Cindel 0 Posted August 20, 2014 #1 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Cindel sighed. *Friggin tradeskills.* Just about every MMORPG had them and she hated them in just about all of them. It was odd, considering in reality Cindel generally liked the arts and crafts. But then perhaps that may be the very reason. Video games failed to capture the actual art that went in to such things. She found in game tradesekills generally tedious and boring. Maybe SAO would be different... It was a VR after all. She visited the various profession NPC's, read up a little how they worked and for the most part they were not. More developed than most games for sure, but not exactly an art. At least until she met the Muse NPC who offered the Performer profession. Something about dancing and creating music made it feel more like art. All the other professions created items to be used in this false reality, but a song, music... That could transcend the worlds. That was real. *She accepted the quest.* Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 20, 2014 Author #2 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 There were various ways to approach the performer profession. She liked that. Even if the music creation was somewhat simulated it was better than nothing. Besides, she did really enjoy those old instrument games like Guitar Hero and Rockband. Her dad had insisted she play them if for nothing else than to sample some classics from the past. Cindel continued browsing through the Performer options. Her eyes scrolled to one in particular, 'Dance of the Blade' she liked the sound of that. Cindel turned back to the Performer Quest NPC and inquired about it. Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 20, 2014 Author #3 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 After having been given a detailed explanation of her task Cindel prepared herself and headed up to the higher floors. *So I'm basically going to fight some wind wisps, while trying to dance...* It actually sounded kind of fun, but that was only if you removed the threat of really dying... According to the NPC, combat with the mobs was supposed to help develop proper footing to help her dance. Their attacks were supposed to be repetitive to such a point that when one gets their rhythm down - striking in and and evading out. It creates a dance like performance. 'The Wind Dance' or so the NPC called it. Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 20, 2014 Author #4 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Cindel found the location the NPC had given her. It was on the 3rd floor in a clearing just before a much larger forest area. She did a quick scout of the area to make sure she'd have no extra surprises. The wind sprites were plentiful enough, she'd have no issue running out of mobs. She studied them for a moment to see if she could learn anything useful from their movements, but then remembered the mobs were well documented in the public database. Instead she brought up the HUD and began to browse through enemy list until she found their entry. Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 20, 2014 Author #5 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 And... that was useless. Cindel grumbled. *figures.* There wasn't an english entry for the mob, not yet anyway at least. *Well not gonna get a whole lot done just standing around.* she told herself. She drew her rapier after closing the hud then turned her attention to the nearby Wisp. "Let's Dance!" She giggled, then prepared to attack. Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 20, 2014 Author #6 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 The wisp's weren't hostile by default so getting the jump on it was pretty easy. Cindel made the movements for a strike she had been practicing and attacked! **Rolling Combat** BD: 4 **MISS** The wisp almost seemingly vanished then appeared off to the side. Cindel hit nothing but the air, well not the air she was hoping to hit! ----------------------------- Cindel: 15 Wind Wisp: 7 Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 20, 2014 Author #7 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 The wisp began to spin faster and faster, creating a torrent of wind just before releasing it upon Cindel! BD:3 **Miss** Cindel saw it coming. Quick on her feet she twirled off to the side avoiding the torrent and positioning herself in range for another strike! ----------------------------- Cindel: 15 Wind Wisp: 7 Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 20, 2014 Author #8 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Using the momentum she had built up, Cindel lunged forward with another strike. **Rolling Combat** BD: 9 *CRIT HIT* DMG: 3 = 1+[1 Rapier Skill]+1[Crit9] And it was nearly flawless. She executed the sword skill almost perfectly. Her blade came to life in brilliant light leaving trails behind it - just before plunging through the Wind Wisp. Finishing the motion of her strike she spun back to prepare for the Wisp's next move. ----------------------------- Cindel: 15 Wind Wisp: 4/7 Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 20, 2014 Author #9 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 The wisp staggered from the blow, but it wasn't finished yet. Recovering, it began to spin again, the effect creating another torrent that whirled towards Cindel. BD: 4 = **MISS** Cindel twirled off to the side, her evasive maneuver again avoiding the torrent of air. Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 20, 2014 Author #10 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Light on her feet Cindel twirled around again avoiding the torrent and bringing herself closer to the WIsp's flank. *Heh, I guess I am sort of dancing.* she thought, then made another piercing lunge! **Rolling Combat** BD: 9 *CRIT HIT* DMG: 3 = 1+[1 Rapier Skill]+1[Crit9] She executed her assault with grace inflicting another critical blow. She readied herself for the next torrent as she watched the Wisp's health bar drop to 1HP. ---------------------- Cindel : 15 Wind Wisp : 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 21, 2014 Author #11 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Staggering from the blow once more, the Wisp made no attempt to change strategies. Again spinning forth and summoning another torrent to throw at Cindel. BD:9 = "Crit 2 DMG" Cindel was ready for the move, but lost her footing on a loose rock and nearly fell. She recovered, but not in time to evade the torrent of wind. ---------------------- Cindel : 13/15 Wind Wisp : 1/7 Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 21, 2014 Author #12 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 "Woawoawayaahhh!!" Cindel cried out as the torrent twirled her around inside its vortex. Before disipating it spat her out, leaving her a little dazed and disoriented. "Ugh... I think im gonna be sick." She tried to focus back on the task at hand. "WHAT! there's two now?" *no wait... im just seeind double!* She shook her head and her vision cleared. "Okay Wispy, let's finish this!" **Rolling Combat** BD: 10 *CRIT HIT* DMG: 4 = 1+[1 Rapier Skill]+2[Crit10] And it was perfect. She executed her sword skill flawlessly, her practice paying off. The wisp was destroyed, its single HP pounded into oblivion by the masterful critical thrust of Cindel's Rapier. ---------------------- Cindel : 13/15 Wind Wisp : Defeated Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 22, 2014 Author #13 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 *Wow that twirling and spinning was actually kind of fun.* The Quest did make sense, she was sort of dancing. Cindel was surprised. Whoever designed this had actually put some real thought in to it. She continued practicing the rotation she had used on the wisp. Cindel spun and twirled her way around the small clearing. She was actually smiling. Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 23, 2014 Author #14 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Cindel decided to practice a bit more before heading back to the Quest NPC, she was actually having a good time. Dancing seemed easier in SAO than in reality. Her movements were quicker, she weighed less, and she wasn't limited by the same physics of the real world. And so Cindel danced! Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 23, 2014 Author #15 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Finally, exhausted. It was time to head back and turn in. She never thought she'd actually enjoy in-game professions. After all aren't they just simulated jobs? Stuff people already don't want to do in the real world? But she was wrong. Relieved with her profession decision Cindel packed up and headed back towards the town. Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 23, 2014 Author #16 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 She reached the floor's town teleporter square and used it to return back to Floor One where she had accepted the Quest. She wondered what some future quests might be, if there even were any. She gasped when her eyes glanced over the clock tower off in the distance. It was getting late, she had lost track of time. Quickening her pace she continued on to the Theater, where she original found the quest NPC. Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 23, 2014 Author #17 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 She was supposed to meet up with Klein later that night. He actually was going to start working on his own profession, to become a smith. He asked if she wanted to join him. It made her feel a little bad. She hadn't told Klein about her own little quest. She thought it would just be trivial and boring, not something she should subject anyone else to go through. But still, something inside her told her that she should have asked anyway. Cindel looked up. Before her stood the large opera house theater where she had accepted the quest. She walked up the stairs, then passed the two hulking doors that lead inside. Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 23, 2014 Author #18 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 After returning to the quest NPC, it had asked her what she learned. Cindel described her encounter with the wind wisps. How she learned the rhythm of their attacks. How she matched them with her own evasive and offensive spins and twirls. The NPC returned a nod and a smile, then said "Show me." Cindel was a bit tired, but she knew that was just a state of mind - literally in SAO. She agreed and once more, began to dance. Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 23, 2014 Author #19 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 "Indeed. You have learned some basic steps, and have completed the Wind Dance. Masterfully done Cindel, you have the spirit to be a great performer!" replied the NPC once she was finished. "Thanks uh-" The NPC stood there with a smile. *He's not even real. Heck probably says that exact line to everyone.* She bowed anyway and completed the Quest. Particles of light and musical notes danced around her. *here we go again!* she struck a pose as her HUD displayed the prompt "Profession: PERFORMER attained!" Link to post Share on other sites
Cindel 0 Posted August 23, 2014 Author #20 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 She looked over her inventory quickly, she had an item that would transform into an instrument of her choosing. She'd have to think more about what she wanted before using it. Realizing the time again, Cindel jumped and turned towards the exit in a sprint. She still had to meet up with Klein on Floor Two and it was just about that time. Happy with her new profession she ran off to the teleporter square, no doubt about to partake in some other adventure... Link to post Share on other sites
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