[F1-PP] A more refreshing beverage

[David_Black 0]

Location: Town of beginnings, Hiro's Tavern.

"Another round!" 

A metal clad behemoth roared as he pounded a single fist against the bar. The place was empty, as it often was on Fridays. For some reason despite the fact that the residents of Aincrad were trapped in this hostile virtual world they had for the most part kept to their old real world gaming habits. Many of them were out completing quests, or grinding out levels on the higher floors. David_Black, the behemoth in question however was not such a person and found comfort remaining on the first level of their virtual prison. Twelve suds (and nothing else) filled glasses littered the area of bar adjacent to his stool. David's face was still wet with the remnants of his last beverage. He knew the virtual spirits that his trusted friend, and former student Hiro was serving him would not get him drunk. He knew that their perceived benefits were all in his head. Still the familiar sensation of ale passing through his lips was nice, and whatever the herbs that the talented brewer had come up with to make the stuff were the fact remained that it tasted delicious. David longed for the stress relieving buzz of real alcohol however, and given the horrors that Sword Art Online players had witnessed since launch day who could blame him?

The Tavern itself was nothing all that impressive. A basic timber and stone construction with a meager dining area, and a small raised platform that served as a stage on the nights they were lucky enough to have an entertainer to perform. The bar and the casks, kegs, bottles, and shelves that filled the space behind it took up nearly a third of the total space leaving only room for about a dozen stools, and half as many tables each with four rickety wooden chairs surrounding it. It was sparsely decorated with only a single trophy on the wall above the fireplace: A stuffed boar's head in commemoration of Hiro's first kill in the game. In the far left corner of the room surrounded by a few crates was a trapdoor set into the floor. The door was swung open wide revealing a ladder leading into the basement of the establishment. From the bottom of that ladder David heard a familiar voice.

"You must be joking! With all you drink it's no wonder I'm barely scraping by in this place. Sensei, you must see reason. Sitting here drowning your problems in booze all day solves nothing. You should get out. Stretch your legs. Meet some new people. Surely there must be something that Aincrad has to offer that would get your blood pumping." Hiro called out with authority. He had clearly had enough of his teacher taking advantage of his kindness.

Edited October 15, 2017 by David_Black
Never stated I was taking the quest in the quest thread.

[Lessa 1]

The first floor was not a place for quiet reflection.

On the contrary, one typically ventured into the Town of Beginnings when they needed that rush that only a crowd could provide. Especially after the isolation of upper floors, heading south filled even the most extroverted person's weekly social quota. Once, Lessa had reveled in the sensation of being surrounded by thousands of people. Later, that experience had suffocated her, exiling her to the upper floors for months at a time. The first floor had meant so many different things to the young woman over her years within the floating tower: a place to start, a place to train others, a place to hide from her past among seas of nameless faces. 

Now, the woman simply enjoyed the relaxed nature of the first floor taverns. In the beginning, fear and despair had run rampant within the town walls. However, as time had passed, the eternal first level players had settled into their daily lives; they grew increasingly more comfortable, and more resigned to remain there forever. The "we must clear the floors and beat the game" mentality still remained in certain circles, but it was largely absent overall. As such, it was a welcome change from the higher floors.

The town was also prime people-watching territory, an activity that Lessa was engaged in that afternoon. The park had not disappointed, and she might have remained on the bench for hours more had the sun not driven her inside. A true Michigander, the woman fled from any place where the temperature topped eighty, seeking refuge in colder, darker spots. This time, she escaped into the nearest building, one which was simply named Hiro's Tavern.

The inside, much to her dismay, was nearly deserted. Not much to watch, she mused, disappointed. 

Edited October 14, 2017 by Lessa

[David_Black 0]

"You know, I hadn't really given it much thought." David said scratching the dirty blonde whiskers on his chin. "You're right though, I guess. I mean I haven't really done much since we got this joint up and running eh? Well I don't really have any interest in finding monsters to fight, or dungeons to explore. I'll leave all that to those crazies on the front lines. Perhaps I could be more help to you though. Maybe I could go and see that old man that taught you how to brew up these interesting concoctions." David offered before swiping his thick tree trunk sized arm over the bar, and sending all of his spent glasses headed straight for the floor behind it. Just as they reached the point that they would have shattered in the real world, each of the glasses in turn burst into a brilliant display of harmless rainbow colored crystalline shards before vanishing altogether. "Well what do ya say Hiro gonna tell me this guy's name or what?"

David waited for a response for a few moments, but realized that Hiro's attention had been stolen away from him. The young man was staring mouth agape at the now open door to his run down little bar. A young lady had just walked in. David scanned her for a moment taking in her features; Blonde, young, nice blue eyes. It wasn't often a girl that looks like that was found playing a VRMMORPG, and even rarer that one might accidentally stumble into Hiro's Tavern. It was in that moment David realized that he would have to break the ice, as Hiro looked absolutely dumbstruck by the new arrival.

David casually waived her over towards the bar, and called out.

"Welcome to Hiro's tavern! I'm Dave, and that drooling mess over there is Hiro. Why don't you come take a load off, and let me buy you a drink. Sure is a hot one today, eh?"

 

[Lessa 1]

The tavern had one occupant, save for the barkeep, and he was motioning for her to join him. Lessa bit down hard on the inside of her cheek, considering her options. Were she to deny his offer, and take up residence at another table, she would look impossibly rude. It was not as if she could pretend she was joining another party, considering the place was empty, and she wondered if she was a rum enough liar to convince him she was waiting on someone. Were she to simply turn around and retreat back into the bright sunlight, she would appear mixed parts anti-social and crazy. Besides, she scolded herself, you're working on being more open, more laidback. There was a time when Lessa would have scampered over without hesitation, eager to engage the man in conversation, and perhaps a round of shots. Now, however, it took a few seconds for her to make up her mind.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Dave," came her own greeting. "And you, Hiro." The last bit was directed to the other man, whose jaw still rest atop his perfectly scrubbed bar-top. If he reacted in such a manner to Lessa in civilian clothes, she wondered what would have happened had she entered in full armor. Would he have imploded?

She perched atop the bar-stool, the toes of her boots tucking themselves around the long legs as she settled in. "A very hot one," she confessed, hoping that her flushed face did not reveal just how warm she really was. "I'm thankful for the cool place to hide out, and for the drink, though I expect you let me buy the second round." She flashed him a smile, and concluded with, "My name is Lessa."

[David_Black 0]

"Nice to meet you Lessa." David said before hopping up from his seat, and going around to the other side of the bar. After a few moments of fumbling around underneath it he produced two empty glasses. "Hiro, put these two on my tab whenever you snap out of your day dreaming. I swear man you have to get used to being around women at some point." With that being said David turned around and began to pour out two generous portions of some foamy brown liquid. The first he set on the bar in front of Lessa, and the second he raised to just about eye level.

"Rootbeer, or something very close in taste to it at least. We like to cater to all sorts here even though it's a tavern, and not everyone likes alcohol. Though after you drink that if you want something more stout I can certainly help you with that. As far as buying the second round I'm sure Hiro would appreciate that. I never pay him for my drinks anyway" David said before busting out into a deep belly laugh.

By this time Hiro had managed to lift his jaw up from the bar, and flashed a smile in Lessa's direction. "Sorry to be so rude miss. I'm just shy." The meek gamer turned barkeep said offering an awkward wave.

David raised his glass even higher for a moment offering a simple toast of "Cheers!" before putting it to his lips. When he had finished taking a decent pull from it a thick layer of foam lingered on his mustache.

 

@Lessa

Edited October 17, 2017 by David_Black

[Lessa 1]

When the player poked fun at his friend's discomfort around women, Lessa offered him a gentle, reassuring smile. She could party with the best of them, but she also felt for the barkeep. Alyssa had met and worked with all kinds during her time at MSU, and the socially awkward sort were among her most frequent customers. Perhaps it was her history major, or her love of the most bizarre clubs (paranormal, and humans vs. zombies, to name a couple). But Hiro so perfectly mirrored her past acquaintances that she could not help but empathize. "You have nothing to apologize for, Hiro," the woman assured him, nodding over the rim of her glass as she offered him a silent toast. 

Then, with more gusto, she saluted David. "Cheers!" After a long drink, in which she downed a third of her glass, she licked the amber liquid from her lips. "I always forget how much I like rootbeer," she admitted to her new drinking partner. "I appreciate your reminding me."

She paused to survey the still-empty tavern. It was clean, obviously very well cared for. Her own shop was a mess, considering she saw it more as a means to an end. Lessa could take lessons from this Hiro character. "So," she began, setting her glass on the bar and glancing between the two men. "What do you both do all day, outside of hiding out in here?"

[David_Black 0]

"I was a front-liner for a while, but now I just run the tavern," Hiro piped up in response to Lessa's question. "and Dave here until recently spent all his time drinking me out of business. A few days ago however he opened up a shop in Tolbana called Black's Books and Baubles. Fancies himself an artist now. Personally I think he should be helping the children trapped in this game keep up on their education, but what do I know. I'm just a guy who sells fake beer to nerds." There was venom in Hiro's words, and while he was talking to Lessa he never once broke eye contact with David. Shrugging, he let the anger fade from his face, and went round to the other side of the bar to pour himself a drink.

David on the other hand played everything off very calmly. "Yeah, I know buddy. It's just with everything going on in Sword Art Online I wouldn't be sure how to even begin. There is only so much I can teach them as well. I'm no math whiz, and I know nothing of history. Plus these kids are from all over the world. How on earth am I supposed to know, and cater to each individual curriculum? It's impossible for one man. The best thing I can do for them is record what knowledge I do have into my books, and give away the Vanity quality copies." He finished before taking another massive gulp of his root beer. Wiping the foam from his face he looked Lessa in the eye. "What about you? What do you do?" He asked with great interest. 

[Lessa 1]

"Well," Lessa began, leaning forward conspiratorially, "I have history covered. I was a history major." Then she paused, scrunching up her face as if catching a whiff of something smelly. "Am? Am a history teacher? Or was? I mean, I guess I still am. Unless MSU kicked me out." She waited for a beat longer, then waved her hand dismissively. "Doesn't really matter," she amended. "But I know my stuff. I was even starting my teaching internship, until this dumb game came along." For the most part, Lessa had come to accept her prison. But talking about it now, with this stranger, brought back that old pain. The regret. The loss. The impossible, unshakeable loneliness.

Rather than dwelling on it, she answered his question. "I was a front-liner too, for a bit. Afterward, I spent most of my time working with lower-level players. Teaching them the basics, escorting them while they trained, crafting them stronger weapons in my shop." She loosed a small shrug, then picked absentmindedly at a rogue thread in her pastel blouse. "Maybe it's the teacher in me, but I keep falling back on helping other people out. But I have been trying to find that balance between taking care of them, and looking after myself too." When she smiled, it did not reach her blue eyes. "Guess that's a problem whether you're teaching in the real world, or in a video game."

Edited October 19, 2017 by Lessa