Pinball

Pinball stopped dead in his tracks, completely caught off guard. It was Mars, after all. He angrily explained to Pinball what he had gone through, and Pinball froze, dumbstruck. For a moment, it was as if everything what as a stand still. Then, Pinball burst out laughing, tears rushing down his face. The hysterical boy could hardly breathe, and he leaned against his staff, gasping for air. At times he attempted to speak, but all that could be heard was nearly incomprehensible gibberish about bears and america through his laughter. Pinball stood up again, still chuckling, noting the difference in their levels. It was a subtle difference, but was one that was definitely there. Mars always seemed to be a step ahead of him. "Actually," Pinball replied through giggles, still thinking about the bear, "I'm nearly level eighteen. After this quest, I should be a level behind you." He leaned in close, a lazy yet devilish smile crossing his face. "And that, my friend - why, that's a gap that can be closed quite quickly." He stood up straight again, seperating himself from the man. Returning to his normally goofy tone, Pinball spoke. "Well, since I'm here, I know how much you love fishing with me. What say we... we do the thing, and then come back and fish for a bit? Maybe we'll meet a new enemy, yeah?" 

Pinball nods, a small smile on his face despite himself. Though Mars was a very different person than Pinball, he was still somebody to be around with, and was still somebody to back him up. Pinball stood up straight, taking note of the familiar but saying nothing. "Yeah, man," he nods, pointing with his spear to the path that lead to the wilderness of the fourth floor, "it's time to fish." Pinball laughed, then, thumping his spear on the ground. "If it's anything like the Cuddle Fish, they shouldn't be too much of a problem." Pinball walked off, now, leading Mars to the river he had fished with Stryder at. 

It wasn't long before they got there. A small stream, partially frozen. Pinball took his spear in both hands, using the wooden end of it to smash a hole in the thin ice. Tossing his spear to the side, Pinball materialized his fishing rod; the same exact one he had used during the Venemous Warg quest. He didn't take a seat in the snow, rather stood, overlooking the water. He would be really cold if he sat in the snow. "So," he said, looking over to Mars. "What have you been up to?"

@Mars

Pinball took his first few steps off the teleporter of Floor 4, the cold stinging his cheeks. He didn't have any warm clothes, but what he was here to do wouldn't require him to be comfortable. Besides, It wasn't as if there were any real penalties for going out in calm weather, regardless of how cold it was. Whenever Pinball got uncomfortable, he would just tell himself it was a game... and that he'd be over it soon. He leaned against his spear, taking some time to plan out the best course of action. He was here to farm, but doing it alone could be dangerous, especially if he decided on fishing and reeled up a boss monster, as he was so prone to doing. Swiping open his menu, he sighed. It wasn't something he really wanted to, rather, it was necessary. Alone, he stood no chance against the icy monsters that could be fished up. There was only one person he knew that was close enough to help him: Mars. He knew it wasn't the smartest thing to do, as they were rivals, but it was the only way he could ensure his own safety. He swiped close his menu, after having sent a message to Mars, asking if he "knew how to ice-fish ;^>". Leaning back against a building near the spawn point, Pinball rubbed his hands together, wondering if one could get frostbite in SAO. 

@Mars

Stats:

Pinball shouldered his spear with a heavy sigh. Training was rough. What with his duel with Mars fast approaching, Pinball couldn't really afford to slack. Mars always seemed to be one step ahead of him, and the cost of his fishing skill was really holding him back. Maybe I shouldn't have made such an early investment, the fisherman thought hopelessly. It didn't help him he had the unlucky tendency to fish up the most ridiculous monsters... that nearly always put up a deadly fight. Pinball stepped onto the teleporter, his spear supporting him as a walking stick. Today, he would be hunting the Minotaurs of Floor 3. He had heard from his guildmates about the quest, and Pinball figured it would give him a one-up on Mars... if the man hadn't already taken the quest by himself. Mars was a notoriously fast worker. Pinball spawned in on the third floor, just in time to see it - Mars, heading out the city. "Oi!" Pinball ran off the pad, hefting his spear in one hand as he ran after his rival. "Damn it, why is it you're always one step ahead of me?" 

Player Stats n Stuff: 

Pinball nodded, offering a thumbs up. The two of them would go on to split their rewards, Mars taking the majority of the mats while Pinball was given the spear. After this was done, the two would then split ways. Mars decided to head deeper into the floor, claiming to have some unfinished business with a quest. Pinball wasn't quite sure what he meant by that, but he himself decided to head back to the settlement. They each received quite a bit of experience, along with a healthy chunk of col along with it. The quest had been defeated very easily compared to fighting the boss, with neither player taking a single hit in the Fishing Boss fight. Pinball was happy that Mars was finally able to defeat the monster that aggravated him so much. Placing his fishing rod in his inventory for another day, Pinball let out a pent up breath, and started on his way back to the main settlement of the second floor. If he wanted to keep up, Pinball would need to take on as many quests and go on as many adventures as possible. Next up on his list was actually Feeding the Enemy, so Pinball could compensate for his lack of damage compared to Mars. With the completion of the quest, their duel was fast approaching, and Pinball was dedicated to being able to put up a good fight. 

-------------------------------------

SUMMARY 

Thread/Quest Rewards

Pinball Recieves: 

• 1440 Col 
• 7 T1 Mats 
• [1] T1 Unidentified Rare 2H Assault Spear 
• 4 SP 

Mars Recieves: 

• 1440 Col 
• 14 T1 Mats 
• 4 SP

Pinball stepped off the teleporter, and immediatly felt guilty. He shouldn't be on a floor like this; he had no right to be. He was severely underleveled, and anyone who saw him would know it. But - he wanted to see what it was like. He had heard about Floor 13 and its graveyards, but he had never seen it himself. If Stryder knew he was on a floor like this, he would probably demand someone went with him. After all, the monsters on this floor were out of Pinball's league. He walked around Angel's Point, taking in the scenery. He especially took note of the angels made of stained glass found on nearly every one of the buildings. 

Pinball made his way to the center of the town, surprised to see a gathering of NPCs already there. They seemed to be praying. This is... this is too weird for me, Pinball thought anxiously, trying to walk away as silently as possible. He would have, too, if he hadn't bumped into the old woman. Pinball turned frantically to apologize, but was stopped by the raspy voice of the gypsy. "You've heard of it, haven't you? Monsters. Monsters who fight alongside humans." 

Taking a step around her, he nodded. Before he could reply, the woman was speaking again. "Normally, I would tell you that to befriend your own monster, you have to feed it." She looked aside, towards what Pinball could only assume was the wasteland of graveyards that awaited him. "But this land isn't normal. It is a world corrupted beyond redemption. The enemies you'll meet outside of Angel's Point are dead, and yet undying. The creatures you'll face no longer need food to sustain themselves." The NPC looked back at Pinball now, a hard, cold look in her eyes. The gypsy woman nodded, a small smile on her face. "However. There is a way to tame your companion, should you find one fit to travel by your side." She took a few steps away now, talking as she walked. "Know that there is hope for taming here, despite what it seems." And with that the gypsy was gone, without having told Pinball the way she had hinted at. "W- wait," Pinball pleaded, running after her as she turned a corner. Pinball looked to the left, then to the right, but she was gone. 

A small notification window popped up in front of him, with the words: <<Feeding the Enemy>>. Then, a small window appeared on the top left of his HUD; the quest tracker, he knew. Pinball sighed, scratching the back of his head and swiping open his menu. He hadn't been planning on taking the quest today, but it would seem fate had other plans. He couldn't very well do it alone, for fear for his own life. He also couldn't ask Stryder, as the man would probably flip out when he found out that he had gone to the thirteenth floor alone in the first place. Fae was too young, Eatos scared him, and Pinball didn't talk to Crozeph much. Saphira was probably doing her own thing, and he had never even met Paglihka or Jade Eye before. That only left one person. 

Message: 

 Player Stats: 

1/15

Pinball accepted Tsu's flower, letting out a sigh as she skipped along. Well, that was... easy. I'm glad she isn't crying anymore, at least. Pinball stood, putting the flower in the folds of his cloak, following Tsu. It had gotten really dark, and Pinball scolded himself for not keeping track of the time. It was a stupid thing to do. The two of them arrived in the clearing, and Pinball took a quick glance around the clearing... something caught his eye. "Oh!" Pinball jogged over to where he saw a small plant glowing, tapped it, and placed it into his inventory. The menu is super convenient, he would think not for the last time. He had yet to find an MMO where a player had to physically carry their inventory on their person. As interesting as it would be, it wasn't practical in games where you had to grind a lot. SAO being one of those games. "Yeah, we should find some stuff around here. I already found one." Pinball walked back to the center of the clearing, stopped, and took a look at the sky - or what could be seen of the sky through the dense jungle. 

ID# 95207 

LD: 14+3 = 17 

4 T1 Mats total 

Pinball nodded, a small smile on his face from what had just occured. "Yeah, this has gone on too long." He rushed the monster, his spear flashing with an elegant light. The Cuddle Fish charged to meet him, but Pinball ducked under the monster's attack, following up quickly with two roundhouse kicks. The sweeping slashes of the spear caused the monster to shriek in pain, and, much to Pinball's delight, freeze activated once again. The Cuddle Fish's health was nearly non-existant. All that was needed was to give the Cuddle Fish a little love tap, and Freeze would take care of the rest. Smiling, quite proud of himself, Pinball walked back to Mars, his energy completely and utterly depleted. He lifted his hand for a high-five, and said, "I'll let you do the honours." He took a seat by a tree, letting his energy recover. "Come show me the rewards when you're done!" He couldn't believe it. They had actually managed to take down a Fishing Boss! Without even taking a single hit between the two of them. They were either much stronger than they had been, or much luckier. Pinball exhaled a pent up breath, watching Mars. 

-------------------------------------------------

ID# 95198 

(where was this when i needed it)

BD: 9 (Crit+1) MD: 3 - 3 = 0 (Miss!) 

+1 Passive EN

The Cuddle Fish attacks Pinball - Miss 

Pinball activates Revolve Arts!

Phase Activates!

5+1= 6*5 = 30 - 7 = 23 DMG 

Freeze Activates!

The Cuddle Fish is FROZEN.

- Enemies - 

[FROZEN] The Cuddle Fish: 9/280 HP | 84 DMG | 14 MIT 

- Players - 

[H:8]Pinball: 280/280 HP | 0/28 EN | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 5 DMG 

[H:4] @Mars: 280/280 HP | 2/28 EN | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 7 DMG | 1 Savvy | 2 Regen

Pinball watched with an interested stare as the two players talked. He had never been much of a social butterfly despite his occasional eccentric outbursts, and that didn't change, even in a small group like this. More over, the only person Pinball was really comfortable around was Mars... though he had his quirks, too. Pinball leaned on his spear and waited, soaking up everything he could about the two. From what he understood, Vigilon definitely knew something about the monster, and Mars may have come to this floor to try and fight it. Krysta called Vigilon out on his blush, which also led Pinball to believe that there was more going on between these two than he could understand at the moment. Pinball sighed, taking a few steps back and leaning against a tree. It would be a while before they found another familiar. For now, Pinball was content with watching. He took another glance at the sky, half expecting a monster to swoop down. Would we be able to even fight something like that? Just from the way it sounded, It must be really powerful... He shrugged, turning his attention back to the players while still keeping a look out for the elusive monster everyone kept talking about. 

Pinball nodded, a grin on his face. "Yeah! Let's get e-" A sharp crack stopped him from finishing his sentence. A shard of ice somehow managed to launch from the monster's body, knocking Pinball upside his head. The boy hit the ground, his spear hitting the dirt next to him with a thump. No sound except a low, pained groan. As Pinball lay there, the Cuddle Fish was shaking the last bits of ice off of its spiny body. With a venemous hiss, it backed away, watching the two players carefully. Pinball pulled himself up, realizing how stupid it was to lay on the ground like that during a boss fight. Besides, it wasn't as if you could feel pain in SAO - just a dull, tingling sensation was the closest you'd get. Pinball wouldn't be surprised if when they managed to get out of here, they would be super sensitive to everything around them. After having getting so used to a physically painless life, that is. He stood, picking up his spear. "Whoopsie daisy."

----------------------------------------

ID# 95145

(a 9 would have ended it ;-;)

BD: 1 (Miss!) MD: 1 (Miss!)  [FROZEN]

Pinball misses. 

The Cuddle Fish is frozen.

The Cuddle Fish thaws out.

- Enemies - 

The Cuddle Fish: 32/280 HP | 84 DMG | 14 MIT 

- Players - 

[H:6]Pinball: 280/280 HP | 4/28 EN | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 5 DMG 

[H:4] @Mars: 280/280 HP | 3/28 EN | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 7 DMG | 1 Savvy | 2 Regen

Pinball nodded. "Aye aye, Cap'n," he muttered, charging up a Sword Art. Pinball knew he wouldn't have much energy left after this attack, so he decided to use his second most powerful Sword Art; Revolve Arts. He launched the attack, letting the system carry him through the motions. He launched into the air, kicking the monster twice in rapid succession. As he fell back down, he swept large, landing two, wide cuts along the Cuddle Fish's torso. Landing on the ground he spun around, using the extra momentum to finish with a decisive, powerful jab. The creature was pushed backwards, but not before the icy wind froze the monster, covering it in a thin prison. Pinball leaned back, watching his energy bar deplete. "Jesus, that took a lot out of me," he exhaled, looking back at Mars. "If you can't get away now, just stay. His health is so low, it wouldn't make much sense to go away and wait for your energy recover." He turned back to the monster. "Well," he added, contradicting himself, "maybe it would be best... as long as you could finish it quickly when you come back. I don't know how much longer I can go dodging this thing's attacks when it defrosts, and I'll soon be using basic attacks on it." 

--------------------------------

ID# 95140 

BD: 10 (Crit+2) MD: 5 - 3 = 2 (Miss!) 

The Cuddle Fish attacks Pinball - Miss. 

Pinball activates Revolve Arts! 

Phase Activates!

5+2= 7*5 = 35 - 7 = 28 DMG! 

Freeze Activates!

- 2 EN, +1 EN (Passive)

- Enemies - 

[FROZEN] The Cuddle Fish: 32/280 HP | 84 DMG | 14 MIT 

- Players - 

[H:6]Pinball: 280/280 HP | 4/28 EN | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 5 DMG 

[H:4]@Mars: 280/280 HP | 2/28 EN | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 7 DMG | 1 Savvy | 2 Regen

She's... she's crying? Pinball stood there, watching the girl cry. Then, he whirled around, looking for something. A faint shine caught his eye, and he rushed over, talking to her as he worked. "N-no! You don't bother me at all. I don't find it weird, either," he replied, yanking the material from the ground, placing it in his inventory. "I've done some pretty weird things too, so I don't really mind-" Pinball paused for a breath, very gently removing the flower from moist forest floor. "It's just what makes people different. I - and I know words don't help, but -" Pinball walked back over to the girl, leaving his spear on the ground. "I actually like different, so please don't cry." He held out the flower to her, a worried look on his face. "Here. I don't mind," he repeated, a small smile on his face. The light pink flower seemed to glow in the moonlight, looking more like something out of a fantasy anime than a real jungle. He looked at the flower, than at her, his face reddening once again. "I - I don't really know how this grows here," he mumbled, scratching his head with his free hand. 

@Froppy

-------------------------------

ID# 95127 

LD: 15 

3 T1 Mats total 

Pinball stared down the monster, making sure he was ready to launch another attack - but he stopped, hearing shattering behind him. Behind me? Pinball turned to see Mars looking rather angry, and he managed to piece together what happened. A small snort turned into a laugh, and Pinball was soon leaning on his spear for support. Between breaths, he managed to speak. "I - I thought - I thought you were running, dude?" A fresh wave of laughter was stopped by a sharp crack from the monster's direction. "Holy-" Pinball only just barely managed to roll away, startled by the sudden sound. coming back up with his spear raised. The monster had broken free from the ice. Pinball had wasted a chance at attacking it. Damn it. He took a few steps back, throwing another glance at Mars. "You'd better hurry. I really don't know how much longer I can keep fighting." Much to Pinball's dismay, the monster seemed to lock eyes with him. 

------------------------------------------

ID# 95067

BD: 1(Miss!) MD: 4 - 3 = 1 (Miss!)  [FROZEN] 

Pinball uses Revolve Arts against the Cuddle Fish - Misses. 

The Cuddle Fish is no longer frozen. 

- 2 EN 

- Enemies - 

The Cuddle Fish: 60/280 HP | 84 DMG | 14 MIT 

- Players - 

[H:4] Pinball: 280/280 HP | 8/28 EN | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 5 DMG 

[H:4] @Mars: 280/280 HP | 1/28 EN | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 7 DMG | 1 Savvy | 2 Regen 

Pinball watched as Mars went up an triggered the freeze damage. "Ah, well, I thought it was cool, at least." Pinball's spear shone with the light of an activated sword art. Rushing the creature before it got a chance to fully recover from Mars' onslaught, Pinball let the system carry him through the motions. A familiar gust of frigid air brought a grin to Pinball's face. The mob writhed angrily, and then froze, once again surrounded by the thin coating of ice that acted as a prison. Taking a few steps back, Pinball nodded. "Roger that. Try to come back as soon as possible; I'll try to hold it of 'til you get back." With that, Pinball lowered his spear, returning his gaze to the monster in front of him. Its health had already dipped into the red - something Pinball hadn't expected so soon. He smiled. They were really going to kill it! Trying to not let excitement ruin the moment, he stood his ground, covering Mars' escape. "You got this - it shouldn't be able to attack you." 

---------------------------

#95062 

BD: 8(Hit!) MD: 4-3= 1(Miss!) 

 The Cuddle Fish attacks Mars - Miss. 

Pinball activates Dancing Spear! 

5*6= 30-14= 16 DMG! 

-6 EN.

Freeze activates!

- Enemies - 

[Frozen]The Cuddle Fish: 60/280 HP | 84 DMG | 14 MIT 

- Players - 

[H:4] Pinball: 280/280 HP | 10/28 EN | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 5 DMG 

[H:4] @Mars: 280/280 HP | 0/28 EN | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 7 DMG | 1 Savvy | 2 Regen 

Pinball levels his spear, gripping the weapon tightly. He rushed at it, initiating Dancing Spear. The monster's attention turned to Pinball, and the creature hissed violently, charging towards him. One of its spiked appendages reached out to slash him, but Pinball pole vaulted with his spear over the attack. For a brief moment, something snapped within Pinball. The usually nervous, goofy kid was replaced with the face of a madman. With a wicked grin, Pinball's foot came down hard on the creature's head. He used the momentum to push into a backflip, landing on the ground in front of it. The monster seemed to be much more cautious, slowly backing up, hesitating. With a laugh, Pinball leapt forward, jabbing at the creature's throat. There was a sudden rush of icy wind, and the monster staggered backwards, hissing. Until it stopped. The monster was frozen in place, a thin layer of ice keeping the creature from moving. Its eyes could be seen through the ice, glaring evilly at the two players. Pinball sighed. "That'll hold it for a second, I think. Shatter the ice, and there's gonna be some tasty bonus damage." He walked back to Mars with a smile on his face. "Pretty cool, huh? Imagine what I could do when I get a bit more damage on my side. Oh - he's in the yellow now!" 

--------------------

ID# 95051 

BD: 9 (Crit+1) MD: 4 - 3 = 1 (Miss!) 

The Cuddle Fish attacks Mars - misses. 

Pinball activates Dancing Spear! 

Phase is activated!

The Cuddle Fish -> 14 MIT = 7 MIT 

5+1*6 = 36 - 7 = 29 DMG! 

- 6 EN

The Cuddle Fish is frozen!

- Enemies - 

[FROZEN] The Cuddle Fish: 137/280 HP | 84 DMG | 14 MIT 

- Players - 

[H:3] Pinball: 280/280 HP | 16/28 EN | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 5 DMG 

[H:2] @Mars: 280/280 HP | 9/28 EN | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 7 DMG | 1 Savvy | 2 Regen 

Pinball was caught in unfamiliar waters. He had no idea what was happening, and no idea how to get out of the situation. I'm just trying to calm you down, ribbit. Usually the males are supposed to be on top of the females, but I wanted to try it on you, ribbit. I'm not sure how it's soothing, but it's how my parents fell in love, so it has to be a least a little relaxing, rrrrrrrribbit." 

Pinball froze. The... males? Fell in love? It took him a second to piece together the meaning of that. "Y-yeah, I think that's enough of that," he stammered, his face completely red. "This- this isn't! We can't - Let's..." He crouched low to the ground to let Froppy get off safely. He had seen enough lizards over the summer to know what she meant by that. And her whole frog thing... Pinball shivered, a fresh wave of heat washing over his face, making his already red face even brighter. "P-p-please, I - I'm feeling much better, thank you." Pinball nodded frantically, panicking. "Thank you, thank you, very soothing, very soothing." Pinball slapped his cheek with his free hand. He had no idea how to react, and it was very obvious. "I'm sorry," he would repeat multiple times. 

---------------------------

Gathering: 

ID# 95068 LD: 7 

No T1 Materials gathered. 

Loot: 

• 2 T1 Mats

Pinball retrieved his spear, whirling back around to face Mars and the Cuddle Fish. "Damn straight! Let's kill it!" Pinball rushed the monster, activating Dancing Spear. He used his spear to launch himself in the air, then brought the blade across the monster's body. It didn't stop there, though. Pinball landed, stabbing it with a heavy jab for good measure. He froze for a moment, the movement delay kicking in, then leapt backwards, spacing himself. "We can do this," he told himself, though the monster's health bar told him otherwise. It had eaten both Mars' and Pinball's strongest attack, and yet it wasn't even at half health yet. "We can't mess around with this thing," he growled, in a surprisingly serious tone. "But I still have to make Fae's cookie, so I can't afford to die. Not to this thing." Pinball looked at Mars, nodding. Then, his seriousness went away, and a smile grew on his face. "Don't just walk at it like that Fish Soldier. Punch it - in its cuddly little face." Pinball then turned his focus back on the monster, his brows furrowing. 

-------------------

ID# 95047 

BD: 7 (Hit!) MD: 8 - 3 = 5 (Miss!) 

Pinball activates Dancing Spear! 

5*6= 30 - 14 = 16 DMG! 

- 6 EN 

The Cuddle Fish attacks Mars - Misses. 

- Enemies - 

The Cuddle Fish: 215/280 HP | 84 DMG | 14 MIT 

- Players - 

[H:1] Pinball: 280/280 HP | 22/28 EN | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 5 DMG 

[H:1] Mars: 280/280 HP | 18/28 EN | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 7 DMG | 1 Savvy | 2 Regen 

Pinball thought on the idea. Would players ever really start to believe that? If it goes on long enough, probably. With so many people building relationships, buying houses, it would seem we kind of are. He shuddered, and cast his line. After a few moments, there came a familiar sharp tug. But Pinball wasn't scared this time. He had Mars with him, and a weapon that could help him deal decent damage. He had armor that left him feeling nimble, and a trinket that made sure most of his hits landed. Pinball pulled tightly, and from the water erupted... The Cuddle Fish! Pinball dropped his rod on the ground, and leapt out of the way as it slashed where he had just been seated. "Mars! Let's do it!" Pinball rolled to the side, avoiding the hissing creature's jabs and slashes. He ran for his spear, which still lay against the tree trunk. This was it. This fight would end with somebody dead; whether it be one of them, or the monster itself, that remains to be seen. The Cuddle Fish hissed hatefully, as if it remembered the two players that had just barely escaped its clutches that long ago. 

----------------------------

Fishing: 

ID# 95045 CD: 1 

Boss Monster fished up! 

---------------------------------

COMBAT 

ID# 95045

MD: 5 - 3 = 2 (Miss!) 

Fishing counts as post action.

- Enemies - 

The Cuddle Fish: 280/280 HP | 84 DMG | 14 MIT 

- Players - 

[H:0] Pinball: 280/280 HP | 28/28 EN | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 5 DMG 

[H:0] Mars: 280/280 HP | 28/28 EN | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 7 DMG | 1 Savvy | 2 Regen 

Pinball cast his line once more, and waited. "Well, I don't think we should fight one anytime too soon. We should come out fishing fully stocked; then we can fish or fight mobs one day. It'd be fun, and I need the col." Pinball reeled in his line, yielding another 2 materials. "So, what are your plans? You asked me about mine." Pinball did a quick count of the materials they had gathered so far. "Do you need these materials? You planning on entering a craft or somethin'?" Pinball closed his menu with a quick swipe, and took a moment to stare at the water. He couldn't quite place his finger on it, but there was something oddly unrealistic about it. "Doesn't really compare to the real thing, does it?" He had grown up around the ocean his entire life, but it would seem that a lake is the closest he would get to home in this hell of a game. "Ah, well," he mumbled, picking up his spear and placing it far away from him again. "How much longer do you think we'll be stuck like this?" 

@Mars

---------------------------------------

ID# 95044 CD: 7 

2 T1 Mats fished up. 

Loot Pool: 

• 360 Col
• 10 T1 Materials 

Pinball soaked everything Mars told him up, and picked up his fishing rod with a nod. It was good, solid advice, and Pinball would have to seriously take it into consideration as he levelled up. Casting his line into the water, Pinball sat, mulling over his options. He supposed he would keep going down the path he was at the moment. He would gather people's opinions as he travelled around Aincrad, and he would eventually choose the option that most appealed to him, as long as it was viable. A small tug on the line, and Pinball reeled it in. He had again fished up a few materials. He wondered what would happen when he inevitably reeled in a boss monster. Would they be able to fight it? Both him and Mars were the dodgy type, and if Mars were to preserve his energy well enough, there would certainly be a chance... Pinball shrugged. "Will we run if we reel in a boss fight? Last time we fished, the boss was what kinda told us it was time to go. Do you think we would be able to take it on?" It would be a scary fight, and Pinball wasn't quite sure if it was worth it or not. He shrugged. "Maybe it would be safer to run."

@Mars

-------------------------

Fishing: 

ID# 95035 CD: 7 

2 T1 Mats fished up. 

Loot Pool: 

• 360 Col 
• 8 T1 Materials

The two of them both have good voices, Pinball acknowledged. He was a bit jealous. He had always wanted a singing voice, though not one he had to work for. It would take too much time for him to actually practice; time that could be spent on other, more important things.. like reading books. Or playing video games. Though technically, that last one was what got him into this death game in the first time. Maybe If I had tried singing? Pinball watched Krysta with a blank, empty stare as the girl attempted to tame a familiar. In that brief moment, he had a stroke of madness, and thoughts of what could have been revealed themselves. 

Pinball watched as Krysta pet the small monster. With a terribly loud shriek, Pinball launched himself at the bird, jump kicking the poor thing into a tree trunk. Pinball laughed, thumping his chest. "I am the bird king! Fear me! Like a phoenix, I rise! The pastrami has eyes, brothers! Be wary; for the pastrami has eyes!" With another girly shriek, Pinball ran off into the woods, never to be seen again. 

But that would be weird. A loud roar in the distance snapped him out of his daydreaming. "What in the hell?" Pinball's head whirled left and right, trying to pinpoint the direction it had come from. He tightened his grip on the spear he had been using as a walking stick. "Be careful," he murmured to nobody in particular, his eyes darting here and there. 

Pinball reels in the single material he fished up. "Builds, huh," Pinball sighed, putting his rod to the side for a moment. Mars seemed knowledgeable, right? "Hold on," Pinball said, scrambling for his spear. He retrieved the weapon, and brought it back to his seat beside Mars. He lay the weapon across his lap, tapping it twice. The weapon's data screen popped into life. Pointing out what he meant, Pinball started to speak. "So, this is my weapon: The Naughty or Nice Blade (Spear). It has a bunch of these unique enhancements. Freeze, Phase, and Cursed." He took a glance at Mars, then back at the screen. "You seem to know a bit about builds. Right now, I have evasive armor and a trinket that boosts my accuracy. I went with accuracy, since my luck seems to be all over the place, whether it be with fishing or fighting. But- what do you think? In your opinion, what do you think would be the best way to use this? I want to be pretty versatile. I don't want to focus on fighting players or fighting monsters; I want to be able to do both fairly decently... But, I don't know. Would it even be optimal if I went for an equilibrium like that? Would I be wasting this weapon?" 

@Mars

---------------

Fishing: 

ID# 94999 CD: 5 

1 T1 Material Fished up. 

Loot: 

Pinball nodded, letting out a sigh of relief. Splitting it down the middle was the most fair, after all. Pinball cast his line again, then turned to Mars. He seemed to be focused on the water, but suddenly he spoked. "My plan," Pinball repeated, looking back down at the water in front of them. "Well first, I'll probably try to find a cheap inn, since I'm terribly poor at the moment. Then... Maybe a nap?" Pinball was in desperate need of col. He was tired of sleeping in Inns, and he wanted a house of his own. That was really his only long term goal at the moment, since he already refunded the dagger skill. "It sucks we don't have a tank," he sighed, reeling in his catch. Three materials. "If we had one with us, we'd be able to take out a fishing boss easy. We'd be rolling in col that way." But pure tanks were almost in as high demand as support players; he had yet to meet a low leveled player that weren't pure DPS like Mars and him, or were some type of Hybrid. "Guess we'll just have to run if we fight one," he sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Next time, we should just go fishing. No quest, just stock up on healing supplies, and farm the monsters we fish up." 

@Mars

------------------------

Fishing: 

ID# 94996 CD: 10 

3 T1 Mats fished up. 

Loot: 

Pinball wiped his forehead, leaning against his spear. "Well, that wasn't as bad as the fish fight, yeah?" He laughed, then walked back over to the tree, leaning his spear against the trunk. Then, he walked back over to Mars, retrieved his pole, and took his seat by the lake. He's getting stronger... Is he even still my level? Pinball wasn't sure how he'd be able to keep up. He shrugged, letting out a sigh. "At least we got some loot," he began, then stopped. "Speaking of which." He cast the line, then looked back at Mars. "Are we splitting everything down the middle like usual?" He imagined this would be the case. But who knows - maybe Mars wanted to keep what he got. Pinball couldn't really argue against it, as it is an MMO. First come, first serve. Pinball shrugged. Even if it was a bit mean in his own opinion, the decision was up to Mars. "Nothing's biting," he complained, reeling in his line. Then, he added, "Your call, man. Lemme know." 

Fishing: 

Juicy Loot: 

@Mars

Pinball was a bit nervous now. A dangerous monster? He had known nothing about that. Looking now at Vigilon, he slapped his forehead. Was that why Vigilon had been in such a hurry to get here? Damn it, the boy thought, a bit annoyed with himself, be more observant. It should have been obvious. But he was spending more and more time with people as of late, and he was getting sloppy. Sloppy, and a bit trusting - both of which Pinball was never really. You're gonna get yourself killed - outsmarted by some clever traitor. Think. Quickly removing his head from his forehead, he rubbed his eyes instead. Hopefully they didnt notice the flash of discomfort that had crossed his face just then. He accepted the party request, and was a bit taken aback when Krysta started to sing. His face turned a bit red despite himself, and when she was finished, Pinball smiled. "Hey, hey, that was pretty good!" Pinball clapped, then stopped himself. Am I being weird? Just... Do something! Pinball stalled out. He tried forcing words out of his mouth, but all that came out was, "Beware, the barbeque is apples." He turned away, then started walking ahead. His voice now a monotone, Pinball refused to look back at the group. "I'll wait for you guys over there."