[SP-F9] How to Tame a Dragon <Feeding the Enemy>

[Greg Baxen 0]

Greg needed a new quest to do, so he opted to take on <Feeding the Enemy> in an attempt to tame a Dragon. He heard that Dragons occasionally appear on floor 9, so he headed up there. He bought some meat (What dragons don't like meat?) on floor 1 in preparation. He paid off 50 Col for it (Boar meat is really common), and set out from Vulcan village in search of a dragon, and possibly to find some materials along the way. He wanted a familiar that could help him in Combat, and a dragon seemed perfect for it. "If I were a dragon, where would I be...?" he muttered to himself. Once he was done here, he'd get back to Shizuka to show her his new familiar- if he got one, of course.

[Greg Baxen 0]

Greg moved out onto the outside of the village and looked around. He searched for nooks and crannies and high-up places where he believed a Dragon might be. At the same time, he was searching for loot such as materials, which would assist his job as a Blacksmith. He was only starting out but he had to get better for both his and Shizuka's sake. He did plan to marry her in the future, after all, not that he'd tell anyone about it until the day came. Greg thought he saw an ore worth mining, and went to get it.

ID: 39927

LD 18: Success! +1 Mat!

Greg wasn't seeing things, he did manage to get an ore for his smithy. Pocketing it, he continued his search for a Dragon.

[Greg Baxen 0]

Greg kept his eyes on the skies as much as reasonably possible without risking falling into a pool of lava (Which would of course cause instant death), as Dragons could typically be seen flying about. Scratching his head, he continued moving along searching for the dragon he would attempt to tame. He couldn't see any ores around here so he put his focus on watching his step. He couldn't marry Shizuka in the future if he died, let alone in such a silly way. He carefully moved ahead without incident.

[Greg Baxen 0]

Greg remembered his conversation with Calrex prior to this. His advice that he gave to Greg on his relationship was simply to be there for her and be ready to protect her, but not be possessive. He already had the first two down, he figured (He would always be there for Shizuka, all she had to do was ask him [So long as the demand wasn't unreasonable, of course]), but he was worried that he may be acting a bit possessive of her. He'd ask her opinion on whether he was or not later. Her being uncomfortable was the last thing he wanted.

[Greg Baxen 0]

He pondered his future in Aincrad, and possibly in real life. When he escaped Aincrad, he was likely going to try and keep in touch with Shizuka. Why wouldn't he? If possible, he'd like to start a relationship with her in real life, too. For now, though, the two being lovers in-game was enough for him, and he hoped that they could get married in the future. They were already business partners, dating, and a well-suited pair in combat, so why wouldn't they eventually become husband and wife? Greg looked forwards to that day, whenever it would come.

[Greg Baxen 0]

Greg had one complaint about this area, and it was the opposite of what he complained about on floor 5- it was too damn HOT up here, rather than cold. He felt he might boil if he stayed up here too long. He needed to find that damn Dragon, tame it, and then get outta here. He continued searching the skies to see if a Dragon would appear. He looked up at the sky and suddenly pondered something... Why could he see the sun if he wasn't at the top floor of Aincrad? Did each floor have its own sun? Based on the shape of Aincrad this would have to be the case.

[Greg Baxen 0]

Greg knew one thing is for certain- it was SOOOO boring to do anything alone. Next time he was going out to tame a familiar, he was probably going to drag Shizuka with him. At least then he'd have someone to talk to, plus he wouldn't have to embarass himself when he showed affection- as he wouldn't be in public- yes, the two were officially a couple, but it was still kinda embarassing. He wondered what Shizuka was doing right now.  Probably in her shop performing alchemy, or out grinding with the assistance of someone else- was that an ore Greg saw?

ID: 39977

LD 16: Success! +1 Mat!

Greg was striking lucky with those material finds today. He pocketed another ore. Was this a good omen?

[Greg Baxen 0]

While he was bored, Greg was feeling good today. Considering that after this he was going to go pay a visit to his lover, ask if she wanted to do something together with him. He was going to try to be there for her as much as possible. It's only natural he'd want to do that- he loves her, after all. Once again, he went over a list of things he loved about Shizuka. Her personality- she's polite, kind, caring and a general pleasure to be around. Her looks- She's definitely pretty- Greg couldn't deny that. Her playstyle- It was rare to find someone devoted to support mostly due to the fact that it involved a lot of waiting around- Greg respect her for that, as it showed her patience.

[Greg Baxen 0]

Greg remembered the wedding he had recently attended with Shizuka. The marriage of two people called Tristan and Flints. He wondered how they were doing now. Were they happy?  He didn't know- he didn't really pay attention to the lives of many other people. There was Calrex and Shizuka... and that was it. He really needed to make more friends- seeing as, even though it was against his personality- he didn't know what he would do if both of them were to perish. He'd probably fall into a deep state of depression at the very least, and at the worst, commit suicide.

Edited November 25, 2015 by Greg Baxen

[Greg Baxen 0]

Greg didn't enjoy being alone, but he couldn't help it. Yes, there were moments where being alone was catharsis to him (such as after a particularly large argument or when he's feeling upset or scared [Though the latter doesn't apply now, he'd turn to his beloved instead]), but all in all he found being in the company of other people much more enjoyable and much better for maintaining his sanity. Shizuka especially so. He went through his thoughts- they've only been together for a short time, but Greg still has the urge to just go to Shizuka and ask her to marry him. Was that normal? Greg didn't think so.

Edited November 24, 2015 by Greg Baxen

[Greg Baxen 0]

Greg was shaken out of his thoughts by a sound which he was overjoyed to hear- the sound of wingbeats. Looking towards them, he found a young dragon flying along, searching for food. Greg opted to tail the flying lizard as it soared over the lava pits and towards a high-up location. Greg understood this- it made sense, considering Dragons would be able to easily locate prey from such a good vantage point. It would also work to his advantage as he would be unlikely to startle it.

Edited November 24, 2015 by Greg Baxen

[Greg Baxen 0]

Continuing his trek, he made sure that the boar meat was in good condition- if it wasn't, the dragon wouldn't accept it, and instead opt to try and fry him with fire breath. While the Dragon was young and couldn't completely fry him, it would still most certainly hurt a lot. Greg wanted to avoid that if possible, but considering the luck-based nature of taming a familiar, it would be down to chance as to whether or not he goes home with a pet dragon, or with burn marks on his skin and clothing.

[Greg Baxen 0]

He hoped that he would be able to tame the Dragon on his first try- he wouldn't enjoy having to explain to Shizuka why he was scorched when they next met. Shaking the thoughts out of his head, he continued onwards, pressing toward the place where the dragon waited. It had noticed him, and it knew he was coming towards it, but it was gauging his intentions, deducing whether he was friendly or not.

[Greg Baxen 0]

Just a bit more to go, as Greg approached the Dragon's vantage point. The dragon, curious now, flies down to meet Greg just below. It curiously approaches, as Greg takes out the boar meat and holds it out towards the dragon in question. The dragon approaches, wondering if the player's intentions are pure or not, and slowly but surely approaches. Greg remains ready to dodge in case the dragon opts to try to breathe fire at him.

Edited November 24, 2015 by Greg Baxen

[Greg Baxen 0]

The dragon eats the Boar Meat. Greg waits to see what its reaction is...

ID: 39988

LD 7: Not interested.

The dragon eats the boar meat, then flies away before Greg can protest. Greg grimaces. No luck. He wasn't singed, but he didn't manage to tame the Dragon as a familiar today. Maybe next time, he figured. Greg dejectedly walked away. He just couldn't catch a break, could he? First he fails multiple times to craft the perfect requested of him, then misses eight times in a row when fighting Avalanche, and now this.

[Greg Baxen 0]

Making his way back towards the town, Greg kept an eye out for more Ores. He was going to have to level his smithing skill, so getting a lot of materials would most certainly be helpful. As he made his way across the rocky and rather hot terrain, He kept his eyes sharp and his gaze constantly shifting. He may not have tamed the dragon, but he was going to get SOMETHING out of this! He thought he saw an ore.

ID: 40097

LD 2: Failure.

Greg didn't. He was just seeing things. It's hard to tell with this place what's an ore and what's not.

[Greg Baxen 0]

Greg groaned. While he'd already thought this once, he was going to think it again- next time he does this quest, he's doing it as part of a group, preferably with his beloved. His mind wandered to Shizuka and that dance he shared with her at the wedding of... Tristan and Flints, he thought? That's one memory, alongside the start of their relationship, that he'll never forget- and why would he want to? He smiled at this. When he returned to Shizuka, he'd definitely show more affection. Another potential ore came into Greg's vision.

ID: 40098

LD 13: Failure.

Once again, it wasn't an ore. Greg sighed, but he wasn't going to let the failure ruin his happy mood.

Edited November 25, 2015 by Greg Baxen

[Greg Baxen 0]

Greg was almost there, back to the town. He didn't know what lay ahead for the future, but as long as Shizuka was with him, he would cherish every moment of it- and honestly? For once, Greg felt completely calm about this whole situation. Yes, he may be trapped in a death game, but that very same situation was what led him to meet Shizuka in the first place- for the two to fall in love and become a couple. At least, he thought Shizuka loved him too. He was going to have to confirm it once he regrouped with her. Another rock with the potential of an ore inside showed up. This time, Greg took out a pickaxe, and begun to mine.

ID: 40099

LD 1: Failure.

The pick broke again. Greg just stood there staring for a moment before muttering an "Are you kidding me?" under his breath.

[Greg Baxen 0]

It wouldn't be long now before Greg arrived back at Vulcan Village. Before he did, though, he had one more opportunity to search for ores and he took it. Greg knew that, in the future, if he and Shizuka were going to get married, he was going to have to start levelling up faster. That's one of the reasons he took on this quest, after all. While Greg didn't succeed this time, Greg would leave it for now and return later, when he was higher levelled and better equipped for this sort of thing. One final potential ore.

ID: 40100

LD 10: Failure.

No good. Greg didn't get his hopes up and wasn't disappointed when he found nothing.

[Greg Baxen 0]

Greg finally returned to Vulcan Village. It had been a long trip and a boring one, but Greg had managed to trek through it, and, although he didn't complete the quest, he did feel stronger for it. It wasn't a complete failure, but he still had a long way to go and was going to retry this quest at some point, preferably with Shizuka by his side. But for now, he figured, there was nothing he could do. He was too impatient to try again today, so he opted to head back to the first floor to return to his Shop and hopefully meet up with Shizuka along the way.