[OP-F1] | Better Late Than Never | Chapter 1: Rise and Shine

[Wulfrin 0]

"I'm more than capable of teaching the game on my own," Wulfrin chuckled as he tried his best to lighten the mood. "I've followed enough players on their repetitive tasks given to them by Dorian, the single most unorganized mayor I've ever seen. Truthfully all my fishing time comes when I'm watching them stumble around picking up random rocks and flowers. Everything pretty much gets stomped by me these days, so unless we're entering the floors in the 20's, there won't be any need for back up. I'm deep in the trenches on the frontline, so this is a welcome change of pace."

Wulfrin stood up and extended a hand to Taka in an attempt to help them to their feet. Regardless of the player's intent to take it, Wulfrin would keep it there until it was unneeded.

"I am serious though," Wulfrin continued as he began to reach for a shard of metal hanging from a chain around his neck. "If we truly intend on venturing out, it wouldn't hurt to buff up a bit, at least for the new guy's sake. I've got a renewable feast right here if y'all are interested. Helps you hit easier and evade attacks a bit better."

[Megitsune 0]

Taka may as well have been poking a sleeping, starved bear with how angry the girl before him became at the dismal of her apology. Steam may as well have been coming out of her ears, and the slight growl in her restrained tone wasn't helping hide how much she was fuming. "Oi, when someone apologizes to you for their wrong doing, you're not supposed to reject it!" The girl released the tension in her balled up fist and took a deep breath to calm herself of the disrespect she felt. It was fine (for the moment) though. This guy was a complete stranger who only just learned about his fate in a digital purgatory. Memories of her moments, alone and afraid, in the Square of Beginnings after Kayaba's speech flooded back to remind her to actually have empathy for two seconds. Ugh, not her strong suit, caring about others.

"Look- we're all doing our best to survive in this hell. Denying it is pointless." Megitsune wanted to through-line herself into the current conversation again. Her attention would turn to Wulfrin's words. "Like I said, learn. This guy seems to know what he's doing..."

She debated with herself momentarily to head back to the shop but perhaps it was time she get back in the field. New information and loot could be useful. "And, I guess I could come a long and look for some chests or something. Too bad I didn't bring any keys with me." Megitsune would then turn to start heading out. "I don't like waiting though, come along or don't."

[Taka 0]

     I sighed, scooping the books up into my arm and opening my inventory to store the items that had been lent to me. “I apologize for my outburst… I do appreciate you—all of you,” I stood up, putting my hands behind my head and taking deep, choppy breaths. Whether or not my body was receiving  any extra oxygen was unbeknownst to me, but it helped calm my mind either way. “I just need a minute is all.”

     My feelings don’t excuse my reaction to her comment, whether they were sincere or not. Keeping a level head is all I’ve got left, facts not feelings, instinct not emotion. 
 

     I manage a cheeky grin, and drop my hands back down to my sides. “Sounds like a plan!” I huff, walking out a bit from the group and following behind. I pivot on my heel and as I’m walking backward, I call out to Wulfrin and Shikari. “Aren’t you two coming along?!” My face seemed excited and unbothered, yet the cracks and breaks of my voice said otherwise.

     As much as I hated the feeling of relying on others, I had no other choice. Who knows, maybe I’ll make a few friends. My mother would finally get off my case about making some friends.