Benjamin Bookworm

"Violet..." he said with a smile.  It felt good to call her that.  "It sounds like the party's winding down sooner rather than later.  So how about we stay here and watch the night sky until the sun comes up tonight.  It, um, it would be nice to just share some time together."

He slid his way over to Violet/Dazia's side and put his arm around her shoulder.  Honestly, he wasn't sure what he should be doing... but they were past that point right now.  They had said those words, and he didn't regret it at all.  He felt his own stresses melting away as well, just feeling her body next to his own.  She was a friend, someone he could trust no matter what.  Someone he wanted to protect.  And maybe something more.

He held Violet close, the fireflies lighting up the sky and dancing across each of their gazes, as the quiet sounds of night covered up all else.

@Dazia

"I love you"

Ben's breath caught in his throat as he heard those words. Dazia... she really felt that way? About him?  He held onto her hand tightly, stuttering a bit as he answered.

"I... I love you too Dazia.

I've been in love with you since we met- I mean, someone as brave and driven as you, how could I not fall in love?" he was as red as a beet by now, still trying to process this turn of events.  "I've wanted to be there for you... to watch your back until we could get you home.  I'd have been happy with just that."

"If you entrust me with that heart of yours, I'll keep it safe.  And I'll keep you safe- whatever danger comes our way, whatever challenges there are, I'll be right there behind you all the way.
I promise." he said with a gentle smile, bringing her in closer to him. His heart was racing out of his chest... and he just felt like this was perfect. Just the two of them.

@Dazia

"*Gasp* Yea... ahhh... gimme... sec... catch... breath..." he gasped out, trying to catch his breath now that they were safely outside.  "I can't believe I run out of breath this easy even in the game... stupid VR physics..."

After another minute to pull himself together, and flopping himself next to the entrance of the maze- sometimes the misty areas by there held extra treasures- he seemed to be back to normal.  "Yea, if we didn't have each other in there it would have turned out pretty badly, wouldn't it?" he smiled at his friends as he listened, "It was nice to have both of you along with me.  Maybe we can grab some food and talk about doing another quest as a group again?" he asked, too worn out right now to form any real plans. "After we get back safely through the big, spooky forest and back to town of course... this game never gives us a break, doesn't it?"

@Dazia

Ben took a few seconds to just look at Dazia's face, processing her question. "Dazia, of course I'd care if that happened.  I care for you- if you ever had to go through something like that again I'd want to be there to help protect you." he paused, trying to find the right words to say next though his whole body felt like it was going to break down. "I saw how much it hurt you the last time, and if you were ever in that situation again... I just don't want you to go through something like that alone." 

With his heart beating out of his chest, Ben held Dazia's hand in his own.  They were soft, gentle- just like she was. Just like she deserved to be.  He had always been weak and scared since the rules for the death game had been announced- but he didn't want that.  He'd found someone he could be strong for.  "Please let me be there to support you.  Whatever it takes to see you through."

@Dazia

"Knowing more about me- well I'm from the Chicago area, so close-ish to where you're at." he said with a bit of sadness to his voice. "I guess we're kinda opposites family-wise though- my parents tend to dote on my brother a lot more than me.  But I think that's because he likes parties like this.  My parents are always taking him out when they meet with business clients, and those get togethers which are just everyone standing around and bragging about themselves- I guess it helps make business contacts, but it seems like it's all they do with their lives.  Sometimes I think it's all they care about." 

He placed his hand onto Dazia's arm as he looked into her eyes "One thing I'm sure of is that is they miss you more than you think.  Even if my brother and I never got along much, he's still family, and I regret not telling him that before I left.  I think your siblings will be glad to have you back too." he felt his voice shake a bit as he spoke. Maybe he shouldn't have talked about such deep topics tonight- making himself vulnerable like that. 

@Dazia

"Yea, that's why I've gotten into the game of refining as many crystals as I can for the next floor boss.  I've talked to a few of the front liners, and heard the tales, but it seems like there's very few of the crystals floating around for the battle." he said with a bit of pride as he pulled up his newest checklist.  "I've only gotten like 5 of the mass heal ones made so far, but I got plenty of the smaller crystals to give boosts throughout the fight.  And it'll be nice to know that even the smaller ones can help out."

As he talked, he continued to look around for the bear tracks, but they were hard to find.  Maybe he should have equipped some extra search skill items, but he was always overly cautious when it came to fighting.  "At least the good part is that I don't need a lot of col to craft these potions, just a LOT of time to get everything ready."

@Oscar

"Anything specific?  I don't know- I guess just how you got along with that big of a family.  Just the one brother was enough for me.  Especially the attention seeking pain in the ass he is." he answered. "I'm actually the older in my family, more used to dealing with less mature siblings.  With six older siblings, you must have had a lot of them helping watch out for you.  Or at least someone out there to miss you while you're out." his voice cracked a bit at that, as he regretted thinking down those lines. 

"Sorry I'm not good at keeping conversations like this going- usually I just fade into the background in parties.  I thought it would be nice to hear about where you're from, and what things were like for you.  Um, and it goes both ways if you want to ask anything about me either." he grabbed a handful of the snacks from the table as he dropped his gaze nervously again. "Or just snack a bit and relax for a while.  I'd like that too."

@Dazia

Ben let out a laugh as he listened to Dazia's story. "It sounds like they're a couple of characters.  Though I am curious- you've mentioned your siblings a few times before, but never really gone into detail about them.  I mean, I understand if it's hard to talk about family in here, being away from them for so long..." he asked her as he scooched his seat over, pushing some of the snacks from one end of the table between them to share. 

"A place for your workshop, huh.  You going to do a combination workshop and store, or separate them?  I know I have my cart in the first floor to sell things, but my workshop is in my home a few floors up.  It's not exactly a place that gets a good amount of foot traffic up there, and I figured I'd catch a lot more new players on a lower floor." he said with a sly grin. "It's nice to be somewhere busy like that and people watch a bit- even if it's usually just me and my familiar."

@Dazia

They rounded another corner, gasping for breath as they fled for their lives.  "I think there's only one more turn to go!" He called out as they got to another split in the path- one that looked like all the others in this bloody maze.  "Just... which way do we go?" he asked, just before being interrupted by an all too familiar cry.

"Never mind, minotaur is that way- we're going the other way!" was all he said before moving down the final choice of passage way, making sure they were all together as they ran.  If this last path wasn't going to lead them to an exit, they were going to be face to face with another huge minotaur very soon- and he hoped Dazia could take it out before more trouble showed up. 

For now, all they could do was sprint down the curving path towards whatever lie at the end- hopefully a shot to the exit and not a desperate fight. 

@Dazia

(OOC, get to the end safely, or have to push through the last enemy?  What do you think?)

"An artist?" Ben asked eagerly, taking in Dazia's explanation of her skills in the art of painting.  "That's so cool!  I bet you'd even be able to help decorate houses and shops with those skills.  Light and darkness in one painting sounds like it would be an interesting style- a Dazia original." his smile blossomed as he saw Dazia open up a bit, seeming to forget about the troubles that always seemed to be weighing on her for a few seconds. 

"I guess I've never gotten around to seeing your shop before- I bet you kept some of your best just to show off-" he teased, trying to push a bit more out of her.  "My hobby is just reading, so a lot less useful around here.  Especially since all the books I can find are just game lore or recipes... what I wouldn't give for a new novel to just take in..." he lamented with far more emotion than he meant to as he dropped his head down- he really had read through just about everything he could find on the lower levels.  "I'll bet half of the series I was on have finished up while we are in here, and I'm missing out."

@Dazia

"Yep, time to go.  Yinangi, you and me are up front while Dazia covers our asses, OK?" he said while pushing her into action.  He was sure Dazia would be right behind them- she handled the fighting well last time- but couldn't help sneaking a glance back as he raced out of the center room and down the path they came from.  He did worry.

"OK, I think we went right in here, so we go left out... um, if everyone can just call out the directions as we go it would help us all stay on track!" he called out.  His voice was already starting to raise up in pitch from his nervousness, and his heart felt like it was beating up in his throat.  If they made a wrong turn and wound up down a dead end, they'd be in a big fight it would be hard to get out of.  He knew he should have insisted that everyone have an extra teleport crystal before they came in here...

@Dazia

What to ask... Ben thought as he looked over at Dazia.  He had wanted to avoid the crowds and everything, but just the two of them here started feeling like a real date.  Or at least he thought it did, having never actually been on one before.  Was this really happening to him with someone this cute? 

Just start with something you know a lot about, and can talk to her about.  Shouldn't be tough.  he thought with a look of contemplation.  "Well... I'd like to know more about things from back home.  You know, before all the craziness happened to bring us all here." he said with a bit of a wistful voice, his memories of home coming back to him.  "Like, how about what kinds of things you like to do, your hobbies, and things that make you smile?  I mean, besides gaming of course, since we both got here that way..."

Real smooth Ben... he thought, hoping he didn't seem as awkward as he felt.  He wasn't much for small talk, but did genuinely want to hear more about Dazia.  Hopefully the bright points in her life too- he'd only heard the tough ones so far.

@Dazia

2/18/20 crafting

"All right Sebastian, ready to try again today?"

-17 [T3] Materials, +8 [T3] Uncommon Crystals, +2 [T3] Rare Crystals, +3 [T3] Perfect Crystals, +101 XP

Ben gently took Dazia's hand in his own, smiling as they both blushed from the touch.  "Well then, we could check out the party and the snack tables and such..." he paused for a second, thinking. "But I think that neither of us are really crowd people, to be honest.  And I've had way to deal with these kinds of fancy parties in the real world, and I'd rather spend tonight with just you."

He really didn't want to deal with a crowd as it was, and Dazia seemed to just want to talk to him, so he picked out an isolated part of the tent, where there would be some of the tent flaps between them and the other guests, and began leading her that way.  "Looks like we can get a good view of the forest from here.  Might even be some fireflies around to watch.  It... um, it would be nice to just talk without a herd of monsters around the corner ready to interrupt us." he joked with a nervous smile. "It would be nice to just know more about you."

@Dazia

2/17/2020 crafting

Ben turned to his newly upgraded familiar, smiling "Ready to support me again today buddy?" he asked his caterpillar friend with a smile.

-15 [T3] mats, +4 [T3] Uncommon Crystals, +6 [T3] Rare Crystals, +0 [T3] Perfect Crystals, +91xp

Ben looked back and forth between Dazia and the outside of the maze, quickly deciding on what to do.  "Dazia, you handled a Minotaur before.  You can do it again if need be.  I think we should head back on out the way we came- if we run into a monster we'll rely on you.  If we get stuck in the tunnel down there with something bearing down on us, thing will get a lot worse than before." he said, trying to sound sure of himself.  Facing off with more monsters in the maze would be tough, but Dazia could handle them.  He was sure of it.  Plus he didn't think that protecting Yinangi- or to a lesser extent himself since he had very little mitigation- would be possible for her in such a small area. 

"If you need a little more time to check for anything else your sister left, you should do it now.  I don't want you to miss anything she left you because we were in a hurry." he added, keeping watch over the doorway they came from. 

@Dazia

"That's really sweet, but...I'm not worth that!"

Ben listened to the words his friend said, his smile fading a bit as he heard her words.  "Ceres, you are worth that- don't ever let someone tell you otherwise.  You're a really good person, and that smile of yours brightens up the room." he told her as he gave her a pat on the shoulder, his smile back. "You're going to go out to that party and have a blast- it's Valentine's Day and you should be having fun out there.  Maybe finding a cute guy yourself even?" he teased.

With that, he took a deep breath and gathered himself. "I think I'm ready- thanks for the pep talk Ceres." he whispered before turning to walk back down the path, ready to talk to Dazia.
@Ceres

It didn't take long until he saw Dazia waiting for him down the path, her black dress sparkling in the lights from the tent.  She really did look nervous- even more so than when she faced down a raging minotaur.  Was she truly going to confess? 

"Dazia... hey, I..." he stumbled "I'm sorry.  I was looking forward to seeing you tonight and I just... overreacted.  I just want this to be a good night.  Maybe a chance to just talk." he said as he blushed, really wanting his scarf back to just hide in again. "Maybe we can start over if that's OK with you?"

"You look lovely tonight.  Would you like an escort tonight, Dazia?" he said with a slight bow, still awkward and sounding somewhat unsure, but trying his best to put Dazia at ease.  "Please?"
@Dazia

"Thanks Ceres, you're awesome as always!  I'll make sure to bring in some extra stuff to break down next time!" he said with a cheery smile, before he saw the next project she was working on and his eyes went wide.
@Ceres

"Eh?? Is that a life-mending enhancement?  Those things are so rare!  And I've been looking all over for something with that buff on it!" he cried out, obviously entranced by the item.  "I don't suppose you'd be considering selling something like that?  Er, though that's kinda rude to ask in someone else's store... Um, I'm Benjamin, nice to meet you, and if you do want to trade for something like that just message me please?  Something like that would really help my healing abilities."
@MISERY

After waiting around bored, wondering why Dazia's sister had bothered to make a note like that so difficult to read as he kept a loose watch, he turned to hear Dazia's explaination of what the note had.

Then, Ben let out a small laugh at Dazia's good luck so far.  "Well, I guess sometimes you start thinking of the game like real life after a while, not with everything... respawning..." he trailed off as a chill ran down his spine. "If she left long enough for the item to respawn, the enemies are going to be spawning as well.  That's why she didn't think you'd get it!  She thought we would get here before it spawned again... and spawned a new guardian with it." he called out, instantly alert and whipping his head around to look about. 

"Yinangi, help Dazia out of that hole now.  If the pendant is on a long cooldown timer, that means the minotaur is too.  And monsters on long timers like that are very, VERY tough." he explained nervously as he listened for the telltale sounds of something spawning.  "I think we should start heading back.  Now." The teleport crystal on his belt hung heavily, which he checked once more as they waited.  If trouble came, they might need to make a very speedy escape. 

@Dazia

(Edit: Oops, accidentally added a roll for the monster attack when I shouldn't have... well it was a miss anyways, so all is well I guess?  Fixed now)

Ben took his cue from Shield to leap in and take a swipe at the giant cat attacking them, attempting to deal some damage while Shield kept it occupied.  Unfortunately, the heat the Byakko was giving off was more than he could handle, and wound up stumbling back from the aura before he could get close enough.  The monster, however, did not seem to care at all and simply pressed forward against Shield's wall of blades as he parried everything he threw at him. 

"Geez, this thing is tough to land a blow on!  Are you having any better luck over there?" he called out as he circled back around the Byakko's side, trying to rush into a space that wasn't filled with fire and claws- which was trickier than it sounded with this monster jumping around and slashing and burning everything in it's path.  "Just give me a second and I'll try to take another swipe at it!  Stupid cat!"

@Shield

Ben almost laughed out loud at that suggestion, a smile spreading across his face as he responded.  "Well, that's one way of getting them the XP they need.  I'm sure you'll find a lot of use from the items they have stocked too- especially for the items for finding and opening treasure chests it's always a good day when you find some perfect items it those and really cash in."

His smile was wide and genuine by now, remembering all the hard earned treasure chests he had looted throughout his quests for materials.  It was always a good time to find something useful to help everyone out with... but lately it's been feeling a lot emptier without friends by his side. 

"Hopefully this also means we find a lot more items to use in the upcoming floor boss battles.  Especially the 25th floor... a quarter of the way there.  It's just screaming for something bad to happen in that fight." he said with a worried tone as he looked around, still having no luck finding a trace of their quarry so far. 

@Oscar

Ben nodded as he saw Dazia was safe at the bottom of the pit, before turning back to Yinangi.  "OK- let's get this last piece out of the way before heading down." he told her before moving so both of them could pick up the last tile and move it out of the way.

"It looks like the two of us are following Dazia down there Yinangi. So once we get these moved, I'll help you down there first before following, OK?  We don't want you being up here all alone if you don't have to." he told Yinangi, making sure she would get down safely. 

"So did you find anything else down there to show your sister was here, or are we going to have to go down that passageway.... and I thought it was tight quarters in the maze.  This is going to be something else..." he asked, worried about how they're going to get through the passage if there were monsters in it.

@Dazia

Ben looked back at Ceres, glad to see her smiling again. "I know that I don't have to apologize, but seeing you hurt like that just... it just tore me up, you know."

Ben blushed bright red at Ceres's words. "You-you think that she's going to confess?? I mean, we get along, and I like her, and we're gone through some pretty tough situations..." he quickly answered. "I kinda see what you mean now..."

He fidgeted as he tried to pick out his next words while his head was spinning by now. "I didn't expect that at all! Honestly have no experience at all talking to girls... and now we're both in the middle of this big fancy party and..." he caught his breath as he continued, looking nervously at her smile. "I mean, what am I supposed to say to her?  I'm not good at fancy parties or anything- d-do you think I can actually do this?" His legs were shaking he was so nervous- why did Dazia have to be so tough to talk to?  And why did he already start out how he did?

@Ceres