Oske

Oske stood in a small village, all alone. She was checking her inventory for Col count, and she put her hands on her hips. “I guess I have enough to gear up now. I’ve been grinding so much that I never actually bought anything that I need.†She looked around. There were barely any players around. “I’ve never really done anything without friends, so… I wonder if there’s anyone who can help me find some good gear. I need a new shield, first of all…â€

"Oh..." Oske murmured. "Was there a wedding? Did I miss it...?"

She was playing with her fingers, looking very nervous.

Oske hammered down the last of her mats into a round shield. It was an... okay item. It could've been prettier. She shrugged, then equipped it. "Butterfly Guard," she read out.

“A-Aria?†Oske stuttered. She froze. “You’re… you’re married to Rage. He told me. I think… yes…â€

Oske stood tall, trying to hold back her shaking. She raised her sword, ready to rush through the next dungeon—the dungeon of floor four. “I’m ready,†she said confidently, wiping her tears away.

"I-it's okay," Oske stuttered. "I'm sure I'll find someone else one day... we should get going, Rage. I can't make it through the next two dungeons on my own. Do you have the coordinates of the next one on floor four?"

"I'm glad we're friends, too," Oske said, smiling through her tears. "I want you to know that I'll always be your friend, no matter what happens to you or me. If I die, which I probably will in this world, I'll still be your friend. I promise you that!"

Oske stared at the ground for a long time. "I... I won't leave you. It's okay, I'll make more friends. I'm too clingy... it's a flaw of mine..." Oske confessed. She turned back to Rage with a forced smile on her sad face. "I think it's great that you got married!" she lied. "I'm so happy for you."

"Then... I don't understand." Oske paused. "Did you get a boost or something so that you're kind of like a boss with two health bars? Or..."

Oske stopped. Tears started rolling down her cheeks, and she turned around to have her back facing Rage.

Oske tilted her head. "What do you mean?" she asked. "Did you get another familiar?"

She looked around. "I don't see one...?"

"O-okay," Oske stuttered. "The frontlines, you mean...? Isn't that dangerous?"

She stopped. "Wait... there are... three health bars by your head. You, Glacies, and... Darkfiyr? Why's that?"

"Rage! Wait!" Oske suddenly was by Rage's side, panting with her sword unsheathed. "Wow... that was... a long way..."

She straightened her stance and caught her breath. "Where exactly are we going?"

Oske hammered away again. She returned with an okay looking sword... http://catsglade.deviantart.com/art/Pet ... -428096721

"What do you think?" she asked.

"Huh?" Oske murmured. She looked back where Rage had once been, then to where he was now. "Haha, okay, you win! I'm going to try to make my gear myself, though. I need a new sword... and a shield."

She walked into the smithy and to the back, where she started melting down her old sword along with an icy boar tusk. She then started hammering.

"Okay... here it is!" Oske was now holding a rather dented sword. "Oh... it came out bad. Let me try again."

She started melting down the materials again, but... she then realized something. "Hey, there's not enough mats! I guess I'll use the rest of what I have...

"A red player?" Oske gasped. "But... Rage, why do you know a red player?"

Oske's heart pace quickened. She was concerned that her friend was associated with a red player... a murderer.

"Oh!" Oske said. "Well, I need a new sword. Maybe I can make something out of this ice boar tusk?" she murmured, looking at her inventory. She turned to the village, noting smoke from a smithy. "Race you!"

With that, she ran toward the village.

Oske giggled. "Thanks! I even got a pouch for Pinkie now," Oske said, pointed at the second pocket on her new belt. Pinkie poked her head out, squeaking a little. "By the way, how's your smithing going? Have you made anything new?"

Oske giggled. "I also got my boar hide made into a coat and boots and gloves."

"That'll be 5000 Col, lil' lady," Mary said, holding out her hand. Oske looked over at Rage.

Oske stepped out of the changing room after a few minutes. She was wearing newly made clothing--a black shirt with white trim, black shorty-shorts, black and white socks, silvery boots, a side-skirt, a new belt, and of course... a royal blue cape. "How do I look?" Oske asked.

"I have a sketch--" Oske started to say, opening up her menu. It closed immediately, because the NPC grabbed Oske's hand and dragged her behind a curtain. "Wah!"

"Wait there, young man!" the NPC exclaimed.

Oske walked until she found a small shop close to a village. She stopped, reading the sign outside. "Mary's Tailor Shop." she said aloud. She then walked inside, where she was greeted by an NPC almost immediatly.

"Well, howdy to you two!" the NPC exclaimed. "I'm Mary. Who's getting fitted today? The lil' lady? Or the groom?"

Oske's face turned bright red. "J-just me."

"Okey-dokey!" Oske exclaimed. "I'll follow you wherever!"

She then blushed nervously.

"Really? Awesome!" Oske took the bowl and started eating it as she walked. "First things first, I need to get some new threads. An information broker told me that there was a shop around the first village that has an NPC that can do custom orders. I think it's this way..."

"Me? Really?" Oske blinked. "Well, how about... Glacies? It's Latin for ice."

"Okay," Oske stuttered, readying her sword. "I'll be ready to switch in when you need me to."