[SP-F6] <<Earning A Living>> (Alchemy)

[Haine 0]

Haine sighed as she placed her hands behind her head, looking up at the sky. "So I've been seeing all these shops lately... they're kinda cool! I wonder if players even bother starting their own. They'd probably be busy panicking about the death game... am I the only one who's not? I mean, I'm kind of trapped in my own fantasy adventure! It's pretty cool ya' know? But anyways, I'm thinking... that these shops are run by NPC's. Come to think of it, I've never visited shops that often. Plus I'm free today! I'll treat myself to something!" A bakery sign had caught Haine's attention, causing a smile to spread on her face. "Mmm, pastries! Hope it's not pricey." Her eyes would read an open sign in bright blue, which was plastered in front of the shops window. There was a glass class that would display faux pastry decors, and everything looked so tempting. Without a moment to hesitate, the bluenette stepped into the shop, jumping slightly as a ringing bell was heard from behind her. A young lady with bright pink hair would peek her head out from a door at the backroom, a smile on her face. "Ah, welcome adventurer! Nice seeing new faces. Have a look around, we've got fresh goodies in stock. Just baked them this mornin'!" she'd nod, before disappearing once more, to tend to a cake that was baking in the oven.

 

Haine would chew on her lip as she'd eye all the sweetened delicacies, it sure did ace the tempting part. Heck she was getting cavities by looking at it all. All kinds of things were placed neatly inside class showcases and containers, a few jars of classic candy set on shelves. They had everything... donuts, cookies, cakes, scones, even more than that. She'd glance over the counter as the lady walked out, a cookie tray placed in her arms. She'd laugh at the bluenette's mouth watered expression, gently twisting a cookie with her gloved hands, offering it to the adventurer. "Free of charge, it's a sample!" Haine accepted the cookie with a smile and scarfed it down quickly, a gap escaping her lips afterwards. "Gosh, this is great! How much do they cost?" The lady would place a finger to her chin and think for a brief moment. "Weelll... 1,200-ish. For a bag of those good sized ones." Haine would shrug slightly. "Not bad, good job on those. I'll pass this time, maybe I'll stop by sometime later." she grinned.

 

Haine noticed an exclamation point symbol appearing in front of the lady's head as she'd wave goodbye. "Earning A Living". Perhaps this excellent cook had been one of the quest prompters. The bluenette shook her head and waved back with a grin, walking off to look at the other shops that awaited her.

[Haine 0]

Haine spotted a bright glowing light to the right, causing her to glance towards the direction. Squinting her eyes, she could make out some sign that hung over a shop. Something like... "Resonant Melodies." Out of curiosity she stepped inside of the shop, peering around intently. An NPC boy probably a little older than her was playing the piano in one corner, a littler girl singing into a crystal. She stood there awkwardly, watching the two doing their own things. They'd both look at Haine's direction and look away to finish their shop. Haine looked around, gazing at all the pretty jewels. Well they all looked EXACTLY the same, but had different songs recorded into them. The bluenette would see the song names labeled on the stands, humming some of the ones she knew.

 

"I'm going to the back, big bro." the small girl spoke quietly, bowing to the older man and walking off. With a sigh, he would nod and stand up from his stool, walking over to the blue haired adventurer who was busy dazing all around with an awe filled expression. "See anything you like, just tell me and I'll send it through." Haine nodded with a smile and poked at a crystal which read 'Lacie's Melody'. "Oh, you have this song! I used to play it all the time on my piano back home... and this one too. 'Kiss... The Rain'." The shopkeeper gently smiled. "You have a good taste in music, young one." Haine had always showed interest in music, and back in the real world, that was all she'd do. But now that she was in the death game, melodies and instruments were rendered useless in meaning to her survival. Haine had gotten close to considering a performers profession, but opted to staying on the frontlines instead. But now she was free as hell, and there wasn't anything tying her down. At the moment maybe...? Who knows what could come in the future.

 

"Ah, these crystals are pricey! I was taking a look around, and I'm kinda broke at the moment." Haine noted, noticing that available quest icon on top of his head. "Very well then. See you sometime, young adventurer." He would wave with a small smile, before going to the backroom to check on the small girl who was tending to the stock items. Haine nodded and walked out, glancing at the other shops ahead of her.

[Haine 0]

A clanking noise caused Haine to glance ahead at a Blacksmith's shop. All kinds of metal-like noises would cause her ears to ring irritably. But of course, a smithy's job was to tinker away. "Why not give them a visit? I repaired my katana a while back, but maybe a little looking won't hurt. Just don't blow all your money up, Haine!" After scolding herself, she pushed the shop door open, to be greeted with an even louder clanking noise. Her eyes would stay set on an elder blacksmith, who was fixing up some pots and whatnot with his hammer. He would quickly rush to a sword base, pouring a hot burning liquid inside of it to rest. After doing so, he wiped some sweat from his forehead, scurrying to greet the customer. "A-Ah. Welcome, young adventurer! As you can see, I'm in a hurry. There's plenty on the shelves, feel free to look around." With that he continued to work. "This one's an NPC still... I don't see a cursor! He looks awful stressed... for someone who doesn't technically exist. My word, what am I in? The matrix?! Ironically, it can be a little true here."

 

Her eyes would widen in awe as she took the time to look at the swords which were hung neatly. A few of the prized possessions were in glass cases, at a high price. But everything looked so neat! Long swords, battle axes, everything! Her eyes would glow excitedly at the katana's in display. Of course, not a single one had been as unique looking as hers. For crying out loud, Haine wasn't kidding when she said 'galaxy theme'. The bluenette sure was tempted to blow a few thousand col by upgrading swords, but in the end she'd miraculously resisted the urge. "I should walk out now... before I start buying things."  With a nod, she waved goodbye and walked out. There weren't any shops different nearby, so Haine took a little longer to work her way around, stopping at a tailor's shop.

[Haine 0]

"YOU HORRENDOUS EXCUSE FOR A HUMAN BEING! You waste all my materials just to make THIS lousy thing?! Unbelievable!" a high pitched voice would shriek. Then a lower one would stutter. "I-I'm sorry! Give me another chance, I'll stitch together the best tunic the world has ever seen!" "Hmph, you better." Haine's ears twitched at the ruckus which was coming from a tailoring shop. She'd slowly approach the doorstep, to peek into the room, observing an older NPC woman lecturing an apprentice tailor. The NPC woman peered at the girl with blue hair who was watching from the door, huffing in response. "I won't bite, come in ya' wuss! Grandma has something for your pretty little self. It's just this hopeless little-" Haine gave her a 'would you mind' look before stepping into the shop, glancing at all the racks of clothing that was on display. There were little sections for leather and cloth material armor, and another area for basic apparel. A particular white frock caught Haine's attention, causing her golden eyes to beam in excitement. She quickly snagged the dress, taking the time to study it. A cream white color, with a ribbon that ties around the back. It had frills and was trimmed with a floral lace, pretty much the perfect 'non combat' thing she'd wear. Biting her lip, Haine walked up to a mirror and held it over her, posing whilst at it. 

 

Her eyes would look down to scan a pop up price tag, which had a lovely description and the price in a bright, big, green. Heck, a couple thousand col... too pricey! "Hmm, you like that one? I find a lot of female characters everyday, they hunt down those cute clothes. Instead of the durable armor, can ya' believe that?" Haine glared at the price tag before placing the dress back onto it's rack, glancing at the old lady. "Well, armor is something you can buy at once. Unless some players make a fortune and run their own designer armor collection. But buying casual clothes isn't really needed now. I'm saving up my col for something neat! Never know when you come across those theme floors way up there. Galaxy themed light saber katana's!" Haine took a brief moment to imagine something like that, before drifting back to reality and shaking her head. "I wish." "You talk a lot. Repeat that please?" The shy apprentice girl would stutter as she held up a finished beige tunic, with drawstrings to add some flare. Haine had to admit it was a little bit rushed and sloppy, but decent enough for an apprentice.

 

The teenager would tuck a strand of her blue hair behind her ear, smiling warmly at the girl. "It's great! Can you show me how you make things around here? I'd like to see you in action," Haine encouraged her a little, overriding all the woman's crude lectures with some praising. "S-Sure! F-First I pick out some materials from the back...- just a second miss!" The petite player would dash off into the backroom, returning with a powder blue roll of cloth, a few gems, and lacy ribbon. "First I measure and cut..." the apprentice would go on, explaining the steps, until a simple blue top was created. The old woman nodded in approval. "Not bad, not bad! Hah, you missed a stitch woman. Redo that part!" Haine would laugh in a quieted voice, before turning on her heels to exit the shop. Before doing so, she waved a friendly goodbye to the girl, before shooting her a thumbs up. "Well holy heck, that old woman is crazy. But nice for an NPC!"

[Haine 0]

Haine noticed an artisans shop nearby and glanced at the shop door, shrugging as she saw the 'closed' sign in bright red. "I've been to an artisans shop before. This girl named Yuka, she crafted my amulet! I wonder how she's doing now..." she sighed curiously, before shaking her head and noticing a foul smell somewhere around the area. "What the heck?" Haine raised a brow in response, making her way up to an alchemist's shop, it had seemed. "To be honest, I don't think I've ever been to shops of this profession. I thought these things were kinda useless, but boy am I wrong! Let's see what they have here, and how it's made." She tried to cut down a bit with the dramatizing tone in her head, with a smug smile to replace it.

 

Haine opened the shop door to see an NPC character, who was brewing up a storm. He rushed over to a beaker and dropped in a few ingredients, turning the notch on to see how things would end up. With a grin, he'd watch as a green vile would appear, causing him to add in a little more of those ingredients to it. Well... that didn't go well at all! Dark green goo would fly out of the pot and land everywhere, causing the bluenette to raise a brow at the antsy NPC shopkeeper. But besides that, her eyes would drift off to take a look at all the other things the shop had to offer. Really, it made her wonder what kind of effects these potions had on them.

[Haine 0]

There was all kinds of things stacked up on the shelves, so many effects to choose from. Some nifty paralysis effects, battle healing, power enhancers, these things were golden! "Gee, wish I had enough money for all that! But... I don't- don't you even think about it Haine!" the teenager shook her head and gently pinched her skin to avoid the temptations, inhaling in the odd smell of brewery. The shopkeeper would notice her eyeing everything silently, and he would scratch the back of his head in response. "Ah, hello young adventurer! Please take a look around! If you have any questions about the products or anything to order, catch me at the front desk."For a brief moment, her eyes would stay locked on a stocked shelf, before widening momentarily. Maybe she could find out about the art of alchemy. Haine had enough time for playing around like this, so what did she have to lose regardless?

 

Making her way to the shopkeeper she nod and clear her throat. The quest buttons were seen on top of his head, so she figured out that she'd be able to ask about 'the art', and things alike. "Hmm, I saw you making that grey goop earlier. How do you do that exactly...?" Haine recollected her thoughts and kept that inquiring look on her face, trying not to laugh from his epic failure. "W-Well, black goop in that case, wasn't what I wanted it to be. But you'd like to know how to make something proper? I'll show you." he offered, waiting for her reply.

[Haine 0]

Haine nodded in response, crossing her folding her arms together as she followed him to a table, where she assumed he made his potion-like substances at. Probably, there was other stations for different types of things - like crystals! "So, I'll just make one of the most basic things ever. A healing potion, probably a few health though. But first, I'll gather a few materials. Now, it doesn't have to be tasty, necessarily. You throw in random stuff - as long as it actually seems like a medical healing aid. I wouldn't throw thorns into a potion if it's gonna heal me. Get what I'm saying?" he gathered up some nonsensical stashes of leaves and lay them down on the table. Haine drew a confused expression and snagged a couple leaves, holding them close up to her face. "Hmm, so I can make these out of stuff from my backyard? Neat!" the teenager would gasp in awe. The alchemist frowned and gently grabbed the leaves from her hand, and tossing them into a beaker, which had boiling water filled up, let's say... a few inches high? Or a bit less than that? "No, that is not stuff from your backyard, it's MINT." He corrected. Haine raised a brow. "And? My mom grows them in her backyard." He turned the knob on the beaker, giving her a polite smile. "Good for you ma'am." 

 

Haine rolled her eyes and looked across the table,finding some ready made substances, in test tubes. She scrunched her nose and picked up a blue colored vile, sniffing off of it when he was busy adding in other kinds of leaf looking things. "Uck! Is this safe for consumption?!" The NPC looked up at Haine and smiled, lifting a green vile off of the test tube stand. "It's an MMO after all, eh?" the bluenette shrugged in response, watching as he poured a small dosage of the substance into the solution, which was soon going to be some healing potion. "Now, be careful with these liquids. Usually a tad bit is pretty strong. Enough for this potion."

[Haine 0]

Haine watched the man finish up the simple solution, as he'd control the boiling temperature. "It looks like a fun thing to do. I mean, I'd like to have some battle aids. And I'm not exactly the richest person in Aincrad, as much as I'd like to be." "Ah, looks like we are done! Now I'll need to pour this into a bottle." the alchemist nodded and walked off, returning with a small and round glass bottle. "I like glass, plastic is less durable by the way." Haine would take his advice into mind, with a nod. Afterwards, he picked up the bottle and placed it in front of the bluenette. A pop up description tag would show up, noting the effects and substances inside of the potion. "That's pretty neat! I think I'll become an alchemist." Haine spoke, triggering a quest which the NPC had programmed. Earning A Living was it? Yeah, she did feel a little off for going with alchemy of all things, especially when music was everything to her.

 

When the pop up appeared, Haine hit the confirm button and grinned, watching intently as the NPC's system would setup, as if it were preparing for the quest. "So you'd like to become an alchemist?" The bluenette would say a small yes, thinking about those crystals. Just how in the world did they do things like that? Amazing was all she could think of. But now, she had a feeling that the 'lame' stuff was what she was starting out with. But everyone starts out as newbies, so she felt a little better about that.

[Haine 0]

"Okay then! We'll need to go harvest some materials first. I'll teach ya the art of picking herbs. And things alike!" He went off in a strange laugh, she wasn't sure if he was trying to pull off the jolly good man in a red suit, or not... but that was a disturbing thought right there. Haine nodded, stepping aside from the counter entrance so he could move. "So, I need you to go outside of town and pick me - six or seven types of alchemy ingredients. Remember, it can be anything. A few rare stones, ingredients from mobs... herbs, think of a witches pot. But be more realistic. There, that is all! You are dismissed, young adventurer! When you get back, I'll make you train with those. If you ever run out of ingredients, I have some in stock." He dusted his hands and waved at Haine, watching as she'd grin excitedly. 

 

"Gotcha! I'll be back in a jiffy, with somethings... I'll get some healing things and poison ones too. I really wonder what those poison vile's are like. I'll test a few out on some mobs after this!" With a wave, the blue haired teenager would turn on her heels to exit the shop. "Hmm, well I gave myself something to do. But I gotta hurry already!" She looked around the area, eyeing a few passing pedestrians who were engaging in friendly conversations. A smirk grew on her face as she'd sprint out of town swiftly, making her way towards the outskirts of town. Or maybe even a bit farther than that.

[Haine 0]

Haine would observe the atmosphere changing before her eyes as she'd walk by. The small and cozy village setting was replaced with a jungle-like atmosphere. Trees and vines would hand all over the place, and Haine would let out a sigh. "That was helpful, geez. So do I just start picking leaves off of things? Well, not exactly-" gazing to her right, a more open field with a few shrubs was seen. "Bingo! Let's see this!" The bluenette eagerly approached a shrub of strange looking greens. It didn't seem edible, at all, but unique. Right beside it was a bunch of exotic looking flowery plants, with a little twist to them. The biggest thorns you could ever see on a small plant, and a prickly feeling on the petals. It was bright pink and cute, until you got up close. "Th-think I should get these ones." Haine unsheathed her katana and swung at the sturdy vines of the plant, picking it up gently to observe it. Well bad luck, those ones were wilting away. Or something like that, since it looked anything but healthy to her. "Man, guess I'll need to check out the other thorn flower things around here. Kind of stupid how I don't have a pocket knife at hand..."

 

ID: 11534

LOOT DICE: 1 (EPIC FAIL!)

[Haine 0]

Haine scanned through the patches of bright rose colored flowers. Those kind of ones again, the thorny vicious ones. Haine grinned and grabbed the stem of the flower, using up some strength to have a go at the plant. But there was a small problem... it was being irritably stubborn. And in the process, one of the plant's thorns ended up piercing into her thumb. With a yelp, the bluenette pulled her hand back and shook it response. Wincing, she glanced at the leaf of a plant and tore it off, wiping off her wound and tossing the leaf aside. Studying the rosy plant, Haine would notice those dark spots and fading colors on the patch. Perhaps it wasn't exactly the individual things she picked up that were in a horrendous condition, but the whole thing itself. Snatching her katana, Haine walked off towardst another patch of the same plant type, in hopes that it'd be a little more different from the current luck she had.

 

ID: 11920

LD: 8

[Haine 0]

Haine shook her head and tried her luck again on the patch of those bizarre looking plants. Pretty and pink hued yet deadly... looked like a poison prop to her. I don't care if I go through freaking fifteen of these, as much as it sounds. I'll find some cool materials to bring back because I'm not crafting pointless stuff. It's like making poison with freaking grass and tap water. Well could work as a poison ingredient if you live in-" she cut off her train of thoughts to focus on finishing the task she had been given. Starting nonsensical mental arguments was not going to get the job done, sadly enough. Haine swung her katana around lightly whilst leaning down to inspect the patch. There it was! The brightest flower of the bunch. The deadliest too, those thorns had some kind of ooze dripping down it. Interesting huh? But she kept her suspicions and stirred clear from touching those parts of the plant. With a swipe of her trusty blade, the flower fell to the floor, with a pop up description tagged to it. The <<Alluring Vile Rose>>, some exotic name for a pink flower. Picking it up cautiously from it's petals, Haine fiddled with her inventories list and threw it into the storage. Ah, one down and five more to go! Probably she'd get carried away and hunt down other kinds of plants if she was in the mood for it.

 

ID: 12098

LD: 17 ( + 1 MATERIALS )

[Haine 0]

Haine decided that it was about time to move on from the same patch, and look at some other plants. With an eager grin, Haine noticed a comb of honey hanging up in a tree. Yeah, why the heck not stick your hand in a swarm of bees? "Should I? Screw it, I'm getting a tub of honey! But why would I carry jars in my inventory? Nah, move along." Right on the tree was a ripe collection of small and odd fruits that she hadn't seen in her whole life. "What the... I wanna try eating one." She grinned enthusiastically and climbed her way up the tree, grasping onto one of the smaller fruits and biting into it. For a brief moment she scrunched her nose, letting the apple-like taste sit in her mouth. But it was like... apples, grass, and this weird perfume scent she wore all the time. But this was really strong! Haine shrugged in approval, giving the small fruit another bite. But the taste got a bit too strong on the second bite. Haine broke into a fit of coughs as she hastily threw the fruit at the ground, choking on the bit of fruit she swallowed. "Okay, what the hell?! That's like a delicious apple until it tries to choke me or something..." with a scoff she moved up to pick another strange colored fruit with was lying around on the tree. Fresh and tasty looking. But Haine figured out what that thing did pretty quickly to be honest. A tick of her HP floated away just like that. Poison? Well, hit her on the head for consuming that. In a dramatic way, Haine attempted to gag the fruit out, giving out pretty quickly and catching her breath. Screw it, she was gonna keep quiet and add that to her collection. And so she'd toss it in. "They call these forest fruit, eck."

 

 

ID: 12099

LD: 15 ( + 1 MAT )

TOTAL MATERIALS: 2

[Haine 0]

Haine moved to hang upside down from the tree for a second, on the whim of the moment. She really didn't do things like this much, or take upon flower picking quests. Call them leaves, plants, whatever. In the end it was the same old thing! Haine looked to the left to see the bee's nest right next to her. A troubled expression would form on her face as her eyes widened. "Ah... well sweet honey geez. Lookin good, but I'll come prepared if I'm gonna rob you." with a grin, she flipped off the tree, only to stumble back from her feet and land on her bottom. The bluenette was dizzy, there was no doubt in that! Peering off into the distance, there was a whole new plant species spotted. Haine would need to walk to the other side to get there. "Ugh, who said this would be easy?" She took this as a little bit of motivation, pushing herself off the ground with a long sigh. After making it to a bush, Haine hastily plucked a horribly conditioned mint leaf and glanced at it. "Nope." Then she'll be picking away at the rest for some healing ingredients.

 

ID: 12102

LD: 12