[F1 - PP] Potential Cash, Guaranteed Friendships! <<Earning a Living>>

[Typhoonflame 0]

It was just another day in the Town of Beginnings. No matter how many times Typhoonflame left this little town for other things, she always came back. There was some sort of innate nostalgia to it she could never shake, no matter how many new things she experienced. Walking through the streets, faster than before, now that she'd gotten used to having a slightly more abled body in this world, she observed her surroundings. 

She was currently staying in a nearby inn and decided it would be a good idea to check what was for sale. She knew she'd have to get some better gear soon, or be left in the dust by the other players. she spotted a few criers tending to their marketplace stands, calling people to purchase what they deemed to be the finest of the finest wares! With interest, she noted some of them were players like her! 

She nodded to herself and approached one of the stalls a bit, musing. Imagine if I had something like this...I could earn money, buy gear and help people out with potions! But how do I go about that...?

Typhoonflame| Lv. 6 | HP: 120/120 | EN: 30/30 | DMG: 8 | ACC: 1 | PAR: 2

Edited August 14 by Typhoonflame

[Kiluia Seiko 0]

Town of Beginnings. How long had it been since he had traversed the cobblestone here? In fact, when was the last time he actually stepped foot out of his workshop on the 4th floor? Enough time had passed that he had to eventually step out and restock some items he had been missing to create new things. It wasn’t long before the white haired man was headed to the market and found himself at his regular stand where he purchased his fruit. He had noticed a variety of new people starting to get ready for their journey. 

 

A fleeting memory passed as he watched those new people peruse the market and listen to the people about how their items were the best. Some NPC and some players alike. He remembered doing things like that before with several close friends of his and soon they had ventured away. Not like they were dead or anything, just missing is all. Maybe it was something they couldn’t communicate like he had been for awhile.

 

Just as he was about to return to his shopping, he noticed the girl who seemed to be lost in thought. She didn’t even seem interested in buying anything but more interested in something else like had been at the very start. It wasn’t any of his business but a sigh escaped his lips. If he didn’t help, he thought karma would bite him in the ass. 

WIth that, he approached the same stall and looked at the wares with her. It was their guild’s way to accept anyone and everyone. To help as long as they could. “Find anythin interesting?” The white-haired man glanced over the girl with his red orbs.

 

Kiluia | HP: 780/780 | EN: 92/92 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 4 | BH: 42 | LD: 3 | AA | BLD: 48 | KEEN: 1 | REC: 4

[Typhoonflame 0]

Ty jumped a little when the white-haired man approached her. Not due to his looks, mind you, just due to the fact she'd been lost in thought. She blinked at him, then let out an awkward chuckled, wondering just how stupid she must have looked, standing there and staring at that stall for so long. Well, it didn't really matter now, did it? Besides, maybe this guy could help her with what she was thinking about: building up a small business and helping fellow adventurers. She imagined it would be biting off more than she could chew, but she also felt like there wasn't much else for her to do in this world.

"Yeah, I just realized how much there is to sell and how many people earn a living like this! It's quite fascinating." she admitted.
"I'm just thinking about starting my own small business, what about you? Oh, and the name's Typhoonflame, by the way." she added quickly, flashing a smile. 

 

[Kiluia Seiko 0]

Kil was the one to usually approach conversations. Apart of him knew that this was the case that he may have unopenly startled someone. A slight bow his head was given as he apologized to her. "My apologizes. I don't mean to startle you." He flashed a light yet tired smile. It was obvious that Kil was one of those people who had seen their fair share of fights but yet seemed to move on.

He looked at the items and nodded listening to her inquiring about earning a living and other items. "It is a good thing to start off fresh working on finding ways to collect materials and get that money. Feels great to support those in need especially when you are there to witness the greatness of your own work." When she mentioned about business and her name, he had forgotten his manners and never introduced himself. "Where are my manners? My name is Kiluia. Provisional Captain of Firm Anima and I own a shop on the 4th floor to make baked goods and desserts." He smiled properly giving her information. "The pleasure is all mine, Typhoonflame. I can answer any questions if you would like to ask or if you need help to start the quest."

 

[Typhoonflame 0]

Ty had heard of guilds before, but had never joined one due to just not knowing what she would even do in one. It wasn't like she didn't want to join a community, in fact, she yearned for it many times. However, she'd only ever gotten invited to weird guilds or some that were too small to even be called more than a party.

"Nice to meet you, Kiluia. That's a cool shop you're running!" she commented, smiling. "Don't worry, I startle very easily." She chuckled. 
That much was true, any loud noises startled her easily and she had to be careful when walking the streets to not scare herself and others. People often looked at her weirdly for it, or thought she was in danger, and she didn't want to inconvenience anyone. So she mostly kept to herself...but now, she figured she should venture out a little, do more things.

Edited August 15 by Typhoonflame

[Kiluia Seiko 0]

"Thanks. You should stop by sometime and I'll fix you up a treat free of charge." The young man answered. His eyes would open up a menu and he started to tap around. A party request and a friend request had been submitted for her to accept if she chose to. With that he looked around at the other vendors around them. "Don't worry. Being startled easily is a good thing at times. It means you have a sense of urgency and can react." He would smile before looking at some fruit being displayed. He didn't want to indulge in his behavior or purchasing items especially in front of a person who was aspiring.

"Crafting isn't so hard. It's just picking out what you want to do with it makes your path clear. Once you start that, you should also think about a suitable place to set up shop. I chose the fourth floor because I like snow and penguins. Also, I can serve my friends hot chocolate while conversing." He looked at her as he pointed to the gate. "We can head outside the gate right in front. It's pretty safe and you can start harvesting smaller materials just to start with until you decide what you want to do with your career. We can get to know each other better that way." He would try to support her as much as he could. It was a great distraction especially during this time he was feeling not all mentally well. 

[Typhoonflame 0]

"Free? Seriously? You don't have to do that, I'd be happy to pay!" Ty insisted immediately, quickly accepting the party and friend request.  This guy seemed like a decent sort, so why not? Allies were always welcome. 

"And if by alert, you mean hyper-alert, then yeah, that's me!" She laughed, shaking her head, "Still, I'd really love to try crafting, it seems like a complex, but necessary part of this game, life, whatever it is now."

She nodded at his suggestion to go outside the gate. It seemed reasonable, not straying too far from civilization, yet far enough to gain materials and hopefully not be swarmed by mobs. 

"I haven't really been past the first floor yet." she admitted. "It's daunting, especially as a newbie. and I'm not really good with my weapon yet either." she added, twirling her rapier slightly. It was a thin blade with a silver sheen, and its handle was crimson, but then its color slowly faded to an orange color, like a flame.

[Kiluia Seiko 0]

Hearing heard her state she hadn't been past the first floor wasn't surprising. Most new people wanted was to explore in safe zones and ensure their life wasn't in any clear danger. There were, indeed, daunting floors. Floors that presented themselves as wastelands or ice-cold tundra. "You don't need to pay. I tend to treat friends. It's not like I'm struggling. I just like happy faces." He sported a smile and brushed white strands of hair away from his face as he started to walk with her toward the exit of the gate. 

When he looked at her weapon, he had noticed the coloring that it had. "That takes time and effort. That'll be a long way when mastering but it'll be worth it." He stated while raising his fists. They were covered with hand wraps that held a strange aura around them before he would look at her. "Fists are all I need. Been something I wanted to do when I was a kid and here, I am using them to fight." 

He turned and looked around past the woman for a moment. He realized he had forgotten someone who he let run around for the sake of running around. With a loud whistle, he would stop and look for her. With their short little legs, Pingu ran to him. Her little webbed feet caught a stone and tumbled rolling but soon presented her little round body in an upright position like tada! "Falling is still falling..." He rubbed the head of his penguin and looked at Typhoon.

"Pingu, Typhoonflame. Typhoonflame, Pingu. My familiar." He smiled with at introducing them. "We can explore more if you'd like together in the future when we are done." 
 

[Typhoonflame 0]

"I like happy faces too, it's why I want to open my shop. So I can help people on their adventures like others have helped me. A form of giving back to the community, if you will." she commented, although she found it funny that, while he wasn't struggling, she was definitely low on col.

"That's fair. I'm usually a magic user in most games, so I was honestly disappointed to find such fighting styles missing from this game, but it is what it is. So I did the next best thing: supportive paralyzing rapier." she added, chuckling. "I respect your conviction, though."

Ty blinked at the little penguin, surprised. "No way...is that a familiar?! Oh my gosh, you're SO cute! Can I pet you?" She crouched in front of Pingu, grinning like a kid. She loved animals and missed her cats dearly. "How'd you get her? I'd love one too."

[Kiluia Seiko 0]

Kil stared at his little companion that seemed to be beaming with delight at the sudden attention. "Feel free to pet her. I'm sure she would enjoy it." He spoke. The penguin and him stared at each other in distain like the two were in fact enemies instead of master and familiar. The animosity was just a play on their relationship, and it was a standoff like they were confronting each other. Kiluia's usual weary face lightened up a bit as the two spoke about the familiar. "We pal around in the shop. I got her on the fourth floor." He wouldn't explain much of that since it was pretty straight forward.

As the trio stopped near the entrance, he thought a few moments as the penguin nudged at Ty's hand and used her flippers to place it on her head. The familiar had a mind of its own and seemed to be attention deprived lately. "Of course, we can go out and get you a familiar. You have to figure out which type you would like to start with and go to a habitat or floor rather. Did you have something already in mind? We can sure go out and get one after we do some gathering." 

Since when did he start offering to go on quests? Perhaps this was a little motivation needed to go out and explore. A smile lightened his facial features, and he would tap the penguin's beak. "We'll be around Typhoon a bit more, so behave. No mischief." As if that ever stopped the penguin whose eyes lit up like stars but to Kiluia it was a devilish look he knew all too well. 

[Typhoonflame 0]

As soon as Ty got permission to pet Pingu, she beamed and bent down to pet her. Out of habit due to her real-life disability, she was careful not to bend her knees too much, even though SAO mostly eliminated the effects of it.  "Who's a good girl? Hello buddy, my name's Ty, I hope we can be friends!"

"Man, I really gotta get one of these when I get to the fourth floor then, I could feel like a cool witch then!" She laughed, continuing to pet the penguin some more, before straightening to follow Pingu and her master out of the town. "I don't know what I'd want...Oh! Maybe a cat? I had two cats at home, you know...and I miss them. Or a dragon! So yeah, cat or dragon for sure. I'd really appreciate it if you came with me to get one!" 

"Now now, Pingu, listen to your friend." Ty chided the little creature humorously,  seeing as she looked ready to misbehave the moment Ty and Kiluia took their eyes off of her.

Edited August 18 by Typhoonflame

[Kiluia Seiko 0]

He would look at Typhoon and smiled slightly. "I'm not sure you'll find a cat on the snowy biome of the floors." He would note as the trio walked forward. He thought a few moments as the penguin waddled beside her newfound friend enjoying the petting. "There could be a cat on the 6th floor. It may be a good idea since it's a jungle area. We can do some research to find the best place really." The exit was within view, but they needed a pitstop. It was where they would have to collect her quest. He couldn't redo the quest of course but he would wait outside for her.

He pointed at the Alchemist shop that would help her start the quest. "If I recall, this is where you need to pick it up. I can just wait here while you start the dialog and the quest." He smiled as the penguin lazily rolled around outside the shop. The shade provided comfort for the penguin as she didn't like to be too warm on days like these.

When she was done with dialog, the trio finally made their way out the town and breeze crossed them providing a view of green hills and small figures in the distance. This was where he remembered fighting for a few days before realizing he had enlisted with Raidou. It was fun, he thought as he was reminded of days long gone. He looked at her. "Well, Miss. Alchemist in the making, we ready to find those materials needed?" He spoke as the penguin ran ahead and dove into bushes. It was either she was going to be a knight or a ninja. Who knew what imaginary things ran through that penguin's head.

[Typhoonflame 0]

"Oh? No cats?" she asked, shoulders slightly drooping. She'd really been looking forward to having a cat familiar, but any other cool animal would work. She wondered what else the shops offered. But that was not something she could worry about now. Her main task now was to start her new quest and learn alchemy so she could set up her shop.

She gave her new friend a nod and walked into the alchemist's shop, dipping her head to the owner. She spoke to the owner about what alchemy entailed, watching with wide eyes as the shopkeeper showed her the basic supplies and tools she used to make various potions and poultices. Ty even took a moment to study the prices in the shop so she could understand the economy here and have a baseline for her own prices for the future. 

After she was done in the shop, she walked out. "There, done! Let's go get the materials! The alchemist said she'd let me learn and make my own stuff if I get her some supplies!"

[Kiluia Seiko 0]

With the new goal set in mind, Kiluia traversed the terrain looking for materials for the woman who he had met and assisted. "I mean, you can find cats if you try to search for them. I think you can find a jungle cat in the jungle and meet the parameters of having it. I'm sure you'll find something that'll suit you Typhoon." He offered a polite smile. The penguin still managed to roll around in the grass as the other two kept their search for materials.

Sadly, Kiluia didn't find anything in this area that he looked around for perhaps something she could use. Too bad, he thought. He wanted to at least make this a quick quest for her, but then again it was nice to be out for a bit. "Before all this happened, what did you do before? Like job wise, hobby wise..." He expressed specifically so nothing could be misconstrued. "You don't have to tell me. I was a university student before being transferred here. I was set for government relations and economics." He wanted to follow somewhat in the family trade. Or at least fall back on economics somehow to have some sort of flow of cash.  

Spoiler

Material Search Action: Failure
227919    9    11    6    6    Kiluia        Material Search    2024-08-23 10:27:23

 

Edited August 23 by Kiluia Seiko
Material Search Roll

[Typhoonflame 0]

Talking about the past and her real life got Ty a bit sad, she had to admit. She'd thought she was getting used to this place, but apparently...no, it still bothered her that she was stuck here. She reasoned with herself that it wasn't anything to be ashamed of and sighed.

"Your career choice sounds good." She nodded. "Wait, you're younger than me and already more successful in this game? You'd think I'd overtake my juniors." she joked, chuckling a little. "I'd just graduated two years prior to this and got a job a little later...Bet I'm fired by now. Or considered dead. Not sure which is worse, really..." she commented, having forgotten all about the cats, pets and familiars and feeling lost in the past and the lack of ability to return to her old life.

"Do you miss it?" she asked, tilting her head. "I was disabled in reality, so I don't miss that...but I miss not fighting for my life on the daily, against monsters."

Edited August 24 by Typhoonflame

[Kiluia Seiko 0]

Hearing her words that she was older made him smile a bit before he continued walking with her searching for items. He found something that would be used for an alchemist and picked up a plant that would be useful to the woman. Success, he thought as he examined the item and held it out to her. "Well, being in Firm Anima, we try to set up every raid for success. It's not like the goal line is going to open up for us. I'd love to see more faces out there, albeit I have not been on the front lines in a while." His voice slightly trailed off.

They weren't dead. He knew that as much since it was nearly impossible for someone to dream up a structured face and create a personality based off of that. Most people only dreamed or constructed a familiar face that could be altered. A long-forgotten study he looked into a while ago. His eyes met hers for a moment rendering himself to the same thought process. "We aren't dead. You and I are proof that we are talking together and creating a memory." He offered a faint smile.

Her question about if he missed reality sat and weighed on his mind. He gave it a good long thought as he stopped abruptly with her. Did he miss it? What did he personally miss? He sighed slightly and looked at the rolling penguin in the distance having fun on the hill. "I miss the small things. I miss going out and not having to worry about someone lurking around the corner waiting to PK me. I miss my mom and her cooking, though the cooks primarily made us food. Was a rare treat that she would make something for me." His eyes met the sky as he spoke. "Though if I have to say, the perk is meeting new people all the time and knowing that I am making a difference here as well. I wouldn't have met you otherwise." His white hair fell as he looked at her from the side, his smile even brighter now. 

Spoiler

Action: Gathering Materials Success!

228282    8    7    14    5    Kiluia +3 from Loot Dice =17

 

Edited August 25 by Kiluia Seiko
Material Search Roll

[Typhoonflame 0]

Ty leaned down and started gathering plants nearby....however, she couldn't find much but weeds and cursed. "Dang, seems you're better at this than me, huh?" she commented, taking the plant form Kil. 

"True. We're not dead. We won't be dead. We'll beat this stupid devs and show them who they're messing with." she said with confidence the source of which she did not know. "But yeah, I can understand that...I miss the small things, I mostly miss the food too, honestly. Have you noticed how...bland it tastes here? At least it did to me at first."

"About your guild...is it open to members? I want to ally with someone decent, someone who wants to make a change and stop these stupid PKs so we can live a semi-normal life and help each other here. I'm not good at combat, but I can definitely do other things!" She paused, laughing. "I sound like I'm in a job interview!" 

 

Spoiler

Action: Gathering Alchemy Materials

Roll ID: 228505  LD: 8

Result: LD: 8= Fail

 

[Kiluia Seiko 0]

His eyes narrowed at some of the species around him hoping to see if any consumables would initiate a window. Unfortunately, this time was a failure as they continued their merry way down the path. "Not all the time." He laughed a bit as he failed as she mentioned he was better at this. "I'm more proficient at killing them and looting them fully prepared. This is a nice change of pace though. Nothing out to kill me." 

Her response about defeating was invigorating. He hadn't had any motivation to get going on the frontlines as of late and it didn't seem that they needed him. Of course, he did just vanish on the fourth floor holed up. When she had mentioned the bland food, he looked over at her and blinked. "Yeah, most of the food here is bland because they don't use combinations to create a season for it." He had learned that there were certain techniques that created flavor such as salt, ginger root, soy sauce, and other assorted flavors. "I might not look like it, but I can make those flavors again here in the game." It was the one thing he was proud of. His cooking was unleashed here. 

Her question about Firm Anima quickly brought him back to the present since he was thinking of what he could cook for them. "Oh absolutely. We have pretty much every job on lock down so we can provide for others. You could say it's like the supply line for the front lines." He placed both hands behind his head as they continued to walk. "We are always looking for proactive players, so I'll endorse you."

With that moment, he turned around and walked backwards watching her. "How about after this, I show you some flavor in food? I don't mind cooking dinner." He offered. 

 

Spoiler

Action: Gathering Materials Failed
228506    6    12    6    1    Kiluia 6+3=9 Failure

 

Edited August 26 by Kiluia Seiko
Material Search Roll

[Typhoonflame 0]

"You never know, something may be out to kill us at any moment, for all we know. It's SAO, after all." she commented, semi-seriously.  
She managed to find some herbs nearby, picking them up as she passed by. These will do nicely, I think...They look usable.

Hearing that Kiluia could cook, she perked up, listening with interest. She'd been trying to find food similar to what she was used to eating at home. Her favorite food had always been pasta, but she hadn't seen too much of that here, mostly meats, vegetables and fruits and, especially in the Town of Beginnings, boar meat. She couldn't fathom eating that stuff, it looked so hard to chew, full of fat and stringy. Even thinking about it made her stomach churn. 

She looked over at her new friend when he said he'd endorse her. "Whoa, seriously? That's- wow, I have no words, thank you! I'll be happy to help, especially if it means getting out of here someday!" she said, grinning as Kil offered to cook dinner. 
"Sure, I'll be happy to try actual food! You gotta teach me to make it. I was hopeless in the kitchen in reality, but with in-game menus, it shouldn't be too hard, right?"

 

Spoiler

Action: Gathering Alchemy Materials

Roll ID: 228634 LD: 18

Result: LD: 18= 1 Material

 

[Kiluia Seiko 0]

 He would grin slightly at the comment about how something was always out to kill them. "Okay. Something that isn't out to kill me that I didn't provoke." He had done many wrong things to treants and ants alike smashing them into the ground. More than likely he would be held as a destroyer if they had any type of culture that would associate with destruction. Alas, perhaps he should of drank some potions and eaten food for this quest as he failed in searching for another item. 

Eyes furrowed slightly before shrugging as they moved on. "We'd pretty much be seeing each other at the guild hall a lot. And if you ever need materials or quests done, we all are here to assist. Though, Shiina, she's a little out there." He remembered Shiina from doing a lot of things.  A lot of strange things but she was pretty well known as one of the strongest in his eyes. 

With her enthusiasm of trying his food, he would have to put a little more effort into it. He thought for a moment about the ingredients he had at home and would need in the future. "Okay then. I'll make spaghetti bolognese with something like of a garlic bread." The garlic bread would be different than what reality had as he had to mix ingredients for the butter smoothness that would enhance the flavor. "I'll make a vanilla bean ice cream toffee as well for dessert." He had openly exclaimed wondering if there was something else, he could provide for the duo's dinner. 

Was it hard? Not really, he thought. "The mechanics are pretty well explained on making it. You just have to experiment with the process, and I can teach you when you come over. I'll have to take you to my house on the 6th floor instead of the shop on the 4th." 

 

Spoiler

Action: Gathering Materials Failed!

228635    5    5    4    5 Kiluia 4+3=7 Fail

 

Edited August 27 by Kiluia Seiko