[PP - F1] <<Secret Medicine of the Forest>> (Baldur & Tyger)

[Baldur 0]

"Ow!" Baldur cried out as the boar tried to gut him with its tusk. He tried to move out of the way, but it still caught him in the leg. Regaining his balance quickly, he stared the creature down. It's wicked tusks looked almost menacing as they curled up from its snout.

 

"You pig! I don't care horny you are!"

 

Baldur brought his saber through the pig in an upward slash, landing a solid blow on the boar as the blue light trail faded behind the blade. The pig's health dropped into the red, but it wasn't quite enough to finish it off. 

 

"Get'em babe! When this is done, we're gonna roast him over a spit and throw a party!"

 

---

 

[iD: 8472 BD: 10] Hits for 5 DMG

 

Lessa: 46/46
Baldur: 10/11
Tyger: 11/11

Boar 1: 2/10
Boar 2: 3/10 

[Tyger 0]

Tyger's cheeks flushed a deep red when she got the compliment from Lessa. A higher level, front lines player was complimenting her? She, Tyger, walker in Baldur's shadow, was being complimented? Her body filled with this static energy that flitted around joyously, glad she'd been able to do something right. So, of course, when the boar had attacked Baldur, she finally had something to direct those feelings towards. Her blade glew as she charged up her sword, aiming for the boar closest to her. With a yell, she charged forward, holding her scimitar low until the last moment. Her blade shot up in an instant, creating a neat curve in the boar. It's mouth opened, and before it could let out a squeal, it exploded into shards.

 

Tyger held her sword out in front of her, almost startled by the finishing blow. She glanced over her shoulder at Lessa and Baldur, before fumbling around to face the next boar, just in case it went to attack her. 

 

"One more left!"

 

ID 8505, BD 9, LD 20

 

Lessa: 46/46
Baldur: 10/11
Tyger: 11/11 (Deals 4 Damage)

Boar 1: 2/10
Boar 2: 0/10 (Drops 2 mats, 50 Col) 

[Lessa 1]

The horny comment brought a smile to Lessa's battle-worn features. Though the game had stolen much from her, she had not been robbed of her dark and occasionally inappropriate sense of humor. Even the front-liner could not help but appreciate the well-timed innuendo.

"Excellent recovery, Baldur," the more experienced player praised, growing more at ease with each passing moment. The players were demonstrating that they understood the game mechanics, and that they could handle themselves quite well. It was refreshing, and a pleasure to watch.

These two would make excellent Guardians, came a sudden thought. The guild leader's smile grew as she stored the notion away; she would ask them at a more appropriate time.

Next, she turned her attention on the female player. "Fantastic technique!" the blonde called out. "And very nice job remembering the second boar. A lot of players forget that the battle isn't over with the first kill."

With a metallic hiss, Lessa sheathed her heavy claymore. "Baldur, why don't you go again. The boar is almost dead, and you can use the experience and loot far more than I can."

[Baldur 0]

Baldur nodded at Lessa's words and rushed over to the boar from behind, while its attention was focused on Lessa. Bringing his saber in a powerful doward arc of blue light, Baldur cried out with a smile on his face:

 

"Pork CHOP!"

The blade sliced through the mob and a second later it exploded into luminous shards of polygons and evaporated into the ether. He looked around for a moment and then sheathed his sword. Now that combat was over, he turned to Lessa and smiled.

 

"Thanks! We really appreciate the help... and the encouragement."

 

Did... did he see a bit of a smile on her face? It almost looked like some light was trying to force itself way out of the darkness that had given her such a stoic face. Just what had this girl been through? Baldur figured that the frontier was probably much more dangerous and wild, but that didn't shake his determination in the least. He had Tyger with him, and they could do anything together.

 

---

[iD: 9174 BD: 8 LD 11 MD 5]

 

Lessa: 46/46
Baldur: 10/11 Deals 5 DMG
Tyger: 11/11 

Boar 1: 0/10 - drops 50 col & 1 mat
 

[Tyger 0]

"Thanks!"

 

Another compliment from Lessa fueled Tyger even more, but at this point, there was nothing else to truly fight. The last boar would be easily dispatched by Lessa, so there wasn't much cause for concern. However, she'd stepped down to let Baldur finish off the pig. Tyger watched with careful eyes as Baldur dispatched the final boar. It exploded and disappeared, so she sheathed her sword at her side and rejoined the duo to speak about what had happened. She assumed Lessa would probably have some big secret to make these things go quicker, or even some training advice so they could slowly rise in rank in this game. However, when she turned to approach, she could tell that the girl, Lessa, was smiling. It was a nice change from the stoic girl they'd met under the tree merely minutes before. 

 

"Thanks for the encouragement! We haven't really seen any high level players, so we never thought any of them would be nice enough to help out a couple of lowbies like ourselves."

 

She bowed her head in thanks to the blonde woman in front of her, and then raised her head back up with a smile. 

 

"Wasn't sure if we'd make any friends in the game after the whole announcement. Kinda puts a damper on things. But hey, I guess we got lucky, eh?"

 

Tyger wasn't much of a social person back in the real world, and much preferred the introverted lifestyle. She was truly worried she'd never make any friends, but she already considered Lessa a friend. She'd helped both she and Baldur out, and was even willing to take on a low level, simple quest. Tyger often stuck her neck out for friends back in the real world, so she felt like she and Lessa would get along just fine.

[Lessa 1]

The Guardian nodded slightly, some of the joy draining from her face. Many months had passed since the announcement, but the thought of it still had an effect on her. That had been the day she had been ripped from her family, her home, and the life she had known. It had been the day she had met her best friend, but he was now gone too. Lessa grimaced, running a hand through her long, blonde hair.

"That was a tough day," she admitted, willing her eyes to stop revealing the pain she felt. They were there too. They experienced it just like you did, scolded her voice of reason. And perhaps it was wrong to continue to dwell on an event that took place so long ago. There was nothing that they could do about it at this point, except beat the game. And crying about the harsh reality of their new lives would not clear floors. But when Lessa glanced back up at the faces of the fresh, eager players, another thought flooded her mind and pierced her heart. No, you did not experience it the way they did. They still have each other. You have no one.

The woman's features hardened, and though she offered a small smile, it seemed distant and detached somehow. "You both did really well, and you should be proud of yourselves. But, unfortunately, not all monsters will be as weak as these boars. As you move up the floors, enemies will become stronger, faster, and smarter. I'd really like to see you both pick up better armor, if you can. If you need help picking things up, or paying for them, please let me know."

[Baldur 0]

Baldur felt his own emotions falling when he saw that forlorn look bury the smile she had on her face. He hated seeing hopelessness. It was his antithesis. it was the one thing he could never give in to, or abide. Baldur stood a little straighter and reached out to place a hand on Lessa's shoulder. He didn't know if there were any words he could offer her than age old platitudes, and he didn't know her well enough to know if they would help or not. For some they were a source of wisdom and courage, and for others they were impersonal and hollow.

 

"We won't give up." He gave her shoulder a very light, hopefully reassuring squeeze, "And neither should you. We can't thank you enough for your help today." He gestured with his right hand, encompassing himself and Tyger.

 

"You've really helped us today. And we will do as you say. Maybe Tyger really will pick up blacksmithing. With me to help her with mats, we should be able to stay well geared. And we will take the lessons you've shown us today to heart."

 

He tried to offer her a reassuring smile, and looked to Tyger for a moment with a glance that encouraged her to follow his lead.

[Tyger 0]

Well crap.

 

Tyger hadn't meant to send Lessa back into whatever dark world she lived in day to day. No, in fact, Tyger was really really not attempting that. But, unfortunately, she saw the smile fade from Lessa's face, and Baldur immediately began to try and cheer her up. A twinge of jealously sparked for a moment, but subsided. She considered Lessa a friend, not a threat. But, with so many things to think about, one could easily get swallowed up into one of them. Tyger took a step forward and used the opposite hand Baldur had to put a hand on her other shoulder, mirroring Baldur before he had even thought to give her the look to 'follow.' 

 

"For real. You've been ridiculously helpful, where I wasn't sure we'd find any. We could quite possibly owe you our lives, which we may never really be able to repay you for."

 

She squeezed Lessa's shoulder and then put her hands on her hips when Baldur spoke about Blacksmithing.

 

"Yeah, I think it'd be fun! We could even stay on this floor and help out lower level players once we start getting in upper levels, too."

 

Tyger grinned, and crossed her arms. 

 

"And we're the type to help out players too. When we're able to, i'm sure we'll be passing along the assistance. Thanks for giving us a good start."

[Baldur 0]

Baldur rubbed his chin and looked over at Lessa, "So this quest you were talking about. What's the requirement to complete it?"

 

Tyger and he had spent most of their time to this point fighting boars, or whatever wolves had pushed into the starter plains as well. They had also dealt with a handful of Kobolds, but he wouldn't want to press his luck against more of those. They were pretty fierce little monsters, and since they were more 'sentient' than the animals they fought, they seemed to have the ability to learn when fighting against players. They were also able to use sword skills, and that made them even more deadly. They had Lessa here, so he doubted there was really much risk, but they were going to have to get a handle on quests eventually, and they couldn't lean on a higher level player forever or they would never get anywhere.

 

"Whatever it is, I'm sure we're ready for it!"

[Lessa 1]

The girl with the golden hair shook her head, a small smile etched across her pale pink lips. "Its nothing like that," she countered softly. "You two have done incredibly well. To be honest, I really don't think you needed me along at all." Reaching up to rub the bridge of her nose, she added, "but this has been a lot of fun, so thank you for having me along."

 

A gentle breeze swept through the small meadow where the threesome resided. Eyelids sheathed blue pools as the girl withdrew into herself for a moment. The smells, the sounds, the sensation of the wind kissing her bare skin; it was all so familiar to her. She had experienced this same feeling so many times, and yet, this was different. I'm a different person now, she mused silently. But sometimes, I'm not sure how much I've really changed. Some things may never change, no matter how badly I wish they would. And I wonder if there will ever be a way around that.

 

"Alright," Lessa announced finally. Her eyes opened, and motioned to Baldur and Tyger. "Won't be too much further." A quick glance at her map revealed that the blooming flower icon was nearby. "I should have you both back by nightfall."

 

She led, and the couple followed closely behind. After only ten more minutes of walking, accompanied by brief, innocent small-talk, a series of vines suddenly burst from the ground only a few paces away. "There you are," she muttered. With a reassuring smile to the two lower-leveled players, she added, "after you."

 

Little Nepent 1: 11/11

Little Nepent 2: 11/11

(Each Little Nepent deals a base 2 damage.)

[Baldur 0]

[iD: 9973 BD: 3+1=4] Miss

 

Baldur's eyes lingered on Lessa's for a moment. He could tell that she was hurting, and some part of him wanted to reach out and help her, but he kept silent. It wasn't his place, and they had only just met. He should not presume to know her or understand her problems. If she wanted help, she could ask, so as much as it hurt him, he kept his silence.

 

When they got to the place where two Little Nepents spawned, Baldur drew his saber and looked at Tyger and Lessa, "Here we go!"

 

He charged one of the giant plant creatures, slashing at it with his sword, but the vines it swung at him were stronger than expected and it deflected his blade and halted his charge.

 

---

<<Baldur>> 10/11

<<Tyger>>

<<Lessa>>

 

 

Little Nepent 1: 11/11

Little Nepent 2: 11/11

[Tyger 0]

Accompanying Lessa, even with the small talk, monotonous boar slaying (which had become their life now) and avoiding stronger mobs, it was actually really fun. Tyger felt as though Lessa would have been someone she would've gotten along with in the real world. She seemed down to earth, despite the game, even though she did seem a bit sad. But, of course, who knew what Lessa had really seen on the upper floors? She'd probably lost countless friends. Tyger wasn't about to judge. 

 

"Thanks, but help is always welcome. Besides, the more the merrier, right? Strength in numbers and all that jazz."

 

Tyger chuckled, elbowing Lessa playfully. However, before she could continue to joke around, the little plant creatures Lessa had been talking about before had appeared. Whether they were the ones for the quest or not... Tyger wasn't sure. But, they had been invited to attack first. So, naturally, Tyger followed after Baldur. Where he'd missed, Tyger made up for with a critical stab on the first little Nepent.

 

ID 10407, BD 9 (3+1=4)

 

<<Baldur>> 10/11

<<Tyger>> 11/11

<<Lessa>>

 

 

Little Nepent 1: 7/11

Little Nepent 2: 11/11

[Baldur 0]

Following up Tyger's hit, Baldur rushed in and tried to trim the plant monster with his saber. The vines it flailed about with were able to parry his blows, but Baldur was more persistent this time since it had changed it's focus to Tyger. His cape whirling behind him, Baldur spun and slashed at the <<Little Nepent>> it's flower like head being thrown back and a sharp whine of pain eminating from... somewhere... as Baldur then spun away to avoid any reprisal, but Tyger was not so lucky. What must be it's main vine, since it had thorns on it, lashed out at Tyger and struck her, her HP flashed and dropped down, but only one or two more hits would be enough to finish this creature off.

 

Glancing over his shoulder, Baldur saw that Lessa was easily holding the other mob at bay, and watching them with an encouraging smile, though he could still see a touch of worry at the corner of her eyes.

 

---

[iD: 11965 BD: 5+1=6 MD: 7]

 

<<Baldur>> 10/11 HP - Hits for 3 DMG

<<Tyger>> 9/11 HP

<<Lessa>> 46/46 HP

 

<<Little Nephent #1>> 4/11 HP - Hits Tyger for 2 DMG

<<Little Nephent #2>> 11/11 HP

[Tyger 0]

The thorn whipped at Tyger's HP, and she let out a gasp. She still wasn't used to this whole 'not much pain' thing despite her life force in the game being drained. It was merely uncomfortable, at most. "Well that wasn't very nice..." She murmured, eyeing the plant angrily. Instead of balking though, she charged forward to meet the plant once more with her blade. The HP fell until there was barely a sliver left. Baldur should be able to finish it. Looking over her shoulder, she checked on Lessa, who was doing just fine against the plant creature.

 

[iD: 12038 BD: 5+1=6]

 

<<Baldur>> 10/11 HP

<<Tyger>> 9/11 HP - Hits for 3 DMG

<<Lessa>> 46/46 HP

 

<<Little Nephent #1>> 4/11 HP - Hits Tyger for 2 DMG

<<Little Nephent #2>> 11/11 HP

[Baldur 0]

Baldur saw Tyger land a solid blow and he quickly followed her in, trying to land the last hit. He had heard from other players that if you got the last hit you sometimes got a better item. And at this level, they needed all the good items they could get! Dodging around the whirling vines, Baldur's saber slashed into the Nephent's main stalk, but while the already red HP dropped, there as still just a TINY LITTLE sliver of HP left.

 

Groaning as he danced away to a safe distance, Baldur cried out, "Damn thing probably only has 1 HP left! Ugh!"

 

He then smiled as he waited for Tyger to finish the creature off while he covered her.

 

---

[iD: 12067 BD: 7 MD:4]

 

<Baldur>> 10/11 HP - Hits for 3 DMG

<<Tyger>> 9/11 HP 

<<Lessa>> 46/46 HP - fighting with Nephent #2

 

<<Little Nephent #1>> 1/11 HP - Misses

<<Little Nephent #2>> 11/11 HP - fighting with Lessa

[Tyger 0]

"Awww, C'mon!"

 

Tyger whined, pointing her sword at the ridiculously small sliver of HP that the plant monster had. She mugged at Baldur for a moment, practically dumbfounded that had truly happened. 

 

"Guess i'll just have to clean up this mess..."

 

She grumbled, dashing forward to slam her sword into the stalk of the plant like a baseball bat. With a resounding crack the hit broke the stalk and the creature immediately crumpled into a pile of leaves and vine. It's body shortly disappeared after, leaving a material and a strange vial. Upon inspection, it was the Secret Medicine of their quest!

 

"Hey, this is useful!"

 

Tyger held it up for Baldur to see. She passed a glance at Lessa's Nepent, which was disappearing at this point as well.

 

[iD: 12199 BD: 10]

 

<Baldur>> 10/11 HP - Hits for 5 DMG

<<Tyger>> 9/11 HP 

<<Lessa>> 46/46 HP 

 

<<Little Nephent #1>> 0/11 HP - Drops 1 Mat - Drops Secret Medicine

<<Little Nephent #2>> 0/11 HP

[Baldur 0]

Baldur smiled as they finished off the <<Little Nephent>> and picked up the quest reward. It certainly would have been tougher without Lessa helping them, but now that they had the item they could complete the quest.

 

"Alright! Way to go! Now we just have to take this back to the quest NPC, right?" Putting his sword away, he swiped down with his right hand in order to call up the UI. Moving uncertainly through it, he called up the map.

 

"Looks like he's over at that village Horunka." Baldur rubbed his chin while he looked over how to get there.

 

Holding his hand up to shade his eyes against the late afternoon sun, he scanned around the floor to get his barrings.

 

"I think if we follow the edge of the forest, the second road we get to will lead us to Horunka. Come on!"

 

With a smile and a wave, Baldur led them off to turn in their quest.

[Tyger 0]

Tyger followed Baldur, with Lessa in tow. Excited for their first quest, Tyger bumped Baldur's hip with her own. 

 

"I think we did pretty good, especially with Lessa's help! We rocked our first quest."

 

She held her hand out for a high five, but moved it at the last second so Baldur wouldn't hit her hand.

 

"Besides, it can't be too hard to get to the village. And, i'm sure we'll get our bearings soon. We were around the forests edge our first day out adventuring, when we found those wolves and Kobolds. Remember?"

 

Aaaah, good times. And by good times, she meant terrifying, nerve wracking first days. 

[Baldur 0]

Baldur smiled when Tyger bumped his hip with hers and he gave an exaggerated hip bump back, just like they often would in the real world. It had been a bizarre few days, but they had managed to triumph and even make a new friend along the way. He reached out and took her hand in his as they walked.

 

"I think we did really good as well! We're gonna get the hang of this, and then before you know it, we'll be walking hand in hand on the 100th floor!"

 

He smiled and squeezed her hand in his gently.

 

"You especially were really good today! I was impressed! You really rocked those boars and the planet monster!"

[Tyger 0]

"Yeah, I think we did do pretty awesome."

 

Tyger agreed, smiling when Baldur's hand met hers. 

 

"Made a new friend, killed some monsters, and just rocked it out there."

 

Baldur's compliment made her blush a bit, and she shrugged. 

 

"Meh, everybody hits hard at low level. Pretty soon you'll be damaging circles around me. I just got lucky is all."

 

It was still nice to be recognized, so Tyger would give Baldur that.