[PP-F2] A Forest Grown Friendship (Coddexx and Abalasster)

[Coddexx 0]

Having made my way up to floor two I decided to do some adventering in the forest. I had been up here once before to do the quest 'secret Medicine of the forest' and hadn't been up here since then. The trees here were so much taller than the ones on the first floor and I believe they also housed more danger, although not as much as the jungle on a higher floor. Either way I still knew that I needed to be careful up here. I didn't have too much to worry about due to my strong blade and large supply of health potions but one could never be too careful.  Drawing my blade I readied myself for whatever may come my way.  I found it relaxing here in the forest since the mass of trees reminded me of my home in real life but I knew that if I ever wanted to see that home agai I had to focus and be careful here.   One thing that I know could be a great thing to have is more friends,and therefore more allies in this death game. I kept my eyes open for any players that I might be able to befriend. 

[Abalasster 0]

"One more for the road" I called to the waiter from my spot inside the tavern. I had become quite acquainted with the people who resided on this floor. This floor was my third home. When the overcrowdedness of the first floor bogged my down and the constant snowing on the fourth floor got to me, I often found myself here. The waiter delivered my water with a smile. I got up, adjusted my robe and paid the bill. I began towards the door with my drink in hand. I turned around with a smile.

"I'll be back here next time I'm on the floor" I called to the working staff. They provided some of the best service around. I walked outside to be met with the enormous trees of the floor. I slowly took a sip of my drink as I took in the sight once more. It was then I decide why not go back into those forests. I looked down to my companion, Khepri. These were the forests that I found him in. I finished my drink and ran into the jungle...  

[Coddexx 0]

As I was looking for materials on the forest floor I noticed a small group of giant wasps.  Their distant buzz seemed much less threatening from where I stood.  It was almost relaxing and created a nice white noise that made me feel slightly drowsy. Taking in the smell of the forest I leaned up against a thick based tree and slid down the trunk, my back and smooth armor sliding down until I rested comfortable on the earth. I was lulled into a daze that made me feel refreshed but I decided to take a little time and rest here. I ignored the sound of rushed footsteps as someone tinned in the distance in my general direction. The only thing I thought of was the buzz and the smell and other senses of the air around me. I was soon dropped into a restful nap as a small smile formed on my face. The tension in my shoulders loosed and my back softened sinking me deeper toward the ground. My hands fell and rested gently in the grass beneath me and I was overtaken by sleep entirely. 

[Abalasster 0]

I continued to run blissfully into the forest. Granted, this place was one of peril and danger, I hadn't a care. It felt so amazing to run through these woods. I felt as if I was a kid. It was one of the best feelings i had felt in a good long while. I was so tired of working day in and out as a merchant, I just needed to let go. Eventually, I had worn myself out from all of the running. I found a tree to lean up against and take a quick break. I pulled a water out of my inventory and began to drink it. As i slid from leaning against the tree to the ground below me, I noticed something I hadn't before. There was a person sleeping right in front of me. He was pretty armored up. Yet, I still found it to be a bit strange. These woods, though on a relatively low floor, could be dangerous as hell. Every worse, this could be a trap. I continued to drink my water, but now I had my hand on Transcendence, my rapier. I awaited for either the player to wake up or for the trap to be sprung. I assessed the player in front of me. He seemed to be a bit higher level than me. He was also a wielder of a curved sword, a fine one at that. Khepri interrupted my assessment by crawling up my neck and perching himself atop my head. I let out a sigh and continued to drink my beverage... 

[Coddexx 0]

My mind was flooded with memories of home. My eyes opened to my bedroom and the wooden walls that surrounded me. The smell of bacon filled my nostrils as well as pancakes.  I heard the sweet familiar humming of my mother downstairs and I smiled. I knew that she was trying to surprise me with a meal since she happened to had woken up before me. Laughing to myself I got up quietly as to not let her know I was awake. I was going to get the better of her and surprise her instead.  I didn't know what she was thinking. She knew the smell of food always woke me up, but maybe that is why she did it.  She knew I would help her finish and set the table.  As I walked down the stairs excited to see her I slipped on the steps and all of the sudden the stairs disappeared and I was falling.  My gut clenched and the familiar house faded fast along with the smells and sounds of home.  I was falling and the world around me pixelated and the rushing sound of when I had first fired up the nerve gear filled my ears and my heart cried out for my home and then suddenly I jerked awake and my awareness was now centered back on the trees and forest of floor two and the memories of home soon faded away. I saw a player in front of me and I jumped right up from the ground scared and put one hand on the hilt of my blade Silverlight. I took a deep breath and my lungs were filled with the forest air.  I saw that  the player in front of me seemed peaceful and could tell that he meant me no harm. As I exhaled I relaxed and I took my hand off Silverlight. "Sorry you startled me. I didn't expect to see someone in front of me when I woke up." I shook my head throwing the sleep from myself. I then smiled and said "sorry for the jump. I probably scared you.  My names Coddexx how about yourself?" I then looked at him with a slight smile. 

[Abalasster 0]

"The name's...Abalasster" I said quiet detached. The event that just appeared i front of me wasn't uncommon. But, It happened enough for me to know what he had just experienced. This place, this game was like an asylum. Mostly everyone trapped inside this game has PTSD. I could tell from my own personally experience what had just happened to the player in front of me.

"Coddexx..." I began. "You remind me of myself." What ever this person in front of my had just been shaken from, it must have been hellish I could almost feel the fear emanating off of him. But, it takes one to know one. I looked down to the ground. As I did, it felt like I was back in that damned cave. 

So, to move on I sprung myself up, launching Khepri from his position on my head. I caught him as he fell. I looked back up to the player, Coddexx, that was in front of me.

"My friend, you look worn out. Could I take you for a drink? I know a good tavern back in town" Through all that had happened, I still had my hand on my rapier. I still couldn't trust most people from face value after the incident...

[Coddexx 0]

Although he seemed very cautious and there was a rather thick cloak of sorrow that seemed to wrap around him he seemed like one I could trust. He seemed to have witnessed my rude awakening from that nightmare. Feeling a bit embarrassed I focused on the words he said and my mind twisted his name round and round. It was a very interesting one that I liked. He then told me that I reminded him of himself and I knew that what I thought I  perceived was true. He had seen my nightmare from the outside. As he offered to take me for a drink my ears perked up a bit. He was right and I was quite worn. Seeing a scarab falling from his head I laughed slightly. He looked quite amazing and I liked him. I had always loved all kinds of animals, bugs included, and the scarab was an amazing looking beatle. "Sure I couldgo for a drink. Id like to get to a safer place it's not very safe to fall asleep out of a safe zone.  I didn't mean to fall asleep it was only supposed to be a short break.  What is his name?" I asked pointing to the scarab. 

[Abalasster 0]

"Khepri's his name" I began "Named after the Egyptian Scarab God. His roll is to move the sun. But this little buddy of mine would be lucky if he could move an ice cube, let alone the sun". I smiled and placed the Scarab back on my shoulder. It jabbed me in my neck with one of his pincers. I should've seen that coming.

"So, how's SAO treated you I began" I knew that this subject may be edgy, so I followed up with "By that I mean what all have you seen and done?" I waited for his response by thinking about all the things I've done. The people I've seen come and go. The things I've killed. THis place may be hell by I have accomplished a good amount of things...

[Coddexx 0]

I mulled over the scarabs name and my head and smiled.  "I think I remember the story of rolling the sun acros the sky. That's a very cool name."  I then began thinking of what to say about myself as we went to the tavern he had mentioned.  "I've been here for a while.  And some quite a bit.  Started off and almost was killed by a boar. That wasn't fun I had one health point left when I finished it off. I got better at fighting and did a few quests to  raise my SP.  I then became an Alchemist. And now I'm a member of The Velvet Room. Ive been wanting to do the Feeding the enemy quest sometime soon." Think what else to say I added "other than that I can say that I am rank three in the one handed curved sword and saving up to get enough points to raise my light armor to rank two." As we got closer to town I then said. "How about you.  What have you done?"

[Abalasster 0]

"Wow, looks like you've done quite a bit" I said as we entered the settlement. "My lists of accomplishments aren't too vast but I've done a few things. Very early into the game I had a rather odd run in with quite a few players. They were a rowdy group to say the least..." I paused to take a smile and remember what all we had done together. I wish that I could go back to those days. "Anyways, A few of the members from that party and I started a guild. We called ourselves the "Crimson Blades" . We were a small band of people. I was even the chief of the Treasury. I took up the profession of Merchant, got myself a companion, fought myself both mentally and physically. The combination of my psyche and my physical state were quite tough, seeing as how we were evenly matched. But...then it all fell apart"... I trailed off on my last statement. Luckily we were right in front of the tavern. I put on a weak smile, walked up and opened the door to usher Coddexx in...

[Coddexx 0]

Hearing him tell his story it felt like a very large roller coaster. My heart twinged when I heard the tone of his voice change right when we were at the front door of the tavern.  He opened the door and trailed off.  Setting it aside for the moment I could tell that he was getting a bit uncomfortable. As I stepped inside I grew accustomed to the atmosphere and it felt very warm. It was similar to the tavern that I had frequented but different at the same time. I took a seat at a table and waited for him to join me. I called for a drink and then said "so how long have you been frequenting this tavern?"looking around it was obvious that many of the people here recognized him. A bartender walked over to the table and gave me a mug and I smiled letting him know that I would pay him later. It was nice to get inside after spending the whole day outside. The chatter of people and the sound of fire relaxed me and I focused on Abalasster as I sipped on my drink.  

Edited January 7, 2016 by Coddexx

[Abalasster 0]

"Ah this is my home away from home" I said with a smile to Coddexx. Coddexx had already called a waiter over. I ordered my usually water and sent the waiter on his way. I leaned back in my chair and placed Khepri on the table. I looked around the tavern. It was a bit bigger than usual. However, i enjoyed the amount of people around me. It was only when the drunkards began to talk to me that we would have a problem. I continued scanning the tavern until I set my eyes on a group that had huddled at the main bar section There were about eight of them there. I wasn't interested in them until I heard the two words...Field Boss. The voice was familiar. It was that of the head bartender. I sat my chair back down and rushed to where the group had huddled. I swiftly turned back to Coddexx.

"Watch Khepri fro me" i called back to him. I was lucky to even hear the two words. The tavern was so loud today. I made my way through the crowd towards the front of the crowd

"What's this talk about a field boss?" I said

"You haven't heard Abalasster" the bartender said

"Apparently some field boss called Sylvanus or something is out in the forest. He's guarded by some tree spirits. I don't think he's required to drop loot, but it would be nice for the forest to be a safer place for other players"

I smirked. I hadn't a clue how tough this boss would be, but I felt obligated to fight it...   

[Coddexx 0]

Seeing Abalasster Rush to the bar I was very curious.  I stuck my hand out to the scarab and he crawled into my hand.  Holding him I turned my attention to the bar and the conversation there. The only words I heard clearly over the mutter of the tavern were 'He's guarded by some tree spirits.' Even more interested I figured they were talking about some special mob in the forest.  I set in my mind that Abalasster and I should take on whatever this thing was. It sounded pretty fun. Looking down at Kehpri I saw him skitter from my hand back onto the table obviously waiting for his master to come back. I was excited to go and take on whatever special field boss was waiting for is in the forest. I downed my drink and then stood up waiting for Abalasster to come back to our table. 

[Abalasster 0]

I turned from the group and swaggered back over to the table. I had been waiting for something like this for a hell of a long time. I saw that Coddexx was standing up next to the table. He must have heard some of the conversation. When I reached the table i leaned on it and looked towards Coddexx with a smirk on my face.

"How's an adventure sound to ya?" I asked the player. "You see, apparently there's been some field boss terrorizing the forest. They call him Sylvanus. They didn't tell me his stats but since it's only a floor two field boss, I'm thinking that it wouldn't be to much of a struggle. But, if things do appear to get too hairy then drinks are on me if we make it back. But, enough of that. He is also guarded by some tree spirits. I'm estimating 3 or 4. However, it's nothing that we can't handle. So, what do you say?" 

[Coddexx 0]

Seeing Abalasster's smirk I knew that what I suspected was true. He had been talking about some sort of special mob to fight. Sure enough he came and told me about a field boss named Sylvanus. I began thinking to myself how much fun an adventure would be so I said "let's go out an end to this Sylvanus. You're right they can't be too difficult to fight since its floor two." I took an excited breath as I made my way toward the door.  If other players had heard about the field boss we should head out soon so that they didn't get to him before we did.  I had been looking forward to something like this and I was going to make quick work of this field boss.  If I can do these things then maybe I can make a name for myself sooner than I thought.  And besides taking on some tree spirits and a big ol boss would be super fun. "Let's go then" I said opening the door and heading outside.