[SP-F1] Bittersweet Bars <<Earning a Living>>

[Glow 0]

Making his way around the merchant area of the Starter City, sliding through the hustle and bustle of players and NPCs alike, Glow tried to find the small store he was given directions to by a friendly guide. He was looking for one of the supposed mentor Performers, where he'd be able to pick up the Profession and start gathering actually useful materials and making some songs that can actually help people - even if he was never great at music. It would actually be something that he could do to release some of the tension that always seemed to subconsciously build up, too. 

As he noticed the supposed side-alley from the main route, he gave a sigh of relief, and escaped away from the noisiness of the large road. There was just too much information to process there (even if it was less than the cities in real life; he'd far prefer this over hundreds of cars). Finding a nearby wall, he lent against it, shutting his eyes momentarily to calm the headache that threatened to emerge. He then pushed himself back to a standing, if still slouched position, and scanned the area around it before narrowing his eyes as he saw a familiar sign. Glow made his way over to it and found a run-down wooden building, proceeding to hesitantly push open the door to the gentle sound of a bell. The shop within was quite old-fashioned, even in comparison to the main city, but had a homely feel. There were a few shelves and racks of instruments scattered somewhat haphazardly around the room, as well as a number of music sheets and scrolls. Turning his vision over to the counter, he walked over. "H-hello?" The teen questions in a slightly slow but relaxed tone, and quickly hears a reply of "Just a second!" 

Soon after, a tall and somewhat bulky man walks through, fiddling with a medium-sized string instrument. A viola? Glow is drawn out of his musing by the man starting up the conversation. "So, young man, what are you looking for?" He questioned in a gruff tone of voice. "I was wondering if you could, uhm, teach me how to become a Performer. I know the basics, I just need to know what to do around here." Giving a hearty chuckle, the man reached over, causing Glow to freeze up for a second before relaxing as the man merely patted him on the shoulder. "Sure thing, boy. But you'll need to gather up some materials for recording the things on first; say about five crystals should do. If you can find some around the bottom of the shop, then feel free to grab any; I've practically abandoned the old cellar at this point. If you can clean it out and get the resources, I'll even throw in a basic instrument for you to use." Giving a nod in reply, Glow gave an honest thanks to the man for his generosity, and comes behind the counter as the man leads the way to the staircase. "Welp, good luck." The mentor stated, as he opens the hatch down.

Edited November 6, 2015 by Glow

[Glow 0]

[ID: 37554]

[Loot: 4 - None found]

As he climbs down the weird staircase-ladder-thing, Glow took a brief look around the room. It was... dark, to say the least. 'Even with my eyesight, I can't see around here properly. Should've picked up that night vision trait.' He thinks, before reaching the bottom. Taking in the sights around him, he doesn't really... see or feel anything in the immediate area around him. A small tapping sound echoes in the distance, and his eyes briefly dart to the location, before he cautiously moves further into the cellar. Was this place a mini-dungeon or something?

Edited November 6, 2015 by Glow

[Glow 0]

[ID: 37559]

[Loot: 3]

Continuing into the cellar area, Glow remained on edge as scuffling was continually heard around him. He wasn't quite sure what the noises were, but what he did know was that he should be on guard. Nearly bumping into a crate in front of him, he managed to pause just before it. Going up to it, he tried to get it open with his hands, but couldn't quite make this side budge. There's nothing on top of the box either - darn. Giving a quiet sigh, he takes another look around, but still - nothing.

'Maybe you can try opening the crate with your claws.'

Jumping at the voice in his head, but quickly calming down realizing who it was, he gives a nod to himself. It was a good idea. Quickly placing the weapons onto his person, he reaches forward, trying to wedge them into the gap and slice open the wood.

Edited November 6, 2015 by Glow

[Glow 0]

[ID: 37561]

[Loot: 13]

The crate withstood the claws for a few seconds, before they sliced into the wood and cut through the side in three large gashes. Whoops. Sheepishly backing away, Glow facepalmed. Whatever was in there would be sliced up now - if there was even anything there in the first place. As he took a look into the three claw marks, it appeared that there wasn't anything within the crate. At least he wouldn't have to pay for damages or anything like that-

Another scuffle sounds from behind Glow, and he freezed, before quickly crouching to the floor and turning around. Eyes scanning through the inky blackness, he slowly moved towards the noise, quietly approaching whatever was causing the disturbances around the room. 

Edited November 6, 2015 by Glow

[Glow 0]

[ID: 37562]

[Battle: 10]

[Loot: 12]

As Glow slowly moved up to the noise, several loud squeaks reached his ears. Huh? Mice? Or maybe rats. But how would such a... small...

Reaching the corner, three pairs of eyes stared back at him. Three pairs of rat eyes. On some very large rats. Glow went completely still, waiting for them to react, but the trio seemed just as poised for combat as he was. Very slowly, he lifted one foot off the ground, watching as the beady eyes followed his every movement, and placed it behind him. Like a starting pistol, the slight thump of his foot hitting the ground caused the monsters to spring into action, charging towards him all at once. Yelping, he quickly ducked his head down, putting both claws together and swiped forwards in a large arc. There was a brief humming sound, and then a somewhat gooey squelching sound of metal cutting through flesh before he opened his eyes again. 

'Sword Art: Primal Burst used' briefly appeared on his screen as a pop-up, before vanishing again. Looking infront of him, he watched as the crates around were briefly illuminated by glowing data as the three rats disintegrated. Had... had he done that? A message about acquiring a Good-quality armour piece appeared, as well as some col and materials, but he moved it down before he could tell what it was. Looking at his energy, he noticed it was at 0.

 

[Glow: 8/8 Health 0/2 Energy]

[Rat: 0/4 (4 - 2+2*1)] - 20 col / 1 material (Performer) (not checked)

[Rat: 0/4 (4 - 2+2*1)] - 20 col / 1 material (Performer) (not checked)

[Rat: 0/4 (4 - 2+2*1)] - Good-quality armour (not checked) / 1 material (Performer) (not checked)

Edited November 6, 2015 by Glow

[Glow 0]

[ID: 37618]

[Loot: 8]

As the blank expression replaced the previously shocked one on his face, Glow gave a nod of approval. This would do. It didn't appear to have any damage increase, but it hit multiple targets. Useful enough. Blinking briefly to try and acclimatize back to the darkness, he noticed another of the crates was sliced open in the brief skirmish, and headed over to it. Once again, however, he found the crate empty; damn. At least he got some materials and items from the giant rats. Opening up his inventory, Glow examined the items.

Crafting Material: Recording Crystal x 3

Light Armour: Rat-Leather Cuirass

Well, maybe not the most appealing of armours, but it was some defense nonetheless. Now, when he had enough points, he could actually get some damage migation; maybe he won't die to onslaughts of boars and rats after.

Edited November 6, 2015 by Glow

[Glow 0]

[ID: 37627]

[Loot: 19]

Leaving the new armour to equip later, Glow shuts his inventory, flicking it downwards. So... that made three materials in a quick amount of time. Now all he needed was two more crystals, and he could go back up to get a starting instrument. Probably one of those 'tools' listed in the brief information he read about professions. Either way, he was getting close. Spotting a glimmer of something reflecting off the slither of light shining down from the open trapdoor, Glow grins. 'Only one left now.' He thinks to himself, and is answered quickly. 'Yea. Hurry up, this is boring as f-'

Shutting off that particular train of thought, Glow reaches to the crystal, depositing it within his inventory, before sighing. Time to look for one last crystal; maybe he'd get lucky and grab them all in a row?

[1 material (Crafting Material: Recording Crystal)]

Edited November 7, 2015 by Glow

[Glow 0]

[ID: 37903]

[Loot: 2]

[Energy recovered]

Taking a look around the area, Glow frowned slightly. Guess not. Didn't appear to be any more of the surprisingly hard to acquire materials in this particular location. Sighing quietly, he moved further into the cellar, choosing a different direction from before to attempt to find a new location to acquire some more of the devices. Withdrawing one from his inventory to inspect, he poked it a few times. How did these things even work? They seemed to be different to what he'd heard of the normal recording crystals; maybe these were profession-specific?

Edited November 8, 2015 by Glow

[Glow 0]

[ID: 38102]

[Loot: 19]

Grumbling, the teen drew himself out of his thoughts as he looked around the cellar once again. Looked to be nothing in this particular area either - it's not like he had anything in particular to do, but at least he could be sleeping somewhere high up rather than stuck in a rat-infested cellar. Talking about said rats, he hoped that no more would spring up - while the first three were taken down surprisingly well, he didn't think that a repeat of the conflict would turn out for the better, considering his nonexistent damage migation and low health. Best thing he could do was buckle up and try to gain the last crystal.

Pushing through the crates, Glow tried to scan the area blanketed in the darkness, but without the appropriate passive ability it seemed that genetics did nothing for him there. Of course his light sensitivity was just genetics; what did you expect, him to never go outside? Well... it was partly that, but not completely. In the brief rant in his own head about said sensitivity, the man failed to notice a crate directly in front of his legs, and stumbled forwards, breaking several crates in the fall as he slipped over. Cursing, he scrabbled to his feet, hoping that he hadn't dealt to much damage to the kind man's belongings, wanted or not, before noticing another crystal revealed by the destruction. More importantly, however, there appeared to be a large burrow-like hole in the wall. Absently storing the crystal, Glow kept his vision on the entrance as he approached, stretching upwards to get a better view. It appeared to be the origin to the creatures from before; perhaps a miniature dungeon? Maybe he could get Teion or someone else who's interested over here later, if the challenge was great enough. Deciding on a little bit of premature scouting, he gave a glance around him to make sure the shopkeeper hadn't been attracted by the noise, before leaning over and hopping into the burrow.

Edited November 10, 2015 by Glow

[Glow 0]

Moving further into the small tunnel, Glow brushed his hand against the surface surrounding him. Bringing his hand back, he rubbed his fingers together, releasing the small granules of stone from his hand and back to the ground. 'Huh. Doesn't appear particularly stable.'  Although he wasn't sure if any structures could actually break or collapse, it was worth the quick note - just in case. Better to be over than under prepared. A glimmer of light shone up ahead, and Glow narrowed his eyes, before heading towards the faint shining at the end of the tunnel.

Hopefully that wasn't any kind of symbolism.

[Glow 0]

Glow continued to progress towards the opening in the tunnel, finally coming to the exit into what appeared to be a much larger cavern. Hopping out of the thinner entrance, he takes a brief look at his surroundings. Mostly appeared to be nothing but a strangely shaped rocky room, with tunnels like his sprouting out of the size in a mesh of criss-crossing pathways. That also led to his current conundrum, he thought, taking a glance at the light trickling in from a thin opening above. Did he really want to try and venture further into this region without some sort of failsafe to fall back on, or at least some assistance? 'Probably not.' 

Deciding against it, he turned to leave the strange area for another day, but a sudden scuffling from behind him makes his body freeze up, as he slowly tilts his head towards the source. Black, beady eyes stare back at him as another of the giant rats appears from above his own exit. Looks like he wasn't getting out without a fight.

[Glow 0]

[ID: 38533]

[Battle: 9]

[MOB: 5]

Lunging forwards with his claws outstretched, Glow went for a quick slice at the rat's throat. He could be a little more brutal when he was by himself; didn't want to worry anyone about it normally. Surprised at the sudden aggression, the monster tries to bite down, but the head is smashed away by one claw running down the underside while the other hits its mark, gouging out a three-pronged cut before the player jumped backwards to avoid the retaliation. 'Huh. Might be a good time to let off some aggression; not gonna get another good opportunity for a while.' Glow mused, as he circled around his weakened opponent, waiting for an opportunity to go in and finish the battle.

 

[Glow: 8/8] [2/2 Energy]

[G. Rat: 1/4 (2+1)]

Edited November 13, 2015 by Glow

[Glow 0]

[ID: 38534]

[Battle: 4]

[MOB: 4]

Glow let a grin slowly slip across his face as the rat stumbled around, before charging towards him. Its paws quickly moved it across the dry ground beneath, but injured as it was, just not fast enough. Moving to the side, Glow simply held the claws in front of the creature's path, and it let out a strange-sounding shriek before jumping to the side, slamming into a wall. Snorting in amusement, he slowly moved up to it, seeing the last slither of HP remaining on the monster. "Well? Come on then. Give me some sort of fight!" He shouted at the NPC - whether the words were useless or not. 

This was one of the good things about this place. An outlet for his destructive urges. Get rid of his major behavioral problems - or at least, the ones that people would be able to see - without... well, killing someone. Not exactly practical in real life, but here? It rewards you for it.

 

[Glow: 8/8] [2 Energy]

[G. Rat: 1/4]

Edited November 13, 2015 by Glow

[Glow 0]

[ID: 38536]

[Battle: 2]

[MOB: 2]

Continuing with his somewhat twisted release, the teen let his slightly more energetic side take hold. With the pulse of adrenaline through his body from the combat, he watched as the rat slowly picked itself up, before turning towards him. Holding his hand out, he made a gesture for it to attack, and it certainly did. Rushing towards him, the rat leapt surprisingly high, sharpened front teeth whizzing past Glow's face as he abandoned his plan of attack and rolled to the side, barely avoiding the dagger-like bones. As the rat crashed into the ground, he stared at the fallen foe for a few moments, watching itself shake the dirt off its body, before the grin returns to his face. "Now that's more like it!" He declared, quickly getting to his feet and hopping up and down as he moved into a more appropriate combat stance.

 

[Glow: 8/8] [2/2 Energy]

[G. Rat: 1/4]

Edited November 13, 2015 by Glow

[Glow 0]

[ID: 38539]

[Battle: 8]

[Loot: 18]

 

Finally deciding to wrap the battle up, Glow darts after the creature to where it crashed into the ground. Moving his claws upwards, he moves one foot forward before bringing them both down on top of the creature. The blades cut it practically in two, before it shatters into a shower of glass-like shards. He stayed like that for a few moments, breathing deeply, before withdrawing his claws and brushing a hand across his face, moving the hair out of his eyes. Glow slowly grabbed the dropped Col, hands shaking slightly. Getting back to his feet, he took one last look at the cavern before shutting his eyes, trying to adjust back to normal as he exited through the tunnel. 

 

[Glow: 8/8]

[G. Rat: 0/4] [Rewards: 1 Material, 20 Col]

Edited November 14, 2015 by Glow

[Glow 0]

Heading back through the rocky tunnel, a number of expressions crossed across Glow's face as he slowly returned to his neutral state. Feeling the stronger emotions ebb out of his body like usual, his more aggressive posture slowly relaxed into a far more casual one, and by the time he reached the cellar again he was back to his normal state when by himself - simply blank. He had always found it the best to be nothing; go unnoticed but at least neutral with most people, maybe not close to anyone in particular - but he'd never needed someone to confide in to. Just had to vent to avoid ever reaching and breaching the breaking point. For now, Glow went over to the ladder after a brief curse, fumbling around in the darkness, before climbing upwards, giving a firm knock at the underside of the locked hatch.

[Glow 0]

A brief pause followed after the first knock. Waiting silently, Glow breathed in and out, taking a deep breath as he waited for the NPC to come over and release him from the dungeon-like area. With the silence only stretching out the wait, he started drumming the fingers of his left hand against the ladder, the inaction even for a few moments causing him some unrest. Glow had never liked waiting - well, that's not true. For long periods of time, such as new game releases? He was fine about waiting for those, especially because it gave him something that he presumed was anticipation, leading to long-term excitement; one of the few times he felt an emotion over a large period of time. But for short moments? Those seemed to stretch on ad infinitum. The lack of any sounds didn't help with that, and he starting humming a quiet tune to go along with the beat to keep him entertained and fill the stillness.

After all, he didn't want to be left with his own thoughts. That never turned out well for him.

[Glow 0]

Continuing the quiet tune, Glow started to get a little worried. Not especially impatient; his neutrality helped to keep him very composed most of the time, despite the mask of foolishness he wore most of the time. Despite that, he did get nervous in certain situations, and this was proving to be one of them. Could the NPC have faulty programming? Or did he have to clear out the whole area below before leaving? Skipping a beat by accident, he cursed quietly, mumbling random syllables under his breath before pausing. Pushing his ear to the hatch, he listened again.

Pat, pat

Those sounded like... like footsteps. 'Phew. Looks like I'm fine after al-' Quickly following his more optimistic thoughts, the hatch swung open. It just so happened that the hatch opened downwards. Therefore, with the sudden opening motion...

It smacked Glow right in the face. 

[Glow 0]

"Once again, I am incredibly sorry for that." The taller man stated, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. Making light grumbling noises, Glow waved him off. "Don't worry, don't worry. It was a mistake, and nothing life-threatening. Just stings a little." Well, that was a bit of a lie; it had hurt like hell, especially with his hypersensitivity, but he wasn't going to tell the shopkeeper that. Giving a quiet sigh, he followed the musician through the shop and over to the storage area at the back, still rubbing his slightly bleeding nose. Who knew such a small piece of wood could do so much damage?

At least his quest was finally finished, however. After the initial accident, he had fallen back down to the floor, hitting it with a smack, but he had made it back up briefly after. Quickly getting a bandage over the injury on his face, he had handed over the crystals to the man, who gratefully accepted them and offered to let Glow browse through the starter instruments and pick one out. Accepting this offer in turn, the player had been lead through the main shop and over to the other room, anxious to see what kind of tools he would be using for his profession.

[Glow: 7.99/8]

[Glow 0]

Taking a glance around the door as the shopkeeper moved it open, Glow's eyes lit up at the wall of instruments laid out before him.  "Well, feel free to explore and try them out. Come get me when you're done, and I'll make sure everything's in check and you can be on your way!" Giving his thanks to the man, the player walked into the room, his eyes scanning the stringed instrument section. Both of his chosen instruments, barring his voice, were in this section; guitar and violin alike, along with several other types were plentiful. Grinning at the sight of a double-bass, he took the instrument from its resting place on the wall and slowly shifted it over to the nearby bench, careful to not let the weight tip to one side; hollow as it was, it was still made from hardwood, and as such was quite heavy. Running his hand down the side, he gave a smile - the musician certainly made his instruments well. Maybe it was just the game's generation of the musical objects, but they appeared pristine; maybe not perfect, but nonetheless a reliable and useful instrument.

Clasping the nearby bow, he stretched his arm around the thickset orchestral instrument, before dragging his hand back to the right. A low droning sound played out, coupled with constant fluctuations in the tone, and Glow snorted. Still as crap as ever with the larger ones. After that atrocious sound, he moved the double bass back to the wall and continued to glance around, before he paused suddenly. There.