[PP-F1] An Old Friend. (Calrex,Takneil)

[Takneil 0]

Letting out a yawn as he walked into the city Takneil placed his arms behind his head lazily, "Jeez, if I keep cutting it close like that I may not last long enough to even make it to the third floor." he states. The boy had been just arriving after grinding for a bit...or at least an attempt, it seemed he could never hit one until he had less than half health which he wouldn't mind if he didn't have thirteen freaking HP. He really needed to make more friends the more he had the more opportunities he would have to get stronger. "I wonder how Cal is doing?..." he muses aloud, the man had been the one to set Takneil on his way and for that he owed him a lot.

 

Swiping open the menu Takneil pushed past the crowd of NPC's and Players, tapping away at the letters the boy made way for the first spot the two had met...a fountain that sat next to the traffic of the city never really gaining much attention. 

 

[Message Sent]

 "Hey Cal, it's Tak. how you've been doing? haven't really gotten past the 2nd floor but hey!, I got pair of fancy pants from a girl on that floor so...yeah...do you maybe wanna meet up, grind a bit, grab a drink? I'm currently on the 1st floor at the fountain where we first ran into each other, I mean if you're not busy..."

 

taking a seat on the ground he uses the edge of the fountain as support for his back. Takneil forms a smile in anticipation, he honestly didn't have much news to give to the man but he had been doing decently well and had even came across one of his friends that he had been looking for from the real world. resting his head on the edge of the fountain he waits.

[Calrex 0]

"Hm?"

 

Calrex looked in surprise as he suddenly got a PM, opening it up. Originally he had expected it to be from one of his more frequent contact like Teayre or one of the members of Absolute Pin, but this time it was actually from a person he had not seen in a long time.

 

"Takneil, man it's been forever since I've seen him. At the least it seems like he's doing well. I'll go stop by and see what he's been up to."

 

As he made his way over through the streets of the Starting City he was clothed in his casual combat clothing, not feeling the need to don the Grand Chariot armor since he was in the safe zone. However the Grand Blade was strapped to the back of his hip with the Ocean's Defense trinket hanging around his neck.

 

Eventually he made his way over to the fountain just outside of the gate where he and Takneil first met, seeing the familiar young player sitting there. He gave a friendly wave as he made his way over, "Tak, it feels like it's been forever since I last saw you! How have you been?"

[Takneil 0]

Tilting his head towards the man, Takneil flashed a sly smirk as he stood. "Apparently my speed has gotten higher than yours...good to know" he jokes, brushing himself off the boy stretches. "well as I said in my message I got pants...other than that nothing really new...well putting aside having to collect a bunch of materials for a moody blacksmith I ran into." he states remembering the less than amusing run in with the NPC girl. "Hopefully I should be getting my new sword here soon bit enough about me how have you been?" he says motioning to follow him as he walked towards the tavern.  

[Calrex 0]

As Takneil gave him the boiled down synopsis of what's happened to him so far Calrex nodded as he followed alongside him towards the tavern he had taken the two when he had helped train the new player some time ago. "Collecting materials for a moody blacksmith? Sounds like a rather interesting time, heh."

 

As the two continued walked he gave his recap of what has happened to him since last time, "Well, I guess you could say a lot of things have happened. I've been in one guild, the Azure Brigade, kicked out for some unknown reason, then became a council member of another newly formed on, Absolute Pin. At the same time..."

 

As his mind went to Teayre a blush crept up on his cheeks for a second, "I've also become engaged. So you say I've been pretty busy."

 

As the two arrived at the tavern he opened the door, heading over to a small table, "In any case what'll you have this time?"

[Takneil 0]

"Yeah, I'm just glad that I can collect the materials without needing to enter combat" he stated, he hadn't even begun to gather the required items but he was going to take his time with this one...after all he needed to make sure he would live through the boredom. Takneil didn't talk for most of the walk only taking part when he deemed it important, he was listening to the man and what happened to him while they were off doing their own thing. "Wait, I thought you said you were a solo player?, well...I guess being apart of a guild doesn't mean you have to not be one." he mused, The boy had briefly been apart of a guild briefly. 

 

Sighing the boy scratched the back of his head in shame. "Well...I'm technically part of a guild right now...Leviathan, they...they've been quiet ever since I joined" he explained. "I'm thinking of leaving because I didn't even really get a proper welcome" sighing once more he listened furthered to Calrex.

 

"WAIT, YOU'RE ENGAGED!? gods it hasn't been that long has it?" he states. "I just might have to take away the claim that I'm faster than you" he jokes once more letting the subject drop for the man's sake. 

 

taking a seat inside of the Tavern, Takneil smirks. "I'm good for now, plus I have enough Col to get it myself now. thanks for the offer though"

[Calrex 0]

"Heh you sure. If you've got enough to get your own drink without worries you've definitely come a long way from before then."

 

Calrex spoke in a joking tone as he gave a friendly smile, "Well, when I first met you I already had a girlfriend, it just kind of progressed from there. Of course right now it's just in the game, but hopefully once we get out we will continue to do so."

 

As he heard Takneil speak about his own guild he gave a nod, "Leviathan huh? I remember I heard a bit about them. They were a small guild, but they were serving as a network for other solo players, so it didn't really function like a conventional guild."

 

"That...actually sounds pretty nice. I wonder why I never talked to Teayre about that. I guess I was so occupied with the idea of being in a guild in general I never really gave much thought to how each guild operates."

 

He quickly went over to the bar and got the game's version of a Long Island Iced Tea. Since it was impossible to actually get drunk in the game, he figured it might be a good idea to test how the drink tasted. As he got the tall glass of cloudy liquid he returned, setting it on the table.

 

"I'm sorry that they've become quiet recently. I've heard the same thing's happened to Square One. I knew the leader, Azide, but ever since he's falling off the map it seems like the guild has kind of fallen apart. A lot of the friends I made that were members of it decided to leave."

 

As he spoke about Square he remembered a trip he had taken some time back, remembering a particular name, "Now that I think of it, did you ever meet up again with Hikoru? I remember that you had pointed out his name on the monument the last time I saw you."

 

"Alright, let's see if this works..."

 

He picked up the tall glass, giving a gulp before attempting the same trick that Azazel had taught him last time, keeping the glass level as he opened up his throat. Within a few seconds he felt the ice inside the glass touch his teeth as the drink vanished. He set the empty glass down, partially surprised with himself.

 

"That trick is really handy. I'd best be careful I don't overdo it when...well...if we make if out of this game."

[Takneil 0]

Takneil tilted his head to side in wonder as the two spoke about guilds. "It seems they are fragile things, which is honestly surprising...you would think we all would have been inclined to to help each other rather than segregate each other." he sighs after the words. "All well, I guess if it was meant to happen it would have" scooting over another chair Takneil kicks his legs up onto it as a rest. "I might just go solo for a while" he shrugs. 

 

"Hmm?, oh yeah me and him met not to long after me and you did. he was actually wondering around aimlessly and ended up by the Monument while I was there." he explains, realizing that Calrex might ask what he was doing there the boy clears his throat. "walking by of course, Now you said you were a council member for a guild?"

[Calrex 0]

As Takneil said he managed to successfully meet up with his friend Calrex gave an approving nod, "That's good to hear. I actually ran into him some time back, but I completely forgot that you were looking for him, or else I would have messaged you sooner about seeing him."

 

Calrex moved his drink to the side as Takneil put his legs up and inquired about his guild, "Yeah, Absolute Pin was made by one of my friends, Ariel, as a way of filling in the power gap that the Azure Brigade left behind when all of its members, save the council, were ejected from the guild. It's still a small guild, but it's growing slowly. My fiancee, Teayre, is also a member of the council."

 

He quickly retrieved the Rook piece from his inventory, placing it in front of him as he held it with his fingers, "The guild is themed off of chess, and I was given the Rook piece, so I've been placed in charge of the defensive strategies of the guild."

 

"Hm...maybe..."

 

Calrex put the piece away after showing Takneil as he took one of the square pieces Ariel gave him, looking down at it.

 

"These two squares...she said that our first task was to try and find two new members for the guild..."

 

"Hey Tak, how sure are you about being a solo player again? I thought the exact same thing before being in a guild, but that was because I thought that the guilds were more binding and restrictive than I originally thought. Don't get me wrong, being a solo player is still something I've been pondering, but right now I'm content with Absolute Pin."

 

He gave a calming breath before placing two squares in front of Takneil, "This is as a friend, and if you don't want to it's perfectly fine, but seeing how far you've come from the last time I suspect that there's a lot of potential in you and Hikoru. With that I want to extend the offer to both of you, to become initiate members of the guild, should you so choose."

[Takneil 0]

"Hmph, you forgot I was looking for an IRL friend? man that's cold" Takneil teases but waves away the comment. "It's fine, we ended up meeting up after all. Him and I were actually grinding the other day" he states with an embarrassed expression remembering how...'well' the two worked together. "Needless to say that Wolf took exception to our blades" 

 

Thanking god that he hadn't gotten a drink Takneil sits up from his lax position. "Wait!, Ariel is your Guild Leader!?" he practically shouts the question, realizing that he may have caused unwanted attention he clears his throat and waits patiently. He had met Ariel on 2nd floor not to long ago and she had given him a pair of pants. 

 

Returning to his previous resting position the boy tapped on the table rhythmically. "...hmm, I mean I haven't really thought about it that much. And trust me when I say I desperately want to join...but I'm not sure if I am exactly cut out for carrying the responsibilities, it's not that-...No, I don't think I can contribute to the overall good of Absolute Pin" he bluntly states the truth, he has been doubting himself even with the helpful hand of Calrex and how could he lend his sword to a Guild only to let them down.

 

"At this point even Hikoru has surpassed me...I'm sorry but I don't think I can handle the guilt of having others carry me...plus you could probably...no you can find better players to take that spot" letting out a sigh Takneil lifts a halfhearted smirk. "I really want to say yes but I don't want to be a nuisance" 

[Calrex 0]

As he heard Takneil's doubt about his worth and contribution to the guild Calrex gave a friendly smile, "Tak, a better player isn't the reason I'm asking both you and Hikoru to join the guild. You see, Absolute Pin sure is looking for elites to help fill the frontlines where the Azure Brigade once was, but trust me, they're looking for more than just people with high stats. We're looking for people of also great character. Even if the people we find are not the best of the best, we want to help mould them into the elite."

 

As he left the squares in front of Takneil Calrex leaned back in the seat, looking at his empty glass as some of the melted ice shifted and redistributed through the glass, "Honesty if we were desperate for players of high levels there's still people around, but some of them I question where their priorities and morals lie. I mean no ill will by them, but if I ever were to approach them I would feel unwise to not equip my armor beforehand."

 

With that he brought the conversation back on topic, "When you trained with me that day, I saw more than just a starting player. You seem to have a good stance in your ethics and qualities as a person, not just as a player. You and Hikoru share a strong bond which I admire in the two of you. It's people like you that give me some hope in the face of the trials of this worlds, computer generated or otherwise."

 

With that he began to address some of the pieces of Takneil's reasoning, "In terms of your responsibilities you won't be given anything you can't handle. Those two pieces are squares, representative of recruits that have yet to become full-fledged members. Should you both decide to accept these I will be personally overseeing your initiation. That will serve to evaluate your strengths as a player and a person so that we could pick a responsibility most suitable for you. As well..."

 

He took a second to gather his thoughts as he followed, "...you seem to show a strong resistance to the pressure that adventuring through SAO can have on some players. I've seen people both low and high level buckle under the pressure and lose all of their sense of humanity or their will to live on. It's disheartening to see some of the strongest level players bicker amongst one another and have it escalate to a death or suicide. They're supposed to be the strongest, yet they seem to lose their will to continue in the process of getting there."

 

With that looked over at Takneil with a smile on his face, "I don't see that happening to you. I see a will to make it out of this game, so that both you and Hikoru can see each other again on the other side, without the worry of death with each step you take. That translates into a strong determination to protect the people around you, to continue living for them."

 

"I guess I should really voice my thoughts..."

 

"Absolute Pin has also established a protege system, in which the higher rank pieces can personally take on a lower rank piece to train. My plan, should the two of you decide to accept this offer, was to have you become my protege, and maybe help turn into one of the strongest players, not just in terms of level, but in terms of personal strength, the strength needed to continue moving forward in the face of any adversity that comes your way."

 

With that he placed the Rook piece on the table once again as he finished, "Ariel gave me piece to represent my position as one of the leaders of defensive strategies, but in a way I also see it as something more. A powerful tower of defense that stands in the way of any possible attack, a powerful line of defense that stands strong against all that would try to tear it down. A representation of the strength that I want to protect the people I cherish. That's the kind of character I see in you Tak, and that's what I want to help bring to fruition."

[Takneil 0]

Takneil widened his eye in shock as the man spoke to him,the words were...honest he could tell...these weren't to sway they were to soothe. he wanted to deny them so badly, to say that he wasn't meant for a guild,he wasn't meant for combat, he wasn't meant to change!. gripping his arm tighter the boy chuckles weakly. "so that was it?...took long enough" he states. all this time he had been getting stronger slowly and had hardly made any real progression because he was afraid. 

 

"I'm sorry...it took those words to finally let me see that I wasn't facing my fear, only hiding from it...I haven't grown at all because I've been afraid of change." offering a full smile Takneil reached out and grasped a square that was on the table. "And with this I can face it, Thanks Cal..." 

 

returning to a more calmed demeanor the boy clears his throat. "So you want me to be your protege?, I think that was already answered for both of us" he chuckles as he grasps the piece. "but know if I have to work for a moody blacksmith I'm out"

[Calrex 0]

As Takneil reassured himself and accepted his piece Calrex gave a friendly smile as he nodded, at least until he heard Takneil mention the moody blacksmith again. When he heard that he couldn't help but follow with a joking tone, "Aw, that was the first task I was thinking of having you do!"

 

With that he gave a nod, "Welcome to the guild Tak. Feel free to that that other square and pass the offer on to Hikoru as well. I'm extending the offer to the both of you, although unfortunately I can only take one of you as a protege."

 

With the formal stuff out of the way Calrex gave a sigh of relief as he retrieved his Rook piece and took a quick sip of the water that had formed in the bottom of his empty glass, "So with that matter settled, was there anything you wanted to do? We could sit here the whole time and drink, but I remember your message also suggesting some mob grinding."

[Takneil 0]

Snatching the other piece off of the table Takneil grinned maliciously. "Oh yeah, I've been getting better with frying bacon if you catch my drift." he jokes as he stands, making sure to push his chair in. placing both square pieces into his inventory he nodded . "I'll make sure to pass on the offer, though I kinda wished we would have the same Teacher." he states with a saddened sigh. "well rules are rules, he's a good person and hopefully will be taken quickly...I suppose it's better than waiting on a dying Guild" he says. "But moving on let's go kill us some monsters" 

[Calrex 0]

Calrex gave a nod, "I know you two are good friends, hence why I would take you both on if I could. There's not many high ranking pieces just yet, and from what I know there's only one person left that hasn't taken on a protege, at least to my knowledge."

 

He put a hand behind his head as he ruffled his hair, "Maybe if it comes down to it I can unofficially train him alongside you. It's still in line with the guild's desire to train players to become stronger and potentially new front liners. However I do remember that Hikoru's wanting more to run that dream shop of his. In any case we'll cross that bridge when it comes."

 

As Takneil agreed with going to kill some monsters Calrex gave a smile and a nod as he got to his feet, "Yes, let's get to some more busting skulls."

 

With that he followed behind as he made a few quick swipes on his menu, his entire body becoming clad in the Grand Chariot armor, his face now masked by the helmet.

[Takneil 0]

Takneil nodded his head and offered a smile. "Let's wait and see what he wants to do, who knows maybe he could aid the Guild with his shop until someone wanted to take him as his protege" he stated, stretching before the departed the boy exited the tavern. 

 

as they walked through the streets the boy looked back and forth between the shifting faces in the crowd, he was happy he was no longer afraid of them and could walk through the ever shuffling groups of people with ease of mind. Looking over to his friend Takneil nearly jumps out of his skin when he finds a giant suit of armor, remembering the certain details the boy forms a frown. "Warn me when you do that!, it looks scary. especially when I'm only have half of my sight" he exclaims.

[Calrex 0]

"Heh, oops, sorry about that. I was just getting geared up for the excursion."

 

He put a hand behind his head in apology as he followed, "I guess this is the first time that you have seen me in this armor. All of my equipment, save this..."

 

Calrex directed Taknil to the Ocean's Defense necklace around his neck, "Was made by a player named Oikawa. He runs the Grand Forge on this floor. They've kept me alive to this point and have become kind of a go to in terms of my equipment."

[Takneil 0]

"I might have to check them out once I get a chance" he muses as they walk, passing through the merchant district Takneil nods his head towards a shop. "do you need to stop for anything?, I still have that Potion you bought me way back during my first combat so I'm set" he chuckles a little amused that he held onto the item for so long, a realization soon dawning on him the boy bursts out laughing. "Actually...I haven't used any item since that battle, including my starter Bread and Water so I think I'm good for now."  

 

humming thoughtfully the boy raised a finger to the air. "also just a heads up I've developed my fighting style beyond slash and poke...it's more...personal than it was" he leaves off allowing Calrex's imagination fill in the gaps.

[Calrex 0]

Calrex gave a nod as Takneil bravely said that his fighting style had shifted from a more arbitrary strategy to a more personal one, "That's good to hear. A more personal fighting style makes your techniques more fluid and less rigid, more adaptable and more natural."

 

As the two arrived at the gate Calrex gave a nod as he drew the Grand Blade, twirling it in his hand. As he felt the weight of the blade in his sword arm he felt an overwhelming calm come over him as his breathing became deeper and longer, yet filled with determination and courage. As well he seemed to radiate a sense of calm fury, like the stillness of the ocean before a furious storm. His controlled cold persona.

 

"As for your items it's good to know you haven't used them. It means that if you've gotten stronger by combat you've been wise about the battles you've decided to enter, and haven't gotten yourself in over your head."

 

Calrex gave a smile, even though it was masked underneath his helmet, "I guess my lesson that day really did sink in."

[Takneil 0]

"I guess you could say that" the boy states though unsure if he wants to continue, was it bad what happened to him during battles?. letting out a sigh Takneil shakes his head, it was better to inform him now rather than later. "hey Cal?, um...I'm not sure what it is but when fighting I...seem to go blank in combat." he says a little shamed that he didn't know what was going on. "I mean I still strive to protect the ones around me but that seems to be all I care for..." shifting uncomfortably he shrugs. "I guess it works but It makes me feel...'cold'

[Calrex 0]

OOC: Hey you biting my cold persona trait?! XD

 

IC:

 

"I mean I still strive to protect the ones around me but that seems to be all I care for...I guess it works but It makes me feel...'cold'"

 

"Wait..."

 

As Takneil finished his statement Calrex turned to face him. Even though his helmet masked his face it was plain to tell in his voice that his usual calm demeanor was serious for a second.

 

"What Tak just said...that sounds a lot like the cold persona...that side..."

 

He gave a calming breath before continuing, "Sorry, but actually I know exactly what you're talking about, although it didn't apply for every time I went into combat. Sometime back there was a part of me that I dubbed the 'cold persona'. In times of extreme physical, mental, or emotional stress it kind of...shut out all of my emotions. It was cold, logical, and for a while I thought powerful. Removing emotions seemed to be something that I felt was necessary to exceed in combat. I'm not completely sure about yours, but I would advise to be wary of that side of you."

 

He cross his arms casually as he continued, "I'll tell you what my fiancee told me sometime back. It may seem like emotions are unnecessary for times like that, but we have to remember that without our emotions we're nothing more than machines"