still lives within this virtual game. 

" This... Gentleman..." Nari will wave a hand at the first comer in his light armour and disheveled appearance. "Was just offering to show me to Zackis place. Zackarariah. The... Magician."

Realising she was mumbling, she'll glance towards the ground, gently pulling the hair back from her face as it falls forward. 

"Have either of completed this before? I would be happy to help you if not..." 

Nari will cautiously glance upwards, still keeping her head down, but attempting to draw forth a modicum of confidence in her facial features. A small, half-hearted smile - more of a grin than anything - will break across her otherwise sombre face. 

Removing her right hand from the pommel of her sword sheathed on her right hip, she'll hoist her shield on her right arm, drawing attention to her heavy setup. 

"I don't think we'll need it... But if we do. Well, y'know, I'm here."

 

Spoiler

Word Count: 233

 

Edited February 1, 2022 by Nari-Lanreth
Word Count Inclusion / I forgot what left and right are.

[Bismuth 0]

"Eh, kind of, wouldn't say he gave me a quest, at least not right now, a few days ago though." Bismuth eyed the new arrival with a look of indifference eying him up and down as if he was something to be appraise, a smile growing on his lips as he does. "This little cutie, on the other hand just got one from him. I figure two birds one stone, I get to introduce myself, and get the quest done and over with, I guess a third bird just flew in though." Bismuth let his hand fall from the back of his head, just laying them at his sides. "Oh, I never introduced myself, I am Bismuth." Bismuth offered a hand in turn to both of his new "companions" 

Bismuth turned to look at the purple haired girl as she spoke "Your help? I would definitely love to have you keeping me company, you too pretty boy." Bismuth added on as an after thought looking towards the male arrival. Bismuth was a flirt, but he didn't much care who he flirted with, it was less for actual purposes of getting them into bed, and more just as a mask, one that had become who he was at this point. "I know in the later quests you'll be needing those, but for now, Zackariah is no threat. Unless you let one of his experiments get too close to you, they can be volatile." Bismuth added with a wink. "Follow me." Bismuth grabbed both companions hands not giving either a choice in the matter.

[NIGHT 0]

She supposed, with the reopening of new floors and the other players at the forefront of floor clearance taking a break from breaking the backs of bosses, Bistro had the right of mind to send her to busy herself on the first floor once more. Her store had already been neglected, for one, and for another she hadn't seen the faces of new adventurers starting their journey in so long. It only bothered the player to show up where she believed them to first pass through, of course, the memory of having taken so long to resolve the quest line idling in her mind.

So there NIGHT was, having just approached the front step of Zachariah's -- though many quests changed in the latest updates, at least this workshop seemed a stable fixture in the crowded city. Hands in her tracksuit pocket, she was all but the definition of welcoming... until that pressured veneer was dropped once she saw Koga being dragged her way, accompanied by two unfamiliar faces.

Her mouth was agape in pause.

She wasn't sure where and when they would stop, but almost in an attempt to signal their halt, she waved an arm out blocking the front door of the workshop. "One at a time," she added hastily, once they got within earshot. "The room's pretty cramped as it is."

"Koga." It wouldn't be appropriate to speak to the others without first acknowledging her friend, and so she gave him a curt nod before turning to the other members of his party. "Glad to see you two are keeping him safe. And who do we have stopping by the alchemist's workshop today?"

| NIGHT  | Lv. 105 >> P. 73, Lv. 32  | Status: //  Notes:  //

Spoiler NIGHT | HP: 920/920 | EN: 130/130 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 44 | LM: 2 | HLY: 8 | PHASE | LD: 5 | BH: 38 | Stealth Rating: 6 equipped Orgoth's Legacy ACC, PHASE, HOLY (8) Tracksuit of Unfathomable Fashionability MIT (24), LM II Silver Crescent Necklace ACC II, EVA II battle-ready inventory // skills Spoiler mod count: 4/5 2HSS | RANK 5/5 focus, stamina, precision shift: aoe CLOTH ARMOR | RANK 5/5 athletics, nimble COMBAT MASTERY: DMG | RANK 3/3 SEARCHING | RANK 4+1/5 BATTLE HEALING | RANK 5/5 EXTENDED MOD LIMIT ENERGIST FAMILIAR: PROFESSION QUICK CHANGE extra SURVIVAL CONCENTRATION HIDING blindside, vanish, surprise attack-t buffs Spoiler statue BIALAS | +TAUNT MOTHRA | +1 EN Recovery TANOS | +25 MIT MORETSUNA | +50 HP OROCHI | +1 LD KUMATETSU | +1 DMG consumables - - - - - - paragon Lv. 5 | Gain additional col equivalent to 15% of EXP earned in that thread. Lv. 10 | +1 LD to looting. sword arts Spoiler en cost matches multiplier unless stated otherwise. shift underlined. ST | x12 -> x15 | x20 AOE | x15 -> x18 TECH-A | x12 | STUN | 13EN TECH-B | x12 | DELAY TECH-D | x12 | SHATTER TECH-G | x12 | BURN misc. Spoiler housing Dimensional Backpack, Item Stash | +2 Battle-Ready Inventory Slots. Well Rested | -1 EN for the first three expenditures of each combat.  Relaxed | +(5 * Tier) HP per out-of-combat post. Full energy restoration occurs after two turns out of combat. Squeaky Clean | -25% DoT damage taken from the first DoT applied to this player in a thread. Skylight: Searching | +1 Expertise to declared utility skill. Cooldown of 30 days to reassign. Multipurpose | +1 LD/Prosperity/Stealth/Detection to one post per thread. Can be applied after a roll. Filling | +1 T1 slot to a food consumed by this player in a thread. Can exceed Cook enhancement caps. Col Deposit | +5% col from loot-minimum mobs, +10% col from treasure chests. gathering Greenhouse | +2 G.EXP, +1 CD&LD to gathering attempts. Familiar: Profession | +2 G.EXP Demeter's Cornucopia | +1 CD to gathering attempts.

 

[Koga 0]

Well these two were complete polar opposites of each other. The older woman could hardly get a word out without stuttering or faltering, while the younger man was trying to sweet talk...one of them? Both of them? Koga's eyebrow cocked itself in curious dissatisfaction. 'Oh god, it's another Lonzo,' the man thought to himself. The overdone confidence, laid on so thick it was practically a wall of cement, if someone had told him that this guy was Lonzo reincarnated, he would have believe them.

Before Koga could even get a word in edgewise, the man, Bismuth, had already grabbed his hand, and that of the girl, trying to drag them towards Zachariah's shop. Disinterested with the whole ordeal, Koga stood stalwart almost like a statue. He probably wouldn't have been moved at all were it not for the slightly too smooth flagstone slipping against his boots, allowing Bismuth to quite literally drag the man toward the shop, the soft but annoying sounds of skipping traction easily heard in the quiet streets.

To Koga's surprise, NIGHT stood just outside the shop itself, blocking the door way, arms spread eagle to stop them. The man gave her a quizzical look, confused what she was doing here. And then she had to go and open her damned mouth. "First of all, rude," he said, to the woman. They had literally just fought a boss together. If anything he'd be keeping the newbies safe. "Second, what are you doin' down here NIGHT?" The last time he'd seen the woman down here was when they'd bumped into each other shopping for groceries. He couldn't possibly imagine what she needed from ol' Zachie's shop.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari less than willingly allowed herself to be dragged by this new face down the street. She still wasn't sure if she trusted these two - especially the rigid one who seemed intent on making progress difficult - but both seemed familiar with the area. 

'At least they can show me where this shop is, and then I can -'  Her thought was cut off by the appearance of another individual. She seemed younger than Nari, and yet somehow bristled with confidence.

Keeping her head tucked, Nari carefully listened to the banter between this NIGHT and the one named Koga. She couldn't help but feel a slight tinge of jealousy at their clear comradery. 'They seem... Friendly?' 

"Uhm... I'm sorry to interrupt... Do... Do you all know each other?" Keeping her eyes downward and her chin tucked, Nari felt herself blush at the uncertainty in her voice. She didn't like the hesitation, the lack of confidence, and she subconsciously gripped her sword's pommel with her right hand, the shield clanking softly against the scabbard as she adjusted her weight. 

[Bismuth 0]

Bismuth noted both of his companions unwillingness at being led by him, and so dropped there hands as they neared Zackariah's shop, he wasn't sure if either of the two of them would have accepted his invite to join him on his quest, and doing it alone would have been very dull for the most part. However a figure stood in front of the door to the cluttered shop, someone who Bismuth had never met before, but clearly Koga, as the woman had called him, NIGHT she was called evidently, had.

"Seems like a fourth bird has just flown in." Bismuth smiled at the new arrival, his slightly curly long brown hair framing his face. "Koga here," Bismuth gestured over at the man to his side with a sly grin "Had just gallantly offered to aid me and this fair maiden with the quest issued by the mayor." Bismuth said this as he turned to said maiden. "Though I do not believe we have fully introduced ourselves. My name is Bismuth, at your service." Bismuth very flamboyantly bowed to the group, intent on turning this gathering into a spectacle. "And you are?" Bismuth quizzically looked at all three of his new companions, as none of them had introduced themselves in earnest.

[NIGHT 0]

"First of all, rude."

NIGHT shot a smirk back to Koga, before an expression of surprise washed over her. "I live on the first floor. It's not that surprising to find me here. Better I ask you this, really."

Her gaze swept over the other party members, afterwards. She'd half expected decent answers from the newcomers, but only one of them seemed apt for speaking. The sight of the armored lady, eyes set on the floor, was almost begging for concern to be shown. The woman made tabs to query about it later. "Nope. Just Koga, I'm afraid."

"Koga here had just gallantly offered to aid me and this fair maiden with the quest issued by the mayor."

"To Zachariah's workshop?" She hadn't heard of a mayor, either, but at least the info brokers' attention to the first floor hadn't waned. Her focus went back to Koga, head tilting slightly sideways. "Likewise, then. It'll be better watching over beginners with two pairs of eyes rather than one."

Two rasps on the door behind her and a turn of the door handle. The woman showed the party the interior of the alchemist's workshop, back resting upon the entrance's frame. "NIGHT," she returned to Bismuth. "Just here to see if anyone needed some assistance. I hope I'm not imposing, though I'm sure with Koga around, you two would be in good hands." With a shrug, she turned to her friend and added, "At the very least, I've got time to keep you company."

And, though speechless, NIGHT would've kept her sights trained on the other woman hadn't managed to speak up about her own introduction.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari’s eyes go wide as she realises – not only do two of these people know each other, but they’re expecting her to introduce herself, and maybe more beyond that. She feels her heart begin to thud quickly as her mind begins turning.

Still staring at the ground, her right hand tight on the pommel of the sword sheathed on her same hip, Nari opens her mouth to speak, giving her head a slight bow as she does so.

“My name is… my name is Nari-Lanreth! But… you can call me Nari!” She visibly winces as she practically shouts the words. Attempting to recover, she’ll raise her gaze to the doorway, taking in the other lady leaning against the frame. Beyond the frame, the mess of the alchemist shop will loom in her vision.

“Do we just… go in and talk –“ Nari’s voice will stop as she turns to look at the man who declared himself Bismuth. “Did you say we volunteered to help? We did no such thing! You… you just pulled us down the road to here!”

A dangerous flare will appear in Nari’s eyes, burning brighter as her scowl deepens. “And did you call me a cutie and a maiden?!”

 

Spoiler

Word Count: 203

 

[Koga 0]

The nervous woman's condition hadn't really seemed to improve, even as she asked if all present knew each other. NIGHT was the one to answer for him. Koga hadn't ever seen this 'Bismuth' fellow before in his life, and it wasn't until now that he realized how blessed his life had been before this encounter. Oh how you only knew what you had once it was gone.

Speaking of the man, what did he just say? He was helping do what? "I did no such thing," Koga tried to interject, but his words fell upon deaf ears. Even NIGHT seemed to ignore the fact he was technically being kidnapped and coerced into assisting them on the quest. Now, it had been a long time since Koga had spent any amount of time in the real world, but he was still 99% certain that kidnapping and coercion were considered crimes. At the municipal level, if not federal. "Help me," the man whispered to NIGHT.

Oh.

Great.

No, she just damned them both. 'Someone kill me, please.'

And then all hell broke loose. Koga's head slowly turned, his eyes widening in something between surprise and concern as the apparently not-so-nervous woman, Nari, started to go off on Bismuth. What this righteous retribution?

Edited February 2, 2022 by Koga

[Bismuth 0]

Bismuth smiled over at NIGHT "Oh, I don't think you would be intruding whatsoever. With you and Koga, I don't think anything could possibly go wrong. Two strong high level players are even better than one." with a wink at Koga Bismuth continued "And besides, I could use all the protection I can get, I am known to be quite delicate." Bismuth gestured at his armor, if you could call it that, which was comprised of almost nothing but cloth. a few bits of leather here and there, but nothing substantial.

Nari, a nice name, one that he wasn't really expecting, but he liked it. Though he was taken aback by what came after, which seemed to be a fire in the usually meek girl, he liked it, it was a good thing to fight back for oneself, and Bismuth's smile only grew however. "I never said you volunteered to help, just him." Bismuth looked but at Koga "But fine that was an extension of the truth, I kidnapped him." Bismuth didn't seem much upset about admitting that though, rather amused actually, like this was just a game to him. "A maiden yes, and a cutie, yes." Bismuth smiled at Nari "I meant no offense by the words, I don't think you are a helpless maiden, quite the opposite you seem quite formidable. I simply referred to you as a maiden to refer to the fact that you are a woman. I will refrain if it makes you feel better." Bismuth look of amusement briefly flashed to one of concern, before returning, he didn't want to upset Nari, he just liked to tease. "Though the cutie remark still stands." Bismuth smiled at her again, Looking towards the rest of his mostly coerced group "Shall we then?" He asked gesturing at the shop before them 

[NIGHT 0]

What was once thought to be an average tutorial adventure suddenly unraveled itself the moment the party broke out into pores of objection, and Bismuth let slip his grip on reality. Then NIGHT realized the words on Koga lips, silent, were a plea for an escape.

If she had any say in the matter --- well, aside from being assisted by a borderline psychopath (/j), she mightn't be able to let the other beginner go. Though she figured, if anything, she should've expected any fresh face to be somewhat eccentric in their own right -- Cardinal only knows all the right-minded souls maintained their statuses as refugees for a solid reason she couldn't object to. NIGHT exhaled a quiet sigh facing away from the party, waving over to the alchemist since none of the troupe had begun to step into the shop.

"So, flirting's well and good," the woman commented, glancing back at the most unhinged of the group. "But what exactly are you getting out of hauling unwilling players both to completing a quest?"

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari opened her mouth to protest the words that Bismuth had spewed forth, ready to argue further with this…individual. And then the lady in the doorway spoke, reminding Nari that there was still work to be done. Glancing back at the smiling face of Bismuth, Nari gave a slight sneer before moving to the doorway.

“NIGHT, was it? You’re right. Let’s get on with this…” Nari pushed past the door, heading in to meet with the alchemist – and at the same time feeling the confidence she had portrayed outside slip away. ‘What was I thinking?! To get that worked up – they probably think that I’m crazy…!’

Tucking the thought away, Nari stepped fully into the shop, looking around briefly. Spotting a man sitting behind the counter, his long white hair trailing out of sight, Nari realises this must be the NPC that she was sent to find. Stomping to the counter, Nari slams a hand down as the man turns to her and begins speaking.

“Oh, hello," The words cause Nari to pause, her eyes widening again as she feels that similar pulsing of her heart beat. "Are you here to order something? I’m sorry, but I am currently swamped with orders, and I’m running out of supplies.”

“What? No. I’m – I mean we – I mean I…we’re…we’re here to collect money from you!” Nari feels her face redden as she shouts the final words, clearly loud enough that the others outside likely heard her outburst.

“Would you gather a few materials for me? Flowers, herbs, rare woods, whatever you can find outside the city walls. I promise I’ll help you fill your order as soon as you return. In fact, I would be willing to show you how to do it yourself.”

“Did…did you not?...I said – we aren’t here to help you. We’re…well we were sent by…” Nari’s pulse begins to heighten as she attempts to get the words out. She feels her head begin to spin, and the embarrassment as she knows the woman in the doorway is watching her horrid attempts at communicating. As the dialogue box appears before her to offer her this new transition in the quest, Nari weakly pushes the acceptance button while whispering softly, “But…the mayor…sent us to get money…”

Defeated and embarrassed, Nari makes her way back outside, sliding past NIGHT in the doorway, keeping her head down so that her hair hides the majority of her reddened face.

Spoiler

Word Count: 406

 

[Koga 0]

Koga gave Bismuth an unimpressed once over at the man's mention of his lack of protection and delicacy. Yeah, this guy was gonna get himself killed, wasn't he? Although, Koga wasn't really one to talk. He'd heard it a few times about his choice of light armor, and his occasional predisposition to throwing himself at danger face first. Okay, well the sword usually came first, and his face second, but the point stood. At least the guy was willing to confess to kidnapping...

While Bismuth continued to dig himself into an even deeper hole with Nari, Koga took the opportunity to turn to NIGHT. "So...uh...the boss raid...do you think everyone hates me now?" he inquired as confidently as possible. Which, turned out to be not very, he was sure the utter despair on his face was showing.

A loud bang on the table, followed by some shouting tore Koga's attention away from the woman and further into the alchemist's shop. Nari never ceased to amaze. Koga had to blink slowly just to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. "Uh, Nari, was it?" the man said to her as she slinked back through the door, "I don't think the mayor's a loanshark...and I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to break his kneecaps or something if he doesn't pay."

[Bismuth 0]

Bismuth visibly shrunk at the glance from the newest addition to his kidnapping, she seemed really nice, but even the hint of someone being mad at him all but extinguishing the flame that gave him his confidence. Looking away Bismuth opened his mouth before closing it again "I. . . I'm sorry." His voice wasn't much above a whisper at this point. "I just wanted company." Bismuth shut his mouth at that point, he didn't want to upset anyone further, content with just going with the group at this point hoping not to get yelled at again.

Bismuth watched in silence as the purple haired woman, Nari, pushed past NIGHT into the building, virtually threatening the simple alchemist behind the counter, who didn't seem to mind at all, a quest appearing in front of him as she did, one for gathering some materials for the alchemist. Bismuth accepted and let a more tentative smile creep on to his face, hoping that no one would notice his small down moment. It was easier to bring back his façade with Koga's comment at Nari being a mobster, letting himself chuckle and bringing a larger smile to himself. "Well then my comrades, shall we get this quest done. If everyone wants to of course." Bismuth added as an after thought making sure that he got consent first, even if it was a small step, it was still a step wasn't it? 

[NIGHT 0]

What's with the 180 in attitude? NIGHT watched Bismuth appear a sad puppy just before Nari took initiative and weaseled her way into the confines of the workshop. Half-present, she distinctively heard Koga's moping too -- but this time about something different. The boss raid.

"Do you think everyone hates me now?"

The player hummed, considering her position in the matter for returning an answer. "I have doubts on why you think so," she commented, returning a hand to a fold once she'd extended it to think on, thumb at the edge of her chin. "I mean, part of the fault's got to be mine, too, in that scenario. But also, hate's a pretty strong word for voicing your opinion once." She thought about it a little more. "Plus, it went in our favour in the end."

So, the contact with Zachariah was violent. And still, it didn't sway NIGHT to imagine anything with the interaction had gone wrong. There was some part of her that registered fury for the alchemist as being 'correct' in her distracted mind. What caught her attention more was the novice slipping back out with muted footsteps. So the man had some debt and he was to incur a little more from players? What in the world was Cardinal doing?

A chuckle from Bismuth meant life returning back to the once-quiet player. So much for being upset about her stray comment, but NIGHT did wonder what sort of hang ups the man had with her question earlier. "You seem awfully chipper again," she quipped, before stepping out of the workshop's frame, glancing about for the nearest exit out of the city. At least he was taking into consideration everyone else's say in the expedition, now.

"I've got no complaints about it here. Koga?" She looked to him before nodding down the path they would be taking to further the quest. "You also didn't tell me what you were doing either, lurking on the first. C'mon, spill."

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari stopped as Koga’s commentary reached her ears. She felt her face go beat red as the words registered in her mind.

“Uh, Nari, was it? I don't think the mayor's a loanshark...and I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to break his kneecaps or something if he doesn't pay.”

She ducked her head, trying to hide her face behind her bangs as the embarrassment surged through her. She hadn’t realised how loud she had been, figuring the door parameters would muffle most of the interaction.

“Oh – oh no. I… I didn’t think. I thought… I didn’t think you’d hear that...” The words slipped from her lips as a meek whisper. Bowing at the waist slightly, her hands clasped before her, she closed her eyes. “I’m… I’m sorry. People just… I mean. Interactions…”

The words slipped from her tongue. She paused, trying to collect her thoughts. ‘What am I doing? Just ask them already!’

“If…if it’s not a bother – I mean if it’s not too much… trouble… could you… well, you all seem so… capable” She glanced at NIGHT and Koga as she spoke, seeing the strength in their appearance. Bismuth, as well, although testing on her patience, seemed confident in himself. Biting her cheek ever so slightly, she continued her question. “Would you be so kind as to…accompany me?”

As her final words spilt out, she closed her eyes again, bowing her head deeply and waiting for the coming rejection. ‘Why would they want to travel with me? Why do I bring to a party such as them? How can I prove to them in worthy…?’

Spoiler

Word Count: 266

 

Edited February 8, 2022 by Nari-Lanreth

[Koga 0]

The Wolf nodded silently at NIGHT's response. But she wasn't entirely wrong either. In the end they'd been able to change enough of Frontliners' minds to swing the vote entirely in the other direction. And yet, for some reason that wasn't more than a small comfort for the man. Baldur's enraged shout still rang in his ears silently. Perhaps that was what was bothering him the most, not the potential ire of the rest of his compatriots.

Although Koga still wasn't entirely happy with the way Bismuth had been conducting himself, he looked at the other man sympathetically. Well, as sympathetic as his face got. Which wasn't at all. The frown was still permanently plastered to his face, but at least that small ember of dissatisfaction had gone out of his eyes. "Don't worry about it," the man said in a tone that warned against repeating such behavior.

When Nari returned to them, the man did his best to suppress the amusement that was currently plastered across his face. A single corner of his lip curled into an unnatural grin, the muscles in his face fighting instinct and what their brain told them to do.

"I've got no complaints about it here. Koga?" NIGHT responded to the two newbies' request, before asking him what he was doing on the first floor. "NIGHT, my shop is down here, remember?" Well, he had forgotten that her house was down here, so he supposed it was tit for tat now. "Just 'cause Noct and I aren't together anymore doesn't mean I moved my entire forge...Although it does make it a little awkward when people walk in asking for an Artisan sometimes..." The man rubbed the back of his neck reflexively, as he spoke, rubbing away the small amount of discomfort he felt speaking about the topic. "Anyways, I don't mind. Better than sitting in a wooden box for the next eight or so hours doing nothing. Besides, I get to laugh at you guys while you figure out how to use your Arts." Ever the cruel one, Koga was.