Vashtor 0 Posted April 16, 2015 #1 Report Share Posted April 16, 2015 Vashtor had been blessed as well as cursed with a nagging sense of curiosity tugging at the back of his mind. It hadn't been that long since he moved no to the higher floors to find further strength, but still he wondered how others who might still be starting out were doing getting their wheels turning. He understood it was a mental ordeal to simply leave the city since fear of death existed everywhere save for inside the safe zones. It took him several attempts before he finally convinced himself to leave, and the deal maker was financial issues, so he could claim no moral high ground or unbreakable willpower. He explored the areas he once frequented first, starting with the area where many inns and taverns were congregated, giving even the newest of players a place to rest and enjoy a good meal. He couldn't help but gain a grin when he wondered how many players were trying to drink their sorrow away for being trapped like rats in Kayaba's game. He shrugged his shoulders as he mentally told himself the number was far too many. He probably was one of the more approachable looking players on the floor for his level, lacking any truly impressive armor, only having iron gauntlets, and his axe wasn't even equipped, he felt no need. "Morale seems about as high as ever." He mutters under his breath as he scanned the faces of those he passed or saw inside the various businesses, trying to find anyone who had an interesting face that didn't drip with despair. Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Azrael 0 Posted April 17, 2015 #2 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Azazel sat there staring into her pint for the greater part of an hour lost in thought. In her real life she had wanted nothing more than to happily live out her days in a realm of fantasy, and now that she was here, she was having some major thoughts about it. While there was an entire world of wonder and adventure waiting out there for her Zaz found herself too afraid to venture out of the comfort of the Town of Beginnings. The threat of death was all too real for her as she had seen what happened to those whose family members tried unplugging them on the first day. Their avatars shattered before her eyes, and none were seen again. Even with things as they were Azazel knew she had to get out of town and soon. So far she had been lucky. Being a decent enough looking girl she was able to find at least one sucker a day to buy her a drink or take pity on her and give her a ration of bread, but that wouldn’t last forever. Soon she would run out of helping hands and then she would have to do things for herself, as she always had before SAO. With a heavy sigh, Zaz resolved that tomorrow she would indeed head out into the world. “I guess I better drink up then,†she said softly and let out a small chuckle. She tipped back her mug and took a swig of the now lukewater beer. As she set her now empty mug back onto the counter she heard a voice behind her mutter about the rather dismal atmosphere of the place. “You could say that again,†she replied rather unenthusiastically. Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Vashtor 0 Posted April 17, 2015 Author #3 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 He paused in his place and looked around to locate the source of the feminine voice, smiling as he located the lady responsible for piquing his interest. Casually he moved to take a seat beside her and said "Ah, so I am not the only one who sees it, that's always a relief." He places his gauntlet covered hands on the bar to rest them, looking to the unknown player curiously. "I'm Vashtor, but Vash is easier to say." By virtue of the fact he had armor at all indicated he had stepped outside of the city, or at least had the money to look the part. After ordering a mug of cider from the barkeeper he rests his elbows on the counter and tilts his head "So, how is your morale holding up, hm?" He seemed genuinely curious rather than simply making idle chit chat, mostly because he was. Sometimes people just need a little shove to get them out the door, and if someone like him could act carefree, who knows, maybe he could show some people that this world wasn't just a place to die. When his drink arrived he happily lifted the mug to his lips and smiled, taking a few long gulps before he would set it back down. Now that he had relaxed and had a drink in hand he looked over the player's appearance. She seemed to be about as well equipped as one would expect a non-fighter, so there was not much to look at there, but all in all she seemed pretty if a touch older than him. A thought lingered in the back of his head that forced his face to smile, that it was a touch strange that the young one was trying to bring pep-talk and advice to the table! Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Azrael 0 Posted April 17, 2015 #4 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Someone slid into the empty seat next to her at the bar. Zaz stole a side glance of the figure beside her as he spoke. “It’s kind of hard not to notice things in a place like this.†She replied casually. Surveying the room around her, it was plain to see that she wasn’t the only one suffering from fears and doubts. Anna turned to finally get a good look at her momentary companion’s face as he introduced himself. Her eyes quickly scanned over the young man beside her, making her assessments as she always had. He was younger than her to be sure, but older than most she had come across, and his face was not at all unpleasing to look at, nor was the rest of him. The gentle manner in which he spoke to her indicated that he was a warm soul. The corner of her lip turned down slightly as she thought what a shame it would be when and if he were to meet his end in this strange new world they found themselves in. “Azazel…†She finally replied after only a moment’s silence. It was quiet again for an instant, but then Vashtor spoke to her once more asking her how she was holding up. “Oh you know…†she said with a shrug and leaned against the counter proper her chin up on her hand. “But I think I’m getting out of here tomorrow,†she added as an afterthought. “Things will get bad here eventually, and I don’t plan on dying like a trapped rat.†Glancing down at the bar before her Anna swirled her finger against the bar idly. “What about you?†She asked in return,†Have you been out there yet? Is it… bad?†If he had been outside the walls of the city then Azazel would have to pump him for as much information as she could get. Anything she could get would potentially help her live at least one more day in Aincrad. Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Vashtor 0 Posted April 17, 2015 Author #5 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Vash listened attentively as she spoke, the look on his face showing he took in every word rather than letting it run out the other ear. He found his eyes trailing though, watching her movements and habits such as her finger running along the counter. The fact that she had a desire to try leaving put her several pegs above many people. He was eager to nurture that though not certain how, so he decided that helping her curiosity would be the best choice. After all, the unknown is scary, and probably a large part of people's fears is not knowing what to expect. "Well... That kinda depends how you define bad." He smiles and says "I have been out there, and on the first floor, everything seems rather peaceful, all considered. The monsters are weak enough, so they are not a major danger, but you may want to come back to town during the night until you are a bit tougher." He hums as he tries to think about something else, taking a sip from his mug before resting it onto the bar again. "Oh, but they do get tougher as you go up, and each floor seems to have a different theme." He decides to leave out the volcano themed floor for now, not wanting to reinforce her fears. "This floor is forest and grasslands mostly." He thought he should give her a chance to process and respond so he started repeating 'Azazel' over and over in his head until it stuck. It would have been rather scummy if he didn't try to memorize it. He pried his eyes from her so she didn't feel awkward from him staring, enjoying his mug for another swig. Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Azrael 0 Posted April 17, 2015 #6 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Anna listened to Vashtor’s words carefully. Her eyes moved between the young man’s face and the bar as she mulled over his words. All things considered, she should have recognized that while she was immersed inside of Sword Art Online, it was still a game. Having been playing games since she was a kid, her mind ought to have put two and two together and recognized that this place would also follow game format. The first level of a game was typically benign. No game maker would make it all that difficult to start up a game; else no one would ever get anywhere. If no one ever got anywhere, players would get tired of struggling, and it players didn’t want to struggle anymore, they’d simply toss the game aside and look for something else to play. No game maker wanted to lose business by players not playing their games. The typically analytical woman let all this inner knowledge go to waste out of fear that despite SAO being a game, the stakes were all too real. When Anna Vilasquez had bought Sword Art Online, she felt a thrill that she had never gotten before in her real life. It slipped away from her the first day, but now after having heard Vashtor’s words, she felt a renewed excitement and she felt more determined than before to get out of the Town of Beginnings. “Thank you…†Zaz spoke softly as she finally turned to look over at her now quiet companion. Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Vashtor 0 Posted April 17, 2015 Author #7 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Vashtor saw her eyes wandering away from him as she thought so he kept his eyes to his mug and kept drinking, enjoying the taste of spiced apple and alcohol! He found a lot of enjoyment in the simple things, like meals, good weather, all those things that you would not expect to enjoy in a game. They clearly intended for the players to either be here for a long time, or perhaps it was designed with keeping them in mind? Either way, he could sate his virtual hunger, and enjoy a warm meal. When he heard the female player face towards and thank him he bowed his head slightly as he looked to her "Oh, no problem at all. Sharing information is only the smart thing. While some players might disagree... we -are- in this together." He chuckled happily as he looked to Aza curiously and said "Though, if you are still nervous there are other ways to contribute... You could be a merchant on the higher floors once you get some experience, if you feel that fighting gets to be too much!" He nods happily "There are tons of helpful players too who'd happily guard you while you gather materials too. All that stuff." After a moment he grinned and said "In other words, you can just do what you'd do in any RPG!" Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Azrael 0 Posted April 23, 2015 #8 Report Share Posted April 23, 2015 A smile crept over Anna’s face as the young man spoke and she remembered why she was here in the first place, she joined SAO to kick ass. Being stuck inside the virtual world didn’t change that. If anything, it made the experience all the better. This time instead of sitting behind the keyboard clicking away, she would be the one actually living the adventure she always wanted. It was like a dream, her dream, and now that she had what she wanted, she had to live it out, and make it back to tell about it. “I didn’t think of it like that, but you’re right. Thanks!†she repeated with a bit more enthusiasm . Anna flagged the barkeep and ordered another of what she was drinking and another drink was set in front of her. “Better drink up while I can,†she raised her mug to Vashtor and then knocked it back. “Do you think…†Anna began as she set her drink down,†That I could add you to my friends list? You know, in case I have any more questions?†Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
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