[F05 | SP] Dust Becomes | <<Training Your Friend>>

[Sakura 0]

Training Your Friend

The small robotic creature that Aoi had managed to wrangle to her side as a companion and assistant had been an interesting addition to her daily routine. It required little in the way of actual maintenance and care – it ate nothing, didn’t require grooming or exterior time, and was content to simply follow her around wherever she went. In fact, as pets and companions went, Aoi felt that the creature was almost the perfect simplicity item she could’ve found in her searches.

Except for one major flaw – it seemed to be bored out of its mind, and as such followed her everywhere and attempted to engage itself into everything that she was doing. Whether it was trying to help, or simply gain attention, Aoi wasn’t entirely sure – but she was certain that it was going to drive her crazy if she didn’t find an outlet for the creature. It was this desire for some sort of solution that had pushed her to the café, and to Cervais once more.

’All I’m looking for is some sort of direction on how people use their familiars.’ Aoi leaned against the table, the small robotic creature nestled into the chair beside her with its red LED glaring between her and the man seated across from her. It hadn’t moved since they’d settled into the seating area, and the small contraption on its back – it appeared to be some form of a bolt thrower, as far as Aoi had been able to determine – had remained poised and positioned directly at Cervais’s body the entire time. ’I mean, I see others fighting with their familiars all the time, but when I tried to get this one to do something…’

She thought back to the small encounter where she’d attempted to incorporate the thing into a fight between her and a rabbit. It had rushed forward, levering the weapon on its back and firing a small, nearly indecipherable bolt into the air, which had promptly missed the rabbit and disappeared into the sky. In response, the robotic creature had retreated behind Aoi, apparently scared to do anything further as it hid from the rabbit.

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Sakura | Lv. 14 | P. 0 | HP [280/280] | EN [46/46] | ACC [3] | DMG [7] | EVA [3] | MIT [20] | LD [6] | SD [2] | Keen [1] | Paralyse [8-10]   Hide contents Notes [Theme] Tier 2 | Tier 2 Equipment Vambrace Crossbow [Hand Crossbow | Tier 2]  Enhancement: Keen [1 Slot] Enhancement: Paralyse [2 Slot] Combat Uniform [Clothing | Tier 1]  Enhancement: Loot Die [3 Slots] Raven Pendant [Trinket | Tier 1] Enhancement: Accuracy [3 Slots] Battle-Ready Inventory Starter Healing Potion {5} [Potion | Tierless | Heals 50 HP] Big Bertha Braciole {4} [Snack | Tier 1 | Vitality II] [ID-NIL] Zackariah's Special Draught {1} [Potion | Tierless | HP Recovery III] [ID-NIL] Teleport Crystal [Crystal | Tierless | Post Action to Teleport to nearest Town.] Spyglass {2} [Reduce Posts to Locate Dungeon/Familiar/Field Boss by 5.] Skills   Hide contents Utility Skills Searching [Rank: 2. Active: Passive. Effect: +1 LD per rank, +1 Stealth Detection per rank.] Night Vision [Rank 2 Searching Mod. Active: Passive. Effect: Ignores any penalties from low light or darkness. Negates the bonus Stealth Rating from low light or darkness.] Combat Skills Skill [Active: -. Effect: -.] Weapon Skills Projectile Weaponry [Rank: 3. Active: Passive. Effect: +5 DMG] Armour Skills Cloth Armour [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: 12 Mitigation.] Athletics [Rank 3 Cloth Armour Mod. Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 base Damage.] Nimble [Rank 5 Cloth Armour Add-on. Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 Evasion while wearing Cloth Armour. Gain +1 LD.] Extra Skills Skill [Active: -. Effect: -.] Combat Mastery Evasion [Rank: 2. Active: Passive. Effect: +1 EVA per rank.] Familiar Skills Skill [Active: -. Effect: -.] Sword Arts   Hide contents [x8] ST-I (8 EN) | A single-target sword art. [x11] ST-II (11 EN) | A powerful single-target sword art. Only available for use when ST-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if ST-II had been used and had missed the previous turn. [x7] AOE-I (7 + [2 * targets] EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. [x8] TECH-A (9 EN) | STUN | A single-target sword art that stuns an enemy. Estate Buffs   Hide contents   [Home] Room [Effect.]

[Sakura 0]

’It certainly looks like it needs some basic training.’ Cervais glanced at the robot to her side for the first time since sitting down – a feat that Aoi was somewhat impressed with, considering how it had maintained an aggressive posture the entire time they had been there. His eyes seemed to sparkle a little, as if amused by the robot’s behaviour, before he glanced back at Aoi. ’The good news is, you can try it to help you out. There’re actually a few skills specific to familiars that they can use, once they’re trained. Realigning its…purpose, so to speak, may actually help it to relax too. Right now it must feel like it has no real purpose in life. Training it to help you out may give it that purpose…but you’ll have to complete the quest for it.’

Opening his menu, he flicked through a few options before turning it around to show her the quest that she had recently received, but skipped over in assumption of its purpose. Her eyes scanned it quickly before she let her head fall onto the table between them with a dull thump. She sighed, before speaking in a tone that clearly displayed her awareness of her stupidity in the moment. ’The answer has been there the entire time, and I missed it…now I feel extra dumb.’

Cervais laughed in response, before leaning back in his chair and flipping an arm over the back of it. ’Everyone misses something obvious once in a while, don’t fret it. Especially in this world, there’s so much going on that we can’t be expected to know everything. I also can’t assure you that this will alleviate everything. From what I’ve heard, every familiar acts and behaves somewhat differently, depending on the person they’re attached to – and even then, sometimes people get new familiars, and it’s nothing like the previous one was. It seems they’re all unique, in a way.’

[Sakura 0]

Aoi smiled and nodded her understanding, glancing over at the robotic being at her side. Kaie, she’d named it, had proven to be attached to her if nothing else. Though she wanted to call it annoying to a degree, she couldn’t help but admit the companion had been nothing short of helpful in its own way – even going so far as to try and collect and organise her small tailoring shop’s materials earlier in the morning. It had failed, miserably, but it had attempted it nonetheless after she’d tidied up a small portion of the work area and complained about the mess without thinking.

Not to mention that it listens, even when it’s about nothing more than boring thoughts. Its presence is…relaxing, in a way. She couldn’t quite put the feeling into words, nor did she think that she wanted to even try, but she somehow felt calmer and more relaxed with the little creature at her side. Her thoughts were interrupted as their food arrived, and Aoi pushed aside the original topic as she glanced over at Cervais, suddenly realising what had been bothering her upon his arrival. ’You don’t have a familiar of your own.’

The words were more commentary than they were question, and yet Cervais seemed to take it as an invitation into an explanation of himself. ’I do, but I don’t tend to take her out into public with me unless I absolutely need to do so. She’s not what you’d call…friendly, I guess. Very protective of me, which makes meeting clients difficult obviously. But she’s loyal to a fault, and I would consider her a true friend, even if that sounds silly.’

In contrast, Aoi didn’t find the thought silly at all – not now that she had a familiar of her own. It made sense, in an odd way that she couldn’t explain in the least. Something about the companionship that the small beings provided made Aincrad seem just a tiny bit less lonely – a factor that she was sure was part of the familiar system entirely.

[Sakura 0]

They’d left the café behind after finishing the small meal she’d ordered, Cervais heading off on his own adventure as Aoi took to the streets with Kaie in tow. She wasn’t entirely sure her plan of action going forward, but she’d spent some time over the meal discussing the quest with Cervais, learning about the intricacies of the system and the various openness that it provided in its completion. She was shocked to learn that she wasn’t required to complete one specific set of steps, but rather simply create a training program with her companion and find the best way to teach them the skill she planned on taking.

Aoi glanced again at the small robotic creature at her feet, following along dutifully in an appearance that seemed almost hunter like to those who must not know any better. She could easily see the creature being used as a secondary method of attack – a small fighter that could pepper the enemy with tiny bolts from afar, and provide her with additional support beyond the party members she was likely to travel with. The thought, though appealing, made Aoi wonder if it wasn’t entirely judgemental of her to assume. She’d considered asking Kaie what it had wanted to do, but previous attempts to obtain information from it had been met with incomprehensible beeps and shakings, nothing of real value in return.

Everything about the companion appeared aggressive in nature – and Aoi had no doubts that it would make a decent attack support given the chance, but a part of her saw something else in its form. A means that it could be used, without tarnishing its appearance and friendship through simple combative abuse. She turned down the alleyway towards a small shop she had come across during her travels, passing the large bazaar and instead popping into a rear walkway that was lined with various doors. She stopped outside one of them and knocked gently, waiting patiently until it was opened by a large female who glowered at her.

’I’m sorry to bother you, Delania, but I was wondering if I couldn’t use your tailoring setup for a while. I won’t use any of your precious materials, I promise.’ Seconds floated by as Delania seemed to consider the request before she grunted and stepped aside. Aoi gave a smile and a bow once she was inside, waving towards the room around them as Kaie followed her in. ’Let’s see how well you can assist me with making something, shall we Kaie?’

[Sakura 0]

The majority of the tools she needed were already set up, and Aoi spent a few moments going over the more common ones with Kaie watching. She ensured to describe not only the name of the item – from the simple thimble and needle, to the various scissors, picks and other objects of the trade – but also their purpose, and how they would be used in the creation of their final piece. A few moments were spent testing Kaie, watching as the small robot pointed out the various implements once Aoi asked for them, and excited motion in its movements as it danced to-and-fro along the table before them. Only once she was certain that Kaie had a basic understanding, did she move to the next step.

’Right, so I’m going to start working on a design I had in mind…I want you to retrieve and pass me anything I ask for, okay? We’re going to test your ability to help with the most basic of things…and then we’ll move up from there. Got it?’ A small beep that Aoi could only assume was confirmation came in response, and she watched as Kaie shifted itself to a ready position by the utensils, the small red glowing LED shifting back and forth between her and them, as if to signify its readiness and impatience. Smiling to herself, she picked up the nearby materials she’d collected, laying them out and sorting through the various ideas she’d been working on. Only once she’d determined the exact one – a cloth armour design that she had been wanting to test the last few days – did she begin to work. ’Pass me the cotton scissors to start.’

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Post Action: Familiar Training
ID245630 | CD: [1/7] | Failure [-2 CD req.]

Edited 2 hours ago by Sakura

[Sakura 0]

It took Kaie nearly six attempts to find the right tool, and Aoi could see the flustered response in its movements. The robot scattered across the area, discharging tools and causing a clattering as it attempted to find the right thing – bringing piece after piece to Aoi’s side, only to receive a shake of the head in response. Aoi watched in a mixture of suspicious and pity as the form of Kaie slumped slightly, finally grabbing the right tool and slowly shuffling it over towards her. The movement, to Aoi, appeared almost apologetic or uncertain, and she knew that the familiar was feeling at least something that should be akin to shame in the moment.

’Hey, you found them. That’s something to go by. Don’t rush it, there’s a lot to take in and learn here, and I would be surprised if you started out as a master. I certainly didn’t, and I’m still not that great.’ She took the scissors and cut out the basic shape of what she was planning on making, moving slowly so that she didn’t make any major errors. True to her word, she knew that she was only mediocre at the tailoring that was her new profession, and she was always cautious about her movements – having not mastered any of them yet. ’In time, and with practice, we eventually get better at what we’re doing, but it takes time. It takes repetition, and it takes a measure of patience that is sometimes hard to hold on to in the moment. The worst thing we can do is give up, though.’

[Sakura 0]

Silence fell as Aoi continued cutting into the fabric, her motions calm, controlled and with a purpose that only she could imagine. Kaie watched from the side, the small red lens focused on her movements as it considered the path that the scissors would take, and the shape that the form would come to in finality. She could see the twitching movements of its appendages, not so much desiring to leap forward, but rather carving out a path in the air in front of it, as if mimicking the path that Aoi herself was making in the actual material. She didn’t let it distract her, but she made note of it for later, realising that the small robot was already thinking ahead to other avenues of learning and helping.

Maybe Cervais was right, and all that Kaie needed was a place to be helpful. To serve a purpose, in a way. Not as a servant, but as a companion…an equal. Aoi considered the benefits of having the robot assisting in the shop – it would easily make her workload decrease, especially if she could set Kaie up with miniature projects that could either be finalised by her, or entirely handled by it. We could set it up so that I collect the majority of the materials, and complete some special orders, while Kaie stamps out the common place and recurring ones…I would need to find a way to ensure that Kaie is properly compensated for their time…what do you get a digital robot in recompense?

[Sakura 0]

No answer came to mind, and Aoi found her hand stopping in place as she fought the urge to laugh at the ridiculousness of the idea to begin with. What an odd world we live in, where I’m trying to teach my friend robot how to sew, while also considering how to recompense it for one day running our tailoring business…all while I go fight monsters in an attempt to escape back into the real world. She shook her head, trying to clear away the tears that had appeared due to the strain of resisting the humour.

She gave a sigh as she turned back to her task. She could already see the final cuts coming to the piece she was working on, and her attention turned back to ensuring she was focused on the task at hand. She knew that the finality of the cuts could be the one place where absolute disaster struck – the scissors sliding, slipping, or otherwise shifting to a point where they destroyed the main mold had happened more often than not when Aoi had first been learning the art.

[Sakura 0]

’Right, I’m almost done here. Can you get me the finishing tools? I’ll need to wear down the edges to ensure they last and don’t fray away with time.’ She gave a nod towards the tools as the scissors continued to slide along the fabric’s edges. She didn’t look away from her work, engrossed in the task and not wanting to ruin a perfectly good piece – even if it was being used for nothing more than training purposes. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a masterpiece or a simple template, everything you do should see your best effort put into it. Anything less, and you dishonour the materials and the task at hand, and all those who came before you. She smiled to herself at the thought, thinking about how it sounded like so many of her teachers back in the real world. They’d always hammered in the idea of doing everything perfectly, never slacking or giving up.

The piece scrunched for a single second, and Aoi found herself naturally moving her form to allow it to uncurl, hoping that it would save the edges from becoming frayed and destroyed in the process. She didn’t look down, or at the small bundle that had occurred against her form, instead focusing on the area that she was still slicing through. It would do her no good to turn her attention away now and make a greater mistake. Trust you senses, not just your eyesight. It doesn’t feel damaged, so keep going. Once you’ve finished the outline, you can check for alternative damage, and smooth things out if needed.

[Sakura 0]

The scissors slipped beyond the end, the cutaway pieces falling to the ground as Aoi let the movement fall into exaggeration – a movement meant to preserve the final touch point of fabric on blade. She let out the breath she’d been holding, turning to see how Kaie had come along with the tools she’d requested. Her eyes passed over the area she’d been worried about, noting that a number of creases had appeared, and seeing that they were minor, but worth adjusting when she had the time to focus on it over getting the ends solidified for the next step.

’Oh, excellently done!’ Kaie had returned with a collection, piling them up quietly when Aoi’s attention had been diverted. Kaie had aligned them in an easy to access area just off to the side, but what truly caught Aoi’s attention was the fact that Kaie had grabbed more than just the felt tools that would be used to smooth the edges, but rather Kaie had grabbed a number of other tools that she had pointed out earlier who’s entire purpose was to finish the edges, and smooth out the few creases she’d created in the work already. ’I was just about to ask you for these as well, nice thinking, Kaie.’

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Post Action: Familiar Training
ID245639 | CD: [7/5] | Success [1/3]

Edited 47 minutes ago by Sakura

[Sakura 0]

Aoi took a collection of tools and began smoothing out the edges, cutting away the hanging threads that had remained and ensuring that the ones behind them were still tucked away nicely. She prepared them for the final edging they’d receive – a collection of sewing methods that would cover and seal away any chance for them to escape beyond their emplacement – and looked along the various points in its shape to ensure she didn’t miss any major imperfections. Only once she was content with the condition of the edging did she look inwards, smoothing out creases that had begun to show and settle themselves into the central areas of the design, using a combination of tools to flatten them out and return the cloth to a more pliable shape. Silence had fallen over the pair as she worked, Kaie watching from the side with intent and interest in its figure.

’We want to ensure no crease remains that isn’t part of the design, otherwise it could affect the overall finished product. Though it may seem simple, a half-fold or partial crease could change the overall shape, size and fitting of whatever we’re making. Enough of an imperfection could leave it entirely unwearable for the individual using it.’ She took a portion of her own sleeve, folding it over until it pinched against her digital arm, in order to show Kaie what she meant. ’If I had miscalculated the circumference of this shirt, as an example, my arm may no longer fit through it – making it impossible to put on or take off as I needed.’

[Sakura 0]

A slight beeping, as well as a shift in Kaie’s body was the only response she received. Everything about the small robotic figure appeared to suggest it was intent and focused on whatever it was she was doing – not that Kaie had any complaints. She knew that the more attention Kaie played, the more likely it was that they would remember everything that she was working to teach them.

’What we’re going to do next is to actually sew the edgings closed, to ensure that the thread is contained and can’t flow outwards and away. It’s a simple enough process, though a bit repetitive. We’ll need a needle, some lining thread, a thimble for myself, and perhaps a few small needle pliers in case I need to retract anything.’ She leaned passed Kaie, reaching for a collection of the materials and tools she’d need, all the while the small robot moved around her and grabbed those few items within its reach that Aoi hadn’t yet procured. She smiled to herself as Kaie delivered them to her small work table, setting them down and realigning them so that they were separated and easier to grab. ’Thanks, Kaie. That helps a lot actually…that way I’m not reaching for things and getting entangled.’

[Sakura 0]

A collection of chirps and beeps erupted from Kaie, and it gave a small wiggle of its form in what Aoi recognised as some sort of celebratory dance movement. She found herself laughing at the entire show, and quickly moved to try and appease the robot’s clear excitement at the situation. ’Yes, yes, you’re doing great here. We’re not done yet though, and there’s still lots to learn – so don’t get too ahead of yourself, got it?’

The chirps repeated, though this time slightly less enthusiastically, and Kaie settled down beside her again with a motion that showed its intent to watch and learn. Aoi threaded the needle, moving slow to show Kaie how to complete the action. She pointed to a second set, and informed them that once they were certain they understood the sewing pattern, they could prepare the next needle and thread that Aoi would need for finishing touches. She exaggerated her movements slightly as she began threading the needle through the cloth’s edges, explaining the minimal distance she was keeping and the importance of it all. Kaie simply watched, unmoving aside from some minor shifts to allow its singular lens to follow her movements.

[Sakura 0]

Silence fell between the two of them as Aoi continued her work, the needle passing through cloth and the subsequent sound of thread rubbing against thread the only thing that broke the quiet that covered the work area. She found an almost peaceful lull passing over herself, and smiled at the simplicity of the entire situation. It wasn’t often that she was given the chance to work in such a manner, not since she’d entered Aincrad, at least. Everything had felt chaotic for so long, as she fought to find a way to survive and thrive. Even in the last few weeks, where she’d begun to see a routine become a reality, and the various changes that had occurred in her own experiences. Now, though, it felt like she was relaxing into everything finally, letting it become normal.

Not so normal that you let this become your life, though. She didn’t need the reminder thought. Not that she could stop it from developing within her mind. She knew all too well that she couldn’t get too comfortable, couldn’t become used to the world that was Aincrad, lest she find her drive to escape diminishing. Shaking her head, Aoi forced her focus back on the work in her hands, deciding that there was no point in focusing on the future until it came to a point where it couldn’t be avoided anymore.

[Sakura 0]

’Here, let’s get you to cut this.’ Aoi held out the thread that she had been working on, the final tie on it done and the remainder needing to be severed to allow it to fully seal away the edging. ’Cut it as close as you can to the fabric, without damaging the product itself. We want to ensure that it’s secure, but we also don’t need a large piece hanging off – we’ll deal with any extra a bit later, but for now let’s just disconnect this piece.’

Kaie moved into motion, the movements of its form both quick and controlled as it closed in towards the thread she held outwards for it. The blades at the forefront of its form lowered themselves before slashing across the thread, severing it quickly and smoothly in order to leave behind only the smallest piece of reminder that she had been sewing it at all. Content with the work thus far, Aoi nodded and smiled down at Kaie, placing the thread and needle that remained back onto the main countertop.

’Next we’re going to some embellishment. I’ll have you watch for this, because it’s not really a two person job. Though I’m sure there’s going to be some things I’ll need you to grab from time to time.’

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Post Action: Familiar Training
ID245640 | CD: [5/5] | Success [2/3]

Edited 5 minutes ago by Sakura

[Sakura 0]

Another series of confirming beeps, and Kaie settled alongside the form that Aoi had settled onto the main countertop. She glanced around, considering the embellishments that she wanted to include in the piece – functional, as well as eye catching was the name of the game in this design, and she found herself at a loss for a few seconds. That was, until her eyes settled upon a nearby stamp that contained the clear imprints of various small metallic plates. No more than a few millimetres in size, the plates could be grouped together to create patterns, while also boosting the overall toughness of the cloth’s integrity in the areas that they were placed.

’This will do nicely, I think…now just to figure out what to create…’ She flipped through a collection of quick drawings, using a nearby sketch pad to outline her ideas. Beeps echoed from Kaie’s form as the robot agreed or disagreed with ideas, and she found herself smiling slightly as they worked together on the item. Team work. That’s what this is…we’re working as a team to create something that both of us can be proud to display to the world…I wonder what the final product will look like when we put both of our minds and ideas together.