Ronin

As he blinked his eyes and took a deep breath, the swordsman spun on his heels to face the girl once again, but found that she suddenly appeared to have vanished?  His eyes grew wide as if that might help him to better spot her in her new hiding place?  He burped and spat, weaving and wobbling as he took a step and then another and before he knew it he was off down the street searching all over for her.  It was quite the mind screw, trying to find someone who had just vanished before your eyes.  Perhaps she had never truly been there at all?

(OOC: Ronin will continue on since Ranmura is MIA)

After an incredibly long lull in the conversation, Ronin blinked his eyes, rubbing at his chin and wondering if the woman sitting across from him was still... there?  He pursed his lips in thought and dragged at his cigarette, itching the side of his head and trying to decide if perhaps she was experiencing some lag or something of that nature?  He sighed finally, waving his hands in front of her face and seeing that she didn't seem to be responding at all.  Perhaps she had gotten logged out somehow and was finally... dead?  He shook his head, hoping this wasn't the case.  "Welp... guess I'll just hafta' head off now n' do mah own thang..."

(OOC: Ronin will continue on since Magda is MIA)

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"Bah!" spat the dumpling wielder, gobbling up the last bite and tossing the rest of his [censored] to the ground.  As the leftover food hit, it suddenly burst into a thousand crystalline shards with the sound of breaking glass rushing it off into nonexistence.  Wiping gloved backhand across his lips, the blacksmith eyeballed the chick a little more closely now.  So it seemed she had a pretty strong opinion on things, and perhaps an over-inflated ego as well?  He pursed his lips and fished a cigarette outta' his pack, before promptly lighting it up and thinking it over.  "Never ya' mind all that... let's give it a go.  Ya?"  

Despite the girl finally confessing about her skills, or rather the lack their of; Ronin wasn't phased.  Truth be told, the dumplings didn't really do it for him and he had been craving something, more.  He licked his lips and puffed at his cigarette, day dreaming of some delicious grub.  Even if this girl had chosen a cooking profession and hadn't leveled it up at all yet, there was still always the chance she could make something amazing right off the bat.  He remembered his very first attempt at smithing and how he had crafted a rare item without even knowing what the hell he was doing.  Yeah, this was too good a prospect to pass up, especially for someone as curious, greedy and hungry as Ronin was. 

"So then, where's yer shop?" he asked, raising an eyebrow and peering at her through swirling tobacco smoke.

As soon as Ronin saw Niko emerging from the hut with the signature cat whiskers painted on, he knew it was go time.  He turned toward the rock and launched off the ball of his foot immediately, racing toward it at break neck speeds.  As he came within a few yards, he suddenly sprang upward into the air and thrust his back leg hard, landing the sole of his weathered boot against the stone and then springing back to the ground and landing with a grimace.  "Damn... thing didn't even budge," he grumbled under his breath.  He had made contact, yeah, but this rock was no pushover.

When they finally reached the top of the mountain, Ronin paused and planted his hands on his knees, hunching over and wheezing a bit.  Though this was a virtual world and he was smoking the [censored] outta' virtual cigarettes, his virtual lungs still seemed to feel the effects sometimes.  He coughed and spat at the ground, taking a long moment to catch his breath from the arduous climb they had just endured.  As he finally straightened himself out and pulled air into his lungs, he looked toward Niko and then toward the little hut where the NPC resided.  "You remember the deal right?  Poke in there and talk to the NPC, then we'll get to work on this damn rock..."  Ronin then turned his attention toward the massive boulder off to his right.  Yeah, this wasn't going to be any picnic...

"Eyo, just came to give Niko here a hand with the ole' rock punchin' action.  You guys ready to get this show on the road?"   The smoker licked his lips, looking toward the mountain in the distance and anticipating the trip.  He wanted to get moving as soon as possible, because he knew that punching this damn rock and knocking its HP down to zero could take some time.  Fortunately for him, the Taco-man had been there when he had done the quest and done some substantial damage to the rock on each hit.  Something told Ronin this little group was going to have it a little slower going...

The chain smoker pulled a drag at his lipped cigarette, his hands resting in his lap and his eyes slightly squinted as he watched the cups move.  He didn't take his eyes off of them, even as the poisonous smoke danced up from his lit cancer stick and swirled in front of his gaze.  He peered through the noxious fumes and followed the cup with the coin under it.  No matter how many moves, no matter how fast, Ronin wouldn't lose track of it. 

He smirked and straightened up in his seated posture once the cups stopped moving.  Slowly, he plucked the cigarette from his lips and extended his fingers toward the cups.  "Gotta' be this one..." he answered, pointing to the second cup, where the coin had begun.  He then turned his eyes back toward Khrysa... whatever his name was, and nodded.  "Yeah man, come by the shop sometime, I'll save ya' a pancake."

"Helios.... don't I know yew' from somewheres?!" wondered Ronin aloud, staggering toward the man.  He wobbled with every step he took, his knees buckling and his hips swaying to and fro.  His back seemed to bend and his torso flopped as though he had no real spine supporting him or allowing him to stand upright.  He looked like one giant weeble-wobble toy and his expressions were nothing short of mad.  He bit at his lip, chewing it with a look of great determination, like he was doing everything in his power to focus on his balance and try not to face plant into the ground below.  "Yeah... I've seen yew summwheree beefore..." the smoker decided, eyeballing Helios through his intoxicated spheres.

As Ronin inhaled and listened to what Jambi was saying, his expression suddenly turned serious and he grew quiet.  He sat up, distancing himself instantly from the woman and licking his lips.  His chin dipped slightly and he let out a heavy sigh.  His shoulders slouched and he lit up a cigarette, closing his eyes and taking a long drag at it.  Her words had cut him deep and he chewed at his lip.  Sure this place was great and yea... they could get used to it, being in here, enjoying it for what it was worth.  But no, Ronin couldn't agree... this wasn't the real world and as long as they were in here, they would never truly be free.  They had no choice right now but to make the most of it, but the chain smoker was hell bent on doing everything in his power to get stronger, reach the frontlines and clear this game as quickly as he could.  He was glad Jambi was here with him, but he wanted to get out and get her out and reunite with her... back in the real world.

"I'm... sorry...  but as soon as I'm strong enough, I'm heading to the front lines.  I'm going to beat this damn game.  I'm going to set us free."

Ronin pulled another generous teethful off his dumpling and chewed at it fiendishly as he considered what the girl had said.  "Hmm... ya' know... I think you've got yourself a deal.." he answered back after a moment of thinking it over.  While the girl hadn't really presented any sort of offer, Ronin understood it as such.  She had said that she could do far better than the apparent crap he was grubbing on now, so he wanted to see or rather, taste, exactly what she could do.  He was too damn curious to let it pass on by, so it was time to throw down a little somethin' as incentive... maybe she'd bite.

"I've got a lil' blacksmith operation runnin' here in town.  It's a little shanty down the way, but I can make some pretty damn good [censored].  You make me some good grub, I'll make you some kick ass gear.  Deal?"  The smoker's stomach grumbled at the mere thought of delicious food.  He had come to enjoy the little stand where he got his dumplings, but deep in his heart he knew very well; she was right, they were [censored].

"Oh I know ya' could... ya' BIG LOAF!" he sang, flashing his teeth in a wild grin.  He squeezed the girl tightly again, nearly flattening her against his own body.  As he did so, he whispered something.  "Squeeeeeze," he said ina' strange manner, closing his eyes and enjoying the feeling of his wife in his arms.  It was the greatest feeling in the world, just to close your eyes, breathe and hold her.  Ronin couldn't think about anything else, just the feeling of her and him, together, there in that moment.  It was bliss... it was peace... it was... getting, a little... hard... "Ahem...  Jambi...   I love you..."

The chain smoker narrowed his eyes as he watched the game begin again... this time on the medium difficulty level.  He took a long, slow drag at his cigarette, the cherry burning brightly on the tip of the cancerous cylinder.  Once the cups had stopped, the smoker slowly extended his gloved index finger forward to make his choice.  "'Dis one..." he said in a raspy voice, pointing to the second cup.  He then leaned back a bit, returning his attention to the familiar faced gent.  "Ah ya' know... been runnin' 'round handlin' business," said Ronin in response to the guy's latest question.  "Married life is a blast... almost everyday I wake up and Jambi makes me breakfast.  Either some little egg and cheese sammiches on everything bagels or pancakes!  It's the life..." he breathed, before lookin' back toward the cups and the guy runnin' the mini-game.

Ronin had gotten a message from Niko and set off to go join up with the guy and help him out with another quest.  He had just recently helped him with the punching the rock quest and was eager to help him knock another one out.  This one happened to be one that Ronin had recently completed himself involving slaying a big ass bee.  He licked his lips and strolled up beside Niko.  "Sup man... we waitin' for anyone else?" he wondered, looking around and fishing a cigarette outta' his pack.  He fired it up and waited.

Ronin came rolling in amid a cloud of noxious smoke, as per usual.  The winds seemed to change and virtual flowers wilted as he passed along.  He coughed into the backside of his gloved hand and wiped his wetted lips.  "Herm... what's this then?" he wondered, spotting a little notification popping up.  He fingered it and reviewed the details of some player asking for help with a quest.  "Ah... looks like Niko wants to redo that quest and get the skill for himself this time..." he acknowledged, remembering the time he himself had done the quest and Niko had been there to help.  The least Ronin could do now, was go and lend a hand.  He sent a quick reply out, letting Niko know he would help and set off to join up with them on the second floor.  "On my way pal..."

Leaning back in the chair, Ronin and his smokes went crashing to the floor.  The wooden chair didn't bust or splinter in the slightest and he grumbled as he lay there now, tied up and unable to free himself.  He swallowed and closed his eyes, wondering if and when someone would come along to explain what he was doing here.  He wiggled a little bit, trying to get comfy and wondered if Jambi or Caspar might suddenly come bursting through the door to rescue him.  Ah, who was he kidding... he knew there was no one on the way... he was all alone here.

Summary

+1 SP, +400 Col

Thread Complete!

The chain smoker pulled a long drag at his smoke before plucking it from his lips.  He licked at their slightly chapped surfaces and rubbed his chin as he watched the cups slide back and forth.  "This one," he said once the cups had stopped moving, pointing to the fourth cup.  He was pretty damn sure he had nailed it, so he turned and gave a look toward the pair of legs that had recently strolled up next to him.  As his eyes trailed upward, he discovered that the legs belonged to a familiar face.  "Oh hey man, how's it hangin?" he asked, before turning his attention back to the mini-game dude.

The chainsmoker was walking along through the thick fields of flowers, scanning the area for his wife.  She had been right up ahead a moment ago, but he had lost sight of her and--

"OOPS!"

He spat, suddenly catching his foot on something and tripping.  As his eyes widened and shot downward, he spotted the girl he had been looking for laying there among the flowers.  Falling right on top of her, Ronin smirked and threw his arms around her in a hug.  "Found you!" he cried out, gripping her tightly and rolling over onto his back with her in his arms.  He squeezed her tightly and kissed her nose.  "Heya' babe."

"Anyone home?" he asked to no one at all.  The room was small and his chair was placed in the center.  He could see the door, closed and no windows at all.  He looked upward, seeing a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling.  He sighed and looked around, hoping for some way to free himself and try to escape.  He licked his lips and looked down at his pants pocket, wondering if there was a way he could get his pack of smokes free and light one up with his hands tied.  If he could do that, he wouldn't mind sitting here a little while...

When he awoke, Ronin's head was swimming.  Since there was no real pain inside this virtual world, he didn't feel much in the way of shooting discomfort in his head, so much as just a foggy view and a bit of dizziness.  He sighed and spat, chewing at his tongue and blinking his eyes in an attempt to clear the world around him.  He tried to move, but found he had been bound to a chair and as he rocked his feet, he saw that his legs too had been tied up to the legs.  "er... wha' the hell..." he grumbled, looking around the small room and seeing no one around.

"Oh?  so... you're sayin' you can do better?" wondered Ronin aloud, looking from his food to the girl who had spoken up.  He itched his ass with his free hand, before taking another bite at his dumpling.  He tongued it, teethed it and turned it over several times in his mouth before swallowing.  "Hmm... maybe she's right... though, I dunno' if I've found anythin' better than this 'round here?  And [censored], it took me weeks to discover this place..."  Ronin grumbled to himself, thinking it over.  His gaze shifted back toward the chick.  "So...?"

Stepping past the girl, Ronin suddenly felt a tug at his hand.  He peeked back over his shoulder to see the girl looking rather glum and sad.  He arched an eyebrow, wondering what was up.  "Eh?" he voiced, looking into her eyes and seeing she was a little pouty about something.  "Look... I said sorry, I've got to be going now.." he tried again, though she refused to let his hand go.  Then, the swordsman heard the door to their little room opening and he turned back just in time to see a bat coming into view.  BAM!

At the sight of the money, Ronin nodded his head.  He was a greedy bastard and would do anything for even a single Col.  His curiosity had lead him here and now his greed and insatiable appetite for money would keep him seated.  He turned his eyes toward the cups, licking his lips and taking another drag at his smoke.  "Alrighty... guess I'll take a shot at the easy [censored] to start out... see how it goes... "  With that, the chain smoker tapped at this inventory menu and pulled ten Col into existence.  He slapped it down on the box.  "...And hell, let's double up on 'dem rewards," he added with a smirk.

(OOC: Easy mode, doubled-down)

"You seem  a bit... distracted," said the girl, suddenly slowing her dance routine to a halt.  Ronin peeked up at her, looking into her eyes and sighing.  "Yeah... sorry, it's just that I'm thinking about someone..." he admitted, before puffing at his cigarette again.  He was thinking all about Jambi and wanted to go and find her.  He hoped she was doing well and imagined she was probably off talking to Twist or dancing down the streets in her rollerskates, or something else joyous and whimsical.  He smiled thinking of her and slowly stood up.  "Sorry to have wasted yer time..."

"Alright yo... back it up a little bit..." Ronin ordered, shooting the girl a serious glance as she moved in and began grinding her ass on his pants.  He had half a mind to pus her, but he hoped she'd simply oblige his words and give him a little space.  He didn't so much mind the dance as it had been going, but he still wanted his bubble left unpopped so to speak.  He cleared his throat and was glad to see the girl stepping forth and giving him some room as she resumed her swaying and dipping.  He sighed, feeling sexually frustrated and wondered when the last time had been for he and Jambi...