James_Hawke

James sat at his desk, happily humming a soothing tune as he took out two more trinkets in need of identification. Today, he was working with a bow tie and a unique necklace. Both will look dashing on the people who buy them. He completed each identification in about 30 minutes. He was getting quicker at his job, which pleased him greatly. He decided to treat himself with a peppermint hot chocolate as he read a book at his work table. Today had been a good, productive day. Hopefully, tomorrow would be even more exciting. And, with all the identifications he had been doing, he was now rank 2! Hooray. 

+10 EXP

James looked at the young woman as she entered the shop. "Why hello there-" he began, interrupted by her slamming down the coins. "O-okay," he said looking at the sum of cash. "Ah, of course," he said, when she asked for two of the items he had on display. He carefully handed over the items and added the coins to his inventory. "Thank you for the business and have a good day!" he called after her as she left his shop. What an odd young woman, he thought before going back to his work of identifying items. He started humming a tune to himself.

@Violet Smith 

James blushed at being called someone's favorite merchant. "Why hello again, Nora. Nice to see you again." He took the crystal from her and held it up, using a magnifying spectacle to take a good look at it. "Ah yes, I should be able to junk sell this," he said as he brought up the junk sell tab on his menu. "And since the earnings are split 50/50, you will get 50 col, and I will get 50 col." He smiled and gave her the 50 col. "Thank you for your business, and have a wonderful day. And feel free to bring any more items to me for identification or to trade or sell!" 

@Nora

+1 EXP

James sat down at his work station for another day in a row, happily humming as he took out an unidentified dagger and pocket watch. He decided to identify the dagger first as it caught his eye with its red staining on the handle. After an hour or so of looking the item over, he had identified it and put it on a weapon display holder perched behind the counter. The pocket watch he identified in about 30 minutes, half the time it took for the dagger. It had a nice black staining on the metal. He hung it up on a peg on the wall behind his counter once he was finished identifying it. 

+10 EXP

James sat down at his workbench and bent over a handkerchief that he needed to identify. It was of a gold color with exquisite stitched designs of flowers across it. The flowers were red and black roses with golden leaves and stems. After a few minutes, he was able to identify the enhancements on the item. 

Once he finished with the trinket, he brought out a consumable. It was a chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting on top, and it looked absolutely scrumptious. His mouth began to water, but he held himself back so that he could identify and be able to resell the item. After a couple minutes, he pushed himself back from his desk and sighed happily. He had identified as many items as he could for the day, and it felt good. 

+10 EXP

The two siblings sat in silence for a while, thinking back to the times when they were younger. He remembered how much he used to hate that farm. He felt trapped on it everyday. As most children are, he hated chores. Sometimes he would try to hide behind the barn or with the pigs in their hut just to get out of doing chores. He would sit back there with the pigs or in the hay and play on his Nintendo DS, spending his ours playing Super Mario and Pokemon games. Those were the games of his childhood. The memories that he created with them stuck with him forever. 

Those games were also what drove him to pursue studying computers and operating systems. They were what led to him becoming a software developer. In fact, he had even created a few indie games off to the side for fun over the years. 

James was eternally grateful that his sister was so accepting. It felt as if a weight was taken off his shoulders. He could finally breathe again. When his sister asked if he had had any boyfriends, he blushed and said, "Of-of course not!" He sighed and laughed. "Jesus, no. Even my luck with men seems to be about the same with women," he joked. "It seems I've struck out with both ends of the stick. But you're right: I still have many years ahead of me. I need to start making them count." He smiled and looked up the sky. 

"Hey, Joanne. When do you think we'll see mum and da again?" he asked, staring blankly up at the clouds above them. His tone had changed to an empty one. For once, he felt a pain in his heart. He realized that he missed his family. Even when he was thousands of miles away across the ocean, he hadn't felt this homesick. 

James laughed along with his sister. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I am still young. Though I never realized that mum and da would be more onto you about having kids since you're the eldest... you still have plenty of time as well." He smiled at his sister's support. He felt lucky to have his sibling in game with him. They were both a good support team and a good reminder of home. When his sister mentioned a woman appreciating him, he blushed and looked down. 

"Well, sis. That's something I haven't told you or ma or da. I..." he paused, taking a deep breath. "I think I may be bisexual or something." He was blushing from embarrassment, hiding his face behind his hair. "I hope you aren't mad..." he said quietly. He had been thinking about his sexuality for a while. It wasn't that he found girls unattractive, but he also felt a bit of a heart throb and attraction when looking at some men. It had confused him at first, but after a few months of mulling over his feelings he had realized that he was bisexual. It was a big change in his life. No one else in his close family was anything besides heterosexual. He had been afraid to tell his parents in case they cast him out; he had seen such things happen around him too often when he was growing up. 

James ducked his head and laughed. "Yeah, I know it wasn't the smartest idea, but what else could I do? She's my sister. We look out for each other, you know?" He couldn't help but smile, knowing that he and his sister were safe for now. When Spencer said that he was brave, James looked away, trying to hide a blush. He wasn't used to compliments. "Thank you. Not many have said such kind things to me. I appreciate it." 

He also thanked Spencer again when the man congratulated him on finding a material. 

"Ah, I actually grew up close by -- well close in relation to the hugeness of the actual world." He took a moment to think back to his childhood on the farm, a soft smile spreading across his lips. "I was raised on a farm in Scotland. My parents were farmers and cattle raisers. I grew up riding horses and helping with work around the farm. But I never had the knack for swordsmanship and traditional fighting like my sister had. You see," he said, slowing his walk to a stop and turning to face Spencer, "I'm actually part of the Hawke family of knights. Though I was never very good at being a night." He laughed. "My sister took that spot when she came of age. Meanwhile, I stuck to computers and ended up moving to London to work as a software engineer." 

He realized how much he had spoken. "Oh, my apologies for going on for so long. What about you? How was it growing up in England? I only know the place as the business and bustle of London." 

While they had been talking, James had spotted and picked up another material mid conversation. 

@Spencer

2/5 materials found

James nodded as Spencer talked. He noticed the man smile. They must have all been really close, he thought to himself. He wondered if he would have a tight family like that ever. As they walked along, James managed to spot and pick up one of the materials he needed.

Then Spencer asked him what he wanted to get out of the game. James froze. He had never thought about that. "Well...I actually didn't join this game the normal way." He looked away and laughed nervously. "I actually joined a short while after it was released that everyone that had the headsets on had been trapped in the game." His expression turned sad. "I couldn't stand seeing my sister lay there in the hospital bed as I sat by and did nothing. I put my own headset on and let the game begin. So... what do I want to get out of this game?" He looked over and starred into Spencer's eyes, his expression now serious. "I want to free my sister and everyone else from this game. Even if I die during the process..." His voice was low, trailing off towards the end. He blushed. "My apologies if that was a bit too dark," he said quietly.

@Spencer

1/5 materials gathered.

James led the way as they walked down the Northern path leading out of the safe zone. The way Spencer described guilds made them sound pretty fun. "You know, I may give joining a guild a try in the future. Though you never mentioned if you're a part of a guild, and if so, which one." 

He listened as the man continued to talk. "I understand how you feel. I'm still trying to figure out the mechanics of the game, but I'm finding that I really enjoy the combat in this game -- training or not." There was a glint in his eyes. "I like the challenge and competition of taking down stronger enemies." 

When Spencer offered to find some people to help him, James smiled. "That would be very kind of you, though I don't want to be of too much trouble." 

While they had been talking, James had scanned the area around them, but had found no materials. 

@Spencer

0/5 T1 materials found

James laughed as the penguin ran over to him. "What a cutie you are." He gave the penguin a few head pats before Spencer picked him up. The little guy was surprisingly soft. James stood back up to his full height. "Oh, no need to apologize. I enjoyed the surprise." 

When he heard how long it took to find the familiar, his eyes widened. "Wow. That's so much dedication. You guys must really be close then," he said, smiling. "And don't apologize about the darkness of what you said." He sighed and looked into the distance. "This world was not created with good intentions." He rubbed his right arm, a nervous habit of his. 

He shook his head and cleared his mind when he heard the subject of guilds. "Oh, I wasn't aware that this game had them. I, um," he paused, slightly embarrassed. "Well, I'm quite shy, so I don't know if I'd fit into a guild very well." He rubbed the back of his head, laughing lightly, trying not to blush in embarrassment. 

@Spencer

James looked up at the man approaching him, his heart racing. Okay, okay, calm down. It's just a new person. You're 23 for Chist's sake, you can talk to another human being, he thought to himself. "Hi, my name is James. James Hawke," he said, reaching out and shaking Spencer's hand firmly. "Um, I don't know if you'd be interested, but would you mind helping me with the first lessons quest? It seems rather tedious, and I'd rather not be out of the safe zone alone at my low level."

He glanced at the side of his display. Level 3. He sighed internally. So many more levels to go until he was able to join front lines and fight his way out of this game. He shook his head, bringing himself back to reality. "I mean, if it's not too much trouble, of course," he continued on, speaking to Spencer. 

@Spencer

James: 60/60 HP | 6/6 EN | 3 DMG | 32 MIT | BLEED | 2 LIGHT MOMENTUM | 1 EVA

James looked up from his work as he heard another customer walk in. He greeted Nora and looked at the items that she had to offer. "Oh, yes. I can pay you for these indeed as a trade." He took a moment to calculate the total worth of the items on a piece of scratch paper. "That'll be $500 that I owe you," he said as he reached into a coin purse hanging on his belt. He placed a large bag of coins in front of him on the counter. "Here is your payment, and thank you very much for doing business here today." He waved goodbye as she left the shop. 

@Nora

James walked into Zachariah's shop, pushing his mop of blond hair out of the way of his glasses. "Oh, uh hello there, sir," he said quietly. "I've come to inquire about the quest you're offering." 

Old Zachariah turned around from his alchemy station and greeted James warmly. "Why hello there new player! Yes, I need you to do a small task for me. You see, I am in need of some materials for crafting a potion. Once you return, I'll show you how to make a basic healing potion with the matrials you've gathered." He smiled and handed James a list of the materials he needed to find. 

James waved goodbye as he left the shop, looking at the list in his hands. The materials shouldn't be too hard to find, but he still felt a little wary going out of the safe zone by himself. And it was just his luck that his sister was busy today doing the first quest with a friend. He sighed. He still had not managed to make any friends in the game as of yet while his sister had managed to make a few. It was typical of his life. He was quite shy in person, despite standing at 6 foot 4 with a thin frame. 

Well, today I'll try to make a friend, he thought to himself with a glint of determination in his eyes. He walked over to the job posting board in the middle of town and awkwardly stood next to it, trying to slouch to make himself look smaller. Man this is awkward. 

@Spencer

James stopped spinning his weapon around and suddenly became more serious and solemn in manner. "I . . . well. . . " What could he say to explain? He wasn't satisfied with his life. He had moved away from the family, was still shy and hadn't moved up where he wanted to. He had been too shy to ever ask the woman he had loved until it was too late and she was engaged to the company manager's son. And here he was. Trying to make it in the competitive workforce as a software engineer. He was silent for a while as he thought of how to answer. Finally, he spoke. 

"I... I don't know how to tell you this Joanne. I kept my dissatisfaction hidden from you guys because I wanted you all to think I was happy." He took a moment and sat down on a log, removing his glasses and rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I've never had a serious girlfriend. I'm alone and lonely in London. I mean, when I moved over there, I thought it would be amazing. I was brilliant. I mean -- I still am, but I'm a small shrimp in a big ocean of better programmers. I don't know... My life just isn't turning out the way I wanted it to."

James was leaning against a tree next to the alchemist's tent when his sister stepped out and walked up to him. "Ugh, the creators of this game really must have wanted to create a true hell for us with all these gathering quests. They've become quite tiresome and boring." He stretched and sighed. "But it can't be helped." He looked towards the gates leading North out of the Town of Beginnings. "Let's head out to the fields and see if we can gather any materials along the paths outside of town." 

He led the way down the path, his new assault spear in hand. "Look at this new weapon I got! Isn't it the most awesome thing?" He swung it around a few times after they had left the town. There was less chance of injuring others this way. He performed a few tossing and catching tricks with the weapon to demonstrate its superb balance. 

Name: Spectacles
Your Profession: Merchant
Your Rank: 1
ID: 127874, 127875
Roll: LD: 15, LD: 8
Item Type: Trinket
Tier: T1
ID of Item: 127415
Quality: Rare
Enhancements: Evasion, Recovery
Description: These are a pair of of round-rimmed spectacles. The frames are golden in color. When worn, they offer certain enhancements to the user. 
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18351-f01-rank-1-merchant-hawke-identifier-and-alchemists/?do=findComment&comment=585132

James waved and said goodbye to his sister before getting back to work on identifying more trinkets. This trinket was a pair of eye glasses that had golden, round rims. James held them up to his eyes. He wondered if they actually helped with sight. To test the idea out, he took off his own glasses and tried the trinket on. Oh! It appeared that they actually adjusted to his sight. Somehow, the lenses matched to his prescription perfectly. He looked around. Everything was still crystal clear. Odd, he thought to himself as he set out to identify the enchantments on the object. 

After a few minutes, he had identified the set of spectacles and set them down on a shelf behind them labeled "For Sale". 

+5 EXP, 10 Total EXP

Name: Dancer
Your Profession: Merchant
Your Rank: 1
ID: 127832, 127833
Roll: LD: 15, LD: 9
Item Type: One-handed straight sword
Tier: T1
ID of Item: 127601A
Quality: Rare
Enhancements: Damage, Bleed
Description: The blade is made of thin steel. The ridge and sides are tinted a reddish hue. The handle has a Spanish-style guard. 
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18351-f01-rank-1-merchant-hawke-identifier-and-alchemists/?do=findComment&comment=585093

James walked over to his workbench and took out his tools. It was time to start identifying the item that his sister had brought in. He looked it over with a magnifying eye piece, making sure that there were no cracks or damage to the blade. After about an hour of studying and identifying the blade, it was ready for pick up. He sent a message to Joanne: 

Quote

Hey Sis,

Sword is ready for pick up. Come and get it.

-James Hawke

After he had sent the message he went back over to his work bench to work on identifying a personal item. 

+5 EXP: 5 Total Exp

James smiled and greeted his sister as she walked into his shop. "Hello, sis! What do you need?" He then took her order and wrote it down in his notebook. "It should be finished in a day or two. I'll message you when it's ready." He wrapped the blade and took it over to his work bench. When he went back over to the counter, he spotted his payment and picked it up. Not bad for just one identification, he thought to himself as he put the money in his inventory. He waved goodbye to his sister as she left his shop. 

James came rushing through the door a few minutes after he had received Yukiro's message. "Yes, yes, yes," he was muttering to himself as he entered the shop and walked over to his counter. He was so excited and distracted by the wrapped weapon in front of them that he had forgotten that he was usually shy. Picking up the staff of the assault spear, he balanced it on one finger. "Perfect balance..." he muttered to himself. Next, he unwrapped the blade and pulled a piece of leather out of his pocket. In one motion, he threw the leather and sliced it in half smoothly with the weapon. "And perfect sharpness." He turned to the blacksmith. "Thank you very much!" he said as he shook Yukiro's hand. 

He left the shop happy and in a hurry. He was headed to the forest to test his new weapon. 

@Yukiro